(12) United States Patent
`Showghi et al.
`
`(10) Patent N0.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 6,920,431 B2
`Jul. 19, 2005
`
`US006920431B2
`
`(54) REMOTE ORDERING SYSTEM AND
`METHOD
`
`(75) Inventors: Robert S. Showghi, San Diego, CA
`
`_ W5)’ Scott Juds’ Seattle’ WA(US)
`
`5,889,268 A * 3/1999 SWartZ ..................... .. 235/385
`5,912,743 A
`6/1999 Kinebuchi et al.
`.... .. 358/442
`5,914,671 A * 6/1999 Tuttle ............. ..
`340/1042
`g1 *
`giorréll, IJlr
`, , 6,473,739 B1 * 10/2002 Showghi et al. ......... .. 705/26 ne uc 1 e a.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`.
`
`_
`
`.
`
`(73) Asslgnee' 13E Holdmgs’ LLC> San Dlego’ CA
`(Us)
`
`.
`
`2001/0018660 A1 * 8/2001 Sehr . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
`
`345/825
`2002/0057298 A1 * 5/2002 Wassom et al.
`2003/0078793 A1 * 4/2003 Toth ............................ .. 705/1
`
`. . . . .. 705/5
`
`( * ) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U'S'C' 154(k)) by 43 days‘
`
`(21) Appl' NO‘: 10/213’984
`(22) Filed;
`Aug 7, 2002
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`Us 2003/0050854 A1 Mar‘ 13’ 2003
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`JP
`
`......... .. G06F/15/21
`404169966 A * 6/1992
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`Cavanaugh, Susan “Football concessions score With
`upscalSe, classiSc items”, Nation’s Restaurant NeWs, vol. 28,
`No.3 , Sep. , 1994*
`Football Consessions Score With Upscale, Classic Items the
`¥Veekl3y5NeWspaper of the Food Service Industry vol. 28
`
`Related US. Application Data
`
`ssue
`
`.
`
`4 Cited by examiner
`
`(63) Continuation of application No. 09/857,509, ?led as appli-
`0811011 NO.
`On Apr. 27, 2000, HOW Pat. NO.
`_
`_
`674731739‘
`(60) Prov1s1onal appl1cat1on No. 60/131,119, ?led on Apr. 27,
`1999
`
`Primary Examiner—Wynn W. Coggins
`Assistant Examiner_Naeem Haq
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—David A. Greenlee
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`7
`
`IIlt. Cl- . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..
`
`A System and method for enabling patrons at large Venues,
`
`(52) U..S. Cl. .......................................... .. 705/26; 705/15
`(58) Fleld of Search .................................... .. 705/26, 27
`_
`References Clted
`U_S_ PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`(56)
`
`Such as Spectator Venues, Convention halls, or airports,
`which have identi?able delivery locations, to utilize hand_
`held, Wireless communication devices to self-order food,
`drink, souvenir items or services from remote order ful?ll
`ment locations Within the venue for delivery to the identi?ed
`del1very locat1ons. Ver1?cat1on of ava1lable serv1ce level 1s
`
`A
`
`Sandstedt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..
`
`provided~ Hierarchical menus can be provided for Visual
`
`4,569,421 A
`
`2/1986 Sandstedt
`
`45307067 A
`7/1985 Don ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
`4553222 A 11/1985 Kurland et a1‘
`5 198 976 A
`3
`. . . .. 364/410
`/1993 Form et al. . . . . .
`,
`,
`_ _ _ __ 364/405
`5,235,509 A
`8/1993 Mueller et a1_ _ _ _ _ _
`358/403
`5,504,5s9 A
`4/1996 Montague et al. ..
`705/26
`5,664,110 A
`9/1997 Green et al. ...... ..
`5,845,263 A 12/1998 Camisa et al. .............. .. 705/27
`
`~ ~ ~ " 364/900
`364/900
`
`186/39
`
`.
`
`display or audible presentation of items or services for
`purchase on the devices, or for presenting other information.
