JPH02137978A - Menu device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To obtain a menu device which selects a number of items and can be easily used by a device comprises the first position which has a displaying part describing names of the items and has a position in alignment with the displaying part and expressing the items to be selected and projects outwardly from the surface of a card and the second position displaying selection of the items and being displaced are provided and bubbles with ribs. CONSTITUTION: Goods selected by a card holder and detected by a device 16 are displayed on a card 10. A line 21 of bubbles is positioned horizontally in alignment with a line of the goods on the card. Three bubbles 22, 23 and 24 are arranged in a line and the three bubbles mean amt. 1, 2 and 4 of the same goods. The bubble 22 has the first stable position projected upward from the surface of the card and the second stable position 22' to be displaced by finger pressure in the opposite direction in relation to the surface of the card. Selection of the amt. of selected goods to be ordered is displayed by the second stable position. If the bubble 23 is displaced to the position 22', two of the concerned goods are ordered. When ribs 190-192 are projected in the neighborhood of each bubble and the bubbles are deformed, the bubbles are made rigid and are kept at the displaced position until the bubbles are returned forcibly to the original positions.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to selecting and packing orders, and more particularly to a very simple reusable card on which orders are packed. It relates to a card that can be inserted and read by a machine or human eye to fill the order.

Conventional technology This type of card has never existed before.

Problem to be Solved by the Invention For example, in a fast food take-out restaurant or other store, there is a need for a means to quickly process desired orders for take-out or delivery. A major problem when an orderer attempts to quickly communicate his or her order to a store clerk is the length of time required for the orderer to think or remember what he or she wants. When an orderer informs a store clerk of an order and/or its quantity, the orderer often makes changes to the order, and at the same time, the orderer may reconsider his or her companion's wishes at the store. This results in time losses, delays in the filling process, and inconvenience to those waiting in line. A means or method is needed to resolve this issue.

Means for Solving the Problems The main purpose of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems by making it possible to select a large number of items in advance and ordering them as a whole, and to change the selected items, while also eliminating the need for pens and the like. To provide an easy-to-use menu ordering device that does not cause permanent deformation to the device.

Essentially, this device consists of: a) a card, b) a display on the card which lists the name of the product to be selected, and c) a display on the card which is generally consistent with the display. d) a first position projecting outwardly from the surface of the card; and d) a first position projecting outwardly from the surface of the card; a second position biased with respect to the surface of the card by finger pressure to indicate a selection of the corresponding item; e) said bubble having an integral and partial rib for bubble deflection control; Consists of air bubbles and.

This rib serves to stiffen the deflected bubble to prevent it from returning to its first position during manual manipulation of the card to deflect other bubbles. Furthermore, the card is usually somewhat flexible. Naturally, the bubble has a top, the ribs are offset from this top, and the ribs extend towards the top, for example in a figure 7 shape.

Another object of the invention is to provide a card that extends laterally and longitudinally. On this card, there are a series of bubbles placed on one side of the product name display area and another series of bubbles placed on the other side of the display area, one of the bubbles protruding downward. The other bubble protrudes upward. Furthermore, this card has one side with a generally readable display section containing a certain product name and the other side with a readable display section containing another product name. Some bubbles that cooperate with the containing display part protrude downwardly from the one side, and other bubbles that cooperate with the display part containing other product names convex downwardly from the other side. It's out.

A method of using this card device includes having a selection display on one side of the card, and 1) visually reading the display to determine which product name is selected;
as well as .

11) manually biasing upwardly a selected bubble consistent with the selected item name and corresponding to a desired selected item name;

Details of the illustrated embodiments and these and other objects and advantages of the invention will be better understood from the following description of the embodiments.

Operation The menu device of the present invention comprises: a) a card; b) a display section on the card that describes the product name to be selected; and C) a product name on the card that matches the display section and is selected. a bubble having a position on the card representing the name of the item; d) a first position projecting outwardly from the surface of the card; and d) for displaying a selection of items corresponding to the bubble position on the card. a) a second position in which finger pressure is biased with respect to the surface of the card; and e) said bubble having integral and partial ribs providing control of deflection of the bubble.

In the illustrative embodiment, the card 10 is generally rectangular and has two sides.
It has 0a, 1Ob and four edges 11-14.

