Ordering deli food in New York used to be...well, not pleasant, but it was certainly efficient; during the era of mom-and-pop delicatessens, competition was stiff, and serving impatient customers quickly was a prerequisite for that business' survival. But with the current prevalence of absentee-owned delis manned by slack-jawed ex-cons and high school kids, Rude but Efficient New York Service has gone by the wayside, leaving only the first adjective.

Perhaps the Teraoka Deli Touch Pen will solve this problem. A classic example of mating existing technology with a yet-to-be solved problem, the pen, which is essentially a barcode scanner, lets customers order by clicking on photos in the menu. No more waiting for disinterested counterfolk to stop texting bank heist details to each other--the order goes directly to the kitchen.

The pen set-up rents for 45,000 yen a month, or about US $420, including 30 pens, the server and printer. Cheaper than a touch-screen set-up and won't stare your customers down when they ask for extra mayo.

via c scout