Operation support system, operation support device and operation support method

Abstract

To provide information useful for supporting execution of operation performed by a staff in relation to an order, at a shop where the order is managed using a paper slip.SOLUTION: An operation support system includes an order content recognition part 52 for recognizing an order content indicated by an order slip 100 fitted to a slip holder of an information processor 4, a reference information generation part 53 for generating operation related reference information referred to by a staff of a shop when the staff performs order handling operation, on the basis of an analysis result of the order content, and a display control part 54 for displaying the generated operation related reference information on a display of the information processor 4, displays the operation related reference information generated on the basis of the analysis result of the order content on a display, which is different from such a configuration as to simply display only a lapsed time after the order content and the order have been received, and thereby can provide more useful information as information for supporting execution of operation performed by the staff in relation to the order.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a business support system, a business support device, and a business support method, and is particularly suitable for use in a system that supports the performance of business carried out by store clerks in relation to ordering food and drink. [Background technology]

[0002] In many restaurants, when an order is received, the order details entered on the ordering terminal are printed out on paper slips to manage the order. For example, order management is carried out by placing paper slips in an order clipper (also called slip holder) installed in the kitchen, lining them up on the counter, or placing them directly on the dishes. Although this is essentially a physical method of management that requires manual labor, there is strong demand for this method as it is easy to customize in terms of operation.

[0003] Meanwhile, a technology called a kitchen display system has been provided to make order management in the kitchen more efficient. This technology enables information management that cannot be achieved by paper slips, such as color-coding orders by table, displaying the urgency of an order, and erasing orders after cooking is completed. There is also a known cooking time management device that has multiple slip holders and corresponding displays, and displays the elapsed time from when it is detected that a slip has been placed in the slip holder (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0004] However, the kitchen display system has the disadvantage that the chef needs to take the time to operate an operation terminal such as a tablet while cooking. In contrast, the technology described in Patent Document 1 allows the chef to manage cooking time simply by setting a receipt in a receipt holder, so the chef does not need to operate an operation terminal while cooking. However, it only allows the chef to manage cooking time, and is insufficient in terms of providing information to support the staff in carrying out tasks related to orders.

[0005] There is also a known business support device that acquires print data of an order slip, including order information indicating the contents of an order, from an order reception terminal and displays the order information for each orderer on a kitchen display (see, for example, Patent Document 2). Patent Document 2 also discloses that the business support device measures the elapsed time from the time it acquired the print data, and displays each piece of order information in association with the acquisition time and the elapsed time. However, the information that can be viewed on the kitchen display in the technology described in Patent Document 2 is not significantly different from the information that can be viewed from the paper slip and display unit in the technology described in Patent Document 1. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 3086448 [Patent Document 2] JP 2012-008632 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] The present invention has been made to solve such problems, and has as its object to provide useful information to assist store clerks in carrying out order-related tasks in stores that use paper slips for order management. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention recognizes the order details indicated on one or more order slips, analyzes the order details, and based on the analysis results, generates business-related reference information for store staff to refer to when fulfilling orders, and displays the generated business-related reference information on the display of an information processing device. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention configured as described above, in a store that uses paper slips for order management, unlike a configuration in which the display simply shows the order details and the elapsed time since the order slip was placed in the slip holder or the elapsed time since the order slip was printed, the display shows task-related reference information generated based on the analysis of the order details, making it possible to provide more useful information to assist store clerks in carrying out tasks related to orders. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of a task support system according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] 11A and 11B are diagrams illustrating examples of a slip-specific display area and a collective display area that are set on the display of an information processing device. [Diagram 3] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of a task support system according to a first embodiment; [Figure 4] 4 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the task support system according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing another example of the functional configuration of the task support system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing another example of the functional configuration of the task support system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of a task support system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of a task support system according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] (First embodiment) A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a business support system according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the business support system according to the first embodiment includes a plurality of ordering terminals 1, an order receiving device 2, a printer 3, an information processing device 4, and an order management device 5. The ordering terminal 1, the order receiving device 2, the printer 3, and the information processing device 4 are installed inside a restaurant. Of these, the plurality of ordering terminals 1 are installed on a plurality of customer tables inside the restaurant. The printer 3 and the information processing device 4 are installed in the kitchen. The printer 3 may be installed outside the kitchen. Also, the order receiving device 2 may be configured by a cloud server outside the restaurant.

[0012] The order terminal 1, order reception device 2, information processing device 4, and order management device 5 are connected to a communication network 6 such as the Internet or a mobile phone network. The order reception device 2 and the printer 3 are connected by a wireless communication means such as a wired or wireless LAN (Local Area Network), USB (Universal Serial Bus) or Bluetooth (registered trademark). When the order reception device 2 is configured as a cloud server outside the store, the printer 3 may be connected to the communication network 6, and the order reception device 2 and the printer 3 may be connected via the communication network 6.

[0013] The ordering terminal 1 is a terminal that customers of the store operate to order food and beverages. A list of food and beverages that can be ordered is displayed on the display of the ordering terminal 1. Customers can operate the ordering terminal 1 to specify the desired food and beverage from the list and the number of items to order, and then place an order. It is possible to specify one or more foods and beverages in one order, and by pressing the order button after specifying one or more foods and beverages and the order number for each, a single piece of order information including one or more foods and beverages is sent from the ordering terminal 1 to the order receiving device 2. The order information sent at this time includes information indicating the order contents.

[0014] The ordering terminal 1 may be a customer's smartphone. For example, a two-dimensional code indicating the address of the ordering site displayed on the display of the ordering terminal 1 may be read by the customer's smartphone to access the ordering site and place an order. The ordering terminal 1 may also be operated by a store clerk to input an order.

[0015] Order receiving device 2 accepts orders from order terminal 1. That is, order receiving device 2 receives order information transmitted from order terminal 1. Upon receiving the order information, order receiving device 2 generates print data for printing order slip 100 based on the order information and supplies it to printer 3. Printer 3 prints order slip 100 based on the print data received from order receiving device 2. The information printed on order slip 100 includes at least information indicating the order details. A kitchen employee checks the order details printed on order slip 100 and prepares the food.

[0016] Information processing device 4 is equipped with slip holder 4a that detachably holds one or more order slips 100 printed by printer 3, and displays 4b, 4c for displaying information. In FIG. 1, slip holder 4a is shown as being capable of holding a maximum of four order slips 100, but in reality it is possible for it to hold a greater number of order slips 100. Also, while FIG. 1 shows a configuration in which one slip holder 4a holds one order slip 100, this is not limiting. For example, a single horizontally elongated slip holder 4a may be configured to hold multiple order slips 100.

