Abstract:
A system and method for enabling patrons at large-scale events at confined venues utilizes conventional or special hand-held, wireless communication devices to self-order food, drink and souvenir items from remote order fulfillment locations within the venue for delivery to the patrons&#39; seats. Hierarchical menus are provided for display of items for purchase on the devices. Patrons transmit a seat identification code with the order, which is acknowledged, and send a confirmation code upon receipt of order delivery, which causes automatic electronic payment for the order by prearranged means.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]    This application is a national filing of OCT/US00/11337, filed Apr. 27, 2000, which claims priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/131119, filed Apr. 27, 1999. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    This invention relates to the remote ordering of goods and, more particularly, to a remote ordering method and system in which patrons utilize wireless hand-held devices to order menu items at large venues, which have identifiable seat locations, for delivery to their seats.  
           [0004]    2. Description of Related Art  
           [0005]    Sporting events, concerts and other large gatherings of spectators, or patrons take place in an arena, stadium, or other confined facility or venue having seating in uniquely identifiable seats, which are usually reserved or assigned. At these events, the ability of patrons to secure refreshments in the form of food and drink is limited. It is customary for hungry and thirsty patrons to await the arrival of roving vendors who intermittently traverse the aisles of the facility hawking various items of food and drink. These vendors frequently carry only a single type of food or drink. Often a wait of many minutes must be endured until a vendor appears who, hopefully but infrequently, has the item sought. Even then, the vendor may not have the correct change and considerable disruption occurs to those other patrons seated between the purchaser and the vendor. This is a very ineffective and inefficient method of ordering and delivering items of food, drink and merchandise to patrons.  
           [0006]    The other method of obtaining food or drink is to queue up in long lines at refreshment or concession stands, which are scattered outside the main area in the hallways of the venue, where several, but not all, types of refreshments can often be purchased together at a single stand.  
           [0007]    It is also common for venue operators to sell souvenir merchandise, such as programs, pennants, T-shirts, caps, trinkets, and CDs. These may also be occasionally purchased from the roving vendors in the facility, but, more often, must be purchased from a merchandise or concession stand elsewhere in the facility. However, it is seldom possible to purchase all of these items at a single concession stand.  
           [0008]    As a result, a patron wishing to purchase several different types of food and drink and some items of merchandise must wait for multiple vendors and also visit multiple stands, probably missing seeing part of the event taking place in the venue. Thus, there is a need for a system whereby patrons can order items from a remote location for delivery to their seats.  
           [0009]    Remote ordering systems, in which items are ordered from a location remote from item supply, are known in the prior art. However, these systems do not address the problems outlined above. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,664,110 discloses a remote ordering system intended for use by homeowners or businesses to facilitate ordering from multiple vendors without the need to travel to the vendor. This patented system is similar to current systems of placing orders from a business office computer environment over the Internet or other telecommunications links using complex menus to obtain numerous parts from numerous possible business suppliers and vendors. This is distinctly different from the problem of a patron remotely ordering food, beverages and souvenir menu items from vendor facilities located in the same building structure for delivery to the patron&#39;s seat. Furthermore, this system is unduly complex in that it requires use of secondary data input devices, such as bar code scanners and the like to input desired product codes.  
           [0010]    The remote order terminals described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,415,065 and 4,569,421 are intended and suited for use by the employees serving the customer/patron, rather than for use by the patron himself. For example, in its restaurant application, the patron uses a wireless paging system to summon the employee operating the remote order terminal. The order function is then carried out by the employee, but does not address the problems described above, since an intervening employee action is required.  
           [0011]    U.S. Pat. No.5,235,509 discloses a customer self-ordering system. However, this patent teaches use of a kiosk-style touch screen monitor self-ordering system for places such as fast food restaurants. This would require patrons to leave their seats, and, consequently, does not address the problems described above, since the patron must leave his seat and journey to a fixed location to order.  
           [0012]    There is a need for a system whereby patrons having identifiable seats in a venue can send an order for various menu items, such as food, drink and souvenir merchandise, from their seats to a remote order fulfillment location and have the order delivered to their seats. There is also a need for this system to include a provision for remote payment for the order, to eliminate the distraction and hassle of engaging in a cash-and-change situation in the venue.  
         BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0013]    It is, therefore, an object of this invention is to provide a system whereby patrons having identifiable seats in a venue can self-order various menu items of food, drink and souvenir merchandise from their seats to a remote fulfillment location and have the order delivered to their seats.  
           [0014]    It is another object to provide a system which includes a provision for remote payment for the order.  
           [0015]    It is a further object of this invention to provide a system with which patrons can review a menu of the available items of food, drink and merchandise without leaving their seats.  
           [0016]    In one aspect, this invention features a remote ordering system for patrons at a large-scale venue having identifiable seats in which a patron uses a handheld electronic communication device, which displays a full menu of items offered, to order selected items. The order includes identification of the items ordered and the seat location or patron identification, and is transmitted to a central order-fulfilling site, where the order is assembled and thereafter delivered to the patron at the identified seat location. Payment is done by a prearrangement involving prepayment, credit line, or the preauthorized use of a credit or debit card.  
           [0017]    In another aspect this invention features a remote ordering system comprising a plurality of portable, wireless, hand-held, patron-operated remote communication devices, each of which has a battery, a display for displaying a plurality of menus listing items for sale, function keys for navigating the menus and selecting items to be ordered, and wireless means of communicating the order to a remote order processing station and receiving confirmation of order receipt, a transceiver at the processing station for communicating with the ordering devices, and a computer for processing the orders and arranging payment for the order.  
           [0018]    The remote ordering devices may be special purpose hand-held devices especially designed for use in this system, or, alternatively, may be conventional hand-held wireless communication devices, such as cell phones, two-way pagers, or portable digital assistants (PDAs).  
           [0019]    It is contemplated that special purpose devices would be available to those patrons who do not carry one of the conventional devices. These special devices would be prepared for each event at a central location, having battery charging and menu programming capability, and transported to kiosks near patron entry points in the venue. The kiosks would each be rental contract stations to secure deposit and payment terms (cash, credit/debit card, etc.), and patron seat location information for rental of the special devices to patrons prior to start of the event, and collection of the special devices after conclusion of the event.  
           [0020]    The special devices carry means for audibly reminding patrons to return the special devices to prevent their inadvertent removal from the venue. To accomplish this, at the end of the event in the venue, a signal is transmitted to the special devices to sound an alarm signal as a reminder to return the device to a kiosk. Failure of a patron to return the special device within a predetermined time period would automatically effect a charge to that patron&#39;s account.  
           [0021]    In a system which accommodates cell phones, pagers and PDAs, the central processing station would include a first server at an internet service provider, which receives data communications from the cell phones or two-way pager service provider, and a second server located at the venue.  
           [0022]    Preferably, the system includes a provision for confirming receipt of an order, and a provision for confirming order delivery/receipt, regardless of the type of communication device used.  
           [0023]    These and other objects and features of this invention will become more readily apparent upon reference to the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0024]    [0024]FIG. 1 is a diagram of a remote ordering system according to this invention which is based on a custom, application-specific, local area, wireless data communication network, using special design wireless, patron-operated remote communication devices;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 2 is a diagram of a remote ordering system according to this invention which is based on existing wireless hand-held telecommunications and internet structure using cell phones, two-way pagers, PDAs and the like wireless, hand-held communication devices;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 3 is a depiction of various wireless, hand-held communication devices having displays, which useful in the remote ordering system of this invention depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 4 is a sample series of menus of items available for order and purchase, which can be shown on the displays of the devices of FIG. 3;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a wireless, hand-held communication device, having a display and a speaker for displaying and/or announcing menu offerings;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 6 is an example venue admission ticket displaying a full venue and seat identification code;  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 7 is another example venue admission ticket displaying a venue-only identification code; and  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 8 is an example series of menus for identification code entry. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0032]    [0032]FIG. 1 shows a system that uses a custom, application specific, local area, wireless data communication network. As patrons arrive for at a venue/facility for a concert, game or other event, they will be presented with the opportunity to obtain a battery-operated wireless remote ordering device  10 , illustrated in FIG. 3 d , which will be available at a kiosk having a device rental station  12 . Devices  10  are operable, as later described, to communicate an order for menu items to a transceiver node  14 , which communicates orders from multiple remote ordering devices  10  to a fulfillment center having server  16  and order processing computers  18 . In this embodiment, the remote ordering devices  10  and the base transceiver nodes/stations would be designed specifically for this application using available transceiver chip sets, and other off-the-shelf components such as keypads, microcontrollers, displays and the like which are commonly known to those skilled in the art. In FIG. 1, the base transceiver nodes  14  and other client work stations are networked to the local server computer  16  which maintains system records and facilitates the overall operation of the system.  