`A del1very locat1on 1dent1?cat1on code 1s prov1ded W1th the
`,
`,
`,
`,
`order, Wh1ch 1s acknowledged. Automat1c electromc pay
`rrlerrt fer the Order eeerlrs by prearranged rrlearrs
`
`.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`26 Claims, 10 Drawing Sheets
`
`3°\
`
`{
`
`V
`
`32
`
`>
`
`v
`
`r
`
`16
`
`31
`
`Apple, Exhibit 1043, Page 1
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 19,2005
`
`Sheet 1 0f 10
`
`US 6,920,431 B2
`
`Apple, Exhibit 1043, Page 2
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 19, 2005
`
`Sheet 2 0f 10
`
`US 6,920,431 B2
`
`1 - Sandwiches
`2 - Snacks
`3 - Soft Drinks
`4 - Beer
`5 - Souvenirs
`Selection _3_ ?
`
`1 - coéacola
`2 - Diet Coke
`3 - Sprite
`4 - Diet Sprite
`5 - Mount. Dew
`Selection _2_ ?
`
`-- All 1602. Size
`-- $1.50 each
`
`How many_4_?
`Back = Cancel
`Enter = Order
`
`Items: 4, $6.00
`1 - Add Items
`2 - Delete Last
`3 - Show Order
`4 - Place Order
`Selectioni?
`/
`/
`4o
`
`1 - Visa
`2 - Master Card
`3 - Am.Express
`4 - Account
`5 - Phone Bill
`Pay By __¢_l_?
`l
`/
`42
`Fig. 4
`
`Verify Account
`Enter PIN #
`?
`
`Back = Cancel
`Enter = Order
`/
`/
`44
`
`Apple, Exhibit 1043, Page 3
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 19,2005
`
`Sheet 3 0f 10
`
`US 6,920,431 B2
`
`KIngDome
`Seattle, WA
`Enter Location?
`Section: 10
`Row: 17
`Seat: i
`
`Please Con?rm
`KingDome
`Section: 10
`Row: 17
`Seat: 9
`
`No
`
`Fig. 6A
`
`Fig. 6B
`
`Apple, Exhibit 1043, Page 4
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 19,2005
`
`Sheet 4 0f 10
`
`US 6,920,431 B2
`
`CountLStadlium SeatingSections
`First Section
`Last Section
`10
`12
`100
`118
`200
`222
`300
`328
`
`Floor level sections
`60\ First level sections
`\Second level sections
`Third level sections
`
`61
`\\
`
`/63
`Section 202 Seatinglayout
`Menu B ’
`Row Number
`First Seat
`Last Seat
`A
`1
`22
`B
`1
`22
`C
`1
`22
`{/62
`D
`1
`2
`E
`1 -/‘2%/:/
`F
`1
`21
`G
`1
`21
`H
`1
`20
`l
`6
`20
`J
`6
`20
`K
`6
`2O
`
`64
`
`Section 203 Seating Layout
`Row Number
`First .Seat
`A
`1
`B
`1
`C
`1
`D
`1
`E
`1
`F
`1
`G
`1
`H
`1
`l
`6
`J
`6
`K
`6
`
`Menu C /
`Last Seat
`22
`22
`22
`21
`21
`21
`21
`20
`20
`20
`20
`
`Fig. 7A
`
`Apple, Exhibit 1043, Page 5
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 19,2005
`
`Sheet 5 0f 10
`
`US 6,920,431 B2
`
`Convention Center Aisles
`First Aisle | Last Aisle
`100
`900
`200
`215.
