Abstract:
A smart table configured to optimize hospitality management for hospitality venues. The smart table integrates communication systems, sensors, payment solutions, smart apps, mobile and embedded smart devices with cloud and big data back end solutions to create a complete ecosystem. The primary objective of this invention is to provide a fully integrated data and multimedia experience to customers, employees, and owners of hospitality venues. Hardware components include but are not limited to host servers, smart tables providing customers interactive multimedia, social media, menu selections, and payment options, and employee tablets or computers to interact with the system and customers as well. Software components include but are not limited to server management software and mobile application software and web software for users to interact with the server management software.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to hospitality service provider and restaurant management systems and accompanying hardware. Existing inventions include digital menus displayed on portable tablets screens in restaurants, games and interactive trivia displayed on fixed and portable tablet screens at restaurant tables, the ability to book reservations over the internet, and the ability to pay for and order food over the internet. These ad hoc pieces leave customers, hospitality service providers and restaurants unfulfilled because the components of these systems are not integrated in a way to give meaningful experiences to customers, hospitality service providers and restaurants alike. 
         [0002]    As opposed to ad hoc management and entertainment pieces, fully integrated systems can be used to manage restaurant data and customer interactions and allow for complete control of all the data exchange between the customer and the hospitality service providers or restaurant. These systems are easy to maintain and support with single interfaces that aim to reduce human data entry errors. Full integration means eliminating redundancy and allowing seamless inter-component communication. Monitoring and supporting of non-disparate systems leads to a better collaboration and interaction among different system components and increased over all productivity and save cost. 
         [0003]    Current fully integrated systems have limited hardware and software capability. It is advantageous for a business to have a single scalable system comprised of hardware and software components and modules with unlimited upgrade flexibility. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The Integrated Restaurant Management System (IRMS) is a complete end to end hospitality service provider (which may include but is not limited to restaurants, cafes, hotels, stadiums, food courts, and parks, hereinafter referred to as “restaurant”) management solution comprising swappable and scalable software and hardware components. When the components are integrated under one system, the processes of restaurant food ordering, payment, inter and intra-restaurant social networking, interactive multiplayer inter and intra-restaurant gaming, targeting advertisements, coupon redemption, creating menu ratings and reviews, making retail purchases, purchasing movie ticket ahead of a show, become seamlessly automated and can be performed from the mobile devices and “smart tables.” 
         [0005]    Components of IRMS ecosystem include a computer input device and display that acts as an interface to the rest of the IRMS system by communicating user requests to a computer sever and in turn receiving user responses from the computer server. The computer server processes user requests and applies predefined logic to connect to the other physical or logical components within the ecosystem or to third party ecosystems. 
         [0006]    Restaurant customers directly interact with the IRMS via a “smart table” comprised of multiple computing devices and peripherals that is connected to the IRMS server network using. The table comprises an embedded or mounted tablet device and a number of embedded peripheral accessories that utilize multi-purpose sensors, multimodal biometric authentication technologies, mobile payment technologies to create a seamless dining and entertainment experience. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    The following drawings are given for illustrative purposes only and are not meant to limit the present device: 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  is a diagram representing the operation of the IRMS system in a chain of restaurants connected to the IRMS back end cloud server; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a diagram representing the operation of the IRMS RSM module; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a diagram representing the operation of the IRMS FCCM module; 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a diagram representing the operation of the IRMS Chef Console Module; 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a diagram representing the operation of the IRMS Manager Console Module; 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is a diagram representing the operation of the IRMS Administrator Console Module; 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  is an isometric view of an IRMS table assembly with a single tablet assembly embedded into the IRMS table top; 
           [0015]      FIG. 8  is a front view of the payment module assembly; 
           [0016]      FIG. 9  is a top view of the sensor pad assembly; 
           [0017]      FIG. 10A  and  FIG. 10B  illustrate isometric views of an IRMS tabletop with single tablet assembly attached to the tabletop via a hinge assembly; 
           [0018]      FIG. 11  is an isometric view of an IRMS tabletop with single tablet assembly attached to the tabletop via a hinge and rail assembly; and 
           [0019]      FIG. 12  is a diagram representing the operation of the IRMS Corporate Cloud Management System (CCMS). 
