WO2021061143A1 - Table presence and location system and method - Google Patents

Abstract

A table location system is described. The system includes a table map display device configured to display a dynamic map of the configuration of and location of tables in at least one room and more than one table each of the more than one table having a locating device associated therewith. The system also includes a processing device receiving information from the locating devices of each of the tables and configured to calculate the location of each of the tables based on the information. The processing device further communicates information related to the calculated location of the tables to the table map display device.

Description

Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) Patent Application for

TABLE PRESENCE AND LOCATION SYSTEM AND

METHOD

Reference To Related Applications

This application claims priority to U. S. Nonprovisional Patent Application No. 16/584,683, entitled TABLE PRESENCE AND LOCATION SYSTEM AND METHOD to inventors Patrick Nguyen, Terrance J. O’Shea, and Tom E. Pearson and filed on September 26, 2019, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

Background

Restaurants are a very dynamic place. Throughout the day many patrons move through the restaurant and many servers and host staff coordinate efforts to serve the many patrons. During an ordinary day tables in the restaurant are often reconfigured to accommodate groups of different sizes. Restaurant host staff conventionally have a table map which may be on a writeable surface or on an electronic display and is a map of the location of tables in the restaurant. When the table map is on either of these media, the map is conventionally static and cannot be changed if tables are moved around. Accordingly, there is a need for a system which would enable tracking the location of tables within a restaurant so that a dynamic map of the table locations can be maintained at all times throughout the day. By tracking such table locations, efficiency can be increase and less frequent errors will be made in assigning patrons to various tables. Summary

An exemplary embodiment relates to a table location system. The system includes a table map display device configured to display a dynamic map of the configuration of and location of tables in at least one room and more than one table each of the more than one table having a locating device associated therewith. The system also includes a processing device receiving information from the locating devices of each of the tables and configured to calculate the location of each of the tables based on the information. The processing device further communicates information related to the calculated location of the tables to the table map display device.

Another exemplary embodiment relates to a method of determining table locations in at least one room. The method includes providing a locating device associated with each of more than one table and sending signals between the locating devices to determine received signal strength at each locating device. The method also includes sending information related to the received signal strength at each locating device to a processing device and calculating the location of each of the tables based on the information to determine map information. Further, the method includes sending the map information related to the calculated location of the tables to a table map display device and displaying a dynamic map of the configuration of and location of tables in at least one room based on the map information.

Yet another exemplary embodiment relates to a system of determining table locations in at least one room. The system includes a means for providing a locating device associated with each of more than one table and a means for sending signals between the locating devices to determine received signal strength at each locating device. The system also includes a means for sending information related to the received signal strength at each locating device to a processing device and a means for calculating the location of each of the tables based on the information to determine map information. Further, the system includes a means for sending the map information related to the calculated location of the tables to a table map display device and a means for displaying a dynamic map of the configuration of and location of tables in at least one room based on the map information.

In addition to the foregoing, other system aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the disclosure set forth herein. The foregoing is a summary and thus may contain simplifications, generalizations, inclusions, and/or omissions of detail; consequently, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the summary is illustrative only and is NOT intended to be in any way limiting. Other aspects, features, and advantages of the devices and/or processes and/or other subject matter described herein will become apparent in the disclosures set forth herein.

Brief Description of the Drawings

FIG. 1 is an exemplary embodiment of a table presence and location system.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary embodiment of the table presence and location system of FIG. 1 during reconfiguration of tables.

FIG. 3 is another exemplary embodiment of a process in accordance with the use of the system of FIG. 1.

The use of the same symbols in different drawings typically indicates similar or identical items unless context dictates otherwise.

