Patent Publication Number: US-2010121689-A1

Title: System and method for wireless ordering in a venue

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is related to and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/193,264, filed Nov. 12, 2008, entitled System and Method for Wireless Ordering in Venues, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a system and method for ordering items in a venue using a wireless communication device. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Vendors have continuously sought to increase sales through optimizing their sales process. Improving the sales process is critical in building a client base and maintaining that client base. Customers are more likely to return for future purchases if they find the sales process enjoyable. For many customers the most important aspect of the sales process is the waiting time. Customers prefer making purchases from vendors where the waiting period is short. Moreover, an efficient sales process not only benefits the customers, but leads to increased sales and greater revenue for vendors. 
     One of the first ways vendors sought to create a more efficient sales process was to increase the number of lines customers could wait in. While increasing the number of lines is effective, it is also costly. Increasing the number of lines requires more space, equipment, and personnel. 
     As advancements in technology were made other means of creating a more efficient sales process were developed. For example, the creation of the electronic cash register has improved the speed of the checkout process. More recently, self-checkout machines have been added by many vendors to decrease wait times. These self-checkout machines increase the number of lines without the added expense of additional employees, but many people have difficulty using these machines. Fax machines have also increased the speed in which customers may communicate orders to vendors. However, many people have not had access to a fax machine, while others have avoided its use because of relatively high costs. 
     Perhaps, the largest change to the sales process was due to the Internet. The evolution of the Internet has brought upon a whole new market of online shopping. Many vendors have created online stores for customers to view and purchase items. Customers can enter their billing information on the vendor&#39;s website and have their orders delivered to them at a location they choose. Often customers prefer buying online over going to the store because it saves the customer time otherwise used to travel to and from the store. 
     As familiarity with the Internet grows, so does the volume of online sales. Additionally, advancements in technology, such as the cell phone and laptop, have increased access to the Internet. These portable devices allow people to access the Internet at nearly all times and from nearly all locations. The increased access to the Internet equates to an increase in opportunities to make online purchases. Thus, many vendors have worked to capitalize on the expanding market. 
     Several food vendors in particular have implemented online ordering. Such vendors have provided order forms on their websites that allow customers to fill out and submit an order via the Internet. The customer can then go to the vendor and claim their order. Alternatively, some vendors offer the option to deliver the food ordered online. However, these vendors are typically located outside venues, and therefore, would not be permitted to deliver into a venue. Thus, there is a need for food service delivery inside venues. 
     The challenges facing vendors during heavily attended events have long been known. Given that the large majority of events held in some venues last only a few hours, it is important for vendors to make as many sales as possible in a short period of time. This goal is frustrated by the fact that those attending the event often do not wish to take their attention away from the event to make purchases. Vendors have spent considerable time and money seeking to improve their operations to increase sales. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,912,743 to Kinebuchi teaches ordering via a wireless device, but fails to solve the issue of tracking the progress of the order. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,920,431 to Showghi et al. teaches a remote ordering system and method for use in a venue. However, the &#39;431 patent requires “identifiable delivery locations.” Given the nature of events taking place within a venue and the complexities of modern day venues, it is impractical to require identifiable delivery locations. The &#39;439 patent makes no provision for providing alternative distribution where delivery is impractical and/or uneconomical. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,174,308 to Bergman also teaches a system for ordering items available at a venue. However, the &#39;308 patent requires the use of a “display board” that is “simultaneously viewed by multiple venue attendees at the venue.” Thus, the &#39;308 patent requires a costly expenditure on equipment that makes operation of the system less profitable. 
     Accordingly, there is a need for a practical and economically feasible system for ordering items within a venue that provides shorter wait times for customers and increased sales for vendors. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention teaches a system and method for wireless ordering in a venue. Various embodiments of the present invention are realized for providing a system and method that is suitable and economical for wireless ordering in venue. 
     The present disclosure teaches a system for wireless ordering in a venue, including at least one wireless communication device configured to allow a user within a venue to input information, a network that is wirelessly accessible by the at least one wireless communication device, a server coupled to the network, and configured to transmit information packets through the network to the at least one wireless communication device, an electronic payment gateway coupled to the server, and configured to pass electronic payment information received from the server, at least one order-processing computer coupled to the server, and configured to receive order information, at least one order-displaying device coupled to the at least one order-processing computer, and configured to receive order information from the at least one order-processing computer and to display the order information, and at least one pick-up station where customers may retrieve their orders. 
