System and method for identification and tracking of food items
First Claim
1. A food identification and tracking system, comprising:
- a plurality of containers, each container being adapted to hold a food item;
a plurality of identification tags, each tag being affixed to one of the plurality of containers and having electronically-readable data stored thereon for identifying a food item being held by the respective container;
a sensor configured to electronically read the data stored on the tag of a container that is brought into proximity of the sensor;
an electronic display in communication with the sensor to receive the data identifying a food item in a container that has been brought into proximity of the sensor and to electronically display the identification of the food item to consumers while the container is in proximity to the display; and
a conveyor configured to convey the plurality of containers in a loop around a space, wherein the containers are placed on the conveyor by the operator of the food identification and tracking system to offer the food items in the containers for consumption, and wherein the conveyor is configured to bring each of the containers into proximity of the sensor and the display,wherein the electronic display is a stationary display separate from the conveyor and, as a container on the conveyor passes along a length of the display, the display is configured to electronically scroll the identification of the food item in the container simultaneously along the length of the display at a rate that matches the movement of the container on the conveyor.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A food identification and tracking system includes a plurality of containers adapted to hold food items. An electronically-readable tag is affixed to each of the containers. The data stored on the tags may include information, such as an identification of a food item being held by the container, the ingredients of the food item, and/or the price of the food item, for example. The containers may be distributed by way of a conveyor system offering the food items in the containers for consumption. One or more sensors positioned relative to the conveyor may electronically read the data stored on a tag and cause the identification of the food item in a container to be shown on a display. When the data in each tag includes an indicator of the price of the food item, the cost of all the food item(s) consumed by a consumer may be calculated for payment.
52 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A food identification and tracking system, comprising:
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a plurality of containers, each container being adapted to hold a food item; a plurality of identification tags, each tag being affixed to one of the plurality of containers and having electronically-readable data stored thereon for identifying a food item being held by the respective container; a sensor configured to electronically read the data stored on the tag of a container that is brought into proximity of the sensor; an electronic display in communication with the sensor to receive the data identifying a food item in a container that has been brought into proximity of the sensor and to electronically display the identification of the food item to consumers while the container is in proximity to the display; and a conveyor configured to convey the plurality of containers in a loop around a space, wherein the containers are placed on the conveyor by the operator of the food identification and tracking system to offer the food items in the containers for consumption, and wherein the conveyor is configured to bring each of the containers into proximity of the sensor and the display, wherein the electronic display is a stationary display separate from the conveyor and, as a container on the conveyor passes along a length of the display, the display is configured to electronically scroll the identification of the food item in the container simultaneously along the length of the display at a rate that matches the movement of the container on the conveyor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for identifying and tracking food items, comprising:
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obtaining a container adapted to hold a food item, wherein the container has an identification tag affixed thereto, said tag having a memory for storing electronically-readable data that identifies a food item; preparing a food item and placing the food item in the container; communicating with the tag to store an identification of the food item placed in the container; placing the container on a conveyor that conveys the container in a loop around a space, wherein a consumer can remove the container from the conveyor and consume the food item while on the premises where the conveyor is located; using a sensor to electronically read the data stored on the tag of a container that is brought by the conveyor into proximity of the sensor; receiving the identification of the food item from the sensor; and displaying the identification of the food item on an electronic display to consumers while the container is in proximity to the display, wherein the electronic display is a stationary display separate from the conveyor, and wherein displaying the identification of the food item comprises electronically scrolling the identification of the food item on the display simultaneously with the container along a length of the display at a rate that matches the movement of the container on the conveyor. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification