Control device

Abstract

To provide a control device capable of enhancing convenience for customers.SOLUTION: A control device includes a control part causing a display device provided on a seat to: display images of a plurality of products that can be ordered, in a first area; display a product image selected as an order candidate and an order button for ordering the product in a second area; and as an operation representing selection of the product image is performed in the first area, display the selected product image in the second area.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a control device. [Background technology]

[0002] Various systems for accepting customer orders have been proposed in stores that provide food and beverages. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology that detects a customer's selection action on image data of food and beverages that are scrolled on a display means, and displays data about the selected food and beverage on the display means using masking processing. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5715942 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, there is still a demand for technology that provides greater convenience for customers. Furthermore, such demands are not limited to stores that provide food and beverages as described above, but are common to all stores that provide products. The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides technology that makes it possible to improve convenience for customers. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A control device according to one aspect of the present invention is a control device that controls a display device provided on a seat, and is equipped with a display means on the display device for displaying an order screen used by a customer seated in the seat when ordering a product, the order screen including a product movement area which is an area in which images of a plurality of products are displayed as moving in a predetermined direction along a lane, an order candidate area provided in a position not overlapping with the product movement area, and an order execution button provided in a position not overlapping with the product movement area, and further equipped with a selection receiving means for accepting a selection of a product displayed in the product movement area, a movement display means for moving and displaying the product selected by the selection receiving means from the product movement area to the order candidate area, a button operation receiving means for accepting operation of the order execution button, and an order execution means for executing an order for the product displayed in the order candidate area when operation is accepted by the button operation receiving means.

[0006] A control device according to another aspect of the present invention is a control device that controls a display device provided on a seat, and is equipped with a display means on the display device for displaying an order screen used by a customer seated in the seat when ordering a product, the order screen including a product movement area which is an area in which images of a plurality of products to be ordered are displayed as they move in a predetermined direction along a lane, and further equipped with an information acquisition means for acquiring information about the customer, and a selection means for selecting, based on the information about the customer, a priority display product which is a product to be preferentially displayed to the customer as one of the plurality of products whose images are to be displayed in the product movement area.

[0007] A control device according to yet another aspect of the present invention is a control device that controls a display device provided on a seat, and is equipped with an order screen display means on the display device for displaying an order screen used by a customer seated in the seat when ordering a product, the order screen including a product movement area which is an area for displaying a plurality of images including an image of the product to be ordered and an image showing campaign information, as if each of the images moves in a predetermined direction along a lane, and is further equipped with an operation receiving means for receiving a predetermined operation on the image showing the campaign information, and a campaign display means for displaying on the order screen a campaign display area showing the content of the campaign corresponding to the campaign information when the operation receiving means receives the predetermined operation.

[0008] A control device according to yet another aspect of the present invention is a control device that controls a display device provided on a seat, and is equipped on the display device with an order screen display means for displaying an order screen used by a customer seated in the seat when ordering a product, the order screen including a product movement area which is an area that displays each of the images of a plurality of products to be ordered as moving in a predetermined direction along a lane, and further equipped with an operation receiving means for receiving a flick operation having a directional component opposite to the predetermined direction, and an opposite display means for displaying each of the images of the plurality of products as temporarily moving in the opposite direction when a flick operation is received by the operation receiving means. Effect of the Invention

[0009] The present invention makes it possible to improve convenience for customers. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic block diagram showing a system configuration of a management system 100 according to the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a specific example of the exterior of a store system 110. [Diagram 3] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a specific example of an order screen. [Figure 4] 13A to 13C are diagrams showing a specific example of a change in display when a customer performs an operation to order a product. [Diagram 5] 13A to 13C are diagrams showing a specific example of a change in display when a customer performs an operation to order a product. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a specific example of a support setting screen. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a product display function. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example in which a product image 432 showing campaign information is displayed. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen when campaign information is operated. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen when campaign information is operated. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 shows a specific example of the menu screen 436. [Figure 12] 2 is a schematic block diagram showing a specific example of a management device 20. FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a specific example of a customer information table. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram showing a specific example of a store control device 30. [Figure 15] 4 is a flowchart showing a specific example of processing by the store control device 30. [Figure 16] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an outline of a hardware configuration example of an information processing device 90 applied to the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing the system configuration of a management system 100 of the present invention. The management system 100 includes a customer terminal device 10, a management device 20, and a store system 110. The customer terminal device 10, the management device 20, and the store system 110 are communicatively connected via a network 70. The network 70 may be a network using wireless communication, or may be a network using wired communication. The network 70 may be configured using, for example, the Internet, or may be configured using a local area network (LAN). The network 70 may be configured by combining a plurality of networks.

[0012] The customer terminal device 10 is a terminal device used by customers who order and receive products at a store that is managed by the management system 100. The managed store may be, for example, a store that provides food and beverages to customers. In this case, the products are food and beverages. It should be noted that the products provided to customers at the managed store do not have to be limited to food and beverages. The customer terminal device 10 is, for example, an information processing device such as a smartphone, a mobile phone, a personal computer, a tablet terminal, a portable game console, or a wearable computer. The customer terminal device 10 is capable of communicating with other devices via the network 70.

