JP2024119550A - Information processing device, restaurant system and control program - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an information processing device, a restaurant system, and a control program for enabling a customer to quickly order a desired menu item.SOLUTION: In a restaurant system, a management server 8 which is an information processing device includes: a menu database 831 that stores an image of each menu item of food and drink that can be offered; a customer database 832 that stores tendency information representing a tendency of each customer; a communication interface 84 that communicates with an order terminal for receiving an order of a menu item; and a processor 81 that functions as a first control unit and a second control unit. The first control unit rearranges menu items based on the tendency information on a visiting customer. The second control unit generates a menu screen including images of one or more menu items among the rearranged menu items and configured to receive selection of a menu item to be ordered by the visiting customer, and transmits the generated menu screen to an order terminal 1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Embodiments of the present invention relate to an information processing device, a restaurant system, and a control program for a restaurant.

Restaurants use table ordering systems, where customers order menu items from order terminals installed at each table.

A typical table ordering terminal displays multiple menu items offered in an order that is common to the store, such as by genre or special features such as "seasonal recommendations."

As a result, it may take some time for customers to find the menu item they want to eat.

International Publication No. 2018/150756

The problem that one embodiment aims to solve is to provide an information processing device, restaurant system, and control program that enable customers to quickly order the menu items they desire.

In one embodiment, the information processing device includes a first memory unit, a second memory unit, a communication unit, a first control unit, and a second control unit. The first memory unit stores images of each menu item of food and beverages that can be provided. The second memory unit stores trend information that indicates trends for each customer. The communication unit communicates with an order terminal that accepts orders for the menu items. The first control unit rearranges the menu items based on the trend information of the visiting customer. The second control unit creates a menu screen that includes images of one or more of the rearranged menu items and is used to accept the selection of menu items to be ordered by the visiting customer, and transmits the created menu screen to the order terminal.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a restaurant system according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a data structure of a customer information record stored in a customer database provided in a management server serving as an information processing device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the first part of a flow chart illustrating an example of a main information processing procedure executed by the processor of the management server according to the control program. FIG. 4 shows the second part of a flowchart illustrating an example of a main information processing procedure executed by the processor of the management server according to the control program. FIG. 5 shows the third part of a flowchart illustrating an example of a main information processing procedure executed by the processor of the management server according to the control program. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of an initial screen display of the order terminal. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a menu screen display of the order terminal. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram for explaining the rearrangement of menu items. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing another example of the menu screen of the order terminal. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of a movement operation of a customer. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the menu screen displayed after a customer has moved away. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing yet another example of the menu screen of the order terminal. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing another example of the menu screen of the order terminal. FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of a main part of an order terminal as an information processing device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a data structure of a customer table provided in the order terminal. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing the first part of a flow chart illustrating an example of a main information processing procedure executed by the processor of the order terminal according to the control program. FIG. 17 is a diagram showing the second part of a flowchart illustrating an example of a main information processing procedure executed by the processor of the order terminal according to the control program. FIG. 18 is a diagram showing the third part of a flowchart illustrating an example of a main information processing procedure executed by the processor of the order terminal according to the control program.

[First embodiment]
In this embodiment, a management server is exemplified as one aspect of an information processing device.

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a restaurant system of this embodiment, including an information processing device of this embodiment. The restaurant system includes multiple order terminals 1, multiple cameras 2, a printer 3, an accounting terminal 4, a communication unit 5, a console 6, a kitchen terminal 7, a management server 8, and the like. The restaurant system includes a network 9, such as a LAN (Local Area Network), which connects each order terminal 1, each camera 2, printer 3, accounting terminal 4, communication unit 5, console 6, and kitchen terminal 7 to the management server 8.

The order terminal 1 is placed at each seat used by customers who will be ordering, and is a terminal that the customer operates to place an order. The seats include counter seats for one person and table seats for multiple people. The order terminal 1 is equipped with a display device such as a liquid crystal display in which most of the seat top (e.g., almost the entire surface) serves as the display area, and a projector in which most of the table (e.g., almost the entire surface) serves as the projection area. That is, when the display device is a liquid crystal display, the liquid crystal display is embedded in the seat so that its display surface forms the same plane as the seat top. When the display device is a projector, the projector is installed on the ceiling of the seat floor or at the edge of the seat so that the seat top functions as a screen. The display device is a device that displays full-size images of menu items provided by the store. Furthermore, the order terminal 1 is equipped with an input device such as a transparent touch panel that covers the entire surface of the display area or projection area. The input device is a device for inputting orders for menu items.

The order terminal 1 is further equipped with a short-range wireless communication device such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), and is configured to be able to send and receive information via short-range wireless communication with a smartphone carried by a customer.

Camera 2 is attached to each seat, for example, on the ceiling of the seating floor, and captures the display area or projection area of the order terminal 1. Camera 2 does not necessarily have to be attached to each seat, as long as it is installed so that the display areas or projection areas of the order terminals 1 of multiple seats are included in the capture range.

In addition, the order terminal 1 and the camera 2 may be equipped with wireless circuits so as to be able to flexibly respond to changes in the seating layout, and may be configured to be connected to the network 9 via one or more repeaters attached, for example, to the ceiling of the seating floor.

The printer 3 prints a receipt that lists the name, quantity, and unit price of the ordered items, as well as the total amount. The receipt is printed when the ordered items have been prepared, and can be handed to the customer at their seat together with the ordered items.

The accounting terminal 4 is a device that executes the payment process for food and drink. The accounting terminal 4 can be a well-known POS (Point Of Sales) terminal. The accounting terminal 4 is not limited to a POS terminal, but can also be a personal computer or tablet terminal that incorporates a program that executes the payment processing function. In other words, any electronic device that can execute the function of processing the payment for food and drink can be used.

The communication unit 5 communicates data with an external computer system connected via a wide area network such as the Internet. Examples of external systems include a computer system that collects customers' food preferences, i.e., trends, and a reservation system such as a gourmet website. The computer system that collects trends accumulates trend information by categorizing the trends of each customer based on survey information from customers, receipt information collected from the accounting terminal 4 of the restaurant system, order history information provided by the management server 8, and the like. Trends may include the customer's favorite food category, ingredients used in the dish, amount, seasoning, combination with multiple foods and drinks, order order, etc. Also, the customer's least favorite food category, ingredients used in the dish, amount, seasoning, combination with multiple foods and drinks, order order, etc.

The console 6 has an input device that gives instructions to the management server 8 and a display device that displays information obtained from the management server 8. The console 6 is, for example, a personal computer or a tablet. The console 6 does not necessarily have to be connected to the network 9 by a wire. The console 6 may be able to communicate with the management server 8 using a wireless LAN or the like.

The kitchen terminal 7 is installed in the kitchen and displays and outputs data on the ordered items to be cooked. The cook performs cooking work according to the output from the kitchen terminal 7. The kitchen terminal 7 is a so-called kitchen display, kitchen printer, etc.

The management server 8 is a computer device that manages various types of data, such as data on menu items offered by the restaurant, order data such as order items ordered by customers as orderers, and order quantities. The management server 8 includes a processor 81, a main memory 82, an auxiliary storage device 83, and a communication interface 84, and each part of the main memory 82, the auxiliary storage device 83, and the communication interface 84 are connected to the processor 81 via bus lines 85 such as an address bus and a data bus.

The processor 81 corresponds to the central part of the management server 8. For example, the processor 81 is a CPU (Central Processing Unit), but is not limited to this. The processor 81 may be a multi-core/multi-threaded one and can execute multiple processes in parallel. The processor 81 may also be realized in various other forms, including integrated circuits such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), an FPGA (field-programmable gate array), and a DSP (Digital Signal processor). The processor 81 loads a program that is pre-stored in the main memory 82 or the auxiliary storage device 83 into the main memory 82. The program includes a control program that causes the processor 81 of the management server 8 to realize each part described later. The processor 81 executes various operations by executing the program loaded into the main memory 82.

The main memory 82 corresponds to the main storage portion of the management server 8. The main memory 82 includes a non-volatile memory area and a volatile memory area. The main memory 82 stores an OS (Operating System) or programs in the non-volatile memory area. The main memory 82 uses the volatile memory area as a work area where data is appropriately rewritten by the processor 81. For example, the main memory 82 includes a ROM (Read Only Memory) as a non-volatile memory area. For example, the main memory 82 includes a RAM (Random Access Memory) as a volatile memory area.

