Product order tracking support system in the catering industry

Abstract

Title: System for assisting in tracking product orders in the catering sector The invention relates to a system for assisting in tracking orders in the catering sector, implementing: a ticket printer, having an output port capable of emitting an electrical signal intended to trigger an action on an auxiliary device connected to the printer, a computer assembly configured to: transmit to a display screen data to be displayed relating to the orders;transmitting a print stream to the ticket printer, receiving, from the ticket printer, a signal detecting the gripping of a ticket, transmitting to the display screen instructions for updating the commands, characterized in that the computer assembly is connected to the output port of the ticket printer and is further configured to: insert into the print stream at least one automatic execution signal intended to be transmitted to the output port of the ticket printer; process each automatic execution signal received from the output port to transmit to the display screen an instruction for updating the commands to be carried out. Figure for the abstract: Fig. 2;

Description

Title of the invention: System for assisting in tracking product orders in the catering sector

[0001] The field of the invention is that of the design of equipment and methods implemented in the process of production and monitoring of product orders in the catering field, and more precisely but not exclusively, in the fast food field.

[0002] In the field of the invention, many current production processes utilize a ticket printer or a point of sale printer.

[0003] Such a so-called "ticket" or "point of sale" printer is generally characterized by its matrix or thermal printing technology, as well as its capacity to control, via one or more controlled output ports, external screens such as cash drawers or audible alarms.

[0004] Such printers are also characterized by the use of a control protocol, implementing a coded language specific to the printer manufacturer, for the exchange between the printer and the business application, executed by the central computer unit that wishes to control it. The communication from the application to the printer may contain the following elements from the communication protocol, namely: - print commands, resulting in symbols to be printed; - commands for changing the internal state machine: text type, text size, alignment, etc. - auxiliary operation commands: paper cutting, cash drawer control, etc.

[0005] Once transmitted, the commands to be executed are stored in the printer's memory to constitute the print stream. This memory is then emptied and processed sequentially by the printer's main processor. The sequential operation of the print stream processing is such that the tickets are printed one after the other, the printing of a new ticket being executed only after the pending printed ticket is taken and extracted from the printer by an operator.

[0006] Such printers are regularly implemented in fast food restaurants, in a process whereby an adhesive ticket is associated with each product (the ticket being affixed to the packaging box containing the product), in order to facilitate the assembly and final delivery of the products.

[0007] The corresponding production and order tracking process is diagram- tically illustrated by [Fig. 1].

[0008] As shown in this figure, the process uses a central processing unit UC from which the product order data is recorded. The central processing unit, executing the business application, transmits to a display screen E data to be displayed relating to the product orders. At the same time, the data relating to the products in the order are transmitted to the ticket printer I, in the form of a print flow, so that a ticket is printed for each product produced. The print flow is stored in a memory of the ticket printer I and the tickets are printed in the strict order of the print flow. On the other hand, only one ticket is printed and placed on hold for picking by an operator O, a new ticket being printed only if the pending ticket is extracted from the printer, as indicated previously.

[0009] In this process, the operator O must signal that the complete execution of a product or order is complete, so that the product or order is removed from the orders to be carried out. To do this, he takes the label of the product or order that has just been carried out, affixes it to the packaging of the product or order in question, and presses an actuator of a signaling device D (designated in fast food jargon by the English term "bump bar") which transmits the information to the central unit UC, which in turn transmits, to the display screen E, instructions for updating the orders to be carried out, this as and when tickets are successively picked up.

[0010] It is understood that the operator subjected to such a process must, during the day, perform numerous gestures, possibly at a sustained rate.

[0011] The invention aims in particular to overcome this drawback of the prior art.

[0012] More specifically, the invention aims to reduce the number of actions to be carried out by an operator executing a process for monitoring production and orders using a ticket printer as described above.

[0013] The invention also aims to redesign the business interfaces implemented in such a process.

[0014] These objectives, as well as others which will appear subsequently, are achieved thanks to the invention which has as its subject a system for assisting in the tracking of orders in the catering sector, implementing: - a screen displaying the orders for the products to be produced, - a ticket printer, configured to store printing instructions, print a ticket and detect the gripping of said ticket before printing a new ticket, said ticket printer having an output port capable of emitting an electrical signal intended to trigger an action on an auxiliary device connected to the printer, - a computer system configured for: - receive and record order data; - transmit to the display screen data to be displayed relating to orders; - transmit to the ticket printer a stream of sequenced printing instructions, called a print stream, so that a ticket is printed for each order to be carried out, - receive, from the ticket printer, a signal detecting the gripping of a ticket, - transmit to the display screen instructions for updating orders to be carried out as successive tickets are entered, characterized in that the computer assembly is connected to the output port of the ticket printer and is further configured to: - insert into the print flow, between the printing instructions of two consecutive tickets, at least one automatic execution signal intended to be transmitted to the output port of the ticket printer; - process each automatic execution signal received from the ticket printer output port to transmit to the display screen an instruction to update the commands to be carried out.

