Fresh departments management system

Abstract

The system comprises a central processing module that is configured to interconnect the fresh departments and operational functions. These tasks can include facilitated order fulfillment, inventory and accounting functions, sanitation, maintenance, traceability and others. This is a system that integrates various sub-systems within the fresh departments, as well as integrating the fresh departments together. The system may also utilize a plurality of slicing machines that communicate with the centralized processing unit. The software modules resident in the processing unit receive inputs that represent customer orders, and dispatch these orders to the plurality of slicing machines. The slicing machines are in communication with the software modules such that the modules are aware of the food product that is currently placed on the slicer. In this way, the software modules are able to direct specific orders to a particular slicing machine, minimizing human interaction and customer wait time.

Description

Background technique [0001] In today's supermarkets, most deli orders are completed and fulfilled manually. Customers often enter a supermarket and proceed to the deli counter. Customers typically obtain numbered tickets from a dispenser and then wait in line for their turn. Once their number reaches the top of the queue, the deli employee calls their number and the customer places their order and then waits for it to be ready. Often, when the queue is long, a person can grab a number and start shopping, hoping to get back to the deli close to the time their number is called. Unfortunately this is often an imprecise approach. Customers often return to the deli counter too soon, while there is still a significant wait time, or too late, after their number has been called. [0002] In an attempt to reduce these known issues, many supermarkets have incorporated electronic kiosks. At this kiosk, customers can enter their entire order and receive a number. The customer is the...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

[0008] Currently, in most supermarkets, the various departments within the fresh aisle can be managed independently of each other, with no centralized method for accepting, fulfilling and delivering orders to customers

Additionally, there may not be a provision to automatically link departments together for accounting, inventory, sanitation, shrinkage control, and other required functions.

[0009] The current system does not adequately address these issues

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