Food management system

Systems and methods for managing food processing and inventory. Food inventory held at food holding locations can be monitored. Food can be transferred among holding locations and served from holding locations. A prioritized food type list indicates food types to be processed and lists food types in order of determined priority. Food may be transferred to default destination holding locations. Food may be moved to and served from primary holding locations. Buttons associated with holding location displays can be actuated by different types of user engagement for executing various food management operations.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to food management and more particularly to systems, apparatus, and methods for managing food in food preparation establishments such as restaurants, including quick service restaurants.

BACKGROUND

The success of restaurants depends in large part on speed of customer service and quality of food served to customers. Speed of service may be improved by forecasting or predicting food that will be ordered in the future and preparing food before it is ordered. For example, food may be prepared by cooking it (e.g., by baking, frying, broiling, etc.) and then holding it in a condition suitable for serving in anticipation of the food being ordered by a customer. It is desirable to monitor inventory of cooked food to ensure it is served to customers within a time period during which it is suitable for serving and discarded or wasted if the food has not been served before that time period expires. Some systems for food management for restaurants are known. For example, certain systems are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,232,062, 7,258,064, and 7,953,632, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.

SUMMARY

One aspect of the present invention is directed to a food management control system for managing food in a food holding apparatus having at least a first holding location and a second holding location for holding food of a first food type. The food management control system includes a food management controller configured for monitoring food expiration times associated with the first and second holding locations. A point of sale device is configured for receiving customer orders and for generating a customer order signal representative of a customer order for an amount of the first food type. The food management control system also includes a user interface including at least first and second holding location displays for displaying information associated with the respective first and second holding locations. The food management control system also includes a tangible storage medium having food management controller executable instructions stored therein. The instructions, when executed by the food management controller, display on the first and second holding location displays food amount indicators representing an amount of food held at the respective holding locations. The tangible storage medium stores food management controller executable instructions for displaying a first food status indicator on one of the first and second holding location displays indicating food held at the holding location associated with said one of the first and second holding location displays should be served first relative to food held at the holding location associated with the other of the first and second holding location displays. The food management controller is in operative communication with the point of sale device for receiving the customer order signal, and the food management controller is responsive to the customer order signal to change the food amount indicator displayed on said one of the first and second holding location displays to represent a reduced amount of food of the first food type held in said one of the first and second holding locations.

Another aspect of the present invention is directed to a food management control system for managing food in a food holding apparatus. The food holding apparatus has a plurality of food holding locations including at least an origin holding location and a destination holding location for receiving food transferred from the origin location. The food management control system includes a food management controller configured for managing an inventory of food and monitoring hold times associated with the food holding locations including the origin and destination holding locations. The food management control system includes a tangible storage medium storing a data structure identifying a hold time as being associated with the origin holding location. The tangible storage medium includes food management controller executable instructions stored therein. The instructions, when executed by the food management controller, identifying the destination holding location as a default destination holding location among the plurality of food holding locations. The tangible storage medium includes food management controller executable instructions for executing a default transfer in which the food management controller modifies the data structure to identify the hold time as being associated with the default destination holding location.

Another aspect of the present invention is directed to a computer executable method for use with food holding apparatus having a plurality of food holding locations including at least an origin holding location and a destination holding location to which food from the origin holding location can be transferred. The method includes storing a data structure in a tangible storage medium identifying a hold time as being associated with the origin holding location, monitoring, with a food management controller, the hold time associated with the origin holding location, and referencing, with the food management controller, instructions stored in the tangible storage medium identifying a holding location among the plurality of the holding locations as a default holding location for receiving the hold time in a default transfer. The method further includes executing, with the food management controller, instructions stored in the tangible storage medium to execute the default transfer including modifying the data structure to identify the hold time as being associated with the default destination holding location.

Another aspect of the present invention is directed to a food management control system for managing food in a food holding apparatus. The food holding apparatus has at least a first holding location and a second holding location. The food management control system includes a food management controller configured for monitoring hold times associated with the first and second holding locations. The food management control system includes a user interface including at least first and second holding location displays for displaying information associated with the respective first and second holding locations. The first and second holding location displays are arranged in an array corresponding to an arrangement of the respective first and second holding locations. The first and second holding location displays are positioned in the array corresponding to positions of the respective first and second holding locations in the arrangement. A tangible storage medium stores a data structure identifying the first holding location as a primary holding location. The tangible storage medium has food management controller executable instructions stored therein. The instructions, when executed by the food management controller, display a primary holding location indicator on the first holding location display for distinguishing the first holding location from the second holding location as the primary holding location. The primary holding location indicator indicates to a user to place food at the first holding location instead of the second holding location when the first and second holding locations are not holding food and to transfer food from the second holding location to the first holding location if the first holding location is not holding food.

Another aspect of the present invention is directed to a restaurant food management control system for managing an inventory of cooked food. The restaurant food management control system includes a user interface for displaying a cook list of food types to be cooked for adding to the inventory of cooked food. The restaurant food management control system includes food management controller configured for managing the inventory of cooked food, monitoring a need for cooked food, and determining food types needed to be cooked. The restaurant food management control system includes a tangible storage medium storing the cook list. The tangible storage medium has food management controller executable instructions stored therein. The instructions, when executed by the food management controller, determine a priority for each food type on the cook list as a function of an amount of food of that food type in the inventory and an amount of food of that food type needed to be cooked. The tangible storage medium has food management controller executable instructions that, when executed by the food management controller, modify the cook list to arrange the food types on the cook list in order of the determined priority.

Another aspect of the present invention is directed to a food management control system for managing an inventory of processed food. The food management control system includes a user interface for displaying a prioritized food type list of food types to be processed for adding to the inventory of processed food. The food management control system includes a food management controller configured for managing the inventory of processed food, monitoring a need for processed food, and determining food types needed to be processed. The food management control system includes a tangible storage medium storing the prioritized food type list. The tangible storage medium has food management controller executable instructions stored therein. The instructions, when executed by the food management controller, determine a priority for each food type on the prioritized food type list as a function of an amount of food of that food type in the inventory and an amount of food of that food type needed to be processed. The tangible storage medium has food management controller executable instructions for modifying the prioritized food type list to arrange the food types on the prioritized food type list in order of the determined priority.

Another aspect of the present invention is directed to a food management system for managing food in a food holding apparatus having a plurality of holding locations. The food management system includes a food management controller configured for monitoring a status of the plurality of holding locations. The food management system includes a user interface including a plurality of holding location displays associated with respective holding locations for displaying information associated with the holding locations. The holding location displays are arranged in an array corresponding to an arrangement of the respective holding locations. The holding location displays are positioned in the array corresponding to positions of the respective holding locations in the arrangement. Each holding location display includes a touch sensitive area defining a button that can be actuated by at least a first type of user engagement with the button. The food management system including a tangible storage medium having food management controller executable instructions stored therein. The instructions, when executed by the food management controller, display on each holding location display information associated with the status of the respective holding location. The tangible storage medium has food management controller executable instructions for executing a first operation in response to the first type of user engagement with the button when a first holding location status is displayed on the holding location display and for executing a second operation different than the first operation in response to the first type of user engagement with the button when a second holding location status is displayed on the holding location display.

Another aspect of the present invention is directed to a computer executable method for use with food holding apparatus having a plurality of holding locations. The method includes providing a user interface including a plurality of holding location displays associated with respective holding locations for displaying information associated with the holding locations. The holding location displays are arranged in an array corresponding to an arrangement of the respective holding locations. The holding location displays are positioned in the array corresponding to positions of the respective holding locations in the arrangement. Each holding location display including a touch sensitive area defining a button that can be actuated by at least a first type of user engagement with the button. The method also includes displaying on each holding location display information associated with the status of the respective holding location, executing, with a food management controller, a first operation in response to the first type of user engagement with the button when a first holding location status is displayed on the holding location display, and executing, with the food management controller, a second operation different than the first operation in response to the first type of user engagement with the button when a second holding location status is displayed on the holding location display.

Another aspect of the present invention is directed to a food management control system for managing food in a food holding apparatus having a plurality of holding locations. The food management control system includes a food management controller configured for monitoring status of the plurality of holding locations. The food management control system includes a user interface including a plurality of holding location displays associated with respective holding locations for displaying information associated with the holding locations. The holding location displays are arranged in an array corresponding to an arrangement of the respective holding locations and positioned in the array corresponding to positions of the respective first and second holding locations in the arrangement. Each holding location display includes a touch sensitive area defining a button that can be actuated by at least a first type of user engagement with the button and a second type of user engagement with the button different than the first type of user engagement with the button. The food management control system includes a tangible storage medium having food management controller executable instructions stored therein. The instructions, when executed by the food management controller, display on each holding location display information associated with the status of the respective holding location. The tangible storage medium has food management controller executable instructions for executing a first operation in response to the first type of user engagement with the button and for executing a second operation different than the first operation in response to the second type of user engagement with the button.

Yet another aspect of the present invention is directed to a computer executable method for use with a food holding apparatus having a plurality of holding locations. The method includes providing a user interface including a plurality of holding location displays associated with respective holding locations for displaying information associated with the holding locations. The holding location displays are arranged in an array corresponding to an arrangement of the respective holding locations and positioned in the array corresponding to positions of the respective first and second holding locations in the arrangement. Each holding location display includes a touch sensitive area defining a button that can be actuated by at least a first type of user engagement with the button and a second type of user engagement with the button different than the first type of user engagement with the button. The method further includes displaying on each holding location display information associated with the status of the respective holding location, executing, with a food management controller, a first operation in response to the first type of user engagement with the button, and executing, with the food management controller, a second operation different than the first operation in response to the second type of user engagement with the button.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the drawings,FIG.1illustrates one embodiment of a food management system according to the present invention, indicated generally by the reference number1. The system1may be used in various types of food preparation establishments, such as restaurants, including quick service or “fast food” restaurants. The system1can 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 system1may include food preparation apparatus2and control apparatus4. The food preparation apparatus2may include various food cooking devices6such as ovens10, fryers12, microwaves14, grills16, and broilers18. The food preparation apparatus2may also include food holding apparatus20such as one or more food holding units22for holding cooked food in a condition suitable for serving. The control apparatus4may include various devices such as point-of-sale devices24, local computers26, remote computers28, tablets30, hand-held computing devices32(e.g., smart telephone), etc. The control apparatus4may be operatively connected with each other via a wired and/or wireless network34or other means. The control apparatus4may also be operatively connected with the food preparation apparatus2for sending and/or receiving signals therefrom. Aspects of food management systems are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,232,062 and 7,258,064, incorporated by reference above. It will be understood the food management system1of the present invention may include any of the aspects disclosed therein.

