Patent Application
20070005434
There are a wide variety of retail establishments at which consumers can purchase food to order. These include traditional “sit-down” restaurants as well as conventional “fast food” restaurants, not to mention grocery stores, supermarkets, and the like. While most grocery stores and supermarkets always carry a wide assortment of competitively-branded food products in their aisles, aside from beverages, restaurants rarely list two or more competitively-branded food products on their menus. Sit-down restaurants, for example, typically prepare meals from scratch and, as a result, their menus seldom list branded food products, much less competitively-branded food products. Furthermore, as a general rule, fast food restaurants only sell food under the franchise's brand. When fast food restaurants do offer foods under a different brand, this is typically done as a promotional or “limited time” offering only.
Occasionally, both sit-down and fast food restaurants will offer competitively-branded food products to their customers. Notwithstanding the typical liquor bar, however, these foods generally do not constitute core menu items. For example, while conventional sit-down or fast food restaurants may offer one or two different types of competitively-branded beverages to accompany a meal (e.g., Coke®, Pepsi®, etc.), they typically do not offer competitively-branded food products as the main course. Further, while conventional restaurants may offer one or two competitively-branded items as a dessert or condiment (e.g., Heinz® Ketchup versus A1 Steak Sauce®), they typically do not offer a wide range of competing products in these categories from which the customer can choose.
On or about Jun. 12, 2001, General Mills, Inc. opened the “Cereal Adventure” attraction at the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minn. The attraction, which has since closed down, was billed as a playful, interactive learning experience where kids could immerse themselves in the world of General Mills' cereals. Among the entertainment features, Cereal Adventure included “Cheerios® Play Park,” “Trix® Fruity Carnival,” and “Lucky Charms® Magical Forest.” In addition, at the “Wheaties® Hall of Champions,” visitors could pose for their own souvenir Wheaties box with their picture on it. The “Make Your Own Cereal” feature allowed visitors to create their own unique brand of cereal using General Mills' products, including creating the name of the cereal, box design, and contents. For a price, visitors could take their customized cereal home.
Kellogg's Cereal City USA™ in Battle Creek, Mich. is designed to entertain visitors while informing them about the cereal industry and Kellogg's products in particular. Cereal City is a combined museum, factory tour, and theme attraction that houses interactive exhibits, theaters, play areas, and a themed diner. For visitors who want a memento, they can take home a box of Kellogg's Frosted Flakes® cereal with their photo on it. Cereal City also includes a restaurant that offers fast food in addition to desserts, such as a “Fruit Loops® Sundae.”
Note: The headings provided herein are for convenience only, and do not necessarily affect the scope or interpretation of the invention.
This disclosure contains material for which a claim for copyright is made. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or patent disclosure (including the Figures) as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but the copyright owner reserves all other copyright rights whatsoever.
In broad terms, the following disclosure describes various systems and methods for providing food and other products to consumers in a convenient, retail setting. Certain details are set forth in the following description to provide a thorough understanding of various embodiments of the invention. Other details describing well-known structures and systems often associated with food service establishments are not set forth, however, to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description of the various embodiments. Further, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that other embodiments of the invention may be practiced without at least some of the details described herein.
Overview
In one embodiment described in greater detail below, a system for providing competitively-branded food products to consumers includes a quick-service restaurant (QSR) that displays the products in their readily-recognizable, retail-sale containers. As used herein, the term “competitively-branded” generally refers to foods that fall into the same category (e.g., cereals), but are produced by competing manufacturers (e.g., Kellogg's and General Mills) and sold under different brand names (e.g., Cheerios®, Fruit Loops®, Chex®, etc.). In one aspect of this embodiment, the system enables and encourages customers to order unique combinations of competitively-branded cereals to suit their own particular tastes. The orders are prepared by an employee of the QSR who combines the selection together with one or more toppings in a convenient, carry-out bowl having a closeable lid. The consumer may then add milk and enjoy the cereal on the premises, or seal the container and take it to enjoy later.
