RFID Mobile Ordering System for Fast Food
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Solution Overview
Problem
Customers face long wait times and inefficiencies when ordering food at fast food restaurants, especially when unsure of menu items or needing additional information, and drivers ordering take-out face delays in payment processing while in their vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A method and system using RFID technology, where a mobile terminal with a built-in or external RFID module reads tag information for menu items, allows customers to select and pay for orders remotely, with location-based preparation and authorization, enabling seamless food pickup.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If customers order food at the counter in line, then the ordering process is completed, but wait time increases significantly when the restaurant is crowded
Solution Approach 1:
The system allows customers to order food in advance using mobile terminals before arriving at the restaurant or before reaching the counter. Customers can select menu items, receive information, and complete ordering remotely, so that when they arrive at the restaurant, the ordering process is already completed or nearly completed, significantly reducing wait time in line.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables customers to independently complete the ordering process using mobile terminals without requiring service workers. Customers can browse menus, select items, receive information about food, and place orders autonomously through the mobile interface, freeing service workers to focus on food preparation and customer service at the counter.
2Ease of operation
If service workers assist customers with menu information, then customers receive help, but service workers become a bottleneck reducing ordering efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile terminal system provides customers with autonomous access to menu information, descriptions, images, and nutritional data. Customers can independently retrieve all necessary information about food items without consulting service workers, eliminating the bottleneck created by worker-assisted information provision while maintaining complete accessibility to menu details.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile terminal acts as an intermediary between the restaurant's menu system and the customer. It delivers comprehensive menu information, answers customer queries about food items, and guides the ordering process, replacing the need for service workers to directly provide this information while maintaining ease of access for customers.
3Ease of operation
If drivers order food in their vehicles, then convenience is improved, but payment processing time increases causing delays
Solution Approach 1:
The system allows drivers to complete the entire ordering process in advance while in their vehicles, including item selection and payment authorization. By the time drivers arrive at the restaurant, their orders are already processed and ready for pickup, eliminating any payment processing delay at the location and maintaining the convenience of mobile ordering.
4Ease of operation
If customers wait for service workers to process orders, then personal assistance is provided, but overall system efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile terminal system empowers customers to independently complete all ordering tasks including browsing menus, selecting items, receiving information, and placing orders. This self-service capability maintains high customer service quality through comprehensive information access and guidance, while simultaneously dramatically increasing order processing speed by eliminating dependence on service worker availability.
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
This solution reduces wait times by allowing customers to order and pay for food remotely, receive menu information easily, and enables drivers to collect their orders quickly, enhancing convenience and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a mobile terminal having a built-in RFID module or an RFID external module reads tag information corresponding to one of tags matched to each of multiple products of a menu
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments relate to ordering food using RFID. Tag information is read from at least one of tags matched to each of multiple products of a menu by using a mobile terminal having a built-in RFID module or an RFID external module. A main server is accessed through a URL corresponding to the tag information. Product information corresponding to the tag information is received by the mobile terminal from the main server. The number of the products are filled out and an order request message is transmitted to the main server by the mobile terminal. The order request message is received and a payment is performed according to the order. An order item is transmitted to a kitchen server by a Point of Sales (POS) server connected to the main server if the payment is completed.