AU2021268690A1

AU2021268690A1 - System and method for facilitating online reservations

Info

Publication number: AU2021268690A1
Application number: AU2021268690A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Daniel Noel Posch
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2020-05-05
Filing date: 2021-05-04
Publication date: 2022-10-20
Also published as: WO2021222975A1

Abstract

A computer-implemented system to receive queries from a user device regarding availability of a table within a dining establishment in respect of a reservation criteria including times and a number of guests, respond to queries, confirming the position of available tables meeting reservation criteria for display on the user device, receive, from the user, at least a time from the displayed availability regarding the reservation criteria, receive further information, including food/beverage preferences, health and/or dietary limitations from the user device and/or the guests, generate a list of menu items available for display, receive selections from the menu, analyse the further information to determine compliance with the selections, generate a list of non- compliant menu items for display, and prompts the user to confirm item selections, and once confirmed or an alternate choice is made, store information regarding the reservation and selections and provides information for the user device, confirming reservation details.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FACILITATING ONLINE RESERVATIONS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a system and method for facilitating online reservations. In particular, the system and method of the present invention facilitates online reservations relating to restaurants or other types of dining establishments.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The restaurant or “dining out” culture is increasing in popularity in the Western world, with estimates that individuals are dining out, on average, at least 2-3 times a week for breakfast, lunch and/or dinner. As the restaurant culture continues to increase in popularity, significant pressure is placed upon restaurant owners and managers to provide a seamless service to patrons in order to increase, or maintain, the level of enjoyment of their patrons during their dining experience and thereby secure loyalty and return patronage.

[0003] The increase in popularity of the restaurant culture has led to an increased number of restaurants and hence competition, and restaurant owners and managers are also experiencing increased pressure to maintain their revenue and profit margins in view of the increased competition. Accordingly, restaurant owners and managers seek to refine their systems and processes within their dining establishments in an effort to ensure they are able to serve as many patrons as possible within a given dining period.

[0004] Restaurant owners and managers are also facing increased pressure associated with the emerging “home-delivery” culture. In this regard, many individuals elect to stay home and use services such as “Uber Eats” and “Menu Log” to have their orders delivered instead of patroning a restaurant. However, such home delivery services are known to charge restaurant owners commission fees as high as 30 percent, and hence, many restaurant owners are experiencing a downturn in their profits which places an increased financial burden upon restaurant owners. Accordingly, there is a need to maintain and/or improve patron engagement with dining establishments. One way of achieving this is to address frustrations that may be experienced by diners such as the difficulties associated with efficiently reserving a table, placing an order and receiving and paying for the meal.

[0005] In an effort to increase patron engagement, many restaurants provide online reservation services that enable individuals to reserve a table for a specified number of guests at preferred date and time without requiring the patron to place a telephone call to the restaurant. Although existing online reservation services provide individuals with the flexibility to reserve a table at a preferred time, such services usually provide only a limited ability to reserve a particular table, and do not enable an individual to select a particularly preferred table or explore options for securing a preferred table, for example, a table by the window or a significant distance from the restroom. Hence, many individuals still prefer to secure a reservation by placing a telephone call to a restaurant which is often inconvenient particularly when restaurants only service telephone enquiries during specific time periods.

[0006] In addition, whilst some restaurants publish their menus online, the information is often outdated. Further, individuals are unable to ascertain detailed information regarding particular ingredients in a menu item. Accordingly, many individuals are often burdened by the need to place a telephone call to the restaurant to discuss available items on the menu or alternatively, ask questions and receive information upon arrival at the restaurant from the serving staff. This often places pressure on both the patron and the serving staff since restaurants often have dedicated seating times, particularly during popular dining times including Thursday-Saturday evenings between the hours of 5.30pm to 10pm. During these times, restaurant owners and managers attempt to arrange two, and sometimes even three individual sittings in one evening which allows for individual seating times of approx. 90 minutes. In group dining arrangements it is often a cause of complaint that individual diners feel deprived of sufficient time in which to properly consider the menu particularly since the initial focus of attention upon arriving at a dining establishment for a “group” dinner is to greet all other diners and socialize before the meal. It is therefore desirable to maintain the time required to order and pay for meals to a minimum, thereby providing patrons with a maximum amount of time within which to enjoy their meal and socialize with guests within their dining group and also minimise the time required for the serving staff to collect orders. [0007] The pressures placed upon restaurant owners and managers to place orders as quickly as possible can sometimes lead to the unfortunate circumstance where patrons are placed at risk due to poor menu choices as a result of feeling pressured to choose quickly, or as a result of pressure placed upon the serving staff to process orders as quickly as possible. For example, persons with one or more allergies may place themselves at risk if they order a menu item that includes an ingredient to which they are allergic.

[0008] Further issues arise when restaurants refuse to “split the bill” (i.e. , take individual payments from each guest within a dining group to settle the invoice) due to time pressures faced by staff to process payments as quickly as possible. This can lead to arguments and an unsatisfactory dining experience by one or more members within a dining group who consider that they have been required to pay for more than they were responsible. This aspect of “group” dining is probably the most notorious disadvantage that discourages diners from participating in group dining events and resolving this problem is likely to be of particular interest to dining establishments.

[0009] The system and device of present invention seeks to address one or more of the above identified problems or at least provide an alternative solution to same.

