Abstract:
Sales transaction history is stored and communications with a consumer is provided through automated means with respect to an order and delivery system deployed over a regional delivery area that includes mobile storefronts operating in a closed network. Digital communications may be triggered by an onboard computer when a mobile storefront is scheduled to be within a defined proximity to the consumer&#39;s geolocation and may include incentives or rewards based on stored historical data. A desired transaction between the consumer and the mobile storefront may be generated by implementing client management software to employ artificially intelligent algorithms that evaluate a transaction history to deliver a personalized strategic promotional message.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/568,971 filed Dec. 12, 2014 which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/915,044 filed Dec. 12, 2013, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to automated management systems for service industries, and more particularly, to systematic routing, fulfillment and payment controls for deliveries of consumer products. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    According to a report by the U.S. Department of Labor Statistics, drivers performing sales operations, such as food delivery, ranked as the fifth most dangerous job in the country. The report cites 25% of deaths in this segment of the delivery industry were the result of assault and/or robbery. 
         [0004]    Employees who make deliveries, such as drivers working for restaurants, are often targeted by thieves, making their jobs dangerous. The risk of encountering violence or robbery is heightened because (i) delivery drivers are known to carry cash for payment transactions, (ii) often travel alone, and (iii) must leave the relative safety of their vehicles to make each delivery. The majority of restaurant deliveries take place at night, compounding the risk for delivery drivers. 
         [0005]    Successful delivery operations are dependent on applying efficient and strategic methods. Modern delivery practices, as such in the current art, often create opportunities for decreased efficiencies, by depending on delivery drivers to make certain decisions that affect the success of the delivery program. Left to their own devices, delivery drivers can make inefficient judgments in regard to operations and tasks such as scheduling, routing deliveries, locating addresses, and transacting money for deliveries. This often results in unsatisfied customers and an ultimate loss of revenues. For this reason, many businesses forego delivery services citing the complexities of management, and lack of profitability. 
         [0006]    Inasmuch as efficiencies and logistics drive successful food delivery programs, preserving the quality and presentation of delivered food are equally paramount. Many restaurants are discouraged from offering delivery services for fear of delivering a substandard product. Time spent on the road during the delivery process is a disadvantage for prepared foods. Most food items when prepared hot will often wilt and become soggy when left in delivery containers for an extended period of time. Similarly, food items intended to be served cold can spoil and/or melt when left unrefrigerated. New technologies and methods that guarantee freshly prepared food for delivery would be highly valued in the restaurant industry. 
         [0007]    Advancements in digital communications, mapping and navigation, mobile food preparations, and payment/transactional technologies can foreseeable be incorporated into a modernized food delivery management and operating system to minimize the exposure and risks for delivery drivers, and to increase productivity and profitability for restaurant owners. Based on the foregoing, it is believed that a need exists for a system and method to promote these benefits, as described in greater detail herein. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    An object of the present invention is to increase efficiencies associated with delivery services by (i) providing an automated electronic management system for dispatching and routing delivery vehicles based on the location, quantity and proximity of customer delivery points within a defined delivery area, and (ii) deploying a network of self-contained mobile storefronts within a defined delivery area, that prepare and package orders from an inventory stored thereon, circumventing the need to return to the supplying brick and mortar business location to pick up each delivery order. 
         [0009]    It is another object of the invention to improve customer service and enhance reliability of locally delivered items, by providing consumers with an automated ordering and communications system that keeps them informed of the status of their order. 
         [0010]    It is still another object of the invention to provide a safer working environment for delivery service employees, by providing a method for drivers to remain in the relative safety of their vehicles throughout the delivery process, and by omitting the need for workers to carry money for sales transactions. 
         [0011]    According to the present invention, the above-stated objectives are achieved by combining, for system and method for improving safety and efficiency for delivery services, (i) an automated, credit-based, digital ordering interface, which can be accessed by consumers via a personal computer or a wireless device, (ii) a wireless, automated, dispatch and routing system, which operates in a defined closed circuit and governs a multitude of delivery vehicles, and (iii) a mobile order scheduling, preparation and expeditor program, which organizes and manages an aggregation of product orders for assembly by a fleet of mobile storefronts intended for delivery to customers. 
