The present technology relates to a control device, a control method, and a program that make it possible for objects that are capable of moving autonomously to move in corporation with each other. The control device according to one aspect of the present technology moves, in response to an action made by a user on a predetermined object among multiple objects that are capable of moving autonomously, an object corresponding with the predetermined object. The present technology can be applied to a control device that controls mobile robots.

The present technology relates to a control device, a control method, and a program that make it possible for objects that are capable of moving autonomously to move in corporation with each other. The control device according to one aspect of the present technology moves, in response to an action made by a user on a predetermined object among multiple objects that are capable of moving autonomously, an object corresponding with the predetermined object. The present technology can be applied to a control device that controls mobile robots.

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 is presented to a staging area of the plate delivery system. The plate is moved into a storage area to be ready for the next plate at the staging area. After a number of plates are stored, the plate delivery system relocates from the kitchen to the eating area (e.g., restaurant table or banquet table) and each plate is sequentially presented by a delivery mechanism (e.g., telescoping arms, a robot, or a waitperson) for delivery to the table. In some embodiments, the plate delivery system is enclosed and has a cover mechanism. In some embodiments, the plate delivery system has telescoping arms with fingers for moving the plate from the staging area to the table.

A protective enclosure for a food protection system includes a first hinge member, a second hinge member rotatably coupled to the first hinge member, and a coupler selectively repositionable relative to the first hinge member between an engaged position and a disengaged position. In the engaged position, the coupler engages the first hinge member to limit rotation of the coupler relative to the first hinge member. In the disengaged position, the coupler is free to rotate relative to the first hinge member. The coupler is rotatably coupled to the second hinge member such that (a) rotation of the coupler relative to the second hinge member in a first rotational direction is limited and (b) the coupler is free to rotate relative to the second hinge member in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction.

A protective enclosure for a food protection system includes a first hinge member, a second hinge member rotatably coupled to the first hinge member, and a coupler selectively repositionable relative to the first hinge member between an engaged position and a disengaged position. In the engaged position, the coupler engages the first hinge member to limit rotation of the coupler relative to the first hinge member. In the disengaged position, the coupler is free to rotate relative to the first hinge member. The coupler is rotatably coupled to the second hinge member such that (a) rotation of the coupler relative to the second hinge member in a first rotational direction is limited and (b) the coupler is free to rotate relative to the second hinge member in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction.

The present invention provides a food and/or beverage item counting device to be provided in a food and/or beverage item provision system including a transport path that passes along a customer table to transport carriers each configured to allow a food and/or beverage item to be placed thereon, the food and/or beverage item counting device including: a first information acquiring unit disposed upstream of the table and configured to acquire information relating to each of the carriers on the transport path; a second information acquiring unit disposed downstream of the table and configured to acquire information relating to each of the carriers on the transport path; and a first calculating unit configured to calculate the number of the food and/or beverage items taken out from the transport path to the table, wherein each of the carriers is provided with identification information for identifying the carrier.

The present invention provides a food and/or beverage item counting device to be provided in a food and/or beverage item provision system including a transport path that passes along a customer table to transport carriers each configured to allow a food and/or beverage item to be placed thereon, the food and/or beverage item counting device including: a first information acquiring unit disposed upstream of the table and configured to acquire information relating to each of the carriers on the transport path; a second information acquiring unit disposed downstream of the table and configured to acquire information relating to each of the carriers on the transport path; and a first calculating unit configured to calculate the number of the food and/or beverage items taken out from the transport path to the table, wherein each of the carriers is provided with identification information for identifying the carrier.

A support assembly is provided. The support assembly includes: a lower frame configured to be mountable on one surface of a moving object; a guide frame configured such that one end is coupled to an upper surface of the lower frame, and at least a part of another end is curved toward where the lower frame is located; a connection frame configured such that one side includes a plurality of rollers spaced apart at a predetermined interval, and the plurality of rollers slide along the curved part of the guide frame; and an upper frame coupled to another side of the connection frame and configured to move in response to the plurality of rollers sliding along the curved part of the guide frame.

In order to be able to assemble dispensing shelves (1) e.g. according to different hygiene regulations in a simple manner from individual elements of a kit different variants of the dispensing shelf (1) according to the invention are proposed which are characterized among other things by different configurations of its front side (3) with more or less restricted access for hygienic protection of the products arranged therein up to a separated storage space (2) and retrieving space (4).

In order to be able to assemble dispensing shelves (1) e.g. according to different hygiene regulations in a simple manner from individual elements of a kit different variants of the dispensing shelf (1) according to the invention are proposed which are characterized among other things by different configurations of its front side (3) with more or less restricted access for hygienic protection of the products arranged therein up to a separated storage space (2) and retrieving space (4).