`
`First Level Aisles
`Second Level
`Aisles
`
`/55
`Menu /
`A
`B
`
`First Level Booth Layout
`Aisle Number
`First Booth
`Last
`Booth
`142
`239
`341
`440
`538
`644
`723
`824
`921
`
`100
`200
`300
`400
`500
`600
`700
`800
`900
`
`101
`201
`301
`401
`501
`601
`701
`801
`901
`
`Fig. 7B
`
`65
`/
`
`Concourse
`A
`B
`C
`D
`N
`S
`
`County Airport Gate Layout
`First Gate
`Last Gate
`A1
`A14
`B1
`B22
`C1
`C22
`D1
`D14
`N1
`N18
`$1
`S18
`
`Menu
`A
`A
`B
`A
`C
`8
`
`Fig. 7C
`
`Apple, Exhibit 1043, Page 6
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 19,2005
`
`Sheet 6 0f 10
`
`US 6,920,431 B2
`
`1 - Sandwiches
`2 - Snacks
`3 - Candy
`4 - Soft Drinks
`6
`6% ~5 - Beer
`\ 6 - Wine
`7 - Check Out
`SELECTION:__
`
`1 - Sandwiches
`2 - Snacks
`3 - Candy
`4 - Soft Drinks
`5 - Check Out
`SELECTION:_
`
`Fig. 8A
`
`Fig. 88
`
`I 1 - Bottled Water
`2 - Diet Cola
`3 - Regular Cola
`4 - Orange Soda
`- 5 - Pilsner Beer
`
`6
`
`§~ 6 - Light Beer
`\ 7 - Cabernet Wine
`\ 8 - Chardonnay Wine
`SELECTION:_
`
`Fig. ac
`
`1 - Bottled Water
`2 - Diet Cola
`3 - Regular Cola
`4 - Orange Soda
`I SELECTION:__
`
`%\
`Fig. an
`
`Apple, Exhibit 1043, Page 7
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 19,2005
`
`Sheet 7 0f 10
`
`US 6,920,431 B2
`
`Petr n uses wireless device t
`c ntact order taking computer.
`
`i
`
`Order taking computer interacts with patron through
`menu system to present menu item to patron and build
`list of order items selected by patron.
`
`l
`
`Patron selects payment method for
`use with selected items ordered.
`
`l
`Order taking computer electronically validates payment
`account Information with financial service provider and
`places payment information for order in an escrow buffer
`pending confirmation of delivery.
`
`l
`
`Order taking computer transmits order to fulfillment center
`computer where the order is printed inclusive of a barcode
`representative of the Identification number of the order.
`
`l
`
`Fulfillment center personnel assemble the
`order for delivery by a delivery runner.
`
`l
`
`Delivery runner scans printed order
`barcode with barcode reader on the way to
`or from delivery of the order to the patron.
`
`l
`
`Fulfillment center computer transmits order identification
`number read by barcode scanner to order taking computer
`to acknowledge delivery of the order and subsequently
`authorize execution of payment.
`
`l
`
`Order taking computer finds payment information held in
`escrow having same order identification number and
`electronically executes payment for patron's order through
`financial service provider.
`
`Fig. 9
`
`Apple, Exhibit 1043, Page 8
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 19, 2005
`
`Sheet 8 0f 10
`
`US 6,920,431 B2
`
`/82
`
`7
`
`7
`
`Data Value
`70\ Data Field
`206-365-3130
`_ Device ID.
`Scott
`First Name
`Juds
`Last Name
`3431 Oakes Ave.
`Address
`Everett
`City
`WA
`State
`United States
`Country
`98203
`Postal Code
`Email Address scottjuds@g4s.com
`~Credlt Card
`Visa
`\ Card Number
`1234432112344321
`‘ Expiration
`02/03
`76\ P.l.N.
`9690
`~Venue #1
`Safeco Stadium
`//78
`- Event Type
`MLB
`~- Seat History
`Season Ticket /
`‘ - Seat Section
`212
`- Seat Row
`K
`76\ - Seat Number 4
`“ Venue #2
`Key Arena
`- Event Type
`NBA
`- Seat History
`03/22/2002
`- Seat Section
`35
`- Seat Row
`14
`- Seat Number 6
`
`/' 80
`’
`
`Fig. 10A
`
`)4
`
`Data Value
`Data Field
`123ABC456DEF
`Account I.D.
`Scott
`First Name
`Juds
`Last Name
`3431 Oakes Ave.
`Address
`Everett
`City
`WA
`State
`United States
`Country
`98203
`Postal Code
`Email Address scottjuds d4s.com
`Credit Card
`Visa
`Card Number
`1234432112344321
`Expiration
`02/03
`Sale Date
`05/04/2002
`- Venue Name Key Arena
`- Event Type
`NBA
`- Event Date
`05/07/2002
`- Seat Section
`31
`- Seat Row
`22
`- Seat Number 12
`- Net Price
`$35.95
`
`Fig_ 105
`
`Apple, Exhibit 1043, Page 9
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 19, 2005
`
`Sheet 9 0f 10
`
`US 6,920,431 B2
`
`)0
`
`Data Value
`Data Field
`206-365-3130
`Device ID.
`Scott
`First Name
`Juds
`Last Name
`3431 Oakes Ave.
