Computer integrated communication system for restaurants

Abstract

A computer integrated communication system for restaurants that includes a central server and a series of table units and staff units. The table and staff units each include a display and wireless communication device that enables customer request information and other communications to be sent from the table unit to the staff units either directly or by first being passed through the central server unit. The central server further can monitor the communications and direct the request to another staff member or management for action in the event of delays or other problems with the customer's request.

1. A restaurant communication system to enhance communications between the restaurant wait staff and customers, comprising:
 an interactive table unit at a customer table, an said interactive table unit including a data input device, display, and a communication device, an interactive table unit at a customer table for said interactive table unit receiving input of customer requests for service and communicating such customer requests to a central server unit and at least one selected wait staff unit; 
 said at least one wait staff unit carried by a server and including a request and an input mechanism, a display device, and a communication mechanism for communicating with said central server unit and receiving customer requests for service; 
 said central server unit including a processor, a transmitter and a receiver for receiving each customer request, and forwarding each customer request to a selected wait staff unit, and a timing element monitoring the a wait time, the wait time is being defined as time elapsed between the time a customer request call comes in, and a time when the customer request call is addressed by the wait staff, and wherein said central server unit notifies a second wait staff unit or a manager unit if the wait time exceeds a predetermined wait time. 
 
     
     
       2. The restaurant communication system of  claim 1  and wherein said table unit includes a power supply. 
     
     
       3. The restaurant communication system of  claim 1  and wherein said data input and display mechanism of said table and waiter units wait staff unit includes a touch screen, key pad, and/or stylus. 
     
     
       4. The restaurant communication system of  claim 1  and wherein said communication mechanism of said table and waiter wait staff units comprise a transmitter and receiver. 
     
     
       5. The restaurant communication system of  claim 1  and wherein said central server unit comprises a central processor unit, memory storage, transmitter and receiver, and a data input and display device. 
     
     
       6. The restaurant communication system of  claim 1  and further including a kitchen unit having a display monitor for receiving and displaying customer order information at the restaurant kitchen and a communication unit to communicate with a waiter wait staff unit. 
     
     
       7. The restaurant communication system of  claim 1  and wherein said waiter wait staff unit comprises a pager. 
     
     
       8. The restaurant communication system of  claim 1  and further including A restaurant communication system to enhance communications between the restaurant wait staff and customers, comprising:
 an interactive table unit at a customer table, said interactive table unit including a data input device, display, and a communication device said interactive table unit receiving customer requests for service and communicating such customer requests to a central server unit and at least one selected wait staff unit; 
 said at least one wait staff unit carried by a server and including a request and display device and a communication mechanism for communicating with said central server unit and receiving customer requests for service; 
 said central server unit including a timing element monitoring a wait time, the wait time is being defined as time elapsed between the time a customer request call comes in, and a time when the customer request call is addressed by the wait staff, 
 and wherein said central server unit notifies a second wait staff unit or a manager unit if the wait time exceeds a predetermined wait time; and 
 a hostess unit having a data input device for entering and a display the hostess unit adapted to receive data regarding customer profiles designed to build enable building of a profile database, tailor and direct customer advertisements, to display restaurant table layouts, and for receiving and displaying seating times. 
 
     
     
       9. The restaurant communication system of claim 1 and further comprising a clean up unit and wherein said cleanup unit can notify said central server when a table has been cleaned. 
     
     
       10. A restaurant communication system to enhance communications between the restaurant wait staff and customers, comprising:
 an interactive table unit at a customer table having a data input device, a display, and a communication device said interactive table unit receiving and communicating such customer requests for service to a central server unit and/or at least one selected wait staff unit, said table unit having a series of programmed customer request functions selected from the group comprising:   ready to order,   drinks refill,   waiter needed,   show specials,   show total bill,   ready to pay the bill by cash,   charge the bill,   tip amount select,   print total bill,   need manager,   child lock,   take a survey,   select entertainment,   display advertisements,   enter request,   cancel request;   said at least one wait staff unit carried by a server and including a communication mechanism for communicating with said central server unit and receiving customer requests for service; and   said central server unit including a timing element monitoring a wait time, the wait time is being defined as time elapsed between the time a customer request call comes in, and a time when the customer request call is addressed by the wait staff, and wherein said central server unit notifies a second wait staff unit or a manager unit if the monitored wait time exceeds a predetermined service time.   
     
