SYSTEM FOR AUTOMATIC ADJUSTMENT OF OPERATING PARAMETERS OF AN ON-BOARD KITCHEN EQUIPMENT

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle, in particular an aircraft, having a system for automatically adapting operating parameters of an on-board galley facility of the vehicle as a function of the supplies provided by an on-board catering facility of the vehicle.

[0002] Although applicable to a wide range of applications, the present invention and the underlying problem are explained in more detail with reference to passenger aircraft. However, the described methods and devices can also be used in various vehicles and in all areas of the transportation industry, for example, for road vehicles, rail vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.

[0003] The galleys currently provided on board modern passenger aircraft typically include slots or compartments into which containers and / or trolleys (or galley carts) can be inserted. These containers are loaded with supplies or service products, such as food and / or beverages, for serving passengers on board the aircraft. For example, the supplies may be provided in the form of trays, each pre-packed with several products, e.g., ready meals, beverages, etc. To identify the contents of the trolleys or containers, they are typically labeled with stickers, which the catering company applies during loading. In addition, lists are created from which the cabin crew can obtain a list of the available service products and their storage location in the aircraft galley.

[0004] Modern galleys typically contain electrical galley equipment such as ovens or microwaves for preparing food and beverages. It is usually the flight crew's job to select and set the appropriate operating parameters for each dish, such as preparation temperature or preparation time. This can be accomplished, for example, by selecting a predefined operating strategy or a predetermined operating mode. Manually adjusting galley equipment is sometimes considered cumbersome, time-consuming, and error-prone. For example, if unusual or specialized dishes are to be prepared, the flight crew must first determine which operating settings the dish specifically requires for optimal preparation.

[0005] The publication DE 10 2009 058 327 A1 discloses a system for storage in an aircraft galley, in which storage devices such as boxes, drawers, trolleys, or the like are equipped with transponders that emit identification signals characteristic of their contents, which in turn are read by a transceiver device in the galley to determine the galley's inventory. This is intended to improve the overview of the galley's inventory.

[0006] The document EP 3 471 506 A1 describes a cooking control device for a vehicle.

[0007] The document DE 20 2014 011144 U1 describes a beverage preparation device for installation in a galley.

[0008] The publication WO 2019 / 128543 A1 describes a method and a system for preparing food based on the recognition of ingredients.

[0009] Against this background, the present invention is based on the object of finding improved solutions for the operation of on-board galley equipment in which the operation is optimally adapted to the respective supply item.

[0010] According to the invention, this object is achieved by a vehicle having the features of patent claim 1.

[0011] One idea underlying the present invention is to automate the selection of operating parameters by first identifying the supplies using an identification device, e.g., a camera, a sensor, a barcode reader, an RFID scanner, etc., and then automatically setting the operating parameters based on this. Thus, an optimal operating mode of the respective galley facility is automatically implemented for each supply. This significantly reduces the burden on flight crew. At the same time, it ensures that, for example, meals or the like are prepared satisfactorily. Furthermore, the respective galley facility can be operated with optimized energy consumption, thus reducing power consumption and improving energy management.The corresponding data can also be used to monitor, control and analyze food preparation.

[0012] The term "goods" used here encompasses, on the one hand, individual packaged or unpackaged food items such as meals and beverages. On the other hand, the term "goods" within the meaning of the invention also includes products consisting of multiple components or combinations of individual products, such as ready meals (with one or more components), prepackaged trays, etc.

[0013] Advantageous embodiments and further developments emerge from the further subclaims and from the description with reference to the figures.

[0014] According to the invention, the galley equipment comprises an oven, a microwave and / or a cooling device. Here, the preparation in an oven or a microwave is adapted to the respective supply item, e.g., with regard to the preparation time and / or preparation temperature of a ready meal. Likewise, storage in a refrigerator, a cooling compartment or a similar cooling device is optimally adapted to the respective supply item. For example, the storage temperature, air humidity, air circulation or the like can be specifically adjusted for each supply item. Further possible applications include, for example, refrigerated service units, i.e., roll containers, trolleys, dining cars, containers or the like. In a specific example, a compartment of an galley can be refrigerated to accommodate a service unit. In this context, it would be conceivable for certain supply items, e.g.,Pre-packed trays and / or individual food / drinks, to demonstrate that the cold chain on board the vehicle has been maintained. For this purpose, the relevant data could be stored in the system, e.g., on a data storage device.