A QSR configured in accordance with another embodiment of the invention has the look and feel of a residential kitchen complete with over-the-counter food cabinets. The cabinets can have glass fronts to display an array of competitively-branded cereal boxes. Graphically displaying the different cereal choices in this manner gives the customers visual reference cues that are more compelling than simply displaying raw cereal in see-through holding bins. (As explained below, cereal is provided in drawer or bins in the QSR, but these bins are behind the counter and not accessible or typically viewable by consumers.) Displaying the readily-recognizable cereal boxes to the customers sparks an immediate taste-association with the customer, and lets him or her know immediately what types of cereal are offered and what he or she can expect. Conversely, merely identifying “granola” as a generic menu item often leaves the customer wondering what type (i.e., what brand) of granola is being offered. Indeed, it is quite rare to see competitively-branded foods advertised by their retail-sale containers as the core menu items in a restaurant setting, and even rarer to see a menu that encourages ordering unique combinations of such foods.
The QSR can include a number of entertainment features often associated with cereal and/or the cereal-eating experience. For example, in one embodiment, the QSR can include one or more viewing screens (e.g., video screens) that show familiar “Saturday morning” cartoons for viewing by customers.
In another embodiment, the QSR can provide hot cereal to order. For example, employees can make hot cereal mixtures (e.g., oatmeal, cream of wheat, rice porridge, etc.) one batch at a time using a pan and induction burner. In addition or alternatively, a rice cooker or other device can be advantageously employed to make the hot cereal and maintain it at temperature until sold/served.
Various hot cereal dishes prepared by the QSR can include oats. For example, in addition to commercially available “quick-cooking” oats, the QSR can also prepare dishes with rolled oats that have been presoaked for a period of time in water. In one embodiment, the oats are mixed with water (and optional salt) in proportions similar to conventional preparation instructions (e.g., in proportions of about 1 part oats to about 4-5 parts water; such as about 1 part oats to about 4.6 parts water) and held for a preset period of time prior to cooking. In one embodiment, the preset period of time is greater than about 15 minutes. In another embodiment, the preset period of time is greater than about 30 minutes, e.g., about 1 hour. In other embodiments, other time periods can be used to soak the oats before cooking. The relative proportions of the oats, water, and/or other ingredients, the hold time and the water temperature may be varied to achieve different results as desired. Presoaking the oats in this manner causes the oats to cook quicker and allows for the usage of longer cooking oats in this quick preparation setting.
The layout of the QSR is configured to permit efficient use of a small space, such that the induction burner, rice cooker, and/or dishwasher are effectively co-located. In this embodiment, customers move from a point-of-sale leftward to a central cereal mixing location. At this location, employees remove the selected cereals from storage bins located behind the counter, and mix the cereals together in an appropriate container. From here, the customers can view an arrangement of different toppings (both dry toppings and wet toppings) displayed on the counter, and can select one or more of the toppings for addition to the cereal order. After receiving their orders, the customers can proceed further leftward to add milk to the cereal at a milk station.
As explained below, the cereal is provided in various forms, not only hot or cold cereal in a bowl, but also blended with yogurt and/or other liquids to make smoothies or other beverages, as well as combined to form cereal bars or snack mixes. Other products can include steamed dairy or soy milk to which flavoring and/or other products can be added. Products can also include various types of frozen dairy and non-dairy food items combined with cereal, such as frozen dairy and non-dairy products sandwiched between two bakery items that include cereal. Products can further include muffins, coffee cakes and other baked goods made with various types of cereal. In addition, yogurt parfaits can include one or more layers of cereal between yogurt and fruit, and the yogurt may be frozen or replaced with ice cream. One or more different types of sweeteners may be added to cereal, including molasses, sugar, maple syrup and other flavored syrups, artificial sweeteners, honey, and so forth. Further, various toppings may be combined with the cereal, including bananas, raisins, candy, etc. Another menu item can include a “bowl” made with cereal, from which yogurt, ice cream and other food products (including more cereal) can be consumed before eating the bowl. Similar menu items include ice cream cone shells that are made from cereal. Still other menu items that may or may not include cereal can include custards, puddings, wraps (e.g., tortilla wraps), cookies, waffles, bagels, cakes, pies, pizza-like products, sandwiches, roll-ups, omelets, etc. In all of these embodiments, the products can be premade, or based on customer-selected cereals, toppings, or other ingredients.
