Patron service system and method

• US 7,945,477 B2
• Filed: 09/19/2003
• Issued: 05/17/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/23/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tiare Technology, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Julie M. Werbitt
• Inventors: Werbitt, Julie M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gart; Matthew S
• Assistant Examiner(s): AN, IG TAI
• Application Number:
  US10/665,525
• Publication Number:
  US 20040068441A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,797 Days
• Field of Search: 705/1, 705/15
• US Class Current: 705/15
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/20 Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0281 Customer communication at a business location, e.g. providing product or service information, consulting
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0633 Lists, e.g. purchase orders, compilation or processing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/12 Hotels or restaurants
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/12 specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/00 Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/18 Network protocols supporting networked applications, e.g. including control of end-device applications over a network

Abstract

A patron service system and method is described herein with reference to several exemplary implementations. For example, in one described implementation, portable patron units are provided to patrons for use in a resort or other establishment. The portable patron units are mobile wireless devices that include interactive display screens. The portable patron units enables patrons to interact order items, request services, and/or browse information associated with the resort wirelessly. Portable staff units are provided to staff members for use in the resort or other establishment. The portable staff units are also mobile wireless devices that include interactive display screens. The portable staff units, enable staff members to view information about orders and/or requests entered by patrons made by the patrons wirelessly. The portable staff units can also display locations of the portable patron units to enable staff members to locate portable patron units when delivering items, servicing requests, etc.

Claims

1. A method of providing patron service at a venue, comprising:

providing, to each of a plurality of patrons, a wireless portable patron unit in communication with one or more central computer systems, the patron unit including an interactive display and providing a plurality of functions, including;

enabling entry, using the interactive display, of a plurality of patron information, including;

a patron identifier, a current location of the patron unit, patron requests, and a different location of the patron unit when the patron moves to the different location at the venue;

providing wireless signals to the one or more central computer systems, permitting the one or more central computer systems to receive the entered patron information and to perform a plurality of venue functions, including;

authenticating the patron using the patron identifier, processing the patron requests, retrieving previously stored information regarding the authenticated patron from a patron database, and wirelessly sending the received patron information and the retrieved patron information to one or more portable wireless staff units;

selectably receiving and displaying on the interactive display information from the one or more central computer systems, including;

a status of open patron requests from the patron, information regarding the patron retrieved from the patron database, information from a staff member assigned to the patron, and venue information; and

providing, to each of a plurality of staff members, a wireless portable staff unit in communication with the one or more central computer systems, each of the wireless portable staff units including an interactive display and providing a plurality of functions, including;

selectably receiving and displaying information on the interactive display from the one or more central computer systems, including;

information regarding patrons assigned to a particular staff member, current locations of the assigned patrons, assigned patron requests, status of the assigned patron requests, different locations of the assigned patrons, and patron information regarding the assigned patrons retrieved from the patron database;

enabling entry, by the staff member using the interactive display, of a plurality of staff information, including;

staff requests, requests for information regarding the assigned patron requests, requests for information from the patron database regarding the assigned patrons, information updating the status of open assigned patron requests, and information modifying the assigned patron requests; and

providing wireless signals to the one or more central computer systems, permitting the one or more central computer systems to receive and process the entered staff information.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising offering, via the patron unit, a plurality of services, including interactive video games, which are automatically activated in the patron unit by a patron making a selection using the interactive display.

3. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the processing of patron requests comprises routing each patron request to one of a plurality of fulfillment centers that provides a fulfillment that is associated with a specific service included in the patron request, wherein each of the plurality of fulfillment centers provides a different specific service.

4. The method as recited in claim 3, further comprising notifying staff responsible for a particular order via their wireless portable staff units when a specific patron request is completed and ready for delivery from one of the plurality of fulfillment centers that fulfilled the specific patron request.

5. The method as recited in claim 4, wherein each wireless portable patron unit allows a patron to page one or more staff members assigned to that patron.

6. The method as recited in claim 4, wherein the patron can request a bill for completed patron requests via the patron unit, and can complete payment for the bill by a preferred payment process, including electronically paying the bill using the patron unit and electronically requesting the assigned staff member to assist the patron in paying the bill.

7. The method as recited in claim 4, wherein the selectably receiving and displaying information from the one or more central computer systems includes displaying goods and services offered by the venue on the wireless portable patron units.

8. The method as recited in claim 7, wherein the selectably receiving and displaying information from the one or more central computer systems includes displaying cross-sell and/or up-sell recommendations based on previous patron requests made by a same patron, which have been retrieved from the patron database.