     
       11. The restaurant communication system of claim 10 and wherein said communication mechanism of said at least one wait staff unit includes a touch screen, key pad, and/or stylus. 
     
     
       12. The restaurant communication system of claim 10 and wherein said communication mechanism of said at least one wait staff unit and said communication device of said interactive table unit each comprise a transmitter and receiver. 
     
     
       13. The restaurant communication system of claim 10 and wherein said central server unit comprises a central processor unit, memory storage, transmitter and receiver, and a data input and display device. 
     
     
       14. The restaurant communication system of claim 10 and wherein said wait staff unit comprises a pager. 
     
     
       15. A restaurant communication system to enhance communications between the restaurant wait staff and customers, comprising:
 an interactive table unit at a customer table, comprising a data input device, display, and a communication, said interactive table unit device for receiving and communicating a customer request for service placed at said table unit to a central server unit and at least one selected wait staff unit;   said at least one wait staff unit carried by a server and including a request and display device and a communication mechanism for communicating with said central server unit and receiving customer requests for service;   said central server unit including a processor, memory, a receiver and transmitter adapted to receive each customer request for service and transmit each customer request for service to an appropriate wait staff unit, and a timing element adapted to monitor a wait time elapsed between a time a customer request for service comes in, and a time when the customer request for service is addressed by the wait staff, wherein said control server unit notifies a second wait staff unit or a manager unit if the monitored unit time exceeds a predetermined service time.   
     
     
       16. The restaurant communication system of claim 15 and wherein said data input device of said table unit comprises a touch screen, key pad, and/or stylus. 
     
     
       17. The restaurant communication system of claim 15 and wherein said communication mechanism of said at least one wait staff unit and said communication device of said interactive table unit each comprise a transmitter and receiver. 
     
     
       18. The restaurant communication system of claim 17 and further including a hostess unit having a data input device and a display for displaying seating times. 
     
     
       19. A restaurant communication system to enhance communications between the restaurant wait staff and customers, comprising:
 an interactive table unit at a customer table including a data input device, display, and a communication device, said interactive table unit receiving and communicating customer requests for service to a central server unit;   at least one selected wait staff unit carried by a server and including a request and display device and a communication mechanism for communicating with said control server unit and receiving customer service request information, order information, table ready to clean information, table number information, urgency of customer request, order ready information and/or any combination thereof;   a manager unit;   said central server unit including a timing element capable of monitoring a wait time elapsed between the time a customer request call comes in, and a time when the customer request call is addressed by the wait staff, and wherein said central server unit notifies a second wait staff unit or the manager unit if the wait time exceeds a predetermined wait time.   
     
     
       20. The restaurant communication system of claim 19 and further comprising a cleanup unit having a transmitter/receiver and wherein said cleanup unit can notify said central server when a table has been cleaned. 
     
     
       21. The restaurant communication system of claim 19 and wherein said table unit further comprises a keypad or switch to enable signaling of the central server to indicate the customer table has been cleaned. 
     
     
       22. The restaurant communication system of claim 19 and further comprising a hostess unit having a display for indicating at least one condition selected from the group comprising a display of restaurant tables; an indication of busy and clean tables in the restaurant; wait times for incoming customer parties; and logging of customer names, party size and profile for preparation of a custom advertisement for display at said table unit. 
     
     
       23. The restaurant of claim 19 and further comprising a kitchen or bar unit having a monitor for displaying orders communicated thereto.