This invention relates generally to a customer kiosk ordering system and method. More particularly, the present invention relates to a kiosk ordering system and method for allowing a customer to directly order food and other related products in a manner providing enhanced efficiencies and user interactions with the customer kiosk ordering system and method.
This invention relates generally to customer kiosk ordering systems and methods. Prior customer kiosk ordering systems and methods have been attempted and implemented. One such system is disclosed within U.S. Pat. No. 5,235,509, to Mueller et al., issued Aug. 10, 1993. Specifically, Mueller et al. is directed to a method and apparatus for facilitating self-ordering of items in a fast food environment. The apparatus includes a customer terminal having a touch screen display. The touch screen displays information that assists the customer in becoming acquainted with the self-ordering process. Subsequent screens display information relating to the selection of food items. Indicia on the screens represent food items for selection. Such food items are arranged according to food categories. Touching of indicia representing a particular menu food item acts to cause the item to be ordered. U.S. Pat. No. 5,235,509 is incorporated herein by reference for at least the purpose of giving context to the present invention.
Related U.S. Pat. No. 5,128,862, to Mueller et al., issued Jul. 7, 1992, also discloses (a) sets of one or more customer self-order stations equipped with touch screen input terminals, (b) a cashier station associated with one or more customer stations, (c) a food preparation station, and (d) a manager station, as well as “runner” stations and a central data consolidation station. A customer places his own order at one of the customer stations. Those customers who are unable or unwilling to utilize the self-ordering capabilities of the system can be assisted by employees of the restaurant without disrupting the functioning of the overall system. An employee at the cashier station receives money from the customer in payment of the bill for the order, and operates the cash drawer. Employees of the restaurant prepare orders at the food preparation station, while the manager station monitors the various aspects of the system. U.S. Pat. No. 5,128,862 is incorporated herein by reference for at least the purpose of giving context to the present invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,806,071, to Balderrama et al., issued Sep. 8, 1998, discloses a process and system to, using both a template presentation created at one location and a database containing items intended for sale at a sales outlet, configure with a computer, electronic information for presentation at an electronic device with which an item (from the outlet), may be ordered. Specifically, Balederrama et al. discloses a process for presenting display information at an interactive electronic device with which an item may be ordered, comprising the steps of: providing an original template presentation created at a first location to include a plurality of template items; providing a database to include a plurality of database items; and configuring the display information for presentation, to include the step of tagging as active for display, an item cell associated with each template item that is also a database item. U.S. Pat. No. 5,806,071 is incorporated herein by reference for at least the purpose of giving context to the present invention.
However, these prior systems fail to recognize many significant aspects needed for a more efficient and customer friendly experience in ordering restaurant menu items through a customer kiosk. Despite the advances in the field, the quick service restaurant (QSR) industry is in need of more efficient systems and methods for customer-based ordering.
The present invention provides a system and method for enhanced customer kiosk ordering. The system may be implemented in a variety of ways, including as a computer readable medium, for allowing a customer to directly order food and other related products in a manner providing enhanced efficiencies and user interactions with the customer kiosk ordering system.
One embodiment of the present invention is directed to a system and method for presenting restaurant items for ordering through a customer ordering kiosk, comprising the steps of displaying a first restaurant item category selector within a first ordering interface screen, wherein the first restaurant item category comprises a first background indicia pattern, displaying a second restaurant item category selector within the first ordering interface screen, wherein the second restaurant item category selector comprises a second background indicia pattern that is visually different from the first indicia pattern and displaying a third restaurant item category selector within the first ordering interface screen, wherein the third restaurant item category selector comprises a third background indicia pattern. When a selection signal is received representing that one of the first, second, and third restaurant item category selectors has been selected, the kiosk displays a first restaurant item selector comprising a restaurant item background pattern that matches the one of the first, second and third background indicia patterns of the respective selected first, second, and third restaurant item category selectors and displays a second restaurant item selector comprising the same restaurant item background pattern that matches the one of the first, second and third background indicia patterns of the respective selected first, second, and third restaurant item category selectors.
Another embodiment of the present invention is directed to a system and method for presenting restaurant items for ordering through a customer kiosk, comprising the steps of displaying a first and second restaurant menu category selector within an ordering interface screen, receiving a selection signal representing that one of the first or second restaurant menu category selectors has been selected and displaying the restaurant menu that corresponds to the selection signal. The first restaurant menu category selector is representative of a first restaurant menu and the second restaurant menu category selector is representative of a second restaurant menu. Additionally, the first restaurant menu comprises a first set of restaurant item selectors and the second restaurant menu comprises a second set of restaurant item selectors.
Another embodiment of the present invention is directed to a system and method for presenting restaurant items for ordering through a customer ordering kiosk, comprising the steps of displaying a first restaurant item image within a first area of a first ordering interface screen, displaying a second restaurant item image within a second area of the first ordering interface screen and displaying a first restaurant item selector for selecting the first restaurant item, wherein at least a portion of the first restaurant item selector is positioned within the first area of the first ordering interface screen. The first and second restaurant item images represent first and second restaurant items that can be ordered respectively using the customer ordering kiosk.
