DEVICE

3. PREAMBLE OF THE DESCRIPTION: The following complete specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is performed. FIELD OF INVENTION:

The present invention relates to data processing, and more particularly to a system and a method for enabling a user (of user device) to perform multiple scan of a reusable unique code and accordingly display the result/information to the user device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:

This section is intended only to provide background information pertaining to the similar field of the present invention, and may be used only to enhance the understanding of the present invention and not as admissions of prior art.

In view of innumerable benefits of tags, labels and machine readable codes Barcode (labels), RFID (tags) and Quick response (QR), there has been a huge proliferation of digital marketing and services in a wide range of applications such as retails, banks, restaurants, etc. years. More particularly, the QR code is approved as an ISO standard. Being a two dimensional code, the QR Code contains information in both vertical and horizontal directions, thereby having a greater capacity to hold a large volume of information as compared to other bar codes containing information in one direction only. Thus, the QR codes are often used to include web address, message, contact details, etc. For the commercial purposes, commercial interests typically places a QR code in an advertisement, which when activated directs the user to a specific website or any such information/page. For instance, a user while referring to a billboard that contains a QR code, may capture a picture/video via user devices, pursuant to which a decoder present in the user device automatically directs the user to the specific website using the QR code.

In view of this, a number of restaurant/eatery/hotel/cafe, etc. are currently persistently adapting new techniques and marketing goals for providing services such as QR code scanning, payment modes, etc. to users. However, there were certain limitations associated with said online conventional systems. One such limitation lies in the QR codes used by the conventional systems. Said QR codes have limited uses and applicability, and provides static information/details to the user every time the user scans the QR code. Thus, a single QR code can be scanned by a user for a single purpose only and fails to provide other information/details to the user when scanned again. Thus, limitation of the conventional systems lies in the inability of the users to view the eatery menu, place an order from a single QR code and subsequently proceed towards payment using single QR code, since the QR codes contain a single URL address directing towards a single interface/website. Therefore, said QR codes poses limited applicability and information and are also, not reusable. Therefore, said online conventional system fails to cater to the needs of the users by not providing a variety of options/services to the users.

Accordingly, in view of above-mentioned limitations, there arises a need of a reusable unique code having capability to display new/different information to the user (user devices) on every scan of the unique code based on the user requirements. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:

In light of the limitations of the existing conventional systems as discussed above, the present invention discloses a system and method that enables providing result/information based on number of scans by a user device in a simplified way, thereby making it reusable in dynamic environment. Further, the present invention encompasses invoices generation based on order placed by the user. Also, the present invention has another objective to reduce complexity in adoption and add convenience thereby increasing the reach and scale for applications working on unique code-based platforms.

The afore-mentioned objectives and other aspects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating preferred embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without deviating from the spirit thereof. Therefore, this section is intended only to introduce certain objects and aspects of the present invention, and is therefore, not intended to define key features or scope of the subject matter of the present invention. More particularly, the present invention relates to a unique code based method for displaying result to a user device, the method being performed by a server device. The method comprising: retrieving a user information from a first scan of the unique code performed by the user device at an eatery, wherein the unique code corresponds to a table at the eatery, and the user information comprises a device identifier corresponding to the user device; based on the user information and eatery information, displaying a first result at the user device, wherein the first result comprises a menu of one or more food items; receiving, from the user device, a first information indicating a selection of one or more items selected from said menu; retrieving a second information from a second scan of the unique code performed by the user device, wherein the second information comprises one of an invoice request and a menu request; and displaying a second result at the user device in an event the second information comprises the invoice request, wherein the second result comprises one or more invoices and one or more payment modes based on the first information and the user information.

Furthermore, in another aspect, the present invention relates to a unique code based system for displaying result to a user device. The system comprising: the user device comprising: a sensing unit configured to perform the first scan and the second scan of the unique code corresponding to an eatery, and a user communication unit configured to transmit a first information indicating a selection of one or more items selected from said menu. The system further comprises a server device. The server device comprises a server communication unit configured to receive the first information from the user device, one or more processor configured to: retrieve a user information from the first scan of the unique code, wherein the user information comprises a device identifier corresponding to the user device, and retrieve a second information from the second scan of the unique code performed by the user device, wherein the second information comprises one of an invoice request and a menu request. The server device further comprises a display unit configured to: display a first result at the user device based on the user information and the eatery, wherein the first result comprises a menu of one or more food items, and display a second result at the user device in an event the second information comprises the invoice request, wherein the second result comprises one or more invoices based on the first information and the user information.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The drawings mentioned in this section disclose exemplary embodiments of the claimed system and method. Detailed description of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. Further, the components/modules and steps of a process are assigned reference numerals that are used throughout the description to indicate the respective components and steps. Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description when read with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 illustrates a system overview of the present invention for displaying/providing result/information to a user device based on a unique code according to an embodiment herein; Figure 2 illustrates a method overview for displaying/providing result/information to a user device based on a unique code based according to an embodiment herein; and Figures 3A to 3C illustrate implementation of a functional QR code, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRPTION:

