(12) United States Patent
`McNally et al.
`
`111111
`
`1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
`US006982733Bl
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 6,982,733 Bl
`*Jan.3,2006
`
`(54)
`
`INFORMATION MANAGEMENT AND
`SYNCHRONOUS COMMUNICATIONS
`SYSTEM WIT H MENU GENERATION, AND
`HANDWRITING AND VOICE
`MODIFICATION OF ORDERS
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: Keith R. McNally, Sao Diego, CA
`(US); Ken Rogers, San Diego, CA
`(US); PauJ Rubin, Sao Diego, CA (US)
`
`EP
`wo
`wo
`
`5,802,526 A
`5,912,743 A
`5,991,739 A
`6,107,944 A
`
`9/1998 Fawcell el al.
`6/1999 Kioebuchi el al.
`11/1999 Cupps ei al.
`8/2000 Behr
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`0 779 759 A2
`6/1997
`wo 98/20434
`5/1998
`WO 98/41936
`9/1998
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`(73) Assignee: Ameranth Wireless, 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 673 days.
`
`Tbis patent is subject to a terminal dis(cid:173)
`claimer.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 10/016,517
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Nov. 1, 2001
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`(63) Continuatioo-in-parl of application No. 09/400,413, filed on
`Scp. 21, 1999, now Pat. No. 6,384,850.
`Int. CI.
`G06F 3!00
`
`(2006.01)
`
`(51)
`
`........................................ 345/810; 345/841
`(52) U.S. CI .
`(58) Field of Classification Search ................. 345/810,
`345/841, 765, 744, 781
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`5,724,069 A
`
`3/1998 Chen
`
`"Graphic User Interface Builder Menu Coostntction Using A
`Tree- View Container" IBM Technical Disclosure Bullcntin,
`vol. 38 No. 9 Sep. 1995.
`"Entertainment Industry Leader Rich Rank Takes Helm At
`Cybermea ls, World's Largest Online Meal Ordering Sys(cid:173)
`tem" Sep. 15, 1998, <URL:Http://wwv-.r.food.com/food.spb!
`saisp ... s/aboutus/pressrelease.jsp?id=228>, printed on
`Apr. 20, 2001.
`"W3C Putting Compact HTML, HDML to Test for Net
`Access-Mobile Markup Langueages Face Off", Yosbiko
`Hara, Apr. 6, 1998, <URL:http://www.tecbweb.com/se/
`direcilink.cgi?eetl9980406s0089>, printed Sep. 2, 1999.
`Primary Examiner-Cao (Kevin) Nguyen
`(74) Allorney, Agent, or Firm-Morgan & Finnegan, L.L.P.
`
`(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
`systems, user-friendly and efficient generation of computer(cid:173)
`ized menus and reservations with handwritten/voice modi(cid:173)
`fications for restaurants and other applications 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, printer or the like.
`
`16 Claims, 8 Drnwing Sheets
`
`POSte-System
`
`!g)
`
`r 15
`
`~ 16
`
`l PAY
`l
`Login \ alECKS ] aiOOl J VllW
`Tbl67 Sst 2
`Choose Rem:
`II Entrees I
`I App
`II Dessert
`II Drinks
`II
`II Sdwch
`I Solods
`II Soups
`I
`II
`II
`I
`II
`I
`II
`II
`I
`II
`I
`Direction:
`II P1llV
`I
`II
`I w.tl
`II
`Select Goest to Order for:
`II
`I
`II
`II
`I
`2
`1
`Lost Selection
`I
`II
`I
`II Concel II Browse I
`I OK
`
`PACE
`
`liOC6
`
`ROOM lAS1
`
`Petitioners' Exhibit 1005, Page 1
`
`