[0013] The management device 20 is a device that manages the store system 110 installed in a store that is the target of management of the management system 100. The management device 20 is configured using an information processing device such as a personal computer, a tablet terminal, or a server device. The management device 20 accepts registration of data related to a group of products that can be provided as a menu in a store that is the target of management of the management system 100 (hereinafter referred to as "product group data"). The product group data includes, for example, images of each of a plurality of products that can be provided as a menu, and information about each product (for example, the offered price, information about ingredients, information about cooking, etc.).

[0014] The product group data is registered by a person having a predetermined authority, such as an administrator of the management device 20. The product group data may be registered in any manner. For example, the product group data may be registered by the administrator operating an input / output device (user interface) provided in the management device 20. The product group data may be registered by the administrator transmitting the product group data from another information processing device to the management device 20, for example.

[0015] The store system 110 is provided in one or more stores that are subject to the management system 100. A store system 110 is provided, for example, for each store that serves food and beverages. In this case, each product included in the product group data is food and beverages. The store system 110 includes a store control device 30, a kitchen display device 40, a transport control device 41, a transport device 42, and multiple store display devices 43. Each device in the store system 110 is connected to be able to communicate via a network 71 provided in the store system 110. The network 71 may be configured using, for example, a LAN or a wireless LAN.

[0016] The store control device 30 is a device that controls each device provided in the store system 110. The store control device 30 is configured using information processing devices such as personal computers and server devices. The store control device 30 receives product group data transmitted from, for example, the management device 20, determines products to be displayed on the store display device 43 of the store system 110 (hereinafter referred to as "display target products"), and causes the store display device 43 to display images of the display target products. The store control device 30 may determine, for example, a product selected on the kitchen display device 40 as the display target product.

[0017] The kitchen display device 40 is a device used by the kitchen manager in the store system 110. The kitchen display device 40 is an information processing device such as a smartphone, a mobile phone, a personal computer, a tablet terminal, a portable game machine, a wearable computer, a dedicated terminal, or the like. The kitchen display device 40 displays products included in the product group data transmitted from the management device 20 as product candidates. The kitchen display device 40 notifies the store control device 30 of the products selected by the kitchen manager. The kitchen display device 40 also displays information about orders made by customers by operating the store display device 43 or the customer terminal device 10 (hereinafter referred to as "order information"). The order information may include, for example, information indicating the seat where the customer who placed the order is located, information indicating the ordered products, and information indicating the number of ordered products. The kitchen manager prepares products (food and drink) according to the order information displayed on the kitchen display device 40 and provides them to the customer.

[0018] The transport control device 41 controls the operation of the transport device 42. The transport control device 41 may control the operation of the transport device 42 according to a control signal transmitted from, for example, the store control device 30 or the kitchen display device 40. The transport device 42 transports the products prepared by the kitchen manager to the customer. The transport device 42 is configured using, for example, a conveyor.

[0019] The store display device 43 may be an image display device such as a liquid crystal display, an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display, etc. The store display device 43 may be configured as a touch panel further equipped with an input device.

[0020] Fig. 2 is a diagram showing a specific example of the exterior of the store system 110. A plurality of unit seats 44 are provided in the store. A unit seat 44 is a seat used by a group of one or more customers who make a payment together. A unit seat 44 may be configured as a seat used by one customer (for example, a single seat provided at a counter), or as shown in Fig. 2, as a seat used by multiple customers. One or more store display devices 43 may be provided for each unit seat 44.

[0021] 2, one store display device 43 is provided for one unit seat 44. For example, a store display device 43a is provided for unit seat 44a, a store display device 43b is provided for unit seat 44b, and a store display device 43c is provided for unit seat 44c.

[0022] The conveying device 42 is provided so as to be able to convey merchandise at least from the kitchen to each unit seat 44. Each unit seat 44 is provided with at least one receiving opening 421. The conveying device 42 is configured to convey merchandise, for example, from the kitchen to the receiving opening 421, and to stop the merchandise at the receiving opening 421.

[0023] A screen is displayed on the store display device 43 provided at each unit seat 44 to be used by a customer seated at the unit seat 44 when ordering a product. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing a specific example of a normal screen. In the specific example of Fig. 3, at least an image of the transport device 42 and one or more product images 432 are displayed. In addition, as shown in Fig. 3, an information display area 431, an order operation area 433, and a setting operation area 441 may be displayed.

[0024] The image of the conveying device 42 may be displayed to move in a predetermined direction at a predetermined speed. The product images 432 may be displayed to move in a predetermined direction at a predetermined speed. For example, the image of the conveying device 42 and each product image 432 may be displayed to move from right to left at a predetermined speed. By displaying the image of the conveying device 42 and the product images 432 to move in the same direction at the same speed, it appears as if the products in each product image 432 are loaded on the conveying device 42 and moving. More specifically, by performing such a display, it becomes possible to show the customer the appearance of products (e.g., sushi) moving on a conveyor belt like a conveyor belt sushi restaurant.

