A control method of a take-out serving device and the take-out serving device

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a take-out device control method and a take-out device. The take-out device comprises a control module, a code scanning module, and a plurality of take-out units. Each take-out unit has a corresponding state display module. The method comprises: the control module scans the barcode of a first catering order to be taken out by the code scanning module to obtain the order number of the first catering order; the control module obtains the first unit number of the first take-out unit associated with the first catering order according to the order number; and the control module controls the state display module corresponding to the first take-out unit to display first reminder information according to the first unit number, so as to guide the merchant to place the food of the first catering order into the first take-out unit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of delivery technology, and more specifically, to a control method for a food delivery device and a food delivery device. Background Technology

[0002] With the accelerated digital and intelligent transformation of the catering industry, food delivery equipment has been widely used in various catering scenarios such as fast food chains, corporate canteens, and school restaurants due to its significant advantages in order response efficiency, space utilization, and labor cost control. This type of food delivery equipment communicates with food delivery platforms in real time, automatically receiving order information, allocating meals to the corresponding food preparation units, and providing pickup instructions to riders. This achieves a semi-automated or fully automated closed loop from order receipt to food delivery, greatly improving the standardization level and user experience of food delivery services.

[0003] However, existing food delivery equipment lacks coordination in the allocation mechanism of food preparation units, visual guidance, and human-computer interaction. It has failed to build a precise guidance and automated linkage system from the allocation of food preparation units to the delivery of food, resulting in problems such as high dependence on manual labor, low operating efficiency, and prominent risk of misoperation. Summary of the Invention

[0004] One objective of this disclosure is to provide a new technical solution for food delivery equipment to guide users to quickly locate the corresponding food dispensing unit.

[0005] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a control method for a food delivery device is provided. The food delivery device includes a control module, a barcode scanning module, and multiple food dispensing units, each of which has a corresponding status display module. The method includes: The control module scans the barcode of the first catering order to be served through the scanning module to obtain the order number of the first catering order; The control module obtains the first unit number of the first food preparation unit associated with the first catering order based on the order number; The control module controls the status display module corresponding to the first food preparation unit to display the first reminder information according to the first unit number, so as to guide the merchant to put the food of the first catering order into the first food preparation unit.

[0006] Optionally, the food delivery device further includes a communication module, wherein the control module obtains the first unit number of the first food preparation unit associated with the first food order based on the order number, including: The control module generates a query instruction based on the order number and transmits the query instruction to the communication module; The communication module uploads the query instruction to the server, so that the server can find the first unit number of the first food preparation unit associated with the first catering order based on the order number, and return the first unit number to the communication module; The communication module receives the first unit number returned by the server based on the order number, and transmits the first unit number to the control module; The control module receives the first unit number transmitted by the communication module.

[0007] Optionally, the food delivery device further includes a communication module, wherein the control module obtains the first unit number of the first food preparation unit associated with the first food order based on the order number, including: The control module generates an allocation instruction based on the order number and transmits the allocation instruction to the communication module; The communication module uploads the allocation instruction to the server, so that the server can select one of the food dispensing units in the waiting-to-be-allocated state of the takeaway food delivery equipment to allocate to the first catering order as the first food dispensing unit, and return the first unit number of the first food dispensing unit to the communication module; The communication module receives the first unit number returned by the server according to the allocation instruction, and transmits the first unit number to the control module; The control module obtains the first unit number transmitted by the communication module.

[0008] Optionally, the food delivery device further includes a communication module, and the method further includes: When the control module detects that food has been placed in the first food dispensing unit, it reports first information indicating that food has been placed in the first food dispensing unit to the server through the communication module, so that the server can send the first unit number to the rider terminal used by the first rider assigned to the first catering order based on the first information.

[0009] Optionally, the food delivery device further includes a communication module, and the method further includes: When the control module detects that food has been placed in the first food serving unit, it controls the status display module corresponding to the first food serving unit to display the first status information indicating that the food has been served. The control module also reports the status of the first food serving unit to the server through the communication module, so that the server can modify the status of the first catering order to indicate that the food has been served.

[0010] Optionally, the method further includes: When the control module receives the first unit number, does not detect any food being placed in the first food dispensing unit, and detects food being placed in other food dispensing units, it controls the food delivery device to issue an error alarm indicating that the merchant has placed the food in the wrong food dispensing unit.

[0011] Optionally, the control module controls the status display module corresponding to the first food dispensing unit to display a first reminder message based on the first unit number, including at least one of the following: The control module controls the status display module corresponding to the first food preparation unit to display first graphic information to remind the merchant to place the food from the first catering order into the corresponding food preparation unit according to the first unit number; The control module controls the indicator light of the first color in the status display module corresponding to the first food serving unit to light up or flash according to the first unit number.