         [0012]    Among the consumer benefits of the present invention is the use of the consumer&#39;s personal computer, cellular phone or other wireless communications device to: (i) select items to be delivered and specify a delivery address, (ii) instantly purchase items via an internal pre-paid credit system, (iii) receive estimated delivery times and arrival notifications, (iv) receive a sales receipt and acknowledgement of the order sent electronically, and (v) participate in customer satisfaction surveys and rewards programs, all through automated means and without the need to interact with a live company representative to process this information. 
         [0013]    Among advantages of the present invention for restaurant operators is the ability to implement a fleet of vehicles, which operate both as (i) mobile kitchens—which process orders without the need to regularly return to the supplying restaurant to pick up food orders, and (ii) delivery vehicles—which incorporate advanced and consolidated technologies in communication, navigation, client management, and order fulfillment to increase the efficiencies of delivery service. 
         [0014]    Equally as important to improving logistical efficiencies, is the ability for restaurants to guarantee that food is freshly prepared when a delivery is made. The fleet of mobile kitchens used in one embodiment the present invention, provide a strategic advantage by minimizing, if not entirely excluding, the hold time for prepared foods prior to a customer receiving the delivered product. 
         [0015]    In addition, integrated client management software of the present invention provides an opportunity to foster long-term relationships between business owners and customers that frequently have items delivered. 
         [0016]    Other desirable objectives, features, and advantages of the disclosed invention may occur or become apparent to those skilled in the art. 
         [0017]    In one embodiment, an order and delivery system to be deployed over a regional delivery area comprises a plurality of associated businesses defining a chain within the regional delivery area, with each business having a service area associated therewith. A plurality of mobile storefronts may operate within the service area of each respective business, with each mobile storefront comprising stored inventory. An order server may be configured to receive orders from a consumer via an Internet connected device, then determine the consumer&#39;s geolocation, verify that the consumer&#39;s geolocation is within the regional delivery area, and send the order to one of the mobile storefronts. 
         [0018]    Each mobile storefront may comprise an onboard computer operating with a dispatch and routing program configured to receive the order from the order server, evaluate a current location and heading of the mobile storefront, prioritize the order against other orders in queue, determine navigation and routing, estimate a time of arrival (ETA) to the consumer&#39;s geolocation, and communicate the ETA to the consumer. The mobile storefront receiving the order may facilitate preparation of the order with its stored inventory for delivery to the consumer at the consumer&#39;s geolocation. 
         [0019]    In one embodiment, the stored inventory for each mobile storefront may comprise office products, with the plurality of associated businesses defining an office products chain, and with the order being an office products order. 
         [0020]    In another embodiment, the stored inventory for each mobile storefront may comprise stored food items, with the plurality of associated business defining a restaurant chain, and with the order being a meal order. Each mobile storefront may comprise a mobile kitchen, with each mobile kitchen comprising storage for the food items and kitchen equipment useable to prepare the meal order from the stored food items. 
         [0021]    In another embodiment, the stored inventory for each mobile storefront may comprise fuel, with the plurality of associated businesses defining a fuel supply chain, and with the order being a fuel supply order. 
         [0022]    In another embodiment, the stored inventory for each mobile storefront may comprise fresh produce, with the plurality of associated businesses defining a produce supply chain, and with the order being a fresh produce order. 
         [0023]    In another embodiment, the stored inventory for each mobile storefront may comprise pharmaceutical products, with the plurality of associated businesses defining a pharmacy chain, and with the order being a prescription order. 
         [0024]    In another embodiment, the stored inventory for each mobile storefront may comprise grocery products, with the plurality of associated businesses defining a grocery store chain, and with the order being a grocery products order. 
         [0025]    Each mobile storefront may comprise a motorized vehicle. The order server may be remotely located from the associated business. The Internet connected device used by the consumer may comprise a personal electronic device. The onboard computer for each mobile storefront may communicate to the consumer upon arrival of the order at the consumer&#39;s geolocation. 
         [0026]    The consumer&#39;s geolocation may be a physical address or a non-physical address. The order server may be configured to receive payment from the consumer so as to pre-pay for the order prior to delivery. The onboard computer for each mobile storefront may communicate to the consumer availability of inventory items among the stored inventory. 