[0025] The store control device 30 or the store display device 43 may change the speed and direction of movement of these images in response to an operation by a customer. The operation by the customer may be accepted as an operation on the store display device 43 configured using, for example, a touch panel. For example, in response to a customer performing a flick operation on the touch panel having a component in a direction opposite to a predetermined direction, the image of the transport device 42 and the product image 432 may be displayed so as to temporarily move in a direction opposite to the predetermined direction.

[0026] The information display area 431 is an area where information to be provided to a customer is displayed. The type of information to be displayed in the information display area 431 may be controlled by the management device 20 or may be controlled by the store control device 30. For example, the information to be provided from the management device 20 may be transmitted to the store control device 30 via the network 70, and information selected by the store control device 30 may be displayed in the information display area 431. For example, advertising information provided to a customer, information such as coupons, or a screen of a game that can be operated by a customer may be displayed. The advertising information provided to a customer may be advertising related to the operating entity of the store in which the store system 110 is installed, or advertising related to another entity. In the case of advertising related to another entity, an advertising fee may be paid by the advertiser to the operating entity of the store.

[0027] The order operation area 433 is an area used when a customer performs an operation to order a product. Figs. 4 and 5 are diagrams showing a specific example of a change in display when a customer performs an operation to order a product. An order button 434 and a plurality of order candidate areas 435 are displayed in the order operation area 433. The order button 434 is a button with the words "Order". The order candidate area 435 is an area showing products selected by the customer as candidate products to be ordered. As shown in Fig. 3, when the customer has not selected an order candidate, no product image is displayed in any of the order candidate areas 435, and an image showing that no product has been selected is displayed.

[0028] When a product image 432 to be ordered (desired to be ordered) is displayed on the display screen, the customer performs a selection operation on the product image 432 to be ordered. For example, the selection operation may be a drag operation, a tap operation, or another type of operation. When a drag operation is performed, the customer drags the product image 432 to be ordered to the order operation area 433. When a tap operation is performed, the customer taps the product image 432 to be ordered. When the customer performs a selection operation on the product image 432, the selected product image 432 is displayed in the order candidate area 435 as shown in FIG. 5. As described above, the product image 432 displayed in the order candidate area 435 indicates that the product image 432 has been selected by the customer as a candidate for ordering.

[0029] When a customer operates the order button 434, an order is placed for the product in the product image 432 displayed in the order candidate area 435 at the time the order is placed. When an order for a product is placed, the store control device 30 registers information indicating identification information indicating the unit seat 44 where the order was placed and identification information indicating the ordered product. The store control device 30 displays this information on the kitchen display device 40. The kitchen manager (e.g., the person who cooks) prepares the product based on the information displayed on the kitchen display device 40, and places it on the conveying device 42 to be conveyed to the destination (the unit seat 44 where the customer who placed the order is located). The conveying device 42 conveys the conveyed product (the ordered product) to the receiving door 421 of the unit seat 44 where the customer who placed the order is located. The customer who placed the order can pick up and obtain the product that has been conveyed to the receiving door 421.

[0030] A support / settings button, a product menu button, and an order history / checkout button are displayed in the settings operation area 441. When the support settings button is operated, a support settings screen is displayed. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a specific example of the support settings screen. In FIG. 6, a support settings screen 442 is displayed in place of part or all of the area where the settings operation area 441 was displayed. The support settings screen displays a call button, an operation explanation tutorial button, an allergen information button, a language selection button, a design switching button, an ON / OFF button for displaying information about products on the lane, and an ON / OFF button for mini-games.

[0031] When a call button is operated, an output indicating that the call button has been operated is provided at the unit seat 44 where the call button has been operated, via an output device provided in the store system 110. For example, a lamp provided at each unit seat 44 may be lit, or the seat identification information of the unit seat 44 may be displayed or output as audio.

[0032] When the operation instruction tutorial button is operated, an operation instruction screen is displayed. On the operation instruction screen, a video or still image explaining the operation contents may be displayed. When the allergen information button is operated, information regarding allergens in products offered at the store is displayed. For example, a table of products offered and the causative substances of allergens may be displayed.

[0033] When the language selection button is operated, language buttons for multiple other languages ​​are displayed. For example, language buttons for English, French, German, Spanish, Chinese, and Korean may be displayed. When a language button is operated, the store display device 43 displays in the language assigned to the operated language button. When the design switching button is operated, the display design of the store display device 43 is switched to another design. Note that the effect of operating the language selection button and design switching button is limited to the store display device 43 on which the operation is performed.

