11111111111111111111111111111gRRII11111111111111 (cid:9)
`
`01111
`
`(12) United States Patent
`McNally et al.
`
`(to) Patent No.: (cid:9)
`(45) Date of Patent: (cid:9)
`
`US 6,384,850 B1
`May 7, 2002
`
`(54)
`
`INFORMATION MANAGEMENT AND
`SYNCHRONOUS COMMUNICATIONS
`SYSTEM WITH MENU GENERATION
`
`(75) Inventors: Keith R. McNally, Santa Clarita;
`William H. Roof, San Diego; Richard
`Bergfeld, Chatsworth, all of CA (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: Ameranth Wireless, San Diego, CA
`(US)
`
`(*) Notice: (cid:9)
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/400,413
`
`(22) Filed: (cid:9)
`
`Sep. 21, 1999
`
` GO6F 3/00
`Int. C1.7 (cid:9)
`(51)
` 345/810; 345/841
`(52) U.S. Cl. (cid:9)
` 345/334, 335,
`(58) Field of Search (cid:9)
`345/340, 352, 353, 765, 744, 781, 810,
`841; 705/26, 27, 37
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`5,802,526 A * 9/1998 Fawcett et al. (cid:9)
`5,912,734 A * 6/1999 Kinebuchi et al. (cid:9)
`5,991,739 A * 11/1999 Cupps et al. (cid:9)
`6,107,944 A * 8/2000 Behr et al. (cid:9)
`
`
`
`
`
`
`707/104
`345/348
`705/26
`340/995
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`Primary Examiner—Cao H. Nguyen
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Morgan & Finnegan, LLP
`
`(57) (cid:9)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`An information management and synchronous communica-
`tions system and method facilitates database equilibrium and
`synchronization with wired, wireless and Web-based
`systems, user-friendly and efficient generation of computer-
`ized menus and reservations for restaurants and other appli-
`cations that utilize equipment 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 connection, the internet, a wireless link
`or the like.
`
`5,724,069 A * 3/1998 Chen (cid:9)
`
` 345/156
`
`16 Claims, 6 Drawing Sheets
`
`POSce—System
`
`Login
`
`CHECKS
`
`ORDER
`
`VIEW
`
`PAY
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`Choose kern: (cid:9)
`App
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`Salads
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`Dessert
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`Sdwch
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`Tb167 (cid:9) 5st 2
`Drinks
`Entrees
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`Soups
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`X
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`Direction:
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`MAIN
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`PREV
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`PAGE
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`MODS
`
`Select Guest to Order for:
`
`1
`
`2
`
`Last Selection
`
`REMOVE LAST
`
`OK
`
`Cancel
`
`Browse
`
`Apple, Exhibit 1001, Page 1
`
`(cid:9)
`

`
`U.S. Patent (cid:9)
`
`May 7, 2002
`
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`US 6,384,850 B1
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`
`U.S. Patent (cid:9)
`
`May 7, 2002
`
`Sheet 2 of 6 (cid:9)
`
`US 6,384,850 B1
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`Modifier
`
`Long Name:
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`Short Name:
`
`Code:
`
`Price:
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`OK
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`Long Name:
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`FIG.3
`
`Apple, Exhibit 1001, Page 3
`
`(cid:9)
`(cid:9)
`

`
`U.S. Patent (cid:9)
`
`May 7, 2002
`
`Sheet 3 of 6 (cid:9)
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`US 6,384,850 B1
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`Spices include lemon pepper, paprika, ginger.I
`steamed broccoli, carrots and zucchini.
