Abstract:
A data processing system is provided for determining specific digital content for displaying on a restaurant table top display unit corresponding to a specific time point of a consumption cycle. In particular, the said data processing system is provided for recording inputs and their associated time stamps from a table top unit, reading a current time from a digital clock, performing calculations on the said inputs, time stamps, and the current time, based on a predetermined algorithm, producing a calculated index; storing a plural of digital contents tagged with tagging indexes; selecting specific digital content with its associated tagging index matching said calculated index for displaying on a signage unit.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 of a provisional application Ser. No. 61/178,805 filed May 16, 2009, and which application is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention relates generally to restaurant tabletop display devices and more particularly to systems and methods for controlling digital content displayed on the devices. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Some sit-down restaurants provide tabletop display devices. These tabletop display devices include a display screen for displaying digital content, such as advertisements, menu selections, news, entertainment shows, or games. These tabletop devices may also include input devices, such as touch screens, or separate keyboards. Preferably they will also include provisions for presenting the patrons with a bill, and accepting credit or debit card payment. 
         [0004]    A tabletop unit and system is available from TableTop Media of Dallas, Tex. 
         [0005]    Additional examples are also shown in pending U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 11/190,565; 11/456,151; 11/695,218; 12/028,244; 12/141,744; and 12/197,456 all of which are incorporated in their entirety herein by reference. The present invention relates to an improvement to the control of content displayed on the display units. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention relates to an improvement in our current system and to a method for determining specific digital content for displaying on a tabletop display unit, corresponding to a specific time during a food consumption cycle. The content of the tabletop display will vary to match the stage of the dining experience. For example, during an initial stage, immediately after the patrons are seated, the display unit might show advertisements and descriptions of appetizers and beverages. During the stage after the order has been submitted, but before the food has come, the display screen might be devoted to games, news, entertainment, or general advertising. Some period of time after the main courses have been served, the display might be switched to advertisements for desserts. In this fashion, the display on the tabletop device is coordinated with the dining experience to improve the enjoyment of the patrons, to improve the impact of the advertisements and other displays, and to improve the overall efficiency of the restaurant. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram of the components of a system according to one or more aspects of the present invention. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is an exemplary illustration of specific dining stages and dining stage specific digital content. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0009]    To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the following description and annexed drawings set forth in detail certain illustrative aspects and implementations of the invention. These are indicative of but a few of the various ways in which one or more aspects of the present invention may be employed. Other aspects, advantages and novel features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the annexed drawings. 
         [0010]    One or more aspects of the present invention are described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are generally utilized to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of one or more aspects of the present invention. It may be evident, however, to one skilled in the art that one or more aspects of the present invention may be practiced with a lesser degree of these specific details. In other instances, known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate describing one or more aspects of the present invention. 
         [0011]    According to one embodiment of the invention, the selection and timing of content is controlled by a start time for the dining experience. Upon initiation of the sequence by a diner or host touching the display screen, a sequentially staged display of content is provided on the display unit. As time lapses after the initiation of the program, the program cycles through sequential stages. The content displayed on the display unit is dependent upon which stage corresponds with the time elapsed after the initiation of the program. Thus, the guest can touch the screen to start a new dining experience and begin the timed delivery of content linked to specific stages of the dining cycle. 
         [0012]    According to another embodiment, the system is integrated with the point of sale and kitchen display systems to deliver digital content dependent upon receiving signals from the point of sale (POS) and kitchen. For example, the content would change to a new stage upon the entry of an order at the point of sale, and would roll to another stage upon a signal from the kitchen that the food has come out. 
         [0013]    One other embodiment provides a data processing system for determining specific advertisements with a specific set of menu items to be sent to a signage displaying unit at specific dining stages. The signage displaying unit can be a table top unit situated on a dining table with diner(s) as the user(s) providing inputs through interaction with the table top unit by means of touching the screen. The data processing system can improve effectiveness of the advertisements by displaying certain digital content at a certain time point during the dining, for instance, an advertisement of dessert menu item has more impact after the time when the main dish has been served and before the time any desert has been ordered, than other time point. 
         [0014]    The present invention pertains generally to a system of controlling the display of digital content on a tabletop display unit.  FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram of an exemplary digital system for displaying digital content in a restaurant. According to  FIG. 1 , a digital system  100  comprising various components is illustrated and hereinafter described in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention. According to one aspect of the invention, system  100  primarily includes server computer  103 , a plurality of apparatuses  107 , and communication link  106 . According to another aspect of the invention, system  100  further includes communication link  109  to the restaurant&#39;s existing POS system  110 . In an exemplary implementation of system  100 , the communication links  106  comprise wireless links. According to yet another aspect of the invention, system  100  further includes central server computer  104 , and network link  105 . According to yet another aspect of the present invention, the central server computer  104  is capable of down loading control programs and/or data into server computer  103  and server computer  103  is capable of downloading control programs and/or data into apparatus  107 . According to yet another aspect of the present invention, the apparatus  107  is capable of uploading information to the server computer  103  and then to the central server  104 . The operation of the system  100  can be better understood after the methodologies of processing restaurant transactions according to the invention are described. 
