111111
`
`1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
`US008146077B2
`
`c12) United States Patent
`McNally et al.
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 8,146,077 B2
`Mar.27,2012
`
`(54)
`
`INFORMATION MANAGEMENT AND
`SYNCHRONOUS COMMUNICATIONS
`SYSTEM WITH MENU GENERATION, AND
`HANDWRITING AND VOICE
`MODIFICATION OF ORDERS
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: Keith R. McNally, San Diego, CA (US);
`William H. Roof, San Diego, CA (US);
`Richard Bergfeld, Chatsworth, CA (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: Ameranth, Inc., San Diego, CA (US)
`
`( *) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 1535 days.
`
`EP
`
`4,547,851 A *
`4,553,222 A *
`4,638,312 A *
`5,003,472 A
`5,023,438 A *
`5,189,411 A *
`5,235,509 A *
`5,367,557 A *
`5,510,979 A
`5,724,069 A *
`
`10/1985 Kurland .......................... 705/15
`1111985 Kurland eta!. ................. 705/15
`111987 Quinn eta!. ................... 340/5.9
`3/1991 Perrill eta!.
`6/1991 Wakatsuki eta!. ...... 235/462.46
`2/1993 Collar eta!. ............... 340/825.2
`8/1993 Mueller et a!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70 5115
`1111994 Ozenbaugh, II .............. 455/405
`4/1996 Moderi et al.
`3/1998 Chen ............................. 345/172
`(Continued)
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`0779759 A2
`6/1997
`(Continued)
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 11/112,990
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Apr. 22, 2005
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2005/0204308 AI
`
`Sep. 15, 2005
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`(63) Continuation of application No. 10/016,517, filed on
`Nov. 1, 2001, now Pat. No. 6,982,733, which is a
`continuation-in-part of application No. 09/400,413,
`filed on Sep. 21, 1999, now Pat. No. 6,384,850.
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`G06F 91445
`(2006.01)
`(52) U.S. Cl. ........ 717/177; 717/102; 717/109; 7171111;
`717/168; 717/174; 715/810; 715/828
`(58) Field of Classification Search ........... 715/810--845
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`4,415,065 A * 1111983 Sandstedt ....................... 705/34
`7/1985 Dorr
`4,530,067 A
`
`Micros Systems Inc. "Preliminary Information Packet for the Micros
`Hand-Held Touchscreen" Sep. 2, 1992.*
`
`(Continued)
`
`Primary Examiner- Lewis A Bullock, Jr.
`Assistant Examiner- Matthew Brophy
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm- Fabiano Law Firm, P.C.;
`Michael D. Fabiano
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`An information management and synchronous communica(cid:173)
`tions system and method facilitates database equilibrium and
`synchronization with wired, wireless and Web-based sys(cid:173)
`tems, user-friendly and efficient generation of computerized
`menus and reservations with handwritten/voice modifica(cid:173)
`tions for restaurants and other applications that utilize equip(cid:173)
`ment with nonstandard graphical formats, display sizes and/
`or applications for use in remote data entry, information
`management and communication with host computer, digital
`input device or remote pager via standard hardwired connec(cid:173)
`tion, the internet, a wireless link, printer or the like.
`
`18 Claims, 8 Drawing Sheets
`
`Ameranth 21st Century Communications Integration
`
`•On-line ordering
`•On-line reservations
`•On-line waitlisting
`•On-line Frequent
`cusbJmer
`•On-line reports/
`coordination
`
`Amerantl! Mlddlew8re
`Communications Controller
`Unltsd DBtaiNises
`•Comsetup ~
`•Waitlist ~
`• Frequent Customers
`• Resen/atlons
`Wireless Hub
`
`27NIIZ 318 HHz
`
`AMERAIITH"
`
`IWAI!UU .,.,. .. aoumoNa
`
`

