ORDERING SYSTEM, TERMINAL UNIT, METHOD OF ORDERING AND USE OF AN ORDERING SYSTEM

Abstract: The present invention relates to an ordering system comprising at least one ordering unit, one or more terminal systems, and at least one central computer server. The server comprises at least one registration database for registration of one or more sets of data concerning said at least one ordering unit, at least one assortment database including at least one address of one terminal system and at least one associated set of offers, at least one central control adapted to provide representative data from one or more assortment databases to at least one ordering unit upon request by said at least one ordering unit. The at least one ordering unit may establish a connection to said server, and said server may establish one or more call connections to said at least one terminal system, and the at least one terminal unit is adapted to receive one or more calls from said server on a dedicated connection and to respond to said server on the basis of such a call. The invention also relates to a terminal unit to be used in an ordering system, a method of ordering and the use of an ordering system.

Description: ORDERING SYSTEM, TERMINAL UNIT, METHOD OF ORDERING AND USE OF AN ORDERING SYSTEM. Background of the invention The invention relates to an ordering system as well as a terminal unit, a method of ordering and use of an ordering system. Many different systems have previously been suggested for the placing of orders for different kinds of items or services without having to be present at a certain location such as a shop or a restaurant. One well-known ordering system is used in connection with take-away restaurants such as pizzerias. The system requires for the customer to have a computer with an Internet connection whereby he can view the restaurant homepage with a list of different kinds of meals. After picking out a meal , the customer sends the order to the restaurant where the order is automatically printed out on a fax machine . A particular advantage of this system is that the customer does not have to use the phone to call for information regarding the menu or to place an order. The restaurant staff does not have to spend a lot of time answering the phone, especially at inconvenient times. Problems with busy phone lines are also avoided. However, the system also has several drawbacks. One drawback is, of course, that the customer does not receive confirmation of his order. The order can be \Ti overlooked or not received by the restaurant. This means that the customer often ends up calling the restaurant anyway to get confirmation of his order and hereby spoils the advantages of the system. The alternative is for the customer to show up at the restaurant expecting an order to be ready when it is not which is unfortunate for the restaurant, especially since the customer will see this as poor service on the part of the restaurant, and if it happens several times, it can seriously damage the reputation of the restaurant. Another drawback is the possibility of an order passing unnoticed because the computer is either used for other things than receiving orders or turned off. A third drawback is the price of the system which is quite high because of the need for a fax machine together with other hardware and software. A fourth drawback is time spent on responding to an order. The restaurant employee has to write a response in hand or on a computer and transmit it back to the customer. If paper or pencil is not at hand or the computer is not turned on, this operation can easily take several minutes. An object of the invention is to create an ordering system that is simple, reliable and easy to use and install . A further object of the invention is to create an ordering system with a reliable response due to a decentralised and distributed structure. The invention In claim 1, the invention relates to an ordering system comprising at least one ordering unit, one or more terminal systems, at least one central computer server comprising at least one registration database for registration of one or more sets of data concerning said at least one ordering unit, at least one assortment database including at least one address of one terminal system, at least one associated set of offers, at least one central control unit adapted to provide representative data from one or more assortment databases to at least one ordering unit upon request by said at least one ordering unit, where said at least one ordering unit may establish a connection to said server, and said server may establish one or more call connections to said at least one terminal system, and at least one terminal unit is adapted to receive one or more calls from said server on a dedicated connection and respond to said server on the basis of such a call. Hereby, it is possible to create a technically simple and inexpensive ordering system. This is advantageous for ordering/receiving enterprises in general but especially for a lot of smaller shops, hotels, restaurants etc. With the system, they have the possibility to offer services to customers in a way that normally includes several employees and advanced and expensive equipment. In particular, it is possible to transmit an instant response from the terminal system to a customer through a server. Further, as the terminal units at the different enterprises respond to the customer orders, decentralisation of the ordering system has been achieved. The decentralisation of the ordering system may also be seen as distribution of the order responses from a central server to the decentral terminal units . This allows the creation of two-way communication between the person placing an ordering and a terminal unit via the central computer server. Further, by decentralisation