         [0027]    The onboard computer may be configured to receive traffic conditions, and to determine the navigation and routing for the mobile storefront based on the received traffic conditions. The onboard computer for each mobile storefront may be configured to generate a status report that takes into account inventory usage and fuel consumption of the mobile storefront. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0028]    Aspects of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0029]      FIG. 1  is a pictorial diagram depicting a network of regional delivery units operated by a restaurant chain in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0030]      FIG. 2  is a flowchart depicting operation of a networked sales and food delivery system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0031]      FIG. 3  is a pictorial diagram depicting a networked system for ordering and purchasing delivered foods, in which an embodiment of the invention is practiced; 
           [0032]      FIG. 4  is a pictorial diagram depicting a wireless system between a business and a mobile storefront, in which an embodiment of the invention is practiced; 
           [0033]      FIG. 5  is a block diagram depicting the operation of a vehicle-based dispatch and routing system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0034]      FIG. 6  depicts a method of the invention in which a mobile storefront delivers to a location with a physical address; 
           [0035]      FIG. 7  depicts a method of the invention in which a mobile storefront delivers to a location without a physical address; 
           [0036]      FIG. 8  depicts an occurrence when stored inventory is being delivered to a wholesale customer; and 
           [0037]      FIG. 9  depicts an occurrence when stored inventory is being delivered to an end user. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0038]    The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. 
         [0039]    Referring now to the figures and in particular to  FIG. 1 , a food order fulfillment and delivery system deployed over regional delivery areas in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Specifically, the illustrated system encompasses mechanisms and methodologies for selling food items, then expediting, assembling and delivering food items using a network of mobile storefronts. 
         [0040]      FIG. 1  depicts an overview of the order and delivery process originating with a consumer&#39;s demand and finalizing with the delivery of food to a specified geolocation. Various components of specific importance to the illustration are located at various positions within the figure. In particular, a consumer  10  is depicted using an electronic communications device  12  (or personal electronic device) to communicate with a restaurant chain  36  through an Internet connection  24  to place a food order  14  using a web application located on an order server  16  hosted on the World Wide Web  26 . The consumer  10  accesses the restaurant&#39;s electronic sales interface  20  and completes the purchase through a personal user account  38 . 
         [0041]    A series of restaurants  18 A- 18 C operate collectively to form a restaurant chain  36 . When a food order  14  is finalized by the consumer  10 , a computer program located on the order server  16  uses the global positioning system (GPS) to calculate a distance between the consumer&#39;s delivery destination  34  and the locations of the restaurants  18 A- 18 C defining the restaurant chain  36  so as to select the closest restaurant. Data containing the food order  14  is then wirelessly sent to the nearest delivery vehicle  32  relative to the delivery destination  34 . If it is determined that the nearest delivery vehicle will be delayed, then a next nearest delivery vehicle is determined. 
         [0042]    Each restaurant  18 A- 18 C within the chain  36  operates a fleet of mobile kitchens  28 A- 28 C that prepare and deliver food items. A single restaurant  18 A within the chain  36  and the entirety of its designated mobile kitchens  32 A- 32 B form a regional delivery unit  22 A that communicates over a closed network through a GPS-based routing program  30 . Multiple regional delivery units  18 A- 18 C of the restaurant chain  36  can operate in the same market area, but not impede upon each other&#39;s delivery areas. 
         [0043]    A highly responsive on-demand system is provided that can service consumers more quickly and efficiently than systems for food delivery in the current art. Integrated computer algorithms used in onboard delivery systems ensure heightened efficiencies by managing logistical decisions regarding routing and delivery scheduling, and minimizing opportunities for human error. Mobile kitchens have the ability to both prepare and deliver food orders, and can remain in a regional delivery area without the need to frequently return to a supplying restaurant to receive each food order. Such is not the case with typical deliver-only vehicles such as used throughout the restaurant delivery industry in the current art. 
         [0044]    Referring now to the steps shown in  FIG. 2 , a system and method in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is depicted in a flowchart. When a consumer decides to order food from a restaurant chain for delivery (step  38 ), the consumer accesses the order server (step  40 ) using either a wireless network device or desktop computer, which individually define a connectivity option  42 . If the consumer has an existing online account with the program (decision  48 ) then the consumer is directed to sign into their account (step  54 ). If the consumer does not have a pre-existing account, they are then asked to provide a delivery address (step  44 ) to ensure delivery is available in the area. If delivery is not available, the consumer is notified of such (step  46 ). However, if delivery is available for the address then the consumer is prompted to create a personal, online user account (step  50 ) using a secure and unique username and password. 
         [0045]    Once an account is established, a user is directed to purchase pre-paid food credits prior to making an order (step  52 ). Food credits are purchased by any traditional means such as through use of credit cards or online bank accounts. Credits can be offered for purchase at variable prices in correlation with specific promotions offered by the restaurant chain from time to time. Additionally, credits can be offered at a discount when purchased in bulk quantities. 