Another embodiment of the present invention is directed to a system and method of efficiently facilitating the selection and purchase of a restaurant item using a customer ordering kiosk comprising displaying a set of restaurant items available for purchase on a first ordering interface screen, receiving a triggering signal, displaying an overlay interface screen and preventing the first ordering interface screen from receiving any input from a customer while the overlay interface screen is displayed. The triggering signal can represent that a restaurant item has been selected, customization of a restaurant item has been completed, the customer has finished selecting restaurant items or a predetermined amount of time has passed without any input signals being received by the kiosk. Additionally, the overlay interface screen can facilitate meal creation, restaurant item customization, payment and kiosk system timeout.
Another embodiment of the present invention is directed to a system and method for presenting restaurant items for ordering through a customer kiosk, comprising the steps of displaying a list of restaurant item selectors within an ordering interface screen, receiving a selection signal indicating that one of the restaurant items has been selected, displaying one or more of the selected restaurant items within an order cart interface screen, wherein each of the selected restaurant items includes a selector box representing dietary options for the selected restaurant items. A dietary option is a predetermined set of ingredients associated and in accordance with a known set of preferences or nutritional restrictions.
Another embodiment of the present invention is directed to a system and method for presenting restaurant items for ordering through a customer ordering kiosk, comprising the steps of displaying a list of restaurant items within an ordering interface screen, receiving a selection signal indicating that one or more of the restaurant items has been selected, displaying one or more of the selected restaurant items within an order cart interface screen and receiving a selection signal indicating that a selector box corresponding to the ingredient option has been selected. Each of the selected restaurant items includes at least one selector box representing an ingredient option for the selected restaurant item that the customer can interact with to customize the amount of that ingredient on the selected restaurant item. If the customer elects to remove an ingredient from the restaurant item, the selected ingredient option is highlighted to indicate that it will be omitted from the restaurant item.
Another embodiment of the present invention is directed to a system and method for presenting restaurant items for ordering through a customer ordering kiosk, comprising the steps of displaying an electronic receipt within an ordering interface screen, displaying one or more restaurant items on the electronic receipt corresponding to restaurant items that were selected by the customer for purchase, displaying a restaurant item symbol corresponding to one or more of the restaurant items displayed on the electronic receipt, displaying an edit button for each of the restaurant items and displaying a total cost line item for aggregating the total cost for all of the selected restaurant items. The restaurant item symbol is displayed in close proximity to its respective restaurant item, and customers may modify existing orders by selecting the edit button and causing an edit signal to be generated. Additionally, the electronic receipt may scroll up and down to display restaurant items that cannot be displayed on a single screen.
Another embodiment of the present invention is directed to a system and method for presenting restaurant items for multi-item restaurant item selection through a customer ordering kiosk, comprising the steps of receiving a signal representing that a multi-item restaurant item selection has been made, displaying a first indicator representing that a first restaurant item of a predetermined plurality of restaurant items has been selected and displaying a second indicator representing that a second restaurant item of the predetermined plurality of restaurant items still needs to be selected. The multi-item restaurant item selection represents selection of the predetermined plurality of restaurant items comprising the first restaurant item and the second restaurant item.
Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the present invention will be, or will become, apparent to one having ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages included within this description, be within the scope of the present invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims.
The invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present invention. In the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.
Each customer kiosk can also include an operating system, a credit card reader software application, a receipt dispenser software application, a network communication software application, and a touch screen browser software application, each stored within the memory 220 or other computer hardware device, for operating in connection with the microprocessor 210 or other hardware device. Specifically, the operating system within each customer kiosk is provided for use in executing software applications, such as the credit card reader application, the receipt dispenser application, the network communication application, and/or the touch screen browser application. The credit or payment card reader application receives and/or deciphers credit card information from credit cards that are inserted into the credit card reader 240 for paying for a meal ordered using the customer kiosk 110, 120, 130, 200. In one embodiment, the customer kiosk 110, 120, 130, 200 can be configured to include a cash receiving device, a change dispenser, and an appropriate software application for controlling these devices to receive cash payment and dispense change, as needed, for allowing a customer to pay for an order with cash, instead of with a credit card.
The receipt dispenser application communicates information to the receipt dispenser 250 and controls the operation of the receipt dispenser 250 for printing a receipt. A receipt (not shown) typically includes at least a listing of the restaurant items ordered, the price for each restaurant item ordered, applicable taxes, an identifier, such as a number and/or a bar code, for uniquely identifying the order and the customer which placed the order in order to match the customer with the correct order a pick-up counter, and an indication of whether the order has been paid for at the customer kiosk, such as for example, by using a credit card/debit card and inserting the credit card/debit card into the credit / payment card reader 240. The network communication application communicates or sends information to and receives information from a local customer kiosk server 140.
