Abstract:
A system and method for commercial food management. Nutritional information for identified food items is stored on a central server, along with recipes using the food items. Each recipe is assigned a diet type, and using the nutritional information, menus for a requested diet type are prepared.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority from pending U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/189,128 filed on Mar. 14, 2000, which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to a commercial food management system, and more particularly to a system and method for managing food service in a hospital. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Commercial food operations, including those in health care facilities, have long implemented on site food service automation systems to help run the operations. One such commercially available automation system is the Hospitality Suite® software package from Computrition, Inc., Chatsworth, Calif. Typically) existing food service automation systems automate the existing functionality of the sole facility or organization in which they are placed. As such, there is a high degree of customization involved and the food service automation system is site or organization specific. 
     For a commercial food operation in any facility, the installation of a food service automation system is disruptive, both operationally and economically. For traditional automation solutions, the average implementation time is about nine months to one year, with larger facilities easily taking eighteen months or more. A factor in the length of time needed for implementation, particularly in a health care facility, is the need to build food, diet type, nutrition and menu databases specific to the site (or organization) so that specific dietary requirements and restrictions as prescribed by the physician community may be met while providing patients with substantial variety and flexibility in their meals. The cost of these systems, typically $60,000 to $500,000, has created a market that is only suited for medium to large facilities. Because of the combination of the entry costs, both economic and operational, commercial food service automation systems typically focus on medium to large facilities, which are more likely to have the resources to absorb these costs. 
     There are, however, approximately 4,330 hospitals under 200 beds in the United States. This represents seventy-one percent of all acute care facilities in the nation. In addition, there are approximately 16,700 long term care facilities in the United States of which approximately 15,400 are under 200 beds. Many times these small facilities are located in rural areas and do not have either the professional or financial resources of the larger facilities. Small facilities having commercial food operation outside of the health care field also face similar resource constraints. 
     Even though smaller facilities could gain the most from automation, they face the greatest barriers to the automation of their commercial food operations. A need has thus been recognized in conjunction with facilitating the automation of commercial food operations of smaller facilities, and in particular, smaller health care facilities. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention, in accordance with at least one presently preferred embodiment, utilizes the capabilities of a global computer network to make automation of commercial food operations viable for smaller facilities. Specifically, information needed to prepare nutritionally appropriate menus is preferably located remotely from a user, such as a health care facility. 
     In one aspect, the present invention broadly contemplates a system for facilitating commercial food management, the system comprising means for recognizing an authorized user accessing the system remotely; means for providing at least one suggested menu which meets predetermined nutritional criteria; and means for providing nutritional information relating to said at least one suggested menu. 
     In another aspect, the present invention provides a system for facilitating commercial food management, the system comprising a memory device for storing information relating to nutritional values associated with food; a processor in communication with said memory device, said processor being adapted to: create at least one suggested menu which meets predetermined nutritional criteria; output said at least one suggested menu to at least one authorized user located remotely from said memory device; and make available to the at least one authorized user the nutritional information associated with said at least one menu. 
     In another aspect, the present invention provides a method for facilitating commercial food management, the method comprising the steps of authorizing at least one remote recipient to receive information; creating at least one suggested menu which meets predetermined nutritional criteria; providing for computer-based viewing of the at least one suggested menu; and making available to the at least one authorized recipient nutritional information associated with the at least one menu. 
     In an additional aspect, the present invention provides a program storage device readable by machine for tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by said machine to perform a method of commercial food management, said method comprising the steps of authorizing at least one remote recipient to receive information; creating at least one suggested menu which meets predetermined nutritional criteria; providing for computer-based viewing of the at least one suggested menu; and making available to the at least one authorized recipient nutritional information associated with the at least one menu. 
     For a better understanding of the present invention, together with other and further features and advantages thereof, reference is made to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and the scope of the invention will be pointed out in the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an overall system block diagram of a presently preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is an overall system block diagram of a central server in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is an overall block diagram of the method of the present invention in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is an overall system block diagram of another embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1  is an overall system block diagram of a presently preferred embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a central server  10  is linked up to at least one remote computer  20  located in a health care facility. Only one remote computer is depicted in  FIG. 1 , but any number of remote computers may be used. Furthermore, as discussed below, the remote computers need not be located in the same facility. The link  1  between the central server  10  and the remote computer  20  does not have to be a physical link—it can, for example, be a link via a global computer network as described below, or any other link, including a virtual private network. 