An aspect of the present invention relates to the food holding apparatus20. In one example, as shown inFIG.18, the food holding apparatus20may include one or more food holding units22adapted for holding food at a suitable temperature (e.g., cool temperature, ambient temperature, and/or warm temperature). Such food holding units22may include one or more locations36(e.g., compartments or wells) in which food may be received and held (e.g., in a container such as a pan). For example, the food holding units22may include holding locations36adapted for holding cooked food in a warm condition suitable for serving. Example of food holding units of this type are disclosed in U.S. Pat. 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. Pat. Nos. 7,232,062 and 7,258,064, incorporated by reference above. In another example, the holding apparatus20may include holding units22in 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 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. Depending on the needs of a particular quick service restaurant, one or more holding units22may be used. It will be understood that food held at holding locations of the food holding apparatus20may be held in a container, such as a pan, bag, box, or package, or may be placed uncontained or unpackaged at the holding location.

A control system40(e.g., “food management control system” or “quick service food management control system”) associated with the holding apparatus20is shown schematically inFIG.2. Components of the control system40may be part of the holding apparatus20and/or other apparatus of the system1, such as the point-of-sale device24, local computer26, remote computer28, tablet30, hand-held mobile computer32, etc. The control system40includes a controller42(e.g., central processing unit or “CPU” or broadly “food management controller”) including one or more processors, a tangible storage medium44(e.g., including forms of storage such as software44A and firmware44B), and a user interface46. The tangible storage medium44may 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 controller42may be a microprocessor or the like. The control system40includes interconnection electronics48that operatively connect the various components of the control system40and may connect the control system via a communications interface50with other control apparatus4and/or food preparation apparatus2. For example, the interconnection electronics48may include electrical or fiber optic lines or wireless communication devices. The communications interface48may 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 controller42is adapted for reading and executing processor executable instructions stored in the storage medium44, and the controller is responsive to the user interface46, for controlling the various components and systems of the control system40. A user can enter or modify instructions stored on the storage medium44via the user interface46and/or via a communications interface50. In the illustrated embodiment, the user interface46includes a touch screen display64(e.g., seeFIG.3), as explained in further detail below. The touch screen display64includes 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 interface46may include a display not sensitive to touch of a user. The user interface46may 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 invention. The user interface46provides command signals via the interconnection electronics48to the controller42. The command signals can include changes to the parameters (e.g., food preparation or inventory parameters, etc.) stored in the tangible storage medium44. The controller42responds to the command signals and provides information (e.g., food status indications) and/or instructions via the interconnection electronics48to the user interface46to be communicated to the employees.

The at least one touch screen display64is associated with the food holding apparatus20for monitoring food preparation and inventory (e.g., uncooked and/or cooked food inventory) and providing associated information and instructions to employees. For example, the touch screen display64may be part of the point-of-sale device24, local computer26, remote computer28, tablet30, and/or hand-held computing devices32, etc. At least one touch screen display64is desirably positioned proximate the food holding apparatus20for reference by employees using the food holding apparatus. For example, in one embodiment, the touch screen display64is part of the tablet30and is mounted or otherwise supported next to the food holding apparatus20. Alternatively, the touch screen display64may be part of the food holding apparatus20. For example, the food holding unit22may 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 locations36, or the food holding unit22may include a global touch screen display associated with all of the holding locations.

The user interface46(e.g., the touch screen display64) 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 patents incorporated by reference herein. The touch screen display64may indicate to employees amounts and types of food to be cooked based on forecasted and/or recent orders. In addition, the touch screen display64may indicate to employees status of food being held in the food holding apparatus20(e.g., whether the food is suitable for being served, whether its hold time has expired, etc.).

FIG.3shows a screen shot of an example view (graphic interface) that may be displayed on the touch screen display64. The view includes on the left side a cook list section70indicating food to be cooked, and on the right side a food holding apparatus status indication section72showing status of the holding locations36of the holding apparatus20where food may be held. Regarding the cook list section70, it will be understood that the control system40may 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. Pat. 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 device24, 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). In the illustrated embodiment, the cook list section70includes a plurality of cook lists70A,70B,70C corresponding to different cooking devices including the fryers12, ovens10, and grills16. It will be understood that other types of food preparation apparatus (such as the broiler18, microwave14, etc.) may be shown based on the apparatus needed for preparing food at the relevant time of the day. Moreover, one cook list may include food types to be cooked by different cooking devices without departing from the scope of the present invention. The food types to be cooked are indicated by a food type indicator such as a full or abbreviated name of the type of food (e.g., “BISC” for biscuits, “FT” for French toast, “EGG” for eggs, and so forth) and an amount of that food type to be cooked (e.g., “15” for “FT,” “10” for “SAUSAG”), which together may be referred to as a line item. The food type indicator may include an symbol (e.g., graphic) in place of or in addition to the alpha/numeric text for the food type indicator and/or amount to be cooked. The cook lists are stored on the tangible storage medium44(e.g., in a data structure therein) and are modifiable by the controller42, as will become apparent. Additional aspects of the food cook list section70will be described in further detail below.

Food may be stored in the food holding apparatus20(e.g., after it is cooked or otherwise prepared, such as by thawing, cutting, assembling, and/or portioning) until it is served to a customer or discarded as waste. Inventory of food held in the food holding apparatus20may be monitored by the control system40, and indications of the status of the holding locations36(e.g., status of food held at the holding locations) may be shown on the touch screen display64. As will be explained in further detail, the food holding apparatus status section72indicates status of food holding locations36such as “no food present,” “food present,” “food suitable for serving,” “food to be served first,” “food to be served second,” and “food expired or to be discarded.”

Referring toFIG.4, in which a partial view of the touch screen display64is shown without the cook list section70, the food holding apparatus status section72includes an array of holding location displays80representing respective holding locations36of the food holding apparatus20and on which information associated with the respective holding locations is displayed. The holding location displays80are arranged in an array (e.g., including columns and rows) corresponding to an arrangement of the food holding locations36, and the holding location displays are positioned in the array corresponding to the position of the respective holding locations in the arrangement. The array of compartment displays80includes sub-arrays81of holding location displays representative of holding locations36of individual food holding units22(e.g., “PHU1,” “PHU2,” “PHU3”). The status of the respective locations36may be shown by status indicators such as symbols, color, outlining, bolding, flashing, text, numbers, graphics or other visual indicators. In the illustrated embodiment, the locations36that are inactive are indicated by a generally blank holding location display80and dim or gray appearance of the holding location display. The holding locations36that are active are indicated at least by a food type indicator80A (e.g., food type name or symbol, etc. representing the food type) indicating the food type to be held at the holding location. Among the active holding locations36, those in which no food is held are indicated by there not being a countdown timer80B displayed and optionally a relatively dim appearance or blue shading of the holding location display80. The holding locations36in which food is held are indicated by a lighter (e.g., illuminated/white) appearance, a displayed hold time indicator80B (e.g., countdown timer), and a food amount indicator80C (e.g., a number representative of the amount of food held at the location36). A holding location36having food for which the hold time has not yet elapsed and which has been held the longest (or will expire the soonest) among locations holding the same type of food is indicated by green coloring. For example, the hold time indicator80B, food type indicator80A, and food amount indicator80C may be displayed in green. Alternatively, the holding location display80may include a green background. Holding locations36having the same food type that have been held for a shorter time are indicated by yellow coloring (or orange/amber coloring). For example, the hold time indicator80B, food type indicator80A, and food amount indicator80C may be displayed in yellow. Alternatively, the holding location display may include a yellow background. It will be understood that these indicators convey to the employees to serve food from the location36indicated by green (corresponding to food longest held or soonest to expire) before serving food from the location indicated by yellow to facilitate a “first-in, first-out” serving convention. A holding location36having food for which the hold time has elapsed is indicated by red coloring. For example, the hold time indicator80B (e.g., “0:00”), food type indicator80A, and food amount indicator80C may be displayed in red. Alternatively, the holding location display80may include a red background (e.g., flashing red background). The processor42is responsive to instructions in the tangible storage medium44and user input from the user interface46for displaying, updating, and changing the indicators on the holding location displays80.

Although the holding location displays80are illustrated as all being sections of the touch screen display64, it will be appreciated that other configurations can be used without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the holding location displays80could be unconnected or separate from each other (e.g., on respective separate touch screen displays). Such separate holding location displays could still be arranged in an array corresponding to the holding locations. For example, the holding location displays80could be positioned on the holding apparatus20in such an array (e.g., next to the respective holding locations36).

Although the illustrated hold time indicators80B are count down timers, it will be understood other hold time indicators may be used without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the hold time indicator may be a count up timer, a static time (e.g., static expiration time), color, symbol, graphic, text, bolding, highlighting, outlining, or other indicator without departing from the scope of the present invention. As used herein, the term “hold time” can mean an expiration time, a time remaining until expiration, a time food has been held, etc., without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Although the illustrated food amount indicators80C indicate numbers of food items, it will be understood other types of food amount indicators may be used without departing from the scope of the present invention. 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 invention.

