Pan detection and management system and methods of using same

Abstract

A food product holding system, components associated therewith, and a method of using the same. The food holding system includes a food product holding unit with a housing that defines at least one food holding space. One or more detectors (e.g., switches, weight detectors, video devices, or audio devices) are provided on or near the food holding unit to detect the presence and / or a condition of a container to be held in at least one food holding space, or food contained therein.

Description

PAN DETECTION AND MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND METHODS OF USING SAMECROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS|0001 | This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Nos. 63 / 643,803, 63 / 643,806, 63 / 643,814, 63 / 643,817, and 63 / 643,818, each filed May 7, 2024, the entirety of each being hereby incorporated by reference.FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure generally relates to food management and more particularly to systems, apparatus, and methods for managing food carriers in food preparation establishments such as restaurants, including quick service restaurants.BACKGROUND

[0003] Many types of food holding units (e.g., for temporarily storing food for commercial food preparation and service) are configured to carry one or more containers (e.g., pans, trays, etc.) which may be used to transport food items through various stages of food preparation and serving. Many types of containers have an open top and may have a lid for covering the open top for storing items therein. Many types of containers have one or more handles to provide for ease of loading / unloading relative to food holding units and / or for convenient transportation, for example. It may be desirable to store food in one or more such containers before preparing, serving, and / or consuming the food. Speed of service may be improved by using a system to coordinate the management of food preparation, e.g., by regulating the timing and manner in which food is placed in and taken out of the food holding units. Some systems for food management for commercial food preparation are known. For example, certain systems are disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 7,232,062, 7,258,064, and 7,953,632 and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2023 / 0168798, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties. Certain types of food holding units are disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2022 / 0233023, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.SUMMARY

[0004] In one aspect, a food holding unit for holding food in a condition suitable for serving for consumption comprises a housing including a base and a side wall extending upward from the base. The housing defines a first food holding location sized and shaped for holding a first food container. The food holding location includes a front opening, rear opening, and space therebetween. The food holding unit further comprises a food conditioning device supported by the housing and configured to condition food in the first food holding location. The food holding unit further comprises a food container detector system comprising a food container detection signal emitter supported by the housing. The food container detection signal emitter is configured to emit a food container detection signal into the food holding location to detect presence of the first food container.

[0005] Other objects and features of the present disclosure will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS[ 0006 j Fig. 1 is a schematic of a food management system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;[ 0007 j Fig. 2 is a front perspective of a pan storage apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0008] Fig. 3 is a rear perspective of the pan storage apparatus;

[0009] Fig. 4 is a perspective of a pan for use with the pan storage apparatus;

[0010] Fig. 5 is a perspective of the pan storage apparatus with pans removed therefrom;

[0011] Fig. 6 is a front view of an upper wall assembly of the pan storage apparatus supporting pan covers in an arrangement to cover pans of different sizes;

[0012] Fig. 7 is a schematic of a food management control system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0013] Fig. 8 is a schematic of various modules contributing to the control system;

[0014] Fig. 9 is a schematic of a product holding apparatus of the present disclosure including multiple food holding units each having a plurality of food holding locations;

[0015] Fig. 10 is a schematic of a food container detector system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0016] Figs. 11 A- 1 IB are schematic representations of a food management control system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0017] Figs. 12A-12B are schematic representations of a food management control system according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0018] Figs. 13A-13B are schematic representations of a food management control system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0019] Figs. 14A-14B are schematic representations of a food management control system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0020] Fig. 15 is a schematic of a food container detector system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0021] Figs. 16A-16B are schematic representations of a food management control system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0022] Fig. 17 is a schematic of a food container detector system used with the food management control system of Figs. 16A-16B;[0023 j Figs. 18-19 are schematic representations of a food management control system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0024] Fig. 20 is a schematic of a food container detector and tracking system used with the food management control system of Figs. 18-19;

[0025] Figs. 21 A-21 B are schematic representations of a user interface display used with a food management control system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0026] Fig. 22 is a schematic of the food management control system used in connection with the user interface of Figs. 21 A-21 B;

[0027] Fig. 23 is a schematic of a food container detector and tracking system used with the food management control system of Figs. 18-19;

[0028] Fig. 24 is a schematic representation of a food management control system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0029] Fig. 25 is a schematic of a food container detector system used with the food management control system of Fig. 24;

[0030] Figs. 26-28 are schematic representations of food management correspondence indicator systems according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0031] Fig. 29 is a schematic of a correspondence indicator system used with the food management control systems of Figs. 26-28.

[0032] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] Referring to the drawings, Fig. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a food management system according to the present disclosure, indicated generally by the reference number 1. The system 1 may be used in various types of food preparation establishments, such as restaurants, including quick service or "fast food” restaurants. The system 1 can be used for forecasting or predicting food that will be ordered in the future, preparing food, monitoring food preparation and food inventory, providing indications and instructions regarding food preparation and food inventory, and so forth. The system 1 may include food preparation apparatus 2 and control apparatus 4. The food preparation apparatus 2 may include various food cooking devices 6 such as ovens 10, fryers 12, microwaves 14, and grills 16. The food preparation apparatus 2 may also include food holding apparatus 20 such as one or more food holding units 22 for holding cooked food in a condition suitable for serving. The control apparatus 4 may include various devices such as point-of-sale devices 24, local computers 26, remote computers 28, tablets 30, hand-held computing devices 32 (e.g., smart telephone), etc. The control apparatus 4 may be operatively connected with each other via a wired and / or wireless network 34 or other means. The control apparatus 4 may also be operatively connected with the food preparation apparatus 2 for sending and / or receiving signals therefrom. Aspects of food management systems are disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 7,232,062 and 7,258,064 and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2023 / 1068798, incorporated by reference above. It will be understood the food management system 1 of the present disclosure may include any of the aspects disclosed therein.|0034| An aspect of the present disclosure relates to the food holding apparatus 20. In one example, the food holding apparatus 20 may include one or more food holding units 22 adapted for holding food at a suitable temperature (e.g., cool temperature, ambient temperature, and / or warm temperature). Such food holding units 22 may include one or more locations 36 (e.g., compaitments or wells) in which food may be received and held (e.g., in a container suchas a pan). For example, as can be seen in Fig. 9, the food holding units 22 may include holding locations 36 (which may correspond, for example, to the locations 223 shown in Fig. 5) adapted for holding cooked food in a warm condition suitable for serving. Examples of food holding units of this type are disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 6,541,739, 7,105,779, and 7,328,654, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties, and U.S. Patent Nos. 7,232,062 and 7,258,064 and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2022 / 0233023, incorporated by reference above. In another example, the holding apparatus 20 may include holding units 22 in the form of tables, countertops, shelves, cabinets, housings, refrigerators, freezers, other support structures or surfaces, or any combination thereof suitable for supporting food at holding locations. The holding locations may or may not include particular structure forming a compartment or well. For example, two holding locations may be adjacent portions of a generally flat support surface. The holding locations may be configured for holding the food in a warmed, refrigerated, ambient, or other environment. The holding units may include operational equipment to create such environments, such as a heating plate or a cooler. Depending on the needs of a particular quick service restaurant, one or more holding units 22 may be used, and / or each holding unit may be divided into multiple discrete holding locations, e.g., in a linear array. It will be understood that food held at holding locations of the food holding apparatus 20 may be held in a container, such as a pan, bag, box, or package, or may be placed uncontained or unpackaged at the holding location. Examples of a container and a food holding apparatus are described below in connection with Figs. 2-6.[0035 | With reference now to Figs. 2 and 3, a pan storage apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is generally indicated by the reference number 200. It will be appreciated that the pan storage apparatus is one example of a food holding unit 20 as described herein. For example and without limitation, the pan storage apparatus 200 may be used in the food service industry for food storage, such as for storing food in one or more pans 212 (Fig. 4) in an ambient, cool, or warm temperature environment. As will become apparent, contents stored in a pan 212 in the pan storage apparatus 200 can be accessed by pulling the pan forward (e.g., outward) from a stowed position to expose an open top of the pan and its contents therein, and the pan can be pushed rearward (e.g., inward) to return the pan to its stowed position, or the pan can be removed from the pan storage apparatus. It will be understood thepan storage apparatus 200 may be used in other ways and for other purposes without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0036] The pan storage apparatus 200 includes a housing or cabinet 220. The housing 220 includes a bottom wall (or "base"), an upper (or top) wall, and at least left and right wall walls extending from the bottom wall to define an interior of the housing. The housing 220 includes an upper compartment and a lower compartment, each defining a pan storage space 222 (broadly a "food holding location"). It will be appreciated that each pan storage space 222 may include one or more (e.g., three or four) discrete holding locations 36. Each pan storage space 222 is sized and shaped to receive at least one pan 212 (broadly, a food container) and more desirably a plurality of pans (food containers), and to allow pans to extend into the front and / or rear openings or be located inboard of the front and / or rear openings. In Figs. 2 and 3, four pans 212 are shown received in each of the respective pan storage spaces 222. Both of the compartments (e.g., pan storage spaces 222) have an open front and an open back permitting the pans 212 to be inserted in and accessed from either the front or back of the housing. Accordingly, the pan storage space 222 has a front pan receiving opening (or "entrance") (Fig. 2) configured to permit the pans 212 to be inserted into and removed from the pan storage space. Likewise, the pan storage space 222 has a rear pan receiving opening (or "exit") (Fig. 3) spaced apart from the front pan receiving opening and configured to permit the pans 212 to be inserted into and removed from the pan storage space. Other configurations and arrangements (e.g., permitting access from the front only) may be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Further, it will be appreciated that a pan storage space may be considered to extend outside the front and / or back openings, e.g., when portions of a container protrude when the container is fully oriented. The bottom wall defines a pan support surface configured to support the pan 212 when the pan is in the pan storage space 222. The pan support surface is generally horizontal (e.g., lies in a generally horizontal plane). It will be understood that compartments having other configurations can be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0037] As best shown in Fig. 5, in which the pans 212 are removed from the pan storage apparatus 200, a network of location detectors 110A, HOB (or, more generally, a plurality thereof) are disposed within the pan storage spaces 222. For example, each portion of the pan storage space 222 which can carry a pan 212 includes a first location detector 110A located nearthe front of the housing 220 and a second location detector 1 1 OB. The location detectors 110A and 11 OB are generally understood as sensors and are configured to communicate with the control system 40 of the system 1 , which is described in greater detail below in connection with Figs. 7-9. In particular, each pair of the location detectors 110A and HOB in the present example are mechanical switches which may be located to be actuated directly by contact with a respective food pan 212 (e.g., due to the weight of the food pan) or indirectly (e.g., a food pan support such as a heat plate that supports the food pan in the pan storage space 222). For example, if, for a single food holding location, both location detectors are detected to be closed (or in contact with a pan), such as in Figs. 7-8, the control system 40 described herein is configured to generate and track data indicating that the pan is properly seated / oriented in its respective holding location. Similarly, if one switch is not actuated or detects an uncharacteristic position, the control system 40 may be configured to generate an event to notify the user (e.g., an alarm, a notification, a timer, etc.). Thus, the location detectors 110A and HOB can be used to detect both a location and one or more status parameters associated with a pan 212 carried in the pan storage space 222 (e.g., whether the pan is partially inserted and / or whether the pan is misaligned - more broadly, misorientation statuses). Thus, it will be appreciated that the control system 40 (or a portion thereof) is broadly configured to function as a food container detection system.[0038| It wil l be appreciated that each pan storage space 222 may include a pan cover (e.g., a covers 230) that is supported to overlie (e.g., cover) an open top of a respective pan 212 at the pan storage space 222. For example, a pan storage apparatus with a cover support structure for supporting one or more covers is disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2022 / 0233023, incorporated by reference above (e.g., with the assistance of retainers 62 and flaps 64). In some instances, it may be desirable for the cover 230 to seal the top opening of such a pan to maintain moisture therein. If a pan 212 is properly installed (e.g., front-to-back, and left-to right) in a pan storage space 222, the cover should automatically be capable of properly sealing the open top of the pan. It will therefore be appreciated that the location detectors 110A, 110B can be used to ensure proper orientation (e.g., positioning and alignment) with respect to automated covering systems. In further instances, the network of location detectors 110A and 110B can be used to detect when a large pan (e.g., a double- width pan) is inserted in a pan storage space 222 to occupy multiple food holding locations. Of course, thelocation detectors 110A, 11 OB can be used for other purposes, e.g., detecting orientation for optimal heating (e.g., alignment with overhead heating and / or below-pan heating), storage capacity (such as a maximum weight) or to ensure other food preparation conditions which depend on accurate positioning.

