Order selection method and interface

Abstract

A method includes providing a first user interface (UI) and obtaining a user selection of a multi-piece item. The multi-piece item is selectable from multiple multi-piece items having a total number of sub-items. The multi-piece item is defined by: (i) the total number of sub-items in the multi-piece item, (ii) a quantity of each of various types of the sub-items in the multi-piece item, and (iii) a characteristic of the sub-items. The method includes, responsive to user selection of the multi-piece item, providing a second UI including a main variant selector having selectable icons corresponding to a predetermined allocation of the sub-items between the various types of sub-items. The method includes obtaining a selection of one of the selectable icons corresponding to the predetermined allocation of the sub-items between the various types of sub-items. The method can include adding the multi-piece item to an order.

Description

ORDER SELECTION METHOD AND INTERFACECROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 627,710, filed January 31, 2024, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.FIELD

[0002] The present application relates to order interfaces and more specifically to order interfaces for drive-through (drive-thru) interactions, e.g., at food and / or beverage providers.BACKGROUND

[0003] When a customer arrives at a drive through system, the customer may communicate via a menu board or unit with an order taker to place the customer’s order. The order taker may operate a device to place the customer’s order.SUMMARY

[0004] One embodiment of the present disclosure is a method of controlling a point of sale unit. The method includes providing a first user interface (UI). The method also includes obtaining, via the first UI, a user selection of a multi-piece item. In some embodiments, the multi-piece item selectable from multiple multi-piece items that each have a total number of sub-items. In some embodiments, the multi-piece item defined by: (i) the total number of sub-items in the multi-piece item, (ii) a quantity of each of multiple types of the sub-items in the multi-piece item, and (iii) a characteristic of the sub-items. The method also includes, responsive to the user selection of the multi-piece item, providing a second UI including a main variant selector including selectable icons corresponding to a predetermined allocation of the total number of sub-items between each of the types of sub-items. The method also includes obtaining a user selection of one of the selectable icons corresponding to the predetermined allocation of the total number of sub-items between each of the various types of sub-items. The method also includes adding the multi-piece item to an order.

[0005] In some embodiments, the various multi-piece items are edible items and the various types of sub-items include various types of edible items. In some embodiments, the various multi-piece items includes a total number of edible items, and the various types of edible items including a first edible item, a second edible item, a third edible item, and a fourth edible item. In some embodiments, at least a subset of the edible items pertain to a same category, e.g., as defined by one or more characteristics (e.g., a dominant ingredient, food or beverage classification, or other attribute).

[0006] In some embodiments, the various multi-piece items are collections of items (assemblies, assortments, kits, grab-bags, etc.). For example, the multi-piece items are meals, such as chicken meals and the various types of sub-items include various types of chicken food items. In some embodiments, the various multi-piece items includes a total number of chicken food items, and the various types of chicken food items can include chicken breasts, chicken legs, chicken wings, and chicken thighs. The multi-piece items can have a total number of edible items that may be the same or different among the multi-piece items offered for purchase.

[0007] In some embodiments, the main variant selector includes a first selectable icon for a first edible item type and a second selectable icon for a second edible item type. In some embodiments, the method includes in response to selection of the first selectable icon, allocating a first portion of the total number of edible items as the first edible item type and a second portion of the total number of edible items as the second edible item type without allocating any of the total number of edible items as another edible item type, e.g., a third edible item type, a fourth edible item type, etc. In some embodiments, the method includes, in response to selection of the second selectable icon, allocating a first portion of the total number of edible items for the multi-piece item as the third edible item and a second portion of the total number of edible items as a fourth edible item type without allocating any of the total number of edible items as the first edible item type or the second edible item type.

[0008] In some embodiments, the main variant selector includes a first selectable icon for a first category and a second selectable icon for a second category. For example, the first category can be white meat and the second category can be dark meat. In some embodiments, the method includes in response to selection of the first selectable icon,allocating a first portion of the total number of edible items as a first type of a main category (e.g., the main category is poultry or chicken, and the first type is chicken breasts) and a second portion of the total number of edible items as a second type within the main category (e.g., the main category is poultry or chicken, and the second type is chicken thighs) without allocating any of the total number of edible items by a third type or fourth type (e.g., as chicken legs or chicken wings). The selection of category can optionally be made without regard to the category type (e.g., selecting white meat without selecting breasts or thighs specifically). In some embodiments, the method includes in response to selection of the second selectable icon, allocating a first portion of the total number of chicken food items for the multi-piece item as chicken legs and a second portion of the total number of chicken food items as chicken wings without allocating any of the total number of chicken food items as chicken breasts or chicken thighs.

[0009] In some embodiments, the second UI further includes selectable icons corresponding to various values of the characteristic for the sub-items of the multi-piece item. In some embodiments, the method includes determining the value of the characteristic for the sub-items responsive to selection of a corresponding one of the selectable icons. In some embodiments, the characteristic relates to a production aspect of the item. The production aspect can pertain to how an item is made, a processing technique, or other attribute.

[0010] In some embodiments, the characteristic includes a food preparation selection or style. In some embodiments, the selectable icons include a first icon corresponding to a first food preparation selection or style, a second icon corresponding to a second food preparation selection or style, and a third icon corresponding to a fractional preparation selection or style. In some embodiments, the method includes, in response to selection of the first icon, assigning all of the sub-items as the first food preparation selection or style. In some embodiments, the method includes, in response to selection of the second icon, assigning all of the sub-items as the second food preparation selection or style. In some embodiments, the method includes, in response to selection of the third icon, assigning half (a first fraction) of the sub-items of each of the types as the first food preparation style and half (a second fraction) of the sub-items of each of the types as the second food preparation style.

[0011] In some embodiments, the second UI further includes multiple selectors. In some embodiments, each of the selectors corresponding to one of the types of sub-items of the multi-piece item. In some embodiments, each of the selectors include an icon that indicates a current number of the sub-items of the corresponding type in the multi-piece item. In some embodiments, teach of the selectors includes a first selectable icon corresponding to allocating all of the total number of sub-items as the corresponding type of sub-item, a second selectable icon corresponding to allocating half of the total number of sub-items as the corresponding type of sub-item, and a third selectable icon corresponding to allocating none of the total number of sub-items as the corresponding type of sub-item.

[0012] In some embodiments, the method includes in response to selection of the first selectable icon of one of the selectors, allocating all of the total number of sub-items of the multi-piece item as the type of sub-item corresponding to the one of the plurality of selectors, and updating the second UI such that (i) the icon of the one of the plurality of selectors displays the total number of sub-items and (ii) the icons of the others of the plurality of selectors display zero. In some embodiments, the method includes, in response to selection of the second selectable icon of one of the selectors, allocating half of the total number of sub-items of the multi-piece item as the type of sub-item corresponding to the one of the selectors, and updating the second UI such that the icon of the one of the selectors displays half of the total number of sub-items. In some embodiments, the method includes, in response to selection of a portion of the icon of one of the selectors, updating the second UI to provide a display featuring a graphical representation of a quantity, e.g., via a numeric interface such as a keypad or number pad.

[0013] For example, in some embodiments, the method includes, in response to selection of a portion of the icon of one of the selectors, updating the second UI to provide a display (e.g., a window) including a quantity selector (e.g., a number pad) and multiple fields. In some embodiments, each of the fields corresponds to one of multiple possible values of the characteristic. In some embodiments, the method includes, receiving a user input via the number pad indicating a selected quantity (a desired number) of the type of sub-item corresponding to the one of the selectors. In some embodiments, the method includes, receiving an assignment for the selected quantity to an assigned one of the fields to indicatethat the selected quantity of the type of sub-item corresponding to the one of the selectors should have the value of the characteristic corresponding to the assigned one of the fields.

[0014] In some embodiments, the icon of each of the selectors includes an increment icon and a decrement icon. In some embodiments, the method includes receiving a selection of the increment icon or the decrement icon of a first of the selectors. In some embodiments, the method includes incrementing or decrementing a number displayed in the icon of the first of the selectors. In some embodiments, the method includes incrementing or decrementing a number displayed in the icon of a second of the selectors based on a priority of the type of the sub-item corresponding to the second of the selectors.

[0015] Another embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a method of controlling a point of sale unit. The method includes providing a first user interface (UI). The method also includes obtaining, via the first UI, a user selection of a multi-piece item. In some embodiments, the multi-piece item is selectable from multi-piece items each having a total number of sub-items. In some embodiments, the multi-piece item is defined by: (i) the total number of sub-items in the multi-piece item, (ii) a quantity of each of types of the sub-items in the multi-piece item, and (iii) a secondary characteristic of the types of sub-items. In some embodiments, the method includes, responsive to the user selection of the multi-piece item, providing a second UI including multiple selectable icons corresponding to various values of the secondary characteristic of the types of items. In some embodiments, the method includes obtaining a user selection of one of the selectable icons corresponding to the values of the secondary characteristic of the types of sub-items. In some embodiments, the method includes adding the multi-piece item to an order.

[0016] In some embodiments, the secondary characteristic includes a food preparation style. In some embodiments, the selectable icons include a first icon corresponding to a first food preparation style, a second icon corresponding to a second food preparation style, and a third icon corresponding to a fractional preparation style. In some embodiments, the method includes, in response to selection of the first icon, assigning all of the sub-items as the first food preparation style. In some embodiments, the method includes, in response to selection of the second icon, assigning all of the sub-items as the second food preparation style. In some embodiments, the method includes, in response to selection of the third icon,assigning half of the sub-items of each of the types as the first food preparation style and half of the sub-items of each of the types as the second food preparation style.

[0017] In some embodiments, the characteristic includes a level of a modifiable attribute of a food item, e.g., a variable attribute. In some embodiments, the selectable icons correspond to various levels of spiciness of the sub-items.

[0018] In some embodiments, the characteristic is a first characteristic and the multi-piece item is further defined by a second characteristic. In some embodiments, the second UI further includes another set of selectable icons corresponding to the second characteristic. In some embodiments, the method further includes obtaining another user selection of one of the other set of selectable icons corresponding to various values of the second characteristic of the sub-items. In some embodiments, the first characteristic is a texture of a food item and the second characteristic is a level of spiciness of the food item.

[0019] In some embodiments, the second UI further includes a main variant selector including a selectable icons corresponding to a predetermined allocation of the total number of sub-items between each of the types of sub-items. In some embodiments, the method includes, in response to selection of the first selectable icon, allocating a first portion of the total number of sub-items as a first type and a second portion of the total number of sub-items as a second type without allocating any of the total number of subitems as a third type or fourth type. In some embodiments, the method includes, in response to selection of the second selectable icon, allocating a first portion of the total number of the sub-items for the multi-piece item as the third type and a second portion of the total number of sub-items as the fourth type without allocating any of the total number of sub-items as the first type or second type.

[0020] Another embodiment of the present disclosure is a method of controlling a point of sale unit. The method includes providing a first user interface (UI). The method includes obtaining, via the first UI, a user selection of a multi-piece item, the multi-piece item selectable from multi-piece items that each have a total number of sub-items. In some embodiments, the multi-piece item is defined by: (i) the total number of sub-items in the multi-piece item, (ii) a quantity of each of various types of the sub-items in the multi-piece item, and (iii) a characteristic of the types of sub-items. In some embodiments, the methodincludes, responsive to the user selection of the multi-piece item, providing a second UI including selectors each corresponding to one of the types of sub-items of the multi-piece item. In some embodiments, each of the selectors include an icon that indicates a current number of the sub-items of the corresponding type in the multi-piece item. In some embodiments, each of the selectors include selectable icons corresponding to an allocation of the total number of sub-items as the corresponding type of sub-item. In some embodiments, the method includes obtaining a user selection of one of the plurality of selectable icons and allocating at least a portion of the total number of sub-items to the type corresponding to the selector according to the allocation. In some embodiments, the method includes adding the multi-piece item to an order.

[0021] In some embodiments, the selectable icons include a first selectable icon corresponding to allocating all of the total number of sub-items as the corresponding type of sub-item, a second selectable icon corresponding to allocating half (or a different fraction) of the total number of sub-items as the corresponding type of sub-item, and a third selectable icon corresponding to allocating none of the total number of sub-items as the corresponding type of sub-item. In some embodiments, the method includes, in response to selection of the first selectable icon of one of the selectors, allocating all of the total number of sub-items of the multi-piece item as the type of sub-item corresponding to the one of the selectors, and updating the second UI such that (i) the icon of the one of the selectors displays the total number of sub-items and (ii) the icons of the others of the selectors display zero. In some embodiments, the method includes, in response to selection of the second selectable icon of one of the selectors, allocating half (or a different fraction) of the total number of sub-items of the multi-piece item as the type of sub-item corresponding to the one of the selectors, and updating the second UI such that the icon of the one of the selectors displays half (or a different fraction) of the total number of sub-items.

[0022] In some embodiments, the method further includes, in response to selection of a portion of the icon of one of the selectors, updating the second UI to provide a window including a number pad and multiple fields. In some embodiments, each of the fields correspond to one of multiple possible values of the characteristic. In some embodiments, the method includes receiving a user input via the number pad indicating a custom number of the type of sub-item corresponding to the one of the selectors. In some embodiments, themethod includes receiving an assignment for the custom number to an assigned one of the plurality of fields to indicate that the custom number of the type of sub-item corresponding to the one of the selectors should have the value of the characteristic corresponding to the assigned one of the fields.

[0023] In some embodiments, the icon of each of the selectors includes an increment icon and a decrement icon. In some embodiments, the method includes receiving a selection of the increment icon or the decrement icon of a first of the selectors. In some embodiments, the method includes incrementing or decrementing a number displayed in the icon of the first of the selectors. In some embodiments, the method includes incrementing or decrementing a number displayed in the icon of a second of the of selectors based on a priority of the type of the sub-item corresponding to the second of the selectors.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] The disclosure will become more fully understood from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying FIGURES, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements, in which:

[0025] FIG. l is a representative diagram of a drive through system including four lanes and a communications system for communicating with customers of the four lanes, according to some embodiments.