of the order responses, it is possible to enhance the reliability of the responses as the responder is typically the one effectuating the order. Even further, the responder may perform other tasks while responding to the order e.g. start the effectuation of the order. The use of dedicated connections from a central computer server, such as an Internet portal, to the terminal systems insures that the communication always will be received. At the same time, it ensures that the terminal system only receives communication from the server and nowhere else. Thus, the dedicated connection works as a sort of communication filter between the terminal system and the server. It should be noted that the associated set of offers always has at least one address of a terminal system. The address may e.g. be a telephone number or an IP address. When, as stated in claim 2, said dedicated connection is a circuit-switching connection, it is possible to establish the dedicated connection in a preferred manner. Circuit-switching is a type of connection by means of which a physical path is obtained for and dedicated to a single connection between two end-points, primarily between the server and the terminal units, in the ordering system for the duration of the connection. The circuit-switching connection may be any kind of connection capable of transferring communication e.g. connections on land, by satellite or mobile/cellular telecommunication network systems . When, as stated in claim 3, a dedicated connection is one or more B or D channels of an ISDN connection, it is possible to create an ordering system that may be used on a worldwide basis. The ISDN connection will also be a fast and reliable connection between a customer and a supplier when typically the customer has acquired the right to a connection. The connection will always be present and have a defined minimum speed. Other examples of fast connections are ADSL or SDSL connections well-known to persons skilled in the art. Of course, other types of fast connections may be used as well as normal analogue telephone lines together with analogue modems. However, the use of analogue telephone lines/modems will increase the response time of an order significantly and hereby reduce the appeal of the system. When, as stated in claim 4, said terminal system includes a terminal unit and/or a printer and/or a credit card reader, it is possible to create a very compact system with a number of different functions which are usually required by a business such as a restaurant . The functions include the possibility of receiving orders, confirming orders, documenting orders and finally receiving payment from the customer. It is relevant to minimise the size of the terminal system as space on the counter of i.e. a restaurant is usually quite limited. The terminal system will be easy to install as it only requires a connection between the system and a telephone socket . The connection between the elements of a terminal system will also be easy to establish by means of cables or plugs in the side of each element. Other elements may be connected or plugged into the terminal system. An example is an order indicator which notifies the owner of the system of the fact that an order has been received. The indicator could be any kind of apparatus signalling with light or sound such as a light bulb or a loudspeaker. After connecting the elements, the terminal system will be ready for use . Some or all the elements may be integrated in the same housing or in separate housings, e.g. a terminal unit and a printer may be integrated in the same housing. When, as stated in claim 5, the terminal unit is manually operated, it is possible to ensure a fast and correct response to an order. The response may simply be a "yes" or "no" to the order. Usually, this will be when the order includes the time of pick-up or an interval specifying the time of pick-up of the order e.g. from the store or restaurant. However, if the order has no related time interval, the terminal unit may be used to specify the time at which the order may be picked up . Further, the terminal unit may specify a later time of pick-up if the suggested time is not possible e.g. by responding "No but XX.XX is possible" to the sender of the order. Many other types of messages may be transmitted to the sender of the order. Examples may be "out of this dish" or "kitchen closed" which may be defined in the terminal unit . The possibility of direct two-way communication between the terminal unit and the sender of an order is especially advantageous. When, as stated in claim 6, said ordering unit includes a computer with the possibility of establishing an Internet connection, it is possible to create an ordering system to be used on a worldwide basis. Today, the Internet is accessible by computers from all over the world which ensures widespread use of the ordering system. When, as stated in claim 7, said calls include one or • more data packets, it is possible to establish a fast data transfer. When, as stated in claim 8, the at least one data packet includes one or more identification characteristics of said central computer server (12) and order data, the terminal unit may easily extract the address to which it is supposed to respond. When, as stated in claim 9, said at least one identification characteristic comprises one or more addresses of said at least one central computer server (12) , such as one or more telephone numbers, it is possible ensure that the terminal unit will always respond to the right server identification characteristics. This is especially advantageous if the server needs to change an address which may be performed without involving the terminal units. In a preferred embodiment, the server identification characteristics include at least two different