 |
Claims  |
|
|
What is claimed is:
1. A two-way audio and video communication system for use in a drive-thru
restaurant system by which a drive-thru patron remote from the restaurant
building may communicate with an attendant located within the building,
the communication system comprising:
an attendant station positioned within the building;
an order station positioned remote from the building;
a first video circuit connected between the attendant station and the order
station and adapted for picking up an eye level elevation image of the
attendant at the attendant station and presenting said image to the patron
at the order station;
a second video circuit connected between the attendant station and the
order station and adapted for picking up the image of the patron and
presenting said image to the attendant while allowing the attendant to
present the eye level elevation image to said first video circuit; and
a two-way audio communication link connected between the attendant station
and the order station whereby the attendant and patron may talk with one
another.
2. The communication system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first video
circuit includes:
first video camera mounted within the attendant station at eye level
elevation, said camera positioned for picking up the eye level elevation
image of the attendant and transmitting a video signal thereof; and
first video monitor mounted within the order station and positioned such
that the presentation thereon may be observed by the patron from their
vehicle, said first video monitor adapted for receiving the video signal
from the first video camera at the attendant station.
3. The communication system as claimed in claim 2 wherein the second video
circuit includes:
second video monitor mounted within the attendant station and positioned to
project the presentation thereon in a generally vertical direction;
second video camera mounted within the order station and positioned for
picking up the image of the patron in their vehicle and transmitting a
video signal thereof to the second video monitor at the attendant station;
and
mirror mounted within the attendant station and positioned for reflecting
the presentation on the second video monitor out of the attendant station
at eye level elevation toward the attendant.
4. The communication system of claim 3 wherein said mirror is mounted
between the first video camera and the attendant and includes a
transparent window through which the camera may pick up the eye level
elevation image of the attendant.
5. The communication system as claimed in claim 2 further including a light
absorbing glare baffle positioned adjacent the lower portion of the first
video monitor and adapted for reducing the glare observed by the patron
from the first video monitor.
6. The communication system as claimed in claim 5 wherein the glare baffle
includes an upper light absorbing surface positioned at an upward angle
relative to a substantially horizontal line substantially perpendicular to
the screen surface of the first video monitor.
7. The communication system as claimed in claim 1, further including a
master control unit at said attendant station, said unit operably
connected to the first and second video circuits and the communication
link to control the operation and use of the communication system.
8. A two-way audio and video communication system for use in a drive-thru
establishment by which a drive-thru patron may communicate with an
attendant located within the establishment, the communication system
comprising:
an attendant station positioned within the establishment, said station
having;
a first video monitor positioned to project the presentation thereon in a
generally vertical direction:
a first video camera mounted at substantially eye level elevation, said
camera positioned for picking up an eye level image of the attendant and
transmitting a video signal thereof;
a mirror mounted between the camera and the attendant, and positioned for
reflecting at eye level elevation the presentation on the first video
monitor toward the attendant, said mirror including a transparent window
through which the camera may pick up the eye level elevation image of the
attendant;
an order station positioned remote from the establishment, said station
having;
a second video monitor positioned such that the presentation thereon may be
observed by the patron from their vehicle, said second video monitor
adapted for receiving the video signal from the first video camera at the
attendant station;
a second video camera positioned for picking up the image of the patron in
their vehicle and transmitting a video signal thereof to the first video
monitor of the attendant station; and
a two-way audio communication link operably connected between the attendant
station and the order station whereby the attendant and patron may talk
with one another.
9. The communication system as claimed in claim 8 further including a light
absorbing glare baffle positioned adjacent the lower portion of the second
video monitor and adapted for reducing the glare observed by the patron as
being from second video monitor.
10. The communication system as claimed in claim 9 wherein the glare baffle
includes an upper light absorbing surface positioned at an upward angle
relative to a substantially horizontal line substantially perpendicular to
the screen surface of the second video monitor.
