Abstract: Computationally implemented methods and systems include acquiring user information associated with one or more users for use in generating one or more customized food items that are customized specifically for the one or more users, the user information to be acquired including at least one or more user preferences related to integrity of one or more food ingredients to be included in the one or more customized food items; and directing generation of the one or more customized food items for the one or more users, the one or more customized food items having been customized to show one or more visual indicators that provide customized information that has been customized in accordance, at least in part, with the acquired user information. In addition to the foregoing, other aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text.

Abstract: Techniques and arrangements for dynamically modifying a user interface on a computing device of a point-of-sale (POS) system based on contextual data. The contextual data can include one or more contextual factors surrounding the use of the computing device. The user interface can include one or more icons corresponding to selectable items based on the contextual data. A modification to the user interface can include an adjustment to a visual appearance of an icon and/or a replacement of an icon with another icon.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for deploying employees to roles in a restaurant. For example, some embodiments are directed to basing employee deployment decisions at least in part on a combination of quantitative data and qualitative assessments of performance by various employees in various roles. Qualitative assessments may, for example, relate to an employee's success in promoting customer satisfaction, or to the accuracy of quantitative data relating to a task or function.

Abstract: Provided is a process of coordinating dynamic on-demand logistics to deliver goods or services between geographically distributed heterogeneous sources of inventory and geographically distributed consumers at scales exceeding metropolitan areas of more than one million residents, with more than 10,000 users, more than 1,000 vehicle operators, and more than 10 geographically distributed sources of inventory.

Abstract: A customer management device for managing states of customers visiting a commercial establishment that provides articles or services to the customers in response to orders from the customers, includes: a first image obtainer that obtains customer images of customers captured at some point from when the customers enter the commercial establishment till when the customers go through reception procedures; a second image obtainer that obtains customer images of customers captured at least either when the customers receive the articles or services or when the customers make payment; a customer information manager that, based on the customer images obtained by the first image obtainer and the second image obtainer, generates and manages customer information relating to customers in a state of waiting for provision of the articles or services; and a customer information provider that provides a user with the customer information managed by the customer information manager.

Abstract: Systems and methods for take-out order management and analysis. In an embodiment, for each of a plurality of restaurants, an interactive menu associated with the restaurant is provided to a plurality of users, a plurality of orders are received from the plurality of users, and the plurality of orders are sent to the restaurant. Order information related to the plurality of orders and the plurality of users is stored in at least one database, and analyzed.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide techniques which aid in correctly capturing what a restaurant customer intends to order, and may enhance the customer's satisfaction with the ordering and dining process overall. For example, an interface may be provided through which a customer may specify an order, and the interface may clearly convey such information as each ordered item's ingredients and nutritional content. The interface may enable the customer to customize ordered items, and may clearly convey any changes that the customer has made, allowing the customer to make informed choices about the items included in an order. The interface may embody a design which enables the customer to quickly and easily customize items, and/or to re-order previously customized items.

Abstract: Systems and methods for take-out order sharing. In an embodiment, a restaurant is identified, and an interactive menu associated with the restaurant is provided to a user through a user interface. An order may be received from the user through the user interface. Information related to the user can be shared with one or more contacts of the user on one or more social networking sites through at least one application interface.

Abstract: Systems and methods for take-out order management and analysis. In an embodiment, for each of a plurality of restaurants, an interactive menu associated with the restaurant is provided to a plurality of users, a plurality of orders are received from the plurality of users, and the plurality of orders are sent to the restaurant. Order information related to the plurality of orders and the plurality of users is stored in at least one database, and analyzed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for providing a centralized customer order processing system. A customer order entry may be received by a central server. The customer order entry may be routed to a local store server at an identified store location. Upon arrival at the identified store location, a mobile device of the customer may detect a proximity signal located at the identified store location, and a mobile application may be invoked on the mobile device. An order activation signal may be transmitted to a server, the order activation signal indicating customer arrival at the identified store location. The customer order entry may be activated at the local store server. The customer may arrive at the identified store location and pick up their order. Methods and apparatus are also disclosed for implementing the centralized customer order processing system on a mobile device.

