RU109590U1 - INTERACTIVE FOOD SERVICE SYSTEM - Google Patents

Abstract

 1. An interactive catering service system, characterized in that it consists of at least one computer terminal containing a touch screen monitor and a computer with developed software, including a menu program located on the specified computer, information about the order made or its change from which is sent by the client to the device of two-way interactive communication, which is a local server that receives information, stores it, -determination, sending respective terminals of the restaurant staff and client terminals and the interaction with the functional parts of the system, wherein the computer terminal is integrated into the tabletop client table so that its touch screen monitor is arranged horizontally. ! 2. The interactive system according to claim 1, characterized in that the touch screen monitor of the computer terminal built into the client table top of the computer terminal operates on projection-capacitive technology. ! 3. The interactive system according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the touch screen of the monitor of the computer terminal built into the client table top is equipped with a protective glass. ! 4. The interactive system according to claim 1, characterized in that the communication between the computer terminal, the local server and the functional parts of the system is carried out via wireless access or via a wired local area network. ! 5. The interactive system according to claim 1, characterized in that the protective glass of the monitor screen is mounted flush with the surface of the countertop of the client table. ! 6. Interactive system for

Description

The utility model relates to equipment (a set of technical means) used at public catering establishments with a high level of service, a wide range of dishes, comfortable conditions for recreation and leisure, that is, mainly restaurants and cafes

Known (US 2002. - 147647 A1) is a wireless Metdotel system for electronic filling and changing orders inside and outside restaurants, including a computer, an electronic transmitter connected to it, a wireless transmitter, which is a touch screen, a menu-driven menu and a menu program located on the specified computer, which allows customers to place orders using eye contact and send messages via wireless communication to at least one restaurant employee who has at their disposal There is a second device for two-way interactive communication (receiving and transmitting a signal).

The disadvantages of the known system are related to the fact that one of the two-way interactive communication devices (the second device) is a pager that has a multi-line scroll display and a buffer for sending interactive paging signals.

The closest in the set of essential features is the interactive system “E-menu”, adopted as a prototype, known (http://www.emenu-international.com), which is associated with a local server that receives information, stores it, distributes it, forwarding to appropriate performers and interaction with the functional parts of the system, a computer terminal containing a monitor with a touch screen, through which the consumer transmits information to a local server.

The disadvantages of the known system that impede the receipt of the following technical result include:

1) The inconvenient location of the computer terminal monitor relative to the user's desk - sideways and vertically or obliquely (monitor with an adjustable angle of inclination) relative to the surface of the table (countertops), as a result of which not all users sitting at the table are involved in the processes of the system, since when observing for what is happening on the monitor or when interacting with it, users are unnaturally sitting in a half-turn pose. In addition, a) people of small stature and children are not comfortable using the system; b) the process occurring on the monitor is visually accessible to third parties passing or sitting at adjacent tables; c) the monitor has insufficient protection against moisture and pollution.

2) Use of a computer terminal with a touch screen based on surface acoustic waves (SAW).

The surfactant-based screen is a glass panel with piezoelectric transducers (PES) located at the corners or perimeter of the glass. At the edges of the panel are reflective and receiving sensors. A special controller generates a high-frequency electrical signal and sends it to the probe. PEPs convert this signal into a SAW, and reflective sensors reflect it accordingly. These reflected waves are received by appropriate sensors and sent to the probe. The probes, in turn, receive reflected waves and convert them into an electrical signal, which is then analyzed using a controller. When you touch the screen with your finger, part of the energy of the acoustic waves is absorbed. The receivers record this change, and the microcontroller calculates the position of the touch point. It is technologically impossible to completely close such a screen from external influences (moisture, dust), since access to acoustic waves will be blocked. The protection of such glasses is envisaged at the production stage, using anti-vandal glass as a base. But this only protects against mechanical stress. In addition, it is impossible to integrate such glass into the surface “flush” because of sensors located around the perimeter of the screen.

The problem to which the claimed utility model is directed is to improve the service to visitors to public catering places.

The main technical result obtained in the implementation of this utility model is to improve the ergonomic characteristics of the system.