         [0015]    According to some embodiments the system  100  may also include a hostess stand computer  111  that is connected with the server computer  103  as well as a kitchen computer  112  that is linked to the server computer  103 . 
         [0016]    The system  100  in  FIG. 1  can be used to control the display of digital content on the table top devices  107  according to one aspect of the present invention. It can also show video content if desired. The table top devices  107  are preferably of the types that have a touch screen for displaying digital content, and for receiving input from a user, such as a diner, by touching the screen. Preferably the table top devices  107  will be provided with pay-at-the-table technology that permits a patron to view their bill and pay the bill on the device  107 . According to some embodiments it may also be possible for a diner to order their food, request attention from a server, and control the content displayed on the device. 
         [0017]    The table top devices  107  are connected to the local server  103 , which is a computer processor. The link between the table top devices  107  and the computer  103  is preferably a wireless connection. The wireless connection  106  permits information and input to be transmitted back and forth between the computer  103  and the devices  107 . In a similar fashion, the hostess stand computer  111  is also linked with the computer  103  either by wireless connection, or other known technology, such as hard wiring. The kitchen computer  112  is also connected with the local controller  103  as is the point of sale computer  110 . The local controller  103  may be but is not necessarily connected to an external server  104  via an Internet service provider router  105 . Several such systems  100  may be connected to a single central server  104 . 
         [0018]    In operation, a patron may be seated at a table that has a table top device  107 . Upon being seated, the patron may initiate a display program by touching the display screen. The display screen will then show various digital content depending on the elapsed time after the initiation. According to one embodiment, the time after initiation is broken down into stages of predetermined length, and the digital content displayed on the screen is selected according to the then-current stage. For example, with reference to  FIG. 2 , a digital content display program  200  is illustrated in schematic form. The display program  200  includes six stages: an appetizer stage  201 , a pre-order stage  202 , a post-order stage  203 , a dining stage  204 , a pre-pay stage  205 , and a post-pay or dining end stage  206 . The stages are set to predetermined lengths of time, depending on an average or expected dining cycle. For example, the appetizer stage  201  may be set for the first five minutes after initiation. During this appetizer stage  201 , the digital content displayed on the screen will preferably relate to advertisements and descriptions of appetizers and drinks that the diners might wish to order. During this appetizer stage  201  the local controller  103  will select only digital content that is tagged with an identifier that is appropriate for the appetizer stage to send for display on the device  107 . After five minutes have elapsed, the appetizer stage  201  ends and the pre-order stage  202  begins. During the pre-order stage  202 , the controller  103  will select only digital content files that have been indexed as appropriate for the pre-order stage  202 . For example, during the pre-order stage, the display on the table top device  107  may display advertisements and descriptions of entrees and beverages that the diners may wish to order. When the time has cycled to the end of the pre-order stage  202 , the post-order stage  203  begins and the local controller  103  will select only that digital content that has been indexed as appropriate for the post-order stage  203  to appear on the table top devices  107 . The content of the post-order stage  203  digital content will likely include entertaining features such as games or motion pictures; it may also include ads and information relating to a variety of other topics, or may include a survey such as a survey related to customer satisfaction. During the dining stage, the digital content may be selected to advertise desserts or after dinner drinks. During the pre-pay stage  205 , the content may be selected to display the bill, and provide options for dividing the bill, such as separate checks by items orders, or divided equally, or by dollar amount. During the post-pay or stage  206  the digital content may be selected to include a Thank You message, a post-dining survey, or other contents selected by the restaurant. 
         [0019]    The dining stage clock can be started by the patron himself, or by restaurant staff (such as waiter or waitress) touching the display screen. As well the table management system (located at the hostess stand) can be integrated with the table top device  107 , and the system can be activated as the hostess is seating guests. The system once actuated can move from stage to stage by timed initiation, customer initiation or restaurant host or hostess or waiter initiation. If desired for example the customer could start it by swiping a card or a sensor could sense the seating of a customer and start the sequence. 
         [0020]    The tabletop system or device  107  may, if desired, have the ability to query the point of sale to determine what menu items were ordered by the customer and then serve promotions/content/ads based on the item(s) ordered or currently being consumed. For example, if someone ordered a Bud Light brand of beer, it has the ability to know this and then serve a particular ad that&#39;s more relevant to the user; such as, “Ready for another Bud Light?” or could sell an ad to their competitor that says, “Mr. Bud Light drinker, find out why many says Coors Light is better.” This is just one of many configurations where the more relevant ad could drive another round by communicating directly to the user in a relevant manner or try to switch the user to try another brand. 