     Furthermore, the present disclosure teaches a method for wireless ordering in a venue, including an ordering step, an order-processing step wherein the information provided to the server is processed and forwarded to the wireless communication device and an appropriate order-processing computer, and a distributing step wherein the item ordered is distributed to a customer. The present disclosure also teaches that the ordering step includes an accessing step wherein a user of a wireless communication device accesses a network, an initiating step wherein a server transmits packets of information via the network to the wireless communication device, an inputting step wherein the user enters information into the wireless communication device, an approving step wherein the user approves the information previously inputted, and a submitting step wherein the user submits the information previously inputted and approved to the server. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A more complete understanding of the present invention, and its features and their resulting advantages, may be obtained by reference to the following detailed description when considered in light of the accompanying drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of a system for wireless ordering in a venue; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic illustration of another embodiment of a system for wireless ordering in a venue; 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating a method for wireless ordering in a venue; 
         FIG. 4  is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of an exemplary ordering step of the method for wireless ordering in a venue of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a block diagram illustrating another embodiment of an exemplary ordering step of the method for wireless ordering in a venue of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of an exemplary order-processing step of the method for wireless ordering in a venue of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of an exemplary distributing step of the method for wireless ordering in a venue of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a block diagram illustrating another embodiment of an exemplary distributing step of the method for wireless ordering in a venue of  FIG. 3 ; 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     A detailed description of the invention is provided by reference to the drawing figures, in which like reference designators refer to like elements. The drawing figures are intended to allow those having ordinary skill in the art to understand the scope of the embodiments of the present invention.  FIG. 1  shows a schematic of an exemplary system for wireless ordering in a venue in accordance with the principles of the present invention and designated generally as  100 . The system for wireless ordering in a venue  100  allows for the ordering and distribution of items as described in the embodiments herein. Herein, item is used to refer to any good, such as food, beverages, clothing, gifts, programs, etc., or any service, such as providing a game, tour, scoreboard announcement, etc. Further, the described system for wireless ordering in a venue  100  is suitable for a variety of venues (e.g. stadium, arena, theater, etc.) hosting a variety of events (e.g. sporting event, concert, etc.), as well as, for the distribution of items to those in a local area, such as a neighborhood, campus, town, or city. 
     The depicted system for wireless ordering in a venue  100  includes a wireless communication device  101 , a network  102 , a server  103 , an electronic payment gateway  104 , an order-processing computer  105 , an order-displaying device  106 , a pick-up station  107 , and a delivery person  108 . 
     The wireless communication device  101  may be any device capable of communicating wirelessly with the network  102 . An exemplary wireless communication device  101  is a cell phone, smart-phone, PDA, or laptop. Additionally, the wireless communication device  101  may be a hand-held device specifically designed to work with the network. Although all of the aforementioned wireless communication devices  101  are portable, such a feature is not necessary. For example, the wireless communication device  101  may also be fixed to a particular seat or kiosk. The only required features of a wireless communication device  101  are a display and at least one button, voice-sensor, touch screen, dial, or other device for inputting information. Note, that although only one wireless communication device  101  is shown in  FIG. 1 , the system for wireless ordering in a venue  100  is capable of operating with numerous and varying wireless communication devices  101 . 
     The wireless communication device  101  may automatically access the network  102  or the customer using the wireless communication device  101  may manually access the network  102 . Depending on the type of network  102 , the network infrastructure may be located inside or outside the venue. The network  102  may be the Internet, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), or any similar infrastructure having one or more transceivers. In any case, the network  102  may be accessed by numerous wireless communication devices  101  at the same time. Further, the network  102  allows the wireless communication devices  101  to be used from many different locations. In fact, the network  102  may be accessed from wherever the wireless communication device  101  can receive a network signal. Alternatively, the network  102  may be designed to limit access to those wireless communication devices  101  located within a designated area or venue. 
     Packets of information, including order information and billing information, may be transmitted from the wireless communication device  101  through the network  102  to the server  103 . Additionally, the server  103  may transmit packets of information, including information on the price and availability of items, through the network  102  to the wireless communication device  101 . Note, the server  103  may be placed at any location within the venue, or at a location outside the venue thereby permitting easier access and maintenance. 
     In  FIG. 1 , the server  103  is depicted as a single computer, but may actually comprise numerous computers acting as servers. For instance, the server  103  may represent a number of servers in a blade server arrangement. In accordance with this invention, many embodiments may be contemplated by varying the components to optimize the power, scalability, and/or reliability of the server  103 . Further, the server  103  may utilize any network operating system known in the art. The server  103  also includes at least one storage device, which stores data relating to the price and availability of items offered. Although particular mention is given to the storage device, the server  103  contains all the components well known to be common in servers. 