`Address
`Everett
`C?y
`WA
`State
`United States
`Country
`98203
`Postal Code
`scottjuds@d4s.com
`Email Address
`Visa
`Credit Card
`1234432112344321
`Card Number
`02/03
`Expiration
`9690
`P.I.N.
`Safeco Stadium
`Venue #1
`MLB
`- Event Type
`Season Ticket
`- Seat History
`212
`- Seat Section
`K
`- Seat Row
`4
`- Seat Number
`Key Arena
`Venue #2
`NBA
`- Event Type
`Last Order
`- Seat History
`35
`- Seat Section
`14
`- Seat Row
`6
`- Seat Number
`5
`‘ - Polish Sausage
`‘ - B.B.Q. Rlbs Plate 3
`- Cheeseb_u_rger
`1
`- Hamburger
`2
`- MGD Beer
`6
`‘ - Diet Coke
`3
`- Bottled Water
`5
`
`9
`
`Fig. 1 1 B
`
`1 1 - Hot Dog
`2 - Polish Sausage
`3 - Hamburger
`4 - Cheeseburger
`5 - Veggie Burger
`6 - Chicken Sandwich
`7 - B.B.Q. Ribs Plate
`SELECTION:__
`
`Fig. 11A
`
`l 1 -Polish Sausage
`2 - B.B.Q. Ribs Plate _
`3 - Cheeseburger
`4 - Hamburger
`5 - Chicken Sandwich
`6 - Hot Dog
`7 - Veggie Burger
`SELECTlON:___
`
`Fig. 110
`
`Apple, Exhibit 1043, Page 10
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 19,2005
`
`Sheet 10 0f 10
`
`US 6,920,431 B2
`
`1 - Your Usual Order
`2 - Sandwiches
`3 - Snacks
`4 - Soft Drinks
`5 - Beer
`6 - Wine
`7 - Check Out
`SELECTION:__
`
`Your Usual Order
`Zea. Onion Rings
`1ea. Polish Sausage
`1ea. Cheeseburger
`1ea. Lite Beer
`1ea. Diet Coke
`Total $16.54
`W cance'
`
`Fig. 12A
`
`Fig. 125
`
`Apple, Exhibit 1043, Page 11
`
`

`

`US 6,920,431 B2
`
`1
`REMOTE ORDERING SYSTEM AND
`METHOD
`
`CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`This application is a continuation-in-part of US. appli
`cation Ser. No. 09/857,509, ?led Jun. 1, 2001, now US. Pat.
`No. 6,473,739 Which is a national ?ling of PCT/US00/
`11337, ?led Apr. 27, 2000, Which claims priority of US.
`Provisional Patent Application No. 60/131,119, ?led Apr.
`27, 1999.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`a. Field of the Invention
`This invention relates generally to the remote ordering of
`goods and, more particularly, to a remote ordering method
`and system in Which patrons utiliZe Wireless hand-held
`devices to order menu items at large venues, such as
`stadiums, arenas, airports or convention centers, Which have
`identi?able seat, gate, or booth locations, for delivery of the
`ordered goods to an identi?ed location.
`b. Description of Related Art
`Sporting events, concerts and other large gatherings of
`spectators, or patrons take place in an arena, stadium, or
`other con?ned facility or venue having seating in uniquely
`identi?able seats, Which are usually reserved or assigned. At
`these events, the ability of patrons to secure refreshments in
`the form of food and drink is limited. It is customary for
`hungry and thirsty patrons to aWait the arrival of roving
`vendors Who intermittently traverse the aisles of the facility
`haWking various items of food and drink. These vendors
`frequently carry only a single type of food or drink. Often a
`Wait of many minutes must be endured until a vendor
`appears Who, hopefully but infrequently, has the item
`sought. Even then, the vendor may not have the correct
`change and considerable disruption occurs to those other
`patrons seated betWeen the purchaser and the vendor. This is
`a very ineffective and inef?cient method of ordering and
`delivering items of food, drink and merchandise to patrons.
`The other method of obtaining food or drink is to queue
`up in long lines at refreshment or concession stands, Which
`are scattered outside the main area in the hallWays of the
`venue, Where several, but not all, types of refreshments can
`often be purchased together at a single stand.