[0010] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgement, or any suggestion that, the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011 ] In one aspect, the present invention provides a computer-implemented system including one or more processors executing computer instruction code that causes the one or more processors to: receive one or more queries from a user device regarding availability of a table within a dining establishment in respect of a reservation criteria including at least a preferred date, a preferred time, and a preferred number of one or more guests, respond, to the one or more queries, confirming the position of all available tables within the dining establishment that meet the reservation criteria for display on the user device, receive, from the user device, at least a time and date from the displayed availability regarding the reservation criteria, receive further information, from the user device, including one or more of food/beverage preferences, medical conditions, current medications and/or dietary limitations of a user of the user device and/or the one or more guests, generate a list of menu items available for selection and order on the selected date and time for display on the user device, receive, from the user device, one or more item selections from the list of menu items, analyse the further information as compared with the item selections to determine compliance between the further information and the item selections, and in the event at least any one or more of the item selections are determined not to be in compliance with the further information, the system, generates a list of the non-compliant menu items for display on the user device, displays a prompt, on the user device, for confirmation of the one or more item selections; and receives, from the user device, confirmation regarding the item selection(s) and/or receives one or more alternative item selection(s), and stores information regarding the reservation criteria and the item selections and provides a copy of information stored for display on the user device thus confirming reservation details.

[0012] In an embodiment, the one or more processors cause the system to generate and send an invitation to the one or more user guests to either accept or decline the dinner reservation. It will be appreciated that in an embodiment, the invitation may be in the form of a link that is sent to a user device associated with each of the one or more guests for selection by each guest to either accept or decline the invitation as prompted.

[0013] In an embodiment, the one or more processors cause the system to prompt the user for payment once the reservation details have been confirmed. It will be appreciated that this may not only increase the efficiency of completing a service (which would be expected to be beneficial from both the patrons and restaurants perspective), it may also assist in ensuring patrons do not leave without paying for their meal, either intentionally or unintentionally. As a result of prompting pre-payment of a meal, patrons may also avoid potential embarrassment and awkwardness that sometimes arises when patrons are asked to “split the bill” equally amongst all dinner guests even though one or more of the guests within the group have ordered a meal of a lesser or greater value.

[0014] In an embodiment, the system further includes one or more databases in communication with the one or more processors, wherein the further information is entered by the user and/or the one of the user’s guests at the time of making a reservation.

[0015] In an embodiment, the further information is entered by the user and/or the one or more of the user’s guests prior to making a reservation and stored in the one or more databases, wherein the one or more processors retrieve the further information from the one or more databases at the time of making a reservation.

[0016] In an embodiment, the system uses the further information stored in the one or more databases to guide development of the menu items available for order from the dining establishment’s menu.

[0017] In an embodiment, the analysis is performed using one or more natural language processing techniques.

[0018] In an embodiment, the system collects data associated with prior reservations associated with the dining establishment including sales and revenue data, and stores same in the one or more databases, wherein the system uses artificial intelligence techniques to analyse and draw conclusions and recommendations from the data. In an embodiment, the system uses the prior reservation data to provide the dining establishment with guidance regarding the users and menu items that most contribute to the dining establishment’s revenue and/or profitability.

[0019] In an embodiment, the prior reservation data further includes item selection and user dietary requirements and/or preferences, wherein the system uses artificial intelligence techniques to draw conclusions and recommendations from the data. In an embodiment, the system uses the collected item selection and user dietary requirements and/or preferences data to provide the dining establishment with guidance regarding the frequency of item selection and the menu items which are most frequently selected by patrons. It will be appreciated that this may assist restaurant owners with development of their menu and/or how they market and advertise their dining establishment.

[0020] In an embodiment, the system further displays, on the user device, food items that are currently in season at the dining establishment location.

[0021] In an embodiment, the system provides the user with one or more recommended dining establishments from a list of registered dining establishments, the recommendation based upon a comparison of the food/beverage preferences, medical conditions, current medications and/or dietary limitations of the user and/or the one or more of the user’s guests and the menu items available for order from the registered dining establishments’ menu.

[0022] In an embodiment, the user device provides an option to the user to cancel and/or reschedule a reservation, and in the event the user has pre-paid for a reservation that is cancelled, the system allocates a credit to the user.

[0023] In an embodiment, the user device provides an option to the user to further select a time for delivery of an order (or the various courses within the order) to the user’s selected table. For example, if a user reserves a 6.30pm dinner seating for themselves and their guests, they have the option of also electing a time of 6.45pm for the first course to be delivered to their table. This option is beneficial from the user’s perspective, particularly if they require an efficient service due to existing appointments and they therefore have only a limited amount of time within which to receive, consume and pay for their meal. It will be appreciated that this option would also be beneficial for restaurant owners and managers since they can accurately schedule a service and maximise the efficiency with respect to preparing and serving meals for their patrons.

[0024] In another aspect, the present invention provides a computer-implemented system including one or more processors executing computer instruction code that causes the one or more processors to: receive one or more queries from a user device regarding availability of a table within a dining establishment in respect of at least a reservation criteria including at least a preferred date, a preferred time, and a preferred number of one or more guests, display, on the user device, a graphical representation of all of the available tables within the dining establishment that meet the reservation criteria, receive, from the user device, a table selection from the displayed available tables that meet the reservation criteria, receive, from the user device, further information including food/beverage preferences, medical conditions, current medications and/or dietary limitations of a user of the user device and/or the one or more guests, analyse the further information as compared with a list of menu items available for order on the selected date and time and generates a sub-list of menu items determined to be in compliance with the further information, display the sub-list of menu items on the user device, receive, from the user device, one or more item selection(s) from the sub-list of menu items; and upon receiving the item selection(s), displays, on the user device, reservation information confirming reservation details.

