Food and drink count device

Abstract

To provide a food and drink count device capable of accurately counting a consumption amount of food and drink.SOLUTION: A food and drink count device is provided in a food and drink provision system including a conveyance passage passing along tables for customers and conveying a support body capable of placing food and drink thereon. The food and drink count device includes: a first information acquisition section arranged on an upstream side of the tables and acquiring information on the support body on the conveyance passage; a second information acquisition section arranged on a downstream side of the tables and acquiring information on the support body on the conveyance passage; and a first calculation section calculating the number of the food and drink taken out from the conveyance passage to the tables. Identification information for identifying each support body is provided on each of the support bodies and each of the support bodies can be in a first state where the food and drink are placed thereon and a second state where the food and drink are not placed thereon.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a food and beverage counting device that is provided in a food and beverage supply system having a transport path that passes along a table for customers and transports a support on which food and beverage can be placed. [Background technology]

[0002] In food and drink supply systems such as conveyor belt sushi restaurants, the number of plates that customers take from the conveyor is counted by store staff at the time of payment, and the bill is calculated based on that number. However, if the number of plates is counted manually, customers will have to wait while the plate is being counted, and there is a risk of human error causing miscounting.

[0003] Therefore, a system has been proposed that automates the counting of the number of plates. For example, in Patent Document 1, cameras are placed on the upstream and downstream sides of the table where customers eat and drink on the conveying path, and the plates are photographed as they are conveyed. The plates photographed by the upstream camera are identified by color, etc., and if the same plate is not photographed by the downstream camera within a specified time, it is determined that the plate has been removed from the conveying path to the table, and the plates are counted. On the other hand, if a plate photographed by the upstream camera is photographed by the downstream camera within a specified time, it is determined that the plate has not been removed from the conveying path to the table. In this way, the counting of the number of plates is automated. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-103603 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the above system, if the conveying speed of the plates slows down due to a malfunction of the conveying path, the downstream camera may not be able to capture an image of the same plate within a specified time, and in this case, the plate may be determined to have been removed from the conveying path even though it has not been removed. Alternatively, if a plate is removed from the conveying path and then returned to the conveying path, the downstream camera may not be able to capture an image of the same plate within a specified time. Therefore, in the above system, the number of plates removed from the conveying path, i.e., the amount of food and drink consumed, may not be accurately counted.

[0006] The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and aims to provide a food and beverage counting device that can accurately count the amount of food and beverage consumed even when irregular events such as those described above occur. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention provides a food and beverage counting device provided in a food and beverage service system having a transport path which passes along a customer table and transports supports on which food and beverage can be placed, the device comprising: a first information acquisition unit which is arranged upstream of the table and acquires information about the supports on the transport path; a second information acquisition unit which is arranged downstream of the table and acquires information about the supports on the transport path; and a first calculation unit which calculates the number of the foods and beverages which have been taken out from the transport path to the table, wherein each of the supports is provided with identification information for identifying each of the supports, and each of the supports is configured to be able to take a first state in which the food and beverage is placed thereon and a second state in which the food and beverage is not placed thereon, and the first calculation unit calculates, by the first information acquisition unit, whether the support is in one of the first state and the second state in which the food and beverage is not placed thereon. the first information acquisition unit determines which state the support is in; a second information acquisition unit determines which state the support is in; a first storage step of associating and storing the identification information of the support acquired by the first information acquisition unit with the state of the support; a second storage step of associating and storing the identification information of the support acquired by the second information acquisition unit with the state of the support; and a counting step of counting that the food or drink supported on the support has been consumed at the table when the first information acquisition unit determines that the support is in the first state and the support determined to be in the first state is determined to be in the second state by the second information acquisition unit.

[0008] The order of the first determination step and the second determination step, and the order of the first storage step and the second storage step are not particularly limited.

[0009] In the above food and beverage counting system, the first information acquisition unit can be configured to have a first camera, determine the state of the support based on photographing by the first camera, and acquire identification information of the support by the first camera, and the second information acquisition unit can be configured to have a second camera, determine the state of the support based on photographing by the second camera, and acquire identification information of the support by the second camera.