[0026] FIG. 2 is a diagram of an order station of the drive through system of FIG. 1 at which a customer may place an order by speaking or causing an audible input to be provided into a microphone of a drive through unit that is in communications with an order taker of a restaurant, according to some embodiments.

[0027] FIG. 3 is a main menu of a user interface, according to some embodiments.

[0028] FIG. 4 is a second menu for adding a multi-piece item to an order, according to some embodiments.

[0029] FIG. 5 is the second menu of FIG. 4 with a first preparation style selected, according to some embodiments.

[0030] FIG. 6 is the second menu of FIG. 4 with a second preparation style selected, according to some embodiments.

[0031] FIG. 7 is the second menu of FIG. 4 with the first preparation style selected, according to some embodiments.

[0032] FIG. 8 is the second menu of FIG. 7 with the first preparation style selected and one of multiple types of sub-items of the order selected to allocate all of the sub-items of the multi-piece order as the specified type, according to some embodiments.

[0033] FIG. 9 is the second menu of FIG. 4 with a window for adding a custom item to the multi-piece item, according to some embodiments.

[0034] FIG. 10 is the second menu of FIG. 4 with the window operated to add the custom item to the multi-piece item, according to some embodiments.

[0035] FIG. 11 is the second menu of FIG. 4 with a third preparation style selected, according to some embodiments.

[0036] FIG. 12 is another implementation of the second menu of FIG. 4 including multiple characteristics that are selectable via selection icons, according to some embodiments.

[0037] FIG. 13 is the second menu of FIG. 12 with a set of selectable icons for a predetermined allocation of a total number of the sub-items between various types of the sub-items, according to some embodiments.

[0038] FIG. 14 is the second menu of FIG. 12 with the set of selectable icons for a predetermined allocation of a different total number of the sub-items between various types of the sub-items, according to some embodiments.

[0039] FIG. 15 is the second menu of FIG. 12 with one or more variant selectors including increment and decrement icons to manually increment or decrement one of the sub-items according to type, according to some embodiments.

[0040] FIG. 16 is the second menu of FIG. 15 with an automatic distribution feature enabled such that incrementing one type of sub-item for the order automatically causes a decrement of a different type of sub-item, according to some embodiments.

[0041] FIG. 17 is an interface of the second menu of FIG. 12 for adding a custom subitem having various values of multiple characteristics, according to some embodiments.

[0042] FIG. 18 is the interface of FIG. 17, according to some embodiments.

[0043] FIG. 19 is the interface of FIG. 18 with a custom number of sub-items entered for a specific combination of multiple characteristics, according to some embodiments.

[0044] FIG. 20 is a diagram of a system for implementing any of the user interfaces or menus of FIGS. 3-19, according to some embodiments.

[0045] FIG. 21 is a flow diagram of a process for adding a multi-piece item to an order and defining characteristics of sub-items of the multi-piece item, according to some embodiments.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0046] Before turning to the FIGURES, which illustrate the exemplary embodiments in detail, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the details or methodology set forth in the description or illustrated in the FIGURES. It should also be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description only and should not be regarded as limiting.Drive Through System

[0047] Referring particularly to FIGS. 1-2, a drive through system 10 for a store 14 (e.g., a restaurant, a diner, a fast food restaurant, a convenience store, a retail store associated with a gas station, an establishment, etc.) includes a lane system 16 (e.g., a starting lane, one or more ordering lanes where a transaction such as a point of sale (POS) transaction may be conducted or initiated, ordering lanes where customers may communicate with employees of the store 14, etc.), a starting location 32, and an ending location 34. The starting location 32 may be a zone or area at which one or more customers (e.g., customers in vehicles,shown as vehicle 30) enter the lane system 16. The lane system 16 includes an entry lane 18, a first order lane 20a, a second order lane 20b, a third order lane 20c, a fourth order lane 20d, and a pickup lane 22. The pickup lane 22 (e.g., an exit lane) may extend along a side of the store 14 including one or more pickup windows, shown as first window 28a, second window 28b, and third window 28c such that customers (e.g., vehicles 30) may access the different windows 28 to pick up their orders from the store 14. The term “window” should be interpreted broadly to mean a customer-store interface which is not limited to those with a physical screen or barrier.

[0048] The starting location 32 and the ending location 34 may define starting and ending points for customers, with the order lanes 20 defining different paths between the starting location 32 and the ending location 34. In some embodiments, each of the order lanes 20 defines a corresponding order zone 24 at which the customer may place an order for pickup at one of the windows 28. In some embodiments, the first lane 20a includes a first order zone 24a, the second lane 20b includes a second order zone 24b, the third lane 20c includes a third order zone 24c, and the fourth lane 20d includes a fourth order zone 24d. Each of the order zones 24 includes a corresponding drive through unit 108a, 108b, 108c, or 108d, (e.g., a menu board, a kiosk, a field communications unit, an order placement unit at which a customer may place an order, etc.) which facilitates communications between the customer at the order zones 24 and personnel of the store 14, as well a display screen or signage indicating available items for purchase, and order or POS information (e.g., a number of items, corresponding cost, total cost, tax, etc., for an ongoing order). In some embodiments, the first order lane 20a includes a first drive through unit 108a, the second order lane 20b includes a second drive through unit 108b, the third order lane 20c includes a third drive through unit 108c, and the fourth order lane 20d includes a fourth drive through unit 108d. In some embodiments, the order lanes 20 define one or more paths that include a series of discrete geometric forms (e.g., polygonal shapes, curvilinear shapes) mapped to different physical locations along the order lanes 20. The series of geometric forms may match between multiple cameras (e.g., cameras 114) that have different field of views in order to facilitate awareness, identification, and tracking of vehicles along the one or more paths between the starting location 32 and the ending location 34.

[0049] The drive through units 108 are interfaces that may be components of a communications system or point-of-sale (POS) system, shown as communications system 100 of the drive through system 10. In some embodiments, the drive through units 108 are integrated via one or more POS systems. The communications system 100 includes the drive through units 108, a controller 102, one or more imaging devices 114 (e.g., cameras) positioned about the lane system 16, a cloud computing system 104, one or more input devices, shown as order taking stations 110, and one or more wearable communications devices 112. In some embodiments, the one or more order taking stations 110 are disposed in each of a corresponding zone within the store 14 proximate the windows 28. The order taking stations 110 may include a touch screen or user interface configured to both display image data (e.g., a graphical user interface, a menu, selectable options for an order or otherwise provided for a POS transaction, etc.), and receive user inputs from a corresponding employee of the store 14 to add items to an order or otherwise provided for a POS transaction.

[0050] The wearable communications devices 112 may have the form of headphones, earpieces, etc., and can include both speakers (e.g., acoustic transducers, aural output devices, etc.) and microphones (e.g., aural input devices). In some embodiments, the controller 102 is communicably coupled with each of the order taking stations 110 at the windows 28, the imaging devices 114, and the head wearable communications devices 112. The controller 102 may also be communicably coupled with a cloud computing system 104 and can upload or provide various information regarding points of sale to the cloud computing system 104 for analysis. In some embodiments, the controller 102 is configured to receive, from the cloud computing system 104, software or firmware updates for various devices of the communications system 100. In some embodiments, the wearable communications devices 112 may be portable communications devices including but not limited to headphones, earphones, earbuds, devices configured to clip to a belt or article of clothing, ear pieces, etc., any device having at least one of a speaker or microphone and configured to be worn, held, or otherwise move with an individual to establish an end point for audio communications (e.g., to at least one of produce sound via a speaker, or receive a sound input via a microphone). It should be understood that the components of the communications system 100 (e.g., the drive through units 108, the controller, the one ormore imaging devices 114, the cloud computing system 104, the order taking stations 110, and the wearable communications devices 112) may optionally be integrated with each other via a POS (e.g., all such components or a subset of the foregoing components). Integrating the components of the communications system 100 via the POS may facilitate improved efficiency of the drive through, for example.

[0051] The communications system 100 provides selective communicability according to multiple channels between any of the personnel (e.g., personnel 40a at the first window 28a, personnel 40b at the second window 28b, and personnel 30c at the third window 28c) and customers at one of the order zones (e.g., the first order zone 24a, the second order zone 24b, the third order zone 24c, and the fourth order zone 24d) via the wearable communications devices 112 and the drive through units 108. In some embodiments, each of the drive through units 108 is configured to communicate according to a corresponding channel (e.g., a first order channel, a second order channel, a third order channel, and a fourth order channel) and the personnel at the windows 28 can selectively establish communicability with the customers at the different order lanes 20 by selectively switching between the channels such that the wearable communications devices 112 are communicatively coupled on a selected one of the channels. In some embodiments, the communications system 100 also facilitates private communication between one or more of the personnel 40 within the store 14 or at other remote locations (e.g., a service center). For example, the personnel may include kitchen personnel 40d that may communicate with any of the personnel 40a, the personnel 40b, or the personnel 40c at the windows 28 via one or more remote channels. In some embodiments, the kitchen personnel 40d may also listen on one or more of the channels on which the customers at the zones 24 can communicate.

[0052] Referring particularly to FIG. 2, one of the order zones 24 is shown in greater detail, according to some embodiments. The order zones 24 may include a space or surface of the order lane 20 for the customer, shown as vehicle 30 to pull up and place an order. The order zone 24 may include at least one pressure or force sensor 106 (e.g., order zone 24a includes sensor 106a, order zone 24b includes sensor 106b, order zone 24c includes sensor 106c, and order zone 24d includes sensor 106d). The at least one pressure or force sensor 106 is configured to detect the presence of the vehicle 30 and notify the controller 102 that a customer has arrived to the specific order zone 24 (e.g., pulled up, reversed into,merged into, parked in, etc.). The order zones 24 may also include one or more imaging devices 114 (e.g., cameras, image sensors, sensor arrays) for detecting the presence of the vehicle 30. The drive through units 108 include a display screen 118 configured to display a current order, items in the order, and cost of the order or other aspects of an order property, alone or in any combination. The display screen 118 may be operable by one or more of the personnel 40 who is taking the customer’s order. In some embodiments, the order zones 24 may optionally include at least one pressure sensor and / or at least one magnetic ground loop. For example, if the order zones 24 already include a pressure sensor and / or a magnetic ground loop, the controller 102 may communicate with and use feedback from the pressure sensor and / or the magnetic ground loop. In some embodiments, the order zones 24 may lack both a pressure sensor and / or a magnetic ground loop.

[0053] The drive through unit 108 may also include a microphone 122 configured to capture audio (e.g., spoken audio) from the customer and transmit data (audio data, audio signals) to the personnel 40 that is taking the customer’s order via a corresponding channel of the communications system 100 for the order lane 20 of the order zone 24. In some embodiments, the drive through unit 108 also includes a speaker 120 configured to provide audio data of the voice or spoken words of the personnel 40 obtained by the wearable communication device 112 that is communicating on the channel of the drive through unit 108. In this way, the communications unit 108 may provide a customer end for audio communications and the wearable communications device 112 may provide a personnel end for audio communications between the customer and one of the personnel 40 (e.g., according to an audio or communications channel). In some embodiments, the at least one pressure or force sensor 106, the speaker 120, the microphone 122, the imaging device 114, and the display screen 118 are configured to communicate directly with the controller 102 of the communication system 100. In some embodiments, the pressure or force sensor 106, the speaker 120, the microphone 122, the imaging device 114, and the display screen 118 are configured to communicate with a zone controller 124 that communicates with the controller 102.

[0054] Referring again to FIG. 1, the controller 102 and the imaging devices 114 may form a vision system 200. The vision system 200 can be implemented on the controller 102 based on image data received from the imaging devices 114. In some embodiments, thevision system 200 is configured to integrate with one or more POS units of the communications system 100, such as the order taking units 110. The vision system 200 is configured to track vehicles or customers through the drive through system 10 (e.g., along different lanes) and integrate with a POS system. The vision system 200 may trigger notifications to the personnel 40. In some embodiments, the vision system 200 is configured to notify the personnel 40 regarding the presence of a vehicle at one of the drive through units 108. In some embodiments, the vision system 200 is configured to identify which vehicle has arrived at a pickup window and notify associated personnel 40 regarding which order the vehicle at the pickup window should receive. In some embodiments, the vision system 200 is configured to prompt the personnel 40 to open another order taking or drive through lane. In some embodiments, the vision system 200 is configured to notify the kitchen personnel 40d regarding an influx of vehicles 30 to the drive through system 10 to prompt the kitchen personnel 40d to begin preparing food in advance.

[0055] Advantageously, the vision system 200 may track vehicles through the drive through system 10 and integrate with POS systems of the drive through system 10. The vision system 200 may facilitate improved order taking, speed of service, and fulfillment accuracy. The vision system 200 integrates directly with the POS units such that graphical user interfaces of the POS units may be updated in real-time based on tracking of vehicles 30 through the drive through system 10 by the vision system 200.User Interfaces for Point of Sale Unit

[0056] Referring to FIGS. 3-12, a user interface (“UP’) (e.g., a graphical user interface) can be provided on the order taking units 110 (e.g., POS units) to facilitate streamlined ordering flow. The UIs can be provided on the order taking units 110 by one or more processors of the controller 102 or by the cloud computing system 104. The ordering flow can be for a food item, a beverage item, or a combination of food and beverage items. The ordering flow can alternatively be for other items. The user interface is made in consideration of restaurant operational requirements, particularly for drive-through restaurants such as the drive through system 10 of the store 14. In some embodiments, the ordering flow can be for a menu that centers on a primary food and / or beverage offering or a primary and a secondary food and / or beverage offering. The ordering flow may beutilized at specialty restaurants having, known for, or primarily associated with a single type of food or beverage item or a single category, e.g., a poultry restaurant or subcategory (e.g., wings, fried chicken, rotisserie chicken, etc.). In some embodiments, the ordering flow is tailored not for poultry but for another single type of food or beverage, e.g., hot dogs, barbeque ribs, etc. For example, at a steakhouse, the type of food can be steak, with different cuts provided (e.g., ribeye, filet mignon, sirloin, rib, flank, brisket, etc.).