[0017] The kitchen staff places the order slip 100, which is printed by the printer 3 each time order information is sent to the order receiving device 2 from the multiple ordering terminals 1, in the slip holder 4a, and prepares one or more ordered foods and drinks according to the order details printed on the order slip 100. Then, when all the foods and drinks included in the order details printed on the order slip 100 have been prepared, the kitchen staff removes the order slip 100 from the slip holder 4a and places it near the dishes or hands it to a waiter staff member.

[0018] Slip holder 4a has a built-in sensor (e.g., a reflective optical sensor, a transmissive optical sensor, etc.) for detecting the attachment and detachment of order slip 100, making it possible to detect when order slip 100 is attached to slip holder 4a and when order slip 100 is removed from slip holder 4a. This sensor is installed at each position where an order slip 100 should be attached, making it possible to detect at which position on slip holder 4a order slip 100 was attached or detached. For example, if one slip holder 4a holds one order slip 100, each slip holder 4a has one built-in sensor. Alternatively, if one horizontally long slip holder 4a holds multiple order slips 100, sensors are installed at multiple positions on slip holder 4a and detect when order slip 100 has been attached or detached at each of the multiple positions. Information processing device 4 transmits information detected by the sensor in slip holder 4a regarding the attachment and detachment of order slip 100 to order management device 5 along with holder position information indicating the position of slip holder 4a in which order slip 100 is attached.

[0019] First display 4b is a horizontally long LCD display disposed above slip holder 4a, spanning multiple attachment positions for order slips 100. As shown in FIG. 2, first display 4b has multiple slip-specific display areas 401-404 positioned to face each of slip holders 4a (the attachment positions for order slips 100) in a one-to-one relationship, and business-related reference information (described in detail below) generated individually for each order slip 100 attached to slip holder 4a is displayed in each slip display area 401-404. Note that instead of providing multiple slip-specific display areas 401-404 on a single LCD display, multiple LCD displays may be disposed and used as the slip-specific display areas 401-404. Second display 4c is a LCD display disposed to the side of slip holder 4a, and business-related reference information generated collectively for multiple order slips 100 is displayed in collective display area 405.

[0020] Note that the configuration of information processing device 4 in which slip holder 4a and display 4b are arranged horizontally as shown in Figure 2 is referred to as a "rail type." As described above, this rail type configuration may be either one in which multiple slip holders 4a are provided, each of which holds one order slip 100, or one in which a single horizontal slip holder 4a is provided and holds multiple order slips 100. In addition, it may be either one in which a single horizontal display 4b is provided spanning multiple attachment positions for order slip 100, or one in which multiple displays 4b are provided for each of the multiple attachment positions for order slip 100.

[0021] The information processing device 4 of this embodiment is not limited to the rail-type configuration described above. For example, it may be configured to have one slip holder 4a that holds one order slip 100 and a display 4b (called a binder type). Furthermore, it may be configured to have a plurality of binder-type information processing devices 4, and to have one information processing device 4 that does not have a slip holder 4a and only has a display 4c. When the information processing devices 4 are configured as binder types, the plurality of information processing devices 4 may be connected to each other by wireless communication means such as BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy).

[0022] Alternatively, a configuration in which multiple slip holders 4a and displays 4b are arranged vertically and horizontally in a rectangular area having a certain area in both the vertical and horizontal directions (called a board type) is also possible. The board type information processing device 4 can be configured to have multiple combinations of slip holders 4a and displays 4b arranged horizontally in the vertical direction, as with the rail type, and to have one or more displays 4c.

[0023] The order management device 5 corresponds to the business support device in the claims, and generates business-related reference information based on the order details printed on the order slip 100 attached to the slip holder 4a, transmits it to the information processing device 4, and causes it to be displayed on the displays 4b and 4c. The business-related reference information is information that supports the execution of order fulfillment tasks performed by kitchen employees. The kitchen employees can perform order fulfillment tasks by checking the business-related reference information displayed on the displays 4b and 4c.

[0024] Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the business support system according to the first embodiment. As shown in Fig. 3, the order terminal 1 includes an order processing unit 11 as a functional configuration. The order receiving device 2 includes an order receiving unit 21 and a print data generating unit 22 as a functional configuration. The information processing device 4 includes an attachment position display unit 41, an attachment / detachment detection unit 42, and a reference information display unit 43 as a functional configuration. The order management device 5 includes an attachment position management unit 51, an order content recognition unit 52, a reference information generation unit 53, and a display control unit 54 as a functional configuration. The order management device 5 also includes an order information storage unit 55 as a storage medium.

[0025] The functional block 11 of the order terminal 1, the functional blocks 21 and 22 of the order receiving device 2, the functional blocks 41-43 of the information processing device 4, and the functional blocks 51-54 of the order management device 5 can each be configured using any of hardware, a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), or software. For example, the above functional blocks are realized by the operation of a program stored in a storage medium such as a RAM, ROM, a hard disk, or a semiconductor memory under the control of a microcomputer configured with a CPU, RAM, ROM, etc.

[0026] The order processing unit 11 of the ordering terminal 1 executes processing related to ordering food and drink. As described above, the order processing unit 11 displays a list of orderable food and drink on the display of the ordering terminal 1. When a customer operates the ordering terminal 1 to specify the desired food and drink and the order quantity, and then presses the order button, the order processing unit 11 transmits order information indicating the order details, including one or more food and drink items and the order quantity for each, to the order receiving device 2.

[0027] The order receiving unit 21 of the order receiving device 2 receives the order information transmitted from the order terminal 1. When the order receiving device 2 receives the order information, it transmits the order information and order reception information indicating that the order has been received from the order terminal 1 to the order management device 5. The order reception information transmitted from the order receiving unit 21 is provided to the mounting position management unit 51, and the order information is provided to the order content recognition unit 52. Note that the order receiving unit 21 may be configured to transmit only the order information to the order management device 5, and not to transmit the order reception information.

[0028] Print data generation unit 22 generates print data for printing order slip 100 based on the order information received by order receiving unit 21, and supplies the print data to printer 3. Print data generation unit 22 generates print data such that text information indicating at least the order details (the ordered food and drink and the ordered quantity) is printed on order slip 100.

