GB2080001A

GB2080001A - Service Call Arrangements e.g. for Restaurants

Info

Publication number: GB2080001A
Application number: GB8028825A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1980-07-04
Filing date: 1980-09-05
Publication date: 1982-01-27
Also published as: NL8004992A; GB2080001B; PT71781B; PT71781A; LU82745A1; NO802577L; DK382780A; BE885363A; FR2486275A1; FR2486275B3

Abstract

A service call arrangement, for e.g. a restaurant, comprises call transmitters (2', 5', etc) positioned at the various tables (2, 5 etc) where service is required, each transmitter being operable to transmit a distinct individual call signal to a central receiver station (11) where a group of illuminable press-buttons (1 to 6) is provided. Each press-button lamp is arranged to be switched on automatically in response to a call signal transmitted from an associated one of the transmitters (2', 5' etc) and can be switched off by pressing its press-button. The call transmitters (2', 5' etc) transmit their call signals by radio, infra-red, ultra-sonic or other wireless means to the receiving station either directly, or indirectly via a retransmitter or reflector (14) which may be mounted on the ceiling (13). The system enables individually- identifiable visual indications to be provided centrally in response to the operation of any of the table transmitters without the need for wire or cable connections from the tables to the receiving station. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A Service Call Arrangement for Use for Example in Restaurants This invention relates to a service call arrangement in use in public places, for example in restaurants.

If a guest at a restaurant wishes for service, he makes this known at the present time generally by calling, raising his hand, making a sign or the like. In some restaurants devices are already provided by means of which, by pressing a button, a buzzer or other signal is released at a central receiving terminal, e.g. at the bar or cash desk.

Such known systems require the expensive laying of signal transmission cables between the place of transmission and that of reception.

The object of the invention is to provide a service call system which is particularly suitable for installation in restaurants, and is of more simple construction than the systems known hitherto, and which indicates to the service person the individual place where service is required.

According to the invention, a service call arrangement for use for example in a restaurant, comprises a plurality of call transmitters respectively provided at the individual places where service is to be given, the call transmitters being operable to transmit call signals by means other than wires or cables to a common receiving station, and an assembly of indicating devices at the receiving station, the number of indicating devices corresponding to that of the call transmitter and each indicating device being actuable by a respective one of the call transmitters.

With the invention, as a result of the signal transmission without wires, costly transmission cables between the places of transmission and reception are avoided. In contrast to the known installations, an individual association of the place requiring service with the central receiving point is provided. In particular signal transmission can be provided by infra-red, ultrasonic or radio means. It is thereby possible to arrange for direct signal transmission between the places where service is required and the receiving station.

Should the direct signalling path from the particular caller to the receiving station be blocked, be it by other guests, furniture or walls, the call signals can be redirected by retransmitting devices or reflectors onto the receiving point, said retransmitters being conveniently permanently installed in the room(s), e.g. on the ceiling. One retransmitter is in this arrangement sufficient for several call transmitters arranged in the same room.

Further advantageous features of the invention will be found in the following description.

The invention may be carried into practice in various ways, but one specific embodiment thereof will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawing.

The drawing shows diagrammatically an area of a restaurant including a counter and two separate guest tables. The two tables 2 and 5 are placed in rooms or compartments 8 and 9 separated by a partition 7.

A counter 10 is situated in the room 8.

Call transmitters 2' and 5', operating by infrared, ultrasonic or radio means are set up respectively on the guest tables 2 and 5. Each call transmitter can be actuated by the guest at the table by a push-button, if service is required, to despatch a distinct pulsed call signal to an indicator assembly 11 at a reception station on the counter. This indicator assembly 11, comprises a group of visual indicating elements in the form of lamps integrated with press-buttons 1 to 6 which can be illuminated individually by associated receiver units (not shown) which are respectively responsive to the individual call signals of the associated call transmitters. The number of these push-buttons 1 to 6 corresponds to the number of call transmitters, which may itself correspond to the number of tables in the restaurant.One of the illuminable push-buttons is associated with each call transmitter and hence with each table. The appropriate button is automatically illuminated in response to a call signal from the associated transmitter. The employee (not shown) at the counter 10 can then read off the indicator assembly 11 the number of the table at which service has been called for, and before or after having performed this service he can cancel the visual indicator again by pressing the relevant press-button to extinguish its illumination.