`

`~ POS - Menu Exolorer
`Eile Edit
`'!Jew
`~elp
`@ m 0
`+ • + ... ®
`(21 ~
`en Menu
`Modifier
`aJ o Appetizers
`~CHEESE
`rn Q Desserts
`li> CONDIMENTS
`[£) o Drinks
`~DRESSING
`~ Q:ll Entrees I
`o MEAT TEUPERATIJRE
`1±1 ~ Chicken
`o PREPARED
`oloUANTnY
`li> VEGETABLES
`
`N CD Red Meat
`
`Q [dj~ ~ ~
`1 Code
`I Price
`1107
`0
`3984
`0
`1084
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`4083
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`3486
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`o SIDE
`
`Tcode
`3241
`3242
`3243
`
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`
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`NO
`EXTRA
`SIDE
`
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`l rn ~ LAMB
`: e l!l NY STRIP
`l
`~ o ~CUABLES
`l
`L- QJ MEAT TEMPERATURE
`i ~ t.IED RARE
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`i ~ MEDIUM
`I ~RARE
`I
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`l ffi ~ VEAl.. SCALOPPINI
`rn o seafood
`IE o Salads
`I'm o Sandwiches
`rn ° Soups
`Reodv
`
`I IOJJxl
`
`/
`
`5
`
`8
`
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`
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`I
`
`/
`
`MODIRERS
`WINDOW
`
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`
`SUB-
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`FIG.1
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`l
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`I
`
`- -
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`4
`
`2
`
`- -
`
`3
`
`7
`
`....,
`
`Petitioners' Exhibit 1005, Page 2
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan.3,2006
`
`Sheet 2 of 8
`
`US 6,982,733 Bl
`
`Modifier
`
`Long Name:
`
`f
`Short Name: [
`I
`!o
`I OK
`
`Code:
`
`Price:
`
`18]
`I v- 10
`I
`I
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`II
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`
`II
`
`FIG.2
`
`Men u Category
`
`f
`Long Name:
`Short Name: f
`
`11
`
`~
`I /
`I
`
`I
`
`OK
`
`II
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`
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`
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`
`FIG.3
`
`Petitioners' Exhibit 1005, Page 3
`
`

`

`Menu Item
`
`1ong Name:
`I Chicken Alaska
`
`I
`
`Qode:
`1 5612
`
`I
`Erice:
`I 112.95
`
`Short Name:
`I ChxAis
`Recipe
`Flame broiled brandy marinated Tender Chicken Breast
`topped with a creamy cilantro sauce. Served with
`steamed broccoli, carrots and zucchini.
`
`Erep. ]me:
`
`I
`
`112
`
`~
`
`v 12
`
`I
`
`I
`
`G
`
`Spices include lemon pepper, paprika, ginger.!
`
`El
`II Browse I
`
`I
`
`OK
`
`II Cancel
`FIG.4
`
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`......
`
`Petitioners' Exhibit 1005, Page 4
`
`

`

`Customize
`Select Columns l Format Columns l Select Filter I Select Sort l Select St~e l
`Selected Columns
`Available Columns:
`Nome
`Nome
`Code
`Display
`Price
`Image
`Code
`Price
`
`I
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`I <<Eemove I
`I Move ~p I
`I Move Qown I
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`FIG.5
`
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`0\
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`
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`
`Petitioners' Exhibit 1005, Page 5
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
`
`Jan.3, 2006
`Jan. 3, 2006
`
`Sheet 5 of 8
`Sheet 5 0f 8
`
`US 6,982,733 Bl
`US 6,982,733 B1
`
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`
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`Petitioners' Exhibit 1005, Page 6
`
`

`

`POSce-System
`l PAY 1
`login J CHECKS l ORDER l VIEW
`Choose Item:
`Tbl67 Sst 2
`II Entrees
`I Drinks
`II Dessert
`App
`l Soups
`II Sdwch
`II
`Salads
`II
`II
`I
`II
`II
`I
`Direction:
`II
`II
`I WJN
`Select Guest to Order for:
`II
`II
`I
`last Selection
`I
`
`1
`
`PREV
`
`2
`
`II PAGE
`II
`ll
`
`MOOS
`
`REMOVE LAST
`
`(g)
`
`15
`
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`
`16
`
`/
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`
`Browse I
`
`FIG.7
`
`Petitioners' Exhibit 1005, Page 7
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
`
`Jan. 3, 2006
`Jan. 3, 2006
`
`Sheet 7 MS
`Sheet 7 of 8
`
`US 6,982, 733 Bl
`US 6,982,733 B1
`
`
`
`..
`~
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`
`FIG.8
`
`Petitioners’ Exhibit 1005, Page 8
`
`Petitioners' Exhibit 1005, Page 8
`
`

