Computer program product, cooking device, information processing device, information processing method, and recording medium

Abstract

The present invention provides a computer program product, a cooking device, an information processing device, an information processing method, and a recording medium, capable of realizing: a first acquisition function for acquiring usage amount information relating to the usage amount of food and drink used in a prescribed period in the past in the same store; an estimation function that estimates a predicted amount of food and drink used per predetermined time in the future on the basis of the amount of use information acquired by the first acquisition function; a second acquisition function for acquiring inventory information relating to the inventory of the current food and drink in the same store; and an output control function that controls the amount of inventory based on the amount of inventory information acquired by the second acquisition function, the amount of predicted usage estimated by the estimation function, and the time information stored in the storage unit. In this way, prescribed output pertaining to cooking of the food and drink is performed at a time that is prior to the time at which the current inventory of the food and drink estimated on the basis of the predicted usage amount has been consumed and that is earlier than the time taken for cooking of the food and drink.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing program, a cooking device, an information processing device, and an information processing method. Background Art

[0002] In restaurants, rice such as white rice and grain rice, as well as wheat, etc., is sometimes provided. However, since cooking rice is relatively time-consuming and freshly cooked rice tastes very good, some restaurants may set a relatively short expiration date for the rice.

[0003] In addition, the system described in Patent Document 1 grasps the amount of rice cooked in a plurality of stores, and displays the amount of rice cooked in each store or the amount of rice cooked for reservation on a map.

[0004] Prior art literature

[0005] Patent Literature

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2022-104126 Summary of the invention

[0007] Problem that the invention aims to solve

[0008] As mentioned above, since it takes a relatively long time to cook rice, it is necessary to prevent the rice from running out during peak hours such as lunch time. In addition, since the shelf life is set relatively short in order to provide more delicious rice, it is required to properly manage the timing of cooking rice to provide rice without waste.

[0009] In the system described in Patent Document 1, only the amount of cooked rice is grasped, and therefore management cannot be performed so that the rice is neither wasted nor used up.

[0010] The present disclosure provides an information processing program, a rice cooking device, an information processing device, and an information processing method capable of outputting cooking time of food and drink.

[0011] Solutions for solving problems

[0012] An information processing program of one method enables a computer having a storage unit for storing time information related to the time required to cook food and drinks to implement the following functions: a first acquisition function for acquiring usage information related to the amount of food and drinks used in the same store during a specified period in the past; an estimation function for estimating the predicted usage of food and drinks for each specified time in the future based on the usage information acquired using the first acquisition function; a second acquisition function for acquiring inventory information related to the current stock amount of food and drinks in the same store; and an output control function for performing a specified output related to the cooking of food and drinks before the time when the current stock amount of food and drinks estimated based on the predicted usage is consumed and in advance of the time required to cook the food and drinks, based on the inventory based on the inventory information acquired through the second acquisition function, the predicted usage estimated by the estimation function, and the time information stored in the storage unit.

[0013] Effects of the Invention

[0014] The information processing program, the rice cooking device, the information processing device, and the information processing method disclosed herein can output the cooking time of food and drink. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 This is a diagram for explaining an information processing device according to one embodiment.

[0016] Figure 2 This is a block diagram for explaining an information processing device involved in one embodiment.

[0017] Figure 3 This is a diagram for explaining an example of the predicted consumption of food and beverages on a certain day.

[0018] Figure 4 This is a diagram for explaining an example of the relationship between the inventory amount and time (forecast usage amount).

[0019] Figure 5 This is a diagram for explaining an example of the relationship between the predicted usage amount (predicted inventory amount), time, and cooking time.

[0020] Figure 6 This is a flowchart for explaining an information processing method involved in one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] Next, one embodiment is described.

[0022] [Overview of Information Processing Device 100]

[0023] First, an overview of an information processing device 100 according to an embodiment will be described.

[0024] Figure 1 It is a diagram for explaining an information processing device 100 according to one embodiment.

[0025] The information processing device 100 may be configured as an estimation device for estimating the future usage of food and beverages in a restaurant or the like. The information processing device 100 may be configured as a notification device for notifying the time to start cooking food and beverages in a restaurant or the like. In addition, the information processing device 100 may be configured as a notification device for notifying the time to start cooking rice represented by white rice, multi-grain rice, and brown rice in a restaurant or the like. The information processing device 100 is not limited to the above-mentioned device, and may be configured as various devices or the like.

[0026] The information processing device 100 may be, for example, a computer such as a server, a desktop computer, a notebook computer, a tablet computer, or a smart phone.

[0027] The information processing device 100 stores time information related to the time required for cooking food and drink. Food and drink may be, for example, dishes provided in a store (restaurant). As a specific example, food and drink may be rice cooked from white rice, whole grain rice, brown rice, wheat, etc., and stews of meat, fish, and shellfish.

[0028] The information processing device 100 obtains the usage information related to the usage of food and beverages used in the same store (same restaurant) during the past prescribed period. The prescribed period may be, for example, various periods represented by 1 month, 2 months, 3 months, 4 months, 5 months, 6 months, and 12 months. In addition, the information processing device 100 may obtain, for example, the usage information of the usage of food and beverages for each day of the week and each time (or time period) during the past prescribed period. And, the information processing device 100 may obtain, for example, the usage information of the usage of food and beverages for each prescribed time unit (for example, 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 15 minutes, 20 minutes, 30 minutes, etc.). As a more specific example, the information processing device 100 may obtain the usage (usage information) of food and beverages estimated based on the commodity provision information (for example, POS information, etc.) obtained every 10 minutes during the past three months. The usage of food and beverages may be replaced by, for example, the consumption of food and beverages and the provision of food and beverages.

