System for monitoring and control of food delivery service

Abstract

A system for managing the delivery of goods comprises three interconnected devices; a main communication hub with a processor 31 that can receive orders, determine the order’s status as it’s being pro

Description

The present invention relates to delivery services, for example but not strictly limited to food delivery services of the sort where intermediary delivery drivers independent from a restaurant collect food orders from the restaurant and deliver to a restaurant customer. In particular, the invention relates to a system for monitoring and controlling the secure collection of customer orders by the delivery driver from the supplier of the order. BACKGROUND Demand for swift delivery of goods purchased online to persons’ homes has increased in recent years. One particular growth area is in freshly prepared food products, consumers being keen to have ready prepared meals from their favourite local restaurants delivered to their door. Home food delivery is not only convenient for busy individuals but beneficial for restaurants who can serve more customers with relatively little increase to their overhead costs. A number of intermediary service providers have entered the market. Examples include Just Eat ® and Deliveroo®. Such providers typically receive food orders for food from any of a number of restaurants from individual customers via mobile phone apps. The provider receiving the order then passes the order to the appropriate restaurant and arranges for a delivery driver to collect the order and deliver it to an address specified by the individual customer. Restaurants may also provide their own platforms for receiving orders direct from customers and arrange delivery to the customer. Restaurants may employ their own delivery drivers to serve their customers exclusively, or outsource to other delivery service providers. To retain customers it is important to both restaurants and delivery service providers that food collections and deliveries are efficient and secure. Customers increasingly expect to be able to receive real-time updates on the progress of their orders. Typically, the restaurant premises preparing the food order will include a digital check-in system where delivery drivers check-in to collect the order for delivery. For example, staff at the restaurant providing the food order may have custody of a tablet which is in digital communication with the delivery service provider. The delivery service provider communicates the order to the restaurant and an order number is generated and shared between the restaurant and the delivery service provider. The delivery service provider communicates detail identifying the restaurant and order number to a delivery driver who travels to the restaurant to collect the order. When the driver arrives to collect the order, the restaurant staff manually check the collecting drivers identity and authorization to collect a specific order. The collection process is done manually for example by restaurant staff calling out or visually displaying order numbers for orders which are ready for collection. A driver identifies themselves, presents confirmation of the order number (for example via a display in an app on their mobile phone). The restaurant staff hand over the order to the delivery driver and update the order information on the tablet to communicate to other restaurant staff and the delivery service provider that the order has been collected for delivery. Individual delivery drivers typically have apps installed on their personal digital devices which apps permit two-way communication between the delivery driver and the delivery service provider. The delivery driver is burdened to communicate several stages of the food collection and delivery process. For example: on arrival at the restaurant the driver will swipe on their app to confirm “arrived at restaurant”, when the food is handed over to them by restaurant staff they will swipe “order collected”, when they return to their vehicle swipe “ready to depart” and on arrival at the customer’s address swipe “order delivered”. Whilst present arrangements work adequately, there is much scope for human error and misdemeanour, particularly at the point of handover of food orders from the restaurant to the delivery driver and from the delivery driver to the customer at the customer’s address. For example, order numbers may be miscommunicated, and incorrect orders picked up or miscreants may create fake confirmations of order numbers to intercept and steal orders. Also, unscrupulous delivery drivers are able to manipulate the system by submitting dishonest information about their status and present location to have their orders prepared earlier resulting in other drivers having to wait longer for order collection at the restaurant. The present invention aims to provide a more secure, efficient and robust system for managing the ordering, collection and delivery of food orders. Whilst the detailed description is primarily directed to ordering and delivery of freshly prepared food orders, it is to be understood aspects of the invention have wider application wherein the supplier of the ordered goods is a business other than a restaurant, for example (but not strictly limited to) a grocery or department store. STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the invention there is provided a system for the monitoring and control of a delivery service, the system comprising: a main communication hub including a first input means for receiving information concerning orders to be collected and distributed by a delivery service, a first display means for displaying real-time status information of an order and a processor for processing the received information, generating real-time status information of an order and instructing the display means to display the real-time status information, a check-in module including a second input means for inputting information identifying an order received by the main communication hub and a second display means for displaying order information to a delivery driver, and an administrator module including a third display means for displaying a real time status of an order received by the main communication hub; wherein the main communication hub is in two-way data communication with the check-in module and in one way data communication with the administrator module, wherein the first and third display means exhibit the same information at the same time. In an option, the main communication hub may be in two-way communication with a cloudbased server. The cloud-based