Dimensional dining restaurant management system

Abstract

Apparatus and method for mass producing a unique dining experience for each individual diner within a group of patrons includes computers, applications software, models and databases. Through various alternative input mechanisms, each individual patron's preferences will be surveyed, and the results of the surveys are stored within the database. Staff and management of an establishment are also surveyed regarding various personal and facilities capabilities and assets. The preference surveys may be quite basic in nature, but with more detailed surveys a more elaborate model may be generated. Based upon the preference survey results, a dining event is developed that groups patrons according to areas of agreement among surveys, while simultaneously tailoring unique events or decor based upon the preference survey results that are not common among the patrons. The dining event is prepared for, including training of staff and management, and the dining event is then staged. During the event, an off-site person will most preferably provide monitor and provide feedback to the staff and management, and subsequent to the event further evaluation will occur. Based upon the event results and evaluation, the database and model may be updated. Electronic devices may form a part of the apparatus, and in this case will most preferably be controlled by computerized components to perform appropriately according to the stored model of the event. As a result of the differences in preferences, skills and assets of all participants, no two dining events will be identical. However, each dining event is designed and prepared according to pre-established models to fulfill each of the needs and expectations of each individual patron while simultaneously capitalizing on the strengths and talents of a staff and facility. Simultaneously, the managerial burden of maintaining a single atmosphere within an establishment is relieved, and patrons are offered unexpected, but consistently high-quality, dining experiences.

Description

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention[0002] The present invention pertains to food preparation and delivery generally, and more particularly to an improved apparatus and method for recording diner preferences, correlating those preferences with available options, and generating control signals, events and actions important in food selection, preparation, and delivery. The apparatus most preferably includes further means to enable or enhance selection, preparation and delivery in cooperation with the generation of control signals, events and actions.[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art[0004] Each and every person around the planet, through a multitude of conscious and sub-conscious steps, seeks desired dining experiences several times each day. In spite of the staggering billions of hours each day that are put into dining, the art of food preparation and delivery is quite fragmented, labor intensive, and inconsistent. Furthermore, there is a general lack of attention to the senses, ot...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0021] A first object of the invention is to provide an apparatus which facilitates creation and conscious selection of a flexible dining atmosphere which integrates as many of the human senses as possible. A second object of the invention is to maintain flexibility within the apparatus sufficient to enable application to diverse marketplaces, including captive dining establishments, restaurants, and households. A further object of the invention is to facilitate consistent delivery of a desired atmosphere without necessitating unreasonable or unrealistic training or employee skill, and further without deviating from common skills available from employees. An additional object of the present invention is to stimulate positive actions which lead to positive interaction among patrons, employees and management. Another object of the invention is to enable an establishment to integrate beneficial life values into all aspects of the operations in a predictable and desirable way. Yet another object of the invention is that each individual patron experience the sensation that the event is being staged for and focusses on them. The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages will become more apparent from the detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention which achieves these objects.

[0044] In step 710, bands of agreement and disparity within data 320 are identified through applications software 325, using algorithms for data analysis that are known in the data processing industry and which are commercially available. Using these commercial algorithms, the data is correlated for subsequent comparison in step 715 with additional data which is provided from the original system developers in the form of models for various events that may be staged. This is a most preferred part of the dimensional dining model, and allows a very complex set of data to be condensed quickly and with minimal effort into useful information that leads to the dining event. In summary, each diner's preferences are met and folded into a group experience that transforms an everyday, essential event of eating into an extraordinary event. The model, as noted hereinabove, will most preferably be provided to an establishment together with the balance of the application software, but will also most preferably be updated as described in reference to FIG. 6 and hereinbelow.

[0047] Once everything has been prepared, the event is ready to be staged and monitored at step 725. Through event staging, all of the data components 320 from preference surveys are melded together to form a unique experience. Because the variables are many and highly unlikely to be repeated, each event will be unique. As a result of the training in step 720 and the development of the event about successful models in step 715 stored in database 130, chances are greatly improved to achieve enjoyment of all participants in the event, including patrons 305, staff 310 and management 315. In essence, the present invention allows relatively predictable mass production of unique dining experiences.

