throbber
4,722,053
`[11] Patent Number:
`[19]
`United States Patent
`
`Dubno et a1.
`[45] Date of Patent:
`Jan. 26, 1988
`
`[76]
`
`[54] FOOD SERVICE ORDERING TERMINAL
`WITH VIDEO GAME CAPABILITY
`_
`Inventors: Michael Dubno, 5938 Llebig Ave,
`Riverdale, NY. 10471; Daniel
`Dubno, 261 w. 11th 51., New York,
`N.Y. 10014
`
`[21] APPL N04 454,152
`[22] Filed:
`Dec. 29’ 1982
`
`[51]
`
`Int. Cl.4 ...................... G06F 15/24; G06F 15/44;
`A63F 9/22
`[2:] 19,51th 5'""""Ii""""""""'364746136213012’7ggg4é0
`[
`]
`1e
`0
`earc
`"""""""
`’
`273/DIG 28’
`'
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`US. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`6/1971 Felcheck ............................. 364/900
`3,588,838
`4,128,757 12/1978 Garner, Jr.
`........... 235/383
`
`4,133,530
`1/1979 Takaichi et a1.
`.
`273/131‘3' 28 X
`
`4,222,111
`9/1980 Sloan et a].
`......
`............ 364/900
`4,247,106
`1/1981
`Jeffers et a1.
`364/410 X
`
`364/411
`8/1931 Meday ----------
`4.285,323
`
`4,300,040 11/1981 Gould 3‘ 31-
`-
`235/381
`
`4,302,010 ll/l981 Kaenei ............. 364/411 X
`4,335,809
`6/1982 Wain .............
`273/DIG. 28 x
`
`
`6/1983 Hayman et a1
`............ 364/401
`4,388,689
`4,415,065 11/1983 Sandstedt ........................ 364/401 X
`
`4,420,234 12/1983 Doleisi et al.
`....................... 353/122
`4,449,186 5/1984 Kelly et a1. .................. 364/407
`
`..... 358/50
`4,485,398 11/1984 Chapin, Jr. et a1
`4,547,851 10/1985 Kurland .............................. 364/401
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`2105075
`3/1983 United Kingdom .
`
`Primary Examiner—Jerry Smith
`Assistant Examiner—Clark A. Jablon
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Karl F. Ross; Herbert Dubno
`
`[57]
`ABSTRACT
`A computer operated food servcie establishment has
`individual patron locations each provided with a game-
`playing terminal from which patrons can select games
`to be played from a listing thereof provided by the
`P
`central computer unit. Each termainl also dis lays the
`food service items available and from the display, auto-
`matically, the patrons can select respective items and
`the selected items are displayed at a remote terminal,
`e.g. in the kitchen, to enable preparation of the food
`service items while game play continues at the termi-
`nals. Game play is automatically terminated upon the
`lapse of a selected time period subsequent to food ser-
`V‘ce'
`
`6 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures
`
`5 TAR 1,
`
`100
`
`l'
`
`DISPLAV WELCONE
`"ch “on:
`
`101
`
`INPUT
`FROM
`
`102
`
`m s PLAY
`msmucnous
`
`103
`
`PATRON? 8YES
`
`124
`
`423
`
`DISPLAY NAMES
`on LARGE SCREEN
`YES
`
`122
`N0
`
`121
`
`120
`
`‘25
`
`PRINT PAYRON an.
`WITH SCORES Em
`
`DISPLAV GOODBYE
`MESSAGE
`YES
`
`SELECT GAME
`No.0F PLAVEds,
`ETC.
`
`NAMES
`ENTER FLAVERS
`
`104
`
`105
`
`Puvvmeosmss 106
`on SCREEN usme
`MULTIPLAVER v
`SINGLE HAY GM:
`
`e'l
`
`'07
`
`YES
`FLACE 6AME
`IN. I‘I‘USE STATUS
`DISPLAV FOOD
`M ENU
`
`SELECT F000]
`P E R SON
`
`109
`
`110
`
`No
`
`TIME
`LIMIT
`EACHED.’
