CA2540320A1 - Universal consumer driven telecommunication integrated system for hospitality industry applications - Google Patents
Universal consumer driven telecommunication integrated system for hospitality industry applications Download PDFInfo
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- CA2540320A1 CA2540320A1 CA 2540320 CA2540320A CA2540320A1 CA 2540320 A1 CA2540320 A1 CA 2540320A1 CA 2540320 CA2540320 CA 2540320 CA 2540320 A CA2540320 A CA 2540320A CA 2540320 A1 CA2540320 A1 CA 2540320A1
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- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G06Q50/00—Systems or methods specially adapted for specific business sectors, e.g. utilities or tourism
- G06Q50/10—Services
- G06Q50/12—Hotels or restaurants
Abstract
rhe invention is an all-in-one and quality assurance control loop system for the process of Restaurant Operation. It has interfaces and expression of restaurant information on a website. This website will include marketing applications for restaurants such as games, auctions, message banners, job portals, event boards, broadcasting systems, fan group forming, chat room, Instant Messenger, and E-invite. The system would have a Marketing Interface and approach which would include a Restaurant BLOG and My Kitchen/My Kitchen BLOGs for the chefs. The system would have a Cross Reference and an artificial intelligent Smart Suggestions of restaurants for a user. The system would include a calendar tool, event planner, and coupon collections to allow a user to schedule their visit to the restaurant. The system would have customer/Restaurant Interactive communication channels by E-mail, chat room, SMS, and other such communication methods.
Description
INVENTION TITLE
Consumer Driven Telecommunication Integrated System for Hospitality Industry Application DESCRIPTION
[Para 1 ] BACKGROUND
[Para 2] 1. Field of the Invention [Para 3] This invention relates generally to restaurant systems and more particularly to the process of interactive system that allows for customer interaction over the internet.
[Para 4] 2. Description of Prior Art [Para 5] With the increasing popularity of the Internet and the global workplace, a User may be able to send electronic mail messages to anyone who is connected to the Internet. The sender of an electronic mail message needs only to know the electronic mail address of the recipient. Thus, Users can and often do receive electronic mail messages from unknown senders. Because of the perceived benefits of advertising via the Internet on the low costs of doing so, many companies are using electronic mail messages as a way to get messages to their clients. These companies acquire and maintain lists of electronic mail addresses for thousands of customers. When a client wants to advertise a product, the promotional company will send an electronic mail message to each electronic mail address in its list.
[Para 6] Many restaurants and food deliveries have websites. Sometimes these websites have information about the restaurant and the food that is served.
Sometimes Page 1 of 28 these websites will allow a person to order their food online. There are also some websites that give a critique of the restaurants and foods that the restaurant serves.
But there is no website or system in prior art that allows for the ordering of the food, and the rating of the restaurant and food as well as the cooks and chefs from a multiple number of locations and restaurants in a single website.
[Para 7] There is still room for improvement within the art.
[Para 81 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION.
[Para 9] The object of the present invention is to provide on all-in-one and quality assurance control loop system for the process of Restaurant Operation.
It has interfaces and expression of restaurant information on a website. This website will include marketing applications for restaurants such as games, auctions, message banners, job portals, event boards, broadcasting systems, fan group forming, chat room, Instant Messenger, and E-invite. The system would have a Marketing Interface and approach which would include a Restaurant BLOG and My Kitchen/My Kitchen BLOGs for the chefs.
The system would have a Cross Reference and an artificial intelligent Smart Suggestions of restaurants for a user. The system would include a calendar tool, event planner, and coupon collections to allow a user to schedule their visit to the restaurant.
The system would have Customer/Restaurant Interactive communication channels by E-mail, chat room, MMS, SMS, and other such communication methods.
[Para 10] The system will use telecommunication technology integration which is the integration of order / reservation and management directory / interface.
The system will use a number of various methods to group and invite customers to dine at the participating restaurants using many business marketing campaigns and methods.
Page 2 of 28 [Para 1 1] The system offers advanced menu and discount management interface.
The system will provide consumers' favorites, consumer diet analysis and smart suggestions based on inputted data.
[Para 121 The process is more efficient, effective, and functional than the current art.
[Para 13] GLOSSARY OF TERMS
Browser: a software program that runs on a client host and is used to request Web pages and other data from server hosts. This data can be downloaded to the client's disk or displayed on the screen by the browser.
[Para 141 Client host: a computer that requests Web pages from server hosts, and generally communicates through a browser program.
[Para 151 Content provider: a person responsible for providing the information that makes up a collection of Web pages.
[Para 161 Embedded client software programs: software programs that comprise part of a Web site and that get downloaded into, and executed by, the browser.
[Para 17] Cookies: data blocks that are transmitted to a client browser by a web site.
[Para 18] Hit: the event of a browser requesting a single Web component.
[Para 191 Host: a computer that is connected to a network such as the Internet. Every host has a hostname (e.g., mypc.mycompany.com) and a numeric IP address (e.g., 123.104.35.12).
[Para 20] HTML (HyperText Markup Language): the language used to author Web Pages.
In its Page3of28 [Para 21 ] raw form, HTML looks like normal text, interspersed with formatting commands. A browser's primary function is to read and render HTML.
[Para 22] HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol): protocol used between a browser and a Web server to exchange Web pages and other data over the Internet.
[Para 23] HyperText: text annotated with links to other Web pages (e.g., HTML).
[Para 241 IP (Internet Protocol): the communication protocol governing the Internet.
[Para 25] Server host: a computer on the Internet that hands out Web pages through a Web server program.
[Para 26] URL (Uniform Resource Locator): the address of a Web component or other data.
The URL identifies the protocol used to communicate with the server host, the IP address of the server host, and the location of the requested data on the server host.
For example, "http://www.iucent.com/work.html" specifies an HTTP connection with the server host www.lucent.com, from which is requested the Web page (HTML file) work.html.
[Para 271 UWU server: in connection with the present invention, a special Web server in charge of distributing statistics describing Web traffic.
[Para 28] Visit: a series of requests to a fixed Web server by a single person (through a browser), occurring contiguously in time.
[Para 29] Web master: the (typically, technically trained) person in charge of keeping a host server and Web server program running.
[Para 30] Web page: multimedia information on a Web site. A Web page is typically an HTML document comprising other Web components, such as images.
[Para 311 Web server: a software program running on a server host, for handing out Web pages.
[Para 32] Web site: a collection of Web pages residing on one or multiple server hosts and accessible through the same hostname (such as, for example, www.lucent.com).
Page 4 of 28 [Para 33] Brief Description of the Drawings.
[Para 34] Without restricting the full scope of this invention, the preferred form of this invention is illustrated in the following drawings:
[Para 35] FIG 1 shows an overview of the accessing of the system;
[Para 36] FIG 2 shows the four sections of the system;
[Para 37] FIG 3 is a block diagram of the public area or the system;
[Para 38] FIG 4 is a block diagram of the customer member area or the system;
[Para 39] FIG 5 is a block diagram of the restaurant member area or the system;
[Para 40] FIG 6 shows the major components of the system; and [Para 41 ] FIG 7 displays some of the website concepts and diagrams.
[Para 42]
[Para 43] DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[Para 44] Below is the preferred embodiment of the current invention, but it is not the only embodiment of the current invention and should not be read as such.
[Para 45] The System 1 is a computer system and method for an all-in-one and quality assurance control loop system for the process of Restaurant Operation. It has interfaces and expression of restaurant information on a website. This website will include marketing applications for restaurants such as games, auctions, message banners, job portals, event boards, broadcasting systems, fan group forming, chat room, Instant Messenger, and E-Invite. The system would have a Marketing Interface and approach which would include a Restaurant BLOG and My Kitchen/My Kitchen BLOGs for the chefs. The system would have a Cross Reference and an artificial intelligent Smart Suggestions of restaurants for a user.