In one embodiment, the touch screen browser application is provided for displaying a plurality of customer ordering interface screens of the present invention and receiving customer selections in response thereto, as will be described in greater detail below. In the embodiment shown in
Customers 302, 304 are presented with the customer ordering interface screens as displayed on the touch screen displays 112, 122, 132, 230 by the customer order taking application 310, 410, and the customers 302, 304 can utilize these customer ordering interface screens to select, order, and pay for restaurant menu items. In one embodiment, the customer kiosk 110, 120, 130, 200 presentation on the touch screen display 112, 122, 132, 230 is created and controlled by software, such as the customer order taking application 310, 410 that can be installed on each customer kiosk 110, 120, 130, 200 and information received from the local configuration or management computer 144. When new software is to be installed on the customer kiosks 110, 120, 130, 200, in one embodiment, the software need only be loaded into one customer kiosk 110, 120, 130, 200 through a CD-ROM drive, and all other customer kiosks 110, 120, 130, 200 will automatically update themselves to use the new software through the customer kiosk 110, 120, 130, 200 with the CD-ROM via the Ethernet or other network. The restaurant items or products available and prices for these products can be supplied to all the customer kiosks 110, 120, 130, 200 by the local configuration or management computer 144, which is stored in the memory 220 of each of the customer kiosks 110, 120, 130, 200. Changes to the information in each of the kiosks can be made through the local configuration computer by altering the database on this computer. Thus, the memory of each kiosk can be updated after the database in the local configuration computer is changed. In another embodiment, the local customer kiosk server 140 and the local customer ordering taking application 310, 410 can store and/or retrieve the customer ordering interface screens in and/or from a local customer interface database 330. As provided above, the customer ordering interface screens can also be stored in and/or retrieved the local customer interface database located within the memory 220 of each customer kiosk 110, 120, 130, 200. In the former example, the local customer ordering interface screens can be managed using a local kiosk management computer 144, for later use by and/or downloading into each customer kiosk 110, 120, 130, 200, from the local customer interface database 330 using the local kiosk management computer 144.
The enhanced customer kiosk ordering system 100, 300 can also include central management computers, such as a central management server 150 and a central management client computer 152. A central customer interface application 320 can reside on the a central management server 150 and accessed using a central management client computer 152, which can be located at a company's corporate headquarters, for developing standardized customer ordering interface screens, restaurant menu item images, restaurant menu item icons, and other standardized images and icons for later use within each customer order taking software application 310, 410 at each restaurant or store. The central management server 150 can include and/or the central management server 150 and central management client computer 152 can communicate with a central customer interface database 322 for developing, storing, creating, modifying, adding, and/or deleting standardized customer ordering interface screens, restaurant menu item images, restaurant menu item icons, and other standardized images and icons for later use within each customer order taking software application 310, 410 at each restaurant or store. These standardized customer ordering interface screens, restaurant menu item images, restaurant menu item icons, and other standardized images and icons can be downloaded to, communicated to, and/or received by the local kiosk servers 140, and the local kiosk ordering taking application 310, 410 therein, for storage in and/or retrieval from the local customer interface database 330. As an example, this arrangement can utilized with a franchisor and multiple franchisees, for the franchisor to have each franchisee implement consistent standardized customer ordering interface screens, for presenting a consistent brand identity and for implementing updated customer ordering interface screens, from time to time. Reference can be made to U.S. Pat. No. 5,806,071, to Balderrama et al., issued Sep. 8, 1998 for one central management computer system interfacing with local computer systems, for implementing standardized template ordering interface screens at local restaurants from the central management computer system.
As mentioned, the enhanced customer kiosk ordering system 100, 300 can also include a local kiosk management computer 144. The local kiosk management computer 144 can communicate with and interface with the customer order taking application 310, 410 for adding, removing, modifying, or otherwise managing local restaurant menu items that appear within the customer ordering interface screens when such screens are displayed on the touch screen displays 112, 122, 132, 230, as stored in and/or retrieved from the local customer interface database 330. For example, the local kiosk management computer 144 can be used for adding, removing, and/or modifying local restaurant menu items, increasing and/or decreasing the price of local restaurant menu items, changing the digital images associated with local restaurant menu items, and/or performing other management tasks in relation to the customer ordering interface screens and the content and functions therein. Reference can be made again to U.S. Pat. No. 5,806,071, to Balderrama et al., issued Sep. 8, 1998 for one example of some of this functionality.
The enhanced customer kiosk ordering system 100, 300 can also include a local point of sale (POS) server or computer 160, which is in communication with the local kiosk server 140. The enhanced customer kiosk ordering system 100, 300 can further include POS terminals 162, 164, 166, which are in communication with the local POS server 160, for use by order takers within a restaurant to manually take orders from customers, and to enter such orders into the POS terminals 162, 164, 166 for communication to the POS server 160. The local POS server 160 can include a local order fulfillment software application 340 for operating within the local POS server 160 and within and/or in connection with the POS terminals 162, 164, 166 for receiving orders taken by order takers 342, 344.
A local POS management computer 168 can be used to access management functions within the local order fulfillment software application 340, for example, to add and/or delete restaurant menu items, to modify prices of restaurant menu items, to add and/or delete special restaurant menu items, and/or perform other management functions in connection with functions of the POS terminals, as understood by one of ordinary skill. When an order is generated by a customer kiosk.