[0025] In another aspect, the present invention provides a computer-implemented method including, receiving one or more queries from a user device regarding availability of a table within a dining establishment in respect of a reservation criteria including at least a preferred date, a preferred time, and a preferred number of one or more guests, displaying on the user device, a graphical representation of all of the available tables within the dining establishment that meet the reservation criteria, receiving, from the user device, a table selection from the displayed available tables that meet the reservation criteria, receiving further information including food/beverage preferences, medical conditions, current medications and/or dietary limitations of a user of the user device and/or the one or more guests, displaying, on the user device, a list of menu items available for order on the selected date and time, receiving one or more item selections from the list of menu items entered by the user on the user device, analysing, using the further information as compared with the item selections, in the event at least any one or more of the item selections are determined not to be in compliance with the further information, displaying, on the user device, a list of the non-compliant menu items, prompting the user to confirm item selection(s) and/or enter one or more alternative item selection(s), and once the item selections are confirmed and the one or more alternative item selection(s) are received, displaying information on the user device confirming reservation details.

[0026] In another aspect, the present invention provides a computer-implemented method including, receiving one or more queries from a user device regarding availability of a table within a dining establishment in respect of a reservation criteria including at least a preferred date, a preferred time, and a preferred number of one or more guests, displaying, on the user device, a graphical representation of all of the available tables within the dining establishment that meet the reservation criteria, receiving, from the user device, a table selection from the displayed available tables that meet the reservation criteria, receiving further information including food/beverage preferences, medical conditions, current medications and/or dietary limitations of a user of the user device and/or the one or more guests, analysing the further information as compared with a list of menu items available for order on the selected date and time, displaying, on the user device, a sub-list of menu items determined to be in compliance with the further information entered by the user, receiving one or more item selection(s) from the sub-list of menu items entered by the user on the user device; prompting the user to confirm item selection(s) or enter one or more alternative item selection(s), and once the user confirms item selection(s), displaying information on the user device confirming reservation details.

[0027] In a further aspect, the present invention provides a computer-readable medium having a plurality of instructions executable by a one or more processors of a computing device to perform the steps of: receiving one or more queries from a user device regarding availability of a table within a dining establishment in respect of a reservation criteria including at least a preferred date, a preferred time, and a preferred number of one or more guests, displaying on the user device, a graphical representation of all of the available tables within the dining establishment that meet the reservation criteria, receiving, from the user device, a table selection from the displayed available tables that meet the reservation criteria, receiving further information including food/beverage preferences, medical conditions, current medications and/or dietary limitations of a user of the user device and/or the one or more guests, displaying, on the user device, a list of menu items available for order on the selected date and time, receiving one or more item selections from the list of menu items entered by the user on the user device, analysing the further information as compared with the item selections, and in the event at least any one or more of the item selections are determined not to be in compliance with the further information: displaying, on the user device, a list of the non- compliant menu items; and prompting the user to confirm item selections or enter one or more alternative item selection(s); and once user confirms item selection(s), displaying information on the user device confirming reservation details.

[0028] In yet a further aspect, the present invention provides a computer-readable medium having a plurality of instructions executable by a one or more processors of a computing device to perform the steps of: receiving one or more queries from a user device regarding availability of a table within a dining establishment in respect of at least a reservation criteria including a preferred date, a preferred time, and a preferred number of one or more guests, displaying, on the user device, a graphical representation of all of the available tables within the dining establishment that meet the reservation criteria, receiving, from the user device, a table selection from the displayed available tables that meet the reservation criteria, receiving further information including food/beverage preferences, medical conditions, current medications and/or dietary limitations of a user of the user device and/or the one or more guests, analysing the further information as compared with a list of menu items available for order on the selected date and time, displaying, on the user device, a sub-list of menu items determined to be in compliance with the further information, receiving one or more item selection(s) from the sub-list of menu items entered by the user on the user device, prompting the user to confirm item selection(s) or enter one or more alternative item selections, and once user confirms item selection(s), displaying information on the user device confirming reservation details.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] Embodiments of the invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying Figures in which:

[0030] Figure 1 provides an overview of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention, illustrating various system components.

[0031] Figure 2 illustrates the components of the central server according to the embodiment depicted in Figure 1.

[0032] Figure 3 illustrates a user downloading and installing the system application on their user device according to the embodiment depicted in Figure 1.

[0033] Figure 4 illustrates the user selecting a restaurant and organising a dinner reservation using the system application according to the embodiment depicted in Figure 1.

[0034] Figure 5 illustrates the user inviting guests to join the organized dinner reservation using the system application according to the embodiment depicted in Figure 1.

[0035] Figure 6 illustrates the user pre-ordering and pre-paying for their meals and beverages using the system application according to the embodiment depicted in Figure 1.

[0036] Figure 7 illustrates the user ordering additional menu items during dinner using the system application according to the embodiment depicted in Figure 1.