         [0046]    Once a consumer successfully signs into their account to arrange an order for delivery (step  54 ), the consumer is asked to verify whether or not the intended delivery address is the same as the address associated with the account (step  56 ), such as a home or business address used to establish the account. The intended delivery address is plotted by a mapping program to ensure it is within an established delivery area. If the address is within an established delivery area the consumer is directed to an electronic sales interface within the web application (step  60 ). If the address is not within the established delivery area, the consumer is notified that delivery is not available (step  46 ). 
         [0047]    After the consumer places the entirety of the food order (step  62 ) they are asked to verify whether the order is complete and accurate (step  64 ). The program determines if consumer&#39;s account contains enough pre-paid credit to make the purchase (decision  66 ). If so, the order is processed and an appropriate amount of credits are deducted from the consumer&#39;s pre-paid account (step  70 ). If there is not enough credits, then the consumer is asked to purchase additional credits or to modify the order (step  68 ). Steps  38  through  70  generally define the delivery ordering process  72  in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         [0048]    At the time a consumer&#39;s food order is processed for delivery, a program within the order server sends the order information to a network restaurant located nearest to the consumer&#39;s delivery address (step  74 ). A store unit dispatcher receives the order information via a networked computer terminal and reviews the content for validity and accuracy (step  76 ). If the order is not accurate or was routed to the wrong network restaurant by mistake (decision  78 ), the dispatcher can send the order to the appropriate restaurant within the chain, or contact the consumer to make any corrections as needed (step  80 ). 
         [0049]    If the consumer&#39;s food order is accurate, the dispatcher approves the order and forwards the content via a wireless connection to a mobile kitchen operating in the restaurant&#39;s fleet (step  82 ). It is the responsibility of the store unit dispatcher to determine which mobile kitchen within the fleet receives the food order, based on variables such as current location, heading, and quantity of backlogged orders, etc. Alternatively, a server hosting the web applications  16  and which interfaces with the Internet  24  may make this determination. 
         [0050]    When a mobile kitchen receives a food order from a store unit dispatcher, it is processed by an onboard computer, and evaluated along with other food orders in queue. The food order is booked and routed via an integral scheduling and mapping program based on several real time variables, such as geolocation, heading, and traffic conditions (step  84 ). Geolocation is the process or technique of identifying the geographical location of a person (i.e., consumer) using digital information processed via the Internet, as readily appreciated by those skilled in the art. Built-in algorithms within the scheduling and mapping program do not allow a scheduled delivery time to exceed a pre-defined maximum allowable limit from the time the order was placed. 
         [0051]    At the time a mobile kitchen schedules a food order, an electronic message is sent to the consumer with an estimated time of delivery based on several real time variables calculated by the mobile kitchen&#39;s onboard computer (step  86 ). The consumer can receive this electronic message via email, text messaging, automated phone call, or any other electronic message conveyance known in the art. As the mobile kitchen is in transit (step  88 ) the onboard computer continually monitors its location via the vehicle&#39;s transponder and GPS program. Once the mobile kitchen arrives within a pre-defined proximity of the delivery address (step  90 ), the consumer receives a second electronic message with an arrival notification (step  92 ). 
         [0052]    At this point, the mobile kitchen arrives at the delivery address and parks in front of the consumer&#39;s home or business; usually at the curbside, in the driveway, or within a parking lot (step  94 ). Upon arrival, workers inside the mobile kitchen assemble the consumer&#39;s food order based on information sent to an expeditor terminal within the vehicle (step  96 ). Once notified by the electronic message, the consumer is prompted to meet the mobile kitchen outside their home or business to receive the food order. The consumer receives the food order immediately after it was assembled, guaranteeing optimal freshness and an uncompromised presentation (step  97 ). 
         [0053]    Given the fact that delivery workers are not required to leave the relative safety of their delivery vehicle to deliver food items, a generally safer work condition is created over delivery techniques in the current art that require delivery drivers to leave their vehicles to exchange a food order at a customer&#39;s door. In the event that a customer cannot meet the delivery vehicle at the curbside, advanced arrangements can be made for the delivery driver to leave the order in a pre-determined holding place, such as a customer&#39;s mailbox or other secured location. 