As shown, the card is vertically elongated and provided with a plurality of horizontal rows 15, for example at least ten, arranged in columns, although other shapes are possible.

The card is bendable and sized to fit vertically into a shirt or pants pocket, allowing the user to easily take the card into a store and pre-select items on the card. can be purchased.

Each column typically displays items selected by the cardholder and detected by the device 16. The card is removably accepted into the device 16 at a store such as a fast food take-out restaurant, for example. Thus, although the products to be selected may include fast food products as shown in Figures 1 and 2, other products to be selected may also be displayed on the card.

A row of bubbles 21 is positioned horizontally on the card in alignment with the product row. These bubbles occupy positions on the card that are representative of the quantity of the selected item. Preferably, at least three bubbles 22.23°24 are arranged in a row, and these three bubbles represent quantities 1 and 2.4 of the same product, so that up to 7 of the same product can be 3
This can be easily selected by manipulating one or more of the four bubbles.

As shown, a standard air bubble 22 has a first stable position projecting upwardly from the surface of the card (see solid line in Figure 4) and a second stable position that is biased by finger pressure in an opposite direction with respect to the surface of the card. 2 stable positions 22'. A second stable position indicates a selection of quantities of selected items to order. Thus, if the bubble 22 in the first column is biased to position 22', the item in question is single-characterized. Also, if the bubble 23 in the second column is biased to a position corresponding to position 22', then two such items are ordered. Also, if the bubbles 24 in the third column were similarly biased, four items would be ordered. Possible arrangements are as follows.

Pressed bubbles bubbles 22 bubbles 23 bubbles 22 and 23 bubbles 24 bubbles 22 and 24 bubbles 23 and 24 bubbles 22, 23 and 24 Advantageously, this bubble can be returned to its original upper position, so that The total order can be adjusted and readjusted before presenting the card to the store's bubble detector or reader.

Additionally, the card can be used again after being swiped at the store. That is, the user can slowly select the order as at home and then re-present it to the card reader at the store for instantaneous reading of the total order quantity. Store clerks can also use this card to confirm order replenishment. That is, when the products, ie, fast food, are lined up on the counter, the corresponding bubbles are returned to their initial positions from the back side of the card with a finger, causing the bubbles to protrude from the surface of the card to the opposite side. For this purpose, the back side of the card is provided with a display column that is the same as or similar to the display on the front side of the card.

This allows the clerk to hold the card upside down and push out the bubbles from the back while reading the corresponding display at the same time as setting an order for a product.

This card is preferably made of polystyrene and
The bubble, which is integrally formed with the card, is elastically biasable between two stable states as described above. In order for at least 10 rows of bubbles and indications to be assembled on the menu card, the bubbles are typically 0.9
It has a diameter "d" of less than 5 cm (-inch), which diameter is approximately 0.46 in order for the user to be able to operate it with his or her fingers.
It should not be less than cm (-inch). The bubble should also move a displacement of "t" between the two stable states. Here t is more than twice the thickness of the card (and bubbles). The card thickness is desirably from about 0.07 to
0.221 Im (0.003 to 0.009 inches).

2 and 5 show a card reader device 16 forming a groove 30 for receiving a card and reading and detecting air bubbles.

A proximity detector or other detector is numbered 3 to read the presence of a displacement bubble as the card passes lengthwise within said groove.
It is shown by 2. Box 33 shows the circuit connected to detector 32. This circuit converts the detector signal corresponding to the displaced bubble into another signal such as a numerical value, and stores n sees the other signal to determine the correct quantity f1 of the selected product.
1 can be done separately. This reader and detector can take many other forms.

Continuous rows of bubbles arranged along the lengthwise direction are staggered. This allows for increased vertical concentration of the bubbles while maintaining the distance between successive rows of bubbles required by the leveler device.

Also, bubbles numbered “1” have one color, bubbles numbered “2” have another color, and bubbles numbered “4” have another color, thereby corresponding to the desired number of products. Can help with bubble selection.

In FIG. 1, portion 66 is an exception to other items on the card. That is, each displayed product (ketchup, etc.) in this portion B8 cooperates with only one bubble, such as the bubble 67, to make a single order for that product. Such bubbles 67 have a similar shape and function in the same manner as the bubbles described above.