[0037] Figure 8 illustrates how the system application communicates with restaurant ordering and payment systems according to the embodiment depicted in Figure 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT(S) OF THE INVENTION

[0038] The present invention relates to a system and method for facilitating online reservations, in particular, online reservations relating to restaurants or other types of dining establishments made by a user (130) (i.e., a restaurant patron). The system and method involves receiving, by a first user device (330), one or more queries from the user (130) using a second user device (140) regarding availability of a table within a dining establishment (310) in respect of at least a reservation criteria including a preferred date, a preferred time, and a preferred number of guests. The system and method also includes displaying, on the second user device (140), a position of all of the available tables within the dining establishment (310) that meet the reservation criteria and receiving, by the first user device (330), further information from the second user device (140) regarding medical conditions, current medications and/or dietary limitations of the user (140) and/or the one or more of the user’s guests (230a, 230b or 230c). The system and method also includes, displaying, on the second user device (140), a list of menu items available for order on the selected date and time and receiving, by the first user device (330), one or more item selections from the list of menu items entered by the user (130) on the second user device (140), and analysing the further information received by the first user device (330) as compared with the item selections received by the first user device (330). In the event at least any one or more of the item selections are determined not to be in compliance with the further information entered by the user (130), the system and method further involves displaying, on the second user device (140), a list of the non- compliant menu items.

[0039] Figure 1 , which provides an exemplary overview of the system and method of the present invention, is divided into seven distinct segments which are further expanded in the subsequent Figures 2 to 8.

[0040] A skilled reader will appreciate that numerous additional implementations are possible and the above implementation is described by way of example only and is not intended to be limiting.

[0041] For example, in Figure 1 , segment (200) shows the server component (20) (also referred to herein as a central server) with which one or more applications (150) operating on one or more user devices (140) communicate. The features of the central server (20) with segment (200) are expanded in Figure 2. Segment (300) of Figure 1 shows how a user (i.e., a restaurant patron) (130) installs the system application (150) on their user device (140) and creates an account within the system application (150). The features of segment (300) are expanded in Figure 3. Segment (400) of Figure 1 shows how the user (130) interacts with the system application to select a dining establishment of interest and reserve a table at the selected dining establishment using system application (150). The features of segment (400) are expanded in Figure 4. Segment (500) of Figure 1 shows how the user (130), with the use of their user device (140), invites other registered users (i.e., their dinner guests) (230a, 230b and 230c) to the dinner party at the selected dining establishment. Segment 500 of Figure 1 also shows how the invited dinner guests (230a, 230b and 230c) can interact with the system application (150) using their user devices (240a, 240b and 240c) to either accept or decline the dinner invitation using the system application (150) and/or enter additional information regarding, for example, dietary requirements, food and beverage preferences and/or menu selections. The features of segment (500) are expanded in Figure 5. Segment (600) of Figure 1 shows how user (130) pre-orders and pre-pays for meals and beverages using system application (150) on their user device (140). In this regard, it will be appreciated that user (130) may select to pay the entire amount of the pre-ordered meals and beverages (including the meals and beverages of their guests), or, alternatively, select, through the system application (150) to divide payment of the amount amongst the user and the user’s guests in any desired configuration (e.g., “split the bill” with each guest paying for their own order or dividing the bill equally amongst all dinner guests). The features of segment (600) are expanded in Figure 6. Segment 700 of Figure 1 shows how users (130, 230a, 230b and 230c) can order and pay for additional items from the menu whilst dining at the selected dining establishment using the system application (150) accessed through their user devices (140, 240a, 240b and 240c). The features of segment (700) are expanded in Figure 7. Segment 800 of Figure 1 shows the integration between the ordering and payment systems of the dining establishment (310) accessed using the first user device (330) and the system application (150) located on central server (20). The features of segment (800) are expanded in Figure 8.

[0042] As mentioned above, Figure 2 shows further detail of the segment 200 from Figure 1. In particular, Figure 2 shows infrastructure (10) on which central server (20) operates, which may be a local or cloud-based infrastructure. User applications (150) (not shown in Figure 2) communicate (110) with central server (20), and the central server operates one or more computer applications that provide the core functions of the server (20), including:

• providing a database (30) of user profiles associated with first-time users and other users who are already registered to use the system application. Database (30) includes user account details in addition to any other information entered by each individual registered user including, but not limited to, their medical condition(s), allergie(s), food and/or beverage preference(s), dietary requirement(s)/limitation(s) and dietary intolerance(s);

• providing a database (40) for storing the account details of, and information associated with, participating and registered dining establishments (e.g. restaurants). The restaurant information includes details, for example, location, type of cuisine, online menu’s, opening times, BYO details, ability to cater for food allergies of patrons, prices and customer ratings;

• providing a database (50) for storing reservation details made by the registered users of the system. Such reservation details include, but are not limited to, the preferred dining establishment, dining date, table selection within a selected dining establishment, number of guests and any other preferences;

• providing a database (60) for storing menu items available for order and purchase at each registered dining establishment. In an embodiment, multiple menus may be stored pertaining to a restaurant for different times of the day, different days of the week and/or different seasonal menus. The system may also accommodate different types of menus including drinks menus, kids menus etc;

• providing a database (70) for storing menu orders from a selected registered dining establishment of the various registered users;

• providing a database (80) for storing a credit card payment system (or other online payment mechanism) for payment of orders;

• providing a database (90) storing details of banking and financial institutions that the various registered dining establishments use to process user payments;

• providing functionality (110) that enables communication between registered individuals (130) with central server (20) using their computer, tablet, laptop or mobile/smart phone device (140) to create and maintain a user profile that is to be stored in a database of user profiles (30) (shown in Figure 3); and

• providing functionality (120) that enables communication between the system application stored on central server (20) and the ordering and payment systems of the individual dining establishments (shown in Figure 8).