         [0054]    After a successful delivery, the mobile kitchen is routed to the next delivery location by the onboard computer and the process is repeated. Steps  74  through  98  generally define the delivery fulfillment system  99  in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         [0055]      FIG. 3  depicts an alternative view of a networked computer system for ordering and purchasing delivered foods as a pictorial diagram, in which an embodiment of the invention is practiced. A consumer  10  wanting to place an order for delivered food items connects to an online web application through use of a networked computer  112  or a wireless device  114 . If using a wireless device such as a smart phone or tablet, the consumer can download a proprietary mobile application  102  to connect with the consumer&#39;s user account  54 . 
         [0056]    A consumer&#39;s user account serves as a portal to manage a variety of tasks and functions within the restaurant&#39;s web application. Most importantly, a consumer is able to securely purchase pre-paid credits for food items using a merchant service provider  106  which manages financial transactions, clears payments and makes deposits in the restaurant&#39;s bank account  104 . 
         [0057]    A consumer  10  can access a restaurant chain&#39;s web application to place food orders for both delivery  108  and dine-in  110  services. When dining in at a chain&#39;s restaurant location, consumer  10  can bypass the ordering line at the counter and proceed immediately to a seat within the restaurant. Once seated, the consumer can both order and pre-pay using a wireless device by accessing the restaurant&#39;s web application. After inputting the table number where the consumer is seated, a food expeditor will bring the entirety of their order to the table when ready. Alternatively, if a consumer uses the web application to place an order for delivery  62 , a mobile kitchen is routed to the consumer&#39;s delivery address  88  and they receive the food order directly from the delivery vehicle  97 . 
         [0058]      FIG. 4  shows a pictorial diagram depicting a wireless communications system with information traveling from a consumer  10  to an order server  16  and to a mobile storefront  32  by use of a wireless connection  112 . The mobile storefront receives all communications and transmits its location through a 2-way transponder  114  located within the vehicle. A satellite receiver  116  receives signals required for GPS-based software. 
         [0059]    An onboard computer within the mobile storefront uses a program to manage deliveries received over a wireless network. Once a delivery is sorted and scheduled by the program, the delivery address is sent to an onboard navigation terminal  118 , and the details of the order are sent to an expeditor terminal  120 . Workers in the mobile storefront use the information presented on these terminals to navigate to various delivery addresses, and to prepare delivery orders for pick up by consumers at the mobile storefront&#39;s vending window. 
         [0060]      FIG. 5  is a block diagram depicting the operation of a vehicle-based dispatch and routing system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Once a mobile storefront receives a delivery order via a wireless signal  82 , it is processed by an onboard computer  122  and vetted through a dispatch and routing program  84 . The program first evaluates various conditions  124  affecting the mobile storefront; such as the current location, heading and speed, traffic and weather conditions, road closures, etc. These details are provided by third party real-time mapping and navigation technologies. 
         [0061]    Next, the order is prioritized  126  against other orders in queue, based on the various present conditions  124  as previously analyzed. Once a position within the order priority is established, the program schedules the order  128  and calculates the estimated time of arrival  130  to the delivery location. The estimated time of arrival is sent to the consumer along with real time inventory confirmation  86  via a wireless signal. The order is added to the queue  132  of other delivery orders, and data is sent to the onboard navigation  118  and expeditor  120  terminals. 
         [0062]      FIG. 6  depicts an aspect of the invention in which a mobile storefront, such as a mobile kitchen  136  makes a delivery to a customer&#39;s location with a physical address  137  such as a home or business. 
         [0063]      FIG. 7  depicts anther aspect method of the invention in which a mobile storefront, such as a gas tanker  138  makes a delivery to a customer&#39;s exact geolocation without a physical address  140  such as a roadside, a beach, or a park, using broadcasted geodata from a customer&#39;s wireless networked device  139 . 
         [0064]      FIG. 8  depicts an occurrence when stored inventory is being delivered to a wholesale customer such as from a produce supplier  142  to a restaurant  144 . 
         [0065]      FIG. 9  depicts an occurrence when stored inventory is being delivered to an end user such as from an office supply retailer  146  to a business  148 . 
         [0066]    Although not illustrated, the stored inventory items may include pharmaceutical products, with the plurality of associated businesses defining a pharmacy chain, and with the order being a prescription order. Similarly, the stored inventory for each mobile storefront includes grocery products, with the plurality of associated businesses defining a grocery store chain, and with the order being a grocery products order. 
         [0067]    While the present application includes a detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the invention, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details, representative systems and methods, and illustrative examples shown and described. Additional advantages and modifications will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.