[0029] The information processing device 100 estimates the predicted usage of food and beverage products for each predetermined time in the future based on the usage information. The predetermined time may be the same time as the predetermined time unit described above, or may be a different time therefrom. As a more specific example, the predetermined time may be 10 minutes, etc. In addition, the information processing device 100 may estimate the predicted usage of food and beverage products for a certain day in the future or a certain day in a week.

[0030] The information processing device 100 obtains inventory information related to the current inventory of food and beverages in the same store (the same restaurant). The information processing device 100 can measure the weight of the food and beverages contained in the storage container using a weight meter configured on the storage container of the food and beverage, for example. The information processing device 100 can set the measured weight of the food and beverages as the inventory. Alternatively, the information processing device 100 can capture the food and beverages in the storage container to generate image information, and obtain the inventory of the food and beverages in the storage container based on the learned model that has learned the inventory of the food and beverages and the image information.

[0031] The information processing device 100 outputs the regulations related to the cooking of food and drink before the moment when the current food and drink inventory estimated based on the predicted usage is consumed and earlier than the time it takes to cook the food and drink, based on the inventory based on the inventory information, the predicted usage, and the time information related to the time it takes to cook. The information processing device 100, for example, uses the current food and drink inventory as a reference and compares it with the predicted usage of the food and drink to estimate how much the food and drink will be used according to the future elapsed time, that is, the usage. At this time, the information processing device 100 estimates the predicted usage of the food and drink based on the current food and drink inventory at predetermined intervals. The information processing device 100 can output an indication of the intention to cook the food and drink at a moment before the current food and drink inventory is exhausted or becomes less than a predetermined threshold and earlier than the time it takes to cook the food and drink.

[0032] [Details of Information Processing Device 100]

[0033] Next, the information processing device 100 according to one embodiment will be described in detail.

[0034] Figure 2 This is a block diagram for explaining an information processing device 100 according to one embodiment.

[0035] The information processing device 100 includes, for example, a communication unit 121, a storage unit 122, a display unit 123, and a control unit 110. The communication unit 121, the storage unit 122, and the display unit 123 may be an embodiment of the output unit. The control unit 110 includes, for example, a first acquisition unit 111, an estimation unit 112, a second acquisition unit 113, and an output control unit 114. The control unit 110 may be configured, for example, by a processing unit of the information processing device 100. The control unit 110 (for example, a processing unit) may realize the functions of each unit (for example, the first acquisition unit 111, the estimation unit 112, the second acquisition unit 113, and the output control unit 114) by appropriately reading and executing various programs stored in the storage unit 122.

[0036] The communication unit 121 is, for example, a communication interface capable of transmitting and receiving various types of information with a device (external device) or the like that is external to the information processing device 100 .

[0037] The storage unit 122 can store various information and programs, for example. An example of the storage unit 122 may be a memory, a solid state drive, a hard disk drive, etc. In addition, the storage unit 122 may be a storage area or a server located in the cloud, for example.

[0038] The storage unit 122 stores time information on the time required to cook food or drinks.

[0039] As an example, when the food is rice, the storage unit 122 stores the time (time information) required to cook the rice. In this case, the time information may include the time required to wash the rice and soak it in water.

[0040] Similarly, as an example, when the food is a stew of meat and fish, the storage unit 122 may store the time (time information) required for stewing. In this case, the time information may include the time required for preparing the meat and fish.

[0041] The storage unit 122 stores time information related to the time required to cook the food and drink corresponding to the plurality of amounts of the food and drink. Here, as an example, when the food and drink is rice, the cooking time varies depending on the amount of rice to be cooked. Therefore, the storage unit 122 can store a plurality of times (time information) required to cook the food and drink corresponding to the preset amount of food and drink for each amount of the food and drink.

[0042] The display unit 123 is, for example, a display capable of displaying various characters, symbols, images, and the like.

[0043] The first acquisition unit 111 acquires usage information related to the amount of food and beverage used in the same store during a specified period in the past. The usage information may be POS information (product provision information) used in a POS (Point of Sales) system for accepting orders and performing various processes in stores (restaurants, etc.), or may be information on the amount of food and beverage used calculated using the POS information (product provision information). The first acquisition unit 111 may acquire usage information of each of a plurality of stores from a server, etc. via the communication unit 121. Alternatively, the first acquisition unit 111 may acquire usage information from a POS system, etc. in the same store, via the communication unit 121. The specified period may be, for example, various periods represented by 1 month, 2 months, 3 months, 4 months, 5 months, 6 months, and 12 months. In addition, the information processing device 100 may, for example, acquire usage information on the amount of food and beverage used on each day of the week and at each time (or time period) during the specified period in the past. Furthermore, the information processing device 100 may acquire, for example, usage information including the amount of food and beverage consumed per predetermined time unit (eg, 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 15 minutes, 20 minutes, 30 minutes, etc.).

[0044] Figure 3 This is a diagram for explaining an example of the predicted consumption of food and beverages on a certain day.

[0045] The estimation unit 112 estimates the predicted usage of food and beverages for each predetermined time in the future based on the usage information acquired by the first acquisition unit 111. As a more specific example, the predetermined time may be 10 minutes, etc. The estimation unit 112 may estimate the predicted usage of food and beverages for today or a certain day in the future or a certain day in a week (see Figure 3 ).exist Figure 3 The estimation unit 112 may obtain the change in the amount of food and drink consumed, for example, in accordance with the passage of time or by time (time period).

[0046] The second acquisition unit 113 acquires inventory information related to the current inventory of food and beverages in the same store. The second acquisition unit 113 can measure the weight of the food and beverages contained in the current storage container using, for example, a weight meter configured on the storage container of the food and beverages. The information processing device 100 can set the measured weight of the food and beverages as the inventory. Alternatively, the information processing device 100 can, for example, use a camera (not shown) to capture the food and beverages stored in the current storage container to generate image information, and acquire the inventory of the food and beverages in the storage container based on the learned model of the inventory of the food and beverages and the image information.