[0034] When the product information display ON / OFF button on the lane is operated, the product information display function is switched ON and OFF. In the state of FIG. 6, the product information display function is OFF. Therefore, product information (e.g., product name and price) is not displayed on each product image 432 moving along the lane on the screen. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the product display function. In FIG. 7, the product information display function is ON. In this case, product information is displayed on each product image 432 moving along the lane on the screen. In the specific example of FIG. 7, the product name and product price are displayed as the product information. The product information display area is arranged for each product image 432 moving along the lane, for example, and moves in synchronization with the movement of the product image 432. Therefore, the product image 432 and the image of the tag showing the product information appear to be moving along the lane together.

[0035] When the mini-game ON / OFF button is operated, the mini-game can be played using a part or all of the screen of the store display device 43. For example, in response to the operation of the mini-game ON / OFF button, a mini-game application is started and the mini-game screen is displayed. After that, the customer can play the mini-game by operating the operation button displayed on the store display device 43. Coupons may be issued depending on the performance of the mini-game.

[0036] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example in which a product image 432 showing campaign information is displayed. The product image 432 on the lane of the store display device 43 may display an image showing a campaign being carried out in the store, rather than the product itself. FIGS. 9 and 10 are diagrams showing examples of screens when campaign information is operated. When the image showing the campaign is operated, a campaign display area 444 showing the details of the campaign is displayed. The campaign display area 444 is displayed in a layer above the image of the lane and other product images 432. Therefore, the campaign display area 444 is displayed stationary, but the lane and product images 432 may be displayed to continue to flow in the background.

[0037] When the menu button is operated in the campaign display area 444, characters and images indicating a menu (campaign menu image) 445 are displayed in the campaign display area 444. Fig. 10 is a diagram showing a specific example in which the campaign menu image 445 is displayed. The campaign menu image 445 displayed in the campaign display area 444 displays images, names, and prices of products handled in the campaign. When a specific product is operated in the campaign menu image 445, the operated product is displayed in the order candidate area 435 and becomes available for ordering.

[0038] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a specific example of the menu screen 436. When any one of the buttons is operated on the menu selection screen, the menu screen 436 with the menu contents corresponding to the operated button is displayed. The menu screen 436 may be displayed, for example, superimposed on the product image 432 in the area where the product image 432 is displayed. In this case, the position of the menu screen 436 may be fixed, but each product image 432 may continue to move in a predetermined direction at a predetermined speed. The menu screen 436 displays buttons related to one or more products. The product selected on the menu screen 436 (for example, the product whose button is operated) is displayed in the order candidate area 435. In this way, the operation of selecting the product to be ordered may be, for example, an operation of dragging and dropping the product image 432 into the order candidate area 435, an operation on a button displayed on the menu screen 436, or may be implemented in other manners.

[0039] 12 is a schematic block diagram showing a specific example of the management device 20. The management device 20 is configured using information equipment such as a personal computer, a server device, etc. The management device 20 includes a communication unit 21, an input unit 22, an output unit 23, a storage unit 24, and a control unit 25.

[0040] The communication unit 21 is a communication device. The communication unit 21 may be configured as, for example, a network interface. The communication unit 21 performs data communication with other devices via the network 70 in response to control by the control unit 25. The communication unit 21 may be a device that performs wireless communication or a device that performs wired communication.

[0041] The input unit 22 is configured using existing input devices such as a keyboard, a pointing device (mouse, tablet, etc.), a button, a touch panel, etc. The input unit 22 is operated by the administrator when inputting an instruction from the user (administrator) of the management device 20 to the management device 20. The input unit 22 may be an interface for connecting the input device to the management device 20. In this case, the input unit 22 inputs an input signal generated in the input device in response to the administrator's input to the management device 20. The input unit 22 may be configured using a microphone and a voice recognition device. In this case, the input unit 22 acquires an acoustic signal generated by the administrator's speech, performs voice recognition on the words spoken by the administrator, and inputs character string information of the recognition result to the management device 20. The voice recognition process may be executed by the control unit 25. The input unit 22 may be configured in any way as long as it is configured to input the administrator's instruction to the management device 20.

[0042] The output unit 23 outputs information in a form that can be recognized by the administrator. The output unit 23 may be, for example, an image display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display. The output unit 23 may be an interface for connecting the image display device to the management device 20. In this case, the output unit 23 generates a video signal for displaying image data and outputs the video signal to the image display device connected to the output unit 23. The output unit 23 may be a device for outputting sound such as a speaker. The output unit 23 may be an interface for connecting an audio output device such as a speaker or a headphone to the management device 20. In this case, the output unit 23 generates an audio signal for reproducing audio data and outputs the audio signal to the audio output device connected to the output unit 23. The output unit 23 may be configured as a touch panel integrated with the input unit 22.

[0043] The storage unit 24 is configured using a storage device such as a magnetic hard disk device or a semiconductor storage device. The storage unit 24 stores data used by the control unit 25. The storage unit 24 stores data required when the control unit 25 performs processing. The storage unit 24 functions as, for example, a content information storage unit 241, a customer attribute information storage unit 242, and an estimation model storage unit 243.