9. The method as recited in claim 7, wherein the venue information displayed on the patron unit includes general advertisements provided to all patrons of the venue.

10. The method as recited in claim 9, wherein the venue information displayed further includes specific advertisements related the patron'"'"'s current patron request, and specific advertisements related to previous patron requests of the patron based on information retrieved from the patron database.

71. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the wireless portable patron unit may be temporarily mounted to another venue item.

72. The method as recited in claim 71 wherein the another venue item is a chair.

73. The method as recited in claim 71 wherein the another venue item is a table.

74. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the current location comprises a hotel room number associated with the venue.

75. The method as recited in claim 7, wherein the authentication comprises enabling the wireless portable patron unit to accept a biometric sample of the patron, which is compared to a previously received biometric sample of the patron that is stored in the patron database.

76. The method as recited in claim 75 wherein the biometric sample is a fingerprint.

85. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein the plurality of services further includes providing music and video.

86. The method as recited in claim 85, wherein the plurality of services includes providing internet access and communication services using Voice over Internet Protocol.

87. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the providing, to each of a plurality of patrons, a wireless portable patron unit includes enabling a personal patron device, which is compatible with the venue'"'"'s one or more central computer systems, by downloading venue application software into the personal patron device.

88. The method of claim 1, wherein the patron database includes a patron profile of designated patrons who have previously visited the venue, the patron profile including information regarding patron identification, previous patron requests, any dietary restrictions, any special patron needs, and any special patron requests.

89. The method of claim 1, wherein the patron may enter one or more items under patron consideration in a Consideration List, which an assigned staff member may view in real time prior to submission of a patron request, so that an assigned staff member may assist the patron in finalizing a selection of the one or more items under patron consideration.

90. The method of claim 7, wherein the patron may enter one or more items under patron consideration in a Consideration List, which an assigned staff member may view in real time prior to submission of a patron request, so that an assigned staff member may assist the patron in finalizing a selection of the one or more items under patron consideration.

11. One or more non-transitory computer-readable media, comprising computer executable instructions that, when executed, direct a wireless portable patron unit, having an interactive display, at a venue, having one or more central computer systems, to perform a plurality off functions, including the functions of:

enabling entry, using the interactive display, of a plurality of patron information, including;

a patron identifier, a current location of the patron unit, patron requests, and a different location of the patron unit when the patron moves to the different location at the venue;

providing wireless signals to the one or more central computer systems, permitting the one or more central computer systems to receive the entered patron information and to perform a plurality of venue functions, including;

authenticating the patron using the patron identifier, processing the patron requests, retrieving previously stored information regarding the authenticated patron from a patron database, and wirelessly sending the received patron information and the retrieved patron information to one or more portable wireless staff units; and

selectably receiving and displaying on the interactive display information from the one or more central computer systems, including;

a status of open patron requests from the patron, information regarding the patron retrieved from the patron database, information from a staff member assigned to the patron while the staff member is using a portable wireless staff unit, and venue information,

wherein the current location of the patron unit and the different location of the patron unit are selectably received by and displayed on at least one wireless portable staff unit.

12. One or more non-transitory computer-readable media as recited in claim 11, further comprising computer executable instructions that, when executed, direct the patron unit to display an item previously ordered by the patron to enable the patron to reorder the previously ordered item, the previously ordered item by the patron was retrieved from the patron database by the one or more central computer systems.

13. One or more non-transitory computer-readable media as recited in claim 12, wherein the patron information retrieved from the patron database associated with the one or more central computer systems further includes information relating to patron preferences, patron dietary restrictions, and patron special requests.

14. One or more non-transitory computer-readable media as recited in claim 11, further comprising computer executable instructions that, when executed, direct the wireless portable patron unit to display an estimate of a time to completion of a pending patron request.

15. One or more non-transitory computer-readable media as recited in claim 11, further comprising computer executable instructions that, when executed, enable the one or more central computer systems to authenticate the patron using the wireless portable patron unit before accepting the patron requests.

16. One or more non-transitory computer-readable media as recited in claim 11, further comprising computer executable instructions that, when executed, direct the wireless portable patron unit enables the patron to page one or more staff members assigned to the patron.

17. One or more non-transitory computer-readable media as recited in claim 11, further comprising computer executable instructions that, when executed, direct the wireless portable patron unit to display cross-sell and/or up-sell recommendations based upon previous patron requests made by a same patron, which have been retrieved from the patron database.