[0047] Figure 4This is a diagram for explaining an example of the relationship between the inventory amount and time (forecast usage amount).

[0048] Figure 5 This is a diagram for explaining an example of the relationship between the predicted usage amount (predicted inventory amount), time, and cooking time.

[0049] The output control unit 114 performs a prescribed output related to the cooking of food and beverages before the time when the current food and beverage inventory is consumed and before the time required for cooking the food and beverages, based on the inventory based on the inventory information acquired by the second acquisition unit 113, the predicted usage estimated by the estimation unit 112, and the time information stored in the storage unit 122. Here, as an example, as a prescribed output, the output control unit 114 may instruct the use of a rice cooker to cook rice as a food and beverage. In this case, the output control unit 114 may instruct the store staff to operate the rice cooker, or may output a control signal to the rice cooker to cook the rice. In addition, as a prescribed output, the output control unit 114 may output a control signal to instruct the cooking of rice to a rice cooking device (not shown). The rice cooking device in this case can, for example, be equipped with a rice storage device, a meter, a rice washing device, a rice cooker, and a storage container (insulator). When a control signal is received, the following processing is performed: rice is sent from the rice storage device to the meter, the measured rice is washed by the rice washing device, the rice is then cooked by the rice cooker, and the cooked rice is transferred to the storage container. The output control unit 114 can send control signals to each device of the rice cooking device (rice storage device, meter, rice washing device, rice cooker, and storage container). Each device of the rice cooking device can perform processing of each device when receiving the control signal.

[0050] The output control unit 114, for example, uses the current inventory of food and beverages as a reference, and compares the predicted usage of the food and beverages at predetermined intervals to estimate how much the food and beverages will be used in accordance with the elapsed time in the future, that is, the predicted usage (refer to Figure 4 ). At this time, the information processing device 100 estimates the predicted usage amount of the food and beverage based on the current inventory amount of the food and beverage at predetermined intervals. The predicted usage amount is sometimes also referred to as "predicted inventory amount".

[0051] “Before the stock of food and drinks is consumed” may be before the stock of food and drinks is completely consumed, or before the stock of food and drinks becomes less than a preset threshold value (lower limit), etc.

[0052] The prescribed output may be an output indicating the cooking of food and drink, etc. The output control unit 114 may, for example, control the output unit to perform the prescribed output. The output unit may, for example, be the communication unit 121, the storage unit 122, and the display unit 123. That is, the output control unit 114 may, for example, control the communication unit 121 to output information indicating the cooking of food and drink to an external device. The output control unit 114 may, for example, control the storage unit 122 to store the information indicating the cooking of food and drink as a log (history record). The output control unit 114 may, for example, control the display unit 123 to display characters, marks, and images indicating the cooking of food and drink.

[0053] The output control unit 114 performs an inverse calculation based on the predicted usage amount corresponding to the current inventory of food and beverages and the time required for cooking so that the predicted usage amount becomes "before the inventory of food and beverages is consumed" before the time required for cooking (cooking time), thereby performing an output for instructing to cook food and beverages (refer to Figure 5 That is, the output control unit 114 performs reverse calculation based on the predicted usage amount (predicted inventory) of the food and drink and the cooking time so that the cooking time ends before the inventory of the food and drink is consumed, thereby indicating the time to start cooking.

[0054] That is, the output control unit 114 can compare the inventory based on the current inventory information at each predetermined time with the predicted usage, estimate the inventory of future food and beverages at each predetermined time, and perform a predetermined output before at least one of the following two time points: the time point when the estimated inventory is exhausted corresponding to the time required for cooking the food and beverages based on the time information; and the time point when the estimated inventory is below a predetermined threshold value corresponding to the time required for cooking the food and beverages based on the time information. In this case, when a "peak time period" arrives as described later, or when the number of customers visiting the store is predicted to decrease, the output control unit 114 can use the predicted usage estimated by the estimation unit 112 to predict the usage of food and beverages after at least one time point, and determine the amount of food and beverages to be cooked based on the predicted usage.

[0055] The output control unit 114 determines the amount of food and drink to be cooked based on the usage status of food and drink corresponding to the time period in the past in the same store, the inventory based on the inventory information acquired by the second acquisition unit 113, the predicted usage estimated by the estimation unit 112, and the time information stored in the storage unit 122, and performs the prescribed output before the moment when the current inventory of food and drink estimated based on the predicted usage is consumed and in advance of the time required for cooking corresponding to the determined amount of food and drink to be cooked.

[0056] Depending on the restaurant, there may be more customers visiting the restaurant at various times (e.g., peak hours) such as breakfast, lunch, or dinner, and the amount of food and drink consumed may increase. Frequent cooking during these peak hours is a burden for the store staff who must prioritize customer service. For example, Figure 5 As shown, it can be considered that if the cooking amount is small before the peak time, the food will be exhausted during the peak time (refer to Figure 5 Mark A), so further increase the cooking amount to increase the inventory to prevent food from running out during peak hours (refer to Figure 5 Therefore, the output control unit 114 determines the time when more customers come to the store (peak time period) based on the state of the usage of food and beverage products in the past time period in the same store, and cooks more food and beverage products based on the predicted usage before the peak time period (during cooking immediately before the peak time period).

[0057] The output control unit 114 may reduce the amount of food and drink prepared during time periods other than the peak time period, for example, when the number of customers visiting the store is expected to decrease.

[0058] The cooking amount is set in advance, and time information corresponding to the difference in the set amount is stored in the storage unit 122 .

[0059] As an example, before the peak time period, the output control unit 114 selects (decides) from a plurality of pre-set cooking amounts based on the estimated usage based on the predicted usage, in a manner such that the usage amount of the food and beverage used during the peak time period is set and more food and beverage are cooked within the range, and instructs the cooking of food and beverage at a time earlier than the time required to cook the selected cooking amount.

