WO2022020590A1

WO2022020590A1 - Systems and methods for monitoring food and/or controlling the quality of food during delivery

Info

Publication number: WO2022020590A1
Application number: PCT/US2021/042774
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jason ZUKER
Original assignee: Botx Solutions, Inc.
Priority date: 2020-07-23
Filing date: 2021-07-22
Publication date: 2022-01-27

Abstract

Systems and methods for monitoring food during delivery are disclosed. In an embodiment, a system includes one or more transparent food containers sized and dimensioned to contain food therein and a portable delivery box defining an interior region sized to hold the one or more transparent food containers therein. The delivery box includes an image capture device, a processing element, and one or more power sources. The image capture device is oriented towards the interior region of the delivery box and configured to capture image data of the food contained in the one or more transparent food containers. The processing element is in operative communication with the image capture device and is configured to receive the image data from the image capture device and transmit at least a portion of the image data to an external electronic device.

Description

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MONITORING FOOD AND/OR CONTROLLING THE QUALITY OF FOOD DURING DELIVERY

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/055,334 titled “Trackable Food Takeout System,” filed on July 23, 2020, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein, in its entirety, by this reference.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Food delivery services have gained popularity in the past few years, providing food service businesses and customers with a convenient way for food to be delivered from the food service businesses to customers. There is, however, limited accountability and visibility in the prepared food from the time the food leaves the food service business through delivery to the end consumer. This limited accountability and visibility leads to both waste and inefficiencies in distribution of food, while consumers are also demanding higher quality and sanitation standards for the delivered food.

SUMMARY

[0003] Embodiments disclosed herein are systems and methods for monitoring food during delivery of the food. In an embodiment, a system includes one or more transparent food containers sized and dimensioned to contain food therein and a portable delivery box defining an interior region sized to hold the one or more transparent food containers therein. The delivery box includes an image capture device, a processing element, and one or more power sources. The image capture device is oriented towards the interior region and configured to capture image data of the food contained in the one or more transparent food containers when the one or more transparent food containers are positioned in the interior region with the food contained therein. The processing element is in operative communication with the image capture device and configured to receive the image data from the image capture device and transmit at least a portion of the image data to an external electronic device. The one or more power sources are operatively coupled to the processing element and the image capture device.

[0004] In an embodiment, a method of monitoring food during delivery includes receiving, by one or more processing elements, image data of the food contained in one or more transparent food containers positioned in the interior region of a portable delivery box, the image data having been captured by an image capture device secured to the portable delivery box. The method also includes coordinating transmission of the image data of the food to an external electronic device of at least one of (1) a food service business that prepared the food in at least one of the one or more transparent food containers, (2) a purchaser of the food in the at least one of the one or more transparent food containers, or (3) a third party chain of custody provider.

[0005] Features from any of the disclosed embodiments may be used in combination with one another, without limitation. In addition, other features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art through consideration of the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] The drawings illustrate several embodiments of the present disclosure, wherein identical reference numerals refer to identical or similar elements or features in different views or embodiments shown in the drawings.

[0007] FIG. 1A is a front isometric view of a delivery box with the lid in an open position, according to an embodiment.

[0008] FIG. IB is a side isometric view inside the delivery box of FIG. 1A with transparent food containers positioned therein, according to an embodiment.

[0009] FIG. 1C is a top isometric view of a portion of the delivery box of FIG. 1A with transparent containers positioned therein, according to an embodiment.

[0010] FIG. ID is a side view inside the delivery box of FIG. 1A with the lid in a closed position, according to an embodiment.

[0011] FIG. 2 is a front isometric view of a delivery box with the lid in an open position, according to an embodiment.

[0012] FIG. 3 is a simplified schematic view of components of a controller of FIGS. 1A-2, according to an embodiment.

[0013] FIGS. 4A and 4B are flowcharts of a method for monitoring quality of food being delivered to a customer, according to an embodiment.

DETAIFED DESCRIPTION

[0014] Embodiments disclosed herein include systems and methods for monitoring food and/or controlling the quality of food during delivery of the food. In some embodiments, the systems and methods include portable and reusable delivery boxes. The systems and methods described herein may provide food delivery solutions that include a chain of custody for delivered food via reusable containers. The food referenced in the systems herein may include any of a variety of products a user or customer may consume, such as perishable food, non-perishable food, prescription drugs including cannabis, beverages, and the like.

[0015] In some embodiments, the systems and methods provide a redundant chain of custody for food delivery from a food service or other provider (e.g., restaurant, grocery store, pharmacy, other business) to the consumer. Delivery services that may deliver the food from the food service to the customers may include food delivery services that are independent from the food service and/or the consumer. For example, the delivery services may include delivery services that allow a consumer to read menus, order food, and/or pay for food from an electronic device of the consumer, then have a third party delivery driver deliver the ordered food to the customer, such as UBER EATS™. In some embodiments, the delivery service may include a delivery driver employed by the food service.

[0016] The system and methods described herein include a reusable and portable food delivery box and reusable food containers sized to be carried in the delivery box. The reusable containers may be transparent and stackable (e.g., aluminum ceramic) within the delivery box. In some embodiments, the system includes one or more sanitizing lights built into at least one of the delivery box or the food containers and configured to sanitize an interior region of the delivery box and/or the food containers positioned in the interior region of the delivery box. For example, the one or more sanitizing lights sanitize at least some of the surface of the food containers positioned in the delivery box. In some embodiments, the systems and methods include an image capture device or other device configured to detect and/or record evidence of tampering by a delivery driver or other individual. The image capture devices assist in the food containers being trackable during the delivery process. The image capture device and/or additional sensors in the delivery box collect data that may be used to provide transparency in delivery by providing one or more time, location, temperature, humidity, and/or quality of the food in individual food containers positioned in the delivery box. Moreover, at least some of this data may be used to for precision heating, cooling, and management of individual meals in the food containers positioned in the delivery box.