server may be accessible by customers to place orders which are in turn communicated to the main communication hub. Updates on order status may be communicated to the cloud-based server and displayed on a user interface allowing the customer to view real-time updates on the progress of their order. In such arrangements, the administrator module may be in data communication with the cloud-based server and the display for the third display means may be provided by the cloud-based server. In use, the check-in module and administrator module are located at premises where the order is to prepared. For example, the premises may be a restaurant and the order an order for a cooked meal. The main communication hub is optionally located at the same premises. The first display means and first input means may be embodied as an interactive touch screen display means in a single device. The second display means and second input means may be embodied as an interactive touch screen display means in a single device. The first and / or second input means may comprise mechanical keypads communicatively connected to other elements of the main communication hub or check-in module. The second input means may be configured to identify a person tasked with collecting the order for delivery. For example, but without limitation, the identity of a person may be verified using facial recognition, retinal scan, fingerprints or unique microchips associated with the person. The data collected from a person on arrival at the supplier’s premises can be matched for verification against previously stored data which associates a tasked person with a specific order. The main communication hub may further be in data communication with a customer personal device whereby a customer can place an order from a location geographically remote from the main communication hub and the main communication hub receives and processes the order for collection. Order information from a geographically remote customer may be communicated to the main communication hub via a third-party server, for example, the third-party server may be managed by a delivery service company. Alternatively, the main communication hub and a cloud-based server via which customer orders may be placed are both managed, owned or operated by the supplier of the ordered goods. Where the server is managed, owned or operated by the supplier of the ordered goods, the server may be configured to send and / or receive data to / from one or more delivery service providers. The second input means may be in data communication with a customer and / or delivery service provider’s personal device presented in the same geographical location as the checkin module. For example, the second input means may include a scanner for scanning food order information presented on a personal device presented at the geographical location of the check-in module. For example, the scanner is a bar code reader or an optical character reader. In another example, the second input means may be configured to receive data from a customer or delivery service provider’s personal device via a blue tooth connection. In another example, the input means may be a camera which captures a digital image presented to the check-in module by means of a display on a delivery driver’s personal device. In another example, the second input means may comprise a document reader for verifying the identity of an individual presenting ID documentation in the same geographical location as the checkin module. For example, the ID documentation may be a chip card and the second input means includes a card reader. In another option, on arrival a delivery driver is presented with a listing of orders currently in preparation or awaiting delivery. The delivery driver may select one or more orders which they have been dispatched to collect and then be invited by the check-in module to verify their personal identity. Identity may be verified through biometric data, personal documentation or a unique identification code provided to the delivery driver when dispatched. In some examples, the check-in device may be in data communication with a personal device of a checked-in customer or delivery service provider and is configured to communicate updates on the order status directly to the personal device. For example, the system may be configured to send an alert to a checked-in driver that the order is packaged and ready to be collected. The check-in module may further be configured to receive confirmation from a checked-in customer or delivery service provider that their order has been received. Such confirmation may, for example, be provided through an interactive touch screen display. In alternative, the check-in device may recognize a duplication of input data received in a pre-defined time frame as confirmation of collection. In more sophisticated arrangements, packages (such as pizza boxes or bags of food) in which an order is packaged may be uniquely labelled to associate them with a particular order. The check-in module may be further configured to read the package labels during a check-out process. Order data may include an expected number of packages delivery of which is recorded to have been completed once the label is canned at the check-in module. Confirmation of the number of packages handed to the driver and the time of handover may be uploaded from the main communication hub to a cloud server and thereby communicated to the customer who placed the order. Alternatively, where the main communication hub is provided with customer contact data at the time the order is placed, the main communication hub may be configured to communicate an order update directly to the customer. The administrator module comprises essentially of a display unit (third display means) in data communication with the main communication hub such that the main communication can provide real-time food order status information to the third display means. In one useful application, the system is applied to the ordering and delivery of freshly prepared meals from a food provider such as a takeaway, restaurant, hotel kitchen or the like. In a typical in-use arrangement, the first display means is located “back of house” in the food preparation area of a food provider’s premises. The administrator module and check-in module are located “front of house” at a customer facing area of the same premises. Optionally, the administrator module and check-in module may be embodied in a single device accessible to both an administrator serving customers and a customer or delivery service provider being served by the administrator. Alternatively, the