In one aspect of the present invention, employees may be trained to serve food from designated “primary” or “serving” locations36of the holding apparatus20. It may be desirable to train the employees to serve from these designated primary locations36for ease of use and efficiency. For example, when the primary holding location is not holding food, employees should transfer non-expired food of that type held in other locations36to the primary location for that food type, or place new food at the primary location instead of a different location for that food type. The primary locations36may be indicated by primary location indicators82on the respective holding location displays for distinguishing the primary locations from other locations designated for holding the same type of food. In the illustrated embodiment, primary locations36are indicated by “key” symbols82in the upper left corner of the holding location displays80representative of the primary locations. The primary holding location indicators82are particularly helpful to a user in distinguishing the primary holding location from another holding location when both holding locations are indicated on the respective holding location displays as being active but not holding food. For example, referring toFIG.4, the two lower “EGG” holding locations are both shown by their holding location displays80as being active but not holding food. The holding location displays for those two holding locations have essentially the same appearance except for the primary holding location indicator82distinguishing one from the other. To assist a user in placing food at the 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 controller42may prompt the user (e.g., with an appropriate alert or prompt window) to enter the food into the primary holding location instead of the non-primary holding location. The primary locations36may be indicated in other ways, such as by other symbols (e.g., stars, asterisks, etc.), graphics, text, color, outlining, bolding, highlighting, etc. without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the primary locations36may be lower, left locations relative to the other locations (e.g., at a bottom left side of the array of holding location displays) for holding the same type of food (e.g., see the EGG location displays80inFIG.4), or may be a top, center location relative to the other locations (e.g., see the BISC location displays80inFIG.4). The primary location36may be pre-determined and stored in the tangible storage medium44(e.g., in a data structure stored by the tangible storage medium). The primary locations36may be programmed and re-programmed (e.g., using the user interface46) according to preference and convenience. The primary locations will be discussed in further detail below with respect to transfer of food among holding locations.

Various aspects and functions of the control system40and in particular the user interface46(e.g., touch screen display64) will now be explained with reference toFIGS.4-12. In an aspect of the present invention, various operations of the control system40may be initiated or executed by different user engagements with the touch screen display64, and in particular with buttons89of the holding location displays80. For example, an employee may perform different engagements by “quickly tapping” (e.g., briefly touching for 0.5 seconds or less and releasing) or “long holding” (i.e., “sustained pressing,” e.g., for 1 or 1.5 seconds) on the touch screen64, as will be described in further detail below. As used herein, a “sustained press” is defined as being a substantially longer engagement than a “tap,” such as at least about 0.5 seconds, at least about 1 second, at least about 1.5 seconds, etc. longer than a tap. Other types of single user engagements may be used, such as “sustained pressing and dragging,” and multiple user engagements can be used, such as multiple “taps,” multiple “sustained presses,” and any combination of such user engagements, without departing from the scope of the present invention. The tangible storage medium44may include processor executable instructions for changing the result brought about by or the operation executed as a result of the different types of engagements of the touch screen display64as a function of the status of the particular holding location36indicated by the holding location display80engaged by the employee. It will be appreciated that the multiple functionality of the holding location display buttons89, and the changing functionality of the buttons as a function of the status of the holding locations36(as indicated by the holding location displays80), may enable the food holding apparatus status section72to have a relatively clean appearance and be relatively uncluttered, which enhances user understanding and facilitates efficient interaction.

In the illustrated embodiment, the food holding apparatus status section72includes the plurality of holding location displays80, which each include a touch sensitive area defining the button89. In the illustrated embodiment, the buttons89are substantially co-extensive with the holding location displays80and have respective boundaries adjacent boundaries of the holding location displays. In the illustrated embodiment, the boundaries of the buttons89are shown as rectangular outlines or borders that are also the boundaries of the respective holding location displays80. The buttons89may have other sizes and shapes without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the buttons may be at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 90% or more of the holding location displays. The buttons89desirably have sufficient size to facilitate convenient engagement with them by a finger of a user. It will be appreciated that the holding location displays80may be relatively small, and it may be desirable to provide the buttons89with the largest size possible to facilitate engagement with the buttons. In the illustrated embodiment, the buttons89are the only buttons in the touch sensitive area of respective holding location displays80. The size of the buttons89may be described with reference to the holding location indicators that are displayed on the holding location display80in the touch sensitive area defining the buttons. For example, one or more indicators such as the food amount indicator80C, food hold time indicator80B, and food type indicator80A can be displayed in the touch sensitive area of the holding location display80defining the button89. In the illustrated embodiment, when the holding location display indicates no food is held and when it indicates food is held and not yet expired, only information representative of the status of the holding location is displayed in the touch sensitive area of the holding location display80defining the button89. When a holding location display indicates a status of no food held or food held is not yet expired, the touch sensitive area of the holding location display is free of any indicator indicating an operation executed in response to engagement with the button. It is believed the above features provide the holding location displays with a relatively clean appearance and facilitate quick user comprehension and interaction. Other button configurations may be used without departing from the scope of the present invention. As will be described in further detail below, the buttons89may be actuated by different types of user engagement with the buttons, such as the user engagements described above. For example, a button89may be actuated by briefly tapping the button to bring up a prompt window providing access to various other buttons associated with the holding location36or by making a sustained press of the button to execute certain functions with or without bringing up a prompt window. It will be understood that the operations initiated or executed by the different types of user engagement with the buttons89associated with the holding locations36(e.g., brief tap and sustained press) may be other than described or be switched without departing from the scope of the present invention.

When food is ready to be held in the food holding apparatus20(e.g., after the food has been cooked), an employee may place the food at a chosen location36of the food holding apparatus appropriate for holding the particular type of food. Desirably, the chosen location36is indicated on its holding location display80as being active but not holding food. For example, as shown inFIG.4, if the employee cooked eggs, the employee may place them in the top right EGG location36. To signal to the control system40that the eggs are now present in that location36, the employee may briefly “tap” or “long hold” (“sustained press”) the holding location display80representing that location on the touch screen display64. If the employee “taps” the holding location display80, the prompt window90shown inFIG.5appears. The prompt window90includes an input value field90A, number buttons90B, a back or delete button90C, a discard or waste button90D, and an enter or return button90E. The input value field90A may be automatically filled with the amount of that type of food the control system expects that the employee cooked. In other words, the amount of eggs that the cook list70C instructed the employee to cook (in this case10) may be automatically provided by the controller42in the input value field90A as a default or suggested amount of food to be entered. If the employee would like to deviate from the suggested amount of food (e.g., if a different amount was cooked), they may change the amount in the input value field90A using the delete button90C and number buttons90B. The employee may press the enter button90E to signal to the control system40that the amount shown in the input value field90A is the amount of food supplied to the relevant holding location36. The controller42logs this amount in the tangible storage medium44as being the amount of food held at the associated holding location36. The prompt window90then closes, and the food amount indicator80C and hold time indicator80B appear on the holding location display80representative of that location36. If the employee does not press the enter button90E, the prompt window90will disappear after a predetermined relatively short time (e.g., 2, 3, 4, etc. seconds), and the food amount shown in the input value field90will be entered and appear in the food amount indicator80C on the holding location display80, such as shown inFIG.6. Alternatively, if the employee would like to bypass the prompt window90, the employee may “long hold” the holding location display80associated with the holding location36, which will cause the suggested or default amount of food to be entered (e.g., without any further user input from the employee). The controller42logs this amount in the tangible storage medium44as being the amount of food held at the associated holding location36. The prompt window90will not be shown, the default food amount will be represented by the food amount indicator80C, and the countdown timer80B will appear and begin to count down.

While a holding location36is indicated on its respective holding location display80as containing food, the amount of food indicated as being held at the holding location may be updated. For example, if the holding location36is indicated as “serve first” (e.g., green color), the control system40will presume the employees are serving food from that location, and the controller42will change (e.g., update) the food amount indicator80C of the holding location display80representing that “serve first” holding location36to represent a decreased amount of food, responsive to a signal from the point-of-sale device24indicating an amount of food of that type has been ordered by a customer. The controller42logs this decreased amount in the tangible storage medium44as being the amount of food held at the associated holding location36. For example, if the food amount indicator80C shows “10” and the point-of-sale device24signals a customer ordered one item of that food type, the controller42will display on the respective holding location display80an updated food amount indicator to show “9.” This may occur substantially in real-time, in a delayed fashion, and/or periodically. Moreover, for various reasons, the employees may need to update the amount of food indicated as being held. For example, some of the food may have fallen out of the pan while the employee was taking food from the pan. To manually increase or decrease the amount of food indicated by the food amount indicator80C, the employee may briefly “tap” the holding location display80associated with the relevant location36to bring up the prompt screen90shown inFIG.5. The employee may enter the correct amount of food in the input value field90A such as by using the delete button90C and/or the number buttons90B and update the food amount indicator80C with that amount using the enter button90E. The controller42logs this amount in the tangible storage medium44as being the amount of food held at the associated holding location36.

While a food holding location36is indicated on the associated holding location display80as containing food suitable for serving, the food may be transferred from that holding location to a different holding location, and the hold time indicator80B may be transferred to the holding location display80associated with the different holding location. For ease of reference, the holding location36from which the food is transferred will be referred to as the origin holding location, and the location to which the food is to be transferred will be referred to as the destination holding location. For example, as explained above, it may be desirable for employees to serve food from a primary or serving location of the holding apparatus20for a particular type of food. If the primary holding location needs to be supplied with food, food from another holding location36(e.g., a container having an amount of food in it) may be transferred to the primary location. The identity of the primary holding location may be stored in the tangible storage medium44as a default destination holding location. In other words, transfers to the primary holding location may be executed automatically as “default transfers.” In such cases, the primary holding location indicator82can be referred to as a default destination location indicator. Alternatively or in addition, the control system40may permit “selected transfers” (e.g., override of “default transfers”) in which the employee selects a desired destination holding location that is different than the default destination holding location. For example, processor executable override instructions responsive to user input would designate a different holding location36than the default location as the destination holding location. In one example, the instructions to identify the destination holding location would identify the default holding location as the only destination holding location unless the override instructions have been executed prior to execution of the identifying instructions.