           [0020]      FIG. 13  is a diagram depicts a complete IRMS ecosystem. 
           [0021]      FIG. 14  is a diagram depicts the components in content management system. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0022]    With specific reference to the drawings,  FIG. 1  in its entirety represents an Integrated Restaurants Management Solution (IRMS) system. The IRMS system substantially comprises a computer Server Module (SM) used to host the IRMS management software  101 , an Administrator Console Software Module (ACM) to manage, maintain, and operate the IRMS management software  102 , a Manager&#39;s Console Software Module (MCM) configured for a restaurant&#39;s manager to control and operate the IRMS system within the restaurant  103 , a waiter&#39;s software console configured for a waiter to be able to communicate with both customers and other staff members  104 , a Chef Console Software Module (CCM) configured for a chef to be able to communicate with the wait staff  105 , a waiter to serve the food and beverages ordered  106 , an electronic input device and display such as a tablet computer with a Request Submission Software Module (RSM)  708  configured to interface with the IRMS server and take customer requests, orders off a digital menu, and payments  107 , a Front Counter Console Software Module (FCCM) configured with a restaurant layout database to be used by a restaurant host to find seating, take reservations, view diner&#39;s profile and preferences  108 , public smart kiosks configured to place advance orders, make advance reservations, and interact with the IRMS from outside a restaurant  109 , computer, smartphone, and automobile software configured to place advance orders, make advance reservations, and interact with the IRMS generally  110 , and at least one restaurant integrated with the computer server and electronic input devices  111 . 
         [0023]    The IRMS system is customizable for each restaurant or restaurant chain&#39;s needs. In the case where a single restaurant may not have a host or hostess and therefore, have no need for the FCCM  108  because customers can seat themselves, the restaurant manager can disable the FCCM. In the case where a restaurant does not want customers to be able to order in advance from additional mobile applications  109  and smart kiosks within the IRMS  110  , the restaurant manager could disable the “order in advance functions”. 
         [0024]    The IRMS system can be divided into three subsystems, individual store subsystem (ISS), Backend Cloud Corporate Subsystem, Content Management Subsystem. 
       Individual Store Subsystem—ISS 
       [0025]    The ISS is a software and hardware subsystem that can be configured to run on a standalone server or integrated with a restaurant&#39;s existing back-end system by populating a shared database. The ISS subsystem comprises various software venue management system modules. These modules include but are not limited to a Request Submission Software Module (RSM), a Front Counter Console Software Module (FCCM), an Administrator Console Software Module (ACM), a Manager Console Software Module (MCM), a Chef Console Software Module (CCM), a Server Module (SM), and a Payment Module (PM). 
       RSM 
       [0026]    The Request Submission Software Module  708  is the interface software module installed on both a computer server and a computer input device and display in communication with the server. The RSM is configured to allow customers and additional system users to interact with the IRMS through the computer input device and display. This interaction includes the ability to place an order with the restaurant, play games, pay the bill, call the waiters attention, send messages to other customers, connect with social media, and make in-restaurant announcements.  FIG. 2  is a diagram representing the execution of the RSM on a computer input device and display and a computer server. The display on the computer input device is activated via a touch  201  from the customer. A new screen is rendered  202  and the customer is then presented with a screen which can display targeted advertisement  203  retrieved from advertisement databases stored on the computer server  204  and also display an options to access the digital food and beverage menu  205  and an options menu that are both stored on the computer server in a database  206 . The options menu presents customer selectable (touchable) options such as call the waiter to attention  207 ,  208  by sending a message through the computer input device and display to the computer server and the computer server paging the waiter&#39;s computer input device and display. Other selectable options include access to various social and digital media content  209  such as the customer&#39;s personal ordering profile and preferences, games  210 , classified ads  211 , music  212 , news  213 , payment options  214 , retail purchase options  215 , table to table chat  216 , Internet Browser  217 .  218  and  219  represent a set of servers connected to third party content providers such as music content management systems, including but not limited to iTunes or Spotify, payment processing servers, grocery or retail stores, and targeted advertisement servers. The content server diagram is also depicted in  FIG. 14 . Local servers  220  and  221  represent an in-house set of servers that are local to an individual store. 