[0029] Here, the order receiving unit 21 transfers the order information received from the order terminal 1 to the order management device 5, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the printer 3 may be connected to the communication network 6 and configured to be able to communicate with the order receiving device 2 and the order management device 5, the printer 3 may be provided with a slip information generating unit that generates slip information from the print data of the order slip 100 generated by the print data generating unit 22, and the slip information may be transmitted from the printer 3 to the order management device 5. Alternatively, the order management device 5 may be provided with a slip information generating unit, the printer 3 may be provided with a print data transmitting unit, the print data may be transmitted (transferred) from the printer 3 to the order management device 5, and the order management device 5 may generate the slip information from the print data. The slip information generated by the slip information generating unit also includes information indicating the order contents, similar to the order information transmitted by the order receiving unit 21. The above modified example may be similarly applied to the second embodiment described later.

[0030] As described above, the kitchen employee places order slip 100 printed by printer 3 in slip holder 4a of information processing device 4. In this embodiment, placement position management unit 51 of order management device 5 sends placement position instruction information indicating the placement position of order slip 100 on slip holder 4a to information processing device 4, and the placement position of order slip 100 is notified on display 4b. The kitchen employee places order slip 100 in the position on slip holder 4a notified on display 4b.

[0031] Installation position management unit 51 manages which positions on slip holder 4a order slip 100 is installed and which positions on slip holder 4a order slip 100 is not installed by each time it receives installation / removal detection information (installation detection information and removal detection information) indicating the installation or removal of order slip 100 from installation / removal detection unit 42 of information processing device 4. When installation position management unit 51 receives order reception information from order receiving device 2, it identifies the positions on slip holder 4a where order slip 100 is not installed, and generates installation position indication information specifying the non-installed position and sends it to information processing device 4.

[0032] The mounting position display unit 41 of information processing device 4 displays the designated mounting position of order slip 100 on display 4b based on the mounting position instruction information sent from mounting position management unit 51. For example, it is possible to have a specified mark light up or flash in one of the multiple slip-specific display areas 401-404 that is located opposite slip holder 4a that has been designated as the mounting position. Alternatively, text indicating the mounting position may be displayed in one of the slip-specific display areas 401-404.

[0033] Attachment / detachment detection unit 42 of information processing device 4 detects that order slip 100 has been attached to slip holder 4a and that order slip 100 has been removed from slip holder 4a based on the detection results of a sensor built into slip holder 4a, and sends each of the attachment / detachment detection information (attachment detection information and removal detection information) to order management device 5 along with holder position information that indicates the position of slip holder 4a on which order slip 100 is attached. The attachment / detachment detection information and holder position information sent from attachment / detachment detection unit 42 are provided to attachment position management unit 51 of order management device 5.

[0034] If attachment / detachment detection unit 42 detects that order slip 100 has been attached in a position different from the position instructed by order management device 5, it may display warning information on display 4b to notify that the attachment position is incorrect. Alternatively, a table ID may be included in the information sent from ordering terminal 1 to order receiving device 2, and the table ID may be printed on order slip 100 in addition to the information indicating the order content, and the table ID may be displayed on display 4b of information processing device 4 in addition to lighting or flashing a predetermined mark indicating the attachment position. In this way, the kitchen staff can visually compare the table ID printed on order slip 100 with the table ID displayed together with the mark on display 4b, and attach order slip 100 in the correct position.

[0035] After sending the attachment position indication information to information processing device 4, attachment position management unit 51 receives attachment detection information indicating the attachment of order slip 100 together with holder position information from attachment / detachment detection unit 42, and then supplies the holder position information to order content recognition unit 52. Order content recognition unit 52 recognizes the order details printed on one or more order slips 100 attached to slip holder 4a, based on the order information received from order receiving unit 21 and the holder position information received from attachment / detachment detection unit 42. Order content recognition unit 52 then associates the order information received from order receiving unit 21 with the holder position information and stores it in order information storage unit 55. This makes it possible to associate and manage the order information received from order receiving unit 21 with the position of order slip 100 attached to slip holder 4a.

[0036] The reference information generation unit 53 analyzes the order details recognized by the order detail recognition unit 52 (the contents of the order information stored in the order information storage unit 55) and generates task-related reference information for the store kitchen staff to refer to when performing order handling tasks based on the analysis results. The display control unit 54 controls the task-related reference information generated by the reference information generation unit 53 to be transmitted to the information processing device 4 and displayed. At this time, the reference information display unit 43 of the information processing device 4 receives the task-related reference information transmitted from the order management device 5 and displays it on the displays 4b, 4c. In this embodiment, the task-related reference information is provided in several patterns described below.

[0037] <<First provision pattern>> Reference information generation unit 53 analyzes the order details recognized by order detail recognition unit 52 for each order slip 100, and generates business-related reference information for each order slip 100 according to the individual analysis results. Display control unit 54 controls display of the business-related reference information generated individually by reference information generation unit 53 in individual slip display areas 401-404 on display 4b. Specific examples are described below.

[0038] <Cooking order> The reference information generating unit 53 determines the cooking order of the multiple menu items included in one order slip 100 based on the order details of the order slip 100 recognized by the order details recognizing unit 52 and the target serving time preset for each food and drink (menu), and generates business-related reference information indicating the cooking order. The display control unit 54 controls the display of the cooking order of each menu item in one of the slip display areas 401-404 that corresponds to the position where the order slip 100 is attached. For example, the business-related reference information is generated that determines the cooking order of the menu items in the order of the shortest target serving time. In this case, the order may be determined in order of the shortest target serving time, with drinks being given priority over food. Alternatively, the cooking order may be analyzed to minimize the cooking completion time for all menu items, assuming that multiple menu items are cooked in parallel. In this way, an objective cooking order based on the target serving time is displayed, thereby preventing delays in serving.

[0039] <Cook> Reference information generation unit 53 identifies the cook corresponding to the ordered menu item based on the order details of order slip 100 recognized by order detail recognition unit 52, and generates work-related reference information indicating the cook. Information indicating the cook for each menu item is stored in advance in order management device 5. Display control unit 54 controls slip display areas 401-404 so that the cook is displayed in the slip-specific display area corresponding to the position where order slip 100 is attached. For example, roles can be assigned by defining menu items that are handled by less experienced cooks and menu items that are handled by experienced cooks. This can contribute to preventing cooking mistakes and shortening cooking time.

[0040] <Additional comments> Reference information generation unit 53 identifies supplemental comments accompanying the order details based on the order details on order slip 100 recognized by order detail recognition unit 52, and generates work-related reference information indicating the supplemental comments. Display control unit 54 controls display of the supplemental comments in the slip-specific display area, among slip-specific display areas 401-404, that corresponds to the position where order slip 100 is attached. For example, if supplemental comments such as toppings, allergy warnings, or urgent are printed on order slip 100, kitchen staff will be prevented from overlooking them, reducing the risk of having to re-cook the food.