In a further embodiment, each QSR location can include one or more point-of-sale devices that gather information. This information may be repackaged and sold to manufacturers of various products or items sold at the QSR locations. Indeed, much of the information gathered reflects market research of spending habits of customers at each QSR. Information gathered at each point-of-sale can include the following:
smoothies (“Slurrealities™”) and customer changes to predetermined smoothie recipes;
Multiple storage bins 106 are positioned behind the service bar 110 and generally below the display cabinets 102. As described below, the storage bins 106 contain, among other things, bulk supplies of the various breakfast cereals displayed in the cabinets 102. When a customer places an order, an employee of the QSR 100 (referred to in one embodiment as a “Cereologists”) removes the selected cereals from the storage bins 106 to prepare the order. In one embodiment, the storage bins 106 can include dispensing apparatus positioned toward the bottom of each bin and configured to deliver a pre-determined amount of cereal into a carry-out or serving container. This feature facilitates accurate product proportioning and an efficient first-in/first-out rotation of the product contained in the storage bins 106.
A menu board 130 is positioned above and behind the service bar 110 adjacent to the display cabinets 102. In the illustrated embodiment, the menu 130 is divided into three different sections. A first menu section 132 (“Your Cereal. Your Way.”) allows customers to choose from a list of different competitively-branded cereals and have them prepared as they desire. The competitively-branded cereals can include cereals currently sold in supermarkets, as well as a variety of other cereals. These other cereals can include, for example, nostalgic names (e.g., Quisp®) and other discontinued cereals (e.g., Vanilla Capt'n Crunch®) that may no longer be available on the supermarket shelves. These cereals can also include specialty cereals, such as organic cereals and popular cereals from other countries. When ordering from this menu section, customers can create cereal mixes just the way they like them. Specifically, they can mix and match their favorite brand-name cereals in a single bowl and add one or more different toppings. Alternatively, they can mix various brand-name cereals together and purchase them in bulk in a small to-go bag with an optional display window on the front (e.g., 3 scoops) or a large carry-out box (e.g., 6 scoops).
A second menu section 134 (“Your Cereal. Our Way.”) includes specialty cereal mixes created by the QSR 100. This menu section enables customers to experiment with both hot and cold cereal blends they may not have ever thought of, such as “Life Experience™” (i.e., Life® Cereal with almonds, honey, and topped with bananas). A third menu section 136 (“Your Cereal. A Whole New Way.”) offers various menu items that include cereal in creative ways. For example, in one embodiment this menu section can include smoothies (“Slurrealities™) made from different types of yogurt, cereal, fruit juice, etc. This menu section can also include various baked goods made from cereals, including cereal bars (“Cereality BarS™”) and snack mixes (“Cereality Bites™”). This section of the menu can also include various parfaits (“Parfaits Your Way™”) made with, for example, yogurt, cereal and fruit.
Many of the food items listed on the menu 130 are situated on or near the service bar 110 in plain view of the customers. For example, multiple different toppings 146 are arranged on the service bar 110 just to the left of an order station 112. The toppings can include, for example, sliced bananas, cinnamon apples, strawberries, raisins, sliced almonds, pumpkin seeds, Pop Rocks®, etc. Flavored milk crystals 144 can be placed next to the toppings 146 on the service bar 110. The milk crystals 144 can include various flavors, such as chocolate hazelnut, caramelized banana, red berry, etc. Parfaits 142 can be arranged in a display case 141 in a central portion of the service bar 110. As discussed above, the parfaits can include various flavors of yogurt combined with one or more different types of fruit, fruit juice, and/or branded cereal. Various cereal snack mixes 138 and cereal bars 140 can also be arranged in the display case 141 with the parfaits 142. The cereal snack mixes 138 can include various sweet and/or savory cereal mixes. For example, the cereal snack mixes 138 can include “Cinnamon-Oh-Man” (a mixture of cinnamon cereals, dried apples, raisins, etc.), “Tiki Torch Granola,” and “Honey Mustard Munch.” The cereal bars 140 can include, for example, “Raisin' the Roof Bran Snackin' Cake” made with Quaker Oats® and Quaker Bran Flakes®, and “S'mores Bar” made with Quaker Honey Graham Oh's®.