18. One or more non-transitory computer-readable media as recited in claim 11, further comprising computer executable instructions that, when executed, direct the wireless portable patron unit to display advertisements selected by the venue, the advertisements including general advertisements provided to all patrons of the venue, specific advertisements related to the patron'"'"'s current patron request, and specific advertisements related to previous patron requests of the patron based on information retrieved from the patron database.

92. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media as recited in claim 11, wherein the wireless portable patron unit can be a personal patron device, which is compatible with the venue'"'"'s one or more central computer systems, that has been enabled as a wireless portable patron unit by downloading venue application software into the personal patron device.

96. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media as recited in claim 11, wherein the patron may enter one or more items under patron consideration in a Consideration List, which an assigned staff member may view in real time prior to submission of a patron request, so that an assigned staff member may assist the patron in finalizing a selection of the one or more items under patron consideration.

19. One or more non-transitory computer-readable media comprising computer executable instructions that, when executed, direct a wireless portable staff unit, in communication with one or more central computer systems and with one or more wireless portable patron units using wireless network at a venue, to perform a plurality of functions, including:

selectably receiving and displaying, on an interactive display of the portable staff unit, information from the one or more central computer systems, including;

information regarding patrons assigned to a particular staff member, current locations of the assigned patrons, assigned patron requests, status of the assigned patron requests, different locations of the assigned patrons when any of the assigned patrons moves to a different location at the venue, and patron information regarding the assigned patrons retrieved by the one or more central computer systems from a patron database after authentication of the patron by the one or more central computer system,

wherein the user interface also enables entry, by the staff member using the interactive display, of a plurality of staff information, including;

staff requests, requests for information regarding the assigned patron requests, requests for information from the patron database regarding the assigned patrons, information updating the status of open assigned patron requests, and information modifying the assigned patron requests; and

providing wireless signals to the one or more central computer systems, permitting the one or more central computer systems to receive and process the entered staff information,

wherein a current location of an assigned patron and a different location of the assigned patron are entered into, and selectably displayed on, a wireless portable patron unit.

20. One or more non-transitory computer-readable media as recited in claim 19, wherein the information updating the status of open assigned patron requests, entered into the staff unit, includes information indicating that a patron request has been delivered to the patron.

21. One or more non-transitory computer-readable media as recited in claim 19, further comprising computer executable instructions that, when executed, direct the staff unit to display information specifying a quantity of patron requests assigned to a particular staff member.

22. One or more non-transitory computer-readable media as recited in claim 19, further comprising computer executable instructions that, when executed, direct the staff unit to display information specifying a quantity of patron requests assigned to a particular zone of responsibility.

23. One or more non-transitory computer-readable media as recited in claim 19, further comprising computer executable instructions that, when executed, direct a portable staff unit to display information specifying a total quantity of patron units that are logged into a network for the venue.

24. One or more non-transitory computer-readable media as recited in claim 19, further comprising computer executable instructions that, when executed, direct a portable staff unit to display real-time activity of a patron which is performed concurrently on a portable patron device.

25. One or more non-transitory computer-readable media as recited in claim 19, further comprising computer executable instructions that, when executed, direct a portable staff unit to display a request from a patron using a patron unit for delivery of the patron'"'"'s bill.

26. One or more non-transitory computer-readable media as recited in claim 19, further comprising computer executable instructions that, when executed, direct a portable staff unit to display messages received from venue management.

98. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media as recited in claim 19, wherein the patron may enter one or more items under patron consideration in a Consideration List, which an assigned staff member may view in real time prior to submission of a patron request, so that an assigned staff member may assist the patron in finalizing a selection of the one or more items under patron consideration.

27. One or more non-transitory computer-readable media comprising computer executable instructions that, when executed, direct one or more central computer systems at a venue, in communication with a one or more wireless portable patron units and one or more wireless portable staff units over a wireless network, to perform a plurality of functions, including:

receiving wireless signals from the one or more patron units, permitting the one or more central computer systems to receive patron information entered by a patron using an interactive display of a patron unit and to perform a plurality of venue functions, including;

authenticating a patron using a patron identifier entered by a patron on the patron unit, processing patron requests, and retrieving previously stored information regarding the authenticated patron from a patron database;

wirelessly sending the received patron information and the retrieved patron information to the one or more staff units;

receiving wireless signals from the one or more staff units, permitting the one or more central computer systems to receive staff information entered by a staff member using an interactive display of a staff unit, and to perform a plurality of staff venue functions, including processing;

staff requests, requests for information regarding the assigned patron requests, requests for information from the patron database regarding the assigned patrons, information updating the status of open assigned patron requests, and information modifying the assigned patron requests; and

wirelessly sending designated received staff information, the retrieved patron information, and venue information to the one or more patron units,

wherein the received patron information includes a current location of a patron unit, and a different location of the patron unit when a patron moves to a different location at the venue, which are selectably displayed on the patron unit and the one or more staff units.