Referring to Figure 2, the back of the card has an additional product column 1.
A second row of bubbles 21 is provided to the right of 5 to support the row of products shown in FIG. In this way, by arranging the product in the center of both sides of the card and the air bubbles on the right side, the air space of the card is maximized. By concentrating the uneven bubbles in the vertical direction as shown in the figure, the use of air space is further increased. To the left of the double-sided product row is the back side of the bubble associated with the product on the other side of the card.

The card is provided with means (such as bevels or holes of different angles) that are detected by the sensor device for orienting the sensor circuit with respect to the direction of the card when the card is inserted into the sensor. This would allow either end of the card to be wrapped around the sensor and would also allow for identification of the front and back sides of the card. For these holes 80.81, edges 82
．． 83 is the provision.

Another card 100 shown in FIGS. 6-8 has a generally rectangular shape, with two sides 100a, 100b and edges 111-1, respectively.
14. As shown, this card is elongated in the vertical direction and has a plurality of horizontal display columns 115, for example, at least 10 columns, in the vertical direction.

However, other shapes and arrangements are also possible. The card is foldable and has a perimeter that allows it to fit vertically into a shirt or pants pocket, allowing the user to easily swipe the card to obtain a preselected item on the card. You can take it to the store. These indications are on thin labels 130, 131 glued to both sides of the card, the cards are generally made of flexible transparent plastic material, while the labels are generally made of paper and are portable. And the cards are made rigid to make bubble selection easier and more accurate.

Each column typically displays the name of the item to be selected, dimensions, payment term, and other information regarding that item. The figure shows a typical example of display on two labels.

The bubble 121 is provided on the right side of the display column and horizontally aligned with the display column. These bubbles are positioned to indicate the product name or quantity selected. The figure shows two rows of bubbles 180, 1
81 are shown arranged at different levels.

The standard bubble 121' has a first stable position (previously referred to as bubble 22) projecting downwardly from the face of the card and a second stable position projecting upwardly from the face of the card.
have. In this stable position, finger compression deforms the card relative to its surface to indicate the selection of product dimensions or other data.

Advantageously, this bubble can be returned to its original lower position, allowing the user to place their order in the store or elsewhere before presenting the card to the bubble reader. Can be adjusted and readjusted.

This allows the card to be reused after being read. That is, a user can slowly place an order at home, etc., and then present it to a card reader at a store, etc., for reading the total order. Store clerks can also use this card to check orders. That is, when a product or a fast food product is brought to the calantato, the corresponding deformed bubble is pushed back to its initial position on the opposite side of the card with a finger, and the bubble is pushed out from the surface of the card to the opposite side. Since the part of the card lies between the user's thumb on the upper side and the first two fingers etc. on the lower side, this part flexes to the extent that the bubble is returned to the first position. The card thus forms a reversible, flexible, and reprogrammable keyboard.

On the opposite side of the card there is another row of displays shown on label 131, with rows 182 and 183 of bubbles 121a similar to those of rows 180 and 181 with their representations as shown on the right side of label 131. They are formed in alignment in the horizontal direction. The bubble manipulation is similar to that described above.

The transparent part of the card, i.e. the part forming the bubble, is preferably made of polystyrene, and the bubble, which is formed integrally with the card as a unitary structure, is flexible between two stable states as described above. It can be transformed into.

The right card portion 150 of the label 130 in FIG. 6 and the right card portion 151 of the label 131 in FIG. 8 are transparent. There must be no less than 10 columns so that at least 10 columns of bubbles and display columns can be incorporated onto this menu card. The bubble also experiences a displacement of "t" between the two stable states. Here, "t" is twice the thickness of the card (and bubbles). The card thickness is preferably from about 0.076 mm (0.003 inches) to about 0.229 inches to obtain the desired card flexibility and bubble displacement between the two states.
(0,009 inches).

The cards of Figures 6-8 are read by a card reader device 16 which defines a groove 30 for receiving the card while reading or sensing air bubbles in the card. A proximity sensing device or other detector is shown at 32 in FIGS. 2 and 5, which reads the presence of a displaced air bubble as the card moves within the groove. Box 33 is the detector 32
Shows the circuit connected to. This circuit converts the detection signal corresponding to the displaced bubble into another signal, such as a number, on a display board for the store clerk to see. This display allows the store clerk to know the correct combination of quantities of the selected products. Readers and detectors can also take many other forms. FIG. 9 shows a selected bubble being read, with a parallel projected ray 140 directed toward the reader sensor 142 on the surface 14.
There is a convergent reflection at 0a.

