Point of sale computer system delivering composited two- and three-dimensional images

Abstract

A point of sale computer system that allows a customer to select and consummate a sale himself. The system may include graphics storage media configured to store two- and three-dimensional graphics data relating to the sale, as well as business rules storage media, configured to store business rules that specify the graphics that should be displayed during the selection and consummation process based on input received from the customer. The technology allows a presentation to be made to the customer that is entertaining and that maintains the attention of the customer throughout the sale selection and consummation process.

Description

[0001] This application claims the benefit of and priority to the following provisional patent applications: U.S. Provisional Serial No. 60 / 386,089, filed Jun. 4, 2002, entitled "Real Time Engine;" U.S. Provisional Serial No. 60 / 392,758, filed Jul. 1, 2002, entitled "Real Time Engine with 2D / 3D Detail;" and U.S. Provisional Serial No. 60 / 388,220, filed Jun. 12, 2002, and entitled "Customer-Operated Ordering System and Method." The content of each of these applications is incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF INVENTION[0002] 1. Field of Invention[0003] This application relates to computer terminals at which orders are placed and, more particularly, to computer terminals at the point of sale that are operated directly by customers.[0004] 2. Description of Related Art[0005] The consummation of a sale of a product or service at a point of sale location has traditionally required the investment of time. Even for commodity items such as the menu items served at quick service rest...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008] A point of sale computer system may allow a customer to select and consummate a sale himself.

[0011] The three-dimensional graphics presentation may entertain the customer during the selection and consummation process.

[0032] A method may allow a customer to select and consummate a sale himself using a point of sale computing system. The method may include receiving control signals in response to the operation of an input device by the customer during the selection and consummation process; selecting two and three-dimensional graphics relating to the sale in real time from a graphics storage media based on the control signals received from the input device and in accordance business rules that specify the graphics that should be displayed during the selection and consummation process; compositing the selected two and three-dimensional graphics in real time into a non-linear, three-dimensional graphics presentation; delivering the three-dimensional graphics presentation in real time to a display for viewing by the customer; and displaying the three-dimensional graphics presentation in real time to the customer.

[0034] A point of transaction computer system may allow a customer to select and consummate a business transaction himself.

[0038] A point of sale computer system may allow a customer to himself select and receive information about a potential business transaction that the customer may then consummate at the location of the computer system.

[0041] An enterprise level point of sale computer system for an enterprise having several geographically-separated point of sale locations may allow customers at the various locations to select and consummate a sale themselves.

Problems solved by technology

The costs of such personnel, of course, add to expenses, often reducing profit.

Unfortunately, many customer-operated, point of sale computer systems have not proven to be successful.

They are often difficult to operate and viewed by the customer as unfriendly and a burden or impediment, discouraging the very sales that they were intended to promote.

In many of these systems, moreover, it is often difficult to make frequent changes in the products or services that are offered, in their descriptions and in their pricing.

Images