28. One or more non-transitory computer-readable media as recited in claim 27, wherein the venue information includes menus for ordering items.

29. One or more non-transitory computer-readable media as recited in claim 27, wherein the venue information includes services offered by the venue.

30. One or more non-transitory computer-readable media as recited in claim 27, wherein the venue information includes advertisements.

31. One or more non-transitory computer-readable media as recited in claim 27, wherein the retrieved patron information includes information regarding previously patron requests, patron preferences, patron dietary restrictions, and patron special requests.

32. One or more non-transitory computer-readable media as recited in claim 27, wherein the venue information includes advertisements selected by the venue, the advertisements including general advertisements provided to all patrons of the venue, specific advertisements related to the patron'"'"'s current patron request, and specific advertisements related to previous patron requests of the patron based on information retrieved from the patron database.

33. One or more non-transitory computer-readable media as recited in claim 27, wherein a received patron request includes a request for Internet access provided by the venue.

34. One or more non-transitory computer-readable media as recited in claim 27, wherein the received patron information includes a request for an electronic bill, which the patron can pay electronically using the patron unit.

35. One or more non-transitory computer-readable media as recited in claim 27, further comprising computer executable instructions that, when executed, direct the one or more central computer systems to communicate with one of a plurality of venue fulfillment centers, wherein each venue fulfillment center provides a different fulfillment.

36. One or more non-transitory computer-readable media as recited in claim 27, further comprising computer executable instructions that, when executed, direct the one or more central computer systems to notify a patron that a specific patron request has been successfully processed by a specific fulfillment center that provides a specialized venue service requested by the patron that is not related to the restaurant services of the venue.

37. A wireless portable patron unit for use in a venue, in communication with one or more central computer systems and with one or more wireless portable staff units, the wireless portable patron unit comprising:

a controller;

an interactive display;

a user interface for display on the interactive display, the user interface configured to enable entry of a plurality of patron information, including;

a patron identifier, a current location of the patron unit, patron requests, and a different location of the patron unit when the patron moves to the different location at the venue; and

a communicator, for providing wireless signals to the one or more central computer systems, permitting the one or more central computer systems to receive the entered patron information and to perform a plurality of venue functions, including;

authenticating the patron using the patron identifier, processing the patron requests, retrieving previously stored information regarding the authenticated patron from a patron database, and wirelessly sending the received patron information and the retrieved patron information to the one or more portable wireless staff units,

wherein the controller enables the patron to selectably receive and display on the interactive display information from the one or more central computer systems, including;

a status of open patron requests from the patron, information regarding the patron retrieved from the patron database, information from a staff member assigned to the patron while the staff member is using a portable wireless staff unit, and venue information,

wherein the current location of the patron unit and the different location of the patron unit are selectably received by and displayed on at least one wireless portable staff unit.

38. The wireless portable patron unit as recited in claim 37, wherein the wireless portable patron unit is a dedicated device capable of being handheld and carried by the patron to the different location, the wireless portable patron unit being provided to the patron at the venue.

39. The wireless portable patron unit as recited in claim 37, wherein the wireless portable patron unit is configured to be temporarily secured to furniture used by the patron.

40. The wireless portable patron unit as recited in claim 38, wherein the interactive display device permits the user to select various sizes of fonts for displaying information.

41. The wireless portable patron unit as recited in claim 38, wherein the interactive display is a touch screen.

42. The wireless portable patron unit as recited in claim 38, further including packaging, configured to provide protection against the sun and other contaminants.

43. The wireless portable patron unit as recited in claim 37, wherein the user interface is configured to display an item previously ordered by the patron to enable the patron to reorder the previously ordered item, the previously ordered item by the patron having been retrieved from the patron database by the one or more central computer systems.

44. The wireless portable patron unit as recited in claim 43, wherein the patron information retrieved from the patron database associated with the one or more central computer systems further includes information relating to patron preferences, patron dietary restrictions, and patron special requests.

45. The wireless portable patron unit as recited in claim 37, wherein the user interface is configured to display an estimate of a time to completion of a pending order.