Abstract: Computationally implemented methods and systems include acquiring user information associated with one or more users for preparing one or more customized food items for the one or more users, the user information including one or more user preferences related to integrity of one or more food ingredients to be included in the one or more customized food items; and directing generation of one or more customized packagings for holding the one or more customized food items of the one or more users, the one or more customized packagings having one or more features that are customized based, at least in part, on the acquired user information. In addition to the foregoing, other aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to an interactive entertainment kiosk that is immersive, intuitive to use, and provides significant and varied functionality to users. In particular, the kiosk can provide a photo booth mode, a karaoke mode, a virtual reality mode, and/or a game mode, among other possibilities. Further, switching between modes can be intuitive through the use of touch screens and other input devices. For example, a user can provide input to select a particular electronic device for display, and the display can automatically be set to the proper mode. Further, a display may be mounted on the kiosk via a rotatable display mount, and the display may be automatically rotated to a proper orientation for the selected mode. In some embodiments, the kiosk can provide an immersive experience through the use of light sources that automatically adjust in accordance with audio of the kiosk.

Abstract: Computationally implemented methods and systems include acquiring user information associated with one or more users for preparing one or more customized food items for the one or more users, the user information including one or more user preferences related to integrity of one or more food ingredients to be included in the one or more customized food items; and directing generation of one or more customized packagings for holding the one or more customized food items of the one or more users, the one or more customized packagings having one or more features that are customized based, at least in part, on the acquired user information. In addition to the foregoing, other aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide techniques which aid in correctly capturing what a restaurant customer intends to order, and may enhance the customer's satisfaction with the ordering and dining process overall. For example, an interface may be provided through which a customer may specify an order, and the interface may clearly convey such information as each ordered item's ingredients and nutritional content. The interface may enable the customer to customize ordered items, and may clearly convey any changes that the customer has made, allowing the customer to make informed choices about the items included in an order. The interface may embody a design which enables the customer to quickly and easily customize items, and/or to re-order previously customized items.

Abstract: A method and system for tracking of a delivery of a menu item. The method includes receiving an order for the menu item from a customer interface, the order identifying a selected menu item and an address for the delivery; sending a request for preparation of the menu item; identifying an available delivery vehicle among a plurality of delivery vehicles; receiving a preparation completion notification indicating that preparation of the menu item has ended; dispatching the order for delivery, including an identification of the available delivery vehicle and the address; receiving a displacement notification indicating that the menu item is being displaced by the available delivery vehicle; retrieving geopositional data representing a geographical position of the available delivery vehicle; sending a displacement notification to the customer interface including an indication of the geographical position of the available delivery vehicle.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention are directed to systems and/or methods for analyzing the operations of a restaurant of other enterprise(s). Audio and/or video recordings of occurrences in the restaurant may be analyzed to generate a qualitative assessment of an employee's performance in a role in the restaurant during a particular time period. Quantitative data, such as may be generated by operational systems in the restaurant, may also provide an indicator of the employee's performance in the role during the same time period. An overall assessment of the employee's performance in the role during the time period may be based at least in part on the qualitative assessment and the quantitative data.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for managing orders. The methods include actions of receiving an order for an item to be fulfilled by the fulfillment center for a fulfillment time, obtaining a portion of stored historical preparation information that is relevant to fulfillment of the item by the fulfillment time, obtaining current order information that describes other orders to be fulfilled at the fulfillment center, determining to provide an alternate suggestion, identifying at least one of an alternate item, an alternate fulfillment center, or an alternate time to include in the alternate suggestion, generating the alternate suggestion based on the identification of at least one of the alternate item, the alternate fulfillment center, or the alternate time to include in the alternate suggestion, and providing the alternate suggestion to the user device.