`
`“9
`
`118
`
`117
`
`RESUME GAME
`F LAV
`DISPLAY GRAPHIC
`FAYTERNS DUE
`EATING
`YES
`
`I16
`
`408
`
`no
`
`FOOD
`READY?
`
`14
`
`4
`
`RESUm‘EA'GAME
`SEND FOOD ORDER
`EgA‘fiéu’iKlNG
`
`m
`_ _ _
`
`118
`ADD ITEMS 1'0
`PATRON: BIU.
`115
`FOOD READY
`pAr
`TRIGGER
`DIES-2:1
`U N I T
`113
`x- 1
`_ _
`1. _ _. _ _
`,rcoox roan .
`,4
`F
`‘
`
`D113
`
`LCAXMOKRE
`112
`
`ZYNGA EX. 1019
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jan. 26, 1988
`
`Sheet 1 of 3
`
`4,722,053
`
`25
`
`DINING ROOM
`
`COMPUTER
`
`(MEMORY)
`
`MONITOR
`
`PRINTER
`
`SELECTOR
`
`FIG.1
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jan. 26, 1988
`
`Sheet 2 of3
`
`4,722,053
`
`24
`
`24
`
`M | CRO—
` MICRO-
`M | CRO‘
`
`COMPUTER
`COMPUTER
`
`JOYSTICK {
`
`
`
`LIGHT PEN
`
`COMPUTER
`
`(MEMORY)
`
`
`COMPUTER
`
`
`
` PRINTER
`
`
`
`MONITOR
`
`S E LECTOR
`
`25
`
`26
`
`
`
`SCREEN
`
`40
`
`
`FIG.2
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jan. 26, 1988
`
`Sheet 3 of 3
`
`4,722,053
`
`STOP
`
`124
`
`DISPLAY WELCOME
`ATTRACT MODE
`
`‘01
`
`DISPLAY NAMES
`ON LARGE SCREEN
`
`I123
`
`YES
`
`422
`
`NO
`
`PRINT PATRON BILL
`WITH SCORES ETC.
`
`5 T O P
`
`121
`
`420
`
`125
`
`DISPLAY GOODBYE
`M ESSA CIE
`
`YES
`
`NO
`
`
`
`TIME
`LIMIT
`REACHED?
`
`
`
`H9
`
`FIG?)
`
`402
`
`YES
`
`DIS PLAY
`INSTRUCTIONS
`
`403
`
`104
`
`405
`
`I06
`
`SELECT GAME
`NO. OF PLAY ERS,
`ETC.
`
`ENTER PLAYERS
`NAMES
`
`
`PLAY VIDEO GAMES
`
`ON SCREEN USING
`
`MULTIPLAYER +
`
`SINGLE PLAY GAMES
`
`
`
`
`
`
`YES
`
`PLACE GAME
`IN PAUSE STATUS
`
`DISPLAY FOOD
`M EN u
`
`SELECT ROOD/
`PERSON
`
`408
`
`409
`
`“0
`
`
`
`PLAY
`
`DISPLAY GRAPHIC
`PAT TERNS DURING
`EATIN G
`
`YES
`
`H6
`
`118
`
`M7
`
`FOODNo.
`. “4
`
`RESUME GAME
`PLAY
`
`SEND FOOD ORDER
`TO COOKING
`STATION
`
`“I
`
`_ _' _
`
`
`
`“8
`
`ADD ITEMS TO
`PATR NS
`ILL
`O
`
`8
`
`H5
`
`FOOD READY
`TRIGGER
`PATRON
`
`DISPLAY
`
`"I
`-—
`f—coox FOOD .I
`J
`L-—
`
`DIS PLAY ORDER
`TO COOK
`
`
`
`
`
`H2
`
`

`

`1
`
`4,722,053
`
`FOOD SERVICE ORDERING TERMINAL WITH
`VIDEO GAME CAPABILITY
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`invention relates to a computer-con-
`Our present
`trolled food service establishment and, more particu-
`larly, to a method of operating a computer system and
`to a food service establishment utilizing computer con-
`trol.