Detailed Description

Restaurants reconfigure tables throughout the day to accommodate additional guest seating for large parties, events and special needs. Table reconfiguration is done by moving 2 or more tables together in proximity to each other either in a straight line, rectangle, circle or other configurations as needed. When tables are moved around like this, the restaurant table map used by the hostess for seating becomes invalid and another seating map needs to be developed. An accurate table map is necessary for the hostess to know which tables are available to seat guests. In turn an inaccurate table map leads to inefficient table turns, poor guest service, increased false wait times, and lower hostess productivity. In addition, after the party or event is over, the tables are put back to their original place or in another configuration and another table map needs to be defined. This again causes confusion with hostess staff and frustration with the guest as the host may not have an updated table map of the restaurant and the hostess leads the guests to a table that is not actually ready or is occupied.

In accordance with exemplary embodiments, the table presence and location system detect each table and its relative distance and direction to other tables and updates the restaurant table map accordingly in real-time. Using this system eliminates the activity of a hostess needing to update a table seating map manually when tables are reconfigured and allows restaurant table maps to be configured dynamically throughout the day when tables move around. When the table presence and location system is combined with a table occupied sensor host staff can coordinate availability of tables throughout the day even when tables are moved or are reconfigured.

Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary table presence and location system 100 is depicted. Each of tables 110,112, 114, 116, 118, and 119 is mounted with a Table Configuration Sensor Device such as device 120. Device 120 has a radio that communicates with an aggregator 130 as well as other devices 120 associated with surrounding tables. Tilt sensors, accelerometers, or other sensors are configured inside each device to indicate movement of any of the tables. Each Table Configuration Sensor Device 120 communicates with each other via radio. The aggregator can be at a hostess station 140 or any other location in the restaurant. A hostess display 150 can be at hostess stand 140 near the front door of the restaurant or on a mobile computer tablet. The hostess mobile computer tablet displays the current table map calculated and defined by the aggregator and software. Display 150 shows a table map of the configuration and location of the tables within the restaurant. For example, display 150 shows tables 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, and 119 located in relation to hostess stand 140. Referring now to FIG. 2, as different groups of people arrive at the restaurant table map display 150 shows the table 114 moved in line with table 110 and 112. When the table is relocated, the tilt sensor or other sensors in the device reports to the aggregator that the table is moving, and the aggregator turns on the devices of other tables that are near. Each device 120 starts to report the Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) values it receives from other devices 120 to aggregator 130. After a short period of no table movements, aggregator 130 finally calculates using triangulation techniques, the table configurations and displays a new table map on display 150. If 2 or more tables are very close to each other as indicated in Figure 2 the software will conclude that the table was moved next to 2 other tables and the new table configuration will display in table map 150 as one large table with altered seating capacity. The hostess display or hostess computer tablet 150 will update the table map accordingly.

Referring now to FIG. 3, an exemplary diagram of a process 300 is depicted. When a table is moved by the restaurant staff the tilt sensor associated with the table reports to the micro controller that the table is being moved (process 310). The micro-controller measures the strength of the radio signal of other tables near it and reports those measurements to the aggregator (process 320). The micro-controller turns on the radio transmitter and receiver and reports via wi-fi to the aggregator that the table is being moved (process 330). The aggregator via wi-fi turns on other table configuration sensors devices near to the table that reported being moved (process 340). The micro-controller measures the strength of the radio signal of other tables near it and reports those measurements to the aggregator until table movement has stopped for a short period (process 350). Those tables turn on their own radios and send back RSSI reports on tables near them. All RSSI reports are sent to the aggregator for analysis. When the table tilt sensor does not report any movement after a short period (process 350) the aggregator calculates the last relative position of each table from the RSSI values and displays a table map of the new table configuration (process 360).

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, system 100 may use non -moving wall and ceiling sensors and radio devices to measure RSSI values to determine where tables are relative to the building and structures in the restaurant. Also, through temporal or extreme increases in RSSI values tables can be inferred as not in use such as stacking tables together.

In an exemplary embodiment, each of the table configuration sensor devices may be mounted under each individual table in a restaurant. The table configuration sensor device is configured to communicates with other of the devices via radio its ID to other tables. The table configuration sensor device also receives other tables IDs and measures the strength of their radio signal. This information is reported by wi-fi to the aggregator. The aggregator communicates to the hostess station display or computer tablet via wi-fi information rela new table map to be displayed.

