Self-Service Ordering System Menu Editor and Order Governor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing self-service POS systems lack an efficient and user-friendly method for customers to order and customize products, and administrators to manage and update menu offerings, leading to potential order fulfillment bottlenecks and security concerns regarding customer data storage.
Innovation Solution
A computer-based ordering system with self-service terminals equipped with a processor and storage medium containing a self-order application and an administration tool application, allowing customers to interact through touch screens and administrators to create and edit menu screens using a menu editor, along with features like order governors to regulate order flow and customer recognition using encoded information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If self-service terminals are implemented for customer ordering, then customer service efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service terminals that enable customers to autonomously place orders, select menu items, and complete transactions without direct staff assistance. The system includes customer-facing interfaces for ordering and administrator interfaces for menu management, creating a self-operating ordering ecosystem that reduces manual intervention while maintaining operational control.
2Adaptability or versatility
If administrators can directly access and modify menu data using standard input devices, then menu update flexibility is improved, but data security and system stability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an administration tool that serves as an intermediary between administrators and the ordering system's data structures. This tool provides a controlled interface for modifying menu items, prices, and categories, preventing direct access to underlying data files. The intermediary layer validates inputs and manages data integrity, allowing flexible menu updates while maintaining system stability and security.
3Measurement precision
If detailed customer information is stored for recognition purposes, then customer recognition accuracy is improved, but data privacy and security risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements different data storage strategies for different types of customer information. Sensitive personal data is minimized or encrypted, while non-sensitive identifiers are stored for recognition purposes. The system processes and stores only the necessary minimum information required for customer recognition, applying different security measures to different data elements based on their sensitivity and necessity.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-based ordering system for ordering goods and services includes a plurality of self-service client terminals and a server. Each self-service client terminal runs a self-order application including a set of interactive menu screens having buttons that allow the customer to select and customize products for the order. An administration tool application communicates with the server to administer the self-service client terminals. The administration tool application including a menu editor that enables the administrator to create and edit the interactive menu screens provided by the self-order application at the self-service client terminals. The menu editor accesses a library of menu templates containing predefined groupings of buttons, and uses the menu templates, as directed by the administrator, during creation and editing of the interactive menu screens.