The auxiliary storage device 83 corresponds to the auxiliary storage portion of the management server 8. For example, the auxiliary storage device 83 is an EEPROM (registered trademark) (Electric Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), a HDD (Hard Disc Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), etc. The auxiliary storage device 83 stores the above-mentioned programs, data used by the processor 81 in performing various processes, and data generated by the processes in the processor 81.

One of the programs stored in the main memory 82 or the auxiliary storage device 83 is a control program, which will be described later. The transfer of a computer device is generally performed with a program such as the control program stored in the main memory 82 or the auxiliary storage device 83. However, this is not limited to the above, and a control program, etc., transferred separately from the computer device, may be written to a writable storage device provided in the computer device in response to an operation by a user, etc. The transfer of a control program, etc., may be performed by recording it on a removable recording medium, or by communication via a communication network. The recording medium may be in any form, such as a CD-ROM or memory card, as long as it can store a program and is readable by the device. In addition, the function obtained by installing or downloading a program may be realized in cooperation with an OS, etc., inside the device.

The communication interface 84 includes various interfaces that connect the management server 8 to other devices via the network 9 in accordance with a specific communication protocol.

The hardware configuration of the management server 8 is not limited to the above-mentioned configuration. The management server 8 allows the omission or modification of the above-mentioned components and the addition of new components as appropriate.

Here, we will explain each part configured in the auxiliary storage device 83 of the management server 8. The auxiliary storage device 83 stores, for example, a menu database 831, a customer database 832, a terminal database 833, and an order database 834. Note that in Figure 1, "database" is abbreviated to "DB."

The menu database 831 is a storage unit that stores information such as the menu item ID (identifier), name, price, image, original size, allergy information, cooking method, compatibility tendency, recommended item ID, etc., for each menu item provided by the restaurant. The menu item ID is a unique code set for each menu item. Each menu item is identified by a different menu item ID. The recommended item ID is a menu ID for a side menu or drink menu item that is arbitrarily set by the restaurant and is recommended to be ordered together with the menu item. There may be multiple recommended item IDs. In addition, the recommended menu item may be automatically set based on items that have been ordered in the past together with the menu item. Furthermore, the recommended menu item, which is arbitrarily set by the restaurant or based on items ordered in the past, may be automatically set according to the current season or weather. For example, in winter, a hot drink may be substituted for cola. The menu database 831 may also store customization that can be applied to each menu item. The applicable customization is customization information related to the menu item itself, such as the changeable size or amount, the price according to the change, and the cooking method.

The customer database 832 is a database for managing customers who place orders using the restaurant system, and is a collection of data records associated with registered customers. For this reason, the customer database 832 includes a customer information record for each customer. Some of the information registered in the customer database 832 can be obtained by the communication unit 5 from systems outside the store, such as a computer system that collects trends or a reservation system such as a gourmet website.

Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the data structure of a customer information record 8321 for each customer stored in the customer database 832 of the management server 8. The customer information record includes fields F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6, etc.

Field F1 is set with a customer code for identifying the associated customer from other customers. The customer code is, for example, a unique identification code set for each user in order to identify each individual user of the restaurant system. This customer code may be one used only in the restaurant system, or it may be one shared with systems outside the restaurant. If the customer code is one used only in the restaurant system, the management server 8 can link with systems outside the restaurant by separately storing the correspondence between the identification codes.

Field F2 is set with membership information, which is attribute information about a customer identified by a customer code. Membership information may include name, gender, age, address, telephone number, email address, incentive information indicating incentives granted to the customer by the restaurant system, and the like. Incentive information may include coupon information, point service ID and number of owned points, and the like.

Field F3 is set with a customer image for the customer identified by the customer code. The customer image is not an image taken with a camera of the customer, but can include an image set by the customer that distinguishes them from other customers, such as an avatar or icon.

Field F4 is set with trend information about a customer identified by a customer code. The trend information includes typological trends such as sweet tooth or rich taste. The trend information can also include the order history of past menu items. The order history can include the order date and time as well as the menu item ID that identifies the ordered item. This allows the processor 81 to obtain the relationships between menu items, such as the probability of being combined and the order time interval when combined. This trend information can also be used and updated mutually between a computer system that collects trends outside the store, via the communication interface 84 and the communication unit 5.

Reservation information for a customer identified by a customer code is set in field F5. The reservation information can include the date, time, and number of people. The reservation information can be entered from the console 6 in response to a reservation made by telephone, etc. Furthermore, the reservation information can be obtained from an external reservation system, etc., via the communication interface 84 and the communication unit 5.

Field F6 is set with seating information for a customer identified by a customer code. The seating information includes a seat ID, which is a unique code for the seat indicating the seat where the customer is seated. The seat ID can be assigned automatically or by the console 6 depending on the date, time and number of people at the time of reservation. If there is no reservation, the seat ID and number of people to which the customer is seated are input by the console 6. The seating information can further include the seating position, which indicates where at the table the customer is seated, if the seat is a table seat for multiple people. This seating position can be obtained by each customer logging in to the order terminal 1, which will be described later.

The terminal database 833 is a storage unit that stores the status of each order terminal 1. Specifically, the terminal database 833 includes data items such as a terminal ID, sorted menu data, screen information, and selected menu data. The terminal ID is a unique code set for each order terminal 1. The sorted menu data is a list of menu item IDs that is the result of rearranging the order of menu items based on the seating position of the customer and customer tendency information. The screen information is a screen transmitted to be displayed on the order terminal 1. The selected menu data is the menu item ID, points, etc. of the food and drink selected by the customer via the order terminal 1.

The order database 834 is a storage unit that stores order items, which are menu items ordered for each seat. Specifically, the order database 834 includes data items such as a receipt number, a seat ID, the number of people, order menu data, and total data. Here, the receipt number is a unique number that is issued to a customer who is the person placing an order. A customer may be an individual customer or a group customer. Customers are identified by different receipt numbers. The order menu data includes the menu item ID, points, and price of the order items ordered by the customer who sat at the seat. The order menu data may include multiple order items and is based on the selected menu data stored in the terminal database 833. The total data is the total points and total price of the order items ordered by the customer who sat at the seat. The order menu data of a customer can be stored as an order history in the customer database 832 based on the customer code of each customer.

Next, each unit implemented in the processor 81 of the management server 8 will be described. The processor 81 implements, for example, an operation reception unit 811, an order terminal display control unit 812, and an order management unit 813. Each unit implemented in the processor 81 can also be referred to as each function. Each unit implemented in the processor 81 can also be referred to as being implemented in a control unit including the processor 81 and the main memory 82.

The operation reception unit 811 acquires operation information corresponding to the operation content at each order terminal 1 and console 6 via the communication interface 84.

The order terminal display control unit 812 creates a screen to be displayed on each order terminal 1 according to the operation information acquired by the operation reception unit 811, based on the information stored in the menu database 831 and the customer database 832, and stores it in the terminal database 833. The order terminal display control unit 812 then transmits the screen stored in the terminal database 833 to the order terminal 1 via the communication interface 84. The created screens include an initial screen, a menu screen, etc. The initial screen is a screen for accepting login operations by customers. The menu screen is a screen for displaying images of menu items at full size and for accepting the selection of the menu items to be ordered. Details of these screens will be described later.

The order management unit 813 stores selected menu data, which is the result of the selection of menu items from the order terminal 1 acquired as operation information by the operation reception unit 811, in the terminal database 833. In addition, in response to an order decision notification from the order terminal 1 acquired as operation information by the operation reception unit 811, it generates order menu data based on the selected menu data stored in the terminal database 833 and the information on each menu item stored in the menu database 831, and registers it in the order database 834. Furthermore, the order management unit 813 transmits a notification of the start of cooking of the menu items indicated in the order menu data to the kitchen terminal 7 via the communication interface 84.

When the management server 8 configured as above is turned on by turning on a power switch (not shown), the control program starts up. Then, it executes various information processing related to the reception of reservations from the system outside the store via the communication unit 5 or from the console 6, the reception of orders from the order terminal 1, etc.