46. The wireless portable patron unit as recited in claim 37, wherein the authentication comprises enabling the wireless portable patron unit to accept a biometric sample of the patron, which is compared to a previously received biometric sample of the patron that is stored in the patron database.

47. The wireless portable patron unit as recited in claim 37, wherein the wireless portable patron unit allows the patron to page one or more staff members assigned to the patron.

48. The wireless portable patron unit as recited in claim 37, wherein the user interface is configured to display messages to the patron from the one or more central computer systems, from the one or more staff units, and from other patrons if the patron desires to communicate with other patrons.

49. The wireless portable patron unit as recited in claim 48, wherein the user interface is configured to display items and services offered by the venue.

50. The wireless portable patron unit as recited in claim 49, wherein the user interface is configured to display cross-sell and/or up-sell recommendations based on previous patron requests made by a same patron, which have been retrieved from the patron database.

51. The wireless portable patron unit as recited in claim 49, wherein the user interface is configured to display advertisements selected by the venue, the advertisements including general advertisements provided to all patrons of the venue, specific advertisements related to the patron'"'"'s current patron request, and specific advertisements related to previous patron requests of the patron based on information retrieved from the patron database.

79. The wireless portable patron unit of claim 37 wherein the different location of the wireless portable patron unit is determined by a wireless link to one or more network access points, which wirelessly communicates with the one or more central computer systems.

80. The wireless portable patron unit of claim 37, further comprising:

a GPS receiver;

wherein the current location and subsequent locations of the portable patron unit is determined via the GPS receiver and transmitted to the one or more central computer systems.

91. The wireless portable patron unit as recited in claim 37, wherein the wireless portable patron unit can be a personal patron device, which is compatible with the venue'"'"'s one or more central computer systems, that has been enabled as a wireless portable patron unit by downloading venue application software into the personal patron device.

94. The method of claim 49, wherein the patron may enter one or more items under patron consideration in a Consideration List, which an assigned staff member may view in real time prior to submission of a patron request, so that an assigned staff member may assist the patron in finalizing a selection of the one or more items under patron consideration.

95. The method of claim 91, wherein the patron may enter one or more items under patron consideration in a Consideration List, which an assigned staff member may view in real time prior to submission of a patron request, so that an assigned staff member may assist the patron in finalizing a selection of the one or more items under patron consideration.

52. A wireless portable staff unit assigned to a staff member, in communication with one or more central computer systems and with one or more wireless portable patron units using a wireless network at a venue, comprising:

a controller;

an interactive display;

a user interface for display on the interactive display, the user interface being configured to selectably receive and display information on the interactive display from the one or more central computer systems, including;

information regarding patrons assigned to a particular staff member, current locations of the assigned patrons, assigned patron requests, status of the assigned patron requests, different locations of the assigned patrons when any of the assigned patrons moves to a different location at the venue, and patron information regarding the assigned patrons retrieved by the one or more central computer systems from a patron database after authentication of the patron by the one or more central computer system,

wherein the user interface also enables entry, by the staff member using the interactive display, of a plurality of staff information, including;

staff requests, requests for information regarding the assigned patron requests, requests for information from the patron database regarding the assigned patrons, information updating the status of open assigned patron requests, and information modifying the assigned patron requests; and

a communicator providing wireless signals to the one or more central computer systems, permitting the one or more central computer systems to receive and process the entered staff information,

wherein the current location of an assigned patron and the different location of the assigned patron are entered into, and selectably displayed on, a wireless portable patron unit.

53. The wireless portable staff unit as recited in claim 52, wherein the information updating the status of open assigned patron requests included information indicating that a patron request has been delivered to the patron.

54. The wireless portable staff unit as recited in claim 52, wherein the user interface is configured to display information specifying a quantity of patron requests assigned to a particular staff member.

55. The wireless portable staff unit as recited in claim 52, wherein the user interface is configured to display information specifying a quantity of patron requests assigned to a particular zone of responsibility at the venue.

56. The wireless portable staff unit as recited in claim 52, wherein the user interface is configured to display information specifying a quantity of patron units that are logged onto the network at the venue.

57. The wireless portable staff unit as recited in claim 52, wherein the user interface is configured to display actions performed by patrons using their wireless portable patron units as the actions are being performed by the patrons in real-time.

58. The wireless portable staff unit as recited in claim 52, wherein the user interface is configured to display information specifying when a notification/page is received from a patron requesting service from the staff member assigned to that patron.

