Abstract: A modular mobile point-of-sale POS terminal is provided that includes a state processor, an order processor, a conventional wireless communications element, and a detachable television whitespace (TVWS)/payment processing module. The state processor queues state changes for orders in a restaurant. The order processor is coupled to the state processor and generates, accesses, and transmits to a backend server when operably connected to a network. The conventional wireless communications element enables the mobile POS terminal to communicate over a Wi-Fi network within the restaurant. The detachable television whitespace (TVWS)/payment processing module enables the mobile POS terminal to communicate over a White-Fi network within the restaurant.

Abstract: A POS terminal includes a state processor, an order processor, communications elements, and a connection monitor. The state processor queues state changes in one or more order queues that correspond to one or more orders in a restaurant. The order processor generates the state changes, and accesses and transmits the state changes to a backend server. The communications elements enable the mobile POS terminal to communicate over both a Wi-Fi network and a White-Fi network within the restaurant, and when operating in a Wi-Fi mode, the mobile POS terminal communicates only over the Wi-Fi network as a selected wireless network, and when operating in a White-Fi mode, the mobile POS terminal communicates only over the White-Fi network as the selected wireless network. The connection monitor determines that connectivity over the Wi-Fi network is degraded, and directs the communications elements to operate in the White-Fi mode.

Abstract: A dual band mobile POS terminal includes a state processor, an order processor, and communications elements. The state processor queues state changes in one or more order queues that correspond to one or more orders in a restaurant. The order processor is coupled to the state processor and generates the state changes, and accesses and transmits the state changes in each of the one or more order queues to a backend server. The communications elements enable the mobile POS terminal to communicate over both a Wi-Fi network and a White-Fi network within the restaurant, and when programmed in a Wi-Fi mode, the mobile POS terminal communicates only over the Wi-Fi network as a selected wireless network, and when programmed in a White-Fi mode, the mobile POS terminal communicates only over the White-Fi network as the selected wireless network.

Abstract: A user-adaptive order processing terminal includes a display, a microphone, a configuration manager, and a motion sensor. The display displays electronic menu items in a first area for selection by a user, where the electronic menu items are accessed via selection of one or more sub-menu items. The microphone detects audio spoken by the user. The configuration manager captures the audio from the microphone, transmits the audio via first messages to a backend server, receives second messages from the backend server providing text that corresponds to the audio, accesses suggested menu items that correspond to the text, and modifies a second area of the display to present the suggested menu items for selection, where the suggested menu items would otherwise be presented in the first area through selection of the one or more sub-menu items.

Abstract: An ordering system includes mobile terminals and a backend server. Each terminal generates changes for one or more orders in a restaurant, and queues the changes in queues for the one or more orders, and transmits the changes, from oldest to youngest, when operably connected to a network. The mobile terminals may communicate over both a Wi-Fi network and a White-Fi network. When programmed in a Wi-Fi mode, the mobile terminals communicate only over the Wi-Fi network, and when programmed in a White-Fi mode, the mobile terminals communicate only over the White-Fi network. The backend server is coupled to the mobile terminals via the network, and receives the changes, and is transmits the changes to all of the mobile terminals. The backend server a band assignment map that indicates whether each of the mobile terminals is programmed to communicate within the restaurant in the Wi-Fi mode or the White-Fi mode.

Abstract: An adaptive order processing terminal includes a display, a motion sensor, and a configuration manager. The display is configured to display electronic orders for preparation. The motion sensor is configured to detect distance to and motions performed by a user working in proximity to the terminal. The configuration manager is coupled to the display and the motion sensor, and is configured to capture movements of the user from the motion sensor, to transmit the motions via first messages to a backend server, to receive second messages from the backend server providing 3-dimensional (3D) gestures that correspond to the movements, and to modify display of the electronic orders on the display in accordance with the 3D gestures.

Abstract: An order fulfillment system includes mobile terminals and a backend server. The mobile terminals generate, queue, and transmit state changes for orders in a restaurant, where the mobile terminals may communicate over both a Wi-Fi network and a White-Fi network. The backend server is operably coupled to the mobile terminals, and receives/transmits the state changes to all of the mobile terminals. The backend server has a queue processor, television whitespace (TVWS) band update logic, and a band assignment map. The queue processor is configured to queues the state changes in terminal queues. The TVWS band update logic periodically receives TVWS available channels for the White-Fi network, and assigns one of the TVWS available channels for communications over the White-Fi network. The band assignment map indicates whether each of the mobile terminals is programmed to communicate within the restaurant in the Wi-Fi mode or the White-Fi mode.