[0039] An example is shown in Fig. 6, in which a broad pan 212C is inserted in a double- width food holding location 223B (right) while two single-width pans 212A are inserted in single-width food holding locations 223A (left), while all switches 110A / 110B are actuated. As shown, an upper wall assembly 226 includes several dividers or partitions 242, which define several subspaces 36A, 36B in which discrete pans of varying size increments may be carried (e.g., single-width or double-width). Likewise, covers 23OA, 230Ai, and 230As may be dimensioned and positioned so the differently sized pans are fully covered. In this instance, the control system 40 includes instructions that, when executed by the controller 42, may indicate that a single pan 212C has been loaded into two adjacent food holding locations, e.g., because adjacent location detectors 1 10A and adjacent location detectors HOB are actuated approximately simultaneously. Corresponding location and status parameters can be stored and processed by the control system 40. In this manner, the control system (and'or portions thereof) can broadly function as a food container detection system for Although the location detectors 110A and 1 10B are shown and described as mechanical switches in the present example, it will be appreciated that other types of sensors, such as weight sensors, pressure sensors, presence sensors, optical sensors (e.g., beams and corresponding photosensitive sensors), sonic sensors, and / or other types of sensors, further examples of which are shown schematically in connection with Figs. 5, 11 A-14B, 16A-16B, 18-19, and 24. Further, although the pan storage apparatus 200 is shown with a pair of location detectors 110A, 1 10B for each pan storage space 222, it will be appreciated that other numbers of detectors (e.g., one or more than two) may be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0040] A control system 40 (e.g., "food management control system" or "quick service food management control system") associated with the holding apparatus 20 is shown schematically in Fig. 7. Components of the control system 40 may be part of the holding apparatus 20 and / or other apparatus of the system 1 , such as the point-of-sale device 24, local computer 26, remote computer 28, tablet 30, hand-held mobile computer 32, etc. The control system 40 includes a controller 42 (e.g., central processing unit or "CPU" or broadly "foodmanagement controller") including one or more processors, a tangible storage medium 44 (e.g., including forms of storage such as software 44 A and firmware 44B), and a user interface 46. The tangible storage medium 44 may include at least one memory device, and information may be stored in the tangible storage medium (e.g., on at least one memory device) in one or more modifiable data structures. The controller 42 may be a microprocessor or the like. The control system 40 includes interconnection electronics 48 that operatively connect the various components of the control system 40 and may connect the control system via a communications interface 50 with other control apparatus 4 and / or food preparation apparatus 2. For example, the interconnection electronics 48 may include electrical or fiber optic lines or wireless communication devices. The communications interface 48 may include wired or wireless communications devices or connectors (e.g., USB flash drive port, other types of data ports, modems, wireless signal transmitters / receivers, etc.). The controller 42 is adapted for reading and executing processor executable instructions stored in the storage medium 44, and the controller is responsive to the user interface 46, for controlling the various components and systems of the control system 40. A user can enter or modify instructions stored on the storage medium 44 via the user interface 46 and / or via a communications interface 50.|0041 J A schematic diagram that illustrates several functional subsystems (generally, "modules") of the control system 40 is shown in Fig. 8. In particular, the control system 40 includes a location tracking module 402, a condition tracking module 404, an event cue module 406, an indicator module 408, and an adaptive learning module 410, which communicate to carry out the processes described herein. The modules 402, 404, 406, 408, 410 may be controlled directly by CPU 42 or may additionally be distributed across a plurality of devices that communicate with the CPU 42 and / or the interconnections electronics 48 for the intended execution. In general, the control system 40 is configured to process instructions from a non- transitory storage medium which, in conjunction with data from sensors 110, keep track of the location and condition of food from the beginning to the final stages of a food preparation process, provide compliance data events (or cues) to employees when threshold conditions are met that require the handling of containers or the food therein.|0042] The location tracking module 402 is operatively connected to the sensors 110 housed in each food holding unit 22, the event cue module 406, and the adaptive learning module 410. In the examples described herein, the location tracking module 402 is configured to processsignal data from the sensors 1 10, which can be used to update one or more container tracking data structures to record one ore more location parameters (e.g., a current pan location, whether the pan is folly inserted in the food holding location, whether the pan is aligned / oriented, and, where applicable, a size - e.g., a single- width pan or a double- width pan) of each container that is inserted and / or removed from any of the food holding locations 36. The condition tracking module 404 is coupled to the same or different sensors 110 in each food holding unit 22, the event cue module 406, and the adaptive learning module 410. The condition tracking module 404 is configured to process signal data from the sensors 1 10 which can be used to update the one or more container tracking data structures to record one or more status parameters (e.g., a preparation status, a food quantity, etc.) associated with the pan. It will be appreciated that the sensors 110 used for container tracking data structures can be common for both the location parameters and the status parameters, for example, if a camera is used to provide data that can be processed to determine both an orientation of the pan and the contents of the pan, or if weight sensors are used to detect both the presence of a pan and the weight of food in the same pan. The event cue module 406 is connected to the location tracking module 402, the condition tracking module 404, the indicator module 408, and the adaptive learning module 410. The event cue module processes the location parameters and status parameters and weighs these parameters with other data stored in memory to generate compliance events for employees to act on, which generally indicate specific actions to take with respect to particular food holding locations (e.g., inserting or removing pans), as will be described in several examples below. The indicator module 408 is connected to the event cue module 406 and indicators such as a display of the user interface 46, location displays 80 located on each holding unit 22, speakers, remote mobile devices, and other alarms, notification systems, etc. Likewise, the indicator module may send a signal to the operational equipment 70 for the food holding apparatus. The indicator module 408 communicates with these indicators as the event cue module generates compliance events requiring employee attention. The adaptive learning module 410 is connected to the other modules 402, 404, 406, and 408 to a database 412 in which a historical archive of pan tracking data structures can be stored and referenced, e.g., for optimizing the execution of forecasts and the sequencing of other prescribed food preparation sequences, and / or to collect feedback to provide to employees and / or their managers identifying where improvement, higher efficiency, and / or higher accuracy is desired during food preparation and food storage processes.

[0043] The user interface 46 may include a touch screen display that includes a screen for displaying various views to the employees and is sensitive to the touch of the employees for receiving input signals from the employees by user engagements with the touch screen (e.g., via finger "taps," "swipes," or "sustained presses"). Alternatively or in addition, the user interface 46 may include a display not sensitive to touch of a user. The user interface 46 may also include other input / output devices such as a keyboard and / or various types of audio / visual devices, such as a timer bar including buttons on the food holding apparatus. Other types of user interfaces may be used without departing from the present disclosure. The user interface 46 provides command signals via the interconnection electronics 48 to the controller 42. The command signals can include changes to the parameters (e.g., food preparation or inventory parameters, etc.) stored in the tangible storage medium 44. The controller 42 responds to the command signals and provides information (e.g., food status indications) and / or instructions via the interconnection electronics 48 to the user interface 46 to be communicated to the employees.

[0044] The user interface 46 is associated with the food holding apparatus 20 for monitoring food preparation and inventory (e.g., uncooked and / or cooked food inventory) and providing associated information and instructions to employees. For example, the user interface 46 may be part of the point-of-sale device 24, local computer 26, remote computer 28, tablet 30, and / or hand-held computing devices 32, etc. At least one user interface 46 is desirably positioned proximate the food holding apparatus 20 (e.g., on or near the food holding apparatus 20) for reference by employees using the food holding apparatus. For example, in one embodiment, the user interface 46 is integrated with the tablet 30 and is mounted or otherwise supported next to the food holding apparatus 20. Alternatively, the user interface 46 may be part of the food holding apparatus 20 (e.g., the pan storage apparatus 200). For example, the food holding unit 22 may include multiple touch screen displays (e.g., arranged in an array on the holding unit) associated with and positioned proximate to respective individual or groups of holding locations 36, or the food holding unit 22 may include a global touch screen display associated with all of the holding locations. Suitable devices such as the computer 28, tablet 30, hand-held computing devices 32, the food holding unit 22, and / or sound peripherals used in connection therewith may additionally or in the alternative provide sound indications (e.g., tones or alarms) for related reference by employees using the food holding apparatus.

[0045] The user interface 46 (e.g., a touch screen display) may provide information to the employees and receive information from the employees regarding many aspects of food preparation and inventory, some of which will be understood by reference to the patent documents incorporated by reference herein. The touch screen display may indicate to employees amounts and types of food to be cooked based on forecasted and / or recent orders. In addition, the touch screen display may indicate to employees a status of food being held in the food holding apparatus 20 (e.g., whether the food is suitable for being served, whether its hold time has expired, etc.).

[0046] It will be understood that the control system 40 may forecast or predict food expected to be ordered in predetermined time increments (e.g., in time increments of 10, 15, 20, 30, 45, or 60 minutes), and the food needed to be cooked (demand) to meet upcoming time increments may be shown on the cook list section. Various calculations or algorithms may be used to predict the food needed to meet future orders. Examples of some forecasting calculations are disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 7,232,062 and 7,953,632. The forecasting may be based on historical data (e.g., sales in dollars and / or food amounts) generated by the point-of-sale device 24, recent trends in sales or demand for food types (e.g., as determined by signals from the point- of-sale device, such as recent customer orders), and other parameters or special factors (e.g., weather, local sporting events). Suitable forecasts and / or predictions may correspond to different cooking devices including the fryers 12, ovens 10, and grills 16. It will be understood that other types of food preparation apparatus (such as the microwave 14, etc.) may be relevant to the forecasts and / or predictions based on the apparatus needed for preparing food at the relevant time of the day (e.g., close to closing time). Moreover, one forecast may include food types to be prepared by different food preparation devices without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The forecasts may be recorded and stored on the tangible storage medium 44 (e.g., in a data structure therein) and are modifiable by the controller 42.