59. The wireless portable staff unit as recited in claim 52, wherein the user interface is configured to display information specifying when a notification/page is received indicating when a patron has requested delivery of their bill.

97. The wireless portable staff unit as recited in claim 52, wherein when a patron enters one or more items under patron consideration into a Consideration List using a patron unit, a staff member assigned to that patron views the Consideration List on the staff unit in real time, prior to submission of a patron request, and assists the patron in finalizing a selection of the one or more items under patron consideration.

60. A method for a wireless portable staff unit used by a staff member in a venue, in communication with one or more central computer systems and with one or more wireless portable patron units using a wireless network at a venue, comprising:

selectably receiving and displaying information on an interactive display of the staff unit from the one or more central computer systems, including;

information regarding patrons assigned to a particular staff member, current locations of the assigned patrons, assigned patron requests, status of the assigned patron requests, different locations of the assigned patrons when any of the assigned patrons moves to a different location at the venue, and patron information regarding an assigned patron retrieved by the one or more central computer systems from a patron database after authentication of the assigned patron by the one or more central computer systems,

enabling entry, by the staff member using the interactive display of the staff unit, of a plurality of staff information, including;

staff requests, requests for information regarding the assigned patron requests, requests for information from the patron database regarding the assigned patrons, information updating the status of open assigned patron requests, and information modifying the assigned patron requests; and

providing wireless signals to the one or more central computer systems, permitting the one or more central computer systems to receive and process the entered staff information; and

communicating with assigned patrons via their patron unit units,

wherein a current location of an assigned patron and a different location of the assigned patron are entered into, and selectably displayed on, the wireless portable patron unit.

61. The method as recited in claim 60, further comprising:

displaying a total number of patron requests assigned to each of a plurality of particular staff members.

62. The method as recited in claim 60, further comprising:

displaying a total number of patron requests assigned to a particular zone of responsibility at the venue.

63. The method as recited in claim 60, further comprising:

displaying a quantity of patron units that are actively logged onto the wireless network for the venue.

64. The method as recited in claim 60, further comprising:

displaying actions performed by patrons using their wireless portable patron units as the actions are being performed by the patrons in real-time.

65. The method as recited in claim 60, further comprising:

displaying a notification/page from a patron to which the staff member is assigned requesting service.

99. The method as recited in claim 60, wherein when a patron enters one or more items under patron consideration into a Consideration List using a patron unit, a staff member assigned to that patron views the Consideration List on the staff unit in real time, prior to submission of a patron request, and assists the patron in finalizing a selection of the one or more items under patron consideration.

66. A method of providing patron service in a stadium/arena, comprising:

providing, to each of a plurality of patrons, a wireless portable patron unit having an interactive display in communication with one or more central computer systems, each of the wireless portable patron units, having downloaded therein a stadium/arena seating configuration of a designated stadium/arena, and providing a plurality of functions, including;

enabling entry, using the interactive display, of a plurality of patron information, including;

a patron identifier, a current location of the patron unit in the stadium/arena that correlates to the designated stadium/arena seating configuration, patron requests, and a different location of the patron unit when the patron moves to the different location at the stadium/venue;

providing wireless signals to the one or more central computer systems, permitting the one or more central computer systems to receive the entered patron information and to perform a plurality of stadium/arena functions, including;

authenticating the patron using the patron identifier, processing the patron requests, retrieving previously stored information regarding the authenticated patron from a patron database, and wirelessly sending the received patron information and the retrieved patron information to one or more portable wireless staff units;

selectably receiving and displaying on the interactive display information from the one or more central computer systems, including;

a status of open patron requests from the patron, information regarding the patron retrieved from the patron database, information from a staff member assigned to the patron, and stadium/arena information; and

providing, to each of a plurality of staff members, a wireless portable staff unit in communication with the one or more central computer systems, each of the wireless portable staff units including an interactive display and providing a plurality of functions, including;

selectably receiving and displaying information on the interactive display from the one or more central computer systems, including;

information regarding patrons assigned to a particular staff member, current locations of the assigned patrons, assigned patron requests, status of the assigned patron requests, different locations of the assigned patrons, and patron information regarding the assigned patrons retrieved from the patron database;

enabling entry, by the staff member using the interactive display, of a plurality of staff information, including;

staff requests, requests for information regarding the assigned patron requests, requests for information from the patron database regarding the assigned patrons, information updating the status of open assigned patron requests, and information modifying the assigned patron requests; and

providing wireless signals to the one or more central computer systems, permitting the one or more central computer systems to receive and process the entered staff information.

