Method and apparatus for selling an aging food product

• US 6,298,331 B1
• Filed: 05/22/1998
• Issued: 10/02/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/21/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Inventor Holdings LLC (Walker Innovation Inc. (f/k/a Patent Properties, Inc.))
• Original Assignee: Walker Digital LLC (Walker Innovation Inc. (f/k/a Patent Properties, Inc.))
• Inventors: Van Luchene, Andrew S., Otto, Jonathan, Tedesco, Daniel E., Walker, Jay S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cosimano, Edward R.
• Application Number:
  US09/083,483
• Time in Patent Office: 1,229 Days
• Field of Search: 994/83, 364/709.03, 377/13, 377/14, 377/15, 377/16, 705/1, 705/16, 705/20, 705/22, 705/28, 705/15, 705/400, 705/418, 426/113, D07/323, D07/402
• US Class Current: 705/15
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/00 Payment architectures, schemes or protocols apparatus for performing or posting payment transactions G07F7/08, G07F19/00; electronic cash registers G07G1/12
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/12 specially adapted for electronic shopping systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/20 Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/203 Inventory monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/387 Payment using discounts or coupons relating to marketing G06Q30/02
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0283 Price estimation or determination
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/12 Hotels or restaurants
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 15/005 with dispensing of lottery tickets
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3248 involving non-monetary media of fixed value, e.g. casino chips of fixed value
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3255 Incentive, loyalty and/or promotion schemes, e.g. comps, gaming associated with a purchase, gaming funded by advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 5/24 with change-giving
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/02 Devices for alarm or indication, e.g. when empty; Advertising arrangements in coin-freed apparatus alarms or warning devices indicating the interruption of flow to be metered G07F15/10
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 1/0036 Checkout procedures
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 1/12 electronically operated digital data processing aspects G06Q20/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 5/00 Receipt-giving machines cash registers giving receipts G07G1/00

Abstract

An automated kitchen apparatus determines a time until expiration of a food product. In one embodiment, the kitchen apparatus determines the time until expiration by receiving a start signal indicating that a food product is available to sell. Such a start signal may be generated by a timer on a warming bin that is initiated when a food product is placed in the warming bin. By measuring the elapsed time since the start signal was received, the time until expiration is determined. Based on the time until expiration, the automated kitchen apparatus sets the minimum price of that food product. Customers at a POS terminal may then purchase the aged food product for the minimum price. In one embodiment, an offer describing the food product and its minimum price is displayed on the POS terminal. In another embodiment, the customer is offered the food product for his change due, if that change due is not less than the minimum price.

Claims

1. A method for selling an aging food product, comprising:

determining a time until expiration of a food product;

setting a minimum price of the food product based on the time until expiration;

generating a purchase price of a purchase;

generating a rounded price;

calculating a round-up amount, the round-up amount being a difference between the purchase price and the rounded price; and

providing an offer to exchange the food product for the round-up amount if the minimum price is not greater than the round-up amount.

2. The method of claim 1, in which the step of setting a minimum price of the food product comprises:

identifying a record that corresponds to the time until expiration; and

determining the minimum price from the record.

3. The method of claim 1, in which the step of setting a minimum price of the food product comprises:

identifying a record that corresponds to the time until expiration;

determining a discount from the record; and

applying the discount to a retail price to determine the minimum price.

4. The method of claim 1, in which the step of setting a minimum price of the food product comprises:

setting the minimum price to zero if the time until expiration is greater than a predetermined threshold.

5. The method of claim 1, in which the step of setting a minimum price of the food product comprises:

setting a price range of the food product the price range defined by the minimum price and a maximum price.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

generating a waste receipt if the time until expiration is less than a predetermined threshold.

7. The method of claim 1, in which the step of determining a time until expiration of a food product comprises:

receiving a start signal indicating that a food product is available to sell; and

measuring an elapsed time since the start signal was received.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving an acceptance of the offer.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

sending a signal to a demand forecasting system if the offer is accepted, the signal indicating that the food product has been sold.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

outputting an indication of the minimum price.

11. The method of claim 10, in which the step of outputting an indication of the minimum price comprises:

transmitting the minimum price to a price display.

12. The method of claim 1, in which the step of determining a time until expiration of a food product comprises:

determining a time until expiration of each of a plurality of food products, the plurality of food products composing a food package; and

in which the step of setting a minimum price of the food product comprises;

setting a minimum price of the food package based on the times until expiration of the food products.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

setting a minimum price of each food product based on the times until expiration of the food products.