This section is intended to provide explanation and description of various possible embodiments of the present invention. The embodiments used herein, and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to non-limiting embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. The examples used herein are intended only to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable the person skilled in the art to practice the embodiments used herein. Also, the examples/embodiments described herein should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.

A unique code based system and method for displaying result/information to a user device on each scan of the unique code, are disclosed herein. The present invention encompasses a centralized server device configured to provide a reusable unique code, and display results/information to the user whenever the user scans said reusable unique code corresponding to a table at an eatery. The present invention encompasses first scanning the unique code present at the table in the eatery in response to which the server device transmits/displays a first result indicating menu/list of food items available at the eatery to the user device. Subsequently, when the user, using the user device, places the order, the server is configured to delegate information related to the order to the eatery. Thereafter, when the user, for the payment or re-order, again scans (second scanning) the same unique code, the server generates invoice/s based on the order and displays a second result comprising the invoices and payment modes. Also, the present invention encompasses directing the user to one or more URL addresses of a website/interface of the eatery associated with the server device.

The term ‘unique code’ as used herein refers to a machine readable code/information. More particularly, the unique code refers to a barcode, a QR code or any such code as may be obvious to a person skilled in the art. The present invention encompasses multiple unique codes where each unique code corresponds to a table at the eatery. Each unique code is reusable and therefore can be used by the same user multiple times for multiple purposes including, but not limiting to, requesting for a menu and requesting for payment invoice. Thus, each scan of the unique code generates/displays different results. Further, the unique code comprises one or more URL addresses to a website/interface of the vendor/eatery/merchant associated/linked with the server device. The term ‘user information’ refers to information retrieved from the first scan of the unique code, wherein the first information indicates device identifier and other user details. The term ‘first result’ refers to menu/list of food items displayed to the user device in response to the first scan. The term ‘first information’ relates to food items selected by the user device from the first result. The term ‘second information’ refers to information retrieved from the second scan of the unique code, wherein the second information indicates one of invoice request and menu request. The term ‘second result’ refers to one of invoices and menu based on the second information. The term ‘eatery’ as used herein refers to any place visited by people to place orders (food/drink orders). In particular, the eatery may include, but not limited to, a restaurant, a hotel, a cafeteria, an outlet, a bar or any such eating/drinking place as may be obvious to a person skilled in the art. The term ‘user device’ as used herein refers to a device used by the user. More particularly, the user using the user device initiates the mechanism of viewing the menu at the eatery and placing the order. Further, the user device refers to any computing device including, but not limiting to, a smart phone, a feature phone, a tablet, a computer, a laptop and any such device as may be obvious to a person skilled in the art. Further, the user device is configured to communicate with the server device and the eatery through a network entity. It will be understood that the terms such as connect, configure, couple and respective cognate terms may include a physical connection (such as a wired/wireless connection), a logical connection or a combination of such connections as may be obvious to a person skilled in the art. As used herein, the term ‘and/or’ includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

Further, Figure 1 illustrates a system architecture [100] for displaying/providing result/information to a user device [110] based on a unique code [140] in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention. As illustrated in the Figure 1, the system [100] comprises the user device [110] and the server device [120] connected to each other through a network entity [130], wherein the network entity [130] may correspond to a personal area network, a local area network, a metropolitan area network, a wide area network, the Internet, or a combination thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the server device [120] may be a cloud server. The user device [110] comprises a sensing unit [101] and a user communication unit [102]. In an embodiment, the sensing unit [101] is capable to function as a bot to perform the first scan and the second scan. Similarly, the server device [120] comprises a server communication unit [103], one or more processor [104], a display unit [105] and a memory unit [106]. In an embodiment, the one or more processor [104] is an Artificial Intelligence (AI) engine capable of being triggered every time the user device performs the scan (first scan and second scan) of the unique code [140]. Further, in an event, the user visits the eatery and occupies a table at said eatery, the sensing unit [101] of the user device [110] is configured to perform a first scan of the unique code [140] present at said table, wherein said unique code [140] corresponds to the table of the eatery. The sensing unit [101] as used herein is a sensor, a camera or any such device as may be obvious to a person skilled in the art. In an embodiment, the sensing unit [101] is configured to scan the unique code [140] through scanner sensors such as barcode readers, and the like. Further, the user communication unit [102] is configured to communicate with the server communication unit [103] in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention.