modules may be embodied in two separate devices. The system may further incorporate a timer controlled by the main communication hub, the timer function displaying elapsed time on the first and third display means. The timer may be set to monitor the handover time of the food, wherein the handover time is the time elapsed from the confirmed check-in of a delivery driver to confirmed collection of the order by the driver. The timer may be triggered for a given order number on receipt of confirmation that a delivery driver has checked-in at the check-in module. In some embodiments where the same delivery drivers are used regularly to collect orders for specific deliveries, for example deliveries for orders prepared at specific restaurants, or deliverable to specific post code areas, the system may include a memory storing data associated with these delivery drivers. This data may be used to further improve efficiency or customer service by, for example; automatically allocating a collection to the regular delivery driver when an order is placed, matching biometrics passively or actively collected on the delivery driver’s arrival at the order provider’s premises to the stored data to enable swift an automatic check-in by the check-in module. Optionally the system may use blockchain technology to securely store customer’s personal and order information during an order-delivery transaction. Blockchain may also optionally be used to store delivery driver data. Customer or delivery driver identities may be in the form of non-fungible tokens (NFT) attached to individual orders. The identity data may be tokenized into NFTs using blockchain technology. The system may be configured to send and receive NFTs as a payment means or reward for customer loyalty or a tip to a delivery driver or order provider. The system maybe embodied in a virtual reality platform allowing interpersonal communication between avatars of customers, order providers and / or delivery drivers. Optionally the system may be made more efficient using quantum computing technologies. The system provides benefits over prior known systems by requiring verification of a collector and the order they are authorized to collect at the geographical location where the order has been prepared. In applications where the order is for freshly prepared food, ensuring persons collecting food are in the food provider’s premises before the food order is packaged for collection reduces the typical time between food packaging and collection. This is a benefit to the end customer in that food is fresher on delivery, there is a benefit to the food provider in that packaged orders can be swiftly handed over to collectors reducing the likelihood of multiple orders becoming mixed up. This may reduce requirements for equipment needed to keep food warm and for space requirements of a waiting area for checked-in customers since the order collection time is made shorter. There is a further benefit to honest delivery drivers and customers collecting their food orders since the possibility of an unscrupulous individual “jumping the queue” by dishonestly declaring they have arrived is removed. Queuing times for checked-in individuals is therefore reduced. SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION An embodiment of the invention is now further described by way of example with reference to the accompanying Figures, in which: FIGURE 1 shows schematically the three main components of one embodiment of a system in accordance with the invention and the flow of data between the components; FIGURE 2 shows a flow chart of the progress of an order passing through a system and actions taken by the system to process the order in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; FIGURE 3 shows a flow chart of the progress of an order passing through a system and actions taken by the system to process the order in accordance with another embodiment of the invention; FIGURE 4 shows schematically how a system in accordance with the invention interacts with the real world; FIGURE 5 shows actions taken by a customer, delivery service provider staff and restaurant staff interacting via a system in accordance with the invention. A system in accordance with the invention comprises three main components typically all located in the premises of a provider of goods ordered online. In this example, the premises is a restaurant providing a freshly cooked meals delivery service. As can be seen in Figure 1 a system in accordance with the invention comprises a main communication hub 1 which includes a first display means 1a and a first input means 1b for updating information to be displayed on the display 1a. The main communication hub is in two-way data communication with a check-in module 2. The check-in module 2 includes a second display means 2a and second input means 2b. The main communication hub 1 sends current order information such as order numbers related to orders in progress of preparation to the check-in module 2. In use, once check-in has been completed, the second display means 2a will display to a checked-in 7 delivery driver a number of orders available for collection. Using the second input means 2b, the delivery driver can confirm which orders they seek to collect. This information is communicated back to the main communication hub 1, informing the restaurant staff that a person is available on site to collect the selected orders when they are packaged. The restaurant staff are thus prompted to package the food orders and present them to the delivery driver for collection. The main communication hub 1 may further be in data communication with a cloud-based server which may be managed by the restaurant or by a third party. For example, but not essentially, the third party might be a delivery service provider. Orders from customers may be placed from their personal devices via the server which in turn communicates order information to the main communication hub 1. The main communication hub is further in one-way data communication with an administrator module 3. The administrator module 3 comprises a third display means 3a and an audio device 3b. In use real-time order status information is communicated to the administrator module display 3a. When an order is collected, the main communication hub may additionally communicate to the administrator module 3 instruction to broadcast an audio alert via the audio device 3b. The audio alert may be communicated to a checked-in delivery driver simultaneously with a corresponding order update presented on the administrator module display means 3a. In an option, where a checked-in delivery