The system would include a calendar tool, event planner, and coupon collections to allow a Page 5 of 28 user to schedule their visit to the restaurant. The system would have customer/Restaurant Interactive communication channels by E-mail, chat room, MMS, SMS, and other such communication methods.
[Para 46] The system will use telecommunication technology integration which is the integration of order / reservation and management directory / interface.
The system will use a number of various methods to group and invite customers to dine at the participating restaurants using many business marketing campaigns and methods.
[Para 471 The system offers advanced menu and discount management interface.
The system will provide consumers'favorites, consumer diet analysis and smart suggestions based on inputted data.
[Para 481 The current invention will improve restaurant Operation Model. The system will provide planning for: Order Trend & Analysis; Menu Design, Marketing; Targeted Marketing Campaign; order / Delivery with internet based order / delivery System (Long Term and Immediate); Dining: Discount and Various Loyal Programs to Keep Customers;
Food Preparation: Customer Request Dining Orders and Requirements; Customer Satisfaction with Customer Feedback System and Various Compensation Methods, Result:
Precise Customer Feedbacks Loyalty Programs, Powerful Marketing Campaigns Bring More Revenue and Improve Restaurant Performance, and a Performance / Feedback Loop System that includes Bloggers, Restaurant Fan Club, Digitalized Features, Powerful Telecommunication Technology.
[Para 49] FIG. 1 illustrates a functional diagram of how a User 10 accesses the system 1 from a computer 25 connected to the Internet 500. The computer 25 can be connected directly through a communication means such as a local Internet Service Provider, often referred to as ISPs, or through an on-line service provider like CompuServe, Prodigy, American Online, etc.
Page 6 of 28 [Para 50] The Users 10 contacts the Internet 500 using an informational processing system capable of running an HTML compliant Web browser such as Microsoft's Internet Explorer, Netscape Navigator, Lynx, or Mosaic. A typical system that is used is a personal computer with an operating system such as a Windows variant or Linux or Mac os, running a Web browser. The exact hardware configuration of computer used by the User 10, the brand of operating system, or the brand of Web browser configuration is unimportant to understand this present invention. Those skilled in the art can conclude that any HTML
(Hyper Text Markup Language) compatible Web browser is within the true spirit of this invention and the scope of the claims.
[Para 51] For the purpose of detailing the functionalities, the entire system 1 has been divided into four areas, each area being accessible to a particular user group, as shown in Figure 2. These areas are the Public Area, Customer User Area, Restaurant User Area and the Admin User Area.
[Para 52] As shown in Figure 3, the Public Area contains the functionalities which are accessible by all users, logged-in to the system or not. This will allow certain features of the site to be viewed for the benefit of guests/visitors to the site.
[Para 53] As shown in Figure 5, the Restaurant Member area contains the functionalities accessible exclusively by a logged-in Restaurant User.
[Para 54] Customer User Area as shown in Figure 5 contains the functionalities accessible exclusively by a logged-in Customer User.
[Para 55] The Admin area is shown in Figure 6. This section contains the functionalities accessible exclusively by the Site Administrator.
[Para 56] Figure 7 displays some of the website concepts and diagrams. The various people who use the system as shown in the Business Network Market Place Diagram are Page 7 of 28 Restaurant Managers, Restaurant Related Businesses, Hospitality Related Businesses, Registered Customers, Public Internet Users, Tourists, and Chefs.
[Para 57] The system 1 will allow Customers to perform Data Mining, Community Interactions, look into Social Opportunity Centre, review Restaurant News Portals, access to an Order / Reservation Interface, use a Restaurant Job Search Engine, to check Event and News Calendar, and to use a Coupon Collector. The system 1 brings Customers Convenience, Information, Interactions to Restaurants and Society Events, increased efficiency, user functions as well as entertainment and health benefits.
[Para 58] From a Customer's Point of View, the system 1 brings Entertainment (like Games and Cuisine Map), Management of Activity History, Event Calendar & Daily Planner, Social Interaction with Communities, TableMate Program, and Restaurant Fan Groups.
Data-Mining capabilities such as an Extensive Information Search, cuisines and recipes, E-Commerce Shopping Convenience with an On-line Seat Reservation and Order System, a Reward System with Point Collection / Redemption and Coupon Collection, Personal Satisfactions with VIP Treatment, Restaurant Interactions, Customer Support, the Customization of Space and Services such as Dining Habit Analysis, Precise and Restaurant Suggestions, Public Relation such as Discussion Forum, My Restaurant Blog, and a Reminding Service with Multiple Layers of noticing and reminder service for events and Special Days.
[Para 59] The system 1 will have a Tool Bar for the Customers that will display, What's Hot, Top Restaurant Blogs, Top My Restaurant Blogs, Online Reservation, Online Order short cuts, Coupon Collectors, and News and Promotions.
[Para 60] The system 1 will have the distance from the customer's location to the restaurant if the Customer logs on to the system 1 and browses restaurant profile pages.
Every page will indicate the distance.
Page 8 of 28 [Para 61 ] The Customers Restaurants will have an option of a "bargain, or name their price" for dish or menu items.
[Para 62] The system 1 will have a feature of "My Old Goodies" - which is a shortcut to make a reservation at their old restaurant, same (or similar) seats and food.
A customer can also select seats upon reservation and will be able to view the real view of the restaurant by "walking into" it and pick the seats. Customers will be able to choose a flexible payment plan (installments, like mortgage or loan) in order to dine in a luxurious restaurants.
[Para 63] The menu or order process interface will allow the Customers to select food material type such as "beef', "pork", "seafood" or "chicken" and the menu will be rearranged as the start, to shorten the order process or time.
[Para 64] The system i will provide to Restaurants a Website Content Management Console, a Marketing Tool / Market Place, a Restaurant Operation Quality Control Console, a Customer Interaction / Support Interface, a Food / Dining Knowledge Library and a 24 Hours Virtual Store. The system 1 brings to Restaurants a Management of Menus /
Restaurant Operations, Sales Leads, a Customer Support and Feedback Management function, a Customer Interactions and Loyalty forum, Quality / Service Control and Management, Trend and Analysis Based on Performance and the Power of Targeted Internet Marketing.
[Para 651 From a Restaurant Owners' Point of View, the System 1 will provide Inventory &
Material Preparation (Order System); Marketing Opportunity with Customized E-mail Direct Marketing, Coupon Generation / Delivery, On-line Restaurant Flyer Generation, Fan Group Forming, Auctions; Social Interaction with Periodic Social Gatherings, a Restaurant Alliance, On-line Communities, Restaurant Blog, and Restaurant held activities; Customer Support (Direct Interaction, Feedback System, Point reimbursement system, etc); Loyalty Program (Point System, Fan Club Forming, My Favorite, Page 9 of 28 Restaurant List, Direct E-mail Marketing, Direct Interactive Channel to Customers; Sales Lead Generation with an Accept On-line Order, Reservation and Phone based recommendation services; Management tools with an Order Trend Analysis, Customer Management, Job Posting / Resume Collection, Message Console, Operation Days/Hours;
Menu Management with a Menu Generation Engine, Coupon Generation Engine and various Discount options; Public Relation (Web Presence, Restaurant Blog, Chef Blogs, Message Delivery); and Consultation with Restaurant Operation Specialist Monitoring the Performance.