The top of the bubble is colored to better reflect light and to allow the user to see the bubble better during selection. Number 160 indicates a colored portion. Figure 10 shows unselected bubbles being read. In this case, the parallel projected light rays 140 are diffusely reflected, so that the reflected light is not detected by the sensor at the starting level.

The corners of the cards in Figures 6-8 are provided with means (e.g. different angle (slopes, holes, etc.) are provided. Thus either end of the card can be inserted into the sensor and the card can face up or down. Slope 82.
83 shows an example of the means.

Also provided is a means responsive to the displacement of the bubble for a quick visual indication of the position of the bubble. For example: 1) Providing visually relative displacement lines, points, etc. on the bubble surface. For example, the point 21 marked on the bubble surface 211 in FIG.
See 0. These points are delaminated (210') at the displaced bubble location 22'.

11) A checker is provided on the surface of the bubble and is distorted by displacement of the bubble.

iii) The color or opacity of the bubble surface changes due to the displacement of the bubble. Plastics are known to produce this effect due to their stress changes.

Figures 11 and 11 show a card 17 constituting another embodiment.
The front and back surfaces 171 and 172 of 0 are shown. The edges of this rectangular card include longitudinally spaced, laterally extending edges 173, 174 and laterally spaced, longitudinally extending edges 175, 178. .

Furthermore, this card has a display 177 on the front side 171,
It has another display 178 on the back side 172. These indicia are normally arranged vertically in the center of the card surface as shown. As shown in FIG. 12, this display is printed on paper labels 177a and 178a glued to the front side of the card at the central flat portion 180 of the card. The card itself is made of plastic, such as polystyrene, or other flexible material.

The thickness of the card is approximately 0.076 m + a (0,003 inches) ~
It is approximately 0.229 mm (0.009 inches).

Each display indicates the name and/or payment period of the product (or product or product quality) to be selected or other information regarding the product or name. Reference examples are shown on the two labels.

An air bubble 181 integral with the card material is provided in the card to the right of indicia 177 on the front side of the card in FIG.
As a result, the bubble 182 is located to the left of the display 177 in FIG. 11, and the bubble 181 is located to the left of the display 178 on the other side 172. The bubble has a position on the card indicating the item or number of items to be selected. Some bubbles 181 placed in close proximity are shown by horizontal labels 184 on the top of the card.
Four columns 181a...181 corresponding to eg 1, 2.3 or more numbers (eg admission tickets) to be selected
They are arranged in d. Similarly, another bubble 182 is 182a
They are arranged in four columns as shown by ~182d. Labels 184a and 184b are shown in FIG. 11a.

The bubble 181, as shown in the flat part 180 in FIG.
A first stable position protrudes downwardly from the surface of the card (i.e., is dome-shaped), and the bubble 182 protrudes upwardly from the surface of the card when viewed toward the surface side 171 in FIG. (i.e. dome-shaped)
It has a first stable position.

See also Figure 13.

The bubble 181 also moves to the second position (for example, see FIG. 15). In this position, the bubble 181 is biased against the face of the card by upward finger pressure in FIG. 11 to indicate the selection of the indicia 177 (and its quantity) corresponding to the bubble position on the card. Similarly, if the card is displayed 17 in Figure 11a
11 to display the selection of display 178 corresponding to the bubble position on the card.
When upward finger pressure is applied in figure a to bias bubble 182 upwardly, bubble 182 assumes a second position corresponding to figure 15.

According to an important aspect of the invention, the bubbles are provided with an integral partially reinforcing rib (i
ntagral 1ocal rlbblng). Such stiffness, for example, prevents complete inversion of the bubbles and results in a generally uneven bubble deflection within the card, as shown in FIG. 15. Such stiffness also prevents undesirable movement of the bubble such that it would spring back to its original position during normal deflection of the bubble and during card reading as shown in FIG. There is.