`
`The invention also relates to a process for preparing
`food service orders, to an entertainment medium associ-
`ated with food service and a combination food-service
`and entertainment establishment.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`One of the major hallmarks of the last few years has
`been the establishment of the electronic game industry
`in a variety of forms, making available apparatus and
`techniques which have created new vistas in entertain-
`ment. For example, the advent of the microprocessor
`permitted so-called computer games to be produced in
`cartridge, tape or disk form for playing upon special
`purpose machines and even general purpOse microcom-
`puters or the like.
`Games have been developed for large computer in-
`stallations as well and, with refinements in graphics
`technique, have proved to be fascinating for young and
`adult alike.
`
`In fact, experts in the field have recognized that video
`games may prove to be an important factor in decreas-
`ing a latent hostility between the individual and the
`computer, which hostility appears to have been in-
`grained in mankind since the development of so-called
`“thinking” machines.
`However, to a certain extent, computer games and
`machines have, in spite of their versatility, made little
`headway in the food service field or in entertainment
`associated with food service.
`For example, orders at food service establishments
`are still customarily taken by waiters or waitresses,
`manually inscribed upon a suitable memorandum, such
`as a multileaf book, manually or orally transmitted to
`the cook or food-preparation personnel, and ultimately
`delivered by hand by the waiter to the table.
`Entertainment in food service establishments may be
`live, e.g. as in nightclubs, or may be prerecorded as in
`discotheques and even in establishments catering to
`youth and keying, for example, on video displays, old
`motion pictures and the like.
`Personal involvement of the customer in the enter-
`tainment operation and even in the food ordering inter-
`play is at a minimum.
`OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
`
`It is the principal object of the present invention to
`provide a food service establishment in which disadvan-
`tages of earlier food service establishments are obviated
`and whereby the patron may be more efficiently served
`and entertained than has hitherto been the case.
`Another object of the invention is to provide a
`method of operating a computer system for similar
`ends
`
`Still a further object of this invention is to provide a
`method of controlling food service orders whereby
`disadvantages of earlier systems are obviated and an
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`65
`
`2
`optimum involvement of a patron in food service activ-
`ity and entertainment can be provided.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`These objects and others which will become apparent
`hereinafter are attained, in accordance with the present
`invention, which provides a food service establishment
`basically having a plurality of food-service stations, e.g.
`separate tables, each of which is provided with at least
`a rudimentary computer facility including at
`least a
`video monitor and game-playing elements permitting
`two patrons at the station to engage in a competitive
`game or any individual at any station to play a solitary
`game.
`According to a feature of the invention, the computer
`facility at each station is also connected to a central
`location provided with at least an output terminal at
`which selected menu items can be displayed or other-
`wise outputted and hence the order of the patrons pres-
`ented to the cooking or food-preparation staff.
`Advantageously, means is provided, after a predeter-
`mined period of games play, for interrupting the game
`in progress at a particular station at an appropriate
`point, e.g. after a certain number of points have been
`scored and/or a certain number of playing pieces have
`been destroyed, to provide an audio visual display wel-
`coming the patrons to the facility and displaying the
`various menu items available at the time together with
`prices and the like. The particular menu items can then
`be selected, e.g. by operating a light pen, a joystick,
`selector buttons or other selector means.
`According to a feature of the invention, the selected
`menu items can be stored, e.g. in the memory of a cen-
`tral computer facility connected to the various termi-
`nals, and tapped at the output station when, for exam-
`ple, monitoring personnel key in the number of the
`patron station.
`The output station can be provided with a printer
`which can display the selected items and price, calcu-
`late the taxes, provide a subtotal and, if desired, provide
`a final total as well as printing out, if desired, special
`purpose forms, e.g. credit card charge forms, the latter
`being thereafter imprinted with impressions from the
`patron’s card.
`According to another feature of the invention, the
`computer may, if the order is given, restore a game
`mode to the computer facility at each patron station,
`thereby allowing the patrons to entertain themselves
`pending receipt of the food which can be delivered
`from the kitchen in the usual manner.