[0057] FIG. 3 shows a main menu UI 300 (e.g., a main screen, a default screen, etc.). FIG. 3 shows an example of an ordering interface tailored for poultry selection. As shown in FIG. 3, the main menu UI 300 can include a first pane 302 (e.g., a first window, a first area, etc.) that shows a list of items 316 currently in the customer’s order, and a total cost 318 for the customer’s order. The main menu UI 300 also includes a second pane 304 (e.g., a second window, a second area) including selectable icons for combo menu items and various family meals. Selection of the various selectable icons corresponding to the combo menu items or family meals can add the corresponding menu item to the customer’s order and is reflected in the list of items 316 currently shown in the customer’s order. The main menu UI 300 can also include a third pane 306 (e.g., a third window, a third area, etc.) for limited time menu items (e.g., seasonal items, holiday -themed items, items associated with a historical or special event, etc.), including a list of selectable icons to add the limited time menu items to the customer’s order. The main menu UI 300 can also include a fourth pane 308 (e.g., a fourth window, a fourth area, etc.) for promotional items, including another list of selectable icons that can be selected to add the promotional items to the customer’s order. The main menu UI 300 can also include a fifth pane 310 (e.g., a fifth window, a fifth area, etc.) for side items, including a size selector (e.g., small, medium, or large, etc.) and another list of selectable icons that can be selected to add the side items (e.g., fries, potatoes, biscuits, etc.) to the customer’s order. The main menu UI 300 can also include a sixth pane 312 (e.g., a sixth window, a sixth area, etc.) for beverage items, including a size selector (e.g., kids, small, medium, or large), and selectable icons that can be selected to add a corresponding beverage item. The main menu UI 300 can also include a top banner 314 including selectable icons to switch between various other user interfaces (e.g., main menu, chicken, wings, sandwiches, etc.). The ordering flow can streamline conversational ordering with respect to complex mix and match and customizable menu items.

[0058] In the scenario shown in UI 300 in FIG. 3, certain menu items on the order are displayed in the order ticket and the customer request is for a multi-piece meal (e.g., a 16 piece family meal). The user finds the menu item group for family meals (in the second pane 304), select the 16 piece chicken, and immediately is taken to a modification screen 400a (shown in FIG. 4) for the multi-piece order (the family meal). The family meal items are items that include multiple sub-items (e.g., multiples pieces of chicken). The family meal items are defined by a total number of sub-items (e.g., a total number of chicken pieces such as an 8 piece meal, a 12 piece meal, etc.). The family meal items are further defined by a primary or main characteristic or main variant that is a type of each piece of chicken (e.g., a type of each sub-item), in contrast to a secondary characteristic (as described below). For example, each sub-item can be a different type of chicken piece or chicken food item (e.g., chicken breasts, chicken tenders, chicken thighs, chicken wings, chicken legs, etc.), and the “type” of the sub-items can be considered the main characteristic or main variant of the sub-items. The family meal can further be defined by one or more secondary characteristics of the sub-items. The family meal items can have different total number of sub-items. In some embodiments, one or more of the family meal items can have a same total number of sub-items as each other.

[0059] For example, each sub-item can have, in addition to the type or type characteristic, characteristics (secondary characteristics) such as one or more graduated characteristics that can be defined by grade or degree. The characteristics can be, for example, spiciness level or flavor (e.g., classic or plain versus spicy) and a preparation style or crispiness level (e.g., grilled, regular, crispy, or extra-crispy). The characteristics can be defined quantitively and / or qualitatively, e.g., for spiciness, with reference to numeric (e.g., integer) values, Scoville heat units, or another metric. Characteristics can be conveyed with qualitative verbal descriptors such as, for example, “mild,” “medium,” “hot.” The UIs described herein with reference to FIGS. 3-19 facilitate fully defining the family meal items (e.g., obtaining user inputs for main characteristic, such as over-arching product category, dominant ingredient, etc., and the secondary characteristics such as preparation or seasoning) such that the family meal item can be defined as desired by a customer and added to the customer’s order, including with any associated surcharges or adjustments for modifications.

[0060] Referring to FIG. 3, it should be understood that the UI 300, while shown as a menu including various food items (e.g., edible items), may be provided as a menu for nonfood items. For example, the menu can include various bundles or selectable icons for multi-piece items that are not food. The UI 300 can be a UI for populating an order for clothing items, vehicle parts, hardware, software packages, other commodities, etc. The UI 300 is shown for illustrative purposes and should not be understood as limiting.

[0061] Referring to FIG. 4, working from the top down, the UI 400a provides combination options here represented in tabs 402. The tab 402 shown is for poultry, but the other tabs 402 are the remaining side choices that need to be selected by the user for the purposes of the multi-piece order (the family meal) (e.g., a “Side 1” tab, a “Side 2” tab, and a “Side 3” tab). To the right, the UI 400a has a conversion selector 404 (e.g., a selectable icon) which allows the user to quickly convert from a 16 piece order down to a 12 piece order, or an 8 piece order (or other quantity) with an input (a click, tap, etc.) of a button in the main area. The conversion selector 404 allows the order taker (e.g., the user) to quickly change a current family meal option (e.g., a multiple item menu option) between different options having varying numbers of items in the order (e.g., between an 8 piece option, a 12 piece option, and a 16 piece option).

[0062] For example, the order taker can change the current family meal option up or down (e.g., up to a 12 piece or a 16 piece from an 8 piece, up from a 12 piece to a 16 piece or down from a 12 piece to an 8 piece, or down from a 16 piece to a 12 piece or an 8 piece). More generally, the conversion selector 404 allows the order taker to quickly change the total number of sub-items in the item (e.g., change the total number of chicken pieces) between various values. The conversion selector 404 can be provided as multiple buttons as shown in FIG. 4 to transition the total number of sub-items of the family meal item between predetermined values. In some embodiments, the conversion selector 404 is provided as a dial, includes increment and decrement buttons, or includes an input-receiving field (e.g., via typing, swiping, or other input) such that the order taker can quickly change the total number of sub-items in the family item between predetermined values or manually between values other than predetermined values.

[0063] Referring to FIGS. 4-10, the UI 400a includes a preparation type selector 406 which allows seamless transitions between the restaurant’s preparation styles. The preparation selector 406 is configured to change a secondary characteristic or a secondary variant of the chicken pieces in the order (e.g., change the secondary characteristics of the sub-items). The user can alter a selection from among “classic” to “spicy” or even a fractional preparation (e.g., a “split” preparation style such as 50 / 50, in which half the items in the order have one particular preparation style, seasoning, flavoring selection, toppings, garnish and / or additives, and half have the other). The fractional split can be, e.g., by quarters, thirds, or halves. A customer selection of a qualitative descriptor of an attribute can be made, for example. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, a customer selection of “spicy” is made. The order taker can easily select the “spicy” button of the preparation type selector 406, or can change the selection by selecting the “classic” or the 50 / 50 preparation buttons of the preparation type selector 406.

[0064] It should be understood that, if the UI 400a is provided for various types of items (e.g., other than chicken) such as barbeque, the preparation type selector 406 can include different number of preparation types or preparation styles (e.g., predetermined preparation styles) such as dry rub barbeque, wet barbeque, etc. In response to selection of the “classic” preparation style, all of the sub-items are assigned as having the characteristic of “classic” (e.g., for a spiciness level characteristic). Likewise, in response to selection of the “spicy” preparation style, all of the sub-items in the family item are assigned as having the characteristic of “spicy.” In response to selection of the 50 / 50 preparation style, half of each type of sub-item are assigned the “classic” preparation style while the other half of each type of sub-item are assigned the “spicy” preparation style. For example, in a 16 piece chicken meal without any other modifications from default for the number of each type of sub-item, if the order taker selects the 50 / 50 preparation style, two of the four breasts are assigned as “classic,” two of the four breasts are assigned as “spicy,” two of the four wings are assigned as “classic,” two of the four wings are assigned as “spicy,” two of the four legs are assigned as “classic,” two of the four legs are assigned as “spicy,” two of the four thighs are assigned as “classic,” and two of the four thighs are assigned as “spicy.” In some embodiments, the fraction can be different.

[0065] In addition to the preparation type selector 406, the UI 400a includes variant selectors 408, shown across the bottom. The variant selectors 408 each correspond to a different type of sub-item. For example, if there are four types of sub-items, the UI 400a includes four variant selectors 408 (as shown in FIGS. 4-10). However, there may be more or less than four types of sub-items depending on the product, and therefore there can be a corresponding number of variant selectors 408. The variant selectors 408 are configured to facilitate manual or customized allocation of the total number of sub-items between the main variant (e.g., the type of sub-item). As shown in FIGS. 4-10, each variant selector 408 allows the order taker to allocate the total number of sub-items of the family item as all, half (or a different fraction), or none of the particular chicken type by selecting corresponding icons 416a-416c (e.g., buttons, icons, windows, areas, etc.).

[0066] In some embodiments, the variant selectors can allow manual allocation of a total number of items (e.g., meal components) to a specifically selected type (e.g., allocating all of a given number of items, e.g., pieces of chicken, as wings, or allocating a fraction of the items to be in a first category, such as wings, and a second to be thighs). The variant selectors 408 are shown to include a first variant selector 408a for breasts, a second variant selector 408b for wings, a third variant selector 408c for legs, and a fourth variant selector 408d for thighs. The order taker or user can select the icons 416 of the variant selectors 408 in order to adjust from a default setting of what types of sub-items are included in the order. For example, the 16 piece family meal may default to including four chicken breasts, four chicken wings, four chicken legs, and four thighs. If the customer desires a different apportionment (e.g., allocation) of the types of chicken items, such as all breasts (e.g., 16 chicken breasts), half wings and half legs, etc., the order taker can select the icons 416 of the variant selectors 408 corresponding to the desired sub-item in order to change the apportionment of the total number. The variant selectors 408 include an icon 418 including a visual indication (e.g., a numerical value) indicating a current number of the particular type of sub-items that are currently in the order (such as a first type, a second type, a third type, or fourth type, e.g., a portion or quantity of the 16 piece meal that are chicken breasts, a portion or quantity of the 16 piece meal that are wings, a portion or quantity of the 16 piece meal that are legs, and a portion or quantity of the 16 piece meal that are thighs).

[0067] For example, FIG. 8 illustrates a case where a customer desires that a selected multi -piece order (e.g., a 16-piece “family order”) to have all pieces be of a selected type (e.g., wings). The order taker or user may select all wings from the second variant selector 408b by pressing the corresponding icon 416 for all wings. As shown in FIG. 8, all 16 wings have been associated for this family meal, and also there is a surcharge (e.g., $4.00) for making that selection. The icons 416 include textual indications of any surcharges and / or discounts or other offers associated with the particular combination of items for the family order. In response to selection of one of the icons 416 (e.g., the selectable main variant adjusters), the visual indication of the number of types of sub-items are updated (e.g., as shown in FIG. 8, the icon 418 of the second variant selector 408b shows 16 wings), and the visual indication of the number of sub-items having types other than the type corresponding to the selected type are updated based on the allocation (e.g., the icon 418 for breasts shows zero, the icon 418 for legs shows zero, and the icon 418 for thighs shows zero because all of the total number of sub-items have been allocated as “wings”). In some embodiments, selecting an “all” button updates the UI to allocate all of the total number of sub-items as the desired type, and updates the display to show all items assigned as the type (e.g., 16 chicken breasts) while showing that the multi -piece item does not include any of the other types (e.g., legs, thighs, wings, etc.). Selecting the “half’ button updates the UI to allocate half of the total number of sub-items as the desired type (i.e., the main variant which can be, for poultry, breast, thighs, drumsticks, wings, etc.). Other fractions for type selection and variants can be incorporated in various embodiments.

[0068] Further, in at least one embodiment, the ordering flow (e.g., the UI 400a) can allow for a customer to retract an original selection and alter the customer’s selection with regards to the apportionment of items, or with regards to the preparation style. For example, the customer might opt to select “all classic” after initially making a different selection such as spicy (FIG. 5). The order taker / user can uncheck the icons 416 of the variant selectors 408 and go back (revert) to classic. However, if the customer wants all classic but wants only one spicy chicken breast, the user may select the “breasts” icon (above the icons 416 of the variant selectors 408) to pop out a menu 420 (shown in FIGS. 9 and 10). The user can select (e.g., tap, contact with a stylus, etc.) the particular chicken type (FIG. 8), indicate that the user wishes to select one item in the order as spicy (FIG. 9) by entering the number ofbreasts via number pad 410 (e.g., a keypad), associate that item with spicy (FIG. 10 by selecting a spicy selector 412), and hit apply (FIG. 10). The order now has three classic breasts and one spicy breast (FIG. 11).

[0069] FIG. 12 illustrates another implementation of the UI 400a, shown as UI 400b. FIG. 12 includes similar selectable icons (e.g., preparation type selector 406, the variant selectors 408, etc.). FIG. 12 shows a similar implementation of the UI 400a for a 24 piece box of chicken or even a custom box of chicken that can have any number of chicken items. The 24 piece box of chicken may default to the apportionment of including six chicken legs, six chicken thighs, six chicken wings, and six chicken breasts. Each of the various boxes or items having various total number of sub-items can also include pre-determined allocations of the sub-items between the various types which can then be modified by the order taker as desired by the customer. The order taker can adjust the apportionment for the 24 piece box of chicken similarly to as described above with reference to FIGS. 4-11.