`topped with a creamy cilantro sauce. Served with
`Flame broiled brandy marinated Tender Chicken Breast
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`Apple, Exhibit 1001, Page 4
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`(cid:9)
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`

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`U.S. Patent (cid:9)
`
`May 7, 2002
`
`Sheet 5 of 6 (cid:9)
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`
`(cid:9)
`

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`U.S. Patent (cid:9)
`
`May 7, 2002
`
`Sheet 6 of 6 (cid:9)
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`US 6,384,850 B1
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`(cid:9)
`

`
`US 6,384,850 B1
`
`1
`INFORMATION MANAGEMENT AND
`SYNCHRONOUS COMMUNICATIONS
`SYSTEM WITH MENU GENERATION
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION (cid:9)
`
`5
`
`This invention relates to an information management and
`synchronous communications system and method for gen-
`eration of computerized menus for restaurants and other
`applications with specialized display and synchronous com-
`munications requirements related to, for example, the use of 10
`equipment or software with non-PC-standard graphical
`formats, display sizes and/or applications for use in remote
`data entry, information management and synchronous com-
`munication between host computer, digital input device or
`remote pager via standard hardwired connection, the 15
`internet, a wireless link, smart phone or the like.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`20
`
`25
`
`35
`
`2
`reasons PDAs have not been quickly assimilated into the
`restaurant and hospitality industries is that their small dis-
`play sizes are not 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 hand-
`held computing devices has not previously been available.
`Such features would include fast and automatic synchroni-
`zation between a central database and multiple handheld
`devices, synchronization and communication between a
`World Wide Web ("Web") server and multiple handheld
`devices, a well-defined application program interface
`("API") that enables third parties such as point of sale
`("POS") companies, affinity program companies and inter-
`net content providers to fully integrate with computerized
`hospitality applications, real-time communication over the
`internet with direct connections or regular modem dialup
`connections and support for batch 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 communicate with one another
`wirelessly has also previously been unavailable. Such a
`single point of entry would work to 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
`backoffice server and then synchronized with all the wireless
`handheld devices wirelessly. Similarly, changes made on
`30 any of the wireless handheld devices would be reflected
`instantaneously 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-
`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
`configuring wireless handheld devices and maintaining data-
`base synchronization for such applications. Specifically, the
`unavailability of any simple technique for creating restau-
`rant 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
`computerization 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-
`munications system and method which facilitates user-
`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.
`A further object of the present invention is to provide an
`improved information management and synchronous com-
`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
`connection, the internet or a wireless link
`A further object of the present invention is to provide an
`improved information management and synchronous com-
`munications system which is small, affordable and light-
`weight yet incorporates a user-friendly operator interface
`and displays menus in a readily comprehensible format.
`
`40
`
`While computers have dramatically altered many aspects
`of modern life, pen and paper have prevailed in the hospi-
`tality industry, e.g., for restaurant ordering, reservations and
`wait-list management, because of their simplicity, ease of
`training and operational speed. For example, ordering pre-
`pared 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-
`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-
`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
`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 of the inherent shortcomings of PDA type devices is
`that, as they strive for small size, low weight and low cost,
`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 commen-
`surately decreased, typically requiring multiple screens and
`displays to display information to the operator. This reduces
`the overall utility of the device. Additionally, the smaller
`display and keyboard results in a non-optimal operator
`interface, which slows down operation and is thus unaccept-
`able for the time criticality of ordering, reservation and
`wait-list management and other similar applications. This
`necessitates many design compromises which in the aggre-
`gate have resulted in limited acceptance of PDA type
`devices in the restaurant and hospitality fields.
`Many of the negatives prevalent in earlier devices have
`been eliminated, but, to date, there is still no integrated 60
`solution to the ordering/waitlist/reservation problem dis-
`cussed 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., personal calendars. However, substantial use of 65
`such devices in the restaurant and hospitality context has not
`occurred to date. As discussed above, at least one of the
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`Apple, Exhibit 1001, Page 8
`
`

`
`US 6,384,850 B1
`
`3
`A further object of the present invention is to provide a
`synchronous information management and communications
`system which enables automatic updating of both wireless
`and internet menu systems when a new menu item is added,
`modified or deleted from any element of the system.
`
`5
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`4
`direct connections or regular modem dialup connections and
`support for batch processing that can be done periodically
`throughout the day to keep multiple sites in synch with the
`central database.
