Office Action 1: Non-Final Rejection (2025-02-25)
Rejection types: Double Patenting

CLAIMS:
What is claimed is:
1\. An intercom communication system configured for one or more quick service restaurant drive-throughs, the drive-throughs including one or both of a menu board and a speaker post, the system comprising: an audio-order placement sub-system associated with one or both of the menu board and the speaker post, the audio-order placement sub-system comprising: a microphone configured to capture sound from a customer placing an order at or near one or both of the menu board and the speaker post, and to generate order information signals that represent the sound captured from the customer; an order-placement encoder configured to encode the order information signals to form order data packets; an order-placement decoder configured to decode restaurant data packets from a base station into restaurant signals; a speaker configured to generate restaurant sound based on the restaurant signals such that the generated restaurant sound is audible to the customer at or near one or both of the menu board and the speaker post; and an order-placement transceiver configured to (i) transmit the order data packets from the audio-order placement sub-system to the base station through a single pair of wires, and (ii) receive the restaurant data packets from the base station through the single pair of wires; wherein at least one of the order-placement encoder, the order-placement decoder, the speaker, and the order-placement transceiver is powered through the single pair of wires; the single pair of wires, wherein the single pair of wires is communicatively coupled between the audio-order placement sub-system and the base station; and the base station, the base station comprising: one or more base station transceivers configured to (i) receive the order data packets as transmitted through the single pair of wires by the order-placement transceiver of the audio-order placement sub-system, (ii) transmit data packets based on the order data packets to an audio-order receipt sub-system, (iii) receive the restaurant data packets from the audio-order receipt sub-system, and (iv) transmit the restaurant data packets through the single pair of wires to the order-placement transceiver of the audio-order placement sub-system.
2\. The system of claim 1, further comprising: the audio-order receipt sub-system located remotely from the audio-order placement sub-system, comprising: an order-receipt transceiver configured to (i) transmit the restaurant data packets from the audio-order receipt sub-system, and (ii) receive the data packets based on the order data packets from the audio-order receipt sub-system; and an order-receipt decoder configured to decode the data packets based on the order data packets into digital order signals, wherein the digital order signals are based on the sound received from the customer.
3\. The system of claim 2, wherein the audio-order receipt sub-system further includes one or more processors configured to: facilitate order taking based on the digital order signals, wherein facilitating the order taking includes generating digital restaurant information signals and forming the restaurant data packets based on the digital restaurant information signals.
4\. The system of claim 1, wherein facilitating the order taking includes order taking that is at least in part automated.
5\. The system of claim 1, wherein at least some of the power is provided by the base station.
6\. The system of claim 1, wherein at least some of the power is provided by a power source external to the system.
7\. The system of claim 5, wherein the base station is configured to transmit the power that powers at least one of the order-placement encoder, the order-placement decoder, the speaker, and the order-placement transceiver by applying a common voltage relative to ground to each wire in the single pair of wires.
8\. The system of claim 5, wherein the base station is configured to transmit the power that powers the order-placement encoder, the order-placement decoder, the speaker, and the order-placement transceiver by applying a differential voltage between two wires in the single pair of wires.
9\. The system of claim 1, wherein the single pair of wires is a twisted pair, and wherein the single pair of wires is included in a balanced cable.
10\. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more base station transceivers are configured to transmit wirelessly the data packets based on the order data packets to the audio-order receipt sub-system.
11\. A method for facilitating intercom communication for one or more quick-service restaurant drive-throughs, the method comprising: capturing, by a first microphone, sound from a customer placing an order at or near one or both of a menu board and a speaker post associated with a first drive-through lane, and generating order information signals that represent the sound captured from the customer; encoding, by a first encoder, the order information signals to form order data packets; decoding, by a first decoder, restaurant data packets from a base station into restaurant signals; generating, by a speaker, restaurant sound based on the restaurant signals such that the generated restaurant sound is audible to the customer at or near one or both of the menu board and the speaker post; transmitting, by a first transceiver, the order data packets to the base station through a single pair of wires; receiving, by the first transceiver, the restaurant data packets from the base station through the single pair of wires; transmitting power through the single pair of wires, wherein at least one of the first encoder, the first decoder, the speaker, and the first transceiver is powered through the single pair of wires; receiving, by the base station, the order data packets as transmitted through the single pair of wires; transmitting data packets based on the order data packets; and performing order taking based on digital order signals, wherein performing the order taking includes generating digital restaurant information signals and forming the restaurant data packets based on the digital restaurant information signals.
12\. The method of claim 11, further comprising: facilitating order taking based on the digital order signals, wherein facilitating the order taking includes generating the digital restaurant information signals and forming the restaurant data packets based on the digital restaurant information signals.
13\. The method of claim 12, wherein facilitating the order taking includes performing automated order taking.
14\. The method of claim 11, wherein at least some of the power is provided by the base station.
15\. The method of claim 11, wherein at least some of the power is provided by a power source external to the system.
16\. The method of claim 14, wherein providing the power includes applying a differential voltage between two wires in the single pair of wires.
17\. The method of claim 11, wherein transmission over the single pair of wires is based on IEEE 1901.
18\. The method of claim 11, wherein the single pair of wires is a twisted pair.
19\. The method of claim 11, wherein transmitting the order data packets to the base station through the single pair of wires includes using differential signaling over the single pair of wires.
20\. The method of claim 11, wherein the data packets based on the order data packets are transmitted wirelessly.

OFFICE ACTION:
DETAILED ACTION
Notice of Pre-AIA  or AIA  Status
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Double Patenting
The nonstatutory double patenting rejection is based on a judicially created doctrine grounded in public policy (a policy reflected in the statute) so as to prevent the unjustified or improper timewise extension of the “right to exclude” granted by a patent and to prevent possible harassment by multiple assignees. A nonstatutory double patenting rejection is appropriate where the conflicting claims are not identical, but at least one examined application claim is not patentably distinct from the reference claim(s) because the examined application claim is either anticipated by, or would have been obvious over, the reference claim(s). See, e.g., In re Berg, 140 F.3d 1428, 46 USPQ2d 1226 (Fed. Cir. 1998); In re Goodman, 11 F.3d 1046, 29 USPQ2d 2010 (Fed. Cir. 1993); In re Longi, 759 F.2d 887, 225 USPQ 645 (Fed. Cir. 1985); In re Van Ornum, 686 F.2d 937, 214 USPQ 761 (CCPA 1982); In re Vogel, 422 F.2d 438, 164 USPQ 619 (CCPA 1970); In re Thorington, 418 F.2d 528, 163 USPQ 644 (CCPA 1969).
A timely filed terminal disclaimer in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(c) or 1.321(d) may be used to overcome an actual or provisional rejection based on nonstatutory double patenting provided the reference application or patent either is shown to be commonly owned with the examined application, or claims an invention made as a result of activities undertaken within the scope of a joint research agreement. See MPEP § 717.02 for applications subject to examination under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA  as explained in MPEP § 2159. See MPEP § 2146 et seq. for applications not subject to examination under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA . A terminal disclaimer must be signed in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(b).
The filing of a terminal disclaimer by itself is not a complete reply to a nonstatutory double patenting (NSDP) rejection. A complete reply requires that the terminal disclaimer be accompanied by a reply requesting reconsideration of the prior Office action. Even where the NSDP rejection is provisional the reply must be complete. See MPEP § 804, subsection I.B.1. For a reply to a non-final Office action, see 37 CFR 1.111(a). For a reply to final Office action, see 37 CFR 1.113(c). A request for reconsideration while not provided for in 37 CFR 1.113(c) may be filed after final for consideration. See MPEP §§ 706.07(e) and 714.13.