[0060] In addition, similarly, as an example, even when the number of customers visiting the store is expected to decrease at times other than peak hours, the output control unit 114 selects (decides) from a plurality of cooking amounts pre-set within the range of food and beverage usage based on the usage estimated based on the predicted usage, and instructs cooking of food and beverage at a time earlier than the time required to cook the selected cooking amount.

[0061] The output control unit 114 may output the determined amount of food or drink to be cooked as a predetermined output.

[0062] Furthermore, the information processing apparatus 100 may be disposed in a plurality of stores (restaurants) to perform the above-mentioned processing in each of the same stores.

[0063] Alternatively, the information processing device 100 may be disposed in a management headquarters for managing a plurality of stores (restaurants), obtain information obtained by devices respectively disposed in each store, and accordingly perform the above-mentioned processing corresponding to each identical store.

[0064] In addition, the above-mentioned rice cooking device (not shown) can receive a control signal as a prescribed output output from the output control unit 114, select a cooking amount of rice (cooking amount) corresponding to the inventory amount of rice as a food and the predicted usage amount of the food based on the control signal, and cook the selected cooking amount of rice.

[0065] That is, the rice cooking device can automatically set one or more rice cookers (cooking capacity (energy such as the amount of rice, the amount of water, and the firepower)) to cook rice in response to the output of the control signal as the output based on the provisions of the output control unit. As a specific example, when the rice cooking device is provided with two rice cookers with a cooking capacity of 10kg, if the usage is predicted to be 3kg based on the control signal, one rice cooker can be selected (designated) to cook with a setting corresponding to 3kg. Similarly, as a specific example, if the usage is predicted to be 10kg based on the control signal, the rice cooking device can select (designate) one rice cooker to cook with a setting corresponding to 10kg of rice. Similarly, as a specific example, if the usage is predicted to be 12kg based on the control signal, the rice cooking device selects (designates) two rice cookers, one of which is cooked with a setting corresponding to 10kg of rice, and the other is cooked with a setting corresponding to 2kg of rice.

[0066] In addition, in household rice cookers, the amount of rice to be cooked is set by manual operation of each user, and the amount of rice to be cooked cannot be set automatically as in the above-mentioned rice cooker. In addition, in the previous industrial rice cooker, the amount of rice to be cooked is not changed according to the amount of rice consumed. In this regard, the rice cooker of this embodiment can automatically set the amount of rice to be cooked (cooking amount) according to the inventory and the predicted usage, and cook the rice of the set amount of rice to be cooked.

[0067] [Information processing method]

[0068] Next, an information processing method according to one embodiment will be described.

[0069] Figure 6 This is a flowchart for explaining an information processing method involved in one embodiment.

[0070] In step ST101 , the first acquisition unit 111 acquires usage information regarding the usage of food and beverages used in the same store during a predetermined period in the past.

[0071] In step ST102 , the estimation unit 112 estimates the predicted usage amount of food and beverages for each predetermined period of time in the future based on the usage amount information acquired in step ST101 .

[0072] In step ST103 , the second acquisition unit 113 acquires the inventory quantity information on the current inventory quantity of food and beverages in the same store in step ST101 .

[0073] In step ST104 , the output control unit 114 estimates the time when the current food and beverage inventory estimated based on the predicted usage amount will be consumed based on the inventory amount based on the inventory amount information acquired in step ST103 and the predicted usage amount estimated in step ST102 .

[0074] In step ST105, the output control unit 114 performs a prescribed output related to cooking of food and drink based on the time information stored in the storage unit 122 and the time estimated in step ST104, before the time when the current food and drink inventory is consumed according to the predicted usage amount and before the time (cooking time) required for cooking the food and drink. As the prescribed output, the output control unit 114 may instruct to cook rice as a food and drink using a rice cooker.

[0075] The output control unit 114 can use the predicted usage amount estimated in step ST102 to predict the usage amount of the food and drink after cooking, and determine the amount of the food and drink to be cooked based on the predicted usage amount. As a predetermined output, the output control unit 114 can output the determined amount of the food and drink to be cooked.

[0076] Furthermore, in the processing of step ST104 and step ST105, the output control unit 114 may determine the amount of food and drink to be cooked based on the usage of food and drink in the past time period in the same store, the inventory based on the inventory information acquired in step ST103, the predicted usage estimated in step ST102, and the time information stored in the storage unit 122, and perform the prescribed output before the moment when the current inventory of food and drink estimated based on the predicted usage is consumed and in advance of the time required for cooking corresponding to the determined amount of food and drink to be cooked. Here, the storage unit 122 may store time information related to the time required for cooking the food and drink corresponding to a plurality of amounts of food and drink, respectively.

[0077] [Example]

[0078] The information processing device 100, for example, uses POS information to convert and obtain the amount (usage) of food and beverage (e.g., rice, etc.) from the goods provided to the customer. As an example, the information processing device 100 can convert the amount of food and beverage (e.g., rice, etc.) based on the correspondence between the product name and the amount of rice in the product master data, for example, the amount of rice for a medium portion of beef rice is 200g and the amount of rice for a large portion of beef rice is 300g, etc. Alternatively, the information processing device 100 can use a weight meter configured in a storage container for food and beverage to obtain the change in the amount of food and beverage stored in the storage container, thereby obtaining the amount (usage) of food and beverage (e.g., rice, etc.) provided to the customer. Alternatively, the information processing device 100 can generate image information by photographing the storage container for food and beverage with a camera, and obtain the storage amount of food and beverage in the storage container based on a learned model that has learned the amount of food and beverage in the storage container and the image information, and obtain the amount (usage) of food and beverage (e.g., rice, etc.) provided to the customer based on the change in the storage amount.

[0079] In addition, when the information processing device 100 is unable to obtain the usage amount in a newly opened store, etc., it selects a store that is located relatively close to the newly opened store and has the same store type as the newly opened store (for example, scale, building type, roadside type, food court type, and surrounding traffic conditions, etc.), and applies the usage amount of food and beverages in the selected store to the newly opened store.