[0047] It will additionally be appreciated that food may be stored in the food holding apparatus 20 (e.g., food may be held in a container and stored in the food holding apparatus 20 after cooking and / or other preparation, such as thawing, cutting, assembling, and / or portioning) at various stages until, for example, it is served to a customer or discarded as waste. Inventory of food held in the food holding apparatus 20 may be monitored by the control system 40, and indications of the status of the holding locations 36 (e.g., status of food held at the holdinglocations) may be shown via the user interface 46. The control system 40 can process data indicating the status of food holding locations 36 in various circumstances, which may be represented externally by various status indicia, such as "no food present," "food present," "food suitable for serving," "food to be served first," "food to be served second," or "food expired or to be discarded" status indicators. As will be described in greater detail below, the control system 40 can also process data from various detectors (e.g., sensors 110) in connection with forecasts and status data to provide action cues (broadly "compliance events") which prompt specific action by one or more employees tasked with preparing, storing, and or serving the food. In this manner, the control system 40 provides real-time tracking and feedback associated with the food to be stored in the food holding apparatus 20 and other devices in the system 1. Further details about the statuses detected by the control system 40 and the responses that are output from the control system 40 are described with respect to various examples in greater detail below.

[0048] Referring again to Fig. 2, as one example of a visual indicator subsystem used with the food holding apparatus 200, an array of holding location displays 80 is provided on the food holding apparatus 200 that represent respective holding locations 36 of the food holding apparatus 20. It will be appreciated that information associated with the respective holding locations and the food stored (or not stored) therein is displayed. Although the holding location displays 80 are represented as physically discrete elements in this example, it will be appreciated that alternative holding location displays can constitute discrete sections of a single display (e.g., a screen) without departing from the scope of the disclosure. The holding location displays 80 are arranged in an array (e.g., including columns and / or rows) corresponding to a visual representation of an arrangement of the food holding locations 36, and the holding location displays are positioned in the array corresponding to the position of the respective holding locations in the arrangement. The status of the respective locations 36 may be shown by status indicators such as symbols, color, outlining, bolding, flashing, text, numbers, graphics or other visual indicators. In the illustrated embodiment, the locations 36 that are inactive are indicated by a generally blank holding location display 80, e.g., a dim or gray appearance of the holding location display. The holding locations 36 that are active are indicated at least by an indicator 80A indicating a status parameter of the holding location. For example, a status parameter could represent a prompt to an employee or operator to adjust (e.g., straighten or properly register) a misoriented container or to discard a container that is no longer being tracked. Among the activeholding locations 36, the holding locations in which no food is held may be indicated by displaying a different shade or color (e.g., a blue shading) of the indicator 80A or by providing a different indication (e.g., by not displaying a particular symbol, text, or countdown timer). The holding locations 36 in which food is held can be indicated by a lighter or brighter (e.g., illuminated / white / solid color) appearance, a displayed hold time indicator (e.g., countdown timer), and / or a food amount indicator (e.g., a number representative of the amount of food held at the location 36). When the control system 40 determines action is needed at a specific holding location 36 (e.g., storage, removal, realignment, etc. - broadly, orientation actions), the corresponding indicator 80A (or another indicator) may activate to indicate to an employee to take appropriate action. For example, the indicator 80 A corresponding to a particular food holding location 36 may generate a purple light when the control system 40 determines a pan should be moved to this location. Likewise, the indicator 80A may flash red when the control system 40 determines a pan should be disposed of, for example when a pan is detected but can no longer be tracked. Of course, other kinds of indicators may be used in varying combinations without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. As a further example, one or more indicators can be used to designate a first-in-first-out ("FIFO") serving convention, as discussed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2023 / 1068798, incorporated by reference above, in which green, yellow, and red display coloring indicates to employees an order in which to serve from. The processor 42 is responsive to instructions in the tangible storage medium 44 and user input from the user interface 46 for displaying, updating, and changing the indicators on the holding location displays 80.

[0049] Although the holding location displays 80 are illustrated as lights on the food holding apparatus 20, it will be appreciated that other configurations can be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the holding location displays 80 could be unconnected or separate from each other, or together on a remote array or display (e.g., on one or more touch screen displays). Remote and / or separate holding location displays could still be arranged in an array corresponding to the holding locations. For example, the holding location displays 80 could be positioned on the holding apparatus 20 in such an array (e.g., next to the respective holding locations 36).

[0050] While some indicators may indicate numbers of food items, countdown times, and / or holding times, it will be understood other types of food amount indicators may be usedwithout departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, it may be desirable to indicate amount of food by weight, volume, percentage (e.g., percentage of an amount), or other measures, any of which may be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Additionally, as disclosed in greater detail herein, indicators may be used to communicate compliance events to employees handling the food, such as indicating when a container should be moved from one food holding location to another, and which container should be moved where.

[0051] In one aspect of the present disclosure, employees may be trained to load containers into and either unload the containers or serve food from designated "primary" or "serving" locations 36 of the holding apparatus 20. In some aspects, the system 1 may be configured to train the employees to transfer containers to and from these designated primary locations 36, and to maintain the food in the containers in the primary locations or other locations, for ease of use and efficiency. For example, when the primary holding location is not holding food, the system 1 may generate one or more events to direct employees to transfer non- expired food of one type held in other locations 36 to the primary location corresponding to that food type, place new food at the primary location instead of a different location for that food type, or to attend to other food of the same type not stored at the primary location. Alternatively, if the data stored and processed by the system 1 loses track of the location of status of food held in one container, the system may include instructions stored in memory that, when executed by the controller 42, alerts the user to remove and inspect and / or dispose of any food stored in a primary food holding location. The primary locations 36 may be stored in the memory of the control system 40 and may dictate where certain events (e.g., the activation of indicators 80 to direct employee activity).

[0052] To assist a user in placing food at a primary holding location, if the user attempts to enter food at a non-primary holding location (e.g., via user input), and the primary location is not holding food, the controller 42 may prompt the user (e.g., with an appropriate event such as an alarm or prompt window on a display) to move a container into the primary holding location from (or rather than) the non-primary holding location. The primary locations 36 may be indicated in other ways, such as by other symbols (e.g., stars, asterisks, etc.), graphics, text, color, outlining, bolding, highlighting, etc., or be located in different designated positions, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The primary location 36 may be pre-determined and stored in the tangible storage medium 44 (e.g., in a data structure stored by the tangible storage medium). The primary locations 36 may be programmed and re -programmed (e.g., using the user interface 46) according to preference, convenience, and / or forecasts.|0053] As an example, the control system 40 includes at least one sensor 110 used for initiating a transfer. As shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 5, sensors 110 (e.g., location detectors 110A, HOB) may be provided on the food holding apparatus 20 at respective food holding locations 36. As indicated above, the sensors 110 may be adapted for sensing and thereby detecting whether food is present at the holding locations 36. As indicated above, various types of sensors 110 may be used, such as weight sensors, pressure sensors, presence sensors, optical sensors, sonic sensors, or other types of sensors. For example, if the primary holding location for a particular type of food is indicated on its holding location display 80 as not holding food, and a sensor 110 associated with a holding location 36 indicated as holding food of the same type signals the control system 40 that a container holding the food has been removed from that holding location, the control system may automatically initiate or execute a default transfer, by transferring the data associated with the container from a data set associated with the prior holding location to a data set associated with the new holding location. For example, the control system 40 (or a portion thereof, such as the location tracking module) may be configured to execute instructions stored in the tangible storage medium 44 that allow the control system to infer that the employee has removed the food from the non-primary holding location 36 and will transfer (or has transferred) the food to the primary holding location from which the food will be served. Moreover, if a sensor 110 in the default destination holding location (e.g., primary holding location) signals the controller 42 that there is no food present in that location, and the controller may execute instructions stored in the tangible storage medium 44 for initiating or executing a default transfer of food held in another holding location to the default destination holding location. For example, when the primary (default destination) holding location for a particular food type becomes empty, and food of that type is being held in another holding location, the controller 42 may provide a prompt or alert to the user, or provide a suggestion to the user which they may accept or decline via user input, to transfer the food to the default destination holding location (e.g., upon the user accepting via user input).

[0054] Referring again to Fig. 9, it will be appreciated that the control system 40 can be used to transmit indicator signals to the user interface 46 and'or the indicators 80 correspondingto individual holding locations 22. Likewise, signals can be sent to operational equipment 70 to activate heaters, coolers, or other features that facilitate food preparation at each food holding location.|0055] Referring again to Figs. 2-3, and 5, it will be appreciated that detectors, such as the mechanical switches 110A, 110B, can be positioned to be actuated by food pans directly or indirectly. In one example, if a food location is not actively running a timer, the state change of both switches from open to closed would cause the system to infer a “pan active” timer start event (broadly, a first state change event). If both (or, more generally, all) switches are detected as being open, the control system 40 can infer that a pan transfer event (or second state change event) could be occurring (e.g., pan removed from holding location), and offer this detection based event (e.g., an alert to an operator for confirmation and / or a manual override). If the control system detects that a single switch is open, it can infer a “pan open” event (or third state change event), such as where a pan is pulled partially out of its holding location, where the control system can start an additional timer to detect the amount of time that a pan has been left in this state. If the control system calcul ates that a “pan open” event continues for longer than a threshold duration (broadly a threshold status criterion), it can create a “pan open alarm event” (broadly, a status alert event) to alert an operator. Alerts as contemplated herein can be provided via audio and / or visual alerts, such as by an audible alarm and / or by an alarm shown on a user interface (e.g., flashing lights, indicator(s), etc.). It is contemplated that the control system 40 can create other status alert events based on other threshold parameters associated with other state change events, for example an “inactivity alarm” event if a threshold loading time has passed without the mechanical switches of a holding location detecting placement of a pan (e.g., following completion of a cooking process at an oven, fryer, or other food cooking device).

[0056] In a further aspect, if, for a single food holding location, the forward and rearward mechanical switches are detected to be closed, the control system 40 can process data from the detectors and infer that a pan is properly seated (e.g., with respect to heating elements) in the desired position at this location. The control system 40 can then provide an event to signal this state (broadly, a state signal event). For example, a status signal event could be the transmission of a notification message to a remote user interface (e.g., a visual / audio confirmatory message on a computer, a tablet, or a mobile phone that the food pan is or is not aligned with a pan sealing subsystem in the food holding apparatus for ideal food preparation conditions). This same setupcan be replicated across all the food locations in the apparatus, which can collectively be operated by one or more controllers located either inside the food holding apparatus or remote from the food holding apparatus. It will be appreciated that the network of mechanical switches can be used with or without a pan sealing subsystem without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, placement and orientation can be detected for any other purpose, e.g., to ensure optimal heating alignment, storage capacity, or other food preparation conditions which depend on accurate positioning.

[0057] Fig. 10 shows an example of a schematic of a control system 500 (broadly, a food container detection system) for use with a food holding apparatus 520 with a plurality of food holding spaces. The system 500 includes two location detectors 1 lOA / 110B (at least one detector) for each corresponding food holding space in the apparatus (e.g., eight detectors for four food spaces). The location detectors 1 1 OA / 'l 10B are coupled to one or more controllers 542 configured to process data from the location detectors, generate events / alarms / timers for a user interface 546 (e.g., including an audible alann, display, etc.), and execute other functions related to the performance and operation of the system and the food holding apparatus (e.g., operational equipment 70). It will be appreciated that the controller 542 is coupled to a tangible, non- transitory storage medium 544 (e.g., memory including forms of storage such as software and / or firmware). The storage medium 544 stores controller-executable instructions. For example, the storage medium stores instructions embodying the functional aspects described above such that the controller can receive data from the detectors, and read and execute instructions from the storage medium, to execute functions described above. The operational equipment referenced in Fig. 2 can include food holding location conditioning devices such as heating elements (above and / or below the pans), etc. It will be appreciated that besides functionality described above, the controller can execute instructions to perform food holding or preparation steps (e.g., heating precooked food to maintain a condition of the food suitable for consumption).