[0044] The content information storage unit 241 stores content information. The content information includes characters, images, and the like displayed on the store display device 43 of the store system 110. The content information includes, for example, information (product group data) about products that may be provided in a store that is managed by the management system 100, information about advertisements, and information about games provided to customers.

[0045] The customer attribute information storage unit 242 stores a customer attribute information table including information on the attributes of customers registered in the management system 100 (hereinafter referred to as "customer attribute information"). FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a specific example of a customer attribute information table. The customer attribute information table has a plurality of customer attribute information records. The customer attribute information record has values ​​for, for example, customer identification information, attribute information, order history, and store visit frequency. One customer attribute information record has customer information registered by one customer.

[0046] Customer identification information is identification information assigned to each customer. Attribute information may include, for example, information related to gender and age. Order history is information indicating the history of past orders placed by the customer. Order history may indicate history for a predetermined period going back in time, may indicate history for a predetermined number of items going back in time, or may be defined in other ways. Visit frequency is information indicating how often the customer visits the store. For example, predetermined categories (daily, several times a week, once a week, once a month, etc.) may be defined in advance, and information indicating which category the customer falls into may be used as the value of visit frequency.

[0047] The estimation model storage unit 243 stores the estimation model. The estimation model is a model used when estimating a product that a customer may order based on the customer attribute information. The estimation model may be configured as a learned model obtained by performing machine learning using, for example, training data. In this case, for example, as a combination of explanatory variables and objective variables of training data, a combination of actual customer attribute information (for example, attribute information or order history) and a product actually ordered by a customer corresponding to the customer attribute information may be used. In addition, the combination of the explanatory variables and the objective variable may be defined in any way. For example, a combination of a past order history and a classification of a product actually ordered may be used. For example, a combination of an elapsed time from a first action described later and a product or product classification actually ordered thereafter may be used. For example, a combination of a required time from a first action to a second action of a customer described later and a product or product classification actually ordered thereafter may be used. The estimation model may be information such as a LUT (Look Up Table) obtained by performing an analysis process based on past statistics or the like.

[0048] The control unit 25 is configured using a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a memory (main storage device). The control unit 25 functions as a content control unit 251, a customer attribute information control unit 252, and a determination unit 253 by the processor executing a program. All or part of the functions of the control unit 25 may be realized using hardware such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a PLD (Programmable Logic Device), or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). The above program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. The computer-readable recording medium is, for example, a portable medium such as a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, a ROM, a CD-ROM, or a semiconductor storage device (for example, an SSD: Solid State Drive), or a storage device such as a hard disk or a semiconductor storage device built into a computer system. The above program may be transmitted via an electric communication line.

[0049] The content control unit 251 accepts the registration of content information. For example, the content control unit 251 receives content information received via the communication unit 21 or content information input via the input unit 22. The content control unit 251 records the received content information in the content information storage unit 241. The content control unit 251 may transmit the content information stored in the content information storage unit 241 to all store systems 110 at a predetermined timing (for example, once a day at a predetermined time). The content information transmitted from the content control unit 251 is received by, for example, the store control device 30 of each store system 110.

[0050] The customer attribute information control unit 252 controls the customer attribute information stored in the customer attribute information storage unit 242. The customer attribute information control unit 252 may receive customer attribute information transmitted as a registration request from the customer terminal device 10, for example, and may generate a new customer attribute information record using the received customer attribute information and register it in the customer attribute information table. The customer attribute information control unit 252 may receive information indicating a customer's order history from the store control device 30, and update the order history in the customer attribute information.

[0051] When the determination unit 253 receives a determination request, it determines a product (hereinafter referred to as a "priority display product") that is to be preferentially displayed to a customer identified by the customer attribute information included in the determination request. The determination unit 253 transmits the priority display product, which is the determination result, to the sender of the determination request. The sender of the determination request (e.g., the store control device 30) displays product images 432 of the products included in the priority display products on the store display device 43 of the unit seat 44 where the customer is seated.

[0052] The determination unit 253 may, for example, estimate a product that is likely to be ordered by a customer, and determine the estimated product as a preferential display product. Such a determination may be performed by any process. More specifically, it is as follows.

[0053] For example, the determination unit 253 may estimate a product that may be ordered by a customer based on the customer attribute information and an estimation model stored in the estimation model storage unit 243. The determination unit 253 may estimate a product that may be ordered based on, for example, customer attribute information included in the customer attribute information. For example, a product may be estimated based on information such as gender and generation (age) included in the attribute information and an estimation model. The determination unit 253 may estimate a product that may be ordered based on, for example, the customer's past order history included in the customer attribute information. At this time, the determination unit 253 may estimate a product that may be ordered by a customer based on the estimation model stored in the estimation model storage unit 243 and the order history.

[0054] The determination unit 253 may determine, as the priority display product, a product similar to a product that a customer has ordered relatively frequently in the past, for example, based on a predefined relationship between similar products. For example, if many products related to "tuna" have been ordered in the past, a group of products defined as products similar to tuna may be determined as the priority display product. For example, products in the same or similar price range as a product that has been ordered relatively frequently in the past may be determined as the priority display product. If more products classified as high-priced products have been ordered in the past than a predetermined standard, a group of products classified as high-priced products may be determined as the priority display product. It is preferable that the relationship between the price range and the product is defined in advance.