In addition to these cereal bars, in another embodiment of the QSR 100, customers can also order “customized” cereal bars. Customized cereal bars can include, for example, chewy granola bars and other types of bars made to order. In this regard, the QSR 100 can include a cereal bar pressing device (not shown in
Also illustrated in
A customer (not shown) desiring to place an order at the QSR 100 approaches the order station 112 and places his or her order with an employee (also not shown) standing behind the service bar 110. After taking the order, the employee moves in the direction of customer flow and begins preparing the order. For example, if the customer orders a cereal combination, the employee removes the appropriate portions of the selected cereals from the storage bins 106 and mixes them together in a suitable bowl. In one embodiment, if the customer orders cereal “By the Bowl” for take-out or consumption at the QSR 100, the order can be prepared and served in a convenient carry-out container or bucket 150. The carry-out bucket 150 is described in more detail below with reference to
After the employee has placed the selected cereals in the appropriate container, the employee can add whatever toppings 146 the customer ordered. Alternatively, the customer can choose to have the toppings placed in the container before the cereal, or in some other order of his or her choosing. In addition, the customer or employee can remove one or more of the parfaits 142, the cereal snack mixes 138, or the cereal bars 140 from the display case 141 to add to the order if desired. If the customer orders a smoothie (e.g., a “Slurreality™), the employee can prepare it using one or more of the blending devices 124 positioned behind the service bar 110. After taking any other steps necessary to complete the order, the employee moves toward a check-out station 114 to deliver the order to the customer.
If the customer wishes to consume the cereal immediately, the customer can take his or her cereal container over to a milk dispenser 118 and add one or more different types of milk. In the illustrated embodiment, the milk dispenser 118 can dispense various types of fresh dairy milk (e.g., whole, skim, or 2%) and/or various specialty milks such as soy milk. Alternatively, the customer may elect to not add milk right away, but instead take the cereal home for consumption at a later time.
In another aspect of this embodiment, the QSR 100 can include an interactive, stand-alone kiosk 148 with which customers can create unique cereal orders (i.e., “Invent-a-Blend”) and automatically send the orders to a QSR employee for preparation. Various aspects of the interactive kiosk 148 are described in greater detail below with reference to
In other embodiments, the QSR described herein can include other types of containers for storing and/or dispensing product. Such containers can include, for example, conventional storage bins that function like a typical drawer. With such bins, the product is placed into the bin, and taken out of the bin, from the top. In yet other embodiments, the cereal products can be contained in see-through bins that dispense product from an outlet positioned toward the bottom of the bin. Such bins allow customers to see the product before deciding on a particular selection.
The service counter 410 carries many of the items and appliances necessary for employees (not shown) of the QSR 400 to prepare orders for customers. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, a display case 441 is positioned at one end of the service counter 410, and carries various food items including parfaits, cereal snack mixes, and cereal bars. Dry toppings 446 and wet toppings 444 (e.g., flavored milk crystals) are positioned on the service bar 410 adjacent to the display case 441. As mentioned above, the dry toppings 446 can include sliced bananas, cinnamon apples, strawberries, raisins and other toppings that customers can have added to their orders. The wet toppings 444 can include various flavored crystals, such as chocolate hazelnut, caramelized banana, red berry, and others that can be added to milk.
Two point-of-sale stations 414 (identified individually as a first point-of-sale station 414a and a second point-of-sale station 414b) are positioned at an inner corner of the service bar 410. Each of the point-of-sale stations 414 can include a corresponding point-of-sale device (e.g., a cash register), a debit/credit card swipe, a computer terminal, a display screen, and/or other equipment for performing and/or recording sales transactions. As discussed in greater detail below, placement of the point-of-sale stations 414 in these locations can facilitate a smooth flow of customers along the service bar 410 from order placement to order delivery.
The service bar 410 further includes a first hot cereal preparation station 420a and a second hot cereal station 420b. In one embodiment, the hot cereal stations 420 can be used to prepare hot cereal dishes that include oatmeal, such as one or more of the hot cereal dishes described above that include “quick-cooking” oats or rolled oats. Hot cereal toppings 422 are positioned on the service bar 410 adjacent to the hot cereal stations 420. The hot cereal toppings 422 can include brown sugar, raisins, and other toppings often added to Cream of Wheat, oatmeal, and other hot cereal dishes.
A waffle preparation station 424 is positioned on the counter behind the service bar 410, and includes one or more waffle irons and associated equipment for making waffles. Two milk stations 418 (identified individually as a first milk station 418a and second a first milk station 418b) are positioned adjacent to a condiment station 419 on a far end of the service bar 410. The milk stations 418 are positioned in this location so that customers can add milk to their cereal orders as a final step before taking a seat at one of the tables 442 or counter seats 443.
