Claims
- 1. A method of displaying a menu, comprising the steps of:
displaying a first level of item types in a first zone; receiving a first input from a user of a desired item type from the first level; displaying a second level of sub item types from the desired first item type in a second zone while maintaining viewability of the first zone; receiving a second input from a user of a desired sub item from the second level; and displaying a third level of items from the desired second sub item type in a third zone while maintaining viewability of the first and second zones.
- 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first level of items are displayed as a first plurality of individual icons and the second level of items, are displayed as a second plurality of individual icons.
- 3. The method of claim 1, wherein a size of the individual icons making up the second plurality of icons is less than a size of the individual icons making up the first plurality of icons.
- 4. The method of claim 1, wherein a background of the first level is different than a background of the second level.
- 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first level, the second level and the third level are displayed in a menu frame.
- 6. The method of claim 5, further comprising the step of displaying a receipt frame in visual proximity to the menu frame.
- 7. The method of claim 2, wherein the first, second, and third plurality of individual icons are a combination of a graphical image and text.
- 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the third plurality of individual icons further comprises a sale price.
- 9. An apparatus for displaying a menu comprising:
an enclosure; a data input device; a storage device comprising item types, sub item types, and items available for sale; a video display terminal; and a program configured to display a first level of item types from the storage device in a first zone of the video display terminal for a user to select from, a second level of sub item types in a second zone of the video display terminal for a user to select from while maintaining viewability of the first zone, and a third level of items in a third zone of the video display terminal for a user to select from while maintaining viewability of the first zone and the second zone.
- 10. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a bill acceptor, a bill returner, a coin returner, and a card reader enclosed within the enclosure.
- 11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the card reader is a selected one of a magnetic strip reader and an optical reader.
- 12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the memory further comprising a first, a second, and a third plurality of individual icons displayable on the visual display device.
- 13. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the memory further comprises a sale price for each of the third level items.
- 14. A method of processing an order for pick up at a selected pick-up site, comprising the steps of:
providing access to a menu; receiving a selection from a user for at least one item from the menu for pick-up; receiving a selection from the user for a desired pick-up site; accepting payment; and transmitting data indicative of the selection to an order preparation system.
- 15. The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of preparing the selection at the selected pick-up site.
- 16. A method of providing ordered items, comprising the steps of:
receiving addressable data specifying a user-selected item, wherein the addressable data specifies a destination; and preparing the user-selected item for receipt by a user at the destination.
- 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the addressable data includes a store location.
- 18. The method of claim 16, wherein the received data includes preparation instructions for the user-selected item.
- 19. The method of claim 16, wherein the addressable data is formatted to communicate with an order preparation system at the destination.
- 20. The method of claim 16, wherein the user-selected item is received through the Internet.
- 21. A method of creating a custom take-out menu for display at a data-entry terminal, comprising the steps of:
providing access to a menu having a plurality of items; accepting modifications to at least one of the items from the menu for pick up; and associating the modified item with a personal identification number.
- 22. A method of displaying a custom take-out menu at a data entry terminal, comprising the steps of:
providing access to a menu; receiving a selection from a user for an item from the menu for pick-up; receiving a personal identification number; associating the selected item with the personal identification number; and displaying a selectable symbol representative of the selected item on the data entry terminal after receipt of the personal identification number.
- 23. The method of claim 22, further comprising the step of allowing the user to customize the selected item.
- 24. The method of claim 22, further comprising the step of allowing the user to select one or more additional items to be associated with the personal identification number.
- 25. A method of preparing an item for pick up, comprising the steps of:
providing access to a menu; receiving a selection from a user for an item from the menu for pick-up; receiving a personal identification number; associating the selected item with the personal identification number; and preparing the selected item after receipt of the personal identification number.
- 26. The method of claim 25, further comprising the step of allowing the user to customize the selected item.
- 27. The method of claim 25, further comprising the step of allowing the user to select one or more additional items to be associated with the personal identification number.
- 28. A method of selecting options for an orderable item, comprising the steps of:
receiving a request for a desired item; determining if the desired item has an available option; displaying a confirm item state if the desired item has no options; displaying an option state if there is a single available option; and displaying a compound option state if two or more options are available.
- 29. A method of displaying options for a customizable item, comprising the steps of:
displaying a graphical and textual representation of the item; displaying a graphical and textual representation of available options; displaying a selection state for each of the standard options; allowing selection of desired available options and removal of undesired available options; and allowing the user to add the customized item to an order.
- 30. A method of ordering a customizable food and beverage combination, comprising the steps of:
displaying a first image that allows a user to select a combination size; displaying a second image that allows the user to select a desired beverage; displaying a third image that allows the user to customize a food item; and displaying a forth image showing a summary of the desired combination.
- 31. The method of claim 30 further comprising the step of displaying a fifth image that allows the user to select a desired payment option.