[0015] According to a further development, the operating parameters can be selected from the group comprising preparation temperature, storage temperature, preparation time, storage time, humidity, air pressure, and air circulation. However, it is understood that the person skilled in the art can also consider other variables or parameters as operating parameters within the meaning of the invention that are advantageous or relevant for the respective application. For example, a shelf life of the supply item can be read during identification, which can be stored, for example, in the form of a barcode or other marking on the supply item.

[0016] According to a further development, the control device can be designed to provide an operating strategy for the identified supply item, which specifies a change in the operating parameters as a function of time, and to operate the galley equipment in accordance with the operating strategy. Thus, not only can specific operating parameters be permanently set, e.g., an oven temperature. Furthermore, more or less complex operating modes and / or operating strategies can be executed or set for the respective supply item. For example, individual heating zones of an oven and / or stove can be switched on or off in a time-dependent manner depending on preparation recommendations for the respective supply item, e.g., a ready meal.

[0017] According to a further development, the identification device can be designed to identify the supply item based on an identification mark applied thereto. For example, optoelectronically readable text such as barcodes, bar codes, strip codes, or barcodes or the like can be applied to the outside of the supply item, which can be recognized by the identification device. Accordingly, the identification device can be designed, for example, as a barcode scanner or the like. Barcodes within the meaning of the invention include both one-dimensional or linear barcodes, i.e., in particular, barcodes, as well as two-dimensional versions or matrix codes, e.g., QR codes, etc.

[0018] According to a further development, the identification device can comprise a barcode reader. The identification device can thus be designed as a data acquisition device that can read and transmit various barcodes or the like. The barcode reader can be configured, for example, as a CCD scanner, laser scanner, or the like. Furthermore, barcode readers within the meaning of the invention also include camera scanners or imagers, i.e., devices that capture a barcode using a camera, in particular an optical one, and subsequently process the captured image using digital image processing to digitally capture the barcode.

[0019] According to the invention, the identification device is designed to identify the supply item based on object recognition. Thus, the identification device is designed for general object recognition to recognize individual products such as ready meals or beverages. For example, products located on a pre-packaged tray can be identified in this way.

[0020] According to the invention, the identification device comprises a camera. For example, the identification device can comprise an optical camera, with the aid of which the shapes, colors, etc. of objects and / or surfaces are detected and, based on this, a supply item is identified.

[0021] According to a further development, the identification device for identifying the supply item can be configured in the area of ​​a door and / or an access opening of the galley equipment. The supply item can thus be identified during or shortly before being introduced into the galley equipment. For example, a barcode reader and / or a camera can be mounted near a door of an oven, microwave, or refrigerator to identify the supply item before the start of the preparation process or before storage, and based on this, to determine the preparation strategy or storage strategy, including operating parameters.

[0022] According to a further development, the identification device can be configured to identify the supply item in an interior of the galley. Alternatively or in addition to identification in the area of ​​a door or access opening, the identification device can thus also detect the supply item within the galley. For example, a camera and / or one or more sensors can be configured within an oven, microwave, and / or refrigerator to identify a supply item placed in the respective appliance.

[0023] According to a further development, the system can further comprise a data memory in communicative connection with the control device. The data memory can be designed to store the operating parameters for predetermined supplies. The data memory can thus store specifications for different supplies, which determine how the respective supplies are to be prepared and / or stored. Different operating parameters, operating strategies and / or operating modes can be stored for each type of supply. The data memory can be provided locally in the galley. Alternatively or additionally, the data memory can also be queried via a data connection. In this case, the data memory can also be located outside the vehicle, e.g. it can be provided by an airline and / or a catering service provider.In addition, the data storage can be used to store data related to supplies. For example, inventory data from a galley can be managed and analyzed, e.g., to track the storage and / or preparation of supplies. This can be used, for example, to track a cold chain on board a vehicle and monitor compliance.

[0024] According to a further development, the control device can be communicatively connected to a cabin management system and / or a communication system of the vehicle. For example, the control device can be connected to a controller area network (CAN) of a cabin management system or the like, via which a connection to external catering service providers, airlines, etc., may also be possible.