Abstract: A POS terminal includes wired communication elements, a state processor, an order processor, and a television whitespace (TVWS) communications element. The wired communication elements couple the fixed POS terminal to a network. The state processor queue state changes in one or more order queues that correspond to one or more orders in a restaurant. The order processor generates the state changes, and accesses and transmits the state changes in each one of the one or more order queues to a backend server, where the order processor comprises current order state fields corresponding to all of the orders. The television whitespace (TVWS) communications element enables the fixed POS terminal to communicate over a White-Fi network within the restaurant, where the fixed POS terminal operates as a White-Fi access point for one or more mobile POS terminals operating in a White-Fi mode within the restaurant.

Abstract: A command-adaptive order processing terminal includes a display, a motion sensor, a microphone, and a configuration manager. The display is configured to display electronic orders for preparation. The motion sensor is configured to detect distance to and motions performed by a user working in proximity to the terminal. The microphone is configured to detect a voice command spoken by the user. The configuration manager is coupled to the display, the motion sensor, and the microphone, and is configured to enable detection of the motions upon detection of the voice command, and is configured to subsequently capture movements of the user from the motion sensor, to transmit the motions via first messages to a backend server, to receive second messages from the backend server providing 3-dimensional (3D) gestures that correspond to the movements, and to modify display of the electronic orders on the display in accordance with the 3D gestures.

Abstract: A context-adaptive terminal is provided that includes a display, a microphone, a motion sensor, and a configuration manager. The display is configured to display electronic orders for preparation. The microphone is configured to detect audio spoken by a user working in proximity to the terminal. The motion sensor is configured to detect a 3-dimensional (3D) gesture performed by the user. The configuration manager is coupled to the display, the microphone, and the motion sensor, and is configured to enable detection of the audio upon detection of the 3D gesture, and is configured to capture the audio of the user from the microphone, to transmit the audio via first messages to a backend server, to receive second messages from the backend server providing text that corresponds to the audio, to access voice commands that correspond to the text, and to modify display of the electronic orders on the display in accordance with the voice commands.

Abstract: A terminal for adaptive restaurant management is provided. The terminal has a display, a microphone, and a configuration manager. The display and is configured to display electronic orders for preparation. The microphone is configured to detect audio spoken by a user working in proximity to the terminal. The configuration manager is coupled to the display and the microphone, and is configured to capture the audio of the user from the microphone, to transmit the audio via first messages to a backend server, to receive second messages from the backend server providing text that corresponds to the audio, to access voice commands that correspond to the text, and to modify display of the electronic orders on the display in accordance with the voice commands.

Abstract: An adaptive order processing terminal includes a display, a motion sensor, and a configuration manager. The display is configured to display electronic orders for preparation. The motion sensor is configured to detect distance to and motions performed by a user working in proximity to the terminal. The configuration manager is coupled to the display and the motion sensor, and is configured to capture movements of the user from the motion sensor, to transmit the motions via first messages to a backend server, to receive second messages from the backend server providing 3-dimensional (3D) gestures that correspond to the movements, and to modify display of the electronic orders on the display in accordance with the 3D gestures.

Abstract: A user-adaptive order processing terminal includes a display, a microphone, a configuration manager, and a motion sensor. The display displays electronic menu items in a first area for selection by a user, where the electronic menu items are accessed via selection of one or more sub-menu items. The microphone detects audio spoken by the user. The configuration manager captures the audio from the microphone, transmits the audio via first messages to a backend server, receives second messages from the backend server providing text that corresponds to the audio, accesses suggested menu items that correspond to the text, and modifies a second area of the display to present the suggested menu items for selection, where the suggested menu items would otherwise be presented in the first area through selection of the one or more sub-menu items.

Abstract: An order fulfillment system includes mobile terminals, a backend server, and fixed terminals. The mobile terminals generate state changes corresponding to one or more orders in a restaurant, and queues and transmits the state changes in one or more order queues that correspond to the one or more orders over both a Wi-Fi network and a White-Fi network. The backend server receives the state changes and transmits the state changes to all of the mobile terminals. The backend server has a queue processor queues the state changes in terminal queues that correspond to the mobile terminals. The fixed terminals are additionally configured as White-Fi access points and coupled an internet gateway for communications with the backend server via a wired network within the restaurant, where the fixed terminals are coupled together in a mesh network that is configured to forward messages to their designated destinations.

