A meals preparation machine and a method for preparing meals, using a meals preparation machine, configured to: receive a meal package (MP) into the meals preparation machine, the MP having an identifier thereover; detect one or more characteristics of the identifier of the received MP, using at least one sensor, outputting sensor data indicative of the detected one or more characteristics; identity a meal preparation code of the respective MP, based on the sensor data; retrieve a meal preparation plan that is associated with the identified meal preparation code of the respective MP; and control preparation of a meal of the respective MP, based on the retrieved meal preparation plan.

A meals preparation machine and a method for preparing meals, using a meals preparation machine, configured to: receive a meal package (MP) into the meals preparation machine, the MP having an identifier thereover; detect one or more characteristics of the identifier of the received MP, using at least one sensor, outputting sensor data indicative of the detected one or more characteristics; identity a meal preparation code of the respective MP, based on the sensor data; retrieve a meal preparation plan that is associated with the identified meal preparation code of the respective MP; and control preparation of a meal of the respective MP, based on the retrieved meal preparation plan.

A cooking assistance method executed by a computer includes: (a) causing an output device to output information of a first cooking process in which a first ingredient is cut or applied with a pressure; (b) obtaining, when the first ingredient is cut on a cooking board or applied with the pressure on the cooking board in the first cooking process, at least one of a pressure on the cooking board, a total number of cuts made to the first ingredient, and a state of the first ingredient cut; (c) changing a description of a second cooking process performed subsequently to the first cooking process, using information based on the at least one of the pressure, the total number of cuts, and the state of the first ingredient cut; and (d) causing the output device to output information of the second cooking process changed.

A cooking assistance method executed by a computer includes: (a) causing an output device to output information of a first cooking process in which a first ingredient is cut or applied with a pressure; (b) obtaining, when the first ingredient is cut on a cooking board or applied with the pressure on the cooking board in the first cooking process, at least one of a pressure on the cooking board, a total number of cuts made to the first ingredient, and a state of the first ingredient cut; (c) changing a description of a second cooking process performed subsequently to the first cooking process, using information based on the at least one of the pressure, the total number of cuts, and the state of the first ingredient cut; and (d) causing the output device to output information of the second cooking process changed.

An improvement for automatic/mechanized food-process lines pertains to racking provisions for assembling, dis-assembling and re-assembling numerous separate machines that form to make up the line. That is, one machine can be swapped out for a different machine in order to cause a change in the output food product pieces. For example, a swapped in machine may give a different coating to the food product pieces (eg., breading vs. Panko) or run food product pieces of substantially different character (eg., whole muscle pieces like chicken tenders vs. formed product like hamburger patties). The improvement has a track attached or affixed to either a low elevation mounting structure of a given food process line machine or the factory floor, but not the other, and a router member attached or affixed to the other of the low elevation mounting structure or the factory floor, for following the track.

An improvement for automatic/mechanized food-process lines pertains to racking provisions for assembling, dis-assembling and re-assembling numerous separate machines that form to make up the line. That is, one machine can be swapped out for a different machine in order to cause a change in the output food product pieces. For example, a swapped in machine may give a different coating to the food product pieces (eg., breading vs. Panko) or run food product pieces of substantially different character (eg., whole muscle pieces like chicken tenders vs. formed product like hamburger patties). The improvement has a track attached or affixed to either a low elevation mounting structure of a given food process line machine or the factory floor, but not the other, and a router member attached or affixed to the other of the low elevation mounting structure or the factory floor, for following the track.

The present invention relates to an RFID tagged and identified cookware in robotic or automated cooking system for identification of each one of the cooking vessels throughout the variety of stages of the cooking processes or meal preparation processes in automated or robotic cooking apparatus through an integrated RFID tag.

The present invention relates to an RFID tagged and identified cookware in robotic or automated cooking system for identification of each one of the cooking vessels throughout the variety of stages of the cooking processes or meal preparation processes in automated or robotic cooking apparatus through an integrated RFID tag.

A robotic kitchen system for preparing food items in combination with at least one kitchen appliance such as a fryer comprises an automated bin assembly, a robotic arm, and a basket held by the robotic arm. The automated bin assembly comprises at least one automated bin for holding the food items. A camera or sensor array collects image data of the food items in the bin(s). A central processor is operable to compute and provide directions to the first robotic arm and automated bin assembly based on the image data and stored data to (a) move the robotic arm to the bin; (b) actuate the bin to drop the food items from the bin into the basket; (c) and to move the basket into the fryer all without human interaction. Related methods are also described.

A robotic kitchen system for preparing food items in combination with at least one kitchen appliance such as a fryer comprises an automated bin assembly, a robotic arm, and a basket held by the robotic arm. The automated bin assembly comprises at least one automated bin for holding the food items. A camera or sensor array collects image data of the food items in the bin(s). A central processor is operable to compute and provide directions to the first robotic arm and automated bin assembly based on the image data and stored data to (a) move the robotic arm to the bin; (b) actuate the bin to drop the food items from the bin into the basket; (c) and to move the basket into the fryer all without human interaction. Related methods are also described.