Methods of determining the location of a user in an area, and user location systems

#The present invention concerns methods of determining the location of a user in an area, and user location systems. More particularly, but not exclusively, the invention concerns determining the location of a user in an area where the user has been provided with a transmitting device, using a plurality of receiving devices distributed in different locations within the area.

#It can be desirable to determine the location of a user in an area, for example where the area is a quick service restaurant and the user is a dining customer. In this case, the user may order their food from a kiosk or other food-ordering location. When the user's food order is ready, they may have to collect their order from an order-collection location. However, this can be disadvantageous for a number of reasons. First, if users congregate near the order-collection location this can cause congestion, particularly if the order-collection location is also the food-ordering location. Second, users may prefer to move to a seating area while waiting for their order to be prepared. This means that a system is required to notify them when their order is ready, and there is a risk that they will not become aware of such a notification.

#An alternative solution that allows users to move to a seating area while waiting for their order is for each order made by a user to be assigned an order number. The user is then provided with a sign showing the order number when they make their order, which they take with them to the seating area. When their order has been prepared, rather than the user collecting the order from the order-collection location, it is taken to them at the seating area by a member of staff, with the member of staff using the sign to identify the location of the user using the order number. However, it can be time consuming and inefficient for the staff member to find the user, particularly in a large seating area.

#Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings of which:

#FIG. 1 shows a user location system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

#FIG. 2 shows the transmitter providing device of the user location system of FIG. 1;

#A user location system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 1. In the present example the user location system 100 is used to locate a user in a quick service restaurant, and the user is a customer making a food order in the quick service restaurant. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is applicable to other situations, including but not limited to other types of restaurant.

#The user location system 100 comprises a transmitter providing device 11, as described in more detail below. The transmitter providing device 11 is in communication with a user location determining device 101, again as described in more detail below. The transmitter providing device 11 and user location determining device 101 may be in communication via a local area network (LAN), for example. The LAN connection may be wired or wireless, for example via Wi-Fi.

#The user location system 100 also comprises a plurality of receiving devices 51a to 51g, which are able to receive radio signals. The receiving devices 51a to 51g are in communication with the user location determining device 101. The user location system 100 and receiving devices 51a to 51g may be in communication via a LAN, which may be wired or wireless, or may be in communication via Bluetooth, for example.