[0010] The above food and beverage counting system may further include a display unit provided on the table, and the display unit may be configured to display the amount of food and beverage consumption counted by the first calculation unit.

[0011] In the above food and beverage counting system, the support is configured to support a plate carrying the food and beverage, and the plate carrying the food and beverage is configured to be removed from the support by the customer, and the system may further include an insertion unit provided on the table for inserting the plate removed from the support, and a second calculation unit for counting the number of the plates inserted into the insertion unit.

[0012] The above food and beverage counting system may further include a notification means for notifying the user when there is a difference between the number of foods and beverages counted by the first calculation unit and the number of plates counted by the second calculation unit.

[0013] In the above-mentioned food and beverage counting system, a transaction start means for the customer to instruct the start of the transaction process can be further provided, and when the first calculation unit receives an instruction to start the transaction from the transaction start means, it can read out the information stored in the first and second storage steps and execute the counting step. Effect of the Invention

[0014] According to the food and drink counting device of the present invention, the consumption of food and drink can be counted accurately. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a plan view of a food and beverage serving system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a first calculation unit. [Figure 6] 13 is an example of a chronological list of container information. [Figure 7] 13 is a flowchart of an accounting process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] <1. Overview of the food and beverage supply system> Hereinafter, an embodiment of a food and drink providing system provided with a food and drink counting device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a plan view of the food and drink providing system, and Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a conveying path.

[0017] As shown in Figure 1, the food and drink provision system according to this embodiment is, as an example, installed in a sushi restaurant, and has a transport path 2 for transporting containers 1 that store food and drink between a guest room S1 and a kitchen S2. The guest room S1 is provided with a plurality of customer seating booths 3 separated by partitions, and each customer seating booth 3 is arranged along the transport path 2. Each customer seating booth 3 is provided with a rectangular table 31, and one side of this table 31 is installed so that it contacts the transport path 2.

[0018] The container 1 transported by the conveying path 2 contains plates 11 (see Figure 3) on which food and drink (sushi, soup, sweets, drinks, etc.) are placed, and customers at each seating booth 3 take the plates 11 on which the food and drink are placed from the container 1 on the conveying path 2 and eat and drink at the tables 31.

[0019] 2, a touch panel display 32 for placing orders, making payments, etc., and an insert device 33 for inserting plates 11 are arranged on table 31 of customer booth 3. Furthermore, this food and drink service system is provided with a counting device for counting the amount of food and drink consumed at each customer booth 3 and for processing payments. Each device will be described in detail below.

[0020] <1-1. Transport path and container> 2, a flat chain conveyor 21 is arranged on the conveying path 2, and this flat chain conveyor 21 is driven by a motor (not shown) to move in a circular manner between the guest room S1 and the kitchen S2. The above-mentioned containers 1 are arranged at predetermined intervals on the flat chain conveyor 21, and move on the conveying path 2.

[0021] Fig. 3 is a side view of the container. As shown in Fig. 3, each container 1 includes a placement section 12 placed on a flat chain conveyor 21, and a dome-shaped transparent lid 13 that covers the placement section 12 and is configured to be openable and closable. A plate 11 on which food or drink is placed can be placed on the placement section 12. The lid 13 is fixed to the placement section 12 by an opening / closing mechanism 14 including a hinge so as to be able to swing. As shown in Fig. 3(a), the lid 13 can be in a closed state (first state) in which the plate 11 placed on the placement section 12 is covered, and as shown in Fig. 3(b), the lid 13 can be in an open state (second state) in which the plate 11 on the placement section 12 can be removed from the placement section 12.

[0022] In the closed state, the lower edge of the lid 13 is in contact with the periphery of the plate 11 placed on the placement section 12. This covers the food and drink placed on the plate with the lid, and keeps it hygienic so that dust and the like do not adhere to it. In addition, a circular arc-shaped notch 131 is formed in the lower end of the lid 13 so as to face the customer booth 3, and when the lid 13 is in the closed state, the edge of the plate 11 stored therein can be grasped through this notch 131. When a customer inserts his or her finger through the notch 131 to grasp the edge of the plate 11 and then slightly pulls up the plate 11, the plate 11 pushes up the lid 13, and the opening and closing mechanism 14 causes the lid 13 to spring up and open. This allows the customer to remove the plate 11 from the container 1 while still holding the plate 11 with his or her fingers.

