User manual

ECE 477 Final Report Spring 2004
4.0 Patent Liability Analysis
The goal of this project is to create a wireless ordering device that allows one to send
orders for food into the kitchen of a restaurant while waiting for a table and have that order
prepared and ready to eat as soon as a table is available. This system consists of one or more
remote devices that communicate menu and ordering information over an RF link to a base
computer. The base computer receives orders and is where the menu information can be
changed and sent to the remote devices. The remote device contains a microcontroller that
interfaces with an LCD module to store the menu information to be displayed. It also features
several LEDs that illuminate to alert the user that their table is ready. As patents deal with the
function of objects and the manner in which they implement that functionality, the best
candidates for patent infringement are the functionality of transmitting order information and
also of alerting the user that their table is ready. The communication protocol the system uses
may be patented as well.
Results of Patent Search
Much time was spent searching through the U.S. Patent Office’s website. Searches were
run on wireless communication, wireless devices, coaster pagers, portable transceivers, portable
display units and ordering systems. Similar products were also searched for and patents assigned
to the company producing those products were looked up. Jtech [4-1] makes a coaster pager that
simply lights up and/or vibrates to signal the user. A company called Commtech Wireless [4-2]
implements a variety of similar systems. The biggest maker of wireless devices that use
networks to send and receive information is NTN Communications [4-3]. NTN would parallel
much of the menu display and communication functionality of the project.
Surprisingly, NTN has no patents assigned to them and Jtech has only patented the case
of their coasters. Commtech has no patents. This could mean either that similar devices are not
unique enough to patent, that another party has patented the unique functionality of those
devices, or that it is possible to write a new patent. The search of the U.S. Patent Office’s
archives produced several patents that may be relevant to the project. Below are the most
relevant patents that could be found and a summary of how they coincide with the wireless
-9-