Multi-user food and drink ordering system

Abstract

An interactive food and/or drink ordering system is provided comprising a computer controlled projector apparatus and a horizontal surface, wherein images from the computer controlled projector apparatus are projected onto some or all of the surface, the images including a menu of food and/or drink selection options, the selection options being selectable by a first user operating an interface device operable to provide input to the computer and also by a second user operating an interface device operable to provide input to the computer, wherein the menu of food and/or drink selection options is projected into a zone on the surface that is shared by the first and second users.

1 . An interactive food and/or drink ordering system comprising a computer controlled projector apparatus and a horizontal surface, wherein images from the computer controlled projector apparatus are projected onto some or all of the surface, the images including a menu of food and/or drink selection options, the selection options being selectable by a first user operating an interface device operable to provide input to the computer and also by a second user operating an interface device operable to provide input to the computer, wherein the menu of food and/or drink selection options is projected into a zone on the surface to form a single shared menu zone, that is shared by the first and second users, and the computer controlled projector apparatus is operable such that the single shared menu zone can an be flexibly positioned on the surface, depending on a seating arrangements of the users. 
     
     
         2 - 46 . (canceled) 
     
     
         47 . Ordering system of  claim 1  in which the menu selection options in the single, shared menu zone are oriented or arranged to provide an experience that is shared between the users, so that the order of food and/or drink is not for each individual user but for both users. 
     
     
         48 . Ordering system of  claim 1  in which the shared menu zone is a single circular or elliptical shape. 
     
     
         49 . Ordering system of  claim 1  in which a single projector apparatus projects more than one single shared menu zone, and in which each shared menu zone is used by two or more users. 
     
     
         50 . Ordering system of  claim 49 , where the position of each shared menu zone depends on a size of the group of users. 
     
     
         51 . Ordering system of  claim 49 , where the position of each shared menu zone depends on the seating arrangement. 
     
     
         52 . Ordering system of  claim 1 , in which the computer controlled projector apparatus is operable to change the position of the shared menu zone. 
     
     
         53 . Ordering system of  claim 1 , in which the computer controlled projector apparatus is operable to cause two or more shared menu zones to be displayed on the surface, each shared menu zone being associated with a different group of users, all sharing the same table. 
     
     
         54 . Ordering system of  claim 1 , in which the system includes a tracking system and the output of the tracking system is used to control the position of the shared menu zone. 
     
     
         55 . Ordering system of  claim 54 , wherein the tracking system is operable to determine the position of a movable palette designed to be reliably and rapidly tracked through image processing of an image of the palette obtained by the tracking system, and the computer controlled projector apparatus is operable to project the shared menu zone onto the palette even as the palette is moved. 
     
     
         56 . Ordering system of  claim 55 , wherein the tracking system is operable to track the orientation of the palette as it is altered, and to cause the menu options to automatically swivel as the palette is altered. 
     
     
         57 . Ordering system of  claim 55 , in which input palettes are provided in correspondence with groups of users, and when the palettes corresponding to a group of users are moved, the zone boundary corresponding to the group of users moves accordingly. 
     
     
         58 . Ordering system of  claim 1 , the ordering system including an input pointer system comprising an input pointer, a camera and a tracking computer, wherein a menu of food and/or drink selection options is projected onto the surface, the selection options being selectable by the first user when holding the input pointer, wherein the tracking computer is operable to determine the position of the pointer through image processing of an image of the surface obtained by the camera, and the computer controlled projector apparatus is operable to provide selection of a menu option in response to the input pointer position determined by the tracking computer. 
     
     
         59 . Ordering system of  claim 1 , in which the surface is a table surface, and table division is provided for by movable physical dividers, the system including an image recognition system operable to recognize the table dividers. 
     
     
         60 . Ordering system of  claim 59 , in which the computer is operable to position one or more shared menu zones depending on the position of the table dividers.