CA2277621A1 - Multimedia interactive computer-based order entry and information kiosk system - Google Patents
Multimedia interactive computer-based order entry and information kiosk system Download PDFInfo
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- CA2277621A1 CA2277621A1 CA 2277621 CA2277621A CA2277621A1 CA 2277621 A1 CA2277621 A1 CA 2277621A1 CA 2277621 CA2277621 CA 2277621 CA 2277621 A CA2277621 A CA 2277621A CA 2277621 A1 CA2277621 A1 CA 2277621A1
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- patron
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- order
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Abstract
An ordering system comprising an apparatus means and method, most preferably in a kiosk, that provides a common set of user interactive computer software driven methods utilized in multimedia interactive touch screen entry means.
Description
MULTIMEDIA INTERACTIVE COMUTER-BASED
ORDER ENTRY AND INFORMATION KIOSK SYSTEM
BACKGROUND ART
Field of Invention. This invention relates to an automated shopping assistance system for entering and obtaining shopping orders, and more particularly to an audio visual interactive sys-tem which intuitively guides patrons through the ordering process using intelligent multimedia userinterface aids.
Prior Art. In the prior art, automated systems have been developed such as those shown and described in U.S. Patent No, 4,959,686 for remote entry delicatessen food shopping. Such sys-tems depend on text-based interactive displays such as those found in automated teller kiosks.
In particular, what is read on the screen must be correlated by the reader with a series of push-button choices on a numbered keypad. The patent claims a system for automated shopping order entry for the delicatessen station of a supermarket comprising a processor subsystem, a customer subsystem, at least one further customer subsystem, an employee subsystem, and means for signaling an employee when a custom order has been entered at the customer subsys-tem.
Several patents show computer-operated, interactive restaurant food ordering systems such as U.S. Patent No. 4,547,851 issued to Kurland, October 15, 1985, and U.S. Patent No.
4,553,222, issued to Kurland, et al., November 12, 1985, which provide integrated food and entertainment processing, enabling restaurant patrons to obtain meals for individual food selec-tion on a video monitor at their tables, while at the same time playing games.
Of the same ilk is U.S. Patent No. 4,722,053 issued to Dubno, et al., January 26, 1988.
U.S. Patent No. 4,797,818 issued to Cotter, January 10, 1989, discloses a computerized order delivery system for use in the food service industry including a central computer that accepts customer food orders and, based on a customer identifier, automatically selects the store that is to prepare the food and transmits the required information to that location.
These systems suffer from a lack of any truely interactive intuitive audiovisual instruc-tive sensory system which simulates actual interaction between a customer and a clerk.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
My invention comprises an ordering system comprising an apparatus means and method, most preferably in a kiosk, that provides a common set of user interactive computer software driven methods utilized in multimedia interactive touch screen entry means, point-of information, and point-of sale, computer based kiosk applications and systems.
The system contextually guides the user through the process of obtaining the products or information in which they are interested. The system may also use information which the patron has previous-ly entered and which the system has subsequently learned about the patron's product interests.
Consequently, the system provides patrons with an expedient, intuitive ordering process by intelligently utilizing a variety of contextual multisensory multimedia user interface aids.
My invention comprises an interactive multimedia enabled supermarket ordering system which contextually guides store customers through the process of obtaining the products or information in which they areinterested in, utilizing information which the patron has previous-ly entered and which the system has subsequently learned about the patron's product interests and correlated to the products detailed in the system's product databases. The system provides patrons with an expedient, intuitive ordering process by intelligently utilizing a variety of con-textual multisensory multimedia user interface aids. The kiosk system attracts patrons of a supermarket, using high resolution computer graphics, audio, and digital video clips which explain the products and services offered by the system. Users of the kiosk system are present-ed with delicatessen product information represented as high resolution graphical user interface elements, through which the user navigates using the system's touch screen.
When the patron uses a customer loyalty card, the system offers the merchandise ordered at a discount, and then remembers the order and the patron's name and card number.
The next time the patron uses the kiosk, my invention recognizes the patron, greets them ("Hello Mrs. Smith. I'm happy to help you again!") and presents the patron's previous order, asking the patron if they would like to order any of the same items. If the patron selects any items for order that are on sale under a different brand name, my invention asks the patron if they would like to try the sale item instead. In this way, the system becomes a patron's trusted shopping assistant and partner.