[0015] It is noted that “order” means a unitary product or several products together forming a unitary order.

[0016] As indicated previously, the ticket printers described above have at least one external port through which the printer can emit an electrical signal capable of triggering an opening of a cash drawer connected to the printer or, more generally, of triggering an action on an external device connected to the printer.

[0017] The principle of the invention lies in replacing the signal for triggering an action on the external device connected to the printer (which may be precisely the cash drawer opening control signal) inserted in the printing flow with a signal intended to be transmitted, via the output port of the ticket printer, to the computer system which executes the business application, to indicate to it that the execution of the command corresponding to the printed ticket has been completed. The computer system can then transmit update instructions to the display screen.

[0018] Thanks to the invention, it is possible for the operator to do without manually actuating the signaling device ("bump bar"). Simply gripping the printed ticket triggers the automatic transmission of a signal to the computer system. In this sense, the signal in question is referred to as the “automatic execution signal” in the remainder of the description.

[0019] According to an advantageous embodiment, the computer assembly comprises a central unit and at least one peripheral connected to the output port of the ticket printer and connected to the central unit such that the automatic execution signals are transmitted to the central unit via the peripheral.

[0020] In this way, it is possible to insert into the print flow automatic execution signals having a format possibly not recognized by the central unit. The peripheral interposed between the output port of the ticket printer and the central unit then serves as a unit for analyzing and processing the signals to transcribe them into a format recognized by the central unit.

[0021] Thus, according to a preferred solution, the automatic execution signal(s) are emitted for a duration constituting a variable intended to be processed by the peripheral before being transmitted to the central unit.

[0022] Advantageously, the computer system is configured to insert into the printing flow, between the printing instructions of two consecutive tickets, a sequence of automatic execution signals, the sequence forming a code intended to be processed by the central unit.

[0023] In this way, the number of possible instructions resulting from the automatic execution signals can be increased, each instruction being able to be assigned to a code formed by the sequence of automatic execution signals.

[0024] To take up an advantageous function of the prior art, the computer assembly is preferably configured to insert into the printing flow, between the printing instructions of two consecutive tickets, a cutting instruction processed by the ticket printer to execute a cut between two consecutive tickets.

[0025] In this case, according to an advantageous solution, the computer system is configured to insert into the printing flow, between the printing instructions of two consecutive tickets, in chronological order: - a sequence of automatic execution signals, including an instruction to record the sequence in a buffer memory of the ticket printer; - after transmission of the ticket gripping detection signal, an instruction to release the sequence from the buffer memory to the output port of the ticket printer.

[0026] Inserting a code into the print stream to be processed after the signal detecting the gripping of a ticket tends to automatically introduce a delay before resuming printing of the next ticket. However, such latency can be detrimental to the good responsiveness of the business application executed by the system according to the invention.

[0027] By chronologically inserting the sequence of automatic execution signals into the print flow as described above, this latency time is avoided. Indeed, the recording of the sequence in a buffer memory of the ticket printer makes it possible to continue the print flow and to release the recorded sequence only after the signal for detecting the gripping of the ticket has been emitted, immediately afterwards, without latency time.

[0028] According to a particular embodiment, the system comprises a signaling device having at least one actuator intended to receive a manual actuation by an operator after execution of a command to be carried out for which a ticket has been printed by the ticket printer, the signaling device being connected to the central unit to transmit to it an “operator” execution signal at each manual actuation.

[0029] In this case, the computer system is configured to transmit to the display screen an instruction to update the commands to be carried out at the first of the automatic execution signal or the “operator” execution signal received.

[0030] Thus, an operator can maintain his operational habits, in terms of using an actuator to indicate the completed execution of a command, without worrying about whether the central unit is processing the "operator" execution signal or the automatic execution signal.

[0031] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, given by way of illustrative and non-limiting example, and the appended drawings among which:

[0032] [Fig.l]; [Fig.l] schematically illustrates a system for assisting in tracking product orders in the catering sector, according to the prior art;

[0033] [Fig.2]; [Fig.2] schematically illustrates a system for tracking product orders in the catering sector, according to the invention;

[0034] [Fig.3]; [Fig.3] schematically illustrates an output port of a ticket printer of an order tracking assistance system in the catering field, according to the invention;

[0035] [Fig.4]; [Fig.4] illustrates a diagram illustrating an extract of a printing flow in a system according to the invention.

[0036] With reference to [Fig.2], a system for assisting in tracking orders (consisting of a single product or a set of several products) in the catering field according to the invention is described.