[0070] As shown in FIG. 12, the UI 400b includes a first preparation type selector 406a and a second preparation type selector 406b. The first preparation type selector 406a and the second preparation type selector 406b correspond to various characteristics of the subitems (i.e., the chicken pieces). The first preparation type selector 406a includes two selectable icons or options, corresponding to a seasoning preparation type (e.g., a first characteristic of the sub-items, in this case spiciness level such as plain or spicy). The second preparation type selector 406b includes three options corresponding to a level of crispiness (e.g., a second characteristic such as a textural quality of the chicken sub-items). In particular, the second preparation type selector 406b can be selected by the order taker in order to indicate a value for the second characteristic (e.g., whether the customer desires original, crispy, extra-crispy, or grilled).

[0071] Referring to FIG. 13, the UI 400b can include a third preparation selector 406c (e.g., a main variant selector). The third preparation selector 406c can include multiple options provided as selectable icons. The third preparation selector 406c includes various options for pre-determined allocation of the total number of sub-items between specific types of the sub-items. For example, in the case of chicken, the preparation selector 406c includes a variant selector to select among a plurality of variants, e.g., a white meat optionand a dark meat option as shown in FIG. 13. In response to selection of the dark meat option, the total number of sub-items (e.g., in this example a 12 piece box of chicken) is allocated evenly or according to a predetermined allocation between the “legs” type and the “thighs” type. The icons 418 of the variant selectors 408 are updated responsive to selection of the dark meat option in order to show that the total number of sub-items have been allocated between the “legs” and the “thighs” type (e.g., the dark meat types), and to show that none of the total number have been allocated as the “wings” or “breasts” type (e.g., the white meat options). Likewise, in response to selection of the white meat option via the third preparation selector 406c, the total number of sub-items (e.g., 12 pieces in this example) are allocated evenly or according to a predetermined allocation between the “breasts” and “wings” types (e.g., the white meat types). The icons 418 of the variant selectors 408 corresponding to the white meat types (e.g., the wings and breasts, variant selector 408c and variant selector 408d) are updated to show that the total number of subitems have been allocated between the white meat types, while the icons 418 of the variant selectors 408 corresponding to the dark meat types show that none of the sub-items in the order will have the dark meat types. The third preparation selector 406c can include textual descriptions of various surcharges or increased cost associated with, for example, selecting white meat, such that the order taker can inform the customer regarding additional costs.

[0072] Referring to FIG. 14, the third preparation selector 406c can be selected in combination with selections of the first preparation type selector 406a and the second preparation type selector 406b. As shown in FIG. 14, the customer has requested a 10-piece item of extra crispy, spicy, white meat chicken. The order taker can select the extra crispy option from the second preparation selector 406b, the spicy option from the first preparation type selector 406a, and the white meat option from the third preparation selector 406c. The variant selectors 408c and 408d corresponding to the wings and breasts types of sub-items display an even allocation of the total 10 pieces (e.g., 5 wings and 5 breasts) for the 10-piece item. The variant selectors 408c and 408d also display, in the icons 418, that the sub-items have the secondary characteristics of extra crispy and spicy. The list of items 316 that are currently in the customer’s order show the 10-piece box as an item, and show the various characteristics as child entries of the item including any associated additional price adjustments.

[0073] Referring to FIGS. 15-16, the variant selectors 408 can each include increment decrement selectors 430 (e.g., buttons, icons, etc.) in the icon 418. The increment decrement selectors 430 can be positioned on either side of the numerical indication in the icon 418. Pressing the increment or decrement selectors 430 of one of the variant selectors 408 causes a corresponding increment or decrement to the specific type of sub-item associated with the variant selector 408. For example, pressing the increment selector 430 of the variant selector 408a associated with chicken legs causes an additional one of the total number of sub-items in the item to be allocated to the legs type. In this way, the order taker can manually increase or decrease the allocation to a specific type of sub-item by pressing the increment decrement selectors 430. The increment decrement selectors 430 can be disabled or greyed out responsive to real-time inventory tracking indicating that there is insufficient inventory for that specific type of sub-item.

[0074] In some embodiments, an automatic distribution feature can be enabled or disabled. If the automatic distribution feature is enabled, the increment of one of the types of sub-items can automatically cause a decrement of one of the types of sub-items in order to maintain the total number of sub-items. The type of sub-item that is decremented in response to an increment of one of the types of sub-items is based on a relative prioritization of the types of sub-items other than the type of sub-item that has been incremented. For example, as shown in FIG. 16, the increment selector 430 of the icon 418 of the fourth variant selector 408d corresponding to the breasts type has been incremented. The numerical value shown in the icon 418 of the fourth variant selector 408d is updated in order to show the increase (e.g., from three to four). In order to maintain the total number of sub-items in the order as twelve, one of the other types of chicken pieces are decremented based on the relative prioritization. In the example shown in FIG. 16, the legs are decremented (e.g., from three to two chicken legs in the item) based on relative prioritization of the legs relative to the thighs and wings types. The numerical value displayed in the icon 418 of the first variant selector 408a is decreased automatically in order to maintain twelve of the sub-items in the item. The relative prioritization of the items can be setup by a system administrator during a configuration phase of the user interfaces 400a and 400b.

[0075] If the automatic distribution feature is disabled or not provided, the order taker may be required to manually decrement one of the remaining types of sub-items in response to incrementing another one. For example, the order taker might ask the customer which type of chicken piece the additional breast is intended to replace, and then decrement another type of sub-item as instructed by the customer (e.g., manually selecting the decrement selector 430 of the icon 418 associated with the chicken legs).

[0076] Referring to FIGS. 16-19, the UI 400b can include the window 420 in order to manually enter a unique combination of values of the secondary characteristics for subitems other than the values of the secondary characteristics as selected via the first preparation type selector 406a and the second preparation type selector 406b. The order taker can access the window 420 by selecting a comer of the icon 418 of a specific type of sub-item that the order taker desires to manually update. For example, if the customer requests a unique combination of secondary characteristics for one or more of the breasts, the order taker can select the corner of the icon 418 of the fourth variant selector 408d. Likewise, if the customer requests a unique combination of secondary characteristics for one of more of the thighs, the order taker can select the comer of the icon 418 of the second variant selector 408b.

[0077] Responsive to selection of the comer of the icon 418 of the desired variant selector 408, the interface or window 420 is presented to the order taker. The interface or window 420, which can be a “sub window” or “pop-out” window displayed separately, is similar to as described above with reference to FIGS. 9-10 but includes a two-dimensional array of fields 436 corresponding to the two available secondary characteristics (e.g., the level of spiciness and the level of crispiness). As shown in FIGS. 17-19, the window 420 includes multiple cells or fields 436, each corresponding to a unique combination of two secondary characteristics (the level of spiciness and the level of crispiness). The vertical axis of the two-dimensional array represents various levels of spiciness (e.g., a first of multiple secondary characteristics) while the horizontal axis of the two-dimensional array represents various levels of crispiness (e.g., a second of multiple secondary characteristics).

[0078] In order to add a custom sub-item having characteristics that vary relative to other sub-items of the multi-piece item, the order taker can operate the number pad 410 to enter anumber of custom sub-items. In response to receiving the custom number (the selected quantity) of sub-items via the number pad 410, the fields 436 are adjusted to indicate that the custom number can be assigned to one of the fields (as shown in FIG. 18). The order taker can select one of the fields 436 to assign the custom number of sub-items to the specific combination of values of secondary characteristics as shown in FIG. 19. In the example shown in FIGS. 17-19, the customer desires one of the customer’s four crispy plain chicken breasts to be re-assigned as an original spicy chicken breast. The order taker can operate the number pad 410 to enter the number one, and select the field 436 corresponding to the spicy and original combination of secondary characteristics. In order to complete this modification to the order, the order taker can select an apply button 424 of the window 420. In order to reset to a default setting, the order taker can click a reset to default button 426 of the window 420 in order to clear the modification (e.g., to clear the assignment of one of the chicken breasts as having the original and spicy secondary characteristics). In order to cancel the modification and close the window 420 without modifying the order, the order taker can select a cancel button 422.

[0079] Referring to FIG. 20, a system 500 includes the controller 102 and a user device 508. It should be understood that any of the UIs described herein with reference to FIGS. 3- 19 can be implemented on a display screen, a touch screen, a computer screen, a liquid crystal display (LCD), etc., shown as the user device 508 or any other device capable of displaying visual information and receiving user inputs (e.g., via a touch screen, a mouse, a keypad, an external button selector, a joystick, etc.). The user device 508 can be communicably coupled (e.g., via wiring or wirelessly) with the controller 102 or another controller. The controller 102 includes processing circuitry 502, a processor 504, and memory 506. Processing circuitry 502 can be communicably connected to a communications interface such that processing circuitry 502 and the various components thereof can send and receive data via the communications interface. Processor 504 can be implemented as a general purpose processor, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), a group of processing components, or other suitable electronic processing components.

[0080] Memory 506 (e.g., memory, memory unit, storage device, etc.) can include one or more devices (e.g., RAM, ROM, Flash memory, hard disk storage, etc.) for storing dataand / or computer code for completing or facilitating the various processes, layers and modules described in the present application. Memory 506 can be or include volatile memory or non-volatile memory. Memory 506 can include database components, object code components, script components, or any other type of information structure for supporting the various activities and information structures described in the present application. According to some embodiments, memory 506 is communicably connected to processor 504 via processing circuitry 502 and includes computer code for executing (e.g., by processing circuitry 502 and / or processor 504) one or more processes described herein.

[0081] The UIs may be implemented on a point of sale unit (e.g., user device 508) and, when the order is completed, the point of sale unit may integrate with payment devices (e.g., card readers, tap to pay devices, etc.). The point of sale unit may also provide order information as input via the UIs to kitchen or other restaurant system to implement preparation of the customer’s order.

[0082] In various implementations, the UIs can be configured by a system, a configuration device, or an operator device (e.g., the controller 102). For example, the operator device can be operatively coupled to or in communication with the UIs. The operator device may include a display device configured to display the UIs for the clients or consumers. The operator device can communicate with the display device via a wired or wireless connection. The operator device can be operated by at least one operator to configure at least one of the elements of the UIs (e.g., icons, texts, graphics, interactive elements, or other features on individual UIs or pages), the rules or parameters associated with the elements of the UIs (e.g., pricing, order modification options, etc.), availability of subitems, etc.

[0083] In another example, the UIs can be configured by a remote device, e.g., located remotely from the display device (e.g., point of sale unit or other device) presenting the UIs. The remote device can be communicatively coupled to the operator device. For instance, the remote device can send one or more commands or instructions to the operator device for updating, configuring, or altering one or more aspects of the UIs, such as but not limited to at least one of the elements of the UIs, the rules or parameters, etc. In some cases, the remote device can interface with or operate via the cloud computing network.

[0084] In some implementations, at least one UI can be configured to present or include a bundle component. The bundle component can include, correspond to, or represent at least one of a section, a page, a feature or component, or an item of a UI, among others. The bundle component may include an aggregation of a combination of components of an order, such as a poultry item or sub-item (e.g., at least one bucket of chicken, and the various configurations of the chicken, e.g., variant build, as discussed herein), side orders, additional items or products, etc. The various examples discussed herein are presented for illustrative purposes in the context of ordering chicken from a restaurant, for instance, a bucket of chicken. Although chicken sub-items are used as examples, it should be noted that the various UIs, configurations, or operations discussed herein can be utilized in other contexts, such as but not limited to ordering other edible (e.g., food and beverage) items, such as meatless meals, meat substitutes, donuts, sandwiches, etc.

[0085] In further examples, the variant build can apply in the context of apparel, including bundles of apparel or sets of apparel and accessories (e.g., outfits comprising multiple components). For example, an entity may offer a combination or a set of clothing, e.g., one pantsuit and two dresses. The set of clothing may be a bundle component. The variant build can allow the consumer to customize the specific configurations of the suit or the dresses. Taking the dress as an example, the UI can include or display customizable monograms, etc., such that the consumers can perform customization of the items if desired.

[0086] As part of the bundle component, the UI can present a selection of different types of bundles for the consumers (e.g., individuals ordering from the restaurant via interaction with the UI). The bundle component can include different types of bundles for user / consumer selection, where each bundle can include a respective combination of subitems. For example, a first bundle can include a 16-piece chicken meal with two sides, a second bundle can include an 8-piece chicken meal with one side order and a drink, and a third bundle can include a 24-piece chicken meal with three sides and three drinks, etc. The various combinations of sub-items for each bundle can be customized or configured by the operator or administrator of the system 500. Each bundle can be represented by different names, such as a family meal bundle, kids meal bundle, boneless chicken bundle, etc.

[0087] For purposes of providing an example, one of the bundles can be described in conjunction with FIG. 11, including 16-piece chicken and three sides. In another example, and as described in conjunction with FIG. 11, the conversion selector 404, the preparation selector 406, or other types of predefined customization for an order may be a part of the bundle component. For instance, upon a selection of at least one option, corresponding to the conversion selector 404 or the preparation selector 406, a bundle of predefined subitems can be presented to the consumer via the UI for customization, adjustment, or confirmation. Hence, the bundle component can be described in conjunction with but not limited to at least one of FIGS. 3-19.

