Remote Ordering System Using Membrane Switches and Wireless Transmitter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current remote ordering systems are inefficient due to reliance on fragile and costly electronic devices, such as tablet PCs, which are prone to damage and require significant power, leading to instability and increased operational costs.
Innovation Solution
A remote ordering system utilizing a durable electronic menu with membrane switches and a remote transmitting device, allowing customers to select and order items without staff intervention, using wireless data transmission and a low-level programming language to reduce complexity and power requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If tablet PCs with touch-screen displays are used for electronic menus, then the menu interface becomes interactive and digitized, but the device becomes fragile, costly, and susceptible to damage
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the menu display function from the ordering input function. The menu is displayed on a traditional printed or simple electronic display, while ordering is done through a separate remote control device with buttons. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function without the complexity and fragility of integrating both functions into a single tablet PC device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a simplified remote control device that copies only the essential ordering functionality needed for menu selection, rather than using a full-featured tablet PC. This copying approach creates a durable, low-cost device that performs the specific ordering function without the unnecessary complexity of a general-purpose computer.
2Adaptability or versatility
If tablet PCs with substantial processing and memory requirements are used, then the menu system becomes feature-rich, but power consumption increases and heat generation requires active cooling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential ordering functionality from a full operating system and implements it as a simple embedded program on the remote control device. This extraction eliminates the need for substantial processing power, large memory, backlighting, and active cooling systems, thereby dramatically reducing power consumption while maintaining the core ordering function.
Solution Approach 2:
The remote control device is designed as a simple, low-cost, single-purpose device rather than a expensive, complex, multi-purpose tablet PC. This approach accepts limited functionality in exchange for dramatically reduced cost, power requirements, and maintenance needs.
3Temperature
If venting is provided for active cooling, then heat dissipation is improved, but openings are created for liquids to enter and damage the device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the need for active cooling systems entirely by extracting the unnecessary processing power and memory from the menu device. Without substantial processors and memory, there is no heat generation requiring venting, thereby eliminating the vulnerability to liquid damage through cooling vents.
4Ease of operation
If employee intervention is required for order transcription and payment collection, then the ordering process becomes personalized, but the process slows down and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service ordering system where customers use remote control devices to place their own orders and complete payments without employee intervention. The system automatically transmits orders to the kitchen and processes payments, enabling customers to serve themselves while maintaining service quality and significantly improving ordering speed.
Data Source
AI summary
A remote ordering system is provided using an electronic menu having a series of input devices corresponding to various menu items aligned with the input devices, and a wireless transmitter to send selected menu items to a receiving device for processing. A display to show selected menu items, an alpha-numeric keyboard, a non-cash payment device, and a printer for receipts are also contemplated for increased functionality.