`

`Ameranth 21st Century Communications Integration
`
`" -
`
`WAN Wireless
`Growth in 2000+
`
`/
`
`/
`
`POS I nterface
`15+ POS Partners
`
`Ethemet
`
`• On-line ordering
`• On-line reservations
`• On-line waitlisting
`• On-line Frequent
`customer
`• On-line reports/
`coordination
`
`27M Hz 318MHz
`
`Spectrum24
`
`Spectrum24
`
`318MHz
`
`4
`
`I
`
`Padlink
`Table Status
`
`Ameranth Middleware
`Communications Controller
`Linked Databases
`• Com setup
`• Wait list
`• Frequent Customers
`• Reservations
`
`Other PC-
`based
`systems
`
`Ethernet
`~
`
`Jtech Paging
`
`'l
`
`I Wireless Hub
`
`tJ
`
`[;I] Web l inks
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`
`2700 for
`wireless POS
`
`2700 for
`hostess
`station
`..
`AMERANTH
`w lnCLCS$ SVSl"rM S S Ot U TrON S FIG. 9
`
`2700 for
`Manager
`Inventory
`Scanning
`
`2700 for
`valet parking
`
`Fixed POS
`stations with
`Spectrum24
`card
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`co
`
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`
`Petitioners' Exhibit 1005, Page 9
`
`

`

`US 6,982,733 Bl
`
`1
`INFORMATION MANAGEMENT AND
`SYNCHRONOUS COMMUNICATlONS
`SYSTEM WITH MENU GENERATION, AND
`HANDWRITING AND VOICE
`MODIFICATION OF ORDERS
`
`The present application is a continuation-in-part of appli(cid:173)
`cation Ser. No. 09/400,413, filed Scp. 21, 1999 now U.S.
`Pat. No. 6,384,850. The contents of application Ser. No.
`09/400,413 are incorporated herein by reference.
`
`FIELD OF TilE INVENTION
`
`lbis invention relates to an information management and
`synchro nous communications system and method for gen(cid:173)
`eration of computerized menus for restaurants and other
`applications with specialized display and synchronous com(cid:173)
`munications requirements related to, for example, the use of
`equipment or sore with ooo-PC-s tandard grapllical formats,
`display sizes and/or applications for use in remote data entry,
`information management and synchronous communication
`between host computer, digital input device or remote pager
`via standard hardwired connection, the internet, a wireless
`link, smart phone or the like.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`While computers have d ramatically altered many aspects
`of modern life, pen and paper have prevailed in the hospi(cid:173)
`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(cid:173)
`pared foods bas 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 digita l wireless com(cid:173)
`munication devices are in common use, e.g., digital wireless
`messengers and pagers. Also in common usc are portable
`laptop and handheld devices. However, user-friendly infor(cid:173)
`mation management and communication capability not
`requiring extensive computer expertise has not heretofore
`been available for use in everyday life sucb as fo r restaurant
`ordering, reservations and wait-list management, Hundreds
`of millions of dollars bave been spent on personal digital 45
`assistant (''PDA") development seeking to produce a small,
`light-weight and inexpensive device that could be adapted to
`sucb 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, so
`they must compromise the si7-C 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 o( the display sllrinks, the amount o( information
`that may be displayed at any one point or time is commen- ss
`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- 60
`able for the time criticality of ordering, reservation and
`wait-list management and other similar applications. This
`necessitates many design compromises wllich in the aggre(cid:173)
`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
`
`2
`solution to the ordcring/waitlist/reservatioo problem dis(cid:173)
`cussed above. With the advent of the Palm® and other
`handhe ld wireless devices, however, the efforts to make such
`devices ubiquitous have begun to bear fruit at least in some
`5 areas, e.g., personal calendars. However, substantial use of
`such devices in the restaurant and hospitality context bas not
`occurred to date. As discussed above, at least one of the
`reasons PDAs have not been quickly assimilated in to the
`restaurant and hospitality industries is that their small dis-
`10 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 band(cid:173)
`held computing devices has not previously been available.
`15 Such features would include fast and automatic synchro ni(cid:173)
`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
`20 ("API") that enables third parties such as point of sale
`(" POS") companies, affinity program companies and inter(cid:173)
`net content providers to fully integrate with computerized
`hospita lity applications, real-time communication over the
`internet with direct connections or regular modem dialup
`25 connections and support for batch processing that can be
`done periodically throughout the day to keep multiple sites
`in syncb with the central database. A single point of entry for
`all hospitality applications to communicate with one another
`wirelessly bas also previously been unavail able. Such a
`30 single point of entry would work to keep all wireless
`handheld devices and linked Web sites in syncb with the
`backoffice server (central database) so that the different
`components are in equilibrium at any given time and an
`overall consistency is acllieved. For example, a reservation
`35 made online would be automatically communicated to the
`backoffice server and then synchronized with all the wireless
`handhe ld devices wire lessly. Similarly, changes made on
`any of the wireless handheld devices would be reflected
`instantaneously on the backoffice server, Web pages and the
`40 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 funct ions 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(cid:173)
`base synchronization for such applications. Specifica lly, the
`unavailability of any simple technique for creating restau(cid:173)
`rant menus and the like for usc in a limited display area
`wireless handheld device o r that is compatible with ordering
`over the in ternet 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(cid:173)
`munications system and method which facilitates user(cid:173)
`friendly and efficient generation of computerized menus for
`restaurants and otber 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
`65 improved information management and synchronous com(cid:173)
`munications system and method which provides for entry,
`management and communication of information from the
`
`Petitioners' Exhibit 1005, Page 10
`
`