The indicated main technical result is achieved due to the fact that the interactive catering service system consists of at least one computer terminal containing a touch screen monitor and a computer with developed software including a menu program located on the specified computer, information about the order made or its change from which is sent by the client to the device of two-way interactive communication, which is a local server, The information is received, stored, distributed, forwarded to the appropriate terminals of the restaurant staff and client terminals and interacts with the functional parts of the system, while the computer terminal is built into the client table top so that the touch screen of its monitor is located horizontally. The horizontal arrangement of the screen solves all problems with ergonomics and confidentiality of information entered and received by the client.

Improving the management of the information input system (additional technical result) is achieved due to the fact that the touch screen of the monitor of the computer terminal built into the client table top works by projection-capacitive technology (PET), which allows you to track touches through shockproof, sealed, vandal-resistant glass. This technology also allows tracking (recognition) of several pressure points at the same time, which increases the control capabilities of the touch input system. Tracking multiple touches at the same time is called multitouch technology (published on November 6, 2008 -. Computerra magazine, Article “Do not touch it with your hands?”, Tikhonov Kirill) - a function of touch input systems that simultaneously determines the coordinates of two or more touch points , which is necessary for a) changing the image scale: when the distance between the points of contact increases, the image increases; b) screen rotation: when rotating around a circle of touch points, the image rotates; c) the ability to work simultaneously for multiple users. Multi-touch allows you to not only determine the relative position of several touch points at each time point, it determines a pair of coordinates for each touch point, regardless of their position relative to each other and the boundaries of the touch panel.

The system can operate on multi-touch technology (the ability to track multiple pressure points at the same time) when using glasses of subsequent generations. In the system technologically, it is possible to use monitors with large diagonals, but this can negatively affect ergonomics.

The used technology of the touch screen allows you to equip the monitor screen with a protective glass (improving system performance is an additional technical result), which is more convenient to place flush with the surface of the client table top.

Depending on the thickness of the countertop and the computer, two options for installing a computer terminal are possible: the location inside the countertop (figure 1) and the through position (figure 2). In the second embodiment, the computer terminal is closed from below with a protective casing made of shockproof plastic. The size of the client table used can be any, however, the recommended distance from the edge of the countertop to the visible part of the monitor from the visitor is no more than 40 cm. The material of the countertop is wood impregnated with a non-combustible composition, or non-combustible plastic available for processing. It is allowed to use shock-resistant glass as the material of the countertop, but its use is limited by the possibilities of physical processing, which is associated with the manufacturing technology of such glasses. The limitations associated with combustibility are due to the heating of the computer terminal. The operating temperature of the terminal case is not higher than 45 ° C at room temperature of 20 ° C.

Communication between the computer terminal, the local server and the functional parts of the system can be carried out both through wireless access and through a wired local area network.

Functional parts of the system:

- routers - network devices that, based on information about the network topology and certain rules, make decisions on forwarding network-level packets between different network segments (functional parts of the system);

- TSA network address translator - a mechanism in TCP / IP networks that allows you to translate IP addresses of transit packets);

- software and hardware automation complex (automation program) of catering establishments;

- a module for managing and reporting all settings and events occurring in the system;

- Internet gateway - a hardware device or software that transmits information (statistics on the quantity and quality of orders and consolidated billing of displayed ads for each table) to a central server;

The main system services that are available to the client are:

- ordering and selection of dishes through the electronic menu,

- Internet connection,

- entertainment services (dating, games, competitions),

- use and download a variety of content for phones, electronic readers, netbooks,

- Providing information and advertising information.

Due to the flexibility and modularity of software based on the Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF) system, it is possible to add any services to the menu, including:

1. reading information about any objects and objects equipped with RFID tags when connecting an RFID module;

2. using the instant payment service when connecting a bill acceptor;

the use of additional audio / video devices, USB devices (headphones, microphones, webcams, flash drives), displaying video and interactive advertising, involving the client in various marketing surveys and promotions;

3. using the BlueTooth data transfer protocol;

4. Acceptance of payments through bank cards when equipping the terminal with a POS system;

5. accepting payments from mobile devices and cards with NFC support when the terminal is equipped with a payment acceptance system.

The increase in the number of services available in the menu allows not only to entertain the client, but also to satisfy his possible needs and, thereby, extend his pastime in the institution.