`It is also common for venue operators to sell souvenir
`merchandise, such as programs, pennants, T-shirts, caps,
`trinkets, and CDs. These may also be occasionally pur
`chased from the roving vendors in the facility, but, more
`often, must be purchased from a merchandise or concession
`stand elseWhere in the facility. HoWever, it is seldom pos
`sible to purchase all of these items at a single concession
`stand.
`As a result, a patron Wishing to purchase several different
`types of food and drink and some items of merchandise must
`Wait for multiple vendors and also visit multiple stands,
`probably missing seeing part of the event taking place in the
`venue. Thus, there is a need for a system Whereby patrons
`can order items from a remote location for delivery to their
`seats.
`Trade shoW exhibitors have a similar problem. They must
`be present in their booth to describe their products and
`services to the shoW attendees. If the exhibitor leaves the
`booth to get food and drink, important prospective custom
`ers may be missed. Since most exhibitors’ booths are
`minimally staffed, many exhibitors remain captive in their
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`2
`booths throughout the exhibition hours With out relief of
`food and drink.
`Even air travelers are not Without the food and drink
`problem. Passengers With much carryon luggage or With
`children, or both, often avoid concession stands in airport
`concourses because it is dif?cult to deal With luggage or
`restless children When there are food lines and ?imsy trays
`of food and drink to carry someWhere to eat. The plight of
`the hungry air traveler is further compounded by the con
`tinuing reduction of in-?ight food service throughout the
`airline industry.
`Remote ordering systems, in Which items are ordered
`from a location remote from item supply, are knoWn in the
`prior art. HoWever, these systems do not address the prob
`lems outlined above. For example, US. Pat. No. 5,664,110
`discloses a remote ordering system intended for use by
`homeoWners or businesses to facilitate ordering from mul
`tiple vendors Without the need to travel to the vendor. This
`patented system is similar to current systems of placing
`orders from a business of?ce computer environment over the
`Internet or other telecommunications links using complex
`menus to obtain numerous parts from numerous possible
`business suppliers and vendors. This is distinctly different
`from the problem of a patron remotely ordering food,
`beverages and souvenir menu items from vendor facilities
`located in the same building structure for delivery to the
`patron’s seat. Furthermore, this system is unduly complex in
`that it requires use of secondary data input devices, such as
`bar code scanners and the like to input desired product
`codes.
`The remote order terminals described in US. Pat. Nos.
`4,415,065 and 4,569,421 are intended and suited for use by
`the employees serving the customer/patron, rather than for
`use by the patron himself. For example, in its restaurant
`application, the patron uses a Wireless paging system to
`summon the employee operating the remote order terminal.
`The order function is then carried out by the employee, but
`does not address the problems described above, since an
`intervening employee action is required.
`US. Pat. No. 5,235,509 discloses a customer self
`ordering system. HoWever, this patent teaches use of a
`kiosk-style touch screen monitor self-ordering system for
`places such as fast food restaurants. This Would require
`patrons to leave their seats, and, consequently, does not
`address the problems described above, since the patron must
`leave his seat and journey to a ?xed location to order.
`US. Pat. No. 6,208,976 discloses a customer self
`ordering system. HoWever, this patent teaches use of a table
`mounted touch screen monitor self-ordering system for
`restaurants, Which proposes application in sports stadiums.
`While such a system is technically possible in a stadium, the
`installation cost of providing a monitor at each seat in a
`70,000-seat stadium Would be staggering, as Would be the
`maintenance and repair costs of units damaged in such an
`environment. This model has been tWice tried and tWice
`failed by prominent Well-funded companies in recent year,
`because of the poor economic value of such a system in a
`stadium.
`There is a need for a system Whereby patrons having
`identi?able locations, such as seats, booths or gates in a large
`venue can remotely order various menu items, such as food,
`drink, souvenir merchandise, and services from a remote
`order ful?llment location and have the order delivered
`Within that venue to their identi?ed location.
`There is also a need to provide a system Which includes
`a provision for remote automatic payment for the order,
`
`Apple, Exhibit 1043, Page 12
`
`

`

`US 6,920,431 B2
`
`3
`Without intervention by the patron or delivery personnel,
`except Where predicated upon acknowledgement of order
`delivery; this eliminates the distraction and hassle of engag
`ing in a cash-and-change situation in the venue.