[0055] For example, the determination unit 253 may determine the priority display commodity based on the time elapsed from a first action of the customer. A specific example of the first action is entering a store. In this case, the determination unit 253 determines the priority display commodity based on the time elapsed from the customer entering the store. Specifically, if the time elapsed from entering the store is shorter than a predetermined time (e.g., 1 minute, 5 minutes), a beverage commodity (e.g., soft drink or alcoholic beverage) may be determined as the priority display commodity. If the time elapsed from entering the store is longer than a predetermined time (e.g., 30 minutes, 1 hour, or if a time limit for use is set in the store, a predetermined time before the time limit (e.g., 10 minutes before), etc.), a commodity classified as dessert or a commodity classified as tea (including coffee) may be determined as the priority display commodity.

[0056] Such a determination may be made when a predetermined condition (for example, the condition that no order has been placed yet) is met, rather than based on the time elapsed since entering the restaurant. Also, the determination may be made based on the time elapsed since the customer sat down, rather than based on the time elapsed since entering the restaurant, or based on the time elapsed since the seat identification information and customer identification information were registered. In this case, the first action would be the action of sitting down or the action of registering the seat identification information and customer identification information.

[0057] Another specific example of the first action is an action of placing an order. In this case, the determination unit 253 determines the priority display product based on the time that has elapsed since the customer last placed an order. Specifically, when a predetermined length of time or more has elapsed since the customer last placed an order, the determination unit 253 may determine that a product classified as a final meal (e.g., a rice bowl or ramen), a product classified as a dessert, or a product classified as tea (including coffee) is the priority display product.

[0058] For example, the determination unit 253 may determine the priority display product based on the time required from the first action to the second action of the customer. For example, specific examples of the first action and the second action may be the second-to-last ordering action and the last ordering action, respectively. That is, the priority display product may be determined based on the length of time required between orders. If this required time is longer than a predetermined threshold, a product classified as a final meal (e.g., a rice bowl or ramen), a product classified as a dessert, or a product classified as tea (including coffee) may be determined as the priority display product.

[0059] 14 is a schematic block diagram showing a specific example of the store control device 30. The store control device 30 is configured using information devices such as a personal computer, a server device, etc. The store control device 30 includes a communication unit 31, an input unit 32, an output unit 33, a storage unit 34, and a control unit 35.

[0060] The communication unit 31 is a communication device. The communication unit 31 may be configured as, for example, a network interface. The communication unit 31 performs data communication with other devices via the network 71 in response to the control of the control unit 35. The communication unit 31 may be a device that performs wireless communication or a device that performs wired communication.

[0061] The input unit 32 is configured using existing input devices such as a keyboard, a pointing device (mouse, tablet, etc.), a button, a touch panel, etc. The input unit 32 is operated by the user (store manager) of the store control device 30 when inputting instructions from the store manager to the store control device 30. The input unit 32 may be an interface for connecting the input device to the store control device 30. In this case, the input unit 32 inputs an input signal generated in the input device in response to an input by the store manager to the store control device 30. The input unit 32 may be configured using a microphone and a voice recognition device. In this case, the input unit 32 acquires an acoustic signal generated by the speech of the store manager, performs voice recognition on the words spoken by the store manager, and inputs character string information of the recognition result to the store control device 30. The voice recognition process may be executed by the control unit 35. The input unit 32 may be configured in any way as long as it is configured to input instructions from the store manager to the store control device 30.

[0062] The output unit 33 outputs information in a form that can be recognized by the store manager. The output unit 33 may be, for example, an image display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display. The output unit 33 may be an interface for connecting the image display device to the store control device 30. In this case, the output unit 33 generates a video signal for displaying image data and outputs the video signal to the image display device connected to the output unit 33. The output unit 33 may be a device for outputting sound such as a speaker. The output unit 33 may be an interface for connecting an audio output device such as a speaker or a headphone to the store control device 30. In this case, the output unit 33 generates an audio signal for reproducing audio data and outputs the audio signal to the audio output device connected to the output unit 33. The output unit 33 may be configured as a touch panel integrated with the input unit 32.

[0063] The storage unit 34 is configured using a storage device such as a magnetic hard disk device or a semiconductor storage device. The storage unit 34 stores data used by the control unit 35. The storage unit 34 stores data required when the control unit 35 performs processing. The storage unit 34 functions as, for example, an inventory information storage unit 341, a content information storage unit 342, and an order information storage unit 343.

[0064] The inventory information storage unit 341 stores information about inventory in the store in which the device (store control device 30) is installed. The inventory information may be input, for example, by a store manager operating the input unit 32. The inventory information may be updated based on information about current inventory, information about newly purchased items, and information about products provided to customers upon order.

