BOG techie stuff

[PeterMarcus]

Just some interesting trivia for the techies out there. We were lucky enough to get an instant reservation at BOG restaurant last night (as in - we can seat you now, and only now at 4:45pm during the pass holder previews). A friend and I noticed that on our side of the table, it was quite warm underneath. Like, if your leg was pressing up against the underside, it would get almost uncomfortably warm. But, our respective wives had no problem on the other side.

Our server said its part of the RFID system, that the warm spot was what read the "rose" disk at lunchtime so the servers knew where to deliver the food. She said it was a hard drive, which they had to remove every evening to recharge, then put back in the table each morning before lunch. As a tech guy, I'm sure it's not a hard drive, but either a rechargeable reader, or a removable mini computer like what are in kiosk systems (like an iPad in the shape of a brick), or most likely just a battery pack in which case the computer and RFID readers are left in place, but it was interesting that they have to remove them each night and recharge. There are a lot of tables in that restaurant, so that's a lot of work. The floors are stone, and the tables are moveable, so I guess they can't plug them into the floor. Unless maybe a ton of extension cords each night?

Also, we were curious about the balconies around the ballroom, and if there would eventually be shows. Our server said that, alas, the balconies are not load bearing. So most likely just for ambiance.

I'm not sure if servers have the same reputation as bus drivers as far as these rumors go, but she had mentioned that the servers were part of the testing process, that they would get roses, and then would get up and switch tables or try to hide the roses, or do anything they could to try to "break" the system to try to simulate what guests might do.

And, just as a final comment, the windows in the ballroom looking onto the mountains with the snow falling gently from the sky is simply beautiful.

 

[PeterMarcus]

(as a PS, my techie buddy and I were discussing just how socially unacceptable it would be to flip the table upside down in the middle of service to see what it looked like underneath. We refrained. With much difficulty.)

 

[GeneralKnowledge]

Interesting stuff

 

[JCtheparrothead]

I will be down there in a few days and have a BOG reservation on the 28th. I am very interested in this as I have been an engineer with a RFID company for several years now. Let me do some recon and see what i can dig up. Based on your description and knowing how a active locate system needs to operate i would guess you are right, it is not a hard drive. Probably a reader or a mag field generator of some sort that needs to be charged to every day to eliminate the need for power plugs. I am only theorizing but based on the setup they have the "rose" is an active RFID tag and the leg warmer is a mag field generator that sets off the rose. If they are using a true locate system in BOG then the rose would blink a unique ID to the receiver system hidden throughout BOG and give the servers an accurate table locate based on the mag field generator. Each mag generator is assigned a table number and the servers know where you are. If anyone has a picture of the underside of the table i would be able to give a better guess at what it is. Otherwise i will be checking it out myself when i am there.

 

[DocMcHulk]

Fascinating. When i first heard about the RFID tables, I was wondering how they actually worked since I doubted they were "plugged in". I would think it's a cellphone sized battery with a mini-computer (think Raspberry Pi) and a wi-fi antenna.

 

[danlb_2000]

Interesting stuff. I would assume that whatever is being removed to be recharged, maybe just a battery pack, is interchangable from table to table otherwise they would have a big problem of always getting the device back on the correct tables.

 

[wiigirl]

Interesting stuff. I would assume that whatever is being removed to be recharged, maybe just a battery pack, is interchangable from table to table otherwise they would have a big problem of always getting the device back on the correct tables.

Thats what I would think also...

 

[DocMcHulk]

Interesting stuff. I would assume that whatever is being removed to be recharged, maybe just a battery pack, is interchangable from table to table otherwise they would have a big problem of always getting the device back on the correct tables.

agreed

 

[JCtheparrothead]

It really is interesting as it looks like this is Disney's first active RFID location (the rest of the stuff is passive so far). Can't wait to give my hands on 2 cents when i get there. I wonder if they are going to be offended when i flip the table over?

 

[PeterMarcus]

I don't think it looks like much underneath. It felt like a flat panel hiding everything interesting, something that swings or slides open to get at the equipment. The tabletop itself is really thick, but I'm sure that's to hide all the equipment. I lean to the battery pack idea, too. Much easier to swap around from table to table without having to get the right one in the right place. I'll be interested to see what you can find out, JC.

 

[JenniferS]

We were also lucky enough to dine at BOG last night. The area was open in the afternoon for "dress rehearsal" and we were able to get a dinner reservation for 6:25. Hmmmm ... BOG or Sci Fi Diner @ DHS. That was clearly a no brainer.
My niece who was sitting opposite me, commented on the heat emanating from the underside of the table. My side was cool. I stuck my hand under the table, and felt a box-like structure which hung down approx. 4 or 5 inches from the bottom of the table, indented a couple of inches, all the way around. Incidentally, because of this box, I was unable to cross my legs, and I am a fairly small person.
On another note, I felt the ballroom lacked intimacy due to the cafeteria like setup of the tables. Row after row of totally symmetrical tables; no banquette seating, no booths, no intimate corners.
I thought the food was good, not great (didn't hold a candle to our dinner at the Wave the evening before), the prices were outrageous (thankfully we were on the DDP), and the dessert choices fell completely flat. It basically came to $40/person (x4) for a soda, an okay piece of steak with fries, and a cupcake, which was meh.
Absolutely thrilled we were able to dine there, but feel some things still need a little tweaking.