[0043] Figure 3 shows further detail of the segment 300 from Figure 1 . In particular, Figure 3 shows a user (130) using their user device (140) (in this instance their smartphone), to download and install system application (150). Once the system application (150) has been downloaded and installed on their user device (140), user (130) accesses the system application through an application registration interface (170) and creates their user profile by registering as a user and entering details including their username and password, preferred email address and telephone number. Such details are stored in user profile database (30). As part of the registration process, system application (150) also prompts user (130) to enter their account (credit card) details which will be used to pre-pay for any orders. User (130) is also prompted, at the time of registration, to enter any other personal information including, for example, any medical conditions, food allergies, food/beverage preferences or dietary requirements/limitations. Such credit card and personal information is also stored in the user profile database (30).

[0044] Figure 4 shows further detail of the segment 400 from Figure 1 . In particular, Figure 4 shows registered user (130) accessing the system application (150) on their user device (140). User (130) uses search interface (180) to search for and select a dining establishment of interest, from the available dining establishments that are registered and available on system application (150). User (130) is able to conduct a search of participating (registered) dining establishments of interest by entering relevant key words including, for example, type of dining cuisine (e.g., Italian, fine dining, Mexican, pub), price, ability to cater for food preferences/limitations (e.g., vegan, gluten free), preferred location, or the names of one or more preferred dining establishments. As shown in Figure 4, the search reveals three dining establishments (185a, 185b and 185c) that match the search criteria entered by user (130) using search interface (180). User (130) can select any of the matched dining establishments (185a, 185b and 185c) and with the use of restaurant selection interface (190), view details including type of cuisine, location, customer reviews, photographs and menu(s) for each of the matched restaurants (185a, 185b and 185c) to assist the user with their selection. As is also shown in Figure 4, upon selection of one of the matched restaurants (“Romeo’s” - 185a), user (130) is then able to view table availability at Romeo’s using reservation interface (210) which also allows user (130) to view a representation of the seating/table arrangement (215) within Romeo’s. If the user (130) finds an available table with a seating capacity that accommodates their guest(s) at their preferred date and time, the user is then able to make a reservation using reservation interface (210) to reserve their preferred table.

[0045] Referring to Figure 5, which shows further detail of segment 500 in Figure 1 , once user (130) has completed their reservation, they are able to view a confirmation of their reservation details (225) and invite further registered guests (230a, 230b and 230c) using invitation interface (220) to join the user’s (130) dining reservation. In turn, invited guests (230a, 230b and 230c) receive an invite notification (240) through system application (150) installed on their respective user devices (240a, 240b and 240c) and are able to either accept or decline the invitation. User (130) is also able to see each invited guest’s (230a, 230b and 23c) response (250a, 250b and 250c) regarding whether they have accepted or declined the invitation.

[0046] Figure 6 shows further detail of the segment 600 from Figure 1 . In particular, Figure 6 shows user (130) who has organised the dining reservation pre-ordering and pre-paying for their meals using menu interface (260) on system application (150) installed on their user device (smartphone) (140). In an embodiment, the system application (150) automatically conducts a comparison between the available menu items and the user’s (130) personal information (e.g., medical conditions, food allergies, food/beverage preferences, dietary limitations/restrictions etc.,) entered by user (130) at the time of registration, post-registration or at the time of making the reservation. For example, if user (130) is gluten intolerant and has entered and saved this information to the central server (20) of system application (150), the system will automatically compare, using artificial intelligence techniques and/or natural language processing, the user’s personal information stored in database (30) with the available menu items stored in database (60), and will notify the user which items contain gluten. In an embodiment, the system will also automatically suggest alternative gluten-free options available on the menu for selection by user (130). In an alternative embodiment, user (130) is presented with a personalized menu. In this embodiment, the personalized menu contains a sub set menu (i.e., a compliant list of menu items) that is generated based upon a comparison of the user’s (130) personal information entered and stored within central server (20) and the available list of menu items. Accordingly, user (130) will only be presented with the available items from the menu that are compliant with the user’s dietary requirements/limitations, food/beverage preferences, medical conditions etc.

[0047] Figure 6 also shows invited guests (230a, 230b and 230c) using their respective smartphones (240a, 240b and 240c) to similarly review available (and/or compliant) menu items available for order. In this regard, the system will compare the personal information of each invited guest (entered at the time of registration, post registration or at the time of accepting an invitation to a dinner reservation), and the system will notify the invited guest of any menu items that are non-compliant with their personal information entered and stored within central server (20) (and suggest alternative options) or alternatively, present the invited guest with a personalized menu displaying on a sub-set of compliant menu items based upon the invited guest’s personal information entered and stored within central server (20).

[0048] Figure 6 further shows user (130) placing their order using order interface (270) by selecting their desired menu items (275a and 275b). The system also prompts user (130) to pay for their order as part of the reservation confirmation process and once authorized by the user (130), the system uses the credit card details (280) stored within database (30) in central server (20) against the user’s (130) account to pre-pay for the ordered meal. Invited guests (230a, 230b and 230c) are also able to place and pre-pay for their meals.