driver has used a personal device to check-in, the system may be configured to send a duplicate visual or audio alert direct to the personal device of the checked-in delivery driver appointed to collect the order. The flow chart of Figure 2 follows the processing of an order from receipt to collection by a delivery driver in an arrangement where a delivery service company manages the receipt of customer orders and outsources the food order to a restaurant. As can be seen, a customer order is placed and received by both a delivery service provider and a restaurant supplying the food order. Details of the food order are captured in the man delivery hub 1 located at the restaurant. The restaurant commences preparation of the food order and in parallel, the delivery service provider dispatches a delivery driver to the restaurant. On arrival at the restaurant, the delivery driver checks in and via the input means 2b of the check-in module 2 and identifies the order(s) to be collected. The check-in module 2 communicates to the main communication hub 1 that a delivery driver is available on the premises to collect the identified food orders. With the main communication hub display 1a updated to show the identified orders, restaurant staff are prompted to commence packaging of the order(s). Once the identified orders are packaged, the restaurant staff update the main communication hub via the first input means 1b. The main communication hub 1 in turn communicates the updated order status to the administrator module 3 which, via the third display means 3a and / or audio device 3b communicates to the delivery driver that the order can be picked up. The delivery driver approaches counter staff at the restaurant who check the order is correct and invites the delivery driver, via the check-in module 2 to confirm the number of packages collected. The information is communicated back to the main communication hub which in turn updates the third display means 3a of the administrator module 3. The flow chart of Figure 3 follows the processing of an order from receipt to collection by a delivery driver in an arrangement where a restaurant manages the receipt of customer orders and outsources the collection and delivery to a delivery service provider. The flow chart of Figure 3 follows the processing of an order from receipt to collection by a delivery driver. As can be seen, a customer order is placed and received by both a delivery service provider and a restaurant supplying the food order. Details of the food order are captured in the man delivery hub 1 located at the restaurant. The restaurant commences preparation of the food order and in parallel, the delivery service provider despatches a delivery driver to the restaurant. On arrival at the restaurant, the delivery driver checks in and via the input means 2b of the checkin module 2 and identifies the order(s) to be collected. The check-in module 2 communicates to the main communication hub 1 that a delivery driver is available on the premises to collect the identified food orders. With the main communication hub display 1a updated to show the identified orders, restaurant staff are prompted to commence packaging of the order(s). Once the identified orders are packaged, the restaurant staff update the main communication hub via the first input means 1b. The main communication hub 1 in turn communicates the updated order status to the administrator module 3 which, via the third display means 3a and / or audio device 3b communicates to the delivery driver that the order can be picked up. The delivery driver approaches counter staff at the restaurant who check the order is correct and invites the delivery driver, via the check-in module 2 to confirm the number of packages collected. The information is communicated back to the main communication hub which in turn updates the third display means 3a of the administrator module 3. Figure 4 shows in schematic form how a system in accordance with the present invention interacts with the real world. As can be seen from the Figure, multiple customers of a food delivery company, via their personal communication device 21, each have access to a cloud-based server 22 which process their orders and communications them to a delivery driver service 20 and a restaurant 30. Within the restaurant 30 is located a system 300 in accordance with the invention. The system comprises a main communication hub including a processor 31, display 32 and input means (not shown) for updating information stored in the processor 31. The processor 31 presents relevant real-time order status information on the display 32. The main communication hub 31, 32 is in two-way communication with a check-in module 35 and in oneway communication with an administrator module having a display 33 and optional audio device 34. Having received and confirmed an order, the delivery driver service 20 dispatches a driver 23 who travels to the restaurant 30. On arrival, the delivery driver 23 presents to the check-in module to confirm their arrival at the restaurant. Optionally, a personal communication device 24 may be used to communicate identification of the delivery driver and or verification of the order numbers they have been despatched to collect. Within the restaurant, the process as set out in Figure 2 is performed by the system 300. Once the administrator module 33,34 communicates to the delivery driver 23 that the order is ready for collection, the driver confirms via the check-in module or via a staff member who updates the main communication hub processor 31, the number of packages collected. The delivery driver 23 then collects the food order 25 and proceeds to the delivery address. Meanwhile, the main communication hub displays the updated order status information via the main communication hub display 32 and the administrator module display 33. Figure 5 illustrates actions taken in parallel by a customer, delivery driver and restaurant all interacting with services managed by a system in accordance with the invention during processing of a food order for delivery. One specific embodiment will now be described in more detail. It will occur to the skilled addressee that not all of the described features of the embodiment are essential to the invention and other practical embodiments may be conceived without the need for inventive thought. Arriving at a restaurant to collect an order, a delivery driver approaches a pick-up point (food counter). The driver will INPUT, SELECT or SCAN an order number via a touch screen device of a check-in module on arrival. Once the check-in process is completed the system performs a number of