[0041] <Alert> Reference information generation unit 53 identifies the ordered menu item based on the order details on order slip 100 recognized by order detail recognition unit 52, and generates work-related reference information displaying an alert when the attention time set for each menu item has passed. Display control unit 54 controls display areas 401-404 so that the alert is displayed in the slip-specific display area that corresponds to the position where order slip 100 is attached. In this way, kitchen staff can recognize the alert that is displayed when a certain amount of time has passed since receiving an order, and prevent missed cooking.

[0042] In this example, order management device 5 further includes an elapsed time measurement unit. For example, the elapsed time measurement unit measures the elapsed time from when attachment position management unit 51 receives attachment detection information transmitted from attachment / detachment detection unit 42 of information processing device 4 (i.e., when it is detected that order slip 100 has been attached to slip holder 4a). When the elapsed time measured by the elapsed time measurement unit passes the attention time without receiving detachment detection information from attachment / detachment detection unit 42, reference information generation unit 53 generates business-related reference information indicating an alert. Note that the elapsed time measurement unit may measure the elapsed time from when attachment position management unit 51 receives order reception information from order reception device 2.

[0043] <Multilingual support> Reference information generation unit 53 converts the order details printed in Japanese into another language based on the order details on order slip 100 recognized by order detail recognition unit 52. Display control unit 54 controls the display of the order details in another language in one of slip-specific display areas 401-404 that corresponds to the position where order slip 100 is attached. In this way, foreign staff can understand the order details in their own language, reducing cooking errors. It also reduces the time it takes foreign staff to recognize the order details, which leads to shorter cooking times.

[0044] <Ingredients remaining> Reference information generation unit 53 identifies the remaining number of ingredients used in the ordered menu based on the order details of order slip 100 recognized by order detail recognition unit 52, and generates business-related reference information indicating the remaining number of ingredients or the number of menu items that can be ordered. Display control unit 54 controls the display area by slip 401-404 to display the remaining number of ingredients or the number of menu items that can be ordered in the slip-specific display area that corresponds to the position where order slip 100 is attached. This saves the trouble of visually checking the inventory status of ingredients. This business-related reference information may also be displayed in all-at-once display area 405.

[0045] In this example, the order management device 5 pre-stores the type and amount of ingredients used for each menu. The order management device 5 also has a function to manage and store the remaining number of each ingredient in real time. Note that an inventory management system that manages the inventory of ingredients may be linked with the order management device 5, so that the order management device 5 inquires of the inventory management system about the remaining number of ingredients used in the ordered menu.

[0046] <Recipe> Reference information generation unit 53 generates business-related reference information showing the recipe (how to prepare) of the ordered menu item based on the order details of order slip 100 recognized by order detail recognition unit 52. Here, order management device 5 stores recipe information for each menu item in advance. Display control unit 54 controls display of the menu item recipe in one of slip-specific display areas 401-404 that corresponds to the position where order slip 100 is attached. In this way, even inexperienced kitchen staff can understand the correct cooking procedure, reducing cooking mistakes. This business-related reference information may be displayed in all-at-once display area 405.

[0047] <How to order> Reference information generation unit 53 identifies the ordering method, such as in-store ordering, out-of-store ordering, takeout, food delivery, or telephone ordering, based on the order details on order slip 100 recognized by order detail recognition unit 52, and generates business-related reference information indicating the ordering method. Display control unit 54 controls display areas 401-404 to display the ordering method in the slip-specific display area that corresponds to the position where order slip 100 is attached. In this example, order receiving device 2 has a function to accept orders from ordering terminals 1 placed on tables in the store, as well as orders via a website or telephone, and transmits order information including the ordering method to order management device 5.

[0048] It is common for ordering instructions to be written on order slip 100, but which part of order slip 100 they are printed on may vary depending on the service (such as a POS system that manages in-store orders, or a food delivery ordering system). It is time-consuming for kitchen staff to visually check this. In contrast, by displaying the ordering instructions in slip-specific display areas 401-404 regardless of where the ordering instructions are printed on order slip 100, the effort required for kitchen staff to visually check can be reduced.

[0049] <Scheduled delivery time> The reference information generating unit 53 identifies the scheduled delivery time for a customer who has placed a take-out order from outside the restaurant or a driver who will deliver the food ordered by a food delivery based on the order details of the order slip 100 recognized by the order details recognizing unit 52, and generates business-related reference information indicating the scheduled delivery time. The display control unit 54 controls the display area for each slip 401-404 to display the scheduled delivery time in the slip-specific display area corresponding to the position where the order slip 100 is attached. In this way, the kitchen staff can see at a glance when the cooking should be completed by, and can prevent cooking delays or starting cooking too early. Note that when a predetermined time before the scheduled delivery time, business-related reference information indicating an alert may be generated and displayed in the slip-specific display areas 401-404 or the collective display area 405.

[0050] In the case of a take-out order from outside the store, the time when the customer comes to the store to pick up the product may be specified when placing the order. In that case, the order receiving unit 21 sends order information including the pick-up time to the order management device 5. The reference information generating unit 53 specifies the pick-up time recognized by the order content recognizing unit 52 as the scheduled delivery time. On the other hand, in the case of a food delivery order, the reference information generating unit 53 obtains information on the scheduled time when the driver will arrive at the store from the management server of the food delivery service, and specifies this scheduled arrival time as the scheduled delivery time.

[0051] <<Second provision pattern>> Reference information generation unit 53 analyzes each order slip 100 by correlating the individual order details recognized by order detail recognition unit 52 with each other, and generates business-related reference information for each order slip 100 individually, or collectively for all order slips 100, based on the results of the correlation analysis. Display control unit 54 controls the display so that the business-related reference information generated individually by reference information generation unit 53 is displayed individually in slip-specific display areas 401-404 on display 4b, or the business-related reference information generated collectively by reference information generation unit 53 is displayed in collective display area 405 on display 4c. Specific examples are described below.

[0052] <Priority> Reference information generation unit 53 determines the priority of order slips 100 based on predetermined rules, based on the order details of one or more order slips 100 recognized by order detail recognition unit 52, and generates business-related reference information indicating the priority. Display control unit 54 controls display of the priority of each order slip 100 in slip-specific display areas 401-404. The predetermined rules can be set arbitrarily. For example, it is possible to set priorities in advance for ordering methods such as in-store orders, off-store orders, takeout, food delivery, and phone orders, and to determine the priority based on these priorities. In this way, the orders that should be cooked with the highest priority are linked to the will of the store owner or manager, rather than the subjective opinion of the kitchen staff, and it is possible to reduce the effort of giving instructions to the kitchen staff.