`

`US 8,146,077 B2
`Page 2
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`5,781,189 A * 7/1998 Holleran eta!.
`5,802,526 A
`9/1998 Fawcett et a!.
`5,845,263 A
`12/1998 Camaisa et a!.
`5,850,214 A * 12/1998 McNally eta!.
`5,912,743 A * 6/1999 Kinebuchi et al.
`5,937,041 A * 8/1999 Cardillo et a!.
`5,969,968 A
`10/1999 Pen tel
`5,974,238 A * 10/1999 Chase, Jr.
`5,991,739 A * 1111999 Cupps eta!.
`6,023,714 A *
`212000 Hill eta!.
`6,034,621 A * 3/2000 Kaufman
`6,038,545 A * 3/2000 Mandeberg et al.
`8/2000 Behr
`6,107,944 A
`6,125,356 A * 9/2000 Brockman et a!.
`6,167,255 A
`12/2000 Kennedy, III et al.
`6,208,976 B1
`3/2001 Kinebuchi et al.
`6,219,696 B1
`4/2001 Wynblatt et a!.
`6,300,947 B1 * 10/2001 Kanevsky
`6,301,564 B1 * 10/2001 Halverson .
`6,341,316 B1
`112002 Kloba eta!.
`6,421,717 B1
`7/2002 Kloba eta!.
`6,425,524 B2
`7/2002 Pen tel
`6,435,406 B1
`8/2002 Pen tel
`6,473,739 B1 * 10/2002 Showghi et a!.
`6,553,412 B1
`4/2003 Kloba eta!.
`6,779,042 B1
`8/2004 Kloba eta!.
`6,839,744 B1
`112005 Kloba eta!.
`6,865,261 B1
`3/2005 Rao eta!.
`6,880,750 B2
`4/2005 Pen tel
`6,920,431 B2 * 7/2005 Showghi et a!.
`6,973,437 B1 * 12/2005 Olewicz et a!.
`6,996,777 B2 * 2/2006 Hiipakka
`7,000,032 B2
`2/2006 Kloba eta!.
`7,174,308 B2 * 2/2007 Bergman et a!.
`7,234,640 B2
`6/2007 Pen tel
`200110047302 A1
`1112001 Yoshinaga eta!.
`2002/0059405 A1 * 5/2002 Angwin eta!.
`2003/0067494 A1 * 4/2003 Burns
`2003/0107588 A1
`6/2003 Elsbree eta!.
`
`715/826
`
`345/173
`358/442
`379/93.25
`
`709/248
`705/26
`715/235
`340/7.21
`705/15
`
`705/37
`
`715/866
`705/15
`
`705/26
`
`705/26
`705/15
`715/727
`
`705/26
`
`709/223
`345/810
`
`GB
`wo
`wo
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`GB2196766 A
`5/1988
`W09820434
`5/1998
`W09841936
`9/1998
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`"Graphic User Interface Builder Menu Construction Using a Tree(cid:173)
`View Container" IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin, vol. 38, No.9,
`Sep. 1995.
`"Entertainment Industry Leader Rich Rank Takes Helm At
`Cybermeals, World's Largest Online Meal Ordering System", Sep.
`15, 1998, <URL:http:/ /www.food.com/food.sph/saisp ... s/aboutus/
`pressrelease.jsp?id~228>, printed on Apr. 20, 2001.
`"W3C Putting Compact HTML, HDML to Test for Net Access(cid:173)
`Mobile Markup Languages Face Off', Yoshiko Hara, Apr. 6, 1998,
`<URL:http://www.techweb.com/se/directlink.
`cgi?eet19980406s0089>, printed on Sep. 2, 1999.
`Complaint for Patent Infringement, Jun. 28, 2007, Ameranth, Inc. v.
`Menusoft Systems Corporation and Cash Register Sales & Service of
`Houston, Inc. (dba CRS Texas), 2-07-CV-271, (E.D. Tex.).
`Defendants Menusoft Systems Corporation and Cash Register Sales
`& Service of Houston, Inc.'s Original Answer, Defenses, and Coun(cid:173)
`terclaims, Sep. 4, 2007, Ameranth, Inc. v. Menusoft Systems Corpo(cid:173)
`ration and Cash Register Sales & Service of Houston, Inc. (dba CRS
`Texas), 2-07-CV-271, (E.D. Tex.).
`Plaintiff Ameranth, Inc.'s Reply to Defendants Menusoft Systems
`Corporation and Cash Register Sales & Service of Houston, Inc.'s
`Counterclaims, Sep. 24, 2007, Ameranth, Inc. v. Menusoft Systems
`Corporation and Cash Register Sales & Service ofHouston, Inc. (dba
`CRS Texas), 2-07-CV-271, (E.D. Tex.).
`Complaint for Declaratory Judgment of Patent Non-Infringement
`and Invalidity, Jul. 17, 2007, Radiant Systems, Inc. v. Ameranth, Inc.,
`1-07-CV-1641, (N.D. Ga.).
`
`Defendant and Counterclaim Plaintiff Ameranth, Inc.'s Answer and
`Counterclaims for Patent Infringement, Aug. 10,2007, Radiant Sys(cid:173)
`tems, Inc. v. Ameranth, Inc., 1-07-CV-1641, (N.D. Ga.).
`Reply to Counterclaims, Sep. 4, 2007, Radiant Systems, Inc. v.
`Ameranth, Inc., 1-07-CV-1641, (N.D. Ga.).