`

`US 6,982,733 Bl
`
`3
`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 i,nformation management and synchronous com-
`munications system which is small, affordable and light(cid:173)
`weight yet incorporates a user-friendly operator interface
`and displays menus in a readily comprehensible formal.
`A further object of the present invention is to provide a
`synchronous information management and communications 10
`system wbicb 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
`
`4
`ally communicated and exchanged. The resultant combined
`message of one or more fixed indications selected from a
`menu of a device such as a band-held, and dynamic band(cid:173)
`written messages and/or data provides an even more pow-
`erful tool than either modality used independently.
`For example a restaurant server taking a drink order could
`select from a menu of her band-held device's screen " Iced
`Tea", and the n manually write in the literal screen of ber
`band-held "with lemon" as shown in PIG. 8. The manually-
`wrillen information could, for example, be printed or dis(cid:173)
`played in front of a bartender preparing the drink order. The
`indication '"Iced "lea" as selected from a menu of the
`band-held would also be presented to the bartender, perhaps
`by printing and/or screen display. The server can also select
`15 any printer from within the hospitality establishment directly
`(rom the operator interface o n the screen of the band-held
`and have either the order or the receipt printed out where it
`is most convenient and efficient Similarly, a server taking a
`drink o rder could select from a menu of her hand-be.ld
`20 device's screen "Iced Tea", and then record the voice
`message ·'with lemon" using her hand-held device integral
`microphone. The recorded information could, for example,
`be played on a speaker allached to a computer, POS system,
`or the like located near the bartender or chef preparing the
`25 order. The indication " Iced 1ea" as selected from a menu of
`the band-held would also be presented to tbe bartender/chef,
`perhaps by printing and/or screen display. Both the literal
`screen capture method and the voice recorded message
`method combine the power of auto matic fixed menu gen-
`30 eration with the expanded flexibility to resolve operational
`issues that exist throughout the hospitality market without
`this innovative solution. Additionally, in certain
`embodiments, band-writing and voice recognition technolo(cid:173)
`gies can be utilized to convert the manual operator inputs
`35 into appropriate text messages which can be combined with
`the computer generated menu options to convey the com(cid:173)
`bined information to, for example, a bartender or chef.
`S imilarly, band-held devices can link the above innova(cid:173)
`tions to individual customers at specific tables through a
`40 graphical user interface on the band-held screen tbat assigns
`each customer a number within a table. For example, table
`20 might have 6 customers (1-6) and each customer bas a
`different order, By enabling the linkage of the orders to
`specific customer positions within the table and accessible
`45 from the hand-held screen, the servers can easily track and
`link the specific orders to the specific customers.
`The usc of wireless handheld devices in tbe restaurant aod
`hospitality industry is becoming increasingly pervasive as
`restaurant owners and managers become more aware of tbe
`so benefits. With the proper wireless handheld system in place,
`restaurants can experience increased table turns from
`improved server productivity and shorter order taking and
`check paying times. Restaurants and POS companies seek(cid:173)
`ing to provide a wireless handheld interface to their desktop-
`55 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 band(cid:173)
`held devices or Web pages that will interface with servers
`wirelessly or to restaurants/customers over the internet T he
`60 menu generation approach of the present invention is the
`first coherent solution avail able to accomplish these objec(cid:173)
`tives easily and allows one development effort to produce
`both the handheld and Web page formats, link them with the
`existing POS systems, and thus provides a way to turn a
`65 complicated, time-consuming task into a simple process.
`The information management and synchronous commu(cid:173)
`nications system of the present invention features include
`
`SUMMARY OF TilE INVENTION
`
`The fo regoing and other objects of the present invention
`are provided by a synchronous information management and
`communications system and method optimized for simplic(cid:173)
`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(cid:173)
`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 o ther 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(cid:173)
`erized menus for, e.g., restaurants and other related appli(cid:173)
`cations that utilize non-PC-standard graphical formats, dis(cid:173)
`play s izes or applications.
`lbe menu generation approach of the present invention
`bas 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
`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.
`Manual modifications to the generated menus inc lude
`handwritten screen captures and/or voice recorded message
`captures coupled with the standard menus and modifiers
`generated according to standard choices . Such manual
`modifications enable an extremely rapid and intuitive inter(cid:173)
`face to e nhance operations and further optimize the overall
`operator interface. This approach solves a long-standing,
`operational issue in restauranl/hoteVcasino food/drink order(cid:173)
`ing when customers want something unusual and not antici(cid:173)
`pated and available through normal computerized selections.
`As seen in FIG. 8, the operator screen on the band-held can
`capture handwritten info rmation specific to a customers
`requests directly on the touch-sensitive screen of the wire(cid:173)
`less computing device. This additional information can then
`be coupled witb the fixed menu and modifier inf:onnatioo
`generated automatically from
`the hospitality application
`software and ibe combined message can be sent to a res(cid:173)
`taurant point of sale (POS) system, printer or/or display
`system. This unique operator interface enables universal
`languages and an unlimited set of information to be manu-
`
`Petitioners' Exhibit 1005, Page 11
`
`