[0058] Now referring to Figs. 1 1 A-16B and 17, several alternative food holding apparatuses are shown with various combinations of beam transmitter-beam receiving sensor pairs that can be used in addition to or instead of the mechanical switches 110A, HOB discussed above in a food holding apparatus of the type described above. Referring first to Figs. 11A and 1 IB, a first schematic example of pan holding apparatus 620 is shown with several pairs of vertically aligned beam transmitters 610 and beam receiving sensors 611 disposed in two panholding spaces 622, which function as container detectors (e.g., switches). Beam transmitter / receiving sensor pairs placed at or near the entry point(s) (e.g., front and rear) of the equipment (broadly, proximal sensors, as designated by the emitted beams). For example, a beam transmitter 610 (broadly, a food container detection signal emitter) of a pair may be located above or at the top of the pan holding space 622 (to generate the beam downward) and a beam receiving sensor 611 (broadly, a food container detection signal receiver) may be located below or at the bottom of the pan holding space. When a beam (broadly, a food container detection signal) is emitted by the transmitter 610, this beam functions as a switch. More when the beam is not sensed by the sensor 611 (e.g., blocked by a food pan), the switch is effectively open. When the beam is sensed by the sensor 61 1, the switch is effectively closed. The transmi tter / sensor pair detects insertion of a food pan in a food holding location through the temporary blocking of the beam by the food pan. When the food pan is in the food receiving space, the front and rear transmitter / sensor pairs are both closed (beam sensed). Such transmitter / receiver pairs can be provided at front and rear openings of the unit (which may constitute an entrance and an exit, or two entrances, for example) and thus be spaced apart from one another. If a food location is not actively running a timer (e.g., countdown food holding timer to food expiration), the system would infer that the state change of one switch (beam receiver) from a closed state to an open state then back to a closed state would constitute a timer start event (broadly, a first state change event), indicating a food pan has been inserted in the associated pan holding space. Subsequently, if a switch is detected to be open then closed, the system can infer that a pan transfer event could be occurring (e.g., pan removed from holding location), and offer a detection based event (broadly a second state change event). In further examples, the system can rim a timer so it detects presence of the food container as a function of time between the food container detection signal emitter emitting the food container detection signal and receipt of the food container detection signal by the food container detection signal receiver. On the other hand, if the system detects that a single switch is open, the system can infer a “pan open” event (broadly, a third state change event), where it can start an additional timer to detect the amount of time that a pan has been left in this state (e.g., pan partially pulled out of holding location, such as to take food therefrom). If the system sees that a “pan open” event continues for longer than a threshold duration (broadly, a threshold status criterion), the system can create a “pan open alarm event” (broadly, a status alert event) to alert an operator.When these alerts are created, the system can be configured begin a timer so a time can be calculated between the incident and resolution and / or further alerts. Pan insertion detectors such as the sensor pairs could be placed in multiple locations, e.g., at the front and / or rear of the equipment to detect entry / exit of pans at multiple locations within the food holding apparatus.

[0059] It will be appreciated the transmitt er / recei ver pairs can be located inboard of the front and rear of the pan holding space so the beams are broken by the front and rear end portions of the pan when the pan is in the pan holding location. For example, the front and rear beams could be spaced apart a distance approximately equal to or less than a length of the pan to be inserted. In such an arrangement, when the first beam is broken then the second beam is broken (i.e., such that both beams are broken at the same time), this configuration indicates a pan is fully installed in the associated holding location. If the rear beam is then sensed / closed, and the front beam remains broken, that can indicate a pan open event, which can trigger a pan open timer and potentially alarm (as discussed above). If the front beam is then sensed / closed, that can indicate removal of the pan (e.g. , the beginning of a transfer event or discarding of the food in the pan). The detection system described herein can be combined with a user interface to indicate when an event cue is detected, e.g., to reorient at least one food container with respect to its detected holding location (i.e., as a function of the detected orientation of the first food container).

[0060] It will be appreciated that the beam transmitter 616 is a light wave emitter, and more specifically a laser emitter, which may emit light in the infrared or ultraviolet wavelength range, visible light range, or other wavelength ranges. In alternative embodiments, it is contemplated the beam transmitter 616 may be a sonic sensor or any other kind of suitable beam emitter that can be emitted and detected. Ln further embodiments, the beam transmitters and receiving sensors can be generally in the same location and be configured to detect waves reflected off a reflective surface. Other varieties configurations are contemplated as within the scope of the invention.|0061 | Further schematic examples of detectors are shown in Figs. 12A-14B. Figs. 12A- 12B show pairs of aligned transmitters 610A and receivers 611A in respective holding spaces 622. Figs. 13A-13B show a network of beams which extend both horizontally and diagonally between aligned transmitters 610A, 610B and receiving sensors 611A, 61 IB. Figs. 14A-14B show a network of beams which extend exclusively diagonally at varying elevations betweenspaced apart transmitters 610A, 610B, 610C, 610D and receivers 611A, 61 IB, 611C, 61 I D. It will be appreciated that each transmitter-receiver pair can be oriented to generate a discrete beam that facilitates logical determinations for detecting a particular container as being misoriented in systems with more than one container per holding area (and / or providing a more detailed determination about the relative alignment of a single container). For example, the angle of the beam pairs allows the computer logic to detect when a single pan is not centered, or being inserted, while other pans are concurrently centered and not breaking adjacent sensor pairs. This logic may be used to inform an operator that one or more pans needs to be adjusted (shifted inward, outward, and / or laterally or re-oriented) for ideal food preparation conditions (e.g., to fit directly beneath a pan sealing subsystem in the food holding apparatus or for optimal heating, such as heat plate contact). In the illustrated examples, it will be appreciated that the beams can be patterned in rectilinear configurations, in intersecting / crossing configurations, and / or in non- intersecting diagonal configurations with varying angles to assist in precise detection of orientation statuses of one or more containers.|0062] Figure 15 shows an example of a schematic of a control system 740 (broadly, a food container detector system) for use with a food holding apparatus 720 with a plurality of food holding spaces 722. The system includes beam transmitter / receiving sensor pairs 710 / 71 1 (e.g., as described above) located near the front of each corresponding food space in the apparatus (e.g., six pairs for six food spaces). The beam transmitter / receiving sensor pairs are coupled to one or more controllers 742 configured to control and process data from the transmitter / receiving sensor pairs, generate events and timers, and execute other functions related to the performance and operation of the system and the food holding apparatus. It will be appreciated that the controller 742 is coupled to a tangible, non-transitory storage medium 744 (e.g., memory including forms of storage such as software and / or firmware) so that the controller can access and execute computer-executable instructions stored on the storage medium for executing these functions.|0063| Now referring to Figs. 16A-16B, and 17, a food holding apparatus 820 is shown in a schematic diagram with a plurality of force detectors 810 (e.g., pressure sensors and / or load cells) that provide support (e.g., as support columns) for a pan support (e.g., hot plate) on which one or more pans can be carried. The food holding apparatus 820 has at least a first force detector and a second force detector to be located under a pan when the pan is in the respectivefood holding location where the force detectors are located. The first and second force detectors are spaced apart so force data can be obtained from multiple specific sites to provide additional container location and orientation data. It will be appreciated that the food pan and corresponding system can be used with and / or included in a variety of different types of food preparation equipment, such as the apparatus 200 discussed above. When one or more pans are loaded on the pan support, the force detectors 810 can serve to provide data for the determination of one or more status parameters (e.g., food type or food weight) associated with the carried pans. Control system logic can be used to measure and process the weight data of individual pans and determine, using a model trained by machine learning, and / or optionally supplemental data provided by users or obtained by supplemental status sensors (e.g., image or sound sensors), what food product(s) are located on each pan (broadly, a qualitative status parameter), and an estimation of the number of food products located on each pan (broadly, a quantitative status parameter).

[0064] Figure 17 shows an example of a schemati c a control system 840 for operating a food holding equipment system (e.g., all on the food holding unit) which includes a food container detector system. The control system 840 includes a controller 842 that is configured to receive and process status data from the load cell / pressure sensors 810 to determine a weight corresponding to each food holding location. The system also includes an adaptive learning module 860 coupled to the controller 842. The adaptive learning module 860 is coupled to a performance database 862 and is capable of classifying qualitative and quantitative parameters of the food located on pans placed in any of the food holding locations. The processed qualitative and quantitative parameters can be used to inform the timing and throughput of subsequent food preparation cycles, and such data can be communicated to operators via a user interface 846 or used to adjust operating timers and / or operating conditions of the food holding equipment system also controlled by the controller (e.g., heat plate temperature). It will be appreciated that the controller 842 is coupled to a tangible, non-transitory storage medium 844 (e.g., memory including forms of storage such as software and / or firmware) so that the controller can access and execute computer-executable instructions stored on the storage medium for executing these functions. Operational equipment 870 may include one or more food conditioning devices, such as heating or cooling elements.

[0065] Now referring to Figs. 18-19, there are provided two schematic diagrams of additional detectors that can be used with a system comprising a first and a second food holding apparatus 920 in accordance with the control system architecture described herein. As best seen in Fig. 18, each food holding apparatus 920 includes one or more detectors 910 (broadly, status sensors) capable of viewing / detecting the contents of food containers such as pans so that the operational status of the food holding apparatus (e.g., initiating, extending, or terminating a running time for one or more equipment holding zones) can be controlled as a function of the data from the one or more detectors 910. In this example, each detector 910 is a vision sensor (e.g., a camera or other suitable food container vision sensor). The vision sensor has a wide viewing angle (or field of view), allowing the control system 940 (broadly, a food container detector system) to detect the existence and status of pans in the field of vision (see Fig. 20). For example, the data obtained from the vision sensor 910 ("vision data") can be used to determine orientation of pans with respect to food holding locations, such as whether pans are fully inserted and / or properly aligned for optimal operation. Vision data can include image data corresponding to a food container detection area that is accessible to vision sensor 910 when positioned relative to the food holding apparatus 920. For example, the vision sensor 910 can be mounted above one of the food holding locations facing toward one or more front openings to provide a view of the contents of containers inserted in one or more food holdi ng locations and / or a detection area in front of the housing (e.g., when containers are not present). It is contemplated that the food holding apparatus 920 may include an array of multiple rows and / or columns of food holding locations 922, and one or more vision sensors 910 may be used to obtain vision data simultaneously for such food holding locations.|0066| As generally described above, the control system 940 of the system includes a location tracking module and a condition tracking module that can classify data associated with the pan. The control system 940 can also include a cue module and / or an indicator module configured to generate events and provide notices or alarms, e.g., if a pan is not fully inserted or properly oriented. The control system 940 can also include an adaptive learning module that can, in conjunction with the vision sensor, accurately determine the contents of a pan, the location of the pan with relation to the equipment holding zones, the quantity of the items in the food pan, and / or any other conditions of the food that can be determined by processing (e.g., comparing) data (e.g., images) obtained by the vision sensor (broadly, classification data), suchas by comparison to threshold images or prior images from the vision sensors. Vision data from at least one of the food container vision sensors 910 can be used to determine a container insertion event (e.g., an orientation status of a pan). Vision data from at least one of the food container vision sensors 910 can also be used to determine a type and / or a number / quantity of food items held in a respective food container. Vision data from the at least one of the food container vision sensors can also be used to identify each food container as a unique food container based on the previous characteristics or any other discernable characteristic.Additionally, it is possible for the data from vision detectors to scan bar codes, serial numbers, or other identifying indicia on inserted pans for further effectiveness. For example, an event cue may be provided to prompt an employee to reorient one food container with respect to its detected holding location (e.g., a first food holding location).

