Programmable food service systems and method
AssigneeMerrychef Limited
InventorNigel Thorneywork
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A programmable food service system including one or more food service devices and at least one data key. Each data key is provided with a data memory for storing program data corresponding to sequences of food service operations. Each food service device includes a programmable controller for controlling the food service device to carry out sequences of cooking operations. Each food service device includes a key aperture adapted to receive a data key and a data reader arranged to read program data from the data key memory. The program data is passed on to the programmable controller, thereby making the appropriate sequences of cooking operations available to the food service device.
Claims21
Food service apparatus comprising:
- at least one food service device comprising:
- a key aperture adapted to receive a key, wherein said key includes a memory containing one or more programs;
- a key reader that is disposed to access said memory;
- and
- a controller that is operatively linked to said key reader and that responds to one of said programs to operate said food service device.
A method of providing operational programs to a food service device, said method comprising:
- storing said operational programs in a first memory;
- and
- downloading at least one of said operational programs to a second memory located on a key that is adapted for insertion in a key aperture disposed in said food service device.
A method of operating a food service device comprising:
- providing a key aperture in said food service device;
- inserting a key in said key aperture, said key having a memory that stores a program;
- and
- using said program to operate said food service device.
A method of operating a food service device, said method comprising:
- providing a plurality of carrier devices, each having a memory that stores a program, each of said programs being different, each of said carrier devices having a different colour according to a plan of operating said food service device;
- and
- inserting said carrier devices in a reader disposed in said food service device to operate said food service device with said different programs according to said plan.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.