Cognitive Menu Selection via Biometric State Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Restaurants face challenges in providing patrons with efficient and personalized menu selection processes, especially with large and frequently changing menus, leading to frustration and confusion for customers.
Innovation Solution
A cognitive menu selection system using biometric sensors and machine learning to analyze user state data and provide personalized menu recommendations through a customized virtual reality interface on personal devices, integrated with blockchain for secure transaction recording and data management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If restaurants provide extensive menus with many items in various formats (printed booklets, leaflets, billboards, chalkboards), then the variety and completeness of food options increase, but customers experience frustration and confusion due to the complexity and difficulty of making selections
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables customers to independently interact with the menu through their personal devices, where the electronic menu system automatically presents items based on customer preferences and states without requiring server assistance. The customer controls the selection process by providing feedback and making choices at their own pace.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors customer state data (biometric, environmental, order history) and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust and personalize menu presentations. The menu adapts in real-time based on customer responses, creating a closed-loop system that refines recommendations as the customer interacts with it.
2Adaptability or versatility
If restaurants use multiple separate menu formats (lunch/dinner menus, weekday/weekend menus, seasonal specials, wine lists, dessert menus), then comprehensive coverage of all offerings is achieved, but the device complexity and information overload increase for customers
Solution Approach 1:
A single electronic menu system accessed through personal devices replaces multiple separate menu formats. The system universally handles all menu types (lunch, dinner, seasonal, beverages, desserts) within one integrated interface, eliminating the need for customers to switch between different physical menus.
Solution Approach 2:
The comprehensive menu is segmented and presented in personalized portions based on customer preferences, dietary restrictions, and current state. Instead of overwhelming customers with the entire menu at once, the system divides and presents relevant items in manageable groups tailored to each customer's needs.
3Adaptability or versatility
If temporary menu items are presented only through verbal recitation by servers or distant billboards, then the menu can be updated flexibly, but customers cannot easily view or access this information at their tables
Solution Approach 1:
Personal devices serve as intermediaries between the restaurant's central menu system and the customer at the table. The device receives and displays menu information (including temporary items) directly at the customer's location, eliminating the need for verbal recitation or distant billboards.
Solution Approach 2:
The system prepares and presents menu information in advance before customers need to make selections. Temporary menu items are automatically included in the personalized menu presentation before the customer arrives or before ordering begins, ensuring all information is available when needed.
4Ease of operation
If electronic menu systems are installed at tables to provide entertainment and ordering capabilities, then customer engagement and convenience improve, but the system requires complex integration and data management infrastructure
Solution Approach 1:
Customers use their own personal devices rather than requiring dedicated restaurant-issued tablets or complex table-mounted systems. This approach simplifies the restaurant's infrastructure needs while maintaining high customer convenience, as customers bring their own familiar devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic menu system integrated with personal devices provides multiple functions including menu browsing, ordering, entertainment, and data collection within a single unified platform, eliminating the need for separate systems for each function.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, computer program products, and systems are presented. The methods include, for instance: ascertaining a user state of a user based on user state data for a cognitive menu selection service from an eatery by use of an electronic menu system. Selection criteria to request one or more items from menus of the eatery is determined based on the user state. A request including the selection criteria is sent and the one or more items corresponding to the selection criteria is obtained and presented to the user by use of a customized virtual reality interface on a personal device of the user.