`There is another need to provide a system that incorpo
`rates location checking features not required by prior art
`?xed-mounted and Waiter-based systems to determine the
`level of service available for a speci?c location.
`There is a further need to provide a system having means
`to separately control the availability of Whole classes of
`items, such as alcoholic beverages, for delivery.
`
`BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`It is, therefore, an object of this invention is to provide a
`system Whereby patrons having identi?able locations, such
`as seats, booths or gates in a large venue can remotely order
`various menu items, such as food, drink, souvenir
`merchandise, and services from a remote order ful?llment
`location and have the order delivered Within that venue to
`their identi?ed location.
`It is also an object to provide a system that includes a
`provision for remote payment for the order, Without inter
`vention by the patron or delivery personnel, eXcept Where
`predicated upon acknoWledgement of order delivery, to
`eliminate the distraction and hassle of engaging in a cash
`and-change situation in the venue.
`It is a further object of this invention to provide a system
`Which automatically checks the location information of the
`patron against a database of locations Within the venue and
`determines the validity of the location and the level of
`available service and notify patrons if service is not avail
`able in that area, or offer only a menu of items speci?cally
`to be made available in that service area.
`It is a yet further object of this invention to provide a
`system Which simpli?es the ordering process for repeat
`patrons through automatic identi?cation of the patron’s
`likely location Within the venue, keeping track of the
`patron’s billing information, and reorganiZing the menu of
`item to With patron’s favorites at the top of the list.
`It is yet another object of this invention to provide a
`system Which alloWs a ful?llment center to easily disable an
`entire class of service items, such as alcoholic beverages,
`Which may be regulated by local laWs, or limited in supply.
`In one aspect, this invention features a remote ordering
`system for patrons at a large venue having identi?able
`delivery locations, in Which a patron uses a handheld elec
`tronic communication device to order selected menu items.
`The order includes identi?cation of the items ordered, the
`delivery location, and patron identi?cation, and is transmit
`ted to a central order-ful?lling site, Where the order is
`assembled and thereafter delivered to the patron at the
`identi?ed delivery location. Payment is done by a prear
`rangement involving prepayment, credit line, the preautho
`riZed use of a credit or debit card, charge to the phone bill,
`or by cash.
`The remote ordering devices may be special purpose
`hand-held devices especially designed for use in this system,
`or, alternatively, may be conventional hand-held Wireless
`communication devices, such as cell phones, tWo-Way
`pagers, or portable digital assistants (PDAs). In all cases, the
`system uses interactive communications of any type (visual,
`keyed or audible), or combinations thereof, betWeen the
`ordering device and the order-taking computer to take the
`order and con?rm the order.
`In a system Which accommodates cell phones, pagers and
`PDAs, the central processing station Would include a ?rst
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`server at an Internet service provider, Which receives data
`communications from the cell phones or tWo-Way pager
`service provider, and a second Internet connected computer
`or server located at the venue.
`The system can utiliZe visual or audible menus provided
`to the ordering device, or the patron can make orders from
`memory, or from a menu displayed on a sign, or a placard
`or printed in an event program. Preferably, the system
`includes a provision for con?rming receipt of an order, and
`a provision for con?rming order delivery/receipt, regardless
`of the type of communication device used.
`These and other objects and features of this invention Will
`become more readily apparent upon reference to the folloW
`ing detailed description of a preferred embodiment as illus
`trated in the accompanying draWings, in Which:
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is a diagram of a remote ordering system according
`to this invention Which is based on a custom, application
`speci?c, local area, Wireless data communication netWork,
`using special design Wireless, patron-operated remote com
`munication devices;
`FIG. 2 is a diagram of a remote ordering system according
`to this invention Which is based on the public Wireless
`telecommunications and Internet infrastructures using cell
`phones, tWo-Way pagers, PDAs and the like Wireless, hand
`held communication devices;
`FIG. 3 is a depiction of various Wireless, hand-held
`communication devices having displays, Which useful in the
`remote ordering system of this invention depicted in FIGS.