[Para 66] The system 1 will have a main webpage, as shown in Figure 3. From this main webpage users can access different parts of the system with some of these parts having their own webpages. The system 1 parts include Games such as City-wide Monopoly combined with Restaurant marketing, Cooking Games, Potato Throwing, Puzzles, Weekly Questions; Online Interactive Cuisine Maps with Printable City Cuisine Map integrated with GPS; system Point Accumulations and Redemptions where the system collect Points while Shop at Sponsored Restaurants and Redeem Points at any Participating Restaurants with a Point Exchange System; Seek and Hide where a user will Look for keywords on the website to win a coupon or gift, a Critical Timing Order Lucky User with Special Rewards to a customer who reserves or order at a specific time or date; a Restaurant Shopping Spree which is Similar to Supermarket Shopping Spree, but for online shoppers; a Free Sample Feast where VIP members can enjoy a Free Sample Feast or go to their favorite restaurant for free once a year; a system Invitation Card which saves time for members who make the reservation or orders, this gives restaurant space to market their business;
Company Held Activities like Year Round Restaurant Promotion Regional-wise and Cuisine-wise, Such as "Taste on Danforth"; Exchange discount offer with other travel & hospitality business; and a system Food Critics Ambassador and Secret Jury System.
Page 10 of 28 [Para 671 The system 1 will provide a Restaurant End with Restaurant Initiated Auction Sales where Restaurants can launch auctions on their selected items on the menus;
Restaurant Generated Coupon / Flyer / Newsletter Deliveries; Restaurant Users collect customer information and form Fan Group for target marketing; featured activities such as music, romantic gathering, social functions, speeches, chef cooking demonstration; a Restaurant BLOG, a Chef's Blog which are an interactive method to attract customers by introducing more restaurant information and events; a website real time broadcast (Webcast) which a Restaurant can launch or turn on the real time restaurant cooking show or real ambience sound to attract customers; Powerful and multipurpose Discount options where a Restaurant can launch something like "2 Dollars on Tuesday for 2 pieces chickens"
Puzzle Collecting where Customers collect puzzle pieces to redeem a big price;
a system Passport where Customers collect stamps on a system Passport to redeem gift or price; a Suggestive Dish where Customers can request the dishes they wish to eat, restaurant names the price and time of dining.
[Para 68] The system 1 collects a sample (general) menu (and items) for each cuisine.
Restaurant members can select their cuisine type and download the menu and items and make changes, to make it their own seed menu. The Menu will display a showcase (like online photo album) with chefs cross reference and suggestions.
[Para 69] The Restaurants can use their seed menu to create menus such as "Dine-in, Delivery, Catering, Take-out" menus and message managements will be like the Outlook system. The Restaurants can import "Contacts" from various email programs restaurant and can edit, apply conditions, make combos, make changes, manage customers from a tree structure interface similar to the "Folder List" section in Outlook where you can see the types of information you want manage.
Page 11 of 28 [Para 70] The system 1 will offer Website Based Website New Marketing Concept Structure where the system 1 will offer Impression Wallpaper and Mouse Cursor where a Customer can download the wallpaper and the mouse cursor display sporadic discount options or company activities; Company Held Potluck where the system 1 will hold community (discussion group based) events and potlucks to enhance interaction between members; it will offer a My Restaurant Blog where all the customers can be a food critic;
the system 1 would include a My Favorite Restaurant List where Users collect their favorite restaurants' information and events; a Coupon Collection Box which would allow Customer not to miss any desired discount options, further connects restaurants and customers; a TableMate Radar Program which is an alternative way of meeting people either in-town or out-of-town, gather people with common interests; and an artificial Intelligence (AI) based Restaurant Suggestion tool and interface in which the System 1 suggests a restaurant based on customer's dining history and preference, price and health condition.
[Para 711 The system 1 will have a website Based Loyalty Program for the restaurants including a Restaurant Customer Contact List (group) where the Restaurants can form a contact list group and launch a marketing campaign to these customers; a Newsletter Delivery System where the Restaurant can publish a newsletter and deliver it to the targeted group, contact list or fan group; a Restaurant Blog to publish more event news and information to the public and encourage participation of the activities; a customer "My Favorite Restaurant List" where customers stick to their favorite restaurants;
a Customer Feedback & Greeting System; a Customer Direct Channel to interact with restaurants; a Discount Price for Special Group where Restaurant owners can show their appreciation of their customers by giving discount offers or event admissions; and a Customer Appreciation Day which gives an opportunity for Restaurant to appreciate their customers.
Page 12 of 28 [Para 72] The system 1 will be Website Based Website Loyalty Program for the system 1 to the customers which includes a broad and extensive Database and Restaurant Information in which Customers can search an extensive database 310 on restaurants and menus; a Customization of Interfaces where the System 1 suggests restaurants and dishes based on customer's profile, dining habit and preferences; a Useful BLOG with a section called My Restaurant & My Kitchen where Customers leave notes and writes food critics and attracts public to browse articles and encourage shopping; system points and Exchangeable Points;
where Customers accumulate system points and redeem services at the participating restaurants; a system Secret Food Critics Ambassadors where the voted active participants will be elected as the agents to taste food and leave feedback on the system's website; a TableMate Radar Program which gives customers chances to meet each other; a Discussion Forum and Communities which gives customers chances to participate in discussion and cross reference of restaurants; and member appreciation activities such as a User Appreciation Day which would be an annual Gala gives customers a chance to dress up and go to the company held festival for free and enjoy food.
(Para 73] The system 1 will have a Website Based Website Loyalty Program for the Restaurants to the system 1 consisting of a Restaurant Profile and Menu Database 320;
Customer Support which will handle disputes and solve website problems and menu setup procedures; a Restaurant Operation Performance Report which will accumulate customer's feedbacks and comments with the system 1 generating a report and possibly dispatch consultant to solve problems; a Message Management Console which gives the Restaurant owners direct access to their customers, to handle disputes, compliments and feedbacks; a Customer Contact List and Restaurant Fan Group Generation which are two features that will be very useful to launch marketing campaigns and keep loyal customers; a Restaurant Blog & Chef Blogs; a system Restaurant Alliance which is a restaurant league to support Page 13 of 28 restaurant members to fully utilize the website and reveal the power of the website; and a Regular online Restaurant Newsletter and Restaurant Operation Guide.
