INTERACTIVE INFORMATION SELECTION APPARATUS

Abstract: An interactive information selection apparatus comprises: memory means in which all necessary information relating to at least one dish consisting of a number of components is or can be stored spread over a number of hierarchical levels; first display means for displaying in each case a list of options corresponding with one level, one of which options at a time can be selected by a user; selection means which can be operated by a user and which are adapted, after a start instruction and on the basis of menu control, to address that part of the memory containing partial information relating to the selected option; which memory means are adapted to activate the following level after addressing of the said memory part until the final level is reached and are also adapted to store each selected option; and second display means for displaying all relevant information present in the memory corresponding with all selected options.

Description: INTERACTIVE INFORMATION SELECTION APPARATUS The invention is aimed at stores such as supermarkets where diverse types of food products are sold. The object of the invention is to provide an apparatus containing information relating to products, wares and articles available in the store in addition to information relating to dishes which can be prepared with such wares, products and articles. Such an apparatus must be adapted according to the invention to enable each consvuner to make his own choice with simple operation such that at the end of a selection procedure all relevant data is available. In respect of the above the invention provides an interactive information selection apparatus comprising: memory means in which all necessary information relating to at least one dish consisting of a number of components is or can be stored spread over a number of hierarchical levels; first display means for displaying in each case a list of options corresponding with one level, one of which options at a time can be selected by a user; selection means which can be operated by a user and which are adapted, after a start instruction and on the basis of menu control, to address that part of the memory containing partial information relating to the selected option; which memory means are adapted to activate the following level after addressing of the said memory part until the final level is reached and are also adapted to store each selected option; and second display means for displaying all relevant information present in the memory corresponding with all selected options. The apparatus is preferably embodied such that the first display means comprise a screen. A screen anyway provides practically unlimited possibilities in respect of presenting information. Such information can consist of text, numbers and/or other patterns which can enhance the provision of information to the consumer. A strongly recommended embodiment is that in which the screen is a touch screen and also forms part of the selection means. A touch screen is per se known. Particularly in the case of computer systems operating with menu control it is possible by touching a particular part of the screen with the finger to address the corresponding part of the information present in the program and/or memory for further processing. It is noted that alternatively each selection option of a list presented at a particular moment can be designated for instance with a number or letter. Press keys or the like can in this case be arranged in the vicinity of the screen with which the consumer can inform the apparatus of his selection. The use of a touch screen is however deemed an aesthetically much more attractive possibility. After the consumer has made known his complete choice to the apparatus, all relevant information can be displayed on the screen, LCD-display or the like. The convenience of the potential purchaser is best suited with an embodiment in which the second display means comprise a printer for generating a copy on paper of the said relevant information. A specific variant is that wherein the said relevant information comprises information about the wares, products and/or articles for purchase and information concerning method(s) of preparation. In yet another embodiment the apparatus has the special feature that the said relevant information comprises information about prices. Yet another embodiment has the special feature that the said relevant information comprises information concerning the composition of the products and/or articles and/or the nutritional properties thereof. Still another embodiment has the special characteristic that the said relevant information comprises information concerning the location in the store or supermarket in which the apparatus is situated where the user can find the relevant products and/or articles. In this latter case, particularly for the buyer in a hurry, the apparatus can have the feature that the said relevant information contains information concerning the for instance shortest route to be followed by a user through the store or supermarket. In order to encourage the use of the apparatus according to the invention by the consumer an economic stimulus can be incorporated into the apparatus. Such an apparatus has the special feature that the printer can print a discount card for discounting when payment is made for the purchased products and/or articles. During the purchase of products, wares or articles which can be acquired by the consumer as part of his selections, an adjustment with the printed discount card takes place when payment is made at a cash-point such that the purchased products can be paid for by the buyer at a reduced price. In a specific embodiment the apparatus has the special feature that the apparatus is coupled to a central stock control and administration computer. Such an embodiment is particularly practical for central administration of information concerning prices and the availability of products, wares and articles. A very attractive apparatus has the special charac- teristic that the second display means are also the first display means, photos of prepared components of dishes are included in the memory and after a selection the associated photo is ready for display on the screen such that after the final selection has been made the photos are displayed as composite photo on the screen. Particularly in the case where the screen is a colour screen the selection made can be visually presented to the consumer in a very attractive manner. An apparatus is generally recommended which is based on software. In respect of the making of the successive choices by the potential buyer it is noted that the apparatus must preferably provide the option each time a selection has been made by the user of allowing the selection to be confirmed or of giving an error message, in which case the selection can be cancelled and the previous hierarchical level can be restored. The invention will now be elucidated with reference to the annexed drawings, wherein: figure 1 shows a perspective view of an apparatus according to the invention in ready-for-use situation; figure 2 is a highly simplified schematic example of a possible arrangement for the purpose of elucidating the selection options provided by the apparatus according to the invention; figures 3-17 show the respective patterns presented on the screen corresponding with the blocks III-XVII according to figure 2; figure 18 is a view corresponding with figure 1 of the end situation in which a copy of all relevant information relating to the total selection is made by an internal printer and generated by the apparatus; figure 19a shows an example of the first part of a printed card; figure 19b shows the continuation of the card of figure 19a; figure 20 shows an example of a discount card; figure 21 shows a flow diagram corresponding with figure 2, wherein the functional blocks are designated with Roman numerals corresponding with the numbering of the figures following hereinbelow; figure 22 shows a view corresponding with figure 3; figure 23 shows a view corresponding with figure 4; figure 24 shows a view corresponding with figure 5; figure 25 shows a view corresponding with figure 6; figure 26 shows a view corresponding with figure 7; figure 27a shows a view corresponding with figure 9; figure 27b shows a view of the presentation following on from figure 27a; figure 28 shows a view following on from the presen¬ tation of figure 27b; figure 29 shows a view following on from the presen¬ tation of figure 28; figure 30 shows a view as according to figure 11; figure 31 shows a view of the screen during the wait period at the end of the cycle; figure 32 shows a view corresponding with figure 13; figure 33 shows a view corresponding with figure 14; figure 34A shows a view corresponding with figure 15; figure 34B shows a view of the presentation following on from figure 34A; figure 35 shows a view corresponding with figure 16; figure 36 shows a view corresponding with figure 17; and figures 37-42 show respective patterns presented on the screen and corresponding with the blocks according to figure 21 numbered with the corresponding Roman numerals. Figure 1 shows an interactive information selection apparatus. The apparatus 1 comprises a touch screen 2 and electronic means (not shown) incorporated in a housing 3 and consisting of hardware and software operating therein. The housing further has a delivery opening 4 on the front side for delivering a card printed by a printer. Figure 1 shows the ready-for-use rest situation, wherein for instance the text "What shall we eat today?" is displayed on the screen. In order to give a start instruction the consumer places his finger on a position indicated by a box 5. Reference is also made in this respect to figure 3. In accordance with the diagram of figure 2 the image according to figure IV is then presented on the screen. Subject to the selection made, which is displayed on the screen with box 1 or 2, the following screen is presented as according to figures V and VI. Screen IV also offers the option of taking a step back by touching the relevant part of the screen. The different screens show texts with selection options. After selection of an option this option is processed by the system and a switch is made to a following hierarchical level. Other screens, in particular screens V, X, XI, XII and XIV moreover provide photos of the selections made. Figure 11 provides the option of selecting the number of persons for which the meal is to be prepared. This information is used by the apparatus to present to the buyer, after the final selection has been made, the correct quantities of products, wares and articles to be purchased. After the buyer has made his definitive choice the apparatus requires some time to process all data and to print the relevant card. This required time is utilized to present for instance an advertising message, see figure 16, in which the screen XVI is displayed. When the printed card or cards and optionally also a discount card have finally been printed, the apparatus announces the ending of the cycle by for instance displaying on the screen a text as according to figure 17. The screen XVII now displays the text "Recept'O aat hopes you enjoy your meal. Until next time!". Figure 18 shows the apparatus 1 in this situation, wherein a card 6 is generated and the apparatus is ready to return to the ready-to-start situation as according to figure 1. Figures 19a and 19b together show a card which comprises all relevant information for the purchase of the required products, wares and articles for the selection made. The card also indicates in the manner of a cook-book a possible method of preparation for the selections made. Figure 20 shows a discount card printed by the internal printer. This discount card must be processed at the cash¬ point. In this respect each discount information block bears a bar code which can be processed automatically by a laser scanner at a computerized cash-point. Figures 21-42 relate to the alternative possibility that the consumer has a particular ingredient in mind and wishes to receive a ready-to-use recipe therefor. This situation can for instance occur in the case where the store in which the apparatus according to the invention is placed is temporarily offering a determined article at a reduced price or where the consumer has a determined stock of a certain article available at home. After the description of the figures 1-20 an extensive description of figure 21 and the corresponding figures 22-42 will be superfluous. It will be apparent from the description given above that the invention provides an apparatus which can be operated very simply by any purchaser and that the infor¬ mation provided by the apparatus makes it very easy for the purchaser to do the necessary shopping and prepare the selected dishes. *****

