Order a Coffee With Your iPhone

Forbes is reporting that Apple has applied to patent a wireless system that would allow customers to place an order at a store using an iPhone or a similar media device.

In an application with the U.S. Patent Office filed on Dec. 20, the Cupertino, Calif.-based computer and gadget company described a wireless system that would allow customers to place an order at a store using a wireless device such as a media player, a wireless personal digital assistant or a cellphone.

Apple's application describes a process for placing an order and then notifying customers when their order is ready. One goal, the patent application mentions, is to avoid an "annoying wait in a long queue if the purchaser arrives before completion of the order."


U.S. Patent Application #20070291710 describes a device that also would keep tabs on where a user shops and what he or she likes to buy. Computers at participating stores would keep track of regular customers and their favorite orders

Forbes describes a scenario where customers would use their media device to order a favorite drink as they stroll up to the nearest coffee shop. Once their order is ready, the device (iPhone or similar) would notify you that it's time to move to the counter and pick up your order.

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