[0023] Additionally, on the top of the lids 13, there are provided a display label 132 indicating the type of food or drink contained in each lid 13, and an identifier 133 in which identification information for identifying each container 1 is embedded. For example, the type of sushi, such as tuna or sea bream, can be displayed on the display label 132. Additionally, the identifier 133 is not particularly limited, but can be, for example, a barcode, QR code (registered trademark), or other code that can be read by a camera.

[0024] <1-2.Counting device> Next, the counting device will be described. Fig. 4 is a side view of the transport path, and Fig. 5 is a block diagram of the first calculation unit. As shown in Fig. 4, the counting device is equipped with a first camera 41 arranged on the upstream side of the table 31 of each customer seating booth 3, a second camera 42 arranged on the downstream side, and a first calculation unit 43 that counts the number of plates taken out from the transport path 2. The first camera 41 and the second camera 42 are installed in each customer seating booth 3.

[0025] The first camera 41 sequentially photographs the containers 1 passing through the conveying path 2, and obtains photographed images of the containers 1. Similarly, the second camera 42 sequentially photographs the containers 1 passing through the conveying path 2, and obtains photographed images of the containers 1. Therefore, each container 1 passing through the conveying path 2 is photographed twice by the first camera 41 and the second camera 42 while it makes one revolution around the conveying path 2.

[0026] Next, the first calculation unit 43 will be described. As shown in Fig. 5, the first calculation unit 43 is a computer to which a control unit 431 and a storage unit 432 are electrically connected. The first calculation unit 43 is electrically connected to the above-mentioned first camera 41, second camera 42, and touch panel display 32, and images captured by these cameras 41 and 42 are processed by the control unit 431.

[0027] The control unit 431 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), etc., and performs processes such as counting the plates removed from the container 1. The storage unit 432 is, for example, an auxiliary storage device such as a hard disk drive or a solid state drive, and stores the programs executed by the control unit 431, information about the container 1, etc.

[0028] The program is a program for carrying out various processes such as judging the state of the container 1, recognizing the identifier 133, storing various information, and accounting including plate counting. The processes carried out by this program will be described later.

[0029] <1-3. Feeding device> Next, the inserting device 33 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the inserting device 33 includes a guide path 332 having an inserting port 331 that opens on the table 31 and through which the plates are inserted, a sensor 333 that is provided inside the guide path 332 and detects the plates 11 that have passed through, and a second calculation unit (not shown) that counts the number of plates 11 that have passed through the guide path 332. The guide path 332 extends obliquely downward toward the conveying path 2 and is connected to a dish recovery waterway 22 provided inside the conveying path 2. The dish recovery waterway 22 extends to the kitchen S2 and is connected to a storage tank (not shown) provided in the kitchen S2. Water flows through the dish recovery waterway 22 toward the storage tank, and when the dishes 11 inserted from the inserting port 331 fall into the dish recovery waterway 22 through the guide path 332, the dishes 11 flow to the storage tank by the water. The dishes 11 are then collected in the storage tank and reused after being washed.

[0030] When the plate 11 passing through the guide path 332 is detected by the sensor 333, the plate 11 is counted sequentially by the second calculation unit, and the number of plates consumed is stored. The second calculation unit is configured by a computer similar to the first calculation unit 43.

[0031] In addition, a message encouraging customers to insert plates 11 into the insertion slot 331 after eating and drinking can be displayed on the touch panel display 32 or the customer booth 3.

[0032] <2. Accounting> Next, the accounting process in the food and drink supply system configured as described above will be described with reference to Figs. 6 and 7. Fig. 6 is an example of a chronological list of container information, and Fig. 7 is a flowchart of the accounting process. When a customer is guided to the customer booth 3, the time of the guide is stored in the memory unit 432 of the first calculation unit 43. The time of the guide may be input by a store staff member, or may be the start time of operation of the touch panel display 32. The time of the guide can be stored in the first calculation unit 43 by various other means.

[0033] Then, the customer takes out the plate 11 on which food and drink are placed from the container 1 transported on the transport path 2, and eats and drinks at the table 31. After eating and drinking, the plate 11 is inserted through the insertion port 331 by the customer.

