WO2016112920A1

WO2016112920A1 - System or method for operating restaurants, cafés, canteens, hotels or stores

Info

Publication number: WO2016112920A1
Application number: PCT/DK2016/050010
Authority: WO
Inventors: Povl-André Bang BENDZ
Original assignee: Agilco Tech Aps
Priority date: 2015-01-16
Filing date: 2016-01-14
Publication date: 2016-07-21

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and a system adapted to be used in restaurants, cafés,hotels, canteens or stores,which system comprises a computer adapted to communicate with at least one near field reader adapted to read an electronic signal generated by a near field transmitter. It is the object of the patent application to achieve an efficient restaurant or café where traditional ordering and menu cards do not exist. The object of the invention can be achieved if restaurant's or cafe's dining tables or counters comprise near field readers and beverage container or food container to be served at a table or counter comprises near field transmitters, which system is configured to perform registration of beverage containers or food containers being placed at s table or counter and which registration is stored in the computer. Hereby an automatic registration of every item is achieved. This can be achieved if each of the food or beverage containers carries a near field transmitter which is communicating with a near field reader placed on the table or the desk, and where the near field reader is allocated to the actual guest and all served food or beverage are automatically registered on the specific guest in question.

Description

System or method for operating restaurants, cafes, canteens, hotels or stores Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a method and a system adapted to be used in restaurants, cafes, canteens, hotels or stores for operating in restaurants cafes, canteens, hotels or stores, which system comprises at least one computer adapted to communi- cate with at least one near field reader adapted to read an electronic signal generated by a near field transmitter, which computer further is adapted to communicate with a communication system adapted to communicate with a handheld communication device.

Background of the Invention

CN202422232U discloses an electronic label attendance system which comprises radio frequency identification RFID card reading equipment, a zigbee data transmission network, an RFID electronic label and an attendance data processing server, wherein the RFID electronic label is a double-frequency electronic label; the RFID card read- ing equipment is connected with the zigbee data transmission network through a zigbee access point; the attendance data processing server is connected with the zigbee data transmission network through a serial port; and the RFID card reading equipment is connected with the RFID electronic label through a wireless network. A phenomenon that people are required to queue to check in is avoided fundamentally; the at- tendance work is automatic; the double-frequency electronic label can be identified in a far distance and identified by sweeping a card in a near distance; functions are convenient to expand, and the electronic label attendance system is compatible with card readers and point of service machines of the conventional restaurants, entrance guards and the like; data can be transmitted by the zigbee network; and the electronic label attendance system is low in cost, high in efficiency and convenient to mount and implement.

US2010312385A discloses an electronic ordering system for restaurants which comprises an electronic menu with a display device for representing units that can be or- dered, input means for allowing a person placing an order to select a menu configuration, and a data transmitter for transmitting data representing the menu configuration. The electronic ordering system further comprises a service point where the person placing the order would like to receive his or her ordered menu configuration and which is equipped with an RFID reading device, and a data processing device for receiving the data representing the menu configuration. The electronic menu has an RFID tag for identifying the same. The ordering system is configured such that the identification of the RFID tag of the electronic menu is linked to the service point once the person placing the order has configured the menu, and the linked data is transmitted to the data processing device. The system allows a customer to be served in a highly individual manner, taking into account a nutritional profile predefined by the customer while rendering the ordering process, preparation of meals, and service efficient and keeping waiting times short. Mistakes when taking an order, garnishing plates and filling glasses or cups, and then bringing the ordered items to the customer's table are prevented. And foremost, the system according to the invention can be integrated in a largely inconspicuous manner into a conventional restaurant ambiance, thus maintaining a relaxed atmosphere for customers. Object of the Invention

It is the object of the pending patent application to achieve an efficient restaurant or canteen or cafe where traditional ordering and menu cards do not exist. A further object is to perform efficient logistic planning of all operations in a kitchen and thereby reducing waste of food. A further object is performing automatic payment and thereby avoids money in the restaurant or canteen.