The USPTO Internet website contains terminal disclaimer forms which may be used. Please visit www.uspto.gov/patent/patents-forms. The actual filing date of the application in which the form is filed determines what form (e.g., PTO/SB/25, PTO/SB/26, PTO/AIA /25, or PTO/AIA /26) should be used. A web-based eTerminal Disclaimer may be filled out completely online using web-screens. An eTerminal Disclaimer that meets all requirements is auto-processed and approved immediately upon submission. For more information about eTerminal Disclaimers, refer to www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/applying-online/eterminal-disclaimer.
Claims 1-5, 7-8, 10-14, 16-20 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claim 1-6 and 8-9 of U.S. Patent No.11,778,005 B2. Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because of the following comparison.
Claim
Instant Application
Claim
US Patent 11,778,005 B2
1
An intercom communication system configured for one or more quick service restaurant drive-throughs, the drive-throughs including one or both of a menu board and a speaker post, the system comprising:
an audio-order placement sub-system associated with one or both of the menu board and the speaker post, the audio-order placement sub-system comprising:
a microphone configured to capture sound from a customer placing an order at or near one or both of the menu board and the speaker post, and to generate order information signals that represent the sound captured from the customer;
an order-placement encoder configured to encode the order information signals to form order data packets;
an order-placement decoder configured to decode restaurant data packets from a base station into restaurant signals;
a speaker configured to generate restaurant sound based on the restaurant signals such that the generated restaurant sound is audible to the customer at or near one or both of the menu board and the speaker post; and
an order-placement transceiver configured to (i) transmit the order data packets from the audio-order placement sub-system to the base station through a single pair of wires, and (ii) receive the restaurant data packets from the base station through the single pair of wires;
wherein at least one of the order-placement encoder, the order-placement decoder, the speaker, and the order-placement transceiver is powered through the single pair of wires;
the single pair of wires, wherein the single pair of wires is communicatively coupled between the audio-order placement sub-system and the base station; and
the base station, the base station comprising:
one or more base station transceivers configured to (i) receive the order data packets as transmitted through the single pair of wires by the order-placement transceiver of the audio-order placement sub-system, (ii) transmit data packets based on the order data packets to an audio-order receipt sub-system, (iii) receive the restaurant data packets from the audio-order receipt sub-system, and (iv) transmit the restaurant data packets through the single pair of wires to the order-placement transceiver of the audio-order placement sub-system.
1
An intercom communication system configured for one or more quick service restaurant drive-throughs, the drive-throughs including one or both of a menu board and a speaker post, the system comprising:
an audio-order placement sub-system positionally associated with one or both of the menu board and the speaker post, the audio-order placement sub-system comprising:
a microphone configured to capture sound from a customer placing an order at or near one or both of the menu board and the speaker post, and to generate order information signals that represent the sound captured from the customer;
an order-placement encoder configured to encode the order information signals to form order data packets;
an order-placement decoder configured to decode restaurant data packets from a base station into restaurant signals;
a speaker configured to generate restaurant sound based on the restaurant signals such that the generated restaurant sound is audible to the customer at or near one or both of the menu board and the speaker post; and
an order-placement transceiver configured to (i) transmit the order data packets from the audio-order placement sub-system to the base station through a single pair of wires, and (ii) receive the restaurant data packets from the base station through the single pair of wires;
wherein at least one of the order-placement encoder, the order-placement decoder, the speaker, and the order-placement transceiver is powered by power transmitted from the base station through the single pair of wires;
the single pair of wires, wherein the single pair of wires is communicatively coupled between the audio-order placement sub-system and the base station;
the base station, the base station comprising:
one or more base station transceivers configured to (i) receive the order data packets as transmitted through the single pair of wires by the order-placement transceiver of the audio-order placement sub-system, (ii) transmit data packets based on the order data packets to an audio-order receipt sub-system, (iii) receive the restaurant data packets from the audio-order receipt sub-system, and (iv) transmit the restaurant data packets through the single pair of wires to the order-placement transceiver of the audio-order placement sub-system; and
the audio-order receipt sub-system located remotely from the audio-order placement sub-system, comprising:
an order-receipt transceiver configured to (i) transmit the restaurant data packets from the audio-order receipt sub-system, and (ii) receive the data packets based on the order data packets from the audio-order receipt sub-system;
an order-receipt decoder configured to decode the data packets based on the order data packets into digital order signals, wherein the digital order signals are based on the sound received from the customer;
one or more processors configured to:
perform order taking based on the digital order signals, wherein performing the order taking includes generating digital restaurant information signals and forming the restaurant data packets based on the digital restaurant information signals.
2
The system of claim 1, further comprising:
the audio-order receipt sub-system located remotely from the audio-order placement sub-system, comprising:
an order-receipt transceiver configured to (i) transmit the restaurant data packets from the audio-order receipt sub-system, and (ii) receive the data packets based on the order data packets from the audio-order receipt sub-system; and
an order-receipt decoder configured to decode the data packets based on the order data packets into digital order signals, wherein the digital order signals are based on the sound received from the customer.
3
The system of claim 2, wherein the audio-order receipt sub-system further includes one or more processors configured to:
facilitate order taking based on the digital order signals, wherein facilitating the order taking includes generating digital restaurant information signals and forming the restaurant data packets based on the digital restaurant information signals.
4
The system of claim 1, wherein facilitating the order taking includes order taking that is at least in part automated.
2
The system of claim 1, wherein performing the order taking includes performing automated order taking.
5
The system of claim 1, wherein at least some of the power is provided by the base station.
1
wherein at least one of the order-placement encoder, the order-placement decoder, the speaker, and the order-placement transceiver is powered by power transmitted from the base station through the single pair of wires
7
The system of claim 5, wherein the base station is configured to transmit the power that powers at least one of the order-placement encoder, the order-placement decoder, the speaker, and the order-placement transceiver by applying a common voltage relative to ground to each wire in the single pair of wires.
3
The system of claim 1, wherein the base station is configured to transmit the power that powers at least one of the order-placement encoder, the order-placement decoder, the speaker, and the order-placement transceiver by applying a common voltage relative to ground to each wire in the single pair of wires.
8
The system of claim 5, wherein the base station is configured to transmit the power that powers the order-placement encoder, the order-placement decoder, the speaker, and the order-placement transceiver by applying a differential voltage between two wires in the single pair of wires.
4
The system of claim 1, wherein the base station is configured to transmit the power that powers the order-placement encoder, the order-placement decoder, the speaker, and the order-placement transceiver by applying a differential voltage between two wires in the single pair of wires.
10
The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more base station transceivers are configured to transmit wirelessly the data packets based on the order data packets to the audio-order receipt sub-system.
9
The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more base station transceivers are configured to transmit wirelessly the data packets based on the order data packets to the audio-order receipt sub-system.
