Patent Publication Number: US-6903318-B2

Title: Programmable food service systems and method

Description:
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/797,457, filed on Mar. 1, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,660,982, which claims the benefit of Patent Application No. 0022378.4 filed in Great Britain on Sep. 13, 2000. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates to programmable food service systems and methods of operating programmable food service systems. A food service system may include an oven, a fryer, a grill, a food service display, an ice maker, a food warmer, a food chiller, a ventilating system and the like. For example, one embodiment of the invention is concerned with programmable food cooking systems comprising one or more microwave or combination ovens. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   In recent years, food service devices have been made programmable to afford the user a number of different operating modes. This gives the user flexibility to use the food service system in a way that is customized to the usage of the food service system at the user site. For example, a food service display may need one mix of display trays for breakfast and a different mix of display trays for lunch and dinner. The programmability feature allows the breakfast trays and tray bins to be easily converted from the heating and chilling needs of the breakfast serving to those of the lunch serving. As another example, the temperature and time profiles of a programmable fryer can be altered to suit a different range of food products. 
   In the catering industry there is increasingly a need to be able to deliver a given range of meals from a menu at maximum speed and efficiency. In order to achieve this, it is common to use pre-programmed cooking devices, such as microwave ovens, which are loaded with program data representing an optimized cooking sequence for each item on the menu. 
   For example, a combination oven (being an oven which can make use of a combination of microwave and conventional heating) may contain a cooking sequence for a given item on the menu, which comprises three stages, namely a defrosting stage, a microwave cooking stage, and finally a browning stage using conventional heating. 
   It will be appreciated that the cooking sequences must be carefully tailored to the particular oven being used, and the item to be cooked must match certain criteria (relating to the size and positioning of the food etc) which are specified in advance. In order to avoid the need for the chef to manually program each cooking sequence into each oven, ovens are known which allow the chef to select each cooking sequence at the push of a button, or by entering a number corresponding to that cooking sequence. 
   For example, an oven is made by Merrychef Ltd and sold under the name “Mealstream”, which allows 10 different cooking sequences to be selected by simply pressing one of 10 different numbered buttons corresponding to the desired cooking sequence. 
   However, a problem can arise when it is required to change a menu for a different menu, as may happen on different days during the week, or at different times during the same day. In addition it may be necessary to update menus to reflect items added or deleted from a given menu. 
   In this regard it should be appreciated that the cooking sequences are usually determined at a different site (referred to herein as a data site) from the site at which the ovens are used (referred to herein as the cooking site), and there may be a number of cooking sites serviced by a single data site. 
   In order to address this problem, it is known to update the program data for an oven using a modem connection to the oven, which allows data to be delivered from the data site to the cooking site. It is also known from U.S. Pat. No. 4,841,125 to use separate ROM modules, which can be inserted into the oven in order to update the program data. Such ROM modules could for example be dispatched by post from the data site to the cooking site. 
   However, further problems can arise if the cooking site is relatively large and comprises an array of different cooking devices, such as microwave ovens, combination ovens, conventional ovens, steam combination ovens (using a combination of steam and conventional heating), and hobs. All of these cooking devices can be programmable, and all can be provided with program data representing a number of different cooking sequences corresponding to different items on a menu. 
   Modem solutions can be costly because it is necessary to supply each cooking device with a modem. Furthermore, because the data is sent from a remote site, the chef may lose some control over exactly which updates are made and exactly when these updates are made. 
   If ROM modules are used, the system can become complex to operate because it is necessary to supply a different module for each cooking device, and it is necessary for the chef to insert different modules into each cooking device each time it is required to change or update menus. As a result of this complexity errors can arise. 
   The invention seeks to overcome at least some of the disadvantages of the prior art. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Food service apparatus according to the present invention includes at least one food service device that comprises a key aperture adapted to receive a key. The key includes a memory that contains one or more programs. A key reader is disposed to access key memory. A controller is operatively linked to the key reader and responds to one of the programs to operate the food service device. Preferably, the controller is operable to control the key reader to write operating data of the food service device to the key memory. The controller preferably downloads the programs for operation of the food service device. 
   The key and the key reader each include communication contacts selected from the group consisting of: electrical, optical, infrared, magnetic and any combination thereof. 