`The communication module also provides a single point
`of entry for all hospitality applications, e.g., reservations,
`frequent customer ticketing, wait lists, etc. to communicate
`with one another wirelessly and over the Web. This com-
`munication module is a layer that sits on top of any com-
`munication protocol and acts as an interface between hos-
`pitality applications and the communication protocol and
`can be easily updated to work with a new communication
`protocol without modifying the core hospitality applications.
`A single point of entry works to keep all wireless handheld
`devices and linked web sites in synch with the backoffice
`server applications so that the different components are in
`equilibrium at any given time and an overall consistency is
`achieved. For example, a reservation made online can be
`automatically communicated to the backoffice server and
`then synchronized with all the wireless handheld devices
`wirelessly. Similarly, changes made on any of the wireless
`handheld devices are reflected instantaneously on the back-
`office server Web pages and the other handheld devices.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`The foregoing features and advantages of the present
`invention can be appreciated more fully from the following
`description, with references to the accompanying drawings
`in which:
`FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a window dis-
`played on a computer display screen which shows a hierar-
`chical tree menu, modifier window and sub-modifier win-
`dow in conformity with a preferred embodiment of the
`present invention.
`FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of a modifier dialog
`box in conformity with a preferred embodiment of the
`present invention.
`FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of a menu category
`dialog box in conformity with a preferred embodiment of the
`present invention.
`FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of a menu item dialog
`box in conformity with a preferred embodiment of the
`present invention.
`FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of a display customi-
`zation dialog box in conformity with a preferred embodi-
`ment of the present invention.
`FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of a communications
`control window in conformity with a preferred embodiment
`of the present invention.
`FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of a point of sale
`interface on a wireless handheld device for use in displaying
`page menus created in conformity with a preferred embodi-
`ment of the present invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
`Most personal computers today run under an operating
`system that provides a graphical user interface ("GUI") for
`accessing user applications. A GUI is used in the preferred
`embodiment of the present invention. Through an interface
`of windows, pull-down menus, and toolbars, GUI operating
`systems have simplified PCs and have rendered computer
`technology more user friendly by eliminating the need to
`memorize keyboard entry sequences. In addition, GUIs
`allow users to manipulate their data as they would physical
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25 (cid:9)
`
`30
`
`The foregoing and other objects of the present invention
`are provided by a synchronous information management and
`communications system and method optimized for simplic-
`ity of operation which incorporates menu generation for
`creation of menus to be used with wireless remote handheld
`computer and PDA devices, the internet or any application
`where simple and efficient generation of menus is appropri-
`ate. The menu generation approach of the present invention
`includes a desktop software application that enables the
`rapid creation and building of a menu and provides a means
`to instantly download the menu configuration onto, e.g., a
`handheld device or Web page and to seamlessly interface
`with standard point of sale ("POS") systems to enable
`automatic database updates and communication exchanges
`when a change or input occurs in any of the other system
`elements. To solve the above and other related problems, an
`information management and communications system is
`provided which results in a dramatic reduction in the amount
`of time, and hence cost, to generate and maintain comput-
`erized menus for, e.g., restaurants and other related appli-
`cations that utilize non-PC-standard graphical formats, dis-
`play sizes or applications. (cid:9)
`The menu generation approach of the present invention
`has many advantages over previous approaches in solving
`the problem of converting paper-based menus or Windows®
`PC-based menu screens to small PDA-sized displays and
`Web pages. In one embodiment, the present invention is a 35
`software tool for building a menu, optimizing the process of
`how the menu can be downloaded to either a handheld
`device or Web page, and making manual or automatic
`modifications to the menu after initial creation.
`The use of wireless handheld devices in the restaurant and 40
`hospitality industry is becoming increasingly pervasive as
`restaurant owners and managers become more aware of the
`benefits. With the proper wireless handheld system in place,
`restaurants can experience increased table turns from
`improved server productivity and shorter order taking and 45
`check paying times. Restaurants and POS companies seek-
`ing to provide a wireless handheld interface to their desktop-
`based POS systems or a Web page equivalent face several
`challenges. These challenges include building a menu using
`their existing database and transferring the menu onto hand-
`50
`held devices or Web pages that will interface with servers
`wirelessly or to restaurants/customers over the internet. The
`menu generation approach of the present invention is the
`first coherent solution available to accomplish these objec-
`tives easily and allows one development effort to produce 55
`both the handheld and Web page formats, link them with the
`existing POS systems, and thus provides a way to turn a
`complicated, time-consuming task into a simple process.