         [0027]    Through the use of the computer input device and display customers may utilize the RSM to register personal profiles stored in a user profile database within the IRMS. The database can hold information such as customer email addresses and personal information, restaurant loyalty rewards, dietary preferences, restrictions, and allergens such that the digital food and beverage menu will filter out any items outside of the customers restrictions, or even seating preference so that a restaurant host using the IRMS will be prompted by the IRMS with a table that meets the customer&#39;s preferences. The data in the profile database can be shared with the advertisement database and advertisement server to display targeted ads based on the profile data on the computer input device and display. 
         [0028]    The digital food and beverage menu are stored in a database on the computer server and can be accessed and viewed through the RSM on a computer input device and display in communication with the ISS. The digital menu  205  allows for multi-page navigation by virtually sliding pages through a swiping action sideways or up and down. The customer is able to see categories of foods and beverages available  222 , select from that category list  223 , select an item  224 , view the item detail  225 , place the order  226 , modify the order  227 , provide special comments to the chef  228 , and send the order in through the computer input device and display to a database on the computer server accessible to the restaurant chef and wait staff on an additional computer input device and display  229 . Each digital menu entry can provide a description of an item, image(s) of the item, and may present options to the user, such as the option to display other customer reviews about the item. In addition, the digital menu entry can include facts about the item, dietary facts about the item, the option to add comments and share the consumer&#39;s thoughts  230  about the item or restaurant via social networking applications such as Facebook  231 , Google + 232 , and Twitter  233 . The customer may add their own images of items using their own mobile devices and upload the images to the digital menu database to be displayed along with the digital menu items after approval of the restaurant management. 
         [0029]    Customers may also use the RSM interface to rate digital menu items. Through the computer input device and display, the customer may select a digital rating that is then stored in a database of digital rating on the computer server and the rating is linked to the digital menu. Through the use of additional software modules, the ratings data can be collected and sorted to reflect a customer&#39;s likes and dislikes associated with each menu item at any particular time or time range. 
         [0030]    The social and digital media content may include but is not limited to a gaming menu that will allow customers to play preloaded and downloadable games on the input device, a chat and announcement menu that will allow the customer to securely chat (text, voice, or video conference) via the input device with other customers at different tables within the same restaurant or chain of restaurants, a classified ads menu that will allow customers to post classified ads to the restaurant&#39;s virtual bulletin board in the nature of local real estate, local jobs, local services, selling items and local events, and a music menu that will allow the customer to both purchase music and queue up music in an existing restaurant audio system. The social and digital media services may also include a book or game exchange service, where people can exchange or sell their games, textbooks or other books. An opportunity for storeowners to make extra revenue by charging nominal fee for these services. 
       Front Counter Console Module—FCCM 
       [0031]    The Front Counter Console Module (FCCM) is a software interface of the IRMS system that is designed to be used by either a cashier or host of a restaurant. With the FCCM an employee can log onto a secure portal via a computer input device and display with IRMS access to assign a table to new customers and wait staff. The FCCM is diagramed in  FIG. 3 . Once an employee is logged into the system, the employee can check the customer in  301 , check to see if that customer has a registered profile  302  and assign seating based on table preference of their registered profile  303 , check status of open tables  304 . If the table is open, the FCCM will assign a waiter  305 , and have the waiter alerted through the server of a new customer at their table  306 , if no table is available, the FCCM will calculate and assign wait time  307  and alert the customer and waiter when a the table becomes available. 
         [0032]    The FCCM is linked to the RSM customer profile database and can check if the customer has a pre-defined seating preference. If the RSM customer profile indicates a seating preference, the FCCM will use the seating preference data to search the restaurant table layout database to recommend a table that is closest to the customer seating preference. 