`Once the food is delivered, the game mode can be
`terminated although, in some cases, the game mode can
`continue for a limited period, e.g. a half hour, after
`delivery of the food. At the end of this time, the com-
`puter facility at the patron station can provide an audi-
`o/visual display thanking the patron for his presence
`and inviting the patron, for example, to return and/or to
`move to an establishment adjacent the restaurant and
`provide it with standard coin-operated computer
`games.
`The system of the invention has numerous advan-
`tages and ramifications. For example, it allows direct
`communication between the patron and the kitchen so
`that the patron is immediately apprised of the availabil-
`ity or unavailability of a particular selected item,
`it
`eliminates the possibility of error since a direct line of
`communication is established, it provides an automatic
`printout so that food items which should be charged are
`
`

`

`4,722,053
`
`3
`not overlooked, it guarantees a more accurate account-
`ing, thereby avoiding irritating patrons, and, when the
`printed document also includes a record of the scores of
`the patron or patrons in various games, can also serve as
`a record and a remainder to the patron of the entertain-
`ing pastime associated with the particular meal.
`From the point of view of the patron, moreover, the
`system of the invention has numerous advantages. Since
`the computer facility is a fixture at each patron’s station,
`its use will tend to be more or less matter-of-fact and
`will serve to break down the invisible mental barrier
`between the individual and the machine. The system
`will occupy the time of an individual who might other-
`wise become irritated by delays in food service and will
`provide an introduction to a new personalized enter-
`tainment medium which for each patron station may be
`different from those of other patron stations. It is not
`necessary, therefore, for patrons to be subjected to the
`identical entertainment.
`
`Of course, the video monitor can be provided with
`selector means, for example, for running brief short
`subjects in a video mode and may serve for nonpar-
`ticipatory entertainment of the patron as well.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
`
`The above and other objects, features and advantages
`of the present invention will become more readily ap-
`parent from the following description, reference being
`made to the accompanying drawing in which:
`FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic plan view of an installation
`_
`iiiaccording to the present invention;
`FIG. 2 is a diagram of the computer installation; and
`FIG. 3 is an information flow diagram for the appara-
`' tus of the invention.
`
`SPECIFIC DESCRIPTION
`
`The installation shown in FIG. 1 comprises, in the
`“simplified form illustrated, a restaurant 10 having a
`5' dining room 11 and a kitchen 12, the various appliances
`“of the latter being represented diagrammatically at 13.
`' The dining room contains a number of patron stations
`14, each of which can be constituted by a table 15 sur-
`rounded by a number of chairs 16.
`On the wall or on the table, adapted to swivel about
`a vertical axis 17, is a video monitor 18 for each table.
`The video monitor forms part of a respective com-
`puter facility at each of the tables and may be simply an
`output terminal for the computer and/or an indepen-
`dent microcomputer, can be provided with a keyboard,
`or can be free from a keyboard. The use of a keyboard
`facility at each patron station is desirable since it allows
`more versatile use of the station.
`In the embodiments shown, however, the video mon-
`itor 18 is associated with four joysticks 19, each of
`which is adapted to be operated by a patron sitting in
`one of the chairs. In addition, a light pen 20 can be
`provided. The light pen 20, the joysticks and any key-
`board or other means for interfacing the individual with
`the computer facility, e.g. a track ball, can be used to
`play games which are displayed upon the screen. These
`games may be games for each individual to test his skill
`and played one at a time with the scores of the patrons
`at each station being recorded, competitive games re-
`quiring two or more inputs or, indeed, any conventional
`video or electronic game currently available in any
`form, cartridge, tape, disk or the like.
`Each of the computer facilities 21 at each patron
`station 14 can be connected to a central computer facil-
`
`4
`ity represented at 22 by suitable multiple conductor
`cables, the cables providing two-way information flow
`as shown by the lines 23.
