Abstract:
A patron communication system facilitates communication between patrons and the service staff assigned to them by means of transmitter element programmed to transmit at least two different wireless signals, corresponding, respectively, to different patron requests. A central receiver element receives and identifies the transmitted signals. At least one remote receiver element receives signals identifying a transmitter element and the nature of the transmitted signal. A data processor connected to the central receiver element, generates signals at said receiver elements, including information as to the identity of the transmitter and the nature of the purpose of the transmitted signal.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    N/A 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RE SEARCH/DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    N/A 
       REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX 
       [0003]    N/A 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0005]    The present invention relates to service establishments and, more particularly, establishment wherein patrons wish to communicate with service staff. 
         [0006]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0007]    In the typical restaurant, a seated patron frequently wishes to communicate with the staff person who has been assigned to provide service. It is often difficult to attract the attention of a busy waiter in crowded and possibly noisy environments. Usually hand gestures are insufficient to attract the attention of the staff person assigned to the table. 
         [0008]    In the past, call buttons that provide a signal on an annunciator board, have been employed, but these required that each staff person frequently check the board to see if their table wishes services. Others have utilized table ornaments that illuminate as a signal to the support staff. Yet other approaches have utilized a pushbutton or light switch that illuminated a call lamp near the table. 
         [0009]    None of the prior art approaches have achieved universal acceptance and therefore the need for a communication system and server still exists. Furthermore, none of the prior art provides all of the benefits of the present invention. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    According to the present invention, a modified paging system is provided which utilizes a base station in wireless communication with a plurality of transmitting devices, each placed at a separate, identifiable location, which, in the preferred embodiment, is a patron&#39;s table in a restaurant. A central computer receives the transmissions, retains the information and sends appropriate signals to various service providers within the establishment. These signals may be in numerous forms, visible indicators on a computer screen, audible indicators sent through a headset or printed form of indication. 
         [0011]    In a restaurant setting, the central computer would communicate with the bar, the cashier, the kitchen and the individual members of the support staff. Each member of the support staff with patron responsibilities is provided with a receiver (or computer that can identify which of the assigned tables is seeking attention). Similarly, the cashier can be alerted to prepare a check for a patron who has signaled to the central computer requesting the check. A signal to the bar could result in a cocktail server being dispatched to the table requesting bar service. 
         [0012]    In alternative embodiments, the system, with modification, could be adapted for use with bars, nightclubs, hotels and especially hospitals and nursing homes where a record could be maintained of requests for service and the response and response time to such requests by the staff, with notes of the time of the request and the time of the response. If the call for service can be differentiated into different kinds or types of service, the patron&#39;s signaling unit would have different call buttons, each for the different service request. Alternatively, a switch could select the desired service and a call button would send the appropriate signal. 
         [0013]    In the restaurant setting, a patron&#39;s call device could request the waiter, bar service, or a check, each with a selected illumination at the transmitter or the table. When the desired service is provided, the illuminated signal could be extinguished. For management purposes, the computer can maintain a log noting, for each table and for each employee, the time that a request was made and the time that a response was made. This log could then be reviewed to determine which shifts, servers or time frames are challenging. Potentially, it could be used to increase response times and efficiency. 
         [0014]    Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a communication system that enables the provision of better service to a patron. It is a further object of the invention to provide a central communication station which can receive communicated requests and which can signal to appropriate staff members who can respond to such requests. 
         [0015]    It is a further object of the invention to improve the efficiency of the operation and to shorten the waiting between the time that a patron has a service request and the time that the establishment fulfills that request. It is also an object of the invention to allow management to maintain a record of staff performance. It is a further object to automatically create this record of staff performance. 