[Para 74] In the preferred embodiment, the system 1 will have a number of different webpages 210 such as: System Home Page; Company (Diner Tech Corporation) and Service Related Pages; Company Introduction Pages; User Interactive / Information Request Page;
Customer & Technical Support Pages; Miscellaneous Management or Records and Log Pages; About Us Page; Contact Us Page; Service & Tutorial Page; Support Page;
Restaurant Related Pages; Restaurant Profile Pages; Restaurant Webpage Management Pages;
Restaurant Operation Management & Statistic Pages; Restaurant - Customer Relation Pages (Message Management Panel); Restaurant Marketing Pages; Restaurant Blog;
Restaurant Operation / Website Usage Logs & Reports; Restaurant Description Page;
Restaurant Photo Page; Map & Driving Direction Page; Restaurant Store Hours / Operation Dates Page;
Restaurant Menu & Order Pages ( Table & Detail Modes ); Customer In-House Order Process Pages; System Restaurant Reservation & Order Report Pages; Customer Delivery Process Page; E-Invite Card Set up Page; Customer Take-Out Order Process Page;
Restaurant Famous Dishes Page; Restaurant Daily Specials Page; Restaurant Coupon Page;
Restaurant Reservation Page; Restaurant Credit & Awards Page; Restaurant Customer Feedbacks Page;
Restaurant Payment Option Page; Restaurant Chef Page; Restaurant Event Calendar Page;
Restaurant Newsletter and Contest Page; Restaurant Contact Us Page; Restaurant )ob Page;
Restaurant Owner Logged On Page (RM Administrative Page); Restaurant Owner Profile Page;
Restaurant Basic Profile Page; Restaurant Information Page; Restaurant Store Hours / Dates Management Page; Restaurant Pictures / Video / Audio Upload Page; Restaurant Chef Management Page; Restaurant Menu Management Page; Restaurant Meal Set / Combo Set up Page; Restaurant Delivery Management Page; Restaurant Order & Reservation Log Page;
Restaurant Mass Email Delivery Page; Restaurant Event Setup and Management Page;
Page 14 of 28 Restaurant Edit & Modify Daily Special Page; Restaurant Running Message Banner Setup Page; Restaurant Message Center; Restaurant Coupon Generation Page; Restaurant Coupon Log & Report Page; Restaurant Trend & Analysis Pages; Restaurant Web Pages and Features Management Page; Restaurant Menu Set up Pages; Restaurant Menu Management Pages;
Restaurant Conditions Set up Pages; Public Participation Pages; Game Page;
Survey Page;
Customer Suggestions & Referral Pages; Public Discussion & Management Pages;
Survey Entry Page; Survey Result Page; System Discussion Forum Home Page; System Discussion Forum Article Page; System Discussion Forum Board Management Page; System Discussion Forum Email to Friends Page; Introduce This Restaurant to Your Friends Page;
Suggest a Dish Page; Suggest a Restaurant Page; Suggest This Site to Your Friend Page;
Registered Customer User Pages; Customer Information & Preference Pages; Website Usage &
History Pages and Reports; C2C, C2B Message Management Pages; Restaurant Information &
Promotion Collection Pages; System Registered User Participation Pages;
Customer Showcase Pages; Website Driven Customized Logs and Pages; User User Registration Page;
User Promotion News / Coupon Collection Page; User Event Calendar and Planner Page;
User Message Management Pages; User Feedback Form; User Order / Reservation /
Delivery History Page; User Payment Methods Information Page; User My Favorite Restaurant Page;
User Watch List Page; User TableMate Radar Management Pages; User "My Kitchen"
& "My Restaurant" Blogs; Marketing & Advertisement Pages; Featured Cuisines & Dishes Articles;
Website Wide Advertisement Related Links and Pages; Related or Suggested Business Links;
Joint Program or Strategic Alliance Pages; Feature Restaurant of The Day Article Pages;
Feature Food of The Week Pages; Dining News Pages; Business Links;
Advertisement Banners; System Feature Pages; Various Types of Search Pages; System Point Redemption System; Order & Checkout Transaction Pages; User Registration Pages;
Restaurant Search Page; Restaurant Search Result Page; Most Popular Restaurant Page; New Restaurants Page;
Page 15 of 28 Most Popular Dishes Page; Dish Search Result Page; Restaurant Chef Search Result Page;
Restaurant.Job Search Result Page; Top Restaurant Blogs Page; Supporting &
Response Pages; Registration Pages; Logging Related Pages; Responsive Pages; Forget Username &
Password Page; Responsive Pages; Miscellaneous Pages; Terms and Conditions;
System Impression Pages; and System Entry Page.
[Para 75] The system 1 will be able to interact with customers via a number of different languages such as English, Spanish, Chinese, German, English, Russian, Chinese (traditional,simplified), Greek, Italian, French and any other language needed for a particular location or market. In the preferred embodiment, the system 1 will have flags which correlate to several languages such as: France, Italy, Thailand, Germany, Malaysia, Vietnam, Saudi Arabia, China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Spain, Israel, and Great Britain.
[Para.76] In the preferred embodiment, instead of Excellent, Good, Fair to Poor, the system 1 will have pictures of "Two Thumbs up" "Plain Face", and "Disappointing Face". In the background, each picture still carry's the meaning of the four situations, "One Thumb up", "One side way thumb", and "One thumb down". Another option is to use "Brilliant and satisfying Smile", "Joyful smile", Plain Face, and "Disappointing Face".
[Para 77]
[Para 78] The system 1 will have a Restaurant Matching Index Number for each restaurant. This number will be displayed on the restaurant profile pages while Customer logs on to the page. The higher score of the Restaurant Matching Index Number, the more likely a customer will dine in this restaurant. The system 1 uses point system and the score is based on the following factors and records.
[Para 79] a. Customer's Preference Cuisine Type, if customer likes this type of cuisine, the point will be added.
Page 16 of 28 [Para 80] b. Customer's Favorite Dishes, if this restaurant provides such dish, the point will be added.
[Para 811 c. Driving Distance, if the restaurant is located within the desired driving distance by Customer, the point will be added.
[Para 82] d. Restaurant Performance with Customer emphasis on certain types of restaurant performance such as quality, appearance, ambience, service, speed, cleanliness and Value For Money, and if this restaurant has good performance on this group, the point will be added.
[Para 83] e. Customer's personal dining experience, if Customer gives good feedback to this restaurant, the point will be added.
[Para 84] f. My Favorite Restaurant Score, if Customer adds this restaurant to their My Favorite Restaurant List, the score will be listed.
[Para 85] g. Shopping Times, if Customer shops or participates in events at this restaurant many times, the score will be added.
[Para 86] h. My Restaurant Blog (if Customer writes about this restaurant, the score should be added or deducted based on the feedbacks or comments.
[Para 87] The maximum score should not exceed 100 points [Para 88] The system's 1 Blogs such as My Restaurant and Restaurant Blogs should have space to let browsers comment to them.
[Para 89] When a customer logs on to the site, the screen and advertising that they will see on the website will be the cuisine types they tend to prefer. This is very novel to the industry. The system 1 is an intelligent system that will learn what a customer likes and act accordingly to those likes.
Page 17 of 28 [Para 90] The system 1 will have GPS integration. The system 1 will be able to connect to customer's GPS no matter where they are, they will be led to the desired or preferred restaurant based on their request or preference.
[Para 911 The System 1 can be customized for people who want to reach their goals, such as losing weight, kosher dining, low carb, low fat or food allergies. The website 100 will tailor and display the available restaurants for their request and arrange the menu in combined with doctor's suggestions or nutrients' suggestions and analysis to provide the best suggestion to the customer. The Customer will be asked to enter the goals they want to reach at the user profile. The system will automatically match the right food or restaurant to them.
[Para 92] In preferred embodiment, once customers finish their meal, they will receive the feedback request form and all of the ordered items will automatically be listed in the "Request to write article(comments)" Blog as items. This will also a Customer to [Para 93] write articles regarding a restaurant and its dishes. The Customer will also be able to on the System 1 to read the articles of the items ( or restaurant) by clicking "Read articles in Blogs" link (or button) next to a dish name or a link in the restaurant related page (at the bottom) - read articles of this website in the Blog once the mouse is moved on top of the above mentioned link, it will pop-up the top 5 all of the pictures and print out have company logo in order to prevent piracy.
[Para 94] The system 1 will have a website admin instant messenger system (like MSN and Yahoo Messenger) in order to transmit instant order request and confirm the orders [Para 95] and for users, receiving new dining news, suggestions, recipes, order /
reservation shortcuts.
Page 18 of 28 [Para 961 in the preferred embodiment, the program and its routines will be written in C++ language, however, the program can be written in any standard programming language. RFID technology will be implemented for better tracking of dishes, inventories, customers, loyalty card, etc.
[Para 97] Advantages [Para 98] The system 1 provides a Process of Restaurant Operation (all-in-one and quality assurance control loop system) with Interfaces and expression of restaurant information on its website with marketing applications for restaurants such as Games, Auctions, Message Banners, job Portals, Event Boards, Broadcasting systems, Fan Group Forming, chat room, Instant Messenger, and E-Invite. The system 1 has its own marketing interface and approach, Restaurant BLOG, My Kitchen/My Kitchen BLOGs. The system 1 has cross references and smart suggestions of restaurants with a useful calendar tool, event planner, and coupon collections. The system 1 has customer/restaurant interactive communication channels by E-mail, chat room, MMS, SMS, etc; with telecommunication technology integration which is the integration of order / reservation and management directory /
interface giving various methods to group and invite customers to dine at the participating restaurants. The system 1 provides for advanced menu and discount management interface with Old Goodies, consumer diet analysis and smart suggestions.
[Para 99] Alternative Embodiments [Para 100] In an alternative embodiment, the System 1 could also be used in a Wireless cell phone environment.
[Para 101 ] Advantages Page 19 of 28 [Para 102] Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred versions thereof, other versions are possible. Therefore, the point and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained herein.
[Para 103] As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description.
Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided.
[Para 104] With respect to the above description, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.
[Para 1051 Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.
Page 20 of 28
Consumer Driven Telecommunication Integrated System for Hospitality Industry Application DESCRIPTION
[Para 1 ] BACKGROUND
[Para 2] 1. Field of the Invention [Para 3] This invention relates generally to restaurant systems and more particularly to the process of interactive system that allows for customer interaction over the internet.
[Para 4] 2. Description of Prior Art [Para 5] With the increasing popularity of the Internet and the global workplace, a User may be able to send electronic mail messages to anyone who is connected to the Internet. The sender of an electronic mail message needs only to know the electronic mail address of the recipient. Thus, Users can and often do receive electronic mail messages from unknown senders. Because of the perceived benefits of advertising via the Internet on the low costs of doing so, many companies are using electronic mail messages as a way to get messages to their clients. These companies acquire and maintain lists of electronic mail addresses for thousands of customers. When a client wants to advertise a product, the promotional company will send an electronic mail message to each electronic mail address in its list.
[Para 6] Many restaurants and food deliveries have websites. Sometimes these websites have information about the restaurant and the food that is served.
Sometimes Page 1 of 28 these websites will allow a person to order their food online. There are also some websites that give a critique of the restaurants and foods that the restaurant serves.
But there is no website or system in prior art that allows for the ordering of the food, and the rating of the restaurant and food as well as the cooks and chefs from a multiple number of locations and restaurants in a single website.
[Para 7] There is still room for improvement within the art.
[Para 81 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION.
[Para 9] The object of the present invention is to provide on all-in-one and quality assurance control loop system for the process of Restaurant Operation.
It has interfaces and expression of restaurant information on a website. This website will include marketing applications for restaurants such as games, auctions, message banners, job portals, event boards, broadcasting systems, fan group forming, chat room, Instant Messenger, and E-invite. The system would have a Marketing Interface and approach which would include a Restaurant BLOG and My Kitchen/My Kitchen BLOGs for the chefs.
The system would have a Cross Reference and an artificial intelligent Smart Suggestions of restaurants for a user. The system would include a calendar tool, event planner, and coupon collections to allow a user to schedule their visit to the restaurant.
The system would have Customer/Restaurant Interactive communication channels by E-mail, chat room, MMS, SMS, and other such communication methods.
[Para 10] The system will use telecommunication technology integration which is the integration of order / reservation and management directory / interface.
The system will use a number of various methods to group and invite customers to dine at the participating restaurants using many business marketing campaigns and methods.
Page 2 of 28 [Para 1 1] The system offers advanced menu and discount management interface.
The system will provide consumers' favorites, consumer diet analysis and smart suggestions based on inputted data.
[Para 121 The process is more efficient, effective, and functional than the current art.
[Para 13] GLOSSARY OF TERMS
Browser: a software program that runs on a client host and is used to request Web pages and other data from server hosts. This data can be downloaded to the client's disk or displayed on the screen by the browser.
[Para 141 Client host: a computer that requests Web pages from server hosts, and generally communicates through a browser program.
[Para 151 Content provider: a person responsible for providing the information that makes up a collection of Web pages.
[Para 161 Embedded client software programs: software programs that comprise part of a Web site and that get downloaded into, and executed by, the browser.
[Para 17] Cookies: data blocks that are transmitted to a client browser by a web site.
[Para 18] Hit: the event of a browser requesting a single Web component.
[Para 191 Host: a computer that is connected to a network such as the Internet. Every host has a hostname (e.g., mypc.mycompany.com) and a numeric IP address (e.g., 123.104.35.12).
[Para 20] HTML (HyperText Markup Language): the language used to author Web Pages.
In its Page3of28 [Para 21 ] raw form, HTML looks like normal text, interspersed with formatting commands. A browser's primary function is to read and render HTML.
[Para 22] HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol): protocol used between a browser and a Web server to exchange Web pages and other data over the Internet.
[Para 23] HyperText: text annotated with links to other Web pages (e.g., HTML).
[Para 241 IP (Internet Protocol): the communication protocol governing the Internet.
[Para 25] Server host: a computer on the Internet that hands out Web pages through a Web server program.
[Para 26] URL (Uniform Resource Locator): the address of a Web component or other data.
The URL identifies the protocol used to communicate with the server host, the IP address of the server host, and the location of the requested data on the server host.
For example, "http://www.iucent.com/work.html" specifies an HTTP connection with the server host www.lucent.com, from which is requested the Web page (HTML file) work.html.
[Para 271 UWU server: in connection with the present invention, a special Web server in charge of distributing statistics describing Web traffic.
[Para 28] Visit: a series of requests to a fixed Web server by a single person (through a browser), occurring contiguously in time.
[Para 29] Web master: the (typically, technically trained) person in charge of keeping a host server and Web server program running.
[Para 30] Web page: multimedia information on a Web site. A Web page is typically an HTML document comprising other Web components, such as images.
[Para 311 Web server: a software program running on a server host, for handing out Web pages.
[Para 32] Web site: a collection of Web pages residing on one or multiple server hosts and accessible through the same hostname (such as, for example, www.lucent.com).
Page 4 of 28 [Para 33] Brief Description of the Drawings.
[Para 34] Without restricting the full scope of this invention, the preferred form of this invention is illustrated in the following drawings:
[Para 35] FIG 1 shows an overview of the accessing of the system;
[Para 36] FIG 2 shows the four sections of the system;
[Para 37] FIG 3 is a block diagram of the public area or the system;
[Para 38] FIG 4 is a block diagram of the customer member area or the system;
[Para 39] FIG 5 is a block diagram of the restaurant member area or the system;
[Para 40] FIG 6 shows the major components of the system; and [Para 41 ] FIG 7 displays some of the website concepts and diagrams.
[Para 42]
[Para 43] DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[Para 44] Below is the preferred embodiment of the current invention, but it is not the only embodiment of the current invention and should not be read as such.
[Para 45] The System 1 is a computer system and method for an all-in-one and quality assurance control loop system for the process of Restaurant Operation. It has interfaces and expression of restaurant information on a website. This website will include marketing applications for restaurants such as games, auctions, message banners, job portals, event boards, broadcasting systems, fan group forming, chat room, Instant Messenger, and E-Invite. The system would have a Marketing Interface and approach which would include a Restaurant BLOG and My Kitchen/My Kitchen BLOGs for the chefs. The system would have a Cross Reference and an artificial intelligent Smart Suggestions of restaurants for a user.
The system would include a calendar tool, event planner, and coupon collections to allow a Page 5 of 28 user to schedule their visit to the restaurant. The system would have customer/Restaurant Interactive communication channels by E-mail, chat room, MMS, SMS, and other such communication methods.
[Para 46] The system will use telecommunication technology integration which is the integration of order / reservation and management directory / interface.
The system will use a number of various methods to group and invite customers to dine at the participating restaurants using many business marketing campaigns and methods.
[Para 471 The system offers advanced menu and discount management interface.
The system will provide consumers'favorites, consumer diet analysis and smart suggestions based on inputted data.
[Para 481 The current invention will improve restaurant Operation Model. The system will provide planning for: Order Trend & Analysis; Menu Design, Marketing; Targeted Marketing Campaign; order / Delivery with internet based order / delivery System (Long Term and Immediate); Dining: Discount and Various Loyal Programs to Keep Customers;
Food Preparation: Customer Request Dining Orders and Requirements; Customer Satisfaction with Customer Feedback System and Various Compensation Methods, Result:
Precise Customer Feedbacks Loyalty Programs, Powerful Marketing Campaigns Bring More Revenue and Improve Restaurant Performance, and a Performance / Feedback Loop System that includes Bloggers, Restaurant Fan Club, Digitalized Features, Powerful Telecommunication Technology.