[0012] Optionally, the food delivery device further includes a communication module, and the method further includes: The communication module receives the second unit number of the second food preparation unit associated with the second food order, sent by the server when it detects that the second rider assigned to the second food order has arrived at the store, and transmits the second unit number to the control module; wherein, the server determines that the second rider has arrived at the store when it receives a store arrival request sent by the rider terminal used by the second rider, or when the distance between the location of the rider terminal used by the second rider and the store location of the second food order is less than or equal to a set distance threshold; The control module controls the status display module corresponding to the second food preparation unit to display the second reminder information according to the second unit number, so as to guide the second rider to take out the food of the second catering order from the second food preparation unit.

[0013] Optionally, the method further includes: when the control module detects that the food in the second food dispensing unit has been taken out, controlling the status display module corresponding to the second food dispensing unit to display second status information indicating that the food has been taken out, and reporting the unit status of the second food dispensing unit to the server through the communication module, so that the server can modify the status of the second catering order to indicate that the food has been taken out.

[0014] Optionally, the second unit number is sent by the server when the order information of the second catering order is verified as passed. The verification of the order information of the second catering order includes: the order status of the second catering order being that the food in the second catering order has been served or is waiting to be served, and / or the second catering order having an associated second serving unit.

[0015] Optionally, the control module controls the status display module corresponding to the second food preparation unit to display a second reminder message according to the second unit number, so as to guide the second rider to retrieve the food from the second food preparation unit, including at least one of the following: The control module controls the status display module corresponding to the second food preparation unit to display second graphic information to remind the second rider to take the food from the second food preparation unit; The control module controls the indicator light of the second color in the status display module corresponding to the second food serving unit to light up or flash according to the second unit number.

[0016] According to a second aspect of this disclosure, a food delivery device is provided, including a processor, a memory, and a plurality of food dispensing units, wherein the memory is used to store a computer program, and the processor is used to execute the method as described in the first aspect of this disclosure under the control of the computer program.

[0017] According to a third aspect of this disclosure, a computer-readable storage medium is provided having a computer program stored thereon that, when executed by a processor, implements the method described in the first aspect of this disclosure.

[0018] Through the embodiments of this disclosure, a collaborative linkage mechanism for food preparation unit allocation and food preparation guidance is constructed. Merchants do not need to manually search and match order and food preparation unit information. They only need to quickly locate the first food preparation unit associated with the first catering order to be prepared based on the first reminder information. This shortens the time for merchants to find the first food preparation unit, improves the efficiency of merchants in placing food, reduces the problem of food misplacement caused by manual verification errors, reduces subsequent order disputes and operating costs caused by misplacement, and improves the efficiency and accuracy of merchants' order processing.

[0019] Other features and advantages of the invention will become clear from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0020] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with their description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

[0021] Figure 1 This is a block diagram illustrating the hardware configuration of a food delivery device that can implement embodiments of the present disclosure; Figure 2 Is it like this? Figure 1 The diagram shown is a block diagram of the main control unit for the food delivery equipment. Figure 3 Is it like this? Figure 1 The diagram shows the food dispensing unit of the takeout food delivery equipment; Figure 4 This is a flowchart of a control method for a takeaway food delivery device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 5 This is a block diagram of a food delivery device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0022] Various exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that, unless otherwise specifically stated, the relative arrangement, numerical expressions, and values ​​of the components and steps set forth in these embodiments do not limit the scope of the invention.

[0023] The following description of at least one exemplary embodiment is merely illustrative and is in no way intended to limit the invention or its application or use.

[0024] Techniques, methods, and apparatus known to those skilled in the art in the relevant field may not be discussed in detail, but where appropriate, such techniques, methods, and apparatus should be considered part of the specification.

[0025] In all the examples shown and discussed herein, any specific values ​​should be interpreted as merely exemplary and not as limitations. Therefore, other examples of exemplary embodiments may have different values.

[0026] It should be noted that similar labels and letters in the following figures indicate similar items; therefore, once an item is defined in one figure, it does not need to be discussed further in subsequent figures.

[0027] <Food delivery equipment> Figure 1 This is a block diagram illustrating the hardware configuration of a takeaway food delivery device 1000 that can implement embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0028] like Figure 1 As shown, the food delivery equipment 1000 may include a main control device 1100 and multiple food dispensing units 1200 (including 1200-1 to 1200-N, where N is a positive integer).

