US 7,366,512 B1
Notification method and device for service providers
Anastasios Kefalas, Alpharetta, Ga. (US); and Jonathan Lin, Arlington, Mass. (US)
Assigned to AT & T Mobiliity II LLC, Atlanta, Ga. (US)
Filed on Apr. 07, 2005, as Appl. No. 11/100,427.
Int. Cl. H04Q 7/20 (2006.01); H04Q 7/22 (2006.01); H04M 1/00 (2006.01); H04B 1/38 (2006.01); G06Q 50/00 (2006.01)
U.S. Cl. 455—435.2  [455/414.1; 455/466; 455/550.1; 455/556.2; 455/567; 705/15] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
18. The device for alerting a customer to a current availability of a restaurant service by a service provider using a customer wireless terminal having an identifier, said device comprising:
registering means for registering the identifier of the wireless terminal with the service provider;
customer alerting means for determining when the restaurant service is currently available, the restaurant service comprising the availability of a restaurant table at which to seat the customer, for determining whether the wireless terminal is active and available to receive messages and for, if it is determined that the wireless terminal is active and available to receive the messages and that the restaurant service is currently available for the customer, alerting the customer of the current availability of the restaurant service by providing for transmission of a message to the wireless terminal;
confirming means for receiving confirmation from the customer of a reservation for the table via the wireless device; and
ordering means for receiving from the wireless terminal via the wireless telecommunications network an order for food and drink items.