[0065] The content information storage unit 342 stores content information. The content information stored in the content information storage unit 342 may be content information transmitted from the management device 20. The content information may include information regarding products (food and drink) that are out of stock in the store.

[0066] The order information storage unit 343 stores information about the history of orders placed by customers in the store in which the store control device 30 is installed. The order information storage unit 343 includes, for example, for each unit seat 44, customer information (e.g., identification information), order information, information indicating whether the product included in the order has been provided, and information indicating whether the transaction has been completed.

[0067] The control unit 35 is configured using a processor such as a CPU and a memory (main storage device). The control unit 35 functions as a customer attribute information management unit 351, a display control unit 352, and an order control unit 353 by the processor executing a program. All or part of the functions of the control unit 35 may be realized using hardware such as an ASIC, a PLD, or an FPGA. The above program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. The computer-readable recording medium is, for example, a portable medium such as a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, a ROM, a CD-ROM, or a semiconductor storage device (for example, an SSD: Solid State Drive), or a storage device such as a hard disk or a semiconductor storage device built into a computer system. The above program may be transmitted via an electric communication line.

[0068] The customer attribute information management unit 351 manages information about customers who visit a store in which the store control device 30 is installed. The customer attribute information management unit 351 associates the unit seat 44 with the customer attribute information and registers them in the order information storage unit 343. The association between the unit seat 44 and the customer attribute information may be acquired by any process.

[0069] For example, when a customer enters a store, a predetermined reading device of the store system 110 reads the code information displayed on the customer terminal device 10, and a store employee registers the unit seat 44 provided to the customer, thereby associating the unit seat 44 with the customer attribute information. The unit seat 44 provided to the customer may be selected by the customer attribute information management unit 351 from among vacant unit seats 44 according to the number of customers. The code information read by the predetermined reading device may include customer identification information. The customer attribute information management unit 351 obtains the customer identification information by decoding the read code information. The customer attribute information management unit 351 associates the seat identification information indicating the unit seat 44 with the customer identification information and registers it in the order information storage unit 343.

[0070] For example, the unit seat 44 may be associated with the customer attribute information by capturing an image of the code information displayed on the customer terminal device 10 with a predetermined imaging device provided at the unit seat 44. In this case, the imaging device transmits seat identification information indicating the unit seat 44 in which the imaging device is provided and the captured code information to the store control device 30. The customer attribute information management unit 351 registers in the order information storage unit 343 the customer identification information and seat identification information indicated by the code information in association with each other.

[0071] For example, a customer may read code information provided for each unit seat 44 using the customer terminal device 10, thereby associating the unit seat 44 with the customer attribute information. In this case, for example, the customer terminal device 10 may transmit to the management device 20 the customer identification information stored therein, and the store identification information and seat identification information obtained by decoding the code information. The management device 20 transmits the customer identification information and seat identification information in association with each other to the store control device 30 of the store system 110 indicated by the store identification information. The customer attribute information management unit 351 registers the received customer identification information and seat identification information in the order information storage unit 343 in association with each other.

[0072] The display control unit 352 controls the display of the store display device 43. For example, when no particular operation is performed by the customer, the display control unit 352 selects display target products from the product group data stored in the content information storage unit 342. At this time, the display control unit 352 may select, for example, products that are in stock at the store in which the display unit is installed, as display target products. The display control unit 352 displays products included in the display target products on the store display device 43. For example, the display control unit 352 may randomly select products from the products included in the display target products and display them on the store display device 43 in the selected order.

[0073] The display control unit 352 may determine a product (priority display product) to be preferentially displayed for each unit seat 44 based on a predetermined criterion. For example, the display control unit 352 may transmit a determination request to the management device 20 for each unit seat 44, and determine the priority display product according to the priority display product received as the determination result. At this time, the display control unit 352 may determine the priority display product from among the priority display products determined by the management device 20, which are available to customers (for example, in stock) in the store in which the device is installed. The determination request includes information required for the management device 20 to determine the priority display product. Products determined as priority display products are displayed on the store display device 43 with a higher frequency than products not determined as priority display products. Products displayed other than the priority display product may be determined according to normal display control. For example, products displayed other than the priority display product may be randomly selected from products included in the display target products as described above.

[0074] The display control unit 352 may control the number of products displayed per unit timing to display a predetermined number (hereinafter referred to as the "priority display number") of product images 432 of products determined as priority display products. The unit timing may be defined, for example, as a unit of time (e.g., 30 seconds, 1 minute, etc.) or as a unit number of products (e.g., 5 products, 10 products). When the unit timing is defined as 30 seconds and the priority display number is defined as 5 products, the display is controlled so that 5 priority display products are displayed in 30 seconds.

[0075] The order control unit 353 accepts orders in accordance with customer operations. For example, when an order is made based on a customer operation as described in Fig. 4 to Fig. 11, the order control unit 353 may register the ordered product and the unit seat 44 where the order was made in association with each other in the order information storage unit 343. The order control unit 353 causes the kitchen display device 40 to display the ordered product and the unit seat 44 where the order was made in association with each other.