Description of the Invention

The object of the invention can be achieved if a restaurant's or canteen's dining tables or counters or the like comprise near field readers and each beverage container or food container to be served at a table or counter or the like comprises one or more near field transmitters, which system is configured to perform registration of beverage containers or food containers being placed or removed from a table or counter or the like and which registration is stored in the computer.

Hereby an automatic registration of every item is achieved, such as beverage contain- ers or food containers placed on a table or desk where they are served for a guest. This can be achieved if each of the food or beverage containers carries a near field transmitter which is communicating with a near field reader placed on the table or the desk, and where the near field reader is allocated to the actual guest whereby all served food or beverage are automatically registered on the specific guest in question. The communication by the near field transmitter to the near field reader can be relatively simple in that the only information that is transmitted is one coded number which is related to the actual item of food or beverage that is placed in its individual container. The registration of food and beverage items is automatically transmitted from the near field reader to a computer, and this computer can then perform further calculation, and in fact continuously inform the guest of what is served, and the actual price of the food and/or beverage items served on the table of the guest. By having the information about beverage and/or food served to guests it is possible by means of the computer to achieve a logistic system by which only food that is served to guests has to be prepared. Thereby waste of food is reduced. The near field communication can be performed by RFID technology but there are probably other kinds of near field communication systems that can produce the same result. The RFID tags can be produced at a relatively low cost and can be produced in a way by which they can be placed under a drinking glass or under a plate or the like. In this way a relatively simple RFID tag can be used. The USB or near field reader has to be placed on a table, but it should be possible to hide the RFID or near field readers in a table so that the guest will in fact not notice that there is a near field communication system. In this way it can be achieved that waiters and other service personnel in the restaurant can have their full attention on the well-being of the guests because all administrative activities are performed by the electronic system. Therefore such a system will be highly efficient, for example in restaurants working with running buffets such as running sushi restaurants. Here a guest can take beverage and food containers from the rolling table and place the items on his own table, and the RFID or near field communication system will automatically perform registration of beverage and food containers in the guest's place in the restaurant.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention beverage containers or food containers can be associated with near field transmitters adapted to transmit information about which beverage or food is associated to the near field transmitters in accordance with information about beverage and food stored in the computer. Hereby it can be achieved that only a row of digits needs to be communicated from the near field transmitters to the near field readers which could be RFID transmitters and RFID readers where for example a number carrying 16 digits will be transmitted. The computer will know the digits they receive, and in the computer additional data referring to the digits will be combined. In this way the system has the information of which beverage or food containers that are actually placed on the guest's table. This gives a guest having a smartphone the possibility not only to receive information relating to the price of the food or beverage items on the table, but also to have access to different types of information about the food or beverage. The information concerning actual food or beverage items could also be transmitted to a display, e.g. a kind of computer screen placed on or in the actual dining table. In this way, it should also be possible for the guest to use his own smartphone or tablet in order to get access to all information re- lating to the beverage or food served.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention the system can comprise at least one tray or the like adapted with one or more near field readers and which tray is adapted to communicate wirelessly with the system. Hereby it can be achieved that a tray that can be carried, for example by a waiter, can have mostly the same features as a counter from which the guest may himself collect, or point out to the waiter, his food or beverage. In this way a waiter or other service person in the restaurant can carry a tray to the table where the guest is sitting, and from his tray the waiter can handle food or beverage. As soon as the food or beverage is moved off the tray, information is transmitted to the kitchen about planning production of new meals comprising the same beverage or food. As soon as the beverage or food is placed on the table of the guest, the registration previously disclosed will automatically be effected.