[0034] A checkout button (checkout start means) for starting a checkout is displayed on the touch panel display 32, and when this checkout button is touched (step S101), the control unit 431 of the first calculation unit 43 starts the checkout. That is, the control unit 431 executes the above program. The specific process is as follows.

[0035] First, prior to the transaction process, the control unit 431 determines whether the lid 13 of the container 1 is in an open state or a closed state from the captured images acquired by the cameras 41 and 42 using a known image recognition technology (first and second determination steps). The result of this determination is referred to as open / closed information. Also, identification information of each container 1 is acquired from the identifier 133 shown in the captured image. The thus acquired open / closed information, identification information, the time when the image was captured, and information on the camera that captured the image are associated with each other and sequentially stored in the storage unit 432 as container information. That is, the storage unit 432 stores a chronological list of container information as shown in FIG. 6 (first and second storage steps). Note that, in order to improve the accuracy of the open / closed information of the container 1, when the container 1 passes under the cameras 41 and 42, multiple images can be captured by capturing the image multiple times (for example, an odd number of times, such as five times). Then, the open / closed state of each captured image is determined using image recognition technology. Then, the image with the greater number of images determined to be open or closed can be adopted as the open / closed information. Furthermore, the timing for determining whether the door is open or closed is not particularly limited, and the captured image may be stored in storage unit 432, and then a determination may be made at a predetermined timing before the transaction.

[0036] When the checkout button is touched as described above, the control unit 431 reads out the necessary container information from the memory unit 432 (step S102). That is, the control unit 431 reads out container information acquired by the cameras 41, 42 of the customer seating booth 3 between the time the customer was guided to the customer seating booth 3 and the time the checkout button was touched. Note that which customer seating booth 3 the checkout took place at is identified by associating the cameras 41, 42 that took the image with the touch panel display 32 of each customer seating booth 3.

[0037] The control unit 431 counts the number of containers 1 that are determined to be in a closed state by the first camera 41 and in an open state by the second camera 42 among the containers 1 that have passed through the customer booth 3 (step S103: counting step). That is, the fact that the same container 1 is in a closed state on the upstream side of the customer booth 3 and in an open state on the downstream side means that the lid 13 has been opened and the plate 11 has been removed while passing through the customer booth 3. For example, in the example of FIG. 6, the container 1 No. 8 photographed by the first camera 41 (camera No. 1) is in a closed state, and the container 1 No. 8 photographed by the second camera 42 (camera No. 2) is in an open state, so it is determined that the plate 11 has been removed from the container 1 No. 8. Also, in this example, it is determined that the container 1 No. 10 is also similarly removed from the plate 11. Therefore, the number of containers 1 that have such a state detected is determined to be the number of removed plates 11, that is, the amount of food and drink consumed.

[0038] When the counting of the number of plates 11 removed is thus completed, the control unit 431 displays the number on the touch panel display 32 (step S104). A confirmation button is also displayed on the touch panel display 32, and if the customer agrees with the number of plates consumed (YES in step S105), a message urging the customer to touch the confirmation button is displayed. If the customer touches the confirmation button (step S106), the control unit 431 performs the transaction process. That is, a fee according to the number of plates counted is calculated and transmitted to the POS register (not shown) (step S107). When transmission is completed, a screen indicating that the transaction is complete is displayed on the touch panel display 32. The customer then goes to the POS register and makes the payment.

[0039] If the customer does not agree with the number of plates 11 that has been counted (NO in step S105), a staff member can be called to confirm the situation. For this reason, a button for calling a staff member is displayed on the touch panel display 32.

[0040] Furthermore, when the checkout button is touched, the number of plates stored in the second calculation unit is compared with the number of plates counted by the first calculation unit 43, and if there is a discrepancy, a store staff member is notified. The means of this notification is not particularly limited, and information to that effect may be sent to a mobile terminal or the like held by any store staff member, or information may be sent to the store's central management system, and then a staff member may be notified verbally.