The system also provides bar coded coupons, that can be scanned by the store's check-out register system; which coupons discount the items which were ordered using the kiosk.
These coupons are printed in the store department which receives the order, and are attached to the completed order. This scenario minimizes the problem of customers who would order items from the kiosk, then also stand in line to order the same items - taking the order which the store department processed first and leaving the other. Taking one of two orders can account for losses in revenue due to waste and spoilage.
When a patron has selected platters, incuding size and quantity, the system will ask the patron for their name and phone number, the date of pickup, and the time of pickup; using an intuitive graphical touch-screen user interface that guides the patron through the process using animations, sound and voice prompts. The system also allows patrons to enter this information by swiping their customer loyalty card.
To select the date which the patron would like to pickup the party platter, my invention displays a series of graphical calendars which provide the patron with an intuitive method of selecting the pickup date, rather than having to remember the current date and typing in the date of pickup textually. The software highlights the only the days which the patron will be permit-ted to pickup the party tray. For instance, if it takes the store at least 48 hours to prepare a party tray, the first day the patron will be able to select from the calendar will be three days after the current day. To further streamline the ordering process, the system provides (4) pre-selected pick-up times of 9:OOam, 12:00 noon, 3:OOpm and 6:OOpm.
Upon completing the order, the patron is handed a receipt detailing the platters which they ordered and the date and time of pick-up. To complete the transaction, the system will then direct the patron to pick-up a signed copy of their order receipt from the store department that handles party platters. This allows the store to screen each platter order before preparing the order. On the day that the platter is to be prepared, the store will call the patron who ordered the platter, using the information captured from the patron at the time of the order, to verify that they still want the platter. This methodology can save the store from preparing very costly service products that may never be picked up and purchased.
Stores using the kiosk system may also elect to use the system's credit card payment interface which asks the patron to pay for their order before picking it up.
This not only saves the store from bogus orders which are never paid for, but also streamlines the customer experi-ence by allowing the customer save time by ordering their service items from the kiosk and paying for them at the same time, which avoids both the line at the service item counter and the checkout line at the front of the store.
My invention also provides a means by which products cataloged in the kiosk's databas-es can be ordered from locations outside of the store, i.e. remotely, via a kiosk system located in an office complex or school dormitory, or via an Internet web browser in a virtual store scener-io. This function provides a means in which the external system communicates with the kiosk system located in the store to locate and list the products available to the interested patron. The patron then selects the products they wish to order from the products obtained over the network from the in-store kiosk system. This method of product query solves the problem of listing products which are tracked only by individual stores (known as direct-delivery items) which are not tracked by the store's Point-Of Sale (POS) system and are only managed by individual stores and store departments which sell these products. This method also provides the automat-ed means by which products are ordered and the transaction is verified and completed. To the patron, the transaction is transparent and is as if they were using the kiosk system in the store.
When the transaction is completed the store can elect to accept payment for the order remotely, have the order delivered to the patron, and/or have the order ready for pickup after a designated preparation period.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
This system provides software components (behaviors, classes, commands, device dri-vers, functions, and methods) which facilitate the construction of interactive kiosk based appli-cations which interact with patrons using multimedia technologies to intuitively guide them through an ordering process. These software components include, but are not limited to: touch screen based user interface, digital video control, live video capture and control, digital audio, live audio capture and control, magnetic strip card interaction, credit card purchase authoriza-tion, smart card interaction, high-quality speech synthesis, speech recognition, remote commu-nications access and system control, multimedia object oriented database, remote database access, intelligent agents, open communications, usage analysis and reports, and low, medium and high-quality printer imaging including barcode generation.
The preferred application of this system is as a kiosk based order entry system for use in various types of supermarket stores. In this application the system is used to facilitate a multi-media interactive computer-based, order entry and information kiosk system.
The kiosk system provides patrons of a supermarket with the ability to order supermarket delicatessen and certain specialty department items from a remote location in the store by intuitively guiding the patron through the ordering process using the software's voice prompting, animations, photograph quality graphics, and video messages. These items may include sliced meats, cheeses, salads, platters, seafood, individually prepared sandwiches, individually prepared pizza, individually prepared pasta meals, individually prepared flower arrangements, prescription refills and other store sale and service items. The kiosk system also provides patrons with information listings, such as recipes, which may be printed using the kiosk system's receipt printers.