`Radiant Systems, Inc.'s Motion for Leave to File a First Amended
`Complaint for Declaratory Judgment of Patent Non-Infringement,
`Invalidity and Inequitable Conduct, Oct. 5, 2007, Radiant Systems,
`Inc. v. Ameranth, Inc., 1-07-CV-1641, (N.D. Ga.).
`Radiant Systems, Inc.'s Memorandum in Support of Its Motion for
`Leave to File a First Amended Complaint for Declaratory Judgment
`ofPatent Non-Infringement, Invalidity and Inequitable Conduct, Oct.
`5, 2007, Radiant Systems, Inc. v. Ameranth, Inc., 1-07-Cv-1641,
`(N.D. Ga.).
`Exhibit A to Radiant Systems, Inc.'s Motion for Leave-First
`Amended Complaint for Declaratory Judgment of Patent Non-In(cid:173)
`fringement, Invalidity and Inequitable Conduct, Oct. 5, 2007, Radi(cid:173)
`ant Systems, Inc. v. Ameranth, Inc., 1-07-CV-1641, (N.D. Ga.).
`Exhibit B to Radiant Systems, Inc.'s Motion for Leave-FSTEC,
`Show Directory, Oct. 1996.
`Exhibit C to Radiant Systems, Inc.'s Motion for Leave-Declaration
`and Power of Attorney for U.S. Appl. No. 09/400,413, now U.S.
`Patent No. 6,384,850, Oct. 25, 1999.
`Exhibit D to Radiant Systems, Inc.'s Motion for Leave-FSTEC,
`Show Directory, Nov. 1997.
`Exhibit E to Radiant Systems, Inc.'s Motion for Leave-FSTEC,
`Show Directory, Nov. 1998.
`Exhibit F to Radiant Systems, Inc.'s Motion for Leave-Ameranth
`webpage, 1998.
`Exhibit G to Radiant Systems, Inc.'s Motion for Leave--Dffice
`Action, Nov. 29, 2000, for U.S. Appl. No. 09/400,413, now U.S.
`Patent No. 6,384,850.
`Exhibit H to Radiant Systems, Inc.'s Motion for Leave-Marked-up
`claimsofU.S.Appl. No. 09/400,413,nowU.S. Patent No. 6,384,850.
`Exhibit I to Radiant Systems, Inc.'s Motion for Leave-Amendment
`& Response to Nov. 29, 2000 Office Action, Feb. 26, 2001, for U.S.
`Appl. No. 09/400,413, now U.S. Patent No. 6,384,850.
`Exhibit J to Radiant Systems, Inc.'s Motion for Leave-Notice of
`Allowability, Nov. 24,2004, for U.S.Appl. No. 10/015,729, now U.S.
`Patent No. 6,871,325.
`Ameranth's Opposition to Radiant's Motion for Leave to File a First
`Amended Complaint, Oct. 22, 2007, Radiant Systems, Inc. v.
`Ameranth, Inc., 1-07-CV-1641, (N.D. Ga.).
`Exhibit 1 to Ameranth's Opposition-International Search Report,
`Nov. 21, 2000, for PCT/US00/25863.
`Exhibit 2 to Ameranth's Opposition-International Search Report,
`May 17, 2005, for PCT/US04/13206.
`Exhibit 3 to Ameranth's Opposition-Written Opinion of the Inter(cid:173)
`national Searching Authority, May 20, 2005, for PCT/US04/13206.
`Exhibit 4 to Ameranth's Opposition-International Search Report,
`Mar. 1, 2001, for PCT/US00/31510.
`Exhibit 5 to Ameranth's Opposition-International Preliminary
`Examination Report, Jun. 20,2001, for PCT/US04/13206.
`Exhibit 6 to Ameranth's Opposition-International Search Report,
`Jul. 4, 2003, for PCT/US03/08050.
`Exhibit 7 to Ameranth's Opposition-Notice of Allowability, Mar.
`18, 2005, U.S. Appl. No. 10/136,873, now U.S. Patent No. 7,028,264.
`Exhibit 8 to Ameranth's Opposition-Allowed Claims ofU.S. Appl.
`No. 10/136,873, now U.S. Patent No. 7,028,264.
`Exhibit 9 to Ameranth's Opposition-Specification of U.S. Appl.
`No. 10/136,873, now U.S. Patent No. 7,028,264.
`Exhibit 10 to Ameranth's Opposition-Statement Regarding Notice
`of Allowance, Apr. 12, 2005, U.S. Appl. No. 10/136,873, now U.S.
`Patent No. 7,028,264.
`Exhibit 11 to Ameranth's Opposition-Notice of Allowability, Oct.
`15,2004, U.S.Appl. No. 10/079,739,nowU.S. Patent No. 6,857,105.
`Radiant Systems, Inc.'s Reply Brief in Further Support ofTts Motion
`for Leave to File a First Amended Complaint, Oct. 29, 2007, Radiant
`Systems, Inc. v. Ameranth, Inc., 1-07-CV-1641, (N.D. Ga.).
`Exhibit A to Radiant Systems, Inc.'s Reply Brief in Further Support
`of Its Motion for Leave to File a First Amended Complaint-U.S.
`Patent No. 5,580,214.
`
`