Abstract: The present application describes a vending machine, communicatively coupled with a server. The vending machine comprises a Vending Machine Controller (VMC), a Data Exchange (DEX), a Vivid Transaction System (VTS), a payment device and a microcontroller. The microcontroller selects one of the DEX and the VTS, by changing a jumper setting on a GPIO. The microcontroller communicates with the VMC, the DEX and/or the VTS and the payment device in order to facilitate transaction associated with the vending machine. The microcontroller extracts at least one of inventory data and transaction data from the DEX or VTS associated with the vending machine and transmit at least one of the inventory data and the transaction data to the server for further processing and analysis. The microcontroller receives recommendation information pertaining to at least one of inventory and transaction associated to the vending machine from the server based upon the processing and analysis.

Abstract: A payment system can accept an electronic reservation for a merchant restaurant in response to a reservation request received from a user. The payment system can detect that the user is present at a location associated with the merchant restaurant based at least in part on an indication received from a mobile device associated with the user. The payment system can determine a completion of a service associated with the electronic reservation. The payment system can provide an electronic bill for the service to be displayed on the mobile device of the user. Based on receiving an authorization of the electronic bill from the mobile device of the user, the payment system can charge, through a card-less payment transaction, the user for at least an amount disclosed in the electronic bill.

Abstract: A method of selecting, displaying, and purchasing favorite drinks of a user within a location-based virtual social networking context is disclosed. A mobile computing device of a first user is used to perform a digital check-in to a venue that is within a physical proximity of the first user. After the digital check-in, a digital menu that contains a list of drinks available at the venue is accessed. The digital menu is displayed to the first user via a screen of the mobile computing device. In response to selection from the first user, one or more drinks from the digital menu are designated as preferred drinks of the first user. The first user's preference of the one or more drinks is electronically communicated to another electronic device.

Abstract: An approach is provided for indirectly connecting a customer's mobile smart device to computers located at a business when the customer is making a purchase at the business. The customer's mobile smart device and the business's computers communicate over the Internet with a customer interaction manager executing on an Internet server. This provides an easy to use interface for the customer and allows the customer to receive information and send requests to the business without having to wait for personnel working at the business to be available.

Abstract: Techniques and arrangements for personalizing gift cards based, in part, on exchanging personalized messages between a customer that buys a gift card and a customer that receives and uses the gift card. A point-of-sale (POS) device of a merchant may receive a personalized message from the customer buying the gift card at the time of the purchase. The POS device may then present the personalized message to the customer receiving the gift card when the customer uses the gift card to satisfy a cost of a transaction between the merchant and the customer. During or after the transaction, the POS device may further receive feedback from the recipient customer of the gift card. The POS device may then send the feedback to the customer that originally bought the gift card.

Abstract: A first food ingredient may be received. The first food ingredient may comprise a first plurality of chemical constituents. A plurality of candidate food ingredient substitutes may be received. Each candidate food ingredient substitute may comprise a second plurality of chemical constituents. For each of the plurality of candidate food ingredient substitutes, a quantity of the second plurality of chemical constituents that match the first plurality of chemical constituents may be determined. One or more food ingredient substitutes may be identified based on at least the quantity of the second plurality of chemical constituents that match the first plurality of chemical constituents.

Abstract: In some examples, by communicating with a mobile payment service, a user of a mobile device may settle his or her bill with a business using the mobile device. The business may be configured with a beacon to determine when the user's mobile device is near the business and a point-of-sale device to manage user orders and communicate with the mobile payment service. In response to a request by the mobile device, the mobile payment service may debit a user account associated with the mobile device for items purchased at the business. In turn, the mobile payment service may pay the business for the items purchased at the business. In some examples, the bill may be divided among a plurality of users corresponding to a plurality of mobile devices. And, portions of the bill may be provided to individual mobile devices of the plurality of mobile devices.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for analyzing the deployment of employees in a restaurant. For example, some embodiments are directed to determining whether an employee who has vacated his/her assigned station has acted appropriately in doing so, and if not, causing the employee to be redirected to his/her assigned station. Determining whether an employee acted appropriately in leaving his/her assigned station may involve analyzing video recordings of the restaurant at or around the time the employee left his/her station, operational data describing events occurring in the restaurant at or around the time the employee left his/her station, and/or other information, which may supply valuable context in determining whether or not the employee acted properly. If the employee acted improperly, he/she may be redirected to his/her assigned station, using automated, semi-automated and/or manual techniques.