[0053] When a higher priority order is placed after a lower priority order, the higher priority order may be given a higher priority than the lower priority order only if the elapsed time from the lower priority order to the higher priority order is shorter than a threshold, whereas if the elapsed time is longer than the threshold, the priority may be set in the order in which the orders were received.Furthermore, the priority may be set based on the priority only if the number of orders already placed at the time a new order is placed is less than a threshold, whereas if the number of orders is greater than the threshold, the priority may be set in the order in which the orders were received.

[0054] <Number of menu items ordered> Reference information generation unit 53 determines the total number of menu items ordered on one or more order slips 100 attached to slip holder 4a based on the order details of one or more order slips 100 recognized by order detail recognition unit 52, and generates work-related reference information indicating the total number of ordered menu items. Display control unit 54 controls the display of the total number of ordered menu items in collective display area 405. In this way, kitchen staff can see at a glance the total number of menu items ordered on the order slips 100 attached to slip holder 4a.

[0055] As an example of the first provision pattern, the total number of menu items ordered on one order slip 100 attached to one slip holder 4a may be identified, and business-related reference information representing that total number may be generated and displayed in the slip-specific display areas 401-404.

[0056] <Simultaneous cooking> Reference information generation unit 53 identifies that the same menu item has been ordered among the multiple order slips 100 attached to slip holder 4a based on the order details of the multiple order slips 100 recognized by order detail recognition unit 52, and generates business-related reference information indicating the number of orders of the same menu item. Display control unit 54 controls the display of the number of orders of the same menu item in collective display area 405. In this way, when multiple orders of the same menu item have been placed, which may be overlooked visually, it is possible to prevent overlooking that the items can be cooked at the same time, and cooking efficiency can be improved compared to cooking each item one by one.

[0057] Of the slip-specific display areas 401-404, business-related reference information indicating that the same menu item has been ordered multiple times may be displayed in the slip-specific display areas corresponding to multiple order slips 100 for which the same menu item has been ordered. For example, a specified mark may be lit or flashed in the slip-specific display areas corresponding to multiple order slips 100 for which the same menu item has been ordered.

[0058] <Message to the chef> The reference information generating unit 53 identifies the cook corresponding to the ordered menu based on the order contents of the order slip 100 recognized by the order contents recognizing unit 52, and generates work-related reference information that shows a message to the cook. The display control unit 54 controls to display the message to the cook in the collective display area 405. For example, each time the order management device 5 receives removal detection information together with the holder position information from the attachment / detachment detection unit 42, it measures the number of times the cook has handled the menu included in the order slip 100 corresponding to the holder position information, and displays a message such as "50 dishes achieved today!" when a predetermined number is reached. Alternatively, the order management device 5 may measure the elapsed time from when it receives the attachment detection information from the attachment / detachment detection unit 42 to when it receives the removal detection information, and display a message such as "Fastest ever!" when the cook beats the fastest time. This can be useful for self-analysis, such as whether the current way of making food was the most efficient way.

[0059] <<Third provision pattern>> Reference information generator 53 generates priority information as business-related reference information indicating the processing priority of each order slip 100, based on the attachment / detachment status of each order slip 100 in slip holder 4a detected by attachment / detachment detector 42. Display controller 54 controls display of the priority information generated by reference information generator 53 in slip-specific display areas 401-404 on display 4b.

[0060] For example, reference information generator 53 determines the processing priority according to the order in which order slips 100 were attached to slip holder 4a, and generates a number representing that priority as the business-related reference information. Display controller 54 causes this number to be displayed in slip-specific display areas 401-404 of information processing device 4. When an order slip 100 is removed from slip holder 4a, the priority of one or more order slips 100 with a lower priority than the removed order slip 100 is raised by one, and the number display in slip-specific display areas 401-404 is updated so that the priority of the attachment order of the order slips 100 remaining in slip holder 4a is maintained. In this way, it is possible to avoid the trouble of arranging order slips 100, for example, from left to right in order of priority, and then manually shifting each order slip 100 to the left each time cooking is completed and the order slip 100 is removed from slip holder 4a.

[0061] Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the business support system according to the first embodiment configured as described above. Fig. 4 shows an example of the operation of the order terminal 1, the order reception device 2, the printer 3, the information processing device 4, and the order management device 5 in the form of respective flowcharts. The flowchart in Fig. 4 shows the flow of processing related to one order, and the processing of the flowchart is executed for each order. Note that, for ease of understanding, dotted arrows are used to show how the processing of each flowchart is carried out in cooperation with each other, but the processing of each flowchart is executed independently.

[0062] First, the order processing unit 11 of the ordering terminal 1 generates order information indicating the order contents according to the customer's operation on the ordering terminal 1, and transmits the order information to the order receiving device 2 (step S11). When the order receiving unit 21 of the order receiving device 2 receives the order information transmitted from the ordering terminal 1 (step S21), it transmits the order reception information and the order information to the order management device 5 (step S22).

[0063] Furthermore, print data generation unit 22 of order receiving device 2 generates print data for printing order slip 100 based on the order information received by order receiving unit 21, and supplies the print data to printer 3 (step S23). Printer 3 prints order slip 100 based on the print data supplied from order receiving device 2 (step S31).

[0064] Having received the order reception information sent from order reception device 2 in step S22, installation position management unit 51 of order management device 5 identifies the position of slip holder 4a on which order slip 100 is not attached, generates installation position instruction information specifying the unattached position, and sends it to information processing device 4 (step S51). Installation position display unit 41 of information processing device 4 displays the indicated installation position of order slip 100 on display 4b based on the installation position instruction information sent from installation position management unit 51 (step S41).

[0065] Thereafter, attachment / detachment detection unit 42 determines whether or not order slip 100 has been attached to the specified position of slip holder 4a based on the detection results of a sensor built into slip holder 4a (step S42). When attachment / detachment detection unit 42 detects that order slip 100 has been attached to slip holder 4a, it sends the attachment detection information together with holder position information to order management device 5 (step S43).

[0066] Order content recognition unit 52 of order management device 5 recognizes the order content printed on order slip 100 attached to slip holder 4a based on the order information received from order receiving unit 21 in step S22 and the holder position information received from attachment / detachment detection unit 42 in step S43 (step S52). Here, order content recognition unit 52 stores the order information received from order receiving unit 21 in order information storage unit 55 in association with the holder position information.