To clarify the essence of the utility model, the drawings are presented:

- figure 1 - the placement of the computer terminal (module) inside the countertop;

- figure 2 - through placement of the computer terminal;

- figure 3 is a structural block diagram of an interactive system in accordance with the claimed utility model, illustrating the relationship of the hardware components forming the interactive system;

Evidence of the feasibility of a utility model with the above technical result is given on a specific, but not the only possible, example of organizing an interactive network (Fig. 3), combining four catering establishments: one cafe network (cafe A and cafe B) and a second cafe network (cafe In and cafe D).

An example of the organization of the interactive system of each individual cafe (local system) is described by the example of cafe A.

Cafe A interactive system consists of 2 blocks: LAN (local area network) Life Table and Cafe LAN

Life Table (LT) LANs include:

local server 1 with a management console, which is a software platform for managing client tables, storing and processing data, and synchronizing data interaction;

Router 2, which is a network device that, based on information about the network topology and certain rules, makes decisions about forwarding network layer packets between different network segments (functional parts of the system);

TSA 3 network address translator (a mechanism in TCP / IP networks that allows you to translate IP addresses of transit packets) and

three client tables (client terminals) 4 (table A1, table A2, table A3), each of which is equipped with a Life Table (LT) system.

The main services of the LT system are:

- ordering and selection of dishes through the electronic menu,

- Internet connection,

- entertainment services (dating, games, competitions),

- use and download a variety of content for phones, electronic readers, netbooks,

- Providing information and advertising information.

Architecturally, the LT system (system - LAN - part of the system) is a client-server platform. Each table (client) is connected to a local server, which ensures the coordinated operation of the entire system in the institution. Communication is provided through wireless access (WiFi) or through a wired local area network (LAN). The LT system is open to add-ons and expansions of functionality by third-party manufacturers.

For customers, the LT system in hardware is a restaurant table with a built-in touch monitor and computer.

A key element of the system is (Fig. 2) a video display computer terminal integrated into the client table equipped with a computer 5 (type “nettop”, with the Windows 7 operating system) with an integrated power supply and a monitor (for example, LCD or OLED) 6 with a touch screen 7 with protective glass 8. This module is mounted on the countertop 9 so that the top glass (vandal proof) lies in the same plane as the countertop plane without any edges or slots.

It uses a monitor with a diagonal of 17 or 19 inches, a 4: 3 screen format, a viewing angle> / = 160 °

Touch screen - a touchscreen working on a surface-capacitive technology, with a USB interface, with mandatory grounding. Multi-touch support possible.

As a protective (vandal-proof) glass, red-hot transparent glass with a thickness of 5-6 mm is used, capable of withstanding the fall of a metal ball with a diameter of 30 mm from a height of 1 m. The protective glass should completely cover the touch screen and protrude beyond its overall dimensions by 5-10 mm. The computer terminal is closed from below by a protective casing 10 made of impact-resistant plastic.

User interface

The “working field” is displayed on the terminal’s monitor screen, on which the icons for calling available services are displayed in the form of a tape. The client can “scroll” the tape by swiping it with a finger or touching the arrows on the edges of the tape so that the picture with the desired service “arrives at it”. The service is activated when the user clicks on the picture with the service. At the same time, the service window is displayed on the working field above the tape and "facing the user".

Also, the user has two service buttons located in the corners of the screen - “screen rotation” and “quick call to the waiter”. If the visitor does not take active actions with the system within a specified period of time, an advertising screensaver is played on the screen.

List of services available to the client:

Electronic menu.

Allows the user to place an order, similar to an order in an online store.

Communication service

A visitor can treat another table, make a gift, write something in the chat, invite him to play a game.

Gaming applications.

The ability to run the game application for one player, several players at the table or between tables. Remotely invite another restaurant table to participate in a multiplayer game.

Audio accompaniment.

The visitor can choose a music track to play in the institution, can also congratulate someone or make an announcement.

Library.

The ability to download to your mobile phone or read an online print from an existing library.

Internet access service.

Internet access is available.

Competition.

Information is displayed on the competition for the use of a product between institutions / network of institutions / the entire system with the motivation to take part and defeat rivals.

Information is transmitted between table 4 (client terminal) and local server A 1 through router 2 connected to the network address translator TCA 3.