[0029] like Figure 2As shown, each food dispensing unit is equipped with a sensing module 1210 and a status display module 1220. The sensing module 1210 is configured to sense whether the corresponding food dispensing unit contains food.

[0030] Specifically, the sensing module 1210 can be implemented using sensors such as infrared sensors, pressure sensors, and ultrasonic sensors.

[0031] In one example, the status display module 1220 can display order information such as the order platform, order number, and order status of the associated catering orders, and can also change the displayed content according to the flow status of the associated catering orders.

[0032] In another example, the status display module 1220 may also include indicator lights, which indicate the unit status of the corresponding food dispensing unit by the color and / or illumination status of the indicator lights.

[0033] In some examples, such as Figure 3 As shown, the main control device 1100 may include a control module 1110, a communication module 1120, a button module 1130, a speaker 1140, a positioning module 1150, a camera 1160, a control bus 1170, a barcode scanning module 1180, and a power module 1190.

[0034] The control module 1110 may include a CPU, MCU, or similar processor. The communication module 1120 is capable of wired or wireless communication, specifically including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 2G / 3G / 4G / 5G communication, etc. The main control device 1100 can connect to a device cloud server via the communication module 1120. The device cloud server can interface with a food delivery platform, allowing merchants to bind the main control device 1100 to their store through authorization. Merchants can perform basic control of the food delivery equipment via the button module 1130, including power on / off, volume adjustment, network configuration, and status reset. The speaker 1140 can output error alarms and other voice information. The positioning module 1150 can determine whether the rider assigned to each food delivery unit has arrived at the store. The camera 1160 can record images and videos of food being placed and retrieved, facilitating comparison and appeals in case of anomalies. The main control unit 1100 can be connected to each food dispensing unit 1200 via the control bus 1170, specifically, as follows: Figure 1 As shown, the main control device 1100 can be connected in series with multiple food dispensing units 1200 to facilitate the expansion of food dispensing units. Merchants can scan the order number or food dispensing code on the takeout receipt through the scanning module 1180 to report the food dispensing status. The power module 1190 can provide power to the various functional modules in the main control device 1100 and the food dispensing units 1200.

[0035] In some embodiments, the main control device 1100 and a plurality of food dispensing units 1200 are connected in series.

[0036] Through this embodiment, merchants can increase or decrease the number of food dispensing units in the food delivery equipment 1000 according to their actual needs.

[0037] <Method Implementation> This disclosure provides a control method for a food delivery device. This control method can be implemented by the food delivery device itself. Specifically, the control method can be implemented by, for example... Figure 1 The 1000 takeout food delivery devices shown are implemented.

[0038] In this embodiment, the food delivery equipment includes a control module, a barcode scanning module, and multiple food dispensing units, each of which has a corresponding status display module.

[0039] Figure 4 This is a flowchart of a control method for a takeaway food delivery device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0040] like Figure 4 As shown, the control method for the food delivery equipment includes the following steps S4100 to S4300: In step S4100, the control module scans the barcode of the first catering order to be served using the barcode scanning module to obtain the order number of the first catering order.

[0041] In this embodiment, the merchant may place the barcode of the first catering order onto the scanning area of ​​the scanning module so that the scanning module can scan the barcode of the first catering order.

[0042] In one embodiment, the scanning module may decode the scanned barcode to obtain the order number of the first catering order, and then transmit the order number to the control module for the control module to retrieve.

[0043] In another embodiment, the scanning module may scan the barcode to obtain an image of the barcode and transmit the image to the control module. The control module may decode the barcode in the image to obtain the order number of the first catering order.

[0044] In step S4200, the control module obtains the first unit number of the first food preparation unit associated with the first food order based on the order number of the first catering order.

[0045] In some embodiments, the food delivery equipment may include a storage module that stores the unit number of each food delivery unit and the order number of the associated food order in the storage module. Specifically, in this storage module, the unit number of one food delivery unit is associated with at most one food order number.

[0046] Specifically, the food delivery equipment can delete the order number of the catering order associated with the food delivery unit from the storage module when the food stored in the food delivery unit is taken away.

[0047] Furthermore, the food delivery equipment can associate the order number of the food delivery unit with the unit number of the food delivery unit in the storage module, provided that the server associates a food delivery unit with a food order.

[0048] Based on this, the control module can retrieve the first unit number of the first food preparation unit associated with the first food order by searching the storage module according to the order number of the first food order.