Needs for system 100 arise when a large party or special party with many guests arrive or make a reservation. The hostess looks at the table map to find which tables are available to seat the guests. The hostess chooses one or more tables that are closest to each other and then proceeds to move the tables into a table configuration for the large party. After the tables are reconfigured, the hostess manually modifies the table map to the new table configuration. The table map is updated throughout the day when new guest arrives with special needs for a table configuration. After the guest leave the hostess reconfigures the tables again and creates a new table map. Table maps can change up to 30 times a day or more in a busy restaurant.

In an exemplary embodiment, each of the table configuration sensor devices 120 may be mounted under each individual table in a restaurant. The table configuration sensor device 120 is configured to communicates with other of the devices via radio its ID to other tables. The table configuration sensor device also receives other tables IDs and measures the strength of their radio signal. This information is reported by wi-fi to the aggregator. The aggregator communicates to the hostess station display or computer tablet, via wi-fi, information relating to new table map to be displayed.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, table configuration sensor device 120 may be mounted under, on or inside each table in a restaurant. Table configuration sensor device 120 may be powered by battery to enable mobility however if tables have access to AC the device can also be powered by AC. Table configuration sensor device 120 can be integrated into other devices at the table such as a table occupancy sensor device, etc. In accordance with exemplary embodiments, the Hostess table map display can be stationary display or mobile display.

Further, in an exemplary embodiment, artificial intelligence techniques such as applications of neural networks and deep learning networks can be used to calibrate and modify RSSI tables for better accuracy and use.

The use of system 100 provides labor savings for a restaurant since it updates restaurant seating dynamically with software when tables are moved requiring no hostess walkthrough or a manual table map to be updated. System 100 provides accurate table maps for a hostess enabling better guest satisfaction and higher table utilization. System 100 also provides improved restaurant table management. By updating the seating map dynamically during the day as tables are moved, system 100 maximizes table usage and table turnover in a restaurant. System 100 enables an improved guest reservation system by linking the restaurant reservation application directly to the dynamic table map so guest can choose tables online with an up to date table map. Guests link through a phone app via the restaurant reservation system to reserve a table. Since the table map is updated whenever they are reconfigured the guest can have an accurate location where their table will be when they arrive.

System 100 comprises a micro-controller or aggregator 130, tilt sensor(s), (or other sensors such as accelerometers, gyroscopes, mechanical switches, gravitometers, Hall sensors, mercury switches, contact switches, reed switches, GPS, aGPS, WAAS, etc.), low power radio devices, and firmware located inside a Table Configuration Sensor Device mounted under a table. The Dynamic Table Map Software of the invention is located on an aggregator.

The Tilt Sensor(s) detects motion and orientation of a table when it is being moved. The low power radio also has a receiver that measures other devices radio transmissions signal strengths and uses a RSSI table (Received Signal Strength Indicator) to determine the distance of other devices from itself. By measuring the signal strength at a receiving antenna, a device can determine the quality of a communication link. If a distant transmitter is moved closer to a receiver radio signal strength changes at the receiving antenna. Likewise, if a transmitter is moved farther away radio signal strength changes at the receiving antenna.

Firmware on the table configuration sensor device 120 turns on the radio when the tilt sensor detects movement of the table. The firmware reports to the aggregator that the table is being moved. The table configuration sensor starts measuring the RSSI of other tables with devices near it and report that information to the aggregator for processing. Aggregator 130 receives a notice that the table is being moved. It then commands through wi-fi other devices near the table being moved to turn on their radios and read and report RSSI values from other devices to Aggregator 130. By reading each table device RSSI the aggregator Software can calculate relative distance and orientation of each table configuration sensor device 120 to each other and display a current configuration map of the restaurant tables on a hostess tablet computer or hostess display.