       Chef&#39;s Console Module—CCM 
       [0033]    The Chef&#39;s Console Software Module (CCM) is a software interface of the IRMS system configured to manage orders and delivery of food for a restaurant chef and wait staff. The CMM is diagramed in more detail in  FIG. 4 . Once a customer places an order through the computer input device via the RSM, the computer server  401  stores the order in the “Order List” database  402  that the CCM accesses. The CCM notifies the chef via the chef&#39;s computer input device and display when a new order  403  has been entered into the Order List and prompts the chef to check the order  404 . The orders can be labeled and sorted in the database by table number and sorted by time of entry as well. Once the chef selects the order via the computer input device and display  405 , she can view the order details  406  and begin preparing the order  407 . When the order is complete, the chef marks the order complete on the computer input device and display via the CCM  408 , and the wait staff is notified through the computer server on their computer input devices and displays to bring the order out to the customer. In restaurants without a wait staff, such as in a fast food setting, the CCM can notify the customer directly through the RSM that their order is available and to pick up their food at the front counter themselves. 
       Manager&#39;s Console Module—MCM 
       [0034]    The Manager&#39;s Console Software Module (MCM) is a software interface of the IRMS system that is configured to oversee the general activity and interactions between the customer, wait staff, and chef. The MCM is diagramed in more detail in  FIG. 5 . The MCM communicates with the IRMS computer server  501  to select the database containing table information  502 , view and edit order details of that table from the order database  503 , view payment information from the payment database and collect payments via communication with the RSM and the computer input device  504  and to compile reports from a particular table or group of tables concerning what was ordered and at what time  505 . The MCM also communicates with the IRMS computer server to allow a manger to call a member of the wait staff over to a particular table by communicating through the IRMS computer server to the wait staff&#39;s computer input device and display  506 . The MCM may override any data placed in the system by any other module and be used to submit  507  and edit orders  503 , and check on the CCM status  505 , and see if a table is empty or occupied. When a customer uses the RSM to call the wait staff, both the MCM and the CCM are alerted with a sound, blinking light, or vibration giving the opportunity for a manager to send a member of the wait staff over to the customer&#39;s table. The MCM also allows the manager to send text, audio, or video messages or announcements to tables individually or as a group that appear on those tables via the RSM. 
       Administrator Console Module—ACM 
       [0035]    The Administrator Console Software Module (ACM) is a software interface of the IRMS system configured to manage the customer&#39;s RSM interface. The ACM is diagramed in more detail in  FIG. 6 . Managers or administrators may log into the ACM using any device that has internet access via the secure administrator&#39;s portal website  601 . Once logged in  602 , the user will have the ability to select options such as Feedback  603  to create surveys  604  and view the customer review database on the IRMS server  605 , Menu Management  606  to edit, add or remove menu options  607  or advertisements and entertainment management via third party  608  that appear for the customer through the RSM on the computer input device and display. The 
         [0036]    ACM can generate reports  609  and statistics  610  based on data shared from the customer profile database, sales database, and digital menu databases  611 . The reports can compile data for individual hours, days, weeks, months, years  612 ,  613 , and  614 . 
       Server Module—SM 
       [0037]    The Server Module (SM)  101  is a software element of the IRMS system that is made up of all the individual ISS modules and contains the mutually shared databases used by each module. The SM is responsible for coordinating and controlling all individual software modules and in some variations communicating directly with the Corporate Cloud Management System (CCMS) and Content Management Subsystem (CMS). 
       Input Devices 
       [0038]    Input devices for the IRMS include but are not limited to smartphones with the IRMS app, computers, portable tablets with the IRMS app, public kiosks with the IRMS app, and smart tables with the IRMS app. Smartphones, portable tablets, and public kiosks can operate as input devices through the IRMS app that will allow the customer to make reservations and order in advance, the app will connect to the restaurant&#39;s server and be able to access the customer&#39;s personal profile and the restaurant&#39;s menu for ordering in advance. The app will also allow users to pay in advance and pickup food later via entering credit card information into the app or paying with services such as PayPal. 
         [0039]      FIG. 7  is an isometric view representing one embodiment of a smart table input device. A smart table  107  may comprise of at least one (1) embedded computer tablet device with means to communicate with an external server via the internet or intranet  708 , an embedded or removable power supply to power the smart table  709 , a payment module to allow the customer to pay at the table  810 , embedded printer module to print receipt  717 , embedded audio speakers to allow the customer to have audio feedback from the multiple applications  711 , an embedded headset jack to allow the customer to have audio feedback from the multiple applications  712 , volume buttons to enable the customer to control the volume of the audio feedback from the multiple applications  713 , a power/reset key to shut the power the table off or reset the table  714 , multiple sensor pads to allow the customer additional interactive functionality  915 , a wood, glass, plastic, or comparable material table top  716 . The smart table  107  may be a complete table or may be a pre-manufactured table top that can be clamped or affixed by similar means to already existing tables. 