[0088] In various configurations, the UI can include or provide one or more variant builds configurable by the systems, the operator, or the administrator. The variant build can refer to or represent a grouping of different elements categorizing the sub-items, e.g., categorizing various aspects of the chicken. In some cases, the variant build can include a predefined mixture of various sub-items and configurations of the sub-items configured by the operator or the administrator, e.g., a predefined custom build. In some cases, the variant build can include a user-defined (or customer-defined) mixture of various sub-items and configurations of the sub-items (e.g., defined characteristics including type and secondary characteristics). For example, in the context of ordering chicken, a variant can include or correspond to the type of chicken (e.g., breast, wing, thigh, or leg), secondary characteristics such as type of preparation (e.g., grilled, fried, crispy, extra crispy, etc.), type of coating or seasoning (e.g., barbeque, buffalo, regular (no coating), etc.), having a specified spice level, having other attributes (e.g., organic), etc. The system 500 can leverage the variant types for mixing and matching different categorizations of the items for individual orders, e.g., a bucket of chicken can include one or more crispy buffalo wings, one or more grilled spicy legs, etc.

[0089] A predefined variant build can be displayed or provided via the UI in response to a selection of a bundle (e.g., selecting the bundle component). The predefined variant build can be configured by the operator or administrator of the system 500. For example, in response to the consumer selecting a family meal, the UI can present default or predefined one or more chicken parts, the mixture of each type of parts, at least one preparation type for the chicken, at least one flavor or coating, etc., as part of the variant build. The UI maypresent different predefined variant builds for the selection of different bundles, for example, to satisfy the bundle criteria (e.g., configurations of items to be included for the respective bundle). It should be noted that the consumer can adjust or customize the items associated with the predefined variant build, e.g., adding more items, changing certain variant (e.g., type of chicken, seasoning, coating, etc.), or performing other adjustments to the order. The variant build or customization of the variant can be provided in the same UI as the bundle component or a different UI (e.g., on an independent page, tab, or pop-up window). In some implementations, the operator or the administrator may adjust the default parts, ratio, or proportion of chicken parts, coating or flavor, etc., to be included as part of a bundle or variant build of the bundle, for example.

[0090] In further examples, as part of the variant build (using a bucket of chicken as an example), the bucket of chicken can have a predetermined mix of parts, optionally with certain additives or add-ons, e.g., coatings or other customizations. The system 500 can generate or provide the UI including various interactive elements for the consumers to adjust the variant build. For instance, the system 500 can generate the UI for the consumer to select the mixture of different parts, types of coating, and / or types of preparation for one or more parts or for individual chicken pieces. As an example, the UI can include one or more interactive elements for the consumer to select a mix of3 / 4 of the bucket being drumsticks and 14 of the bucket being wings. In this case, the one or more interaction elements may include at least one selector for selecting the mixture of parts, at least one selector for selecting the ratio or proportion of the parts, at least one selector for selecting the variants (e.g., types of coating, types of preparation, etc.), etc. The high-level selectors can be presented to the consumer via the UI, and configured by the operator or the administrator.

[0091] In some configurations, the UI can be configured to include an interactive element navigating the consumer to another UI for advanced (e.g., lower-level) selections of the items. In this case, the UI can present various interactive elements or selectors to provide the consumer with full customization of the order, including adding more items to a checkout cart, adding different bundles, customizing the variant build, etc. The types of customization or number of items per order, among other features, can be restricted or limited depending on the configuration of the system 500. In some configurations, thecustomization or configuration of the order may not be restricted, e.g., as configured by the operator or the administrator.

[0092] In some implementations, the UI can include a selector for selecting white meat and dark meat as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14. White meat can include chicken breasts and chicken wings. Dark meat can include chicken legs and chicken thighs. The UI can present or display a mixture of parts in response to a selection of the type of meat (e.g., white or dark). In some cases, the mixture of parts may be in a predefined ratio, such as 50 / 50 between two different chicken parts. For example, for an 8-piece chicken order, in response to the consumer selecting the white meat option, the UI can display a pre-selection of four chicken breasts and four chicken wings. In another example, for an 8-piece chicken order, in response to the consumer selecting the dark meat option, the UI can display a preselection of four chicken legs and four chicken thighs. The order can be customized by the consumer. The predefined ratio can be configured or adjusted by the operator, for instance, the ratio can be adjusted to 14 chicken breasts and3 / 4 chicken wings for white meat or 14 chicken thighs and3A chicken legs for dark meat, or other percentage or ratio of allocating parts.

[0093] The UI can include other selectors for mixtures of variants, such as for selecting a mixture of coatings, a mixture of preparation styles, etc., for which the UI can present a preconfigured ratio of the different variants. The UI may include at least one selector with a combination of attributes, such as a type of meat and a type of coating, a type of meat and a preparation style, etc. In various implementations, multiple mixtures can be selected by the consumer for inclusion in one or more buckets of chicken, for example. The selectors or pre-configurations can be configured based on or according to historical orders, seasonal offerings, event-based offerings, e.g., limited-time offerings, and / or trends from the consumers, such that the UI can provide or include the selectors associated with common or trending variant builds (or mixtures of elements) for faster selection, thereby improving the user experience when interacting with the UI, while providing the consumer with options for any potential selections. The UI can include multiple variant builds according to the configuration by the system 500 or operator.

[0094] In various configurations, the variant build for at least one bucket of chicken (in the context of ordering chicken) can be coupled with other items, such as side orders or drinks to complete a set of items sold together (a bundle) or in combination (e.g., a “combo meal”), for example. The customizability for the consumers can be configured via a configuration interface (e.g., configuration UI), which can be displayed to the operator device or the remote device managed by the administrator, for example. In various arrangements, the elements or features of the UIs discussed herein can be configured or customized by the operator or the administrator via the configuration UI, for example.

[0095] In some implementations, the variant build can be configured with a distribution priority, configurable by the operator or the administrator as described above with reference to FIGS. 15-16. The distribution priority can refer to the weight or priority assigned to certain items. The distribution priority can be a part of the rules or parameters for creating the variant build. For purposes of providing examples, the system 500 can include the distribution priority for selecting chicken parts to include as part of the variant build. For example, the customer may select a 9-piece meal including dark meat (e.g., chicken legs and thighs). If the predefined ratio is 50 / 50 between legs and thighs, five chicken pieces of one part can be assigned and four chicken pieces of the other part can be assigned for the variant build for the 9-piece meal. In this case, the one additional piece of chicken can be selected based on the distribution priority. If the chicken leg has a higher priority than the chicken thighs, the system 500 can assign five chicken legs to the 9-piece meal, for example. Otherwise, the system 500 can assign five chicken thighs to the 9-piece meal, for example. In some embodiments, to maintain the total piece number for a selected order, if someone asks for an additional item, and the operator increments this by one, the system 500 can apply a prioritization to automatically decrement another item (e.g., a piece of a different part or type).

[0096] Various items, not limited to those discussed herein, can be assigned with a priority. For example, the UI can present a configuration page for the operator or the administrator, including the distribution priority of the various chicken parts, preparation types, seasoning or flavor types, etc. As another example, in the case of preparation type, the system 500 may receive an instruction to prioritize crispy chicken over extra crispy chicken. If the inventory of the extra crispy chicken is low or zero, the system 500 canassign the crispy chicken as part of the order to the customer, with an indication that the extra crispy chicken is unavailable, for example. The distribution priority can be applied to other items or scenarios, not limited to those discussed herein.

[0097] The variant build, UIs, or selection capabilities (e.g., selectors presented via the UI(s)), configurable by the operator or presented according to the configuration by the operator, can be implemented in various platforms, including but not limited to online ordering platforms, kiosk, etc., capable of displaying or presenting the selectable options for the clients / consumers. The system 500 can utilize at least one of the bundle component or the variant build to provide classifications of classifications or layers of classifications, for instance, for ordering chicken at a restaurant.

[0098] For example, in a first layer, the system 500 can present a first UI including a bundle component for the consumer to select at least one of a plurality of bundles (e.g., family meal, kids meal, etc.). The bundle can include the number of pieces of chicken, the number of sides, the size of the sides, drinks, etc. In the second layer, the system 500 can present a second UI including customization of the selected bundle, which can be a part of the variant build. The customization can involve selecting the type of meat, coating, mixture, etc. In some cases, in the second layer, the second UI can include different preconfigured variant builds to facilitate the ordering process for the consumer.

[0099] In further examples, the system 500 can include a third layer for presenting a third UI for advanced customization of the order (e.g., further customize the bucket of chicken). The third UI can be displayed to the consumer via a point-of-sale device or a client device (e.g., laptop, mobile device, etc.), e.g., in response to a selection of an advanced customization button, for example. In this case, the third UI can include or present additional options for the consumer to customize the order, including adding items, removing items, configuring existing items (e.g., changing the coating, preparation type, spice level, etc.), etc. In various configurations, the system 500 can provide one or more interactive elements (e.g., buttons) to allow cross matrices between the different items or between the layers via one or more UIs, such as for the selection of spicy, regular, or 50 / 50 mix, the selection of individual pieces or combination of pieces, with the option to indicate how many percentages of each piece to include in the order (e.g., in the bucket of chicken),e.g., can include pre-selection of dark versus white meat, or other types of selections not limited to the examples provided herein.

[0100] In some implementations, the system 500 can include or use at least one suitable pricing mechanism to generate or compute the price for the bundle, items, combination, or any alterations to the order. In some cases, using the pricing mechanism, the system 500 can account for different combinations of items. For instance, using a predefined combination of items can reduce the total price (or value) of the bucket of chicken. Using a customized combination of items may increase the total price of the bucket of chicken.

[0101] In another example, the systems 500 may provide a discount or reduce the unit price of a particular item depending on the different numbers of items included in the bucket of chicken. For instance, if two of each chicken parts are included in the order, the system 500 may not provide any discount or the unit price of each piece of chicken may be the default price. If the consumer selects twenty chicken wings, instead of two, depending on the configuration and the pricing scheme, the unit price of the chicken wings may be relatively lower given the number of items.

[0102] In some cases, the system 500 can link certain combinations of items to one or more predefined combinations of item s / sub-i terns (e.g., bundle or combinations), such that the system 500 can suggest or recommend the user to select at least one particular combination (e.g., instead of the user-defined variant build), which can reduce the total price of the bucket of chicken. In some configurations, the system 500 may match the variant build or customization from the consumers to potential deals or combinations, such that at least one pre-defined combination or a deal can be suggested to the consumer via the UI or (e.g., automatically) applied to the order. In various implementations, the system 500 can generate an offer of a combination or alternative offering (corresponding to the user- defined items) to suggest to the consumer to provide a value or discount (e.g., a cost savings as compared to the individual price of any given item sold individually). For instance, taking ordering a burger as an example, the system 500 may receive the selection of a burger, medium fries, and a soft drink, individually. In response to receiving these selections, the system 500 can provide an indication (or suggestion / recommendation) to the consumer that a certain predefined combination includes these items, such that theconsumer can select the predefined combination to potentially realize a greater value or savings associated with the order.

[0103] In some implementations, the system 500 can perform inventory tracking using the historical orders placed by the consumers. For example, the historical orders can include the chicken variants ordered by the consumer over time. The system 500 can detect any depleted inventory (e.g., counts of certain items reaching or falling below a predefined threshold), such that a replenishing action can be performed. If inventory amounts of chicken, coating, flavoring, etc., fall below the threshold, the system 500 can provide an indication to the operator to order more of the respective supplies. In some cases, depending on the configuration of the system 500, the system 500 may automatically prompt an or provide a notification to order the respective supplies.

[0104] In another example, the system 500 can track the inventory during the operation of the entity (or restaurant), such as currently available (e.g., cooked or prepared) chicken parts, types of preparation for the parts, etc. In this example, the system 500 can provide a notification to the operator or employee according to the availability, unavailability, or depletion of certain variants (e.g., types of meat, chicken parts, etc.). In some implementations, the system 500 can perform inventory tracking to track the total number of buckets of chicken sold, the number of drinks, sandwiches, etc.

[0105] The system 500 can generate a report including the tracked inventory, such as the current inventory of items, the items to be replenished, or other information relevant to performing inventory management. The system 500 can generate other types of reports, not limited to an inventory report, for managing the operation of the entity, for example. The system 500 can provide the report for display to the operator or the administrator via a UI. It should be noted that certain types of UIs may be for authorized personnel, while other UIs may be for consumers or other individuals. Although the selection of chicken pieces is provided as examples herein for variant build, it should be noted that the systems and methods of the technical solution can be implemented for other types of items.

[0106] For example, in the case of ordering a sandwich, the UI can include or present items related to the sandwich, e.g., types of buns, proteins (meats, meat substitutes or alternatives, etc.), toppers, vegetables, etc. The one or more items can be ordered as part ofthe sandwich or as a side, separate from the sandwich. In this case, as part of the variant build, the system 500 can present an option via the UI to allow an item having a specified nutrient attribute or nutritional profile (e.g., an egg or tofu being offered as providing protein) to be an element of or a part of the sandwich, and / or as a side order. In such cases, the variant build can include an item such as a hard-boiled egg in a sandwich and as a side accompanying the sandwich, for example. The variant build can allow for substitution of a plant-based substitute for an animal-based product, for example.

[0107] In another example, the variant build can apply to ordering pastries, dessert items, confectionary, etc., such as donuts. For example, the number of donuts can be similar to the bundle component or combination. The types of donuts (e.g., sprinkle, cruller, jelly, frosted), including customizations to be performed on the donuts, can be a part of the variant build. In some implementations, the pricing mechanism can be configured by the operator. For example, a first type of donut can be a first price each until a total of four of the first type of donuts is selected. Then, each additional first type of donut may have a second (e.g., a lower) price per donut. A second type of donut may be a third price each until a total of ten of the second type of donuts is selected. Then, each additional second type of donut may each be a fourth price. In some cases, after selecting a predefined total number of donuts, certain other price adjustments may occur, e.g., a discount for a 10-donut box, 20-donut box, etc.