   The food service device may be an oven, a fryer, a food service display, an ice maker, a grill, a ventilation system, or any other food service device. For an oven embodiment, the oven may be a convection oven, a microwave oven, a steam oven or any combination thereof. 
   In one embodiment, the programs are for different operating sequences of the food service device. In another embodiment, different ones of the programs exclusively operate different food service devices. 
   In another embodiment, the controller responds to the program to operate the food service device only when the key is inserted in the key aperture. 
   In another embodiment, a plurality of keys each carrying different program data, are provided. This allows a user to choose which operational sequences to make available to the food service device, and to make different cooking sequences available at different times. 
   In another embodiment, different data keys are different colours, in order to provide more simple identification to a user. 
   A method according to the present invention operates a food service device by providing a key aperture in the food service device. A key that carries a memory containing a program is inserted into the key aperture. The program is used to operate the food service device. 
   In another embodiment of the method, a data writer of the food service device writes to the key memory operational data relating to the operation of the food service device. 
   In another embodiment of the method, the operational data includes data representing the total time for which the food service device has been used since a given point in time. The total time data, for example, may be analyzed in order to provide usage information, and said usage information is used to determine whether the food service device falls within the terms of a warranty on the food service device provided by a supplier to the food service device user. 
   According to another embodiment of the method of the present invention, a plurality of carrier devices is provided. Each carrier device has a memory that stores a program. The program of each carrier device is different from that of the other carrier devices. Each carrier device is given a different colour according to a plan of operating the food service device. The carrier devices are inserted in a reader disposed in the food service device to operate the food service device with the different programs according to the plan. 
   The carrier devices are selected from the group consisting of: key, card, and any combination thereof. 
   In another embodiment, the colours correspond to different times. The food service device is operated according to the plan when the carrier devices are inserted into the reader at the different times corresponding to the colours. 
   Another embodiment of the method of the present invention provides operational programs to a food service device. The operational programs are stored in a first memory. The programs are downloaded to a second memory located on a key that is adapted for insertion in a key aperture disposed in the food service device. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
       FIG. 1  shows a data key and key aperture for use with the embodiments described; 
       FIG. 2  shows a microwave combination oven provided with such a key aperture; 
       FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram showing the arrangement of components of the microwave combination oven; 
       FIG. 4  shows the arrangement of blocks of memory on the data key; 
       FIG. 5  shows the sequence of operations carried out in a first embodiment; 
       FIG. 6  shows the sequence of operations carried out in a second embodiment; 
       FIG. 7  shows the steps carried out in a method of operating a programmable cooking system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 8  shows a food service device provided with the key reader of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 9  is a schematic diagram showing the arrangement of components of the food service device; 
       FIG. 10  shows the sequence of operations carried out in another embodiment; and 
       FIG. 11  shows a program for programming the keys. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     FIG. 1  shows a data key  1  (for example Serial Memory Token LCK 16000 manufactured by Datakey, Inc. of 407 West Travellers Trail, Burnnsville, Minn. 55337, USA) and a data key reader  2 . The reader  2  is provided with a key aperture  2   a  adapted to receive the key  1  in order to allow data to be passed to and from the key  1 . The key  1  is provided with a suitable memory, such as an E 2 PROM (electrically erasable programmable ROM) for storing data, and with a number of contacts  1   a  for communicating with the reader  2 . Contacts  1   a  may be electrical, magnetic, optical, infrared or any combination thereof. 
   Referring to  FIG. 8 , a programmable food service device  105  includes key reader  2  and key aperture  2   a . Key aperture  2   a  is preferably disposed in a user accessible location, such as an external panel or other suitable location. Food service device  105  also includes one or more keypads for entry of data or switch selection for control of food service device  105 . A panel  106  is disposed to provide user access to a food service area of food service device  105 . For example, panel  106  may be a door to an oven, an ice bin, a food warmer, a food chiller and the like. 
   Referring to  FIG. 9 , shows the electrical components of food service device  105  that include key reader  105 , keypads  103  and  104 , a CPU  108 , a memory  111 , a display  107 , an alarm/beeper  110 , a switching unit  109  and control units  112 ,  113  and  114 . A program, not shown, is stored in memory  111  and is used by CPU  108  to control switching unit  109  and control units  112 ,  113  and  114  to operate food service device  105  in a desired manner. Although only three control units  112 ,  113  and  114  are shown, more or less are possible depending on the type of food service device  105 . For example, an ice maker would include a compressor, a condenser, a water pump and various valves. A food service display may include one or more electrical heaters, a compressor, a condenser, an evaporator, a fan and various valves. 