77. The method as recited in claim 66, wherein the wireless portable patron units are mountable to seats at the stadium/arena.

93. The method of providing service in a stadium/arena as recited in claim 66, wherein the providing, to each of a plurality of patrons, a wireless portable patron unit includes enabling a personal patron device, which is compatible with the venue'"'"'s one or more central computer systems, by downloading venue application software into the personal patron device.

100. The method as recited in claim 66, wherein providing the wireless portable patron unit includes enabling a patron'"'"'s personal patron device, which is compatible with the one or more central computer systems of the designated stadium/arena, the enabling being performed by downloading stadium/arena application software into the personal patron device.

101. The method as recited in claim 66, wherein the patron unit includes an outer protective casing, which is designed to provide protection at least against sun, rain, and spilled refreshments.

67. One or more non-transitory computer-readable media comprising computer executable instructions that, when executed, direct a wireless portable staff unit, in communication with one or more central computer systems and with one or more wireless portable patron units using a wireless network at a stadium/arena, to perform a plurality of functions, including:

selectably receiving and displaying, on an interactive display of the staff unit, information from the one or more central computer systems, including;

information regarding patrons assigned to a particular staff member, current locations of the assigned patrons in the stadium/arena, assigned patron requests, status of the assigned patron requests, different locations of the assigned patrons when any of the assigned patrons moves to a different location at the stadium/arena, and patron information regarding the assigned patrons retrieved by the one or more central computer systems from a patron database after authentication of the patron by the one or more central computer systems,

wherein the user interface also enables entry, by the staff member using the interactive display, of a plurality of staff information, including;

staff requests, requests for information regarding the assigned patron requests, requests for information from the patron database regarding the assigned patrons, information updating the status of open assigned patron requests, and information modifying the assigned patron requests; and

providing wireless signals to the one or more central computer systems, permitting the one or more central computer systems to receive and process the entered staff information,

wherein a current location of an assigned patron and a different location of the assigned patron are entered into, and selectable displayed on, a wireless portable patron unit.

78. The method as recited in claim 67 wherein the patron units are mountable to chairs.

68. A wireless portable patron unit for use in a stadium/arena, in communication with one or more central computer systems and with one or more wireless portable staff units, comprising:

a controller;

an interactive display;

a memory, having stored therein a stadium/arena seating configuration of a designated stadium/arena;

a user interface for display on the interactive display, the user interface configured to enable entry of a plurality of patron information, including;

a patron identifier, a current location of the patron unit in the stadium/arena, patron requests, and a different location of the patron unit when the patron moves to the different location at the stadium/arena; and

a communicator, for providing wireless signals to the one or more central computer systems, permitting the one or more central computer systems to receive the entered patron information and to perform a plurality of stadium/arena functions, including;

authenticating the patron using the patron identifier, processing the patron requests, retrieving previously stored information regarding the authenticated patron from a patron database, and wirelessly sending the received patron information and the retrieved patron information to the one or more portable wireless staff units,

wherein the controller enables the patron to selectably receive and display on the interactive display information from the one or more central computer systems, including;

a status of open patron requests from the patron, information regarding the patron retrieved from the patron database, information from a staff member assigned to the patron while the staff member is using a portable wireless staff unit, and stadium/arena information,

wherein the current location of the patron unit and the different location of the patron unit are selectably received by and displayed on the portable wireless staff unit.

69. The wireless portable patron unit as recited in claim 68, wherein the interactive display is touch-screen display.

102. The wireless portable patron unit as recited in claim 68, wherein the wireless portable patron unit can be a personal patron device, which is compatible with the venue'"'"'s one or more central computer systems, that has been enabled as a wireless portable patron unit by downloading stadium/arena application software into the personal patron device.

70. A method for a wireless portable staff unit used by a staff member in a stadium/arena, in communication with one or more central computer systems and with one or more wireless portable patron units using a wireless network, comprising:

selectably receiving and displaying information on an interactive display of the staff unit from the one or more central computer systems, including;

information regarding patrons assigned to a particular staff member, current locations of the assigned patrons at the stadium/arena, assigned patron requests, status of the assigned patron requests, different locations of the assigned patrons when any of the assigned patrons moves to a different location at the stadium/arena, and patron information regarding the assigned patrons retrieved by the one or more central computer systems from a patron database after authentication of the patron by the one or more central computer system,

enabling entry, by the staff member using the interactive display of the staff unit, of a plurality of staff information, including;

staff requests, requests for information regarding the assigned patron requests, requests for information from the patron database regarding the assigned patrons, information updating the status of open assigned patron requests, and information modifying the assigned patron requests; and

providing wireless signals to the one or more central computer systems, permitting the one or more central computer systems to receive and process the entered staff information; and

communicating with assigned patrons via their patron unit units,

wherein a current location of an assigned patron and a different location of the assigned patron are entered into, and selectably displayed on, a wireless portable patron unit.