`The information management and synchronous commu-
`nications system of the present invention features include 60
`fast synchronization between a central database and multiple
`handheld devices, synchronization and communication
`between a Web server and multiple handheld devices, a
`well-defined API that enables third parties such as POS
`companies, affinity program companies and internet content 65
`providers to fully integrate with computerized hospitality
`applications, real-time communication over the internet with
`
`Apple, Exhibit 1001, Page 9
`
`

`
`US 6,384,850 B1
`
`5
`entities. For example, a window can represent a file and the
`contents of the window can represent the records of the file.
`The window can be opened, closed, or set aside on a desktop
`as if it were an actual object. The records of the file can be
`created, deleted, modified and arranged in a drag-and-drop
`fashion as if they also were physical objects. The most
`common GUI operating systems that provide this "object-
`oriented" environment for personal computers are Microsoft
`Windows® systems, including Windows CEO for handheld
`wireless devices and the like. Generally, a particular appli-
`cation program presents information to a user through a
`window of a GUI by drawing images, graphics or text within
`the window region. The user, in turn, communicates with the
`application by "pointing" at graphical objects in the window
`with a pointer that is controlled by a hand-operated pointing
`device, such as a mouse, or by pressing keys on a keyboard.
`The use of menus is conventional in GUIs for software
`applications. Menus are typically utilized to provide end
`users of applications with available choices or processing
`options while using the applications. For example, in a
`typical desktop or interactive application, selection of a
`"file" from a menu bar may cause display of a context menu
`which provides "file" options. File options can have addi-
`tional subordinate or child options associated with them. If
`a file option having subordinate options is selected, the child
`options are displayed in context in a child menu or submenu
`proximate to the selected parent option. One or more of the
`child options provided in the child menu may have further
`subordinate options. Thus, such a menu system comprises
`cascading sets of menus which are displayable in context to
`show the parent/child relationships between options of the
`context menu. A menu system of this type is incorporated
`into the preferred embodiment of the invention.
`The preferred embodiment of the present invention uses
`typical hardware elements in the form of a computer
`workstation, operating system and application software ele-
`ments which configure the hardware elements for operation
`in accordance with the present invention. A typical work-
`station platform includes hardware such as a central pro-
`cessing unit ("CPU"), e.g., a Pentium® microprocessor,
`RAM, ROM, hard drive storage in which are stored various
`system and application programs and data used within the
`workstation, modem, display screen, keyboard, mouse and
`optional removable storage devices such as floppy drive or
`a CD ROM drive. The workstation hardware is configured
`by software including an operating system, e.g., Windows®
`95, 98, NT or CE, networking software (including internet
`browsing software) and application software components.
`The preferred embodiment also encompasses a typical file
`server platform including hardware such as a CPU, e.g.,
`Pentium® microprocessor, RAM, ROM, hard drive,
`modem, and optional removable storage devices, e.g., floppy
`or CD ROM drive. The server hardware is configured by
`software including an operating system, e.g., Windows® 95,
`98, NT or CE, networking software (including Web server
`software) and database software.
`A computer workstation for use in the preferred embodi-
`ment also includes a GUI. As is conventional, the GUI is
`configured to present a graphical display on the display
`screen arranged to resemble a single desktop. Execution of
`an application program involves one or more user interface
`objects represented by windows and icons. Typically, there
`may be several windows and icons simultaneously present
`on the desktop and displaying information that is generated
`by different applications.
`The window environment is generally part of the operat-
`ing system software that includes a collection of utility
`programs for controlling the operation of the computer
`system. The computer system, in turn, interacts with appli-
`
`6
`cation programs to provide higher level functionality,
`including a direct interface with the user. Specifically, the
`application programs make use of operating system func-
`tions by issuing task commands to the operating system
`5 which then performs the requested task. For example, an
`application program may request that the operating system
`display certain information on a window for presentation to
`the user.