14. The method of claim 12, in which the step of setting a minimum price of the food package comprises:

setting a minimum price of each food product based on age categories of the food products.

15. A method for selling an aging food product, comprising:

measuring the age of a food product;

setting a minimum price of the food product based on the age;

generating a purchase price of a purchase;

generating a rounded price;

calculating a round-up amount, the round-up amount being a difference between the purchase price and the rounded price; and

providing an offer to exchange the food product for the round-up amount if the minimum price is not greater than the round-up amount.

16. The method of claim 15, in which the step of setting a minimum price comprises:

setting a minimum price of the food product if the age is within a predetermined age range.

17. A method for facilitating selling an aging food product, comprising:

receiving a start signal indicating that a food product is available to sell;

measuring an elapsed time since the start signal was received; and

registering the food product as available to be sold for change due if the elapsed time is greater than a predetermined threshold.

18. A method for warming a food product, comprising:

receiving a start signal indicating that a food product has been placed in a warming apparatus;

measuring an elapsed time since the start signal was received; and

registering the product as available to be sold for change due if the elapsed time is greater than a predetermined threshold.

19. A method for selling an aging food product, comprising:

receiving a first start signal indicating that a food component has been placed in a food component warmer;

measuring a first elapsed time since the first start signal was received;

using the food component to assemble a food product before the first elapsed time exceeds a predetermined threshold;

measuring the age of the food product;

setting a minimum price of the food product based on the age of the food product;

generating a purchase price of a purchase;

generating a rounded price;

calculating a round-up amount, the round-up amount being a difference between the purchase price and the rounded price; and

providing an offer to exchange the food product for the round-up amount if the minimum price is not greater than the round-up amount.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

receiving a signal that indicates that the food component has been used to assemble a food product.

21. The method of claim 19, in which the step of measuring the age of the food product comprises:

receiving a second start signal indicating that a food product is available to sell; and

measuring a second elapsed time since the second start signal was received.

22. A method for selling an aging food product, comprising:

initiating a timer to generate an age of a food product;

determining an age category based on the age;

storing an indication of a food product that corresponds to a predetermined age category;

generating a purchase price of a purchase;

generating a rounded price;

calculating a round-up amount, the round-up amount being a difference between the purchase price and the rounded price; and

outputting an offer to exchange the food product for the round-up amount.

23. A method for selling an aging food product, comprising:

determining whether a food product that corresponds to a predetermined age category exists;

outputting an indication of the food product;

generating a purchase price of a purchase;

generating a rounded price;

calculating a round-up amount, the round-up amount being a difference between the purchase price and the rounded price; and

determining whether a food product that corresponds to a predetermined age category and that has a minimum price not greater than the round-up amount exits, and if so, outputting an offer to exchange the food product for the round-up amount.

24. A method for facilitating selling an aging food product, comprising:

measuring the age of a food product;

setting a minimum price of the food product based on the age;

generating a purchase price of a purchase;

generating a rounded price;

calculating a round-up amount, the round-up amount being a difference between the purchase price and the rounded price; and

outputting an indication of the food product if the minimum price is not greater than the round-up amount.

25. The method of claim 24, further comprises;

receiving an acceptance signal that indicates an acceptance of an offer for the food product in exchange for the round-up amount.

26. The method of claim 24, further comprises:

adjusting an inventory level of the food product based on the received acceptance signal.

27. A method for selling an aging food product, comprising:

determining if a food product in a warming bin can be used to satisfy an order; and

providing an offer to sell the food product for at least one of change due and a round-up amount if the food product cannot be used to satisfy an order.

28. An apparatus for selling an aging food product, comprising:

means for holding a food product;

a timer for determining a time until expiration of the food product held in the means for holding;

a database for storing a minimum price of the food product;

means for setting the minimum price based on the time until expiration; and

means for providing an offer to sell the food product for change due if the minimum price is not greater than the change due.

29. The apparatus of claim 28, in which the means for holding a food product comprises:

a warming bin.

30. The apparatus of claim 28, further comprising:

a food component warmer for holding a food component used to assemble the food product.

31. The apparatus of claim 28, further comprising:

means for receiving a signal indicating that the food product has been assembled.

32. The apparatus of claim 28, further comprising:

means for receiving a signal indicating that the food product has been sold.

33. A method for facilitating selling an aging food product, comprising:

receiving a round-up amount from a POS terminal;

determining an aging food product having a minimum price that is not greater than the round-up amount; and

transmitting an indication of the food product to the POS terminal.