[0049] In some embodiments, obtaining the first unit number of the first food preparation unit associated with the first catering order based on the order number includes: the control module generating a query instruction based on the order number and transmitting the query instruction to the communication module; the communication module uploading the query instruction to the server so that the server can find the first unit number of the first food preparation unit associated with the first catering order based on the order number and return the first unit number to the takeaway food preparation equipment; receiving the first unit number returned by the server based on the order number and transmitting the first unit number to the control module; and the control module receiving the first unit number transmitted by the communication module.

[0050] This embodiment allows for a more accurate first unit number associated with the first food delivery unit in relation to the first catering order, thus avoiding the problem of misplaced food items.

[0051] In some embodiments, obtaining the first unit number of the first food preparation unit associated with the first catering order based on the order number includes: the control module generating an allocation instruction based on the order number and transmitting the allocation instruction to the communication module; the communication module uploading the allocation instruction to the server, so that the server can select one food preparation unit from the food preparation units in the pending allocation state of the takeaway food preparation equipment to allocate to the first catering order as the first food preparation unit, and return the first unit number of the first food preparation unit to the communication module; the communication module receiving the first unit number returned by the server according to the allocation instruction and transmitting the first unit number to the control module; and the control module obtaining the first unit number transmitted by the communication module.

[0052] In this embodiment, the server does not pre-assign a food dispensing unit associated with the first catering order. Upon receiving an allocation instruction, the server may select one of the food dispensing units in the pending allocation state of the food delivery equipment and allocate it to the first catering order. The food dispensing unit allocated to the first catering order is designated as the first food dispensing unit, and the first unit number of the first food dispensing unit is returned to the food delivery equipment for the control module to obtain.

[0053] This embodiment allows for a more accurate first unit number associated with the first food delivery unit in relation to the first catering order, thus avoiding the problem of misplaced food items.

[0054] In step S4300, the control module controls the status display module corresponding to the first food dispensing unit to display the first reminder information unit number according to the first unit number.

[0055] In this embodiment, the control module controls the status display module corresponding to the first food dispensing unit to display the first reminder information unit number according to the first unit number, including at least one of the following: The control module controls the status display module corresponding to the first food preparation unit to display first graphic information to remind the merchant to place the food from the first catering order into the corresponding food preparation unit according to the first unit number; The control module controls the indicator light of the first color in the status display module corresponding to the first food serving unit to light up or flash according to the first unit number.

[0056] In an embodiment where the indicator light of the first color in the status display module corresponding to the first food dispensing unit in the food delivery equipment is illuminated or flashing, the illumination mode of the indicator light corresponding to the first food dispensing unit is different from the illumination mode of the indicator light corresponding to the food dispensing unit with no associated food orders, different from the indicator light corresponding to the food dispensing unit with associated food orders where the food has not yet been dispensed, and different from the indicator light corresponding to the food dispensing unit with associated food orders where the food has been dispensed. For example, all indicator lights corresponding to the food dispensing unit with no associated food orders may be off, the third-color indicator light corresponding to the food dispensing unit with associated food orders where the food has not yet been dispensed may be illuminated, and the fourth-color indicator light corresponding to the food dispensing unit with associated food orders where the food has been dispensed may be illuminated. The first color may be, for example, any one of red, green, or yellow.

[0057] In an embodiment where the status display module corresponding to the first food preparation unit displays the first graphic information, the status display modules corresponding to other food preparation units may display order information such as the order platform, order number, and order status of the associated catering order. The content displayed by the status display module of the first food preparation unit is different from the content displayed by the status display modules of other food preparation units. The first graphic information may be, for example, the text and / or image of "delivery".

[0058] In some embodiments, the control module can also control the food delivery device to broadcast the first unit number, which can specifically be voice data representing the first unit number broadcast by the food delivery device.

[0059] Through the embodiments of this disclosure, a collaborative linkage mechanism for food preparation unit allocation and food preparation guidance is constructed. Merchants do not need to manually search and match order and food preparation unit information. They only need to quickly locate the first food preparation unit associated with the first catering order to be prepared based on the first reminder information. This shortens the time for merchants to find the first food preparation unit, improves the efficiency of merchants in placing food, reduces the problem of food misplacement caused by manual verification errors, reduces subsequent order disputes and operating costs caused by misplacement, and improves the efficiency and accuracy of merchants' order processing.

[0060] In some embodiments, the method further includes: when the control module detects that food has been placed in the first food dispensing unit, it reports first information indicating that food has been placed in the first food dispensing unit to the server via the communication module, so that the server can send the first unit number to the rider terminal used by the first rider assigned to the first catering order based on the first information.