characteristics, e.g. two telephone numbers, in order to establish a first connection and in the event that the connection fails or is disconnected, it is possible to establish a second connection. In claim 10, the invention relates to a terminal unit (15) for an ordering system including at least one central computer server (12) , said unit comprising at least one display (34) for displaying an order, at least one button (40; 43) for responding to an order displayed on said display (34) to said computer server (12) , at least one terminal unit identification characteristic, means for providing one or more identification characteristics of said at least one central computer server (12) , and means capable of sending a message to said at least one identification characteristic. Hereby, it is possible to create a unit with the immediate capability of communicating with a given central computer server, such as a Internet portal. With the terminal system, it is also possible to enhance different characteristics of the system. By choosing a design that makes the terminal system water or dust proof, it is possible to enhance the easiness with which the surface of the system may be cleaned at the same time . The term "responding" usually means that the unit responds in some way with a data signal . No signal may indicate refusal of an order in an embodiment. The terminal unit may also be a computer with a program ensuring that a dedicated connection is established to the address of the Internet portal. Also, the program should ensure that the computer is not receiving communication from places other than the Internet portal . The use of a computer as terminal unit is usually less advantageous than a smaller, simpler and cheaper terminal unit. When, as stated in claim 11, said means for providing one or more identification characteristics includes memory means (35) for holding one or more identification characteristics of said at least one central computer server (12) , it is possible to create a pre-programmed system which does not require configuration by the user before use. When, as stated in claim 12, said unit includes at least one protocol means, an advantageous embodiment of the invention has been achieved. In particular, it is possible create value-added functionality to the terminal units . When, as stated in claim 13, extracting one or more identification characteristics of said at least one computer server (12) from calls transmitted by said at least one central computer server (12) , it is possible to extract the identification characteristic or characteristics of a computer server, e.g. first and second telephone numbers to which the terminal unit may respond. The characteristics are not necessarily the characteristics of the central computer server establishing the call to the terminal unit. The terminal unit may receive an order call from one server and respond to another server defined by the server establishing the call, e.g. by adding the specific characteristics of the receiving server to each data packet . The protocol recognises the configuration of calls, e.g. the configuration of the data packets, from the central computer server and, thus, ensures that calls with different configurations are rejected by the terminal unit. When, as stated in claim 14, said protocol means extracts at least one security code, such as a password or a code key, from calls transmitted by said at least one central computer server (12) , it is possible to provide the calls, e.g. data packets, with a code allowing only properly coded calls to connect with and enter the terminal unit. If a call fails to provide the correct password or a code key, the call will be disconnected from the terminal unit. The security code of the server may be compared with a reference code in the terminal unit . The reference code may be part of a software program in the unit which performs the comparison or it may be a separate hardware solution, e.g. a "dongle". By means of a security code being incorporated in the calls to the terminal unit, it is also ensured that no false orders may be sent to the unit. When, as stated in claim 15, said protocol means provides at least one security code, such as a password or a code key, to said message, it is possible to ensure that only properly coded communication from terminal units to the server actually enter the receiving server. The security code provided by the terminal unit may be compared with a reference code in the server. The reference code may be part of a software program in the server which performs the comparison or it may be a separate hardware solution, e.g. a "dongle". When, as stated in claim 16, said unit is manually operated, a fast and correct response to an order is ensured. When, as stated in claim 17, said unit has at least one button for altering the content of said at least one assortment database, it is possible to change or remove offers displayed to the customers in an easy and direct manner. In a preferred embodiment, the terminal unit may have direct and instant access to the place where the offers are displayed. Especially in a shop or restaurant where the owner may discover that he or she is running out of a product, it is advantageous to be able to remove the product from the set of offers. Another example may be in a situation where a product is not selling and a lower price is needed. With the terminal system, it will be possible e.g. to change the price quickly since it is within reach and ready to be used. A normal system including a computer will involve the steps of starting the computer, starting the necessary programs and finding the right Internet page before the changes can be made . In general, the nature of the changes made by the terminal unit include complete removal of a product or content changes which