11. A two-way audio and video communication system for use in a drive-thru
restaurant by which a drive-thru patron may communicate with an attendant
located within the restaurant, the communication system comprising:
an attendant station positioned within the restaurant, said station having:
first video monitor mounted within the station and positioned to project
the presentation thereon in a generally vertical direction:
first video camera mounted within the station at eye level elevation, said
camera positioned for picking up the eye level elevation image of the
attendant and transmitting a video signal thereof;
a mirror mounted within the station between said first camera and the
attendant, and positioned for reflecting the presentation on the first
video monitor out of the station at eye level elevation toward the
attendant, said mirror having a port through which the camera may pick up
the image of the attendant;
an order station positioned remote from the restaurant, said station
having:
second video monitor mounted within the order station and positioned such
that the presentation thereon may be observed by the patron from their
vehicle, said second video monitor adapted for receiving the video signal
from the first video camera of the attendant station;
glare baffle positioned adjacent the lower portion of the second video
monitor and adapted for reducing the glare observed by the patron from the
video monitor;
second video camera mounted within the order station and positioned for
picking up the image of the patron in their vehicle and transmitting a
video signal thereof to the first video monitor of the attendant station;
and
a two-way audio communication link connected between the attendant station
and the order station whereby the attendant and patron may talk with one
another.
12. The communication system as claimed in claim 11 wherein the glare
baffle includes an upper light absorbing surface positioned at an upward
angle relative to a substantially horizontal line substantially
perpendicular to the screen surface of the second video monitor.
13. An order station for use by a patron of a drive-thru establishment,
said station being remotely located from the establishment and comprising:
a cabinet housing having a video chamber and an open-ended, anti-glare
section adjacent thereto;
a video monitor mounted within the video chamber and positioned such that
the presentation thereon may be observed by the patron from a vehicle,
said video monitor adapted for receiving a video signal from the
establishment; and
a light absorbing glare baffle positioned within the anti-glare section and
adjacent the lower portion of the video monitor, said baffle adapted for
reducing the glare observed by the patron from the video monitor.
14. An anti-glare cabinet for housing a video monitor to be observed by a
patron-user, said cabinet comprising:
a video chamber for mounting said monitor, said chamber having a video
window aligned with the screen of the monitor;
an anti-glare section attached to said video chamber, said anti-glare
section having four sections connected to each other along adjacent edges
to form an open-ended hood about the periphery of said video window
whereby the video screen may be observed by the patron-user through the
open portion of the anti-glare section; and
a glare baffle positioned within the anti-glare section and adjacent the
lower portion of the video window and having a light absorbing upper
surface adapted for reducing the glare observed by the patron-user from
the video monitor, said upper surface is positioned at an upward angle
relative to a substantially horizontal line substantially perpendicular to
the screen of the monitor.
15. An anti-glare cabinet for housing a video monitor, said cabinet
comprising:
a cabinet enclosure having four panel sections connected to each other
along adjacent edges to form an open-ended hood about the periphery of the
screen of the video monitor; and
a glare baffle positioned within the cabinet enclosure adjacent the lower
portion of the video screen and having a light absorbing upper surface
adapted for reducing the glare observed from the video screen, said upper
surface is positioned at an upward angle relative to a substantially
horizontal line substantially perpendicular to the screen of the monitor. |
|
 |
|
 |
Claims |
|
|
|
Description |
|
|
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to communications systems for use
in a business establishment such as a fast food restaurant, which includes
a drive-thru system and, in particular, to communication systems providing
eye-to-eye visual contact and two-way audio communications between the
patron and a restaurant employee.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Many business establishments and in particular fast food restaurants have
for many years provided drive-thru service to its patrons. In such a
restaurant, the patron typically drives his/her automobile through a
designated traffic lane or drive running along at least one portion of the
main restaurant building. Typically, such drive-thru systems include an
order station located remotely from the building along the designated
drive-thru lane. As the patron enters the drive-thru system along the
designated path, the patron first encounters the order station located
adjacent the traffic drive. There, the patron temporarily stops his or her
vehicle adjacent to the order station in order to examine a menu board
which displays the various food items offered by the restaurant. In many
prior art systems, a two-way audio speaker device is located adjacent the
menu at the order station and connected to a corresponding device in the
restaurant which enables an employee or attendant of the restaurant,
within the restaurant building, to communicate orally with the patron as
the patron remains within his/her vehicle. Shortly after the patron has
arrived at the order station, it is typical for the restaurant employee
within the restaurant building to activate the two-way speaker in a manner
so that the employee's voice is communicated to the order station and the
patron so that the employee may assist the patron in the selection of the
various food products. Additionally, the two-way audio system is such that
the patron may then, by speaking into the two-way speaker device,
communicate his or her food selection orally to the restaurant employee
through the two-way speaker system. At that time, the restaurant employee,
located within the restaurant building, records the selection of food
items made by the patron at the end of the selection process. The employee
then communicates the selection to the other restaurant employees where
the various food items are prepared and/or collected. The patron then
proceeds along the designated traffic drive to the restaurant building.