`The central computer 22 is also connected to an out-
`put station 24 which can be directly located in the
`kitchen or in an ante-chamber thereof and which com-
`prises a monitor or other output terminal 25 having a
`keyboard 26 forming a selector and communication
`facility, and a printer 27.
`As can be seen from FIG. 2, a number of the micro-
`processor-controlled computer facilities 21 can be con-
`nected to the computer 22 which contains the usual
`memory.
`As will be apparent from the information flow dia-
`gram of FIG. 3, numerous modes of operation are possi-
`ble in accordance with the invention.
`
`Let us assume, for the basic mode of operation, that a
`group of patrons have been seated at a particular patron
`station 14 by the maitre d’ and are not prepared to order
`at that precise moment,
`i.e. they are awaiting a col-
`league, friend or other party.
`The maitre d’ turns on the video monitor which auto-
`matically, in response to the tum-on signal, triggers the
`computer 22 to transmit a game menu to the terminal.
`The patrons, utilizing the light pen 20, one of the
`joysticks 19 which can move a cursor, or the keyboard
`of the computer facility, select the first game to be
`played. Let us assume that this game is an individual
`game of skill acquiring points until the player is de-
`feated somehow.
`
`The first player plays the game, accumulates his
`points and indicates, by his selector, his name associated
`with these points. The machine resets and the other
`patrons play. Competition is continued in this manner
`until, at a predetermined time after the monitor has been
`turned on, e.g. fifteen minutes, at the end of one part of
`the game and before the beginning of the next, the game
`mode is interrupted and the computer 22 transmits to
`the patron station, a menu which may be printed and
`graphically displayed, with drawings or like video aug-
`mentation. An acoustic description of the menu may
`also be provided. The menu may be complete with
`prices and instructions to the patron that, after the menu
`has run through a third time, the patrons may select
`their respective dishes by the use of a light pen or touch
`screen.
`
`By manipulating the light pen, therefore, the patrons
`may select the respective dishes which are registered in
`the memory of the computer 22.
`In appropriate order, the kitchen personnel, operat-
`ing the selector keyboard 26, tap the memory and print
`out the selected dishes and prices. The computer can
`also, of course, signal the printer to total the charges,
`add any surcharge and apply any taxes.
`The total amount can be retained in the computer as
`a subtotal, should the patrons order further, adding the
`additional items to the previously subtotaled amount,
`applying the requisite tax and retotaling the bill.
`The printer may, in addition, simultaneously print out
`the total on a prepared credit card slip so that the waiter
`or other individual need merely run the patron’s credit
`card and the slip through a conventional imprinter.
`Based upon the displayed order, the kitchen staff, of
`course, can then prepare the dishes and send the dishes
`to the assigned table by a waiter or, if desired, a robot
`which can be programmed to deliver the food to the
`table and then return to the kitchen. Such robot convey-
`
`5
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`
`

`

`5
`ors are of the track or trackless type and have been used
`in hospitals and the like for some time.
`Naturally, while the patrons are waiting for receipt of
`the ordered food, the game mode is restored to the
`machine at their station and they can engage in a full
`spectrum of game play. If desired, the scores for the
`various games can be recorded in the memory and
`printed out on the bill when the latter is finally totaled.
`Once the food is delivered, utilizing the selector in
`the kitchen, the patrons can be thanked for their patron-
`age, invited to return and/or invited by audio/visual
`display to proceed to an adjacent facility provided with
`arcade-like video games.
`Of course it is also possible to provide for a certain
`postprandial entertainment period in which the video
`game mode is permitted to continue for a certain time.
`The restaurant may be provided with a screen 40
`which can be connected to the computer 22 to display
`the name of a high scorer for a selected period in any of
`the number of games and, of course, the operator of the
`establishment may wish to award prizes or other bene-
`fits to such high scorers as an inducement for them to
`enter and partake of the entertainment and repast.
`Of course, the system is not limited to entertainment
`in combination with food service, but can include the
`combination of food service with educational
`tech-
`niques. For example, instead of games of enjoyment or
`skill, games designed to improve the sales techniques,
`language capabilities or capacities or even general
`knowledge may be provided.
