Method and apparatus for selling an aging food product

US7184990B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Walker Digital, LLC · US

Inventors

• Jay S. Walker · Ridgefield, US
• Andrew S. Van Luchene · Norwalk, US
• Jonathan Otto · White Plains, US
• Daniel E. Tedesco · Huntington, US
• Geoffrey M. Gelman · Stamford, US

Key dates

• Filing date: May 16, 2001
• Grant date: Feb 27, 2007
• Expiry date: Sep 5, 2023

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G07G5/00
• WIPO field: IT methods for management
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

An automated kitchen apparatus determines a time until expiration of a food product. In one embodiment, the kitchen apparatus determines the time until expiration by receiving a start signal indicating that a food product is available to sell. Such a start signal may be generated by a timer on a warming bin that is initiated when a food product is placed in the warming bin. By measuring the elapsed time since the start signal was received, the time until expiration is determined. Based on the time until expiration, the automated kitchen apparatus sets the minimum price of that food product. Customers at a POS terminal may then purchase the aged food product for the minimum price. In one embodiment, an offer describing the food product and its minimum price is displayed on the POS terminal. In another embodiment, the customer is offered the food product for his change due, if that change due is not less than the minimum price.