Transfers may be executed in various ways, such as by different types of user engagement with the buttons89of the holding location displays80. For example, the transfer function may be executed by “long holding” (“sustained pressing”) the button89on the holding location display80for an origin holding location. Referring toFIG.6, the top left EGG holding location36is indicated as being long held by the gray shading of the holding location display80. The long hold may bring up a pending transfer window100, such as shown inFIG.7. The pending transfer window100may be shown for a relatively short pending transfer time (e.g., 2, 3, 4, 5, etc. seconds), during which time a pending transfer countdown timer100A may be shown in the transfer window, and during which time the employee may cancel the transfer (e.g., by tapping the touch screen display64outside the transfer window100). At the end of the pending transfer time, the transfer window100disappears, and the food amount indicator80C and hold time indicator80B are transferred from the origin holding location display80to the primary (destination) holding location display. The controller42transfers association of the hold time to the destination holding location and records this in the tangible storage medium44. In other words, in response to the long hold, the control system40executes an “automatic transfer” to the default (primary) destination holding location display80(e.g., without any additional user input). For example, as shown inFIG.8, the food amount indicator80C and hold time indicator80B have been transferred from the top left EGG holding location display80to the primary, bottom left EGG holding location display80. The pending transfer window100may be omitted without departing from the scope of the present invention. In other words, a transfer may happen without the intermediate step of displaying the transfer window100.

Alternatively, if the employee desired to make a “selected transfer,” they could, for example, during the pending transfer countdown time, tap the pending transfer window100to signal the control system40to execute a selected transfer instead of a default transfer. An example of such a process is illustrated inFIGS.9-12. The bottom right EGG holding location display80is illustrated as being long held by gray shading inFIG.9. This brings up the pending transfer window100, as shown inFIG.10. Tapping the pending transfer window100makes the window disappear, after which the employee may tap the holding location display80representative of the desired or selected destination holding location.FIG.11illustrates the employee tapping the top left EGG holding location display80(e.g., indicated by the gray shading). In response to this user input, the controller42executes the selected transfer or default transfer override instructions in the tangible storage medium44. The processor42transfers the food amount indicator80C and hold time indicator80B of the origin holding location display80(the bottom right EGG location36) to the holding location display80of the selected destination holding location (the top left EGG location36), rather than to the holding location display representing the default holding locations36, which in the case illustrated inFIG.11already contained food.

It will be appreciated that default and selected transfer operations may be initiated and executed in other fashions without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, as shown inFIG.13, a transfer may be initiated by briefly tapping the holding location display80of the origin location to bring up a prompt window90′ similar to the window90shown inFIG.5. The prompt window90′ includes the same features of the window90described above and also includes two transfer buttons, namely a default (primary) transfer button102and a selected transfer button104. If the default transfer button102is used, the prompt window90′ would disappear, and the food amount indicator80C and hold time indicator80B would transfer to the default holding location display80. If the selected transfer button104were used, the prompt window90′ would disappear, and the food amount indicator80C and hold time indicator80B would transfer to a selected destination holding location display after it is tapped by the employee. In other words, using the selected transfer button104overrides the instructions in the tangible storage medium44identifying the default destination holding location as the only destination holding location and permits the user to select a desired destination holding location. As another example, the button89of the origin holding location display80could be actuated by the “sustained pressing and dragging” user engagement type mentioned above, in which the dragging is toward the default holding location and the user engagement is released before reaching the default holding location, could initiate or execute the default transfer. The controller42may be responsive to the dragging to show the holding location display80or other image moving on the touch screen display64in the direction of the dragging. Moreover, if the user desired to perform a selected transfer to a location36other than the default holding location, the user could sustained press the button89, drag the holding location display80or other representative image, and drop it on a selected destination holding location display.

In one embodiment, the control system40may include at least one sensor110used for initiating a transfer. For example, as shown inFIGS.1,2, and18, sensors110may be provided on the food holding apparatus20at respective food holding locations36. The sensors110may be adapted for sensing whether food is present at the holding locations36. Various types of sensors100may be used, such as weight sensors, pressure sensors, presence sensors, optical 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 display80as not holding food, and a sensor110associated with a holding location36indicated as holding food of the same type signals the control system40that the pan has been removed from that holding location, the control system may automatically initiate or execute a default transfer, i.e., transfer the food amount indicator80C and hold time indicator80B to the primary (default) holding location display. It is assumed that the employee has removed the food from the non-primary holding location36to transfer the food to the primary holding location from which the food will be served. Moreover, if a sensor110in the default destination holding location (e.g., primary holding location) signals the controller42that there is no food present in that location, and the controller may execute instructions stored in the tangible storage medium44for 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 controller42may 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). A similar default transfer could be initiated or executed by the controller42without using a sensor110but instead monitoring statuses of holding locations (as displayed by the holding location displays). For example, if a default destination (primary) holding location for a particular type of food is indicated by its holding location display80as not holding food, and another holding location is indicated by its holding location display as holding that type of food, the controller42may initiate or execute a default transfer from that holding location to the default destination holding location. If more than two holding locations36other than the default destination holding location are shown as holding food, the origin holding location for the default transfer would be identified as the holding location having a “serve first” status (e.g., green color displayed by the respective holding location display80). This step of identifying the origin holding location between two potential origin holding locations could also be used in a transfer involving a sensor signaling the default destination holding location is not holding food.

When food at a holding location36is indicated on its holding location display80as containing expired food (hold time elapsed, e.g., “0:00”), the amount of expired food represented as held in the holding location may be updated. For example, to indicate to the control system40that the expired food is being discarded, the employee may tap on the holding location display80representative of the relevant holding location36. The prompt window90such as shown inFIG.5would appear. The food amount last indicated by the food amount indicator80C would appear in the food amount input field90A. This amount represents the suggested amount of wasted food. If the amount is correct, the employee may use the waste button90D to reset or clear the holding location display80(i.e., remove the hold time indicator80B and food amount indicator80C, and change the displayed status from “food held” to “food not held” such as by color change). If the amount is incorrect (e.g., not accurately representative of the amount of food in the pan to be discarded), the employee may correct the amount using the delete button90C and/or the number buttons90B and then use the waste button90D to reset/clear the holding location display80. The control system40logs the amount of food last shown in the food amount input field90A in the tangible storage medium44as wasted food. After the holding location display80has been cleared (i.e., the food has been wasted), the holding location display no longer shows a hold time indicator80B or food amount indicator80C, shows “no food held” status, and is ready for the employee to initiate another hold sequence per the steps described above.

In view of the discussion above, it will be appreciated that the buttons89of the touch screen display64associated with the holding locations36permit execution of different operations by different activations or actuations of the buttons by different types of user engagement with the buttons. For example, in one embodiment, as described above, tapping (a first type of engagement) of a button89for a holding location display80brings up the prompt window90(e.g., from which the amount of food indicated as stored at the location36can be changed or a transfer may be initiated), and long holding or sustained pressing (a second type of engagement) of the button executes a transfer. In other embodiments, a default transfer may be initiated or executed by tapping and a selected transfer may be initiated or executed by long holding. As also described above, upon inserting food into a previously empty holding location36, tapping the button89associated with the holding location display80may bring up the prompt window90, and sustained pressing the button may automatically enter the suggested amount of food (e.g., previously displayed on the cook list). Moreover, as also described above, upon expiration of the hold time, tapping the button89may bring up the prompt window90(where the amount of food to be wasted can be modified), and long holding the button may automatically log the suggested amount of food as waste and change the displayed status of the holding location36to “no food held.” It will be understood that other operations may be executed based on other types of engagements with the touch screen display, and the operations initiated or executed by tapping, long holding, or other types of engagements may be switched or interchanged without departing from the scope of the present invention. It will be appreciated that the appearance of the buttons89is substantially the same for a particular food holding location display among the various holding location statuses, other than the updating of displayed information representative of the status of the holding location in the touch sensitive area of the holding location display defining the button. For example, a button appears substantially the same among holding location statuses except for the updating of displayed indicators representing food type, amount, hold time, whether food is present, whether food should be served first or second, and whether food is expired. However, other configurations may be used without departing from the scope of the present invention.

In another aspect of the present invention, the cook list section70may display food types to cook in order of floating priority. This will be described with reference toFIGS.14-16, which illustrate schematically a cook list70B′ that may be displayed in the cook list section70of the view of the touch screen display64ofFIG.3. It will be appreciated that the cook list70B′ illustrated inFIGS.13-16is specifically for an oven, and cook lists for other appliances and global cook lists (including food types cooked by different appliances) may be used according to the principles explained herein (e.g., as shown inFIG.3), without departing from the scope of the present invention. The cook lists may be updated in substantially real-time, on a delayed basis, and/or periodically, based on the determined priority for cooking certain food types. Priority for cooking certain types of food may be determined by a ratio of “inventory” versus “need.” The food that is in inventory (on hand) includes the food ready to be served (e.g., cooked food) and can be determined by summing the amount of food of the particular type indicated as currently held in the food holding apparatus20(e.g., summing the amount represented by the food amount indicators80C for all holding locations36holding that food type). The amount of food of each type that is needed (demand) can be determined by forecasting or predicting, as described above, for predetermined intervals of time. For example, if it is predicted 10 biscuits will be needed in the next 30 minutes (or other pre-determined time increment or increments), and there are 5 biscuits currently in inventory, the ratio of inventory versus need for biscuits would be 5:10 or 50%. If it is predicted 10 cookies will be needed in the next 30 minutes, and there are 3 cookies in inventory, the ratio of inventory versus need for cookies would be 3:10 or 30%. Accordingly, cookies (e.g., “7 COOKIE”) would be displayed on the oven cook list70B′ as having higher priority (e.g., above) biscuits (e.g., “5 BISC”). This is illustrated in the cook list70B′ shown inFIG.14. In general, food types having smaller inventory versus need (e.g., expressed as percentage or fraction) are ranked higher in priority on the cook list than food types having greater inventory versus need. It will be understood that the ratio of inventory versus need can also be expressed as need versus inventory, in which case the food types having higher need versus inventory would be ranked higher in priority on the cook list than food types having lesser need versus inventory. Moreover, it will be understood priority can be determined as a function of inventory and need in other ways without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, factors, parameters, and/or multipliers in addition to the ratio can be included in determining priority, and the ratio can account for or be a function of other factors, parameters, and/or multipliers.