     The system depicted in  FIG. 1  is preferably implemented using existing general purpose computers. Changes to the existing computers to incorporate the present invention may be accomplished in various ways, such as by reprogramming an existing file server or additional file servers. Preferably, the link  1  is a global communications network such as the Internet. Use of a global communications network reduces the cost of implementing the present invention since a private communications network need not be provided, while increasing the geographical range of potential system users. Alternatively, link  1  can be a private communications network, or other appropriate means, such as a direct dial modem connection. The link may also be a secure link, secured for example, through cryptography. The central server  10  is preferably accessed using a standard software browser, such as Netscape Navigator or Microsoft Internet Explorer. 
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram of a preferred central server  10 . The central server includes a CPU  11  which performs the processing functions of the controller. It also includes a read only memory  12  (ROM) and a random access memory  13  (RAM). The ROM  12  is used to store at least some of the program instructions that are to be executed by the CPU  11 , such as portions of the operating system or BIOS, and the RAM  13  is used for temporary storage of data. A clock circuit  14  provides a clock signal which is required by the CPU. The use of a CPU in conjunction with ROM, RAM, and a clock circuit is well known to those skilled in the art of CPU based electronic circuit design. The central server  110  also includes a communications port  15  which enables the CPU  11  to communicate with devices external to the central server  10 . In particular, the communications port  15  facilitates communication between the network communication lines and the CPU  11 , so that information arriving from the network communication lines can be processed by the CPU  11 , and the CPU  11  can send information to remote locations. While the illustrated embodiment uses a hard-wired connection to devices outside the central server  10 , it should be understood that other methods of communicating with external devices may be used. These other methods include a modem, radio communications, optical communications, and the like. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the CPU  11  can also store information to, and read information from, data storage device  16 . This data storage device  16  includes food item database  16   a , recipe database  16   b , master diet type database  16   c , menu database  16   d , and user database  16   e , which are described below. Additional databases may also be included. In addition, it includes transaction processor instructions  16   f , which can be read by and executed by the CPU  11 , thereby enabling the CPU  11  to process transactions. While  FIG. 2  depicts separate food, recipe, master diet type, menu, and user databases, a single database which incorporates all of those functions can also be used. 
       FIG. 3  is a flow chart of the overall process of one embodiment of the present invention. The process starts with the system proprietor configuring the system for use at Step S 31 , which primarily consists of initializing the food item database  16   a , recipe database  16   b , master diet type database  16   c , and menu database  16   d.    
     There are certain required items, such as nutrients, vitamins and minerals, which must be supplied to the body by food. These essentials are included in every adequate diet and must also be supplied by any therapeutic diet on which a person is expected to live for any extended period of time. While emergencies arise which require the use of temporary diets which are obviously inadequate from the standpoint of good nutrition, as soon as possible the temporary diet should be exchanged for one which supplies the body&#39;s needs. In therapeutic diets, interest may be directed to some specific nutrient, as in a diabetic diet where attention is focused on the metabolism of glucose, but the diet will not be permanently successful if any of the essential nutrients are not provided. Against this backdrop, health care facilities have a number of different diet types. Typically, each facility or organization has developed its own diet types. Examples of different diet types include clear liquid, full liquid, soft, bland, regular, diabetic, calorie specific diets (1000, 1200, 1500, 1800, etc.; regular or diabetic); low sodium; and no sodium or sodium restricted. 
     In a health care facility, all food items (or ingredients) must have known nutritional values in order for clinical dietitians to ensure that a patient receives the essential nutrients contained within the diet type selected by the patient&#39;s physician. Thus, the food item database  16   a  preferably contains nutritional data on each food item used in a recipe contained within the recipe database. This nutritional data may either be obtained from the food composition data made available by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (see [http://]www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/foodcomp/) or directly from the manufacturer. 
     Recipe database  16   b  preferably contains recipes that food service professionals can use, modify or add to. These recipes are preferably categorized for each region of the country where there are noticeable differences in food tastes. Preferably the nutritional value and readings of all completed recipes are verified. Furthermore, it is preferably possible to search the recipes by food/ingredients. 
     Master diet type database  16   c  preferably contains a set of diet types defined by the system proprietor. This creates a standard set of diet types, eliminating variances in diet types among differing facilities or organizations. As part of the initialization process, all food items and recipes are qualified. This is accomplished through evaluating the appropriate items ranging from the nutritional content of each food to the diabetic exchange rates they represent. It is contemplated that as many as 200 to 300 diet types can be established, although a lesser or greater number may also be established. 