The kiosk system attracts patrons of a supermarket, using high resolution computer graphics, audio, and digital video clips which explain the products and services offered by the system. Users of the kiosk system are presented with delicatessen product information repre-sented as high resolution graphical user interface elements, which the user navigates using the system's touch screen.
Using my invention, a store patron is guided to the information that they are interested in and the products which they want to purchase. Depending on the type of information, users may also elect to receive a printed copy of the information from the kiosk via its built-in print-er. When placing an order with the kiosk, the user selects and specifies (by, for example, pounds of, thickness sliced, size, etc.) the items they want to purchase; then places the order, and then is handed a printed order receipt which details the products which they ordered, and the place and time they can be picked up. The order is then sent to the printer which is located in the store department that processes the type of product ordered (such as, sliced meats from the deli department, seafood items from the seafood department; etc.).
When the patron uses a customer loyalty card, the system offers the merchandise ordered at a discount, and then remembers the order and the patron's name and card number.
The next time the patron uses the kiosk, my invention recognizes the patron, greets them (e.g."Hello Mrs. Smith. I'm happy to help you again!") and presents the patron's previous order, asking the patron if they would like to order any of the same items. If the patron selects any items for order that are on sale under a different brand name, my invention asks the patron if they would like to try the sale item instead. In this way, the system becomes a patron's trust-ed shopping assistant and partner.
The system also provides bar coded coupons, that can be scanned by the store's check-out register system, which coupons discount the items which were ordered using the kiosk.
These coupons are printed in the store department which receives the order, and are attached to the completed order. This scenario minimizes the problem of customers who might order items from the kiosk, then also stand in line to order the same items - taking the order which the store department processed first and leaving the other. That practice can account for losses in rev-enue due to waste and spoilage.
Prepared Items for Later Pickup My invention can provide for the sale of prepared items which are to be pickedup at a later date, such as party platters, party hero sandwiches, baked goods, and floral arrangements.
For example, the system presents patrons ordering a party platter or party hero sandwich with a description of the platter or hero sandwich in the form of a digital photograph and visual descriptions of the contents of the platter or hero sandwich, size options describing the quantity of persons the platter or hero sandwich feeds, and the price of the selected platter or hero sand-wich.
Once the patron has selected all of the platters they wish to order, and their size and quantity, the system will ask the patron for their name and phone number, the date of pick-up, and the time of pick-up, using an intuitive graphical touch-screen user interface that guides the patron through the process using animations, sound and voice prompts. The system also allows patrons to enter this information by swiping their customer loyalty card. To select the date which the patron would like to pickup the party platter, my invention displays a series of graph-ical calendars which provide the patron with an intuitive method of selecting the pickup date, rather than having to remember the current date and typing in the date of pickup textually. The software highlights the only the days which the patron will be permitted to pickup the party tray; for instance if it takes the store at least 48 hours to prepare a party tray, the first day the patron will be able to select from the calendar will be three days after the current day. To fur-ther streamline the ordering process, the system provides (4) pre-selected pick-up times of 9:OOam, 12:00 noon, 3:OOpm and 6:OOpm.
Upon completing the order, the patron is handed a receipt detailing the platters which they ordered and the date and time of pickup. To complete the transaction, the system will then direct the patron to pick-up a signed copy of their order receipt from the store department that handles party platters. This allows the store to screen each platter order before preparing the order. On the day that the platter is to be prepared, the store will call the patron who ordered the platter, using the information captured from the patron at the time of the order, to verify that they still want the platter. This methodology can save the store from preparing very costly ser-vice products that may never be picked up and purchased.
Stores using the kiosk system may also elect to use the system's credit card payment interface which asks the patron to pay for their order before picking it up.
This not only saves the store from bogus orders which are never paid for, but also streamlines the customer experi-ence by allowing the customer save time by ordering their service items from the kiosk and paying for them at the same time, which avoids both the line at the service item counter and the checkout line at the front of the store.
Prescription Refill The system provides patrons with the ability to order prescription refills. In this sce-nario the system asks the customer for their last name and prescription number, using anima-tions and voice prompts. Customers may elect to use their customer loyalty card to further expedite the prescription refill process as the system remembers the patron's previous prescrip-tion refill orders.