`An aspect of the preferred embodiment of the information
`10 management and communications system of the invention is
`shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 1 shows an example of the GUI
`provided by the operating system of the preferred embodi-
`ment of the present invention. With reference to FIG. 1, the
`preferred embodiment includes an intuitive GUI 1 from
`which to build a menu on a desktop or other computer. A
`is hierarchical tree structure 2 is used to show the different
`relationships between the menu categories 3 (e.g., soups,
`salads, appetizers, entrees, deserts, etc.), menu items 4 (e.g.,
`green salad, chicken caesar salad, etc.), menu modifiers 5
`(e.g., dressing, meat temperature, condiments, etc.) and
`20 menu sub-modifiers 6 (e.g., Italian, French, ranch, bleu
`cheese, etc.).
`The procedure followed in configuring a menu on the
`desktop PC and then downloading the menu configuration
`onto the POS interface on the handheld device in conform-
`25 ance with the preferred embodiment is as follows.
`The menu configuration application is launched by click-
`ing on the appropriate icon on the desktop display screen.
`FIG. 1 will then be displayed. There are three windows on
`the screen shown in FIG. 1. The left window is the menu tree
`30 7, also called the tree view. The top right window is the
`Modifiers window 8 and the bottom right window is the
`Sub-Modifiers window 9. The Sub-Modifiers window lists
`the sub-modifiers that correspond to the modifier that is
`selected. The views on the right are referred to as list views.
`There are several ways of invoking a command, including
`using the menu options; using the context menu (right
`mouse click); using the keyboard or using the toolbar icons.
`For example, if it is desired to add a category to the menu,
`the following four options are available: (1) clicking on Edit,
`Add Category; (2) right mouse clicking on Menu, then
`40 clicking on Add Category; (3) highlighting Menu, then
`typing Ctrl+T or (4) clicking on the Add Category icon on
`the toolbar. To add an item to a category, the following
`options are available: (1) highlighting the category to which
`it is desired to add an item and then clicking on Edit>Add
`45 Item; (2) right mouse clicking on the desired category and
`then clicking on Add Item; (3) highlighting the desired
`category, then typing Ctrl+N or (4) clicking on the Add icon
`on the toolbar.
`When building a menu, it should be kept in mind that the
`so menu items are stored using a tree metaphor similar to how
`files are stored on a PC with folders and subfolders. The
`menu structure is similar to the Windows® File Explorer in
`the way the items are organized hierarchically. Below is an
`example of how an item may be configured:
`
`35
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`Menu
`» (cid:9)
`
`Entrees
`
`Red Meat
`
`NYStrip Vegetables
`»
`Tomato
`»
`Lettuce
`Meat Temperature
`»
`Medium Rare
`
`In the above example, Menu is the root. Entrees is a menu
`category. Red Meat is an Entree category. NY Strip is a
`
`Apple, Exhibit 1001, Page 10
`
`(cid:9)
`

`
`US 6,384,850 B1
`
`7
`modifier. Vegetable is a modifier. Meat Temperature is a
`modifier. Medium Rare is a sub-modifier of Meat Tempera-
`ture.
`The steps taken in building a menu are as follows:
`1. Add Modifiers;
`2. Add Sub-Modifiers and link them to the Modifiers;
`3. Create Menu categories;
`4. Add menu items to the categories;
`5. Assign Modifiers to the menu items;
`6. Preview the menu on the POS emulator on the desktop
`PC;
`7. Download the menu database to the handheld device.