[0049] Figure 7 shows in greater detail segment 700 from Figure 1 . In particular, Figure 7 shows how users (130, 230a, 230b and 230c) attending a dinner party (290) at a dining establishment (310) can order additional items from the menu using each of their smartphones (140, 240a, 240b and 240c). In this embodiment, the system application issues a user (dinner party guest) with a code or number (340) which is used to order additional items (for example, additional wine or dessert) and presented to the serving staff (320). Any additional items ordered by each diner within the dinner party (290) are also compared with respect to the personal information of each user, and the system will either notify each user of any non-compliant items (and suggest alternative compliant options) or provide each user with a personalized menu of a sub-list of compliant menu items. Once additional items have been ordered, the serving staff (320) record (capture/scan) the code issued to each diner against which additional menu items have been ordered, and the order is processed using the payment system (330) of the dining establishment (320).

[0050] Figure 8 shows in greater detail segment 800 from Figure 1 . In particular, Figure 8 shows the communication (120) between the ordering and payment systems (Point-Of-Sale systems) (330) of a dining establishment (310), the central server (20). Figure 8 also shows how payment information is communicated between database (80) located on central server (20) and banking (financial) institutions that enables registered users to seamlessly pre-order and pre-pay for the meals using the system application according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0051] It will be appreciated that the claimed invention provides a dining reservation platform (system application) and method that provides users (e.g. restaurant patrons) with flexibility in restaurant selection, flexibility in ordering, and the ability for users to easily pre-pay for their orders and cancel and/or re-schedule reservations. All of these benefits assist in maintaining user engagement and patron loyalty which would be expected to contribute to an increase in the sales and revenue of a dining establishment that is registered with the system application of the present invention.

[0052] The claimed invention also provides flexibility for patrons with respect to table selection within a dining establishment of interest and avoids patrons being placed by restaurant staff in a location that is potentially undesirable for a patron, thereby decreasing patron satisfaction. In an embodiment, the user interface associated with the system application provides a 3D representation of the tables and seating arranged in a restaurant thereby providing users with a clearer representation of the dining room configuration. This enables patrons to more readily view which tables are available within the dining establishment and to ascertain whether any of the available tables are in a desirable location.

[0053] The ability for patrons to pre-select their table of choice is also beneficial to the restaurant owners and managers since there is a lower risk of patrons rejecting a table in the event they disapprove of a table selected and reserved by the restaurant staff on their behalf. Accordingly, this would be expected to assist in the provision of a more seamless service experience to patrons and avoids, or at least reduces, the risk that restaurant staff will have to perform an immediate (i.e. , “on-the-spot”) table reassignment in the event one or more patrons are dissatisfied with their assigned table.

[0054] Furthermore, an aspect of the dining reservation platform of the present invention that provides a number of associated benefits is the ability for patrons to review and understand the menu items available for selection prior to their dining experience at a restaurant and pre-order their meals and beverages. Not only does this provide patrons with flexibility and more time to review and make choices from the menu (thereby increasing patron satisfaction), it assists in maintaining the health and safety of users with respect to menu item choices by avoiding or at least minimising the risk of menu item selection errors and/or poor menu item choices. In particular, since the dining reservation platform of the present invention enables restaurant patrons to pre-order their meals, this would likely reduce the risk of errors that typically arise either as a result of a patron feeling pressured to make a quick item selection whilst at the restaurant, or an error on the part of one or more of the serving staff arising due to a lack of knowledge of the ingredients in the menu items and/or pressure placed upon the serving staff to record a patron’s order as quickly as possible to ensure service continuity and efficiency.

[0055] The ability for patrons to pre-order their meals also provides restaurant owners and managers with knowledge regarding their stock and what items need to be ordered for any given service. This would be expected to avoid or at least minimize food wastage and would also be expected to save costs since restaurant owners are in a position to better estimate the amount of food/beverages that are to be ordered for any given service. The ability for patrons to pre-order their meals also avoids disappointing a patron due to the unavailability of a particular menu item, since restaurant owners will be able to ensure that enough stock is ordered for a given service (based on the pre-ordered meals) and thereby ensure patron are provided with their desired meal(s) and/or choice of beverage(s). An additional benefit arising from patrons pre-ordering their meals and beverages is that restaurant owners, managers and the kitchen staff are able to complete the pre-service preparation (or “mese en place”) to a greater degree, thereby reducing pressure on the kitchen staff during service which would also likely result in meals prepared and completed to a higher quality standard. This in turn results in increased patron satisfaction and engagement. [0056] A further benefit associated with the reservation platform system of the present invention is that patrons are able to pre-pay for their meals prior to attending the restaurant. This may assist in patrons avoiding, or at least minimising, the risk of exceeding their budget, since patrons will be able to select and pay for their meal in in their own time without the pressure of making a rushed decision upon arriving at the restaurant and perhaps ordering a meal and beverage that exceeds their budget. The ability to pre-pay for a meal also assists in avoiding awkward situations where a dinner guest within a group is asked, or otherwise pressured, to “split the bill” and thereby pay an equal share of the bill with the other guests, despite having ordered a less expensive meal as compared with the other guests.

[0057] Pre-payment of meals is also of benefit to restaurant owners and managers since a more efficient and seamless level of service is generally able to be provided to patrons without the need for the restaurant staff to wait for patrons to pay for their meals at the end of their dining experience. Additionally, receiving a pre-payment from patrons for their meals is also beneficial for restaurant owners from a cash-flow perspective since restaurant owners receive payment prior to having to outlay costs associated with a service, for example, purchasing beverages and ingredients for the service.

[0058] Further, benefits associated with the dining reservation platform include the ability for the system to collect and store various information and data from users regarding, for example, their food preferences, dietary requirements/limitations and menu item selections over a period of time, and using such information to provide guidance to restaurant owners and managers which may assist in identifying the most popular menu items and trends in menu item selections. Such information may also assist restaurant owners and managers to plan and develop their menu items and ensure that expenditure associated with selecting, for example, “delicacies” and “in season” ingredients is justified.