[0037] Such a system implements, in a manner known per se: - a display screen E of the orders to be carried out, - a ticket printer I, configured to store instructions printing, printing a ticket and detecting the gripping of the ticket before printing a new ticket, this printer having an output port P described in more detail later, with reference to [Fig.3], - an El computer set configured for: - receive and record order data; - transmit to the display screen E data to be displayed relating to the orders; - transmit to the ticket printer I a sequenced print instruction flow, called a “print” flow, so that a ticket is printed for each order to be carried out; - receive from the ticket printer I a signal detecting the gripping of a ticket; - transmit to the display screen E instructions for updating the orders to be carried out as successive tickets are picked up.

[0038] According to the principle of the invention, the computer assembly El is connected to the output port P of the ticket printer I.

[0039] In addition, the computer set El is configured to: - insert into the print flow, between the printing instructions of two consecutive tickets, at least one automatic execution signal intended to be transmitted to the output ports of the ticket printer; - process each automatic execution signal received from the output port P of the ticket printer I to transmit to the display screen E an instruction to update the commands to be carried out.

[0040] In other words, the ticket printer I receives instructions to print a ticket corresponding to an order to be carried out, this ticket being kept on the printer awaiting gripping. Once the order has been carried out, the operator takes hold of the ticket and extracts it (separates it) from the printer. The tickets are of the adhesive type and the printers which print these adhesive tickets are generally configured to execute an automatic stop function after each ticket printing accompanied by a downstream cutting of the ticket. However, the invention is also applicable with non-adhesive ticket printers.

[0041] The printer stores the sequence of prints in its memory until the print flow is released by gripping the ticket on hold. This gripping is detected by a ticket traction detection sensor, this sensor being coupled to a roller on which the adhesive ticket is placed on hold.

[0042] Thus, when an operator E picks up a ticket, the gripping of the ticket is therefore detected by the printer which emits a signal detecting the gripping of the ticket.

[0043] The computer system has been configured upstream to insert into the printing flow, between the printing instructions for two consecutive tickets and after the emission of the signal for detecting the gripping of a ticket, an automatic execution signal emitted by the ticket printer I, via its output port P. This signal is then processed by the computer system to translate it into instruction(s) for updating the commands transmitted to the display screen E.

[0044] According to the embodiment illustrated by [Fig.2], the computer assembly El comprises: - a central unit UC; - a PE peripheral, connected to the output port P of the ticket printer I.

[0045] The PE peripheral is, on the one hand, connected to the central unit UC and, on the other hand, to the output port P of the ticket printer I, so that the automatic execution signals are transmitted to the PE peripheral through which they are analyzed and then processed (and in particular translated into a code recognized by the central unit), then transmitted to the central unit.

[0046] According to this embodiment, the automatic execution signal(s) are emitted for a duration constituting a variable intended to be processed by the peripheral PE before being transmitted to the central unit UC.

[0047] As previously indicated, the output port of existing ticket printers is capable of emitting an electrical signal intended to trigger an action on the auxiliary device to be connected to the printer. Most often, the auxiliary device in question is a cash drawer. In this context, the instructions contained in the print flow allow the generation of a pulse on the port dedicated to controlling the cash drawer. This function being designed for the control of a mechanical interface (the cash drawer), it generally allows the passage of two parameters with a value ranging from 0 to 255 which represent the opening time and the closing time, this in steps of 2 ms.

[0048] For compatibility reasons, a large majority of ticket printers use the pinout illustrated as an example by [Fig.4] concerning the P port, in the form of a connector for opening cash drawers. The pinout is generally as follows: - Pin 1 PI: ground plane; - Pin 2 P2: output signal from cash drawer no. 1; - Pin 3 P3: input signal on the drawer in / out state; Pin 4 P4: +24V; - Pin 5 P5: output signal from cash drawer no. 2; - Pin 6 P6: signal ground.

[0049] On such ports P, Pin 2 P2 and Pin 5 P5 allow to control respectively a first cash drawer and a second cash drawer. They operate in "open collector" mode, which means that they become conductive when one or the other drawer is commanded to open. By placing the PE peripheral connected to the receipt printer I via the output port P, it is therefore possible to detect and analyze the pulse width on the available channels (Pin 2 and Pin 5).

[0050] In the context of the invention, this pulse is designated by the terms “automatic execution signal”.

[0051] The analysis of the duration of the automatic execution signal (pulse on Pin 2 P2 and / or on Pin 5 P5) makes it possible to transcribe the digital parameter defining the number of 2 ms steps used during the command inserted by the business application in the printing flow on one and / or the other of the two channels Pin 2 and Pin 5.