11
A method for facilitating intercom communication for one or more quick-service restaurant drive-throughs, the method comprising:
capturing, by a first microphone, sound from a customer placing an order at or near one or both of a menu board and a speaker post associated with a first drive-through lane, and generating order information signals that represent the sound captured from the customer;
encoding, by a first encoder, the order information signals to form order data packets;
decoding, by a first decoder, restaurant data packets from a base station into restaurant signals;
generating, by a speaker, restaurant sound based on the restaurant signals such that the generated restaurant sound is audible to the customer at or near one or both of the menu board and the speaker post;
transmitting, by a first transceiver, the order data packets to the base station through a single pair of wires;
receiving, by the first transceiver, the restaurant data packets from the base station through the single pair of wires;
transmitting power through the single pair of wires, wherein at least one of the first encoder, the first decoder, the speaker, and the first transceiver is powered through the single pair of wires;
receiving, by the base station, the order data packets as transmitted through the single pair of wires;
transmitting data packets based on the order data packets; and
performing order taking based on digital order signals, wherein performing the order taking includes generating digital restaurant information signals and forming the restaurant data packets based on the digital restaurant information signals.
1
An intercom communication system configured for one or more quick service restaurant drive-throughs, the drive-throughs including one or both of a menu board and a speaker post, the system comprising:
an audio-order placement sub-system positionally associated with one or both of the menu board and the speaker post, the audio-order placement sub-system comprising:
a microphone configured to capture sound from a customer placing an order at or near one or both of the menu board and the speaker post, and to generate order information signals that represent the sound captured from the customer;
an order-placement encoder configured to encode the order information signals to form order data packets;
an order-placement decoder configured to decode restaurant data packets from a base station into restaurant signals;
a speaker configured to generate restaurant sound based on the restaurant signals such that the generated restaurant sound is audible to the customer at or near one or both of the menu board and the speaker post; and
an order-placement transceiver configured to (i) transmit the order data packets from the audio-order placement sub-system to the base station through a single pair of wires, and (ii) receive the restaurant data packets from the base station through the single pair of wires;
wherein at least one of the order-placement encoder, the order-placement decoder, the speaker, and the order-placement transceiver is powered by power transmitted from the base station through the single pair of wires;
the single pair of wires, wherein the single pair of wires is communicatively coupled between the audio-order placement sub-system and the base station;
the base station, the base station comprising:
one or more base station transceivers configured to (i) receive the order data packets as transmitted through the single pair of wires by the order-placement transceiver of the audio-order placement sub-system, (ii) transmit data packets based on the order data packets to an audio-order receipt sub-system, (iii) receive the restaurant data packets from the audio-order receipt sub-system, and (iv) transmit the restaurant data packets through the single pair of wires to the order-placement transceiver of the audio-order placement sub-system; and
the audio-order receipt sub-system located remotely from the audio-order placement sub-system, comprising:
an order-receipt transceiver configured to (i) transmit the restaurant data packets from the audio-order receipt sub-system, and (ii) receive the data packets based on the order data packets from the audio-order receipt sub-system;
an order-receipt decoder configured to decode the data packets based on the order data packets into digital order signals, wherein the digital order signals are based on the sound received from the customer;
one or more processors configured to:
perform order taking based on the digital order signals, wherein performing the order taking includes generating digital restaurant information signals and forming the restaurant data packets based on the digital restaurant information signals.
12
The method of claim 11, further comprising:
facilitating order taking based on the digital order signals, wherein facilitating the order taking includes generating the digital restaurant information signals and forming the restaurant data packets based on the digital restaurant information signals.
1
perform order taking based on the digital order signals, wherein performing the order taking includes generating digital restaurant information signals and forming the restaurant data packets based on the digital restaurant information signals.
13
The method of claim 12, wherein facilitating the order taking includes performing automated order taking.
2
The system of claim 1, wherein performing the order taking includes performing automated order taking.
14
The method of claim 11, wherein at least some of the power is provided by the base station.
1
wherein at least one of the order-placement encoder, the order-placement decoder, the speaker, and the order-placement transceiver is powered by power transmitted from the base station through the single pair of wires;
16
The method of claim 14, wherein providing the power includes applying a differential voltage between two wires in the single pair of wires.
4
The system of claim 1, wherein the base station is configured to transmit the power that powers the order-placement encoder, the order-placement decoder, the speaker, and the order-placement transceiver by applying a differential voltage between two wires in the single pair of wires.
17
The method of claim 11, wherein transmission over the single pair of wires is based on IEEE 1901.
5
The system of claim 1, wherein the order-placement encoder is configured to encode the order information signals to form the order data packets such that the order data packets are standardized and conform to a network communication standard, wherein the network communication standard is IEEE 1901.
18
The method of claim 11, wherein the single pair of wires is a twisted pair.
6
The system of claim 1, wherein the single pair of wires is a twisted pair.
19
The method of claim 11, wherein transmitting the order data packets to the base station through the single pair of wires includes using differential signaling over the single pair of wires.
8
The system of claim 1, wherein the intercom communication system is configured to use differential signaling over the single pair of wires.
20
The method of claim 11, wherein the data packets based on the order data packets are transmitted wirelessly.
9
The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more base station transceivers are configured to transmit wirelessly the data packets based on the order data packets to the audio-order receipt sub-system.
(1) Regarding claim 1:
Claim 1 of US Patent 11,778,005 B2 discloses all subject matter of claim 1 as shown in the above comparison, therefore, claim 1 of US Patent 11,778,005 B2 anticipated claim 1.
(2) Regarding claim 2:
Claim 1 of US Patent 11,778,005 B2 discloses all subject matter of claim 2 as shown in the above comparison, therefore, claim 1 of US Patent 11,778,005 B2 anticipated claim 2.
(3) Regarding claim 3:
Claim 1 of US Patent 11,778,005 B2 discloses all subject matter of claim 3 as shown in the above comparison except explicitly disclose “facilitate” a function, however, claim 1 disclose the actual facilitating function, therefore, claim 1 of US Patent 11,778,005 satisfied the claimed limitation of claim 3.
(4) Regarding claim 4:
Claim 2 of US Patent 11,778,005 B2 discloses all subject matter of claim 4 as shown in the above comparison except explicitly disclose “facilitate” a function, however, claim 2 disclose the actual facilitating function, therefore, claim 2 of US Patent 11,778,005 satisfied the claimed limitation of claim 4.
(5) Regarding claim 5:
Claim 1 of US Patent 11,778,005 B2 discloses all subject matter of claim 5 as shown in the above comparison.
(6) Regarding claim 7:
Claim 3 of US Patent 11,778,005 B2 discloses all subject matter of claim 7 as shown in the above comparison.
(7) Regarding claim 8:
Claim 4 of US Patent 11,778,005 B2 discloses all subject matter of claim 8 as shown in the above comparison.
(8) Regarding claim 10:
Claim 9 of US Patent 11,778,005 B2 discloses all subject matter of claim 10 as shown in the above comparison.
(9) Regarding claim 11:
Claim 1 of US Patent 11,778,005 B2 discloses all subject matter of claim 11 as shown in the above comparison.
(10) Regarding claim 12:
Claim 1 of US Patent 11,778,005 B2 discloses all subject matter of claim 12 as shown in the above comparison except explicitly disclose “facilitate” a function, however, claim 1 disclose performing the actual facilitating function, therefore, claim 1 of US Patent 11,778,005 B2 satisfied the claimed limitation of claim 12.
(11) Regarding claim 13:
Claim 2 of US Patent 11,778,005 B2 discloses all subject matter of claim 13 as shown in the above comparison except explicitly disclose “facilitate” a function, however, claim 2 disclose the actual facilitating function, therefore, claim 2 of US Patent 11,778,005 satisfied the claimed limitation of claim 13.
(12) Regarding claim 14:
Claim 1 of US Patent 11,778,005 B2 discloses all subject matter of claim 14 as shown in the above comparison.
(13) Regarding claim 16:
Claim 4 of US Patent 11,778,005 B2 discloses all subject matter of claim 16 as shown in the above comparison.