Abstract: In response to a track playing on a broadcast radio station, the corresponding artist name is used as a key to access a database of artist messages, news and events information associated with that artist, that may be automatically distributed and geo-targeted while the track is playing. Distribution of the supplemental artist-related content extends to the radio broadcast—via RDS and HD, to the Internet, social media and various mobile devices. The supplement content may comprise messages pre-programmed by the artist, agents, or music labels. The supplemental content may be geo-targeted to include local tour dates, media appearances, related news, album releases and other data tied to the artist's song that is playing on the radio or on a streaming application. Further, the system may feed messages directly from the artist's existing social platforms, to provide further engagement of listeners while the track is playing.

Abstract: A meal ordering service is configured to receive takeout and delivery orders from customers and to place the orders with selected restaurants. Past information regarding a customer is collected and analyzed to create a predictive model of the customer's meal ordering habits. On any given day, the predictive model may be used, in light of the current and scheduled status of the customer, to predict a time of day that the customer may want to receive a meal and to also determine a restaurant from which the customer may want to receive the meal. The meal ordering service may be configured to automatically order a meal for the customer from the determined restaurant so that the meal arrives at or before the predicted time of day.

Abstract: Method of generating presentation starts by receiving user input indicating activation of presentation generator and generating and transmitting content selection display to the electronic device that includes search button, first table including list of selected cocktails, and second table including spirit type and number count. When the user input indicates selection of search button, processor generates and transmits cocktail lookup page display that includes pop-up window that includes drop-down lists or search fields including cocktail criterions and third table that includes entries matching selected cocktail criterion selected. When user input indicates activation of selection box included in the third table and subsequent user input indicates no other entries are desired, processor generates and transmits content selection display that includes updated first table that comprises the entry associated with the activated selection box.

Abstract: Systems and methods for take-out order management and analysis. In an embodiment, for each of a plurality of restaurants, an interactive menu associated with the restaurant is provided to a plurality of users, a plurality of orders are received from the plurality of users, and the plurality of orders are sent to the restaurant. Order information related to the plurality of orders and the plurality of users is stored in at least one database, and analyzed.

Abstract: An interactive ordering apparatus includes a processor and a memory. The memory is configured to store instructions and data. The processor is configured to execute the instructions to (i) produce a display in a viewable area of a touchscreen and to (ii) receive input from a user via the touchscreen. According to the instructions, the processor is configured to divide at least a portion of the display into a plurality of mutually exclusive sections, and display a first plurality of choices in a first section of the plurality of sections. The processor is also configured to, in response to selection by the user of a first choice of the first plurality of choices, (i) move the first plurality of choices to a second section of the plurality of sections and (ii) display a second plurality of choices in the first section.

Abstract: A method and system for processing a transaction request prior to a vehicle arriving at a service station is provided. Upon entering a wireless service area of a back office system associated with a service station, a driver and/or truck may request certain transactions. The back office system may communicate with a carrier information system associated with the driver and/or truck to validate and authorize the transaction. If the transaction is authorized, the back office system may send authorization to the service station. Once the driver and/or truck arrives at the point of sale, they may proceed directly to performing the requested transaction. A receipt may be automatically generated at the point of sale and transmitted to the carrier information system through the back office.

Abstract: Method for location and time specific commerce includes receiving an event request from a user using a mobile device; verifying an account of the user; obtaining a location of the user; obtaining a date and time of the request; retrieving merchandising information from one or more databases, according to the location of the user and said date and time of the request; and transmitting said merchandising information to the user.

Abstract: Computationally implemented methods and systems include acquiring user information associated with one or more users for use in generating one or more customized food items that are customized specifically for the one or more users, the user information to be acquired including at least one or more user preferences related to integrity of one or more food ingredients to be included in the one or more customized food items; and directing generation of the one or more customized food items for the one or more users, the one or more customized food items having been customized to show one or more visual indicators that provide customized information that has been customized in accordance, at least in part, with the acquired user information. In addition to the foregoing, other aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text.