Different signal transmission arrangements from the two tables 2 and 5 are represented, for the sake of example, and consist in the following.

While at table 5 a direct signal transmission is possible from the call transmitter 5', which is indicated by the ray path 5", such a direct signal transmission from the call transmitter 2' is prevented by the partition 7 between table 2 and the associated press-button 2. Accordingly, a retransmitter or reflector 14 is mounted on the ceiling 13 of room 9: it passes on the call signal originating from call transmitter 2' to the relevant press-button 2, and produces the illumination of the corresponding lamp.

Advantageously, a visual signal already established at the press-button is given precedence over a signal arriving later at another press-button, for example in that after an illumination time of one push-button of a predetermined duration, e.g. one minute, a flashing light is triggered at the same pressbutton by means of a timing circuit. As an alternative for the purpose, an amplification of the illuminating effect of the press-button is also possible.

The call transmitters need not be fixedly mounted at the respective tables 2, 5 concerned.

A theft-proof mounting, however, is preferable.

For example this may be provided by integrating the call transmitter in a menu holder which may be fixed to the table, or installirig itTh removable manner on a table contact. On circuit interruption (through removal of the call transmitter) an acoustic signal is released.

The invention may be used also in other premises, such as hospitals or the like, to great advantage, as well as in restaurants.

Claims

1. A service call arrangement for use for example in a restaurant, which comprises a plurality of call transmitters respectively provided at the individual places where service is to be given, the call transmitters being operable to transmit call signals by means other than wires or cables to a common receiving station, and an assembly of indicating devices at the receiving station, the number of indicating devices corresponding to that of the call transmitters and each indicating device being actuable by a respective one of the call transmitters.

2. An arrangement according to Claim 1 in which the indicating signals produced by the indicating devices can be cancelled individually at the common receiving station.

3. An arrangement according to Claim 2, in which the indicating devices comprise lamps integrated in push-buttons each of which lamps is arranged to be automatically switched on in response to the call signal of the respective call transmitter received at the receiving station, and can be switched off again by pressing the respective push-button at the receiving station.

4. An arrangement according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, in which at least one call transmitter is arranged to transmit its call signal directly to the receiving station.

5. An arrangement according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, in which at least one call transmitter is arranged to transmit its call signal indirectly to the common receiving station via an interposed retransmitter or reflector.

6. An arrangement according to Claim 5, in which the retransmitter or reflector is mounted on the ceiling of the place where service is to be provided.

7. An arrangement according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, in which call signal transmission is effected by infra-red radiation.

8. An arrangement according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, in which call signal transmission is effected by ultrasonic means.

9. An arrangement according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, in which call signal transmission is effected by radio.

1 0. An arrangement according to any one of Claims 1 to 9, in which each call transmitter is mounted in theft-proof manner on a table.

11. An arrangement according to Claim 10,t in which each call transmitter is integrated into a menu holder provided on the table.

1 2. An arrangement according to Claim 10, in which the call transmitter is removably mounted on a contact on the table, the contact controlling a means arranged to cause the emission of a sound signal when the call transmitter is separated from the contact.

1 3. A service call arrangement substantially as specifically described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

New Claims or Amendments to Claims filed on 23.9.81 Superseded Claims 1, 7-13 New or Amended Claims:

1. A service call arrangement for use in a restaurant, which comprises a plurality of call transmitters respectively provided at the individual places where service is to be given, the call transmitters being operable to transmit call signals by wireless, ultrasonic or infrared means to a common receiving station, and an assembly of indicating devices at the receiving station, the number of indicating devices corresponding to that of the call transmitters and each indicating device being actuable by a respective one of the call transmitters.

7. An arrangement according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, in which each call transmitter is mounted in theft-proof manner on a table.

8. An arrangement according to Claim 7, in which each call transmitter is integrated into a menu holder provided on the table.

9. An arrangement according to Claim 7, in which the call transmitter is removably mounted on a contact on the table, the contact controlling a means arranged to cause the emission of a sound signal when the call transmitter is separated from the contract.

10. A service call arrangement substantially ae specifically described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.