[0059] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the relevant field of technology that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as detailed in the embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all aspects as illustrative and not restrictive. [0060] Throughout this specification and claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word “comprise”, and variations such as “comprises” and “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated feature or step, or group of features or steps, but not the exclusion of any other feature or step or group of features or steps.

Claims

The claims defining the invention are as follows:

1. A computer-implemented system including one or more processors executing computer instruction code that causes the one or more processors to: receive one or more queries from a user device regarding availability of a table within a dining establishment in respect of a reservation criteria including at least a preferred date, a preferred time, and a preferred number of one or more guests; respond, to the one or more queries, confirming the position of all available tables within the dining establishment that meet the reservation criteria for display on the user device; receive, from the user device, at least a time and date from the displayed availability regarding the reservation criteria; receive further information, from the user device, including one or more of food/beverage preferences, medical conditions, current medications and/or dietary limitations of a user of the user device and/or the one or more guests; generate a list of menu items available for selection and order on the selected date and time for display on the user device; receive, from the user device, one or more item selections from the list of menu items; analyse the further information as compared with the item selections to determine compliance between the further information and the item selections; and in the event at least any one or more of the item selections are determined not to be in compliance with the further information, the system: generates a list of the non-compliant menu items for display on the user device; displays a prompt, on the user device, for confirmation of the one or more item selections; and receives, from the user device, confirmation regarding the item selection(s) and/or receives one or more alternative item selection(s); and stores information regarding the reservation criteria and the item selections and provides a copy of information stored for display on the user device thus confirming reservation details.

2. A computer-implemented system according to claim 1 , wherein the one or more processors executing computer code further cause the system to generate and send an invitation to the one or more guests.

3. A computer-implemented system according to either claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the one or more processors executing computer instruction code further cause the system to prompt the user for payment once reservation details have been confirmed.

4. A computer implemented system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the system further includes one or more user information databases in communication with the one or more processors, wherein the further information received by the system is stored in the one or more user information databases, and analysed, using one or more artificial intelligence techniques, to generate one or more food/beverage recommendations for the user and the one or more guests.

5. A computer implemented system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the system further includes one or more venue information databases in communication with the one or more processors, wherein data associated with one or more prior reservations associated with the dining establishment is stored in the one or more venue information databases, and analysed, using one or more artificial intelligence techniques, to generate one or more recommendations for the dining establishment.

6. A computer implemented system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the system provides the user with one or more recommended dining establishments from a list of registered dining establishments, the recommendation based upon: a comparison of the food/beverage preferences, medical conditions, current medications and/or dietary limitations of the user and/or the one or more guests; and the menu items available for order from the registered dining establishments’ menu.

7. A computer-implemented system including one or more processors executing computer instruction code that causes the one or more processors to: receive one or more queries from a user device regarding availability of a table within a dining establishment in respect of at least a reservation criteria including a least a preferred date, a preferred time, and a preferred number of one or more guests; display, on the user device, a graphical representation of all of the available tables within the dining establishment that meet the reservation criteria; receive, from the user device, a table selection from the displayed available tables that meet the reservation criteria; receive, from the user device, further information including food/beverage preferences, medical conditions, current medications and/or dietary limitations of a user of the user device and/or the one or more guests; analyse the further information as compared with a list of menu items available for order on the selected date and time and generates a sub-list of menu items determined to be in compliance with the further information; display the sub-list of menu items on the user device; receive, from the user device, one or more item selection(s) from the sub-list of menu items; and upon receiving the item selection(s), displays, on the user device, reservation information confirming reservation details.

8. A computer-implemented system according to claim 7, wherein the one or more processors executing computer instruction code further cause the system to generate and send an invitation to the one or more guests.

9. A computer-implemented system according to either claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the one or more processors executing computer instruction code further cause the system to prompt the user for payment once the reservation details have been confirmed.

10. A computer implemented system according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the system further includes one or more user information databases in communication with the one or more processors, wherein the further information received by the system is stored in the one or more user information databases, and analysed, using one or more artificial intelligence techniques to generate one or more food/beverage recommendations for the user and the one or more guests.

11. A computer implemented system according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the system further includes one or more venue information databases in communication with the one or more processors, wherein data associated with one or more prior reservations associated with the dining establishment is stored in the one or more venue information databases, and analysed, using one or more artificial intelligence techniques, to generate one or more recommendations regarding the dining establishment.

12. A computer implemented system according to any one of claims 7 to 11 , wherein the system provides the user with one or more recommended dining establishments from a list of registered dining establishments, the recommendation based upon a comparison of the food/beverage preferences, medical conditions, current medications and/or dietary limitations of the user and/or the one or more guests and the menu items available for order from the registered dining establishments’ menu.

13. A computer-implemented method including: receiving one or more queries from a user device regarding availability of a table within a dining establishment in respect of a reservation criteria including at least a preferred date, a preferred time, and a preferred number of one or more guests; displaying on the user device, a graphical representation of all of the available tables within the dining establishment that meet the reservation criteria; receiving, from the user device, a table selection from the displayed available tables that meet the reservation criteria; receiving further information including food/beverage preferences, medical conditions, current medications and/or dietary limitations of a user of the user device and/or the one or more guests; displaying, on the user device, a list of menu items available for order on the selected date and time; receiving one or more item selections from the list of menu items entered by the user on the user device; analysing, using the further information as compared with the item selections; in the event at least any one or more of the item selections are determined not to be in compliance with the further information, displaying, on the user device, a list of the non-compliant menu items; prompting the user to confirm item selection(s) and/or enter one or more alternative item selection (s); and once the item selections are confirmed and the one or more alternative item selection(s) are received, displaying information on the user device confirming reservation details.

