Attention reminding method, store system, store processing device, and program

Abstract

A store system (1) is provided with: a detection unit (150) that is configured so as to be able to detect, at each of two or more seats arranged along a conveyance path (906), an attention state in which a foreign object has occurred approaching the conveyance path (906); a conveyance information acquisition unit 143 that acquires conveyance information relating to the operating state of the conveyance device; a determination unit (161) that determines whether or not a predetermined attention condition is satisfied on the basis of the transport information and the detection result of the detection unit (150); and an attention unit 165 that, if the determination unit 161 determines that the predetermined attention condition is satisfied, outputs attention information for reminding that there is a possibility of noticing an abnormality in the product 5 being conveyed using the conveyance path 906. By means of the store system (1), it is possible to alert that there is a possibility of an abnormality in the product (5) conveyed using the conveyance path (906).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a method for reminding attention, a store system, a store processing device and a program that can be used in a store where goods are transported to a user by a transport device. Background Art

[0002] In the past, for example, in restaurants that provide sushi and other products, a conveying device is used to convey products to a table where a visitor or user is waiting. In such a conveying device, the product can be arranged on a conveying path and conveyed to the user, thereby providing the product to the user.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 listed below discloses a structure of a food management device for managing food that is contained in a food container placed on a conveyance path of a food conveyance device and conveyed.

[0004] Furthermore, Patent Document 2 listed below discloses a configuration in which, for example, in a store such as a restaurant, a visitor, that is, a user, can place an order for merchandise at each seat using a portable information terminal or the like.

[0005] [Prior art literature]

[0006] [Patent Document]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent No. 5722842

[0008] [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2021-015529 Summary of the invention

[0009] In addition, when a foreign object approaches a commodity during transportation by a transport device and an abnormality occurs to the commodity, in order for the staff working in the store or the visitor to the store, that is, the user, to respond to the situation, it is necessary to know that an abnormality may have occurred. However, it is not practical for the user to constantly monitor whether an abnormality occurs during transportation by a transport device.

[0010] The present disclosure aims to provide a method, a store system, a store processing device and a program for reminding a user to be aware of possible abnormalities in commodities transported using a transport path.

[0011] The first disclosed method of reminding attention is to control a conveying device installed in a store to convey commodities arranged on a conveying path to a predetermined conveying destination among two or more seats arranged along the conveying path.

[0012] outputting a transport notification in a manner corresponding to the transport destination, the transport notification indicating that the commodity is about to be transported to the transport destination by the transport device,

[0013] Based on information from a sensor installed in the store, determining whether a state of caution in which a foreign object approaches the transport path occurs in each of the two or more seats,

[0014] When the transport notification unit outputs the transport notification, and it is determined that the attention condition is satisfied when it is determined that the attention state occurs in any of the seats located upstream of the transport destination in the commodity transport direction of the transport device,

[0015] When it is determined that the caution condition is satisfied, caution information is output to a notification unit, the caution information being used to call attention to a possible abnormality of the commodity being conveyed using the conveyance path.

[0016] According to this method, after the transport notification is output, when the caution state occurs in any of the seats located upstream of the transport destination, it is possible to warn the user of the possibility of abnormality in the product being transported using the transport path.

[0017] In the second disclosed store system, the aforementioned store system has:

[0018] The transport control unit controls the operation of the transport device installed in the store to transport the merchandise arranged on the transport path to a predetermined transport destination among two or more seats arranged along the transport path.

[0019] a detection unit configured to detect, at each of the two or more seats, a state of attention in which a foreign object approaches the conveying path;

[0020] a judgment unit that judges that a caution condition is satisfied when the detection unit detects that the caution state occurs in any of the seats located upstream of the conveying destination in the commodity conveying direction of the conveying device during the conveying of the commodity; and

[0021] The caution unit outputs caution information when the judgment unit judges that the caution condition is satisfied, wherein the caution information is used to warn the user of the possibility of abnormality in the commodity being conveyed using the conveyance path.

[0022] With this configuration, it is possible to warn that an abnormality may have occurred in the product being transported using the transport path.

[0023] Furthermore, relative to the second disclosure, the store system of the third disclosure comprises: a transport notification unit, which outputs a transport notification in a manner corresponding to the transport destination, wherein the transport notification indicates that the merchandise is about to be transported to the transport destination by a transport device, and the attention condition includes: after the transport notification unit outputs the transport notification, the occurrence of an attention state is detected in any of the seats located upstream of the transport destination.

[0024] With this configuration, it is possible to warn that an abnormality may have occurred in a product for which a transport notification has been output.

[0025] Furthermore, with respect to the second or third disclosure, in the store system of the fourth disclosure, the attention condition includes: when the merchandise is not being transported, the occurrence of the attention state is detected in any one of two or more seats.

[0026] With this configuration, it is possible to output warning information even when the product is not being transported.

[0027] Furthermore, relative to any one of the second to fourth disclosures, in the store system of the fifth disclosure, the attention state includes a state in which a foreign object enters a predetermined detection area, and the aforementioned predetermined detection area is located at a position away from the side of the aforementioned conveying path when viewed from the conveying direction of the conveying path.

[0028] With this configuration, it is possible to detect the entry of foreign matter into the detection area away from the conveying path to the side, and in response to the situation, a warning can be issued regarding the possibility that an abnormality has occurred with the product.

[0029] Furthermore, in the store system of the sixth disclosure, relative to the fifth disclosure, the detection unit includes a sensor provided corresponding to each of the two or more seats and configured such that the measured physical quantity changes according to a foreign object entering a detection area.

[0030] With this configuration, the occurrence of the attention state can be detected with higher accuracy.

[0031] Furthermore, relative to the fifth or sixth disclosure, in the store system of the seventh disclosure, the detection unit includes: a camera, which is set in a manner such that a detection area of ​​at least one seat among two or more seats is included in the camera range; and an image determination unit, which determines whether an attention state has occurred based on the photographic results of the camera.

[0032] With this configuration, it is possible to detect the occurrence of an attention state for one or more seats corresponding to an area that can be captured by the camera.

[0033] Furthermore, relative to any one of the fifth to seventh disclosures, in the store system of the eighth disclosure, the detection unit includes: a distance measuring sensor, which is provided corresponding to a group of at least two seats among more than two seats, and can detect the distance to a foreign object entering a detection area of ​​each seat in the group; and a seat determination unit, which determines in which seat the attention state has occurred based on the distance to the foreign object detected by the distance measuring sensor.

[0034] According to this configuration, it is possible to detect the occurrence of the attention state at each seat using the detection units whose number is smaller than the number of seats.

[0035] Furthermore, with respect to any one of the first to eighth disclosures, in the store system of the ninth disclosure, when the detection unit detects that an attention state has occurred, and when the judgment unit determines that a predetermined attention condition is satisfied, the attention unit outputs attention information in an output pattern corresponding to the seat where the detection unit detects that an attention state has occurred.

[0036] With this configuration, information about the seat in which the attention state is detected can be known from the output attention information.

[0037] Furthermore, relative to any one of the first to ninth disclosures, in the store system disclosed in the tenth disclosure, when the judgment unit determines that a predetermined attention condition is satisfied during the transportation of goods, the attention unit outputs attention information by means of an output pattern corresponding to the destination of transportation of the goods, i.e., the seat, through the detection unit.

[0038] With this configuration, information about the seat in which the attention state is detected can be known from the output attention information.

[0039] Furthermore, with respect to any one of the first to tenth disclosures, in the store system disclosed in the eleventh disclosure, when the detection unit detects that an attention state has occurred, and when the judgment unit determines that a predetermined attention condition is satisfied, the attention unit stores the attention information in the storage unit in correspondence with the information that can identify the seat where the attention state has been detected by the detection unit.

[0040] With this configuration, it is possible to use the attention information corresponding to the seat in which the attention state is detected.

[0041] Furthermore, relative to any one of the first to eleventh disclosures, the store system of the twelfth disclosure comprises: a transport control unit that controls the operation of the transport device, and when the determination unit determines that a predetermined caution condition is satisfied during the transport of the commodity, the transport control unit stops the transport of the commodity.

[0042] With this configuration, it is possible to increase the possibility of preventing abnormal situations that actually occur in products being transported using the transport path.

[0043] The store system comprises: and, relative to any one of the third to twelfth disclosures, the store system of the thirteenth disclosure, the conveying device comprises a start button installed in the kitchen of the store, when the conveying start button is operated, the conveying control unit starts the operation of the conveying device, and when the conveying start button is operated, the conveying notification unit outputs a conveying notification.

[0044] According to this configuration, since the transport notification unit outputs the transport notification when the transport start button is operated, the transport notification can be output reliably. Therefore, it is possible to accurately detect whether the caution state occurs after the transport notification is output.

[0045] Furthermore, relative to any one of the disclosures 3 to 12, the store system disclosed in the fourteenth disclosure is characterized in that the conveying device has a product sensor, which is installed at the boundary between the kitchen and the inside of the store and is capable of detecting products delivered from the kitchen to the store, and when the product sensor detects the product, the conveying notification unit outputs a conveying notification.

[0046] With this configuration, when the goods sent from the kitchen to the store are detected, the transport notification unit outputs the transport notification, so the goods exposed in the store can be accurately monitored. Therefore, it can be accurately detected whether the attention state occurs after the goods are sent to the store.

[0047] Furthermore, with respect to any one of the third to twelfth disclosures, the store system disclosed in the fifteenth disclosure is characterized in that the conveying device is installed in the kitchen of the store in a manner connected to the starting point of the conveying path, the conveying device has a transfer conveying path for transferring the goods to the conveying path, and a product sensor for detecting the transfer of the goods from the transfer conveying path to the conveying path, and when the product sensor detects the goods, the conveying notification unit outputs a conveying notification.

[0048] With this configuration, when the commodity sensor detects the commodity transferred from the transfer conveying path to the conveying path, the conveying notification unit outputs a conveying notification. Therefore, the commodity moving on the conveying path and being conveyed into the store can be accurately monitored. As a result, it can be accurately detected whether the commodity delivered into the store is in a state of caution.

[0049] Furthermore, relative to any one of the disclosures from the third to the twelfth, the store system disclosed in the sixteenth disclosure is characterized in that the conveying device has a weight sensor, which is installed on the conveying path and detects the goods when they are placed on the conveying path, and when the weight sensor detects the goods, the conveying notification unit outputs a conveying notification.

[0050] With this configuration, since the transport notification unit outputs the transport notification when the commodity is placed on the transport path, the transport notification can be output reliably. Therefore, it can be accurately detected whether the caution state occurs after the transport notification is output. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0051] Figure 1 This is a diagram for explaining an example of a transport device of a store using the store system according to the present embodiment.

[0052] Figure 2 This is a top view showing the outline of the same store system.

[0053] Figure 3 It is a side sectional view schematically showing the detection area in the same store system.

[0054] Figure 4 This is a diagram showing the block structure of the same store system.