only involve a few steps, such as raising or lowering prices. For more substantial changes, a normal computer should be used. When, as stated in claim 18, said means capable of sending a message comprises telephone means, such as mobile telephone means, it is possible to create a terminal unit which requires no wiring in order to communicate with the central computer server. When, as stated in claim 19, said unit is a handheld unit including a wireless connection, it is possible to establish a quick respond. Further, the person actually holding the handheld unit is usually also the person executing the order, or is in close proximity to the person executing the order, and may thus provide a more reliable response to an order together with the time of delivery. Also, the response time to an order may be decreased even more. The wireless connection from the handheld unit to the server may be established with mobile/cellular telephone or other radio communication means in the unit. Figures The invention will be described in the subsequent text with reference to the figures, where fig. la shows an ordering system according to the invention, fig. lb shows the system with a another communication path, fig. 2 shows a central computer server to be used by the ordering system, fig. 2a shows a part of the central computer server from fig. 2 in detail, fig. 3 shows a terminal unit and fig. 4 shows a terminal unit e.g. to be used by take-away restaurants. Detailed description Figure la shows an ordering system comprising a computer 10a; 10c, an Internet portal 12 and a number of terminal systems 14a; 14g. The computer is operated by a person interested in ordering an item or a service from a supplier having a terminal system. To gain knowledge of the possibilities offered by different suppliers and other information concerning the suppliers as well, the person may visit the Internet portal through a connection 11, which includes the Internet 19. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the connection is a telephone line. From the Internet portal, individual connections to a number of terminal systems are made available and these connections may also be telephone lines. The computer normally includes a central unit 102 with a CPU, memory modules, etc. and different peripheral units such as reading drives. It also includes a monitor 103 and a keyboard 101, both connected to the central unit. In figure la, a connection 11 from an ordering unit 10b, such as a computer, is established through the Internet 19 to the Internet portal 12. At the portal 12, the ordering unit 10b places an order which is forwarded to a terminal system 14a by means of a dedicated connection 13. The terminal system 14a makes a response on the order to the Internet portal 12. The response is sent back to the ordering unit 10b. In figure lb, the same procedure is shown but with another ordering unit 10c and another terminal system 14d. In a real-life situation, the person having an ordering unit used for placing an order of a product or a service with a supplier contacts the Internet portal via an Internet connection. At the portal, he will register if it is his first visit to the portal or simply enter his personal registration number to allow the portal to identify him. After accessing the assortment databases of the portal, he chooses the product or service he wishes to acquire and specifies a time frame in which the order should be ready for pick-up. The portal transmits the order including the time frame to the terminal system of the selected supplier. When receiving the order, the supplier may accept the order without objections by sending an acceptance signal back to the portal . The portal then informs the person that the order has been accepted. In figure 2, the Internet portal is shown and in fig. 2a a part of the portal is shown in detail. At the first visit to the Internet portal, the person has to provide personal information to a registration database 22. In a simple version, the information is an e-mail address of the computer being used. However, the address information will usually include the full name and address of the person. In connection with the registration, the person receives a customer registration number which must subsequently be used when entering the Internet portal . The registration number could e.g. be the e-mail address of the person using the computer or any other word chosen by that person. The address information in the registration database 22 is divided into sets of address information comprising first identification data 22a and additional identification data 22b on each person. When the first identification data 22a is the registration number of the person, such as an e-mail address, the additional information 22b may be the full name and address of the person together with information about the person's sex, age, taste, etc. Also, telephone numbers, including mobile telephone numbers, may be entered and thereby make it possible for the Internet portal to contact the person on the telephone e.g. by sending a SMS message. The Internet portal 12 also includes a number of assortment databases, each comprising address information 23a; 23c on a supplier having a terminal system 14a; 14g. In a basic embodiment of the invention, the assortment databases may be displayed to the person in a non-edited manner and hereby provide the opportunity of directly picking a preferred database among what is usually a large amount of databases . In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, a central control unit 20 of the Internet portal may select a number of databases to be displayed on the basis of the information on the person in the registration database. If the person has only submitted the town or area in which he or she lives, this may be used