[0017] Turning now to FIGS. 1A-1D, a system 100 for monitoring food and/or controlling the quality of food during delivery includes a portable delivery box 110 defining an interior region 104 sized to hold the one or more transparent food containers 150a, 150b therein. As shall be described in greater detail below, the delivery box 110 is configured to transport, track, and sanitize at least some surfaces of the transparent food containers 150a, 150b. Turning specifically to FIGS. IB and 1C, the food containers 150a, 150b are formed at least partially from a transparent material, such as transparent acrylic or transparent aluminum. In some embodiments, the food containers 150a, 150b include at least a transparent top 152 and one or more (e.g., four) transparent sidewalls 154. Because the food containers 150a, 150b are transparent, the food 160 in the food containers 150a, 150b is visible by the image capture device 124 (described below) during the delivery process. Furthermore, because the food containers 150a, 150b are transparent, the food containers 150a, 150b may be disinfected by one more disinfecting lights 112 positioned through the interior region 104 of the delivery box 110. The food containers 150a, 150b may be food safe, and washable with either water or sand.

[0018] The food containers 150a, 150b are configured to be stackable or otherwise arranged such that the top 152 of a first food container 150b forms the bottom of an adjacent second foot container 150a stacked on top of the first food container 150b. Additionally or alternatively, the containers may be connected or coupled in other manners, e.g., laterally coupled. In some embodiments, each of the food containers 150a, 150b includes a top 152 and a bottom separate from the top 152 and the bottom of an adjacent food container. The top 152 (and/or the bottom) may be removably secured to the one or more sidewalls 154 with a box joint 158. In some embodiments, the top 152 may be hingedly secured to the one or more sidewalls 154. The food containers 150a, 150b may include complementary protrusions and recesses that allow the food containers 150a, 150b to more securely stack upon one another.

[0019] The delivery box 110 may include varying configurations according to different embodiments to suit different modes of transportation. The portable delivery box 110 is sized and dimensioned for a human to carry, pull, push, or otherwise move without assistance from a motorized device (although in some embodiments the system 100 may be used with a motorized device without departing from the scope of this disclosure).

The portable delivery box 110 also may be sized and dimensioned to fit within a delivery vehicle, such as within a trunk of a car, on the backseat of a car, on a front seat of a car, secured to a motorcycle, secured to a bicycle, and/or an autonomous aerial vehicle (i.e., drone). In some embodiments, the delivery box 110 and the food containers 150a, 150b are sized and dimensioned for multiple stacks or columns of food containers 150a, 150b to be positioned in the interior region 104 of the delivery box 110. For example, FIG. 1C illustrates the interior region 104 of the delivery box 110 sized to accommodate or complement two stacks or columns of the food containers 150a, 150b. FIG. 2 illustrates the interior region of the delivery box 210 sized to accommodate or complement four stacks or columns of the food containers 150a, 150b. Other embodiments of delivery boxes may be sized to accommodate three, five, six, and so on stacks or columns of the food containers 150a, 150b.

[0020] The delivery box 110 or delivery container includes a base 106 having one or more sidewalls 105. For example, the base 106 illustrated in FIGS. 1A and IB includes four sidewalls 105 and a bottom 102. More specifically, the base 106 may include a plurality of a sidewalls 105, such as three, four, five, six etc., sidewalls 105 that together form a top or bottom profile of the delivery box 110 having a shape that is substantially a triangle, square, rectangle, pentagon, hexagon, etc., respectively. In some embodiments, the one or more sidewalls may include a sidewall forming a top or bottom profile of the delivery box 100 having a shape that is substantially a circle or oval.

[0021] The delivery box 110 also includes a lid 108 operable with the base 106 between a closed position (shown in FIG. ID) that encloses the interior region 104 of the delivery box 110 and an open position (shown in FIG. 1A) that opens the interior region 104 of the delivery box 110. In some embodiments, the lid 108 is hingedly or pivotably secured or securable to the base 106, such as hingedly or pivotably secured or securable to at least one of the one or more sidewalls 105 distal to the bottom 102. In some embodiments, the lid 108 fits over or within a portion of the interior region 104 of the base 106, and the lid 108 may be removable from the base 106.

[0022] The delivery box 110 may include one or more locks and/or latches or other securing elements configured to secure the lid 108 to the base 106 in the closed positioned. For example, the delivery box 110 may include a lock such as a combination lock, a key lock, a biometric lock (linked to the delivery driver, the consumer, or other preselected person), a global positioning system (GPS) lock that only unlocks within a predetermined distance of one or more GPS coordinates (such as the location of the consumer(s) and/or the location of the food service), or combinations thereof.

[0023] The base 106 also includes an insulating material 103 that lines or covers the inner surface of at least one (e.g., all) of the bottom 102, the one or more sidewalls 105, and the lid 108 of the delivery box 110. In some embodiments, the insulating material 103 may at least partially define the interior region of the delivery box 110. The insulating material 103 may include any insulating material known in the art, such as insulated thermal box liners, foam, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film, fabric, polyethylene, polypropylene, gel packs, or combinations thereof. The delivery box 110 also may include a padding material, such as foam, that also may function as the insulating material. In many embodiments, the delivery box 110 is collapsible when the food containers 150 are removed from the interior region 104 of the delivery box 110. [0024] The system 100 for monitoring and controlling a delivery of food includes a monitoring system 120 secured or mounted to the delivery box 110. Turning to FIG. IB, the monitoring system 120 includes an image capture device 124 and a controller 128. The image capture device 124 is oriented towards the interior region 104, and is positioned and configured to capture image data of the food 160 contained in the one or more transparent food containers 150a, 150b when the one or more transparent food containers 150a, 150b are positioned in the interior region 104 with the food 160 contained therein. The image capture device 124 may be any suitable device adapted to capture image data. For example, the image capture device 124 may include an image sensor and a lens element that focuses or directs light to the image sensor. The image capture device 124 may be a still or video camera. The image capture device 124 may be adapted to adjust to a variety of lighting conditions such as when the delivery box 110 is in the open position or closed position. The image capture device 124 may detect visible light as well as light that is not usually visible to the human eye, such as infrared and/or ultraviolet light. In some embodiments, the image capture device 124 may be a light detection and ranging ("LIDAR") and/or radio detection and ranging device ("RADAR"). [0025] In some embodiments, the image capture device 124 may be selectively activated and/or deactivated. For example, the image capture device 124 maybe electrically connected to an electric switch 116a, 116b. The image capture device 124 may be configured to selectively activate when the delivery box 110 is in the closed positioned or in the open position, and selectively deactivate when the delivery box is in the closed position or in the open position. In some embodiments, the image capture device 124 is configured to wired or wirelessly communicate with the controller 128, and the image capture device 124 may be selectively activated or deactivated by a remote electronic device in electronic communication with the controller 128. The electrical switch 116a, 116b may include any switch or a sensor configured to detect when the lid 108 is in the closed position and when the lid 108 is in the open position, such as a magnetic circuit break.