The information processing related to orders, which is a feature of this embodiment, will be described in detail below. The processor 81 executes information processing according to the procedure shown in the series of flow charts shown in Figures 3 to 5 in response to input from the console 6 via the communications interface 84 of the seat ID indicating the seat to which the ordering customer is guided and the number of people. This processing is processing according to a control program. Note that the contents of the processing shown in Figures 3 to 5 and described below are merely examples, and various processing that can achieve similar results can be used as appropriate.

First, in ACT801, the processor 81 creates an initial screen for accepting a login operation by a customer, and transmits it to the corresponding order terminal 1 via the communication interface 84. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the display of the initial screen SC1 of the order terminal 1 that has received it. The display unit 16D of the display device provided in the order terminal 1 occupies most of the top surface (e.g., almost the entire surface) of the table TBL, which is the seating area for customers, and the initial screen SC1 is displayed entirely on the display unit 16D.

The initial screen SC1 includes a login area AR1 for placing the smartphone SP and a login message ME1 that explains how to log in. The processor 81 arranges the login area AR1 on the initial screen SC1 according to the seating position of the customer who will be seated. The example in FIG. 6 shows a case where there are two customers. In this case where the customer is a group of multiple people, the processor 81 arranges the login area AR1 in correspondence with one of the multiple seating positions. Note that the area shown by the dashed line in FIG. 6 shows the position where the login area for the other person is displayed, and at this stage, it is not actually displayed on the initial screen SC1 yet. Note that the seating position of each customer may be input from the console 6 together with the customer seat ID, or may be obtained by executing a well-known person detection process from the image captured by the camera 2 corresponding to the order terminal 1 indicated by the customer seat ID.

The smartphone SP executes an application program corresponding to the restaurant system. This application program has functions such as a reservation function for the restaurant, a trend input and saving function, a customer image creation and saving function, and a login function for the restaurant system. The application program may also have a function to utilize a reservation system such as a computer system that collects trends, which is an external system, or a gourmet site. Therefore, this application program allows customers to send customer images and trends to the management server 8 in advance and pre-register them in the customer database 832.

In this embodiment, the application program provides a login function for the restaurant system, which is triggered by a swipe operation of an avatar, which is an image of a customer. That is, when the avatar of the smartphone SP placed in the login area AR1 is swiped toward the center of the display unit 16D, or toward the top of the smartphone SP in the example of FIG. 6, the application program uses the short-range wireless communication device of the smartphone SP to transmit a customer code together with the customer seat ID and seating position. Upon receiving this customer code, the order terminal 1 transmits the customer code to the management server 8.

Returning to the explanation of FIG. 3, in ACT 802, the processor 81 acquires the customer code sent from the order terminal 1.

In ACT 803, the processor 81 searches the customer database 832 using the acquired customer code and determines whether there is missing information. Specifically, the processor 81 determines whether there is a customer information record 8321 for the acquired customer code. If a corresponding customer information record 8321 exists, the processor 81 determines whether a customer image, trend information, and seat information are set in that customer information record 8321. If there is no customer information record 8321, or if any of the customer image, trend information, and seat information is not set, the processor 81 determines that there is missing information. If there is no missing information, the processor 81 proceeds to the processing of ACT 805. If there is missing information, the processor 81 proceeds to the processing of ACT 804.

In ACT 804, the processor 81 obtains the missing information.

Specifically, if there is no customer information record 8321 for the customer code in the customer database 832, the processor 81 creates a new customer information record 8321 in the customer database 832 and sets the acquired customer code therein.

Also, if there is no customer image in the customer information record 8321, the processor 81 requests the order terminal 1 to obtain a customer image via the communication interface 84. The order terminal 1 requests, via short-range wireless communication, the application program of the smartphone SP that transmitted the customer code to transmit an avatar, which is a stored customer image, and obtains it. The processor 81 obtains the avatar from the order terminal 1 via the communication interface 84 and sets it in field F3 of the customer information record 8321.

Also, if there is no trend information in the customer information record 8321, the processor 81 requests the order terminal 1 to obtain the trend information via the communication interface 84. The order terminal 1 requests, via short-range wireless communication, the application program of the smartphone SP that transmitted the customer code to transmit the stored trend information, and obtains it. The processor 81 obtains the trend information from the order terminal 1 via the communication interface 84, and sets it in field F4 of the customer information record 8321. Alternatively, the processor 81 may obtain trend information of a customer corresponding to the customer code from a computer system that collects trends outside the store, via the communication interface 84 and the communication unit 5.

In addition, if there is no seat information in the customer information record 8321, the processor 81 sets the seat ID and seating position acquired along with the customer code as seating information in field F6 of the customer information record 8321.

In ACT 805, the processor 81 determines whether or not the customer code has been acquired for all the people entered from the console 6, for example, both of them. If the customer codes for all the people have been acquired, the processor 81 proceeds to the process of ACT 806, assuming that all the customers included in the customers corresponding to the order terminal 1 have logged in. If the customer codes for all the people have not yet been acquired, the processor 81 proceeds to the process of ACT 801 above, and transmits an initial screen in which the login area AR1 is located according to the seating position of the individual who has not yet acquired a customer code. In this case, the initial screen has the login area AR1 located at the position indicated by the dashed line in FIG. 6, instead of the login area indicated by the solid line in the same figure.

In ACT 806, the processor 81 reads out tendency information for each person included in the customers from the customer information record 8321 of the customer database 832 in which the seat information corresponding to the order terminal 1 is set. At this time, the processor 81 can also read out avatars, which are images of each customer, from the customer information record 8321.

In ACT 807, the processor 81 determines whether the multiple customers are seated facing each other. Specifically, the processor 81 reads the seating positions of each customer from the customer information record 8321 of the customer database 832 in which the seating information corresponding to the order terminal 1 is set, and determines whether the customers are seated facing each other based on the seating positions. If the customers are seated facing each other, the processor 81 proceeds to the process of ACT 812. If the customers are not seated facing each other, the processor 81 proceeds to the process of ACT 808. Cases where the customers are not seated facing each other include not only cases where the customers are individual customers, but also cases where two customers are seated side by side.

In ACT 808, the processor 81 rearranges the menu. Specifically, the processor 81 extracts menu items that match the tendency of the customer included in the tendency information of each person included in the customer read out in ACT 806, based on the matching tendency included in the information for each menu item stored in the menu database 831. If the customer is an individual customer, the processor 81 rearranges the menu item IDs of the extracted menu items in order of the degree of match with the customer tendency. On the other hand, if the customer includes two customers, the processor 81 further determines the degree of match with the tendency of the other customer for the menu items extracted based on the tendency of one of the two customers, and rearranges them in order of the degree of match with the tendencies of both customers. The processor 81 then stores the rearrangement results in the terminal database 833 as rearranged menu data.

In ACT 809, the processor 81 reads out customer images of other customers from the customer database 832. Specifically, the processor 81 identifies other customers who have ordered menu items included in the rearranged menu data stored in the terminal database 833, i.e., who have a tendency similar to customers who are visiting the restaurant, based on the tendency information in the customer information records 8321 in the customer database 832. The processor 81 then reads out customer images of the identified other customers, associates them with the menu items included in the rearranged menu data stored in the terminal database 833, and stores them in the terminal database 833.

In ACT 810, the processor 81 creates a menu screen to accept the selection of menu items and stores it in the terminal database 833. Then, in ACT 811, the processor 81 transmits the menu screen stored in the terminal database 833 to the order terminal 1 via the communication interface 84.

Figure 7 is a diagram showing an example of the display of the menu screen SC2 of the order terminal 1 that receives this. Figure 7 shows an example in which the visiting customers include two customers. In this case, the menu screen SC2 includes seated person avatars PA1 and PA2 that are positioned according to the seating positions of the two customers. The processor 81 can determine the seating positions based on the seat information in the customer information record 8321 of the customer database 832, and place the avatars stored as customer images on the menu screen SC2 as these seated person avatars PA1 and PA2.

The menu screen SC2 also includes first and second menu item display areas AR2 and AR3 in which images of menu items are displayed, and a menu item selection area AR4 for selecting the menu item to be ordered.