The LAN unit of the cafe includes the hardware and software automation system (automation program) of catering establishments RKeeper 11 (if installed in the establishment) and the module for managing and reporting all settings and events occurring in the system - LT Console 12 (restaurant staff terminal), which are connected with router 13, which provides, through TSA 3, communication with the Life Table LAN unit.

The computer network of cafe A is connected to the Internet via the Internet gateway 14 connected to the router 13 (hardware or software), which transmits information (statistical data on the quantity and quality of orders and consolidated billing of displayed ads for each table) to the central server 15 (with the console management), which is a software and hardware platform for collecting and analyzing all statistical information from local institution servers (cafe network AG) and also responsible for distributing updates to all elements ntam system.

Local servers, in turn, are connected to a central server that provides technical support for the entire system as a whole (update, exchange of technical data, feedback). In the framework of the claimed system, Café A and Café B are not functionally connected, however, they are part of the same network through which the central server 15 “distributes” advertisements to local servers, including contract advertising, if the contract is signed with a specific network.

The process of ordering dishes is as follows (figure 1).

The client (hereinafter - K) sits at table 4, equipped with a Life Table system, where he selects the "Menu" service. On the opened form of the "Menu" service. (K) selects the dishes that he wants to order by clicking on the appropriate button. After the formation of the whole order, (K) clicks the button "Send Order". Table 4 sends information about the new order to Local Server 1, which, in turn, notifies the LT Console 12 and optionally the RKeeper 11 system, which records the order in fiscal devices to issue an invoice for a new order.

After completing an order (preparing a meal), the RKeeper 11 system or a restaurant clerk through LT Console 12 marks the order as completed. A signal of order completion arrives at Local Server 1, which notifies table 4 of order completion. On a special form on table 4, the client (K) sees that his order has been completed.

When a client wants to pay, he presses the corresponding button on the Account service on table 4. Table 4 sends a notification to Local Server 1, which, in turn, sends a notification to LT Console 12 that the client wants to pay. The waiter sees on LT Console 12 a request to close the account and performs the necessary procedures for closing the account (prints the check, goes to the client, accepts payment, and so on).

Upon completion of all necessary actions, using LT Console 12, the waiter marks the account as "closed". Notification of account closure arrives at Local Server 1, which:

- sends statistical information on a closed account to the Central server 15.

- sends a notification of account closure to table 4.

LT Console - a computer with a running control program with various access levels, with which two-way communication between the client and the restaurant staff is carried out, for example: a waiter (a menu order management unit is available), an administrator (all functions are available) and a DJ (a management function is available music).

Central server - provides technical support for the entire system, including software updates, installation of new services, delivery of ad units.

The central server has its own management console, through which advertisers can log into their virtual personal dashboards to monitor the effectiveness of advertising campaigns, exchange technical data between and feedback from established Cafe A, Cafe B, etc. It is possible to remotely control the content displayed on the tables.

Claims (7)

1. An interactive catering service system, characterized in that it consists of at least one computer terminal containing a touch screen monitor and a computer with developed software, including a menu program located on the specified computer, information about the order made or its change from which is sent by the client to the device of two-way interactive communication, which is a local server that receives information, stores it, -determination, sending respective terminals of the restaurant staff and client terminals and the interaction with the functional parts of the system, wherein the computer terminal is integrated into the tabletop client table so that its touch screen monitor is arranged horizontally. 2. The interactive system according to claim 1, characterized in that the touch screen monitor of the computer terminal built into the client table top of the computer terminal operates on projection-capacitive technology. 3. The interactive system according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the touch screen of the monitor of the computer terminal built into the client table top is equipped with a protective glass. 4. The interactive system according to claim 1, characterized in that the communication between the computer terminal, the local server and the functional parts of the system is carried out via wireless access or via a wired local area network. 5. The interactive system according to claim 1, characterized in that the protective glass of the monitor screen is mounted flush with the surface of the countertop of the client table. 6. An interactive system according to any one of claims 1 and 3, characterized in that the computer terminal integrated in the countertop is closed on the back with a protective casing. 7. The interactive system according to claim 1, characterized in that the local server of the system is connected to a central server providing technical support for the system.