Store Locator Function The system can also provide a store product locator. The store product locator feature provides patrons with the ability to find the area in the store where a specific product is located.
The system provides the store product locator function as a simple graphic depiction of the store's layout with a graphical indication of the product's location, and provides a virtual wak-through which shows the patron where the product is located by visually walking them from the kiosk to the area in the store where the product is located. The system's database stores all of the isle and shelf locations of the products which the store provides. If a patron is interested in locating a product, the system prompts the patron for the product's name, searches the database for the product, then uses the isle and shelf location in the product's database record as the tar-get location for the virtual guide. The system then references the corresponding virtual walk-through animation which has been prerecorded using stitched 35mm photographs.
The patron is then presented with a photorealistic experience of walking from the system to the isle and shelf location of the product they are interested in finding.
Host Computer Network Interface My invention provides for the update of its products database, usage reports, and system status through a host computer network interface. The standard configuration of the kiosk soft-ware, and the system in which it is integrated, provides for the download of the products data-base, including current prices, from a host system to the kiosk through a local or wide area net-work addressable using Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) and stan-dard File Transfer Protocol (FTP). The system automatically monitors the downloaded file and updates the products database as they change.
Remote Out-Of Store Ordering Interface The system provides for the purchase of products in its database by a customer in a remote out-of store location, such as a college campus dormitory or professional office build-ing, through the use of a credit or debit card transaction completed at the kiosk. The process for ordering items from a store is the same a previously described, with the exception of the payment process in which the system requires payment for the items selected before the order is processed. The system tracks the availability of all purchasable items in a selected store and informs the patron if an item selected is out of stock before they can order the item. The sys-tem provides the ability to read a patron's credit card and process the purchase transaction using a dial-in credit card purchase authorization service.
This same interface allows patrons using an Internet web browser on a computer, to place an order using the store's website and my system as a means of locating a product, plac-ing an order for the product, processing the transaction, and completing the transaction. My system provides the means by which the store's web server can verify the amount of stock available, including direct-delivery items which are not accounted in the store POS system, send the order to the selected store department, and verify that the order was acknowledged by the department which will process the order. This function provides a means in which the external system communicates with the kiosk system located in the store to locate and list the products available to the interested patron. The patron then selects the products they wish to order from the products obtained over the network from the in-store kiosk system. This method of product query solves the problem of listing products which are tracked only by individual stores, known as direct-delivery items, which are not tracked by the store's POS system and are only managed by individual stores and store departments which sell these products. This method also provides the automated means by which products are ordered and the transaction is verified and completed. To the patron, the transaction is transparent and is as if they were using the kiosk system in the store. When the transaction is completed the store can elect to accept payment for the order remotely, have the order delivered to the patron, and/or have the order ready for pickup after a designated preparation period.
Description of Flowchart Drawings The Top Level flowchart describes the standard interaction which the system has with each patron that uses the system.
Attraction Loon When the kiosk system is not being used by a patron, its touch screen monitor displays various product audio / visual animations, and a selection of stored video commercials to attract and inform potential patrons. These animations and commercials are played at preset intervals, usually with a different commercial playing every 3 to 5 minutes. One of the animations
ORDER ENTRY AND INFORMATION KIOSK SYSTEM
BACKGROUND ART
Field of Invention. This invention relates to an automated shopping assistance system for entering and obtaining shopping orders, and more particularly to an audio visual interactive sys-tem which intuitively guides patrons through the ordering process using intelligent multimedia userinterface aids.
Prior Art. In the prior art, automated systems have been developed such as those shown and described in U.S. Patent No, 4,959,686 for remote entry delicatessen food shopping. Such sys-tems depend on text-based interactive displays such as those found in automated teller kiosks.
In particular, what is read on the screen must be correlated by the reader with a series of push-button choices on a numbered keypad. The patent claims a system for automated shopping order entry for the delicatessen station of a supermarket comprising a processor subsystem, a customer subsystem, at least one further customer subsystem, an employee subsystem, and means for signaling an employee when a custom order has been entered at the customer subsys-tem.