smart functions using several technological components / devices to manage the pick-up process. The “on the counter” check-in module at the food business or restaurant is a novel and advantageous feature of the system. It is only operated inside the restaurant by the restaurant. It has to be tapped into by delivery drivers on arrival and then it starts doing the smart things! The ideas, methodologies and processes behind our technology / system make the current operations more extremely efficient in terms of creating real-time data, improving speed on food pick-ups, recording driver arrival time, holding parties in the chain accountable and many other major benefits. The system works with three main components now described in more detail to explain the overall workings of the system or machine. The described embodiment is a simplistic one for illustrative purposes, we envisage further components and features may be added to improve the capabilities of the system in more advanced embodiments. The three main components have two things in common; Firstly, Initial login screen on system starting up displays a unique company logo. Secondly, the food business or restaurants using the system will login to the components by way of; Entering Restaurant / Venue ID Entering Password The login process is for internal use by the food business or restaurant and for security purposes. It informs senior management who has signed into the technology and at what time and date for later checking. Once logged in, a restaurant staff member is given three options for which of the three components of the system they want to operate, for example; “Driver Sign-in View” or “TV Grid View” or “Staff Console”. To use the system all three of the components have to be operational and each component has to be initially logged into separately. Component 1 (corresponding to the check-in module of the claimed invention) is used by delivery drivers to check-in. It is convenient placed at the front of house or on food collection counter of the restaurant. There are multiple options to the configuration of check-in module and how the delivery driver may interact with it to check-in. These are as follows; 1) The delivery driver enters the Order Number or Numbers on arrival into component 1. The driver has been given order details by the specific delivery platform they have come to collect / pick-up for and hold this order number on their mobile phone via app. This order number is also provided by delivery platforms to restaurants and are held on their tablets. 2) The delivery driver selects the Order Number or Numbers from component 1 on arrival. Order number is already displayed on component 1 and the driver simply has to select it using a touch screen integrated into the module. 3) The delivery drivers and restaurants are given the order number by the delivery platform. The driver accesses it on their mobile phones via a dedicated app and the restaurants are sent this by delivery platforms to their main communication hub. 4) A Digital Scanning System may be built into any part of Component 1, for example it may be configured to scan a Bar Code, Number, Pattern, Design or Colour from the delivery driver’s mobile phone or any other suitably configured personal device they may be carrying. The Bar Code, Number, Pattern, Design or Colour is communicated by a specific delivery platform to the restaurant’s computer systems Component 2 (corresponding to the administrator module of the invention) is for the use of food business / restaurant and its staff, it is for this staff’s use only. Component 3 (corresponding to the main communication hub of the invention) is the main communication hub between staff at the restaurant and the delivery drivers. It does several smart things that works psychologically but also physically to enhance staff and driver productivity. It links a food order that needs to be prepared timely by restaurant staff and verifies a correct delivery driver has arrived at the restaurant to collect the food order before the food order is packaged and collected by the delivery driver. The following describes the check-in process using Component 1 of the system. Upon arrival at the restaurant a delivery driver will enter the food premises and proceed to a counter / wall / desk where Component 1 is located. The display of Component 1, which in this example is a touch screen display, presents a “Welcome” message to the driver and invites them to select from a list of delivery platforms, the delivery platform he is collecting orders for. Once the delivery driver has selected the platform they are collecting or picking up for the next screen asks the delivery driver “How many orders are you collecting today?” The driver is given options for example from “Single Order” or “Two Orders”. After selecting how many orders to be collected or picked-up, an order number entry screen will pop-up. The order number entry screen is configured to receive order numbers used by the selected delivery platform. If “Two Orders” has previously been selected, then after the first order number is entered in, a second screen will pop up for the second order number to be entered. Once the appropriate order details have been entered a “Thank You!” message will be displayed, the message may also confirm “Your Information has been entered”. After this final process, the system will automatically revert back to main driver “ Welcome” check-in screen for the process to happen all over again when next driver arrives. Component 2 (corresponding to the main communication hub of the invention) carries out the functionality, administration and management of the system / machine. It is operated by managers and staff in charge of the delivery operation at the food business / restaurant. The Component 2 duplicates everything displayed onto the Component 2 display onto the Component 3 (corresponding to the administrator module of the invention). The display of Component 3 cannot be interacted with or updated via Component 3, it is a display only device. Order numbers can be “clicked” or “touched” into on Component 2 that will then take staff using it to a more detailed screen for that specific order. Screens presented to staff after this step are functional and may be interactive in the form of a touch screen. Most importantly Component 2 manages the security and protection of the food being handed over to the delivery driver as it takes photo / images of the order number from the delivery driver’s device upon collection via an inbuilt or detachable camera associated with Component 1. The operation of Component 2, contributes in a number of different ways; 1) It provides information displaying real-time order status to both restaurant staff and delivery drivers 2) When restaurant staff click or touch on an “Acknowledge Order” tab, it updates Component 2 and Component 3 display screens, relaying that the order is accepted by the food business or restaurant. Checked-in delivery drivers are informed via the Component 3 display screen message “Order Confirmed” for example with a green tick in a grey box. If any of the other platforms were to be selected it will display the same way apart from the information which will be specific to the selected delivery platform. 