34. An apparatus for selling an aging food product, comprising:

a point-of-sale terminal, including

a processor, and

a memory connected to the processor and containing instructions for controlling the processor; and

an automated kitchen apparatus in communication with the point-of-sale terminal and operative to maintain aging food products held therein in a saleable condition for a predetermined period of time, the automated kitchen apparatus including means for measuring the time aged food products are held therein;

the point-of-sale terminal operative with the instructions in the memory to;

receive, from the automated kitchen apparatus, data relating to at least one aged food product contained in the automated kitchen apparatus,

determine a price for the at least one aged food product, the price being a function of the time the aged food product is contained in the automated kitchen apparatus,

output the price for the at least one aged food product, and

generate an offer to exchange the at least one aged food product for change due if the price is not greater than the change due.

35. The apparatus of claim 34, in which the price is further a function of a predetermined saleable time period during which the at least one aged food product may be sold after being placed in the automated kitchen apparatus.

36. The apparatus of claim 34, in which the processor is further operative to receive food product transaction data for a food product transaction, and in which the price is further a function of the food product transaction data.

37. The apparatus of claim 36, in which the food product transaction data includes an amount tendered for the purchase of the at least one aged food product.

38. The apparatus of claim 36, in which the food product transaction data includes data identifying a plurality of food products.

39. An apparatus for selling an aging food product, comprising:

a storage device; and

a processor connected to the storage device,

the storage device for storing a program for controlling the processor; and

the processor operative with the program to;

determine a time until expiration of a food product;

set a minimum price of the food product based on the time until expiration;

generate a purchase price of a purchase;

generate a rounded price;

calculate a round-up amount, the round-up amount being a difference between the purchase price and the rounded price; and

provide an offer to exchange the food product for the round-up amount if the minimum price is not greater than the round-up amount.

40. An apparatus for selling an aging food product, comprising:

a storage device; and

a processor connected to the storage device,

the storage device for storing a program for controlling the processor; and

the processor operative with the program to;

measure the age of a food product;

set a minimum price of the food product based on the age;

generate a purchase price of a purchase;

generate a rounded price;

calculate a round-up amount, the round-up amount being a difference between the purchase price and the rounded price; and

provide an offer to exchange the food product for the round-up amount if the minimum price is not greater than the round-up amount.

41. An apparatus for facilitating selling an aging food product, comprising:

a storage device; and

a processor connected to the storage device,

the storage device for storing a program for controlling the processor; and

the processor operative with the program to;

receive a start signal indicating that a food product is available to sell;

measure an elapsed time since the start signal was received; and

register the food product as available to be sold for change due if the elapsed time is greater than a predetermined threshold.

42. An apparatus for warming a food product, comprising:

a storage device; and

a processor connected to the storage device,

the storage device for storing a program for controlling the processor; and

the processor operative with the program to;

receive a start signal indicating that a food product has been placed in a warming apparatus;

measure an elapsed time since the start signal was received; and

register the product as available to be sold for change due if the elapsed time is greater than a predetermined threshold.

43. An apparatus for selling an aging food product, comprising:

a storage device; and

a processor connected to the storage device,

the storage device for storing a program for controlling the processor; and

the processor operative with the program to;

receive a first start signal indicating that a food component has been placed in a food component warmer;

measure a first elapsed time since the first start signal was received;

determine whether the first elapsed time exceeds a predetermined threshold;

measure the age of the food product;

set a minimum price of the food product based on the age of the food product;

generate a purchase price of a purchase;

generate a rounded price;

calculate a round-up amount, the round-up amount being a difference between the purchase price and the rounded price; and

provide an offer to exchange the food product for the round-up amount if the minimum price is not greater than the round-up amount.

44. An apparatus for selling an aging food product, comprising:

a storage device; and

a processor connected to the storage device,

the storage device for storing a program for controlling the processor; and

the processor operative with the program to;

initiate a timer to generate an age of a food product;

determine an age category based on the age;

store an indication of a food product that corresponds to a predetermined age category;

generate a purchase price of a purchase;

generate a rounded price;

calculate a round-up amount, the round-up amount being a difference between the purchase price and the rounded price; and

output an offer to exchange the food product for the round-up amount.

45. An apparatus for selling an aging food product, comprising:

a storage device; and

a processor connected to the storage device,

the storage device for storing a program for controlling the processor; and

the processor operative with the program to;

determine whether a food product that corresponds to a predetermined age category exists; and

output an indication of the food product;

generate a purchase price of a purchase;

generate a rounded price;

calculate a round-up amount, the round-up amount being a difference between the purchase price and the rounded price; and

output an offer to exchange the food product for the round-up amount.