[0026] The monitoring system 120 of the delivery box 110 also may include one or more additional sensors. For example, the delivery box 110 may include one or more (e.g., all) of an infrared sensor, a temperature sensor 122, a humidity sensor 125, and/or a GPS device. These one or more additional sensors may allow for geolocation tracking of the delivery box 110 and detection of accurate food 160 temperatures with high fidelity. The infrared sensor may be included with the image capture device 124 or may be separate from the image capture device 124. The infrared sensor, the temperature sensor 122, and/or the humidity sensor 125 may be positioned proximate to the image capture device 124, as shown in FIG. 2B, or may be positioned elsewhere in the interior region 104 the delivery box 110. For example, the temperature sensor 122 and/or the humidity sensor 125 may be positioned in the interior region 104 spaced from or distal to the image sensorl24. The temperature sensor 122 and/or the humidity sensor 125 may be configured to wired or wirelessly communicate with the controller 128, and the temperature sensor 122 and/or the humidity sensor 125 may be selectively activated or deactivated by a remote electronic device in electronic communication with the controller 128. The box 100 or 200 may include one or more fans and/or ventilation holes, where the fans may be selectively activated to control humidity in the box.

[0027] In some embodiments, the delivery box 110 may include multiple temperature sensors 122 and/or multiple humidity sensors 125 positioned through the interior region 104 of the delivery box 110. For example, the interior region 104 of the delivery box 110 may include multiple sub-regions (such as a heating portion 204a and a cooling portion 204b, described in greater detail below), and the monitoring system 120 may include a first temperature sensor 122 in the heating portion 204a, a second temperature sensor 122 in the cooling portion 204b, a first humidity sensor 125 in the heating portion 204a, and a second humidity sensor 125 in the cooling portion 204b. In some embodiments, the delivery box 110 may include multiple temperature sensors 122 and a single humidity sensor 125.

[0028] The monitoring system 120 also may include one or more lights 126 proximate or adjacent to the image capture device 124. The one or more lights 126 may be optional, and may include infrared light and/or ultraviolet (UV) light. The one or more lights 126 may be oriented towards the interior region 104. In some embodiments, the one or more lights 126 may be selectively activated and/or deactivated. For example, the one or more lights 126 may be electrically connected to the electric switch 116a, 116b and may be configured to selectively activate when the delivery box 110 is in the closed positioned or in the open position, and selectively deactivate when the delivery box is in the closed position or in the open position. In some embodiments, the one or more lights 126 may be configured to wired or wirelessly communicated with the controller 128, and the one or more lights 126 may be selectively activated or deactivated by a remote electronic device in electronic communication with the controller 128. In some embodiments, the one or more lights 126 may be configured to automatically activate when the image capture device 124 is activated.

[0029] The monitoring system 120 of the delivery box 110 also includes the controller 128. FIG. 3 illustrates a simplified block diagram for the various devices that may be included in the controller 128. As shown, the various devices may include one or more processing elements 314, one or more memory 336, an optional network interface 322, optional power supply 320, and an optional input/output (I/O) interface 308, where the various components may be in direct or indirect communication with one another, such as via one or more system buses, contract traces, wiring, or via wireless mechanisms. The network interface 322 may be configured to transmit data back to the external electronic device 360 to process for machine learning insight and real time logistical and quality response. The controller 128 also may be configured to communicate via wired or wireless communication with other components of the delivery box 110, such as at least one of a lock on the delivery box 110, the one or more lights 112, the electric switch 116a, 116b, the temperature sensor 122, the image capture device 124, the humidity sensor 125, the one or more lights 126, the temperature indicator lights 132, and/or a thermoelectric device (e.g., thermoelectric cooler and/or heater) 270. Moreover, a lock of the delivery box 110, the one or more lights 112, the electric switch 116a, 116b, the temperature sensor 122, the image capture device 124, the humidity sensor 125, the one or more lights 126, the temperature indicator lights 132, and/or the thermoelectric cooler 270 may include a controller including any aspect of the controller 128.

[0030] The one or more processing elements 314 may be substantially any electronic device capable of processing, receiving, and/or transmitting instructions. For example, the processing elements 314 may be a microprocessor, microcomputer, graphics processing unit, tensor processing unit, or the like. It also should be noted that the processing elements 314 may include one or more processing elements or modules that may or may not be in communication with one another. For example, a first processing element may control a first set of components of the computing device and a second processing element may control a second set of components of the computing device where the first and second processing elements may or may not be in communication with each other. Relatedly, the processing elements may be configured to execute one or more instructions in parallel locally, and/or across a network, such as through cloud computing resources. One or more processing elements 314 such as a tensor processing unit may be an edge device adapted to execute an artificial intelligence ("AI") algorithm such as an artificial neural network ("ANN"). Performing AI calculations on the processing element 314 may have certain benefits over performing such calculations on a remoted device such as a server. For example, by performing calculations locally, delays or outages due to lack of network connectivity between the monitoring system 120 and a server can be avoided. Further, results of AI calculations may be more quickly available when performed locally. However, in some embodiments, AI or other calculations may be executed by a processing element 314 in a server in communication with the monitoring system 120. [0031] The processing element 314 is in operative communication with the image capture device 124 and configured to receive the image data from the image capture device 124 and transmit at least a portion of the image data to an external electronic device 360. Similarly, the processing element 314 may be in operative communication with the temperature sensor 122 and configured to transmit temperature data sensed by the temperature sensor 122 to the external electronic device 360. The processing element 314 may be in operative communication with the humidity sensor 125 and configured to transmit humidity data sensed by the humidity sensor 125 to the external electronic device 360. The processing element 314 may be in operative communication with an infrared sensor and configured to transmit infrared data sensed by the infrared sensor to the external electronic device 360. In some embodiments, the processing element 314 may be in operative communication with the thermoelectric device 270 and configured to transmit an operating status (e.g., active, not active, malfunctioning, etc.) to the external electronic device 360.

[0032] The memory 336 is a computer-readable storage medium that stores electronic data that may be utilized by the computing devices, such as audio files, video files, document files, programming instructions, image data, chain of custody information, and the like. The memory 336 may be, for example, non-volatile or non-transitory storage, a magnetic storage medium, optical storage medium, magneto-optical storage medium, read only memory, random access memory, erasable programmable memory, flash memory, or a combination of one or more types of memory components.

