How Mobile Devices Use Tags to Close Restaurant Checks

A system for restaurant servers to open and close customer tabs by tapping a mobile device against a physical tag at a table.

What it covers

This patent describes a method where a server uses a portable device to interact with a physical tag, such as an NFC chip or QR code, located at a customer's table. By performing an action like tapping or scanning the tag, the server's device receives a unique location identifier that links a digital check to that specific table. To close the check, the server performs the same action again; the system recognizes the location, closes the tab, and transmits the final bill to a payment-processing device. This automates the process of tracking which check belongs to which table without manual input.

What it doesn't cover

• —Does not cover systems that rely on manual table number entry instead of a physical tag.
• —Does not cover payment processing that happens directly on the server's device without transmitting to a second device.
• —Does not cover location tracking via GPS or beacon triangulation that does not involve a specific physical tag at the location.

The clever bit

The system uses the same physical tag as a 'state machine' trigger—the first tap opens the check, and the second tap closes it, using the tag's unique ID as the persistent key to bridge the two actions.

Why it matters

This technology streamlines service in high-volume hospitality environments by reducing the time servers spend manually searching for and closing checks in a POS system. It minimizes errors caused by manual entry and speeds up table turnover, which is a primary operational goal for restaurant management software providers like NCR.

Real-world examples

• 1.NFC-enabled tabletop ordering systems
• 2.Server handheld POS terminals
• 3.QR-code based restaurant check management