Pursuant to the first scan of the unique code [140], the one or more processor [104] of the server device [120] is configured to identify/retrieve a user information from the first scan performed by the user device [110]. The server device [120] further includes a device identifier. In an exemplary embodiment, the device identifier verifies an identification of the user device on occurrence of scan through the user device. In an embodiment, the user information further comprises user details, history of orders placed by the user device and previous activities done by the user device [110].

Further, the one or more processor [104] is configured to process the user information and eatery information such as menu available at the eatery and any such information as may be obvious to a person skilled in the art. In an exemplary embodiment, the one or more processor [104], based on the user information, processes the information of the eatery such as menu offered by the eatery, food items/beverages available at the eatery. Based on said processing of the user information and the eatery information, the one or more processor [104] is configured to generate a first result, wherein the first result comprises the menu of one or more food items available at the eatery at that moment. The food items may include food, desserts, beverages and any such food item as may be obvious to a person skilled in the art

Further, the display unit [105] is configured to display the first result at the user device [110]. In an embodiment, the food items of the menu contained in the first result are categorised (into starters, beverages, main course, desserts, etc.) and then displayed categorically to the user. In an embodiment, a second result is displayed to the user device [110] only when the eatery confirms the first order i.e. the first information. In an embodiment, the first result is displayed to the user device [110] by directing the user device [110] to the URL associated with the website/interface of the vendor/eatery/merchant associated/lined with the server device. In an instance, when the user scans the unique code [140], the user of the user device [110] is taken to the interface/website showing the first result comprising the menu available at the eatery. Subsequently, on receiving the first result from the display unit [105], the user of the user device [110] is enabled to select one or more food items from the first result. The user communication unit [102] is then configured to transmit said selection (a first information) of the said one or more food items to the server communication unit [103] of the server device [120]. Said first information i.e. said selection is then delegated to one or more member present at the eatery to ensure delivery/execution of said first information i.e. the food items selected by the user of the user device [110]. Thereafter, the sensing unit [101] of the user device [110] is then configured to perform a second scan of the unique code [140]. Pursuant to the second scan of the unique code [140], the one or more processor [104] of the server device [120] is configured to identify/retrieve a second information from said second scan. In an embodiment, the second information comprises an invoice request when the user wishes to check out and wishes to proceed with the payment; while in another embodiment, the second information comprises a menu request when the user wishes to again place an order and requests for the menu/first result.

In an event the second information comprises the invoice request, the one or more processor [104] is configured to process the first information and the user information to automatically generate the second result comprising one or more invoices and one or more payment modes. The payment modes, in an embodiment, comprises at least one of an online payment, a cash on delivery, a wallet system and a coupon.

Further, the display unit [105] is configured to display the second result, generated by the one or more processor [104], at the user device [110]. In an embodiment, the user of the user device [110] is enabled to make the payment through a payment app linked/associated with the eater and the server device [120]. In an embodiment, the second result is displayed to the user device [110] by directing the user device [110] to the URL associated with the website/interface of the vendor/eatery/merchant associated/lined with the server device [120]. In an instance, when the user scans the unique code [140], the user of the user device [110] is taken to the interface showing the second result comprising the invoice/payment modes. Alternatively, in an event the second information comprises the menu request, the first result (comprising the menu available at the eatery) is again displayed at the user device [110].

Further, the memory unit [106] of the server device [120] is configured to store at least one of the user information, the first information, the second information, the first result and the second result in a database. In an embodiment, said memory unit [106] is a computer-readable non-transitory storage medium capable of storing executable program instructions for data processing of the unique code to perform operations as described above. In another embodiment, the computer readable storage medium includes executable program instructions in a memory to be executed for generating data patterns related to QR codes. In yet another embodiment, said memory unit [106] is a non-transitory storage medium capable of storing data and/or information such as instructions, program code, data structures, program modules and an application.

Further, Figure 2 illustrates a method [200] for displaying/providing result/information to a user device [110] based on a unique code [140] in accordance with exemplary embodiments. The method [200] may comprise a series of following operational steps to accomplish the objective encompassed by the present invention:

At step 201 when the user visits the eatery and occupies a table at said eatery, the sensing unit [101] of the user device [110] performs the first scan of the unique code [140] present at said table, wherein said unique code [140] corresponds to that specific table of the eatery. Further, the user communication unit [102] communicates with the server communication unit [103] in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention.