[0055] Figure 5 This is a diagram showing an example of user information using the same information processing device.

[0056] Figure 6 This is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the information processing device.

[0057] Figure 7 This is a flowchart showing an example of the caution condition determination process performed by the same information processing device.

[0058] Figure 8 This is a diagram showing an example of a screen for performing notification based on caution information in the same notification device.

[0059] Fig. 9 This is a flowchart showing a variation of the caution condition determination process performed by the same information processing device.

[0060] Fig.10 This is a diagram showing another example of a screen for performing notification based on caution information in the same notification device.

[0061] Fig.11 This is a diagram showing the block structure of a store system according to Embodiment 2 of the present disclosure.

[0062] Fig.12 This is a top view showing the outline of the same store system.

[0063] Fig.13 This is a diagram showing the block structure of a store system of a variation of the second embodiment.

[0064] Fig.14 This is a top view showing the outline of the same store system.

[0065] Fig.15 This is a plan view showing an overview of a store system according to a modified example of the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0066] Fig.16 This is a flowchart showing another variation of the caution condition determination process performed by the information processing device according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0067] Fig.17 This is an overview diagram of the computer system in the above-mentioned embodiment.

[0068] Fig.18 is a block diagram of the same computer system.

[0069] Fig.19 It is a top view schematically showing a store system, and is a diagram showing a transport path including a delivery transport path. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0070] Hereinafter, embodiments of the store system, etc. will be described with reference to the drawings. In the embodiments, components denoted by the same reference numerals perform the same operations, and therefore, description thereof may be omitted.

[0071] In addition, the terms used below are generally defined as follows. In addition, the meaning of these terms should not always be interpreted as shown here, for example, in the case of individual descriptions below, they should also be interpreted according to the descriptions.

[0072] For a certain item, the so-called identifier is a word or symbol that uniquely represents the item. The identifier is, for example, an ID, but any type of identifier is acceptable as long as it is information that can identify the corresponding item. That is, the identifier can also be a name representing the item itself, or a combination of symbols in a unique corresponding manner.

[0073] The so-called acquisition may include acquiring items input by a user or the like, and may also include acquiring information stored in other devices. The so-called acquisition of information stored in other devices may also include acquiring information stored in other devices through an API or the like, and may also include acquiring by crawling the contents of document files (including the contents of web pages, etc.) provided by other devices. Furthermore, it may also include acquiring information by optically reading text from image files, and acquiring information in a format different from the original information.

[0074] Furthermore, the so-called machine learning techniques can also be used to obtain information. The use of machine learning techniques can be carried out, for example, as follows. That is, a learner (learning information) is constructed using machine learning techniques, and the learner takes a specific type of input information as input, and takes the type of output information to be obtained as output. For example, a combination of two or more sets of input information and output information is prepared in advance, and the two or more sets of information are handed over to a module for constituting a machine learning learner to constitute a learner, and the constructed learner is stored in a storage unit. In addition, the learner can also be called a classifier. In addition, machine learning techniques such as deep learning, random forest, SVM, etc. are not limited. In addition, in machine learning, for example, functions in various machine learning frameworks such as fastText, tinySVM, random forest, TensorFlow, or various existing program libraries can be used. Sometimes this use of a learner to obtain information is referred to as acquisition by machine learning.

[0075] Furthermore, the learner is not limited to that obtained by machine learning. For example, the learner may be a table representing the correspondence between an input vector based on input information and output information. In this case, the output information corresponding to the feature vector based on the input information can be obtained from the table, or two or more input vectors in the table and parameters such as weighting of each input vector can be used to generate a vector approximating the feature vector based on the input information, and the final output information is obtained using the output information and parameters corresponding to each input vector used for generation. Sometimes this use of a learner to obtain information is referred to as obtaining the use of a correspondence. Furthermore, the learner may be, for example, a function representing the relationship between an input vector based on input information and information used to generate output information. In this case, for example, the information corresponding to the feature vector based on the input information can be obtained by a function, and the output information can be obtained using the obtained information. Sometimes this use of a learner to obtain information is referred to as obtaining the use of a function.

[0076] Output information includes the following concepts: display on a display, projection using a projector, printing using a printer, sound output, transmission to an external device, storage in a recording medium, submission of processing results to other processing devices or other programs, etc. Specifically, it includes, for example, information that can be displayed on a web page, transmitted as an e-mail, etc., or output for printing, etc.

[0077] The so-called acceptance of information includes the following concepts: acceptance of information input from input devices such as a keyboard, mouse or touch panel, reception of information transmitted from other devices through wired or wireless communication lines, or acceptance of information read from recording media such as optical disks, magnetic disks, semiconductor memories, etc.

[0078] With respect to various information stored in an information processing device or the like, updating is a concept including adding new information to the stored information, deleting part or all of the stored information, and the like, in addition to changing the stored information.

[0079] (Implementation Method)

[0080] The summary of this embodiment is as follows. The store system of this embodiment is used in a store using a conveying device, and the conveying device can convey goods arranged on a conveying path to a predetermined conveying destination among two or more seats arranged along the conveying path. The store system determines whether a predetermined attention condition is met based on the operation state of the conveying device and the detection result of the attention state of a foreign object approaching the conveying path by the detection unit, and is configured to output attention information when it is determined that the attention condition is met. By outputting the attention information, it is possible to remind attention to the possibility of abnormality of the goods conveyed using the conveying path.

[0081] In addition, the attention condition may include the occurrence of the attention state detected in any of the seats upstream of the seat of the transfer destination during the transfer of the goods. Furthermore, the attention condition may include the occurrence of the attention state detected after the transfer notification that the output goods are about to be transferred to the transfer destination is displayed. The attention condition may also include the occurrence of the attention state detected when the goods are not being transferred.

[0082] The attention state may include a state in which a foreign object enters a detection area on the side of the conveying path from the conveying direction of the conveying path. The detection unit may be, for example: a sensor, which is set corresponding to each of two or more seats and is configured so that the measured physical quantity changes according to the foreign object entering the detection area. The detection unit may be configured to include: a camera, which is set in a manner that includes a detection area of ​​at least one seat among the two or more seats within a camera range; and an image determination unit. In addition, the detection unit may also include: a distance measuring sensor, which is set corresponding to at least two seats among the two or more seats and can detect the distance to the foreign object entering the detection area of ​​each corresponding seat; and a seat determination unit, which determines at which seat the attention state occurs. The detection unit may also include: a camera, which is set in a manner that includes the vicinity of the conveying path of at least one seat within a camera range; and an image determination unit.

[0083] The store system may output the caution information in the output pattern corresponding to the seat where the caution state is detected or in the output pattern corresponding to the seat which is the transfer destination.

[0084] When the determination unit determines that a predetermined caution condition is satisfied, the conveyance of the product may be suspended (for example, this may mean execution of a stop or return operation, etc.).

[0085] Hereinafter, a configuration example of a store system configured in this manner and an information processing device used therein will be described.

[0086] Figure 1 This is a diagram for explaining an example of a transport device 900 of a store used in the store system 1 according to the embodiment. Figure 2 It is a top view showing the outline of the store system 1.

[0087] The store system 1 according to the present embodiment is used in a store such as a restaurant, for example. Figure 1 Indicates a part of an appliance, etc. Figure 2 9 shows an example of a conveying device 900 in a store such as a restaurant. The restaurant is, for example, a so-called conveyor belt sushi restaurant. In addition, the store using the store system 1 may also be a restaurant of other business forms and types, or a store other than a restaurant. Furthermore, the goods provided to the user are not limited to being charged or free.

[0088] In addition, in this embodiment, the so-called commodity is, for example, food and beverage such as sushi. For example, it can be food such as nigiri sushi and hand-rolled sushi, or other food. In addition, food and beverage may also include beverages, snacks, food in containers or packaged food, etc. In addition, the commodity may also include valuable items other than food and beverage.

[0089] In this embodiment, the store system 1 allows the user, who is a visitor, to place an order for merchandise at each seat. In addition, in the store system 1, the merchandise can be transported to the user's seat by the transport device 900.

[0090] Here, the so-called seat is a concept, which means a seat or table used by a user who becomes the destination of the goods. A seat corresponds to a customer group of one or more users who purchase goods (the customer group includes more than one user, or one user). For example, in a restaurant, that is, a store, when a customer group composed of multiple users comes to the store, the customer group is guided to a table in the store, and the table is equivalent to a seat. And, for example, in a restaurant, that is, a store, when a customer group of one user comes to the store, the customer group is guided to a bar seat in the store, and the bar seat is equivalent to a seat. In addition, the so-called seat is not limited to representing an actual seat or table. A seat can be a seat corresponding to a group composed of more than one user, and represents the buyer, orderer, destination of the goods of the group, and other persons. Such a seat can be real or virtual. That is, the so-called seat is a concept, which represents a unit that becomes the destination of the goods and collects the consideration for the goods. In the following description, seats corresponding to such users (customer groups) may be simply referred to as users. In other words, providing products to seats corresponding to users (customer groups) may be simply referred to as providing products to users.

[0091] The store system 1 includes a transport device 900 , a lower transport device 920 , an information processing device 100 , and a notification device 700 .

[0092] The store used by the store system 1 includes, for example, a store interior 1a where users eat and drink and a kitchen 1b where products are cooked or prepared. In the store interior 1a, for example, there are provided a table 980 or seats 981 for users to eat and drink. As the table 980, a bar table 980b where users can line up and eat and drink can also be used.

[0093] The notification device 700 is, for example, a reception terminal corresponding to each seat. One notification device 700 may be shared by two or more seats. Also, two or more notification devices 700 may be used corresponding to one seat. Also, the notification device 700 may be arranged in the kitchen 1b and may be used by the staff in the store.

[0094] In this embodiment, a group of customers can place orders for products using notification device 700 having a touch panel or other screen, namely notification display device 761 , which is provided corresponding to the seats they use.

[0095] In addition, although a tablet-type information terminal device is shown in the figure as the notification device 700, a portable information terminal device or a personal computer (PC) may also be used as the notification device 700.

[0096] In the store system 1, the user of the corresponding seat can use the so-called electronic menu displayed by the notification device 700 to place an order for the product 5. For example, an existing structure can be used for the structure for accepting the order of the product 5. For example, the information processing device 100 accepts the order of each seat based on the order operation performed by the user on the notification device 700 corresponding to each seat, and transmits the content of the order to the terminal (not shown) installed in the kitchen 1b, thereby providing the product 5 corresponding to the order.

[0097] In addition, in this embodiment, the store system 1 can communicate with the terminal device 600 ( Figure 4 The terminal device 600 may be considered as a part of the store system 1 or may be considered as not being included in the store system 1. The terminal device 600 is used, for example, by a user. That is, the store system 1 may be configured so that customers of a restaurant or the like, that is, users, can use and utilize the terminal device 600, etc. In this case. Customers may also use one or more terminal devices 600 they have to place orders for goods, etc. In this case, for example, the structure of a store system as described in the above-mentioned patent document 2 may be adopted.