The first menu item display area AR2 is an area in which thumbnail images of many menu items are displayed. The processor 81 reduces the size of the image of each menu item stored in the menu database 831, arranges them, and places them in the first menu item display area AR2. At this time, the processor 81 arranges the thumbnail images of the menu items in the order of the menu items that have been sorted and stored as menu data in the terminal database 833 in order of the degree of match with the tendencies of both customers who are customers.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram for explaining the rearrangement of menu items. The processor 81 arranges the thumbnail images of the menu items that match the tendencies of the two customers most closely in the center of the first menu item display area AR2. The processor 81 also arranges the thumbnail images of the menu items in the first menu item display area AR2 so that the more closely the thumbnail images of the menu items match the tendencies of one of the two customers and the less closely the tendencies of the other customer, the closer they are to the side of the one customer, as shown by arrows A and B in FIG. 8. As a result, in the case of two people sitting side by side, the first menu item display area AR2 displays the thumbnail images of the menu items that match the tendencies of the two customers in the center, and the further away from the center, the more biased they are toward one of the customers. In other words, for a menu item that one customer likes but the other customer dislikes, the thumbnail image of the menu item is arranged closer to the person who likes that menu item. For example, if the customer represented by seated person avatar PA1 likes spicy food and the customer represented by seated person avatar PA2 does not like spicy food, the reduced image of the spicy food will be placed closer to the customer represented by seated person avatar PA1, as shown by arrow A.

Returning to the explanation of FIG. 7, the second menu item display area AR3 is an area in which images of one or more menu items are displayed in original size from among the menu items arranged in the first menu item display area AR2. The processor 81 arranges the images of the menu items in the second menu item display area AR3 so that they are displayed in original size based on the images and original sizes of the menu items stored in the menu database 831 and the size of the display unit 16D of the order terminal 1. At this time, the processor 81 arranges the original size image of the menu item that matches the tendency of the two customers who are customers at the center of the second menu item display area AR3. In addition, the customer images of the customers who are customers are arranged in a position adjacent to this original size image. In the example of FIG. 7, avatars AB1 and AB2 are displayed as customer images of both customers in a position adjacent to the original size image of seafood pizza, which is a menu item that matches the tendency of the two customers who are customers. Furthermore, the processor 81 arranges the other person avatar OA in a position adjacent to the original size image of the menu item other than the central menu item. The other person's avatar OA is an image of another customer stored in the terminal database 833 who has a tendency to be similar to the visiting customer. A threshold value is set for the degree of match between this other person's avatar OA and the tendency of the visiting customer, thereby narrowing down the other customers. In addition, the number of other person's avatars OA placed for one menu item may be limited. Instead of this other person's avatar OA, a symbol such as a star or the number of people may be displayed.

The menu screen SC2 also includes recommended item images RI1, RI2 arranged in the empty space between the full-size images of each menu item in the second menu item display area AR3. The processor 81 can identify a recommended menu item based on the recommended item ID stored in the menu database 831 for the menu item arranged in the center of the second menu item display area AR3, and set the image as the recommended item image RI1, RI2.

The processor 81 also places a range bar RB in the first menu item display area AR2 to indicate the correspondence between the menu items displayed in the first menu item display area AR2 and the menu items displayed in the second menu item display area AR3.

The menu item selection area AR4 is an area where the full-size image of the menu item to be ordered from among the menu items displayed in the second menu item display area AR3 is dragged and dropped.

Returning to the explanation of FIG. 4, in ACT 812, the processor 81 rearranges the menu. Specifically, the processor 81 extracts menu items that match the tendency of each customer included in the customers who visited the restaurant read out in ACT 806, which are included in the tendency information for each customer, based on the matching tendency included in the information for each menu item stored in the menu database 831. The processor 81 then rearranges the menu item IDs of the extracted menu items for each of the multiple customers in descending order of degree of match with the customer's tendency, and stores the rearrangement result in the terminal database 833 as rearranged menu data.

In ACT 813, the processor 81 creates a menu screen to accept the selection of menu items and stores it in the terminal database 833. The processor 81 then proceeds to the processing of ACT 811 above.

Figure 9 is a diagram showing an example of the menu screen SC2 of the order terminal 1 that receives this. Figure 9 shows an example in which the customer group includes four customers, two of whom are seated facing each other. In this case, the menu screen SC2 is divided into divided areas DR1, DR2, DR3, and DR4 for each customer. The divided areas DR1, DR2, DR3, and DR4 each have a first and second menu item display area AR2 and AR3. The menu screen SC2 also includes a menu item selection area AR4 in its center, that is, between the divided areas DR1, DR2, DR3, and DR4. In this case, the original size image of the menu item that most closely matches the tendency of the corresponding customer is placed in the center of the second menu item display area AR3 of the divided areas DR1, DR2, DR3, and DR4. Additionally, seated occupant avatars PA1, PA2, PA3, and PA4 are placed at the ends of the corresponding divided regions DR1, DR2, DR3, and DR4.

Returning to the explanation of FIG. 4, in ACT 814, the processor 81 determines whether or not the seating positions of the customers included in the customers visiting the store have changed. If the seating positions have changed, the processor 81 proceeds to processing in ACT 818. On the other hand, if the seating positions have not changed, the processor 81 proceeds to processing in ACT 815.

Specifically, the processor 81 can make this determination as follows. That is, the processor 81 determines whether the operation information received from the order terminal 1 via the communication interface 84 is a drag-and-drop operation. If it is a drag-and-drop operation, the processor 81 checks whether the drag start position is the position of any seated avatar and whether the drop position is the position of a divided area for a customer other than the customer of the dragged seated avatar. If so, the processor 81 determines that a seating position has been moved, that is, a customer who was seated in a seat corresponding to the divided area of the drag start position has moved to a seat corresponding to the divided area of the position corresponding to the drop position. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of a customer movement operation. As shown by the arrow in FIG. 10, for example, if seated avatar PA2 is dragged and dropped to the position of divided area DR4 for a customer of seated avatar PA4, processor 81 can determine that the customer who was seated in the seat corresponding to divided area DR2 of seated avatar PA2 has moved to the seat corresponding to divided area DR4.

Movements in seating positions may also be detected using a different method. For example, an RFID may be attached to the cutlery used by each customer, and by detecting this RFID, it is possible to obtain the position of each customer who moves while carrying the cutlery. Alternatively, the seating position of a customer who has moved may be obtained by having the customer log in again using the smartphone SP when moving. Also, it may be possible to identify which customer is seated at which seat by performing well-known person detection from the image captured by the camera 2 or some form of biometric authentication.

Returning to the explanation of FIG. 4, in ACT 815, the processor 81 determines whether the order has been confirmed. Specifically, the processor 81 determines whether the operation information received from the order terminal 1 via the communication interface 84 is an order confirmation notification. When a customer performs a predetermined order confirmation operation, the order terminal 1 transmits the order confirmation notification to the management server 8. The predetermined order operation can be, for example, a touch operation such as an OK icon that is added to the menu screen SC2 in response to the selection of a menu item and indicates that the menu item is to be ordered. If the order has been confirmed, the processor 81 proceeds to processing in ACT 822. If the order has not been confirmed, the processor 81 proceeds to processing in ACT 816.

In ACT 816, the processor 81 determines whether a menu item has been selected. Specifically, the processor 81 determines whether the operation information received from the order terminal 1 via the communication interface 84 is a drag-and-drop operation. If it is a drag-and-drop operation, the processor 81 checks whether the drag start position is the position of the original size image of the menu item and the drop position is the position of the menu item selection area AR4. If so, the processor 81 determines that the menu item corresponding to the drag start position has been selected. If a menu item has been selected, the processor 81 proceeds to processing in ACT 820. If a menu item has not been selected, the processor 81 proceeds to processing in ACT 816.

In ACT 817, the processor 81 determines whether any operation other than the operation of moving the seating position, the operation of deciding on an order, and the operation of selecting a menu item has been performed on the order terminal 1. Specifically, the processor 81 determines whether operation information corresponding to an operation other than these operations has been received from the order terminal 1 via the communication interface 84. If any operation has been performed, the processor 81 proceeds to the processing of ACT 821. If no operation has been performed, the processor 81 proceeds to the processing of ACT 814.