14. A computer-implemented method according to claim 13, further including generating and sending an invitation to the one or more guests.

15. A computer-implemented method according to either claim 13 or claim 14, further including prompting the user for payment, on the user device, once the reservation details have been confirmed.

16. A computer implemented method according to any one of claims 13 to 15, further including storing, in the one or more user information databases in communication with the one or more processors, the received further information and analysing, using one or more artificial intelligence techniques, the further information to generate one or more food/beverage recommendations for the user and the one or more guests.

17. A computer implemented method according to any one of the claims 13 to 16, further including storing, in one or more venue information databases in communication with the one or more processors, data associated with one or more prior reservations associated with the dining establishment and analysing, using one or more artificial intelligence techniques, the stored information to generate one or more recommendations for the dining establishment.

18. A computer implemented method according to any one of claims 13 to 17, further including providing, by the user device, the user with one or more recommended dining establishments from a list of registered dining establishments, the recommendation based upon a comparison of the food/beverage preferences, medical conditions, current medications and/or dietary limitations of the user and/or the one or more guests and the menu items available for order from the registered dining establishments’ menu.

19. A computer-implemented method including: receiving one or more queries from a user device regarding availability of a table within a dining establishment in respect of a reservation criteria including at least a preferred date, a preferred time, and a preferred number of one or more guests; displaying, on the user device, a graphical representation of all of the available tables within the dining establishment that meet the reservation criteria; receiving, from the user device, a table selection from the displayed available tables that meet the reservation criteria; receiving further information including food/beverage preferences, medical conditions, current medications and/or dietary limitations of a user of the user device and/or the one or more guests; analysing the further information as compared with a list of menu items available for order on the selected date and time; displaying, on the user device, a sub-list of menu items determined to be in compliance with the further information entered by the user; receiving one or more item selection(s) from the sub-list of menu items entered by the user on the user device; prompting the user to confirm item selection(s) or enter one or more alternative item selection(s); and once the user confirms item selection(s), displaying information on the user device confirming reservation details.

20. A computer-implemented method according to claim 19, further including generating and sending an invitation to the one or more guests.

21. A computer-implemented method according to claim 16, further including prompting the user for payment, on the user device, once the reservation details have been confirmed.

22. A computer implemented method according to either claim 16 or claim 17, further including storing, in the one or more user information databases in communication with the one or more processors, the received further information and analysing, using one or more artificial intelligence techniques, the further information to generate one or more food/beverage recommendations for the user and the one or more guests.

23. A computer implemented method according to any one of the claims 16 to 18, further including storing, in one or more venue information databases in communication with the one or more processors, data associated with one or more prior reservations associated with the dining establishment and analysing, using one or more artificial intelligence techniques, the stored information to generate one or more recommendations for the dining establishment.

24. A computer implemented method according to any one of claims 16 to 19, further including providing, by the user device, the user with one or more recommended dining establishments from a list of registered dining establishments, the recommendation based upon a comparison of the food/beverage preferences, medical conditions, current medications and/or dietary limitations of the user and/or the one or more guests and the menu items available for order from the registered dining establishments’ menu.

25. A computer-readable medium having a plurality of instructions executable by a one or more processors of a computing device to perform the steps of: receiving one or more queries from a user device regarding availability of a table within a dining establishment in respect of a reservation criteria including at least a preferred date, a preferred time, and a preferred number of one or more guests; displaying on the user device, a graphical representation of all of the available tables within the dining establishment that meet the reservation criteria; receiving, from the user device, a table selection from the displayed available tables that meet the reservation criteria; receiving further information including food/beverage preferences, medical conditions, current medications and/or dietary limitations of a user of the user device and/or the one or more guests; displaying, on the user device, a list of menu items available for order on the selected date and time; receiving one or more item selections from the list of menu items entered by the user on the user device; analysing the further information as compared with the item selections, and in the event at least any one or more of the item selections are determined not to be in compliance with the further information: displaying, on the user device, a list of the non-compliant menu items; and prompting the user to confirm item selections or enter one or more alternative item selection(s); and once user confirms item selection(s), displaying information on the user device confirming reservation details.

26. A computer-readable medium having a plurality of instructions executable by a one or more processors of a computing device to perform the steps of: receiving one or more queries from a user device regarding availability of a table within a dining establishment in respect of a reservation criteria including at least a preferred date, a preferred time, and a preferred number of one or more guests; displaying, on the user device, a graphical representation of all of the available tables within the dining establishment that meet the reservation criteria; receiving, from the user device, a table selection from the displayed available tables that meet the reservation criteria; receiving further information including food/beverage preferences, medical conditions, current medications and/or dietary limitations of a user of the user device and/or the one or more guests; analysing the further information as compared with a list of menu items available for order on the selected date and time; displaying, on the user device, a sub-list of menu items determined to be in compliance with the further information; receiving one or more item selection(s) from the sub-list of menu items entered by the user on the user device; prompting the user to confirm item selection (s) or enter one or more alternative item selections; and once user confirms item selection(s), displaying information on the user device confirming reservation details.