Several patents show computer-operated, interactive restaurant food ordering systems such as U.S. Patent No. 4,547,851 issued to Kurland, October 15, 1985, and U.S. Patent No.
4,553,222, issued to Kurland, et al., November 12, 1985, which provide integrated food and entertainment processing, enabling restaurant patrons to obtain meals for individual food selec-tion on a video monitor at their tables, while at the same time playing games.
Of the same ilk is U.S. Patent No. 4,722,053 issued to Dubno, et al., January 26, 1988.
U.S. Patent No. 4,797,818 issued to Cotter, January 10, 1989, discloses a computerized order delivery system for use in the food service industry including a central computer that accepts customer food orders and, based on a customer identifier, automatically selects the store that is to prepare the food and transmits the required information to that location.
These systems suffer from a lack of any truely interactive intuitive audiovisual instruc-tive sensory system which simulates actual interaction between a customer and a clerk.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
My invention comprises an ordering system comprising an apparatus means and method, most preferably in a kiosk, that provides a common set of user interactive computer software driven methods utilized in multimedia interactive touch screen entry means, point-of information, and point-of sale, computer based kiosk applications and systems.
The system contextually guides the user through the process of obtaining the products or information in which they are interested. The system may also use information which the patron has previous-ly entered and which the system has subsequently learned about the patron's product interests.
Consequently, the system provides patrons with an expedient, intuitive ordering process by intelligently utilizing a variety of contextual multisensory multimedia user interface aids.
My invention comprises an interactive multimedia enabled supermarket ordering system which contextually guides store customers through the process of obtaining the products or information in which they areinterested in, utilizing information which the patron has previous-ly entered and which the system has subsequently learned about the patron's product interests and correlated to the products detailed in the system's product databases. The system provides patrons with an expedient, intuitive ordering process by intelligently utilizing a variety of con-textual multisensory multimedia user interface aids. The kiosk system attracts patrons of a supermarket, using high resolution computer graphics, audio, and digital video clips which explain the products and services offered by the system. Users of the kiosk system are present-ed with delicatessen product information represented as high resolution graphical user interface elements, through which the user navigates using the system's touch screen.
When the patron uses a customer loyalty card, the system offers the merchandise ordered at a discount, and then remembers the order and the patron's name and card number.
The next time the patron uses the kiosk, my invention recognizes the patron, greets them ("Hello Mrs. Smith. I'm happy to help you again!") and presents the patron's previous order, asking the patron if they would like to order any of the same items. If the patron selects any items for order that are on sale under a different brand name, my invention asks the patron if they would like to try the sale item instead. In this way, the system becomes a patron's trusted shopping assistant and partner.
The system also provides bar coded coupons, that can be scanned by the store's check-out register system; which coupons discount the items which were ordered using the kiosk.
These coupons are printed in the store department which receives the order, and are attached to the completed order. This scenario minimizes the problem of customers who would order items from the kiosk, then also stand in line to order the same items - taking the order which the store department processed first and leaving the other. Taking one of two orders can account for losses in revenue due to waste and spoilage.
When a patron has selected platters, incuding size and quantity, the system will ask the patron for their name and phone number, the date of pickup, and the time of pickup; using an intuitive graphical touch-screen user interface that guides the patron through the process using animations, sound and voice prompts. The system also allows patrons to enter this information by swiping their customer loyalty card.
To select the date which the patron would like to pickup the party platter, my invention displays a series of graphical calendars which provide the patron with an intuitive method of selecting the pickup date, rather than having to remember the current date and typing in the date of pickup textually. The software highlights the only the days which the patron will be permit-ted to pickup the party tray. For instance, if it takes the store at least 48 hours to prepare a party tray, the first day the patron will be able to select from the calendar will be three days after the current day. To further streamline the ordering process, the system provides (4) pre-selected pick-up times of 9:OOam, 12:00 noon, 3:OOpm and 6:OOpm.
Upon completing the order, the patron is handed a receipt detailing the platters which they ordered and the date and time of pick-up. To complete the transaction, the system will then direct the patron to pick-up a signed copy of their order receipt from the store department that handles party platters. This allows the store to screen each platter order before preparing the order. On the day that the platter is to be prepared, the store will call the patron who ordered the platter, using the information captured from the patron at the time of the order, to verify that they still want the platter. This methodology can save the store from preparing very costly service products that may never be picked up and purchased.