         [0021]    In another configuration, an ad could be delivered at a particular moment, such as 11 minutes after the user is served a beer; for example, if the average guest consumes a beer in 13 minutes, one could get that promotional message in front of the guest at the most optimal point in time (at the point of decision). 
         [0022]    Those or ordinary skill in the art will understand that fewer or greater number of stages may also be used. Those skilled in the art will also be aware of additional appropriate content to be associated with the various stages. 
         [0023]    According to another embodiment, the transition between stages may be based upon additional actions or input from the table top devices  107 , rather than strictly based upon time lapsed. For example, if the table top device  107  is equipped to permit the diners to place their food orders at the table through the device  107 , the transition from the pre-order stage  202  to the post-order stage  203  might be triggered by the entry of the order, rather than by passage of time. In that fashion, the digital content may be selected to even more closely track the stage of the dining cycle than an estimated or average time. Similarly, the server could provide input at the table top device  107  upon bringing the food to the table to transition from the post-order stage  203  to the dining stage  204 . The diners could initiate the pre-pay stage  205  by making indication on the touch screen of the device  107  that they are ready to pay the bill. Similarly, the transition from the pre-pay stage to the post-pay stage might be triggered by the submission of a payment through the table top device  107 . 
         [0024]    The triggers for transitioning between stages may also be activated by devices other than the table top devices  107 . For example, if the hostess stand computer  111  is linked with the local control device  103 , the hostess may initiate the initial program upon the seating of the patrons. The hostess stand computer  111  may also be used to trigger the transition between other stages, or may be used to override scheduled transitions. For example, if the post-order stage  203  is generally set for ten minutes, but it is an extremely busy time and the hostess is aware that it will take more than ten minutes for the food to arrive, the hostess may be able to extend the time of the post-order stage  203  to override the automatic transition to the dining stage  204 . The link with the control  203  may also permit the hostess stand computer  111  to display information regarding the stage of a particular table top device  107  so that the hostess is aware of what stage of the meal cycle those diners are in. This can permit for better planning by the hostess regarding expected wait times and table availability. 
         [0025]    The transition between stages may also be triggered by the kitchen computer  112 . Therefore when the kitchen receives an order it may update the status to change stages, and when the kitchen has completed an order it may also trigger a transition between stages. The kitchen computer  112  may also include a display showing the status of various table top devices  107  so that the kitchen staff is aware of what stages the various tables are. The point of sale computer  110  may also be used to trigger the various stages. Therefore, when a waiter or waitress enters the appetizer or drink orders, the point of sale computer  110  will signal the control device  103  via link  109  to transition from the appetizer  201  to the pre-order stage  202 . Once the waiter or waitress enters the entrée order, the point of sale computer  110  will provide a signal to the controller  103  to transition from the pre-order stage  202  to the post-order stage  203 . 
         [0026]    The controller  103  may be a computer, such as a personal computer or server, that includes a computer processor. The control device  103  may also include its own internal memory that may be a hard drive, or it may be provided with access to other storage media such as CDs, DVDs, memory sticks, flash drives, or connection to other external storage media, such as external servers that can be accessed via internal or external networks, such as the Internet. The computer processor of the control device  103  is programmed to perform the steps needed to carry out the proposed invention. The storage media to which the controller  103  has access should include sets of digital content that can be activated by the processor for display on the table top devices  107 . The digital content should be provided with a tagging index or indices, to indicate the stages that are appropriate for that content to be displayed. The local controller  103  may have an internal clock, or may have access to an external clock. 
         [0027]    The central server  104  may be a server computer located remotely from the restaurant. It may be appropriately programmed to provide content and instructions to numerous local restaurants. Alternatively, it may be possible to include all of the necessary programming on the central server  104 , such that the local controller  103  is not needed, but all of the control processes are carried out by the central server  104 . 
         [0028]    Although the invention has been shown and described with respect to one or more implementations, equivalent alterations and modifications will occur to others skilled in the art based upon a reading and understanding of this specification and the annexed drawings. The invention includes all such modifications and alterations and is limited only by the scope of the following claims. In addition, while a particular feature or aspect of the invention may have been disclosed with respect to only one of several implementations, such feature or aspect may be combined with one or more other features or aspects of the other implementations as may be desired and advantageous for any given or particular application. Furthermore, to the extent that the terms “includes”, “having”, “has”, “with”, or variants thereof are used in either the detailed description or the claims, such terms are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising.” Also, the term “exemplary” is merely meant to mean an example. It is also to be appreciated that layers and/or elements depicted herein are illustrated with particular dimensions relative to one another (e.g., components dimensions and/or orientations) for purposes of simplicity and ease of understanding, and that alterations for example in the dining stage breakdown may be made, with the key being to time the displays with the customer&#39;s stage of meal consumption to maximize the affect of the display on purchases.