81. A method for providing patron service at a venue, comprising:

providing, to each of a plurality of patrons, a wireless portable patron unit in communication with one or more central computer systems, each of the wireless portable patron units providing a plurality of functions, including;

providing an interactive display;

allowing a patron to input patron identification information;

allowing a patron to input a patron request;

providing wireless signals to the one or more central computer systems, permitting the one or more central computer systems to process the patron request, to determine a current location of the patron unit, and to track subsequent locations of the patron unit in real time;

displaying a status of an open patron request;

receiving and displaying information from the one or more central computer systems;

providing, to each of a plurality of staff, a wireless portable staff unit in communication with the one or more central computer systems, each of the wireless portable staff units providing a plurality of functions, including;

providing an interactive display;

receiving from the one or more central computer systems the current location of the patron unit, and the subsequent locations of the patron unit in real time;

sending staff requests to the one or more central computer systems for information regarding the patron request;

viewing the open patron request and the status of the open patron request;

displaying a map on the interactive display of the staff unit showing the current location of the patron unit, and the subsequent locations of the patron unit in real time;

displaying information regarding previous patron requests from the patron, which have been retrieved from a patron database associated with the one or more central computer systems;

allowing a staff member to update the status of the open patron request; and

allowing the staff member to input a patron request for the patron using the staff unit; and

providing one or more central computer systems, said one or more central computer systems providing a plurality of functions,

receiving and processing patron requests from the plurality of patrons via the plurality of patron units;

determining a current location of each of the plurality of patron units from the wireless signals provided from the plurality of patron units, and tracking subsequent locations of the plurality of patron units in real time;

storing information regarding previous patron requests, from each of the plurality of patrons, in a database; and

receiving and processing staff requests from the plurality of staff,

wherein the current location of the patron unit, and the subsequent locations of the patron unit, are selectably displayed on the patron unit.

82. The method of claim 81 wherein the one or more central computer systems includes a point of sale capability or interfaces to an external point of sale capability.

83. A method for providing patron service at a venue, comprising:

downloading a patron unit software application to patron-supplied hardware, software application allowing the patron-supplied hardware to operate as a wireless portable patron unit and to provide a plurality of functions, including;

enabling entry of a plurality of patron information, including;

a patron identifier, a current location of the patron unit, patron requests, and a different location of the patron unit when the patron moves to the different location at the venue;

providing wireless signals to the one or more central computer systems, permitting the one or more central computer systems to receive the entered patron information and to perform a plurality of venue functions, including;

authenticating the patron using the patron identifier, processing the patron requests, retrieving previously stored information regarding the authenticated patron from a patron database, and wirelessly sending the received patron information and the retrieved patron information to one or more portable wireless staff units; and

selectably receiving and displaying information from the one or more central computer systems, including;

a status of open patron requests from the patron, information regarding the patron retrieved from the patron database, information from a staff member assigned to the patron, and venue information; and

providing, to each of a plurality of staff members, a wireless portable staff unit in communication with the one or more central computer systems, each of the wireless portable staff units including an interactive display and providing a plurality of functions, including;

selectably receiving and displaying information on the interactive display from the one or more central computer systems, including;

information regarding patrons assigned to a particular staff member, current locations of the assigned patrons, assigned patron requests, status of the assigned patron requests, different locations of the assigned patrons, and patron information regarding the assigned patrons retrieved from the patron database;

enabling entry, by the staff member using the interactive display, of a plurality of staff information, including;

staff requests, requests for information regarding the assigned patron requests, requests for information from the patron database regarding the assigned patrons, information updating the status of open assigned patron requests, and information modifying the assigned patron requests; and

providing wireless signals to the one or more central computer systems, permitting the one or more central computer systems to receive and process the entered staff information.

84. The method of claim 83 wherein the one or more central computer systems includes a point of sale capability or interfaces to an external point of sale capability.

103. The method as recited in claim 83, wherein the patron identifier is automatically determined by the one or more central computer systems based upon the wireless signals provided by the patron unit.