[0108] Referring to FIG. 21, a flow diagram of a method 600 for operating a display device (e.g., a touch screen, a point of sale unit, an order taking unit, etc.) includes steps 602-610, according to some embodiments. The steps 602-610 can be performed by the system 500 (e.g., by the controller 102) by providing display data to a display screen (e.g., the user device 508) and receiving user inputs.

[0109] The method 600 include providing a first UI including selectable options for a plurality of multi-piece items (step 602), according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, the first UI is a main menu for an order taker. In some embodiments, the first UI is the main menu UI 300. The selectable options can include various bundles, family meal options, or any other item or bundle of items that includes various other items (e.g., sub-items) that makeup the item. For example, the multi-piece items may be variouschicken family meals, chicken buckets, bundled chicken items, combos, etc., including one or more chicken sub-items (e.g., various poultry food items such as chicken breasts, chicken thighs, chicken wings, chicken legs, etc.). In some embodiments, the multi-piece items are clothing bundles, boxes of donuts, boxes of widgets or devices, etc. The step 602 can be performed by the controller 102 or any other processor of a drive through system. The controller 102 can perform the step 602 by providing display data to a display screen or user interface (e.g., the user device 508).

[0110] The method 600 includes, in response to a selection of one of the multi-piece items, providing a second UI including selectable options for one or more characteristics of sub-items of the multi-piece item (step 604) and receiving user inputs via the second UI indicating the one or more characteristics of sub-items of the multi-piece item (step 606), according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, step 604 is performed by providing the UI 400a or the UI 400b. The selectable options for the one or more characteristics of sub-items can include any of, or any combination of, the variant selectors 408, the conversion selector 404, the quick preparation selectors 406, etc. The step 606 includes receiving user selections of any of the variant selectors 408, the conversion selector 404, the preparation type selector 406a, the preparation type selector 406b, etc., as described in greater detail above with reference to various of FIGS. 3-19. For example, steps 604 and 606 can include providing the second UI 400b, receiving various inputs and updating the second UI 400b as described in greater detail above with reference to FIGS. 3-20. Steps 604 and 606 can also include providing the window 420 as described in greater detail above with reference to FIGS. 9-10 and 17-19 and receiving the user inputs as described in greater detail above with reference to FIGS. 9-10 and 17-19 in order to define the order. In some embodiments, step 604 is performed in order to obtain a user input that defines a total number of sub-items (e.g., pieces of chicken) in the multi-piece item. The step 606 can be performed as requested by a customer in order to define allocation (e.g., apportionment) of the total number of sub-items between various types of sub-items, to define one or more secondary characteristics for the sub-items, and / or to add one or more customized subitems.[OHl] For example, steps 604 and 606 can include providing the second UI 400b including the third preparation selector 406c (e.g., multiple selectable icons, a main variantselector, etc.) as described in greater detail above with reference to FIGS. 15-16. The steps 604 and 606 can also include obtaining a user selection of one of the selectable icons of the third preparation selector 406c that corresponding to a predetermined allocation of the total number of sub-items between each of multiple types of sub-items. For example, the steps 604 and 606 can include updating the second UI 400b (e.g., the icons 418 of the variant selectors 408) to display the new allocation of the total number of sub-items between the various types (e.g., white meat or dark meat).

[0112] In another example, steps 604 and 606 can include providing the second UI 400 including any of the preparation type selectors 406a or 406b. The steps 604 and 606 can also include receiving user inputs or user selections of the preparation type selectors 406a and 406b in order to define values of the one or more secondary characteristics as described in greater detail above with reference to FIGS. 4-10 and 12-14.

[0113] In another example, steps 604 and 606 can include providing the second UI 400 include the variant selectors 408. The steps 604 and 606 can include receiving user inputs of any of the selectable icons (e.g., the icons 416) in order to allocate the total number of sub-items for the multi-piece item between the various types as described in greater detail above with reference to FIGS. 4-10. In some embodiments, the steps 604 and 606 can include receiving an input via increment and decrement selectors 430 (e.g., buttons, selectable icons, etc.) to increment or decrement a specific type of sub-item and updating the second UI 400b as described in greater detail above with reference to FIGS. 15-16. In some embodiments, steps 604 and 606 can include automatically decrementing one or more of the other types of sub-items and updating the second UI 400b based on a prioritization of the sub-items as described in greater detail above with reference to FIGS. 15-16. In some embodiments, step 604 and 606 can include providing the window 420 and receiving various user inputs related to operation of the number pad 410, the fields 436, the apply button 424, the cancel button 422, or the reset to default button 426 as described in greater detail above with reference to FIGS. 17-19. The step 604 and 606 can also include updating the list of items 316 in real-time to show the multi -piece item, various secondary characteristics and custom allocation of the total number, cost associated with the multipiece item, various price adjustments, etc.

[0114] In some embodiments, step 604 includes obtaining, via the first UI, a user selection of a multi-piece item. In some embodiments, the multi-piece item is selectable from multiple multi-piece items each having a total number of sub-items. The multi-piece item can be defined by: (i) the total number of sub-items in the multi-piece item, (ii) a quantity of each of a plurality of types of the sub-items in the multi-piece item, and (iii) a secondary characteristic of the sub-items. In some embodiments, step 604 also includes responsive to the user selection of the multi-piece item, providing a second UI including a main variant selector (e.g., the third preparation selector 406c) having multiple selectable icons corresponding to a predetermined allocation of the total number of sub-items between each of the plurality of types of sub-items. For example, a variant selector can allow for a selection of a type of item without varying the quantity of items in a selected product for purchase.

[0115] In some embodiments, the multi-piece items are a collection of edible items and the types of sub-items are types of edible items. In some embodiments, the multi-piece items include a total number of edible food items, and the types of edible items including at least a first edible item type, a second edible item type, a third edible item type, and a fourth edible item type. In some embodiments, the main variant selector includes a first selectable icon for a first variant and a second selectable icon for a second variant. In some embodiments, the step 606 includes, in response to selection of the first selectable icon, allocating a first portion of the total number of edible items as the first edible item type and a second portion of the total number of edible items as the second edible item type without allocating any of the total number of edible items as the third edible item type or the fourth edible item type. In some embodiments, the step 606 includes in response to selection of the second selectable icon, allocating a first portion of the total number of edible items for the multi-piece item as the third edible item type and a second portion of the total number of edible items as the fourth edible item type without allocating any of the total number of edible items as the first edible item type or the fourth edible item type.

[0116] In some embodiments, the second UI in steps 604 and 606 includes selectable icons corresponding to various values of the secondary characteristic for the sub-items of the multi-piece item. In some embodiments, step 606 includes determining the value of the secondary characteristic for the plurality of sub-items responsive to selection of acorresponding one of the plurality of selectable icons. In some embodiments, the secondary characteristic is a food preparation style. In some embodiments, the selectable icons include a first icon corresponding to a first food preparation style, a second icon corresponding to a second food preparation style, and a third icon corresponding to a fractional preparation style. In some embodiments, step 606 includes, in response to selection of the first icon, assigning all of the sub-items as the first food preparation style. In some embodiments, step 606 includes, in response to selection of the second icon, assigning all of the sub-items as the second food preparation style. In some embodiments, step 606 includes, in response to selection of the third icon, assigning half of the sub-items of each of the plurality of types as the first food preparation style and half of the sub-items of each of the plurality of types as the second food preparation style.

[0117] In some embodiments, the second UI in steps 604 and 606 includes multiple selectors (e.g., the variant selectors 408), each of which correspond to one of the types of sub-items of the multi-piece item. In some embodiments, each of the selectors includes an icon (e.g., the icon 418) that indicates a current number of the sub-items of the corresponding type in the multi-piece item. In some embodiments, each of the selectors includes a first selectable icon (e.g., icon 416a) corresponding to allocating all of the total number of sub-items as the corresponding type of sub-item, a second selectable icon (e.g., icon 416b) corresponding to allocating half of the total number of sub-items as the corresponding type of sub-item, and a third selectable icon (e.g., icon 416c) corresponding to allocating none of the total number of sub-items as the corresponding type of sub-item. In some embodiments, step 606 includes, in response to selection of the first selectable icon (e.g., the icon 416a) of one of the selectors (e.g., variant selector 408b), allocating all of the total number of sub-items of the multi-piece item as the type of sub-item corresponding to the one of the plurality of selectors, and updating the second UI such that (i) the icon of the one of the plurality of selectors displays the total number of sub-items and (ii) the icons of the others of the plurality of selectors display zero (as shown in FIG. 8). In some embodiments, step 606 includes, in response to selection of the second selectable icon (e.g., icon 416b) of one of the selectors (e.g., variant selector 408b), allocating half of the total number of sub-items of the multi-piece item as the type of sub-item corresponding to theone of the selectors, and updating the second UI such that the icon of the one of the plurality of selectors displays half of the total number of sub-items.

[0118] In some embodiments, step 606 includes, in response to selection of a portion of the icon of one of the selectors (e.g., in response to selecting a corner of one of the icons 418 of the variant selectors 408): (i) updating the second UI to provide a window (e.g., the window 420) comprising a number pad (e.g., the number pad 410) and multiple fields (e.g., the fields 436) (e.g., as shown in FIG. 17). In some embodiments, each of the plurality of fields correspond to one of multiple possible values of the secondary characteristic. In some embodiments, step 606 includes receiving a user input via the number pad indicating a custom number of the type of sub-item corresponding to the one of the selectors (as shown in FIG. 18). In some embodiments, step 606 includes receiving an assignment for the custom number to an assigned one of the plurality of fields to indicate that the custom number of the type of sub-item corresponding to the one of the selectors should have the value of the secondary characteristic corresponding to the assigned one of the plurality of fields (e.g., as shown in FIG. 19). Thus, the custom number (the selected quantity) is associated with the value of the secondary characteristics corresponding to the assigned one of the plurality of fields. Step 606 can also include receiving a user input to apply the change, cancel the change, or reset the window to default.

[0119] In some embodiments, the icon (e.g., the icons 418) of each of the selectors provided in step 606 include an increment icon and a decrement icon (e.g., incrementdecrement selectors 430 as shown in FIG. 16). In some embodiments, the step 606 includes receiving a selection of the increment icon or the decrement icon of a first of one of the selectors (e.g., the increment-decrement selectors 430 of the icon 418 of the variant selector 408d as shown in FIG. 16). In some embodiments, the step 606 includes incrementing or decrementing a number displayed in the icon of the first of the plurality of selectors (as shown in FIG. 16). In some embodiments, step 606 includes incrementing or decrementing a number displayed in the icon of a second of the plurality of selectors based on a priority of the type of the sub-item corresponding to the second of the plurality of selectors (e.g., decrementing the number of legs shown in the icon 418 of the variant selector 408a as shown in FIG. 16).

[0120] In some embodiments, the second UI in steps 604 and 606 includes selectable icons corresponding to various values of the secondary characteristic of the plurality of the types of sub-items. In some embodiments, the step 606 includes obtaining a user selection of one of the selectable icons corresponding to the various values of the secondary characteristic of the types of sub-items. In some embodiments, the secondary characteristic if a food preparation style. In some embodiments, the selectable icons (e.g., the icons of the preparation type selector 406 as shown in at least FIG. 4) include a first icon corresponding to a first food preparation style, a second icon corresponding to a second food preparation style, and a third icon corresponding to a fractional preparation style. In some embodiments, the step 606 includes, in response to selection of the first icon, assigning all of the sub-items as the first food preparation style. In some embodiments, the step 606 includes, in response to selection of the second icon, assigning all of the sub-items as the second food preparation style. In some embodiments, the step 606 includes, in response to selection of the third icon, assigning half of the sub-items of each of the types as the first food preparation style and half of the sub-items of each of the types as the second food preparation style. In some embodiments, the secondary characteristic is a level of spiciness of a food item. In some embodiments, the selectable icons of the second UI provided in steps 604 and 606 correspond to various levels of spiciness of the sub-items. In some embodiments, the secondary characteristic is a first secondary characteristic and the multipiece item is further defined by a second secondary characteristic of the sub-items. In some embodiments, the second UI further includes another set of selectable icons corresponding to the second secondary characteristic (e.g., the second preparation type selector 406b as shown in at least FIG. 16). In some embodiments, steps 604 and 606 include obtaining another user selection of one of the other selectable icons corresponding to various values of the second secondary characteristic of the sub-items. In some embodiments, the first secondary characteristic is a texture (a first variable attribute) of a food item (e.g., original, crispy, extra crispy, grilled) and the second secondary characteristic is a level (a second variable attribute) of spiciness of the food item (e.g., plain, classic, or spicy), or a type of condiment or seasoning.

[0121] In some embodiments, the second UI provided in steps 604 and 606 further include a main variant selector (e.g., third preparation selector 406c) including multiple selectableicons corresponding to a predetermined allocation of the total number of sub-items between each of the types of sub-items. In some embodiments, step 606 includes, in response to selection of the first selectable icon, allocating a first portion of the total number of subitems as a first type and a second portion of the total number of sub-items as a second type without allocating any of the total number of sub-items as a third type or fourth type. In some embodiments, step 606 includes, in response to selection of the second selectable icon, allocating a first portion of the total number of the sub-items for the multi-piece item as the third type and a second portion of the total number of sub-items as the fourth type without allocating any of the total number of sub-items as the first type or second type.

