A plate delivery system provides storage for plates in a first-in, last-out configuration. As the kitchen staff completes a meal (plated), the plate holding the meal is presented to the plate delivery system and the plate moves into the plate delivery system to be ready for the next plate. After a number of plates are stored in the plate delivery system, the plate delivery system is transported from the kitchen to the eating area (e.g., restaurant table or banquet table) and each plate is sequentially presented to a delivery mechanism (e.g., a robot or a waitperson) for final delivery to the table. In some embodiments, the plate delivery system is enclosed and has a cover mechanism to prevent food contamination by foreign matter and in some embodiments, the plate delivery system has heating/cooling mechanisms to help keep warm food warm or cool food cool.

In one embodiment, a cloud computer system is disclosed for controlling a plurality of remote devices comprising a cloud server including a cloud based operating system comprising a data model stored in a computer memory. The data model includes commands performed by a plurality of remote devices in a remote system and, for each remote device, one or more operations for triggering processes executed by the remote device. The cloud based operating system generates a set of instructions from the plurality of commands and corresponding operations to control a portion of the remote devices to perform a task.

Embodiments of the disclosure are directed to a touchless automatic food locker apparatus, system, and method providing automated self-serve food lockers. Embodiments include arrays of modular food lockers having a public access door and a kitchen access door opposed to each other, assembled as a wall between the public space and the kitchen. Each food locker kitchen access door is adapted to receive a food item disposed into the locker. Heating and cooling elements maintain the appropriate food item temperature in the locker. Sensors, lighting, and UV lighting coupled to the locker detects a state of the item in the locker. The locker further includes credentialed access by the customer to the food locker from the public access door by an assembly coupled to the food locker utilizing mobile communication and intelligent analysis to reduce waiting time, keep food products fresh, and assure quality product delivery.

Embodiments of the disclosure are directed to a touchless automatic food locker apparatus, system, and method providing automated self-serve food lockers. Embodiments include arrays of modular food lockers having a public access door and a kitchen access door opposed to each other, assembled as a wall between the public space and the kitchen. Each food locker kitchen access door is adapted to receive a food item disposed into the locker. Heating and cooling elements maintain the appropriate food item temperature in the locker. Sensors, lighting, and UV lighting coupled to the locker detects a state of the item in the locker. The locker further includes credentialed access by the customer to the food locker from the public access door by an assembly coupled to the food locker utilizing mobile communication and intelligent analysis to reduce waiting time, keep food products fresh, and assure quality product delivery.

A convertible table assembly has an item display configuration in which items can be presented for purchasers/guests. The convertible table assembly includes a tabletop assembly and one or more demountable bins for presenting food or other items for purchase, use, and/or consumption by consumers and/or guests. The convertible table assembly also has a table configuration in which the bins are not mounted and one or more power outlets and/or charging and/or communication ports are exposed for connection to electronic devices.

The present technology relates to a cooking system capable of providing novel cooking experiences. A cooking system according to an aspect of the present technology includes: a top plate unit including a first top plate and a second top plate; a top plate drive unit that moves at least either top plate of the first top plate and the second top plate; a cooking assistance unit provided in a cooking assistance space that appears by movement of the at least either top plate; an arm movement unit that moves a cooking arm including an attaching/detaching portion capable of attaching/detaching an attachment having a cooking function along a movement mechanism provided in the cooking assistance space; and an arm control unit that controls driving of the cooking arm in accordance with a cooking process. The present technology can be applied to a system kitchen having a robotic function.

A food bar arrangement (100) with product holding elements (103A,103B) holding fresh food products, an openable covering arrangement (110) including at least one covering element (10A, 10B) transferable between a closed and an open position, covering element sensing means (30A, 30B) registering an activation or a movement of the covering element (10A,10B) towards an open position or vice versa, a disinfection arrangement including a plurality of UV-C sources (52) in activated state exposing the food products to UV-C light at a wavelength appropriate for inactivation of pathogens, and a disinfection control system communicating with the covering element sensing means (30A,30B) and an UV-C source activating/deactivating arrangement (40) controlling the disinfection arrangement, and some of the UV-C sources are deactivated when a covering element is opened or moved towards an open position.

A food bar arrangement (100) with product holding elements (103A,103B) holding fresh food products, an openable covering arrangement (110) including at least one covering element (10A, 10B) transferable between a closed and an open position, covering element sensing means (30A, 30B) registering an activation or a movement of the covering element (10A,10B) towards an open position or vice versa, a disinfection arrangement including a plurality of UV-C sources (52) in activated state exposing the food products to UV-C light at a wavelength appropriate for inactivation of pathogens, and a disinfection control system communicating with the covering element sensing means (30A,30B) and an UV-C source activating/deactivating arrangement (40) controlling the disinfection arrangement, and some of the UV-C sources are deactivated when a covering element is opened or moved towards an open position.

A modular food holding system includes a plurality of individual modularized food holding chambers, each of the plurality of food holding chambers being physically and communicatively removably connected to one another. Each of the food holding chambers includes a food holding cavity and at least one of a heating element and/or a cooling element for heating or cooling the food holding cavity. A chamber base is physically and communicatively removably connected to one of the food holding chambers and operation of at least one food holding chamber is controlled by the chamber base.

A modular food holding system includes a plurality of individual modularized food holding chambers, each of the plurality of food holding chambers being physically and communicatively removably connected to one another. Each of the food holding chambers includes a food holding cavity and at least one of a heating element and/or a cooling element for heating or cooling the food holding cavity. A chamber base is physically and communicatively removably connected to one of the food holding chambers and operation of at least one food holding chamber is controlled by the chamber base.