Abstract: A POS terminal includes wired communication elements, a state processor, an order processor, and a television whitespace (TVWS) communications element. The wired communication elements couple the fixed POS terminal to a network. The state processor queue state changes in one or more order queues that correspond to one or more orders in a restaurant. The order processor generates the state changes, and accesses and transmits the state changes in each one of the one or more order queues to a backend server, where the order processor comprises current order state fields corresponding to all of the orders. The television whitespace (TVWS) communications element enables the fixed POS terminal to communicate over a White-Fi network within the restaurant, where the fixed POS terminal operates as a White-Fi access point for one or more mobile POS terminals operating in a White-Fi mode within the restaurant.

Abstract: An ordering system includes mobile terminals and a backend server. Each terminal generates changes for one or more orders in a restaurant, and queues the changes in queues for the one or more orders, and transmits the changes, from oldest to youngest, when operably connected to a network. The mobile terminals may communicate over both a Wi-Fi network and a White-Fi network. When programmed in a Wi-Fi mode, the mobile terminals communicate only over the Wi-Fi network, and when programmed in a White-Fi mode, the mobile terminals communicate only over the White-Fi network. The backend server is coupled to the mobile terminals via the network, and receives the changes, and is transmits the changes to all of the mobile terminals. The backend server a band assignment map that indicates whether each of the mobile terminals is programmed to communicate within the restaurant in the Wi-Fi mode or the White-Fi mode.

Abstract: An order fulfillment system includes mobile terminals and a backend server. The mobile terminals generate, queue, and transmit state changes for orders in a restaurant, where the mobile terminals may communicate over both a Wi-Fi network and a White-Fi network. The backend server is operably coupled to the mobile terminals, and receives/transmits the state changes to all of the mobile terminals. The backend server has a queue processor, television whitespace (TVWS) band update logic, and a band assignment map. The queue processor is configured to queues the state changes in terminal queues. The TVWS band update logic periodically receives TVWS available channels for the White-Fi network, and assigns one of the TVWS available channels for communications over the White-Fi network. The band assignment map indicates whether each of the mobile terminals is programmed to communicate within the restaurant in the Wi-Fi mode or the White-Fi mode.

Abstract: A modular mobile point-of-sale POS terminal is provided that includes a state processor, an order processor, a conventional wireless communications element, and a detachable television whitespace (TVWS)/payment processing module. The state processor queues state changes for orders in a restaurant. The order processor is coupled to the state processor and generates, accesses, and transmits to a backend server when operably connected to a network. The conventional wireless communications element enables the mobile POS terminal to communicate over a Wi-Fi network within the restaurant. The detachable television whitespace (TVWS)/payment processing module enables the mobile POS terminal to communicate over a White-Fi network within the restaurant.

Abstract: An order fulfillment system includes mobile terminals and a backend server. Each terminal generates state changes corresponding to one or more orders in a restaurant, and queues the state changes in one or more order queues, and transmits the state changes, where the terminals communicate over both a Wi-Fi network and a White-Fi network. The terminals each have message combine logic that combines message data that is received over the Wi-Fi network and the White-Fi network, and that splits message data for transmission over the networks. The backend server is operably coupled to the terminals via the Wi-Fi network and the White-Fi network and receives the state changes, and transmits the state changes to the terminals. The backend server has a queue processor and a band assignment map that indicates that each of the terminals is programmed to communicate within the restaurant in a combined Wi-Fi and White-Fi mode.

Abstract: A POS terminal includes a state processor, an order processor, communications elements, and a connection monitor. The state processor queues state changes in one or more order queues that correspond to one or more orders in a restaurant. The order processor generates the state changes, and accesses and transmits the state changes to a backend server. The communications elements enable the mobile POS terminal to communicate over both a Wi-Fi network and a White-Fi network within the restaurant, and when operating in a Wi-Fi mode, the mobile POS terminal communicates only over the Wi-Fi network as a selected wireless network, and when operating in a White-Fi mode, the mobile POS terminal communicates only over the White-Fi network as the selected wireless network. The connection monitor determines that connectivity over the Wi-Fi network is degraded, and directs the communications elements to operate in the White-Fi mode.