[0122] In some embodiments, the second UI provided in steps 604 and 606 includes multiple selectors (e.g., the variant selectors 408) each corresponding to one of the types of sub-items of the multi-piece item. In some embodiments, each of the selectors include an icon (e.g., icons 418) that indicates a current number of the sub-items of the corresponding type in the multi-piece item, and multiple selectable icons (e.g., icons 416a-416c) corresponding to an allocation of the total number of sub-items as the corresponding type of sub-item. In some embodiments, step 606 includes obtaining a user selection of one of the selectable icons and allocating at least a portion of the total number of sub-items to the type corresponding to the selector according to the allocation.

[0123] In some embodiments, the selectable icons include a first selectable icon (e.g., icon 416a) corresponding to allocating all of the total number of sub-items as the corresponding type of sub-item, a second selectable icon (e.g., icon 416b) corresponding to allocating half of the total number of sub-items as the corresponding type of sub-item, and a third selectable icon (e.g., icon 416c) corresponding to allocating none of the total number of sub-items as the corresponding type of sub-item. In some embodiments, step 606 includes, in response to selection of the first selectable icon of one of the selectors, allocating all of the total number of sub-items of the multi-piece item as the type of sub-item corresponding to the one of the plurality of selectors, and updating the second UI such that (i) the icon of the one of the plurality of selectors displays the total number of sub-items and (ii) the icons of the others of the plurality of selectors display zero. In some embodiments, step 606 includes, in response to selection of the second selectable icon of one of the selectors, allocating half of the total number of sub-items of the multi-piece item as the type of sub-item corresponding to the one of the selectors, and updating the second UI such that the icon of the one of the selectors displays half of the total number of sub-items.

[0124] In some embodiments, step 606 includes, in response to selection of a portion of the icon of one of the selectors, updating the second UI to provide a window (e.g., window 420) having a number pad (e.g., number pad 410) and multiple fields (e.g., fields 436), each corresponding to one of multiple possible values of the secondary characteristic. In some embodiments, step 606 includes receiving a user input via the number pad indicating a custom number of the type of sub-item corresponding to the one of the selectors (e.g., as shown in FIG. 18). In some embodiments, step 606 includes receiving an assignment for the custom number to an assigned one of the fields to indicate that the custom number of the type of sub-item corresponding to the one of the selectors should have the value of the secondary characteristic corresponding to the assigned one of the fields.

[0125] In some embodiments, the icon of each of the selectors includes an increment icon and a decrement icon. In some embodiments, step 606 includes receiving a selection of the increment icon or the decrement icon of a first of the selectors. In some embodiments, step 606 includes incrementing or decrementing a number displayed in the icon of the first of the selectors. In some embodiments, step 606 includes incrementing or decrementing a number displayed in the icon of a second of the selectors based on a priority of the type of the subitem corresponding to the second of the selectors.

[0126] The method 600 includes adding the multi-piece item to an order (step 608), according to some embodiments. The step 608 can be performed in response to completion of step 606 such that the multi-piece item, once fully defined, is added to the order for the customer. The method 600 can include adding other items to the order (e.g., other multipiece items, individual items, etc.) based on user inputs provided to the controller 102 via the user device 508.

[0127] The method 600 includes implementing a point of sale for the multi-piece item (step 610), according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, step 610 includes tendering payment from the customer and completing a transaction. In some embodiments, step 610 can be performed separately, e.g., as an external and / or remote process.

[0128] Thus, according to the various embodiments, the following can be realized:A. A method of controlling a point of sale unit, the method comprising: providing a first user interface (UI); obtaining, via the first UI, a user selection of a multi-piece item, the multi-piece item selectable from a plurality of multi-piece items each having a total number of sub-items, the multi -piece item defined by: (i) the total number of sub-items in the multi-piece item, (ii) a quantity of each of a plurality of types of the sub-items in the multi-piece item, and (iii) a characteristic of the sub-items; responsive to the user selection of the multi-piece item, providing a second UI comprising a main variant selector including a plurality of selectable icons corresponding to a predetermined allocation of the total number of sub-items between each of the plurality of types of sub-items; obtaining a user selection of one of the plurality of selectable icons corresponding to the predetermined allocation of the total number of sub-items between each of the plurality of types of sub-items; and adding the multi-piece item to an order.B. A method according to paragraph A above, wherein the plurality of multi-piece items comprise a collection of edible items and the plurality of types of sub-items comprise types of edible items, the plurality of multi-piece items including a total number of edible items, and the types of edible items including at least a first edible item type, a second edible item type, a third edible item type, and a fourth edible item type.C. A method according to paragraph B above, wherein the main variant selector comprises a first selectable icon for a first variant and a second selectable icon for a second variant, the method comprising: in response to selection of the first selectable icon, allocating a first portion of the total number of edible items as the first edible item type and a second portion of the total number of edible items as the second edible item type without allocating any of the total number of edible items as the third edible item type or the fourth edible item type; andin response to selection of the second selectable icon, allocating a first portion of the total number of edible items for the multi-piece item as the third edible item type and a second portion of the total number of edible items as the fourth edible item type without allocating any of the total number of edible items as the first edible item type or the fourth edible item type.D. A method according to paragraph A above, wherein the second UI further comprises a plurality of selectable icons corresponding to various values of the characteristic for the sub-items of the multi-piece item, the method further comprising: determining the value of the characteristic for the plurality of sub-items responsive to selection of a corresponding one of the plurality of selectable icons.E. A method according to paragraph D above, wherein the characteristic comprises a preparation type, the plurality of selectable icons including a first icon corresponding to a first preparation type, a second icon corresponding to a second preparation type, and a third icon corresponding to a fractional preparation style, wherein the method comprises: in response to selection of the first icon, assigning all of the sub-items as the first preparation type; in response to selection of the second icon, assigning all of the sub-items as the second preparation type; and in response to selection of the third icon, assigning a first fraction of the sub-items of each of the plurality of types as the first preparation type and a second fraction of the subitems of each of the plurality of types as the second preparation type.F. A method according to paragraph A above, wherein the second UI further comprises a plurality of selectors, each of the plurality of selectors corresponding to one of the types of sub-items of the multi-piece item, wherein each of the plurality of selectors comprise an icon that indicates a current number of the sub-items of the corresponding type in the multipiece item, and a first selectable icon corresponding to allocating all of the total number of sub-items as the corresponding type of sub-item, a second selectable icon corresponding to allocating a fraction of the total number of sub-items as the corresponding type of sub-item,and a third selectable icon corresponding to allocating none of the total number of sub-items as the corresponding type of sub-item.G. A method according to paragraph F above, wherein the method comprises: in response to selection of the first selectable icon of one of the plurality of selectors, allocating all of the total number of sub-items of the multi-piece item as the type of subitem corresponding to the one of the plurality of selectors, and updating the second UI such that (i) the icon of the one of the plurality of selectors displays the total number of sub-items and (ii) the icons of the others of the plurality of selectors display zero; and in response to selection of the second selectable icon of one of the plurality of selectors, allocating a fraction of the total number of sub-items of the multi-piece item as the type of sub-item corresponding to the one of the plurality of selectors, and updating the second UI such that the icon of the one of the plurality of selectors displays a fraction of the total number of sub-items.H. A method according to paragraph F above, wherein the method further comprises: in response to selection of a portion of the icon of one of the selectors: updating the second UI to provide a window comprising a quantity selector and a plurality of fields, each of the plurality of fields corresponding to one of a plurality of possible values of the characteristic; receiving a user input via the quantity selector indicating a selected quantity of the type of sub-item corresponding to the one of the selectors; and receiving an assignment for the selected quantity to an assigned one of the plurality of fields to associate that the selected quantity of the type of sub-item corresponding to the one of the selectors with the value of the characteristic corresponding to the assigned one of the plurality of fields.I. A method according to paragraph F above, wherein the icon of each of the plurality of selectors comprises an increment icon and a decrement icon, the method further comprising: receiving a selection of the increment icon or the decrement icon of a first of the plurality of selectors;incrementing or decrementing a number displayed in the icon of the first of the plurality of selectors; and incrementing or decrementing a number displayed in the icon of a second of the plurality of selectors based on a priority of the type of the sub-item corresponding to the second of the plurality of selectors.J. A method of controlling a point of sale unit, the method comprising: providing a first user interface (UI); obtaining, via the first UI, a user selection of a multi-piece item, the multi-piece item selectable from a plurality of multi-piece items each having a total number of sub-items, the multi -piece item defined by: (i) the total number of sub-items in the multi-piece item, (ii) a quantity of each of a plurality of types of the sub-items in the multi-piece item, and (iii) a characteristic of the plurality of the types of sub-items; responsive to the user selection of the multi-piece item, providing a second UI comprising a plurality of selectable icons corresponding to various values of the characteristic of the plurality of the types of sub-items; obtaining a user selection of one of the plurality of selectable icons corresponding to the various values of the characteristic of the plurality of types of sub-items; and adding the multi-piece item to an order.K. A method according to paragraph J above, wherein the characteristic comprises a preparation type, the plurality of selectable icons including a first icon corresponding to a first preparation type, a second icon corresponding to a second preparation type, and a third icon corresponding to a fractional preparation type, wherein the method comprises: in response to selection of the first icon, assigning all of the sub-items as the first preparation type; in response to selection of the second icon, assigning all of the sub-items as the second preparation type; and in response to selection of the third icon, assigning a first fraction of the sub-items of each of the plurality of types as the first preparation type and a second fraction of the subitems of each of the plurality of types as the second preparation type.L. A method according to paragraph K above, wherein the characteristic comprises a level of a variable attribute of an edible item, the plurality of selectable icons corresponding to levels of the attribute of the plurality of sub-items.M. A method according to paragraph J above, wherein the characteristic is a first characteristic and the multi-piece item is further defined by a second characteristic of the plurality of sub-items, the second UI further comprising another plurality of selectable icons corresponding to the second characteristic, the method further comprising: obtaining another user selection of one of the other plurality of selectable icons corresponding to various values of the second characteristic of the plurality of sub-items.N. A method according to paragraph M above, wherein the first characteristic comprises a first variable attribute of an edible item and the second characteristic comprises a second variable attribute of the edible item.O. A method according to paragraph J above, wherein the second UI further comprises a main variant selector including a plurality of selectable icons corresponding to a predetermined allocation of the total number of sub-items between each of the plurality of types of sub-items, the method further comprising: in response to selection of the first selectable icon, allocating a first portion of the total number of sub-items as a first type and a second portion of the total number of subitems as a second type without allocating any of the total number of sub-items as a third type or fourth type; and in response to selection of the second selectable icon, allocating a first portion of the total number of the sub-items for the multi-piece item as the third type and a second portion of the total number of sub-items as the fourth type without allocating any of the total number of sub-items as the first type or second type.P. A method of controlling a point of sale unit, the method comprising: providing a first user interface (UI); obtaining, via the first UI, a user selection of a multi-piece item, the multi-piece item selectable from a plurality of multi-piece items that each have a total number of sub-items,the multi-piece item defined by: (i) the total number of sub-items in the multi -piece item,(ii) a quantity of each of a plurality of types of the sub-items in the multi-piece item, and(iii) a characteristic of the plurality of the types of items; responsive to the user selection of the multi-piece item, providing a second UI comprising a plurality of selectors each corresponding to one of the types of sub-items of the multi-piece item, wherein each of the plurality of selectors comprise an icon that indicates a current number of the sub-items of the corresponding type in the multi-piece item, and a plurality of selectable icons corresponding to an allocation of the total number of sub-items as the corresponding type of sub-item; obtaining a user selection of one of the plurality of selectable icons and allocating at least a portion of the total number of sub-items to the type corresponding to the selector according to the allocation; and adding the multi-piece item to an order.Q. A method according to paragraph P above, wherein the plurality of selectable icons comprise a first selectable icon corresponding to allocating all of the total number of subitems as the corresponding type of sub-item, a second selectable icon corresponding to allocating a fraction of the total number of sub-items as the corresponding type of sub-item, and a third selectable icon corresponding to allocating none of the total number of sub-items as the corresponding type of sub-item.R. A method according to paragraph Q above, the method further comprising: in response to selection of the first selectable icon of one of the plurality of selectors, allocating all of the total number of sub-items of the multi-piece item as the type of sub-item corresponding to the one of the plurality of selectors, and updating the second UI such that(i) the icon of the one of the plurality of selectors displays the total number of sub-items and(ii) the icons of the others of the plurality of selectors display zero; and in response to selection of the second selectable icon of one of the plurality of selectors, allocating a fraction of the total number of sub-items of the multi-piece item as the type of sub-item corresponding to the one of the plurality of selectors, and updating the second UI such that the icon of the one of the plurality of selectors displays a fraction of the total number of sub-items.S. A method according to paragraph P above, wherein the method further comprises: in response to selection of a portion of the icon of one of the selectors: updating the second UI to provide a window comprising a number pad and a plurality of fields, each of the plurality of fields corresponding to one of a plurality of possible values of the characteristic; receiving a user input via the number pad indicating a selected quantity of the type of sub-item corresponding to the one of the selectors; and receiving an assignment for the selected quantity to an assigned one of the plurality of fields to associate the selected quantity of the type of sub-item corresponding to the one of the selectors with the value of the characteristic corresponding to the assigned one of the plurality of fields.T. A method according to paragraph P above, wherein the icon of each of the plurality of selectors comprises an increment icon and a decrement icon, the method further comprising: receiving a selection of the increment icon or the decrement icon of a first of the plurality of selectors; incrementing or decrementing a number displayed in the icon of the first of the plurality of selectors; and incrementing or decrementing a number displayed in the icon of a second of the plurality of selectors based on a priority of the type of the sub-item corresponding to the second of the plurality of selectors.Configuration of Exemplary Embodiments

[0129] The aforementioned ordering flow can be utilized in connection with one or more drive-through ordering systems, point-of-sale systems, and drive-through interfaces for facilitating orders. Suitable systems, methods, and techniques are set forth, for example, inU.S. Patent No. 11,244,681, granted on February 8, 2022, U.S. Patent No. 11,741,529, granted on August 29, 2023, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 452,218, filed on March 15, 2023, U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 607,011, filed on March 15, 2024, U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 529,850 filed on July 31, 2023, U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 607,065, filed on March 15, 2024, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 539,920 filed on September 22, 2023, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 587,611 filed on October 3, 2023, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 606,510 filed December 5, 2023, and U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 606,958, filed on March 15, 2024. The entire contents of the aforementioned patents and patent applications are incorporated herein by reference for background information and the systems, components, processes and techniques disclosed therein.