     Furthermore, the server  103  allows for data collection. The server  103  may collect data pertaining to the number of sales, the specific items sold, the time at which items are sold, to whom they were sold, etc. This data may then be compared with past data collected, processed to determine meaningful projections, and/or provided to the vendor or others interested in such sales data. The server  103  is also capable of storing this data for later review, so that inventory and operations may be improved as well. The server&#39;s  103  ability to collect data is important to the economic viability of the system for wireless ordering in venues  100 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the server  103  is coupled to both the electronic payment gateway  104  and the order-processing computer  105 . The connections between the server  103  and the electronic payment gateway  104  and between the server  103  and the order-processing computer  105  may be either wired or wireless. Further, the connections can, but do not need to be, of the same type (i.e., one connection may be wired and the other connection may be wireless). The server  103  processes the information packets sent from the wireless communication devices  101  via the network  102 , and provides the appropriate information to either the electronic payment gateway  104  or order-processing computer  105 . 
     The electronic payment gateway  104  may be any gateway designed to pass billing information to a bank, credit card company, or other financial service. The electronic payment gateway  104  may pass packets of information that contain debit card information, credit card information, check information, or any information pertaining to electronic payment. In addition to receiving billing information, the electronic payment gateway  104  may also transmit information confirming payment. 
       FIG. 1  shows only one order-processing computer  105 , but the system for wireless ordering in venues  100  may have numerous order-processing computers  105  at different locations. The order-processing computer  105  is located at the vendor&#39;s location. Further, each order-processing computer  105  may be designed to best suite the operations that are performed at that particular vendor. In other words, one order-processing computer  105  may run a particular application that is better suited for processing orders where the items are food, while another order-processing computer  105  may run another application better suited for processing orders where the items are souvenirs. 
     Additional advantages may be realized by placing the order-processing computer  105  at the vendor&#39;s location, which is at a location separate from the customer&#39;s location, but within the same venue as the customer. Locating the order-processing computer  105  at the vendor&#39;s location allows the vendors in charge of distributing the ordered items to access the order-processing computer  105 . Vendors may access the order-processing computer  105  to view the order or perform functions to the order, such as changing the status of an order or canceling an order. Moreover, vendors may use the order-processing computer  105  to communicate item availability or price changes to the server  103 , and therefore, to customers using a wireless communication device  101 . Furthermore, the order-processing computer  105  allows for data collection. The order-processing computer  105  may collect data pertaining to the number of sales, the specific items sold, the time at which items are sold, etc. This data may then be compared with past data collected, processed to determine meaningful projections, and/or provided to the vendor. Providing such real-time projections can help vendors improve service and profits. The order-processing computer  105  is also capable of storing this data for later review, so that inventory and operations may be improved as well. The order-processing computer&#39;s  105  ability to collect data is important to the economic viability of the system for wireless ordering in venues  100 . 
     The order-displaying device  106  may be any device capable of outputting a display of the order. For example, the order-displaying device  106  may be a printer that prints a receipt or a double ticket (which is essentially two receipts—one for the vendor and one for the customer). In another embodiment, the order-displaying device  106  may be a screen that displays the order. The order-displaying device may be located at the same site as the order-processing computer  105  or at a separate location where the items are distributed. Placing the order-displaying device  106  at a separate location from the order-processing computer  105 , allows the pick-up station  107  and delivery person  108  to operate from a separate location thereby reducing confusion and congestion at the vendor&#39;s location. 
     The pick-up station  107  is a designated physical space where customers may retrieve the items they have ordered. The pick-up station  107  may be a portion of the space at the vendor&#39;s location. Alternatively, the pick-up station may be at a separate location within the venue thereby reducing confusion and congestion at the vendor&#39;s location. Moreover, a pick-up station  107  may be at a separate location that is closer to the customers. In one embodiment, each vendor has its own pick-up station  107 . In such circumstances, a venue with numerous vendors would have an equal number of pick-up stations  107 . However, in another embodiment, multiple vendors may share a single pick-up station  107 . In some venues, where space is limited, this arrangement may be necessary. 
     By providing a pick-up station  107 , the system for wireless ordering in a venue  100  advantageously reduces the wait for customers allowing them to spend their time viewing the events taking place at the venue. Reducing the time a customer waits in line increases sales at a venue. Further, many customers are deterred from ordering items to be delivered because of customary delivery tips. Thus, offering a customer an alternative to delivery also acts to increase sales. Note, the increase in sales resulting from the pick-up station  107  is important to the economic viability of the system for wireless ordering in a venue  100 . 
