Table-side information device imaging capture

US10373235B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Tabletop Media, LLC · US

Inventors

• Viren R. Balar · Sachse, US
• Kevin Mowry · Lewisville, US
• Jeffrey E. Taylor · Bellevue, US
• Christopher M. Wellheuser · Plano, US
• Vernon Y. Franklin · Midlothian, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 29, 2014
• Grant date: Aug 6, 2019
• Expiry date: Oct 19, 2034

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G06Q50/12
• WIPO field: IT methods for management
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

A pay-at-the-table device is augmented to include an imaging sub-system having one or more image-capture components. A front-facing image sensor records video, or takes still photos. A wide view image sensor/lens captures a view of an entire table (or some portion thereof). When table images are captured by the imaging system, image post-processing is used to ensure that any details that can identify the individual patrons are masked or otherwise obscured; in this way, only generic demographic data (e.g., number of patrons, gender, approximate age, etc.) is captured, and all such data is maintained anonymously and without reference to any payment or other information that might provide the restaurant with the patron's true identity. The image-capture components may also include image sensors enable events (e.g., drinks needing refills, entrée arrival, etc.) to be monitored. An infrared image sensor captures thermal data, which can identify the temperature of the prepared food.