[0067] As best seen in Figs. 19 and 20, the entire food preparation system may comprise multiple food holding equipment units 920 and / or other varieties of food preparation apparatus different from the food holding unit 920, which may be connected to a common controller 942 (e.g., controller of one of the holding units or a remote controller) directly or indirectly (e.g., wirelessly). In this example, it is contemplated that a field of view associated with at least one vision sensor 910 may detect visual data located outside the food holding unit 920 where the vision sensor is located. The system may additionally be configured to transmit data to a remote user interface such as the screen of a computer, tablet, or mobile phone such that a crew member may remotely observe the current status of the equipment units and / or control their operati on based on the data transmitted. For example, the system can identify when a pan has been removed from a first food holding apparatus and when it has been placed in a designated second food holding apparatus and / or whether the pan is fully inserted and properly oriented (e.g., aligned with heating features and / or covering features).

[0068] Figure 20 shows an example of a schematic of the control system 940 connected to at least the operation equipment 914 and vision sensors 910 of first and second food holding units 920. The control system 900 includes a controller 942 that is configured to receive status data from one or more food storage space status sensors coupled to the controller. The system optionally includes one or more user interface units configured to receive user input and to display visual representations of the classification data processed by the controller. The controller 942 is configured to process data from the visual sensors to generate status data for thefood holding equipment, and the controller can then process the status data to track the location of individual pans as they are transferred from one food holding unit to a second, generate and / or modify events and timers in one or more food holding units, and execute other functions related to the performance and operation of the system and the food holding units therein. The controller 942 is further configured to process the status data from the user interface and / or classification module and from active or inactive timers indicating the current status of each dedicated food storage space. The controller 942 is further configured to transmit data associated with one or more tracked pans to a user interface and / or to multiple food holding equipment units where the tracked pans may be carried. Additionally, the controller 942 may communicate with the operational equipment 970 for the first and second food holding units 920 to obtain data about the ambient environment and / or to control the operating equipment. It will be appreciated that the controller 942 is coupled to a tangible, non-transitory storage medium 944 (e.g., memory including forms of storage such as software and / or firmware) so that the controller can access and execute computer-executable instructions stored on the storage medium for executing these functions.

[0069] In one example, the control system 940 can be configured to identify at least one of a type of food in the first food container, a number of food items in the first food container, a food timer, or an identity of the first food container as a function of vision data from the food container vision sensor, said vision data comprising vision data representative of the food preparation apparatus. Subsequently, the control system 940 can be configured to O. update the first food holding unit as holding the first food container as a function of vision data from at least one of the first food container vision sensor or the second food container vision sensor representative of the first food container being transferred from the second food holding unit to the first food holding unit.|0070| Now referring to Figs. 21 A and 21 B, a system and user interface for preparing batches of food and tracking the batches in various food holding units (e.g., in multiple locations 36 a food holding unit 22) via graphical displays 1020 during preparation has the ability to receive data including a daily / hourly product-holding demand (broadly, a product-holding demand criterion) for holding food pans (broadly, containers) in one or more food preparation states (e.g., heated storage, cooled storage), then renders a visual representation of that demand on a user interface and measures operational compliance based on this data. For example, thesystem can be configured to process the daily / hourly product-holding demand for one or more dedicated food storage spaces (36) in a food storage apparatus and to calculate a target product- holding criterion for holding food product over a designated time period (e.g., during a vendor's peak business hours) based on the current status of each dedicated food storage space and the current demand. The daily / hourly product-holding demand may be provided as data stored in non-transitory memory, data produced based on historical data as interpreted by adaptive learning algorithms, or data provided by user input. When the system, in following instructions stored in non-transitory memory, determines that it needs to be holding food pans full of food to meet the target product-holding criterion, can indicate that it is not presently timing expiration of a pan of food that the data indicates that it should be timing, and the system can create compliance notifications and data events to this effect (broadly, compliance events) for notifying operators of non-compliance. For example, the compliance events can be communicated to a user interface such as touchscreen 1046 shown in Figs. 21A and 21B to display graphical displays 1020 with real-time indications 1036 (or storage space status notifications) of each storage space that has been selected for user access. Non-limiting examples of compliance data events include audible notifications, visual notifications, data recording events, data sharing events via a network message send, etc. As illustrated in Figs. 21 A and 21 B, the graphical displays 1020 are updated to reflect various event cues and other status indicators.Corresponding hardware and software structures for executing the data events (which may be part of the food holding unit or externally located nearby) may include speakers, sound alarms, visual displays, or modules for transmission of messages locally (e.g., on the local user interface) or remotely (e.g., on a separate terminal with a user interface, such as a computer or mobile phone). The presence of these cues, and subsequent measurement of equipment usage via, e.g., data from pan insertion detection, pan alignment detection, and / or pan transfer timers, provides the equipment with numerous data points for the measurement and tracking of usage performance and crew behavior analysis (broadly, performance metric data). Another example of data inference is the ability to create behavioral monitoring around the usage of equipment timers. It will be appreciated that the tracking of performance metrics can include not only timing metrics due to slow reactions but also success metrics based on the frequency and duration for which pans are not fully inserted in a respective space 36 or remain non-aligned for a certain amount of time.

[0071] Figure 22 shows an example of a schematic of control system 1040 for the food holding units 1020. The control system 1040 includes a controller 1042 that is configured to receive status data from one or more food storage space status detectors 1010 (e.g., sensors) coupled to the controller. The system also includes a remote user interface 1046 and / or a local user interface 1080 configured to receive user input to generate product-holding demand criteria. The system also includes an adaptive learning module which is coupled to a performance database and is capable of generating product-holding demand data based on prior performance data of the system, performance data of other identical systems, and / or user input received from the user interface. The controller is further configured to process the status data from the user interface and / or adaptive learning module and from active or inactive timers indicating the current status of each dedicated food storage space. The controller 1042 is configured to process this status data to generate and / or modify events and timers, and execute other functions related to the performance and operation of the system and the food holding apparatus. It will be appreciated that the controller is coupled to a tangible, non-transitory storage medium (e.g., memory including forms of storage such as software and / or firmware) so that the controller can access and execute computer-executable instructions stored on the storage medium for executing these functions.

[0072] Referring again to Figs. 18-19, and with further reference to Fig. 23, a food holding system can be adapted to view, detect, and track the location of food pans (broadly, containers) and adjust the operational parameters of the operational equipment 970 of the food holding unit 920 based on the location and condition of objects (e.g., pans and food) detected by the system. As indicated above, the system includes a vision sensor 910 such as a camera or image sensor (broadly, a detector) that has a wide viewing / detection angle, allowing the control system 942 to detect pans across a wide field (See Fig. 19). The control system 942 includes a location tracking module and a condition tracking module that can, in conjunction with a cue module, data from the vision sensor, and additional data indicating the status of the food holding equipment at the time of event detection and classification, determine whether to initiate, revise, terminate, and / or resume one or more food holding timers. This logic includes whether the content of a detected food pan aligns with the configuration of the equipment, and can give a visual / audible alarm (broadly, one or more detection events) when the condition occurs. Such detectors can be located to monitor entry / exit points of one or more holding locations (such asshown in Fig. 19) and can be provided to monitor multiple entry / exit points of the holding locations (e.g., front / rear of unit). The detectors are capable of seeing and distinguishing insertion / removal of food pans at the distinct holding locations. Sensed events can be used in ways as described above (e.g., trigger timers, alarms, displays on local or remote user interfaces, etc.).|0073] Referring again to Figs. 16A-16B and with further reference to Figs. 24-25, a food holding apparatus with a support structure for carrying containers and an array of status sensors configured to measure the force of the carried containers (see Figs. 16A-16B) can have further uses and advantages. For example, the force detectors 810 discussed above can be used alone or with other types of detectors, including audio detectors (e.g., microphones) and / or visual sensors which communicate with a control system to detect and confirm changes to the food contained in containers. For example, if food is added to a pan or is taken out of a pan, a change in the weight will be detected by the control system, and a cue / event can be generated for a particular action or a modification to a designation such as a timer. It will be appreciated that these principles can be combined with others discussed herein related to the monitoring of entry / exit points and / or the status of switches beneath the pans. Additionally, as best seen in the schematic shown in Fig. 24, a food holding unit 1 120 may additionally include one or more audio detectors 1 110. For example, the one or more audio detectors 1110 shown in Fig. 24 are an array of four microphones spaced apart from each other near the corners of the food holding apparatus 1 120. Data from the audio detectors 1110 can be processed by the control system 1142 (e.g., by a location tracking module) to identify a location of the change in weight. The data can likewise be processed (e.g., by a condition tracking module and / or adaptive learning module) to automatically determine a cause of the weight change and determine an appropriate event cue in response thereto. For example, if audio, visual, and / or weight data indicates food has fallen out of the pan into the heat plate of holding apparatus 1120 while it is actively heating, the cue may be a prompt to remove the pan and place the pan in a separate location until the spilled food can be cleaned. Relatedly, if the control system detects a certain weight of uncooked food has been taken from one container and subsequently dropped into another container with cooked food, the control system may provide an event cue prompting an attendant employee to inspect and / or discard the container into which the uncooked food was dropped. By contrast, if the control system detects that food has been placed in a container with cooked food but predicts the food isalso cooked (e.g., if the control system 1142 processes data stored in memory indicating that nearby cooking equipment is configured to drop food into the food holding location in predicted intervals), the control system may forego an event cue.|0074] Fig. 26 shows an example of a schematic of an example of the above-described system. The system 1100 includes an array of microphones 1110 that can be located on or near the food holding apparatus or a neighboring food holding apparatus. The microphone array is coupled to at least one controller 1142 configured to process data from the microphone array, generate events and timers, and execute other functions related to the performance and operation of the system and the food holding apparatus. The control system can include one or more modules 1148 coupled to the controller that are configured to detect events and / or generate event cues as appropriate. The one or more modules 1148 may additionally be coupled to a performance database 1150 including performance data from prior uses of the food holding apparatus 1 120 and / or other appropriately similar units. The performance data can be used to better identify the significance of various sounds to better predict an appropriate event cue in response to the event. Additionally and / or in the alternative, the controller 1 142 can be programmed to modify (e.g., by activation or deactivation) one or more operating parameters of the operation equipment 1170 of the food holding apparatus based on the generated event cues. It will be appreciated that the controller 1142 is coupled to a tangible, non-transitory storage medium 1144 (e.g., memory including forms of storage such as software and / or firmware) so that the controller can access and execute computer-executable instructions stored on the storage medium for executing these functions.