Stores using the kiosk system may also elect to use the system's credit card payment interface which asks the patron to pay for their order before picking it up.
This not only saves the store from bogus orders which are never paid for, but also streamlines the customer experi-ence by allowing the customer save time by ordering their service items from the kiosk and paying for them at the same time, which avoids both the line at the service item counter and the checkout line at the front of the store.
My invention also provides a means by which products cataloged in the kiosk's databas-es can be ordered from locations outside of the store, i.e. remotely, via a kiosk system located in an office complex or school dormitory, or via an Internet web browser in a virtual store scener-io. This function provides a means in which the external system communicates with the kiosk system located in the store to locate and list the products available to the interested patron. The patron then selects the products they wish to order from the products obtained over the network from the in-store kiosk system. This method of product query solves the problem of listing products which are tracked only by individual stores (known as direct-delivery items) which are not tracked by the store's Point-Of Sale (POS) system and are only managed by individual stores and store departments which sell these products. This method also provides the automat-ed means by which products are ordered and the transaction is verified and completed. To the patron, the transaction is transparent and is as if they were using the kiosk system in the store.
When the transaction is completed the store can elect to accept payment for the order remotely, have the order delivered to the patron, and/or have the order ready for pickup after a designated preparation period.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
This system provides software components (behaviors, classes, commands, device dri-vers, functions, and methods) which facilitate the construction of interactive kiosk based appli-cations which interact with patrons using multimedia technologies to intuitively guide them through an ordering process. These software components include, but are not limited to: touch screen based user interface, digital video control, live video capture and control, digital audio, live audio capture and control, magnetic strip card interaction, credit card purchase authoriza-tion, smart card interaction, high-quality speech synthesis, speech recognition, remote commu-nications access and system control, multimedia object oriented database, remote database access, intelligent agents, open communications, usage analysis and reports, and low, medium and high-quality printer imaging including barcode generation.
The preferred application of this system is as a kiosk based order entry system for use in various types of supermarket stores. In this application the system is used to facilitate a multi-media interactive computer-based, order entry and information kiosk system.
The kiosk system provides patrons of a supermarket with the ability to order supermarket delicatessen and certain specialty department items from a remote location in the store by intuitively guiding the patron through the ordering process using the software's voice prompting, animations, photograph quality graphics, and video messages. These items may include sliced meats, cheeses, salads, platters, seafood, individually prepared sandwiches, individually prepared pizza, individually prepared pasta meals, individually prepared flower arrangements, prescription refills and other store sale and service items. The kiosk system also provides patrons with information listings, such as recipes, which may be printed using the kiosk system's receipt printers.
The kiosk system attracts patrons of a supermarket, using high resolution computer graphics, audio, and digital video clips which explain the products and services offered by the system. Users of the kiosk system are presented with delicatessen product information repre-sented as high resolution graphical user interface elements, which the user navigates using the system's touch screen.
Using my invention, a store patron is guided to the information that they are interested in and the products which they want to purchase. Depending on the type of information, users may also elect to receive a printed copy of the information from the kiosk via its built-in print-er. When placing an order with the kiosk, the user selects and specifies (by, for example, pounds of, thickness sliced, size, etc.) the items they want to purchase; then places the order, and then is handed a printed order receipt which details the products which they ordered, and the place and time they can be picked up. The order is then sent to the printer which is located in the store department that processes the type of product ordered (such as, sliced meats from the deli department, seafood items from the seafood department; etc.).
When the patron uses a customer loyalty card, the system offers the merchandise ordered at a discount, and then remembers the order and the patron's name and card number.
The next time the patron uses the kiosk, my invention recognizes the patron, greets them (e.g."Hello Mrs. Smith. I'm happy to help you again!") and presents the patron's previous order, asking the patron if they would like to order any of the same items. If the patron selects any items for order that are on sale under a different brand name, my invention asks the patron if they would like to try the sale item instead. In this way, the system becomes a patron's trust-ed shopping assistant and partner.
The system also provides bar coded coupons, that can be scanned by the store's check-out register system, which coupons discount the items which were ordered using the kiosk.
