Mobile App for Arena Concession Delivery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Attendees at live entertainment events face inefficiencies and inconvenience when accessing concessions, as they must leave their seats, navigate long distances, wait in lines, and miss parts of the event while purchasing food, beverages, or souvenirs using cash.

Innovation Solution

A computer software application (APP) that allows users to order concessions, including food, beverages, and memorabilia, directly from their smartphones or electronic devices, enabling delivery to their seats without leaving, using a centralized system for order processing and electronic payment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If customers access concessions by leaving their seats and walking to peripheral concession locations, then they can purchase items, but they miss portions of the entertainment event and experience long wait times

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveConvenience of accessing concessionsVSAvoidTime missed from entertainment event

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables customers to order concessions through mobile devices or seat-mounted interfaces without requiring staff interaction. Customers can browse menus, place orders, and make payments autonomously through the interface, eliminating the need to leave their seats while maintaining full service capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a digital ordering interface (mobile app or seat-mounted device) as an intermediary between the customer and the concession system. This intermediary allows customers to communicate their orders electronically to the concession kitchen without physical presence at the concession stand, resolving the contradiction between convenience and time loss

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If concessions are located at the periphery of the viewing area, then various concessions can be accessed, but customers must walk long distances including steep stairs

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveVariety of concession locationsVSAvoidEase of accessing concessions

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical system of physical travel to peripheral concession stands with an electronic ordering system accessible at each seat. The mechanical action of walking to concessions is substituted with digital interaction through mobile devices or seat-mounted interfaces, eliminating the need for physical movement while maintaining concession access

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If customers use cash for purchases, then transactions can be completed, but the process becomes slower and less efficient

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveTransaction completionVSAvoidTransaction efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter of payment method from physical cash to electronic payment systems. The ordering interface integrates credit card processing and digital payment options, transforming the transaction parameter from manual cash handling to automated electronic processing, thereby increasing efficiency while maintaining reliable transaction completion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS11556972B2Method of improving efficiency of arena concessions

Publication Date: 2023.01.17 SMITH JERMAINE

AI summary

A computer software application (APP) is programmed into a smartphone. The smartphone allows a user to access various concessions and facilitate ordering items such as food, beverages, souvenirs, and memorabilia. The APP allows the user to input their seat location so the vendor can locate the user to deliver what has been ordered. The APP includes information concerning the user. The concessionaires all have a communication device allowing them to receive orders from users and to fulfill them.