Typically the restaurant building includes a pick-up window located
immediately adjacent to the drive path. At the pick-up window, the patron
halts his/her automobile, tenders payment for the food items, and receives
the items. At that time, the patron then proceeds along the drive-thru
path and exits the restaurant premises.
In a typical prior art drive-thru operation described above, the customer
communicates only verbally to the attendant in making his/her selections
and the attendant communicates only verbally to the patron in assisting
the patron in its selection process as well as confirming the particular
order of items.
Heretofore, one problem with prior art drive-thru systems has been the
quality of the communication systems used at the order station and the
restaurant building. In particular, many prior art systems have utilized a
transceiver or two-way speaker system which enables only two-way verbal
communication. These speaker systems often have been unreliable and poor
in audio quality such that sufficient communication between the patron and
the attendant is often difficult. These problems are often compounded by
the environment in which the system is typically employed, as for example
in high traffic areas where there is substantial background noise, both
within and outside of the restaurant building. Additionally, since the
order station is located remotely from the main building, weather
conditions, patron abuse and vandalism often result in the equipment
located at the remote station becoming damaged, inefficient or inoperable.
In the past, attempts have been made to improve drive-thru systems in
general. For example, Lucero, U.S. Pat. No. 4,675,515, relates to an
interactive system for menu selection and processing of said selection.
The system of Lucero is particularly directed to a system where the patron
may use a credit card at the remote station, make his food selection and
obtain a voucher for signature at the pick-up window. The system does not
appear to provide for both audio and video communications and particularly
eye-to-eye video contact between the attendant and the patron.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,355,329 to Yoshida, while not directed to a drive-thru
system, discloses a remote station for an interphone system. The station
provides a video pick-up tube for observing the person appearing at the
remote station, but it does not appear to provide for two-way video
communication. It discloses the use of an interphone system to enable a
two-way audio exchange between the remote station and a master station.
There has also been a continuing need within prior art drive-thru systems
for overall improved communications between the patron and the attendant.
In particular, the use of transceivers such as two-way audio speaker
systems do not provide the patron with a feeling of personal attention and
quality service often available within the restaurant. Since many of these
prior art systems do not provide visual communication and in particular
eye-to-eye visual communication together with verbal communication, the
patron feels that he/she is not receiving adequate personal attention and
service which discourages many patrons from using such a drive-thru
system.
As can be appreciated, a more desirable and personal drive-thru system will
tend to increase the usage of such a system at the restaurant, thereby
increasing overall sales and profitability.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A primary feature of the present invention is to overcome many of the
limitations and disadvantages of the prior art drive-thru communications
systems.
A further feature of the present invention is to provide the design of a
two-way audio and video communication system that may be placed in a
drive-thru system used in restaurants as well as banks and other
facilities utilizing a drive-thru design.
Another feature of the present invention is to provide a communication
system for use in a business establishment such as a fast food restaurant,
which includes a drive-thru system which provides eye-to-eye visual and
audio communication between the patron and the restaurant employee or
attendant.
An additional feature of the present invention is to provide a remote order
station and an inside attendant station which utilizes a communication
system capable of providing two-way, eye-to-eye visual, as well as audio,
communication in an efficient and inexpensive manner.
Still another feature of the present invention is to design a remote order
station for use in a drive-thru communication system that allows for the
use of a video monitor or screen outdoors where often times lighting
conditions are unfavorable resulting in surrounding light being reflected
off the video screen (glare) thereby rendering the presentation on the
video screen very difficult to view.
