Abstract: A multi-function customer satisfaction survey device, system, and method. A restaurant management system includes a plurality of electronic tip trays and a base unit. Each of the tip trays electronically obtains and stores customer contact information, customer payment information, and responses to a customer satisfaction survey. A data transceiver wirelessly transmits the information to the base unit. The base unit collects the information and sends the contact information to a correspondence server such as an e-mail server. The payment information is sent to an external authorization network and/or the restaurant's POS system. The survey responses are sent to an analysis unit. Particularly adverse or positive responses may be matched through the POS system to a food server and a food order.

Abstract: A method and a computer-controlled, multi-function device for generating and dispensing retail cards such as gift cards and loyalty cards and for collecting customer survey information. The device includes a reader such as a magnetic strip reader for receiving payment for the gift card from the customer. A card inspector determines whether the gift card is electronically readable and if not, disposes the card in a bad card hopper. If the card is readable, the device dispenses the card to the customer. An electronic survey apparatus obtains customer information and stores it in an external server. The customer information may include customer responses to survey questions or customer contact information. An external interface enables survey questions to be automatically uploaded to the device and for responses and customer contact information to be downloaded from the device.

Abstract: A multi-function customer satisfaction survey device, system, and method. A restaurant management system includes a plurality of electronic tip trays and a base unit. Each of the tip trays electronically obtains and stores customer contact information, customer payment information, and responses to a customer satisfaction survey. A data transceiver wirelessly transmits the information to the base unit. The base unit collects the information and sends the contact information to a correspondence server such as an e-mail server. The payment information is sent to an external authorization network and/or the restaurant's POS system. The survey responses are sent to an analysis unit. Particularly adverse or positive responses may be matched through the POS system to a food server and a food order.

Abstract: A combination surveillance and alerting system and method in a restaurant that serves take-out customers. A video camera monitors a parking space for take-out customers, and sends video to an image recognition program, which detects when a vehicle enters the parking space. The detection triggers a controller to start a timer and instruct an on-premises paging transmitter to page an employee responsible for serving takeout customers. The image recognition program detects when the employee enters a greeting zone for greeting customers, and the controller prepares an elapsed greeting time report for management. The image recognition program also detects when the vehicle leaves the parking space, and the controller prepares a total service time report for management.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating and dispensing gift cards for an associated merchant. A customer enters a value for the gift card through a customer input pad, and pays for the card by swiping a credit card through a credit card reader. After authorization is received, a card transporter pulls a serialized gift card from a card stock hopper. The card transporter then moves the card to a gift card inspector, which determines whether the serial number of the gift card can be properly read. If not, the bad card is deposited in a bad card bin. If the serial number can be properly read, the card transporter moves the card to a good card dispenser, which dispenses the gift card to the customer.

Abstract: A multi-mode paging system and method of selectively paging an individual through one of a plurality of paging mechanisms. An indication of a paging mechanism for each individual to be paged is stored in a memory device. When an input is received from a user to page the individual, a control processor retrieves the indication of a paging mechanism for the individual to be paged and determines which of the plurality of paging mechanisms is to be utilized to page the individual. The individual may be selectively paged through an on-premises paging system, a wide area paging system, or a telephone such as a cellular telephone. An autodialer may be remotely located and connected by a wireless link to the processor, or the system may dial out using a wireless subscriber unit.

Abstract: A temperature tag and system for sensing and reporting an internal temperature reading inside a container. The temperature tag mounts on an outside surface of the container, and a shaft with a temperature sensor extends through the side of the container and senses the internal temperature reading. A plurality of readings may be recorded at a predefined sampling rate and stored in a data memory. The temperature tag then sends the temperature readings to a reader device that presents the temperature readings to a user. The reader device may trigger the temperature tag to send the temperature readings with a signal such as an infrared (IR) signal, a radio frequency (RF) signal, and the like. The temperature readings may be analyzed in the temperature tag, the reader device, or may be downloaded to a computer to determine if an alarm condition exists.

Abstract: A multi-function customer satisfaction survey device, system and method. A plurality of stackable tip trays in a restaurant each include a survey device and a calculator. Survey questions are presented on a display screen, and a survey keypad is used by the customer to enter responses. The responses are stored in a memory in the tray. The trays stack on a base unit that simultaneously collects the responses from the stacked trays, simultaneously programs the stacked trays with survey questions, and simultaneously recharges a battery in each tray.

Abstract: An on-premises restaurant paging system and method for paging a customer in the restaurant. A data token provided to the customer includes an encoded customer identifier which the customer inputs into one of a plurality of paging receivers that are mounted on different tables in the restaurant. Each of the paging receivers includes a data input device for reading the data token, and storing the customer identifier in a database. A programmable paging transmitter broadcasts a paging message in the restaurant that includes a broadcast customer identifier. Each of the fixed paging receivers receives the broadcast paging message, extracts the broadcast customer identifier, and compares the broadcast customer identifier with the customer identifier stored in its database. The paging receiver that determines a match generates an alert signal to alert the customer.

Abstract: An on-premises restaurant communication system for communicating a particular customer's table location to a food server at a central service counter. A communication device is mounted on each of the tables in the restaurant, and has a unique table identifier stored therein. The particular customer is provided with a data token on which a customer number is encoded. The customer selects a table and inputs the token in the communication device mounted on the selected table. In response to reading the customer number, the communication device sends a message to the central service counter that includes the unique table identifier and the customer number. There, the table identifier and the customer number are extracted from the received message, and a table location is determined and provided to the food server.

Abstract: An on-premises restaurant communication system for communicating a particular customer's table location to a food server at a central service counter. A communication device is mounted on each of the tables in the restaurant, and has a unique table identifier stored therein. The particular customer is provided with a data token on which a customer number is encoded. The customer selects a table and inputs the token in the communication device mounted on the selected table. In response to reading the customer number, the communication device sends a message to the central service counter that includes the unique table identifier and the customer number. There, the table identifier and the customer number are extracted from the received message, and a table location is determined and provided to the food server.

Abstract: A combination paging and gaming system and apparatus enabling a user to utilize a pager to play an electronic game while waiting for a page. May be used as an on-premises paging system in a restaurant. A centralized control station includes a page transmitter and a plurality of buttons which may be pressed individually to send a page to one of an associated plurality of game pagers. The control station also includes a game transmitter and a text generator. A game input device inputs game questions and game answers to the control station. The game questions are sent to the text generator and to a television screen or scrolling display for display to all users. The game answers ate transmitted by the game transmitter to the game pagers. Alternatively, game questions may also be transmitted to the game pagers for display on an LED display. Each user enters an answer on a keypad on the game pager, and the pager then indicates whether the entered answer was right or wrong.

Abstract: A system and method of selectively paging an individual through one of a plurality of paging mechanisms. An indication of a paging mechanism for each individual to be paged is stored in a memory device. When an input is received from a user to page the individual, a control processor retrieves the indication of a paging mechanism for the individual to be paged and determines which of the plurality of paging mechanisms is to be utilized to page the individual. The individual may be selectively paged through an on-premises paging system, a wide area paging system, or a cellular telephone.

Abstract: A battery charger and electronic device assembly is provided for recharging stackable electronic devices in multiple orientation or rotation with respect to each other without the need for either removing batteries or plugging devices into charging racks. In one embodiment of the present invention, a battery charger and rechargeable electronic device assembly includes multiple rechargeable electronic devices with opposing stackable surfaces having a plurality of electrical terminals extending therethrough to place each electronic device in electrical communication with each other device and the battery charger base unit without regard to the orientation the terminals or rotation of the device.