`

`US 6,982,733 Bl
`
`5
`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 5
`providers to Cully integrate with computerized hospitality
`applications, real-time commtmication 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 10
`central database.
`'J11e communication module also provides a single point
`of entry for aU hospitality applications, e.g., reservations,
`frequent customer ticketing, wait lists, etc. to communicate
`with one another wirelessly and over the Web. This com(cid:173)
`munication module is a layer that sits on top of any com(cid:173)
`munication protocol and acts as an interface between hos(cid:173)
`pitality applications and the communication protocol and
`can be easily updated to work with a new communication
`p rotocol without modifying the core hospitality applications.
`An exemplary system diagram of such a communications
`systemic relationship is shown in FIG. 9 and serves as an
`example of the power of the synchronization element of the
`invention through a common, linked solution. A s ingle point
`of entry works to keep all wireless handheld devices and
`linked web sites in syncb with the backoffice server appli(cid:173)
`cations 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 synchro(cid:173)
`nized with all the wireles.<; handheld devices wirelessly.
`Similarly, changes made on any o( the wireless handheld
`devices are reflected instantaneously on the backoffice
`server Web pages and the other handheld devices.
`
`BRI EF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`The foregoing features and advantages of the present
`invention can be appreciated more Cully from lbe following
`description, with references to the accompanying drawings
`in which:
`FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a window dis(cid:173)
`played on a computer display screen which shows a hierar(cid:173)
`chical tree menu, modifier window and sub-modifier win(cid:173)
`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.
`PIG. 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(cid:173)
`zation dialog box in conformity with a preferred embodi(cid:173)
`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 poiot of sale
`interface on a wireles.s handheld device for use in displaying
`page menus created in conformity with a preferred embodi(cid:173)
`ment of the present invention.
`FIG. 8 is an example of a literal, band-written screen
`according to embodiments of the present invention.
`
`6
`FIG. 9 is an exemplary system diagram relating to
`embodiments of the present invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRlPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
`Most personal computers today run under an operating
`system that provides a graphical user interface ("GUJ") for
`accessing user applications. A GUT is used in the preferred
`embodiment of the preseot invention. Through an interface
`of windows, puJI-down menus, and tool bars, GUI operating
`systems have simplified PCs and have rendered computer
`technology more user friendly by eliminating tbe need to
`memorize keyboard entry sequences. In addition, GUis
`allow users to manipulate their data as they would physical
`J5 entities. For example, a window can represent a file and the
`contents of the window can represent the records of the fi le.
`The window can be opened, closed, or set aside on a des!..'top
`as if it were an actual object. The records of the file can be
`created, deleted, modified and arranged in a drag-and-drop
`20 (ashioo as iJ they also were physical objects. The most