[0067] Thereafter, the reference information generating unit 53 analyzes the order details recognized by the order details recognizing unit 52 (the details of the order information stored in the order information storage unit 55), and generates business-related reference information based on the analysis result (step S53). Then, the display control unit 54 transmits the business-related reference information generated by the reference information generating unit 53 to the information processing device 4 (step S54). The reference information display unit 43 of the information processing device 4 receives the business-related reference information transmitted from the order management device 5, and displays the business-related reference information on the displays 4b, 4c (step S44).

[0068] As described in detail above, the business support system of the first embodiment recognizes the order details printed on the order slip 100 attached to the slip holder 4a of the information processing device 4, analyzes the order details, and based on the analysis results, generates business-related reference information for kitchen staff to refer to when fulfilling orders. The generated business-related reference information is then displayed on the displays 4b, 4c of the information processing device 4.

[0069] According to the first embodiment configured as above, unlike a configuration in which the order contents and the time elapsed since the order was received are simply displayed in a store that uses paper slips for order management, task-related reference information generated based on the analysis results of the order contents is displayed on the displays 4b and 4c. This makes it possible to provide more useful information to support the store clerk in carrying out the tasks related to the order.

[0070] In the first embodiment, the method for recognizing the order details printed on order slip 100 attached to slip holder 4a is not limited to the method described above. For example, it is also possible to recognize the order details using the configuration shown in Figure 5 or Figure 6.

[0071] 5, the order receiving device 2' includes an order receiving unit 21' instead of the order receiving unit 21, the information processing device 4' includes a slip photographing unit 44 instead of the mounting position display unit 41, and the order management device 5' includes an order content recognition unit 52' instead of the order content recognition unit 52. In addition, the order management device 5' does not include the mounting position management unit 51 shown in FIG.

[0072] When the order receiving unit 21' of the order receiving device 2' receives the order information transmitted from the order terminal 1, it does not transmit the order reception information indicating that the order has been received from the order terminal 1 or the above order information to the order management device 5'.

[0073] When the attachment / detachment detection unit 42 detects that the order slip 100 has been attached to any position on the slip holder 4a, the slip photographing unit 44 photographs the attached order slip 100 with a camera and transmits the photographed image to the order management device 5'. The camera is installed, for example, at a predetermined position in the kitchen facing the slip holder 4a. Although a kitchen employee may photograph the order slip 100 with a portable camera, this increases the kitchen employee's workload, so it is preferable to install the camera in a fixed position and configure the camera to automatically photograph the order slip 100 when the attachment / detachment detection unit 42 detects that the order slip 100 has been attached. Note that the information processing device 4' may be equipped with a camera, and when the kitchen employee attaches the order slip 100 to the slip holder 4a, the information processing device 4' may be configured to point the printed side of the order slip 100 toward the camera and press a photograph button. This configuration can minimize the additional work done by the kitchen employee.

[0074] The captured image of order slip 100 is provided to order content recognition unit 52' along with holder position information indicating the position of slip holder 4a detected by attachment / detachment detection unit 42. Order content recognition unit 52' recognizes the order details printed on order slip 100 by analyzing the captured image, and converts the order information into text. Order content recognition unit 52 then stores the converted order information in order information storage unit 55 in association with the holder position information.

[0075] Note that, although an example has been described in which a captured image of the order slip 100 is sent from the information processing device 4' to the order management device 5' and image analysis is performed in the order content recognition unit 52' of the order management device 5', the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the order information may be converted to text by performing image analysis in the information processing device 4', and the textual order information may be transmitted from the information processing device 4' to the order management device 5'. In this case, the order content recognition unit 52' recognizes the order content based on the textual order information received from the information processing device 4'.

[0076] In the configuration example shown in FIG. 6, the order receiving device 2″ has an order receiving unit 21″ and a print data generation unit 22″ instead of the order receiving unit 21 and the print data generation unit 22, the information processing device 4″ has a code reader 45 instead of the mounting position display unit 41, and the order management device 5″ has an order content recognition unit 52″ instead of the order content recognition unit 52. In addition, the order management device 5″ does not have the mounting position management unit 51 shown in FIG. 3.

[0077] The operation of order receiving unit 21" is similar to that of order receiving unit 21' shown in FIG. 5. Based on the order information received by order receiving unit 21", print data generation unit 22" generates print data for printing order slip 100 and supplies it to printer 3. At this time, print data generation unit 22" generates print data such that, in addition to text information indicating the order details, a barcode or two-dimensional code (hereinafter simply referred to as code) recording the order information is printed on order slip 100. For example, an API (Application Programming Interface) that codes the text information indicating the order details is built into order receiving device 2" as auxiliary software, and print data generation unit 22" generates the code using this API.

[0078] Note that, although an example of generating a code in the order receiving device 2" has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a program for encoding the order details indicated by the print data may be incorporated into the firmware of the printer 3, and the printer 3 may use this firmware to encode the order details indicated by the print data supplied from the order receiving device 2" and print the encoded details on the order slip 100. Alternatively, the printer 3 may communicate with another server (not shown) and print the code encoded by a program in the other server together with text information indicating the order details.

[0079] The code reader 45 reads and decodes the code printed on the order slip 100 attached to the slip holder 4a to obtain text order information. For example, when a kitchen staff member attaches the order slip 100 to the slip holder 4a, the code printed on the order slip 100 is aimed at the code reader 45 of the information processing device 4" to read the code, so that the code reader 45 obtains the text order information from the code. The code reader 45 sends the obtained order information to the order management device 5" together with holder position information that indicates the position of the slip holder 4a detected by the attachment / detachment detection unit 42.

[0080] The order content recognition unit 52'' of the order management device 5'' stores the order information received from the information processing device 4'' in the order information storage unit 55 in association with the holder position information.

[0081] Second embodiment Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Unlike the first embodiment in which one order slip 100 was printed for one order, the second embodiment prints multiple order slips 100 for each order, categorizing the multiple foods and drinks (menus) included in the order into multiple categories.

[0082] Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a business support system according to the second embodiment. In Fig. 7, components having the same functions as those shown in Fig. 1 are given the same reference numerals. As shown in Fig. 7, the business support system according to the second embodiment includes multiple order terminals 1, an order receiving device 2B, a printer 3, multiple information processing devices 4, and an order management device 5B. The multiple information processing devices 4 are for holding multiple order slips 100a, 100b printed from one order in slip holder 4a, and are installed in different locations.