`

`US 8,146,077 B2
`Page 3
`
`Hamilton, Martha M., "Computers on the Menu," Washington Busi(cid:173)
`ness, Dec. 18, 1995.
`Letter from Ronald D. Coleman, President & CEO ofMarCole Inter(cid:173)
`active Systems to George L. Kanabe, Fish & Richardson P.C., Oct. 2,
`2007.
`MarCole Enterprises, Inc. Catalog, Tabletop Merchandising and Gift
`Registry System Flow, 1993.
`MarCole Press Release, MarCole Introduces New Gift Registry Sys(cid:173)
`tem Products at Retail Systems '96, May 20, 1996.
`MarCole Press Release, MarCole Enterprises Wins !SA 's Coveted
`Interactive Marketing Best Multimedia Application Award, Jul. 23,
`1996.
`MarCole Press Release, MarCole's Interactive Shopping and Gift
`Registry System to Rollout to all Reading China & More! Stores, Sep.
`30, 1996.
`MarCole Press Release, MarCole's Interactive Shopping System to
`Offer NFL Team Home Products at Super Bowl XXXI, Jan. 15, 1997.
`Rubinstein, Ed, Wish Lists, Is Gift Registry the Most Profitable Kiosk
`of All?,Kiosk Business, Jan./Feb. 2002.
`MarCole Draft New Release, MarCole Enterprises Named NCR
`Retail Solution Partner, Aug. 19, 1998.
`Brookins, Laurie, State of the Heart, Crafting a High-Tech Registry
`for the New Bride and Groom, The Gourmet Retailer, Nov. 1999.
`Tableware Today, MarCole Gift Registry Works v.5. 0, Jun./Jul. 2002.
`Kiosk, The Gift Registry Kiosk, 2002.
`Killam, Jim, Interactive Kiosks Score In-Store, Sales and Marketing
`Strategies & News, Mar. 199!.
`OfficeWorld News, Interactive Multimedia Systems Transform
`Superstore Shopping, Feb. 1996.
`Jankowski, Wanda, Electronic Kiosks: Boon for Retailers?, Gifts &
`Decorative Accessories, Oct. 1995.
`Hawk, Amanda Kate, Kiosks! The Good, The Bad, and the Best, RIS
`News, Sep. 1996.
`Porter, Thyra, MarCole Signs New Tabletop Manufacturers,
`Kitchenware News, Mar. 1996.
`Promotion Audit, Office Depot Installs Interactive Shopping System,
`Apr. 1996.
`Kehoe, Ann-Margaret, Wooing Brides with Technology, Home Fur(cid:173)
`nishings Daily, Oct. 11, 1993.
`Brandweek, Dayton Hudson Grows Kiosk Test, Elaine Underwood,
`May 8, 1995.
`Gift & Stationary Business, Pull in a China Shop, Jun. 1993.
`Kehoe, Ann-Margaret, Technology Comes to Tabletop, Home Fur(cid:173)
`nishings Daily, May 24, 1993.
`Integrated Restaurant Software, "Dining Out: Baltimore-D.C."
`video, Nov. 4, 1994.
`CompuWave Media Publication in Taiwan, Pre-Sep. 21, 1999! !.
`Squirrel Companies Inc., Squirrel Restaurant Management System
`Brochure, Pre-Sep. 21, 1999.
`Squirrel Systems, company information web page, http:/ /web.
`archive.org/web/ 19990 508153 731/www.squirrelsystems.com/
`aboutlcompany.html, May 8, 1999.
`Squirrel Systems, products web page, http:/ /web.archive.org/web/
`19990508175824/www.squirrelsystems.com/products/newsq.htrnl,
`May 8, 1999.
`Robin Berger, "POS Positions Spago for Growth,"http:/ /web.archive.
`org/web/ 1999100910 5324/www.squirrelsystems.com/media/ar(cid:173)
`ticles/spago.htrnl,
`http:/ /web.archive.org/web/199911121657 56/
`www.squirrelsystems.com/media/articles.htrnl,
`Hospitality
`Technology, Apr./May 1997.
`Squirrel Companies Inc., System Setup Version 3.0x, Copyright
`1989.
`Squirrel Companies Inc., Squirrel Restaurant Management System
`Brochure, Pre-Sep. 21, 1999!!.
`Squirrel Systems, "SQUiRREL® Companies Inc. wins the Califor(cid:173)
`nia Restaurant Association's 1998 EXPO Innovator Award in the
`category",
`http:/ /web.archive.org/web/
`Technology
`199910 13045515/squirrelsystems.corn/media!pr/aug2098.htrnl,
`Aug. 20, 1998.
`Business Wire, Fujitsu and Sulcus Hospitality Group partner to
`develop first wireless computer for restaurant industry, Business
`Wire, Aug. 30, 1993.
`
`Business Wire, "Sulcus's Squirrel and cybermeals Ink Technology
`Alliance; cybermeals New Menucaster Software to be Bundled into
`Squirrel's Touch Tomorrow Point of Sale Package," http://
`findarticles.corn/p/articles/mi_mOEIN/is_1998_Feb_24/ai_
`20316339?tag~content;coll, Business Wire, Feb. 24, 1998.
`Business Wire, "Accel Partners Invest $10 Million in cybermeals",
`http://www. allbusiness .com/banking-finance/financial-markets-in(cid:173)
`vesting/6840069-l.htrnl, Business Wire, May 28, 1998.
`Revshare.com, cybermeal revenue sharing program, http://web.
`archive.org/web/ 19980 12408064 5/http:/ /www.revshare.com/, Jan.
`24, 1998.
`Squirrel Systems, SQ Classic product webpage, http:/ /web.archive.
`org/web/ 1999101 0022213/www.squirrelsystems.com/products/sq_
`classic.htrnl, Oct. 10, 1999.
`Squirrel Systems, "Brew Moon Management Toasts SQUiRREL's
`'Seamless Solution", http:/!web.archive.org/web/19990508170309/
`www.squirrelsystems.com/media/articles/brewmoon.htrnl,
`Nov.
`1998.
`Squirrel Systems, "Squirrel Customer Profile: Chevy's Fresh Mex",
`http://www. squirrel systems .com/news/ arti cl es/9 808 .htrnl,
`Aug.
`1998.
`Micros Systems, Inc., "8700 HMS Version 2.10 User's Manual",
`http:/ /web.archive.org/web/19961111034156/www.micros.com/
`frames/servdine.htm, Copyright 1997.
`Micros Systems, Inc., core products web page, http:/ /web.archive.
`org/web/ 19961111 034156/www.micros.com/frames/servdine.htrn,
`Nov. 11, 1996.
`Micros Systems, Inc., new products web page, http://web.archive.
`org/web/ 19961111 03410/www.micros.com/frames/innovats.htrn,
`Nov. 11, 1996.
`Micros Systems, Inc., quick service products web page, http://web.
`archive.org/web/19961111 034149/www.micros.com/frames/
`quikserv.htm, Nov. 11, 1996.
`Micros Systems, Inc., company information web page, http://web.
`archive.org/web/19961111 034029/www.micros.com/frames/about.
`htrn, Nov. 11, 1996.
`Micros Systems, Inc., 8700 HMS Product Overview, http://web.
`archive .org/web/ 19990 50 8144 340/www.micros. corn/rnktg/html/
`8700over.htrn, May 8, 1999.
`Micros Hospitality Information Systems, "Preliminary Information
`Packet for the: Micros Hand-Held Touchscreen," Pre-Sep. 21,
`1999??.
`Micros Systems, Inc., "The MICROS 2700 HTS Touchscreen", Pre
`Sep. 21, 1999??.
`Integrated Restaurant Software, RMS Touch-Touch Screen Restau(cid:173)
`rant Management System product description, http:/ /web.archive.
`org/web/ 19970215025823/www.rmstouch.com/pos.htrn, Feb. 15,
`1997.
`Integrated Restaurant Software, company profile web page, http:/ I
`web.archive .org/web/ 19970 215 0 25 85 8/www.rmstouch .corn/pro(cid:173)
`file.htm, Feb. 15, 1997.
`Compuwave Technologies, Inc., Elite32 Palm System brochure, Pre(cid:173)
`Sep. 21, 1999??.
`Compuwave Technologies, Inc., POSinfrared Restaurant System
`brochure, Pre-Sep. 21, 1999??.
`Compuwave Technologies, Inc., Wireless POS Drive-Thru System
`brochure, Pre-Sep. 21, 1999??.
`Compuwave Technologies,
`Inc.,
`"Compuwave Technologies
`Approved as Supplier to McDonald's Canada", Compuwave Press
`Release, Sep. 14, 2000.
`Compuwave Technologies, Inc., Revolutionary Wireless Restaurant
`System brochure, Pre-Sep. 21, 1999??.
`Menusoft Systems Corporation, "Winning with Windows Digital
`Dining. Austin.97", Austin, Texas Digital Dining Users' Conference,
`Feb. 20, 1997.
`Menusoft Systems Corporation, "Digital Dining for Windows User
`Manual", Copyright 1997.
`Menusoft Systems Corporation, "Digital Dining for Windows v7.0
`User Manual", Copyright 1997.
`Menusoft Systems Corporation, "Digital Dining for Windows v7.0
`setup manual", Copyright 1997.
`Micros Systems, Inc., "POS Configuration User's Guide: 3700
`POS", Copyright 1998.
`
`