[0061] In this embodiment, each food dispensing unit may have a corresponding sensing module to detect whether food is stored in the corresponding food dispensing unit. The sensing module can detect whether food is stored in the corresponding food dispensing unit through sensors such as infrared sensors, pressure sensors, and ultrasonic sensors, and send the latest detection result to the main control device of the takeaway food delivery equipment if the detection result changes.

[0062] Specifically, when the main control device detects that a food item has been stored in the food dispensing unit, it indicates that the food item stored in the corresponding food dispensing unit has been removed. Conversely, when the main control device detects that a food item has been stored in the food dispensing unit, it indicates that a food item has been placed in the corresponding food dispensing unit.

[0063] In this embodiment, the first information can indicate that the food for the first catering order has been prepared. Therefore, the server can send the first unit number to the rider terminal used by the first rider, which can help the first rider quickly find the first food preparation unit using the rider terminal, shorten the time for the first rider to find the first food preparation unit, improve the efficiency of the first rider to pick up the food, reduce the problem of food being mistakenly picked up due to manual verification errors, reduce subsequent order disputes and operating costs caused by mistaken picking, and improve the processing efficiency and accuracy of catering orders.

[0064] In some embodiments, the method further includes: when the control module detects that food has been placed in the first food serving unit, controlling the status display module corresponding to the first food serving unit to display first status information indicating that the food in the first food serving unit has been served, and reporting the unit status of the first food serving unit to the server through the communication module, so that the server can modify the status of the first catering order to indicate that the food in the first catering order has been served.

[0065] In this embodiment, the first status information may be text and / or image information indicating "meal served", or the first status information may also be represented by the color and / or illumination status of an indicator light.

[0066] In this embodiment, the server may assign a first rider to the first catering order upon receiving the first catering order, or it may assign a first rider to the first catering order upon changing the status of the first catering order to indicate that the food has been prepared.

[0067] In this embodiment, merchants can automatically report the food preparation of the first catering order by placing the food items of the first catering order into the associated first food preparation unit, which can simplify the food preparation process and improve the processing efficiency of catering orders.

[0068] In some embodiments, the method further includes: when the control module receives a first unit number, does not detect food being placed in the first food dispensing unit, and detects food being placed in other food dispensing units, controlling the food delivery device to issue an error alarm indicating that the merchant has placed the food in the wrong food dispensing unit.

[0069] In this embodiment, the way the food delivery device issues an error alarm may include at least one of the following: displaying text alarm information or playing an alarm voice. For example, the text alarm information may include text indicating an alarm and the unit number of the other food delivery unit where the food has been placed, and the alarm voice may include an alarm tone and the order information of the first food order. For example, the alarm voice may be a voice saying, "Beep beep beep, food delivery unit X has been placed, please check if it has been placed in the wrong unit."

[0070] Furthermore, the control module can also control the status display modules of other serving compartments where food is placed to display the first alarm information.

[0071] Specifically, it could be controlling the corresponding status display module to display third graphic information to remind the merchant to place the incorrect food item into the corresponding food preparation unit, and / or controlling the fifth color indicator light in the corresponding status display module to illuminate or flash.

[0072] In this embodiment, the control module does not report the unit status of other food preparation units containing food to the server through the communication module, and the server does not modify the status of the catering orders associated with other food preparation units containing food to indicate that the food has been prepared.

[0073] This embodiment can prevent merchants from placing food items in the wrong serving unit, further reduce the problem of food misdelivery caused by manual verification errors, reduce subsequent order disputes and operating costs caused by misdelivery, and improve the efficiency and accuracy of merchants' order processing.

[0074] In some embodiments, the method further includes: a communication module receiving a second unit number of a second food dispensing unit associated with a second catering order to be picked up by a rider, sent by a server, and transmitting the second unit number to a control module; the control module controlling the status display module corresponding to the second food dispensing unit to display a second reminder message according to the second unit number, so as to guide the second rider to pick up the food of the second catering order from the second food dispensing unit.

[0075] In some embodiments, the second unit number is sent by the server upon detecting that the second rider assigned to the second food order has arrived at the store.

[0076] In one example, the server could determine whether the second rider has arrived at the store based on the location of the rider's terminal. Specifically, the server could determine that the second rider has arrived at the store if the distance between the location of the rider's terminal and the location of the store for the second food order is less than or equal to a set distance threshold. This set distance can be pre-defined based on the application scenario or specific needs; for example, the set distance could be 3 meters.

[0077] In one example, the server can also determine that the second rider has arrived at the store upon receiving a request from the second rider via his rider terminal containing the order number of the second food order.