The enhanced customer kiosk ordering system 100, 300 can also include a separate local kitchen / order implementation server 180 which is in communication with the local point of sale (POS) server or computer 160. The local order fulfillment software application 340 within the local POS server 160, and/or which can be partially located within the local kitchen/order implementation server 180, can also be used to send communications to order fulfillment monitors 184 located within the kitchen for viewing and use by order implementors 360 to receive instructions on fulfilling orders, also as understood by one of ordinary skill. In this way, the appropriate kitchen employees or implementors 360 are notified to prepare the order. Other order fulfillment monitors (not shown) can be connected to the local point of sale (POS) server or computer 160, and/or to the local kitchen / order implementation server 180, and used for filling orders and/or running orders, as is understood with reference to U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0022016, to Steres et al., published Jan. 25, 2007 and filed Jul. 22, 2005, which is also hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
In one embodiment, when an order is being entered by a customer 302, 304 using a customer kiosk 110, 120, 130, 200, each customer kiosk 110, 120, 130, 200 keeps track of the restaurant items which are designated for inclusion within the order, within the memory 220 and/or within a memory within the local kiosk server 140 through the local customer order taking application 310, 410. When the customer has completed the order, the customer is provided an option through one or more of the customer ordering interface screens to pay for the order at the customer kiosk 110, 120, 130 through use of the credit card reader 240, or to pay for the order by walking to one of the POS terminals 162, 164, 166 and offering payment (by credit card, debit card, cash, gift card, gift certificate, SPEEDPASS, or other payment form) to the order takers for entry into one of the POS terminals 162, 164, 166.
If the customer pays using a credit card at the customer kiosk 110, 120, 130, 200, the local customer order taking application 310, 410 and/or the credit card reader application reads and receives the credit card information from the credit card reader 240, and can communicate the credit card information directly to a credit card processing system (in communication with each customer kiosk 110, 120, 130, 200) or through the local kiosk server 140 or the local POS server that is in communication with the credit processing system for approval processing the credit card information. If the order is approved and payment is provided at the customer kiosk 110, 120, 130, 200 through credit card payment, the local customer order taking application 310, 410 and/or the receipt dispenser application prints and dispenses a receipt at the receipt dispenser 250 of the customer kiosk 110, 120, 130, 200, and the local customer order taking application 310, 410 communicates the order to the local order fulfillment application 340 for placing the restaurant menu items within the order within a queue for preparation/creation of the ordered restaurant items and for filling of the order. Once the order is prepared, or the restaurant menu items necessary for the order are prepared, an order taker 342, 344 (or order filler/runner/assembler/expediter) fills and presents the filled order to the customer and verifies that the receipt that the customer received from the receipt dispenser 250 matches with the filled order, such as by comparing an order number, bar code, or other matching information provided on the receipt and by the local order fulfillment application 340.
In the case of an order being completed and payment not being provided at the customer kiosk 110, 120, 130, 200 (such as the customer selecting to pay with an order taker 342, 344 by selecting an option provided within one of the customer ordering interface screens to do so, or an attempt to by using a credit card at the customer kiosk 110, 120, 130, 200 is denied), the local customer order taking application 310, 410 communicates the order to the local order fulfillment application 340, and the local order fulfillment application 340 waits for the customer to present payment to one of the order takers 342, 344 at the POS terminals 162, 164, 166. The local customer order taking application 310, 410 and/or the receipt dispenser application prints and dispenses a receipt at the receipt dispenser 250 of the customer kiosk 110, 120, 130, 200, indicating the restaurant items that have been included within the order, the price for each, applicable taxes, and information that can be used to match the receipt / customer with the filled order. The receipt can also include a message to the customer to go to an order taker 342, 344 to pay for the order. The customer then proceeds to order taker to do so. Once the local order fulfillment application 340 determines that the order has been paid for, the local order fulfillment application 340 places the restaurant items within the order within a queue for preparation/creation of the ordered restaurant items and for filling of the order. Once the order is prepared, or the restaurant items necessary for the order are prepared, an order taker 342, 344 (or order filler / runner / assembler / expediter) fills and presents the filled order to the customer and verifies that the receipt that the customer received from the receipt dispenser 250 matches with the filled order, such as by comparing an order number, bar code, or other matching information provided on the receipt and by the local order fulfillment application 340.
Referring to
The customer order taking system 310, 410 can be implemented in software, firmware, hardware, or a combination thereof. In one mode, the customer order taking system 310, 410 is implemented in software, as an executable program, and is executed by one or more special or general purpose digital computer(s), such as a personal computer (PC; IBM-compatible, Apple-compatible, or otherwise), personal digital assistant, workstation, minicomputer, or mainframe computer. Therefore, computer 400 may be representative of any computer in which the customer order taking system 310, 410 resides or partially resides.
Generally, in terms of hardware architecture, as shown in
Processor 402 is a hardware device for executing software, particularly software stored in memory 404. Processor 402 can be any custom made or commercially available processor, a central processing unit (CPU), an auxiliary processor among several processors associated with the computer 400, a semiconductor based microprocessor (in the form of a microchip or chip set), a macroprocessor, or generally any device for executing software instructions. Examples of suitable commercially available microprocessors are as follows: a PA-RISC series microprocessor from Hewlett-Packard Company, an 80×86 or Pentium series microprocessor from Intel Corporation, a PowerPC microprocessor from IBM, a Sparc microprocessor from Sun Microsystems, Inc., or a 68xxx series microprocessor from Motorola Corporation. Processor 402 may also represent a distributed processing architecture such as, but not limited to, SQL, Smalltalk, APL, KLisp, Snobol, Developer 200, MUMPS/Magic.