One preferred shape for this cell reinforcement consists of ribs 190-192 arranged in a generally figure 7 configuration on each cell. These ribs are generally straight in the radial direction and have 13th to 14th ribs.
As shown in the figure, it protrudes inward from the bubble. These ribs also terminate just short of the bubble top 193 and are free of protrusions at the top as previously described for easy and accurate reading of the bubble. Ribs 190-192 protrude to the periphery of each bubble, and when the bubble deforms as shown in FIG. 15, an annular rib is formed and rises around the bubble, making the bubble even more rigid. When the bubbles are arranged as described above, the bubbles usually have a wrinkled shape as shown in FIG.
Therefore, the present invention allows bubbles to be easily and accurately selected and displaced. However, even after the card is automatically read as described above, the bubble remains in the displaced position until it is forcibly returned to its original position.

Moreover, such reading is facilitated by the light-reflecting ribless bubble top as described above.

The radial dimension of the rib is shown as delta 1 in FIG. 13, and the bubble radius from central axis 197 is shown as delta 2. Here, delta 2>delta 1.

Card 170 and bubbles 181, 182 are generally opaque.

Air bubble ribs also provide the following effects:

a) Reduction in the force required to stop the bubble.

b) Reduction in the amount of overlap between bubbles during use.

Note that the ribs can take various shapes.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 is a plan view of the card of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a plan view of the back side of the card shown in FIG. 1 of the present invention together with a bubble sensor device, and FIG. 4 is an enlarged view showing the bubble structure and multiple positions, FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the bubble sensor device, FIG. 6 is a plan view of another card, and FIG.
7-7 arrow view in the figure, Figure 8 is a plan view of the back side of the card in Figure 6, Figures 9 and 1θ are views showing air bubble reading,
FIG. 11 and FIG. 11a are views showing the front and back sides of another card, respectively, FIG. 12 is a view taken along arrows 12-12 in FIG. 11,
Figure 13 is an enlarged view from arrow 13-13 in Figure 11.
4 is a view taken along arrows 14-14 in FIG. 13, and FIG. 15 is a view similar to FIG. 13 showing deformed bubbles. Explanation of symbols 10a, lOb: Both sides 16: Device 30: Groove lO: Card 15: Horizontal row 21: Bubbles 32: Detector 100: Card 121: Bubbles 140: Projection beam 160: Colored parts 171, 172: Front and back surfaces 181, 182: Bubbles 190 to 192: Rib 33: Boxes 100a, 100b: Both sides 130, 131 Double label 142: Reader sensor 170: Card 177, 178: Display 184 Double label 193: Top (4 people outside) Drawing engraving (changed to content) None) f. Continuing amendment 1, Display of the case 1999 Patent Application No. 7526 2, Name of the invention menu device 3゜Relationship to the case by the person making the amendment Address of the patent applicant

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A menu device comprising: a) a card; b) a display section on the card in which the name of the item to be selected is written; and c) a display section on the card and a specific a bubble having a position on the card corresponding to and representing the name of the product to be selected; d) a first position projecting outwardly from the surface of the card and corresponding to the position of the bubble on the card; a second position biased with respect to the surface of the card by finger pressure to indicate a selection of items; and e) stiffening the biased bubble to resist return of the bubble to the first position. a menu device comprising: said air bubble having an integral and partial rib that extends; 2. The menu device according to claim 1, wherein the bubble has a top and the rib is offset from the top. 3. The menu device of claim 2, wherein the ribs of each bubble extend toward the top. 4. The menu device according to claim 1, wherein the bubble has a dome shape and has a central axis, and the ribs of each bubble including a plurality of ribs are spaced apart from around the bubble axis. 5. The menu device of claim 4 including at least three ribs arranged in a generally Y-shape on each bubble. 6. The card has an indicia containing one item on one side and an indicia containing another item on the other side, and the bubble cooperating with the indicia on one side forms a downward dome shape with respect to said one side and cooperates with the indicia on the other side. 2. A menu device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the other functioning bubble has a downward dome shape with respect to the other surface. 7. The menu device of claim 1, wherein the indicia are arranged in columns parallel to the columns of bubbles and have a label on the card with the indicia. 8. The menu device according to claim 1, wherein the bubble is integral with the card. 9. The diameter of the bubble is approximately 4.8 mm ([3/16] inch) ~ 9
．． 9. The menu device according to claim 8, which is 5 mm ([3/8] inch). 10. The device according to claim 1, further comprising means for forming a card receiving opening for removably receiving the card and the bubbles including the selected bubbles in a biased state, and detecting which bubbles are biased. Menu device.