to display a number of suppliers in that town or area. If the person has submitted additional pieces of information such as sex, age, taste, etc., it is possible to create a collection of databases that will correspond to the person's preferences with a high degree of accuracy. Also, the amount of money a person is willing to spend in a given area may help the central control unit 20 display the right collection of databases. It is also possible for the Internet portal to actively direct information to the person when being provided with knowledge of a person's preferences. This could be commercials or similar information from the suppliers having a terminal system. The information could i.e. be about a new supplier in the same town as the person in question when the supplier matches the preferences of that person. Of course, this kind of service is optional in the embodiment but could provide the person with some advantages such as discounts in connection with placing of an order with the supplier. The information contained in an assortment database may be a set of offers 24a; 24c, such as products or services provided by the supplier. Every set of offers 24a; 24c is linked with the address information 23a; 23c on the supplier in a list. The products or services are selectable by the person by means of a computer after having performed the necessary registration. The selected products have to be confirmed by the person to ensure that the selected products do in fact correspond to those ordered by the person from the supplier. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the display of products or services includes an electronic ordering cart. The electronic ordering cart is shown to the customer in the same screen picture as the products or services. The customer can hereby directly and instantly see the orders he places in the electronic ordering cart. It will also be possible to "drag" offers to the electronic ordering cart and remove orders from the electronic ordering cart in a similar way. The construction with one screen picture comprising all features to select and order a product or service is very advantageous, especially because it reduces the number of actions necessary to place an order for a product or service. Not having to visit more than one page also enhances the user-friendliness significantly. The assortment databases will preferably be Internet pages where the suppliers have access to their own pages. Hereby, it is possible for the suppliers to ensure that the information and lists of products are correct. Also, they have the possibility to make changes on the pages i.e. alter prices of certain products. Together with the customer registration number, the order is transmitted by the Internet portal to the desired terminal system. The terminal system 14a; 14g includes a terminal unit 15, shown in figure 3, connected to a telephone line. In its basic form, the unit has the ability to receive, display and transmit information when receipt and transmission of information to the telephone line takes place through an internal input/output unit such as an adapter or a modem. The adapter will normally be an ISDN adapter or a similar digital adapter such as an ADSL adapter. The Integrated Services Digital Network, or ISDN system, is a set of standards for digital transmission over telephone lines through an ordinary copper wire type or similar wire types. An ISDN connection comprises a number of B channels and one D channel, where the B channels carry data, voices and other services. The D channel usually carries control and signalling information. A normal ISDN connection consists of 2 B channels and one D channel but may have several B channels if necessary. The ordering system will use one or more of the ISDN B channels to facilitate communication between the Internet portal and a computer or the terminal systems. The channels will be dedicated to the ordering system ensuring a safe and fast connection. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the ISDN D channel is used to communicate with. Because of its status as control and signal information carrier, this channel is always open. The terminal unit 15 comprises a control unit 31 which controls receipt and transmission of communication through the input/output unit 30, i.e. the ISDN adapter and through one more I/O ports 32, to potential peripheral equipment such as a printer 17 or a card reader 18. The control unit 31 also controls a display 34 where the display is used to display communication from the Internet portal. The display 34 may also be used to display communication from the terminal unit to the Internet portal 12 entered by means of a keyboard 33 at the front of the terminal unit . It is also possible to connect an analogue modem to the telephone line. In its present embodiment, however, the analogue modem has a serious drawback in that the connection to the telephone line takes too long to be advantageous . In another embodiment of the invention, the computer is replaced by a WAP telephone using its ability to access the Internet and the Internet portal in a normal wireless manner. It is understood that other types of equipment can be used instead of a computer or a WAP telephone as long as they have the ability to access the Internet. As described above, the connection between the Internet and a computer or a terminal system is normally a telephone line but could also be another kind of wired or wireless connection. However, this means that the computer or the terminal system requires different kinds of equipment instead of a normal telephone line modem or an adapter. The ordering system may be used by a wide variety of businesses and restaurants and by take-away restaurants in particular. Especially table reservations and orders from menus in restaurants