[0080] The information processing device 100 totals (statistical processing) the usage of the same food and beverage (e.g., rice, etc.) in the same store obtained as described above during the prescribed period. As an example of totaling, the information processing device 100 totals and obtains the value of the usage of food and beverage in each week during the prescribed period, obtains the central value, average value, and the value obtained by combining the average value with the variance, etc. of multiple values ​​for the entire prescribed period, and adopts any of these values. As an example, the information processing device 100 can perform a total of every ten minutes corresponding to each time (or each time period, etc.) of each week during the past three months. In addition, the information processing device 100 can replace the holidays within the prescribed period with "Sunday" for totaling. That is, since it can be considered that the sales volume on weekdays and holidays is different, the information processing device 100 can perform different totals on weekdays and holidays.

[0081] That is, the information processing device 100 acquires the usage information.

[0082] The information processing device 100 estimates the predicted usage of food and beverage (e.g., rice, etc.) for each predetermined period (e.g., every 10 minutes, etc.) on a certain day of the week today or on a certain day in the future based on the acquired usage information (for example, refer to Figure 3 ).

[0083] Furthermore, the information processing device 100 may perform statistical processing on the period until the previous night to acquire usage information, and estimate the predicted usage of food and beverages every 10 minutes on the next day.

[0084] The information processing device 100 obtains the inventory information related to the current inventory of food and beverages in the same store. The information processing device 100 can obtain the inventory of food and beverages in the same manner as the case of obtaining the usage of the above-mentioned food and beverages, that is, in the same manner as the case of using various methods represented by POS information, a weight meter, and a learned model.

[0085] The information processing device 100 obtains the predicted inventory of food and beverages in the future (for example, every 10 minutes after 0:10) based on the inventory (actual inventory) of food and beverages (for example, rice, etc.) at the present time (for example, 0:00) and the predicted usage estimated as described above (for example, refer to Figure 4 The information processing device 100 predicts that the food (e.g., rice) will run out at 3:50 based on the acquired predicted inventory, and if the time required for cooking (e.g., preparing, etc.) the food is 80 minutes (time based on the time information), cooking (e.g., preparing, etc.) must be started at 2:30.

[0086] In addition, the above-mentioned prediction of the start time is based on the actual inventory and predicted usage at 0:00, so the information processing device 100 repeatedly calculates the predicted inventory based on the actual inventory and predicted usage every specified time (for example, 10 minutes, etc.).

[0087] The information processing device 100 performs a predetermined output when the time T1 (prediction) until the stock of a food (e.g., rice) runs out and the time T2 required for cooking (80 minutes in the above case) are T1≤T2. As the predetermined output, the information processing device 100 instructs a rice cooker to cook rice as a food.

[0088] That is, the information processing device 100 obtains the predicted inventory quantity after the time required for cooking the food (for example, 80 minutes) based on the predicted inventory quantity based on the current moment, and determines whether the predicted inventory quantity after 80 minutes means that the food inventory is exhausted or the food inventory reaches a threshold (lower limit).

[0089] If the result of this determination is that the predicted inventory amount after 80 minutes is that the food and beverage inventory is exhausted or the food and beverage inventory is below a threshold value (lower limit), the information processing device 100 performs a predetermined output (for example, a cooking instruction).

[0090] On the other hand, when the result of the determination is that the predicted inventory after 80 minutes includes food and beverage inventory and the food and beverage inventory exceeds the threshold (lower limit), the information processing device 100 does not perform a prescribed output (eg, a cooking instruction).

[0091] In addition, when the food inventory will be exhausted after the cooking time required for the food (for example, 80 minutes of cooking time), the information processing device 100 can further obtain the predicted usage after the cooking time (as an example, refer to Figure 5 ). When the predicted usage after the cooking time is greater than the inventory after cooking the food (e.g., the amount of rice after cooking, etc.), the information processing device 100 estimates the amount of food required before cooking (the amount of cooking), and increases the amount of food to be cooked. For example, the prescribed output (e.g., cooking instruction) is performed together with the necessary cooking amount such as "cooking 5 kg of rice".

[0092] In addition, when the food is rice, when there are multiple devices (rice washing machines and rice cookers, etc.), the information processing device 100 can grasp the operating devices and non-operating devices by communicating with the multiple devices respectively, and instruct the non-operating devices (rice washing machines and rice cookers, etc.) to wash and cook rice.

[0093] In addition, the information processing device 100 may consider the expiration date when predicting the inventory of food and drink. That is, when the information processing device 100 predicts that the inventory of food and drink will exceed the expiration date, it may instruct the cooking of food and drink before the expiration date.

[0094] In addition, when the time required for cooking food and drinks may overlap with the peak time based on the predicted usage, the information processing device 100 performs a predetermined output (e.g., a cooking instruction) to advance the cooking of food and drinks so that the time required for cooking food and drinks (the end time) arrives before the peak time. That is, when the time required for cooking food and drinks (the time based on the time information) may overlap with the peak time period based on the predicted usage estimated by the estimation unit 112, the output control unit 114 may perform a predetermined output in a manner to advance the time to start cooking food and drinks so that the end time of the time required for cooking food and drinks arrives before the peak time period.

[0095] In addition, when the indicated amount (cooking amount (cooking indicated amount)) when indicating cooking is greater than the maximum cooking amount of one or more rice cookers owned by the store, the information processing device 100 may advance the time to start cooking so that the rice cookers owned by the store can cope with cooking. As an example, the information processing device 100 may obtain the cooking capacity of the store in advance based on the number of rice cookers configured in the store and the cooking amount of the rice cookers. The information processing device 100 may, similarly to the process of starting cooking (ending cooking) before the above-mentioned peak time period, perform a prescribed output in a manner of starting to cook rice in advance (advancing the time to start cooking) based on the cooking time of each rice cooker (the time obtained based on the time information) (the cooking capacity of the store) when the predicted usage exceeds the cooking capacity of the store based on the cooking capacity and the predicted usage. That is, the output control unit 114 can perform a predetermined output in a manner that advances the time to start cooking food and drinks when the predicted usage amount based on the cooking capacity of food and drinks of the same store and the estimated usage amount estimated by the estimation unit 112 exceeds the cooking capacity of the store.