[0033] The optional network interface 322 receives and transmits data to and from a network 350 to the various components of the delivery box 110 and/or the monitoring system 120. For example, the network interface 322 may receive and transmit data to and from the network to or from at least one of a lock on the delivery box 110, the one or more lights 112, the electric switch 116a, 116b, the temperature sensor 122, the image capture device 124, the humidity sensor 125, the one or more lights 126, the temperature indicator lights 132, and/or the thermoelectric device 270. The network interface 322 may transmit and send data to a network directly or indirectly. For example, the network interface 322 may transmit data to and from other computing devices through the network interface 322.

[0034] In some embodiments, the network interface 322 may also include various modules, such as an application program interface (API) that interfaces and translates requests across the network interface 322 between the external electronic device 360 and the monitoring system 120, as well as one or more delivery service functions or applications (e.g., DOORDASH or UBER EATS). The external electronic device 360 may include an electronic device of a third party chain of custody provider (e.g., food delivery service, provider, or driver) delivering the food 160, the food service business from where the food 160 originated, the customer to which the food 160 is to be delivered, and/or a remote device or server overseeing the system 100 and/or the system 200. The network interface 322 may be any suitable wired or wireless interface. For example, the network 350 may be an Ethernet network, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Wi-Max, Zigbee network, the internet, microwave link, cellular network (e.g., 3G, 4G, 5G), or the like.

[0035] The controller 128 also may include a power supply 320. The power supply 320 provides power to various components of the user device controller 128 and/or the delivery box 110. In some embodiments, the power supply 320 includes the power supply 130 of the delivery box 110 shown in FIG. 1C. In some embodiments, the power supply 320 and the power supply 130 are separate from one another, such that the power supply 320 provides power to the controller 128 and/or the monitoring system 120, while the power supply 130 provides power to at least one (e.g., all) of a lock on the delivery box 110, the one or more lights 112, the electric switch 116a, 116b, the temperature sensor 122, the image capture device 124, the humidity sensor 125, the one or more lights 126, the temperature indicator lights 132, and/or the thermoelectric device 270. The power supply 130, 320 may include one or more rechargeable, disposable, or hardwire sources, e.g., batteries, power cord, AC/DC inverter, DC/DC converter, solar panel, or the like. Additionally, the power supply 130, 320 may include one or more types of connectors or components that provide different types of power to the controller 128, the monitoring system 120, and/or the delivery box 110. In some embodiments, the power supply 130, 320 may include a connector (such as a universal serial bus) that provides power to the computer or batteries within the computer and also transmits data to and from the device to other devices.

[0036] The I/O interface 308 allows the monitoring system 120 and/or other components of the delivery box 110 to receive input from a user and provide output to a user. The I/O interface 308 may include a status indicator such as an LED or other suitable light that indicates a status of the monitoring system 120, such as an energy level of the power supply 130, 320, network connectivity, activation of an audio sensor, or the like. The I/O interface 308 may include a power button suitable to turn the monitoring system 120 on or off. For example, the I/O interface 308 may include a capacitive touch screen, keyboard, mouse, stylus, button, light, or the like. The type of devices that interact via the I/O interface 308 may be varied as desired. The I/O interface 308 may be optional.

[0037] In some embodiments, the system 100 includes the external electronic device 360, which may include one or more additional controllers including any aspect of the controller 128, such as one or more additional processing elements, a network interface, an I/O interface, and memory. The external electronic device 360 may include, for example, a mobile phone or other electronic device of the delivery driver that may be configured to receive data from the delivery box 110 via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth during the delivery process. Additionally or alternatively, the external electronic device 360 may include a server remote from the delivery box 110. The data received by the external electronic device 360 may include one or more of the image data captured by the image capture device, temperature data sensed by the temperature sensor 122 to the external electronic device 360, humidity data sensed by the humidity sensor 125, infrared data sensed by an infrared sensor in the delivery box 110, and/or operating data from the thermoelectric cooler 270. The external electronic device 360 may be configured to transmit the data to an electronic device of at least one of (1) a food service business that prepared the food in at least one of the one or more transparent food containers (2) a purchaser of the food in the at least one of the one or more transparent food containers, or (3) a third party chain of custody provider (e.g., food delivery service or provider). Thus, the food service business, the purchaser, and/or the chain of custody provider may be provided with real time data of the food 160 to be delivered and storage condition, such as real time visuals, temperatures, humidity, tamper evidence, integrity, etc., of the food 160 and storage conditions of the food 160.

[0038] In some embodiments, the external electronic device 360 may include a processing element configured to receive data regarding the food 160 and/or interior region 104 from the delivery box 110 and execute an AI algorithm that uses at least some of the data regarding food and/or the interior region of the delivery box 110 through multiple deliveries and subsequent feedback from customers or other individuals to determine at least one of one or more acceptable characteristics of food or one or more unacceptable characteristics of food. The AI algorithm may include a regressive and/or a classification algorithm. In some embodiments, the AI algorithm is trained based on data that includes food characteristics with images and/or food characteristics with data points of at one or more of temperature data, humidity data, and/or infrared data. For example, the external electronic device 360 may execute the AI algorithm to correlate feedback or comments about food with one or more of the image data captured by the image capture device 124, temperature data sensed by the temperature sensor 122, humidity data sensed by the humidity sensor 125, and/or infrared data sensed by an infrared sensor in the delivery box 110 to determine one or more acceptable characteristics of food and/or one or more unacceptable characteristics of food. Acceptable characteristics of food may include certain appearances (e.g., not smashed, not bruised, ripe, colors, shapes), textures (e.g., crispness), and/or temperature (e.g., hot or cold). Unacceptable characteristics of the food 160 may include certain appearances (e.g., smashed, bruised, overripe, underripe, colors, shapes), textures (e.g., soggy), and/or temperature (e.g., hot or cold). [0039] In some embodiments, the AI algorithm may be trained to identify food. For example, the AI algorithm may be trained to identify if the food in an image matches the name or type of the food included in an order for the food. The AI algorithm also may trained to determine if there is a threshold confidence in temperature/humidity data and acceptable or unacceptable characteristics of the food 160. In some embodiments, the AI algorithm may be trained to identify significant changes in food over time, such as during a delivery process. The AI algorithm may be trained to determine if surfaces are sufficiently exposed to disinfecting light to be adequately disinfected.