Memory 404 can include any one or a combination of volatile memory elements (e.g., random access memory (RAM, such as DRAM, SRAM, SDRAM, etc.)) and nonvolatile memory elements (e.g., ROM, hard drive, tape, CDROM, etc.). Moreover, memory 404 may incorporate electronic, magnetic, optical, and/or other types of storage media. Memory 404 can have a distributed architecture where various components are situated remote from one another, but are still accessed by processor 402.
The software in memory 404 may include one or more separate programs. The separate programs comprise ordered listings of executable instructions for implementing logical functions. In the example of
The customer order taking system 310, 410 may be a source program, executable program (object code), script, or any other entity comprising a set of instructions to be performed. When a source program, the program needs to be translated via a compiler, assembler, interpreter, or the like, which may or may not be included within the memory 404, so as to operate properly in connection with the O/S 412. Furthermore, the customer order taking system 310, 410 can be written as (a) an object oriented programming language, which has classes of data and methods, or (b) a procedural programming language, which has routines, subroutines, and/or functions, for example but not limited to, C, C++, Pascal, Basic, Fortran, Cobol, Perl, Java, and Ada. In one embodiment, when installed within the memory 220, 404 of each customer kiosk 110, 120, 130, 200, the customer order taking system 310, 410 is written in C/C+/C++ format, and no browser-based software is used. In other embodiments, browser software may be used.
The I/O devices 406 may include input devices, for example but not limited to, credit card readers, input modules for PLCs, a keyboard, mouse, scanner, microphone, touch screens, interfaces for various devices, bar code readers, stylus, laser readers, radio-frequency device readers, etc. Furthermore, the I/O devices 406 may also include output devices, including, but not limited to, receipt dispensers, output modules for PLCs, a printer, bar code printers, displays such as touch screen displays, etc. Finally, the I/O devices 406 may further include devices that communicate both inputs and outputs, for instance but not limited to, a modulator/demodulator (modem; for accessing another device, system, or network), a radio frequency (RF) or other transceiver, a telephonic interface, a bridge, and a router.
If the computer 400 is a PC, workstation, PDA, or the like, the software in the memory 404 may further include a basic input output system (BIOS) (not shown in
When computer 400 is in operation, processor 402 is configured to execute software stored within memory 404, to communicate data to and from memory 404, and to generally control operations of computer 400 pursuant to the software. The customer order taking system 310, 410, and the O/S 412, in whole or in part, but typically the latter, are read by processor 402, perhaps buffered within the processor 402, and then executed.
When the customer order taking system 310, 410 is implemented in software, as is shown in
In another embodiment, where the customer order taking system 310, 410 is implemented in hardware, the customer order taking system 310, 410 can be implemented with any, or a combination of, the following technologies, which are each well known in the art: a discrete logic circuit(s) having logic gates for implementing logic functions upon data signals, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) having appropriate combinational logic gates, a programmable gate array(s) (PGA), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), etc.
Referring to
The opening customer ordering interface screen 500 and many of the subsequent customer ordering interface screens are configured to display a plurality of restaurant item category selectors 512 identifying different categories of restaurant items from which the customer may select. As will be explained further below, an alternate version of the plurality of restaurant item category selectors, as well as other differences within the customer ordering interface screen, is present during breakfast time, lunch time, dinner time, or other time frame, depending on the country and custom of the region, as well as different types of menus altogether during the same time of day, for example for different types of restaurants that are either connected or housed within the same facility.
After a restaurant item category is selected, depending on the category selected, the customer order taking system 310, 410 can be configured to generate and display a plurality of restaurant item sub-category selectors for sub-categories of restaurant items from that specific restaurant item category that had been selected.
Within one or more customer ordering interface screens, when a restaurant item selector is selected by a customer, one or more option screens may appear in sequence, which allow the customer to specify further details about the item ordered. For example, referring to
As provided, the customer can interact with the selector boxes 704, standard recipe selector 710 and plain selector 712 to customize the customizable ingredients 706 for the selected restaurant item. The customization screen 702 also includes a cancel selector 714 and a finished selector 716 through which the customer can cancel the selection of a restaurant item or confirm the selection and customization of a restaurant item respectively. Once the customer either cancels or finishes the customization, the customization screen 702 disappears returning the customer to the standard ordering interface screen 700. The kiosk may also initiate a meal loop which will be described in detail below.