[0025] According to a further development, the system can further comprise a galley display. The galley display can be designed to display the operating parameters and / or information on the identified supply item. The galley display can also be designed to display operating strategies or operating modes. In specific examples, the galley display can be designed as an electronic optical display with or without operating functions, e.g. as an LED, OLED, TFT or LCD screen or the like with or without backlighting and / or as a touchscreen, etc., which, in addition to outputting information, also enables input via a screen serving as a touchpad. The galley display can be used to monitor and / or control the galley. For this purpose, the galley display can be coupled to the control device.

[0026] The above embodiments and further developments can be combined with one another as desired, where appropriate. Further possible embodiments, further developments, and implementations of the invention also include combinations of features of the invention not explicitly mentioned above or described below with regard to the exemplary embodiments. In particular, those skilled in the art will also add individual aspects as improvements or additions to the respective basic form of the present invention.

[0027] The present invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the schematic figures. They show: Fig. 1 schematic view of a system for automatically adjusting operating parameters of an on-board galley facility depending on the supplies provided by an on-board catering system of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 schematic side sectional view of an on-board galley facility from the system of Fig. 1 ; and Fig. 3 schematic view of an aircraft with the system of Fig. 1 .

[0028] The accompanying figures are intended to provide a further understanding of embodiments of the invention. They illustrate embodiments and, in conjunction with the description, serve to explain principles and concepts of the invention. Other embodiments and many of the noted advantages will become apparent upon review of the drawings. Elements of the drawings are not necessarily shown to scale relative to one another.

[0029] In the figures of the drawing, identical, functionally identical and acting elements, features and components are provided with the same reference symbols, unless otherwise stated.

[0030] Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a system 1 for automatically adapting operating parameters of an on-board galley facility 4 as a function of provided supplies 5 of an on-board catering system of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0031] The system 1 is provided in a vehicle cabin 7 of an aircraft 100, in particular a passenger aircraft, as shown for example in Fig. 3 The system 1 comprises a galley 2, which is Fig. 1 purely by way of example, is divided into several galley monuments 14. Each of these galley monuments 14 has one or more drawers 15 designed to accommodate one or more service units 6.

[0032] A service unit refers, on the one hand, to service vehicles such as roll containers, i.e., trolleys, dining cars, or the like. However, the term service unit also encompasses general storage or transport devices for supplies and / or service products, such as containers, boxes (English: "standard units"), or the like. Furthermore, a tray or a corresponding transport device can also represent a service unit.

[0033] One of the galley monuments 14 (bottom left in galley 2 in Fig. 1 ) has a drawer 15 for accommodating a service unit 6, in this case a roll container. In the galley monument 14 to the right (bottom right in the galley in Fig. 1) a drawer 15 is designed for two roll containers, one of these two roll containers being in use at the time. Above these two galley monuments 14, a third galley monument 14 is arranged, which comprises three galley appliances 4 arranged side by side, e.g., ovens, microwaves, refrigerators, or similar. Such a galley appliance 4 is shown by way of example in Fig. 2 shown in a sectional side view. On top of this galley monument 14, another galley monument 14 is placed, which can accommodate standard units as service units 6 in individual compartments 15, e.g., food containers. The compartments 15 can, for example, have standardized dimensions for accommodating standardized containers, trolleys, or the like.

[0034] The upper galley monument 14 comprises an integrated galley display 12. The galley display 12 can, for example, be a screen with OLED or LCD technology or the like, wherein the galley display 12 can be touch-sensitive and designed as a touchscreen or touch display. Furthermore, the galley display 12 can be movably hinged to the galley monument 14. In this exemplary embodiment, the galley display 12 serves as a monitoring and / or operating device for the galley 2. For this purpose, the galley display 12 is connected to a control device 3, which is designed to control the galley 2 and the galley equipment 4 contained therein. The control device 3 is in turn connected on the one hand to a cabin management system 13, e.g., to a Controller Area Network (CAN) or the like, and on the other hand to a data storage device 10.The control device 3 may contain further components not shown, such as a microprocessor, etc.