[0040] When the AI algorithm executed by the processing element of the external electronic device 360 has determined one or more acceptable and/or unacceptable characteristics of food, the AI algorithm may then be executed by the processing element of the external electronic device 360 to determine if at least some of the food 160 presently in the interior region of the delivery box 110 includes an unacceptable characteristic of food or does not include an acceptable characteristic of food. For example, the AI algorithm may use one or more of the image data of the food 160 captured by the image capture device 124, temperature data of the food 160 and/or the interior region 104 sensed by the temperature sensor 122, humidity data of the interior region 104 sensed by the humidity sensor 125, and/or infrared data of the food 160 and/or the interior region 104 sensed by an infrared sensor in the delivery box 110 to determine if at least some of the food 160 in the one or more food containers 150a, 150b includes an unacceptable characteristic of food or does not include an acceptable characteristic of food. For example, the AI algorithm may use the data from the delivery box 110 to determine that a hamburger in the container 150a is smashed or soggy.

[0041] In some embodiments, the AI algorithm may use the data from the delivery box 110 to determine that the food 160 in the delivery box 110 does not match the name or type of the food that was included in the order for the food. The AI algorithm also may use the data from the delivery box 110 and/or training to determine if there is a threshold confidence in temperature data and acceptable or unacceptable characteristics of the food 160. In some embodiments, the AI algorithm may use the data from the delivery box 110 to determine if there was a significant change in the food 160 during the delivery process, such as evidence of tampering with the food 160. The AI algorithm may use the data from the delivery box 110 to determine if surfaces of the interior region 104 of the delivery box 110 and/or the food containers 150a, 150b were sufficiently exposed to disinfecting light from the one or more lights 112.

[0042] In some embodiments, an alert message or other notification is transmitted when at least some of the food 160 in the one or more food containers 150a, 150b includes an unacceptable characteristic of food or does not include an acceptable characteristic of food. More specifically, the processing element of the external electronic device 360 may be configured to transmit an alert message to an electronic device of at least one of (1) a food service business that prepared the food in at least one of the one or more transparent food containers or (2) a purchaser of the food in the at least one of the one or more transparent food containers. The alert message may indicate that at least a portion of the food 160 in the one or more food containers 150a, 150b includes an unacceptable characteristic of food, does not include an acceptable characteristic of food, and/or does not match the food requested in the order. Returning to the example above, the alert message, for example, indicates to the food service business and/or the purchaser that the hamburger ordered by the purchaser from the food service business is smashed or soggy. In some embodiments, the alert message includes the image data presented as a photo or video, the temperature data, the humidity data, and/or the infrared data.

[0043] While some unacceptable characteristics of the food 160 may render the food unpalatable or unsafe for consumption, instances occur where the food 160 remains safe and acceptable to consumers. For instance, the food service business may feel that the soggy hamburger should be replaced for the original customer and may initiate a new delivery of a different hamburger. The soggy hamburger, however, remains safe for human consumption. Put another way, the food 160 may not meet higher standards of the food service business and/or the original customer, but the food may nonetheless be safe for human consumption and desirable by other potential customers. In such instances, the processing element of the external electronic device 360 may be configured to coordinate display and/or selling of the food 160 at a discounted or reduced price (including free).

An advantage of such discounted selling of the food with unacceptable characteristics or lack of acceptable characteristics may be the reduction of food waste. For example, such food typically be discarded. However, by using the systems and methods disclosed herein, the food may be delivered to another consumer who will use it, thus diverting the food from a landfill.

[0044] More specifically, when at least some of the food 160 in the one or more food containers 150a, 150b includes an unacceptable characteristic of food or does not include an acceptable characteristic of food, the processing element of the external electronic device 360 may coordinate display on one or more additional electronic devices of the at least a portion of the food that includes the unacceptable characteristic of food or does not include the acceptable characteristic of the food for a reduced price. For example, the external electronic device 360 is configured to coordinate display of the food 160 on a website or software application, and different consumers may view and select the food for purchase at a discounted or reduced price.

[0045] In some embodiments, the system 100 may be configured to provide accountability and/or backtracking of custody of the food 160 and/or events pertaining to the food 160 between the food service business and the customer. For example, the system 100 may include a distributed ledger (e.g., a blockchain) for the accountability and backtracking of the custody of the food 160 and the events pertaining to the food 160 between the food service business and the customer. The distributed ledger may be shared and/or synchronized across multiple sites, platforms, or institutions (e.g., the food service business(es), the third party chain of custody provider or delivery service, and/or the administrator of the system 100), and/or across multiple geographies. The distributed ledger may be operated on one or more of the processing element 314 on the delivery box 110, a processing element on the electronic device of the third party chain of custody provider or delivery service (e.g., the mobile phone of the delivery driver), a processing element on an electronic device of the food service business, a processing element on an electronic device of the customer ordering the food 160, and/or a processing element on the electronic device of the administrator of the system 100. In some embodiments, the processing element(s) operating the distributed ledger may execute an AI algorithm configured to provide accountability and/or backtracking of custody of the food 160 and/or events pertaining to the food 160 between the food service business and the customer. The accountability and/or backtracking provided by the distributed ledger may include GPS locations of the food 160 in the delivery box 110 at different times, a temperature of one or more portions of the interior region 104 of the delivery box 110 at different times, humidity of one or more portions of the interior region 104 of the delivery box 110 at different times, and/or still or video images of one or more portions of the interior region 104 of the delivery box 110 at different times and/or locations,

[0046] Returning to FIGS. 1A-1D, the delivery box 110 includes one or more lights 112 positioned on the delivery box 110 to emit light at least partially into the interior region 104 of the delivery box 110. For example, the delivery box 110 may include one or more lights 112 secured or securable to at least one of the lid 108, the bottom 102, and/or the one or more sidewalls 105. Turning to FIG. ID, in some embodiments, the delivery box 110 includes at least one light 112 secured or securable to the inner surface of the lid 108, at least one light 112 secured or securable to a first sidewall 105a, at least one light 112 secured or securable to a second sidewall 105b opposite to the first sidewall 105a. In some embodiments, the delivery box includes one or more lights 112 positioned proximate to an intersection of the one or more sidewalls 105 and the bottom 102.