The customization outlined above is an example of a pop-up interface screen displayed by the kiosk 200 to elicit a certain input from the customer to streamline the ordering process. An embodiment of a process for displaying pop-up interface screens that aid customer ordering is shown in
Returning to
In one embodiment, when displayed by the kiosk 200, the overlay interface screen appears to overlay the ordering interface screen 600, 700 via an optical illusion created by the kiosk 200. The overlay interface screen can vary in size and might take up the entire ordering interface screen or only a part thereof. While the overlay interface screen is being displayed, the ordering interface screen 600, 700 is disabled from receiving customer inputs and undergoes a change in visual appearance. For example, in
In one embodiment, all ordering interface screens 600, 700 that appear subsequent to the initial ordering interface screen 500 can include an updated electronic (virtual) receipt or order list 640 showing all restaurant items that have been selected by the customer so far within an order, as well as an order completion selector 642 which is used to end the restaurant item selection process and begin the payment process portion of the order. For example, referring now to
In block 1002, the kiosk 200 receives a customer's selection of a restaurant item through the ordering interface screens of the order taking application 410 displayed on the touch screen display 230. In block 1004, the kiosk 200 displays a receipt cell 1104 representing the selected restaurant item in the receipt area 1102 of the ordering interface screen 600. As shown in
As the customer selects restaurant items, a receipt cell 1104 is stacked onto the existing cells in the receipt area 1102, increasing the height of the receipt area 1102 and adding to the order total display 1110. For each additional selected restaurant item, the height of the receipt area 1102 continues to grow. In block 1006, the kiosk 200 determines whether the height of the receipt area 1102 exceeds a predetermined height threshold. If the height threshold is exceeded, then the kiosk 200 moves to block 1008 and displays the scrolling toggles 1108 as shown in
The present invention also allows the kiosk proprietor to limit the restaurant items available for purchase at any given time of day and allows a kiosk customer to quickly and easily toggle between various menu categories being offered including but not limited to breakfast, lunch, dinner and low-price or other type of menu. For example, within the same facility there may be a more traditional type of first quick service restaurant counter serving hamburgers, french fries, salads, apple slices, soft drinks, milk, juices, etc. through a first menu, while at the same there may also be a second quick service restaurant counter serving a coffee house type menu, such as premium coffee, muffins, wraps, health shakes, etc., through a second menu. Within the customer kiosk 110, 120, 130, 200, the first menu could be displayed through a first set of interface screens, and the second menu could be displayed thorough a second set of interface screens. Each different set of interface screens could be available at all times by selecting such interface screens through the customer kiosk 110, 120, 130, 200, one or more certain sets of interface screens may only be available at certain times of the day and/or week.
Referring now to
In block 1304, the customer selects a menu category or type by interacting with one of the menu category selectors 1402 on the touch display screen 230. At block 1306, the kiosk 200 displays the menu category that the customer selected along with a toggle selector 1502 as shown in
The kiosk 200 then displays the alternative menu category along with the toggle selector 1502 at block 1310. At block 1312, the kiosk 200 receives another toggle signal from the customer and the kiosk redisplays the originally selected menu category. Thus, the toggle selector 1502 enables a customer to place an order comprised of items from more than one menu category. For example, using the toggle selector 1502 a customer could order a breakfast sandwich from the breakfast menu category and fries from the lunch menu category on the same order. Many other examples come to mind, as one ordinary skill would understand from the present description.
Kiosk customers are able to easily navigate the ordering interface screens of the order taking application 410 displayed on the touch screen display 230 through the association of a particular color or pattern with a specific group of restaurant items during the ordering process. For example, referring now to
The category selectors 512 are displayed by the kiosk 200 as a part of its ordering interface screen 230. As shown in
After a customer selects a category via one of the category selectors 512 at block 1606, the kiosk 200 receives the selection signal and displays the appropriate set of subcategory selectors 604, 608, 612, 614 associated with the selected category at block 1608. For example, the subcategories associated with the meals and sandwiches category in the present embodiment are burgers, chicken, fish and vegetarian. Each subcategory selector 604, 608, 612, 614 represents a restaurant item subcategory within the selected category and is manifested on the ordering interface screen 230 with the name of the represented subcategory and the same background indicia 634 associated with the selected category as shown in
Next, at block 1610, the customer selects a restaurant item subcategory on the ordering interface screen 600. Once the kiosk 200 has received the selection signal, it will display the set of restaurant item selectors 638 associated with the selected subcategory at block 1612. The restaurant item selectors 638 may be displayed on a part of the ordering interface screen 600 or on a separate overlay interface screen. Each restaurant item selector 638 is representative of a restaurant item available for purchase and is displayed on a background of the background indicia 634 associated with the previously selected category and has that same background indicia 634 as its own background as shown in
Additionally, each restaurant item selector 634 is displayed in conjunction with an icon or image 636 representative of the corresponding restaurant item. The icon 636 can take various forms including but not limited to a polygon, a three dimensional shape or an enclosed perimeter shape. The restaurant item selector 638 is displayed at least in part inside the same area as the representative icon 636 is displayed giving the visual effect that the restaurant item selector 638 is touching or overlapping its corresponding representative icon 636. Thus, by editing the restaurant item selector 638, the price of a restaurant item may be changed without changing the representative icon 636.
Once a restaurant item is selected by the customer, the kiosk provides numerous opportunities for the customization of the selected item at appropriate places/locations within the flow of the various customer interface screens, including the pop-up screens. For example, referring now to
During block 1706, as shown in
Additionally, a selector box 1804 representing the option of applying the selected dietary options 1806 to all selected restaurant items may also be present on the order cart interface screen 1802. The customer selects one or more dietary options 1806 using the corresponding selector boxes 704 in block 1708 and the kiosk 200 displays the selected dietary options 1806 on the order cart interface screen 1802 in block 1710. Finally, once the kiosk 200 has received customer verification of the selected dietary options 1806 in block 1712, it incorporates the selected dietary options 1806 into the customer's order in block 1714.