The ratio of inventory versus need of a particular food type may change over time, and the cook lists may be updated to reflect the changed priority. The tangible storage medium44can store the cook list and priority information (e.g., in data structures), and the controller42can update the priority information and modify the cook list accordingly. Continuing with the example from above, if the point-of-sale device24indicates to the control system40that a customer has recently ordered two cookies, the inventory of the cookies will be updated to 1 cookie (2 less cookies than before). The food amount indicator80C on the holding location display80associated with the holding location holding cookies from which they are being served (e.g., the primary holding location) would be updated to 1 from 3. Accordingly, the ratio of inventory to need of cookies would reduce to 10%, meaning there would be increased priority to cook cookies. If the updated inventory to need of cookies changed the relative priority on the cook list70B′ (e.g., relative to rolls at 20%), cookies would move higher on the oven cook list (e.g., “9 COOKIE”), as shown inFIG.15. On the other hand, if the inventory of cookies increased (e.g., 6 cookies were baked and supplied to the food holding apparatus20, as indicated to the control system40by the employee using the user interface46or specifically the touch screen display64), the decreased priority for preparing cookies may move it lower on the cook list70B′. If the amount of a particular food type in inventory is less than the amount of that food type currently ordered by customers, that food type may be indicated with particular importance to the employees to be cooked (e.g., on top of the cook list, flashing, bolded, underlined, or highlighted, etc.). For example,FIG.16illustrates emphasis for cooking “10 COOKIE,” which is bolded, underlined, and highlighted. Moreover, what is considered to be in inventory may be updated to account for hold time remaining and/or cook time for that particular food type. For example, if 10 cookies are needed, and the control system40indicates 3 cookies are in inventory, but the hold time remaining for the 3 cookies is less than the time required to cook new cookies, the “inventory” of cookies for purposes of the inventory versus need ratio may be considered to be 0. Accordingly, the ratio would be 0% when the remaining hold time is less than the time required to cook new cookies, and the cookies (e.g., “10 COOKIE”) may move higher on the oven cook list70B′ and/or be emphasized as having high priority (e.g., on top of the cook list, flashing, bolded, underlined, or highlighted, etc.), as shown inFIG.16. Moreover, as time elapses, the amount of food of a particular food type needed to fill expected orders may change, which could accordingly affect the inventory versus need ratio.

If desired, a food type listed on the cook list70B′ may be “held” or “locked” in position (priority) on the list by user engagement (e.g., tapping, long holding, etc.) the associated line item (e.g., the food type indicator) on the cook list. For example, if the particular food type is currently being cooked, it may be desirable to hold its position on the cook list until cooking of food of that food type is finished and the cooked food is supplied to the food holding apparatus20. After food is cooked and supplied to the food holding apparatus20, the control system40knows cooking of the food has finished, based on entry of the food into a holding location (from an employee using the touch screen display64to enter the food into a holding location). In response, the control system40may reduce the amount of that food type shown on the cook list as needing to be cooked or remove it from the cook list, as necessary.

It will be appreciated that features of the cook list70B′ described above can be applied to types of food processing other than cooking. For example, a prioritized food type list similar to the cook list70B′ can be used for identifying and listing food types to be processed (in other ways than cooking) in order of determined priority. Food processing can include thawing, cutting, portioning, moving, assembling, packaging, holding, and/or other types of processing. The priority for processing a particular food type can be determined as a function of an amount of food of that food type in inventory and an amount of that food type needed to be processed, exactly as described above with respect to processing by cooking. The priority for food types on the prioritized food type list can be updated, and the order of the food types on the prioritized food type list can be changed based on the updated determined priority. Any of the features described above with respect to the cook list could be applied to the prioritized food type list.

FIG.17illustrates a second embodiment of a screen (graphic interface) that may be displayed on the user interface46(e.g., the touch screen display64) for use with the control system40. The second embodiment is very similar to the embodiment shown inFIGS.3-13and described above, and like parts are designated with like reference numbers, plus200. It will be understood the second embodiment can function essentially the same as described above with respect to the first embodiment and includes features described hereafter.

As with the previous embodiment, the view shown inFIG.17includes a left side cook list section270indicating food to be cooked, and a right side food holding apparatus status indication section272showing status of holding locations36. The food holding apparatus status indication section272includes an array of holding location displays280. Active holding location displays280include food type indicators280A, and holding location displays representing holding locations where food is held additionally include hold time indicators280B and food amount indicators280C. The holding location displays280also include buttons289. In this embodiment, colors are used on the holding location displays280as explained with respect to the first embodiment to indicate statuses such as “no food present,” “food present,” “food suitable for serving,” “food to be served first,” “food to be served second,” and “food expired or to be discarded.” In this embodiment, colors are displayed in the background of the holding compartment displays280. For example, referring to the “COOKIE” holding location displays280, the upper cookie holding location is indicated by a yellow or amber colored holding location display background (serve second), and the lower cookie holding location is indicated by a green holding location display background (serve first). Referring to the lower “STRIPS” holding location display280, it is shown as having a red holding location display background (expired). The color convention is the same as described above to indicate to a user that food is present at the holding locations and whether it should be served first, second, or discarded. Referring again to the lower “STRIPS” holding location display280, the food amount indicator280C is an “X” representing no food amount held suitable for serving. The hold time indicator280B shows “−00:02” representing two seconds of discard delay time have accrued. The hold time indicator280B will count up (in negative time) to provide a continuously updated indication of “hold time,” and in this case the hold time represents how long the food at the holding location has been expired without being discarded.

The second embodiment also includes primary (default destination) holding location indicators282that serve the same purpose as the indicators82described above with respect to the first embodiment. The primary holding location indicators282distinguish the holding locations as primary holding locations and desirably also default destination holding locations for default transfers. In this embodiment, the holding location indicators282are provided in the form of an asterisk. It will be understood other indicators such as other symbols can be used without departing form the scope of the present invention. In this embodiment, the primary holding location indicators282are not displayed on the respective holding location displays280when the holding location display indicates the holding location is holding food. When food is held in the a primary holding location, presumably the respective food holding location display280indicates the status as being “serve first” because the longest held (or soonest to expire) food would be present in that holding location. This serves as sufficient indication to the employee to serve from the primary holding location. For example, the left “FISH” holding location display280represents the primary holding location for fish and would display a primary holding location status indicator if not indicating that the holding location is holding food (food amount indicator280C representing “1”, hold time indicator280B representing “00:08” remaining before expiration, green background indicating “serve first”).

The cook list section270includes a plurality of cook lists270A,270B,270C,270D corresponding to different cooking devices including the fryers broiler18, fryers12, ovens10, and microwave14. The food types to be cooked are indicated by a food type indicator such as a full or abbreviated name of the type of food (e.g., “SM BRG” for small burger patties, “LG BRG” for large burger patties, etc. and an amount of that food type to be cooked (e.g., “10” for “SM BRG,” “6” for “LG BRG”), which together may be referred to as a line item. It will be appreciated that the cook lists270A-270D have the same prioritizing features as described above with respect to the cook list70B′ ofFIGS.14-16. Food types listed on the cook lists270A-270D are listed in order of determined priority (e.g., function of inventory and need), the priority for each food type can be updated, and the food types can be held or locked in position (priority) on the cook list, all as described above. In this embodiment, food types locked on the cook lists are indicated by lock indicators295, which can be lock symbols, as shown in the illustrated embodiment on the Broiler cook list270A for the food type “SM BRG” and the food type “LG BRG.” Other lock indicators, such as other symbols, may be used without departing from the scope of the present invention. The numbers shown in the lock symbols295represent an amount of food of the respective food type currently ordered (recent unfilled customer order) for which there is no food in inventory. Those numbers, along with red coloring of the lock symbol295and food type line item serves to emphasize the importance of cooking the food type to the user. Moreover, locking of a food type may cause that food type to move to the highest priority position on the cook list (e.g., the top of the list) if the food type is not already at the highest priority position. When a food type is locked on the cook list, the controller42may log in the tangible storage medium a record indicating cooking of that food type (e.g., the amount shown on the cook list) has begun. This may be helpful to the controller42in monitoring inventory of food.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 set forth 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

The following are statements of invention described in the present application. 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 methods, such as methods corresponding to statements of apparatus or systems below, are also believed to be patentable and may subsequently be presented as claims.

A1. A food management control system for managing food in a food holding apparatus, said food holding apparatus having a plurality of food holding locations including at least an origin holding location and a destination holding location for receiving food transferred from the origin location, the food management control system including

a food management controller configured for managing an inventory of food and monitoring hold times associated with the food holding locations including the origin and destination holding locations, and

a tangible storage medium storing a data structure identifying a hold time as being associated with the origin holding location, the tangible storage medium including food management controller executable instructions stored therein, said instructions, when executed by the food management controller, identifying the destination holding location as a default destination holding location among the plurality of food holding locations, the tangible storage medium including food management controller executable instructions for executing a default transfer in which the food management controller modifies the data structure to identify the hold time as being associated with the default destination holding location.