`

`US 8,146,077 B2
`Page 4
`
`Ibertech, Inc., "Ibertech, cybermeals Announce Technology Partner(cid:173)
`ship",
`http:/ /findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_mOEIN/is_1998_
`Feb_2/ai_20205914/print?tag~artBody;coll, Business Wire. Feb. 2,
`1998.
`Ed Rubenstein, "Future Food for Thought", http://findarticles.com/
`p/articles/mi_m3190/is_!ai_20462276, Nation's Restaurant News,
`Mar. 30, 1998.
`Ameranth Technology Systems, Inc., company home page http://
`web.archive.org/web/ 1998120200 1436/http:/ /www.arneranth.com/,
`Dec. 2, 1998.
`Compuwave Technologies, Inc., company information web page,
`http:/ /web.archive.org/web/200 1 0207174316/www.compuwave.
`net/about.htm. Feb. 7, 2001.
`Collins & Malik, "Hospitality Information Technology", pp. 214-
`376, Kendall/Hunt Pub. Co., 3d Ed., 1998.
`
`Hospitality Technology, pp. 14,26,34, Jan. 1997.
`"Wireless Technologies and the National Information Infrastruc(cid:173)
`ture", OTA-ITC-622 GPO stock#052-003-01421-1,pp. 99-131, Sep.
`1995.
`Judgment on Jury Verdict, Sept 21, 2010, Amerenth, Inc. v. Monusoft
`Systems Corp. and Cash Register Sales & Service of Houston, Inc.,
`Case No. 2:07-CV-271-CE (E.D. Tex.).
`Plaintiffs Final Trial Exhibit List, Ameranth, Inc. v. Men us oft Systems
`Corp. and Cash Register Sales & Service of Houston Inc., Case No.
`2:07-CV-271-CE (E.D. Tex.).
`Defendants' Final Trial Exhibit List, Ameranth, Inc. v. Menusoft
`Systems Corp. and Cash Register Sales & Service of Houston, Inc.,
`Case No. 2:07-CV-271-CE (E.D. Tex.).
`* cited by examiner
`
`

