초록 ▼

A free-access vending system for use in a cafeteria or similar dining facility, which permits patrons to freely take food items from cafeteria self-service units and to pay for what they take at the time of taking with a payment card or similar instrument, via an automated payment handler. The autom

A free-access vending system for use in a cafeteria or similar dining facility, which permits patrons to freely take food items from cafeteria self-service units and to pay for what they take at the time of taking with a payment card or similar instrument, via an automated payment handler. The automated payment handler not only receives payment from patrons, but also has item sensing devices to detect food items as they are removed, thereby eliminating the need for staff personnel to account for food items taken and receive payment from patrons or charge their accounts for meals. Food items removed from the cafeteria self-service units may be replenished directly and conveniently from the kitchen as patrons take them. Packaged food items, such as beverages, may be stored within the cafeteria self-service unit and reloaded independently of freshly-prepared food items, and the stocks thereof optionally maintained by outside personnel. The free-access item sensing devices of the cafeteria self-service unit can be used to detect and identify not only food items taken by patrons, but also the replenished food items. A central information and control system thereby maintains complete tracking and time flow of food items to provide not only accounting and inventory information and reporting to management, but also flow analysis and food item purchasing patterns for patron assistance, scheduling, menu preparation, and the like, and to aid in increasing the real-time operation of the cafeteria while further reducing staff personnel requirements.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A cafeteria self-service system for displaying and selling a plurality of food items supplied from a kitchen to a plurality of patrons, each patron having a payment card; the cafeteria self-service system comprising:(a) at least one cafeteria self-service unit for the sto

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A cafeteria self-service system for displaying and selling a plurality of food items supplied from a kitchen to a plurality of patrons, each patron having a payment card; the cafeteria self-service system comprising:(a) at least one cafeteria self-service unit for the storage and display of said food items, said at least one cafeteria self-service unit being accessible via a first direction from the kitchen and being accessible via a second direction by the patrons, said cafeteria self-service unit including:(i) physical access control means for selectively barring or allowing physical access by the patrons to the food items in said cafeteria self-service unit via said second direction;(ii) at least one item sensing device for determining food items placed in said cafeteria self-service unit via said first direction and for determining food items removed from said cafeteria self-service unit via said second direction;(iii) a payment card accepting device for accepting payment cards presented by patrons;(b) an access controller for determining when to allow access and when to bar access, and for activating said physical access control means;(c) an automated payment handler for activating said payment card accepting device, validating the payment card, and charging the payment card a selectable amount;(d) a data storage facility storing therein:(i) a pricing schedule for said food items; and(ii) food item replenishment criteria to determine a required amount of food items to be supplied to said cafeteria self-service unit via said first direction;(e) a kitchen interface for directing food item preparation operations;(f) a central information and control system interfacing with said access controller, said automated payment handler, said item sensing device, said data storage facility and said kitchen interface; for:(i) receiving notification from said automated payment handler that a valid payment card has been presented;(ii) activating said access controller to allow patron access to said at least one cafeteria self-service unit via said second direction;(iii) receiving from said item sensing device the identity of each food item removed from said cafeteria self-service unit via said second direction;(iv) calculating said required amount of food items to be supplied to said cafeteria self-service unit via said first direction in accordance with said food item replenishment criteria, and activating said kitchen interface to exhibit said required amount; and(v) selectively activating said automated payment handler to charge said valid payment card.