         [0016]    The novel features which are characteristic of the invention, both as to structure and method of the operation thereof, together with further objects and advantages thereof, will be understood from the following description, considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which the preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated by way of example. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only, and they are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  is a plan view of a display at a central receiver according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2 , including  FIGS. 2A and 2B , are plan views of a patron&#39;s communication device; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3 , including  FIGS. 3A and 3B , are a side and top view, respectively, of a support staff paging device showing a typical message; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a system block diagram of a preferred embodiment of the present invention in a food service environment; and 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is a system block diagram of an alternative embodiment of the present invention adapted for use in a personal care facility. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0022]    Turning to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a typical display board  10  for a restaurant having, in this example, 60 tables. A pair of signal displays  12  is allocated to each. One of the signal displays  12  can represent a call for a waiter while a second can represent a call for beverage service. A separate display area  14  can provide a message if a particular table wishes the check to be prepared and an appropriate text message identifying the table is displayed in a separate area. It is to be understood that the display of  FIG. 1  is merely an example of the preferred embodiment. Numerous other embodiments of a display means or other method by which individuals, such as waiters, cashiers, food preparers, nurses and other service people may be made aware of clientele needs. 
         [0023]      FIG. 2 , which includes  FIG. 2A  and  FIG. 2B , shows a patron communication device  16 . In the present example,  FIG. 2A  shows the device with a faceplate  18  that can ascribe functions to available push buttons or keys  20 . In the this example embodiment, each device can send up to three distinctive signals which, in  FIG. 2A  are identified as a call for a check  22 , a call for beverage  24  or a call for the waiter  26 , respectively indicated by a dollar sign, a cocktail glass and a fork and spoon image. It is to be understood that in alternative embodiments, any number of buttons may be used for any number of different meanings. The three used in this example embodiment may be supplemented or altered depending upon the use to be made of the system of this invention. 
         [0024]    In alternative embodiments, a light source  28  (seen in  FIG. 2B ), such as an LED could remain on after the signal has been sent and would remain on until the desired service has been provided. To accommodate the illumination feature, the cover  30  of the device  16  shown in  FIG. 2B  can be translucent so that the desired service symbol remains illuminated. The device  16  may be provided with a light cancel feature, engaged either by actuating the signal again or through the use of an “off” switch. In response to the subsequent actuation, the central computer can send a signal to extinguish the light source  28  which the “off” switch can accomplish locally while, at the same time, signaling the central computer that the requested service has been delivered for purposes of creating and maintaining a record of the request and response. 
         [0025]      FIG. 3 , including  FIG. 3A  and  FIG. 3B , shows a pager-receiver  32  that is carried by the service staff.  FIG. 3A  shows the display face  34  in which text messages will appear. As with conventional pagers, the device can provide either a sound or vibration to alert the wearer that a message has been received. As shown in  FIG. 3A , the message “TABLE  09 -CHECK”  36  advises a waiter that he should proceed to the cashier and retrieve the check that he can then bring to table  09 . Numerous other types of messages may be displayed based upon the type of scenario in which the system of this invention is deployed. For example, in a hospital or nursing home deployment, the message may be “ROOM  204 —NURSE NEEDED” or some similar message. 
         [0026]    Turning next to  FIG. 4 , there is shown the system of the present invention in a restaurant embodiment. A central data processor  38  includes receiving and transmitting functions. The processor  38  can identify which of the several patrons  40  is transmitting a signal and for which available service. A signal is then sent to the appropriate service provider  42 , which, in the illustrated system, could be the cashier, the kitchen, the bar or a server of food or beverages. For monitoring purposes, signals are also transmitted to a local monitoring station  48  and corporate offices  50 . 
         [0027]    In the preferred embodiment of the system, once the signal is sent to the appropriate service provider  42 , then the service provider would respond with the desired service. Then, the signal&#39;s response time would be noted and would be sent to local monitoring station  48  and corporate offices  50 . Logs could be maintained and updated at regular intervals concerning the on-going response times and request frequency of the individuals or groups being served. 