`

`• • ... ® ~ ~
`
`II POS - Menu Exolorer
`Eile E<fd ~ew HelD
`
`QJJ.lenu
`m o Appetizers
`EB o Desserts
`m o Drinks
`Efl ~Enta,~kl
`:mo 1cen
`-~+r en Red Meat
`m Ill BEEF TOURNEDO
`m lll lAMB
`Ef!lll NY STRIP
`If' o VEGETABLES
`L- ClJ MEAT TEMPERAlURE
`I l ~MED RARE
`l ~MED WELL
`: ~MEDIUM
`I ~RARE
`l
`L~WB.L
`: e rll VfAl. srALOPPINI
`r!J OSeafood
`EI:J o Salads
`- 1-s:t o Sandwiches
`...... m 0 Soups
`
`-N
`
`I
`I
`
`4
`
`2
`
`3
`
`7
`
`Readv
`
`""'
`\
`MENU 1REE
`
`~ m ~ Q
`Mocflfier
`o CHEESE
`o CONDIMENTS
`o DRESSING
`o ME'AT TEMPERATURE
`o PREPARED
`oiQUANlllY
`o VEGETABLES
`
`1
`
`l-lc91XI
`
`IBIEa~~
`I Code
`I Price
`1107
`0
`0
`3984
`1084
`0
`0
`4083
`3481
`0
`1466
`0
`3486
`0
`
`/ ~ 5
`
`l--
`
`8
`
`I
`
`/I-
`
`MODIRERS
`WINDOW
`
`e •
`
`00
`•
`~
`~
`~
`
`~ = ~
`
`~
`
`~
`:-:
`N
`~-....l
`N
`
`0 ....
`
`N
`
`('D
`
`rFJ =-('D
`.....
`....
`0 .....
`
`QO
`
`d
`rJl
`00
`"'
`""""' ~
`0'1
`
`6
`
`9
`
`SUB-
`MODIAERS
`WINDOW
`
`FIG.1 = -....l
`-....l = N
`
`Sub Modifier
`oiNO
`o EXTRA
`OSIDE
`
`I Code
`3241
`3242
`3243
`
`I
`
`I Disolav
`NO
`EXTRA
`SIDE
`
`I
`
`/
`
`/
`
`I
`
`I
`
`I
`
`I
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 27, 2012
`
`Sheet 2 of 8
`
`US 8,146,077 B2
`
`Modifier
`
`Long Name: I
`Short Name: l
`I
`Code:
`fa
`I OK
`
`.Erice:
`
`Menu Category
`
`Long Name: I
`Short Name: I
`
`II
`
`Cancel
`
`II
`
`FIG.2
`
`[81
`
`I v- 10
`I
`
`I
`
`I
`.erowse I
`
`(8]
`
`I v- 11
`I
`
`I OK
`
`II Cancel
`
`II
`
`Browse I
`
`FIG.3
`
`

`

`Menu Item
`
`Long Name:
`
`I Chicken Alaska
`
`Short Name:
`
`~de:
`
`I 1 ss12
`
`frice:
`] ' 12.95
`
`[81
`
`I ll
`
`12
`
`I
`
`B
`
`frep. ]me:
`\ 12
`
`'
`
`' ChxAis
`Recipe
`Rome broiled brandy marinated Tender Chicken Breast
`topped with a creamy cilantro sauce. Served with
`steamed broccoli, carrots and zucchini.
`Spices include lemon pepper. paprika, ginger.l
`
`-
`
`II Cancel
`I OK
`FIG.4
`
`G
`~rowse I
`
`II
`
`~
`00
`•
`~
`~
`~
`
`~ = ~
`
`~
`~ :-:
`N
`~-....l
`N
`
`0 ....
`
`N
`
`rFJ =(cid:173)
`.....
`
`('D
`('D
`
`(.H
`
`0 .....
`
`QO
`
`d
`rJl
`"'010
`""""' ~
`
`0'1 = -....l
`-....l = N
`
`

`

`Customize
`Select Columns l format Columns 1 Select Filter T Select Sort T Select Style l
`Selected Columns
`Available Columns:
`I insert>> I Nome
`Name
`Display
`I <<Remove I Price
`Image
`Code
`I Move Up I
`Price
`I Move Qown I
`
`Code
`
`I
`
`I
`
`I
`
`I OK
`
`II
`
`Cancel I
`
`FIG.5
`
`~
`00
`•
`~
`~
`~
`
`~ = ~
`
`[8]
`
`/ 13
`
`~
`~ :-:
`N
`~-....l
`N
`
`0 ....
`
`N
`
`rFJ =-('D
`.....
`
`('D
`
`.j;o.
`
`0 .....
`
`QO
`
`d
`rJl
`"'010
`""""' ~
`
`0'1 = -....l
`-....l = N
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar.27,2012
`
`Sheet 5 of8
`
`US 8,146,077 B2
`
`\
`
`[I]
`
`~
`
`0
`
`(.) [Z
`
`<0
`•
`(.!)
`[i:
`
`Q)
`C\
`c
`ti
`E
`..E
`C\
`
`~
`
`~
`~
`
`C7'
`..9
`
`Q)
`C71
`c
`
`II
`=,=
`
`.s c -s
`. E
`.
`~ tnl
`8 Q)
`~ C7'
`.= .9
`j
`t
`~ !>I
`~
`i: Q)
`e
`i .9
`c:
`·c:
`Cl..l
`
`[Z
`
`~ C7'
`
`0:::
`
`