Referring now to
During block 1906, as shown in
The customer selects one or more ingredient options 706 using the corresponding selector boxes 704 in block 1908 and the kiosk 200 displays the selected ingredient options 706 on the customization screen 702 in block 1910 as shown in
Once the customer has finished selecting and customizing a restaurant item, the kiosk 200 may initiate a meal loop to streamline the ordering process. Meal loops can be initiated for at least VALUE MEALS as shown in
If the customer elects to make a meal at block 2112, then at block 2114, the kiosk 200 displays a side item selection screen 2402 as shown in
Additionally, a meal status bar 2410 is also displayed on the side item selection screen 2402. The meal status bar 2410 is composed of a series of icons equal in number to the number of restaurant items to be selected in the meal the customer selected on the meal loop screen 2302. Where no restaurant item has been selected for a meal, each icon displayed is a generic shape as a place holder for each restaurant item to be selected to complete the selected meal. Once a meal restaurant item has been selected, a representative icon of that restaurant item is displayed in place one of the place holder icons. For example, in
At block 2116, the kiosk 200 receives the customer side item selections through the interaction with the side item selection screen 2402. When certain side items are selected, the kiosk may display a side item customization screen 2702 such as the sauce selection screen as shown in
However, the meal loop processes outlined above are not the only forms that meal loops may take. A meal may be selected by choosing each meal item individually through the ordering interface screen 600 and customizing all selected items at once. Alternatively, customization could occur for each selected item individually immediately after selection. Additionally, a meal may be selected by choosing a combo selector, selecting a beverage type and customizing all items at once. For this type of meal formation, options to purchase extra add-on ingredients may also be offered thus allowing the customer to control the number of items included in the meal.
Finally, once the customer has finished selecting restaurant items and is ready to complete the order, the order completion selector 642 is selected on the ordering interface screen 600. In one embodiment, the order completion selector 642 can include indicia which asks “Is the Order Correct?”, as shown. Referring now to
In block 3312, the kiosk initiates a payment loop. As shown in
In one embodiment, instead of transmitting the completed order to the kitchen, such as to the order fulfillment application 340, for filling of the order in block 3322, after payment has been received, there are a number of alternative times or positions within the process flow that the kiosk 200 and order taking application 310, 410 can transmit the completed order to the kitchen. Specifically, the kiosk 200 and order taking application 310, 410 can transmit the completed order to the kitchen immediately after a restaurant item or meal is selected through an order taking interface screen. Alternatively, the kiosk 200 and order taking application 310, 410 can transmit the completed order to the kitchen after a predetermined or calculated amount of time has passed after a restaurant item or meal is selected through an order taking interface screen. Alternatively, the kiosk 200 and order taking application 310, 410 can transmit the completed order to the kitchen after the order taking application 310, 410 receives a communication that the order completion confirmation has been selected through an order taking interface screen and received at block 3306. Alternatively, the kiosk 200 and order taking application 310, 410 can transmit the completed order to the kitchen after the order taking application 310, 410 receives a communication that a dining location been selected through an order taking interface screen and received at block 3310. Lastly, the kiosk 200 and order taking application 310, 410 can instead transmit the completed order to the kitchen after the order taking application 310, 410 receives a communication that the order has been paid for through the kiosk 200 at block 3318.
In one embodiment of the customer kiosk 110, 120, 130, 200, the credit card reader 240 and the customer order taking application 310, 410 are configured to display an interface screen which requests the customer to insert or “swipe” their credit card, debit card or other payment card using the credit card reader 240, prior to the customer order taking application 310, 410 displaying any interface screens which otherwise allow the customer to begin requesting or selecting restaurant items. The customer will then insert or “swipe” their payment card, and the customer kiosk 110, 120, 130, 200 can be configured to validate the credit card in one of a number or ways. For example, one way of validating can include only verifying within the customer order taking application 310, 410 that the payment card is in fact a payment card without communicating with any external systems or computers, such as a credit card processing system of computer. Other ways of validating the payment card can include the customer order taking application 310, 410 communicating with an external system or computer, such as a credit card processing system or computer to validate a credit card. The interface screens having restaurant item selectors for a customer to select to include such restaurant items within their order can then be made available to the customer for such purpose. The customer then makes their selections. Once the customer has made all selections for their order and wishes to pay for the order, for example by selecting a “check out” input or icon, which is received by the customer order taking application 310, 410, the customer order taking application 310, 410 will then display an input option to use the already swiped payment card to pay for the order. The customer can then either select such input option or insert or swipe another payment card. The customer kiosk 110, 120, 130, 200 does not have to be configured to provide this option, but can alternatively just use the originally inserted or swiped payment card for payment to complete the order.
In one specific embodiment, the customer kiosk 110, 120, 130, 200 and order taking application 310, 410 are configured to receive a payment card within the credit card reader 240, and hold the payment card within the credit card reader 240 throughout the entire ordering process, until the order has been completed and payment has been validated, or until the order has been canceled by the customer. Then, and only then, is the payment card released by the order taking application 310, 410 and the credit card reader 240, and returned to the customer. During this time period, the customer kiosk 110, 120, 130, 200 and order taking application 310, 410 can perform payment card validation functions, such as, for example, by communicating with an external credit card processing system or computer.