[0041] <3. Features> The food and drink supply system configured as above can provide the following effects. (1) In the above embodiment, all the containers 1 transported on the transport path 2 are photographed by the first camera 41 and the second camera 42. When the same container 1 is in a closed state on the upstream side of the customer booth 3 and in an open state on the downstream side, it is assumed that food and drink have been consumed, and the number of plates is counted. Therefore, even if the same container 1 is not photographed by the second camera 42 within a predetermined time after being photographed by the first camera 41, if the same container 1 is photographed by the two cameras 41 and 42, it is possible to determine whether or not food and drink have been consumed. Therefore, for example, even if there is a situation in which the container 1 does not pass between the first camera 41 and the second camera 42 within a predetermined time due to some reason, the number of plates 11 on which food and drink have been consumed can be reliably detected. That is, in the counting device according to this embodiment, the number of plates 11 on which food and drink have been consumed can be reliably detected regardless of the time the container 1 passes between the first camera 41 and the second camera 42.

[0042] As a result, the number of plates 11 on which food and drink have been consumed can be automatically calculated, shortening the accounting time, reducing human error, and reducing the number of staff required. As a result, it is possible to improve customer satisfaction and reduce costs.

[0043] (2) The number of consumed plates 11 is counted not only by the first calculation unit 43 but also by the second calculation unit. Therefore, even if there is an error in the counting by the first calculation unit 43, if all plates 11 on which food or drink has been consumed have been inserted into the insertion port 331, the error in the counting by the first calculation unit 43 can be detected.

[0044] <4. Modifications> Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention. The following modifications can be combined as appropriate.

[0045] (1) In the above embodiment, the case where the plate 11 is removed from the container 1 transported on the transport path 2 and eaten has been described, but the desired food and drink may be ordered using the touch panel display 32. This order is then transmitted to the kitchen S2, where it is cooked. In this case, the container 1 containing the ordered food and drink is transported on the transport path 2, and in order to make it clear that the ordered food and drink is contained therein, the container 1 may be provided with a display such as the number of the customer booth 3, or the touch panel display 32 may display a screen notifying the customer that the container 1 containing the ordered food and drink will soon be transported. In this case, the plate 11 is removed from the container 1, and the number of plates 11 may be counted in the same manner as described above.

[0046] Alternatively, a dedicated transport path may be provided for transporting containers 1 containing ordered food and drink, and containers 1 may be transported using this transport path. In this case, the number of dishes ordered from touch panel display 32 may be separately counted by first calculation unit 43, and when the cashier button is touched, the total number of dishes 11 counted as described above may be displayed on touch panel display 32.

[0047] (2) The configuration of the container 1 is not particularly limited, as long as it is configured to support the dish 11 and to be able to determine from a captured image whether the dish 11 is placed on the container 1 or not. Therefore, the lid 13 is not necessarily required, and the identifier 133 may also be disposed anywhere on the container 1.

[0048] (3) The above-mentioned various processes may be controlled by one or more computers. Therefore, for example, the first calculation unit 43, the second calculation unit, and a module that performs the process of accepting orders can be configured in the same computer. The first calculation unit also performs accounting processes other than counting plates, but the accounting processes other than counting plates 11 may be performed by a module or computer different from the first calculation unit 43. For example, some processes, such as control of the cameras 41 and 42, image recognition of the open / closed state of the container 1, and control of the touch panel display 32, may be performed by different computers. In addition, the above-mentioned various processes are realized by a computer having a general-purpose CPU, but part or all of the processes may be realized by one or more dedicated processors.

[0049] (4) In the above embodiment, the open / close information of the container 1 and the identification information of the container 1 are acquired by the cameras 41 and 42, but this is not limiting. That is, these pieces of information can be acquired by various means (first information acquisition unit, second information acquisition unit) such as various sensors other than the cameras 41 and 42, and communication means such as IC tags. In addition, the open / close information and the identification information can be acquired by different information acquisition units.

[0050] (5) A robot can be placed on the conveyor path 2 and made to talk to customers or perform some other action. For example, when the robot passes the table of a customer who has picked up a plate of tuna, it can be made to say something like, "Was the tuna tasty today?", surprising the customer and improving the playability.

[0051] (6) Information regarding the type of food and drink contained in container 1 can also be embedded in the identifier. This makes it possible to recognize the type and number of food and drink on conveyor path 2 from the identifier photographed by cameras 41 and 42. This makes it easier to adjust the amount of food and drink supplied to conveyor path 2. It also makes it possible to grasp the type and number of food and drink removed from conveyor path 2 at each table 31.