`common GUT operating systems that provide this "object(cid:173)
`oriented" environment for personal computers arc Microsoft
`Windows® systems, including Windows CE® for handheld
`wireless devices and the like. Generally, a particular appli-
`25 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 turo, communicates with the
`application by "pointing" at g raphical objects in the window
`with a pointer that is controlled by a band-operated pointing
`30 device, such as a mouse, or by pressing keys on a keyboard.
`The use of menus is conventional in GU!s fo r software
`applications. Menus arc typically utilized to provide cod
`users of applications with available clJOices o r processing
`options wbiJe using the applications. For example, in a
`35 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(cid:173)
`tional subordinate or child options associated with them. If
`a fi le option having subordinate options is selected, the child
`40 options are displayed in coo text i o a child menu or submenu
`proximate to the selected pare nt 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
`45 s how the parent/child relationships between options of the
`context menu. A menu system of this type is incorporated
`into the preferred embodimeot of the invention. The pre(cid:173)
`ferred embodiment o( the present invention uses typical
`hardware elements in the form of a computer workstation,
`so operating system and application software elements which
`configure the hardware elements for operation in accordance
`with the present invention. A typical workstation platform
`includes hardware such as a central processing unit
`("CPU"), e.g., a Pentium® microprocessor, RAM, ROM,
`55 bard 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 s torage devices such as floppy drive or a CD
`ROM d rive. The workstation hardware is configured by
`60 software including an operating system, e.g., Windows® 95,
`98, NT or CE, networking software (including internet
`browsing software) and appljcation software components.
`The preferred embodiment also encompasses a typical file
`server platform including hardware such as a CPU, e.g.,
`65 Pentium® microprocessor, RAM, ROM, bard drive,
`modem, and optional removable storage devices, e.g., floppy
`or CD ROM drive. The server hardware is configured by
`
`Petitioners' Exhibit 1005, Page 12
`
`

`

`US 6,982,733 Bl
`
`8
`files are s tored on a P C with folders and subfoldcrs. The
`menu structure is similar to the Windows® File Explorer in
`the way the items are organized hierarchically. Below is an
`example of bow an item may be configured:
`
`7
`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(cid:173)
`ment also includes a GU !. As is conventional, the GUI is s
`configured to present a graphical display on the display
`screen arranged to resemble a single desktop. Execution of
`Menu
`an application program involves o ne or more user interface
`>> Entrees
`objects represented by windows and icons. Typically, there
`>> Red Meal
`may be several windows and icons simultaneously present 10
`»
`!\'Y Strip
`on the desktop and displaying information that is generated
`>> Vegetables
`>> Tomato
`by diJiercnt applications. The window environment is gen(cid:173)
`>> Lettuce
`erally part of the operating system software that includes a
`Meal Temperature
`collection of utility programs for controlling the operation of
`>> Medium Rare
`the computer system. The computer system, in turn, interacts 15 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - (cid:173)
`with application p rograms to provide higher level
`In the above example, M