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention the system can be adapted to regis- ter the location and/or consumption of beverage and food in the restaurant or canteen. In this way the computer can always have information about where every prepared beverage or food container is placed in the restaurant or canteen. This information can be very important for the logistic planning of what kind of food or beverage items have to be prepared because of high demand, or maybe because of wear out of timing.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention the system can be adapted to inform a kitchen of served and/or consumed beverages and food for planning of further production in the kitchen. In this way, the computer can automatically inform the kitchen staff, and maybe the kitchen staffs has their own computer access to the sys- tern so that they are informed by the planning and logistic system of what they have to do next. This planning and logistic system can also be used for controlling food storage and automatic ordering for new supplies of food as soon as possible after increasing demand.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention the system can comprise registration means adapted to register the entry of a handheld device of a guest entering the restaurant or canteen and which registration means is adapted to request acceptance of communication between the system and the handheld device by the guest communica- tion. In this way, the guest can accept receiving email from the system, or he can also accept information transmitted in quite another way. Probably a guest using a smartphone or table is able to install a new app which will be automatically suggested by the computer when the guest enters the canteen or restaurant. After installation of this new app, it is possible to have connection with the computer of the canteen or restaurant. In this way, the guest will automatically have control over his meal, and he will be able to access all types of information related to the food or beverage that he is consuming. Downloading the app for the restaurant is of course only necessary during the first visit to the restaurant because during the next visit to the same restaurant, the app will still be active, and as soon as the guest taps on the app, a new communication with the computer of the restaurant will be started.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention the system can comprise payment means adapted to register a method of payment, acceptance of payment or both by a guest entering the restaurant or canteen. Already when entering the restaurant, the guest is also informed that he can register a method of payment, and he has to accept one of the possible payment methods, because the restaurant is without cash money. Today a number of different payment methods are possible, but one frequently used method will of course be payment by a credit card. However, instead of or in addition to credit cards, electronic payment will be possible to many restaurant guests in the future. Such alternative system well-known today is for example MobilePay or PayPal, but other electronic payment systems will probably be available in the future.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention the system can be adapted to communicate a total of served and/or consumed beverage and food, and a price thereof can be displayed on the handheld device. Hereby it can be achieved that any guest in the restaurant during all time he is spending in the restaurant has full information about the price he has to pay for his meal. In a further preferred embodiment of the invention the system can be adapted to request and/or accept payment by means of registered method of payment previously accepted by the guest leaving the restaurant or canteen. Depending on the method of payment selected by the guest, the guest has to pay the bill which can be settled via a number of different electronic payment methods. By the electronic payment systems, such as for example MobilePay and PayPal, the guest has to accept the payment before leaving, but in case of payment by credit card it is possible that the guest has accepted paying before he started his meal. Therefore the guest can leave the restaurant or canteen without any further acceptance of payment. The object of the pending patent application can further be fulfilled by a method for operating a system as previously disclosed in the following steps: a: let the kitchen prepare beverages and food in beverage containers or food containers, b: let guests entering the restaurants, cafes, canteens or stores accept one registered method of payment, c: let the system communicate with a handheld communication device carried by the guest, d: let the guest select a place at dining tables or counters or the like, e: let the system perform registration of the place at dining tables or counters or the like by communication with the handheld communication device carried by the guest, f: place beverages in beverage containers and food in food containers at the place of the guest at dining table or counter or the like, g: perform registration of beverages and food in beverage containers or food containers at the place at the dining table or counter or the like by means of the near field reader at the place at the table, h: let the near field reader read an electronic signal generated by the near field transmitter placed below beverage containers or food containers, i: let the near field transmitter perform communication to the computer, j : let the computer transmit data related to the prices of beverage containers or food containers to the handheld communication devices carried by guests.