It should further be noted that the embodiments disclosed are exemplary. The systems and methods described may be applied to venues other than restaurants. For example, it may be desirable to have such systems be applied to convention sites or meeting sites where tables are regularly moved from place to place and tracking and managing such movements may be advantageous.

In some instances, one or more components may be referred to herein as “configured to,” “configured by,” “configurable to,” “operable/operative to,” “adapted/adaptable,” “able to,” “conformable/conformed to,” etc. Those skilled in the art will recognize that such terms (e.g. “configured to”) generally encompass active-state components and/or inactive-state components and/or standby-state components, unless context requires otherwise.

While particular aspects of the present subject matter described herein have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that, based upon the teachings herein, changes and modifications may be made without departing from the subject matter described herein and its broader aspects and, therefore, the appended claims are to encompass within their scope all such changes and modifications as are within the true spirit and scope of the subject matter described herein. It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to claims containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “ a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “ a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that typically a disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alterative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms unless context dictates otherwise. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be typically understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”

With respect to the appended claims, those skilled in the art will appreciate that recited operations therein may generally be performed in any order. Also, although various operational flows are presented in a sequence(s), it should be understood that the various operations may be performed in other orders than those which are illustrated, or may be performed concurrently. Examples of such alternate orderings may include overlapping, interleaved, interrupted, reordered, incremental, preparatory, supplemental, simultaneous, reverse, or other variant orderings, unless context dictates otherwise. Furthermore, terms like “responsive to,” “related to,” or other past-tense adjectives are generally not intended to exclude such variants, unless context dictates otherwise.

Claims

Claims What is claimed is:

1. A table location system, comprising: a table map display device configured to display a dynamic map of the configuration of and location of tables in at least one room; more than one table each of the more than one table having a locating device associated therewith; and a processing device receiving information from the locating devices of each of the tables and configured to calculate the location of each of the tables based on the information, the processing device further communicating information related to the calculated location of the tables to the table map display device.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the table map display device is a stationary device.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the table map display device is a mobile device.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the locating device includes received signal strength indicating (RSSI) capabilities.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the locating device is configured to receive signals from locating devices associated with other tables.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising: motion sensors associated with at least some of the more than one table.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the processing device communicates with the locating devices over Wi-Fi.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the processing device uses triangulation methods to at least partially calculate table locations.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the processing device uses artificial intelligence methods to at least partially calculate table locations.

10. A method of determining table locations in at least one room, comprising: providing a locating device associated with each of more than one table; sending signals between the locating devices to determine received signal strength at each locating device; sending information related to the received signal strength at each locating device to a processing device; calculating the location of each of the tables based on the information to determine map information; sending the map information related to the calculated location of the tables to a table map display device; and displaying a dynamic map of the configuration of and location of tables in at least one room based on the map information.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the table map display device is a mobile device.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the locating devices include received signal strength indicating (RSSI) capabilities.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the locating device is configured to receive signals from locating devices associated with at least two other tables.

14. The method of claim 10, further comprising: detecting movement of a table by a motion sensors associated with the table.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein the processing device communicates with the locating devices over Wi-Fi.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein the processing device uses triangulation methods to at least partially calculate table locations.

17. The system of claim 10, wherein the processing device uses artificial intelligence methods to at least partially calculate table locations.

18. A system of determining table locations in at least one room, comprising: a means for providing a locating device associated with each of more than one table; a means for sending signals between the locating devices to determine received signal strength at each locating device; a means for sending information related to the received signal strength at each locating device to a processing device; a means for calculating the location of each of the tables based on the information to determine map information; a means for sending the map information related to the calculated location of the tables to a table map display device; and a means for displaying a dynamic map of the configuration of and location of tables in at least one room based on the map information.

19. The system of claim 18, further comprising: a means for detecting movement of a table by a motion sensor associated with the table.

20. The system of claim 19, further comprising: a means for determining when the tables have at least temporarily stopped moving location.