Abstract: A method, non-transitory computer readable medium, and apparatus for providing a healthier food purchase suggestion to a shopper are disclosed. For example, the method receives a selection of a food item that the shopper has selected to purchase, determines one or more healthier food items that have a higher score than a score of the food item that the shopper has selected, selects one of the one or more healthier food items based upon a profile of the shopper, provides the one of the one or more healthier food items that is selected as the healthier food purchase suggestion to the shopper.

Abstract: A system and method enable the selection of musical recordings for pairing with a food serving, possibly an appetizer, a main course, a dessert or a beverage, for the purpose of increasing the enjoyment of a given meal. A plurality of factors for specific meal components such as entree, including protein type, method of cooking, amount of spice, side dish component and type of sauce are used to determine a specific numerical value for a meal; appetizer including protein type, bread and dough content, method of cooking and spice level; dessert, including content of cacao, sweetener and content of sweetener, ambient temperature at service and dairy content; and beverage, including but not limited to alcohol content, acidity, body, dryness, lingering quality, and IBU. A specific numerical value for a musical recording is also determined based on a plurality of factors, including genre, tempo, dynamics, and primary instrument.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system and method for searching or processing queries for searching for documents contained in a domain specific knowledge base. The system takes a query and generates from the query a modified version of the query by passing the query through one or more filters in a query processor. The query processor adds or removes terms from the query. The query processor can add or recognize that two words that appear to be separate words actually identify a specific software entity or can determine that a number appearing in a query is not just a number but refers to a specific version or a number relevant to the specific problem.

Abstract: This disclosure describes, in part, techniques for collecting item preferences of users at a centralized location and propagating these item preferences to users and merchants in an intelligent manner. In some instances, the centralized location is a payment service that functions to both authorize payment instruments of users for costs of transactions conducted at the merchant, and collect and propagate the item preferences to the merchants and the users.

Abstract: A system for providing location-based services to a mobile device regularly determines the location of the mobile device. Using the location of the device, the system queries a database of virtual geographic regions to determine if the location of the mobile device falls within one or more of the virtual geographic regions. The virtual geographic regions correspond to service entities that have purchased, rented, leased, or otherwise acquired the virtual geographic regions. The virtual geographic regions cover a certain area of a map. If the mobile device is within a virtual geographic region, the system notifies the mobile device. A location-based services application installed on the mobile device launches an applet for the entity that acquired the virtual geographic region within which the mobile device is located.

Abstract: A computer-implemented process can be operated for entering and holding a place for a first customer in a queue while the first customer is waiting to be served at a retail store. The process includes, within a computerized processor, establishing a place in the queue for the first customer, wherein the queue operates to establish among a plurality of customers a customer currently being served by a store employee and an order in which other customers of the plurality will be served. The process further includes displaying upon a portable computerized device of the first customer an indication of a status of the first customer within the queue.

Abstract: Techniques for restaurant transaction processing are provided. A handheld device of a waiter is used to automatically associate a check with a table at a restaurant and to recall and modify that check. In an embodiment, two waiters use one or more handheld devices to automatically transfer a customer's check to one another.

Abstract: A method for managing group orders operates within a restaurant service system. Diners access the restaurant service system to build and place group orders. Each group order is sent to one or more restaurant service devices of the serving restaurants. Each restaurant service device displays a group order with a set of group order indicators.

Abstract: Various methods are described for facilitating closing and payment of a check. One example method may comprise performing an action with a mobile device proximate a physical location associated with the check. The method may further comprise receiving in response a location identifier associated with the physical location. Additionally, the method may comprise determining the check to be closed based at least in part on the location identifier. Another example method may comprise performing an action with a mobile device proximate a folio device. The method may further comprise receiving in response a folio device identifier associated with the folio device. Additionally, the method may comprise providing for transmission of the check information to the folio device based at least in part on the folio device identifier. Similar and related methods, apparatuses, and computer program products are also provided.