[0035] The control device 3 can further be designed to provide inventory management data for the galley 2, which can be displayed via the galley display 12. The inventory management data can, on the one hand, comprise an inventory list for each of the service units 6, i.e., for example, also for roll containers in use. The inventory list can comprise a list of all supplies 5 or service products, e.g., food, drinks, etc., located in the respective service unit 6. On the other hand, the inventory management data can contain further data, such as, for example, catering data, passenger data and / or cabin data or the like. Catering data can, for example, be provided by a caterer 20 such as a catering service provider and can contain, among other things, information about the on-board catering delivered, i.e., which products are provided, to what extent, and in what form.Passenger data can be provided, for example, by an airline 19 and can contain, among other things, information about the passengers and which passengers have booked certain catering requests or options. The cabin data can be provided, for example, by the cabin management system 13 and can contain, among other things, information regarding the cabin configuration, e.g., a passenger seating plan, etc. For the purpose of obtaining this data, the control device 3 can be communicatively connected to the individual providers or data sources directly or indirectly via a data line or wireless connection 18. In the exemplary configuration of . Fig. 1 the control device 3 is connected to the cabin management system 13 via a data line and can also contact the airline 19 and the caterer 20 via a wireless network 18 provided for this purpose, e.g. retrieve or request data from databases.

[0036] Furthermore, the service units 6 can also communicate with the galley 2 via a wireless network 18, via which the inventory management data can be kept up to date at all times. Such a wireless connection can be implemented, for example, via a wireless local area network, e.g. a WLAN or similar. Various designs are conceivable for this. For example, a wireless network already present for other purposes in a passenger cabin can be used. On the other hand, the provision of a separate wireless network specifically for this purpose is conceivable. This can, in particular, be a secure network to which only persons or devices with appropriate security authentication are granted access, e.g. the on-board personnel of the vehicle and / or corresponding electronic devices that should / can only be operated by the on-board personnel.

[0037] Each of the galley facilities 4 is provided with an identification device 8 designed to identify a supply item 5 that is introduced into the galley facility 4. For this purpose, the identification devices 8 are mounted above a door 11 of the galley facility 4 in the example shown.

[0038] For example, supply item 5 can be shown as shown below left in Fig. 1The example shown is a pre-packed food tray with several prepared ready meals 16 or dishes, e.g., a main course and two side dishes. To identify the supply item 5, it can be provided with an identification mark 9, e.g., a barcode or the like, as shown. To read the identification mark 9 when it is introduced into the galley equipment 4, the identification device 8 can be designed as a barcode reader, e.g., a CCD scanner or a camera. In the example shown, the tray 5 has an identification mark 9.

[0039] Likewise, it can be provided that the products located on the trays 5 are directly identified, e.g., also using barcodes or the like applied to the products. According to the invention, the identification device 8 can also determine the external shape of the products and, on this basis, identify the products or the trays 5 by optically detecting the external shape based on object recognition algorithms that are based on object models of the products. The identification device 8 can be permanently integrated into the galley equipment 4. Alternatively, the identification device 8 can form a separate system.

[0040] Furthermore, in other embodiments, the identification device 8 can be configured in an interior 17 of the galley 4 in addition to identifying the supply item 5. For this purpose, one or more sensors or cameras of the identification device 8 can be arranged in the interior 17 of the galley 4.

[0041] The control device 3 is configured to provide operating parameters for the identified supply item 5 and to operate the galley equipment 4 according to the operating parameters. Such operating parameters may include, for example, a preparation temperature and / or a preparation time (in the case of an oven or a microwave), a storage temperature and / or a storage time (e.g., for a refrigerated compartment), humidity, air pressure, air circulation, etc. Furthermore, the control device 3 may provide operating strategies and / or operating modes for the identified supply item 5 that specify a change in the operating parameters as a function of time.

[0042] The operation of the galley equipment 4, e.g., an oven, can thus be automatically adjusted via the control device 3 to the contents of the supply item 5, e.g., a meal tray with one or more ready meals 16. For example, an oven temperature can be automatically set in an optimized manner for each meal. Furthermore, a preparation time, air flow, air pressure, steam content in the galley equipment 4, or the like can be controlled. In the case of a refrigerator, for example, the cooling temperature can be controlled to prevent the products from freezing.