[0075] Referring still to Figs. 24 and 25, an array of audio detectors such as the microphones 1 1 10 discussed above can also be used to detect events originating from nearby food preparation equipment, e.g., a second food preparation apparatus. For example, the array of microphones 1 1 10 can be used to detect a noises from nearby ovens 1199A, 1199B (broadly, a food cooking apparatus). As shown in the schematic diagram in Fig. 24, the control system 1 140 includes the array of microphones 1110 located on a food holding apparatus near the oven. In further examples, the audio detectors may be associated with a food holding apparatus without being located directly on the food holding apparatus (e.g., when positioned next to or a distance above the food holding apparatus). The array of microphones 1110 is operatively connected to at least one controller 1142 configured to process data from the microphone array, generate eventsand timers, and execute other functions related to the performance and operation of the system and the food holding apparatus. The microphone array can be used to detect sound events produced by the ovens 1199A and 1199B. For example, the oven 1199A may sound an audible alarm when a cook cycle is complete or is a predetermined amount of time away (e.g., one minute) from cook cycle completion. The oven 1199B may be configured to drop cooked food products into a pan, thereby producing noise. These sounds can be processed by the control system 1140 to generate cues and initiate activation of operational equipment 1170. It will be appreciated that the controller is coupled to a tangible, non-transitory storage medium (e.g., memory including forms of storage such as software and / or firmware) so that the controller can access and execute computer-executable instructions stored on the storage medium for executing these functions (e.g., start "food transfer timer" and generate "food transfer delay" alarms if food transfer exceeds threshold time).

[0076] Now referring to Figs. 26-29, several examples of systems with specialized visual indicators are provided. To aid in the correlation between the visual information presented on a touch screen 1264 (broadly, a graphical user interface), an array of Red / Green / Blue (RGB) Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) (broadly, visual indicators) 1280 are positioned in such a way that the LEDs are visually linked to the relative positions of the visual infonnation on the touch screen on the front of the food holding apparatus unit (See Figs. 27 and 28). The touch screen 1264 (more broadly, a local user interface) is used with a food holding apparatus unit 1220, on which the specific color of the LEDs 1280 can be configured to make a visual link between food pan locations 1236 (broadly, food holding locations) on the front of the unit versus the back of the unit. For example, in Fig. 26, the food holding unit (food preparation apparatus) is configured to have eight food holding locations 1236, including a first row of four holding locations and a second row of four holding locations (e.g., 2x4 array). The touch screen 1264 includes food holding location displays arranged in an array corresponding to the array of physical food holding locations. The food holding location displays display information about the food in the respective holding locations (see, e.g., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2023 / 1068798, incorporated by reference above). For example, the displays may show status information including whether the holding location is active / inactive, type of food held, time until expiration of food, food status (e.g., expired), whether to serve the food first, etc. To assist the user in corresponding the displayed status information with the food holding location, the food holdinglocations may each include a visual indicator (broadly, correspondence indicator, such as a display of one of four colors 1266A, 1266B, 1266C, 1266D) that corresponds to a visual indicator (correspondence indicator) at the food holding location (e.g., same color shown by LED). This facilitates the user in seeing the touch screen information and correlating that information to an actual pan of food. In Fig. 26, the front of the unit is shown having the touch screen 1264, but it will be appreciated the front of the unit could also have the array of LEDs shown in Fig. 28 to facilitate the user in corresponding the information, as described. Moreover, as shown in Fig. 27, the food holding apparatus may be configured for pass-through operation (insertion / retrieval of food pans from front and rear), and the rear of the food holding apparatus may include another array of correspondence indicators located at the array of food holding locations (e.g., 1266A, 1266B, 1266C, 1266D in a horizontally reversed order relative to Fig. 26 and Fig. 28) to facilitate a user in corresponding information from the front of the holding apparatus to the rear of the holding apparatus. Accordingly, a touch screen display may not be needed on the rear of the holding unit. The correspondence indicators on the rear of the unit assist a user in understanding information about the food holding location by reference to the informational touch screen on the front of the unit. For example, information displayed on the touch screen regarding the lower left green location is understood by the user, when looking at the rear of the holding unit, to correspond to the lower left holding location having the green correspondence indicator.

[0077] Additionally, a second RGB LED (broadly, a second array of visual indicators) can be positioned that can dynamically track the queue status of food pan locations that are using a first-in-first-out (FIFO) pan rotation (broadly, a container holding sequence). An example of an apparatus using a FIFO pan rotation which can be used with the first and second arrays of visual indicators described herein is disclosed in U.S. Patent Application No. 2023 / 0168798. It will be appreciated that such a food holding apparatus can include a graphic user interface (e.g., Fig. 1) that indicates status of food (e.g., serve first, serve second, expired, etc.) by color (e.g., green, yellow, red) of an indicator (e.g., food holding location display) associated with a particular food holding location. Such FIFO information can be indicated as well in the second set of LED arrays (e.g., at the holding locations on the front and rear of the unit). The LEDs of the second arrays may be located next to the LEDs of the first array. In the images below, the LEDs of the second array are shown as inactive (e.g., white, as in no food held) but it will beunderstood that if food was held, the LED would be green (serve first), yellow (serve second), or red (expired). Accordingly, the front and / or rear of the unit may display this information at each food holding location such that a user may not need to view the information at the touch screen and associate it with a particular holding location.

[0078] As an illustrative example, Fig. 27 shows a touch screen 1264 that includes a pattern of eight colored dots that represent a designated food product located in eight corresponding pan locations in the food holding apparatus unit. The touch screen is located on the front side of the unit. Figure 27 shows the rear side of the unit, which includes two arrays of eight LEDs instead of a touch screen. The eight LEDs in the first array are located near individual pan locations of the food holding apparatus unit and display colors that correspond to the eight colored dots on the touch screen. Thus, the colored lights provide an indication of the food product located on each tray without the need for a rear touch screen display. The LEDs in the second array (shown as white) are configured to display varying colors depending on their FIFO state (e.g., the pan with the first-loaded product of one type will show green). As shown in Fig. 28, it is contemplated the arrangement of colored LEDs on the rear side of the units can be flipped horizontally but otherwise substantially identical to the arrangement that is visible on the touch screen (i.e., the touch screen of Figure 26 displays what is visible on the rear side). Of course, other methods may be used. It is contemplated that colored LEDs can be used in a consistent manner on the front side of the food holding apparatus unit in addition to, or in place of, the touch screen. A remote graphical user interface (e.g., remote from the holding unit) may be used to assign food types and colors to each individual pan location.

[0079] Fig. 29 shows an example of a schematic of a control system 1240 for use with a food holding apparatus with a plurality of food holding spaces configured to operate using a FIFO pan rotation. The system includes a first array of visual indicators 1280, a second array of visual indicators 1280, and a touch screen 1264, which are all coupled to one or more controllers 1242. The one or more controllers are configured to transmit data to the arrays and the touch screen representing a visual state for each of the food pan locations, as identified in greater detail on the touch screen, and an indication of queue status for each food pan location in accordance with pan rotation parameters. It will be appreciated that the controller is coupled to a tangible, non-transitory storage medium 1244 (e.g., memory including forms of storage such as softwareand / or firmware) so that the controller can access and execute computer-executable instructions stored on the storage medium for executing these functions.

[0080] It will be appreciated that the systems described as examples above can include and / or be used with a food holding apparatus of the type disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Nos. 2023 / 0168798 and / or 2022 / 0233023, both incorporated by reference above. Further, it will be appreciated that the features and principles of operation from the above examples can generally be combined to provide numerous configurations and combinations without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0081] The Title, Field of Invention, and Background are provided to help the reader quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. They are submitted with the understanding that they will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. They are provided to introduce a selection of concepts in simplified form that are further described in the Detailed Description. The Title, Field of Invention, and Background are not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the claimed subject matter.

[0082] For purposes of illustration, programs and other executable program components, such as the operating system, are illustrated herein as discrete blocks. It is recognized, however, that such programs and components reside at various times in different storage components of a computing device, and are executed by a data processor(s) of the device.

[0083] Although described in connection with an exemplary computing system environment, embodiments of the aspects of the invention are operational with numerous other general puipose or special purpose computing system environments or configurations. The computing system environment is not intended to suggest any limitation as to the scope of use or functionality of any aspect of the invention. Moreover, the computing system environment should not be interpreted as having any dependency or requirement relating to any one or combination of components illustrated in the exemplary operating environment. Examples of well-known computing systems, environments, and / or configurations that may be suitable for use with aspects of the invention include, but are not limited to, personal computers, server computers, hand-held or laptop devices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based systems, set top boxes, programmable consumer electronics, mobile telephones, network PCs,minicomputers, mainframe computers, distributed computing environments that include any of the above systems or devices, and the like.

[0084] Embodiments of the aspects of the invention may be described in the general context of data and / or processor-executable instructions, such as program modules, stored one or more tangible, non-transitory storage media and executed by one or more processors or other devices. Generally, program modules include, but are not limited to, routines, programs, objects, components, and data structures that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. Aspects of the invention may also be practiced in distributed computing environments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are linked through a communications network. In a distributed computing environment, program modules may be located in both local and remote storage media including memory storage devices.

[0085] In operation, processors, computers and / or servers may execute the processor- executable instructions (e.g., software, firmware, and / or hardware) such as those illustrated herein to implement aspects of the invention.

[0086] Embodiments of the aspects of the invention may be implemented with processor- executable instructions. The processor-executable instructions may be organized into one or more processor-executable components or modules on a tangible processor readable storage medium. Aspects of the invention may be implemented with any number and organization of such components or modules. For example, aspects of the invention are not limited to the specific processor-executable instructions or the specific components or modules illustrated in the figures and described herein. Other embodiments of the aspects of the invention may include different processor-executable instructions or components having more or less functionality than illustrated and described herein.

[0087] The order of execution or performance of the operations in embodiments of the aspects of the invention illustrated and described herein is not essential, unless otherwise specified. That is, the operations may be performed in any order, unless otherwise specified, and embodiments of the aspects of the invention may include additional or fewer operations than those disclosed herein. For example, it is contemplated that executing or performing a particular operation before, contemporaneously with, or after another operation is within the scope of aspects of the invention.

[0088] When introducing elements of aspects of the invention or the embodiments thereof, the articles “a,” “an,” “the,” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements.

[0089] In view of the above, it will be seen that several advantages of the aspects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

[0090] Not all of the depicted components illustrated or described may be required. In addition, some implementations and embodiments may include additional components. Variations in the arrangement and type of the components may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims as set forth herein. Additional, different or fewer components may be provided and components may be combined. Alternatively or in addition, a component may be implemented by several components.