[0047] In some embodiments, at least one (e.g. , all) of the one or more lights 112 may include an elongated light or a strip including a plurality of lights, such as a strip including multiple light emitting diodes (LEDs). The one or more lights 112 may include one or more ultraviolet (e.g., UVA, UVB, and/or UVC) lights configured and positioned to disinfect at least a portion of the delivery box 110 and/or the transparent food containers 150a, 150b positioned in the interior region 104 of the delivery box 110. For example, the one or more lights may emit UVC light having a wavelength of about 100 nm to about 280 nm or about 200 nm to about 280 nm. The one or more lights 112 may be electrically coupled to the power source 130 and/or the electrical switch 116a, 116b.

In some embodiments, the one or more lights 112 are electrically coupled to the electrical switch 116a, 116b such that when the lid 108 is in the open position the one or more lights 112 are deactivated (e.g., turned off) and when the lid 108 is in the closed position the one or more lights 112 are activated (e.g. , turned on). In some embodiments, the one or more lights 112 are configured to be remotely activated or deactivated via communication between the processing element 128 and the external electronic device 360. In some embodiments, the delivery box 110 includes a switch or button on the exterior of the delivery box 110 configured to activate and deactivate the one or more lights. Alternatively or additionally, the lights may be activated/deactivated automatically, such as by a sensor detecting opening/closing of the lid and/or one or more timers that are based on the opening/closing of the lid, insertion of food, based on a sanitizing time period, or the like.

[0048] The delivery box 110 also includes one or more mirrors 114 or reflective material (e.g., aluminum) positioned to mirror or reflect the light emitted from the one or more lights (such as UVC light) to more widely distribute the light throughout the interior region 104 of the delivery box 110. For example, the delivery box 110 includes one or more mirrors 114 secured to at least one of the lid 108 (shown in FIG. 1A) or the one or more sidewalls 105 (shown in FIG. 1C) and configured to reflect the light emitted by the one or more lights 112. In some embodiments, when the delivery box 110 is in the closed position, the one or more lights 112 generate UV light that reflects off the one or more mirrors 114 to sanitize at least some (e.g., all) surfaces within the interior region 104 of the delivery box 110.

[0049] Turning now to FIG. 2, in some embodiments a system 200 includes the delivery box 110 and a heating and/or cooling device. Unless otherwise noted, the system 200 and the delivery box 110 include any aspect of the system 100 and the delivery box 110 described herein. The heating and/or cooling device may include any of a number of different heating and/or cooling systems sized and dimensioned for use with the portable delivery box 110 and configured to heat and/or cool one or more portions of the interior region 104. For example, the system 200 may include a thermoelectric device 270 (e.g., one or more Peltier plates) positioned or positionable in the interior region 104 of the delivery box 110. The thermoelectric device 270 may be electrically coupled or configured to be coupled to the power supply 130 effective to have the power supply 130 provide power to the thermoelectric device 270.

[0050] In some embodiments, the thermoelectric device 270 forms one or more walls within the interior region 104 of the delivery box 110 that divide the interior region 104 into multiple portions. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the thermoelectric cooler 270 includes multiple (e.g., four) walls that divide the interior region 104 into four portions. While a thermoelectric device 270 is not shown in FIG. 1C, the system 100 may include a thermoelectric device forming a wall between the food containers 150a, 150b such that the food containers 150a, 150b are in positioned in two different portions of the interior region at least partially separated by the thermoelectric device. In other embodiments, the thermoelectric device may be configured and shaped to divide the interior region 104 into three, five, six, etc., portions. A thermoelectric device 270 may be used as a heater, a cooler, or both as a heater and a cooler. The thermoelectric device may be configured to remove heat from one interior region of the system 200 and reject that heat to another interior region of the box 100. A thermoelectric device 270 may be configured to a heating mode or a cooling mode by reversing the polarity of the electrical current supplied thereto.

[0051] Returning to FIG. 2, the thermoelectric device 270 divides the interior region into multiple cooling portions 204a and multiple heating portions 204b. The multiple cooling portions 204a are sized to receive at least one of the food containers 150a, and the multiple heating portions 204b are sized to receive at least one of the food containers 150b. When the thermoelectric device 270 divides the interior region into only two portions, the two portions may include a single cooling portion 204a and a single heating portion 204b. When the thermoelectric device 270 is activated, the thermoelectric device 270 is configured to cool the one or more cooling portions 204a of the interior region 104 while simultaneously heating the one or more heating portions 204b of the interior region 104. Accordingly, foods that are preferred to be kept cool (such as salads) may be stored in the one or more food containers 150a that are positioned in the cooling portion 204a of the interior region 104, and foods that are preferred to be kept warm (such as soup or entrees) may be stored in the one or more food containers 150b that are positioned in the heating portion 204b of the interior region 104. In another example, one or more cooling portions 204a, and/or heating portions 204b may be arranged thermally in series with one another, with thermoelectric devices 270 disposed therebetween. For example a first cooling portion 204a may be a freezer portion (e.g., suitable to store frozen items) and a second cooling portion 204a may be a cooler portion at a higher temperature than the freezer portion (e.g., suitable to store items, such as a salad, at a temperature above the freezing point of water but low enough to retard spoilage). A first thermoelectric device may be disposed between the cooler and the freezer. The system 200 may include a heating portion 204b separated from the cooler portion by a second thermoelectric device and held at a temperature suitable to keep foods hot. Thus, the first thermoelectric device 270 may remove heat from the freezer portion and reject the heat to the cooler portion. The second thermoelectric device may remove heat from the cooler portion and reject it to the heater portion to maintain the respective portions at their desired temperatures. [0052] In some embodiments, the thermoelectric device 270 is controlled by one or more thermostats in the interior region 104. For example, the system 200 may include a first thermostat in the cooling portion 204a and/or a second thermostat in the heating portion 204b. The thermoelectric cooler 270 may be activated responsive to at least one of the first thermostat or the second thermostat indicating that the temperature in at least one of the cooling portion 204a or the heating portion 204b, respectively, is outside of a predetermined or selected range for the cooling portion 204a or the heating portion 204b. Thus, the food 160 in the food containers 150a, 150b may be temperature-controlled individually, and at the correct times during the delivery process.

