Food service equipment and systems
Food service equipment may include a hygienic shield system. The hygienic shield system may include a frame that is coupled to a serving surface of the food service equipment. At least one clear or transparent panel may be coupled to the frame. The food service equipment may include a media device or system that is integrated within or on the food service equipment. The media device may be configured to playback one of audio and video of a media file. The food service equipment may include a controller configured to select the one of audio and video of the media file for playback by the media device.
1. A method for conveying information by food service equipment, comprising:
providing a food service system, wherein said food service system comprises a hygienic shield system including a frame that is coupled to a serving surface of the food service system, and at least one transparent panel that is coupled to the frame, and wherein the food service system further comprises at least one media device that is incorporated within and operably coupled to the food service system, and a computing device configured to select from a local memory a media file for playback by the media device, wherein the food service system is configured to display and protect previously-prepared food items; and
accessing by the computing device the media file from the local memory to playback one of audio and video of the at least one media file to one or more customers in a food service environment as the one or more customers observe, are served, or serve themselves previously-prepared items from the food service system.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising outputting video of the media file for presentation by a display device coupled to the food service system.
3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising outputting audio of the media file for reproduction by a speaker coupled to the food service system.
4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising reporting a number of times of accessing of the media file to determine reimbursement for playback of the one of audio and video of the media file.
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising accessing a server system communicatively coupled to the computing device to subscribe to a service for defining the media file.
6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising mounting the media device to the frame of the hygienic shield system.
7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising integrating the media device into the transparent panel of the hygienic shield system.
8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising mounting the media device on the transparent panel of the hygienic shield system.
9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising integrating the media device into the serving surface of the food service equipment.
10. The method of claim 1 , further comprising mounting the media device on the serving surface of the food service equipment.
11. The method of claim 1 , further comprising rigidly coupling the transparent panel of the hygienic shield system to the frame.
12. The method of claim 1 , further comprising adjustably coupling the transparent panel of the hygienic shield system to the frame.
13. The method of claim 1 , further comprising providing the food service system with a cabinet, wherein the serving surface is mounted to the cabinet, and the computing device is mounted within the cabinet.
14. The method of claim 1 , further comprising providing at least one food tray mounted to the serving surface.
15. The method of claim 1 , further comprising providing at least one beverage dispenser mounted to the serving surface.
16. The method of claim 1 further comprising accepting payment from a customer with the computing device.
17. The method of claim 1 , further comprising mounting at least one beverage dispenser to the countertop.
18. The method of claim 1 , further comprising accepting payment from a customer with a computing device operatively associated with the food service equipment.
19. A method for conveying information comprising:
providing a food service equipment configured to display and protect previously-prepared food items, the food service equipment comprising, a cabinet assembly including an internal compartment and a countertop, a hygienic shield including at least one post coupled to the countertop, and at least one panel coupled to the at least one post, at least one media output device that is operably coupled with the food service equipment, the media output device configured to playback one of audio and video of at least one media file, and at least one media player to select the one of audio and video of at least one media file for playback by the media output device, wherein the at least one media player is communicatively coupled to the at least one media output device; and
accessing by the media player the media file to playback one of audio and video of the at least one media file to one or more customers, through the media output device, in a food service environment as the one or more customers observe, are served, or serve themselves items from the food service equipment.
20. The method of claim 19 , further comprising mounting at least one food tray to the countertop.