These coupons are printed in the store department which receives the order, and are attached to the completed order. This scenario minimizes the problem of customers who might order items from the kiosk, then also stand in line to order the same items - taking the order which the store department processed first and leaving the other. That practice can account for losses in rev-enue due to waste and spoilage.
Prepared Items for Later Pickup My invention can provide for the sale of prepared items which are to be pickedup at a later date, such as party platters, party hero sandwiches, baked goods, and floral arrangements.
For example, the system presents patrons ordering a party platter or party hero sandwich with a description of the platter or hero sandwich in the form of a digital photograph and visual descriptions of the contents of the platter or hero sandwich, size options describing the quantity of persons the platter or hero sandwich feeds, and the price of the selected platter or hero sand-wich.
Once the patron has selected all of the platters they wish to order, and their size and quantity, the system will ask the patron for their name and phone number, the date of pick-up, and the time of pick-up, using an intuitive graphical touch-screen user interface that guides the patron through the process using animations, sound and voice prompts. The system also allows patrons to enter this information by swiping their customer loyalty card. To select the date which the patron would like to pickup the party platter, my invention displays a series of graph-ical calendars which provide the patron with an intuitive method of selecting the pickup date, rather than having to remember the current date and typing in the date of pickup textually. The software highlights the only the days which the patron will be permitted to pickup the party tray; for instance if it takes the store at least 48 hours to prepare a party tray, the first day the patron will be able to select from the calendar will be three days after the current day. To fur-ther streamline the ordering process, the system provides (4) pre-selected pick-up times of 9:OOam, 12:00 noon, 3:OOpm and 6:OOpm.
Upon completing the order, the patron is handed a receipt detailing the platters which they ordered and the date and time of pickup. To complete the transaction, the system will then direct the patron to pick-up a signed copy of their order receipt from the store department that handles party platters. This allows the store to screen each platter order before preparing the order. On the day that the platter is to be prepared, the store will call the patron who ordered the platter, using the information captured from the patron at the time of the order, to verify that they still want the platter. This methodology can save the store from preparing very costly ser-vice products that may never be picked up and purchased.
Stores using the kiosk system may also elect to use the system's credit card payment interface which asks the patron to pay for their order before picking it up.
This not only saves the store from bogus orders which are never paid for, but also streamlines the customer experi-ence by allowing the customer save time by ordering their service items from the kiosk and paying for them at the same time, which avoids both the line at the service item counter and the checkout line at the front of the store.
Prescription Refill The system provides patrons with the ability to order prescription refills. In this sce-nario the system asks the customer for their last name and prescription number, using anima-tions and voice prompts. Customers may elect to use their customer loyalty card to further expedite the prescription refill process as the system remembers the patron's previous prescrip-tion refill orders.
Store Locator Function The system can also provide a store product locator. The store product locator feature provides patrons with the ability to find the area in the store where a specific product is located.
The system provides the store product locator function as a simple graphic depiction of the store's layout with a graphical indication of the product's location, and provides a virtual wak-through which shows the patron where the product is located by visually walking them from the kiosk to the area in the store where the product is located. The system's database stores all of the isle and shelf locations of the products which the store provides. If a patron is interested in locating a product, the system prompts the patron for the product's name, searches the database for the product, then uses the isle and shelf location in the product's database record as the tar-get location for the virtual guide. The system then references the corresponding virtual walk-through animation which has been prerecorded using stitched 35mm photographs.
The patron is then presented with a photorealistic experience of walking from the system to the isle and shelf location of the product they are interested in finding.
Host Computer Network Interface My invention provides for the update of its products database, usage reports, and system status through a host computer network interface. The standard configuration of the kiosk soft-ware, and the system in which it is integrated, provides for the download of the products data-base, including current prices, from a host system to the kiosk through a local or wide area net-work addressable using Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) and stan-dard File Transfer Protocol (FTP). The system automatically monitors the downloaded file and updates the products database as they change.
Remote Out-Of Store Ordering Interface The system provides for the purchase of products in its database by a customer in a remote out-of store location, such as a college campus dormitory or professional office build-ing, through the use of a credit or debit card transaction completed at the kiosk. The process for ordering items from a store is the same a previously described, with the exception of the payment process in which the system requires payment for the items selected before the order is processed. The system tracks the availability of all purchasable items in a selected store and informs the patron if an item selected is out of stock before they can order the item. The sys-tem provides the ability to read a patron's credit card and process the purchase transaction using a dial-in credit card purchase authorization service.