[0098] In addition, as the terminal device 600, for example, a portable information terminal device such as a so-called smart phone can be used. The terminal device 600 has a screen such as a touch panel, that is, a terminal display device 661 ( Figure 4 In addition, a tablet-type information terminal device or a personal computer (PC) such as a laptop computer can also be used as the terminal device 600.

[0099] In addition, the terminal device 600 may be used by store staff such as a waiter. That is, the store staff may use the terminal device 600 to use the store system 1. For example, the store staff may use the terminal device 600 to transmit information such as order contents from each seat to the information processing device 100, etc., thereby accepting the order.

[0100] In the present embodiment, the notification device 700 is configured to receive information output (transmitted) from the information processing device 100, and to display information etc. on the notification display device 761 based on the received information. The notification device 700 is configured to display information etc. based on the alarm information when outputting alarm information as described later to itself. In addition, the notification device 700 is configured to output sound or light etc., and may be configured to output sound or light etc. based on the output alarm information. In addition, in the case of using the terminal device 600, similarly, it is only necessary to display etc. on the terminal display device 661 based on the information received from the information processing device 100.

[0101] In addition, in the store system 1, the devices that can communicate with each other can communicate with each other through a network such as a local area network or the Internet, but are not limited thereto. The number of devices included in the store system 1 is not limited, and other devices can also be included in the store system 1.

[0102] The lower conveying device 920 has a conveying path 926 that carries plates with goods 5 such as sushi. The conveying path 926 is laid in the store 1a so as to convey the plates near each table 980. The conveying path 926 is formed, for example, using a crescent chain with a flat upper surface, but is not limited to this. The conveying path 926 is configured to convey the plates in a predetermined conveying direction and circulate them between the tables 980 in the store 1a and the kitchen 1b. Figure 2 In the figure, the lower conveying device 920 is omitted.

[0103] The conveying device 900 is provided above the lower conveying device 920. In addition, the position of the conveying device 900 in the vertical direction relative to the lower conveying device 920 is not limited thereto.

[0104] The transport device 900 has a transport path 906 disposed above the transport path 926. A plate carrying the product 5 can be placed on the transport path 906. The transport path 906 is laid in the store 1a so as to transport the plate near each table 980. The transport path 906 is configured using, for example, a conveyor belt on which the plate can be placed, but may also be configured so that a stand on which the plate can be placed moves in the transport direction.

[0105] The transport path 906 can move the plate in a predetermined transport direction ( Figure 2 The conveying path 906 is arranged to pass between the seats arranged so as to sandwich the conveying path 926 from above, but the present invention is not limited thereto. A plurality of conveying paths 906 are provided in the store 1a. One side of the end of each conveying path 906 is located in the kitchen 1b.

[0106] The transport device 900 is controlled by a transport control unit 902 ( Figure 4 The transport control unit 902 is, for example, a control circuit that can control the driving of a motor (not shown) for driving the transport path 906. The transport control unit 902 is, for example, configured to control the driving of the transport path 906 based on the control performed by the processing unit 140 of the information processing device 100 described later.

[0107] The transport path 906 is driven by the transport control unit 902 to transport the plate carrying the commodity 5, i.e., sushi, etc., from the kitchen 1b to the store 1a. That is, the transport path 906 transports the plate carrying the commodity 5, i.e., sushi, etc., from the upstream to the downstream. When viewed from a certain point on the transport path 906, the so-called upstream is the side where the commodity 5 approaches, and the so-called downstream is the side where the commodity 5 moves away. The transport path 906 may extend in a straight line or in a curved line.

[0108] In this embodiment, the seat that becomes the delivery destination can be determined and the goods 5 etc. can be provided by the transport device 900. That is, the transport device 900 is configured to be able to transport the goods 5 etc. to the determined delivery destination. The delivery destination (delivery destination) can be determined, for example, by instructions from a staff member in the kitchen 1b, etc., but the delivery destination can also be determined based on information output from the information processing device 100, etc.

[0109] Here, if Figure 2 As shown, in the kitchen 1b of the store, the conveying device 900 is provided with a conveying start button 900a. This conveying start button 900a may be a mechanical push button or an image displayed on a predetermined display. In addition, the conveying start button 900a may also be displayed on the notification device 700 described later. When the conveying device 900 does not convey the commodity 5, the conveying path 906 may be in a stopped state. Then, when the commodity 5 designated by the user is ready and is to be conveyed to the conveying destination, the staff loads the commodity 5 on the conveying path 906 and presses the conveying start button 900a to start conveying the commodity 5. When the conveying of the commodity 5 starts, the conveying automatically stops when the commodity 5 conveyed from the upstream to the conveying destination arrives at the conveying destination. Thus, the user can reach out to the commodity 5 stopped on the conveying path 906 from the seat at the conveying destination and take the commodity 5.

[0110] In addition, in the present embodiment, it is preferable to quickly carry out the goods 5 and the like provided by the conveying device 900, and the conveying speed by the conveying path 906 becomes higher than the conveying speed by the conveying path 926. For example, the goods 5 and the like provided by the conveying device 900 can be mainly carried out in response to the order from the user at each seat as described later. On the other hand, the goods 5 and the like provided by the lower conveying device 920 can be carried out regardless of the order from the user. Thereby, for example, the user can purchase the goods 5 conveyed by the lower conveying device 920 and passing near the seat at any time, and when there is a desired goods 5, the user can place an order and purchase the goods 5 conveyed by the conveying device 900.

[0111] Here, the detection device 301 is used in the store system 1. In this embodiment, the detection device 301 is, for example, a camera (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as the camera 301). The camera 301 is configured, for example, to be arranged at each seat and to be able to capture an image (either a still image or a dynamic image) of a range of a predetermined detection area Z including the seat.

[0112] like Figure 1 As shown, in this embodiment, each seat is partitioned by a partition 985 having a certain height, and the camera 301 is arranged so that the space partitioned by the partition 985 and used by one seat is taken as the photographing range.

[0113] Figure 3 1 is a side sectional view schematically showing a detection area Z in the store system 1 .

[0114] exist Figure 3 In the figure, for one seat, a cross section viewed from the transport direction of the transport device 900 is shown. In the present embodiment, the detection area Z is an area located away from the transport path 906 to the side when viewed from the transport direction of the transport path 906. Here, the so-called side may also be referred to as the side where the user of the seat is located. When the user using the seat extends his hand to the transport path 906, the detection area Z is an area where a part of the user's body, such as the hand or arm, exists. A part of the user's body that extends his hand to the transport path 906 passes through the detection area Z corresponding to the seat, or exists in the detection area Z. The so-called extending the hand to the transport path 906 means, for example, being able to pick up an object on the transport path 906 by hand or placing an object on the transport path 906.

[0115] In this embodiment, an upper structure such as the notification device 700 is provided on the upper part of the conveying device 900. The detection area Z is provided in the vertical direction between the conveying device 900 and the upper structure. The vertical position or size of the detection area Z is not limited thereto.

[0116] like Figure 2 As shown, in the present embodiment, the detection area Z is set near the transport path 906 for each seat.

[0117] In this embodiment, the camera 301 is arranged so that the direction close to the conveying direction of the conveying device 900 is taken as the shooting direction, and the detection area Z is included in the viewing angle. The camera 301 is arranged so that when the user using the seat extends his hand to the conveying path 906, the camera 301 can shoot the hand when a part of the body enters or passes through the detection area Z.

[0118] In addition, the arrangement of the camera 301 is not limited to this. For example, the camera 301 may be positioned downward from the vicinity of the ceiling to capture a range including the detection area Z.

[0119] Figure 4 It is a diagram showing the block structure of the same store system 1.

[0120] As shown in the figure, the information processing device 100 includes a storage unit 110 , a receiving unit 120 , an accepting unit 130 , a processing unit 140 , and a transmitting unit 170 .

[0121] The storage unit 110 includes a product information storage unit 111 and a user information storage unit 115 .

[0122] The storage unit 110 is preferably a non-volatile recording medium, but may also be implemented as a volatile recording medium. The information etc. acquired in each device is stored in these media respectively, but the process of storing the information etc. is not limited thereto. For example, the information etc. may be stored in a recording medium, the information transmitted through a communication line etc. may be stored, or the information input through an input device may be stored.

[0123] The product information storage unit 111 stores, for example, product information about the products 5 that can be provided in the store. The product information may also be referred to as information about the menu. For example, the product information of the product 5 is stored in correspondence with a product identifier for identifying each product 5. The product information may include, for example, information such as the menu name, unit price, product group, or price of the product 5, but may also include information other than these, or may not include some or all of these information.

[0124] The user information storage unit 115 stores user information about users who use the store system 1. In the present embodiment, the user information is information corresponding to a user identifier, which is an identifier for identifying a user who uses the store system 1, and information about the user. The user information can include various information. The user information is received by the receiving unit 120, accepted by the accepting unit 130, or obtained as a result of information processing performed by the processing unit 140, and is stored in the user information storage unit 115.

[0125] In the present embodiment, user information may also be referred to as information about the seat corresponding to the user. That is, in the present embodiment, user information may also be stored in correspondence with seat identification information such as a seat identifier for identifying a seat, a terminal identifier for identifying a terminal device 600, etc., and the user information is based on information transmitted from a user-operable terminal such as a notification device 700 during the user's current dining opportunity. In addition, the user information may include predetermined attribute values ​​regarding the state of the user coming to the restaurant. The so-called predetermined attribute values ​​include, for example, information such as the number of users, i.e., the customer group, the time of arrival at the store (or the time elapsed after the arrival at the store), but are not limited thereto. Information such as the number of adults or children included in the customer group may also be included. In addition, for the seat used by the user, an identifier for identifying the responsible staff responsible for various service businesses may also be included.

[0126] Furthermore, the user information may include information such as the purchase history of the product 5. For example, the user information may include order information indicating the acceptance status of orders placed by each seat and consumption information indicating the consumption status of the product 5 by each seat.

[0127] The order information is, for example, information about the order of the product, and is information having seat identification information for identifying the seat. The order information includes, for example, a product identifier and the number of items ordered. In addition, the order information may also include, for example, a product identifier and an amount. The order information may also be information indicating that a plate carrying the product 5 has been delivered (provided) to the customer group. In other words, the order information may also be information after the order is placed.

[0128] The consumption information is information about the amount or quantity of the commodity 5 consumed by the user. In the present embodiment, the consumption information is, for example, the amount of the commodity 5 consumed by the user, but is not limited thereto. The quantity of the commodity 5 consumed by the user may also be used as the consumption information. In the present embodiment, the commodity 5 is arranged on a plate in a predetermined unit and provided to the user. In this case, the number of plates of the commodity 5 consumed by the user may also be used as the consumption information.

[0129] In addition, as information about purchase records such as order information or consumption information, information about the user's purchase records in this dining opportunity (this purchase record) may also be included in the user information. Based on the information about the purchase record, the user may be charged for the use of the store. In addition, the information about the purchase record may also be recorded for each user belonging to a customer group, for example.

[0130] The receiving unit 120 receives information transmitted from other devices. The receiving unit 120 is generally implemented by wireless or wired communication means, but can also be implemented by receiving broadcast means.

[0131] The receiving unit 120 stores the received information in, for example, the storage unit 110. In the present embodiment, the user inputs information using, for example, the notification device 700 or the terminal device 600, and can transmit the information to the information processing device 100. The receiving unit 120 can store the transmitted information in the storage unit 110 in correspondence with the terminal identifier and the seat identifier. In the present embodiment, the receiving unit 120 can receive the order information transmitted from each terminal device 600 and the notification device 700, and store it in the storage unit 110 in correspondence with the terminal identifier or the seat identifier. In addition, when the receiving unit 120 receives information from the notification device 700, it can determine the seat identifier that determines the seat corresponding to the notification device 700 involved in the transmission based on the transmitted information. In addition, when the receiving unit 120 receives information from the terminal device 600, it can determine the terminal identifier involved in the transmission based on the transmitted information.

[0132] The receiving unit 130 receives information inputted using an input means (not shown) connected to the information processing device 100. The receiving unit 130 stores the received information in the storage unit 110, for example. In addition, the input means may be any one of a numeric keypad, a keyboard, a mouse, or a menu screen. The receiving unit 130 may be implemented by a device driver of an input means such as a numeric keypad or a keyboard, or control software of a menu screen. The receiving unit 130 may also receive information inputted by an input operation (for example, also including information read by the device) using a reading device (for example, a barcode reader, etc.) connected to the information processing device 100.

[0133] Furthermore, the receiving unit 130 can be said to receive the information received by the receiving unit 120 as information input to the information processing device 100. In other words, the input of information to the information processing device 100 can also be interpreted as meaning that the user indirectly inputs the information to the information processing device 100 through the notification device 700 or the terminal device 600.

[0134] In addition, the receiving unit 120 or the accepting unit 130 can also receive or accept information sent or input by staff in the store.

[0135] The processing unit 140 performs various processing. The so-called various processing refers to, for example, processing performed by each unit of the processing unit 140 as follows. The processing unit 140 can generally be implemented by a processor or a memory. The processing program of the processing unit 140 is generally implemented by software (computer program code), and the software is recorded in a recording medium such as a ROM. However, part or all of the processing can also be implemented by hardware (dedicated line).

[0136] Here, in this disclosure, the term "processor" refers to a single or multiple hardware processors configured to execute program code (i.e., one or more commands of the program) included in a program. In other words, a "processor" is a hardware device capable of executing one or more program processes. For example, a "processor" is a general-purpose or special-purpose processor, and may include but is not limited to a CPU, a microprocessor, a GPU, and a DFP (data flow processor).

[0137] In this disclosure, the term "memory" refers to one or more hardware that is a non-migrating physical recording medium configured to record computer program code and / or data accessible by a processor. "Memory" can be implemented using memory technologies such as SRAM, SDRAM, non-volatile / flash memory, or other types of memory. The computer program code that constitutes the program is recorded on the memory and executed by the processor, thereby allowing the processing unit 140 to implement various functions.

[0138] Furthermore, the processing unit 140 is configured to control the operation of the transport control unit 902. The transport control unit 902 is configured to control the driving of the transport path 906 based on the control performed by the processing unit 140, for example.

[0139] In the present embodiment, the processing unit 140 is configured to output a warning message indicating that an abnormality may occur with respect to the commodity 5 when it is determined that a predetermined warning condition is satisfied in response to the detection result of the state of the foreign object approaching the conveying path 906. This warning message output function is realized by the user information acquisition unit 141, the conveying information acquisition unit 143, the image determination unit 153, the determination unit 161, the conveying notification unit 163, and the warning unit 165 provided in the processing unit 140. In addition, the processing unit 140 has a billing unit 167. Each of these processing units 140 can perform the following processing.

[0140] The user information acquisition unit 141 acquires user information, which is information about a user who uses the store, that is, a target user. The user information acquisition unit 141 acquires user information corresponding to an identifier for identifying a target user or seat from the user information storage unit 115, for example, when outputting alarm information or performing billing, which will be described later. By acquiring the user information, the terminal device 600 or the notification device 700 corresponding to the user or seat can be identified.

[0141] In addition, an example of the user information used in this embodiment is as follows.

[0142] Figure 5 This is a diagram showing an example of information about users who use the same information processing device 100 .

[0143] In the example shown in the figure, as user information, attribute values ​​such as seat identification information, store visit time, and a person-in-charge identifier (person-in-charge ID) of a person-in-charge of the service business of the seat used by the user are recorded in correspondence with the user identifier (user ID) for identifying the user information. For example, as seat identification information, seat identifiers such as a table number that can identify a table 980 used by a user and a seat number that can identify a seat 981 of a user using a bar table 980b can be included.

[0144] When the identifier of the responsible staff member corresponding to the seat is included in the user information in this way, the responsible staff member corresponding to the user or the seat can be specified based on the user information of each user.

[0145] In addition, the user information may include information other than these, and any information (such as a person in charge identifier, etc.) may be stored as information different from the user information. That is, information that can be stored in the storage unit 110 or the like in association with the user identifier or the seat identifier, or information that can be obtained in association with the user identifier or the seat identifier, can be grasped as the user information.

[0146] The transport information acquisition unit 143 acquires transport information about the operation state of the transport device 900. The transport information about the operation state of the transport device 900 is, for example, information indicating whether the specific transport device 900 is in the process of transporting the commodity 5. Furthermore, when the transport information is in the process of transporting, it may be information indicating where the commodity 5 is being transported or information about the commodity 5 being transported. In this case, as the information indicating where the commodity 5 is being transported, for example, a seat identifier may be included. Furthermore, as the information about the commodity 5 being transported, for example, a commodity identifier may be included.

[0147] The so-called transport information may be, for example, information indicating the control state of the transport control unit 902 that drives the transport device 900. The transport information may be acquired using, for example, information indicating the content of an instruction given to the transport device 900, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the transport device 900 may output information indicating the control state of the transport control unit 902, and the transport information may be acquired based on the information.

[0148] The image determination unit 153 determines whether a state of attention has occurred based on the photographic result of the camera 301. In the present embodiment, the state of attention is a state in which a foreign object approaches the conveying path 906. The so-called foreign object is, for example, a part of the user's body such as the hand, arm, head, or an object held by the user (such as chopsticks or tableware, etc.), but is not limited to this. The camera 301 of each seat can take a picture of the seat. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the image determination unit 153 can be said to be able to determine whether a state of attention has occurred for each seat. In addition, the state of attention can also be called an alarm state.

[0149] The image determination unit 153 is configured to detect the state of foreign matter entering the detection area Z and determine that the attention state has occurred. The image determination unit 153 can also detect foreign matter by differential imaging, or can be configured to detect the presence of foreign matter in the detection area Z using machine learning or other techniques.

[0150] In addition, in this embodiment, the image determination unit 153 can also be said to constitute the detection unit 150 together with the camera 301 of each seat. The detection unit 150 can be described as follows. That is, the detection unit 150 is configured to detect the occurrence of a warning state in which a foreign object approaches the conveying path 906 in each of two or more seats. The detection unit 150 can detect the occurrence of the warning state based on the image captured by the camera 301.

[0151] The determination unit 161 determines whether the predetermined caution condition is satisfied based on the transport information and the detection result of the detection unit 150. That is, in the present embodiment, the determination unit 161 determines whether the predetermined caution condition is satisfied based on the transport information and the determination result of the image determination unit 153. It can also be said that the processing unit 140 determines whether the predetermined caution condition is satisfied based on the transport information and the photographing result of the camera 301. The caution condition can also be called an alarm condition.

[0152] The predetermined attention condition can also be said to include a condition regarding the operating state of the conveying device 900 and a condition regarding whether an attention state has occurred. In the present embodiment, the determination of the attention condition is performed for each seat. That is, the judgment unit 161 is configured to determine whether the attention condition is satisfied for a seat when an attention state has occurred for the seat. In this case, the judgment unit 161 may also be configured to output its seat identifier in response to a judgment that the attention condition is satisfied. In addition, the judgment unit 161 may be configured to determine whether the attention condition is satisfied for each of more than two seats (for example, each block in which the store is divided into a plurality of seats), or may determine whether the attention condition is satisfied without distinguishing between seats. For example, the judgment unit 161 may also be configured to simply determine whether the attention condition is satisfied without determining which seat it is.

[0153] More specifically, the caution condition can be set as follows.

[0154] For example, a condition including a state in which a commodity 5 is being transported by the transport device 900 and a foreign object enters the detection area Z corresponding to a seat that is not the transport destination may be used as a caution condition. In this case, the caution condition may be a condition including a state in which the occurrence of the caution state is detected in any of the seats located upstream of the transport destination in the transport direction of the commodity 5 by the transport device 900 during the transport of the commodity 5. In the case where the caution state occurs on the upstream side, there is a possibility that an abnormality occurs in the commodity 5, such as the commodity 5 in the middle of the transport and the foreign object approaching the transport path 906. In this case, it can be determined that the caution condition is satisfied. On the other hand, on the downstream side of the transport destination, even if a foreign object approaches the transport path 906, the foreign object will not affect the commodity 5. In addition, at the transport destination, if the user wants to receive the transported commodity 5 immediately, the user may approach the transport path 906, but in this case, it may not be handled as a state in which the caution condition is satisfied. In this case, it is not determined that the caution condition is satisfied.

[0155] In addition, for example, a condition that includes a state in which a commodity 5 is being transported by the transport device 900 and a foreign object enters the detection area Z corresponding to a seat including the transport destination may be used as a caution condition. Since the user may also come into contact with the commodity 5 in the middle of transport at the transport destination, it can be determined that the caution condition is satisfied.

[0156] Furthermore, for example, the caution condition may include the following condition: the occurrence of the caution state is detected in any of the seats located upstream of the destination of the transport after the transport notification unit 163 outputs the transport notification while the commodity 5 is being transported by the transport device 900. In this case, if the user who has known that the commodity 5 is being transported has caused the caution state to occur by the output of the transport notification, it can be reliably determined that the caution condition is satisfied when there is a high possibility that the commodity 5 being transported has an abnormality.

[0157] Furthermore, for example, when the conveying device 900 is not conveying the commodity 5, the attention condition may include a condition that the occurrence of the attention state is detected at any seat as the attention condition. If the conveying device 900 is driven when a foreign object is present in the conveying path 906 in a state where no conveying is being performed, an unexpected problem may occur. In the case where such a problem may occur, it may be determined that the attention condition is satisfied.