[0078] In some embodiments, the second unit number is sent by the server when the order information of the second catering order is verified successfully, wherein the verification of the order information of the second catering order is successful, including: the order status of the second catering order is indicating that the food of the second catering order has been served or is waiting to be served, and / or the second catering order has an associated second serving unit.

[0079] In this embodiment, the server may verify the order information of the second catering order when it detects that the second rider assigned to the second catering order has arrived at the store.

[0080] In this embodiment, verifying the order information of the second catering order may include: verifying whether the order status of the second catering order indicates that the food in the second catering order has been served or is waiting to be served; and / or verifying whether the second catering order has an associated second serving unit.

[0081] Once the server verifies the order information of the second catering order, it can send a second unit number to the food delivery device. The food delivery device then sends a second reminder message based on the second unit number, indicating that the food for the second catering order should be retrieved from the second food delivery unit. This helps guide the second rider to retrieve the food for the second catering order accurately and quickly from the second food delivery unit.

[0082] In some embodiments, the control module controls the status display module corresponding to the second food dispensing unit to display the second reminder information unit number according to the second unit number, including at least one of the following: The control module controls the status display module corresponding to the second food delivery unit to display the second graphic and text information to remind the second rider to take the food of the second catering order from the second food delivery unit according to the second unit number; The control module controls the indicator light of the second color in the status display module corresponding to the second food dispensing unit to light up or flash according to the second unit number.

[0083] In an embodiment where the indicator light of the second color in the status display module corresponding to the second food dispensing unit in the food delivery equipment is illuminated or flashing, the illumination mode of the indicator light corresponding to the second food dispensing unit is different from the illumination mode of the indicator light corresponding to the food dispensing unit with no associated food orders, different from the indicator light corresponding to the food dispensing unit with associated food orders where the food has not yet been dispensed, and different from the indicator light corresponding to the food dispensing unit with associated food orders where the food has been dispensed. For example, all indicator lights corresponding to the food dispensing unit with no associated food orders may be off, the third-color indicator light corresponding to the food dispensing unit with associated food orders where the food has not yet been dispensed may be illuminated, and the fourth-color indicator light corresponding to the food dispensing unit with associated food orders where the food has been dispensed may be illuminated. The second color may be, for example, any one of red, green, or yellow.

[0084] In this embodiment, any two of the first color, second color, and fifth color can be the same or different, and no limitation is made here.

[0085] In an embodiment where the status display module corresponding to the second food dispensing unit in the food delivery equipment displays the second graphic information, the status display modules corresponding to other food dispensing units may display order information such as the order platform, order number, and order status of the associated catering order. The content displayed by the status display module of the second food dispensing unit is different from the content displayed by the status display modules of other food dispensing units. The second graphic information may be, for example, text and / or images indicating "take out".

[0086] In some embodiments, the control module can also control the food delivery device to broadcast the second unit number, specifically by controlling the food delivery device to broadcast voice data representing the second unit number.

[0087] Through the embodiments of this disclosure, a collaborative linkage mechanism for food preparation unit allocation and food pickup guidance is constructed. Riders no longer need to manually search and match order and food preparation unit information. They can quickly locate the second food preparation unit associated with the second catering order based on the second reminder information. This shortens the time for the second rider to find the second food preparation unit, improves the efficiency of the second rider in picking up food, reduces the problem of food being picked up by mistake due to manual verification errors, reduces subsequent order disputes and operating costs caused by mistaken picking, and improves the processing efficiency and accuracy of catering orders.

[0088] In some embodiments, the method further includes: when the control module detects that the food in the second food dispensing unit has been taken out, controlling the status display module corresponding to the second food dispensing unit to display second status information indicating that the food has been taken out, and reporting the status of the second food dispensing unit to the server through the communication module, so that the server can modify the status of the second catering order to indicate that the food has been taken out.

[0089] In this embodiment, the second status information may be text and / or image information indicating "meal picked up", or the second status information may also be represented by the color and / or illumination status of an indicator light.

[0090] This embodiment enables the server to automatically process the order status of the second catering order without requiring manual operation by the second rider, thereby improving the processing efficiency of the second catering order.

[0091] <Example of Food Delivery Equipment> This embodiment provides a food delivery device, such as... Figure 5 As shown, the food delivery device 5000 may include a control module 5100, a storage module 5200, a barcode scanning module, and multiple food dispensing units (not shown in the figure). The storage module 5200 is used to store computer programs, and the control module 5100 is used to control the food delivery device to execute the methods of any embodiment of this disclosure under the control of the computer programs.