In ACT 818, the processor 81 updates the customer information. Specifically, the processor 81 updates the seating information of the customer information record 8321 of the corresponding customer in the customer database 832 according to the customer's new seating position.

In ACT 819, the processor 81 updates the menu screen SC2 and stores it in the terminal database 833. Then, the processor 81 proceeds to the processing of ACT 811 and transmits this updated menu screen SC2 to the order terminal 1.

Figure 11 is a diagram showing an example of the menu screen SC2 displayed on the order terminal 1 after the customer has moved after receiving this. For example, as shown in Figure 10, when the seated person avatar PA2 is dragged and dropped to the position of the divided area DR4, the processor 81 determines that the customer who was sitting in the seat corresponding to the divided area DR2 has moved to the seat corresponding to the divided area DR4. In addition, as the customer moves his/her seat, the processor 81 determines that the customer who was originally sitting in the seat corresponding to the divided area DR4 has moved to the seat corresponding to the divided area DR2. Therefore, in this case, the processor 81 updates the display content of the divided area DR4 to the display content of the divided area DR2 before the move, and updates the display content of the divided area DR2 to the display content of the divided area DR4 before the move, as shown in Figure 11.

Returning to the explanation of FIG. 4, in ACT 820, the processor 81 stores the selected menu item in the terminal database 833 as selected menu data. The processor 81 then proceeds to the processing of ACT 814. At this time, although not specifically shown in the figure, the processor 81 can add an OK icon or the like to the menu screen SC2, which indicates that the selected menu item is to be ordered.

In ACT 821, the processor 81 executes a process corresponding to the operation of the order terminal 1, and then proceeds to the process of ACT 814. For example, the processor 81 determines whether the operation information received from the order terminal 1 via the communication interface 84 is a flick operation. If it is a flick operation, the processor 81 determines whether the flick start position is the first or second menu item display area AR2, AR3, and the flick direction is the longitudinal direction of the display unit 16D. If so, the processor 81 updates the menu screen to one in which the images of the menu items arranged in the first and second menu item display areas AR2, AR3 are scrolled horizontally based on the operation direction and operation amount of the flick operation, and transmits the updated menu screen to the order terminal 1 via the communication interface 84.

Figure 12 is a diagram showing yet another example of the display of the menu screen SC2 of the order terminal 1 that has received this. For example, when a flick operation is performed to the right in the menu screen SC2 of Figure 7, the menu screen SC2 is updated as shown in Figure 12. At this time, the processor 81 can display the avatars AB1 and AB2 placed in the vicinity of the original size image of the menu item placed in the center of the second menu item display area AR3 in a display form that reflects the degree of tendency of the corresponding customer for the menu item. Specifically, the processor 81 displays the avatars AB1 and AB2 large in close proximity to the original size image of the menu item when they match the tendency of the corresponding customer, and displays them small at a position away from the original size image of the menu item when they do not match. In the example shown in Figure 12, the avatar AB1 does not match the tendency of the customer corresponding to the avatar AB1, so it is displayed small at a position away from the original size image of the menu item, and the avatar AB2 matches the tendency of the customer corresponding to the avatar AB2, so it is displayed large in close proximity to the original size image of the menu item.

As shown in Figs. 7 and 12, the menu screen SC2 also includes an information icon IC1 arranged near the full-size image of each menu item in the second menu item display area AR3. The processor 81 determines whether the operation information received from the order terminal 1 via the communication interface 84 is a touch operation at the location of any of the information icons IC1. If so, the processor 81 reads out detailed information such as allergy information and cooking methods for the corresponding menu item from the menu database 831, updates the menu screen to include this detailed information, and transmits the updated menu screen to the order terminal 1 via the communication interface 84.

As shown in Figs. 7 and 12, the menu screen SC2 includes a help icon IC2 in a predetermined position, such as the upper right. The processor 81 determines whether the operation information received from the order terminal 1 via the communication interface 84 is a touch operation at the position where the help icon IC2 is located. If so, the processor 81 transmits a help screen explaining how to use the order terminal 1, which has been prepared separately and stored in the auxiliary storage device 83 or the like, to the order terminal 1 via the communication interface 84. The processor 81 can also perform similar processing when operation information indicating a long press operation on the original size image of a menu item or the recommended item images RI1, RI2 is received.

In ACT 822 shown in FIG. 5, the processor 81 decides on the order. Specifically, the processor 81 generates order menu data based on the selected menu data saved in the terminal database 833 and the information on each menu item stored in the menu database 831, and registers it in the order database 834. Furthermore, the processor 81 transmits a notification to the kitchen terminal 7 via the communication interface 84 indicating that cooking of the menu items indicated in the order menu data has begun. At this time, although not specifically shown in the figure, the processor 81 can add an accounting icon, which indicates that eating and drinking have been completed and that the bill should be paid, to the menu screen SC2.

In ACT 823, the processor 81 categorizes the tendencies of customers based on the selected menu items. The method of categorization is not particularly limited here.

In ACT 824, the processor 81 updates the trend information of the customer information record 8321 corresponding to the customer in the customer database 832 based on this categorized trend and the selected menu items that constitute the order history.

In ACT 825, the processor 81 determines whether the order has been determined, i.e., whether an additional order has been determined. If the order has been determined, the processor 81 proceeds to the processing of ACT 822. If the order has not been determined, the processor 81 proceeds to the processing of ACT 826.

In ACT 826, the processor 81 determines whether the customer's seating position has changed. If the seating position has changed, the processor 81 proceeds to processing in ACT 830. If the seating position has not changed, the processor 81 proceeds to processing in ACT 827.

In ACT 827, the processor 81 determines whether a menu item has been selected, i.e., whether an additional menu selection has been made. If a menu item has been selected, the processor 81 proceeds to processing in ACT 833. If a menu item has not been selected, the processor 81 proceeds to processing in ACT 828.

In ACT 828, the processor 81 determines whether a menu suggestion is necessary. Specifically, the processor 81 identifies a menu item that is likely to be combined with the ordered menu item from the order history in the trend information stored in the customer information record 8321 of each customer included in the customer in the customer database 832. If the order interval with the identified menu item is within a specified time range, the processor 81 determines that a menu suggestion is necessary. Furthermore, if the specified time range is exceeded, when the elapsed time from the time when the ordered food and drink was served reaches the order interval with the identified menu item, the processor 81 determines that a menu suggestion is necessary. Note that, since the end of cooking is also notified to the management server 8 when the kitchen terminal 7 issues a receipt printing instruction to the printer 3, the time when the food is served can be the time when this notification is received. Alternatively, if the specified time range is exceeded, the processor 81 can detect the remaining amount of the served menu item by analyzing the image captured by the camera 2, and determine that a menu suggestion is necessary when the remaining amount becomes low. If menu suggestions are required, the processor 81 proceeds to processing in ACT 834. If menu suggestions are not required, the processor 81 proceeds to processing in ACT 829.

In ACT 829, the processor 81 determines whether any other operation has been performed on the order terminal 1, excluding the operation of deciding on an order, the operation of moving the seating position, and the operation of selecting a menu item. If any other operation has been performed, the processor 81 proceeds to the processing of ACT 837. If no operation has been performed, the processor 81 proceeds to the processing of ACT 825.

In ACT 830, the processor 81 updates the customer information. Then, in ACT 831, the processor 81 updates the menu screen SC2 to display content according to the customer's movement, and stores it in the terminal database 833. Then, in ACT 832, the processor 81 transmits the updated menu screen SC2 stored in the terminal database 833 to the order terminal 1. Then, the processor 81 proceeds to the processing of ACT 825 above.

In ACT 833, the processor 81 stores the selected menu item as selected menu data in the terminal database 833. The processor 81 then proceeds to the processing of ACT 825 above.

In ACT 834, the processor 81 determines the suggested menu. Specifically, as described above in the explanation of ACT 828, the processor 81 determines, as the suggested menu, the menu items identified from the order history in the trend information stored in the customer information record 8321 of each customer included in the customers in the customer database 832.