[0158] The attention condition may also be a combination of such conditions. For example, when the conveying device 900 is not used to convey the commodity 5, the attention condition may be determined to be satisfied when the attention state is detected in any seat, or when the commodity 5 is conveyed, the attention condition may be determined to be satisfied when the attention state is detected in any seat located upstream of the conveying destination.

[0159] The attention condition is not limited to the above-mentioned conditions, and other conditions may be used or included. For example, in the case where the goods 5 are transported by the transport device 900, the condition that the occurrence of the attention state is detected in any seat may be used as the attention condition. In addition, for example, conditions such as the number of users of the seat, the time zone, the congestion level of the store, the number of staff, or the type of goods 5 being transported may also be used. The so-called conditions regarding the type of goods 5 being transported may be, for example, conditions regarding goods belonging to a predetermined category (for example, sushi, dessert, or side dish menu, etc.) or goods provided in a predetermined manner of provision (for example, a manner of being contained in a predetermined container or a manner of packaging, etc.). In this case, it may also be determined that the attention condition is satisfied when each of the conditions such as this condition, the condition regarding the operating state of the transport device 900, and the condition regarding whether the attention state has occurred are satisfied.

[0160] The transport notification unit 163 outputs a transport notification indicating that the commodity 5 is about to be transported to the transport destination by the transport device 900 in a manner corresponding to the transport destination. When the worker places the commodity 5 on the transport path 906 and presses the transport start button 900a, the transport notification can be output. In other words, the transport notification unit 163 receives an operation signal from the transport start button 900a. Then, when the operation signal of the transport start button 900a is received, the transport notification unit 163 can output the transport notification. As another method, for example, Figure 2 As shown, a commodity sensor 900b may be installed in the transport device 900 near the boundary between the kitchen 1b and the store 1a. Such a commodity sensor 900b is configured to detect the commodity 5 transported from the kitchen 1b to the store 1a, and output a detection signal to the transport notification unit 163. Then, when receiving the detection signal from the commodity sensor 900b, the transport notification unit 163 may output a transport notification. As such a commodity sensor 900b, for example, an optical sensor, a photoelectric sensor, or a camera may be used.

[0161] In another embodiment, the weight sensor 900c may be installed on the conveying path 906 of the conveying device 900. The weight sensor 900c is installed, for example, inside the conveying path 906 and is configured to detect that the commodity 5 is placed on the conveying path 906. The weight sensor 900c outputs a detection signal of the commodity 5 to the conveying notification unit 163. Then, upon receiving the detection signal from the weight sensor 900c, the conveying notification unit 163 may output a conveying notification.

[0162] Fig.19 It is a plan view of the entire store showing another type of transport device 900. Fig.19 The conveying device 900 shown in the figure has a transfer conveying path 901 installed in the kitchen 1b. The transfer conveying path 901 is provided to be connected to the starting point of the conveying path 906. The transfer conveying path 901 is used to convey the commodity 5 to the starting point of the conveying path 906 and transfer the commodity 5 to the conveying path 906. In other words, when the staff prepares the commodity 5 and places it on the transfer conveying path 901, the commodity 5 is automatically transferred to the conveying path 906. The conveying device 900 is equipped with a commodity sensor 900d for detecting the commodity 5 transferred from the transfer conveying path 901 to the conveying path 906. Fig.19 In the example shown, the commodity sensor 900d is disposed at the boundary between the transfer transport path 901 and the transport path 906, but the location of the commodity sensor 900d is not limited to this location. The commodity sensor 900d may be disposed at any location as long as it can detect the commodity 5 transferred from the transfer transport path 901 to the transport path 906. When the commodity sensor 900d detects the commodity 5, it outputs a detection signal to the transport notification unit 163. Then, when receiving the detection signal from the commodity sensor 900d, the transport notification unit 163 may output a transport notification. As such a commodity sensor 900d, for example, an optical sensor, a photoelectric sensor, or a camera may be used.

[0163] Here, the transfer notification is output in a manner corresponding to the transfer destination, for example, the transfer notification is output in a manner of being notified by the notification device 700 of the seat at the transfer destination, or the transfer notification is output in a manner of being notified by the notification device 700 of the seat at the transfer destination or upstream thereof. If there is a terminal device 600 corresponding to the seat to be notified, the transfer notification may be output in a manner of being notified by the terminal device 600.

[0164] The attention unit 165 outputs attention information when the determination unit 161 determines that the predetermined attention condition is satisfied, and the attention information is used to warn that there may be an abnormality with respect to the commodity 5 conveyed using the conveying path 906. The attention information may also be referred to as information indicating that an abnormality may occur with respect to the commodity 5. In other words, the attention unit 165 outputs attention information indicating that an abnormality may occur with respect to the commodity 5 when the determination unit 161 determines that the predetermined attention condition is satisfied based on the conveying information and the photographing result of the camera 301. In addition, the attention information may also be referred to as alarm information.

[0165] The so-called output attention information may be, for example, information transmitted for display on other devices, wherein the display indicates a possible occurrence regarding the product 5, or information output to a display unit provided in the information processing device 100, or information including instructions may be transmitted, wherein the instructions are used to execute a predetermined action on other devices.

[0166] In the present embodiment, the attention unit 165 is configured to output attention information in an output pattern corresponding to a seat when the judgment unit 161 determines that the attention condition is satisfied for a seat. In other words, when the detection unit 150 detects that an attention state has occurred in a seat, and when the judgment unit 161 determines that the attention condition is satisfied, the attention unit 165 outputs attention information in an output pattern corresponding to the seat detected by the detection unit 150 to have occurred an attention state.

[0167] The so-called output of attention information in an output mode corresponding to the seat may be, for example, outputting the content displayed by the attention information as the content corresponding to the seat identifier of the seat, or outputting the composed attention information using information that can be obtained based on the seat identifier, or both. The so-called display content as the content corresponding to the seat identifier may include, for example, information about the seat where the attention state has occurred in the display content. Information that can identify the seat, such as "the attention state may occur at the seat No. ○○", may also be displayed. Furthermore, the so-called output using information that can be obtained based on the seat identifier may be, for example, outputting by displaying the attention information by the notification device 700 corresponding to the seat identifier, or by displaying the attention information by the terminal device 600 corresponding to the seat identifier. The attention information may also be output to the terminal device 600 used by the staff in charge of the seat.

[0168] By doing so, for example, based on the output of the attention information, the following subjects can be displayed or output from the information processing device 100 or other devices: at which seat the attention information is output due to the occurrence of the attention state, there may be an abnormality in the product 5, there may be an abnormality in the product 5 being transported within the responsibility area of ​​the current specific responsible staff, or there may be an abnormality at a specific table.

[0169] Furthermore, for example, when the determination unit 161 determines that the predetermined attention condition is satisfied during the transportation of the commodity 5, the attention unit 165 may output the attention information in an output form corresponding to the transportation destination, i.e., the seat. In this case, as described above, the attention information may be output in an output form corresponding to the seat. For example, based on the attention information, information such as "The commodity being transported has not been received, please wait a moment" that notifies the user of the seat at the transportation destination that the commodity 5 may be abnormal may be displayed on the terminal device 600 or the notification device 700 corresponding to the transportation destination, i.e., the seat. Furthermore, information such as "The commodity facing table ○○ may be abnormal" that can identify the target commodity 5 or the seat that may be affected by the attention state may be displayed on the terminal device 600 or the notification device 700 directed to the staff or the kitchen.

[0170] Thus, for example, the attention information may be transmitted to the notification device 700 or terminal device 600 associated with the seat to which the commodity 5 is transported now or in the future, and the attention information may be output, or the attention information may be transmitted to the notification device 700 of the kitchen corresponding to the commodity 5, and the attention information may be output. Furthermore, the attention information may be transmitted to the notification device 700 or terminal device 600 associated with the seat that becomes the trigger for determining that the attention condition is satisfied, and the attention information may be output. In this case, the attention unit 165 may be configured to output information including a content that restricts the performance of such an abnormality as the attention information, as information indicating that an abnormality with respect to the commodity 5 may have occurred.

[0171] Furthermore, the so-called output of attention information may be recording the occurrence information about the satisfaction of the attention condition in the storage unit 110, etc. The occurrence information may be, for example, information such as the fact that the attention condition has been satisfied or the time of determination, etc., but is not limited thereto. In this case, for example, the information may be recorded in accordance with the seat where the attention state is detected by the detection unit 150, the user using the seat, etc., or the seat of the destination of the transport of the commodity 5. For example, the occurrence information may be recorded in accordance with the seat identifier, or the occurrence information may be recorded in accordance with the user identifier corresponding to the seat.

[0172] The billing unit 167 charges the user corresponding to the seat where the attention state is detected, for example, based on the detection result of the detection unit 150. The billing unit 167 may charge the user of the corresponding seat, for example, when it is determined that a predetermined billing condition is satisfied based on the detection result of the detection unit 150. The determination may be made, for example, by the judgment unit 161.

[0173] The charging conditions may include, for example, a general charging condition for charging as the price of the commodity 5. When the general charging condition is satisfied, the charging unit 167 charges the user of the seat an amount specified as the price of the commodity 5.

[0174] In addition, as the charging condition, a special charging condition may be included, and the special charging condition may be charged with an amount that is not the price of the commodity 5. When the special charging condition is satisfied, the charging unit 167 may charge, for example, a predetermined amount to the user of the seat in which the attention state is detected. The special charging condition may be the same as the attention condition, or one of the attention conditions may be set as the special charging condition.

[0175] By performing billing based on such special billing conditions, it is possible to effectively prevent situations in which users, etc. may be judged to have an abnormality.

[0176] The transmission unit 170 transmits information to other devices via a network, etc. The transmission unit 170 transmits information to, for example, the notification device 700 or the terminal device 600. In other words, the transmission unit 170 outputs information to, for example, the notification device 700 or the terminal device 600.

[0177] Furthermore, the transmission unit 170 is generally implemented by wireless or wired communication means, but may also be implemented by broadcasting means.

[0178] In the present embodiment, when the attention unit 165 outputs the attention information, the attention information is transmitted to the notification device 700 or terminal device 600 used by the user of the corresponding seat or the notification device 700 or terminal device 600 used by the staff through the transmission unit 170. Then, the notification device 700 or terminal device 600 displays a display based on the attention information on the notification display device 761 or the terminal display device 661. In this way, the user or the staff can recognize the display based on the attention information and take necessary measures.

[0179] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, during the conveyance of the commodity 5 by the conveying device 900, when the judging unit 161 judges that the predetermined caution condition is satisfied, the processing unit 140 is configured to control the conveyance control unit 902 to stop the conveyance of the commodity 5. That is, when the judging unit 161 judges that the predetermined caution condition is satisfied during the conveyance of the commodity 5, the conveyance control unit 902 is configured to stop the conveyance of the commodity 5. In this way, since the conveyance of the commodity 5 is stopped when it is judged that the caution condition is satisfied, the commodity 5 that may have an abnormality is not conveyed to the conveyance destination. In addition, such control may not be performed.