[0092] <Example of a readable storage medium> This embodiment provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program that, when executed by a processor, performs the methods described in any of the method embodiments of this disclosure.

[0093] This invention can be a system, method, and / or computer program product. A computer program product may include a computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable program instructions loaded thereon for causing a processor to implement various aspects of the invention.

[0094] Computer-readable storage media can be tangible devices capable of holding and storing instructions for use by an instruction execution device. Computer-readable storage media can be, for example—but not limited to—electrical storage devices, magnetic storage devices, optical storage devices, electromagnetic storage devices, semiconductor storage devices, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of computer-readable storage media include: portable computer disks, hard disks, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), static random access memory (SRAM), portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), digital multifunction disc (DVD), memory sticks, floppy disks, mechanical encoding devices, such as punch cards or recessed protrusions storing instructions thereon, and any suitable combination of the foregoing. The computer-readable storage media used herein are not to be construed as transient signals themselves, such as radio waves or other freely propagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagating through waveguides or other transmission media (e.g., light pulses through fiber optic cables), or electrical signals transmitted through wires.

[0095] The computer-readable program instructions described herein can be downloaded from computer-readable storage media to various computing / processing devices, or downloaded via a network, such as the Internet, local area network, wide area network, and / or wireless network, to an external computer or external storage device. The network may include copper transmission cables, fiber optic transmission, wireless transmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers, and / or edge servers. A network adapter card or network interface in each computing / processing device receives the computer-readable program instructions from the network and forwards them to the computer-readable storage media in the respective computing / processing device.

[0096] The computer program instructions used to perform the operations of this invention may be assembly instructions, instruction set architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions, machine-dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, status setting data, or source code or object code written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including object-oriented programming languages ​​such as Smalltalk, C++, etc., and conventional procedural programming languages ​​such as the "C" language or similar programming languages. The computer-readable program instructions may be executed entirely on the user's computer, partially on the user's computer, as a standalone software package, partially on the user's computer and partially on a remote computer, or entirely on a remote computer or server. In cases involving remote computers, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer via any type of network—including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN)—or may be connected to an external computer (e.g., via the Internet using an Internet service provider). In some embodiments, electronic circuits, such as programmable logic circuits, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or programmable logic arrays (PLAs), are personalized by utilizing state information from computer-readable program instructions. These electronic circuits can execute computer-readable program instructions to implement various aspects of the present invention.

[0097] Various aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference to flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of the invention. It should be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer-readable program instructions.

[0098] These computer-readable program instructions can be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine such that, when executed by the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, they create means for implementing the functions / actions specified in one or more blocks of the flowchart and / or block diagram. These computer-readable program instructions can also be stored in a computer-readable storage medium that causes a computer, programmable data processing apparatus, and / or other device to operate in a particular manner; thus, the computer-readable medium storing the instructions comprises an article of manufacture that includes instructions for implementing aspects of the functions / actions specified in one or more blocks of the flowchart and / or block diagram.

[0099] Computer-readable program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other device to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other device to produce a computer-implemented process, thereby causing the instructions executed on the computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other device to perform the functions / actions specified in one or more boxes of a flowchart and / or block diagram.

[0100] The flowcharts and block diagrams in the accompanying drawings illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods, and computer program products according to various embodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in a flowchart or block diagram may represent a module, segment, or portion of an instruction containing one or more executable instructions for implementing a specified logical function. In some alternative implementations, the functions marked in the blocks may occur in a different order than those marked in the drawings. For example, two consecutive blocks may actually be executed substantially in parallel, and they may sometimes be executed in reverse order, depending on the functions involved. It should also be noted that each block in the block diagrams and / or flowcharts, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and / or flowcharts, can be implemented using a dedicated hardware-based system that performs the specified function or action, or using a combination of dedicated hardware and computer instructions. It will be known to those skilled in the art that implementation in hardware, implementation in software, and implementation using a combination of software and hardware are equivalent.