By this method as disclosed above it is possible for a guest in a restaurant or canteen to select the meal in a number of small portions of food, and at the end of the meal the guest will only have to pay for the meal he has consumed. The restaurant can be managed without any administration because administration is performed automatically. There is no menu cards and no ordering systems so the people working in the restaurant have time to serve the guests instead of spending their time on administrative tasks. Seen from the guest's point of view this will be a very pleasant restaurant to visit because all personnel in the restaurant have the necessary time to be polite and to communicate with their guests. Seen from a logistic point of view, the planning and preparation, and also purchasing of food for the subsequent day, will be highly efficient because every item of food that is used or sold will automatically be registered in the computer. If the demand for a special course in the restaurant changes, then the kitchen will immediately have the information and the kitchen can prepare more portions of the specific course of meal.

In a preferred embodiment of a method the guest can accept payment by means of registered methods of payment when leaving the restaurant or canteen.

Because the guest just by entering the restaurant has accepted one method of payment, the guest simply has to effect his payment by leaving the restaurant. In this way, a restaurant can be operated without the need for cash payment. Description of the Drawing

Figure 1 shows a possible embodiment of a simplified disclosure of a system.

Figure 2 shows a near field reader which is communicating with near field transmiters.

Figure 3 shows a computer which is connected to a near field reader. Detailed Description of the Invention

Figure 1 shows a possible embodiment of a simplified disclosure of a system 2. The system 2 is indicated in a restaurant or canteen 3 which restaurant or canteen comprises a computer 4 which computer 4 comprises a communication system 12. This communication system 12 communicates with handheld communication devices 14 such as a smartphone carried by guest 32. Tables 16 comprise near field readers such as RFID readers integrated in the table 16. The food containers 20 or beverage containers 18 comprise near field transmitters 10 which are shown in figure 2.

In figure 1 a tray 26 or the like can also be seen, maybe being carried by a service per- son and near an entrance there is indicated a registration means 30 and payment means.

When a guest enters the canteen or restaurant 3, he first performs a registration at the registration means 30. Here the guest also accepts a method of electronic payment. It is up to the guest to select between different payment methods. The only means of payment that is not possible in this type of restaurant is payment by cash. Therefore the payment means 34 is probably a credit card reading system. However, instead of or in addition to credit card systems it is also possible to perform other types of electronic payment such as MobilePay or PayPal or other electronic payment systems.

Figure 2 shows a near field reader 6 which is communicating with near field transmitters 10. The near field reader 6 is integrated in a table 16. The near field transmitters 10 are integrated in a beverage container 18 and a food container 20. The beverage container 18 comprises a drink 22, and the food container 20 contains food 24. The near field reader 6 is formed in each place 38 at dining table 16 where a guest can eat his meal. As soon as a food container 20 or beverage container 18 is placed close to the near field reader 6, this near field reader 6 will communicate with the computer 4 shown in figure 1. Therefore an automatic registration is performed as soon as food containers 20 or beverage containers 18 are placed on the table 16.

Figure 3 shows a computer 4 which is connected to a near field reader 6 which near field reader communicates with near field transmitters 10. The computer 4 is communicating with a computer data mining device 5 and further with a handheld communication device such as a smartphone or tablet computer. This handheld communication device 14 is further communicating with payment means 34. Hereby it can be achieved that a guest dining in a restaurant as previously disclosed has access not only to the bill he has accepted via his Smartphone or tablet by entering the restaurant, but from the computer he is also able to get additional information about his meal, simply because the computer automatically "knows" the food placed on his plate or food container at that time. Thus, various types of information related to the food can be available from the computer.

In a restaurant or canteen where service persons have no need for ordering, no menu cards exist, and payment is performed automatically, service personnel in the restaurant can direct all their attention to the guests.

Definitions

The near field transmitter 10 can be formed as an RFID tag, comprising a power supply and a transmitter. The power supply is often a coil for receiving an electronic signal which signal after rectifying generates the power supply to the transmitter, which transmitter transmits an ID.

The near field reader (10) such as an RFID reader receives the ID and communicates this ID further to the computer (4).