[0180] In the present embodiment, the information processing device 100 is configured to realize the warning information output function by performing various operations as follows together with the transport device 900. These operations are performed by the processing unit 140 executing control operations while using each unit.

[0181] Figure 6 This is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the information processing device 100 .

[0182] For example, the processing shown in the figure is performed regularly. In addition, it is not limited to this, and other predetermined execution conditions (such as the arrival of a predetermined time point, the detection of predetermined information) etc. can also be satisfied as an opportunity to perform.

[0183] (Step S101) The processing unit 140 performs a caution condition determination process. The caution condition determination process will be described later.

[0184] (Step S102) The processing unit 140 determines whether the attention condition is satisfied (attention condition is satisfied). The determination can be made, for example, based on the presence or absence or content of a flag recorded in the storage unit 110. In addition, if the determination is made based on the presence of a flag, the flag is cleared thereafter. If the attention condition is determined to be satisfied, the process proceeds to step S103, and if not, the process proceeds to step S106.

[0185] (Step S103) The processing unit 140 stops the transport by the transport path 906 of the transport device 900. The processing unit 140 stops the transport by, for example, outputting an instruction to the transport control unit 902 of the transport device 900, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In addition, this processing may not be performed when the transport is not performed by the transport path 906.

[0186] (Step S104) The processing unit 140 acquires caution information in response to determining that the caution condition is satisfied. The caution information may be configured in response to the seat identifier of the seat in the caution state, for example, as described above.

[0187] (Step S105) The processing unit 140 outputs the acquired caution information. The output of the caution information may be performed, for example, as described above, at an output destination determined in accordance with a seat identifier for identifying a seat in a caution state or a seat at a destination of transport.

[0188] (Step S106) Next, the processing unit 140 determines whether the charging condition is satisfied for any seat or user. The determination is made, for example, based on the presence or content of a flag recorded in the storage unit 110, and if the determination is made based on the presence of a flag, the flag is cleared thereafter. If the charging condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S107, and if not, the attention condition is determined to be satisfied.

[0189] (Step S107) The processing unit 140 performs charging in response to determining that the charging condition is satisfied. For example, charging information including information such as a certain amount or product 5 is stored in the user information storage unit 115 in correspondence with a seat or a user, thereby performing charging. In addition, the charging method is not limited to this, and various methods can be used. Then, a series of processing is terminated.

[0190] In the above, each of the processes of step S103, step S106, and step S107 may not be performed. When the process of step S106 is not performed, a series of processes may be terminated if it is determined in step S102 that the caution condition is satisfied.

[0191] Figure 7 2 is a flowchart showing an example of the caution condition determination process performed by the information processing device 100 .

[0192] (Step S121) The processing unit 140 acquires the transport information of the transport device 900. When a plurality of transport devices 900 are used, the transport information may be acquired for each transport device 900.

[0193] (Step S122) The processing unit 140 obtains the detection result of whether the attention state has occurred. For example, when it is possible to detect whether the attention state has occurred for each seat, the detection result may include information such as a seat identifier that can identify the seat where the attention state has occurred, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0194] (Step S123) The processing unit 140 determines whether the transport device 900 is being transported based on the transport information. If it is determined that it is being transported, the process proceeds to step S124, and if it is not, the process proceeds to step S127. In addition, when a plurality of transport devices 900 are used, the transport device 900 determined to be being transported can be determined, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0195] (Step S124) The processing unit 140 determines whether the attention state has occurred in any seat based on the detection result of whether the attention state has occurred. If it is determined that the attention state has occurred in any seat, the process proceeds to step S125, and if not, the attention condition determination process ends.

[0196] (Step S125) The processing unit 140 determines whether the seat detected to have a warning state is a seat upstream of the transport destination, that is, whether a warning state has occurred in a seat upstream of the transport destination. If it is determined that the seat detected to have a warning state is a seat upstream of the transport destination, the process proceeds to step S126. If not, the warning condition determination process ends.

[0197] Furthermore, the processing of step S124 and step S125 can also be considered as a process for determining whether the attention state has occurred in a seat upstream of the transport destination. Furthermore, when a plurality of transport devices 900 are used, it can also be determined in step S124 whether the attention state has occurred in a seat to be used by the transport device 900 determined to be in transport.

[0198] (Step S126) In this case, the processing unit 140 determines that the attention condition is satisfied, and for example, records a flag or the like indicating that the attention condition is satisfied in the storage unit 110. Here, the flag or the like is recorded in the storage unit 110 in correspondence with the seat in which the attention state is detected. For example, the flag or the like indicating that the attention condition is satisfied is recorded in the storage unit 110 in correspondence with the seat identifier of the seat. Thereafter, the attention condition determination process is terminated.

[0199] (Step S127) On the other hand, if the vehicle is not being transported, the processing unit 140 determines whether the attention state has occurred at any seat based on the detection result of whether the attention state has occurred. If it is determined that the attention state has occurred at any seat, the process proceeds to step S128, and if not, the attention condition determination process ends.

[0200] (Step S128) In this case, the processing unit 140 can be said to have determined that the caution condition is satisfied. The processing unit 140 records, for example, a flag indicating that the caution condition is satisfied in the storage unit 110. Thereafter, the caution condition determination process ends.

[0201] When the attention condition judgment process is performed in this way and it is judged that the attention condition has been satisfied, the attention information is obtained or output. In this embodiment, when the attention information is output by the attention information output function, it is sufficient to display a notification screen such as the following on the notification device 700 or the like that becomes the output destination, and to perform a notification (alarm) based on the attention information. In addition, in this example, it is assumed that information for displaying the attention screen is output as the attention information.

[0202] Figure 8 1 is a diagram showing an example of a screen for performing notification based on caution information in the notification device 700.

[0203] As shown in the figure, in the present embodiment, when the notification device 700 performs notification based on the attention information, the notification display device 761 of the notification device 700 displays the attention screen 81. In the example shown in the figure, an example of the attention screen 81 displayed to the staff by the notification device 700 arranged in the backyard of the kitchen, etc. is shown. In the attention screen 81, for example, information indicating the seat that has caused the abnormality and information indicating that the attention state has been detected are displayed, such as "the presence of a foreign object is detected near the order channel (transport path 906) near table No. 11". In addition, in the present embodiment, for example, information about the stop of the transport device 900 is displayed in combination, such as "please confirm that the order channel is stopped", indicating that the staff etc. need to confirm the transport device 900. The attention screen 81 includes a confirmation button 812, and is configured to be able to transfer from the attention screen 81 to other screens by operating the confirmation button 812.

[0204] By outputting such a warning screen 81, the staff etc. who see the warning screen 81 can easily confirm that an abnormality may have occurred and identify the information of the place (seat). Since the information of the seat where the warning state is detected can be known through the output warning information, it is easy to take measures against the occurrence of the warning state.

[0205] As described above, in this embodiment, a method for reminding attention using the attention information output function can be performed in the store system 1. The method for reminding attention can be referred to as a method including the following steps: a conveying information acquisition step, in which conveying information about the operation state of the conveying device 900 is acquired; a judgment step, in which, based on the conveying information and the detection result of the detection unit 150, it is judged whether a predetermined attention condition is satisfied; and a attention step, in which, when it is judged in the judgment step that the predetermined attention condition is satisfied, the attention unit 165 outputs attention information, and the attention information is used to remind attention that there may be an abnormality with respect to the commodity 5 conveyed using the conveying path 906.

[0206] By means of this caution information output function, since the caution information is output when a caution state may occur, it is possible to remind the user or staff that there may be an abnormality in the commodity 5 transported using the transport path 906. In addition, by informing the user in the store that the caution information output function can be used, it is possible to obtain an effect of suppressing the user or the like from performing a behavior that may be detected as the occurrence of a caution state.

[0207] In this embodiment, it is possible to detect the entry of foreign matter into the detection area Z away from the conveying path 906, and in response to the situation, a warning is given for the possibility that an abnormality has occurred in the commodity 5. Since the conveyance of the commodity 5 can be stopped when it is determined that the warning condition is met during the conveyance of the conveying path 906, the possibility of preventing the conveyed commodity 5 from actually having an abnormality can be increased.

[0208] In this embodiment, the attention information can be output in a pattern corresponding to the seat detected to have an attention state. Therefore, the attention information can be correctly output according to the purpose of outputting the attention information, and the effect can be obtained. For example, when the attention information output function is used for the purpose of enabling the staff to confirm the status of the seat detected to have an attention state, the attention information is output to the notification device 700 such as the kitchen or the terminal device 600 used by the responsible staff according to the seat identifier, or the attention information including information for easily identifying the seat detected to have an attention state is output, so that it becomes easy to achieve the purpose.

[0209] Furthermore, in the case where the purpose is to inform the user that there is a possibility that a commodity 5 with an abnormality is being transported, or in the case where the transport device 900 is temporarily stopped by judging that the attention condition has been satisfied, that is, the transport of the commodity 5 is stopped, when the attention information output function is used for the purpose of informing the user of the above-mentioned subject, the attention information can be output to the notification device 700 corresponding to the seat in the area where the commodity 5 is currently or will be transported in the future, or the attention information can be set to include information for specifying the commodity 5 associated with the abnormality. Therefore, the purpose can be achieved and the objects to be performed can be limited.

[0210] Furthermore, for example, when the caution information is output for the purpose of notifying the user that there is a possibility that a product 5 that may have an abnormality is being conveyed, the caution condition determination process can be performed as follows.

[0211] Fig. 9 2 is a flowchart showing a modified example of the caution condition determination process performed by the information processing device 100 .

[0212] The following modified example is substantially different from the above-described example in that it is determined whether the caution state has occurred after the transport notification is output. Also, the order of determining whether the caution state has occurred and determining whether the transport is in progress is different from the above-described example.

[0213] (Step S141) The processing unit 140 obtains the transport information of the transport device 900. This is the same as step S121.

[0214] (Step S142) The processing unit 140 obtains the detection result of whether the attention state has occurred. This is the same as step S122.

[0215] (Step S143) The processing unit 140 determines whether the attention state has occurred in any seat based on the detection result of whether the attention state has occurred. The same as step S124. If it is determined that the attention state has occurred in any seat, the process proceeds to step S144, and if not, the attention condition determination process ends.

[0216] (Step S144) The processing unit 140 determines whether the transport device 900 is being transported based on the transport information. This is the same as step S123. If it is determined that the transport device 900 is being transported, the process proceeds to step S145, and if not, the process proceeds to step S149.

[0217] (Step S145) The processing unit 140 determines whether the seat detected to have a warning state is a seat upstream of the transport destination, that is, whether a warning state has occurred in a seat upstream of the transport destination. If it is determined that the seat detected to have a warning state is a seat upstream of the transport destination, the process proceeds to step S146. If not, the warning condition determination process ends.