[0053] The delivery box 110 also includes one or more temperature indicator lights 132. The one or more temperature indicator lights 132 are optional, and may be visible in at least one of the cooling portion 204a or the heating portion 204b. In some embodiments, the one or more temperature indicator lights 132 are positioned below the image capture device 124 on a sidewall 105 of the delivery box 110. The one or more temperature indicator lights 132 are adjustable between a first light configuration when positioned proximate to the heating portion and a second light configuration when positioned proximate to the cooling portion. For example, the one or more temperature indicator lights 132 may be adjustable between blue lights and red lights. When the one or more temperature indicator lights 132 are blue, the thermoelectric device 270 is oriented or configured such that the portion of the interior region 104 proximate to the one or more temperature indicator lights 132 is the cooling portion 204a. The portion(s) of the interior region 104 adjacent to the cooling portion 204a would then be heating portion(s) 204b. When the one or more temperature indicator lights 132 are red, the thermoelectric device 270 is oriented such that the portion of the interior region 104 proximate to one or more temperature indicator lights 132 is the heating portion 204b.

The portion(s) of the interior region 104 adjacent to the heating portion 204b would then be cooling portion(s) 204a. The one or more temperature indicator lights 132, then, provide instructions to the food service business and/or the driver on where to position the food containers 150a, 150b in the delivery box 110.

[0054] With reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B, a method 400 of monitoring food during delivery is disclosed. The method 400 includes an operation 410 of receiving, by a processing element 314, image data of the food contained in one or more transparent food containers 150a, 150b positioned in the interior region 104 of the portable delivery box 110. The image data may have been captured by the image capture device 124 secured to the portable delivery box 110. The processing element 314 may be included in the controller 128 in the delivery box 110.

[0055] The method 400 also includes an operation 420 of coordinating, with the processing element transmission of the image data of the food to an external electronic device 360 of at least one of (1) a food service business that prepared the food 160 in at least one of the one or more transparent food containers 150a, 150b, (2) a purchaser of the food 160 in the at least one of the one or more transparent food containers 150a, 150b, or (3) a third party chain of custody provider or delivery service. In some embodiments, the processing element 314 in the controller 128 may transmit the image data to the mobile phone or other electronic device of the delivery driver, and the mobile phone or other electronic device of the delivery driver may transmit the image data to the electronic device of the food service business or the purchaser. In some embodiments, the processing element 314 in the controller 128 may transmit the image data to the mobile phone or other electronic device of the delivery driver, the mobile phone or other electronic device of the delivery driver may then transmit image data to a remote electronic device including a processing element, and the processing element of the remote electronic device may transmit the image data to the electronic device of the food service business or the purchaser. In some embodiments, the processing element 314 in the controller may directly transmit the image data to the electronic device of the food service business or the purchaser. In some embodiments, the processing element 314 in the controller 128 may transmit the image data to a remote electronic device [0056] In some embodiments, the method 400 may optionally include the operation 430 of coordinating, with the processing element 314, activation of one or more UV (e.g., UVC) lights 112 in the delivery box 110 to disinfect at least a portion of the one or more transparent food containers 150a, 150b and/or a portion of the interior region 104 of the delivery box 110.

[0057] In some embodiments, the method 400 may optionally include the operation 440 of coordinating, with the processing element 314, activation of one or more thermoelectric devices 270 positioned within the interior region of the delivery box 110. In these and other embodiments, the method 400 may include an operation of receiving, with the one processing element 314, a temperature of at least one of a cooling portion 204a of the interior region 104 or a heating portion 204b of the interior region 104 divided from the cooling portion 204a by the one or more thermoelectric coolers 270. Coordination and activation of the one or more thermoelectric coolers 270 may be at least partially based on the temperature of at least one of the cooling portion 204a the heating portion 204b of the interior region 104.

[0058] In some embodiments, the method 400 may optionally include an operation 450 of determining, with a processing element, if the food 160 contained in the one or more transparent containers 150, 150b is acceptable. The operation 450 may be performed with a processing element executing a trained AI algorithm or other process. More specifically, the operation 450 may include executing, with a processing element, an AI algorithm configured to (1) determine at least one of an acceptable characteristic of food or an unacceptable characteristic of food, and (2) based on at least the image data of the food 160 contained in the one or more transparent food containers 150a, 150b, determine if at least some of the food 160 in the one or more transparent food containers 150a, 150b includes the unacceptable characteristic of food or does not include the acceptable characteristic of food. The processing element executing the AI algorithm may include the processing element 314 of the controller 128 or a processing element on an external electronic device 360 remote from the processing element 314 of the controller 128.

[0059] In some embodiments, the method 400 may optionally include an operation 460 of transmitting, via a processing element, an alert message or other notification to an electronic device of at least one of (1) a food service business that prepared the food 160 in at least one of the one or more transparent food containers 150a, 150b or (2) a purchaser of the food 160 in the at least one of the one or more transparent food containers 150a, 150b. The alert message may indicate that at least a portion of the food 150a, 150b in the at least one of the one or more transparent food containers 150a, 150b includes the unacceptable characteristic of food or does not include the acceptable characteristic of food. The processing element transmitting the alert message may include the processing element 314 of the controller 128 or a processing element on an external electronic device 360 remote to the processing element 314 of the controller 128.

[0060] In some embodiments, the method 400 may optionally include an operation 470 of coordinating, with a processing element, display of the image data of the at least a portion of the food that includes the unacceptable characteristic of food or does not include the acceptable characteristic of food on one or more additional electronic devices and sale of the at least a portion of the food for a reduced price. The processing element coordinating display may include the processing element 314 of the controller 128 or a processing element on an external electronic device 360.

[0061] The acts of the method 400 described above are for illustrative purposes. For example, the acts of the method 400 can be performed in different orders, split into multiple acts, modified, supplemented, or combined. In an embodiment, one or more of the act of the method 400 can be omitted from the method 400. Any of the acts of the method 400 can include using any of the systems 100, 200 disclosed herein.

[0062] As used herein, the term “about” or “substantially” refers to an allowable variance of the term modified by “about” by ±10% or ±5%. Further, the terms “less than,” “or less,” “greater than”, “more than,” or “or more” include as an endpoint, the value that is modified by the terms “less than,” “or less,” “greater than,” “more than,” or “or more.”

[0063] While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments are contemplated. The various aspects and embodiment disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A system for monitoring food during delivery, the system comprising: one or more transparent food containers sized and dimensioned to contain food therein; and a portable delivery box defining an interior region sized to hold the one or more transparent food containers therein, the delivery box including: an image capture device oriented towards the interior region, the image capture device positioned and configured to capture image data of the food contained in the one or more transparent food containers when the one or more transparent food containers are positioned in the interior region with the food contained therein; a processing element in operative communication with the image capture device and configured to receive the image data from the image capture device and transmit at least a portion of the image data to an external electronic device; and one or more power sources operatively coupled to the processing element and the image capture device.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the delivery box includes: a base having one or more sidewalls including an insulated material; and a lid operable with the base between a closed position that encloses the interior region of the delivery box and an open position that opens the interior region of the delivery box.