         [0033]    These special devices  10  are stored in a combination battery charger/ programming unit, or docking station, which keeps the devices&#39; batteries charged and provides the current menu of items offered for sale, which can be selectively displayed on the device&#39;s display screen  20 . Ideally, a kiosk  12  would be prominently located adjacent each entrance to the venue. The special hand-held, wireless remote ordering devices  10  may take the form illustrated in FIG. 3 d , and include the display  20 , a plurality of alpha-numeric operation keys  32  for displaying and scrolling through menus, indicating item and quantity, and controlling the ordering process.  
         [0034]    At this time, venue personnel will normally prearrange for payment for items subsequently ordered by the patron, and secure payment information in case the device  10  is not returned to the kiosk after the event has concluded. This may take the form of use of a credit or debit card, deposit of a predetermined amount of cash, or, for frequent patrons, tap a pre-established line of credit. The identification number of the wireless remote ordering device issued to the patron may then be recorded and the seat location identification entered into the device  10 . The patron will then proceed to the seat and view the event.  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 2 illustrates a system that is based on the existing wireless telecommunications and Internet infrastructure. In this system conventional hand-held wireless communication devices, such as two-way pagers  22  (FIG. 3 a ), cell phones 24 (FIG. 3 b ) and PDAs  26  (FIG. 3 c ) would also be useful as remote ordering devices. Here orders would be received by a base transceiver station  28 . These signals would be transmitted by service providers  30  on the internet  32  to the venue fulfillment center server  16  and order processing computers  18 .  
         [0036]    With the advent of advancing voice recognition technology, it is contemplated that orders could be transmitted orally via microphones in the devices. Also, the menus could be announced via speakers in the devices, for the benefit of the visually impaired, or voice prompts could be provided as the visible menus are traversed to enhance the ordering process.  
         [0037]    Although the capabilities of this combined infrastructure is in its infancy, it is believed that its current rapid market acceptance will not only make it a viable backbone on which to operate the remote ordering system of the current invention, but will in addition afford significant development cost savings to deploying such a system. As there are many suitable alternatives on which to base an embodiment of the current invention which are known to those skilled in the art, the specific wireless technology used, the specific multiple access communication protocol used, and the specific client/server hardware interface and protocol are not important to the method of the invention so long as they support the required functions. What is important is the method of this invention by which the customer is provided better service.  
         [0038]    The FIG. 2 system would be used in addition to the FIG. 1 system, which would still provide special devices  10  to accommodate those patrons arriving at an event without the conventional communication devices  22 ,  24  and  26 .  
         [0039]    A venue ticket conveniently will have a serial number which carries a code identifying venue, date and seat location information. Customers having their own compatible communication device  22 ,  24 ,  26  need only enter this serial number into the device and provide payment information when ordering items. Otherwise, as patrons arrive for an event, interested parties who do not already have a compatible wireless remote ordering device  22 ,  24 ,  26  may stop at a kiosk  12  offering special rental wireless remote ordering devices  10  and open a charge account with which is associated the seating location of the patron and the identification number of the device  10  issued to the customer.  
         [0040]    Payment/credit information can be verified at the convenience of the venue such that the issuance process is speedy, yet identify a credit problem early prior to delivery of an order and prevent discovery of a payment problem later. In addition to use of common credit and debit cards as means of payment, corporate accounts and billing through third party accounts such as the customer&#39;s internet service provider or cellular telephone service provider may possibly be arranged when the transaction is processed with these services.  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 4 displays sample hierarchical menus that are programmed into special remote ordering devices  10  and illustrate the variety of functions possible. The menus include a major item classification menu  34 , a drink menu  36  and sub-menu  38 , a control menu  40 , a payment menu  42  and a verification menu  44 . These menus are also transmittable through the FIG. 2 system for display on conventional hand-held wireless devices  22 ,  24 ,  26  brought into the venue by patrons.  