       FIG. 1  also shows a delivery person. The delivery person  108  is responsible for taking the items ordered to the customer at the location provided by the customer. Upon delivering the ordered items, the delivery person may collect the payment or authorize an electronic payment. 
       FIG. 2  is a schematic illustration of another embodiment of a system for wireless ordering in a venue. The depicted system for wireless ordering in a venue  200  includes tickets  209 , wireless communication devices  201 , a network  202 , a server  203 , an electronic payment gateway  204 , order-processing computers  205 , order-displaying devices  206 , pick-up stations  207 , and delivery persons  208 . 
     The tickets  209  are those used by customers to gain entry into a venue. Each customer must have a ticket  209  to gain entry into the venue. The tickets  209  may contain information on the customer&#39;s location, including a venue, a section, a row, and/or a seat, or it may contain promotional material. The tickets  209  may also contain information, including a web site address, or directions explaining how a customer can access and use the system for wireless ordering in a venue. 
     Additionally, the ticket  209  may contain a bar code. The bar code can contain the customer&#39;s location or promotional information. For example, the bar code may contain information indicating that a certain item is offered at a sale price. In this manner, the ticket  209  becomes a marketing tool, helping to entice customers to access the system  200 . A customer may use a wireless communication device  201  having a camera to take a picture of the bar code on the ticket  209 . The customer may then transmit the picture of the bar code to the server  203 , which can read the bar code and determine its information. Where the bar code contains promotional material, the server  203  transmits information back to the wireless communication device  201  conveying the promotional offer. Where the bar code contains location information, the server  203  transmits information back to the wireless communication device  201  conveying the items available for the customer&#39;s particular venue and/or location. 
       FIG. 2  depicts a plurality of wireless communication devices  201 . The system for wireless ordering in a venue  200  permits numerous wireless communication devices  201  to access the network  202  at the same time. 
       FIG. 2  also shows numerous order-processing computers  205  each coupled to the server  203 . Each order-processing computer  205  is located at a different vendor within the venue. Each order-processing computer  205  is also coupled to an order-displaying device  206 , such as a printer for printing a receipt. Also, although not shown in  FIG. 2 , multiple order-processing computers  205  may be coupled to the same order-displaying device  206 . For example, one order-displaying device  206 , located at a pick-up station  207 , may receive orders from multiple order-processing computers  205 , thereby allowing multiple vendors to share a single pick-up station  207 . 
     Furthermore, each order-displaying device  206  is displayed at a pick-up station  207  or to a delivery person  208 . The order-displaying device  206  displays the order to a vendor at a pick-up station  207  or to a delivery person  208 , so that the vendor or delivery person may prepare the order. Note, that multiple order-displaying devices  206  may share the same pick-up station  207  and/or delivery persons  208 , as is shown in  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 3  shows one embodiment of a method for wireless ordering in a venue  300 . This method has three main steps: an ordering step  301 , an order-processing step  302 , and a distributing step  303 . The ordering step  301  signifies the first step taken when a customer orders an item from the system depicted in  FIG. 1 . This is the step in which the customer inputs an order using a wireless communication device  101 . The details of this step will be described in more detail below. After completion of the ordering step  301 , the order-processing step  302  automatically begins. The details of this step will also be described in more detail below. Finally, the method is complete when the distributing step  303  is performed. Again, this step will be described in more detail below. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates one embodiment of the ordering step  301  of the method for wireless ordering in a venue  100 . In this particular embodiment, the ordering step  301  includes an accessing step  401 , an initiating step  402 , an inputting step  403 , an approving step  404 , and a submitting step  405 . The accessing step  401  is the step wherein the wireless communication device  101  accesses the server  103  via the network  102 . The accessing step  401  may be performed by launching an application installed on the wireless communication device  101  that may automatically access the server  103 . Alternatively, the accessing step  401  may be performed when a user manually directs the wireless communication device  101  to access the server  103 . 
     Completion of the accessing step  401  triggers the initiating step  402 . The initiating step  302  initiates the display on the wireless communication device  101  according to the information stored on the server  103 . The server  103  is capable of determining the venue or location of the communication device  101  based on GPS signals, cell phone signals, or a manual entry/selection. Therefore, in the initiating step  402 , the server  103  sends data based on the venue or location of the communication device  101 . The data provided in the initiating step  402  includes graphics, item information, advertisements, and promotions. 