In another embodiment of the customer kiosk 110, 120, 130, 200, the credit card reader 240 and the customer order taking application 310, 410 are configured to initially display interface screens having restaurant item selectors for a customer to select to include such restaurant items within their order, and are initially made available to the customer for such purpose without having to insert or swipe a payment card. The customer then makes their selections. Once the customer has made all selections for their order and wishes to pay for the order, for example by selecting a “check out” input or icon, which is received by the customer order taking application 310, 410, the customer order taking application 310, 410 will then display a request for the customer to insert or swipe their payment card to pay for the order. The customer order taking application 310, 410 is configured to validate the payment card, such as, for example, by validating the payment card with an external credit card processing system or computer. In other embodiments, the customer kiosk 110, 120, 130, 200 can include a contactless reader, such as an Infrared transceiver or RF (radio frequency) transceiver (not shown), for receiving payment signals from a wireless payment device, such as wireless wallet within a cell phone, PDA, or other wireless device. In addition, or alternatively, the order taking application can be configured to receive customer identification, preferences, and payment information and store such information within the local, central or other database, such as the databases 322, 330n shown in
In another embodiment the customer kiosk 110, 120, 130, 200 and the customer order taking application 310, 410 can be configured to accept coupons and/or gift cards as partial payment for an order, as complete payment for an order, and/or to receive a promotional item. In the case of a coupon, through one or more of the payment interface screens, the order taking application 310, 410 can request the customer to enter coupon code by displaying such a request on the payment interface screen, and by requesting the customer to enter a coupon code through the interface screen, such as for example by entering the coupon code through a virtual keypad generated on the touch screen display 112, 122, 132, 230. Once the coupon code is received by the order taking application 310, 410, the order taking application 310, 410 validates the coupon code. If validation is successful, the order taking application 310, 410 determines the appropriate coupon action. As described, one coupon action could include reducing the total amount due for the order, in which case the order taking application 310, 410 can display the original amount due, the reduction based on the coupon, and/or the total amount due with the reduction based on the coupon applied, within one or more of the payment interface screens. Another coupon action can include adding a promotional item to the order without any additional charge, in which case the order taking application 310, 410 can display the previously ordered items along with the promotional item displayed with the previously ordered items, within one or more of the payment interface screens. Physical coupons, with or without coupon codes, can alternately be inserted into the payment card reader 240 and the order taking application 310, 410, using information from the coupon, such as from a bar code as read by a bar code reader (not shown) within the payment reader 240, can determine the amount to allow as a discount as against the ordered items and total, and/or insertion and reading of the coupon itself can initiate actual selection of a restaurant item with appropriate discount or reduction in the total. Other identifiers on coupons can be used as well, such as densu codes or encoded material deposit within a coupon. Alternatively, the kiosks 200 can include a reader that is configured to read encoded patterns (virtual coupons) displayed on the display of a cell phone or a PDA, which are received at such cell phone or PDA over the internet or other communications network, and the order taking application 310, 410m can be configured to process and implement/apply such virtual coupons. Gift cards can be utilized in a similar manner as other payment cards, such as for example a credit card, as described herein.
As described herein, when a customer has completed an order, the order taking application 310, 410 displays one or more payment interface screens for the customer to interact with for paying for the order, among other functionality. Once payment has been made using the customer kiosk 110, 120, 130, 200, or the customer has selected an option within one of the payment interface screens to pay for their order manually through an order filler (assembler/expediter) or order taker using a POS terminal 162, 164, 166, the order taking application 310, 410 and receipt dispenser 250 will generate and print a receipt at the customer kiosk 110, 120, 130, 200. In one embodiment, the order taking application 310, 410 and receipt dispenser 250 will generate and print a receipt having an order identifier, such as an order number. In one embodiment, the order numbers are generated in sequence for each order, for use in printing on the receipt. In another embodiment, the order numbers are randomly generated by the order taking application 310, 410 for each order, for use in printing on the receipt. In either case, as shown in
Within the present description, when a customer selects a restaurant item through an ordering interface screen, such as a pop-up ordering interface screen, the order taking application 310, 410 is configured to generate and display such selected restaurant item as a part of the electronic “receipt”, as shown in at least
For each selection within each process of offering and/or selecting restaurant items, requesting and/or providing payment, and/or other customer interactions with the customer kiosk 200, incidentally with or in cooperation with the various interface screens generated and displayed by the order taking application 310, 410, the order taking application 310, 410 can also generate audio signals for creating audio requests, prompts, and confirmation communications to the customer, through for example a speaker (not shown) within the kiosk 200.
Any process descriptions or blocks in figures, such as
It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of the present invention, particularly, any “preferred” embodiments, are possible examples of implementations, merely set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the invention. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiment(s) of the invention without substantially departing from the spirit and principles of the invention. All such modifications are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and the present invention and protected by the following claims.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/043389, filed Apr. 8, 2008, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61043389 | Apr 2008 | US |