 

[PeterMarcus]

I hesitate to talk about food quality because there are, and will be, multiple threads about it. But quickly, I'm 45 years old, and I think this is the best meal I've had in the MK since my first time, in the castle, when I was 9. Other restaurants on property outside of MK are better, no doubt. But at least on our one meal there, it beat every other MK dining experience Ive ever had, hands down. And it's a little surreal, and historic, to drink a beer knowing that you're 100 yards from IASW.

Other than food, i was a little surprised, too, that there were no booths in the ballroom (I don't remember if there were any in the other rooms.). I don't know if its because of the combo counter/table service or just the realities of food (and mess) of the MK.

 

[Figments Friend]

Yes, i would say the cafeteria-style seating arrangment of the tables clashes slightly in theme with the beaufiful surroundings. S
ome tables with some booths would have been nice, but i can understand for capacity reasons why only tables were chosen.

 

[Tom]

We'll be eating lunch and dinner there next week and I'll definitely be checking out this RFID device

 

[Magic Lamp]

There's always a way to drop things underneath the table only to crawl down and have an innocent look-see. ;-)

The RFID is probably built like a smartphone and needs to be plugged in directly to recharge since you can't remove those batteries.

And yes, I'm very disappointed at the cafeteria seating. Next you have Mrs Potts serving mashed potatoes and gravy while chip rushes around collecting the trays with dirty dishes... Where's Walt when you need him?

The concept art showed banquet style seating... where did that all go?

 

[flynnibus]

Sounds like a interchangable node that is plugged into the table. Like others said, you would design the pod to be self-contained, interchangable, and with quick-install charging contacts (think the racks of charges you see for the 'hockey pucks' given out at resturants or radios, etc). The pod would include the power pack and any servicable items. The antenna could be mounted to the table, or be part of the pod depending on the size/location requirements of them.

The pod needs to detect the rose and advertise the location of the table itself. The latter is needed if the table arrangement and nodes are flexible. It would be interesting to see how they map out where the tables actually are and guide the servers. To not look lost and hunting, the staff really need to know 'its the 3rd row, 4th table in' and not just 'over in that direction' It could be as simple as there is arrangement that is overlaid on a map of indicators.

It's an interesting bit because it makes the roses far simplier devices by making the tables the bulk of the location service abilities.

 

[danlb_2000]

Sounds like a interchangable node that is plugged into the table. Like others said, you would design the pod to be self-contained, interchangable, and with quick-install charging contacts (think the racks of charges you see for the 'hockey pucks' given out at resturants or radios, etc). The pod would include the power pack and any servicable items. The antenna could be mounted to the table, or be part of the pod depending on the size/location requirements of them.

The pod needs to detect the rose and advertise the location of the table itself. The latter is needed if the table arrangement and nodes are flexible. It would be interesting to see how they map out where the tables actually are and guide the servers. To not look lost and hunting, the staff really need to know 'its the 3rd row, 4th table in' and not just 'over in that direction' It could be as simple as there is arrangement that is overlaid on a map of indicators.

It's an interesting bit because it makes the roses far simplier devices by making the tables the bulk of the location service abilities.

This might be one of the reasons (along with capacity) that the tables are currently laid out in such an even pattern, to make it easier for the servers to find the table. I have only recently noticed the hokey puck style pagers in restaurant, very simple and clever design that allows them to be stacked for recharging. Really saves a lot of space for the rechargers.

 

[JungleTrekFan]

The pod needs to detect the rose and advertise the location of the table itself. The latter is needed if the table arrangement and nodes are flexible. It would be interesting to see how they map out where the tables actually are and guide the servers. To not look lost and hunting, the staff really need to know 'its the 3rd row, 4th table in' and not just 'over in that direction' It could be as simple as there is arrangement that is overlaid on a map of indicators.

It's an interesting bit because it makes the roses far simplier devices by making the tables the bulk of the location service abilities.

agreed, and the tables have numbers that correlate to their locations, just like they do at any restaurant, except now that number is printed on the kitchen’s receipt with your food and brought to you.

 

[wdw71fan]

each table has a removable 'pack'.... and they each have a SSD hard drive, battery, RFID reader, radio, and a few other components..

 

[Patricia Melton]

I think this RFID technology is simply amazing. There is no limit to the amount of wonderful things that the Mouse can do with all this.

I really think that BoG is the first of many great new restaurants to come.

Still holding out we'll get a Tiana's Palace restaurant someday in the future too. Just like Princess Tiana had in her movie!