         [0040]    The embedded tablet computer device  708  in  FIG. 7  may be an existing off the shelf touch screen enabled computer tablet or a customized touch screen enabled tablet assembly of varying display sizes. All of the peripheral devices comprising the smart table  107  will be connected to and controlled by the tablet computer device and RSM software interface that is installed on the tablet computer device. The computer tablet device  708  and peripherals are connected to an external power supply  709  to provide additional power to the smart table  107 . The external power supply  709  may be a removable and rechargeable battery or a non-removable power supply that may be plugged directly into a power outlet. 
         [0041]    The payment module  810  of the smart table  107  is detailed in  FIG. 8 . The purpose of the payment module is to allow customers to pay their restaurant bill or for their IRMS content directly from the table. The payment module  810  is a hardware assembly primarily comprising a credit card reader  819 , or similar credit card style reader such as a Square module reader to process Square based payments or PayPal module reader to process PayPal payments  820 , an Near Field Communication (NFC) antenna to process NFC mobile payment transactions such as Apple Pay or Google Wallet  821 , and Bluetooth hardware equipped with BLE to be able to process future Bluetooth payment services  822 . The payment module  810  may be embedded into the side of the smart table or mounted on the underside of the smart table. The payment module  810  may be powered directly from lines running from the external power supply  709  and may be connected to the tablet  708  via wireless Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, wired USB, or similar data connections such as but not limited to 3G, 4G, LTE. The payment module  810  functions and operations are controlled by subroutines of the RSM interface software installed on the embedded tablet  708 . 
         [0042]    Each smart table  107  may have at least one ( 1 ) modular senor pad  915  embedded into the table and connected to the tablet  708  to provide additional information to the IRMS system processed by the RSM. The modular sensor pad  915  may be powered directly by the external power supply and may be communication with the tablet computer device via wired or a wireless connection means.  FIG. 9  is a detailed top view of the modular sensor pad  915 . The modular sensor pad  915  includes an NFC antenna in communication with a processor  923  to allow for customers to wirelessly charge their NFC compatible mobile devices or send data from their NFC compatible mobile devices such as images to the IRMS. Additionally included and in communication with the modular sensor pad processor is a biometric sensor that can read fingerprints and/or retinas  924  to allow the customer to quickly log into their RMS profiles. The modular sensor pad also includes a capacitive touch pad  925  to allow the customers to control the tablet  708  without having to reach across the table. Another feature of the modular sensor pad is a pressure/weight sensor  926  for beverage management, and a lighted border  927  to outline the sensor pad for the customer. When a customer places a beverage on the pressure/weight sensor  926  the beverage management module of the RSM is automatically activated. The beverage management module takes the pressure data from the sensor and monitors the sensor for changes in pressure. If there is a prolonged period of low pressure on the sensor, the RSM will ask the customer if their drink is low or if they have removed their glass from the sensor. If the customer&#39;s drink is low, the RSM will notify the customer&#39;s waiter through the computer server that the customer&#39;s drink is low and prompt the waiter to bring a refill. 
         [0043]    Variations of the smart table  107  may include any number of additional peripherals embedded into or mounted onto the smart table and wired or wirelessly to the computer tablet device. These peripherals may include devices to provide users a virtual reality dining experience by displaying using existing holographic displays to make menu items appear three dimensional in nature in conjunction with software that would allow users to zoom, pan, and rotate virtual menu items  717 . In addition to providing a three dimensional visual experience, Scent Synthesizers and cartridges (as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,556,272 B1 or similar devices) may also be embedded or mounted onto the table to provide synthetic food aromas to the user that match menu items  718 . 
