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 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 system and method for adding a customer's name to a waiting list at a selected restaurant. A central waiting list database stores waiting list information for a plurality of participating restaurants. The waiting list information indicates waiting times associated with each participating restaurant and each waiting customer. Local waiting list databases located at each participating restaurant are connected to the central database through a data network such as the Internet. The central database and the local databases periodically exchange information regarding the waiting customers and their associated waiting times at each participating restaurant. A Website connected to the central database and the network enables an accessing customer to review restaurant information for the participating restaurants, select a restaurant, determine the waiting time at the selected restaurant, and add the customer's name to the waiting list for the selected restaurant.

Abstract: A system and method for reporting and remotely monitoring restaurant performance information for a plurality of restaurants. The system enables customers to add their names to restaurant waiting lists through the Internet or by telephone. Waiting list information for the plurality of restaurants is stored in a central database together with other performance information such as current table status and table turn time. Restaurant management personnel can access the central database through an Internet Website, LAN, WAN, or intranet to remotely monitor performance information at the plurality of restaurants from a central management location.

Abstract: An advanced three way call detection system which measures delay times associated with multiple echoes of a reference signal transmitted over a two way call. A reference signal is initially transmitted over a two way call when a two way connection is first established between a local telephone and a remote telephone. The echo characteristics of the two way connection are measured and recorded in an initial echo profile. The initial echo profile represents the number of and timing of each detected echo of the reference signal after transmission of the reference signal over the two way call when the two way connection is first established. The reference signal is then continuously transmitted at various timing intervals during the telephone conversation and the incoming line is sampled in order to detect echoed versions of the reference signal in order to create subsequent echo profiles.