   Data key  1  is provided with program data corresponding to different operating sequences of food service device  105  at a data site. Data key  1  is then sent to the food service device site for use with food service device  105 , and optionally with other programmable service devices (not shown), each of which is provided with a key reader  102 . Although only the food service device  105  is described here, the data key  1  may operate with each other programmable service device in similar fashion. 
   The programs stored in memory  111  may be organized in any suitable manner. For example, memory  111  may be divided into blocks, each of which contains a program corresponding to different types of food service devices  105  or for food service devices of the same type, which require different operating sequences. Each block may contain a plurality of programs with each program containing data for a different operational sequence comprising a number of stages. Each stage may contain data specifying time, temperature, pressure and power (or other controllable features) for that stage of the operational sequence. 
   Referring to  FIG. 10 , CPU  108  responds to a program  200  disposed in memory  111  when food service device is turned on. Step  120  detects that food service device  105  has been turned on. Step  122  determines whether a key is present in key reader  2 . If a key is present, step  124  locates the address in memory  111  for the relevant block of memory on data key  1  corresponding to food service devices of the type of food service device  105 . 
   Step  126  downloads the contents of the relevant block of program data from data key  1  to memory  111 . Step  128  uploads diagnostic and operational data from memory  111  to the memory of data key  1 . This data is then available for analysis when the data key  1  is returned to a data site at which data key  1  was initially programmed, or to a separate analysis site. The operational data can be any data relating to food service device  105  and/or the way in which the food service device  105  has been used. For example, the operational data may include the number of times each operational sequence has been performed by the food service device  105 , the total time for which the food service device  105  has been used, the times at which the food service device  105  has been used, and so on. 
   Operational data can be uploaded to the data key  1  from each different programmable food service device, and stored in different parts of the memory on the data key  1 . 
   Each data key  1  can be assigned a different key number. Step  130  displays the key number, which is read from the data key  1  by key reader  2 , on display  107 . For example, there may be different keys for different days of the week, or for different times of day, and the display of the key number therefore allows the user to confirm that the correct key has been inserted. The keys can be physically connected together, for example on a single ring, and can also be color coded using different colors to assist with the correct identification of each key. 
   If no key is present, step  22 , causes display  107  to display the key number of the last data key  1  to have been inserted into key reader  2 . This confirms to the user which operational sequences are currently stored in memory  111 . Step  132  prompts the user, e.g., via display  107 , to remove data key  1  from key reader  2 . Step  34  determines whether the user has selected to operate the food service device  105  in a manual, or pre-programmed mode. If the manual mode is selected, the food service device  105  does not make use of the program data downloaded from the data key  1 , and is simply operated using the manual control entered by the user via keypad  103  or and/or  104  in normal fashion. 
   If the user has selected the pre-program mode, then step  136  prompts the user to enter the appropriate program number using keypad  103  and/or  104 . Step  138  then retrieves the program data corresponding to the appropriate operational sequence from memory  111 . Step  140  then runs the program to operate food service device  105 . 
   In an alternate embodiment, data key  1  is not removed from the food service device  105  during operation. Rather the program data is retrieved directly from the memory of the data key  1 , rather than from memory  111  of food service device  105 . In this embodiment use of any pre-programmed operational sequences is only available while data key  1  remains in key reader  2 . 
   In a further embodiment of the invention, food service device  105  is programmed so that it cannot be operated at all unless a data key is present in key reader  2 . This provides a useful security feature, which has applications in various areas, including hospitals, schools and institutions where unauthorized use of the food service device  105  could be hazardous. 
   Referring to  FIG. 11 , key  1  is programmed by a computer system that has a key reader similar to key reader  2  ( FIG. 1 ) and a program  210 . This computer system can be located at any suitable site. Program  210  at step  212  detects that a program for keys is required. For example, a request is entered via a keyboard or other input device. Step  214  determines optimum code sequences for the required key program. 