Abstract: A content distribution platform may include processing circuitry having a processor and memory. The memory may store a plurality of content items associated with at least one content library. The processor may be configured to enable distribution of the content items to at least a selected asset among a plurality of food preparation assets via a network. The content items may include at least visible content descriptive of a food item preparable using the selected asset and invisible content including non-human readable instructions for enabling the selected asset to prepare the food item.

Abstract: A method for submitting an order for use in a terminal, includes: scanning a pre-generated near field communication (NFC) tag to obtain tag data, wherein the tag data includes at least an identification code of a third-party service provider and transaction information; generating an order according to the identification code, the transaction information, and user information; and sending the order for a server to process to obtain the identification code, the transaction information, and the user information, and to further send the transaction information and the user information to the third-party service provider corresponding to the identification code.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system configured to manage a dining experience for guests at a food service establishment. In some implementations, the system may comprise one or more guest identification devices, one or more sensors, one or more host systems, and one or more processors. The system may be configured such that real-time detailed information about the food service establishment, guests of the food service establishment, food orders placed by guests of the food service establishment, table states of the tables in the food service establishment, and tasks performed by staff members is provided to the staff members of the food service establishment. The information may facilitate a unique guest experience for guests of the food service establishment wherein the guests may place a food order remotely, arrive at the food service establishment and self-select a table, and receive delivery of their food order at their selected table.

Abstract: A system for performing a point-of-sale (POS) transaction. The system includes a POS device configured to receive an item order input specifying an item that is listed in a pre-determined inventory list of a merchant, receive a hands-free confirmation that the item is to be purchased by a customer, and prompt, in response to the hands-free confirmation, the customer to select a payment method, and a wearable device worn by the merchant and configured to obtain the hands-free confirmation from the merchant for sending to the POS device, and obtain, in response to the prompting, information associated with a payment credential of the consumer for sending to the POS device, where the POS transaction is performed based on the payment credential.

Abstract: In some examples, a service provider may receive an indicated delivery location from a buyer device. The service provider may determine, based at least in part on traffic information, respective predicted courier travel times to the delivery location from a plurality of different merchant locations. The service provider may compare the respective predicted courier travel times with respective spoilage times for items offered by the corresponding merchants, and may identify one or more items having respective spoilage times greater than the respective predicted courier travel time from that merchant location. The service provider may send, to the buyer device, information about items available to be ordered from particular merchants having respective spoilage times greater than the predicted courier travel time from respective the merchant location. The buyer device may present the item information on a display to enable buyer selection of an item for delivery.

Abstract: Methods and Apparatus related to generating representations of information. The information may include menu information for merchants such as restaurants. Referring to menus, methods may include receiving potential information for a first menu, and receiving indications of associations of the information with the first menu and/or any number of additional menus. Information and/or associations may later be updated by a desired set of users.

Abstract: A short-range wireless network is established by direct communication between wireless devices and wireless access points. A wireless communication device provides initial registration information to a network and becomes a registered device. An API is downloaded to the wireless device to permit automatic authentication of the device for future communications. When a registered device enters a venue, at least one access point will automatically detect the wireless device and extract the necessary identification data to permit authentication of the device. Customized messages may be provided to the wireless device. If the wireless device enters a different venue, even in another city or state, the registration data may be automatically extracted by an AP and provided to a cloud network for authentication. Authenticated devices receive a list of authenticated vendors and unauthenticated vendors near the present location of the authenticated device.

Abstract: Patrons at a restaurant or bar can pay at their table using credit cards, without involving the restaurant or bar cashier and/or wait staff. Patrons are assisted using this system in dividing the bill by displaying the amount due (including tax) and allowing each patron to enter the amount they wish to pay. When the initial bill is presented, a balance due will be displayed and the indication will be provided that the bill has yet to be paid in full. As each transaction is entered, a running total will be displayed indicating the remaining balance due. When the running total reaches zero, the bill is paid in full, and an indication will be provided, such as by illuminating a green indicator light or by displaying a balance due of $0.00.