[0130] It should be noted that the term “exemplary” and variations thereof, as used herein to describe various embodiments, are intended to indicate that such embodiments are possible examples, representations, and / or illustrations of possible embodiments (and such terms are not intended to connote that such embodiments are necessarily extraordinary or superlative examples).

[0131] The term “or,” as used herein, is used in its inclusive sense (and not in its exclusive sense) so that when used to connect a list of elements, the term “or” means one, some, or all of the elements in the list. Conjunctive language such as the phrase “at least one of X, Y, and Z,” unless specifically stated otherwise, is understood to convey that an element may be either X, Y, Z; X and Y; X and Z; Y and Z; or X, Y, and Z (i.e., any combination of X, Y, and Z). Thus, such conjunctive language is not generally intended to imply that certain embodiments require at least one of X, at least one of Y, and at least one of Z to each be present, unless otherwise indicated.

[0132] In the figures, it should be noted that the orientation of various elements may differ according to other exemplary embodiments, and that such variations are intended to be encompassed by the present disclosure.

[0133] The hardware and data processing components used to implement the various processes, operations, illustrative logics, logical blocks, modules and circuits described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented or performed with a general purpose single- or multi-chip processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardwarecomponents, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor also can be implemented as a combination of computing devices, such as a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration.

[0134] In some embodiments, particular processes and methods can be performed by circuitry that is specific to a given function. The memory (e.g., memory, memory unit, storage device, etc.) may include one or more devices (e.g., RAM, ROM, Flash memory, hard disk storage, etc.) for storing data and / or computer code for completing or facilitating the various processes, layers and modules described in the present disclosure. The memory can be or include volatile memory or non-volatile memory, and may include database components, object code components, script components, or any other type of information structure for supporting the various activities and information structures described in the present disclosure. According to an exemplary embodiment, the memory is communicably connected to the processor via a processing circuit and includes computer code for executing (e.g., by the processing circuit and / or the processor) the one or more processes described herein. References to “a” or “the” processor should be understood to encompass a plurality of processors individually or collectively configured to carry out operations as described herein.

[0135] The present disclosure contemplates methods, systems and program products on any machine-readable media for accomplishing various operations. The embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented using existing computer processors, or by a special purpose computer processor for an appropriate system, incorporated for this or another purpose, or by a hardwired system. Embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure include program products comprising machine-readable media for carrying or having machine-executable instructions or data structures stored thereon. Such machine- readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer or other machine with a processor. By way of example, such machine-readable media can comprise RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other mediumwhich can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of machine-executable instructions or data structures and which can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer or other machine with a processor. Combinations of the above are also included within the scope of machine-readable media. Machine-executable instructions include, for example, instructions and data which cause a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or special purpose processing machines to perform a certain function or group of functions. The various operations can be carried out individually by a single processor or collectively by being distributed across multiple processors.

[0136] Although the figures and description may illustrate a specific order of method steps, the order of such steps may differ from what is depicted and described, unless specified differently above. Also, two or more steps can be performed concurrently or with partial concurrence, unless specified differently above. All such variations are within the scope of the disclosure. Likewise, software implementations of the described methods could be accomplished with standard programming techniques with rule-based logic and other logic to accomplish the various connection steps, processing steps, comparison steps, and decision steps.

[0137] It is important to note that the operations as shown in the various exemplary embodiments are illustrative only. Various modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions can be made in the design and implementation of the exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A method of controlling a point of sale unit, the method comprising: providing a first user interface (UI); obtaining, via the first UI, a user selection of a multi-piece item, the multi-piece item selectable from a plurality of multi-piece items each having a total number of sub-items, the multi -piece item defined by: (i) the total number of sub-items in the multi-piece item, (ii) a quantity of each of a plurality of types of the sub-items in the multi-piece item, and (iii) a characteristic of the sub-items; responsive to the user selection of the multi-piece item, providing a second UI comprising a main variant selector including a plurality of selectable icons corresponding to a predetermined allocation of the total number of sub-items between each of the plurality of types of sub-items; obtaining a user selection of one of the plurality of selectable icons corresponding to the predetermined allocation of the total number of sub-items between each of the plurality of types of sub-items; and adding the multi-piece item to an order.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of multi-piece items comprise a collection of edible items and the plurality of types of sub-items comprise types of edible items, the plurality of multi-piece items including a total number of edible items, and the types of edible items including at least a first edible item type, a second edible item type, a third edible item type, and a fourth edible item type.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the main variant selector comprises a first selectable icon for a first variant and a second selectable icon for a second variant, the method comprising: in response to selection of the first selectable icon, allocating a first portion of the total number of edible items as the first edible item type and a second portion of the total number of edible items as the second edible item type without allocating any of the total number of edible items as the third edible item type or the fourth edible item type; andin response to selection of the second selectable icon, allocating a first portion of the total number of edible items for the multi-piece item as the third edible item type and a second portion of the total number of edible items as the fourth edible item type without allocating any of the total number of edible items as the first edible item type or the fourth edible item type.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the second UI further comprises a plurality of selectable icons corresponding to various values of the characteristic for the sub-items of the multi-piece item, the method further comprising: determining the value of the characteristic for the plurality of sub-items responsive to selection of a corresponding one of the plurality of selectable icons.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the characteristic comprises a preparation type, the plurality of selectable icons including a first icon corresponding to a first preparation type, a second icon corresponding to a second preparation type, and a third icon corresponding to a fractional preparation style, wherein the method comprises: in response to selection of the first icon, assigning all of the sub-items as the first preparation type; in response to selection of the second icon, assigning all of the sub-items as the second preparation type; and in response to selection of the third icon, assigning a first fraction of the sub-items of each of the plurality of types as the first preparation type and a second fraction of the subitems of each of the plurality of types as the second preparation type.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the second UI further comprises a plurality of selectors, each of the plurality of selectors corresponding to one of the types of sub-items of the multi-piece item, wherein each of the plurality of selectors comprise an icon that indicates a current number of the sub-items of the corresponding type in the multi-piece item, and a first selectable icon corresponding to allocating all of the total number of subitems as the corresponding type of sub-item, a second selectable icon corresponding to allocating a fraction of the total number of sub-items as the corresponding type of sub-item,and a third selectable icon corresponding to allocating none of the total number of sub-items as the corresponding type of sub-item.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the method comprises: in response to selection of the first selectable icon of one of the plurality of selectors, allocating all of the total number of sub-items of the multi-piece item as the type of subitem corresponding to the one of the plurality of selectors, and updating the second UI such that (i) the icon of the one of the plurality of selectors displays the total number of sub-items and (ii) the icons of the others of the plurality of selectors display zero; and in response to selection of the second selectable icon of one of the plurality of selectors, allocating a fraction of the total number of sub-items of the multi-piece item as the type of sub-item corresponding to the one of the plurality of selectors, and updating the second UI such that the icon of the one of the plurality of selectors displays a fraction of the total number of sub-items.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the method further comprises: in response to selection of a portion of the icon of one of the selectors: updating the second UI to provide a window comprising a quantity selector and a plurality of fields, each of the plurality of fields corresponding to one of a plurality of possible values of the characteristic; receiving a user input via the quantity selector indicating a selected quantity of the type of sub-item corresponding to the one of the selectors; and receiving an assignment for the selected quantity to an assigned one of the plurality of fields to associate that the selected quantity of the type of sub-item corresponding to the one of the selectors with the value of the characteristic corresponding to the assigned one of the plurality of fields.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein the icon of each of the plurality of selectors comprises an increment icon and a decrement icon, the method further comprising: receiving a selection of the increment icon or the decrement icon of a first of the plurality of selectors;incrementing or decrementing a number displayed in the icon of the first of the plurality of selectors; and incrementing or decrementing a number displayed in the icon of a second of the plurality of selectors based on a priority of the type of the sub-item corresponding to the second of the plurality of selectors.

10. A method of controlling a point of sale unit, the method comprising: providing a first user interface (UI); obtaining, via the first UI, a user selection of a multi-piece item, the multi-piece item selectable from a plurality of multi-piece items each having a total number of sub-items, the multi -piece item defined by: (i) the total number of sub-items in the multi-piece item, (ii) a quantity of each of a plurality of types of the sub-items in the multi-piece item, and (iii) a characteristic of the plurality of the types of sub-items; responsive to the user selection of the multi-piece item, providing a second UI comprising a plurality of selectable icons corresponding to various values of the characteristic of the plurality of the types of sub-items; obtaining a user selection of one of the plurality of selectable icons corresponding to the various values of the characteristic of the plurality of types of sub-items; and adding the multi-piece item to an order.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the characteristic comprises a preparation type, the plurality of selectable icons including a first icon corresponding to a first preparation type, a second icon corresponding to a second preparation type, and a third icon corresponding to a fractional preparation type, wherein the method comprises: in response to selection of the first icon, assigning all of the sub-items as the first preparation type; in response to selection of the second icon, assigning all of the sub-items as the second preparation type; and in response to selection of the third icon, assigning a first fraction of the sub-items of each of the plurality of types as the first preparation type and a second fraction of the subitems of each of the plurality of types as the second preparation type.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the characteristic comprises a level of a variable attribute of an edible item, the plurality of selectable icons corresponding to levels of the attribute of the plurality of sub-items.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the characteristic is a first characteristic and the multi-piece item is further defined by a second characteristic of the plurality of sub-items, the second UI further comprising another plurality of selectable icons corresponding to the second characteristic, the method further comprising: obtaining another user selection of one of the other plurality of selectable icons corresponding to various values of the second characteristic of the plurality of sub-items.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the first characteristic comprises a first variable attribute of an edible item and the second characteristic comprises a second variable attribute of the edible item.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein the second UI further comprises a main variant selector including a plurality of selectable icons corresponding to a predetermined allocation of the total number of sub-items between each of the plurality of types of subitems, the method further comprising: in response to selection of the first selectable icon, allocating a first portion of the total number of sub-items as a first type and a second portion of the total number of subitems as a second type without allocating any of the total number of sub-items as a third type or fourth type; and in response to selection of the second selectable icon, allocating a first portion of the total number of the sub-items for the multi-piece item as the third type and a second portion of the total number of sub-items as the fourth type without allocating any of the total number of sub-items as the first type or second type.

16. A method of controlling a point of sale unit, the method comprising: providing a first user interface (UI); obtaining, via the first UI, a user selection of a multi-piece item, the multi-piece item selectable from a plurality of multi-piece items that each have a total number of sub-items,the multi-piece item defined by: (i) the total number of sub-items in the multi -piece item,(ii) a quantity of each of a plurality of types of the sub-items in the multi-piece item, and(iii) a characteristic of the plurality of the types of items; responsive to the user selection of the multi-piece item, providing a second UI comprising a plurality of selectors each corresponding to one of the types of sub-items of the multi-piece item, wherein each of the plurality of selectors comprise an icon that indicates a current number of the sub-items of the corresponding type in the multi-piece item, and a plurality of selectable icons corresponding to an allocation of the total number of sub-items as the corresponding type of sub-item; obtaining a user selection of one of the plurality of selectable icons and allocating at least a portion of the total number of sub-items to the type corresponding to the selector according to the allocation; and adding the multi-piece item to an order.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the plurality of selectable icons comprise a first selectable icon corresponding to allocating all of the total number of sub-items as the corresponding type of sub-item, a second selectable icon corresponding to allocating a fraction of the total number of sub-items as the corresponding type of sub-item, and a third selectable icon corresponding to allocating none of the total number of sub-items as the corresponding type of sub-item.

18. The method of claim 17, the method further comprising: in response to selection of the first selectable icon of one of the plurality of selectors, allocating all of the total number of sub-items of the multi-piece item as the type of subitem corresponding to the one of the plurality of selectors, and updating the second UI such that (i) the icon of the one of the plurality of selectors displays the total number of sub-items and (ii) the icons of the others of the plurality of selectors display zero; and in response to selection of the second selectable icon of one of the plurality of selectors, allocating a fraction of the total number of sub-items of the multi-piece item as the type of sub-item corresponding to the one of the plurality of selectors, and updating the second UI such that the icon of the one of the plurality of selectors displays a fraction of the total number of sub-items.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the method further comprises: in response to selection of a portion of the icon of one of the selectors: updating the second UI to provide a window comprising a number pad and a plurality of fields, each of the plurality of fields corresponding to one of a plurality of possible values of the characteristic; receiving a user input via the number pad indicating a selected quantity of the type of sub-item corresponding to the one of the selectors; and receiving an assignment for the selected quantity to an assigned one of the plurality of fields to associate the selected quantity of the type of sub-item corresponding to the one of the selectors with the value of the characteristic corresponding to the assigned one of the plurality of fields.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein the icon of each of the plurality of selectors comprises an increment icon and a decrement icon, the method further comprising: receiving a selection of the increment icon or the decrement icon of a first of the plurality of selectors; incrementing or decrementing a number displayed in the icon of the first of the plurality of selectors; and incrementing or decrementing a number displayed in the icon of a second of the plurality of selectors based on a priority of the type of the sub-item corresponding to the second of the plurality of selectors.