2 System

3 restaurants, cafes, canteens or stores

4 computer

5 computer data mining 6 near field reader

RFID reader in Tray or the like

8 electronic signal

10 near field transmitter

12 communication system

14 handheld communication device

16 dining tables or counters or the like

18 beverage containers

20 food container

22 beverage

24 food

26 tray or the like

28 kitchen

30 registration means

32 guest

34 payment means

36 method of payment

38 place at dining tables or counters or the like 16

Claims

1. System (2) adapted to be used in restaurants, cafes, canteens or stores (3) for operating in restaurants cafe's or stores or canteens, which system (2) comprises at least one computer (4) adapted to communicate with at least one near field reader (6) adapted to read an electronic signal (8) generated by a near field transmitter (10), which computer (4) further is adapted to communicate with a communication system (12) adapted to communicate with a handheld communication device (14), characterized in that the restaurant's or canteen's dining tables or counters or the like (16) comprise near field readers (6) and each beverage container (18) or food container (20) to be served at a table or counter or the like (16) comprises one or more near field transmitters (10), which system (2) is configured to perform registration of beverage containers (18) or food containers (20) being placed or removed from a table or counter or the like (16) and which registration is stored in the computer (4).

2. System (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that beverage containers (18) or food containers (20) are associated with near field transmitters (10) adapted to transmit information about which beverage (22) or food (24) is associated to the near field transmitters (10) in accordance with information about beverage (22) and food (24) stored in the computer (4).

3. System according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the system (2) comprises at least one tray or the like (26) adapted with one or more near field readers (6) and which tray (26) is adapted to communicate wirelessly with the system (2).

4. System according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the system (2) is adapted to register the whereabouts, the consumption or both of beverage (22) and food (24) in the restaurant or canteen (3).

5. System according to any of the claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the system (2) is adapted to inform a kitchen (28) of served, consumed or both of beverages (22) and food (24) for planning of further production in the kitchen (28).

6. System according to any of the claims 1 to 5, characterized in comprising registration means (30) adapted to register the entry of a handheld device (14) of a guest (32) entering the restaurant or canteen (3) and which registration means (30) is adapted to request acceptance of communication between the system (2) and the handheld device (14) by the guest (32) communication.

7. System according to any of the claims 1 to 6, characterized in comprising payment means (34) adapted to register a method of payment (36), acceptance of payment or both by a guest (32) entering the restaurant or canteen (3).

8. System according to claim 7, characterized in being adapted to communicated a total of served and/or consumed beverage (22) and food (24) and a price thereof to be displayed on the handheld device (14).

9. System according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in the system (2) being adapted to request and/or accept payment by means of a registered method of payment (36) by the guest (32) leaving the restaurant or canteen (3).

10. Method for operating a system as disclosed in one of the claims 1-9, character- ized in the following steps: a: let the kitchen (28) prepare beverages (20) and food (22) in beverage containers (18) or food containers (20) b: let guests entering the restaurants, cafes, canteens or stores (3) accept one registered method of payment (36), c: let the system communicate with a handheld communication device (14) carried by the guest (32), d: let the guest (32) select a place (38) at dining tables or counters or the like (16), e: let the system perform registration of the place (38) at dining tables or counters or the like (16) by communication with the handheld communication device (14) carried by the guest (32), f: place beverages (20) in beverage containers (18) and food (22) in food containers (20) at the place (38) of the guest at dining table or counter or the like (16), g: perform registration of beverages (20) and food (22) in beverage containers (18) or food containers (20) at the place (38) at the dining table or counter or the like (16) by means of the near field reader (6) at the place (38) at the table, h: let the near field reader (6) read an electronic signal (8) generated by the near field transmitter (10) placed below beverage containers (18) or food containers (20), i: let the near field transmitter (10) perform communication to the computer (4), j : let the computer transmit data related to the prices of beverage containers (18) or food containers (20) to the handheld communication devices (14) carried by guests (32).

11. Method according to claim 10, characterized in the following step: a: let the guest (32) leaving the restaurant or canteen (3) accept payment by means of registered method of payment (36) ).