IP Library › Granted Patent US 11,236,897
Granted Patent B2
US 11,236,897 · App. 16/882,659 · Granted Feb 1, 2022

Interactive imaging and sensing system, device and method

Inventors: Nathan L. Greiner (Hanover, IA); Alexander Jon Schuster (Dubuque, IA); Jane McCleary (Cuba City, WI); Jasmine Nobis-Olson (Elizabeth, IL); John Brian Priest (Dubuque, IA)
Assignee: Design Mill Inc.
F21V23/0478A63B22/02A63B2071/009F21Y2115/10
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,236,897
App. No.
16/882,659
Granted
Feb 1, 2022
Kind
B2
Abstract

An order to customer linking system may include a sensor to sense a position of an order, a projector and a processing unit to associate a customer with the order and to output signals causing the projector to project a customer identification image based upon the position.

Claims (9)

1. A customer ordering system comprising:

a projector to project an image towards a horizontal surface configured to vertically underlie a food order;

a sensor to sense a three-dimensional field overlying the image on the surface; and

a processing unit to automatically forward food orders to management system, a food preparation area or to a waiter/waitress in response to sensed positioning of the arm of a customer or the sensed movement or positioning of an object or structure within the three-dimensional field and to change a projection being projected by the projector in response to sensed customer actions within the three dimensional field.

2. The customer ordering system of claim 1 , wherein the processing unit is to determine a location of the customer actions and is to cause the projector to project a selection of order options based upon the determined location of the customer actions.

3. The customer ordering system of claim 1 , wherein the processing unit is to identify positioning of a fluid container by a customer in the three-dimensional field, is to cause the projector to project an image identifying a fluid previously contained within the fluid container, is to sense a selection of the fluid based upon the sensed customer actions, and is to automatically forward a drink refill reorder for the fluid in response to the selection.

4. The customer ordering system of claim 3 , wherein the drink refill reorder is automatically forwarded to a location distinct from the horizontal surface and proximate a dispenser of the fluid.

5. The customer ordering system of claim 1 , wherein the image comprises a menu projected onto the horizontal surface.

6. The customer ordering system of claim 1 , wherein the image depicts a zone on the horizontal surface and the processing unit is to automatically forward a drink request based at least in part upon an object being positioned in the zone as sensed by the sensor.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 26, 2020
From: GREINER, NATHAN L.; SCHUSTER, ALEXANDER JON; MCCLEARY, JANE; NOBIS-OLSON, JASMINE; PRIEST, JOHN BRIAN
To: DESIGN MILL INC.
Reel/Frame 052747/0626 →
Continuity (4)
Continuation In Part 16132929 · Sep 17, 2018
Continuation PCTUS2017022970 · Mar 17, 2017
Provisional Application 62309737 · Mar 17, 2016
Related Publication 20200284416A1 · Sep 10, 2020