(14) Regarding claim 17:
Claim 5 of US Patent 11,778,005 B2 discloses all subject matter of claim 17 as shown in the above comparison.
(15) Regarding claim 18:
Claim 6 of US Patent 11,778,005 B2 discloses all subject matter of claim 18 as shown in the above comparison.
(16) Regarding claim 19:
Claim 8 of US Patent 11,778,005 B2 discloses all subject matter of claim 19 as shown in the above comparison.
(17) Regarding claim 20:
Claim 9 of US Patent 11,778,005 B2 discloses all subject matter of claim 20 as shown in the above comparison.
Claims 6 and 15 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1 and 11 of U.S. Patent No. 11,778,005 B2 in view of Lin et al. (US 2010/0125492 A1).
Claims 1 and 11 of US Patent 11,778,005 B2 discloses all subject matter of claims 1 and 11 respectively, except at least some of the power is provided by a power source external to the system.
However, Lin discloses a system with a base station 76 powered by an AC plug adapter 100 connected to an outlet for powering the base station 76 (para. 0074) (the examiner interprets the wall outlet as the claimed external power).
It is desirable to have at least some of the power is provided by a power source external to the system because it provide more stable power supplied to the base station.  Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to employ the teaching of Lin in the system of claim 1 and method of claim 11 of US Patent 11,778,005 B2 for the benefit of proving more stable supplied power.
Claim 9 is rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1 and 11 of U.S. Patent No. 11,778,005 B2 in view of Tanaka et al. (US 2010/0070141 A1).
Claim 1 of US Patent 11,778,005 B2 discloses all subject matter of claim 1, and claim 6/1 discloses the single pair of wires is a twisted pair and claim 7/1 discloses the single pair of wires is included in a balance cable; but fails to explicitly disclose the single pair of wires is a twisted pair, and the single pair of wires is included in a balanced cable.
However, Tanaka discloses in paragraph 0006 that , “a balanced cable such as a twisted pair cable is used”.  Therefore, since claim 6/1 of US Patent 11,778,005 B2 discloses the single pair of wires is a twisted pair and claim 7/1 discloses the single pair of wires is included in a balance cable; by recognizing a twisted pair is a type of balanced cable, the claimed limitation of claim 9 is met by claim 7/1 or 6/1 of US patent 11,778,005 B2 for the benefit of reducing cross talk interference of the transmitted signal.
Claims 1-2, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11, 14, 16-20 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claim 1-3, 10-12, 14-16, 18 of U.S. Patent No.11,463,491 B2. Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because of the following comparison.
Claim
Instant Application
Claim
US Patent 11,463,491 B2
1
An intercom communication system configured for one or more quick service restaurant drive-throughs, the drive-throughs including one or both of a menu board and a speaker post, the system comprising:
an audio-order placement sub-system associated with one or both of the menu board and the speaker post, the audio-order placement sub-system comprising:
a microphone configured to capture sound from a customer placing an order at or near one or both of the menu board and the speaker post, and to generate order information signals that represent the sound captured from the customer;
an order-placement encoder configured to encode the order information signals to form order data packets;
an order-placement decoder configured to decode restaurant data packets from a base station into restaurant signals;
a speaker configured to generate restaurant sound based on the restaurant signals such that the generated restaurant sound is audible to the customer at or near one or both of the menu board and the speaker post; and
an order-placement transceiver configured to (i) transmit the order data packets from the audio-order placement sub-system to the base station through a single pair of wires, and (ii) receive the restaurant data packets from the base station through the single pair of wires;
wherein at least one of the order-placement encoder, the order-placement decoder, the speaker, and the order-placement transceiver is powered through the single pair of wires;
the single pair of wires, wherein the single pair of wires is communicatively coupled between the audio-order placement sub-system and the base station; and
the base station, the base station comprising:
one or more base station transceivers configured to (i) receive the order data packets as transmitted through the single pair of wires by the order-placement transceiver of the audio-order placement sub-system, (ii) transmit data packets based on the order data packets to an audio-order receipt sub-system, (iii) receive the restaurant data packets from the audio-order receipt sub-system, and (iv) transmit the restaurant data packets through the single pair of wires to the order-placement transceiver of the audio-order placement sub-system.
1
An intercom communication system configured for one or more quick service restaurant drive-throughs, the drive-throughs including one or both of a menu board and a speaker post, the system comprising:
an audio-order placement sub-system positionally associated with one or both of the menu board and the speaker post, the audio-order placement sub-system comprising:
a microphone configured to capture sound from a customer placing an order at or near one or both of the menu board and the speaker post, and to generate order information signals that represent the sound captured from the customer, wherein the order information signals have an analog format;
an analog-to-digital converter configured to receive the order information signals from the microphone and further configured to convert the order information signals to digital order information signals having a digital format;
an order-placement encoder configured to encode the digital order information signals to form order data packets;
an order-placement decoder configured to decode restaurant data packets from a base station into digital restaurant signals;
a digital-to-analog converter configured to convert the digital restaurant signals into restaurant signals;
a speaker configured to generate restaurant sound based on the restaurant signals such that the generated restaurant sound is audible to the customer at or near one or both of the menu board and the speaker post; and
an order-placement transceiver configured to (i) transmit the order data packets from the audio-order placement sub-system to the base station through a single pair of wires, and (ii) receive the restaurant data packets from the base station through the single pair of wires;
wherein at least one of the analog-to-digital converter, the digital-to-analog converter, the order-placement encoder, the order-placement decoder, the speaker, and the order-placement transceiver is powered by power transmitted from the base station through the single pair of wires;
the single pair of wires, wherein the single pair of wires is communicatively coupled between the audio-order placement sub-system and the base station;
the base station, the base station comprising:
one or more base station transceivers configured to (i) receive the order data packets as transmitted through the single pair of wires by the order-placement transceiver of the audio-order placement sub-system, (ii) transmit data packets based on the order data packets to an audio-order receipt sub-system, (iii) receive data packets based on the restaurant data packets from the audio-order receipt sub-system, and (iv) transmit the restaurant data packets through the single pair of wires to the order-placement transceiver of the audio-order placement sub-system; and
a converter configured to (i) convert the data packets based on the restaurant data packets to the restaurant data packets, and (ii) convert the order data packets to the data packets based on the order data packets; and
the audio-order receipt sub-system located remotely from the audio-order placement sub-system, comprising:
an order-receipt transceiver configured to (i) transmit the data packets based on the restaurant data packets from the audio-order receipt sub-system, and (ii) receive the data packets based on the order data packets from the audio-order receipt sub-system;
an order-receipt decoder configured to decode the data packets based on the order data packets into digital order signals that represent the sound received from the customer;
a digital-to-analog converter configured to convert the digital order signals to order signals;
a headset configured to generate order sound based on the order signals, such that the generated order sound is audible to a staff member through the headset, wherein the headset is further configured to capture sound from the staff member through one or more headset microphones and to generate restaurant information signals that represent the sound captured from the staff member;
an analog-to-digital converter configured to convert the restaurant information signals to digital restaurant information signals; and
an order-receipt encoder configured to encode the digital restaurant information signals to form the data packets based on the restaurant data packets.
2
The system of claim 1, further comprising:
the audio-order receipt sub-system located remotely from the audio-order placement sub-system, comprising:
an order-receipt transceiver configured to (i) transmit the restaurant data packets from the audio-order receipt sub-system, and (ii) receive the data packets based on the order data packets from the audio-order receipt sub-system; and
an order-receipt decoder configured to decode the data packets based on the order data packets into digital order signals, wherein the digital order signals are based on the sound received from the customer.