3. The system of claim 2, further comprising one or more ultraviolet (UV) lights configured and positioned to emit light at least partially into the interior region of the delivery box and disinfect at least a portion of the delivery box or the one or more transparent food containers.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the one or more UV lights include a first UV light positioned on the lid and at least a second UV positioned on at least one of the one or more sidewalls.

5. The system of claim 4, further comprising one or more reflectors secured to at least one of the lid or the one or more sidewalls and configured to reflect the light emitted by the one or more lights.

6. The system of claim 5, further comprising an electrical switch secured to the delivery box and electrically coupled to the power source and at least one of the image capture device and the one or more lights, the electrical switch being configured to: activate at least one of the image capture device or the one or more lights when the lid is in the closed positioned and deactivate at least one of the image capture device or the one or more lights when the lid is in the open position; or activate at least the image capture device when the lid is in the open position.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising one or more thermoelectric devices positioned within the interior region of the delivery box.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein: the one or more transparent food containers include a plurality of transparent food containers; the one or more or more thermoelectric devices form one or more walls within the interior region of the delivery box and dividing the interior region into: a cooling portion sized to receive at least one of the plurality transparent food containers; and a heating portion sized to receive at least one of the plurality of transparent food containers, the thermoelectric device being oriented in the interior region to heat the heating portion and cool the cooling portion.

9. The system of claim 8, further comprising one or more temperature indicator lights visible in at least one of the heating portion or the cooling portion, the one or more temperature indicator lights adjustable between a first light configuration when positioned proximate to the heating portion and a second light configuration when positioned proximate to the cooling portion.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the delivery box includes one or more of an infrared sensor, a temperature sensor, or a humidity sensor.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the power source includes a rechargeable battery removable from the system.

12. The system of any of claims 1-11, wherein the external electronic device is configured to: receive the image data captured by the image capture device; and transmit the image data to an electronic device of at least one of (1) a food service business that prepared the food in at least one of the one or more transparent food containers, (2) a purchaser of the food in the at least one of the one or more transparent food containers, or (3) a third party chain of custody provider.

13. The system of any of claims 1-11, further comprising an additional processing element configured to: receive the image data captured by the image capture device; and execute an artificial intelligence algorithm configured to: determine at least one of an acceptable characteristic of food or an unacceptable characteristic of food; and based on at least the image data of the food contained in the one or more transparent food containers, determine if at least some of the food contained in the one or more transparent food containers includes the unacceptable characteristics of food or does not include the acceptable characteristic of the food.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the additional processing element is configured to transmit an alert message to an electronic device of at least one of (1) a food service business that prepared the food in at least one of the one or more transparent food containers, (2) a purchaser of the food in the at least one of the one or more transparent food containers, or (3) a third party chain of custody provider, the alert message indicating that at least a portion of the food includes the unacceptable characteristic of food or does not include the acceptable characteristic of food.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the additional processing element is configured to coordinate display on one or more additional electronic devices of the at least a portion of the food that includes the unacceptable characteristic of food or does not include the acceptable characteristic of food for a reduced price.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein: the delivery box includes one or more of an infrared sensor, a temperature sensor, or a humidity sensor; the processing element is configured to transmit at least one of infrared data of the interior region sensed by the infrared sensor, temperature data of at least a portion of the interior region or the food sensed by the temperature sensor, or humidity data of the interior region sensed by the humidity sensor; the additional processing element is configured to determine if at least some of the food includes the unacceptable characteristic of food or does not include the acceptable characteristic of food based on at least the image data of the food contained in the one or more transparent food containers and at least one of the infrared data of the interior region, the temperature data of at least a portion of the interior region or the food, or the humidity data of the interior region.

17. A method for monitoring food being delivered to a customer, the method comprising: receiving, by one or more processing elements, image data of the food contained in one or more transparent food containers positioned in the interior region of a portable delivery box, the image data having been captured by an image capture device secured to the portable delivery box; and coordinating, with the one or more processing elements, transmission of the image data of the food to an external electronic device of at least one of (1) a food service business that prepared the food in at least one of the one or more transparent food containers, (2) a purchaser of the food in the at least one of the one or more transparent food containers, or (3) a third party chain of custody provider.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising coordinating, with the one or more processing elements, activation of one or more ultraviolet (UV) lights in the delivery box to disinfect at least a portion of the one or more transparent food containers or a portion of the interior region of the delivery box.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising coordinating, with the one or more processing elements, activation of one or more thermoelectric devices positioned within the interior region of the delivery box.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising: receiving, with the one or more processing elements, a temperature of at least one of a cooling portion of the interior region or a heating portion of the interior region divided from the cooling portion by the one or more thermoelectric devices; wherein coordinating, with the one or more processing elements, activation of one or more thermoelectric devices positioned within the interior region of the delivery box includes coordinating, with the one or more processing elements, activation of the one or more thermoelectric devices positioned within the interior region of the delivery box based on the temperature of at least one of the cooling portion or the heating portion of the interior region.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising executing, with the one or more processing elements, an artificial intelligence algorithm configured to: determine at least one of an acceptable characteristic of food or an unacceptable characteristic of food; and based on at least the image data of the food contained in the one or more transparent food containers, determine if at least some of the food in the one or more transparent food containers includes the unacceptable characteristic of food or does not include the acceptable characteristic of food.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising transmitting, with the one or more processing elements, an alert message to an electronic device of at least one of (1) a food service business that prepared the food in at least one of the one or more transparent food containers or (2) a purchaser of the food in the at least one of the one or more transparent food containers, or (3) a third party chain of custody provider, the alert message indicating that at least a portion of the food in the at least one of the one or more transparent food containers includes the unacceptable characteristic of food or does not include the acceptable characteristic of food.

23. The method of claim 22, further comprising coordinating, with the one or more processing elements, display of the image data of the at least a portion of the food that includes the unacceptable characteristic of food or does not include the acceptable characteristic of food on one or more additional electronic devices and sale of the at least a portion of the food for a reduced price.