         [0044]    Variations of the smart table may have the computer tablet device  708  attached externally to the table to as opposed to embedded.  FIGS. 10A and 10B  detail a version of the smart table in which the tablet device is not embedded into the table top  716 .  FIG. 10A  shows a computer tablet device  708 , attached to a hinge mechanism  1028  that allows the computer tablet device  708  to freely rotate one hundred eighty degrees (180°) such that the computer tablet device  708 , may sit on the top of the table top  716 , or as displayed in  FIG. 10B , rotate to hide under the table top  716  when not in use. Another variation of a smart table  107  with an externally mounted tablet is displayed in  FIG. 11 . 
         [0045]    The variation displayed in  FIG. 11  shows the computer tablet device mounted to the table top  716  and locked between a set of rails  1129  allowing the tablet to freely translate on the table top  716  in the direction of the rails  1129 . In this variation, the ends of the rails can have stopping devices or closed off ends to prevent the computer tablet device  708  from falling off the table top  716 . In another variation, the rails  1129  may have a stopping device at one end, and hinge device  1128  to allow the tablet to be rotated and hid under the table top  716 , when not in use. In this variation, when the computer tablet device  708  is slid into the hinge device end  1128 , the computer tablet device  708  locks into the hinge device  1128  and is longer held in place by the rails  1129 . 
       Content Management Subsystem—CMS 
       [0046]    The Content Management Subsystem (CMS)  FIG. 14  is a software element of the IRMS system configured to communicate directly with the RSM to provide and manage all of the content and media services that a customer may use through the RSM interface. This subsystem communicates with the SM and is used to send and receive direct requests from the RSM to content service providers such as Facebook, Google+, Twitter, Spotify, or Flickr. This subsystem may act as an abstraction layer between the content provider and the RSM on the input device. The CMS is configured to add and remove content providers as seen fit by restaurant management. Main content providers that are part of the system include bur are not limited to advertising publisher networks, grocery retailers, music providers, social networks, and games provider. 
       Corporate Cloud Management System (CCMS) 
       [0047]    The Corporate Cloud Management System (CCMS) is a subsystem of the IRMS configured to control multiple restaurants and SMs and provide the back-end processing and coordination between multiple restaurants and outside content providers. The CCMS subsystem is designed for corporations to provide consistent setups and experiences across all restaurants from a single back end computer server. The CCMS is configured for a corporate administrator to manage the content on this subsystem and configure this subsystem to push content to individual store subsystems. 
         [0048]      FIG. 12  is a diagram that details the functionality of the CCMS. In order to communicate with and manage the ISSs of multiple locations, the Back End System may include, but is not limited to, software modules for: a Feedback Management Server  1201  to collect and store feedback and surveys from each ISS, a Stats Management Server  1202  to collect and store payment and usage stats from each ISS, a Menu Management Server  1203  to allow consistent menu management throughout a multiple restaurants, an Ad Management Server  1204  to push ads directly to each ISS, a Social Network Management Server  1205  to more efficiently aggregate outside social media data and filter requests from each ISS and report social media data back to each ISS, an Individual Record Management Server  1206 , an Content Management Server  1207  to manage media and game access for each ISS, and a Payment Management Server  1208  to process payments from each ISS. 
         [0049]    Each individual store&#39;s ISS SM is configured to sync regularly with the Back End Server&#39;s corresponding modules to update and be updated by the corporate database. For example, when the corporate office changes menu items, the office would enter that data into the Back End Server&#39;s database  1209 , the Menu Management Server would recognize the change in the database and push this change to the ISS SMs of the selected places where the menu change would take effect. 
         [0050]    CCMS is also configured to mine data and to extract useful information that helps corporate to make strategic decisions. Based on the collected data, Corporate can modify menu items, see the performance of individual store in comparison with others, get recommendations from the system based on the historic data, improves based on the reviews, manages multiple revenue streams, generate reports for the execs, set alarms or raise flags on preset conditions, forecasts sales and revenue, manages inventory, manages supply chain and create charts and graphs. 
         [0051]    Ads are served by two methods, targeted ads and fixed ads. Targeted ads  1210  are served based on the data collected from user behavior, demographics, geographics, psychographics etc. while fixed non-targeted ads  1211 , which are sponsored ads will show to any user not based on specific demographics are served from a fixed ad database. Ads are further supported by publisher network  1212  as social network backed by social network services  1213 . Payment is supported by payment processor and financial services  1214 . Entertainment contents are served by the content provider  1215 .