     In the traditional food commercial food service operation that adopts automation technology, the menus are one of the most “individual” or “variable” of all facets. A typical menu cycle changes every two weeks. Each day contains three meals, and each meal has 5 to 7 courses, and each course can contain 4 to 6 selections. Since each of the aforementioned must be shaped for every diet type that is established, the number of different possibilities is staggering. Consequently, this phase of account preparation can also consume enormous amounts of time from limited food service staff personnel. Menu database  16   d  preferably contains a large library of complete menu sets. Food service managers are preferably able to choose a set of menus from the library of complete menu sets. Alternatively, a set of menus may be suggested based upon the food products currently in stock at the facility (or organization) using the present invention. Menus may also be suggested based upon a patient&#39;s preference, including the patient&#39;s likes, dislikes, and religious beliefs. 
     User database  16   e  preferably contains information on the registered users of the present invention. Such information may include identifying information, along with historical information on the user&#39;s use of the present invention. 
     At Step S 32 , an authorized user configures the system for use within the user&#39;s facility or organization. One of the main tasks during configuration is to select the master diet types to be used within the facility (or organization). Preferably, user configuration is limited to appropriate personnel within the facility or organization. 
     At Step S 33 , the system is used by an authorized user. Use typically involves menu selection based upon any number of criteria. Various food attributes of meals and menus have preferably been assigned as part of the initialization of menu database  16   d , and these attributes are preferably used in the menu selection. 
     In another preferred embodiment, the system of the present invention includes a database which permits tracking of the inventory of food items at a health care facility. The ability to manage inventory is a critical component of any food service operation. In fact, it may be more critical than any commercial enterprise, in that most food products have limited shelf life and potential loss from a lack of control can be a very serious problem. Unfortunately, the act of taking inventory in a commercial food operation can be quite time consuming and also inaccurate if it is done on a manual basis. In addition, as shown in  FIG. 4 , the tracking of inventory creates an opportunity for vendor/food supplier involvement as well—allowing on-line ordering and automatic updating of inventory. 
       FIG. 4  is an overall system block diagram of another preferred embodiment of the present invention. Like reference numerals are used to denote like components. As before, a central server  10  is linked up to at least one remote computer  20  located in a health care facility. Additionally, remote computers at vendor  30  and patient  40  are linked to the central server  10 . In actuality, either one of these additional computers may be linked. 
     When a remote computer at vendor  30  is linked to the central server  10 , a health care facility may order its food supplies through the system of the present invention. E-Commerce has become a “main stream” reality in the 90s. This form of doing business presents many advantages from traditional shopping for both the buyer and the seller. The seller can save the cost of sales staff, and related support personnel, while the buyer can generally do better comparative pricing when most (if not all) sellers have posted prices online. Preferably, more than one food distributor (supplier) is included in the online ordering capability of the present invention. Furthermore, the information regarding a transaction is preferably formatted in a standard manner thereby permitting managers to make objective decisions about their food and sundry supply needs. 
     When a remote computer at patient  40  is linked to the central server  10 , additional information may be conveyed within the system of the present invention. In this embodiment, “patient” is used to identify an additional remote computer. Such additional remote computer may or may not be located within a patient room at a health care facility. The use of an additional remote computer permits a degree of interactivity between a user of the system, either at the patient level or manager level, and the system proprietor. For example, questions one may have may be submitted electronically to the system provider. Preferably, the system provider maintains staff across two shifts that can answer email and “real time” questions interactively. Such questions may include nutritional questions. 
     In another preferred embodiment, additional databases are maintained permitting new users to chat with experienced users. Such users would include both managers, chefs, and nutritionists. Through the use of this database, users can share their experiences with various foods, recipes and menus, and even the entire system, thus helping them to make better use of the technology and potentially providing feedback to the system proprietor for future enhancements. 
     In another preferred embodiment, a search engine is provided to permit searches of the databases maintained within the system of the present invention. Of particular interest in research is searching for information relating to food items and nutritional components. 
     In recapitulation, the present invention, in accordance with at least one presently preferred embodiment, provides a system and method for managing commercial food service operations. As such, it is to be understood that the present invention, in accordance with at least one presently preferred embodiment, may be utilized in environments other than hospitals, such as long term care facilities, hospices, or any other environment in which there is a commercial food service operation. 
     It is to be understood that the present invention, in accordance with at least one presently preferred embodiment, includes recognizing an authorized user accessing the system remotely, providing at least one suggested menu which meets predetermined nutritional criteria, and providing nutritional information relating to said at least one suggested menu. Together, these may be implemented on at least one general-purpose computer running suitable software programs. These may also be implemented on at least one Integrated Circuit or part of at least one Integrated Circuit. Thus, it is to be understood that the invention may be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of both. 
     If not otherwise stated herein, it is to be assumed that all patents, patent applications, patent publications and other publications mentioned and cited herein are hereby fully incorporated by reference herein as if set forth in their entirety herein. 
     Although illustrative embodiments of the present invention have been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various other changes and modifications may be affected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.