A2. A food management control system as set forth in claim A1 further comprising an origin holding location display associated with the origin holding location and a destination holding location display associated with the destination holding location, wherein the tangible storage medium includes food management controller executable instructions for, before the default transfer, displaying on the origin holding location display a food status indicator representative of the hold time, and food management controller executable instructions for, after the default transfer, displaying on the default destination holding location display a food status indicator representative of the transferred hold time.

A3. A food management control system as set forth in claim A2 wherein the food status indicator displayed on the destination holding location display includes a timer representative of the hold time.

A4. A food management control system as set forth in claim A2 wherein the food status indicator displayed on the destination holding location display includes a color representative of the hold time.

A5. A food management control system as set forth in claim A1 further comprising a user interface including holding location displays associated with respective food holding locations including the origin holding location and destination holding location, wherein the holding location displays are arranged in an array corresponding to an arrangement of the holding locations, and the origin holding location display and destination holding location display are positioned in the array corresponding to positions of the respective origin and destination holding locations in the arrangement.

A6. A food management control system as set forth in claim A5 wherein the tangible storage medium includes food management controller executable instructions for displaying a default destination holding location indicator on the holding location display associated with the holding location identified in the identifying instructions as the default destination holding location to visually distinguish to a user said holding location as the default destination holding location.

A7. A food management control system as set forth in claim A5 wherein the tangible storage medium includes food management controller executable instructions for displaying food type indicators on the holding location displays for indicating a type of food to be held at the holding locations.

A8. A food management control system as set forth in claim A7 wherein the food type indicators displayed on the holding location displays associated with the origin and destination holding locations indicate the same type of food is to be held at the origin and destination holding locations.

A9. A food management control system as set forth in claim A5 wherein the user interface comprises a touch screen display, and the holding location displays associated with the origin and destination holding locations are sections of the touch screen display.

A10. A food management control system as set forth in claim A1 wherein the destination holding location is a first destination holding location and the holding apparatus further comprises a second destination holding location, the identifying instructions identifying the first destination holding location and not the second destination holding location as the default destination holding location among the first and second destination holding locations.

A11. A food management control system as set forth in claim A10 further comprising a user interface including holding location displays associated with respective ones of the first and second destination holding locations, wherein the tangible storage medium includes food management controller executable instructions for displaying a food type indicator on the holding location displays to indicate a type of food to be held at the holding locations, and wherein the food type indicators displayed on the holding location displays associated with the first and second destination holding locations indicate the same type of food is to be held at the first and second destination holding locations.

A12. A food management control system as set forth in claim A10 further comprising a user interface configured for receiving user input, and wherein the food management controller is responsive to user input to change the identifying instructions to identify the second destination holding location as the default destination holding location instead of the first destination holding location.

A13. A food management control system as set forth in claim A1 further comprising a user interface configured for receiving user input, and wherein the food management controller is responsive to user input to initiate the default transfer.

A14. A food management control system as set forth in claim A1 wherein the food holding apparatus includes a sensor configured for sensing whether food is present in the origin holding location, and the tangible storage medium includes food management controller executable instructions for initiating the default transfer as a function of a signal from said sensor.

A15. A food management control system as set forth in claim A1 wherein the food holding apparatus includes a sensor configured for sensing whether food is present in the destination holding location identified in the identifying instructions as the default holding location, and the tangible storage medium includes food management controller executable instructions for initiating the default transfer as a function of a signal from said sensor indicating no food is held in the default destination holding location.

A16. A food management control system as set forth in claim A1 further comprising a user interface configured for receiving user input, and wherein the tangible storage medium includes food management controller executable override instructions responsive to user input designating a different holding location than the default holding location as the destination holding location for a selected transfer and wherein the identifying instructions identify the default holding location as the only destination holding location unless the override instructions have been executed prior to execution of the identifying instructions.

A17. A food management control system as set forth in claim A1 wherein the tangible storage medium includes a second data structure identifying an amount of food as being associated with the origin holding location, the food management controller being configured for monitoring the amount of food held at the origin holding location, the food management controller being configured to, in the default transfer, modify the second data structure to identify the amount of food as being associated with the default destination holding location and configured to thereafter monitor the amount of food held at the default destination holding location.

A18. A food management control system as set forth in claim A17 further comprising an origin holding location display associated with the origin holding location and a destination holding location display associated with the destination holding location, wherein the tangible storage medium includes food management controller executable instructions for, before the default transfer, displaying on the origin holding location display an indicator representative of the amount of food held at the origin holding location, and food management controller executable instructions for, after the default transfer, displaying on the destination holding location display a food status indicator representative of the transferred amount of food.

A19. A food management system including the food management control system as set forth in claim A1 in combination with the food holding apparatus having the plurality of food holding locations including the origin holding location and the destination holding location.

AM1. A computer executable method for use with food holding apparatus having a plurality of food holding locations including at least an origin holding location and a destination holding location to which food from the origin holding location can be transferred, the method including:

storing a data structure in a tangible storage medium identifying a hold time as being associated with the origin holding location,

monitoring, with a food management controller, the hold time associated with the origin holding location,

referencing, with the food management controller, instructions stored in the tangible storage medium identifying a holding location among the plurality of the holding locations as a default holding location for receiving the hold time in a default transfer,

executing, with the food management controller, instructions stored in the tangible storage medium to execute the default transfer including modifying the data structure to identify the hold time as being associated with the default destination holding location.

B1. A food management control system for managing food in a food holding apparatus, said food holding apparatus having at least a first holding location and a second holding location, the food management control system including

a food management controller configured for monitoring hold times associated with the first and second holding locations,

a user interface including at least first and second holding location displays for displaying information associated with the respective first and second holding locations, the first and second holding location displays being arranged in an array corresponding to an arrangement of the respective first and second holding locations, and the first and second holding location displays being positioned in the array corresponding to positions of the respective first and second holding locations in the arrangement, and

a tangible storage medium storing a data structure identifying the first holding location as a primary holding location, the tangible storage medium having food management controller executable instructions stored therein, said instructions, when executed by the food management controller, displaying a primary holding location indicator on the first holding location display for distinguishing the first holding location from the second holding location as the primary holding location, the primary holding location indicator indicating to a user to place food at the first holding location instead of the second holding location when the first and second holding locations are not holding food and to transfer food from the second holding location to the first holding location if the first holding location is not holding food.

B2. A food management control system as set forth in claim B1 wherein the primary holding location indicator is not representative of a length of food hold time.

B3. A food management control system as set forth in claim B1 wherein when the first and second food holding locations are active and not holding food the holding location displays have substantially the same appearance except for the primary holding location indicator distinguishing the first holding location from the second holding location.

B4. A food management control system as set forth in claim B1 wherein the primary holding location indicator is a symbol.

B5. A food management control system as set forth in claim B1 wherein the user interface comprises a touch screen display and the first and second holding location displays are sections of the touch screen display.

B6. A food management control system as set forth in claim B5 wherein the first and second holding location displays include outlines representing the respective first and second holding locations, and the primary holding location indicator is displayed in the outline of the first holding location display.

B7. A food management control system as set forth in claim B1 wherein the first holding location display is positioned at a bottom left side of said array.

B8. A food management control system as set forth in claim B1 wherein the tangible storage medium includes food management controller executable instructions for displaying on the first and second holding location displays food status indicators representative of hold times associated with the respective first and second hold times.

B9. A food management control system as set forth in claim B1 wherein the tangible storage medium includes food management controller executable instructions for displaying a food type indicator on the holding location displays for indicating a type of food to be held at the holding locations.

B10. A food management control system as set forth in claim B9 wherein the food type indicators displayed on the holding location displays indicate the same type of food is to be held at the first and second holding locations.

B11. A food management control system as set forth in claim B1 wherein the tangible storage medium includes food management controller executable instructions for displaying on the first and second holding location displays food status indicators representative of whether food held at the respective holding location should be served first relative to food held at another holding location, whether food stored at the respective holding location should be served second relative to food held at another holding location, and whether food stored at the respective holding location is expired.

B12. A food management control system as set forth in claim B11 wherein the tangible storage medium includes food management controller executable instructions for displaying on the first holding location display a status indicator representative of no food being held at the first holding location, and the tangible storage medium includes food management controller executable instructions for initiating a transfer of food from the second holding location to the first holding location when the second holding location display displays the status indicator representing food held at the second holding location should be served first relative to food held at another holding location and the first holding location display displays the status indicator representative of no food being held at the first holding location.

B13. A food management control system as set forth in claim B11 wherein the food holding apparatus includes a sensor configured for sensing whether food is present in the first holding location, and the tangible storage medium includes food management controller executable instructions for initiating a transfer of food from the second holding location to the first holding location when the second holding location display displays the status indicator representing food held at the second holding location should be served first relative to food held at another holding location and as a function of a signal from said sensor indicating no food is held at the first holding location.

B14. A food management control system as set forth in claim B1 wherein the user interface is configured for receiving user input to inform the food management controller the user is placing food at the second holding location, and wherein the tangible storage medium includes food management controller executable instructions responsive to user input for prompting the user to place the food at the first holding location if the user attempts to place the food at the second holding location and no food is held at the first holding location.

B15. A food management control system as set forth in claim B1 wherein the tangible storage medium includes food management controller executable instructions for displaying on the first holding location display a food held status indicator representative of food being held at the first holding location, and the tangible storage medium includes food management controller executable instructions for not displaying the primary holding location indicator on the first holding location display when the food held status indicator is displayed on the first holding location display.

B16. A food management control system as set forth in claim B1 wherein the user interface is configured for receiving user input, and wherein the food management controller is responsive to user input to modify the data structure to identify the second holding location as the primary holding location, and wherein the food management controller is responsive thereto to display the primary holding location indicator on the second holding location display instead of the first holding location display.