This same interface allows patrons using an Internet web browser on a computer, to place an order using the store's website and my system as a means of locating a product, plac-ing an order for the product, processing the transaction, and completing the transaction. My system provides the means by which the store's web server can verify the amount of stock available, including direct-delivery items which are not accounted in the store POS system, send the order to the selected store department, and verify that the order was acknowledged by the department which will process the order. This function provides a means in which the external system communicates with the kiosk system located in the store to locate and list the products available to the interested patron. The patron then selects the products they wish to order from the products obtained over the network from the in-store kiosk system. This method of product query solves the problem of listing products which are tracked only by individual stores, known as direct-delivery items, which are not tracked by the store's POS system and are only managed by individual stores and store departments which sell these products. This method also provides the automated means by which products are ordered and the transaction is verified and completed. To the patron, the transaction is transparent and is as if they were using the kiosk system in the store. When the transaction is completed the store can elect to accept payment for the order remotely, have the order delivered to the patron, and/or have the order ready for pickup after a designated preparation period.
Description of Flowchart Drawings The Top Level flowchart describes the standard interaction which the system has with each patron that uses the system.
Attraction Loon When the kiosk system is not being used by a patron, its touch screen monitor displays various product audio / visual animations, and a selection of stored video commercials to attract and inform potential patrons. These animations and commercials are played at preset intervals, usually with a different commercial playing every 3 to 5 minutes. One of the animations
Claims (11)
1. A computer system having hardware means and software means, comprising: an ordering system means comprising an apparatus means for providing a common set of user interactive computer software driven methods utilizing multimedia interactive touch screen entry means, point-of information, and point-of sale computer based applications and systems;
said computer system means contextually guiding the user through the process of obtaining the products or information in which they are interested; said system providing patrons with an expedient, intuitive ordering process by intelligently utilizing a variety of contextual multisensory multimedia user interface aids.
said computer system means contextually guiding the user through the process of obtaining the products or information in which they are interested; said system providing patrons with an expedient, intuitive ordering process by intelligently utilizing a variety of contextual multisensory multimedia user interface aids.
2. The system of Claim 1 wherein the ordering system means uses information which the patron has previously entered and which said system has subsequently learned about the patron's product interests.
3. The system of Claim 1 wherein the user interface is in a kiosk.
4. The system of Claim 1 wherein the ordering system means uses a graphical representation of a calander month or months to obtain a calander date selected by the patron.
5. The system of Claim 1 wherein the ordering system means uses a graphical representation of a pizza to obtain the pizza toppings and pizza topping placement selected by the patron.
6. The system of Claim 1 wherein the ordering system means provides perscription refill ordering for perscriptions entered by the patron.
7. The system of Claim 1 wherein the ordering system means provides patrons with the ability to graphically customize or custom build a cake, pastery, pizza, sandwich, party platter, or ready-to-eat meal item.
8. The system of Claim 1 wherein the ordering system means provides a patron with the ability to transfer a photograph to the icing on a cake or pastry.
9. The system of Claim 1 wherein the ordering system means for obtaining the name and phone number of the patron for validating the order entered by the patron.
10. The system of Claim 1 wherein the ordering system means provides a discount coupon to the patron when the patron picks up their order.
11. The system of Claim 1 wherein the ordering system means provides a discount coupon for an item associated with one or more of the items ordered from the system, to be obtained by the patron during the time the patron's order is being prepared.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US12281098A | 1998-07-27 | 1998-07-27 | |
| US09/122,810 | 1998-07-27 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2277621A1 true CA2277621A1 (en) | 2000-01-27 |
Family
ID=31186194
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2277621 Abandoned CA2277621A1 (en) | 1998-07-27 | 1999-07-14 | Multimedia interactive computer-based order entry and information kiosk system |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2277621A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2009014498A1 (en) * | 2007-07-25 | 2009-01-29 | Intraco Technology Pte Ltd | A content management and delivery system |
-
1999
- 1999-07-14 CA CA 2277621 patent/CA2277621A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2009014498A1 (en) * | 2007-07-25 | 2009-01-29 | Intraco Technology Pte Ltd | A content management and delivery system |
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