Information Management And Synchronous Communications System

What is this patent about?

’130 is related to the field of information management and synchronous communications, specifically addressing the challenges of creating and managing computerized menus for restaurants and other hospitality applications. The background involves the limitations of existing PDA devices and the persistence of paper-based systems due to difficulties in adapting menus to small displays and maintaining database synchronization across multiple devices and web interfaces.

The underlying idea behind ’130 is to provide a system and method for user-friendly and efficient generation of computerized menus that can be easily adapted for various display formats, including handheld devices and web pages. This involves a desktop software application that allows for rapid menu creation and seamless integration with point-of-sale (POS) systems, enabling automatic database updates and communication exchanges across different system elements. A key aspect is the ability to incorporate manual modifications like handwritten notes or voice recordings to handle unusual customer requests.

The claims of ’130 focus on an intelligent web server computer system designed for remote hospitality food/drink ordering. This system includes a web server, hospitality ordering software, an advanced master database, and Middleware/Framework Communications Control Software (MFCCS) . The system is designed to communicate with remote wireless handheld computers using multiple modes of contact and communication protocols. An external software API enables integration with non-hospitality applications, and the system intelligently manages food/drink menus with modifiers, improving efficiency by avoiding constant querying of the entire menu structure.

In practice, the system allows a restaurant to create a menu on a desktop PC, customize it with modifiers and sub-modifiers, and then download it to handheld devices used by servers. The MFCCS ensures that changes made on any device or through the web interface are synchronized across the entire system, maintaining data consistency. The system can also automatically convert information into spoken words or text messages for communication with entities or users, and it supports multiple databases for different menu types (e.g., breakfast, lunch, dinner).

’130 differentiates itself from prior approaches by providing a comprehensive, integrated solution that addresses the challenges of menu generation, database synchronization, and communication across various devices and platforms. Unlike previous systems that relied on fixed computer solutions or had limited capabilities for wireless handheld devices, this invention offers a flexible and user-friendly approach that streamlines the ordering process and improves efficiency in the hospitality industry. The integration of manual modifications and the intelligent application of communication modes further enhance its practicality and adaptability.