`To add modifiers, a user clicks on the inside of the
`Modifiers window, then (1) clicks on Edit>Add Modifier, (2)
`Presses Ctrl+N; (3) right mouse clicks in the Modifiers
`window, then clicks on Add Modifiers or (4) clicks on the
`Add icon from the toolbar. If a menu is being built from
`scratch, the procedure is to enter the Long Name, Short
`Name, Code and Price in the Modifier dialog box 10 shown
`in FIG. 2. The Long Name is the full descriptive name of the
`item. The Short Name is the abbreviated name that will be
`displayed on the handheld device. The Code is the numeric
`or alphanumeric code for the item. If there is an existing
`database, the existing database can be browsed and menu
`items retrieved from the database. Clicking on the Browse
`button will bring up the existing database of menu items.
`The item to be added is then selected and "OK" is clicked.
`The fields will then be filled with the information from the
`database. Clicking on OK again will add the item as a
`modifier. To delete a modifier, the modifier is selected and
`the Delete key pressed on the keyboard. To edit a modifier,
`either the modifier is double clicked or the Enter key is
`pressed.
`Sub-modifiers represent the last level of modifiers that can
`be assigned to a menu tree. To add sub-modifiers, the
`modifier to which sub-modifiers are to be assigned is
`selected. Then, the focus is set on the sub-modifier window
`by clicking inside the Sub-Modifier window as follows: (1)
`clicking on Edit>Add Sub-Modifier; (2) pressing Ctrl+N; (3)
`right mouse clicking in the Sub-Modifiers window, then
`clicking on Add Sub-Modifiers or (4) clicking on the Add
`icon from the toolbar. If a menu is being built from scratch,
`the procedure is to enter the Long Name, Short Name, Code
`and Price in a Sub-Modifier dialog box similar to the
`Modifier dialog box shown in FIG. 2. As with modifiers, the
`Long Name is the full descriptive name of the item. The
`Short Name is the abbreviated name that will be displayed
`on the handheld device. The Code is the numeric or alpha-
`numeric code for the item. As before, if there is an existing
`database, the existing database can be browsed and menu
`items retrieved from the database. Clicking on the Browse
`button will bring up the existing database of menu items.
`The item to be added is then selected and OK clicked. The
`fields will then be filled with the information from the
`database. Clicking on OK again will add the item as a
`sub-modifier. To delete a sub-modifier, the sub-modifier is
`selected and the Delete key depressed on the keyboard. To
`edit a sub-modifier, either the sub-modifier is double clicked
`or the Enter key is pressed.
`Menu categories are created from the root. Some
`examples of categories are Appetizers, Soups, Salads,
`Entrees, Desserts, etc. The first step is to click on Menu in
`the menu tree window. Categories are added by (1) clicking
`on the Add Category icon from the toolbar; (2) clicking on
`Edit>Add Category or (3) pressing Ctrl+T. As shown in FIG.
`3, Menu Category dialog box 11 then appears in which to
`enter the Long and Short names for the menu category.
`
`8
`To add menu items to categories, the menu category
`which is being built is clicked. For example, if items are
`being added to Appetizers, the Appetizers branch is clicked
`on. Then the Edit>Add Item is clicked on or Ctrl+N pressed.
`5 As before, if a menu is being built from scratch, the
`procedure is to enter the Long Name, Short Name, Code,
`Prep Time, Recipe and Price into the Menu Item dialog box
`12 shown in FIG. 4. The Long Name is the full descriptive
`name of the item. The Short Name is the abbreviated name
`10 that will be displayed on the handheld device. The Code is
`the numeric or alphanumeric code for the item. Prep Time is
`the time it takes to prepare the meal and Recipe would
`include preparation methods and ingredients that are used in
`the preparation of the item. If there is an existing database,
`15 the existing database can be browsed and menu items
`retrieved from the database. Clicking on the Browse button
`will bring up the existing database of menu items. The item
`to be added is then selected and OK is clicked. The fields
`will then be filled with the information from the database.
`20 Clicking on OK again will add the item to the category.
`Once the menu items have been entered, it may be desired
`to assign some modifiers to the menu items. For example, it
`may be desired to assign meat temperature to a steak order.
`To accomplish this, first the modifier to be assigned is
`25 selected, then the menu item on the tree view that is to be
`assigned the modifier is clicked on and then Edit>Assign
`Modifier is clicked on. Or, the modifier can simpl