To place an order at the QSR 400, customers queue up along a portable traffic barrier 430 and review a menu 430 positioned adjacent to the display cabinets 402. The customers can view cartoons or other media on a display screen 470a as they move along the traffic barrier 430. When ready to order, the customers proceed around the traffic barrier 430 and place their orders with an employee positioned behind the service counter 410. If an order includes cereal (e.g., a combination of two or more competitively-branded cereals) the employee can access the storage bins 406 to obtain the cereal portions selected by the customer. Similarly, if an order includes toppings and/or flavorings, the employee can access the dry toppings 446 and wet toppings 444 for the appropriate selections. From this point, the customer proceeds to one of the point-of-sale stations 414 for checkout. In addition, the customer can also order other food items (e.g., oatmeal, waffles, parfaits, cereal bars, snack mixes, etc.) at this time. After paying for his or her order, the customer can proceed to one of the milk machines 418 to add dairy milk (e.g., whole milk, skim milk, etc.) or non-dairy milk (e.g., soy milk, rice milk, etc.) to their cereal order if desired.
The QSR 500 also includes a service bar 510 positioned in front of the display cabinets 502. Portions of the service bar 510 are at least generally similar in structure and function to corresponding portions of the service bar 410 described above with reference to
In one aspect of this embodiment, the QSR 500 further includes a bowl-shaped or circular service bar 550 that enables employees of the QSR to prepare various food orders in full view of the customers. For example, the service bar 550 can include a blending station 524 for making smoothies (e.g., “Slurrealities”) and other blended drinks. In addition, the service bar 550 can also include a hot cereal station 520 with a corresponding selection of hot cereal toppings 522. Further, a display case 541 holding parfaits, cereal bars, cereal mixes, etc. can be positioned toward one end of the service bar 550 adjacent to a soft serve ice cream station 543.
As those of ordinary skill in the relevant art will appreciate, the QSR's 400 and 500 described above are but two examples of QSR's that can include features configured in accordance with the present invention. In another embodiment, a QSR configured in accordance with the present invention can include a drive-up window from which customers can pick up and/or pay for their orders. In this embodiment, the customers can place their orders from a free standing drive-up kiosk, or remotely from home via a telephone or computer operably connected to the QSR 500 via a suitable network.
Examples of a Prepared Food Order and Associated Containers
In one embodiment, the carry-out bucket 150 can be manufactured from a suitable paperboard material. In other embodiments, the bucket 150 and variations thereof can be manufactured from other materials, including plastics, metals, and other suitably durable materials. Further, various aspects of the carry-out container 150 can be at least generally similar in structure and function to one or more of the containers disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,358,175, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. One feature of the bucket 150 is that it can hold liquids, such as milk, without leaking. One advantage of this feature is that it enables the bucket 150 to be used as a serving bowl or as a convenient transport/storage container.
Examples of Eating Utensils
The utensil 870 can be used in a number of different ways. In one embodiment, for example, the utensil 870 can be used to remove food (e.g., cereal and milk) from a suitable container (e.g., the carry-out bucket 150 of
Example of a Suitable Data Processing System
Various aspects of the restaurants described above can be implemented or facilitated with use of a suitable computing system. These aspects include, for example, food ordering and customer data gathering.
Various aspects of the invention can also be practiced in distributed computing environments, where tasks or modules are performed by remote processing devices which are linked through a communications network, such as a Local Area Network (“LAN”), Wide Area Network (“WAN”) or the Internet. In a distributed computing environment, program modules or sub-routines may be located in both local and remote memory storage devices.
Other aspects of the invention may be stored or distributed on computer-readable media, including magnetic and optically readable and removable computer discs, stored as firmware in chips (e.g., EEPROM chips), as well as distributed electronically over the Internet or over other networks (including wireless networks). Those skilled in the relevant art will recognize that some portions of the invention may reside on a server computer, while other portions may reside on a client computer. Further, data structures and data transmissions particular to aspects of the invention are also encompassed within the scope of the invention.
Referring to
The input devices 902 may include a keyboard and/or a pointing device such as a mouse. Other input devices are possible such as a microphone, joystick, pen, game pad, scanner, digital camera, video camera, and the like. The data storage devices 904 may include any type of computer-readable media that can store data accessible by the computer 900, such as magnetic hard and floppy disk drives, optical disk drives, magnetic cassettes, tape drives, flash memory cards, digital video disks (DVDs), Bernoulli cartridges, RAMs, ROMs, smart cards, etc. Indeed, any medium for storing or transmitting computer-readable instructions and data may be employed, including a connection port to a network such as a local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN) or the Internet (not shown in
Aspects of the invention may be practiced in a variety of computing environments.