46. An apparatus for facilitating selling an aging food product, comprising:

a storage device; and

a processor connected to the storage device,

the storage device for storing a program for controlling the processor; and

the processor operative with the program to;

measure the age of a food product;

set a minimum price of the food product based on the age;

generate a purchase price of a purchase;

generate a rounded price;

calculate a round-up amount, the round-up amount being a difference between the purchase price and the rounded price; and

output an indication of the food product if the minimum price is not greater than the round-up amount.

47. An apparatus for selling an aging food product, comprising:

a storage device; and

a processor connected to the storage device,

the storage device for storing a program for controlling the processor; and

the processor operative with the program to;

determine if a food product in a warming bin can be used to satisfy an order; and

provide an offer to sell the food product for at least one of change due and a round-up amount if the food product cannot be used to satisfy an order.

48. A computer readable medium encoded with processing instructions to direct a device to perform a method for selling an aging food product, the method comprising the steps of:

determining a time until expiration of a food product;

setting a minimum price of the food product based on the time until expiration;

generating a purchase price of a purchase;

generating a rounded price;

calculating a round-up amount, the round-up amount being a difference between the purchase price and the rounded price; and

providing an offer to exchange the food product for the round-up amount if the minimum price is not greater than the round-up amount.

49. A computer readable medium encoded with processing instructions to direct a device to perform a method for selling an aging food product, the method comprising the steps of:

measuring the age of a food product;

setting a minimum price of the food product based on the age;

generating a purchase price of a purchase;

generating a rounded price;

calculating a round-up amount, the round-tip amount being a difference between the purchase price and the rounded price; and

providing an offer to exchange the food product for the round-up amount if the minimum price is not greater than the round-up amount.

50. A computer readable medium encoded with processing instructions to direct a device to perform a method for facilitating selling an aging food product, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving a start signal indicating that a food product is available to sell;

measuring an elapsed time since the start signal was received; and

registering the food product as available to be sold for change due if the elapsed time is greater than a predetermined threshold.

51. A computer readable medium encoded with processing instructions to direct a device to perform method for warming a food product, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving a start signal indicating that a food product has been placed in a warming apparatus;

measuring an elapsed time since the start signal was received; and

registering the product as available to be sold for change due if the elapsed time is greater than a predetermined threshold.

52. A computer readable medium encoded with processing instructions to direct a device to perform a method for selling an aging food product, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving a first start signal indicating that a food component has been placed in a food component warmer;

measuring a first elapsed time since the first start signal was received;

using the food component to assemble a food product before the first elapsed time exceeds a predetermined threshold;

measuring the age of the food product;

setting a minimum price of the food product based on the age of the food product;

generating a purchase price of a purchase;

generating a rounded price;

calculating a round-up amount, the round-up amount being a difference between the purchase price and the rounded price; and

providing an offer to exchange the food product for the round-up amount if the minimum price is not greater than the round-up amount.

53. A computer readable medium encoded with processing instructions to direct a device to perform a method for selling an aging food product, the method comprising the steps of:

initiating a timer to generate an age of a food product;

determining an age category based on the age;

storing an indication of a food product that corresponds to a predetermined age category;

generating a purchase price of a purchase;

generating a rounded price;

calculating a round-up amount, the round-up amount being a difference between the purchase price and the rounded price; and

outputting an offer to exchange the food product for the round-up amount.

54. A computer readable medium encoded with processing instructions to direct a device to perform a method for selling an aging food product, the method comprising the steps of:

determining whether a food product that corresponds to a predetermined age category exists;

outputting an indication of the food product;

generating a purchase price of a purchase;

generating a rounded price;

calculating a round-up amount, the round-up amount being a difference between the purchase price and the rounded price; and

outputting an offer to exchange the food product for the round-up amount.

55. A computer readable medium encoded with processing instructions to direct a device to perform a method for facilitating selling an aging food product, the method comprising the steps of:

measuring the age of a food product;

setting a minimum price of the food product based on the age;

generating a purchase price of a purchase;

generating a rounded price;

calculating a round-up amount, the round-up amount being a difference between the purchase price and the rounded price; and

outputting an indication of the food product if the minimum price is not greater than the round-up amount.

56. A computer readable medium encoded with processing instructions to direct a device to perform a method for selling an aging food product, the method comprising the steps of:

determining if a food product in a warming bin can be used to satisfy an order; and

providing an offer to sell the food product for at least one of change due and a round-up amount if the food product cannot be used to satisfy an order.