may be advantageous. Another field of application may be as booking systems in hotels, cinemas, theaters, car rents or airports. Also, booking systems for car repair shops or florists or similar places are possible fields of applications. This is advantageous since it is possible to transmit confirmation of a booking or a ticket reservation to the customer and to the customer's printer in particular. Time spent on registration or on obtaining a product at a given location may be minimized or reduced significantly. Further, another field of application may be as an ordering system in supermarkets and shops in general where the system will be combined with manual or automatic location of the products ordered by the customer. The Internet portal may also record different data relating to e.g the nature of the traffic to the individual terminal systems. This will provide valuable information about the customers such as the nature of their orders and their location. On the basis of this information, the right combination of shops or restaurants may be offered to customers in a certain area. At the same time, it will be possible for the owner of a terminal system to offer different kinds of discounts to his customers from the Internet portal or to a group of customers in a certain area. The discount may also be offered by the owner of the Internet portal to some of the owners of the terminal systems e.g. to reward frequent use of the terminal systems . In general, each purchase or order arranged over the Internet portal will include a fee to the owner of the portal . In figure 4, a possible embodiment of the terminal unit 15 is shown and is intended for use in e.g. a take-away restaurant in this particular example. The front of the unit has a display 34 divided into two parts where the first part 47 is dedicated to displaying received communication from an Internet portal 12 and the second part 46 is dedicated to displaying the communication entered by means of number of buttons 40; 44 also placed at the front of the terminal unit. Two buttons 42, 43 are dedicated to either accepting, refusing or proposing different times of delivery of an order. Another two buttons 40, 41 are dedicated to entering a time minimum and a time maximum if an order is accepted, i.e. a time interval within which an order will be ready. Further, the buttons 40, 41 may be used to suggest another time or time interval of delivery if an order can not be delivered at the desired time. The customer placing the initial order may then respond e.g. by confirming the suggested time or time interval of delivery. A fifth button 44 is dedicated to editing the content of the Internet page displaying the offers of the restaurant. The offers may be displayed in the display 34 of the terminal unit 15 and changes be made by means of the fifth button 44 together with the rest of the buttons 40; 43 e.g. with the maximum and minimum buttons 40, 41. An example may be the price of a meal which needs to be reduced or increased. By using the fifth button 44 and the maximum or the minimum button 40, 41, it is possible to change the price on the Internet page from the terminal unit . Many other embodiments and applications are, of course, possible within the scope of the invention. List of reference numbers for the figures 10a; 10c ordering unit such as a computer 101. keyboard 102. central unit 103. monitor 11. connection 12. Internet portal 13. connection 14a; 14g. terminal system 15. terminal unit 16. connection 17. printer 18. card reader 19. Internet 20. central control 21. assortment database 22. registration database 23a; 23c. address of terminal system 24a; 24c. set of offers 30. input/output 31. control unit 32. I/O ports 33. keyboard 34. display 35. memory means 40. minimum button 41. maximum button 42. accept button 43. refuse button 44. edit button 45. received message display 46. transmit message display

Claims: Claims 1. Ordering system comprising at least one ordering unit (10a; 10c) , one or more terminal systems (14a; 14g) , at least one central computer server (12) comprising at least one registration database (22) for registration of one or more sets of data (22a, 22b) concerning said at least one ordering unit (10a; 10c) , at least one assortment database (21) including at least one address (23a, 23b, 23c) of one terminal system (14a; 14g) and at least one associated set of offers (24a; 24c) , at least one central control (20) adapted to provide representative data from one or more assortment databases (21) to at least one ordering unit (10a; 10c) upon request by said at least one ordering unit (10a; 10c) , where said at least one ordering unit (10a; 10c) may establish a connection (11) to said server (12) , where said server (12) may establish one or more call connections to said at least one terminal system (14a; 14g) , and where at least one terminal unit (14a; 14g) is adapted to receive one or more calls from said server (12) on a dedicated connection (13) and to respond to said server (12) or another server on the basis of the call. 2. Ordering system according to claim 1 charact eri zed in that said dedicated connection (13) is a circuit-switched connection. 3. Ordering system according to claim 1 or 2 charact eri zed in that said dedicated connection (13) is one or more B or D channels of an ISDN connection. 4. Ordering system according to any of claims 1 to 3 charact eri zed in that said terminal system (14a; 14g) includes a terminal unit (15) and/or a printer (17) and/or a credit card reader (18) . 5. Ordering system according to any of claims 1 to 4 charact eri zed in that said terminal unit (15) is manually operated. 6. Ordering system according to any of claims 1 to 5 charact eri zed in that said ordering unit (10; 10c) includes a computer with the possibility of establishing an Internet connection. 