At least one server computer 1008, coupled to the Internet or World Wide Web (“Web”) 1006, performs many or all of the functions for receiving, routing, and storing of electronic messages, such as web pages, audio signals and electronic images. While the Internet is shown, a private network, such as an intranet, may likewise be used herein. The network may have a client-server architecture in which one computer is dedicated to serving other client computers; or it may have other architectures, such as peer-to-peer, in which one or more computers simultaneously act as both servers and clients. A database 1010 or databases, coupled to the server computer(s) 1008, stores many of the web pages and content exchanged between user computers.
The server computer 1008 can include a server engine 1012, a web page management component 1014, a content management component 1016 and a database management component 1018. The server engine 1012 performs basic processing and operating-system-level tasks. The web page management component 1014 handles creation and display or routing of web pages. Users may access the server computer 1008 by means of a URL associated therewith. The content management component 1016 handles most of the functions in the embodiments described herein. The database management component 1018 performs storage and retrieval tasks with respect to the database, queries to the database, and storage of data such as cereal inventory, point-of-sale data, etc.
One skilled in the relevant art will appreciate that the concepts of the invention can be used in various environments other than location based environments or the Internet. In general, a display description may be in HTML, XML or WAP format, email format or any other format suitable for displaying information (including character/code-based formats, algorithm-based formats (e.g., vector generated), and bitmapped formats). Also, various communication channels, such as local area networks, wide area networks, or point-to-point dial-up connections, may be used instead of the Internet. The system may be conducted within a single computer environment, rather than a client/server environment. Also, the user computers may comprise any combination of hardware or software that interacts with the server computer, such as television-based systems and various other consumer products through which commercial or noncommercial transactions can be conducted. The various aspects of the invention described herein can also be implemented in or for an e-mail environment.
Examples of Customer Kiosk Functionality
FIGS. 11A-G illustrate a series of screen displays 1100a-g with which a customer can invent a unique blend of different foods, place an order for the blend, store the blend for later recall, and/or retrieve and order a previously stored blend. In the illustrated embodiment, the screen displays 1100a-g relate to cereal blends and associated toppings. In other embodiments, however, the screen displays 1100a-g and/or variations thereof can be used to invent and order other food combinations. In one embodiment, the screen displays 1100 can be implemented with the interactive kiosk 148 described above with reference to
If the customer has used the kiosk 148 before to remotely create and/or order a menu item, the customer can select a sixth button 1102f. This button brings up another screen display (not shown) which lists the customer's earlier creations. The customer can then select an earlier creation, and an order for that creation will be immediately transmitted to a remote operator (e.g., an employee of the QSR 100 of
If the customer desires to change a selection on the screen display 1100a, the customer can do so by selecting a “Start Over” button 1103. Once the customer has made his or her final selection from the screen display 1100a, the customer can select a “Next” button 1104 to proceed with the ordering process. For example, if the customer selects the third button 1102c to “Create a COLD cereal blend” and then selects the Next button 1104, this brings up the screen display 1100b illustrated in
The screen display 1100b enables the customer to select a quantity of cereal for purchase. For example, the user can select a first button 1112a to order a “Bowl” (i.e., two scoops of cereal, one topping/mix-in, and choice of milk). Alternatively, the user can select a second button 1112b for a “Kid's Bowl” (i.e., one scoop of cereal and choice of milk), a third button 1112c for a bowl of “Cereality Granola,” and a fourth button 1112d for a “Cereal Box” (i.e., 8 scoops of cereal). The customer can select a “Back” button 1116 to return to the previous screen and change a portion of the order. After selecting the desired order size from the screen display 1100b, the customer can select a “Next” button 1114 to proceed with the ordering process. For example, if the customer selects the first button 1112a to order a Bowl, this brings up the screen display 1100c illustrated in
The screen display 1100c enables the customer to select from multiple different, competitively-branded cereals to fill his or her Bowl. In the illustrated embodiment, the customer is allowed to select two scoops of cereal because he or she previously selected “Bowl” as the desired serving size, and a Bowl includes two scoops of cereal. The first cereal selection is made using a first group of selector buttons 1122a, and the second selection is made using a second group of selector buttons 1122b. An “Up” button 1128a allows the customer to scroll up through the list of different cereals, and a corresponding “Down” button 1128b lets the customer scroll down through the list. After the customer has selected the desired cereals, the customer can select a “Next” button 1126 to proceed to the screen display 1100d illustrated in