[0218] (Step S146) The processing unit 140 determines that the caution condition is satisfied, and for example, records a flag or the like indicating that the caution condition is satisfied in the storage unit 110. Here, the flag or the like is recorded in the storage unit 110 in correspondence with the seat in which the caution state is detected. For example, the flag or the like indicating that the caution condition is satisfied is recorded in the storage unit 110 in correspondence with the seat identifier of the seat.

[0219] (Step S147) Here, in this modification, the processing unit 140 determines whether the occurrence of the caution state is detected after the transport notification unit outputs the transport notification, that is, whether the caution state occurs after the transport notification is output. If it is determined that the occurrence of the caution state is detected after the transport notification is output, the process proceeds to step S148, and if not, the caution condition determination process ends.

[0220] (Step S148) In this case, the processing unit 140 records the re-notification flag in association with the transport destination in the storage unit 110. The re-notification flag may also be referred to as a flag indicating that the caution condition is determined to be satisfied when the transport notification is performed. Then, the caution condition determination process is terminated.

[0221] When the re-notification flag is recorded in this way, for example, when obtaining the caution information, the caution information outputted in correspondence with the transport destination is obtained, and the caution information is outputted to the transport destination. Thus, the transport destination, i.e., the user, can be informed that an abnormality may have occurred with respect to the product 5 for which the transport notification has been issued, or that the transport of the product 5 for which the transport notification has been issued is not being carried out as usual. Therefore, the user can know the supply status of the product 5 for which the transport notification has been issued.

[0222] In addition, the attention information output in response to the re-notification flag can be interpreted as one of the attention information output in response to the flag of the subject satisfying the attention condition, and can also be interpreted as information different from the attention information output in response to the flag of the subject satisfying the attention condition.

[0223] (Step S149) On the other hand, if the object is not being transported, the processing unit 140 determines that the caution condition is satisfied, and for example, records a flag indicating that the caution condition is satisfied in the storage unit 110. Thereafter, the caution condition determination process ends.

[0224] In addition, in the flowchart of this modified example, the processing of step S145 or step S146, or the processing of step S149 may not be performed. It can be appropriately changed according to the setting state of the attention condition. For example, when the attention state occurs at any seat during transportation, when the attention state occurs after the output of the transportation notification, the processing unit 140 may determine that the attention condition is satisfied and record the re-notification flag.

[0225] In this variation, when caution information is output for the purpose of notifying the user that a product 5 with a possible abnormality is being transported (when caution information is output in response to a re-notification flag), the caution screen 82 based on the caution information can be performed as follows, for example.

[0226] Fig.10 This is a diagram showing another example of a screen for performing notification based on caution information in the notification device 700.

[0227] Here, for example, an example of a warning screen 82 based on the warning information is shown, and the warning screen 82 is displayed on the notification display device 761 of the notification device 700 installed at the user's seat. The warning screen 82 displays information indicating that the transportation of the commodity 5 using the transportation device 900 is not being performed, such as "the order channel has been temporarily stopped." In addition, the warning screen 82 includes a confirmation button 822, and is configured to be able to shift from the warning screen 82 to other screens such as a general screen for ordering by operating the confirmation button 822.

[0228] With this kind of caution screen 82 , a user or the like who sees the caution screen 82 can easily confirm that an abnormality may have occurred in the product 5 on the transport path 906 , or the status of the supply of the product 5 , or the like.

[0229] (Implementation Method 2)

[0230] The outline of Embodiment 2 will be described with reference to the parts different from Embodiment 1 described above. Embodiment 2 is different in that a detection unit 250 having a configuration different from that of the detection unit 150 of Embodiment 1 is used.

[0231] Fig.11 This is a diagram showing the block structure of a store system 201 according to Embodiment 2 of the present disclosure. Fig.12 It is a top view showing the outline of the store system 201.

[0232] In the second embodiment, the store system 201 includes a detection unit 250 using a sensor 401 (an example of a detection device 401) instead of the camera 301 provided at each seat in the first embodiment. The detection unit 250 can be composed of, for example, a seat determination unit 155 provided in the processing unit 140 of the information processing device 100 and the sensor 401 disposed in the store 1a. In addition, the seat determination unit 155 is provided instead of the image determination unit 153 provided in the processing unit 140 in the first embodiment.

[0233] The sensor 401 is, for example, a distance measuring sensor. In the present embodiment, the sensor 401 is provided corresponding to a group of at least two seats among two or more seats. The sensor 401 is configured to detect the distance to a foreign object that has entered the detection area Z of each seat in the group.

[0234] The sensor 401 may be a sensor that emits light (infrared rays) from a laser beam or LED and detects reflected light, or a so-called ultrasonic sensor. Also, a LiDAR or the like may be used as the sensor 401 .

[0235] like Fig.12As shown, for example, assume that three seats are arranged in a straight line along the transport direction (right direction in the figure) in the store 1a in a manner corresponding to one transport path 906. In this case, for the group consisting of the three seats, one sensor 401 is arranged in a manner that the detection area Z of each seat on the side of the transport path 906 is used as the detection range. When a foreign object enters the detection area Z in any seat, the sensor 401 can detect and output the distance to the foreign object.

[0236] The seat identification unit 155 is configured to be able to identify which seat among at least two seats included in the group corresponding to the sensor 401 is in the alert state, according to the distance to the foreign object detected by the sensor 401 .

[0237] For example, suppose that three seats are arranged as described above, and one sensor 401 corresponds to a group of those seats. In this case, when the sensor 401 detects the distance to the foreign object, the seat determination unit 155 determines whether the detected distance is included in the distance range corresponding to the first seat, the distance range corresponding to the second seat, or the distance range corresponding to the third seat. Then, the seat whose detected distance is included in the distance range is determined as the seat in the attention state.

[0238] Thus, when the seat in which the attention state occurs is determined by the seat determination unit 155, the detection unit 250 is configured to detect the occurrence of the attention state and output a seat identifier for identifying the seat in which the attention state occurs. The processing unit 140 can use the detection result of the detection unit 250 to determine whether the attention condition is satisfied or output attention information, as in the first embodiment.

[0239] In the second embodiment, the number of sensors 401 that is smaller than the number of seats can be used, and the occurrence of the attention state at each seat can be detected.

[0240] Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the sensors 401 may be provided so as to correspond to two or more seats respectively.

[0241] Fig.13 This is a diagram showing the block structure of a store system 211 according to a variation of the second embodiment. Fig.14 It is a top view showing the outline of the store system 211.

[0242] In this modification, Fig.14 As shown, the store system 211 has sensors 401 corresponding to each seat. Fig.13As shown, the detection unit 250 is configured using the sensor 401 and does not include the seat identification unit 155. That is, in this embodiment, the processing unit 140 functioning as the detection unit 250 can identify the seat corresponding to the sensor 401 that detects the occurrence of the attention state as the seat in which the attention state occurs.

[0243] Even in such a configuration, the processing unit 140 can use the detection result of the detection unit 250 to determine whether the caution condition is satisfied or output caution information, etc., as described above.

[0244] Furthermore, in this modification, the sensor 401 may be a sensor that can measure the distance to the foreign object, and any sensor that can simply detect the foreign object located in the detection area Z of each seat may be used. For example, in addition to the distance measuring sensor described above, as the sensor 401, a photoelectric sensor or the like, an infrared sensor that detects infrared rays emitted from a foreign object or the like, or various sensors configured such that the measured physical quantity changes according to the presence of a foreign object may be used.

[0245] (other)

[0246] Fig.15 It is a plan view showing an outline of a store system 221 according to a modified example of the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0247] In the above-mentioned first embodiment, the store system 1 is provided with cameras 301 corresponding to each seat, but in this modified example, the store system 221 is provided with cameras 301 in such a manner that the detection area Z of two or more seats is included in the camera range, and no camera is provided for each seat. By doing so, the number of cameras 301 can be reduced.

[0248] For example, in Fig.15 In the example shown, a camera 301 is provided for each group of three seats or six seats (counter seats) arranged along each transport path 906. Each camera 301 is set so that the detection area Z of each seat of the corresponding group is included in the imaging range.

[0249] In this modification, in the processing unit 140 of the information processing device 100, the image determination unit 153 is configured to determine whether the attention state has occurred in any seat based on the photographing result of the camera 301. For example, the occurrence of the attention state and the position within the field of view are detected using the photographed image, and the seat where the attention state has occurred is detected. The determination is performed using, for example, a machine learning technique, but is not limited thereto.

[0250] In this way, even if the number of cameras 301 used is less than the number of seats, the processing unit 140 can use the detection results of the attention state in the same way as described above to determine whether the attention condition has been met or output attention information.

[0251] Furthermore, the attention state detection unit may be configured to be used in combination with a camera and various sensors to detect the occurrence of an attention state at any seat or the occurrence of an attention state at a specific seat.

[0252] Fig.16 This is a flowchart showing another modified example of the caution condition determination process performed by the information processing device 100 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0253] In the following modified example, when it is detected that the attention state occurs in any seat during transportation, it is determined that the attention condition is satisfied. In this case, the detection result of the attention state may be acquired only during transportation.

[0254] (Step S161) The processing unit 140 obtains the transport information of the transport device 900. This is the same as step S121.

[0255] (Step S162) The processing unit 140 determines whether the transport device 900 is being transported based on the transport information. This is the same as step S123. If it is determined that the transport device 900 is being transported, the process proceeds to step S163. If not, the caution condition determination process ends.

[0256] (Step S163) The processing unit 140 obtains the detection result of whether the alert state has occurred. This is the same as step S122.

[0257] (Step S164) The processing unit 140 determines whether the attention state has occurred in any seat based on the detection result of whether the attention state has occurred. The same as step S124. If it is determined that the attention state has occurred in any seat, the process proceeds to step S165. If not, the attention condition determination process ends.

[0258] (Step S165) In this case, the processing unit 140 can be said to have determined that the caution condition is satisfied. The processing unit 140 records, for example, a flag indicating that the caution condition is satisfied in the storage unit 110. Thereafter, the caution condition determination process ends.

[0259] In the flowchart of this modification, for example, when it is determined that the attention state has occurred in any seat based on the result of the attention state detection, it may be modified to determine whether the vehicle is being transported.

[0260] Fig.17 This is an overview diagram of the computer system 800 in the above-mentioned embodiment. Fig.18is a block diagram of the same computer system 800.

[0261] These drawings show configuration examples of computers such as the information processing device 100 that execute the programs described in this specification and implement the store system 1 of the above-described embodiment. The above-described embodiment can be implemented by computer hardware and a computer program executed thereon.

[0262] The computer system 800 includes a computer 801 including an optical disk drive, a keyboard 802 , a mouse 803 , and a monitor 804 .