`For example, in teaching a language, the association
`of items of food and food service elements can be re-
`lated to foreign language enunciations from the audio
`facility provided at the patron terminal and at the same
`time the patron terminal may predisplay the foreign
`language word for the food item.
`In FIG. 3 we have presented a flow chart in which
`the rhomboids represent patron input,
`the rounded
`polygons output to the patron through the use of sound,
`graphics or speech synthesis, and the broken lines,
`human intervention in the sequence of operations.
`The input from the patron can be from a keyboard,
`joystick, touch screen, light pen or any equivalent input
`device.
`
`After the system has been placed in a start mode 100,
`the computer facility at the patron station displays a
`welcome by preprogrammed graphics and can enunci-
`ate such welcome utilizing the audio facility. This is
`referred to as the welcome attract mode 101.
`In the event no input from a patron is sensed at 102,
`the welcome attract mode is repeated since the patrons
`obviously are not suitably settled at the table to permit
`them to engage fully in the interaction with the system.
`If input from a patron is detected, the computer facil-
`ity at the patron station displays the instructions in the
`form of a game menu and describes the events to follow,
`i.e. the fact that a food menu will be presented in short
`order and the game play interrupted for the purpose of
`selecting from the menu. After instruction display at
`103 a particular game can be selected with a number of
`players and other items of choice common with video
`games and computer games.
`In addition, the players’ names can be entered at 105
`and the game play proceeds on the particular patron
`screen using multi-player and single-play games as rep-
`resented at 106.
`
`The duration of play is compared with elapsed time
`to determine at 107 whether the game play time limit
`
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`
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`15
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`20
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`30
`
`35
`
`45
`
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`
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`
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`
`4,722,053
`
`6
`has been reached. If not, game play can continue. If the
`time limit has been reached, upon the conclusion of the
`particular game in progress or portion of the game in
`progress, i.e. when a player has completed his turn, the
`game is placed in pause status as represented at 108 and
`the food menu is displayed as shown at 109.
`Utilizing the selector available to him, e.g. the joy-
`sticks, each player can then select the food which can
`be identified to the particular individual as represented
`at 110.
`
`The food order is transmitted to the cooking station
`or kitchen at 111 and is displayed to the cook at 112
`who prepares the food (step 113) in the usual manner.
`Once the order is sent, however, game plays resumed
`at 114 and the computer now monitors the input at 115
`controlled by the cooking facility to determine
`whether, at 116, the food is ready. If not, game play can
`continue. If the food is ready, of course, game mode is
`terminated and the computer facility at the patron sta-
`tion can display at 117 graphic patterns to provide a
`calm environment conducive to eating. These graphic
`patterns may be accompanied by appropriate music.
`Within the kitchen, items may be added at 118 to the
`patron’s bill, the data for which have previously been
`stored.
`
`After an appropriate period for eating, game play is
`resumed at 118 for a predetermined period which is
`monitored at 119. If the time limit is not reached, game
`play continues. However, should the time limit be
`reached,
`the computer facility at
`the patron station
`displays at 120 a farewell message which invites the
`patrons to return and suggests that they might, if de-
`sired, continue game play at an arcade facility in the
`vicinity.
`The patron bill with scores etc. is printed as represen-
`tated at 121 and the high scores for the respective games
`are evaluated at 122 for all of the patrons and, should a
`high score be detected at 122, it is displayed together
`with the name of the individual on the large screen 40 as
`represented at 123. The program then concludes at 124.
`If the patron has not gained a high score for the day,
`week, etc., the program stops at 125.