The screen display 1100d enables the customer to select one or more toppings. Each of a multiple different toppings (e.g., almonds, raisins, bananas, etc.) is associated with a corresponding button 1132. The customer can select a topping by clicking on the appropriate button. The customer can view additional toppings by selecting either a “Previous Toppings” button 1138a or a “More toppings” button 1138b. After one or more toppings have been selected, the customer can select a “Next” button 1134 to proceed to the screen display 1100e illustrated in
The screen display 1100e enables the customer to complete his or her order. In the illustrated embodiment, the customer's order is displayed on the screen. After checking the order, the customer can select a Send button 1142 to automatically send the order to a remote operator (e.g., an employee at a Point-of-Sale counter of the QSR 100) for preparation. Alternatively, the user can select a Send/Save button 1144 that will additionally save the customer's order in an associated database from which the user can retrieve the order at a later date. On the other hand, if the customer desires to just save the order without placing it at this time, the customer can do so by selecting a Save button 1146. Selecting either the Send/Save button 1144 or the Save button 1146 automatically brings up the screen display 1150 illustrated in
The screen display 1100f enables the customer to enter a unique code that will be associated with the customer's saved order. In this regard, the screen display 1100f includes a graphical representation of a keyboard 1152 with which the customer can enter a User ID in a display field 1156. Once this has been done, the customer can select a “Next” button 1154 to proceed to the screen display 1100g illustrated in
The interactive kiosk 148 illustrated in
In another embodiment, the kiosk 148 can transmit the customer's order to a automatic food-preparing apparatus (not shown) instead of a point-of-sale device. In one aspect of this embodiment, the food-preparing apparatus can be configured to automatically prepare the customer's order in response to receiving an appropriate signal from the kiosk 148. In addition, in this embodiment the apparatus can also package the customer's order and dispense it proximate to the point-of-sale.
The kiosk 148 can also be configured to provide customers with recommended menu items and combinations, and nutritional information about various menu choices. For example, in one embodiment, the kiosk 148 can provide customers with recommended menu items tailored to fit specified dietary and/or nutritional preferences or restrictions.
Examples of Point-of-Sale Device Functionality
As
The display screen 1210c illustrates the various types of fruit and other toppings available. In this particular embodiment, one topping is free with a two scoop cereal order. If, for example, the customer desires dried apples, the cashier selects a “Dried Apple” button 1212. This selection generates the screen display 1210d illustrated
Examples of a Food Product Makers
Examples of Modular and Mobile Food Service Providers
Various aspects of the present invention have been described above in the context of quick service restaurants. However, the present invention is not limited to these particular embodiments. Indeed, in other embodiments, various aspects of the invention can be implemented in a modular or mobile format. As used herein, the term “modular format” can refer generally to a cereal bar that is at least partially pre-fabricated and then transported to an operating site in modules. Possible operating sites can include, for example, transportation venues such as airports, train stations, bus terminals, and the like. Other locations can include shopping malls, department stores, sports venues, movie theaters, and the like.
In these embodiments, the food service outlet is modular in nature so that the operator can determine the range of services a particular location will offer. Further, the modular nature of the design enables the operator to order only the particular modules he or she needs in a particular location. Such embodiments may be advantageous for facilitating the franchising of cereal bars and other food service outlets for operation by individual owner/operators. For example, in one embodiment, the modular format allows an owner/operator franchisee to order a particular cereal bar arrangement in modular form, and have it delivered to his or her location by the franchisor, who then leaves the system in place for the business owner to operate.
In addition, the modular concept enables the owner/operator to scale the cereal bar to meet the needs of a particular location. In some embodiments, this scaling can include only offering limited menu items at particular locations. For example, in at least some of the modular locations, the menu may be tailored to include only a limited number of commercially-available cereals and other products, or only special blends (e.g., “signature blends”) of premixed cereals.