7. Ordering system according to any of claims 1 to 6 characterized in that said calls include one or more data packets . 8. Ordering system according to claim 7 characterized in that said one or more data packets include one or more identification characteristics of said central computer server (12) and order data. 9. Ordering system according to claim 8 characterized in that said at least one identification characteristic comprises one or more addresses of said at least one central computer server (12) or another server such as one or more telephone numbers. 10. Terminal unit (15) for an ordering system including at least one central computer server (12) , said unit comprising at least one display (34) for displaying an order, at least one button (40; 43) for responding to an order displayed on said display (34) to said computer server (12) , at least one terminal unit identification characteristic, means for providing one or more identification characteristics of at least one computer server, and means capable of sending a message to said one or more identification characteristics. 11. Terminal unit (15) according to claim 10 characterized in that said means for providing one or more identification characteristics includes memory means (35) for storing one or more identification characteristics of at least one computer server such as said central computer server (12) . 12. Terminal unit (15) according to claim 10 characterized in that said unit includes at least one protocol means. 13. Terminal unit (15) according to claim 12 characterized in that said protocol means extracts one or more identification characteristics of at least one computer server, such as said central computer server (12) , from calls transmitted by said at least one central computer server (12) . 14. Terminal unit (15) according to claim 12 or 13 characterized in that said protocol means extracts at least one security code, such as a password or a code key, from calls transmitted by said at least one central computer server (12) . 15. Terminal unit (15) according to any of claims 12 to 14 characterized in that said protocol means provides at least one security code, such as a password or a code key, to said message. 16. Terminal unit (15) according to any of claims 10 to 15 characterized in that said unit is manually operated. 17. Terminal unit (15) according to any of claims 10 to 16 c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that said unit has at least one button (44) for altering the content of said at least one assortment database (21) . 18. Terminal unit (15) according to any of claims 10 to 17 characterized in that said means capable of sending a message comprises telephone means such as mobile telephone means . 19. Terminal unit (15) according to any of claims 10 to 18 characteri zed in that said unit is a handheld unit including a wireless connection. 20. Method of ordering in an ordering system by means of one or more calling parties (10a; 10c) where at least one calling party is connected with a central computer server (12) , said server (12) displaying at least one set of offers (24a; 24c) to said calling party (10a; 10c) , said calling party (10a; 10c) ordering at least one product or a service, and said server (12) connecting a chosen called party (14a; 14g) and transferring said order as a call to said called party (14a; 14g) , where said calling party (14a; 14g) responds with a call through said server (12) to said calling party (10a; 10c) . 21. Method of ordering according to claim 20 characterized in that said called party (14a; 14g) responds by at least one manual interaction. 22. Method of ordering according to claim 20 or 21 characterized in that said server (12) and/or said called party (14a; 14g) establishes a connection at the beginning of a call and terminates the connection at the end of a call. 23. Method of ordering according to any of claims 20 to 22 characterized in that said call is established between the identification characteristics of said server (12) and the identification characteristics of said called party (14a; 14g) . 24. Method of ordering according to any of claims 20 to 23 characteri zed in that said server (12) selects one or more assortment databases (21) on the basis of a set of data (22a, 22b) in said registration database (22) of calling parties (10a; 10c) . 25. Method of ordering according to any of claims 20 to 24 characterized in that said connection is established as a dedicated connection. 26. Method of ordering according to any of claims 20 to 25 characteri zed in that said server (12) displays an electronic ordering cart together with said set of offers. 27. Method of ordering according to any of claims 20 to 26 characterized in that the protocol means of said called party (14a; 14g) extracts one or more identification characteristics of at least one computer server, such as said central computer server (12) , from calls transmitted by said at least one central computer server (12) . 28. Method of ordering according to any of claims 20 to 27 characterized in that said protocol means extracts at least one security code, such as a password or a code key, from calls transmitted by said at least one central computer server (12) . 29. Method of ordering according to any of claims 20 to 28 characterized in that said protocol means provides at least one security code, such as a password or a code key, to said message. 30. Use of an ordering system according to any of claims 1 to 9, a terminal system according to any of claims 10 to 19 and method according to any of claims 20 to 29 in connection with restaurants such as take-away restaurants.

Inventors: BERNO CLAUS, BERNO, CLAUS
Applicants: BERNO CLAUS, BESTIL LET APS, BERNO, CLAUS
Application year: 2001
Main classification: G06F17
IPC codes: G06Q30