[Para 49] FIG. 1 illustrates a functional diagram of how a User 10 accesses the system 1 from a computer 25 connected to the Internet 500. The computer 25 can be connected directly through a communication means such as a local Internet Service Provider, often referred to as ISPs, or through an on-line service provider like CompuServe, Prodigy, American Online, etc.
Page 6 of 28 [Para 50] The Users 10 contacts the Internet 500 using an informational processing system capable of running an HTML compliant Web browser such as Microsoft's Internet Explorer, Netscape Navigator, Lynx, or Mosaic. A typical system that is used is a personal computer with an operating system such as a Windows variant or Linux or Mac os, running a Web browser. The exact hardware configuration of computer used by the User 10, the brand of operating system, or the brand of Web browser configuration is unimportant to understand this present invention. Those skilled in the art can conclude that any HTML
(Hyper Text Markup Language) compatible Web browser is within the true spirit of this invention and the scope of the claims.
[Para 51] For the purpose of detailing the functionalities, the entire system 1 has been divided into four areas, each area being accessible to a particular user group, as shown in Figure 2. These areas are the Public Area, Customer User Area, Restaurant User Area and the Admin User Area.
[Para 52] As shown in Figure 3, the Public Area contains the functionalities which are accessible by all users, logged-in to the system or not. This will allow certain features of the site to be viewed for the benefit of guests/visitors to the site.
[Para 53] As shown in Figure 5, the Restaurant Member area contains the functionalities accessible exclusively by a logged-in Restaurant User.
[Para 54] Customer User Area as shown in Figure 5 contains the functionalities accessible exclusively by a logged-in Customer User.
[Para 55] The Admin area is shown in Figure 6. This section contains the functionalities accessible exclusively by the Site Administrator.
[Para 56] Figure 7 displays some of the website concepts and diagrams. The various people who use the system as shown in the Business Network Market Place Diagram are Page 7 of 28 Restaurant Managers, Restaurant Related Businesses, Hospitality Related Businesses, Registered Customers, Public Internet Users, Tourists, and Chefs.
[Para 57] The system 1 will allow Customers to perform Data Mining, Community Interactions, look into Social Opportunity Centre, review Restaurant News Portals, access to an Order / Reservation Interface, use a Restaurant Job Search Engine, to check Event and News Calendar, and to use a Coupon Collector. The system 1 brings Customers Convenience, Information, Interactions to Restaurants and Society Events, increased efficiency, user functions as well as entertainment and health benefits.
[Para 58] From a Customer's Point of View, the system 1 brings Entertainment (like Games and Cuisine Map), Management of Activity History, Event Calendar & Daily Planner, Social Interaction with Communities, TableMate Program, and Restaurant Fan Groups.
Data-Mining capabilities such as an Extensive Information Search, cuisines and recipes, E-Commerce Shopping Convenience with an On-line Seat Reservation and Order System, a Reward System with Point Collection / Redemption and Coupon Collection, Personal Satisfactions with VIP Treatment, Restaurant Interactions, Customer Support, the Customization of Space and Services such as Dining Habit Analysis, Precise and Restaurant Suggestions, Public Relation such as Discussion Forum, My Restaurant Blog, and a Reminding Service with Multiple Layers of noticing and reminder service for events and Special Days.
[Para 59] The system 1 will have a Tool Bar for the Customers that will display, What's Hot, Top Restaurant Blogs, Top My Restaurant Blogs, Online Reservation, Online Order short cuts, Coupon Collectors, and News and Promotions.
[Para 60] The system 1 will have the distance from the customer's location to the restaurant if the Customer logs on to the system 1 and browses restaurant profile pages.
Every page will indicate the distance.
Page 8 of 28 [Para 61 ] The Customers Restaurants will have an option of a "bargain, or name their price" for dish or menu items.
[Para 62] The system 1 will have a feature of "My Old Goodies" - which is a shortcut to make a reservation at their old restaurant, same (or similar) seats and food.
A customer can also select seats upon reservation and will be able to view the real view of the restaurant by "walking into" it and pick the seats. Customers will be able to choose a flexible payment plan (installments, like mortgage or loan) in order to dine in a luxurious restaurants.
[Para 63] The menu or order process interface will allow the Customers to select food material type such as "beef', "pork", "seafood" or "chicken" and the menu will be rearranged as the start, to shorten the order process or time.
[Para 64] The system i will provide to Restaurants a Website Content Management Console, a Marketing Tool / Market Place, a Restaurant Operation Quality Control Console, a Customer Interaction / Support Interface, a Food / Dining Knowledge Library and a 24 Hours Virtual Store. The system 1 brings to Restaurants a Management of Menus /
Restaurant Operations, Sales Leads, a Customer Support and Feedback Management function, a Customer Interactions and Loyalty forum, Quality / Service Control and Management, Trend and Analysis Based on Performance and the Power of Targeted Internet Marketing.
[Para 651 From a Restaurant Owners' Point of View, the System 1 will provide Inventory &
Material Preparation (Order System); Marketing Opportunity with Customized E-mail Direct Marketing, Coupon Generation / Delivery, On-line Restaurant Flyer Generation, Fan Group Forming, Auctions; Social Interaction with Periodic Social Gatherings, a Restaurant Alliance, On-line Communities, Restaurant Blog, and Restaurant held activities; Customer Support (Direct Interaction, Feedback System, Point reimbursement system, etc); Loyalty Program (Point System, Fan Club Forming, My Favorite, Page 9 of 28 Restaurant List, Direct E-mail Marketing, Direct Interactive Channel to Customers; Sales Lead Generation with an Accept On-line Order, Reservation and Phone based recommendation services; Management tools with an Order Trend Analysis, Customer Management, Job Posting / Resume Collection, Message Console, Operation Days/Hours;
Menu Management with a Menu Generation Engine, Coupon Generation Engine and various Discount options; Public Relation (Web Presence, Restaurant Blog, Chef Blogs, Message Delivery); and Consultation with Restaurant Operation Specialist Monitoring the Performance.
[Para 66] The system 1 will have a main webpage, as shown in Figure 3. From this main webpage users can access different parts of the system with some of these parts having their own webpages. The system 1 parts include Games such as City-wide Monopoly combined with Restaurant marketing, Cooking Games, Potato Throwing, Puzzles, Weekly Questions; Online Interactive Cuisine Maps with Printable City Cuisine Map integrated with GPS; system Point Accumulations and Redemptions where the system collect Points while Shop at Sponsored Restaurants and Redeem Points at any Participating Restaurants with a Point Exchange System; Seek and Hide where a user will Look for keywords on the website to win a coupon or gift, a Critical Timing Order Lucky User with Special Rewards to a customer who reserves or order at a specific time or date; a Restaurant Shopping Spree which is Similar to Supermarket Shopping Spree, but for online shoppers; a Free Sample Feast where VIP members can enjoy a Free Sample Feast or go to their favorite restaurant for free once a year; a system Invitation Card which saves time for members who make the reservation or orders, this gives restaurant space to market their business;
Company Held Activities like Year Round Restaurant Promotion Regional-wise and Cuisine-wise, Such as "Taste on Danforth"; Exchange discount offer with other travel & hospitality business; and a system Food Critics Ambassador and Secret Jury System.
Page 10 of 28 [Para 671 The system 1 will provide a Restaurant End with Restaurant Initiated Auction Sales where Restaurants can launch auctions on their selected items on the menus;
Restaurant Generated Coupon / Flyer / Newsletter Deliveries; Restaurant Users collect customer information and form Fan Group for target marketing; featured activities such as music, romantic gathering, social functions, speeches, chef cooking demonstration; a Restaurant BLOG, a Chef's Blog which are an interactive method to attract customers by introducing more restaurant information and events; a website real time broadcast (Webcast) which a Restaurant can launch or turn on the real time restaurant cooking show or real ambience sound to attract customers; Powerful and multipurpose Discount options where a Restaurant can launch something like "2 Dollars on Tuesday for 2 pieces chickens"
Puzzle Collecting where Customers collect puzzle pieces to redeem a big price;
a system Passport where Customers collect stamps on a system Passport to redeem gift or price; a Suggestive Dish where Customers can request the dishes they wish to eat, restaurant names the price and time of dining.