         [0042]    This system of menus, carried by or transmittable to the remote ordering devices, enables patrons to easily select any quantity and variety of items at any time while in the venue, order and pay for the items, all without moving from the patron&#39;s seat. Also, orders may be placed from any location within the venue by a patron for delivery to the patron&#39;s seat. This contrasts with systems where orders are taken by order-taking personnel, such as wait staff, but only from the patron while the patron is seated.  
         [0043]    As hierarchical menu systems have become common with the advent of automated teller machines and windowed graphical user interfaces on modem computer operating systems, the concept will not be further described here. If one of the conventional devices  22 ,  24 ,  26  are used, the menus can be accessed by dialing a source number provided to the patron, either on the admission ticket, event program, or on signs in the venue.  
         [0044]    An example remote ordering device  50  useful in the system and method of this invention is illustrated in FIG. 5. It includes a microprocessor  52 , a transceiver  54 , a display  50 , and a speaker  58 . Device  50  transmits and receives information preferably via infrared or radio transmission. As can be readily seen, there are numerous types of commercially-available devices which fulfill the functional definition of the remote ordering device of the system of this invention. One or more remote order transceiver nodes  14  are each used to communicate with numerous of the remote ordering devices by means that avoid overlapping transmission conflicts, such as time division multiplexing, polling, collision detection and avoidance, all of which are well developed technologies and well known to those skilled in the art. In the FIG. 2 embodiment where the wireless communication infrastructure is used, the base transceiver nodes  14  become embodied as the various service provider transceivers  28  used to communicate with cellular telephones, two-way pagers, PDAs and the like.  
         [0045]    Most venues will necessarily have several order fulfillment centers. As venues can be quite large, it would be impractical to deliver all orders from a single processing location, but rather to have multiple locations in a large venue in order to keep proximity to the customer, and thus the route for physical delivery, reasonably minimized. To assure prompt and accurate delivery of orders, it is necessary to identify the location of the patron&#39;s seat to determine which order fulfillment center within the venue to send the order to.  
         [0046]    An Identification Code is required to specify the patron&#39;s seat location. Both the venue location and the specific seat location are needed. There are developments underway in the US in response to the FCC&#39;s E911 mandate that will probably allow automated venue identification via automatic location of a cellular phone. However, this system, for now, is specific to the US and may not be operational in all areas for quite some time. This might not be as useful as it seems, since it would unduly limit a patron to ordering only when in his specific seat. In any case, there is a need to identify the order delivery location, which, in this case is most reasonably determined to be the patron&#39;s seat location.  
         [0047]    A survey of stadium and arena seating maps shows that there are generally 50 to 150 sections, 20 to 40 rows in a section, and 10 to 30 seats in a row. Allowing for a little overage in each category, multiple events per day at the same venue and a few check digits in the code, one might construct a simple Identification Code as outlined in Table 1 below. When the order is finally delivered, confirmation of receipt of delivery is achieved by communication of the last 4 digits of the Identification Code to the delivery person.  
                                                   TABLE 1                           CONSTITUENT PARTS OF THE IDENTIFICATION CODE            Field   Bits   Range   Comments                    Venue   13   1-8,192   Super large venues could use two values       Section   8   1-256   Typical venue has 50 to 150 total       Row   6   1-64   Typical venue has 20 to 40 per section       Seat   6   1-64   Typical venue has 10 to 30 per row       Check   7   1-128   Date dependant checksum or CRC digits       Total   40   1,099 billion   Basically, 12 digits, e.g. 9876-5432-1098                  
 
         [0048]    The example ticket  62  in FIG. 6 shows the printing of the Identification Code  64  on the ticket in three groups of 4 digits to aid in data entry accuracy. Each ticket printing location must have the capability to generate the Identification Code from a standard algorithm and print it on the ticket. This will require collaboration with each stadium&#39;s ticket office and alternative ticket sources, such as TicketMaster®.  
         [0049]    An alternative embodiment of Identification Code might only include the addition of a venue Identification number  66  to another example ticket  68 , as shown in FIG. 7. In this case the venue identification number would preferably include check digits to verify proper entry; the patron would directly enter the section, row, and seat information from ticket  66 , with verification being done by return prompt as suggested in FIG. 8.  