[0076] 15 is a flowchart showing a specific example of processing by the store control device 30. First, the display control unit 352 receives and acquires content information from the management device 20 (step S101). The display control unit 352 records the received content information in the content information storage unit 342. The display control unit 352 determines display contents for each store display device 43 (step S102) and causes each store display device 43 to display an image (step S103). The processing of steps S102 and S103 is repeatedly executed, whereby product images and the like are displayed on each store display device 43.

[0077] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an outline of a hardware configuration example of an information processing device 90 applied to the present embodiment. The information processing device 90 includes a processor 91, a main storage device 92, a communication interface 93, an auxiliary storage device 94, an input / output interface 95, and an internal bus 96. The processor 91, the main storage device 92, the communication interface 93, the auxiliary storage device 94, and the input / output interface 95 are communicably connected to each other via the internal bus 96. The information processing device 90 may be applied to, for example, the management device 20 and the store control device 30. In this case, for example, the communication unit 21 and the communication unit 31 may be configured using the communication interface 93. For example, the memory unit 24 and the memory unit 34 may be configured using the auxiliary storage device 94. In addition, the control unit 25 and the control unit 35 may be configured using the processor 91 and the main storage device 92.

[0078] (Modification)

[0079] In this embodiment, the management device 20 and the store control device 30 are configured as separate devices, but they may be configured as an integrated device. Also, a part of the management device 20 and the store control device 30 may be configured as an integrated device. For example, the store control device 30 may be configured to include an estimation model storage unit 243 and a determination unit 253. When configured in this manner, the store control device 30 can determine the priority display product without communicating with the management device 20 (sending a determination request).

[0080] The management device 20 may be implemented using a plurality of information processing devices. For example, the management device 20 may be implemented using a device such as a cloud. For example, in the management device 20, the storage unit 24 and the control unit 25 may be implemented in different information processing devices. For example, the storage unit 24 of the management device 20 may be implemented in a distributed manner in a plurality of information processing devices. For example, the control unit 25 of the management device 20 may be implemented in a distributed manner in a plurality of information processing devices.

[0081] Although an embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and designs that do not deviate from the gist of the present invention are also included. [Explanation of symbols]

[0082] 100... management system, 110... store system, 10... customer terminal device, 20... management device, 21... communication unit, 22... input unit, 23... output unit, 24... memory unit, 25... control unit, 30... store control device, 31... communication unit, 32... input unit, 33... output unit, 34... memory unit, 35... control unit, 40... kitchen display device, 41... transport control device, 42... transport device, 421... receiving entrance, 43... store display device, 431... information display area, 432... product image, 433... order operation area, 434... order screen, 435... order button, 436... menu screen, 44... unit seat

Claims

1. A control device that controls a display device provided in a seat, The display device is provided with a display means for displaying an order screen used by a customer seated at the seat when ordering a product, The order screen is: a product movement area in which images of a plurality of products are displayed moving in a predetermined direction along a lane; An order candidate area provided at a position not overlapping with the product movement area; an order execution button provided at a position not overlapping with the product movement area, A selection receiving means for receiving a selection of a product displayed in the product movement area; a moving and displaying means for moving and displaying the product selected by the selection receiving means from the product moving area to the order candidate area; a button operation receiving means for receiving an operation of the order execution button; The control device further comprises an order execution means for executing an order for a product displayed in the order candidate area when an operation is accepted by the button operation acceptance means.

2. A control device that controls a display device provided in a seat, The display device is provided with a display means for displaying an order screen used by a customer seated at the seat when ordering a product, the order screen includes a product movement area which is an area for displaying images of a plurality of products to be ordered, each of which moves in a predetermined direction along a lane; An information acquisition means for acquiring information about the customer; the control device further comprising a selection means for selecting, based on information about the customer, a priority display product which is a product to be preferentially displayed to the customer, from among the multiple products whose images are to be displayed in the product movement area.

3. A control device that controls a display device provided in a seat, The display device is provided with an order screen display means for displaying an order screen used by a customer seated at the seat when ordering a product, the order screen includes a product movement area that is an area in which a plurality of images, including an image of a product to be ordered and an image showing campaign information, are displayed so as to move in a predetermined direction along a lane; an operation receiving means for receiving a predetermined operation on the image showing the campaign information; the control device further comprising a campaign display means for, when the operation receiving means receives the specified operation, displaying a campaign display area on the order screen, the campaign display area indicating details of a campaign corresponding to the campaign information.

4. A control device that controls a display device provided in a seat, The display device is provided with an order screen display means for displaying an order screen used by a customer seated at the seat when ordering a product, the order screen includes a product movement area which is an area for displaying images of a plurality of products to be ordered, each of which moves in a predetermined direction along a lane; an operation receiving means for receiving a flick operation having a component in a direction opposite to the predetermined direction; the control device further comprising: an opposite display means for displaying each of the images of the plurality of products so as to temporarily move in the opposite direction when the operation reception means receives the flick operation.

Images