These and other feature are achieved by an improved communication system
having an attendant console located within the restaurant, an order
station located remotely from the restaurant and being operably connected
to each other. The internal attendant station includes a cabinet or
housing having a television monitor that is mounted in the upper portion
of the cabinet for projecting its presentation in a generally vertical
direction. The image on the screen or presentation of the monitor is then
reflected horizontally at eye level out of the cabinet by a reflecting
surface, such as a mirror, located at an angle with respect to the
television monitor screen. The reflecting surface is located at
approximately eye level of the attendant whereby the attendant may
conveniently view the video monitor screen while operating the attendant
station. Also located in the attendant cabinet is a video camera and sound
pick-up system. This camera is also located approximately attendant eye
level in the cabinet and positioned oppositely from the attendant and
behind the angled reflective glass. The central portion of the reflective
surface, located immediately adjacent to and aligned with the video camera
is provided with a small transparent window or other means for allowing
the video camera to monitor the field of vision immediately aligned with
the central portion of the attendant cabinet. The attendant cabinet is
connected through appropriate conduits to the remotely located order
station. The order station also includes an order cabinet or housing. The
housing includes a video chamber having a video monitor mounted therein.
The monitor receives video signals from the camera in the attendant
station and is located such that it is within the line of site of a patron
located in their automobile adjacent to the remote station. An angled
glare baffle is located adjacent to the lower portion of the monitor
screen and substantially reduces the amount of surrounding light being
reflected onto the monitor screen and back to the patron. The remote
station cabinet also includes a camera chamber where a second video camera
is positioned to observe the patron as he remains in his automobile. The
image from the second camera of the patron is provided to the monitor
located in the attendant station. The remote station also includes a
communication link such as a microphone and speaker box assembly adapted
for transmitting verbal communications between the patron and the
attendant located within the building.
Additional features of the invention will appear from the following
description in which the preferred embodiments have been set forth in
detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
These and other features and advantages of the present invention will
become appreciated as the same becomes better understood with reference to
the specification, claims and drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a drive-thru establishment
incorporating one embodiment of the system according to the present
invention;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the attendant station and pick-up window of
the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a side sectional view and schematically shows the arrangement of
the video components of the station of FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a side sectional view and schematically shows the arrangement of
the internal components of the remote order station of the first
embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a front view of a second embodiment of the order station of the
present invention.
FIG. 6 is a side sectional view and schematically shows the arrangement of
the components of a third embodiment of the order station of the present
invention.
FIG. 7 is a front elevation view of the embodiment of FIG. 6.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Turning first to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows generally an example of a
business establishment, in this case a fast food restaurant, having a
drive-thru system. The illustration and employment of the invention for a
fast food drive-thru restaurant is merely by way of example and it should
be understood that as hereinafter described the invention is equally
useful in other business establishments such as banks having a drive-thru
or walk-up service.
With specific reference to FIG. 1, the fast food establishment includes a
main building 10 and a drive-thru system having a drive-thru path or lane
12 whereby customers may drive their car along lane 12 and through the
premises. It should be understood that while a drive-thru system is
described, the communication system could be used for "walk-up" customers
also. The main building 10 typically houses kitchen facilities and
personnel. As seen in FIG. 1, drive-thru lane 12 is located adjacent to
building 10 whereby a motorist patron operates his vehicles along the
drive-thru lane 12. At a location along the building 10, typically a
pick-up window 16 is provided where the various items purchased by the
customer are ultimately delivered directly to the customer while he
remains in his vehicle. To facilitate the transfer of the various food
items to the customers sitting in his vehicle, an employee or an attendant
is typically positioned adjacent the pick-up window and inside building
10. Pick-up window 16 may also extend outwardly from building 10 to enable
convenient transfer to the customer.
In order for the motorist/patron to utilize the drive-thru system, he
typically enters the restaurant premises onto the drive-thru lane 12 in
the direction shown by arrow A of FIG. 1. At a location remote from
building 10, and located adjacent lane 12, a remote order station 14 is
provided together with a menu display 20 which provides a list of the
various food items offered by the restaurant with their corresponding
price. The customer stops the vehicle in the drive-thru lane 12 adjacent
to the remote order station 14, views the menu board 20 and makes
selections therefrom. After the patron has decided upon which items he
wishes to purchase, he then communicates his food order by utilizing the
two-way audio and video communication system of the present invention as
is hereinafter more fully described. After making the food selection and
communicating the selection to the attendant located in building 10, the
patron then proceeds along drive-thru lane 12 to pick-up window 16 where
the various food items previously selected by the patron are provided to
the patron while he remains in his vehicle. After paying for the food
items, the patron then proceeds along drive-thru lane 12 and exits the
restaurant premises.