C1. A restaurant food management control system for managing an inventory of cooked food, the restaurant food management control system including

a user interface for displaying a cook list of food types to be cooked for adding to the inventory of cooked food,

a food management controller configured for managing the inventory of cooked food, monitoring a need for cooked food, and determining food types needed to be cooked,

a tangible storage medium storing the cook list, the tangible storage medium having food management controller executable instructions stored therein, said instructions, when executed by the food management controller, determining a priority for each food type on the cook list as a function of an amount of food of that food type in the inventory and an amount of food of that food type needed to be cooked, and the tangible storage medium storing food management controller executable instructions, when executed by the food management controller, modifying the cook list to arrange the food types on the cook list in order of the determined priority.

C2. A restaurant food management control system as set forth in claim C1 wherein the tangible storage medium stores a data structure, the data structure including the determined priority for each food type on the cook list, the tangible storage medium having food management controller executable instructions for modifying the second data structure with updated determined priority for each food type on the cook list and for changing the order of the food types on the cook list based on the updated determined priority.

C3. A restaurant food management control system as set forth in claim C2 wherein the tangible storage medium includes food management controller executable instructions for locking a food type in position on the cook list to hold the food type in position on the cook list.

C4. A restaurant food management control system as set forth in claim C1 wherein the tangible storage medium includes food management controller executable instructions for determining the priority for each food type on the cook list as a function of a ratio including an amount of food of that food type in the inventory and an amount of food of that food type needed to be cooked.

C5. A restaurant food management control system as set forth in claim C1 wherein the tangible storage medium includes food management controller executable instructions for determining the priority for each food type on the cook list as a function of a ratio of an amount of food of that food type in the inventory to an amount of food of that food type needed to be cooked.

C6. A restaurant food management control system as set forth in claim C1 wherein the food management controller is configured for monitoring an amount of each food type held in inventory at a plurality of holding locations of a holding apparatus, and the tangible storage medium includes food management controller executable instructions for determining inventory of cooked food as a function of the amount of cooked food at the plurality of holding locations.

C7. A restaurant food management control system as set forth in claim C1 wherein the tangible storage medium includes food management controller executable instructions for determining the need for cooked food as a function of forecasted customer orders.

C8. A restaurant food management control system as set forth in claim C7 further comprising a point of sale device for receiving customer orders, the point of sale device being in operative communication with the food management controller, and wherein the tangible storage medium includes food management controller executable instructions for determining the need for cooked food as a function of recent unfilled customer orders.

C9. A restaurant food management control system as set forth in claim C1 further comprising a point of sale device for receiving customer orders in operative communication with the food management controller, and wherein the food management controller determines the need for cooked food as a function of recent unfilled customer orders.

C10. A restaurant food management control system as set forth in claim C9 wherein when the food management controller determines unfilled customer orders for a food type outnumber the amount of food of that food type in inventory, the food management controller emphasizes that food type on the cook list with increased importance relative to the other food types on the cook list.

C11. A restaurant food management control system as set forth in claim C1 wherein the cook list displays amounts of each food type to be cooked.

C12. A restaurant food management control system as set forth in claim C1 wherein the tangible storage medium includes food management controller executable instructions for locking a food type in position on the cook list to hold the food type in position on the cook list.

C13. A restaurant food management control system as set forth in claim C12 wherein the user interface is configured for receiving user input, and the food management controller is responsive to user input to lock a selected food type on the cook list.

C14. A restaurant food management control system as set forth in claim C13 wherein the tangible storage medium includes food management controller executable instructions for moving a food type selected by the user to a highest priority position on the cook list if the food type was not already at the highest priority position.

C15. A restaurant food management control system as set forth in claim C13 wherein the user interface is a touch screen display, and the food management controller is responsive to the touch of a user on the touch screen display selecting a food type on the cook list for locking the selected food type.

C16. A restaurant food management control system as set forth in claim C12 wherein the tangible storage medium includes food management controller executable instructions for displaying a lock indicator on the cook list associated with a locked food type.

C17. A restaurant food management control system as set forth in claim C16 wherein each food type on the cook list is indicated on the cook list by a line item including at least one of text and an image representing the food type, and wherein the lock indicator includes a symbol adjacent the line item.

C18. A restaurant food management control system as set forth in claim C16 wherein the food management controller unlocks a locked food type on the cook list as a function of a food inventory signal representing an amount of the locked food type has been added to inventory.

C19. A restaurant food management control system as set forth in claim C18 wherein the user interface is configured for receiving user input for generating the food inventory signal.

C20. A restaurant food management control system as set forth in claim C19 wherein the user interface includes a plurality of holding location displays associated with respective holding locations of a holding apparatus for holding cooked food in the inventory, the holding location displays being configured for receiving user input representing an amount of the locked food type has been added to one of the plurality of holding locations for generating the food inventory signal.

C21. A restaurant food management control system as set forth in claim C18 further comprising a sensor associated with a holding location of holding apparatus for holding cooked food of the locked food type in the inventory, the sensor being configured for generating the food inventory signal in response to detecting food supplied to the holding location.

C22. A restaurant food management control system as set forth in claim C12 wherein in response to a food type being locked on the cook list the food management controller records a record in the tangible storage medium representing cooking of that food type has begun.

C23. A restaurant food management control system as set forth in claim C22 wherein the cook list displays amounts of each food type to be cooked, and the record recorded by the food management controller in the tangible storage medium includes the amount of food of the locked food type.

CA1. A food management control system for managing an inventory of processed food, the food management control system including

a user interface for displaying a prioritized food type list of food types to be processed for adding to the inventory of processed food,

a food management controller configured for managing the inventory of processed food, monitoring a need for processed food, and determining food types needed to be processed,

a tangible storage medium storing the prioritized food type list, the tangible storage medium having food management controller executable instructions stored therein, said instructions, when executed by the food management controller, determining a priority for each food type on the prioritized food type list as a function of an amount of food of that food type in the inventory and an amount of food of that food type needed to be processed, and the tangible storage medium storing food management controller executable instructions for modifying the prioritized food type list to arrange the food types on the prioritized food type list in order of the determined priority.

D1. A food management system for managing food in a food holding apparatus having a plurality of holding locations, the food management system including

a food management controller configured for monitoring a status of the plurality of holding locations,

a user interface including a plurality of holding location displays associated with respective holding locations for displaying information associated with the holding locations, 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 touch sensitive area defining a button that can be actuated by at least a first type of user engagement with the button,

a tangible storage medium having food management controller executable instructions stored therein, said instructions, when executed by the food management controller, displaying on each holding location display information associated with the status of the respective holding location, the tangible storage medium storing food management controller executable instructions for executing a first operation in response to the first type of user engagement with the button when a first holding location status is displayed on the holding location display and for executing a second operation different than the first operation in response to the first type of user engagement with the button when a second holding location status is displayed on the holding location display.

D2. A food management control system as set forth in claim D1 wherein the first displayed holding location status represents no food is held at the holding location.

D3. A food management control system as set forth in claim D2 wherein the first operation executed by the first engagement is the food management processor recording in the tangible storage medium an amount of food as being held at the respective holding location.

D4. A food management control system as set forth in claim D1 wherein the second displayed holding location status represents food is held at the holding location.

D5. A food management control system as set forth in claim D4 wherein the second operation executed by the first engagement is the food management processor transferring association of an amount of food held at the holding location to a different holding location.

D6. A food management control system as set forth in claim D1 wherein the second displayed holding location status represents an expired hold time associated with the respective holding location.

D7. A food management control system as set forth in claim D6 wherein the second operation executed by the first engagement is the food management processor changing the holding location status to represent no food is held at the holding location.

D8. A food management control system as set forth in claim D6 wherein the operation executed by the first engagement is the food management processor recording as waste in the tangible storage medium an amount of food last held at the holding location.

D9. A food management control system as set forth in claim D1 wherein the tangible storage medium includes food management controller executable instructions for executing a third operation in response to the first type of user engagement with the button when a third holding location status is displayed on the holding location display.

D10. A food management control system as set forth in claim D9 wherein the third displayed holding location status represents an expired hold time associated with the respective holding location.

D11. A food management control system as set forth in claim D1 wherein the button includes a boundary substantially coextensive with the holding location display.

D12. A food management control system as set forth in claim D1 wherein the button includes a boundary indicated on the holding location display by a border.

D13. A food management control system as set forth in claim D1 wherein the holding location display displays information representative of the status of the holding location in the touch sensitive area of the holding location display defining the button.

D14. A food management control system as set forth in claim D13 wherein an appearance of the button when the first holding location status is displayed on the holding location display is substantially the same as an appearance of the button when the second holding location status is displayed on the holding location display except for updating of displayed information representative of the status of the holding location in the touch sensitive area of the holding location display defining the button.

D15. A food management control system as set forth in claim D13 wherein the holding location display displays at least one indicator representative of status of the respective holding location in the touch sensitive area of the holding location display defining the button, the at least one indicator including at least one of a food amount indicator representing an amount of food held at the respective holding location, a food hold time indicator representing a time food has been held at the respective holding location, and a food type indicator indicating a type of food held at the respective holding location.

D16. A food management control system as set forth in claim D13 wherein the holding location display displays at least two indicators representative of a status of the respective holding location in the touch sensitive area of the holding location display defining the button, the at least two indicators including at least two of a food amount indicator representing an amount of food held at the respective holding location, a food hold time indicator representing a time food has been held at the respective holding location, and a food type indicator indicating a type of food held at the respective holding location.

D17. A food management control system as set forth in claim D13 wherein the holding location display displays at least three indicators representative of status of the respective holding location in the touch sensitive area of the holding location display defining the button, the at least three indicators including a food amount indicator representing an amount of food held at the respective holding location, a food hold time indicator representing a time food has been held at the respective holding location, and a food type indicator indicating a type of food held at the respective holding location.