[0096] [About functions and circuits]

[0097] Next, the functions and circuits of the above-mentioned information processing device 100 will be described.

[0098] Each part of the information processing device 100 can be implemented as a function of a computer processing device, etc. That is, the first acquisition unit 111, the estimation unit 112, the second acquisition unit 113, and the output control unit 114 (control unit 110) of the information processing device 100 can be respectively implemented as a first acquisition function, an estimation function, a second acquisition function, and an output control function (control function) based on a computer processing device, etc.

[0099] The information processing program enables the computer to implement the above functions. The information processing program can be recorded in a non-transient recording medium such as a memory, a solid state drive, a hard disk drive or an optical disk, which can be read by a computer. The recording medium can also be replaced by a non-transient computer-readable medium.

[0100] In addition, as described above, each part of the information processing device 100 can be implemented by a computer processing device or the like. The processing device or the like is constituted by, for example, an integrated circuit or the like. Therefore, each part of the information processing device 100 can be implemented as a circuit constituting the processing device or the like. That is, the first acquisition unit 111, the estimation unit 112, the second acquisition unit 113, and the output control unit 114 (control unit 110) of the information processing device 100 can be implemented as a first acquisition circuit, an estimation circuit, a second acquisition circuit, and an output control circuit (control circuit) constituting a computer processing device or the like.

[0101] In addition, the communication unit 121, storage unit 122, and display unit 123 (output unit) of the information processing device 100 can be implemented as a communication function, a storage function, and a display function (output function) including the functions of a processing unit, etc. In addition, the communication unit 121, storage unit 122, and display unit 123 (output unit) of the information processing device 100 can be implemented as a communication circuit, a storage circuit, and a display circuit (output circuit) by being composed of an integrated circuit, etc. In addition, the communication unit 121, storage unit 122, and display unit 123 (output unit) of the information processing device 100 can be configured as a communication device, a storage device, and a display device (output device) by being configured by a plurality of devices, for example.

[0102] The information processing device 100 can combine any one or any plurality of the above-mentioned components.

[0103] In the present disclosure, the word "information" is used, but the word "information" can be replaced with "data" and the word "data" can be replaced with "information".

[0104] [Modes and Effects of the Present Embodiment]

[0105] Next, a method of the present embodiment and the effects of each method are described. In addition, each method described below is an example at the time of application, and the present embodiment is not limited to the methods described below. That is, the present embodiment is not limited to the methods described below, and the above-mentioned parts can be appropriately combined to achieve. In addition, sometimes a lower-level method can be cited in any method in its upper-level method.

[0106] In addition, the effects described below are examples, and the effects achieved by each embodiment are not limited to the effects described below. In addition, each embodiment can achieve at least one effect described below, for example.

[0107] (Method 1)

[0108] An information processing program of one method enables a computer having a storage unit for storing time information related to the time required to cook food and drinks to implement the following functions: a first acquisition function for acquiring usage information related to the amount of food and drinks used in a specified period in the past in the same store; an estimation function for estimating the predicted usage of food and drinks for each specified time in the future based on the usage information acquired by the first acquisition function; a second acquisition function for acquiring inventory information related to the current stock amount of food and drinks in the same store; and an output control function for performing a specified output related to the cooking of food and drinks at a time before the current stock amount of food and drinks estimated based on the predicted usage is consumed and before the time required to cook the food and drinks, based on the inventory based on the inventory information acquired by the second acquisition function, the predicted usage estimated by the estimation function, and the time information stored in the storage unit.

[0109] Thus, the information processing program can prevent food and beverages from running out, thereby continuously providing food and beverages in the store (restaurant). That is, the information processing program can prevent the loss of opportunities to obtain customers in the store, and the customers can receive the service of providing food and beverages in the store. The information processing program can improve the convenience of customers, thereby improving the service to customers in the store.

[0110] (Method 2)

[0111] An information processing program of one method enables a computer having a storage unit for storing time information related to the time required to cook a plurality of food and beverage quantities respectively corresponding to the plurality of food and beverage quantities to implement the following functions: a first acquisition function for acquiring usage information related to the amount of food and beverage used in a specified period in the past in the same store; an estimation function for estimating the predicted usage of food and beverages for each specified time in the future based on the usage information acquired through the first acquisition function; a second acquisition function for acquiring inventory information related to the current stock of food and beverages in the same store; and an output control function for determining the amount of food and beverage to be cooked based on the usage status corresponding to the time period of food and beverages in the past in the same store, the inventory based on the inventory information acquired through the second acquisition function, the predicted usage estimated through the estimation function, and the time information stored in the storage unit, and performing a specified output before the time when the current stock of food and beverages estimated based on the predicted usage is consumed and in advance of the time required to cook corresponding to the determined amount of food and beverage to be cooked.

[0112] Thus, the information processing program can prevent food and beverages from running out, thereby continuously providing food and beverages in the store (restaurant). That is, the information processing program can prevent the loss of opportunities to obtain customers in the store, and the customers can receive the service of providing food and beverages in the store. The information processing program can improve the convenience of customers, thereby improving the service to customers in the store.

[0113] (Method 3)

[0114] In one aspect of the information processing program, the output control function may instruct, as the predetermined output, to cook rice as a food or drink using a rice cooker.

[0115] As a result, the information processing program can suppress the running out of rice in the store and can provide customers with freshly prepared delicious rice, thereby improving customer satisfaction.

