Pay-at-Table Device Imaging Capture for Privacy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Restaurant systems lack the ability to capture demographic and table event data from patrons while maintaining privacy safeguards, limiting their ability to tailor promotions and improve the dining experience.
Innovation Solution
A promotion/pay-at-the-table device is augmented with an imaging system featuring image-capture components, including front-facing and wide-view sensors, which capture anonymized demographic data and table events with patron consent, and processes this information to alert staff or feed it back to restaurant systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If image-capture components are added to capture demographic and table event data, then the ability to gather patron information is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the imaging system with the existing promotion/pay-at-the-table device housing, integrating image-capture components (cameras, sensors) into the same physical device that already handles payment and promotion functions. This consolidation improves demographic data capture capability while minimizing the increase in device complexity by sharing housing, power, and processing resources.
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging system is designed to perform multiple functions: capturing demographic data, monitoring table events, and providing imagery for various restaurant operations. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by delivering diverse value from a single integrated system rather than requiring separate devices for each function.
2Loss of information
If image-capture components are added to capture demographic and table event data, then the ability to monitor table events is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the imaging system with the existing promotion/pay-at-the-table device housing, integrating image-capture components (cameras, sensors) into the same physical device that already handles payment and promotion functions. This consolidation improves table event monitoring capability while minimizing the increase in device complexity by sharing housing, power, and processing resources.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If image post-processing is used to mask or obscure identifying details, then patron privacy is protected, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs image post-processing to mask or obscure identifying details as part of the standard data capture workflow. By implementing automated processing routines that routinely anonymize images, the system protects patron privacy while minimizing delays through efficient automated processing rather than manual review.
4Adaptability or versatility
If imaging system is integrated into the device housing, then the system is self-contained, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the imaging system into the existing device housing, creating a self-contained unit that combines payment processing, promotion display, and imaging capabilities. This integration improves system versatility and portability while managing manufacturing complexity through modular design approaches and standardized component mounting.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables restaurants to gather anonymous demographic data and monitor table events, enhancing their ability to tailor promotions and improve the dining experience while maintaining patron privacy.
Implementation Method 1
The imaging system may also include an infrared image sensor to capture and record thermal data, which can identify the temperature of the prepared food arriving at the table.
Data Source
AI summary
A pay-at-the-table device is augmented to include an imaging sub-system having one or more image-capture components. A front-facing image sensor records video, or takes still photos. A wide view image sensor/lens captures a view of an entire table (or some portion thereof). When table images are captured by the imaging system, image post-processing is used to ensure that any details that can identify the individual patrons are masked or otherwise obscured; in this way, only generic demographic data (e.g., number of patrons, gender, approximate age, etc.) is captured, and all such data is maintained anonymously and without reference to any payment or other information that might provide the restaurant with the patron's true identity. The image-capture components may also include image sensors enable events (e.g., drinks needing refills, entrée arrival, etc.) to be monitored. An infrared image sensor captures thermal data, which can identify the temperature of the prepared food.