   Step  216  determines if a color code plan is required. The color code plan, for example, may designate that certain sequences are to be performed at certain times. For example, the certain times could be on certain days and not on others. Thus, a program for Monday could be designated as red, a program for Tuesday as blue and so on. Step  216  would then initialize the computer system to the colors of the plan and arrange them in a key color order. If there is no color plan, then step  216  initializes the computer system to a default color, which may be the normal color for the keys. 
   Step  218  prompts the user to insert the key of the current color. This will either be the default color or the first color of the key color order. Step  220  matches the code segments to the current key color and step  222  downloads the matched code sequences to the current key. Step  224  determines if the current key is the default color. If so, steps  218  through  224  are repeated. If not, step  226  increments the key color. Steps  218  through  226  are then repeated. When the current color count reaches the last color of the key color order, the key color count is reset to the first color of the key color order. Steps  218  through  224  or  226  are repeated until the user stops inserting keys in response to step  218 , in which case step  218 , at the expiration of a wait interval, causes an exit from program  210 . 
   The programmed data keys  1  are then transported to the user site by post, courier or other facility. This embodiment of the invention is contemplated as applicable to any carrier that has a memory disposed therein and is adaptable for reading by a reader. For example, the carrier can be a key, a card or any other carrier. 
   A specific example will now be described for the case of an oven, which may be a combination convection and microwave oven. Referring to  FIG. 2 , there is shown the key reader  2  mounted in the front panel of a microwave combination oven  5  (for example model EV2451 made and sold by Merrychef Ltd). The oven  5  is provided with a manual control panel  4 , door  6 , and twenty pre-program keys  3  which allow twenty preprogrammed cooking sequences to be called up at the touch of a button. 
     FIG. 3  shows the electronic components of the oven  5 , being the key reader  2 , pre-program keys  3 , manual control panel  4 , together with a display  7 , CPU (central processing unit)  8 , switching unit  9 , alarm/beeper  10 , E 2 PROM  11 , fan  12 , heater  13 , and magnetron  14 . The E 2 PROM  11  exchanges data with the data key  1  via the CPU  8  in known manner. 
   The data key  1  is provided with program data corresponding to different cooking sequences at a data site, and is then sent to the cooking site for use with the oven  5 , and with other programmable cooking devices (not shown), each of which is provided with a key reader  2 . Although only the oven  5  is described here, the data key  1  operates with each other programmable cooking device in similar fashion. 
     FIG. 4  shows a typical arrangement of the memory of the data key  1 . The memory is divided into 5 blocks, B 1  to B 5 , each of which contains data corresponding to the cooking sequences of a different type of cooking device. 
   Thus, in the example the blocks B 1  to B 5  correspond to a microwave combination oven, a microwave oven, a conventional convection oven, a steam combination oven, and a hob respectively. 
   In the example of  FIG. 4 , each block contains three programs, P 1  to P 3 , each containing the data for a different cooking sequence comprising a number of stages S 1 , S 2 , S 3  etc. Each stage contains data specifying the time, power and temperature (or other controllable features) for that stage of the cooking sequence. 
   The data key  1  can be inserted into any or all of the available cooking devices in order to update the program data for that cooking device. In the example of  FIG. 4  the key  1  works with any cooking device of the type corresponding to a given block of the key memory. However, further embodiments are possible in which different blocks are provided for different cooking devices of the same type. For example, a given cooking site may have a number of microwave ovens of the same type which require different program data. 
     FIG. 5  shows the sequence of operations carried out by the oven  5 . 
   In step  20  the oven  5  is turned on. In step  22  the oven  5  checks whether a key is present in the key reader  2 . If a key is present, at step  24  the oven  5  locates the memory address for the relevant block B 1  of memory on the data key  1  corresponding to cooking devices of the type of oven  5 . 
   At step  26  the contents of block B 1  are downloaded from the data key  1  to the E 2 PROM  11  of oven  5 . 
   At step  28  diagnostic and operational data is uploaded from the oven  5  to the data key  1 . This data is then available for analysis when the data key  1  is returned to the data site at which the data key  1  was initially programmed, or to a separate analysis site. The operational data can be any data relating to the oven  5  and/or the way in which the oven  5  has been used. For example, the operational data may include the number of times each cooking sequence has been performed by the oven  5 , the total time for which the oven  5  has been used, the times at which the oven  5  has been used, and so on. 