`1 and 2;
`FIG. 4 is a sample series of menus of items available for
`order and purchase, Which can be presented to the devices of
`FIG. 3;
`FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a Wireless, hand-held
`communication device, having a display and a speaker for
`displaying and/or announcing menu offerings;
`FIG. 6a shoW menu entry of location information;
`FIG. 6b shoWs patron prompt to verify location informa
`tion;
`FIG. 7a is an eXample of a portion of the entries in a
`database Which alloWs validity veri?cation of the speci?ed
`seat and its effective menu at a stadium or an arena;
`FIG. 7b is an eXample of a portion of the entries in a
`database Which alloW validity veri?cation of the speci?ed
`booth and its effective menu at a trade shoW;
`FIG. 7c is an eXample of a portion of the entries in a
`database Which alloW validity veri?cation of the speci?ed
`gate and its effective menu at an airport;
`FIG. 8a is an eXample main menu With alcoholic bever
`ages selection enabled;
`FIG. 8b is an eXample main menu With alcoholic bever
`ages selection disabled;
`FIG. 8c is an eXample sub-menu With alcoholic beverages
`selection enabled;
`FIG. 8a' is an eXample sub-menu With alcoholic beverages
`selection disabled;
`FIG. 9 is a How chart shoWing system order ?oW, using
`barcode reader con?rmation of delivery;
`FIG. 10a shoWs eXample data base entries for the system
`of this invention;
`FIG. 10b shoWs eXample data base entries for an on-line
`ticket merchant;
`
`Apple, Exhibit 1043, Page 13
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`US 6,920,431 B2
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`5
`FIG. 11a shows a portion of a menu in standard order
`presented;
`FIG. 11b shows example data base entries for the system
`of this invention including item purchase history;
`FIG. 11c shoWs the revised order of presentation for menu
`portion in FIG. 11a, based on item purchase history of FIG.
`11b;
`FIG. 12a. shoWs a portion of a menu offering a predeter
`mined “Usual Order”; and
`FIG. 12b. shoWs the contents of the Usual Order.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENT
`
`FIG. 1 depicts a system that uses a custom, application
`speci?c, local area, Wireless data communication netWork.
`As patrons arrive at a venue/facility for a concert, game or
`other event, they Will be presented With the opportunity to
`obtain a battery-operated Wireless remote ordering device
`10, illustrated in FIG. 3d, Which Will be available at a kiosk
`having a device rental station 12. Devices 10 are operable,
`as later described, to communicate an order for menu items
`to a transceiver node 14, Which communicates orders from
`multiple remote ordering devices 10 to a ful?llment center
`having server 16 and order processing computers 18. In this
`embodiment, the remote ordering devices 10 and the base
`transceiver nodes/stations Would be designed speci?cally for
`this application using available transceiver chip sets, and
`other off-the-shelf components such as keypads,
`microcontrollers, displays and the like Which are commonly
`knoWn to those skilled in the art. In FIG. 1, the base
`transceiver nodes 14 and other client Work stations are
`netWorked to the local server computer 16 Which maintains
`system records and facilitates the overall operation of the
`system.
`These special devices 10 are stored in a combination
`battery charger/programming unit, or docking station, Which
`keeps the devices batteries charged and provides the current
`menu of items offered for sale, Which can be selectively
`presented for vieWing on the device’s display screen 20 or
`audibly via a speaker in the device. Ideally, a kiosk 12 Would
`be prominently located adjacent each entrance to the venue.
`The special hand-held, Wireless remote ordering devices 10
`may take the form illustrated in FIG. 3d, and include the
`display 20, a plurality of alpha-numeric operation keys 32
`for displaying and scrolling through menus, indicating item
`and quantity, and controlling the ordering process. In addi
`tion a microphone can be provided for voice ordering.
`At this time, venue personnel Will normally prearrange for
`payment for items subsequently ordered by the patron, and
`secure payment information in case the device 10 is not
`returned to the kiosk after the event has concluded. This may
`take the form of use of a credit or debit card, deposit of a
`predetermined amount of cash, or, for frequent patrons, tap
`a pre-established line of credit. The identi?cation number of
`the Wireless remote ordering device issued to the patron may
`then be recorded and the seat location identi?cation entered
`into the device 10. The patron Will then proceed to the seat
`and vieW the event.