In ACT 835, the processor 81 updates the menu screen SC2 to include the proposed menu, and stores it in the terminal database 833. Then, in ACT 836, the processor 81 transmits the updated menu screen SC2 stored in the terminal database 833 to the order terminal 1 via the communication interface 84. After that, the processor 81 proceeds to the processing of ACT 825 above.

Figure 13 is a diagram showing another display example of the menu screen SC2 of the order terminal 1 that has received this updated menu screen SC2. As shown in Figure 13, the processor 81 places an image of the suggested menu as a pop-up image PU on the menu screen SC2.

In ACT 837, the processor 81 executes processing corresponding to the operation of the order terminal 1, and then proceeds to the processing of ACT 825 above. For example, when the processor 81 receives operation information from the order terminal 1 indicating a flick operation in the first or second menu item display area AR2, AR3, the processor 81 updates the menu screen SC2 to one in which the images of the menu items arranged in the first and second menu item display areas AR2, AR3 are scrolled horizontally. In addition, when the processor 81 receives operation information indicating a touch operation on the arrangement position of the help icon IC2 or a long press operation on the original size image of the menu item or the recommended item image RI1, RI2, the processor 81 transmits the help screen to the order terminal 1 via the communication interface 84.

Although not specifically shown, when operation information is received indicating a touch operation on the location of the checkout icon on the menu screen SC2, the processor 81 can terminate the processing according to the control program shown in this flowchart and move on to checkout processing.

This concludes the explanation of the processing according to the control program.

As described above, the menu database 831 of the management server 8 as the information processing device according to this embodiment functions as a first storage unit that stores images of each menu item of food and drink that can be provided, the customer database 832 of the management server 8 functions as a second storage unit that stores trend information that indicates the trends of each customer, and the communication interface 84 of the management server 8 functions as a communication unit that communicates with the order terminal 1 that accepts orders for menu items. The processor 81 of the management server 8 functions as a first control unit that rearranges the menu items based on the trend information of the visiting customer, and a second control unit that creates a menu screen SC2 that includes images of one or more of the rearranged menu items and is used to accept the selection of the menu items to be ordered by the visiting customer, and transmits the created menu screen SC2 to the order terminal 1.

Therefore, it is possible to provide an information processing device, restaurant system, and control program that enable customers to quickly order the menu items they desire. In other words, since the menu screen SC2 containing menu items that match the customer's preferences is displayed on the order terminal 1, customers can easily decide which menu items to order. This leads to increased customer satisfaction and an increase in the repeat visit rate.

The processor 81 places the image of the menu item that most closely matches the customer's preferences in the center of the menu screen SC2. This allows the customer to quickly order the menu items that they frequently order.

Here, if there are two customers visiting the restaurant and the two customers are positioned side by side, the processor 81 rearranges the menu items based on the tendency information of the two customers and places the image of the menu item that most closely matches the tendencies of the two customers in the center of the menu screen SC2. Therefore, it is possible to display the menu items that match the tendencies of both customers included in the visiting customers in the most easily viewable way. This makes it possible to quickly order menu items to be shared by the two customers.

In this case, the processor 81 arranges the images of the menu items on the menu screen SC2 so that the image of the menu item that matches the tendency of one of the two customers more closely and the tendency of the other customer less closely approaches the side of the one customer. Therefore, each customer can quickly find the menu item that matches his or her tendency.

Furthermore, when multiple customers visit a store and are positioned facing each other, the processor 81 rearranges the menu items for each customer based on the tendency information for each customer, divides the menu screen SC2 into divided areas DR1, DR2, DR3, and DR4 for each customer, and places the image of the menu item that most closely matches the customer's tendency in the center of the divided areas DR1, DR2, DR3, and DR4 for each customer. This makes it possible to display menu items that match the tendencies of each customer, allowing quick menu item selection for each customer.

In addition, after a menu item is ordered, the processor 81 places menu items that are suggested for additional orders on the menu screen SC2, for example as a pop-up image PU. This allows customers to easily place additional orders, and also makes it easier for the restaurant to accept additional orders.

When a certain amount of time has passed since the ordered food and drink was served, for example, when a time based on the eating and drinking speed of a customer based on the customer's order history information has passed, the processor 81 places menu items for which additional orders are suggested on the menu screen SC2. This allows additional orders to be suggested at the timing the customer wants it suggested, thereby improving the probability of receiving additional orders.

Furthermore, in this case, the processor 81 selects appropriate refills, additional order items, and desserts as suggested menu items based on the customer's tendencies. For example, in conjunction with the repeat rate based on customer history, menu items that are frequently refilled are suggested before they run out. This allows customers to order the menu item they want to refill without having to go through the trouble of searching for it. From the restaurant's perspective, for example, suggesting refills when beer is running low can further increase the chances of an additional order.

The processor 81 also updates trend information based on the menu items ordered by customers. This allows restaurants to learn the preferences of their customers and use this information in product development and sales promotion.

[Second embodiment]
In this embodiment, an order terminal 1 is illustrated as one aspect of an information processing device.

Figure 14 is a block diagram showing an example of the main components of the order terminal 1 in the second embodiment. The order terminal 1 is a computer device that has the function of accepting orders from customers and the function of managing data related to menu items and custom items provided by the restaurant. Like the management server 8, the order terminal 1 includes a processor 11, a main memory 12, an auxiliary storage device 13, and a communication interface 14, and each of the main memory 12, the auxiliary storage device 13, and the communication interface 14 is connected to the processor 11 by a bus line 15 such as an address bus and a data bus. The order terminal 1 also includes a display device 16, an input device 17, and a short-range wireless communication unit 18, and these display device 16, input device 17, and short-range wireless communication unit 18 are also connected to the processor 11 by the bus line 15.

The processor 11, main memory 12, auxiliary storage device 13, and communication interface 14 may have the same hardware configuration as the processor 81, main memory 82, auxiliary storage device 83, and communication interface 84 of the management server 8.

As described in the first embodiment, the display device 16 can be a liquid crystal display in which most of the top surface (e.g., almost the entire surface) of the table TBL for the customer seats serves as the display unit 16D. The input device 17 can be a transparent touch panel that covers the entire surface of the display unit 16D. The short-range wireless communication unit 18 wirelessly communicates with the short-range wireless communication device of the customer's smartphone SP.

In this embodiment, the auxiliary storage device 13 stores, for example, a menu database 131, a customer table 132, and a temporary storage unit 133. The menu database 131 may be a copy of the menu database 831 provided in the management server 8. The customer table 132 is a table that stores information about a customer who will place an order using the order terminal 1 while the customer is using the order terminal 1. The information stored in the customer table 132 can be obtained from the customer's smartphone SP or from the management server 8. The temporary storage unit 133 corresponds to the terminal database 833 of the management server 8, and is a storage unit that stores the state of the order terminal 1. Specifically, the temporary storage unit 133 can include data items such as rearrangement menu data, screen information, and selected menu data.

Figure 15 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the data structure of the customer table 132 provided in the order terminal 1. The customer table 132 contains records for the maximum number of people at the seat where the order terminal 1 is placed. Figure 15 is a diagram corresponding to a four-person table seat. The customer table 132 stores a customer code, customer image, and trend information for each visiting customer, in association with a seating position number that is predefined for the seating position. The customer code, customer image, and trend information are as described in the first embodiment.

The processor 11 also implements, for example, an operation reception unit 111, a display control unit 112, and an order management unit 113. Each unit implemented in the processor 11 can also be referred to as each function. Each unit implemented in the processor 11 can also be referred to as being implemented in a control unit including the processor 11 and the main memory 12.

The operation reception unit 111 acquires operation information from the input device 17.

The display control unit 112 creates a screen according to the operation information acquired by the operation reception unit 111 based on the information stored in the menu database 131 and the customer table 132, and displays the screen on the display device 16. The created screens include the initial screen, menu screen, custom screen, reflection screen, and standby screen as described in the first embodiment.

The order management unit 113 determines the order contents by the orderer based on the operation information acquired by the operation reception unit 111 and the screen displayed on the display device 16, and transmits order menu data indicating the order contents to the management server 8 via the communication interface 14.