1
the audio-order receipt sub-system located remotely from the audio-order placement sub-system, comprising:
an order-receipt transceiver configured to (i) transmit the data packets based on the restaurant data packets from the audio-order receipt sub-system, and (ii) receive the data packets based on the order data packets from the audio-order receipt sub-system;
an order-receipt decoder configured to decode the data packets based on the order data packets into digital order signals that represent the sound received from the customer;
5
The system of claim 1, wherein at least some of the power is provided by the base station.
2
The system of claim 1, wherein the base station is configured to transmit the power that powers the at least one of the analog-to-digital converter, the digital-to-analog converter, the order-placement encoder, the order-placement decoder, the speaker, and the order-placement transceiver by applying a common voltage relative to ground to each wire in the single pair of wires.
7
The system of claim 5, wherein the base station is configured to transmit the power that powers at least one of the order-placement encoder, the order-placement decoder, the speaker, and the order-placement transceiver by applying a common voltage relative to ground to each wire in the single pair of wires.
2
The system of claim 1, wherein the base station is configured to transmit the power that powers the at least one of the analog-to-digital converter, the digital-to-analog converter, the order-placement encoder, the order-placement decoder, the speaker, and the order-placement transceiver by applying a common voltage relative to ground to each wire in the single pair of wires.
8
The system of claim 5, wherein the base station is configured to transmit the power that powers the order-placement encoder, the order-placement decoder, the speaker, and the order-placement transceiver by applying a differential voltage between two wires in the single pair of wires.
3
The system of claim 1, wherein the base station is configured to transmit the power that powers the analog-to-digital converter, the digital-to-analog converter, the order-placement encoder, the order-placement decoder, the speaker, and the order-placement transceiver by applying a differential voltage between two wires in the single pair of wires.
10
The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more base station transceivers are configured to transmit wirelessly the data packets based on the order data packets to the audio-order receipt sub-system.
10
The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more base station transceivers are configured to transmit the data packets based on the order data packets wirelessly to the audio-order receipt sub-system, and to receive the data packets based on the restaurant data packets wirelessly from the audio-order receipt sub-system.
11
A method for facilitating intercom communication for one or more quick-service restaurant drive-throughs, the method comprising:
capturing, by a first microphone, sound from a customer placing an order at or near one or both of a menu board and a speaker post associated with a first drive-through lane, and generating order information signals that represent the sound captured from the customer;
encoding, by a first encoder, the order information signals to form order data packets;
decoding, by a first decoder, restaurant data packets from a base station into restaurant signals;
generating, by a speaker, restaurant sound based on the restaurant signals such that the generated restaurant sound is audible to the customer at or near one or both of the menu board and the speaker post;
transmitting, by a first transceiver, the order data packets to the base station through a single pair of wires;
receiving, by the first transceiver, the restaurant data packets from the base station through the single pair of wires;
transmitting power through the single pair of wires, wherein at least one of the first encoder, the first decoder, the speaker, and the first transceiver is powered through the single pair of wires;
receiving, by the base station, the order data packets as transmitted through the single pair of wires;
transmitting data packets based on the order data packets; and
performing order taking based on digital order signals, wherein performing the order taking includes generating digital restaurant information signals and forming the restaurant data packets based on the digital restaurant information signals.
11
A method for facilitating intercom communication for one or more quick-service restaurant drive-throughs, the method comprising:
capturing, by a first microphone, sound from a customer placing an order at or near one or both of a menu board and a speaker post positionally associated with a first drive-through lane, and generating order information signals that represent the sound captured from the customer, wherein the order information signals have an analog format;
converting, by a first analog-to-digital converter, the order information signals to digital order information signals having a digital format;
encoding, by a first encoder, the digital order information signals to form order data packets;
decoding, by a first decoder, restaurant data packets from a base station into digital restaurant signals;
converting, by a first digital-to-analog converter, the digital restaurant signals into restaurant signals;
generating, by a speaker, restaurant sound based on the restaurant signals such that the generated restaurant sound is audible to the customer at or near one or both of the menu board and the speaker post;
transmitting, by a first transceiver, the order data packets to the base station through a single pair of wires;
receiving, by the first transceiver, the restaurant data packets from the base station through the single pair of wires;
transmitting power through the single pair of wires, wherein at least one of the first analog-to-digital converter, the first encoder, the first decoder, the first digital-to-analog converter, the speaker, and the first transceiver, is powered by the transmitted power;
receiving, by the base station, the order data packets as transmitted through the single pair of wires, and receiving data packets based on the restaurant data packets;
transmitting, by the base station, the restaurant data packets through the single pair of wires, and transmitting data packets based on the order data packets;
converting the data packets based on the restaurant data packets to the restaurant data packets, and the order data packets to the data packets based on the order data packets;
decoding the data packets based on the order data packets into digital order signals that represent the sound received from the customer;
converting the digital order signals to order signals;
generating order sound based on the order signals, such that the generated order sound is audible to a staff member through a headset;
capturing, by the headset, sound from the staff member through one or more headset microphones;
generating restaurant information signals that represent the sound captured from the staff member;
converting the restaurant information signals to digital restaurant information signals; and
encoding the digital restaurant information signals to form the data packets based on the restaurant data packets.
14
The method of claim 11, wherein at least some of the power is provided by the base station.
11
transmitting power through the single pair of wires, wherein at least one of the first analog-to-digital converter, the first encoder, the first decoder, the first digital-to-analog converter, the speaker, and the first transceiver, is powered by the transmitted power
16
The method of claim 14, wherein providing the power includes applying a differential voltage between two wires in the single pair of wires.
12
The method of claim 11, wherein transmitting the power through the single pair of wires includes applying a differential voltage between two wires in the single pair of wires.
17
The method of claim 11, wherein transmission over the single pair of wires is based on IEEE 1901.
14
The method of claim 11, wherein transmission over the single pair of wires is based on IEEE 1901.
18
The method of claim 11, wherein the single pair of wires is a twisted pair.
15
The method of claim 11, wherein the single pair of wires is a twisted pair.
19
The method of claim 11, wherein transmitting the order data packets to the base station through the single pair of wires includes using differential signaling over the single pair of wires.
16
The method of claim 11, wherein transmitting the order data packets to the base station through the single pair of wires includes using differential signaling over the single pair of wires.
20
The method of claim 11, wherein the data packets based on the order data packets are transmitted wirelessly.
18
The method of claim 11, wherein the order data packets transmitted from the base station are transmitted wirelessly.
(1) Regarding claim 1:
Claim 1 of US Patent 11,463,491 B2 discloses all subject matter of claim 1 as shown in above comparison, therefore, claim 1 of US Patent 11,463,491 B2 anticipated claim 1.
(2) Regarding claim 2:
Claim 1 of US Patent 11,463,491 B2 discloses all subject matter of claim 1, and further disclose all subject matter of claim 2 as shown in above comparison.
(3) Regarding claim 5:
Claim 1 of US Patent 11,463,491 B2 discloses all subject matter of claim 1, and claim 2 further disclose all subject matter of claim 5 as shown in above comparison.
(4) Regarding claim 7:
Claim 1 of US Patent 11,463,491 B2 discloses all subject matter of claim 1, and claim 2 further disclose all subject matter of claim 7 as shown in above comparison.
(5) Regarding claim 8:
Claim 1 of US Patent 11,463,491 B2 discloses all subject matter of claim 1, and claim 3 further disclose all subject matter of claim 8 as shown in above comparison.