     The initiating step  402  provides numerous advantages. First, the server  103  is capable of sending data based on capacity to serve or availability. In other words, the server  103  may provide data so that only the items that are currently available are displayed to the user of the wireless communication device  101 . Such a feature is critical in venues where restrictions on the sale of items (e.g. alcoholic beverages) are in place. This feature allows the vendor to avoid the situation in which a customer orders an item that later becomes unavailable thereby improving customer satisfaction. This feature also permits the vendor to change prices according to the availability of items thereby increasing sales and reducing waste. Second, the initiating step  402  allows specific advertisements to be sent to the wireless communication device  101 . In this manner, the advertisements may be tailored to the audience and displayed at strategic times. In one embodiment, the initiating step allows the server  103  to push advertisements onto the wireless communication devices  101  that have previously accessed the system. For example, the server  103  may send data pertaining to a new item offered or a discounted item, without the wireless communication device  101  requesting the data. Each of these advantages is important to the economic viability of the system. 
     The initiating step  402  is followed by the inputting step  403 . The inputting step  403  is the step in which the user of the wireless communication device  101  inputs order information including the type, size, and quantity of an item desired. In the inputting step  403  the user may also input location information and delivery method information if necessary. Note that the customer location information may be the location of another individual. Thus, it is possible to use the method of wireless ordering in a venue  300  to make a gift. In one particular embodiment, the inputting step  403  allows the customer to see other users of the system for wireless ordering in a venue  100 , so that the customer may send items to another user without knowing the user&#39;s location. Further, in the inputting step  403  the user also inputs billing information. Alternatively, the billing information may be automatically filled based on a customer profile stored either locally on the wireless communication device  101  or on the server  103 . Such billing information may include the information necessary to make an electronic payment or may be an indication that the customer will pay in cash. 
     The inputting step  403  may be performed by typing, selecting a button such as a radio button, selecting from a drop down menu, clicking and dragging an icon, speaking into the wireless communication device  101 , or performing any combination of such actions. Moreover, the inputting step  403  allows the user to input an image of a bar code. The image may be any digital image stored in any format and taken with any digital camera, such as the camera on a phone. Further, the bar code may be provided on any substance, such as promotional material or a ticket. 
     After the inputting step  403 , all of the inputted information is displayed back to the user in a step called the approving step  404 . In this step, the user is required to confirm/approve all of the inputted information. If the user does not wish to confirm/approve the order, the user has the option to go back and edit the input information. 
     Once the inputted information is approved, the method enters into the submitting step  405 . In the submitting step  405 , all of the inputted information is sent to the server  103  and the order-processing step  302  begins. The details of the order-processing step  302  will be discussed below with reference to  FIG. 6 . 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a second exemplary embodiment of the ordering step  301  of the method for wireless ordering in a venue  300 . In this second embodiment the ordering step  301  includes an accessing step  501 , an initiating step  502 , an inputting order step  503   a,  an approving order step  504   a,  a submitting order step  505   a,  an inputting billing information step  503   b,  an approving billing information step  504   b,  and a submitting billing information step  505   b.  The accessing step  501  and initiating step  502  are similar to the accessing step  401  and initiating step  402  described in reference to  FIG. 4 . 
     The inputting order step  503   a,  approving order step  504   a,  and submitting order step  505   a  are similar to the inputting step  403 , approving step  404 , and submitting step  405 , respectively, except that in each of steps  503   a,    504   a,  and  505   a  only order information is handled. Order information includes item information and customer location information. The item information may include the item name/description, size, quantity, color, serial number, etc. The customer location information includes numbers, letters, alphanumeric codes, colors, and/or any other indicia for indicating a customer&#39;s location. For example, the customer information may include a number indicating the section, a letter indicating the row, and another number indicating the seat. 
     The inputting billing information step  503   b,  approving billing information step  504   b,  and submitting billing information step  505   b  are similar to the inputting step  403 , approving step  404 , and submitting step  405 , respectively, except that in each of steps  503   b,    504   b,  and  505   b  only billing information is handled. Recall that billing information includes the information necessary to make an electronic payment or may be an indication that the customer will pay in cash. 
