FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns systems and methods of determining the location of a user in an area. More particularly, but not exclusively, the invention concerns determining the location of a user in an area for enabling him to transmit data from a first device to a second device located in the area.

The present invention has applications in drive thru systems for enabling the use of digital coupons or user authentication using wireless communications.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Drive-thru systems typically comprise an ordering kiosk equipped with an audio system for communication between the salesperson and the client and other devices like payment terminal or scanners for scanning bar or QR codes.

These scanners make it possible for the client to use coupons and benefit from commercial offers. However, under certain weather conditions, the scanner may become unusable. For example rain drops or sun rays may block the proper reading of the codes.

Another problem with drive-thru systems is that depending on the car used by the client, it may be more or less difficult to have access to the scanner. Depending on the car, the user may be more or less distant from the scanner. Sometimes, the user may have to step out of the car to have the code properly read by the scanner.

Thus, there is a need for improved drive-thru systems. The present invention lies within this context.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a drive-thru system comprising:a communication unit (607) for a kiosk (102), said communication unit being equipped with at least one omnidirectional antenna (104) and at least one directional antenna (106), anda user equipment (109,50) equipped with a processing unit (52) and a second communication unit (53),

wherein said user equipment is configured to:detect signals emitted by said omnidirectional antenna and initiate a communication with the communication unit using said at least one omnidirectional antenna,detect signals emitted by said at least one directional antenna, anddepending on the signals detected, transmit data to kiosk through the communication unit using the communication initiated.

According to one embodiment, said user equipment is further configured to perform a measurement of power of the signals emitted by said at least one directional antenna and wherein said transmission of data is performed when said measured power is above a predetermined threshold. According to one embodiment, said signal from said at least one directional antenna comprises a value of said power.

According to one embodiment, said signal from said at least one directional antenna comprises an identifier of said kiosk.

According to one embodiment, the user equipment is further configured to receive a selection from a user of said data to be transmitted to the kiosk. According to one embodiment, the signals emitted by said directional antenna are detected upon receipt of said selection. According to one embodiment, said data are transmitted upon receipt of said selection.

According to one embodiment, said user equipment is further configured to:read identifiers from signals from omnidirectional antennas, andselect signals comprising an identifier associated with said kiosk.

According to one embodiment, said kiosk comprises a graphical user interface (605) and a central processing unit (601), and wherein said data comprises an identifier of a user and said central processing unit is configured to display information associated with said user.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for exchanging data in a drive-thru system comprising:detecting, by a user equipment, signals emitted by an omnidirectional antenna of communication unit of a kiosk,initiating, by said user equipment, a communication with the communication unit using said at least one omnidirectional antenna,detecting, by said user equipment, signals emitted by said at least one directional antenna, anddepending on the signals detected, transmitting, by said user equipment, data to the kiosk, through the communication unit, using the communication initiated.

According to one embodiment, the method further comprises performing, by said user equipment, a measurement of power of the signals emitted by said at least one directional antenna and wherein said transmission of data is performed when said measured power is above a predetermined threshold. According to one embodiment, said signal from said at least one directional antenna comprises a value of said power.

According to one embodiment, said signal from said at least one directional antenna comprises an identifier of said kiosk.

According to one embodiment, the method further comprises receiving, by said user equipment, a selection from a user of said data to be transmitted to the kiosk. According to one embodiment, the signals emitted by said directional antenna are detected upon receipt of said selection. According to one embodiment, said data are transmitted upon receipt of said selection.

According to one embodiment, the method further comprises:reading, by said user equipment, identifiers from signals from omnidirectional antennas, andselecting, by said user equipment, signals comprising an identifier associated with said kiosk.According to one embodiment, said data comprises an identifier of a user, the method comprising displaying, by said kiosk information associated with said user on a graphical interface.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a communication unit (607) for a kiosk (102) of a drive-thru system comprising:at least one omnidirectional antenna (104) and at least one directional antenna (106), anda user equipment (109,50) equipped with a processing unit (52) and a second communication unit (53),

wherein said communication unit is configured to:emit signals by said omnidirectional antenna and initiate a communication with a user equipment,emit signals by said at least one directional antenna, anddepending on the signals emitted, receive data from the user equipment be transmitted to the kiosk using the communication initiated.