`

`POSce-System
`
`I
`
`'
`
`I
`
`.
`
`\
`Direction:
`
`l PAY 1
`Login T CHECKS T ORDER T VI[W
`Tbl67 5st 2
`Choose Item:
`II Entrees I
`II Dessert
`II Drinks
`I
`App
`I Salads
`II Sdwch
`II
`I
`I( Soups
`II
`II
`I
`l
`"
`"
`'
`l ( MODS
`II
`I MAIN
`l
`PREV
`Select Guest to Order for:
`II
`I
`II
`I
`2
`1
`Last Selection
`I
`I
`II
`
`II
`I '
`II
`II
`II
`I _OK
`
`PAGE
`
`REMOVE~
`
`II Cancel
`
`(g)
`
`v 15
`
`v ... 16
`
`~
`00
`•
`~
`~
`~
`
`~ = ~
`
`~
`~ :-:
`N
`-....l
`N
`
`~
`
`0 ....
`
`N
`
`('D
`
`rFJ =-('D
`.....
`0\
`0 .....
`
`QO
`
`Browse I
`
`FIG.7
`
`d
`rJl
`00
`"'
`""""' ~
`
`0'1 = -....l
`-....l = N
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
`
`Mar.27,2012
`Mar. 27, 2012
`
`Sheet 7 of8
`Sheet 7 of8
`
`US 8,146,077 B2
`US 8,146,077 B2
`
`.2c,-
`9.:
`7"_.
`.Cu
`CmI—
`
`Ed
`
` U"m
`Thisisanexampleoftheordering“Literal
`
`Screen”.
`
`FIG.8
`
`

`

`Ameranth 21st Century Communications Integration
`
`POS Interface
`15+ POS Partners
`
`~
`
`• On-line ordering
`• On-line reservations
`• On-line waitlisting
`• On-line Frequent
`customer
`• On-line reports/
`coordination
`'~
`
`rb
`
`... 3.18/IIHz
`
`,
`Ethemet
`Ameranth Middleware
`Communications Controller
`Unked Databases
`• Com setup ~ Web links
`• Wait list
`• Frequent Customers
`• Reservations
`I Wireless Hub
`I
`
`,,
`
`v
`
`WAN Wireless
`Growth in 2000+
`
`/
`
`"
`
`Other PC-
`based
`systems
`
`Ethemet
`
`Jtech Paging
`
`'
`
`I
`
`PadUnk
`Table Status
`
`~,
`
`27M Hz 318MHz
`
`Spec/rllm24
`
`Spectrum24
`
`r
`2700 for
`wireless POS
`
`2700 for
`hostess
`station
`..
`AIIIIERANTH FIG. !J
`
`WIRELESS SYSTEMS SOLI/YIOHS
`
`,
`2700 for
`Manager
`Inventory
`Scanning
`
`2700 for
`valet parking
`
`Axed POS
`stations with
`Spectrum24
`card
`
`~
`00
`•
`~
`~
`~
`
`~ = ~
`
`~
`~ :-:
`N
`~-....l
`N
`
`0 ....
`
`N
`
`rFJ =(cid:173)
`.....
`
`('D
`('D
`
`QO
`
`0 .....
`
`QO
`
`d
`rJl
`"'010
`""""' ~
`
`0'1 = -....l
`-....l = N
`
`