(6) Regarding claim 10:
Claim 1 of US Patent 11,463,491 B2 discloses all subject matter of claim 1, and claim 10 further disclose all subject matter of claim 10 as shown in above comparison.
(7) Regarding claim 11:
Claim 11 of US Patent 11,463,491 B2 discloses all subject matter of claim 11 as shown in above comparison, therefore, claim 11 of US Patent 11,463,491 B2 anticipated claim 11.
(8) Regarding claim 14:
Claim 11 of US Patent 11,463,491 B2 discloses all subject matter of claim 14 as shown in above comparison.
(9) Regarding claim 16-20:
Claims 12, 14, 15, 16, 18 of US Patent 11,463,491 B2 discloses all subject matter of claims 16-20 respectively as shown in above comparison.
Claims 6 and 15 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1 and 11 of U.S. Patent No. 11,463,491 B2 in view of Lin et al. (US 2010/0125492 A1).
Claims 1 and 11 of US Patent 11,463,491 B2 discloses all subject matter of claims 1 and 11, except at least some of the power is provided by a power source external to the system.
However, Lin discloses a system with a base station 76 powered by an AC plug adapter 100 connected to an outlet for powering the base station 76 (para. 0074) (the examiner interprets the wall outlet as the claimed external power).
It is desirable to have at least some of the power is provided by a power source external to the system because it provide more stable power supplied to the base station.  Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to employ the teaching of Lin in the system of claim 1 and method of claim 11 of US Patent 11,463,491 B2 for the benefit of proving more stable supplied power.
Claim 9 is rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1 and 11 of U.S. Patent No. 11,463,491 B2 in view of Tanaka et al. (US 2010/0070141 A1).
Claim 1 of US Patent 11,463,491 B2 discloses all subject matter of claim 1, and claim 5/1 discloses the single pair of wires is a twisted pair and claim 6/1 discloses the single pair of wires is included in a balance cable; but fails to explicitly disclose the single pair of wires is a twisted pair, and the single pair of wires is included in a balanced cable.
However, Tanaka discloses in paragraph 0006 that , “a balanced cable such as a twisted pair cable is used”.  Therefore, since claim 5/1 of US Patent 11,463,491 B2 discloses the single pair of wires is a twisted pair and claim 6/1 discloses the single pair of wires is included in a balance cable; by recognizing a twisted pair is a type of balanced cable, the claimed limitation of claim 9 is met by claim 5/1 or 6/1 of US patent 11,463,491 B2 for the benefit of reducing cross talk interference of the transmitted signal.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
Becker et al. (US 10,311,530 B2) discloses system and process for managing preparation and packaging of food and/or beverage products for a precise delivery time.
O’Gwynn (US 9,639,906 B2) discloses a system and method for wideband audio communication with a quick service restaurant drive-through intercom.
Awiszus (US 8,271,340 B2) discloses order taking system and method with local and/or remote monitoring.
Yu (US 9,191,478 B2) discloses a digital wireless intercom system and driving method thereof.
Hall (US 7,120,388 B2) discloses a wireless intercom system and method of communicating using wireless intercom system.

APPLICANT REBUTTAL: REMARKSBy this paper, claims 3-6, and 11-13 are amended; and no claims are added or cancelled. Accordingly, claims 1-20 are all of the pending claims. Support for the amendments presented above is provided throughout the specification and claims as originally filed.Applicant expressly reserves the right to prosecute supported subject matter in one or more continuation applications. In view of the foregoing amendments and the following remarks, reconsideration and allowance of all the pending claims is anticipated.Double Patenting Rejection Claims 1-5, 7-8, 10-14 and16-20 currently stand rejected on the grounds of non- statutory double patenting as allegedly being unpatentable over claims 1-6 and 8-9 of U.S. Patent No. 11,778,005 ("the '005 Patent"); claims 1-2, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11, 14, and 16- 20 currently stand rejected on the grounds of non-statutory double patenting as allegedly being unpatentable over claims 1-3, 10-12, 14-16, and 18 of U.S. Patent No.11,463,491 ("the '491 Patent"); claims 6 and 15 currently stand rejected on the grounds of non-statutory double patenting as allegedly being unpatentable over claims 1 and 11 of the '005 Patent in view of U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0125492 to Lin, et al ("Lin") and claims 1 and 11 of the '491 Patent in view of "Lin"; and claim 9 currently stands rejected on the grounds of non-statutory double patenting as allegedly being unpatentable over claims 1 and 11 of the '005 Patent in view of U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0070141 to Tanaka, et al. ("Tanaka") and claims 1 and 11 of the '491 Patent in view of "Lin".As suggested by the Examiner, a Terminal Disclaimer executed by the undersigned the Applicant's representative in compliance with 37 C.F.R. § 1.321(c) is submitted herewith to disclaim the term of a patent resulting from the present application from extending beyond that of the '005 Patent and the '491 Patent.Accordingly, the above non-statutory double patenting rejection should be withdrawn.In the unlikely event of inadvertent non-payment of the Terminal Disclaimer fee required under 37 C.F.R. § 1.20(d), the fee is hereby authorized to be charged to our Deposit Account No. 602731 (Ref. No. 45YP-027057).CONCLUSIONHaving addressed each of the foregoing objections and/or rejections, it is submitted that a full and complete response has been made to the outstanding Office Action and, as such, the application is in condition for allowance. Notice to that effect is anticipated.If the Examiner believes, for any reason, that personal communication will expedite prosecution of this application, the Examiner is invited to telephone the undersigned at the number provided.Date: March 28, 2025

NEXT OFFICE ACTION: DETAILED ACTION
Notice of Pre-AIA  or AIA  Status
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments, see page 9-10, filed on 3/28/2025, with respect to Double Patenting rejection of claims 1-20 have been fully considered and are persuasive.  The Double Patenting rejection of claims 1-20 has been withdrawn.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1-20 are allowed.
The following is an examiner’s statement of reasons for allowance:
The present invention describes an intercom communication system configured for one or more quick service restaurant drive-throughs, the drive-throughs including one or both of a menu board and a speaker post, the system comprising: an audio-order placement sub-system associated with one or both of the menu board and the speaker post, the audio-order placement sub-system comprising: a microphone configured to capture sound from a customer placing an order at or near one or both of the menu board and the speaker post, and to generate order information signals that represent the sound captured from the customer; an order-placement encoder configured to encode the order information signals to form order data packets; an order-placement decoder configured to decode restaurant data packets from a base station into restaurant signals; a speaker configured to generate restaurant sound based on the restaurant signals such that the generated restaurant sound is audible to the customer at or near one or both of the menu board and the speaker post; and an order-placement transceiver configured to (i) transmit the order data packets from the audio-order placement sub-system to the base station through a single pair of wires, and (ii) receive the restaurant data packets from the base station through the single pair of wires; wherein at least one of the order-placement encoder, the order-placement decoder, the speaker, and the order-placement transceiver is powered through the single pair of wires; the single pair of wires, wherein the single pair of wires is communicatively coupled between the audio-order placement sub-system and the base station; and the base station, the base station comprising: one or more base station transceivers configured to (i) receive the order data packets as transmitted through the single pair of wires by the order-placement transceiver of the audio-order placement sub-system, (ii) transmit data packets based on the order data packets to an audio-order receipt sub-system, (iii) receive the restaurant data packets from the audio-order receipt sub-system, and (iv) transmit the restaurant data packets through the single pair of wires to the order-placement transceiver of the audio-order placement sub-system.  The closest prior art, US Patent 11,778,005 B2 and 11,463,491 B2 discloses a same system, but were overcame by the terminal disclaimer filed on 3/28/2025.  Other closest prior art, O’Gwynn (US 2014/0279080 A1) discloses a similar system as shown in figure 2, but fails to disclose an audio-order placement sub-system comprising an order-placement transceiver configured to (i) transmit the order data packets from the audio-order placement sub-system to the base station through a single pair of wires, and (ii) receive the restaurant data packets from the base station through the single pair of wires; wherein at least one of the order-placement encoder, the order-placement decoder, the speaker, and the order-placement transceiver is powered through the single pair of wires.  This distinct feature has been added to independent claim 1, and similar feature has been added to independent claim 11, thus rendering claims 1-20 allowable.