[Para 68] The system 1 collects a sample (general) menu (and items) for each cuisine.
Restaurant members can select their cuisine type and download the menu and items and make changes, to make it their own seed menu. The Menu will display a showcase (like online photo album) with chefs cross reference and suggestions.
[Para 69] The Restaurants can use their seed menu to create menus such as "Dine-in, Delivery, Catering, Take-out" menus and message managements will be like the Outlook system. The Restaurants can import "Contacts" from various email programs restaurant and can edit, apply conditions, make combos, make changes, manage customers from a tree structure interface similar to the "Folder List" section in Outlook where you can see the types of information you want manage.
Page 11 of 28 [Para 70] The system 1 will offer Website Based Website New Marketing Concept Structure where the system 1 will offer Impression Wallpaper and Mouse Cursor where a Customer can download the wallpaper and the mouse cursor display sporadic discount options or company activities; Company Held Potluck where the system 1 will hold community (discussion group based) events and potlucks to enhance interaction between members; it will offer a My Restaurant Blog where all the customers can be a food critic;
the system 1 would include a My Favorite Restaurant List where Users collect their favorite restaurants' information and events; a Coupon Collection Box which would allow Customer not to miss any desired discount options, further connects restaurants and customers; a TableMate Radar Program which is an alternative way of meeting people either in-town or out-of-town, gather people with common interests; and an artificial Intelligence (AI) based Restaurant Suggestion tool and interface in which the System 1 suggests a restaurant based on customer's dining history and preference, price and health condition.
[Para 711 The system 1 will have a website Based Loyalty Program for the restaurants including a Restaurant Customer Contact List (group) where the Restaurants can form a contact list group and launch a marketing campaign to these customers; a Newsletter Delivery System where the Restaurant can publish a newsletter and deliver it to the targeted group, contact list or fan group; a Restaurant Blog to publish more event news and information to the public and encourage participation of the activities; a customer "My Favorite Restaurant List" where customers stick to their favorite restaurants;
a Customer Feedback & Greeting System; a Customer Direct Channel to interact with restaurants; a Discount Price for Special Group where Restaurant owners can show their appreciation of their customers by giving discount offers or event admissions; and a Customer Appreciation Day which gives an opportunity for Restaurant to appreciate their customers.
Page 12 of 28 [Para 72] The system 1 will be Website Based Website Loyalty Program for the system 1 to the customers which includes a broad and extensive Database and Restaurant Information in which Customers can search an extensive database 310 on restaurants and menus; a Customization of Interfaces where the System 1 suggests restaurants and dishes based on customer's profile, dining habit and preferences; a Useful BLOG with a section called My Restaurant & My Kitchen where Customers leave notes and writes food critics and attracts public to browse articles and encourage shopping; system points and Exchangeable Points;
where Customers accumulate system points and redeem services at the participating restaurants; a system Secret Food Critics Ambassadors where the voted active participants will be elected as the agents to taste food and leave feedback on the system's website; a TableMate Radar Program which gives customers chances to meet each other; a Discussion Forum and Communities which gives customers chances to participate in discussion and cross reference of restaurants; and member appreciation activities such as a User Appreciation Day which would be an annual Gala gives customers a chance to dress up and go to the company held festival for free and enjoy food.
(Para 73] The system 1 will have a Website Based Website Loyalty Program for the Restaurants to the system 1 consisting of a Restaurant Profile and Menu Database 320;
Customer Support which will handle disputes and solve website problems and menu setup procedures; a Restaurant Operation Performance Report which will accumulate customer's feedbacks and comments with the system 1 generating a report and possibly dispatch consultant to solve problems; a Message Management Console which gives the Restaurant owners direct access to their customers, to handle disputes, compliments and feedbacks; a Customer Contact List and Restaurant Fan Group Generation which are two features that will be very useful to launch marketing campaigns and keep loyal customers; a Restaurant Blog & Chef Blogs; a system Restaurant Alliance which is a restaurant league to support Page 13 of 28 restaurant members to fully utilize the website and reveal the power of the website; and a Regular online Restaurant Newsletter and Restaurant Operation Guide.
[Para 74] In the preferred embodiment, the system 1 will have a number of different webpages 210 such as: System Home Page; Company (Diner Tech Corporation) and Service Related Pages; Company Introduction Pages; User Interactive / Information Request Page;
Customer & Technical Support Pages; Miscellaneous Management or Records and Log Pages; About Us Page; Contact Us Page; Service & Tutorial Page; Support Page;
Restaurant Related Pages; Restaurant Profile Pages; Restaurant Webpage Management Pages;
Restaurant Operation Management & Statistic Pages; Restaurant - Customer Relation Pages (Message Management Panel); Restaurant Marketing Pages; Restaurant Blog;
Restaurant Operation / Website Usage Logs & Reports; Restaurant Description Page;
Restaurant Photo Page; Map & Driving Direction Page; Restaurant Store Hours / Operation Dates Page;
Restaurant Menu & Order Pages ( Table & Detail Modes ); Customer In-House Order Process Pages; System Restaurant Reservation & Order Report Pages; Customer Delivery Process Page; E-Invite Card Set up Page; Customer Take-Out Order Process Page;
Restaurant Famous Dishes Page; Restaurant Daily Specials Page; Restaurant Coupon Page;
Restaurant Reservation Page; Restaurant Credit & Awards Page; Restaurant Customer Feedbacks Page;
Restaurant Payment Option Page; Restaurant Chef Page; Restaurant Event Calendar Page;
Restaurant Newsletter and Contest Page; Restaurant Contact Us Page; Restaurant )ob Page;
Restaurant Owner Logged On Page (RM Administrative Page); Restaurant Owner Profile Page;
Restaurant Basic Profile Page; Restaurant Information Page; Restaurant Store Hours / Dates Management Page; Restaurant Pictures / Video / Audio Upload Page; Restaurant Chef Management Page; Restaurant Menu Management Page; Restaurant Meal Set / Combo Set up Page; Restaurant Delivery Management Page; Restaurant Order & Reservation Log Page;
Restaurant Mass Email Delivery Page; Restaurant Event Setup and Management Page;
Page 14 of 28 Restaurant Edit & Modify Daily Special Page; Restaurant Running Message Banner Setup Page; Restaurant Message Center; Restaurant Coupon Generation Page; Restaurant Coupon Log & Report Page; Restaurant Trend & Analysis Pages; Restaurant Web Pages and Features Management Page; Restaurant Menu Set up Pages; Restaurant Menu Management Pages;
Restaurant Conditions Set up Pages; Public Participation Pages; Game Page;
Survey Page;
Customer Suggestions & Referral Pages; Public Discussion & Management Pages;
Survey Entry Page; Survey Result Page; System Discussion Forum Home Page; System Discussion Forum Article Page; System Discussion Forum Board Management Page; System Discussion Forum Email to Friends Page; Introduce This Restaurant to Your Friends Page;
Suggest a Dish Page; Suggest a Restaurant Page; Suggest This Site to Your Friend Page;
Registered Customer User Pages; Customer Information & Preference Pages; Website Usage &
History Pages and Reports; C2C, C2B Message Management Pages; Restaurant Information &
Promotion Collection Pages; System Registered User Participation Pages;
Customer Showcase Pages; Website Driven Customized Logs and Pages; User User Registration Page;
User Promotion News / Coupon Collection Page; User Event Calendar and Planner Page;
User Message Management Pages; User Feedback Form; User Order / Reservation /
Delivery History Page; User Payment Methods Information Page; User My Favorite Restaurant Page;
User Watch List Page; User TableMate Radar Management Pages; User "My Kitchen"
& "My Restaurant" Blogs; Marketing & Advertisement Pages; Featured Cuisines & Dishes Articles;
Website Wide Advertisement Related Links and Pages; Related or Suggested Business Links;
Joint Program or Strategic Alliance Pages; Feature Restaurant of The Day Article Pages;
Feature Food of The Week Pages; Dining News Pages; Business Links;
Advertisement Banners; System Feature Pages; Various Types of Search Pages; System Point Redemption System; Order & Checkout Transaction Pages; User Registration Pages;
Restaurant Search Page; Restaurant Search Result Page; Most Popular Restaurant Page; New Restaurants Page;
Page 15 of 28 Most Popular Dishes Page; Dish Search Result Page; Restaurant Chef Search Result Page;
Restaurant.Job Search Result Page; Top Restaurant Blogs Page; Supporting &
Response Pages; Registration Pages; Logging Related Pages; Responsive Pages; Forget Username &
Password Page; Responsive Pages; Miscellaneous Pages; Terms and Conditions;
System Impression Pages; and System Entry Page.