[0083] Fig. 8 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a business support system according to the second embodiment. In Fig. 8, the same reference numerals as those in Fig. 3 have the same functions, and therefore the duplicated description will be omitted here. As shown in Fig. 8, in the second embodiment, the order receiving device 2B includes an order receiving unit 21B and a print data generating unit 22B instead of the order receiving unit 21 and the print data generating unit 22. The order management device 5B includes an attachment position management unit 51B, an order content recognition unit 52B, a reference information generation unit 53B, and a display control unit 54B instead of the attachment position management unit 51, the order content recognition unit 52, the reference information generation unit 53, and the display control unit 54.

[0084] When the order receiving unit 21B receives the order information transmitted from the ordering terminal 1, it transmits the order information and order reception information indicating that the order has been received from the ordering terminal 1, together with an order ID that can uniquely identify the order, to the order management device 5B. The order reception information and order ID transmitted from the order receiving unit 21B are provided to the mounting position management unit 51B, and the order information and order ID are provided to the order content recognition unit 52B.

[0085] Print data generation unit 22B generates print data for printing multiple order slips 100a, 100b from one order based on the contents of the multiple foods and drinks (menus) included in the order accepted by order acceptance unit 21B, and supplies the print data to printer 3. For example, print data generation unit 22B identifies a category for each of the multiple menu items included in one order, and generates print data for order slips 100a, 100b for each category. As a specific example, print data generation unit 22B classifies each of the multiple menu items included in one order into either the food or drink category, and generates print data for printing food order slip 100a and drink order slip 100b.

[0086] The kitchen staff places the multiple order slips 100a, 100b printed by printer 3 into slip holders 4a of the multiple information processing devices 4. Here, the kitchen staff places food order slip 100a into slip holder 4a of the information processing device 4 installed in the space where the food is prepared. Also, the kitchen staff places drink order slip 100b into slip holder 4a of the information processing device 4 installed in the space where the drinks are prepared.

[0087] The mounting position management unit 51B executes the same process as the mounting position management unit 51 described in the first embodiment for multiple information processing devices 4. As a result, the mounting positions of the food order slips 100a and the drink order slips 100b are managed in association with the same order ID. The mounting positions here are indicated by a combination of identification information (e.g., a holder ID) that can uniquely identify the multiple information processing devices 4 and holder position information.

[0088] Furthermore, order detail recognition unit 52B performs the same process as order detail recognition unit 52 described in the first embodiment on both food order slip 100a and drink order slip 100b, which are associated with the same order ID. As a result, order detail recognition unit 52B stores the food order information and drink order information in order information storage unit 55 in association with the corresponding holder ID and holder position information, as well as the common order ID.

[0089] Reference information generation unit 53B generates business-related reference information for each of order slips 100a, 100b based on the order details recognized by order detail recognition unit 52B. For example, reference information generation unit 53B generates the various types of business-related reference information described in the first embodiment. In addition, reference information generation unit 53B generates, based on the attachment / detachment status of order slips 100a, 100b to slip holder 4a detected by attachment / detachment detection unit 42, at least one of processing progress status information related to the attachment of order slips 100a, 100b to slip holder 4a and processing progress status information related to the removal of order slips 100a, 100b from slip holder 4a as business-related reference information.

[0090] The placement of food order slip 100a in slip holder 4a means that the customer's food order has been accepted by the kitchen. The removal of food order slip 100a from slip holder 4a means that the food ordered by the customer has been prepared. Similarly, the placement of drink order slip 100b in slip holder 4a means that the customer's drink order has been accepted by the kitchen. The removal of drink order slip 100b from slip holder 4a means that the drink ordered by the customer has been prepared.

[0091] The display control unit 54B treats the above-mentioned processing progress information as second business-related reference information and other business-related reference information (the various business-related reference information described in the first embodiment) as first business-related reference information, and controls the first business-related reference information generated by the reference information generation unit 53B for a single order slip to be displayed on the displays 4b, 4c of an information processing device 4 having a slip holder 4a to which the single order slip is attached, and also controls the second business-related reference information generated by the reference information generation unit 53B for a single order slip to be displayed on the displays 4b, 4c of an information processing device 4 other than the information processing device 4 having the slip holder 4a to which the single order slip is attached.

[0092] As an example, display control unit 54B causes the first task-related reference information generated by reference information generation unit 53B for food order slip 100a to be displayed on displays 4b, 4c of the information processing device 4 that has slip holder 4a to which the food order slip 100a is attached. Similarly, the first task-related reference information generated by reference information generation unit 53B for drink order slip 100b is displayed on displays 4b, 4c of the information processing device 4 that has slip holder 4a to which the drink order slip 100b is attached.

[0093] Furthermore, display control unit 54B causes second task-related reference information generated by reference information generation unit 53B for food order slip 100a (for example, processing progress status information indicating that food preparation has finished) to be displayed in slip-specific display areas 401-404 of an information processing device 4 to which a drink order slip 100b managed with the same order ID is attached. Similarly, display control unit 54B causes second task-related reference information generated by reference information generation unit 53B for drink order slip 100b (for example, processing progress status information indicating that drink preparation has finished) to be displayed in slip-specific display areas 401-404 of an information processing device 4 to which a food order slip 100a managed with the same order ID is attached.

[0094] In this way, kitchen staff in charge of food can know the preparation status of drinks at a remote location. Similarly, kitchen staff in charge of drinks can know the preparation status of food at a remote location. This shortens the path of travel for kitchen staff compared to when they have to go to a remote location and communicate verbally after the food is prepared.

[0095] In the above second embodiment, an example in which only one printer 3 is installed has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, multiple printers 3 may be installed in each space in which multiple information processing devices 4 are installed. In this case, the print data generating unit 22B distributes and transmits the multiple pieces of generated print data to the multiple printers 3.

[0096] In the second embodiment, the order receiving device 2B analyzes the order contents and classifies the order into categories, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the order receiving device 2B may transmit the order information received from the order terminal 1 to the order management device 5B, the order management device 5B may classify the order into categories, and the classification result may be returned to the order receiving device 2B. Alternatively, the order receiving device 2B may transmit one piece of print data generated based on the order information received from the order terminal 1 to the order management device 5B, the order management device 5B may classify the order into categories to generate multiple pieces of print data, and the multiple pieces of print data may be transmitted to the printer 3.

[0097] In the second embodiment, multiple menu items included in one order are classified based on category, and order slips 100a, 100b are printed for each category, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, multiple menu items included in one order may be classified based on the kitchen space in which they will be prepared (the location in which multiple information processing devices 4 are placed), and order slips 100a, 100b may be printed for each kitchen space.