[0091] The above description illustrates the aspects of the invention by way of example and not by way of limitation. This description enables one skilled in the art to make and use the aspects of the invention, and describes several embodiments, adaptations, variations, alternatives and uses of the aspects of the invention, including what is presently believed to be the best mode of carrying out the aspects of the invention. Additionally, it is to be understood that the aspects of the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the description or illustrated in the drawings. The aspects of the invention are capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it will be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.|00921 Having described aspects of the invention in detail, it will be apparent that modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of aspects of the invention as defined in the appended claims. It is contemplated that various changes could be made in the above constructions, products, and methods without departing from the scope of aspects of the invention. In the preceding specification, various embodiments have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereto, and additional embodiments may be implemented, without departing from the broader scope of the aspects of the invention as setforth in the claims that follow. The specification and drawings are accordingly to be regarded in an illustrative rather than restrictive sense.OTHER STATEMENTS OF INVENTION

[0093] The following are statements of invention described in the present disclosure. Although some of the following statements are not currently presented as claims, the statements are believed to be patentable and may subsequently be presented as claims. Associated apparatuses corresponding to method statements, are also believed to be patentable and may subsequently be presented as claims. Associated methods corresponding to apparatus statements, are also believed to be patentable and may subsequently be presented as claims. It is understood that the following statements may refer to and be supported by one, more than one, or all of the embodimen ts described above.

[0094] Al . Al. A food preparation apparatus comprising:

[0095] a housing defining a first food holding location sized and shaped for holding a first food container;

[0096] a food container detector system comprising a food container detection signal emitter supported by the housing, the food container detection signal emitter configured to emit a food container detection signal into the food holding location to detect presence of the food container.

[0097] Bl. A food holding unit for holding food in a condition suitable for serving for consumption, the food holding unit comprising: a housing including a base and a side wall extending upward from the base, the housing defining a first food holding location sized and shaped for holding a first food container, the housing including a front from which the first food holding location is accessible; a food conditioning device supported by the housing and configured to condition food in the first food holding location; and a food container detector system comprising a food container vision sensor supported by the housing and configured to collect vision data, the food container vision sensor having a field of view including a food container detection area in front of the front of the housing configured for detecting the first food container in front of the first holding location.

[0098] B2. A food holding unit as set forth in statement Bl, wherein the food container vision sensor comprises a camera.

[0099] B3. A food holding unit as set forth in statement Bl, wherein the food container vision sensor is located above the first food holding location.

[0100] B4. A food holding unit as set forth in statement Bl, wherein the housing defines a second food holding location sized and shaped for holding a second food container, and the food container detection area of the food container vision sensor field of view is configured for detecting the second food container in front of the second holding location.

[0101] B5. A food holding unit as set forth in statement B4, wherein the food container vision sensor is located above the first and second food holding locations.

[0102] B6. A food holding unit as set forth in statement B5, wherein the second food holding location is located laterally from the first holding location.

[0103] B7. A food holding unit as set forth in statement B4, in combination with the first food container and the second food container.100104] B8. A food holding unit as set forth in statement B4, wherein the housing defines a third food holding location sized and shaped for holding a third food container, and the food container detection area of the food container vision sensor field of view is configured for detecting the third food container in front of the third holding location.]00105| B9. A food holding unit as set forth in statement Bl, wherein the housing defines a plurality of food holding locations including the first holding location, the plurality of food holding locations being arranged in an array including multiple columns and multiple rows of food holding locations, the food container vision sensor being located above the plurality of food holding locations and configured to detect food containers in front of each of the plurality of food holding locations.|00106| B10. A food holding unit as set forth in statement Bl, wherein the food container detection system is configured to detect an orientation of the first food container with respect to the first food holding location.

[0107] B 11. A food holding unit as set forth in statement B10, wherein the food container detection system is configured to detect a status of the first food container as being partially removed from the first food holding location.

[0108] B12. A food holding unit as set forth in statement BIO, wherein the food container detection system is configured to detect a misalignment of the first food container with respect to the first food holding location.|00109] B13. A food holding unit as set forth in statement B10, further comprising a user interface, the user interface configured to signal an event cue to reorient the first food container with respect to the first food holding location as a function of the detected orientation of the first food container.

[0110] B14. A food holding unit as set forth in statement Bl, further comprising a food holding unit controller and a non-transitory tangible storage medium, the tangible storage medium storing instructions executable by the food holding unit controller to identify the first food container as having a timer associated therewith.

[0111] Bl 5. A food holding unit as set forth in statement Bl 4, further comprising a user interface including a display, and wherein the tangible storage medium includes instructions to display time associated with the timer on the display responsive to the food holding unit controller determining a first food container insertion event based on vision data from the food container vision sensor.100112] Bl 6. A food holding unit as set forth in statement Bl, further comprising a food holding unit controller and a non-transitory tangible storage medium, the tangible storage medium storing instructions executable by the food holding unit controller to identify a type of food held in the first food container based on vision data from the food container vision sensor.]00113[ Bl 7. A food holding unit as set forth in statement Bl, further comprising a food holding unit controller and a non-transitory tangible storage medium, the tangible storage medium storing instructions executable by the food holding unit controller to identify a number of food items held in the first food container based on vision data from the food container vision sensor.

[0114] B18. A food holding unit as set forth in statement Bl , further comprising a food holding unit controller and a non-transitory tangible storage medium, the tangible storage medium storing instructions executable by the food holding unit controller to identify the first food container as a unique food container.

[0100] Bl 9. A food holding unit as set forth in statement Bl, further comprising a food holding unit controller and a non-transitory tangible storage medium, wherein the field of view isconfigured to include a food preparation apparatus different from the food holding unit, and wherein the tangible storage medium storing instructions executable by the food holding unit controller to identify at least one of a type of food in the first food container, a number of food items in the first food container, a food timer, or an identity of the first food container as a function of vision data from the food container vision sensor, said vision data comprising vision data representative of the food preparation apparatus.

[0101] B20. A food holding unit as set forth in statement B19 in combination with the food preparation apparatus and the first food container.

[0102] B21. A food holding system comprising: the food holding unit as set forth in statement Bl , the food holding unit being a first food holding unit, and the food container vision sensor being a first food container vision sensor; a second food holding unit, the second food holding unit comprising a food container vision sensor, the second food holding unit being communicatively coupled with the first food holding unit; and a food holding unit controller and a non-transitory tangible storage medium including food holding unit controller executable instructions to update the first food holding unit as holding the first food container as a function of vision data from at least one of the first food container vision sensor or the second food container vision sensor representative of the first food container being transferred from the second food holding unit to the first food holding unit.

[0103] Cl. A food holding unit for holding food in a condition suitable for serving for consumption, the food holding unit comprising: a housing defining a first food holding location sized and shaped for holding a first food container, the housing including a front from which the first food holding location is accessible; and a food container detector system comprising a food container vision sensor supported by the housing and configured to collect vision data, the food container vision sensor having a field of view including a food container detection area in front of the front of the housing for detecting the first food container in front of the first holding location.|0104] DI. A food holding unit for holding food in a condition suitable for serving for consumption, the food holding unit comprising:a housing including a base and a side wall extending upward from the base, the housing defining a first food holding location sized and shaped for holding a first food container, the housing including a food container support surface configured to support the first food container when the first food container is in the first holding location; a food conditioning device supported by the housing and configured to condition food in the first food holding location; and a food container detector system comprising a first sensor and a second sensor, the first and second sensors located to be under the first food container when the first food container is in the first food holding location, the first sensor being spaced from the second sensor.

[0105] D2. A food holding unit as set forth in statement DI, wherein the first sensor comprises a first mechanical switch and the second sensor comprises a second mechanical switch.

[0106] D3. A food holding unit as set forth in statement DI , wherein the first sensor is located adjacent a front entrance of the first food holding location and the second sensor is located rearward from the first sensor.

[0107] D4. A food holding unit as set forth in statement DI, further comprising a food holding unit controller and a non-transitory tangible storage medium including food holding unit executable instructions to determine the first food container is misoriented with respect to the first food holding location based on the first sensor indicating presence of the first food container and the second sensor indicating non-presence of the first food container.

[0108] D5. A food holding unit as set forth in statement DI , further comprising a food holding unit controller and a non-transitory tangible storage medium including food holding unit executable instructions to determine the first food container is partially out of the first food holding location based on the first sensor indicating presence of the first food container and the second sensor indicating non-presence of the first food container.

[0109] D6. A food holding unit as set forth in statement DI, wherein the food container support is moveable with respect to the base of the food holding unit, and wherein the first and second sensors carry the food container support.|0110] D7. A food holding unit as set forth in statement D6, wherein the first sensor comprises a load cell and the second sensor comprises a load cell.

[0111] D8. A food holding unit as set forth in statement D6, wherein the first sensor comprises a pressure sensor and the second sensor comprises a pressure sensor.

[0112] D9. A food holding unit as set forth in statement D6, further comprising a food holding unit controller and a non-transitory tangible storage medium including food holding unit executable instructions to determine the first food container is misoriented with respect to the first food holding location based on sensor data from the first sensor and sensor data from the second sensor.

[0113] DIO. A food holding unit as set forth in statement D6, further comprising a food holding unit controller and a non-transitory tangible storage medium including food holding unit executable instructions to determine the first food container is partially out of the first food holding location based on sensor data from the first sensor and sensor data from the second sensor.

[0114] Dl l . A food holding unit as set forth in statement D6, further comprising a third sensor carrying the food support surface.

[0115] DI 2. A food holding unit as set forth in statement DI , in combination with the first food container and the second food container.

[0116] El. A food preparation apparatus comprising: a housing defining a first food holding location sized and shaped for holding the first food container; and a food container detector system comprising a first sensor and a second sensor, the first and second sensors located to be under the first food container when the first food container is in the first food holding location.

[0117] Fl . A food holding system for holding food in a condition suitable for serving for consumption, the food holding system comprising: a food holding unit comprising a housing including a base and a side wall extending upward from the base, the housing defining a first food holding location sized and shaped for holding a first food container; a food conditioning device supported by the housing and configured to condition food in the first food holding location; a microphone associated with the food holding apparatus; anda food holding unit controller and a non-transitory tangible storage medium including food holding unit controller executable instructions to detect a status of food outside the food holding unit as a function of microphone data from the microphone.|0118] F2. A food holding system as set forth in statement Fl, wherein the tangible storage medium includes food holding unit controller executable instructions to start a timer associated with said food outside the food holding unit as a function of microphone data from the microphone.

[0119] F3. A food holding system as set forth in statement Fl , wherein the tangible storage medium includes food holding unit controller executable instructions to generate an event cue as a function of microphone data from the microphone.

[0120] F4. A food holding system as set forth in statement Fl, wherein the tangible storage medium includes food holding unit controller executable instructions to generate a food transfer delay alarm as a function of microphone data from the microphone.

[0121] Gl. A food holding unit for holding food in a condition suitable for serving for consumption, the food holding unit comprising: a housing including a base and a side wall extending upward from the base, the housing defining a first food holding location sized and shaped for holding a first food container; a food conditioning device supported by the housing and configured to condition food in the first food holding location; a first microphone supported by the housing; and a food holding unit controller and a non-transitory tangible storage medium including food holding unit controller instructions executable responsive to microphone data from the first microphone.

[0122] G2. A food holding unit as set forth in statement Gl, wherein the first microphone is outside the first food holding location and is oriented to collect microphone data from outside the food holding unit.|0123| G3. A food holding unit as set forth in statement Gl , further comprising a second microphone supported by the housing, the first and second microphones being oriented to collect microphone data from different directions, and wherein the non-transitory tangible storage medium includes food holding unit controller instructions executable responsive to microphone data from the second microphone.

[0124] G4. A food holding unit as set forth in statement Gl, further comprising a second microphone and a third microphone, the second and third microphones being supported by the housing, the first, second, and third microphones being oriented to collect microphone data from different directions, wherein the non-transitory tangible storage medium includes food holding unit controller instructions executable responsive to microphone data from the second microphone; and wherein the non-transitory tangible storage medium includes food holding unit controller instructions executable responsive to microphone data from the third microphone.