[Para 75] The system 1 will be able to interact with customers via a number of different languages such as English, Spanish, Chinese, German, English, Russian, Chinese (traditional,simplified), Greek, Italian, French and any other language needed for a particular location or market. In the preferred embodiment, the system 1 will have flags which correlate to several languages such as: France, Italy, Thailand, Germany, Malaysia, Vietnam, Saudi Arabia, China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Spain, Israel, and Great Britain.
[Para.76] In the preferred embodiment, instead of Excellent, Good, Fair to Poor, the system 1 will have pictures of "Two Thumbs up" "Plain Face", and "Disappointing Face". In the background, each picture still carry's the meaning of the four situations, "One Thumb up", "One side way thumb", and "One thumb down". Another option is to use "Brilliant and satisfying Smile", "Joyful smile", Plain Face, and "Disappointing Face".
[Para 77]
[Para 78] The system 1 will have a Restaurant Matching Index Number for each restaurant. This number will be displayed on the restaurant profile pages while Customer logs on to the page. The higher score of the Restaurant Matching Index Number, the more likely a customer will dine in this restaurant. The system 1 uses point system and the score is based on the following factors and records.
[Para 79] a. Customer's Preference Cuisine Type, if customer likes this type of cuisine, the point will be added.
Page 16 of 28 [Para 80] b. Customer's Favorite Dishes, if this restaurant provides such dish, the point will be added.
[Para 811 c. Driving Distance, if the restaurant is located within the desired driving distance by Customer, the point will be added.
[Para 82] d. Restaurant Performance with Customer emphasis on certain types of restaurant performance such as quality, appearance, ambience, service, speed, cleanliness and Value For Money, and if this restaurant has good performance on this group, the point will be added.
[Para 83] e. Customer's personal dining experience, if Customer gives good feedback to this restaurant, the point will be added.
[Para 84] f. My Favorite Restaurant Score, if Customer adds this restaurant to their My Favorite Restaurant List, the score will be listed.
[Para 85] g. Shopping Times, if Customer shops or participates in events at this restaurant many times, the score will be added.
[Para 86] h. My Restaurant Blog (if Customer writes about this restaurant, the score should be added or deducted based on the feedbacks or comments.
[Para 87] The maximum score should not exceed 100 points [Para 88] The system's 1 Blogs such as My Restaurant and Restaurant Blogs should have space to let browsers comment to them.
[Para 89] When a customer logs on to the site, the screen and advertising that they will see on the website will be the cuisine types they tend to prefer. This is very novel to the industry. The system 1 is an intelligent system that will learn what a customer likes and act accordingly to those likes.
Page 17 of 28 [Para 90] The system 1 will have GPS integration. The system 1 will be able to connect to customer's GPS no matter where they are, they will be led to the desired or preferred restaurant based on their request or preference.
[Para 911 The System 1 can be customized for people who want to reach their goals, such as losing weight, kosher dining, low carb, low fat or food allergies. The website 100 will tailor and display the available restaurants for their request and arrange the menu in combined with doctor's suggestions or nutrients' suggestions and analysis to provide the best suggestion to the customer. The Customer will be asked to enter the goals they want to reach at the user profile. The system will automatically match the right food or restaurant to them.
[Para 92] In preferred embodiment, once customers finish their meal, they will receive the feedback request form and all of the ordered items will automatically be listed in the "Request to write article(comments)" Blog as items. This will also a Customer to [Para 93] write articles regarding a restaurant and its dishes. The Customer will also be able to on the System 1 to read the articles of the items ( or restaurant) by clicking "Read articles in Blogs" link (or button) next to a dish name or a link in the restaurant related page (at the bottom) - read articles of this website in the Blog once the mouse is moved on top of the above mentioned link, it will pop-up the top 5 all of the pictures and print out have company logo in order to prevent piracy.
[Para 94] The system 1 will have a website admin instant messenger system (like MSN and Yahoo Messenger) in order to transmit instant order request and confirm the orders [Para 95] and for users, receiving new dining news, suggestions, recipes, order /
reservation shortcuts.
Page 18 of 28 [Para 961 in the preferred embodiment, the program and its routines will be written in C++ language, however, the program can be written in any standard programming language. RFID technology will be implemented for better tracking of dishes, inventories, customers, loyalty card, etc.
[Para 97] Advantages [Para 98] The system 1 provides a Process of Restaurant Operation (all-in-one and quality assurance control loop system) with Interfaces and expression of restaurant information on its website with marketing applications for restaurants such as Games, Auctions, Message Banners, job Portals, Event Boards, Broadcasting systems, Fan Group Forming, chat room, Instant Messenger, and E-Invite. The system 1 has its own marketing interface and approach, Restaurant BLOG, My Kitchen/My Kitchen BLOGs. The system 1 has cross references and smart suggestions of restaurants with a useful calendar tool, event planner, and coupon collections. The system 1 has customer/restaurant interactive communication channels by E-mail, chat room, MMS, SMS, etc; with telecommunication technology integration which is the integration of order / reservation and management directory /
interface giving various methods to group and invite customers to dine at the participating restaurants. The system 1 provides for advanced menu and discount management interface with Old Goodies, consumer diet analysis and smart suggestions.
[Para 99] Alternative Embodiments [Para 100] In an alternative embodiment, the System 1 could also be used in a Wireless cell phone environment.
[Para 101 ] Advantages Page 19 of 28 [Para 102] Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred versions thereof, other versions are possible. Therefore, the point and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained herein.
[Para 103] As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description.
Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided.
[Para 104] With respect to the above description, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.
[Para 1051 Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.
Page 20 of 28
Claims
[Claim 1] That which is claimed is:
1. A restaurant system comprising;
having a customer and restaurant interactive communication channels using telecommunication technology integration.
1. A restaurant system comprising;
having a customer and restaurant interactive communication channels using telecommunication technology integration.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2540320 CA2540320A1 (en) | 2006-03-14 | 2006-03-14 | Universal consumer driven telecommunication integrated system for hospitality industry applications |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2540320 CA2540320A1 (en) | 2006-03-14 | 2006-03-14 | Universal consumer driven telecommunication integrated system for hospitality industry applications |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2540320A1 true CA2540320A1 (en) | 2007-09-14 |
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| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2540320 Abandoned CA2540320A1 (en) | 2006-03-14 | 2006-03-14 | Universal consumer driven telecommunication integrated system for hospitality industry applications |
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| Country | Link |
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| CA (1) | CA2540320A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN107728781A (en) * | 2017-09-16 | 2018-02-23 | 深圳市赛亿科技开发有限公司 | A kind of hotel's indoor setting virtually visits system |
-
2006
- 2006-03-14 CA CA 2540320 patent/CA2540320A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN107728781A (en) * | 2017-09-16 | 2018-02-23 | 深圳市赛亿科技开发有限公司 | A kind of hotel's indoor setting virtually visits system |
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