Claims: CLAIMS 1. Interactive information selection apparatus, comprising: memory means in which all necessary information relating to at least one dish consisting of a number of components is or can be stored spread over a number of hierarchical levels; first display means for displaying in each case a list of options corresponding with one level, one of which options at a time can be selected by a user; selection means which can be operated by a user and which are adapted, after a start instruction and on the basis of menu control, to address that part of the memory containing partial information relating to the selected option; which memory means are adapted to activate the following level after addressing of the said memory part until the final level is reached and are also adapted to store each selected option; and second display means for displaying all relevant information present in the memory corresponding with all selected options. 2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first display means comprise a screen. 3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the screen is a touch screen and also forms part of the selection means. 4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second display means comprise a printer for generating a copy on paper of the said relevant information. 5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the said relevant information comprises information about the wares, products and/or articles to be purchased and information concerning method(s) of preparation. 6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the said relevant information comprises information about prices. 7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the said relevant information comprises information concerning the composition of the products and/or articles and/or the nutritional properties thereof. 8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the said relevant information comprises information concerning the location in the store or supermarket in which the apparatus is situated where the user can find the relevant products and/or articles. 9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the said relevant information contains information concerning the for instance shortest route to be followed by a user through the store or supermarket. 10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the printer can also print a discount card for discounting when payment is made for the purchased products and/or articles. 11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the apparatus is coupled to a central stock control and administration computer. 12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the second display means are also the first display means, photos of prepared components of dishes are included in the memory and after a selection the associated photo is ready for display on the screen such that after the final selection has been made the photos are displayed as composite photo on the screen. 13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the printer can print on the discount card a bar code or the like readable by an automatically operating cash-point. 14. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the apparatus is based on software. *****

Inventors: VAN LOOSBROEK ALBERT ADRIAAN M, VAN LOOSBROEK, ALBERT, ADRIAAN, MARIA
Applicants: LOOSBROEK ALBERT ADRIAAN MARIA, RECEPT OMAAT C V, RECEPT'OMAAT C.V., VAN LOOSBROEK, ALBERT, ADRIAAN, MARIA
Application year: 1995
Main classification: G06F17
IPC codes: G06F17, G06Q30