As used herein, the term “mobile format” can refer generally to various mobile systems configured to provide food, beverages, and/or related services to remote and/or outdoor locations that may not have ready access to food or a particular type of food (e.g., cereal and/or other breakfast-related products).
Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the foregoing description and the associated examples, the words “comprise,” “comprising,” and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense, as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to.” Additionally, the words “herein,” “above,” “below,” and words of similar import, when used in this application, shall refer to this application as a whole and not to any particular portions of this application. When the claims use the word “or” in reference to a list of two or more items, that word covers all of the following interpretations of the word: any of the items in the list, all of the items in the list, and any combination of the items in the list.
The above detailed description of various embodiments of the invention is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the invention are described above for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the invention, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. For example, while processes or blocks are presented in a given order, alternative embodiments may perform routines having steps, or employ systems having blocks, in a different order, and some processes or blocks may be deleted, moved, added, subdivided, combined, and/or modified. Each of these processes or blocks may be implemented in a variety of different ways. Also, while processes or blocks are at times shown as being performed in series, these processes or blocks may instead be performed in parallel, or may be performed at different times. Where the context permits, words in the above Detailed Description using the singular or plural number may also include the plural or singular number respectively.
The teachings of the invention provided herein can be applied to systems other than the system described herein. Similarly, the elements and acts of the various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments.
All of the above patents and applications and other references, including any that may be listed in accompanying filing papers, are incorporated herein by reference. Aspects of the invention can be modified, if necessary, to employ the systems, functions, and concepts of the various references described above to provide yet further embodiments of the invention.
These and other changes can be made to the invention in light of the above Detailed Description. While the above description details certain embodiments of the invention and describes the best mode contemplated, no matter how detailed the above appears in text, the invention can be practiced in many ways. As noted above, particular terminology used when describing certain features or aspects of the invention should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being redefined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics, features, or aspects of the invention with which that terminology is associated. Accordingly, the actual scope of the invention encompasses not only the disclosed embodiments, but also all equivalent ways of practicing or implementing the invention.
From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that specific embodiments of the invention have been described herein for purposes of illustration, but that various modifications may be made without deviating from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, aspects of the invention described in the context of particular embodiments may be combined or eliminated in other embodiments. Further, while advantages associated with certain embodiments of the invention have been described in the context of those embodiments, other embodiments may also exhibit such advantages, and not all embodiments need necessarily exhibit such advantages to fall within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not limited, except as by the appended claims.
While certain aspects of the invention are presented below in certain claim forms, the inventors contemplate the various aspects of the invention in any number of different claim forms. For example, while one or more aspects of the invention may be recited as embodied in a computer-readable medium, other aspects may likewise be embodied in a computer-readable medium. Accordingly, the inventors reserve the right to add additional claims after filing the application to pursue such additional claim forms for other aspects of the invention.
While certain aspects of the invention are presented below in certain claim forms, the inventors contemplate the various aspects of the invention in any number of different claim forms. For example, while one or more aspects of the invention may be recited as embodied in a computer-readable medium, other aspects may likewise be embodied in a computer-readable medium. Accordingly, the inventors reserve the right to add additional claims after filing the application to pursue such additional claim forms for other aspects of the invention.
This application claims the benefit of co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/604,504, entitled “METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR PROVIDING FOOD, BEVERAGES, AND ASSOCIATED GOODS AND SERVICES IN A RETAIL ENVIRONMENT,” filed Aug. 24, 2004; and co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/565,984, entitled “METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR PROVIDING FOOD, BEVERAGES, AND ASSOCIATED GOODS AND SERVICES IN A RETAIL ENVIRONMENT,” filed Apr. 28, 2004; each of which is incorporated in the present application by reference. This application is related to co-pending U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 11/078,686, entitled “METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR PROVIDING FOOD, BEVERAGES, AND ASSOCIATED GOODS AND SERVICES IN A RETAIL ENVIRONMENT,” filed Mar. 11, 2005; and co-pending U.S. Non-Provisional Patent Application Serial No. [Attorney Docket No. 35766.8003US00], entitled “DATA COLLECTION, PROCESSING AND ANALYSIS SYSTEMS, SUCH AS FOR USE IN A FOOD SERVICE ENVIRONMENT,” filed Apr. 28, 2005; each of which is incorporated in the present application by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60604504 | Aug 2004 | US | |
| 60565984 | Apr 2004 | US |
