Application software based information management and real time communications system including intelligent automated assistants (bots) in a computing ecosystem including different types of remote computing devices with different user interfaces and with a master database that is accessible from and stored at a central location

What is this patent about?

’651 is related to the field of information management and synchronous communications, specifically within the hospitality and service industries. It addresses the technical challenges of maintaining real-time database equilibrium across diverse hardware platforms, such as handheld devices, web browsers, and back-office servers. The background context involves the historical difficulty of migrating complex, paper-based service workflows—like restaurant ordering and reservation management—into digital formats that remain functional on small-screen devices with non-standard graphical interfaces.

The underlying idea behind ’651 is the creation of a unified communication layer that bridges the gap between structured database entries and flexible, human-centric inputs. By utilizing a Communications Control Module (CCM), the system synchronizes a central master database with various remote endpoints in real time. The core innovation lies in allowing users to combine fixed menu selections with free-format messaging, such as handwritten notes or voice recordings, which are then converted and routed to the appropriate service point, ensuring that specialized customer requests are captured without losing the efficiency of a digital system.

The claims of ’651 focus on a rule-capable Intelligent Automated Assistant (IAA) system that facilitates bi-directional communication between a back-office hospitality application and multiple remote wireless devices. The independent claims specify a system architecture comprising a master database with a predefined file structure, a database API, and a CCM that enables concurrent interaction across different user interfaces. Crucially, the claims cover the integration of free-format messaging (such as voice or handwriting) alongside fixed-format messaging (standardized menu picks) to maintain data consistency across web-based and mobile application-based platforms.

In practice, the invention functions as a central nervous system for a service establishment. When a customer makes a reservation online or a server enters an order on a handheld device, the CCM ensures the change is reflected instantaneously across all linked devices. The system employs text-to-voice and automated messaging to bridge the gap between high-tech web portals and low-tech endpoints like standard telephones. This allows a restaurant to receive and confirm reservations via an automated phone call that converts digital data into speech, requiring no specialized equipment other than a basic telephone line at the physical location.

This approach differentiates itself from prior solutions by eliminating the rigid constraints of traditional PDA interfaces and fixed-terminal POS systems. Unlike earlier methods that struggled with small screen sizes and complex menu navigation, this system uses a hierarchical tree structure for easy menu building on the backend while providing a simplified, page-based interface for the end-user. By supporting the capture of dynamic, non-standard data—like a handwritten 'with lemon' instruction—the invention preserves the flexibility of pen-and-paper while providing the scalability and synchronization benefits of a fully networked digital database.