[0116] (Method 4)

[0117] In one aspect of the information processing program, the output control function may output, as the predetermined output, a control signal for instructing the rice cooking device to cook rice.

[0118] The rice cooking device may include, for example, a rice storage device, a meter, a rice washing device, a rice cooking device, and a storage container (thermospheric bottle). When receiving the control signal, each device of the rice cooking device performs processing of each device.

[0119] Thereby, the information processing program can automatically instruct to cook rice, that is, output a control signal to the rice cooking device.

[0120] (Method 5)

[0121] In one embodiment of an information processing program, an output control function may perform a prescribed output in a manner that advances the start time of cooking the food and drink based on the predicted usage estimated by the estimation function, when there is a possibility that the time required for cooking the food and drink overlaps with the peak time period, so that the end time of the time required for cooking the food and drink arrives before the peak time period.

[0122] Frequent cooking during peak hours is even more burdensome for store staff who must prioritize customer service.

[0123] As a result, the information processing program can reduce the workload of the staff.

[0124] (Method 6)

[0125] In one method of an information processing program, an output control function may perform a prescribed output in a manner that advances the time for starting cooking of food and drinks based on the cooking capacity of food and drinks in the same store and the predicted usage estimated by an estimation function, when the predicted usage exceeds the cooking capacity of the store.

[0126] Thereby, the information processing program can secure food and drink corresponding to the predicted usage amount and can suppress running out of food and drink.

[0127] (Method 7)

[0128] In one method of an information processing program, an output control function may compare the inventory based on current inventory information at each specified time with the predicted usage, estimate the future inventory of food and drinks at each specified time, and perform a specified output before at least one of the following two time points: a time point when the estimated inventory is used up corresponding to the time required to cook the food and drinks based on the time information; and a time point when the estimated inventory becomes below a specified threshold corresponding to the time required to cook the food and drinks based on the time information.

[0129] Thereby, the information processing program can output the time to start cooking the food or drink, which is calculated by reverse calculation from the time point when the food or drink is finished.

[0130] (Method 8)

[0131] In one aspect of the information processing program, the output control function may predict the usage amount of the food and drink after at least one time point using the predicted usage amount estimated by the estimation function, and determine the amount of the food and drink to be cooked based on the predicted usage amount.

[0132] Thus, the information processing program considers the predicted usage amount after cooking the food and drink in advance, and when there is a possibility that the predicted usage amount will become larger than the inventory amount of the cooked food and drink, it can instruct to cook a large amount of food and drink in advance to avoid frequent cooking of food and drink.

[0133] Similarly, the information processing program can consider in advance the predicted usage of the food and drink after cooking, and if the predicted usage becomes less than the inventory of the cooked food and drink, it can consider the shelf life of the delicious food and drink to pre-instruct to cook a small amount of food and drink.

[0134] (Method 9)

[0135] A rice cooking device of one embodiment can receive a control signal as a specified output output from a computer based on an output control function by executing an information processing program of the above-mentioned embodiment, select a cooking amount of rice corresponding to the inventory amount of rice as a food and a predicted usage amount of the food based on the control signal, and cook the selected cooking amount of rice.

[0136] Thereby, the rice cooking device can automatically cook the rice in different amounts according to the rice inventory and the predicted rice usage amount.

[0137] (Method 10)

[0138] In one aspect of the information processing program, the output control function may output, as the predetermined output, the determined amount of the food or drink to be cooked.

[0139] Thus, the information processing program can output a large amount or a small amount, and a specific amount (for example, 3 kg, 5 kg, 10 kg, etc.) set in advance corresponding to the large amount or the small amount, respectively.

[0140] (Method 11)

[0141] An information processing device of one embodiment comprises: a storage unit that stores time information related to the time required to cook food and drinks; a first acquisition unit that acquires usage information related to the amount of food and drinks used in the same store during a specified period in the past; an estimation unit that estimates the predicted usage of food and drinks for each specified time in the future based on the usage information acquired by the first acquisition unit; a second acquisition unit that acquires inventory information related to the current stock of food and drinks in the same store; and an output control unit that performs a specified output related to cooking of food and drinks before the time when the current stock of food and drinks estimated based on the predicted usage is consumed and before the time required to cook the food and drinks, based on the inventory based on the inventory information acquired by the second acquisition unit, the predicted usage estimated by the estimation unit, and the time information stored in the storage unit.

[0142] Thereby, the information processing device can achieve the same effect as the information processing program of one aspect described above.

[0143] (Method 12)

[0144] An information processing method according to one embodiment causes a computer having a storage unit for storing time information related to the time required to cook food and drinks to perform the following steps: a first acquisition step of acquiring usage information related to the amount of food and drinks used in a specified period in the past in the same store; an estimation step of estimating the predicted usage of food and drinks for each specified time in the future based on the usage information acquired through the first acquisition step; a second acquisition step of acquiring inventory information related to the current stock amount of food and drinks in the same store; and an output control step of performing a specified output related to the cooking of food and drinks before the time when the current stock amount of food and drinks estimated based on the predicted usage is consumed and earlier than the time required to cook the food and drinks, based on the inventory amount based on the inventory information acquired through the second acquisition step, the predicted usage amount estimated through the estimation step, and the time information stored in the storage unit.

[0145] Therefore, the information processing method can achieve the same effect as the information processing program of one aspect described above.

[0146] Description of Reference Numerals

[0147] 100: information processing device; 110: control unit; 111: first acquisition unit; 112: estimation unit; 113: second acquisition unit; 114: output control unit; 121: communication unit; 122: storage unit; 123: display unit.