[0263] In addition to the optical disk drive (ODD) 8012, the computer 801 also includes: MPU 8013; bus 8014, which is connected to the optical disk drive 8012, etc.; ROM 8015, which is used to store programs such as startup programs; RAM 8016, which is used to connect to the MPU 8013, temporarily store application commands and provide temporary memory space; and hard disk (HDD) 8017, which is used to store application programs, system programs and data. Although not shown here, the computer 801 may further include a network card that provides connection to a LAN.

[0264] The program that enables the computer system 800 to execute the functions of the information processing device and the like of the above-mentioned embodiment can be stored in the optical disk 8101, inserted into the optical disk drive 8012, and further transferred to the hard disk 8017. Alternatively, the program can be transferred to the computer 801 via a network (not shown) and stored in the hard disk 8017. When the program is executed, it is loaded into the RAM 8016. The program can also be directly loaded from the optical disk 8101 or the network.

[0265] The program may not necessarily include an operating system (OS) or a third-party program that enables the computer 801 to execute the functions of the information processing device of the above-mentioned embodiment. The program only needs to call the appropriate function (module) in a controlled manner and only include the part of the command to obtain the desired result. How the computer system 800 operates is already known, and a detailed description is omitted.

[0266] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned program, the sending step of sending information, the receiving step of receiving information, etc., do not include processing performed by hardware, for example, processing performed by a modem and an adapter card in the sending step (processing performed only by hardware).

[0267] Furthermore, the computer that executes the above-mentioned program may be a single computer or multiple computers, that is, centralized processing or distributed processing may be performed.

[0268] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiments, two or more components present in one device may be physically realized using one medium.

[0269] In the above-mentioned embodiment, each component can be constituted by dedicated hardware, or, for a component that can be realized by software, it can be realized by executing a program. For example, a program execution unit of a CPU or the like reads and executes software / program recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk or a semiconductor memory, thereby realizing each component. During the execution, the program execution unit can execute the program while accessing the memory unit and the recording medium. In addition, the program can also be executed by downloading from a server, etc., or by reading a program recorded on a predetermined recording medium (for example, an optical disk and a magnetic disk, a semiconductor memory, etc.). In addition, this program can also be used as a program constituting a program product. In addition, the computer that executes the program can be single or multiple. That is, centralized processing can be performed, or distributed processing can be performed.

[0270] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned embodiment, each process (each function) can be realized by centralized processing through a single device (system), or can be realized by distributed processing through multiple devices (in this case, the entire system composed of multiple devices performing distributed processing can be grasped as one "device").

[0271] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the handing over of information between the constituent elements, for example, when the two constituent elements that perform the handing over of the information are physically different elements, can be performed by outputting information of one constituent element and accepting information of the other constituent element, or, when the two constituent elements that perform the handing over of the information are physically the same elements, can be performed by transferring from the stage of processing corresponding to one constituent element to the stage of processing corresponding to the other constituent element.

[0272] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned embodiments, information related to the processing performed by each component, such as information accepted, acquired, selected, generated, transmitted, and received by each component, thresholds or mathematical formulas, addresses, and other information used by each component in the processing, etc., may be temporarily or permanently stored in a recording medium not shown in the figure, even if not clearly described in the above description. Furthermore, each component or an accumulation unit not shown in the figure may also accumulate information in the recording medium not shown in the figure. Furthermore, each component or a reading unit not shown in the figure may also read information from the recording medium not shown in the figure.

[0273] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned embodiments, when information used by each component, such as threshold values ​​or addresses used by each component in processing, various set values, etc., can be changed by the user, even if it is not clearly stated in the above description, the user can appropriately change the information or not change it. When the user can change the information, the change can be realized, for example, by an unillustrated receiving unit that receives a change instruction from the user and an unillustrated changing unit that changes the information in response to the change instruction. The acceptance of the change instruction by the unillustrated receiving unit can be, for example, acceptance from an input device, reception of information transmitted through a communication line, or acceptance of information read from a predetermined recording medium.

[0274] The present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications are possible, and those modifications are also included in the scope of the present disclosure.

[0275] It is also possible to form an embodiment in which the constituent elements of the above-mentioned embodiments or modified examples are appropriately combined. For example, it is not limited to the configuration of the above-mentioned embodiments themselves, and each constituent element of the above-mentioned embodiments and modified examples can be appropriately replaced or combined with constituent elements of other embodiments, etc. In addition, it is also possible to omit some constituent elements and functions in the above-mentioned embodiments and modified examples.

[0276] As described above, the store system disclosed in the present invention has the effect of alerting customers to possible abnormalities in commodities transported using the transport path, and is useful as a store system or the like.

Claims

1. A method for reminding attention, characterized in that: Controlling a conveying device installed in a store to convey commodities arranged on a conveying path to a predetermined conveying destination among two or more seats arranged along the conveying path, outputting a transport notification in a manner corresponding to the transport destination, the transport notification indicating that the commodity is about to be transported to the transport destination by the transport device, Based on information from a sensor installed in the store, determining whether a state of caution in which a foreign object approaches the transport path occurs in each of the two or more seats, When the transport notification unit outputs the transport notification, and it is determined that the attention condition is satisfied when it is determined that the attention state occurs in any of the seats located upstream of the transport destination in the commodity transport direction of the transport device, When it is determined that the caution condition is satisfied, caution information is output to a notification unit, the caution information being used to call attention to a possible abnormality of the commodity being conveyed using the conveyance path.

2. A store system, characterized in that: The shop system has: The transport control unit controls the operation of the transport device installed in the store to transport the commodities arranged on the transport path to a predetermined transport destination among two or more seats arranged along the transport path. a detection unit configured to detect a state of caution in which a foreign object approaches the conveying path in each of the two or more seats; a judgment unit for judging that a caution condition is satisfied when the detection unit detects the occurrence of the caution state at any one of the seats located upstream of the conveying destination in the commodity conveying direction of the conveying device during the conveying of the commodity; as well as a caution unit that outputs caution information when the judgment unit judges that the caution condition is satisfied, The caution information is used to call attention to possible abnormality of the commodity conveyed using the conveyance path.

3. The store system according to claim 2, characterized in that: The shop system further comprises: a transport notification unit configured to output a transport notification in a manner corresponding to the transport destination, wherein the transport notification indicates that the commodity is about to be transported to the transport destination by the transport device, The determination unit determines that the caution condition is satisfied when occurrence of a caution state is detected in any of the seats located upstream of the transfer destination after the transfer notification unit outputs the transfer notification.

4. The store system according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: When the occurrence of the caution state is detected in any one of the two or more seats while the product is not being conveyed, the determination unit determines that the caution condition is satisfied.

5. The store system according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that: When a foreign object enters a predetermined detection area, the predetermined detection area being located laterally away from the conveyance path as viewed in the conveyance direction of the conveyance path, the detection unit detects that the caution state occurs.

6. The store system according to claim 5, characterized in that: The detection unit includes a sensor provided corresponding to each of the two or more seats and configured such that a measured physical quantity changes according to a foreign object entering the detection area.

7. The store system according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that: The detection unit comprises: a camera disposed so as to include the detection area of ​​at least one seat among the two or more seats within a camera range; and The image determination unit determines whether the attention state has occurred based on the image capturing result of the camera.

8. The store system according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that: The detection unit comprises: a distance measuring sensor provided corresponding to a group including at least two seats among the two or more seats and capable of detecting a distance to a foreign object entering the detection area of ​​each seat in the group; as well as The seat identifying unit identifies in which seat the attention state occurs, based on the distance to the foreign object detected by the distance measuring sensor.

9. The store system according to any one of claims 2 to 8, characterized in that: When the detection unit detects that the attention state has occurred, and when the determination unit determines that the attention condition is satisfied, the attention unit outputs the attention information in an output pattern corresponding to the seat where the detection unit detects that the attention state has occurred.

10. The store system according to any one of claims 2 to 9, characterized in that: When the determination unit determines that the caution condition is satisfied during the transportation of the commodity, the caution unit outputs caution information in an output pattern corresponding to a seat which is a transportation destination of the commodity through the detection unit.

11. The store system according to any one of claims 2 to 10, characterized in that: When the detection unit detects that the attention state has occurred and the determination unit determines that the attention condition is satisfied, the attention unit stores the attention information in a storage unit in association with information identifying the seat in which the attention state has been detected by the detection unit.

12. The store system according to any one of claims 2 to 11, characterized in that: When the determination unit determines that the predetermined caution condition is satisfied during the conveyance of the commodity, the conveyance control unit stops the conveyance of the commodity.

13. The store system according to any one of claims 3 to 12, characterized in that: The conveying device includes a conveying start button installed in the kitchen of the store. When the transport start button is operated, the transport control unit starts the operation of the transport device, and when the transport start button is operated, the transport notification unit outputs the transport notification.

14. The store system according to any one of claims 3 to 12, characterized in that: The transport device includes a commodity sensor installed at a boundary between a kitchen and an interior of the store and capable of detecting the commodity being transported from the kitchen to the interior of the store. The transport notification unit outputs the transport notification when the commodity sensor detects the commodity.

15. The store system according to any one of claims 3 to 12, characterized in that: The conveying device is installed in the kitchen of the store in a manner connected to the starting point of the conveying path, and the conveying device has a transfer conveying path for transferring the commodity to the conveying path, and a commodity sensor for detecting that the commodity is transferred from the transfer conveying path to the conveying path. The transport notification unit outputs the transport notification when the commodity sensor detects the commodity.

16. The store system according to any one of claims 3 to 12, characterized in that: The conveying device includes a weight sensor, which is installed on the conveying path and detects the commodity when the commodity is placed on the conveying path. The transport notification unit outputs the transport notification when the weight sensor detects the commodity.

17. A store processing device, characterized in that: For use in a store equipped with a transport device, the transport device being capable of transporting commodities arranged on a transport path to a predetermined transport destination among two or more seats arranged along the transport path, the store processing device comprising: at least one processor, and at least one memory storing computer program code, The computer program code is executed by the at least one processor, the at least one processor determining whether a foreign object is approaching the transport path in each of the two or more seats; During the transportation of the commodity, when it is determined that the attention state occurs in any of the seats located upstream of the transportation destination in the commodity transportation direction of the transportation device, it is determined that the attention condition is satisfied, and When it is determined that the caution condition is satisfied, caution information is outputted, wherein the caution information is used to warn people to pay attention to possible abnormality of the commodity being transported using the transport path.

18. A program, characterized in that In a store equipped with a conveying device, the conveying device can convey merchandise arranged on a conveying path to a predetermined conveying destination among two or more seats arranged along the conveying path, and the program is used in a store processing device installed in the store, For a processor having the store processing device, It is determined whether a warning state of a foreign object approaching the conveying path occurs in the two or more seats. When it is determined that the warning state occurs in any one of the seats located upstream of the conveying destination in the conveying direction of the goods by the conveying device during the conveying of the goods, it is determined that the warning condition is satisfied. When it is determined that the caution condition is satisfied, caution information is outputted for calling attention to a possible abnormality of the commodity being conveyed using the conveyance path.

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