Order taking system & method with local and/or remote monitoring

Abstract

An order taking system and method for an establishment enabling a customer to place an order for an item from the establishment. Order placing equipment is located near the establishment being capable of receiving the order for the item from the customer. A first voice communication link is established between local order placing equipment and a remote facility. A second voice communication link is established between the order placing equipment and the local order receiving facility. The order taking system is operable in a first mode operatively coupled via the first voice communication link between the order placing equipment and the remote facility and in a second mode operatively coupled via the second communication link between the order placing equipment to the local order taking facility.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An order taking system for an establishment enabling a customer to place an order for an item from said establishment, comprising: order placing equipment located near said establishment being capable of receiving said order for said item from said customer; a local order receiving facility associated with said establishment; a first voice communication link between said order placing equipment and a remote facility; and a second voice communication link between said order placing equipment and said local order receiving facility; said order taking system being operable in a first mode operatively coupled via said first voice communication link between said order placing equipment and said remote facility and in a second mode operatively coupled via said second communication link between said order placing equipment to said local order taking facility; said order taking system allowing said local order receiving facility to monitor voice communication between said order placing equipment and said remote facility when operable in said first mode and allowing said remote facility to monitor voice communication between said order placing equipment and said local order receiving facility when operable in said second mode. 
     
     
         2 . An order taking system as in  claim 1  further comprising a data communications link between said remote facility and said local order receiving facility enabling said order, if taken by said remote facility, to be visually communicated from said remote facility to said local order receiving facility. 
     
     
         3 . An order taking system as in  claim 1  wherein said first mode is operable unless overridden by said local order receiving facility. 
     
     
         4 . An order taking system as in  claim 1  wherein said second mode is operable unless overridden by said remote facility. 
     
     
         5 . An order taking system as in  claim 1  wherein said first voice communication link, at least in part, comprises an internet. 
     
     
         6 . An order taking system as in  claim 1  wherein said second communication link is hardwired. 
     
     
         7 . An order taking system as in  claim 1  wherein said second communication link is wireless. 
     
     
         8 . An order taking system for an establishment enabling a customer to place an order for an item from said establishment, said establishment having order fulfillment staff, comprising: order placing equipment located near said establishment being capable of receiving said order for said item from said customer; a local order receiving facility associated with said establishment; a first voice communication link between said order placing equipment and said local order receiving facility allowing two-way voice communication between said customer and said staff in order to receive said order from said customer; and a second communication link with a remote facility allowing said remote facility to monitor voice communication between said order placing equipment and said local order receiving facility. 
     
     
         9 . An order taking system as in  claim 8  wherein said first voice communication link is wireless. 
     
     
         10 . An order taking system as in  claim 8  wherein said second communication link, at least in part, comprises an internet. 
     
     
         11 . A food order taking system for a quick service restaurant enabling a customer to place a food order from said quick service restaurant, comprising: order placing equipment located near a drive-through ordering lane of said quick service restaurant being capable of receiving said food order for said item from said customer; a local order receiving facility associated with said quick service restaurant; a first voice communication link between said order placing equipment and a remote facility; and a second voice communication link between said order placing equipment and said local order receiving facility; said order taking system being operable in a first mode operatively coupled via said first voice communication link between said order placing equipment and said remote facility and in a second mode operatively coupled via said second communication link between said order placing equipment to said local order taking facility; said order taking system allowing said local order receiving facility to monitor voice communication between said order placing equipment and said remote facility when operable in said first mode and allowing said remote facility to monitor voice communication between said order placing equipment and said local order receiving facility when operable in said second mode. 
     
     
         12 . A food order taking system as in  claim 11  further comprising a data communications link between said remote facility and said local order receiving facility enabling said order, if taken by said remote facility, to be visually communicated from said remote facility to said local order receiving facility. 
     
     
         13 . A food order taking system as in  claim 11  wherein said first mode is operable unless overridden by said local order receiving facility. 
     
     
         14 . A food order taking system as in  claim 11  wherein said second mode is operable unless overridden by said remote facility. 
     
     
         15 . A food order taking system as in  claim 11  wherein said first voice communication link, at least in part, comprises an internet. 
     
     
         16 . A food order taking system as in  claim 11  wherein said second communication link is hardwired. 
     
     
         17 . A food order taking system as in  claim 11  wherein said second communication link is wireless. 
     
     
         18 . A food order taking system for a quick service restaurant enabling a customer to place a food order for an item from said quick service restaurant, said quick service restaurant having order fulfillment staff, comprising: order placing equipment located near a drive through ordering lane of said quick service restaurant being capable of receiving a food order for said item from said customer; a local order receiving facility associated with said quick service restaurant; a first voice communication link between said order placing equipment and said local order receiving facility allowing two-way voice communication between said customer and said staff in order to receive said order from said customer; and a second communication link with a remote facility allowing said remote facility to monitor voice communication between said order placing equipment and said local order receiving facility. 
     
     
         19 . A food order taking system as in  claim 18  wherein said first voice communication link is wireless. 
     
     
         20 . A food order taking system as in  claim 18  wherein said second communication link, at least in part, comprises an internet. 
     
     
         21 . A method of taking an order for an establishment enabling a customer to place an order for an item from said establishment, said establishment having order placing equipment located near said establishment being capable of receiving said order for said item from said customer, comprising the steps of: communicating said order from said order placing equipment to a local order receiving facility; and monitoring said order by said remote facility. 
     
     
         22 . A method of taking a food order for a quick service restaurant enabling a customer to place a food order for an item from said establishment, said establishment having order placing equipment located near a drive through lane associated with said establishment being capable of receiving said order for said item from said customer, comprising the steps of: communicating said order from said order placing equipment to a local order receiving facility; and monitoring said order by said remote facility.