Turning now to a more detailed description of the communication system,
generally the system is a two-way audio and video communication system by
which a drive-thru patron may communicate visually and audibly from the
remote station 14 to an attendant located within building 10. In
particular, the system includes an attendant station 22 (FIG. 2)
positioned adjacent the pick-up window 16 within the establishment
building 10. The attendant station 22 is connected through communication
cables 18 or other appropriate signal carrying means to remote order
station 14. In addition to two video communication circuits, to be
described, the communication system further includes a two-way audio
communication link connected between the attendant station 22 and the
order station 14 through cables 18 whereby the attendant and the patron
may talk with one another.
Turning now to FIG. 2, the attendant station 22 will be described in more
detail. Station 22, as shown in FIG. 2, may include attendant housing
cabinet 26 which may be positioned adjacent to pick-up window 16 within
building 10. It is preferred that attendant station 22 be positioned in
building 10 such that the attendant responsible for operating the
drive-thru system stands immediately in front of station 22 in the
location shown by footprints 28 facing attendant station 22 with pick-up
window 16 being immediately to the attendant's right side as shown in FIG.
2. Such orientation enables the attendant to efficiently operate attendant
station 22 while also conveniently located to service the patron after he
has arrived at the pick-up window 16 to receive the food.
Attendant housing cabinet 26 is shown as being positioned on support base
30 although, as can be understood, cabinet 26 could be supported by other
means such as attaching directly to the adjoining wall or extend
downwardly and be of unitary construction resting directly upon the floor
of building 10. Cabinet 26 is shown in FIG. 2 as consisting of two
vertical sides 32, 34, back panel 35, and top segment 36. However, as can
be understood, cabinet 26 serves as a convenient housing for components of
this portion of the communication system and could be replaced by
individual shelves or other supports which retain the components in the
desired relationships as can be understood by one skilled in the art with
the benefit of the subject disclosure.
Attendant station 22 may also include master control unit 38 positioned in
the lower portion of cabinet 26 as shown in FIG. 2. Control unit 38 is
conveniently located such that the attendant may have easy access to its
front panel to control and adjust the operation of the communication
system and, in particular, the video and audio components to be
subsequently described. Master control unit 38 is connected through cables
and other appropriate electrical conduits to the various components
located in attendant station 22 and remote order station 14 as shown in
FIG. 2. Alternatively, unit 38 may serve as a terminal for a sales
processing system for entering the food order, communicating the order to
the kitchen, or function simply as a cash register for sales to the
customers with the video and audio components having independent controls
located elsewhere.
Attendant station 22 further includes a central opening or window 40
located essentially at eye level elevation for the attendant standing at
position 28. Central window 40 of cabinet 26 provides an opening to
central section 54 for the attendant to view mirror 42 which is mounted
within the station 22 and positioned for providing a video image of the
patron as transmitted from the remote order station 14 as will be more
fully described. As can be seen from FIG. 2, the image of the patron is
presented to the attendant at eye level elevation thereby allowing the
attendant to conveniently operate attendant station 22 while viewing the
image of the patron on mirror 42 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.
Now turning to FIG. 3, a partial cross-section of the attendant station 22
is provided. As shown in this FIGURE, upper portion or chamber 44 of
attendant station 22 is equipped with a first video monitor or television
46 mounted within chamber 44 and supported by video support shelf 48.
Shelf 48 includes screen opening 50 aligned with video monitor 46 such
that the screen 52 of monitor 46 faces vertically downwardly into the
lower central section 54 of cabinet 26. Such an arrangement thereby allows
the image or presentation appearing on screen 52 to be projected in a
generally vertical direction shown in a downwardly direction in FIG. 3.
Video monitor 46 is positioned within chamber 44 and aligned over opening
50 such that screen 52 is aligned vertically above mirror 42 positioned
within central section 54 of cabinet 26. Mirror 42 is mounted within
cabinet 26 between screen 52 and the operating attendant such that mirror
42 reflects the presentation on video screen 52 out of station cabinet 26
at eye level elevation toward the attendant as shown in FIG. 3. As can be
understood, the angle of orientation of mirror 42 within section 54 may
vary somewhat depending upon the particular size of monitor 46 and central
opening 40. Also as can be understood by one skilled in the art after
benefit of this disclosure, the angle of orientation of mirror 42 may be
adjusted by suitable adjustment means located along the lower surface of
video support shelf 48. As can be seen from FIG. 3, the above arrangement
whereby video monitor 46 is positioned above mirror 42 and mirror 42 is
angled appropriately, the image appearing on video monitor 46 is
accurately and effectively made available to the attendant when the
attendant occupies position 28 in FIG. 2.