Any comments considered necessary by applicant must be submitted no later than the payment of the issue fee and, to avoid processing delays, should preferably accompany the issue fee.  Such submissions should be clearly labeled “Comments on Statement of Reasons for Allowance.”
Conclusion

CITED REFERENCE SUMMARIES: Ref US11778005B2: Claims:
An intercom communication system configured for one or more quick service restaurant drive-throughs, the drive-throughs including one or both of a menu board and a speaker post, the system comprising: an audio-order placement sub-system positionally associated with one or both of the menu board and the speaker post, the audio-order placement sub-system comprising: a microphone configured to capture sound from a customer placing an order at or near one or both of the menu board and the speaker post, and to generate order information signals that represent the sound captured from the customer; an order-placement encoder configured to encode the order information signals to form order data packets; an order-placement decoder configured to decode restaurant data packets from a base station into restaurant signals; a speaker configured to generate restaurant sound based on the restaurant signals such that the generated restaurant sound is audible to the customer at or near one or both of the menu board and the speaker post; and an order-placement transceiver configured to (i) transmit the order data packets from the audio-order placement sub-system to the base station through a single pair of wires, and (ii) receive the restaurant data packets from the base station through the single pair of wires; wherein at least one of the order-placement encoder, the order-placement decoder, the speaker, and the order-placement transceiver is powered by power transmitted from the base station through the single pair of wires; the single pair of wires, wherein the single pair of wires is communicatively coupled between the audio-order placement sub-system and the base station; the base station, the base station comprising: one or more base station transceivers configured to (i) receive the order data packets as transmitted through the single pair of wires by the order-placement transceiver of the audio-order placement sub-system, (ii) transmit data packets based on the order data packets to an audio-order receipt sub-system, (iii) receive the restaurant data packets from the audio-order receipt sub-system, and (iv) transmit the restaurant data packets through the single pair of wires to the order-placement transceiver of the audio-order placement sub-system; and the audio-order receipt sub-system located remotely from the audio-order placement sub-system, comprising: an order-receipt transceiver configured to (i) transmit the restaurant data packets from the audio-order receipt sub-system, and (ii) receive the data packets based on the order data packets from the audio-order receipt sub-system; an order-receipt decoder configured to decode the data packets based on the order data packets into digital order signals, wherein the digital order signals are based on the sound received from the customer; one or more processors configured to: perform order taking based on the digital order signals, wherein performing the order taking includes generating digital restaurant information signals and forming the restaurant data packets based on the digital restaurant information signals.
an audio-order placement sub-system positionally associated with one or both of the menu board and the speaker post, the audio-order placement sub-system comprising: a microphone configured to capture sound from a customer placing an order at or near one or both of the menu board and the speaker post, and to generate order information signals that represent the sound captured from the customer; an order-placement encoder configured to encode the order information signals to form order data packets; an order-placement decoder configured to decode restaurant data packets from a base station into restaurant signals; a speaker configured to generate restaurant sound based on the restaurant signals such that the generated restaurant sound is audible to the customer at or near one or both of the menu board and the speaker post; and an order-placement transceiver configured to (i) transmit the order data packets from the audio-order placement sub-system to the base station through a single pair of wires, and (ii) receive the restaurant data packets from the base station through the single pair of wires; wherein at least one of the order-placement encoder, the order-placement decoder, the speaker, and the order-placement transceiver is powered by power transmitted from the base station through the single pair of wires;
a microphone configured to capture sound from a customer placing an order at or near one or both of the menu board and the speaker post, and to generate order information signals that represent the sound captured from the customer;
an order-placement encoder configured to encode the order information signals to form order data packets;
an order-placement decoder configured to decode restaurant data packets from a base station into restaurant signals;
a speaker configured to generate restaurant sound based on the restaurant signals such that the generated restaurant sound is audible to the customer at or near one or both of the menu board and the speaker post; and
an order-placement transceiver configured to (i) transmit the order data packets from the audio-order placement sub-system to the base station through a single pair of wires, and (ii) receive the restaurant data packets from the base station through the single pair of wires;
wherein at least one of the order-placement encoder, the order-placement decoder, the speaker, and the order-placement transceiver is powered by power transmitted from the base station through the single pair of wires;
the single pair of wires, wherein the single pair of wires is communicatively coupled between the audio-order placement sub-system and the base station;
the base station, the base station comprising: one or more base station transceivers configured to (i) receive the order data packets as transmitted through the single pair of wires by the order-placement transceiver of the audio-order placement sub-system, (ii) transmit data packets based on the order data packets to an audio-order receipt sub-system, (iii) receive the restaurant data packets from the audio-order receipt sub-system, and (iv) transmit the restaurant data packets through the single pair of wires to the order-placement transceiver of the audio-order placement sub-system; and
one or more base station transceivers configured to (i) receive the order data packets as transmitted through the single pair of wires by the order-placement transceiver of the audio-order placement sub-system, (ii) transmit data packets based on the order data packets to an audio-order receipt sub-system, (iii) receive the restaurant data packets from the audio-order receipt sub-system, and (iv) transmit the restaurant data packets through the single pair of wires to the order-placement transceiver of the audio-order placement sub-system; and
the audio-order receipt sub-system located remotely from the audio-order placement sub-system, comprising: an order-receipt transceiver configured to (i) transmit the restaurant data packets from the audio-order receipt sub-system, and (ii) receive the data packets based on the order data packets from the audio-order receipt sub-system; an order-receipt decoder configured to decode the data packets based on the order data packets into digital order signals, wherein the digital order signals are based on the sound received from the customer; one or more processors configured to: perform order taking based on the digital order signals, wherein performing the order taking includes generating digital restaurant information signals and forming the restaurant data packets based on the digital restaurant information signals.
an order-receipt transceiver configured to (i) transmit the restaurant data packets from the audio-order receipt sub-system, and (ii) receive the data packets based on the order data packets from the audio-order receipt sub-system;
an order-receipt decoder configured to decode the data packets based on the order data packets into digital order signals, wherein the digital order signals are based on the sound received from the customer;
one or more processors configured to: perform order taking based on the digital order signals, wherein performing the order taking includes generating digital restaurant information signals and forming the restaurant data packets based on the digital restaurant information signals.
perform order taking based on the digital order signals, wherein performing the order taking includes generating digital restaurant information signals and forming the restaurant data packets based on the digital restaurant information signals.
The system of claim 1 , wherein performing the order taking includes performing automated order taking.
The system of claim 1 , wherein the base station is configured to transmit the power that powers at least one of the order-placement encoder, the order-placement decoder, the speaker, and the order-placement transceiver by applying a common voltage relative to ground to each wire in the single pair of wires.