   Operational data can be uploaded to the data key  1  from each different programmable cooking device, and stored in different parts of the memory on the data key  1 . 
   Each data key  1  can be assigned a different key number, and in step  30  the key number, which is read from the data key  1  by the key reader  2 , is displayed on the display  7 . For example, there may be different keys for different days of the week, or for different times of day, and the display of the key number therefore allows the chef to confirm that the correct key has been inserted. The keys can be physically connected together, for example on a single ring, and can also be color coded using different colors to assist with the correct identification of each key. 
   If no key is present at step  22 , the display  7  displays the key number of the last data key  1  to have been inserted into key reader  2 . This confirms to the user which cooking sequences are currently stored by the oven  5 . 
   In step  32  the data key  1  is removed from the key reader  2 , and in step  34  the oven  5  determines whether the user has selected to operate the oven  5  in a manual, or preprogrammed mode. If the manual mode is selected, the oven  5  does not make use of the program data downloaded from the data key  1 , and is simply operated using the manual control panel  4  in normal fashion. 
   If the user has selected the pre-program mode, then at step  36  the user enters the appropriate program number using pre-program keys  3 , and at step  38  the oven  5  then retrieves the program data corresponding to the appropriate cooking sequence from the E 2  PROM  11  and cooks the food at step  40 . 
     FIG. 6  shows the sequence of operations carried out by an alternative embodiment of oven  5 . Steps corresponding to those in  FIG. 5  are given the same reference numerals. However, in the embodiment of  FIG. 6  the data key  1  is not removed from the oven  5  during operation, and at step  42  the program data is retrieved directly from the data key  1 , rather than from the E 2  PROM  11  of the oven  5 . In this embodiment use of the pre-programmed cooking sequences is only available while the data key  1  remains in the key reader  2 . 
   In a further embodiment of the invention, the oven  5  is programmed so that it cannot be operated at all unless a data key is present in the key reader  2 . This provides a useful security feature, which has applications in various areas, including hospitals, schools and institutions where unauthorized use of the oven  5  could be hazardous. 
     FIG. 7  illustrates one embodiment of a method of operating a cooking system of the type described above. In  FIG. 7  it is assumed that Merrychef Limited (denoted MC) acts as the data site and analysis site for a number of cooking sites. 
   At step  50  MC is advised that a new menu is required. MC then, at step  52  determines optimum cooking sequences or programs for each item or dish on the menu. This requires experiments to be conducted with the various items on the menu in order to determine the optimum times, temperatures and powers for each stage in the cooking sequence for each dish. These experiments are conducted for a number of different programmable cooking devices, for example the cooking devices listed in FIG.  4 . 
   At step  54  program data corresponding to the cooking sequences is entered on to a computer according to the format shown in FIG.  4 . 
   At step  56  the program data is downloaded to a number of differently colored data keys, the data on each key being arranged in the format of FIG.  4 . It is assumed that the menu specifies that different dishes will be available on different days and at different times of day, and each key corresponds to a different time and has program data downloaded to it accordingly. 
   At step  58  the data keys are sent, for example, by post, from MC to each customer cooking site. 
   At step  60 , the site manager or chef at each cooking site inserts the data keys into key readers of the programmable cooking devices at the appropriate times. 
   At step  62  data is downloaded from the data keys and uploaded to the data keys in the manner described above. 
   At step  64  each key is returned to MC, and at step  66  the uploaded data is analyzed and stored by MC. The uploaded operational data can be used to determine how many meals of each type have been cooked, and this data can be used for stock control and stock ordering purposes. The uploaded operational data can also indicate how long each cooking device has been used for. If the cooking devices are supplied by MC under warranty, such data can be used to determine whether or not the cooking devices fall within the terms of the warranty. For example, a warranty may specify that a cooking device only remains under warranty if its usage, or usage within a given period of time, falls below a certain number of hours. The operational data can also be used in a variety of other ways. For example, it sometimes happens that the cooking device which is located nearest to a given chef or cook is over-used relative to another cooking device of the same type at the cooking site. The operational data can be used to determine and correct such patterns of use. 
   Step  68  indicates that different colored data keys are used for the next menu for which MC prepares data keys.