`We claim:
`
`1. A food service installation comprising:
`a plurality of patron stations, each comprising a din-
`ing table and seating means at said table for accom-
`modating a plurality of patrons;
`a computer facility at each of said stations, each com-
`puter facility comprising at least one video display
`terminal, and a plurality of game-playing imple-
`ments adapted to enable patrons at said station to
`play a game displayed on said terminal;
`means connected to said terminals for displaying
`thereon food service items adapted to be selected
`by the patrons;
`a further terminal operatively connected to the termi-
`nals at said station for displaying food service items
`selected by the patrons at the respective stations to
`enable the preparation of said food items;
`means connected to said terminals at said stations for
`permitting the playing of selected games at each
`terminal before and after the display of food ser-
`vice items at least for a limited time;
`a central computer connected to said terminals and
`feeding information to and receiving information
`from said terminals, said central computer being
`programmed to terminate games played at the ter-
`minals of said station upon the lapse of a selected
`
`

`

`4,722,053
`
`8
`3. A method of operating a computer system which
`comprises the steps of:
`(a) providing a plurality of patron stations, each
`equipped with a food-service table and seating
`means for a plurality of patrons with respective
`game-playing terminals of the computer system;
`(b) displaying on each of said terminals upon the
`seating of the patrons at a respective station, a
`listing of games provided for play at each terminal
`whereby the patrons utilizing implements con-
`nected to the respective terminal can participate in
`the game play;
`(c) after a predetermined game-play period, display-
`ing at each terminal a menu of food service items
`available for supply to the patrons whereby said
`patrons may select food service items from said
`menu;
`
`(d) permitting each terminal to operate in a game
`mode during the preparation of the food service
`items;
`(e) terminating operation of the game mode at each
`terminal at a predetermined time after the service
`of the prepared food service items to the respective
`station;
`(0 comparing scores attained in game play by patrons
`at each station with previous high scores for the
`respective game;
`(g) displaying each new score over a predetermined
`period of time on a central display visible to the
`patrons at all of said stations;
`(h) printing out indicia representing the selected food
`service items together with the parties thereof,
`automatically totaling the bill and printing out the
`total for printed bills at least for each station;
`(i) interrupting the game mode during the food eating
`period following food service; and
`(i) printing out indicia relating to the games played by
`the respective patrons at the respective terminals
`on a respective bill.
`4. The method defined in claim 3, further comprising
`the step of providing an audio visual welcoming display
`on each terminal prior to the initiation of a game mode.
`5. The method defined in claim 3, further comprising
`the step of providing an audio visual farewell display at
`each terminal upon the termination of the game mode.
`6. The method defined in claim 3, further comprising
`the step of providing an audio visual display on each
`terminal during the respective food eating.
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`
`7
`time period subsequent to food service, each of said
`stations being provided with a plurality ofjoysticks
`connected to the respective terminals for enabling
`the playing of the game thereon, said joysticks
`being connected to the respective terminals to en-
`able the selection of games from a game menu and
`food service items from a food service menu dis-
`
`played on the respective terminals by the respec-
`tive joysticks;
`a printer connected to said further terminal for print-
`ing out a patron’s bill, said printer being connected
`to print-out indicia relating to the games played by
`the respective patrons on the respective bills; and
`a central display common to all of said stations and
`means for activating said display upon the attain-
`ment of a high score in a game by one of said pa-
`trons.
`
`2. A food service installation comprising:
`a plurality of patron stations, each comprising a din-
`ing table and seating means at said table for accom-
`modating a plurality of patrons;
`a computer facility at each of said stations, each com-
`puter facility comprising at least one video display
`terminal, and a plurality of game-playing imple-
`ments adapted to enable patrons at said station to
`play a game displayed on said terminal;
`means connected to said terminals for displaying
`thereon food service items adapted to be selected
`by the patrons;
`a further terminal operatively connected to the termi-
`nals at said station for displaying food service items
`selected by the patrons at the respective stations to
`enable the preparation of said food items;
`means connected to said terminals at said stations for
`permitting the playing of selected games at each
`terminal before and after the display of food ser-
`vice items at least for a limited time; and
`a central computer connected to said terminals and
`feeding information to and receiving information
`from said terminals, said central computer being
`programmed to terminate games played at the ter-
`minals of said station upon the lapse of a selected
`time period subsequent to food service, the termi-
`nal at each station being constructed and arranged
`to respond to touch screen selection of food service
`items displayed on the terminal.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`3O
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`

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