Abstract: Systems and methods for gathering data, representative of food condition information, from a plurality of remote locations and providing the information to a user together with information about the locations from which the information was gathered. The sensors may be grouped into a plurality of zones, and the food information may be presented to the user on the basis of the zone in which the respective sensor is located. A sensor's actual location may be compared to its expected location and the results provided to a user, and an alarm may be generated if the sensor's actual location differes from its expected location.

Abstract: Two-stage systems and methods are provided for gathering food information and communicating the food information to a data collection apparatus. A system includes a remote unit, having a sensor device and a wireless transmitter; a translator or intermediate unit, having a wireless receiver and transmitter; and a central unit. Data is gathered by the remote unit, wirelessly transmitted to the translator unit, and relayed to the central unit. Communication between the translator unit and the central unit may be wireless as well, or the translator unit may be equipped to transmit either wirelessly or via a direct physical connection.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for gathering temperature and other food condition information at a plurality of remote sensor units and transmitting it to a central collection location. Data may be buffered at each sensor unit until communications have been established between the unit and the central computer. A plurality of interface units may be provided for receiving data from the sensor units and relaying it to the central computer. At the central computer, the data may be compared to a preset limit, and if the limit is violated, an alarm may be generated at the corresponding remote sensor unit. If a deactivation request is received at a sensor unit, then a signal is transmitted to the central computer to warn of the deactivation, and the sensor unit is deactivated.

Abstract: Systems and methods for displaying food information to a user, involving assigning each of a plurality of remote sensor units to a designated food receptacle containing food, categorizing each food receptacle into one of a plurality of food receptacle types, and displaying, in a central location, an indication of the type of food receptacle to which the remote sensor unit is assigned and an indication of the food stored therein.

Abstract: A system and method of monitoring food information in a food service facility. Each of a plurality of remote sensor units may be installed at a food receptacle. Each remote sensor unit gathers temperature or other food data from at least two sources, which may be built-in or auxiliary temperature sensors, intelligent food receptacles, or other external food data sources. The collected data may be transmitted, witlessly or not, to a central computer.

Abstract: A meal delivery system for conveniently preparing, storing, transporting, rethermalizing and serving large volumes of food at multiple sites includes a new food serving pan equipped with an integral heating element and a first electrical connector, and a portable frame for receiving and supporting the food serving pan, and includes an electrical power supply means and at least one second electrical connector adapted to mate with the first electrical connector for providing electrical power to the heating element and heating the food serving pan when it is placed on the portable frame. The meal delivery system includes a heat control means comprising a removeable lid with first and second indicators for the food serving pan and a sensor means in the frame for detecting the first and second indicators and selectively controlling application of the electrical power delivered to the food serving pan for controlling the level of heat applied to foods within the food pan.