The system of claim 1 , wherein the base station is configured to transmit the power that powers the order-placement encoder, the order-placement decoder, the speaker, and the order-placement transceiver by applying a differential voltage between two wires in the single pair of wires.
The system of claim 1 , wherein the order-placement encoder is configured to encode the order information signals to form the order data packets such that the order data packets are standardized and conform to a network communication standard, wherein the network communication standard is IEEE 1901.
The system of claim 1 , wherein the single pair of wires is a twisted pair.
The system of claim 1 , wherein the single pair of wires is included in a balanced cable.
The system of claim 1 , wherein the intercom communication system is configured to use differential signaling over the single pair of wires.
The system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more base station transceivers are configured to transmit wirelessly the data packets based on the order data packets to the audio-order receipt sub-system.
The system of claim 1 , wherein the restaurant data packets represent audible sound.
A method for facilitating intercom communication for one or more quick-service restaurant drive-throughs, the method comprising: capturing, by a first microphone, sound from a customer placing an order at or near one or both of a menu board and a speaker post positionally associated with a first drive-through lane, and generating order information signals that represent the sound captured from the customer; encoding, by a first encoder, the order information signals to form order data packets; decoding, by a first decoder, restaurant data packets from a base station into restaurant signals; generating, by a speaker, restaurant sound based on the restaurant signals such that the generated restaurant sound is audible to the customer at or near one or both of the menu board and the speaker post; transmitting, by a first transceiver, the order data packets to the base station through a single pair of wires; receiving, by the first transceiver, the restaurant data packets from the base station through the single pair of wires; transmitting power through the single pair of wires, wherein at least one of the first encoder, the first decoder, the speaker, and the first transceiver is powered by the transmitted power; receiving, by the base station, the order data packets as transmitted through the single pair of wires, and receiving the restaurant data packets; transmitting, by the base station, the restaurant data packets through the single pair of wires, and transmitting data packets based on the order data packets; decoding the data packets based on the order data packets into digital order signals, wherein the digital order signals are based on the sound received from the customer; and performing order taking based on the digital order signals, wherein performing the order taking includes generating digital restaurant information signals and forming the restaurant data packets based on the digital restaurant information signals.
capturing, by a first microphone, sound from a customer placing an order at or near one or both of a menu board and a speaker post positionally associated with a first drive-through lane, and generating order information signals that represent the sound captured from the customer;
encoding, by a first encoder, the order information signals to form order data packets;
decoding, by a first decoder, restaurant data packets from a base station into restaurant signals;
generating, by a speaker, restaurant sound based on the restaurant signals such that the generated restaurant sound is audible to the customer at or near one or both of the menu board and the speaker post;
transmitting, by a first transceiver, the order data packets to the base station through a single pair of wires;
receiving, by the first transceiver, the restaurant data packets from the base station through the single pair of wires;
transmitting power through the single pair of wires, wherein at least one of the first encoder, the first decoder, the speaker, and the first transceiver is powered by the transmitted power;
receiving, by the base station, the order data packets as transmitted through the single pair of wires, and receiving the restaurant data packets;
transmitting, by the base station, the restaurant data packets through the single pair of wires, and transmitting data packets based on the order data packets;
decoding the data packets based on the order data packets into digital order signals, wherein the digital order signals are based on the sound received from the customer; and
performing order taking based on the digital order signals, wherein performing the order taking includes generating digital restaurant information signals and forming the restaurant data packets based on the digital restaurant information signals.
The method of claim 11 , wherein performing the order taking includes performing automated order taking.
The method of claim 11 , wherein transmitting the power through the single pair of wires includes applying a differential voltage between two wires in the single pair of wires.
The method of claim 11 , wherein the transmitted power powers the first encoder, the first decoder, the speaker, and the first transceiver.
The method of claim 11 , wherein transmission over the single pair of wires is based on IEEE 1901.
The method of claim 11 , wherein the single pair of wires is a twisted pair.
The method of claim 11 , wherein transmitting the order data packets to the base station through the single pair of wires includes using differential signaling over the single pair of wires.
The method of claim 11 , wherein the order data packets transmitted from the base station are transmitted wirelessly.
Ref US11463491B2: Claims:
An intercom communication system configured for one or more quick service restaurant drive-throughs, the drive-throughs including one or both of a menu board and a speaker post, the system comprising: an audio-order placement sub-system positionally associated with one or both of the menu board and the speaker post, the audio-order placement sub-system comprising: a microphone configured to capture sound from a customer placing an order at or near one or both of the menu board and the speaker post, and to generate order information signals that represent the sound captured from the customer, wherein the order information signals have an analog format; an analog-to-digital converter configured to receive the order information signals from the microphone and further configured to convert the order information signals to digital order information signals having a digital format; an order-placement encoder configured to encode the digital order information signals to form order data packets; an order-placement decoder configured to decode restaurant data packets from a base station into digital restaurant signals; a digital-to-analog converter configured to convert the digital restaurant signals into restaurant signals; a speaker configured to generate restaurant sound based on the restaurant signals such that the generated restaurant sound is audible to the customer at or near one or both of the menu board and the speaker post; and an order-placement transceiver configured to (i) transmit the order data packets from the audio-order placement sub-system to the base station through a single pair of wires, and (ii) receive the restaurant data packets from the base station through the single pair of wires; wherein at least one of the analog-to-digital converter, the digital-to-analog converter, the order-placement encoder, the order-placement decoder, the speaker, and the order-placement transceiver is powered by power transmitted from the base station through the single pair of wires; the single pair of wires, wherein the single pair of wires is communicatively coupled between the audio-order placement sub-system and the base station; the base station, the base station comprising: one or more base station transceivers configured to (i) receive the order data packets as transmitted through the single pair of wires by the order-placement transceiver of the audio-order placement sub-system, (ii) transmit data packets based on the order data packets to an audio-order receipt sub-system, (iii) receive data packets based on the restaurant data packets from the audio-order receipt sub-system, and (iv) transmit the restaurant data packets through the single pair of wires to the order-placement transceiver of the audio-order placement sub-system; and a converter configured to (i) convert the data packets based on the restaurant data packets to the restaurant data packets, and (ii) convert the order data packets to the data packets based on the order data packets; and the audio-order receipt sub-system located remotely from the audio-order placement sub-system, comprising: an order-receipt transceiver configured to (i) transmit the data packets based on the restaurant data packets from the audio-order receipt sub-system, and (ii) receive the data packets based on the order data packets from the audio-order receipt sub-system; an order-receipt decoder configured to decode the data packets based on the order data packets into digital order signals that represent the sound received from the customer; a digital-to-analog converter configured to convert the digital order signals to order signals; a headset configured to generate order sound based on the order signals, such that the generated order sound is audible to a staff member through the headset, wherein the headset is further configured to capture sound from the staff member through one or more headset microphones and to generate restaurant information signals that represent the sound captured from the staff member; an analog-to-digital converter configured to convert the restaurant information signals to digital restaurant information signals; and an order-receipt encoder configured to encode the digital restaurant information signals to form the data packets based on the restaurant data packets.
an audio-order placement sub-system positionally associated with one or both of the menu board and the speaker post, the audio-order placement sub-system comprising: a microphone configured to capture sound from a customer placing an order at or near one or both of the menu board and the speaker post, and to generate order information signals that represent the sound captured from the customer, wherein the order information signals have an analog format; an analog-to-digital converter configured to receive the order information signals from the microphone and further configured to convert the order information signals to digi
[Truncated to input limit]