         [0050]    Although the primary description here is in terms of a hand held wireless transmitter with a keypad and display such as the emerging WAP (wireless application protocol) web enabled cellular telephones, it should be recognized that voice recognition CTI (computer telephony integration) technologies can enable automated navigation and data entry in verbal format for spectators with older cellular telephones.  
         [0051]    At any time during the event, the patron can page/scroll through the hierarchical menus displayed on the remote ordering device and use its various keys to identify and select items for ordering, review the order, transmit the order, and receive confirmation that the order has been accepted for processing. As is well understood by those skilled in the art, the simple menu system as portrayed in FIG. 4 relates to the limited display capabilities on today&#39;s mini-browser cellular telephones and related devices. However, as time moves on, much higher text densities, graphics, and even color will become commonplace and represent only the natural evolution of the method of this invention. As hierarchical menu systems have become ubiquitous with the advent of automated teller machines and windowed graphical user interfaces on modem computer operating systems, the concept will not be further described here.  
         [0052]    An order transmitted by one of the remote devices received by the venue server  16  contains the ticket identification code, which allows the order fulfillment personnel to correlate the order with the credit information and the seat delivery information. The items on the order are displayed on the order-processing computer  18  for fulfillment personnel. Thereafter, the order is filled and a delivery person delivers it to the patron at the patron&#39;s seat. Upon delivery, the patron is asked to acknowledge delivery via the remote ordering device  10 ,  22 ,  24  or  26  to confirm delivery. The acknowledgement preferably automatically authorizes a charge to the patron&#39;s account, such as through internet connection to a financial services provider  60 , as in FIG. 2.  
         [0053]    At the end of the event, patrons having a conventional communication device  22 ,  24 ,  26 , merely pocket their devices and exit the venue. Those patrons having borrowed special devices  10  will return them kiosk  12 . If a patron should inadvertently exit the facility without returning remote ordering device  10 , this will be detected, either through loss of signal or detection of a special signal, such that it will initiate emission of audible beeps to remind the patron that unit  10  should be returned to kiosk  12 .  
         [0054]    Although device  10  is illustrated as a hand-held unit, it could be augmented by addition of a strap or cord to hang around the patron&#39;s neck or attach to other portions of the body, thus reducing the incidence of dropping the unit during celebration or applause. This would also reduce incidences of patrons leaving units  10  at their seats and forgetting to return them to kiosk  12 .  
         [0055]    Many benefits accrue through use of the system and method described herein: Patrons receive a higher level of service by having the ability to order, receive, and pay for any combination of items that are available at the event without having to leave their seats, stand in line, miss portions of the event, or be limited to only cash on hand. The remote ordering system and method of this invention eliminates the delays, frustration and sheer inconvenience of the current system, which requires patrons to await roaming vendors or endure long lines at inconveniently-located concession stands.  
         [0056]    Patrons with special needs would also benefit from the easy-to-use, alphanumeric, Braille keypad that could be provided by this system. It would eliminate their need to walk, stand in line, verbally communicate, depend on a seeing person for placing their order, or be involved with cash transactions.  
         [0057]    Organizers of these events and facility owners would benefit by being able to charge more for those seats that are located in sections of the stadiums, concert halls, and amphitheaters that are equipped with this system. Event sponsors would further benefit from the ability to advertise and sell their special event-related items off the device merchandise menu list.  
         [0058]    Vendors of snacks and gift items at these events would also benefit from higher sales levels since:  
         [0059]    a. Patrons who historically would not leave their seats, dreaded standing in line, and did not want to miss portions of the event in order to buy their items, could employ this system to facilitate their shopping;  
         [0060]    b. Patrons who do not make a point of carrying enough cash on them, could make credit card purchases using this system;  
         [0061]    c. Patrons who came in as part of a group or as corporate representatives needing to spend all their time with their clients, could use this system to facilitate their ordering and payment process without having to leave their client or the event, and  
         [0062]    d. Patrons could order from any location within the venue for delivery to their seats.  
         [0063]    Although only a preferred embodiment has been described in detail, many modifications are contemplated within the scope of this invention, as defined by the following claims.