`It is also anticipated that the system of FIG. 1 may utiliZe
`an off-the-shelf local area Wireless data communication
`netWork built on such standards as IEEE 802.11b or
`Bluetooth, Which Will become integral, or added as an
`option, to certain devices having general utility, such as
`PDAs and cell phones. This system offers the advantage of
`having a patron supply and care for his oWn Wireless device,
`thus relieving the venue of the cost burden of providing
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`them. HoWever, the current lack of such patron-oWned
`devices, or hesitance to rent one for the event, Would require
`other parallel systems in order to provide service for the
`majority of patrons.
`FIG. 2 illustrates a system that is based on the public
`Wireless telecommunications and Internet infrastructures. In
`this system conventional hand-held Wireless communication
`devices, such as tWo-Way pagers 22 (FIG. 3a), cell phones
`24 (FIG. 3b) and PDAs 26 (FIG. 3c) Would also be useful as
`remote ordering devices. Here, a base transceiver station 28,
`such as a cell toWer, transmits menu information to the
`Wireless device and, receives orders With payment informa
`tion from the Wireless device. These signals Would be routed
`by the telecommunications service provider 30 via the
`Internet 32 to menu/order server 31 Which manages the
`order taking process and ?nancial transaction softWare
`applications. When the order is complete, it is transmitted
`via the Internet 32 to the venue ful?llment center server 16
`and order processing computers 18. Depending on the siZe
`of the venue and the number of ful?llment centers Within it,
`there may be one or more order processing computers, and
`there may or may not be a need for a separate server 16.
`When the order is complete and accepted, con?rmation of
`acceptance is transmitted back to the patron’s Wireless
`device, and the order details are forWarded to the order
`ful?llment center. When the order is received by the ful?ll
`ment center, it is displayed on the screen of order processing
`computer 18 and printed as an order ticket on printer 17. The
`order is assembled in the ful?llment center, typically by a
`delivery runner gathering the items listed on the order ticket,
`and then delivered to the patron’s speci?ed delivery location
`in the venue by the runner. Optionally, printer 17 may also
`print a barcode representative of the order identi?cation
`number on the order ticket. The barcode is then scanned by
`barcode reader 19 When the delivery runner departs the
`ful?llment center to take the order to the patron, or upon
`return from delivery of the order to the patron. The scanned
`barcode order identi?cation number is received by order
`processing computer 18 and transmitted back to the menu/
`order server 31 to con?rm delivery of the order. Delivery
`con?rmation triggers the menu/order server to eXecute the
`?nancial transaction over the Internet With ?nancial service
`provider 60 using account information previously provided
`by the patron. This process is additionally described in the
`How chart of FIG. 9.
`Barcode reader 19 can be one of many devices Well
`knoWn to those skilled in the art of POS (point of sale)
`systems that are available from companies, such as Intermec
`or Metrologic. Similarly, the printer 17 can be one of many
`devices Well knoWn to those skilled in the art of POS that are
`available from companies, such as Canon, Epson, or CitiZen.
`The order-processing computer 18 can also be one of many
`Well knoWn standard computers, Which is out?tted for
`connection to a printer, barcode reader and the Internet, and
`running application softWare designed to eXecute the func
`tions described. In a minimum cost system, the printer and
`the barcode reader may suffice as the entire input and output
`for the system during normal operation, thus eliminating the
`need for a screen and keyboard for order processing com
`puter 18. Here, special commands can be given to the order
`processing computer through scanning of bar-coded com
`mand cards. For example, bar-coded command cards could
`include barcodes that enable or disable certain system
`features, enable or disable speci?c menu items that may be
`out of stock at this ful?llment center, perform certain system
`tests, authoriZe logging onto the Internet, and authoriZe the
`system to start or stop accepting orders for this ful?llment
`
`Apple, Exhibit 1043, Page 14
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`US 6,920,431 B2
`
`7
`center. Likewise, the printer can act as the sole display/
`output device for both received orders and for response to
`the above described bar-coded commands.
`Interactive Voice Response (IVR) technology in common
`use today provides the user With verbal choices to Which
`keypad responses are given. For example, the IVR imple
`mentation of the system of this invention might include a
`spoken menu portion stating “for sandWiches press one, for
`snacks press tWo, for soft drinks press three, for beer press
`four, to check out press ?ve.” The response of the patron
`Would be to press the keypad button corresponding With his
`selection. IVR technology can be used With any existing
`touch-tone telephone, including cell phones.
`With the advent of advancing interactive voice recogni
`tion technology, it is