[0101] The various embodiments of the present invention have been described above. These descriptions are exemplary and not exhaustive, and are not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments. The terminology used herein is chosen to best explain the principles, practical application, or technical improvements to the embodiments in the market, or to enable others skilled in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein. The scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A control method for a food delivery device, characterized in that, The food delivery equipment includes a control module, a barcode scanning module, and multiple food dispensing units, each of which has a corresponding status display module. The method includes: The control module scans the barcode of the first catering order to be served through the scanning module to obtain the order number of the first catering order; The control module obtains the first unit number of the first food preparation unit associated with the first catering order based on the order number; The control module controls the status display module corresponding to the first food preparation unit to display the first reminder information according to the first unit number, so as to guide the merchant to put the food of the first catering order into the first food preparation unit.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The food delivery equipment also includes a communication module. The control module obtains the first unit number of the first food preparation unit associated with the first food order based on the order number, including: The control module generates a query instruction based on the order number and transmits the query instruction to the communication module; The communication module uploads the query instruction to the server, so that the server can find the first unit number of the first food preparation unit associated with the first catering order based on the order number, and return the first unit number to the communication module; The communication module receives the first unit number returned by the server based on the order number, and transmits the first unit number to the control module; The control module receives the first unit number transmitted by the communication module.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The food delivery equipment also includes a communication module. The control module obtains the first unit number of the first food preparation unit associated with the first food order based on the order number, including: The control module generates an allocation instruction based on the order number and transmits the allocation instruction to the communication module; The communication module uploads the allocation instruction to the server, so that the server can select one of the food dispensing units in the waiting-to-be-allocated state of the takeaway food delivery equipment to allocate to the first catering order as the first food dispensing unit, and return the first unit number of the first food dispensing unit to the communication module; The communication module receives the first unit number returned by the server according to the allocation instruction, and transmits the first unit number to the control module; The control module obtains the first unit number transmitted by the communication module.

4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The food delivery device also includes a communication module, and the method further includes: When the control module detects that food has been placed in the first food dispensing unit, it reports first information indicating that food has been placed in the first food dispensing unit to the server through the communication module, so that the server can send the first unit number to the rider terminal used by the first rider assigned to the first catering order based on the first information.

5. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The food delivery device also includes a communication module, and the method further includes: When the control module detects that food has been placed in the first food serving unit, it controls the status display module corresponding to the first food serving unit to display the first status information indicating that the food has been served. The control module also reports the status of the first food serving unit to the server through the communication module, so that the server can modify the status of the first catering order to indicate that the food has been served.

6. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method further includes: When the control module receives the first unit number, does not detect any food being placed in the first food dispensing unit, and detects food being placed in other food dispensing units, it controls the food delivery device to issue an error alarm indicating that the merchant has placed the food in the wrong food dispensing unit.

7. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The control module controls the status display module corresponding to the first food dispensing unit to display the first reminder information unit number according to the first unit number, including at least one of the following: The control module controls the status display module corresponding to the first food preparation unit to display first graphic information to remind the merchant to place the food from the first catering order into the corresponding food preparation unit according to the first unit number; The control module controls the indicator light of the first color in the status display module corresponding to the first food serving unit to light up or flash according to the first unit number.

8. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The food delivery device also includes a communication module, and the method further includes: The communication module receives the second unit number of the second food preparation unit associated with the second food order, sent by the server when it detects that the second rider assigned to the second food order has arrived at the store, and transmits the second unit number to the control module; wherein, the server determines that the second rider has arrived at the store when it receives a store arrival request sent by the rider terminal used by the second rider, or when the distance between the location of the rider terminal used by the second rider and the store location of the second food order is less than or equal to a set distance threshold; The control module controls the status display module corresponding to the second food preparation unit to display the second reminder information according to the second unit number, so as to guide the second rider to take out the food of the second catering order from the second food preparation unit.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, The method further includes: when the control module detects that the food in the second food dispensing unit has been taken out, it controls the status display module corresponding to the second food dispensing unit to display second status information indicating that the food has been taken out, and reports the status of the second food dispensing unit to the server through the communication module, so that the server can modify the status of the second catering order to indicate that the food has been taken out.

10. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, The second unit number is sent by the server when the order information of the second catering order is verified as successful. The verification of the order information of the second catering order includes: the order status of the second catering order being that the food in the second catering order has been served or is waiting to be served, and / or the second catering order having an associated second serving unit.

11. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, The control module controls the status display module corresponding to the second food preparation unit to display a second reminder message based on the second unit number, so as to guide the second rider to retrieve the food unit number of the second catering order from the second food preparation unit, including at least one of the following: The control module controls the status display module corresponding to the second food preparation unit to display second graphic information to remind the second rider to take the food from the second food preparation unit; The control module controls the indicator light of the second color in the status display module corresponding to the second food serving unit to light up or flash according to the second unit number.

12. A food delivery device, characterized in that, It includes a control module, a storage module, a barcode scanning module, and multiple food dispensing units. The storage module is used to store a computer program, and the control module is used to execute the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 11 under the control of the computer program.

13. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, It stores a computer program thereon, which, when executed by a processor, implements the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 11.

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