D18. A food management control system as set forth in claim D1 wherein the holding location display displays only information representative of the status of the holding location in the touch sensitive area of the holding location display defining the button.

D19. A food management control system as set forth in claim D1 wherein the touch sensitive area of the holding location display defining the button is free of any indicator indicating an operation executed in response to the first type of user engagement with the button.

D20. A food management control system as set forth in claim D1 wherein the first type of user engagement is a single engagement with the button.

D21. A food management control system as set forth in claim D20 wherein the first type of user engagement with the button is a sustained press of the button.

D22. A food management control system as set forth in claim D1 wherein the button can be actuated by a second type of user engagement with the button different than the first type of user engagement with the button, and wherein the tangible storage medium includes food management controller executable instructions for executing a third operation in response to the second type of user engagement with the button.

D23. A food management control system as set forth in claim D22 wherein the second type of user engagement with the button is a quick tap and release of the button.

D24. A food management control system as set forth in claim D1 wherein the user interface includes a touch screen display, and the plurality of holding location displays are sections of the touch screen display.

DM1. A computer executable method for use with food holding apparatus having a plurality of holding locations, the method including

providing a user interface including a plurality of holding location displays associated with respective holding locations for displaying information associated with the holding locations, 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 touch sensitive area defining a button that can be actuated by at least a first type of user engagement with the button,

displaying on each holding location display information associated with the status of the respective holding location,

executing, with a food management controller, a first operation in response to the first type of user engagement with the button when a first holding location status is displayed on the holding location display, and

executing, with the food management controller, a second operation different than the first operation in response to the first type of user engagement with the button when a second holding location status is displayed on the holding location display.

E1. A food management control system for managing food in a food holding apparatus having a plurality of holding locations, the food management control system including

a food management controller configured for monitoring status of the plurality of holding locations,

a user interface including a plurality of holding location displays associated with respective holding locations for displaying information associated with the holding locations, the holding location displays being arranged in an array corresponding to an arrangement of the respective holding locations and positioned in the array corresponding to positions of the respective first and second holding locations in the arrangement, each holding location display including a touch sensitive area defining a button that can be actuated by at least a first type of user engagement with the button and a second type of user engagement with the button different than the first type of user engagement with the button,

a tangible storage medium having food management controller executable instructions stored therein, said instructions, when executed by the food management controller, displaying on each holding location display information associated with the status of the respective holding location, the tangible storage medium storing food management controller executable instructions for executing a first operation in response to the first type of user engagement with the button and for executing a second operation different than the first operation in response to the second type of user engagement with the button.

E2. A food management control system as set forth in claim E1 wherein the first type of user engagement is a single engagement with the button.

E3. A food management control system as set forth in claim E2 wherein the first type of user engagement with the button is a quick tap and release of the button.

E4. A food management control system as set forth in claim E2 wherein the second type of user engagement is a single engagement with the button.

E5. A food management control system as set forth in claim E4 wherein the second type of user engagement with the button is a sustained press of the button.

E6. A food management control system as set forth in claim E1 wherein the first operation executed by the first type of engagement with the button is displaying a prompt window on the user interface, the prompt window including a plurality of buttons.

E7. A food management control system as set forth in claim E6 wherein the second operation executed by the second type of user engagement with the button is the food management processor recording in the tangible storage medium an amount of food as being held at the respective holding location.

E8. A food management control system as set forth in claim E6 wherein the second operation executed by the second type of user engagement with the button is the food management processor transferring association of an amount of food held at the holding location to a different holding location.

E9. A food management control system as set forth in claim E6 wherein the second operation executed by the second type of user engagement with the button is the food management processor changing the holding location status to represent no food is held at the holding location.

E10. A food management control system as set forth in claim E6 wherein the second operation executed by the second type of user engagement with the button is the food management processor changing the holding location status to represent food is held at the holding location.

E11. A food management control system as set forth in claim E1 wherein the second operation executed by the second type of user engagement with the button is the food management processor recording in the tangible storage medium an amount of food as being held at the respective holding location.

E12. A food management control system as set forth in claim E1 wherein the second operation executed by the second type of user engagement with the button is the food management processor transferring association of an amount of food held at the holding location to a different holding location.

E13. A food management control system as set forth in claim E1 wherein the second operation executed by the second type of user engagement with the button is the food management processor changing the holding location status to represent no food is held at the holding location.

E14. A food management control system as set forth in claim E1 wherein the second operation executed by the second type of user engagement with the button is the food management processor changing the holding location status to represent food is held at the holding location.

E15. A food management control system as set forth in claim E1 wherein the button includes a boundary substantially coextensive with the holding location display.

E16. A food management control system as set forth in claim E1 wherein the button includes a boundary indicated on the holding location display by a border.

E17. A food management control system as set forth in claim E1 wherein the holding location display displays information representative of the status of the holding location in the touch sensitive area of the holding location display defining the button.

E18. A food management control system as set forth in claim E17 wherein an appearance of the button when the first holding location status is displayed on the holding location display is substantially the same as an appearance of the button when the second holding location status is displayed on the holding location display except for updating of displayed information representative of the status of the holding location in the touch sensitive area of the holding location display defining the button.

E19. A food management control system as set forth in claim E17 wherein the holding location display displays at least one indicator representative of status of the respective holding location in the touch sensitive area of the holding location display defining the button, the at least one indicator including at least one of a food amount indicator representing an amount of food held at the respective holding location, a food hold time indicator representing a time food has been held at the respective holding location, and a food type indicator indicating a type of food held at the respective holding location.

E20. A food management control system as set forth in claim E17 wherein the holding location display displays at least two indicators representative of status of the respective holding location in the touch sensitive area of the holding location display defining the button, the at least two indicators including at least two of a food amount indicator representing an amount of food held at the respective holding location, a food hold time indicator representing a time food has been held at the respective holding location, and a food type indicator indicating a type of food held at the respective holding location.

E21. A food management control system as set forth in claim E17 wherein the holding location display displays at least three indicators representative of status of the respective holding location in the touch sensitive area of the holding location display defining the button, the at least three indicators including a food amount indicator representing an amount of food held at the respective holding location, a food hold time indicator representing a time food has been held at the respective holding location, and a food type indicator indicating a type of food held at the respective holding location.

E22. A food management control system as set forth in claim E1 wherein the holding location display displays only information representative of the status of the holding location in the touch sensitive area of the holding location display defining the button.

E23. A food management control system as set forth in claim E1 wherein the touch sensitive area of the holding location display defining the button is free of any indicator indicating an operation executed in response to the first type of user engagement with the button.

E24. A food management control system as set forth in claim E1 wherein the user interface includes a touch screen display, and the plurality of holding location displays are sections of the touch screen display.

EM1. A computer executable method for use with a food holding apparatus having a plurality of holding locations, the method including

providing a user interface including a plurality of holding location displays associated with respective holding locations for displaying information associated with the holding locations, the holding location displays being arranged in an array corresponding to an arrangement of the respective holding locations and positioned in the array corresponding to positions of the respective first and second holding locations in the arrangement, each holding location display including a touch sensitive area defining a button that can be actuated by at least a first type of user engagement with the button and a second type of user engagement with the button different than the first type of user engagement with the button,

displaying on each holding location display information associated with the status of the respective holding location,

executing, with a food management controller, a first operation in response to the first type of user engagement with the button, and

executing, with the food management controller, a second operation different than the first operation in response to the second type of user engagement with the button.

F1. A food management control system for managing food in a food holding apparatus having at least a first holding location and a second holding location for holding food of a first food type, the food management control system including

a food management controller configured for monitoring food expiration times associated with the first and second holding locations,

a point of sale device for receiving customer orders, the point of sale device generating a customer order signal representative of a customer order for an amount of the first food type,

a user interface including at least first and second holding location displays for displaying information associated with the respective first and second holding locations,

a tangible storage medium having food management controller executable instructions stored therein, said instructions, when executed by the food management controller, displaying on the first and second holding location displays food amount indicators representing an amount of food held at the respective holding locations, the tangible storage medium storing food management controller executable instructions for displaying a first food status indicator on one of the first and second holding location displays indicating food held at the holding location associated with said one of the first and second holding location displays should be served first relative to food held at the holding location associated with the other of the first and second holding location displays,

wherein the food management controller is in operative communication with the point of sale device for receiving the customer order signal, and the food management controller is responsive to the customer order signal to change the food amount indicator displayed on said one of the first and second holding location displays to represent a reduced amount of food of the first food type held in said one of the first and second holding locations.

F2. A food management control system as set forth in claim F1 wherein the food amount indicators are numbers.

F3. A food management control system as set forth in claim F1 wherein the first food status indicator is a color.

F4. A food management control system as set forth in claim F1 wherein the tangible storage medium includes food management controller executable instructions for displaying on said other of the first and second holding location displays a second food status indicator indicating food held at the holding location associated with said other of the first and second holding location displays should be served second relative to food held at the holding location associated with said one of the first and second holding location displays.

F5. A food management control system as set forth in claim F4 wherein the second food status indicator is a color.

F6. A food management control system as set forth in claim F1 wherein the tangible storage medium includes food management controller executable instructions for displaying the first food status indicator on the holding location display associated with the holding location holding food having the least time until expiration among food held at the first and second holding locations.

F7. A food management control system as set forth in claim F1 wherein the tangible storage medium includes food management controller executable instructions for displaying food type indicators on the first and second holding location displays for indicating the first type of food is held at the first and second holding locations.

F8. A food management control system as set forth in claim F1 wherein the first and second holding location displays are arranged in an array corresponding to an arrangement of the respective first and second holding locations, and the first and second holding location displays are positioned in the array corresponding to positions of the respective first and second holding locations in the arrangement.

F9. A food management control system as set forth in claim F8 wherein the wherein the user interface includes a touch screen display, and the first and second holding location displays are sections of the touch screen display.