[0043] The optimal operating parameters and operating strategies for meal preparation can be stored in the data memory 10 so that they can be accessed during the process. Furthermore, this data, along with additional information about the identified supply item 5, can be displayed on the galley display 12. If necessary, adjustment of the data by the flight crew may also be possible or necessary under special circumstances.

[0044] The system 1 can be optimized for various applications, such as optimized meal quality, optimized meal availability based on crew tasks, or optimized energy consumption (with comprehensive energy management). The identification devices 8 can be part of the galley equipment 4 or provided as an add-on solution.

[0045] System 1 thus allows, to a certain extent, automated self-adjustment of the galley equipment 4 according to the specifications of the respective supplies 5. The identification process and subsequent control can be fully automated. For example, the system can be automatically initialized by opening a door 11 of a galley equipment 4, whereby an inserted supply 5 is then automatically identified. Alternatively, manual initialization can of course also be provided. The process can be monitored, and after its completion, the process information can be saved for further optimization.

[0046] Some of the key benefits of the described inventory management for in-flight catering can be summarized as follows: It ensures that meals are prepared optimally and efficiently at all times. It also ensures that supplies are stored appropriately. At the same time, the burden on cabin crew is reduced and errors are avoided. The organization, efficiency, and clarity of the galley are optimized.

[0047] In the foregoing detailed description, various features have been combined into one or more examples for clarity of illustration. It should be understood, however, that the above description is merely illustrative and not restrictive in nature. It is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents of the various features and embodiments. Many other examples will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art based on their skill in the art in light of the above description.

[0048] The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best illustrate the principles underlying the invention and their possible practical applications. This will enable those skilled in the art to optimally modify and utilize the invention and its various embodiments with respect to the intended purpose. In the claims and the description, the terms "including" and "having" are used as neutral language terms for the corresponding term "comprising." Furthermore, the use of the terms "a," "an," and "an" is not intended to exclude a plurality of such described features and components. List of reference symbols

[0049] 1System 2Galley 3Control device 4Galley equipment 5Supplies 6Service unit 7Vehicle cabin 8Identification device 9License plate 10Data storage device 11Door 12Galley display 13Cabin management system 14Galley monument 15Slot compartment 16Ready meal 17Interior 18, 18'Wireless data connection 19Airline 20Caterer 100Aircraft

Claims

1. Vehicle, in particular aircraft (100), having a system (1) for automatically adapting operating parameters of a galley device (4) of the vehicle on the basis of provided supply items (5) for on-board catering for the vehicle, containing: a galley device (4) that has an identification device (8) that is designed to identify a supply item (5); and a control device (3) for controlling the galley device (4), wherein the control device (3) is designed to provide operating parameters for the identified supply item (5) and to operate the galley device (4) in accordance with the operating parameters; wherein the galley device (4) comprises at least one of an oven, a microwave and a cooling device, wherein preparation and / or storage is adapted to the identified supply item (5); characterized in that the identification device (8) has a camera and is designed to identify the supply item (5) using object recognition.

2. Vehicle according to Claim 1, wherein the operating parameters are selected from the group comprising preparation temperature, storage temperature, preparation time, storage time, humidity, air pressure and air circulation.

3. Vehicle according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the control device (3) is designed to provide an operating strategy for the identified supply item (5) that specifies a change in the operating parameters as a function of time, and to operate the galley device (4) in accordance with the operating strategy.

4. Vehicle according to one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the identification device (8) is designed to identify the supply item (5) on the basis of an identifier (9) attached thereto.

5. Vehicle according to one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the identification device (8) has a barcode reader.

6. Vehicle according to one of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the identification device (8) is designed to identify the supply item (5) in the region of a door (16) and / or an access opening of the galley device (4).

7. Vehicle according to one of Claims 1 to 6, wherein the identification device (8) is designed to identify the supply item (5) in an interior (17) of the galley device (4) .

8. Vehicle according to one of Claims 1 to 7, furthermore containing: a data memory (10) connected in terms of communication to the control device (3), wherein the data memory (10) is designed to store the operating parameters for specified supply items (5).

9. Vehicle according to one of Claims 1 to 8, wherein the control device (3) is connected in terms of communication to a cabin management system (13) and / or a communication system of the vehicle.

10. Vehicle according to one of Claims 1 to 9, furthermore containing: a galley display (12) that is designed to display the operating parameters and / or information about the identified supply item (5).