[0052] In addition, such information on food and drink acquired by a customer can be linked to a customer management system. For example, by associating an account registered by a customer with information acquired by the first calculation unit 43, it is possible to provide a special benefit to the customer's account according to the type and number of food and drink acquired at each table 31.

[0053] (7) In the above embodiment, the amount of food and drink consumed (e.g., the number of plates 11) calculated by the first calculation unit 43 is displayed on the touch panel display 32 to process the payment, and the number of plates calculated by the second calculation unit is used as an auxiliary process, but this can also be done the other way around. That is, the main process is to display the number of plates calculated by the second calculation unit on the touch panel display 32 to process the payment, and the number of plates calculated by the first calculation unit 43 can be used as an auxiliary process. Therefore, when the number of plates calculated by the second calculation unit differs from the number of plates calculated by the first calculation unit, the store staff can check.

[0054] (8) In the above embodiment, the food and drink providing system of the present invention is applied to a sushi providing system, but other foods and drinks may be provided. Also, the above-mentioned configuration of the conveying path and the configuration of the customer seating booth are examples and can be changed as appropriate. Also, the input device is not essential, and it is also possible to provide only a counting device as a device for counting the number of plates. [Explanation of symbols]

[0055] 1. Container (support) 2 Transport path 31 Table 32 Touch panel display (display unit) 331 Inlet (Inlet part) 41 Camera No. 1 42 Second Camera 43 First Calculation Section

Claims

1. A food and beverage counting device provided in a food and beverage serving system having a transport path that passes along multiple tables for customers and transports a support on which food and beverages can be placed, A plurality of first information acquisition units are arranged upstream of each of the tables and acquire information about the support on the transport path, A plurality of second information acquisition units are arranged downstream of each of the tables and acquire information about the support on the transport path, A first calculation unit that calculates the number of food and beverages taken out from the transport path to each of the tables, Equipped with, Identification information for identifying each of the aforementioned supports is provided on each of the aforementioned supports. Each of the aforementioned supports is configured to be able to take on a first state in which food or beverage is placed and a second state in which food or beverage is not placed. The first calculation unit is, A first determination step in which each of the first information acquisition units determines which state the support is in on the upstream side of each of the tables, A second determination step in which each of the second information acquisition units determines which state the support is in downstream of each of the tables, A first storage step involves associating and storing the identification information of the support obtained by each of the first information acquisition units with the state of the support, A second storage step involves associating and storing the identification information of the support obtained by each of the second information acquisition units with the state of the support, A food and beverage counting device configured to perform a counting step in which, when the first information acquisition unit located upstream of one of the plurality of tables determines that the support is in the first state, and the second information acquisition unit located downstream of the table determines that the support is in the second state, the food and beverage supported by the support is counted as having been consumed at the table.

2. Each of the first information acquisition units has a first camera, and determines the state of the support based on the image taken by the first camera, and acquires identification information of the support using the first camera. The food and beverage counting device according to claim 1, wherein each of the second information acquisition units has a second camera and is configured to determine the state of the support based on images taken by the second camera and to acquire identification information of the support using the second camera.

3. Each of the aforementioned tables is further provided with a display unit, The food and beverage counting device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the display unit is configured to display the amount of food and beverages consumed that has been counted by the first calculation unit.

4. The support is configured to support the plate on which the food and drink are placed, The plate on which the food and beverage is placed is configured to be removed from the support by the customer. Each of the aforementioned tables is provided with an input section for inserting the plate removed from the support, A second calculation unit counts the number of plates inserted into the input unit for each of the tables, A food and beverage counting device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising the above.

5. The food and beverage counting device according to claim 4, further comprising a notification means for notifying when, for each of the tables, the number of food and beverages counted by the first calculation unit differs from the number of plates counted by the second calculation unit.

6. The system further comprises means for the customer to instruct the start of the accounting process, The food and beverage counting device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first calculation unit, upon receiving an instruction to start the accounting from the accounting start means, reads the information stored in the first and second storage steps and executes the count step.

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