When the order terminal 1 configured as described above is powered on by turning on a power switch (not shown), a control program is started. When this control program is started, the processor 11 executes information processing according to the procedure shown in the series of flow charts in Figures 16 to 18. This processing is processing according to the control program. Note that the content of the processing shown in Figures 16 to 18 and described below is just one example, and various types of processing that can achieve similar results can be used as appropriate.

First, in ACT101, the processor 11 waits for the number of people using the order terminal 1 to be acquired. For example, the number of people can be acquired by receiving a notification from the management server 8 via the communication interface 14. Alternatively, the number of people may be acquired by acquiring an image captured by the camera 2 corresponding to the order terminal 1 via the communication interface 14 and executing a well-known person detection process from the captured image. Once the number of people has been acquired, the processor 11 proceeds to the process of ACT102.

In ACT 102, the processor 11 creates an initial screen SC1 for accepting a login operation by a customer, and displays it on the display device 16. The initial screen SC1 is as described in the first embodiment.

In ACT 103, the short-range wireless communication unit 18 acquires the customer code sent from the customer's smartphone SP and stores it in the customer table 132.

In ACT 104, the processor 11 acquires a customer image and trend information. Specifically, the processor 11 transmits the acquired customer code to the management server 8 via the communication interface 14. The processor 11 then acquires the corresponding customer image and trend information returned in response from the management server 8 via the communication interface 14. If the processor 11 is unable to acquire a customer image and/or trend information from the management server 8, the processor 11 uses the short-range wireless communication unit 18 to request the application program of the smartphone SP to transmit an avatar, which is a stored customer image, and acquires it. The processor 11 stores the acquired customer image and trend information in the customer table 132.

In ACT 105, the processor 11 determines whether or not the customer codes, customer images, and trend information for all customers in the store have been acquired. If all customer codes, customer images, and trend information have been acquired, the processor 11 proceeds to the process of ACT 106. If all customer codes, customer images, and trend information have not yet been acquired, the processor 11 proceeds to the process of ACT 102 and transmits an initial screen in which the login area AR1 is located according to the seating position of the individual whose customer code has not been acquired.

In ACT 106, the processor 11 determines whether the multiple customers are seated facing each other. Specifically, the processor 11 reads the seating positions of each customer from the customer table 132, and determines whether the customers are seated facing each other based on the seating positions. If the customers are seated facing each other, the processor 11 proceeds to the process of ACT 110. If the customers are not seated facing each other, the processor 11 proceeds to the process of ACT 107.

In ACT 107, the processor 11 rearranges the menu. Specifically, the processor 11 extracts menu items that match the tendency of the customer included in the tendency information of each person included in the customers stored in the customer table 132, based on the matching tendency included in the information for each menu item stored in the menu database 131. The processor 11 then rearranges the menu item IDs of the extracted menu items, and stores the rearrangement result in the temporary storage unit 133 as rearranged menu data.
This rearrangement is as described in the first embodiment.

In ACT 108, the processor 11 creates a menu screen SC2 to accept the selection of a menu item, and stores it in the temporary storage unit 133. The menu screen SC2 is as described in the first embodiment. However, in this embodiment, since tendency information of others is not acquired, other person avatars OA are not placed on the menu screen SC2.

In ACT 109, the processor 11 displays the menu screen SC2 stored in the temporary storage unit 133 on the display device 16.

In ACT 110, processor 11 rearranges the menu. Specifically, processor 11 extracts menu items that match the tendencies of each customer included in the tendency information for each customer included in the customers who visit stored in customer table 132, based on the matching tendencies included in the information for each menu item stored in menu database 131. Processor 11 then rearranges the extracted menu items for each of the multiple customers, and stores the rearrangement results in temporary storage unit 133 as rearranged menu data.

In ACT 111, the processor 11 creates a menu screen SC2 to accept the selection of a menu item and stores it in the temporary storage unit 133. Then, the processor 11 proceeds to the processing of ACT 109.

In ACT 112, the processor 11 determines whether or not the seating position of a customer included in the customers has changed. Specifically, the processor 11 checks, for example, whether a drag-and-drop operation has been performed by the input device 17 from the placement position of any seated person avatar to the position of a divided area for a customer other than the customer of that seated person avatar. If the seating position has changed, the processor 11 proceeds to the processing of ACT 116. If the seating position has not changed, the processor 11 proceeds to the processing of ACT 113.

In ACT 113, the processor 11 determines whether the order has been confirmed. Specifically, the processor 11 determines whether, for example, a touch operation has been performed by the input device 17 to touch an OK icon, which is added to the menu screen SC2 in response to the selection of a menu item and indicates that the menu item is to be ordered. If the order has been confirmed, the processor 11 proceeds to the process of ACT 120. If the order has not been confirmed, the processor 11 proceeds to the process of ACT 114.

In ACT 114, the processor 11 determines whether or not a menu item has been selected. Specifically, the processor 11 determines whether or not a drag-and-drop operation has been performed by the input device 17 from the arrangement position of the original size image of the menu item to the arrangement position of the menu item selection area AR4. If a menu item has been selected, the processor 11 proceeds to the processing of ACT 118. If a menu item has not been selected, the processor 11 proceeds to the processing of ACT 115.

In ACT 115, the processor 11 determines whether any operation other than the operation of moving the seating position, the operation of deciding on an order, and the selection of a menu item has been performed. Specifically, the processor 11 determines whether any operation other than these operations has been performed on the input device 17. If any operation has been performed, the processor 11 proceeds to the processing of ACT 119. If no operation has been performed, the processor 11 proceeds to the processing of ACT 112.

In ACT 116, the processor 11 updates the customer information. Specifically, the processor 11 updates the seating information in the customer table 132 according to the customer's new seating position.

In ACT 117, the processor 11 updates the menu screen SC2 and stores it in the temporary storage unit 133. Then, the processor 11 proceeds to the processing of ACT 109, and displays the updated menu screen SC2 on the display device 16.

In ACT 118, the processor 11 stores the selected menu item in the temporary storage unit 133 as selected menu data. After that, the processor 11 proceeds to the processing of ACT 112. At this time, although not specifically shown in the figure, the processor 11 can add an OK icon or the like to the menu screen SC2, which indicates that the selected menu item is to be ordered.

In ACT 119, the processor 11 executes a process corresponding to the operation on the input device 17. This process is as described in the first embodiment. After that, the processor 11 proceeds to the process of ACT 112.

In ACT 120, the processor 11 decides on the order. Specifically, the processor 11 sets the selected menu data stored in the temporary storage unit 133 as the order by the customer, and sends the order menu data including the order and the customer code of the customer to the management server 8 via the communication interface 14. At this time, although not specifically shown, the processor 11 can add an accounting icon, which indicates that the customer has finished eating and drinking and is ready to pay, to the menu screen SC2. The management server 8 that has received the order menu data can instruct the kitchen terminal 7 to prepare the ordered items, and can categorize the trends of customers as described in the first embodiment and update the trend information in the customer information record 8321.

In ACT 121, the processor 11 determines whether the order has been determined, i.e., whether an additional order has been determined. If the order has been determined, the processor 11 proceeds to the processing of ACT 120 described above. If the order has not been determined, the processor 11 proceeds to the processing of ACT 122.

In ACT 122, the processor 11 determines whether the customer's seating position has changed. If the customer's seating position has changed, the processor 11 proceeds to the process of ACT 127. If the customer's seating position has not changed, the processor 11 proceeds to the process of ACT 123.

In ACT 123, the processor 11 determines whether a menu item has been selected, i.e., whether an additional menu selection has been made. If a menu item has been selected, the processor 11 proceeds to processing in ACT 130. If a menu item has not been selected, the processor 11 proceeds to processing in ACT 124.

In ACT 124, the processor 11 determines whether a menu suggestion is necessary. Specifically, the processor 11 identifies a menu item that is likely to be combined with the ordered menu item from the order history in the tendency information of each customer stored in the customer table 132. The determination of whether a menu suggestion is necessary based on the order interval with this identified menu item is as described in the first embodiment. If a menu suggestion is necessary, the processor 11 proceeds to the processing of ACT 131. If a menu suggestion is not necessary, the processor 11 proceeds to the processing of ACT 125.

