Method and apparatus for monitoring status of tables in a restaurant

System and method for monitoring occupancy and status of restaurant tables to minimize the time each table is unoccupied. The system includes a processor unit coupled by means of serial data buses to a host unit and a plurality of service units. The host unit includes separate push buttons, or "table buttons", which correspond, respectively, to tables within a particular service area of the restaurant. The processor unit computes and stores the status of each table in the restaurant. The processor periodically computes and transmits display information representative of the updated status of the tables to the host unit and the service units. Such display information for a particular table is utilized at both the host station and the appropriate service station to illuminate or flash the table buttons in such a manner as to indicate the present status of the corresponding tables to restaurant personnel. The table status for a particular table is updated by depressing the corresponding table button of either the host station or a service station. The table button thereby closes a switch, which causes switch closure information to be transmitted to the processor unit. The processor unit computes updated status information in response to the switch closure information received from the host unit or service unit and stores the updated table status in a memory of the processor unit. The updated status information is subsequently transmitted to the appropriate service unit and the host unit to illuminate or flash the appropriate table buttons in such a manner as to indicate the updated table status to restaurant personnel.