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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 contro

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.

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1. Food service apparatus comprising:a plurality of programmable food service devices each comprising: a key aperture adapted to receive a key, wherein said key includes a memory containing a plurality of programs, wherein different ones of said programs exclusively operate different ones of said fo

1. Food service apparatus comprising:a plurality of programmable food service devices each comprising: a key aperture adapted to receive a key, wherein said key includes a memory containing a plurality of programs, wherein different ones of said programs exclusively operate different ones of said food service devices; a key reader that is disposed to access said memory; and a controller that is operatively linked to said key reader and that responds exclusively to a corresponding one of said programs to operate said food service device. 2. The food service apparatus of claim 1, wherein said controller is operative to control said key reader to write operating data of said food service device to said memory.3. The food service apparatus of claim 1, wherein said key and said key reader each include communication contacts selected from the group consisting of electrical, optical, infrared, magnetic and any combination thereof.4. The food service apparatus of claim 1, wherein said memory includes at least first and second programs for a first one of said food service devices, and wherein said first and second programs are for different operating sequences of said first food service device.5. The food service apparatus of claim 1, wherein said food service device is selected from the group comprising: an oven, a fryer, a food service display, an ice maker, a grill, a ventilation system, and any combination thereof.6. The food service apparatus of claim 5, wherein said oven is selected from the group consisting of: convection, microwave, steam and any combination thereof.7. The food service apparatus of claim 1, wherein said controller responds to said corresponding one of said programs to operate said food service device only when said key is inserted in said key aperture.8. The food service apparatus of claim 1, wherein said controller downloads said corresponding one of said programs for operation of said food service device.9. The food service apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of such data keys each carrying different operational sequence program data, thus allowing a user to choose which operational sequences to make available to the food service device, and to make different operational sequences available at different times.10. The food service apparatus of claim 9, wherein different data keys are different colours, in order to provide more simple identification to a user.11. A method of providing operational programs to a plurality of food service devices, 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 apertures that are disposed in said food service devices, wherein different ones of said programs exclusively operate different ones of said food service devices. 12. A method of operating a plurality of food service devices comprising:providing a key aperture in each of said food service devices; inserting a key in said key aperture of a first one of said food service devices, said key having a memory that stores a plurality of programs, wherein different ones of said programs exclusively operate different ones of said food service devices; and using a corresponding one of said programs to exclusively operate said first food service device. 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of a data writer of first food service device writing to the memory of said key operational data relating to the operation of said first food service device.14. The method of claim 13, wherein said operational data includes data representing the total time for which the food service device has been used since a given point in time.15. The method of claim 14, wherein said operational data representing the total time for which the food service device has been used is 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.16. 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. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein said carrier devices are selected from the group consisting of: key, card, and any combination thereof.18. The method of claim 16, wherein said colours correspond to different times, and wherein said food service device is operated according to said plan when said carrier devices are inserted into said reader at said different times corresponding to said colours.19. The method of claim 16, wherein said food service device is selected from the group consisting of: an oven, a fryer, a food service display, an ice maker, a grill, a ventilation system, and any combination thereof.20. The food service apparatus of claim 19, wherein said oven is selected from the group consisting of: convection, microwave, steam and any combination thereof.