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  Wireless electronic drive-thru system and methodUSPTO Application #: 20070022018Title: Wireless electronic drive-thru system and method Abstract: In a particular embodiment, the disclosure is directed to a system including a customer authentication and payment server, a merchant data server, a merchant network, and a merchant station. The merchant data server is coupled to a public data network and the public data network is coupled to the customer authentication and payment server. The merchant network is coupled to the merchant data server and the merchant station. The merchant station includes a communication interface to provide for wireless communication with customers located within a wireless coverage area using an ad hoc connection. (end of abstract) Agent: Toler Schaffer, LLP - Austin, TX, US Inventors: Lalitha Suryanarayana, Michael F. Grannan, David Patron USPTO Applicaton #: 20070022018 - Class: 705026000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Data Processing: Financial, Business Practice, Management, Or Cost/price Determination, Automated Electrical Financial Or Business Practice Or Management Arrangement, Electronic Shopping (e.g., Remote Ordering) The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070022018. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) [0001] This application is a Continuation Application of and claims priority from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/421,366, filed on Apr. 23, 2003 and entitled "WIRELESS ELECTRONIC DRIVE-THRU SYSTEM AND METHOD," which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present disclosure relates to a wireless drive-thru system and a method for facilitating an order. BACKGROUND [0003] Drive-thru services represent a large portion of convenience shopping. The multi-billion fast food industry sells as much as 50 percent of its meals through drive-up or drive-thru services. Various industries including food service, banking, pharmacy service, and laundry services enhance customer service through drive-thru options. [0004] However, drive-up and drive-thru services can be inefficient and employee intensive. Some fast food chains use as many as four people to provide drive-thru service during peak hours. One person takes the orders, another person exchanges money, a third person prepares drink orders and hands completed orders to the customer, and a fourth person prepares the food portion of the order. The employee intensive nature of the drive-thru service represents a significant cost to convenience service industries. On the other hand, longer average service times reduces the number of customers served in any given time period and result in lost revenue. [0005] In addition to the employee intensive nature of fast drive-thru service, typical systems suffer from miscommunication and order confusion caused by poor speakers and microphones. Voice communication over poor quality speakers and microphones compete with noise from idling engines, car audio systems, and other ambient noise. On many occasions, customers lean out of their vehicle despite inclement weather conditions to shout orders. The subsequent response through the poor quality speakers often leaves the customer uncertain as to whether the order is correct or how much is owed. [0006] As such many typical drive-thru systems suffer from employee-intensive service and poor communication with customers. Accordingly, an improved drive-thru service system is needed. SUMMARY [0007] In one particular embodiment, the disclosure is directed to a system including a customer authentication and payment server, a merchant data server, a merchant network, and a merchant station. The merchant data server is coupled to a public data network and the public data network is coupled to the customer authentication and payment server. The merchant network is coupled to the merchant data server and the merchant station. The merchant station includes a communication interface to provide wireless communication with customers located within a wireless coverage area using an ad hoc connection. [0008] In another embodiment, the disclosure is directed to a method of processing wireless electronic drive-thru orders. The method comprises receiving notification at a merchant data server that a telematics control unit is detected within a wireless coverage area; communicating an order selection menu from the merchant data server to the telematics control unit over a wireless channel; receiving an order selection from the telematics control unit; authenticating the use of the telematics control unit at a networked authentication server remote from the merchant service terminal; and fulfilling the order selection received from the telematics control unit. The order selection may be communicated via data over the wireless channel. [0009] In a further embodiment, the disclosure is directed to a method of placing a wireless electronic drive-thru order. The method includes receiving a service notification at a telematics control unit located within a wireless coverage area supported by a merchant electronic drive-thru service; receiving and displaying an order selection menu communicated by the merchant electronic drive-thru service over a wireless channel; sending an order selection from the telematics control unit to the merchant electronic drive-thru service over the wireless channel using a secured connection; receiving electronic confirmation at the telematics control unit; and making a payment for the order. The electronic confirmation may be associated with acceptance of the order selection. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0010] FIG. 1 is an exemplary drive-thru order system. [0011] FIG. 2 is an exemplary method of processing wireless electronic drive-thru orders. [0012] FIG. 3 is an exemplary method of placing a wireless electronic drive-thru order. [0013] The use of the same reference symbols in different drawings indicates similar or identical items. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0014] Automation of the ordering process in a drive-thru service may enhance customer experience, reduce costs associated with employee intensive service, and accelerate service timing. Improved interaction with customers and enhanced payment options can also lead to a lower cost, more efficient service. [0015] FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a drive-thru support system. The system includes a merchant system 18 in communication with a telematics control unit (TCU) 30. The merchant system 18 includes a merchant data server 20, a merchant network 22, and a merchant order station 24. The merchant data server 20 is coupled to the merchant network 22 and to a public network 14, such as the Internet. The merchant data server 20 may also be connected to data storage 21. The data storage 21 is used to store user preferences (e.g.; "the usual") which will allow for a customized order menu presented to the user when he/she pulls into range of the adhoc network area. The merchant network 22 is coupled to a merchant order station 24 and may be coupled to a merchant physical pick up station 26. The merchant order station 24 may include a cordless headset for use by an employee or merchant representative. The merchant physical pick-up station 26 may include displays for showing validated orders and a device for accepting payment such as a register and/or card reader. [0016] The merchant system 18 wirelessly communicates with at least one telematics control unit such as the illustrated in-vehicle telematics control unit 30 or an off-board portable telematics control unit 50. The wireless communication may utilize various protocols such as 802.11 and Bluetooth.RTM.. An in-vehicle telematics control unit 30 may include one or more input devices 34, displays 32, and an antenna 36 and may be embedded within the dashboard of a vehicle. A speaker 38 may also be coupled to the in-vehicle telematics control unit 30 via an audio channel 42. The input devices 34 may include input options such as touch screens, keyboards, natural language inputs such as speech, pen inputs, and gesture interfaces. The display 32 and the input devices 34 may, separately or in combination, provide a multi-modal customer interface. Through the in-vehicle telematics control unit 30, the user 40 may interact with the merchant system 18 to place an order and make payment. [0017] The off-board telematics control unit 50 may include a display 54 and an antenna 52. The off-board telematics control unit 50 may also include various input devices. The off-board telematics control unit 50 may communicate with the merchant system 18 using some of the vehicle capabilities via a wireless protocol 44 using standards such as Bluetooth.RTM., 802.11, or Ultra Wideband. Separately or in combination, the in-vehicle telematics control unit 30 and the off-board telematics control unit 50 may communicate with the merchant system 18 to facilitate ordering and payment. An example of an off board TCU is a mobile device (e.g., GSM/GPRS or CDMA enabled device) or a wireless personal digital assistant (PDA). [0018] In a particular example, a user 40 may drive into a wireless network active coverage region of the merchant system 18, such as a drive-thru or drive-up service area. The merchant order station 24 may interact wirelessly with the in-vehicle telematics control unit 30. This interaction may include transmission of identifiers, menus, orders, voice communications, advertisements, and payment data, among others. The interaction may utilize various standards and protocols such as 802.11, Ultra Wideband, and Bluetooth.RTM. and may take various forms such as XML data, voice over IP (VOIP), HTML, image files, and video and audio format files. Menus may be shown on the display 32. For example, XML data may be enhanced to customize the menu shown on the display 32. Audio signals may be transmitted through the audio channel 42 to the speaker 38. The user 40 may respond through various input devices 34 and place an order. In one example, the user 40 may interact with a touch screen display to select items. In another example, the user 40 may use a microphone and interact with an employee of the merchant through a VOIP transmission. In a further example, the user 40 may interact with an off-board telematics control unit 50, entering order or payment information that is transmitted to the merchant system 18 leveraging vehicle capabilities. Continue reading... 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