- 32. The method of claim 30 further comprising the step of allowing the user to add the combination to an order.
- 33. The method of claim 30, further comprising the step of allowing the user to select between any of the first, second, third, and forth images for viewing.
- 34. The method of claim 30, wherein the second image is displayed after the user selects a combination size.
- 35. The method of claim 30, wherein the third image is displayed after the user selects a beverage.
- 36. The method of claim 30, wherein the third image inquires whether the user wants to customize the food item.
- 37. The method of claim 30, wherein the third image allows the user to select desirable options for the food.
- 38. A method of ordering a customizable food and beverage combination, comprising the steps of:
displaying a first tab, that when selected allows a user to select a combination size; displaying a second tab, that when selected allows the user to select a desired beverage; displaying a third tab, that when selected allows the user to customize a food item; and displaying a forth tab, that when selected displays a summary of the desired combination.
- 39. A method of displaying characters in a desired language, comprising the steps of:
receiving a personal identification number; determining a desired language associated with personal identification number; and displaying characters in the desired language.
- 40. The method of claim 39, wherein the desired language is determined based on a language selection stored in memory.
- 41. The method of claim 39, further comprising the step of associating the desired language with the personal identification number after a user is prompted to select the desired language.
- 42. A method of displaying characters in a desired language, comprising the steps of:
receiving a personal identification number from a user; displaying a language selection option to the user; and associating a desired language with the personal identification number; and displaying characters in the desired language when the personal identification number is received.
- 43. A method of presenting a menu for selection of items, comprising the steps of:
accessing a database of selectable items; and displaying a subset of the selectable items based on a condition
- 44. The method of claim 43, wherein the condition is an inventory level.
- 45. The method of claim 43, wherein the condition is a restaurant profile.
- 46. The method of claim 43, wherein the condition is a weather characteristic.
- 47. The method of claim 43, wherein the condition is a time of day.
- 48. The method of claim 43, wherein the condition is a day of the week.
- 49. The method of claim 43, wherein the condition is a day of the year.
- 50. The method of claim 43, wherein the condition is a combination of two or more of an inventory level, a restaurant profile, a weather characteristic, a time of day, a day of the week, and a day of the year.
- 51. A method of allowing a user to customize an order, comprising the steps of:
displaying a first item; displaying a first counter in visual proximity to the first item; indexing the first counter when the first item is selected; and displaying a first subtractor in visual proximity to the first counter after the first item is first selected.
- 52. The method of claim 51, further comprising the step of decrementing the first counter when the first subtractor is selected.
- 53. The method of claim 51, further comprising the step of
displaying a second item; displaying a second counter in visual proximity to the second item; indexing the second counter when the second item is selected; and displaying a second subtractor in visual proximity to the second counter after the second item is first selected;
- 54. The method of claim 53, further comprising the step of decrementing the second counter when the second subtractor is selected.
- 55. The method of claim 53, further comprising the step of displaying a third counter, the third counter maintaining a sum of the first items and the second items.
- 56. The method of claim 55, further comprising the step of indexing the third counter when either of the first and the second items are selected.
- 57. The method of claim 56, further comprising the step of receiving a maximum quantity of items.
- 58. The method of claim 57, further comprising the step of signaling a user when the third counter reaches the maximum quantity.
- 59. The method of claim 57, further comprising the step of signaling a user a quantity of remaining items that may be selected before the maximum quantity is reached.
- 60. The method of claim 55, further comprising the step of decrementing the third counter when either of the first and the second subtractors is selected.
- 61. A method of allowing a user to customize an order, comprising the steps of:
displaying a first option; displaying a confirmation symbol in proximity to the first option if the first option is selected a first time; and removing the symbol if the first option is selected a subsequent time.
- 62. A method of displaying a custom take-out menu at a data entry terminal comprising the steps of:
providing access to a menu from a data entry terminal; receiving a selection from a user for an item from the menu; associating the selected item with a selectable symbol representative of the selected item; and sending a request for the selected item when the selectable symbol is selected.
- 63. A system for processing an order, comprising:
a customer touch point; a transaction manager; and a point-of-sale system, the transaction manager adapted to receive an order from the customer touch point and transmit the order to the point of sale system.
- 64. A system for processing an order, comprising:
a data-entry means; a data processing means; and a point-of-sale system, the data processing means adapted to receive an order from the data-entry means and transmit the order to the point-of-sale system.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to copending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/396,187, filed on Jul. 16, 2002, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in it entirety. This application is also related to copending U.S. provisional patent application entitled “Method and Apparatus for the Management of Private Consumer Accounting Using Branded Loyalty Cards and Self-Service Terminals,” filed on Jul. 16, 2002 and accorded serial No. 60/396,188 and its corresponding utility patent application filed Jul. 16, 2003, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
Provisional Applications (2)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
|
60396187 |
Jul 2002 |
US |
|
60396188 |
Jul 2002 |
US |