In ACT 125, the processor 11 determines whether or not a checkout operation has been performed using the input device 17. Specifically, the processor 11 determines, for example, whether or not a checkout icon (not shown) arranged on the menu screen SC2 has been touched. If a checkout operation has been performed, the processor 11 proceeds to the process of ACT 135. If a checkout operation has not been performed, the processor 11 proceeds to the process of ACT 126.

In ACT 126, the processor 11 determines whether any operation other than the operation of deciding on an order, changing seating position, selecting a menu item, or paying has been performed. Specifically, the processor 11 determines whether any operation other than these operations has been performed on the input device 17. If any operation has been performed, the processor 11 proceeds to the processing of ACT 134. If no operation has been performed, the processor 11 proceeds to the processing of ACT 121 described above.

In ACT 127, the processor 11 updates the customer information. Then, in ACT 128, the processor 11 updates the menu screen SC2 to display content according to the customer's movement and stores it in the temporary storage unit 133. Then, in ACT 129, the processor 11 displays the updated menu screen SC2 stored in the temporary storage unit 133 on the display device 16. Then, the processor 11 proceeds to the processing of ACT 121 above.

In ACT 130, the processor 11 stores the selected menu item in the temporary storage unit 133 as selected menu data. The processor 11 then proceeds to the processing of ACT 121 above.

In ACT 131, the processor 11 determines a suggested menu. Specifically, the processor 11 determines the menu items identified from the order history in the trend information of each customer stored in the customer table 132 as the suggested menu items.

In ACT 132, the processor 11 updates the menu screen SC2 to include the suggested menu, and stores it in the temporary storage unit 133. Then, in ACT 133, the processor 11 displays the updated menu screen SC2 stored in the temporary storage unit 133 on the display device 16. After that, the processor 81 proceeds to the processing of ACT 121.

In ACT 134, the processor 11 executes processing corresponding to the operation performed by the input device 17, and then proceeds to the processing of ACT 121.

In ACT 135, the processor 11 sends an accounting notification to the management server 8 via the communication interface 14. As a result, the management server 8 starts accounting for the customer who was using the order terminal 1.

In ACT 136, the processor 11 clears the contents stored in the customer table 132 and the temporary storage unit 133. The processor 11 then ends the processing according to the control program shown in this flowchart.

This concludes the explanation of the processing according to the control program.

As described above, the order terminal 1 as an information processing device according to this embodiment can achieve the same effects as the first embodiment.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment.

For example, as an example of dividing the menu screen SC2, the four divided regions DR1, DR2, DR3, and DR4 were given when the number of customers visiting the store was four, but in the case of three customers, it may be divided into four or three. The number of customers may also be five or more, and the number of divisions may be adjusted according to the number of customers.

In addition, to display full-size images of menu items, one menu item is placed in each divided area, but images of multiple menu items may be placed by displaying images smaller than full-size.

In addition, while menu items are arranged in each divided area according to the tendencies of each customer, menu items that are in line with the tendencies of all customers may be displayed in each divided area. For example, if the customers are three customers A, B, and C, and all three like meat, and dislike is assigned 1 point, normal is assigned 2 points, and like is assigned 3 points, then meat dishes will be assigned 3 + 3 + 3 = 9 points. Furthermore, if customer A dislikes tomatoes, customer B likes them, and customer C is normal, then tomato dishes will be assigned 1 + 2 + 3 = 6 points. Thus, images of meat dishes are arranged in the center of each divided area, and images of tomato dishes are arranged near the edges of each divided area. In this case, the degree of tendency of each customer for each menu item may be presented as the distance of the avatar. In this way, everyone's favorite menu items can be seen at a glance.

A customization screen may also be added that allows the selection of customizations such as toppings for the menu item selected on the menu screen SC2. On this customization screen, the customized items may also be rearranged and displayed according to the tendencies of customers.

In addition, in the second embodiment, the processor 11 of the order terminal 1 may be configured to operate independently if communication with the management server 8 is not possible for some reason. For example, if an order cannot be sent to the management server 8 in ACT 120, the processor 11 may instruct the kitchen terminal 7 to start cooking, or if an accounting notice cannot be sent to the management server 8 in ACT 135, the processor 11 may instruct the accounting terminal 4 to process the accounting. In this case, the order information and the like are stored in the auxiliary storage device 13, and the stored information is passed on when communication with the management server 8 is restored.

Although several other embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents as set forth in the claims.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1...order terminal, 2...camera, 3...printer, 4...accounting terminal, 5...communication unit, 6...console, 7...kitchen terminal, 8...management server, 9...network, 11,81...processor, 12,82...main memory, 13,83...auxiliary storage device, 14,84...communication interface, 15,85...bus line, 16...display device, 16D...display section, 17...input device, 18...near-field wireless communication unit, 111...operation reception section, 112...display control section, 113...order management section, 131...menu database, 132...customer table, 133...temporary storage section, 811...operation reception section, 812...order terminal display control section, 813...order management section, 831...menu database, 832...customer database, 8321...customer information record, 833...terminal database, 834...order database, AB1...avatar, AB1, AB2...avatar, AR1...login area, AR2...first menu item display area, AR3...second menu item display area, AR4...menu item selection area, DR1, DR2, DR3, DR4...division area, F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6...fields, IC1...information icon, IC2...help icon, ME1...login message, OA...other person avatar, PA1, PA2, PA3, PA4...seater avatar, PU...pop-up image, RB...range bar, RI1, RI2...recommended item image, SC1...initial screen, SC2...menu screen, SP...smartphone, TBL...table.

Claims (7)

A first storage unit that stores images of each menu item of food and drink that can be provided;
A second storage unit that stores trend information that indicates a trend for each customer;
a communication unit that communicates with an order terminal that accepts orders for the menu items;
A first control unit that rearranges the menu items based on the trend information of customers who visit the store;
a second control unit that creates a menu screen including the image of one or more of the rearranged menu items, for receiving a selection of the menu items to be ordered by the customer who has come to the restaurant, and transmits the created menu screen to the order terminal;
An information processing device comprising: The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the second control unit places the image of the menu item that most closely matches the tendency of the visiting customer in the center of the menu screen. If the number of customers who came to the store is two and the two customers are positioned side by side,
The first control unit rearranges the menu items based on the tendency information of the two customers,
The information processing device according to claim 2 , wherein the second control unit arranges the image of the menu item that has the highest degree of match with the tendencies of the two customers in a center of the menu screen. The information processing device according to claim 3, wherein the second control unit arranges the images of the menu items on the menu screen so that the images of the menu items that match the tendency of one of the two customers more closely and match the tendency of the other customer less closely are closer to the side of the one customer. When the number of customers who have come to the store is more than one and the customers are arranged facing each other,
The first control unit rearranges the menu items for each customer based on the trend information for each customer;
The second control unit is
Dividing the menu screen into separate areas for each customer;
The information processing device according to claim 2 , wherein for each of the customers, the image of the menu item that most closely matches the tendency of the customer is placed in the center of the divided area. An order terminal that is placed at each seat in the restaurant and receives orders for menu items from customers who visit the restaurant;
an information processing device that transmits a menu screen for receiving a selection of the menu items to be ordered by the customer who has visited the restaurant to the order terminal and receives the order for the menu items from the order terminal;
A restaurant system comprising:
The information processing device includes:
A first storage unit that stores images of each menu item of food and drink that can be provided;
A second storage unit that stores trend information that indicates a trend for each customer;
a communication unit that communicates with an order terminal that accepts orders for the menu items;
A first control unit that rearranges the menu items based on the trend information of the customers who visit the store;
a second control unit that creates a menu screen including the image of one or more of the rearranged menu items, for receiving a selection of the menu items to be ordered by the customer who has come to the restaurant, and transmits the created menu screen to the order terminal;
A restaurant system comprising: A computer of an information processing device that includes a first storage unit that stores images of each menu item of food and drink that can be provided, and a second storage unit that stores trend information that represents trends for each customer, and that communicates with an order terminal that accepts orders for the menu items,
A function of rearranging the menu items based on the trend information of customers who visit the restaurant;
a function of creating a menu screen including the image of one or more of the rearranged menu items, for receiving a selection of the menu items to be ordered by the customer who has come to the restaurant, and transmitting the created menu screen to the order terminal;
A control program to achieve this.