3) An “Order Ready” tab when actioned requests delivery drivers to come forward and pick-up their order when it’s ready. An “Order Ready” alert displays on the display screens of Component 2 and Component 3 with a “Collect Now” message. 4) Once the “Collect Now” message is displayed, an audio alert is broadcast in the form of a female or male voice stating the order number of the order ready for collection. The voice calls out 3 times; first call “Order number XX.. is ready”, second call “Order number XX.. is ready” and the third call is “Final call for order number XX”. 5) A Timer is also set off counting upwards after the system or machine calls out the order number 3 times. This timer is unique and extremely important to the system or technology as it holds any driver that has not picked-up on time accountable. It is displayed in red on Components 2 and 3 and both staff and delivery drivers will have sight of it. If a driver has not picked-up on time, the displays essentially let all parties know and the message “Late Collection” appears on the displays. If a delivery driver has checked-in legitimately at the restaurant premises, there is no-reason “Late Collection” message should appear as the delivery drivers have told the restaurant they are in the building. The purpose of this function is to catch unscrupulous delivery drivers who are manipulating the pick-up operations of food businesses and restaurants. The Timer is also there for psychological reasons. It is of opinion the free culture of food being picked-up late from restaurants since 2005 and beyond has not changed. The Timer aims to change delivery drivers’ mind set as some may not understand the implications late collection has on the businesses and their customers. Visually seeing the digital clock increasing in time will help motivate speedy and efficient colection. Restaurant staff are also kept on alert by the Timer motivating them to bag and hand over food promptly. The Timer is important to meet the requirements of “handover time”, a performance indicator which the restaurants may be measured on by the food delivery platforms. If the driver does not come forward to collect pick-up on time after three voice calls the “Collect Now” description for that specific order changes to “Late Collection” at the same time, Timer activates and is displayed on the displays of Components 2 and 3. The Timer will run and status will continue to stay same until the delivery driver picks-up or staff “Cancel” or “Delete” or make other amendments to the order status. The “Driver Check-in” function is a call-out by staff to drivers. It displays on Component 2 and Component 3 with the message “Issue - See Staff”. The call out requests delivery driver to see staff because of an issue with the order being picked-up. On Component 2 an “Order Collected” tab is actioned by staff once the driver arrives at the counter to collect or pick-up the order. Upon selection a dialogue box opens with a message stating “Driver Phone” and then “Please take a photo of the drivers order number”. Staff to carry out the process of taking a picture of the driver’s order number displayed on their personal device. The personal device (such as a mobile phone) is placed on a cradle at this stage and the camera on Component 2 or other device attached to Component 2 will take the picture or image. The staff member simply clicks on the digital camera which pops up on screen and takes a snap of the delivery driver’s order number. A “photo okay?” message displays. If the answer is no, the device invites the staff to take another snap. Once the photo is successfully taken it will pop up into the tablet with be stored in Component 2 with all the relevant data against the order number just collected by the delivery driver. This feature of the system is an important part of the pick-up process. The fitted camera can be used to not only snap picture of orders but also food items prior to bagging which will give confirmation of number of food items placed into bags. The picture taken of the order number and food items connect the delivery driver to the order being collected as the same order being collected cannot be duplicated in any other driver’s phone or device. It is also confirmation for the restaurant the correct order has been given to the correct driver and mistakes have not been made. Taking a picture of the order number and the food items at this “Check-Out” stage is certainty, evidence and reassurance to restaurants order has correctly been bagged and collected. After the picture has been taken Component 2 requests confirmation from the delivery driver of the Number of Sealed Bags collected. This may be selected from a touch screen which provides an option of selecting “One, Two, Three, Four, Five and Six”. It is important the driver confirms the number of sealed bags being handed over and not the staff. By making the delivery driver confirm the number of bags being handed over, there is now two times validation that a delivery driver is authorised to collect the order and has received the correct order. Once the number of sealed bags is confirmed by delivery driver, the specific order number clears from the Component 2 and Component 3 displays. This confirms the order has been collected and the driver check-out process is complete. The delivery driver can now take food, leave the restaurant and make the drop-off to customers. It is anticipated future versions of the system will be developed to read bar codes, patterns, designs, or anything else provided by food delivery platforms to confirm pick-up of food. Other features of the system may include: “Order Cancelled Tab” - The function is used when a customer calls in to cancel or the restaurant cannot fulfil order for any reason. “Delete Order Tab” - This is used to wipe order from system or machine completely because it was cancelled for whatever the reason. “History Search Tab” - This function allows staff to do several smart things for administration purposes. It