Systems, apparatuses, and methods for ordering items from an electronic menu, and servicing thereof
Systems and methods for ordering items from an electronic menu and servicing thereof, in a networked computing environment that communicably connects via at least one network at least a plurality of first handheld electronic devices (e.g., wait staff operated devices in a restaurant), a plurality of second handheld electronic devices (e.g., patron operated devices in a restaurant) configured to display the electronic menu, and a venue computer are described. Corresponding apparatuses are also described.
1. A method for ordering items from an electronic menu, in a networked computing environment that communicably connects via a local area network in a venue at least a plurality of first handheld electronic devices, a plurality of second handheld electronic devices and a venue computer, the method comprising:
associating a predetermined identifier with a first handheld electronic device, the predetermined identifier identifying a group of two or more of the first handheld electronic devices, wherein the associating includes recording in a memory of the venue computer respective entries each associating a respective one of the handheld electronic devices in the group with the predetermined identifier, wherein the identified group is one of a plurality of groups each comprising two or more of the first handheld electronic devices and each being identified by a respective predetermined identifier;
displaying at least a part of the electronic menu of order items on a display of at least one of the two or more the first handheld electronic devices;
receiving, at each of the two or more first handheld electronic devices in the group, input selecting one or more order items from the displayed menu for an order, wherein the order comprises the one or more selected order items s;
receiving input indicating finalizing of the order comprising the selected one or more order items;
based upon a selection of the predetermined identifier on a display of a second handheld electronic device configured differently than the first handheld electronic device or based upon an input of the predetermined identifier to the second handheld electronic device, associating the second handheld electronic device with the group of the two or more first handheld electronic devices that are each associated with the predetermined identifier;
receiving, at the second handheld electronic device, the finalized order for one or more order items from at least one of the two or more first handheld electronic devices associated with the predetermined identifier;
displaying the received order on a display of the second handheld electronic device; and
based upon an input received at the second handheld electronic device, transmitting one or more of the order items to the venue computer for further consideration of the one or more order items.
2. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising updating a list of ordered items displayed on at least one of the two or more first handheld electronic devices based upon items ordered using other of the two or more first handheld electronic devices associated with the predetermined identifier.
3. The method according to claim 2 , wherein each first handheld electronic device is a patron-operated device.
4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein each of the first handheld electronic devices is a patron-operated device.