Claims

1. A computer program product, comprising an information processing program, the information processing program causing a computer having a storage unit for storing time information related to a time required for cooking a food or drink to implement the following functions: A first acquisition function is to acquire usage information related to the usage of food and beverage products used in the same store during a predetermined period in the past; an estimating function for estimating a predicted usage amount of food and beverages for each predetermined period of time in the future based on the usage amount information acquired by the first acquiring function; A second acquisition function is to acquire inventory information related to the current inventory of food and beverage products in the same store; as well as An output control function performs a prescribed output related to the cooking of food and drinks before the moment when the current inventory of food and drinks estimated based on the predicted usage is consumed and earlier than the time required for cooking the food and drinks, based on the inventory based on the inventory information acquired through the second acquisition function, the predicted usage estimated through the estimation function, and the time information stored in the storage unit.

2. A computer program product, comprising an information processing program, wherein the information processing program causes a computer having a storage unit for storing time information on the time required to cook a food or beverage, each corresponding to a plurality of quantities of the food or beverage, to implement the following functions: A first acquisition function is to acquire usage information related to the usage of food and beverage products used in the same store during a predetermined period in the past; an estimating function for estimating a predicted usage amount of food and beverages for each predetermined period of time in the future based on the usage amount information acquired by the first acquiring function; A second acquisition function is to acquire inventory information related to the current inventory of food and beverage products in the same store; as well as The output control function determines the amount of food and drink to be cooked based on the usage status of food and drink in the past corresponding to the time period in the same store, the inventory based on the inventory information obtained by the second acquisition function, the predicted usage estimated by the estimation function, and the time information stored in the storage unit, and performs a prescribed output before the moment when the current inventory of food and drink estimated based on the predicted usage is consumed and in advance of the time required for cooking corresponding to the determined amount of food and drink to be cooked.

3. The computer program product according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The output control function instructs, as a predetermined output, that rice be cooked as a food or drink using a rice cooker.

4. The computer program product according to claim 3, wherein: The output control function outputs, as a predetermined output, a control signal for instructing the rice cooking device to cook rice.

5. The computer program product according to claim 3, wherein: The output control function is based on the predicted usage estimated by the estimation function. When there is a possibility that the time required for cooking the food and the drink overlaps with the peak time period, the output control function performs a prescribed output in a manner that advances the time for starting cooking the food and the drink so that the end time of the time required for cooking the food and the drink arrives before the peak time period.

6. The computer program product according to claim 3, wherein: The output control function performs a predetermined output in such a manner as to advance the start time of cooking food and drinks based on the cooking capacity of food and drinks in the same store and the predicted usage estimated by the estimation function when the predicted usage exceeds the cooking capacity of the store.

7. The computer program product according to claim 3, wherein: The output control function compares the inventory based on the current inventory information at each specified time with the predicted usage, estimates the future inventory of food and drinks at each specified time, and performs the specified output before at least one of the following two time points: the time point when the estimated inventory is used up corresponding to the time required to cook the food and drinks based on the time information; and the time point when the estimated inventory becomes below a specified threshold corresponding to the time required to cook the food and drinks based on the time information.

8. The computer program product according to claim 7, wherein: The output control function predicts the usage amount of the food and drink after the at least one time point using the predicted usage amount estimated by the estimation function, and determines the amount of the food and drink to be cooked based on the predicted usage amount.

9. The computer program product according to claim 8, wherein: The output control function outputs the determined amount of food or beverage to be cooked as a predetermined output.

10. A cooking device, A control signal as a prescribed output outputted from the computer based on the output control function by executing the information processing program according to claim 4 is received, an amount of rice to be cooked corresponding to the inventory amount of rice as a food and a predicted usage amount of the food is selected based on the control signal, and the selected amount of rice to be cooked is cooked.

11. An information processing device comprising: a storage unit storing time information related to the time required for cooking the food; a first acquisition unit that acquires usage information related to the usage of food and beverage products used in a predetermined period in the past at the same store; an estimating unit that estimates a predicted usage amount of the food and beverage at each predetermined time in the future based on the usage amount information acquired by the first acquiring unit; a second acquisition unit that acquires inventory information related to the current inventory of food and beverages in the same store; as well as An output control unit performs a prescribed output related to the cooking of food and drinks before the moment when the current inventory of food and drinks estimated based on the predicted usage is consumed and earlier than the time required for cooking the food and drinks, based on the inventory based on the inventory information acquired by the second acquisition unit, the predicted usage estimated by the estimation unit, and the time information stored in the storage unit.

12. An information processing method, comprising causing a computer having a storage unit for storing time information related to a time required for cooking a food or drink to perform the following steps: A first acquisition step of acquiring usage information related to the usage of food and beverages used in the same store during a predetermined period in the past; an estimating step of estimating a predicted usage amount of the food and beverage at each predetermined time in the future based on the usage amount information acquired in the first acquiring step; A second acquisition step of acquiring inventory information related to the current inventory of food and beverages in the same store; as well as An output control step performs a prescribed output related to the cooking of food and drinks before the moment when the current inventory of food and drinks estimated based on the predicted usage is consumed and earlier than the time required for cooking the food and drinks, based on the inventory based on the inventory information acquired through the second acquisition step, the predicted usage estimated through the estimation step, and the time information stored in the storage unit.

13. A recording medium storing an information processing program for causing a computer having a storage unit for storing time information related to a time required for cooking a food or drink to implement the following functions: A first acquisition function is to acquire usage information related to the usage of food and beverage products used in the same store during a predetermined period in the past; an estimating function for estimating a predicted usage amount of food and beverages for each predetermined period of time in the future based on the usage amount information acquired by the first acquiring function; A second acquisition function is to acquire inventory information related to the current inventory of food and beverage products in the same store; as well as An output control function performs a prescribed output related to the cooking of food and drinks before the moment when the current inventory of food and drinks estimated based on the predicted usage is consumed and earlier than the time required for cooking the food and drinks, based on the inventory based on the inventory information acquired through the second acquisition function, the predicted usage estimated through the estimation function, and the time information stored in the storage unit.

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