         [0028]    The foregoing may be more easily understood through the use of an example. For purposes of this example, a patron at table  09  in a restaurant using the system of this invention desires another drink. The patron then looks to the customer paging device  16  on the table or otherwise available to him. He may then select the button  24  associated with “drink service” as provided on the customer paging device  16 . The customer paging device  16  then makes contact, wirelessly, in the preferred embodiment, with the central data processor  38 . The central data processor  38  contains programming sufficient to recognize the different types of requests being issued by customers. In the preferred embodiment, a method is provided whereby the central data processor  38  may be user-programmed for use in various different situations. 
         [0029]    The central data processor  38  then provides a signal to the beverage preparer and the food server pager (as seen in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 , element  42 ) letting them both know that the patron at table  09  would like another drink. The food server then goes to table  09 , takes a drink order and extinguishes the drink service light that remains on until the food server has completed the response. In the preferred embodiment, the request will be extinguished by the food server at the location by pressing an “off” button or simply repressing the service request button  24  again. In alternative embodiments, the food server may return to the kitchen or other suitable response input station, in the example, to input the drink order. At this point, the request would be automatically be reset as having had a response once the order is entered. The bartender would then receive the order and it would be delivered to the patron. A record of the request, including a time stamp and its general nature (drink request), would be saved and written to a log file for local monitoring  48  and at the corporate office  50 . 
         [0030]    As may also be understood from the foregoing, the system of this invention may be integrated into an existing order system. In modern restaurants, the orders are input into waiter stations typically via touch screens by the waiters and waitresses. These systems provide opportunity for the server to be available to the patrons more of the time with fewer trips back to the kitchen. As described above, in the drink request example, the system of this invention may be integrated in such a way as to provide that the same system that accepts orders provides feedback to servers, the kitchen and the like regarding patron requests. In one alternative, the service request may come to the waiter through the order system screen. Alternatively, as described above, the request may be cancelled once the waiter inputs and order for a patron into the system. 
         [0031]    Turning to  FIG. 5 , there is shown a comparable system in a personal care facility, such as a nursing home or hospital. Again, a central data processor  38  includes receiving and transmitting functions. The processor  38  can identify which of the several patients  44  is transmitting a signal and for which available service. A signal is then sent to the appropriate service provider  46 , which, in this illustrated system, could be the nurse&#39;s station, a pager carried by the attending nurse, a pager carried by the attending physician or any other service provider assigned to this particular patient. As the signal is sent it is, as above, simultaneously sent to the local monitoring station  48  and to the Hospital Office  52 . 
         [0032]    In some facilities, it may be appropriate for the patient to call for medication or food in which case a signal could be sent to the pharmacy, or for food or beverage, in which case a signal would be sent to the kitchen. One of the signals could represent a need for medial assistance or simply a need for attention to remedy a less-pressing need. Further, any patient monitoring system could be equipped to also send a signal for immediate, emergency assistance. In these situations, an auditory alarm may also be employed instead of or in addition to other signals to alert the appropriate staff members. 
         [0033]    In both  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the central processor  38  also maintains records of when a request was sent and the time that an appropriate response was made to the request. This information can be useful either to a local monitor  48  of the operation or to a remote main office  50  or hospital office  52  where records will be kept. Problems in service can be identified and remedied. For example, if service by a particular nurse or to a particular patient is lacking over the course of a short period of time, then that nurse may be replaced or may be instructed to be more attentive to a particular individual. Alternatively, if a waiter is incapable of handling all of the assigned tables or if a whole series of waiters are incapable, then the group of tables may be lessened in number or the hostess may be alerted to spread the seating around among the servers more evenly. Further, employee performance can be monitored so that exemplary employees can be rewarded for their efforts. 
         [0034]    As may be seen from the described embodiments, the present invention may be used in numerous scenarios not listed herein. For example, the system of this invention may be used on airliners in order to encourage more prompt service. Alternatively, the system of this invention may be used anywhere that patrons are being served at a location by a dedicated staff of servers of virtually any type. The system is easily adaptable to numerous scenarios. 
         [0035]    The equipment to implement the present invention is currently available from existing, off-the-shelf components. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should not be limited to the illustrated application but can be extended to other environments with appropriate modifications of the equipment.