helps staff check back on historical orders put through the system or machine and does the following; Can filter by a dates Search. Reset Dates. Select a specific delivery platform to Search By. Search by Order Number. Exit from History Screen Currently On. On the “Historical Orders” screen important and vital information is displayed which is required by most restaurants to assess their delivery operation. This is called “H.O.T” or “Hand Over Timer” (term used by delivery platforms and restaurants). The average hand over time is recorded by the system for days or weeks for orders picked-up by drivers. The system will be further developed to give figures or stats for months and years. The H.O.T is vital and important to restaurants. Adding further to what has been explained, it is the speed in which the food is made, bagged and handed over to delivery drivers upon arrival. Component 2 ensures all parties in the chain meet their responsibilities so the requirement of the hand over time is met. H.O.T monitoring has been built into the system because research has told us that there is no currently accurate and reliable means for monitoring this performance index. The following describes Component 3 (corresponding to the administrator module of the invention in more detail. Component 3 displays and provides the relevant important information to restaurant managers, staff and delivery drivers to carry out their jobs. Essentially, it is a display terminal akin to that you might find in an airport or train station providing real-time data. Components, displays a real-time status of the food order from order confirmation to collection. As a consequene of this real-time updating, delivery drivers will no longer feel ignored and will be less inclined to pester busy restaurant staff for information. Additionally, busy restaurant staff can rely on Component 3 to give them 100% accurate data so they can manage their tasks effectively and efficiently. The following describes some key aspects, attributes and features of the described embodiment. The three main components of the system each have their own unique processes. The system as a whole has the ability create, retrieve and store data, produce reports and provide accurate information to its users. The data created has the potential to provide food businesses and restaurants competitive edge against its competitors. For the system to do all of this it requires instructions on what it needs to contain and how it needs to work. The following details provide a simple guide to what may usefully be included in the system’s software to enable it to function and operate as described. These details are non-limiting and subject to updates, changes upon improvements. Order ID Display Platform Logo Display Time arrived Display Time Ready Display Time collected Display Time waited Display Status Display Log Display Just-Eat, Uber Eats and Deliveroo Notes Display H.O.T Details Display Late Timer Display Clock Display Photo Image Box Unique Keyboard Digital Voice call-out of order numbers Digital Camera Acknowledge order function Order ready function Driver Check-In Function Order Collected Function Order Cancelled Function Order Delete Function Reset dates Function Apply Filter Function Exit History Function Save Function Clear Function Return To Main Screen Function Driver Sign-in View Function Login Function TV Grid View Function Staff Console Function Single Order Function Two Order Function History Search Function Search by Dates Search by Platforms Search by Order Number Useful features: Technology which scans or records images of information identifying orders to be collected. A human computer interface allowing input of notes, updates and edits related to order information and status A user friendly and interactive display with Images, Signs and Text communicating warnings and satisfaction; “Collected” notification “Order Entered” notification “Order Confirmed notification “Collect Now” notification “Issue see staff’ notification “Late Collection” notification Linked Orders are represented together Search Feature allowing “Search by Order Number” or “Search by Platform” or “Search by Dates” Audible call out of orders to drivers. Count-up timer, Digital clock assistance for staff and drivers “Calculates” average “Hand Over Time” (HOT) by “Days”, “Weeks”, “Months” and “Years” and “Displays Details” on screen. Displays linked orders by image of connected “Chain” Print function Icon messages as well as text, e.g;Smiley Face in Yellow Colour, Green “Tick”, Black “Tick”, White “X”, Linked Chain in Green, Orange and Blue Colours, Yellow Triangle with explanation mark, “#” The following are examples of messages which might be displayed by the main communication hub. Order Entered Order Confirmed Late Collection Collect Now Collected Issue see staff Enter Venue ID Enter Venue Password Driver Phone - Please take a photo of the driver order number Confirm with driver number of sealed bags? One, two, three, four, five, six Thank You! Your Information has been entered Restarting 3, 2, 1 seconds Enter the last 5 digits of your First Just Eat order code Enter the last 4 digits of your First Deliveroo order code Enter the last 5 digits of your First Uber-Eats order code Enter the last 5 digits of your Second Just Eat order code Enter the last 5 digits of your Second Uber Eats order code Enter the last 4 digits of your Second Deliveroo order code Hello Driver! Welcome to the food order collection system from (system providers or restaurant’s name), How many orders are you collecting today? Optional additional elements of the system may include; 1) The system or machine will be developed to accept “Phones Sims” like a mobile phone does so it can send images, videos, signs, or text messages to other devices including mobile phones. (Update on Component 2 - Staff Terminal) 2) Option for delivery drivers to select order numbers already displayed on screen by “Touch” rather than entering details (Component 1) 3) “Digital Scanning System” built into any part of it that will “Scan a Bar Code, Number, 5 Pattern, Design or Colour” taken from the delivery drivers “Mobile Phone or Any other Device” they may be carrying to make that food collection or pick-up. The “Bar Code, Number, Pattern, Design or Colour” is provided by specific delivery platform to restaurants held on tablets and the same to driver’s held on their mobile phone via App. (Update on Component 1 and Component 2). 10 4) This system will be developed to integrate other business partners who want to add their system or machine into our solutions or apply their solutions to it in whatever form.