`

`US 8,146,077 B2
`
`1
`INFORMATION MANAGEMENT AND
`SYNCHRONOUS COMMUNICATIONS
`SYSTEM WITH MENU GENERATION, AND
`HANDWRITING AND VOICE
`MODIFICATION OF ORDERS
`
`The present application is a continuation of application Ser.
`No. 10/016,517, filed Nov. 1, 2001 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,982,
`733, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No.
`09/400,413, filed Sep. 21, 1999 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,384,
`850). The contents of application Ser. No. 10/016,517 and
`application Ser. No. 09/400,413 are incorporated herein by
`reference.
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`This invention relates to an information management and
`synchronous communications system and method for genera(cid:173)
`tion of computerized menus for restaurants and other appli(cid:173)
`cations with specialized display and synchronous communi(cid:173)
`cations requirements related to, for example, the use of
`equipment or software with non-PC-standard graphical for(cid:173)
`mats, display sizes and/or applications for use in remote data
`entry, information management and synchronous communi(cid:173)
`cation between host computer, digital input device or remote
`pager via standard hardwired connection, the internet, a wire(cid:173)
`less link, smart phone or the like.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`While computers have dramatically altered many aspects
`of modern life, pen and paper have prevailed in the hospitality
`industry, e.g., for restaurant ordering, reservations and wait(cid:173)
`list management, because of their simplicity, ease of training
`and operational speed. For example, ordering prepared foods
`has historically been done verbally, either directly to a waiter
`or over the telephone, whereupon the placed order is recorded
`on paper by the recipient or instantly filled.
`Although not previously adapted for wide-scale use in the
`hospitality industry, various forms of digital wireless com(cid:173)
`munication devices are in common use, e.g., digital wireless
`messengers and pagers. Also in common use are portable
`laptop and handheld devices. However, user-friendly infor- 45
`mation management and communication capability not
`requiring extensive computer expertise has not heretofore
`been available for use in everyday life such as for restaurant
`ordering, reservations and wait-list management. Hundreds
`of millions of dollars have been spent on personal digital 50
`assistant ("PDA") development seeking to produce a small,
`light-weight and inexpensive device that could be adapted to
`such uses; yet none have yielded a satisfactory solution.
`One ofthe inherent shortcomings ofPDA type devices is
`that, as they strive for small size, low weight and low cost, 55
`they must compromise the size and clarity of the operator
`display medium interface itself, which in most cases is one of
`a variety of LCD (liquid crystal display) type devices. As the
`size of the display shrinks, the amount of information that
`may be displayed at any one point or time is commensurately 60
`decreased, typically requiring multiple screens and displays
`to display information to the operator. This reduces the over-
`all utility of the device. Additionally, the smaller display and
`keyboard results in a non-optimal operator interface, which
`slows down operation and is thus unacceptable for the time 65
`criticality of ordering, reservation and wait-list management
`and other similar applications. This necessitates many design
`
`2
`compromises which in the aggregate have resulted in limited
`acceptance of PDA type devices in the restaurant and hospi(cid:173)
`tality fields.
`Many of the negatives prevalent in earlier devices have
`been eliminated, but, to date, there is still no integrated solu(cid:173)
`tion to the ordering/waitlist/reservation problem discussed
`above. With the advent of the Palm® and other handheld
`wireless devices, however, the efforts to make such devices
`ubiquitous have begun to bear fruit at least in some areas, e.g.,
`10 personal calendars. However, substantial use of such devices
`in the restaurant and hospitality context has not occurred to
`date. As discussed above, at least one of the reasons PDAs
`have not been quickly assimilated into the restaurant and
`hospitality industries is that their small display sizes are not
`15 readily amenable to display of menus as they are commonly
`printed on paper or displayed on, e.g., large, color desktop
`computer screens. Another reason is that software for fully
`realizing the potential for wireless handheld computing
`devices has not previously been available. Such features
`20 would include fast and automatic synchronization between a
`central database and multiple handheld devices, synchroni(cid:173)
`zation and communication between a World Wide Web
`("Web") server and multiple handheld devices, a well-defined
`application program interface ("API") that enables third par-
`25 ties such as point of sale ("POS") companies, affinity pro(cid:173)
`gram companies and internet content providers to fully inte(cid:173)
`grate with computerized hospitality applications, real-time
`communication over the internet with direct connections or
`regular modem dialup connections and support for batch
`30 processing that can be done periodically throughout the day
`to keep multiple sites in synch with the central database. A
`single point of entry for all hospitality applications to com(cid:173)
`municate with one another wirelessly has also previously
`been unavailable. Such a single point of entry would work to
`35 keep all wireless handheld devices and linked Web sites in
`synch with the backoffice server (central database) so that the
`different components are in equilibrium at any given time and
`an overall consistency is achieved. For example, a reservation
`made online would be automatically communicated to the
`40 backoffice server and then synchronized with all the wireless
`handheld devices wirelessly. Similarly, changes made on any
`of the wireless handheld devices would be reflected instanta(cid:173)
`neously on the backoffice server, Web pages and the other
`handheld devices.
`For the foregoing reasons, paper-based ordering, waitlist
`and reservations management have persisted in the face of
`widespread computerization in practically all areas of com(cid:173)
`merce. At most, computerization of these functions has been
`largely limited to fixed computer solutions, i.e., desktop or
`mainframe, because of the problems heretofore faced in con(cid:173)
`figuring wireless handheld devices and maintaining database
`synchronization for such applications. Specifically, the
`unavailability of any simple technique for creating restaurant
`menus and the like for use in a limited display area wireless
`handheld device or that is compatible with ordering over the
`internet has prevented widespread adoption of computeriza-
`tion in the hospitality industry. Without a viable solution for
`this problem, organizations have not made the efforts or
`investments to establish automated interfaces to handheld and
`Web site menus and ordering options.
`A principal object of the present invention is to provide an
`improved information management and synchronous com(cid:173)
`munications system and method which facilitates user(cid:173)
`friendly and efficient generation of computerized menus for
`restaurants and other applications that utilize equipment with
`non-PC-standard graphical formats, display sizes and/or
`applications.
`
`

`

`3
`A further object of the present invention is to provide an
`improved information management and synchronous com(cid:173)
`munications system and method which provides for entry,
`management and communication of information from the
`operator as well as to and from another computer, Web page
`menu, remote digital device using a standard hardwired con(cid:173)
`nection, the internet or a wireless link.
`A further object of the present invention is to provide an
`improved information management and synchronous com(cid:173)
`munications system which is small, affordable and light- 10
`weight yet incorporates a user-friendly operator interface and
`displays menus in a readily comprehensible format.
`A further object of the present invention is to provide a
`synchronous information management and communications
`system which enables automatic updating of both wireless 15
`and internet menu systems when a new menu item is added,
`modified or deleted from any element of the system.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`The foregoing and other