At step 202, the one or more processor [104] of the server device [120] identifies/retrieves the user information from the first scan performed by the user device [110], wherein the user information comprises the device identifier corresponding to the user device [110], user details, history of orders placed by the user device and previous activities done by the user device [110]. At step 203, the one or more processor [104] processes the user information and eatery information such as menu available at the eatery and any such information as may be obvious to a person skilled in the art. In an exemplary embodiment, the one or more processor [104], based on the user information, processes the eatery information such as menu offered by the eatery, food items/beverages available at the eatery. The one or more processor [104] further generates the first result comprising the menu of one or more food items available at the eatery at that moment.

At step 204, the display unit [105] displays the first result (generated by the one or more processor [104]) at the user device [110]. In an embodiment, said food items of the menu contained in the first result are categorised (into starters, beverages, main course, desserts, etc.) and then displayed categorically to the user device [110].

At step 205, on receiving the first result from the display unit [105], the user of the user device [110] selects one or more food items from said first result. At step 206, the user communication unit [102] transmits this information (first information) to the server communication unit [103] of the server device [120], wherein said first information indicates said selection of the said one or more food items. At step 207, on receiving the first information from the user device [110], the server communication unit [103] delegates the first information to one or more member present at the eatery to ensure delivery/execution of said first information i.e. the food items selected by the user of the user device [110]. In an event of successful delivery of the first information to the user, the method [200] leads to step 208, alternatively, the method [200] goes to step 201.

At step 208 when the delivery of the first information is successful, the sensing unit [101] of the user device [110] performs a second scan of the unique code [140].

At step 209, the one or more processor [104] identifies/retrieves the second information from said second scan. In an event the second information comprises an invoice request, the method [200] leads to step 210. Alternatively, in an event the second information comprises a menu request, the method [200] goes to step 204 where the first result (comprising the menu available at the eatery) is again displayed at the user device [110].

At step 210, the one or more processor [104] processes the first information and the user information to generate the second result comprising the one or more invoices and the one or more payment modes. At step 211, the display unit [105] displays the second result (generated by the one or more processor [104]) at the user device [110].

Thus, the present invention encompasses scanning of a reusable unique code multiple times and providing results/information based on the scanning and other information.

Figures 3A to 3C illustrate implementation of a functional QR code 300, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In an exemplary embodiment, the QR code 300 may be scanned in a restaurant via a scanning device for further request. Further, as shown in Figure 3b, on scanning the QR code 300 in a restaurant via the scanning device a menu card 301 is generated. Notably, the user can order a food item from the generated menu card 301. In a further instance, a user may again re-scan the QR code 300 from the same scanning device and a new menu card 302 or an invoice will be generated, based on previous orders.

The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example.” Any embodiment or implementation described as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or implementations. The use of “including,” “comprising,” “having,” “containing” and variations thereof, is meant to encompass the items/in formation listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. It will be apparent that various aspects of the present invention may be implemented as a software and hardware (such as a processor, an ASIC, a FPGA) in the implementations illustrated in the figures. For the portion implemented in software, the software code may be executed on any suitable processor or collection of processors provided in a single computer or distributed among multiple computers. Such processors may be implemented as integrated circuits, with one or more processors in an integrated circuit component, or any other suitable circuitry.

Additionally, it should be appreciated that according to one aspect of this embodiment, one or more computer programs that when executed perform methods of the present invention need not reside on a single computer or processor but may be distributed in a modular fashion amongst a number of different computers or processors to implement various aspects of the present invention. The actual software code or specialized control hardware used to implement these aspects is not limiting of the invention. Thus, the operation and behaviour of these aspects are described without any reference to software codes, being understood that software and control hardware can be designed to implement these aspects based on the description herein. The subject matter of example embodiments, as disclosed herein, is described with specificity to meet statutory requirements. However, the description itself is not intended to limit the scope of this patent. Rather, the inventors have contemplated that the claimed subject matter might also be embodied in other ways, to include different features or combinations of features similar to the ones described in this document, in conjunction with other technologies. Generally, the various embodiments including the example embodiments relate to system and method for reusable QR code.

As will be readily apparent to a person skilled in the art, the present invention may easily be produced in other specific forms without departing from its essential characteristics. The present embodiments should be construed as merely illustrative and non-restrictive and the scope of the present invention being indicated by the claims rather than the foregoing description, and all changes which come within therefore intended to be embraced therein.