[0049] The meal is also a part of the staging 725, as is the performance of each member of the staff 310. Once again, in the most preferred embodiment each diner will experience the food they want, served in the way the want, at the time they want, and with unexpected features that further enhance the dining experience through a melding of the capabilities and experiences of all of those persons present.

Problems solved by technology

In spite of the staggering billions of hours each day that are put into dining, the art of food preparation and delivery is quite fragmented, labor intensive, and inconsistent.

Furthermore, there is a general lack of attention to the senses, other than taste, in typical food service establishments.

Moreover, only a few dining establishments attempt to address the atmosphere in a coherent way.

Between planning for the meal, purchasing supplies and then preparing everything required, self-preparation of more than a basic meal can be quite labor intensive.

Unfortunately, in addition to being labor intensive, it is almost a certainty that the individual will fail to fully achieve the desired affect.

Not only does the single entree need disposed of, the aroma must also be taken care of effectively or the smell will undesirably detract from the dining experience.

However, eliminating the aroma of the burned entree is a task which is often not achievable in the limited time period available close to serving the meal, nor is a home kitchen designed to isolate the cooking aromas from the dining area.

The individual has now not only consumed an enormous amount of time and effort, but may also be terribly frenzied and unable to fulfill the remainder of the objectives effectively.

Unfortunately then, for self-preparation of any but the most basic of meals, exceptional cooking skills and poise are required to succeed.

There are very few people who, by themselves, are capable of preparing and delivering an exceptional dining experience, and even fewer willing to undergo the pressures and effort necessary to do so.

Nor are there any tools available to assist them, other than supplies fragmented throughout diverse retail stores.

Though often not consciously understood, the cost or perceived value of a dining establishment's food is often related to the availability of the atmosphere associated with the restaurant.

It is not normally carefully controlled, and presents a random environment that can be quite stimulating at times, relatively plain and boring at other times, and at yet other times completely frustrating.

As a result of how common the atmosphere is, this particular atmosphere does not normally command any economic advantage to the owner of the establishment, even though at times it will be the preferred atmosphere of patrons.

There are a number of disadvantages to this common method of selection of a dining establishment.

For example, particularly on a first visit, patrons will judge the restaurant most harshly, and may be biased for a long period thereafter.

Yet, it is at the opening that the restaurant is most vulnerable, since employees may not have developed experience with their co-workers and with the goals of the establishment, and patrons may not accurately understand the desired atmosphere.

One set of patrons may expect a quiet atmosphere, while another set may wish to include all of their family members, and may bring with a particularly noisy or unruly youngster or infant.

Nevertheless, and as aforementioned, this requires a highly skilled base of employees and represents an enormous managerial burden.

Because of the managerial burden, which is present during every minute the dining establishment is open, there are also few dining establishment proprietors who are willing and able to make the sacrifices necessary to maintain consistent dining experience.

This in turn reduces the number of establishments that are successful and therefore available to choose from.

In the event the proprietor inaccurately assessed the marketplace, the restaurant will still fail, and there is little if any opportunity for the restaurant owner to salvage investment.

As aforementioned then, in all but the most highly populated areas, there is a relatively limited selection of dining establishments and an even more limited choice of atmosphere available, and, unlike the expanded menu to offer more food types, there is no flexibility regarding the atmosphere within a given establishment.

Further compounding the already less than desirable circumstances surrounding dining, there are also many situations where there is not a choice available to the patron.

While the cafeteria may truly attempt to maintain high quality food and provide a varying atmosphere, this will frequently be quite haphazard.

Unfortunately, even in the best of mess halls and cafeterias, this is the most that can be expected for atmosphere.

Finally, and exasperated in part because of the many factors that affect a dining experience, the probability of a single establishment satisfying all diners decreases greatly as more people are added in the decision making process.

Within a larger group of people, one dining establishment as heretofore known to those skilled in the art finds satisfying everyone's tastes and preferences for atmosphere extremely difficult or impossible.

Nevertheless, there has not yet been developed a coherent method or apparatus which enables individuals and dining establishments to consciously select from diverse sensory inputs beyond food type and origin in the dining experience.

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