As further shown in FIG. 3, central section 54 further includes video
camera 56 mounted upon support 58 and connected through cables 60 to
master control unit 38. Camera 56 is positioned and supported within
central section 54 such that it is also mounted at eye level elevation and
directed outwardly out window 40 toward position 28 for picking up the
image of the attendant, preferably the face of the attendant, when the
attendant occupies position 28. In FIG. 3, a typical field of vision of
camera 56 is shown by lines 62 radiating from the camera lens 64. Since it
is necessary that camera 56 be able to pick up the image of the attendant
through mirror 42, mirror 42 may include a transparent window through
which camera 56 may pick up the image of the attendant. While such a
window may take several forms, it is contemplated that mirror 42 may be a
reflective, one-way glass such that mirror 42 functions as a normal mirror
reflective of screen 52 when viewed by the attendant while also
functioning as a transparent glass when viewed from its opposite side
where camera 56 is located as shown in FIG. 3. Alternatively, mirror 42
may take the form of a conventional mirror with an aperture or opening
aligned with lens 64 such that the camera 56 may pick up the image of the
attendant in position 28. As shown in FIG. 3, it can be appreciated that
camera 56 and mirror 42 are both positioned at eye level elevation thereby
enabling the attendant to observe the image presentation appearing on
screen 52 while simultaneously looking directly into lens 64 of camera 56
thereby enabling camera 56 to pick up an image of the attendant's face as
the attendant is looking directly at the reflected image of the patron.
Such an arrangement presents an eye-to-eye type visual communication to
the patron and its desirable feeling of personal attention.
As further shown in FIG. 3, camera 56 and support 58 are mounted on video
support shelf 66 which also forms the upper portion of lower chamber 68
which houses unit 38 shown in FIG. 3. Cabinet 26 further includes rear
wall 35 which provides support and rigidity to cabinet 26. Rear wall 35
further includes openings 72 and 74 which provide easy and convenient
access to the components contained within chambers 44, 54. The embodiment
shown in FIG. 3 may include doors (not shown) hinged to cabinet wall 35
but as can be understood other means for access to the various components
may be used. Top surface 36 of cabinet 26 may also include opening 80
which provides ventilation for the various components as well as access to
the chamber 44 if needed.
As can be appreciated by one skilled in the art with the benefit of this
disclosure, the particular arrangements of the various components within
cabinet 26 may be varied. For example, monitor 46 may be mounted in lower
chamber 68 with screen 52 projecting upwardly. If such an arrangement is
employed, then mirror 42 would be reversed to the angular orientation
shown in FIG. 3 such that the image appearing on screen 52 would be
projected upwardly as shown in FIG. 3 then out of cabinet 26 through
opening 40. Such an arrangement would be consistent with the feature of
providing a projected image at eye level elevation while also maintaining
camera 56 at such an elevation.
Camera 56 is shown as including a sound receiving means such as a voice
activated microphone 82 as a portion of camera 56. Alternatively, as can
be understood, microphone 82 may be located at other convenient locations
associated with attendant station 22 as, for example, extending outwardly
from cabinet 26 toward the attendant without being connected by a cable to
camera 56 and either voice activated or include an on/off switch.
Alternatively, the attendant may be equipped with an appropriate headset
device or transceiver unit connected to control unit 38. As can be
understood, there are various microphone or transceiver devices which may
be utilized with the present system and which cooperate with a transceiver
located at the order station in order that a two-way audio communication
link is provided which connects the attendant station with the order
station whereby the attendant and the patron may talk with one another.
Turning now to FIGS. 1 and 4, one embodiment of remote order station 14 is
shown. The embodiment of remote station 14 shown in FIG. 1 includes base
section 84 and housing cabinet 86. Also shown in FIG. 1 as being located
adjacent to stat | | |