[0125] G5. A food holding unit as set forth in statement G4, wherein the first microphone, the second microphone, and the third microphone are outside the first food holding location and oriented to collect microphone data from outside the food holding unit.

[0126] G6. A food holding system as set forth in statement Gl, wherein the tangible storage medium includes food holding unit controller executable instructions to start a timer associated with food outside the food holding unit as a function of microphone data from the first microphone.]0127] G7. A food holding system as set forth in statement Gl, wherein the tangible storage medium includes food holding unit controller executable instructions to generate an event cue as a function of microphone data from the first microphone.

[0128] G8. A food holding system as set forth in statement Gl , wherein the tangible storage medium includes food holding unit controller executable instructions to generate a food transfer delay alarm as a function of microphone data from the first microphone.

[0129] Hl. A food holding system for holding food in a condition suitable for serving for consumption, the food holding unit comprising: a food holding unit comprising a housing defining a plurality of food holding locations including a first food holding location and a second food holding location; a user interface associated with the food holding unit including a plurality of food holding location displays associated with respective holding locations for displaying food holding location status information, the holding location displays being arranged in an array corresponding to an arrangement of the respective holding locations, the holding location displays being positioned in the array corresponding to positions of the respective holding locations in the arrangement, each holding location display including a display correspondenceindicator for displaying correspondence indicia different from the food holding location status information; and a plurality of food holding location correspondence indicators supported by the housing, the food holding location correspondence indicators being associated with respective food holding locations and being arranged adjacent the respective holding locations, the food holding location correspondence indicators being configured to display the correspondence indicia to facilitate a user in corresponding the food holding location status information from the food holding location displays to the respective food holding locations.

[0130] H2. A food holding system as set forth in statement Hl, wherein the plurality of food holding location displays are supported by the housing.

[0131] H3. A food holding system as set forth in statement Hl, wherein the plurality of food holding location displays are on a front of the housing, and the plurality of food holding location correspondence indicators are on a rear of the housing.

[0132] H4. A food holding system as set forth in statement I I I , wherein the food holding location status information includes a type of food, a time associated with the food, and whether to serve the food first or second.

[0133] JI. A food preparation system comprising: a food preparation apparatus comprising a housing, the housing comprising at least one support structure and at least two side walls, the at least one support structure and the at least two side walls at least partially defining a storage space configured to temporarily carry a food container; and a control system operatively coupled to the food preparation apparatus, the control system comprising: at least one detector configured to generate a detection signal when a food container is inserted in the at least one storage space; at least one indicator, the at least one indicator being configured to communicate a compliance event to a user responsive to receiving a compliance event cue signal; a controller operatively connected to the at least one detector and the at least one indicator, the controller being configured to execute controller-executable instructions, the controller being configured to transmit a compliance event cue signal to the at leastone indicator based on at least one food location parameter and at least one food condition parameter associated with the detection signal; and a non-transitory storage medium operatively coupled to the controller, the non- transitory storage medium comprising instructions which, when executed by the controller, generate at least one food location parameter and at least one food condition parameter based on at least one detection signal generated by the at least one detector when a food container is inserted in the storage space, determine a compliance event cue signal based on at least one of the at least one food location parameter and at least one of the at least one food condition parameter, and transmit the compliance event cue signal to the at least one indicator.

[0134] J2. The system of statement JI , wherein the food preparation apparatus is a first food preparation apparatus, and further comprising: a second food preparation apparatus comprising at least one space configured to temporarily carry the food container; and at least one second indicator, the at least one second indicator being configured to communicate a second compliance event to a user upon receiving a second compliance event cue signal; wherein the controller is operati vely coupled to each of the at least one secondary indicators, the controller being configured to transmit a second compliance event cue signal to the at least one second indicator based on the at least one food location parameter and the at least one food condition parameter associated with the detection signal; wherein the non-transitory storage medium comprises additional instructions which, when executed by the controller, (1) determine a second compliance event cue signal based on the at least one of the at least one food location parameter and the at least one of the at least one food condition parameter, and (2) transmit the second compliance event cue signal to the at least one second indicator; and wherein the first compliance event and the second compliance event communicate an instruction to the user to transfer the container from the storage space of the food preparation apparatus to a designated storage space of the second food preparation apparatus.

[0135] J3. The system of statement J2, wherein the non-transitory storage medium comprises additional instructions which, when executed by the controller, maintain a datastructure comprising the at least one location parameter of the container before and after the container is transferred from the storage space of the food preparation apparatus to the designated storage space of the second food preparation apparatus, and wherein the at least one location parameter is updated to reflect the designated storage space of the second food preparation apparatus after the container is transferred to the designated storage space of the second food preparation apparatus.

[0136] J4. The system of statement J 1 , wherein at least one of the at least one food condition parameter is associated with a preparedness of food carried by the container.

[0137] J5. The system of statement JI , wherein the control system comprises a plurality of detectors, and wherein each detector of the plurality of detectors is con figured to generate a detection signal corresponding to a respective storage space.

[0138] J6. The system of statement J5, wherein at least two detectors are configured to generate a respective detection signal corresponding to each of the at least one storage spaces.

[0139] .17. The system of statement J 1, wherein the food preparation apparatus further comprises a lid actuator configured to substantially cover a container received in the at least one storage space with a corresponding at least one lid, and wherein the food condition parameter corresponds to the container not being substantially aligned with the corresponding at least one lid.[014G| J8. The system of statement J7, wherein each of the at least one detectors comprises a switch mechanism, and wherein the food condition parameter corresponds to the container not being substantially aligned with the corresponding lid.

[0141] .19. The system of statement J I, wherein the at least one detector is coupled to the support structure.

[0142] JI 0. The system of statement J9, wherein the detector is a force detector, wherein the food condition parameter is based on a weight of the contents of the container.

[0143] KI. A food holding unit comprising: a housing comprising a pan support surface, at least two side walls, and an upper structure, the pan support surface, at least two side walls, and upper structure at least partially defining at least one food storage space and a front opening for each food storage space through which a pan may be received; anda beam detector comprising a beam transmitter and a beam detection sensor, the beam detector being configured to emit a beam near the front opening of at least one of the at least one food storage spaces; wherein the beam detector is configured to detect a position of a pan relative to one storage space.|0144] K2. The food holding unit of statement KI, wherein the beam detector comprises a network of transmitter-sensor pairs, each transmitter-sensor pair comprising a respective beam transmitter and a respective beam detection sensor, wherein each transmitter-sensor pair emits a beam in a different position near the front opening of at least one of the at least one food storage spaces.

[0145] K3. The food holding unit of statement K2, wherein the at least one food storage space comprises a plurality of food storage spaces, and wherein at least one of the transmiter- sensor pairs is positioned such that the beam emitted from each respective beam transmitter is capable of traveling in a path that spans at least a portion of multiple food storage spaces.]0146] K4. The food holding unit of statement K2, wherein the at least one food storage space comprises a plurality of food storage spaces, and wherein the network of transmitter-sensor pairs is confi gured to independently detect the presence of a pan in any of the food storage spaces.[0147| K5. The food holding unit of statement K2, wherein a first beam generated by a first transmiter-sensor pair is oriented at an angle relative to a second beam generated by a second transmitter-sensor pair.

[0148] K6. The food holding unit of statement K5, wherein the first beam and the second beam intersect when viewed from the plane of the front opening of a respective food storage space through which the first beam and the second beam are configured to travel.|0149| K7. The food holding unit of statement KI, wherein the beam detection sensor faces the beam transmitter and is disposed in a location along the beam path across the front opening.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:1 . A food holding unit for holding food in a condition suitable for serving for consumption, the food holding unit comprising: a housing including a base and a side wall extending upward from the base, the housing defining a first food holding location sized and shaped for holding a first food container; wherein the food holding location includes a front opening, a rear opening, and space therebetween; a food conditioning device supported by the housing and configured to condition food in the first food holding location; a food container detector system comprising a food container detection signal emitter supported by the housing, the food container detection signal emitter configured to emit a food container detection signal into the food holding location to detect presence of the first food container.

2. A food holding unit as set forth in claim 1, wherein the food container detector system comprises a food container detection signal receiver configured to receive the food container detection signal.

3. A food holding unit as set forth in claim 2, wherein the food container detection signal emitter comprises a light wave emitter.

4. A food holding unit as set forth in claim 3, wherein the light wave emitter comprises an infrared light emitter.

5. A food holding unit as set forth in claim 3, wherein the light wave emitter comprises an ultraviolet light emitter.

6. A food holding unit as set forth in claim 2, wherein the food container detection signal emitter comprises a sound wave emitter.

7. A food holding unit as set forth in claim 6, wherein the sound wave emitter comprises a sonic wave emitter.

8. A food holding unit as set forth in claim 2, wherein the food container detection signal emitter comprises a laser emitter.

9. A food holding unit as set forth in claim 2, wherein the food container detection signal receiver is spaced from the food container detection signal emitter across the food holding location to receive the food container detection signal emitted across the food holding location.

10. A food holding unit as set forth in claim 2, wherein the food container detection signal emitter is configured to emit the food container detection signal across an entrance of the food holding location.1 1. A food holding unit as set forth in claim 10, wherein the food container detection signal emitter is configured to emit the food container detection signal as a beam across the food holding location.

12. A food holding unit as set forth in claim 2, wherein the food container detector system is configured to detect presence of the food container as a function of the food container detection signal receiver not receiving the food container detection signal.

13. A food holding unit as set forth in claim 2, wherein the food container detector system is configured to detect presence of the food container based on time between the food container detection signal emitter emitting the food container detection signal and receipt of the food container detection signal by the food container detection signal receiver.

14. A food holding unit as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a second food container detection signal emitter supported by the housing.

15. A food holding unit as set forth in claim 14, wherein the second food container detection signal emitter is configured to emit a food container detection signal into the first food holding location to detect presence the first food container.

16. A food holding unit as set forth in claim 14, wherein the housing defines a second food holding location sized and shaped for holding a second food container, the second food container detection signal emitter being configured to emit a food container detection signal into the second food holding location to detect presence of the second food container.

17. A food holding unit as set forth in claim 1, wherein the housing defines a second food holding location sized and shaped for holding a second food container, the first food container detection signal emitter configured to emit the food detection signal into the section food holding location to detect presence of the second food container.

18. A food holding unit as set forth in claim 17, further comprising a second food container detection signal emitter supported by the housing, the second food container detection signal emitter configured to emit a food container detection signal into the first and second food holding locations to detect presence of the first and second food containers.

19. A food holding unit as set forth in claim 18, in combination with the first food container and the second food container.

20. A food holding unit as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the food container detection system is configured to detect an orientation of the first food container with respect to the first food holding location.

21. A food holding unit as set forth in claim 20, wherein the food container detection system is configured to detect a status of the first food container as being partially removed from the first food holding location.

22. A food holding unit as set forth in claim 20, wherein the food container detection system is configured to detect a misalignment of the first food container with respect to the first food holding location.

23. A food holding unit as set forth in claim 20, further comprising a user interface, the user interface configured to signal an event cue to reorient the first food container with respect to the first food holding location as a function of the detected orientation of the first food container.

Images