Claims

1. A system for the monitoring and control of a delivery service, the system comprising:a main communication hub including a first input means for receiving information concerning orders to be collected and distributed by a delivery service, a first display means for displaying real-time status information of an order and a processor for processing the received information, generating real-time status information of an order and instructing the display means to display the real-time status information,a check-in module including a second input means for inputting information identifying an order received by the main communication hub and a second display means for displaying order information to a delivery driver, andan administrator module including a third display means for displaying a real time status of an order received by the main communication hub;wherein the main communication hub is in two-way data communication with the check-in module and in one way data communication with the administrator module, andwherein the first and third display means exhibit the same information at the same time.

2. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the order is an order for a freshly prepared food product.

3. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first display means and first input means are embodied as an interactive touch screen display means in a single device.

4. A system as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the second display means and second input means are embodied as an interactive touch screen display means in a single device.

5. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first and / or second input means comprise mechanical keypads communicatively connected to other elements of the main communication hub or check-in module.

6. A system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the main communication hub is in data communication with a customer personal device whereby a customer can place an order from a location geographically remote from the main communication hub and the main communication hub receives and processes the order for collection.

7. A system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the second input means is in data communication with a customer or delivery service provider’s personal device presented in the same geographical location as the check-in module.

8. A system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein, the second input means includes a scanner for scanning order information presented on a personal device presented at the geographical location of the check-in module.

9. A system as claimed in claim 8 wherein the scanner the scanner is a bar code reader or an optical character reader.

10. A system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the second input means includes a camera.

11. A system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the check-in module is further configured to receive confirmatory input from a checked-in customer or delivery service provider that their order has been received.

12. A system as claimed in any preceding claim further incorporating a timer controlled by the main communication hub, the timer function configured for displaying elapsed time on the first and third display means.

13. A system as claimed in claim 12 configured such that the timer is triggered automatically to start for an order after a confirmed check-in of a delivery driver to collect the order.

14. A system as claimed in claim 12 or 13 wherein timer is triggered automatically to stop for an order after a confirmed collection of the order by a delivery driver.

15. A system as claimed in any preceding claim further comprising a cloud-based server in data communication with the main communication hub via which customer order data is received from a customer by means of a customer 5 personal device and customer order progress updates are communicated to thecustomer by means of a user interface hosted by the cloud-based server.

16. A system as claimed in claim 15 wherein the cloud-based server is managed by the supplier of the ordered goods and the supplier arranges dispatch of a io delivery driver.

17. A system as claimed in claim 15 wherein the cloud-based server is managed by a delivery service provider and the delivery service provider communicates customer orders to the supplier of the ordered goods.AMENDMENTS TO THE CLAIMS HAVE BEEN FILED AS FOLLOWS08 01 25CLAIMS1. A system for the monitoring and control of a delivery service, the system comprising: a main communication hub (1, 31) including a first input means for receiving5 information concerning orders to be collected and distributed by a deliveryservice, a first display means for displaying real-time status information of one or more orders and a processor for processing the received information, generating real-time status information of an order and instructing the display means to display the real-time status information,10 a check-in module (2, 35) including a second input means for inputting informationidentifying an order received by the main communication hub and a second display means for displaying order information to a delivery driver, andan administrator module (3, 33) including a third display means for displaying a15 real time status of an order received by the main communication hub;wherein the main communication hub is in two-way data communication with the check-in module and in one way data communication with the administrator module, and a timer controlled by the main communication hub,20wherein both the check-in module and administrator module are located at premises where the order is to be prepared,the check-in module is configured to receive a check-in input from a delivery driver associated with the delivery service, and to communicate to the main communication hub25 that the delivery driver is available on the premises to collect the identified orders, the first input means are configured to receive updated order status input when identified orders are packaged,the main communication hub is configured to communicate the updated order status to the administrator module which, via the third display means communicates to the30 delivery driver that the order is ready to be picked up, andthe check-in module is configured to receive a second input from the delivery driver as confirmation that the order has been collected and communicated the confirmation back to the main communication hub, andthe timer is triggered automatically to start for an order after a confirmed check-in of a 35 delivery driver to collect the order and to stop for an order after a confirmed collection of08 01 25the order by a delivery driver, and to generate an alert on one or both of the second and third display means if the timer exceeds a threshold.

2. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the order is an order for a freshly prepared 5 food product.

3. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first display means and first input means are embodied as an interactive touch screen display means in a single device.10 4. A system as claimed in claim 1,2 or 3 wherein the second display means and secondinput means are embodied as an interactive touch screen display means in a single device.

5. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first and / or second input means comprise 15 mechanical keypads communicatively connected to other elements of the maincommunication hub or check-in module.

6. A system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the main communication hub is in data communication with a customer personal device whereby a customer can place20 an order from a location geographically remote from the main communication hub andthe main communication hub receives and processes the order for collection.

7. A system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the second input means is in data communication with a customer or delivery service provider’s personal device25 presented in the same geographical location as the check-in module.

8. A system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein, the second input means includes a scanner for scanning order information presented on a personal device presented at the geographical location of the check-in module.

309. A system as claimed in claim 8 wherein the scanner the scanner is a bar code reader or an optical character reader.

10. A system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the second input means includes 35 a camera.08 01 2511. A system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the check-in module is further configured to receive confirmatory input from a checked-in customer or delivery service provider that their order has been received.

12. A system as claimed in any preceding claim further comprising a cloud-based server in data communication with the main communication hub via which customer order data is received from a customer by means of a customer personal device and customer order progress updates are communicated to the customer by means of a user interface hosted by the cloud-based server.

13. A system as claimed in claim 12 wherein the cloud-based server is managed by the supplier of the ordered goods and the supplier arranges dispatch of a delivery driver.

14. A system as claimed in claim 12 wherein the cloud-based server is managed by a delivery service provider and the delivery service provider communicates customer orders to the supplier of the ordered goods.

15. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second input means is further configured to verify the delivery drivers identity using one or more of personal documentation, a chip card, biometric data, non-fungible tokens, or a unique identification code provided to the delivery driver when dispatched.

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