     Thus, the ordering step  301  of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5  differs from the ordering step  301  of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4  because the order information is sent to the server  103  before the billing information is ever inputted. The advantage of the embodiment of the ordering step  301  shown in  FIG. 5  is that the server  103  may determine if a particular item is available before the billing information is inputted. If the item ordered is not available then the customer does not have to enter the billing information. Therefore, the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5  can help reduce customer frustration by avoiding the situation in which the customer needlessly enters billing information when the item is not available. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates one embodiment of the order-processing step  302  of the method for wireless ordering in a venue  300 . In this particular embodiment, the order-processing step  302  includes an order receiving step  601 , a billing information processing step  602 , an order confirming step  603 , and an order preparing step  604 . The order receiving step  601  is the step in which the information submitted by the wireless communication device  101  in the ordering step  301  is received by the server  103 . 
     Next, the server  103  begins the billing information processing step  602 . In this step, the server  103  determines whether the user has chosen to make an electronic payment or to pay with cash. If the user chose to make an electronic payment, then the billing information is forwarded to the electronic payment gateway  104 . The billing information may be forwarded immediately, or temporarily stored and forward later when items are distributed. Where the billing information is immediately forwarded the order-processing step  302  is stopped and the user is notified if the payment is not approved. 
     Additionally, in the billing information processing step  602 , the server  103  calculates the total amount owed. In calculating the total, the server  103  applies promotions and discounts. For example, in one embodiment the server  103  may analyze an image of a bar code to apply a discount. 
     The order confirming step  603  sends an order confirmation to the wireless communication device  101  and the appropriate order-processing computer  105  simultaneously. In one embodiment, the order confirmation is then automatically forwarded to the order-displaying device  106 . The order confirmation may include the item name, item description, item amount, item quantity, item size, customer location, a confirmation code, estimated delivery or pick-up time, directions to a pick-up station  107 , a map of the venue showing a pick-up station  107 , and/or instructions on what to do if there are problems with the order. The estimated delivery or pick-up time is calculated by the server  103  or order-processing computer  105  as part of the order confirming step  603 . This calculation is based on the number of orders in the queue and whether the order is for pick-up or delivery. Additionally, the order confirming step  603  determines the appropriate pick-up station  107  for the order. In one embodiment, numerous pick-up stations  107  may be capable of supplying the ordered items. In such an embodiment, the server  103  in the order confirming step  603  determines which pick-up station  107  should be used for the particular order. The appropriate pick-up station  107  may be determined based on location with respect to the customer, item availability, and/or wait time at each pick-up station  107 . 
     Finally, the order preparing step  604  is performed. In one embodiment of the order preparing step  604 , the vendor takes the receipt printed from the order displaying device  106  and prepares the order according to the receipt. Preparing the order may include cooking the item and/or packaging the item. This may be done at the pick-up station  107  or at another location by delivery personnel  108 . In another embodiment, the order displaying device  106  is a screen on which the order confirmation is displayed. In such an embodiment, the vendor may use the order-processing computer  105  to track the progress of preparing the order. For example, the vendor may use the order-processing computer  105  to change the status of an order to reflect when preparation of the order is complete. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates one embodiment of the distributing step  303  of the method for wireless ordering in a venue  300 . The distributing step  303  may be performed by either the pick-up step  701  or the delivery step  702  depending on the method requested by the customer. In the pick-up step  701 , the customer presents order information, such as the confirmation code, to a vendor employee at the pick-up station  107  to claim the item. In the delivery step  702 , a vendor employee or delivery person  108  takes the item to the customer at the designated customer location. Thus, in both the pick-up step  701  and delivery step  702 , the item is distributed to the customer and the order is completed. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates another embodiment of the distributing step  303  of the method for wireless ordering in a venue  300 . The distributing step  303  of this embodiment includes a pick-up step  801  and a delivery step  802  that are the same as the pick-up step  701  and delivery step  702 , respectively, described above. In the embodiment of the distributing step  303  shown in  FIG. 8 , however, an additional step exists. As shown in  FIG. 8 , the pick-up step  801  and delivery step  802  are followed by a payment completing step  803 . In the payment completing step  803 , a vendor employee records that the customer has received the item. A record may be made by having the customer sign a receipt or by making an entry into the order-processing computer  105 . Further, where the customer chooses to make an electronic payment, the payment completing step  803  may be the step in which the server  103  is directed to send the billing information to the electronic payment gateway  104 . By withholding the billing information in the server  103  until the item is distributed to the customer, the vendor can avoid having to correct charges for undelivered items or mistakenly delivered items. This feature not only reduces the vendor&#39;s workload, but it also helps to avoid the hassle a customer feels thereby improving customer satisfaction with the system for wireless ordering in a venue  100 . 
     While the present invention has been described with reference to the drawing figures, a person having ordinary skill in the art would recognize that various modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.