[0052] The duration of these signals therefore constitutes a variable intended to be processed by the peripheral PE before being transmitted to the central unit UC.

[0053] The sequence of pulses can then constitute one or more codes, each corresponding to a dedicated instruction.

[0054] Thus, according to an advantageous solution, the computer assembly E1 is configured to insert into the printing flow, between the printing instructions of two consecutive tickets, a sequence of automatic execution signals, this sequence forming a code intended to be processed by the central unit.

[0055] With reference to [Fig.4], the computer assembly El is configured to insert into the printing flow, between the printing instructions III and 112 of two consecutive tickets, a cutting instruction IC processed by the ticket printer to execute a mechanical cut between two consecutive tickets. It is noted that this instruction can be optional if the strip of adhesive tickets is pre-cut.

[0056] As illustrated by [Fig.4], the computer system is advantageously configured to insert into the printing flow, between the printing instructions III and 112 of two consecutive tickets, a chronological sequence of instructions, namely: - a sequence SI of automatic execution signals, preceding the cutting instruction IC, including as a preamble an instruction to record the sequence SI in a buffer memory of the ticket printer; - a waiting period PA for the printed ticket to be picked up and, - after emission of the SD detection signal of the gripping of a ticket, a IL release instruction of the auto-execute signal sequence from the ticket printer buffer to the ticket printer output port P.

[0057] At the end of this sequence, the ticket printer immediately prints a new ticket based on the printing instructions 112.

[0058] According to a particular embodiment, the system further comprises a device signaling device D having at least one actuator DI intended to be manually actuated by an operator O, this to indicate that the command corresponding to the printed ticket has been executed and can therefore be removed from the list of commands. This signaling device D is connected to the central unit UC to transmit to it an “operator” execution signal each time the actuator D1 is manually actuated.

[0059] In this case, the computer assembly El is configured to transmit to the display screen an instruction to update the commands to be carried out at the first signal received between the automatic execution signal and the “operator” execution signal.

Claims

Claims

1. Order tracking assistance system in the catering sector, implementing: - a screen displaying the orders to be carried out, - a ticket printer, configured to store printing instructions, print a ticket and detect the gripping of said ticket before printing a new ticket, said ticket printer having an output port capable of emitting an electrical signal intended to trigger an action on an auxiliary device connected to the printer, - a computer system configured for: - receive and record order data; - transmit to the display screen data to be displayed relating to orders; - transmit to the ticket printer a stream of sequenced printing instructions, called a print stream, so that a ticket is printed for each order to be carried out, - receive, from the ticket printer, a signal detecting the gripping of a ticket, - transmit to the display screen instructions for updating orders to be carried out as successive tickets are entered, characterized in that the computer assembly is connected to the output port of the ticket printer and is further configured to: - insert into the print stream, between the printing instructions of two consecutive tickets, at least one automatic execution signal intended to be transmitted to the output port of the ticket printer; - process each automatic execution signal received from the ticket printer output port to transmit to the display screen an instruction to update the commands to be carried out.

2. System for assisting in tracking product orders in the catering field according to claim 1, characterized in that the computer assembly comprises a central unit and at least one peripheral connected to the output port of the ticket printer and connected to the central unit in such a way that the automatic execution signals are transmitted to the central unit via the peripheral.

3. System for assisting in tracking product orders in the catering sector according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the automatic execution signal(s) are emitted for a duration constituting a variable intended to be processed by the peripheral before being transmitted to the central unit.

4. System for assisting in tracking product orders in the catering sector according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the computer system is configured to insert into the printing flow, between the printing instructions of two consecutive tickets, a sequence of automatic execution signals, the sequence forming a code intended to be processed by the central unit.

5. System for assisting in tracking product orders in the catering sector according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the computer system is configured to insert into the printing flow, between the printing instructions of two consecutive tickets, a cutting instruction processed by the ticket printer to execute a cut between two consecutive tickets.

6. System for assisting in tracking product orders in the catering sector according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the computer assembly is configured to insert into the printing flow, between the printing instructions for two consecutive tickets, in chronological order: - a sequence of automatic execution signals, including an instruction for recording the sequence in a buffer memory of the ticket printer; - after transmission of the signal for detecting the gripping of a ticket, an instruction for releasing the sequence from the buffer memory to the output port of the ticket printer.

7. System for assisting in tracking product orders in the

8. catering sector according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a signaling device having at least one actuator intended to receive a manual actuation by an operator after an execution of an order to be carried out for which a ticket has been printed by the ticket printer, the signaling device being connected to the central unit to transmit to it an “operator” execution signal at each manual actuation. System for assisting in tracking product orders in the catering sector according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the computer assembly is configured to transmit to the display screen an instruction for updating the orders to be carried out at the first of the automatic execution signal or the “operator” execution signal received.

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