[0098] In the above second embodiment, a configuration example was described in which multiple order slips 100a, 100b are printed from one order and each of them displays their own business-related reference information, as a variation of the first embodiment configured as shown in Fig. 3. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as a variation of the configuration shown in Fig. 5 or 6, multiple order slips 100a, 100b may be printed from one order and each of them displays their own business-related reference information.

[0099] In the first and second embodiments described above, various types of business-related reference information are shown on displays 4b and 4c, but the present invention is not limited to these. For example, the time elapsed since order slip 100 was placed in slip holder 4a may be displayed. Or the time elapsed since order slip 100 was printed by printer 3 may be displayed. Also, when order slip 100 is difficult to see in a dark store, displays 4b and 4c may be displayed at a brightness that makes it easy to see.

[0100] It may also be possible to display a cancellation notice if order slip 100 is canceled. Generally, when canceling, a new order slip 100' with the same slip number and "Canceled" written on it is issued, which is then compared and order slip 100 is removed from slip holder 4a. However, by displaying "Canceled" in the slip-specific display area among slip-specific display areas 401-404 that corresponds to the position of the order slip 100 to be canceled, the work of matching and printing a cancellation slip can be avoided.

[0101] Also, information on seating locations (for example, a map of the restaurant) that can be seen at a glance from the table ID (seat number, etc.) of the order may be displayed. In this way, even kitchen staff who have not yet memorized the seat numbers can recognize which seat the order is for, and this information becomes supplementary when kitchen staff decide the timing of cooking while checking the table situation in an open kitchen.

[0102] Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments, when there are a large number of order slips 100, it may become impossible to fit them all into slip holder 4a. To prepare for this case, a temporary storage box may be provided in addition to slip holder 4a. The box may be provided with a sensor that detects that order slips 100 are stored inside, and a display, and the display may show that order slips 100 are stored in the box. Furthermore, when a space becomes available in slip holder 4a, the display may show information instructing the user to move order slips 100 from the box to slip holder 4a.

[0103] In addition, in the above first and second embodiments, a configuration including information processing devices 4, 4', 4" and order management devices 5, 5', 5", 5B has been described, but this is not limited to this. For example, if only business-related reference information is to be provided in the first provision pattern, the order management devices 5, 5', 5", 5B may be omitted, leaving only the information processing devices 4, 4', 4", and the information processing devices 4, 4', 4" may be configured to include an order content recognition unit 52, a reference information generation unit 53, and a display control unit 54.

[0104] In addition, the above-mentioned embodiments are merely examples of the implementation of the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited thereby. In other words, the present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from the gist or main characteristics thereof. [Explanation of symbols]

[0105] 1. Ordering terminal 2,2',2”,2B Order reception device 3. Printer 4,4',4” Information processing device 4a Receipt holder 4b,4c Display 5,5',5”,5B Order management device (business support device) 11 Order Processing Unit 21,21',21”,21B Order Reception Department 22,22”,22B Print data generation section 41 Installation position indicator 42 Attachment / detachment detection unit 43 Reference information display section 44 Voucher Photography Department 45 Code Reader 51,51B Mounting position management unit 52,52',52”,52B Order Recognition Section 53,53B Reference information generation section 54, 54B Display control unit 55 Order information storage unit 401~404 Invoice display area 405 All-at-once display area

Claims

1. 1. A business support system comprising an information processing device having a display and a slip holder for detachably holding one or more order slips printed by a printer, the system providing information based on order details printed on the order slips attached to the slip holder, an order content recognition unit for recognizing order content indicated by the one or more order slips; a reference information generating unit that analyzes the order contents recognized by the order content recognizing unit and generates, based on the analysis result, task-related reference information for a store clerk to refer to when handling the order; a display control unit that controls display of the business-related reference information generated by the reference information generation unit on the display. A business support system comprising:

2. the reference information generation unit analyzes, for each order slip, each of the order details recognized by the order detail recognition unit, and generates, for each of the order slips, business-related reference information having contents corresponding to the individual analysis results; The display control unit controls the display of the business-related reference information individually generated by the reference information generation unit in a slip-specific display area of ​​the display or in a collective display area separate from the slip-specific display area.

2. The business support system according to claim 1.

3. the reference information generation unit analyzes the individual order details recognized by the order detail recognition unit for each order slip by correlating them with each other, and generates business-related reference information for each of the order slips individually or collectively for each of the order slips, the business-related reference information having content corresponding to the correlation analysis results; The display control unit controls so that the business-related reference information individually generated by the reference information generation unit is individually displayed in a slip-specific display area of ​​the display, or the business-related reference information collectively generated by the reference information generation unit is displayed in a collective display area separate from the slip-specific display area.

2. The business support system according to claim 1.

4. the information processing device further comprises an attachment / detachment detection unit that detects when the order slip is attached to the slip holder and when the order slip is removed from the slip holder, The reference information generating unit generates, as the business-related reference information, priority information representing a processing priority of each of the order slips based on the attachment / detachment status of each of the order slips with respect to the slip holder detected by the attachment / detachment detection unit.

2. The business support system according to claim 1.

5. an order receiving unit that receives orders from an ordering terminal that is operated by a customer of the store or a staff member of the store to order food and beverages; a print data generating unit that generates print data for printing the order slip based on the contents of the order received by the order receiving unit and supplies the print data to the printer, the print data generating unit generates print data for printing a plurality of order slips from one order based on the contents of the plurality of food and drink items included in the order accepted by the order accepting unit; The reference information generating unit generates the business-related reference information based on the order contents recognized by the order content recognizing unit for each of the plurality of order slips.

2. The business support system according to claim 1.

6. a plurality of the information processing devices are installed at different locations for holding a plurality of order slips printed from the single order in the slip holders, the information processing device further comprises an attachment / detachment detection unit that detects when the order slip is attached to the slip holder and when the order slip is removed from the slip holder, the reference information generation unit generates, as the business-related reference information, at least one of processing progress status information related to the attachment of the order slip to the slip holder and processing progress status information related to the removal of the order slip from the slip holder, based on the attachment / detachment status of the order slip to the slip holder detected by the attachment / detachment detection unit; The display control unit treats the processing progress information as second business-related reference information and other business-related reference information as first business-related reference information, and controls the first business-related reference information generated by the reference information generation unit for one order slip to be displayed on the display of the information processing device having the slip holder to which the one order slip is attached, and controls the second business-related reference information generated by the reference information generation unit for the one order slip to be displayed on the display of the information processing device other than the information processing device having the slip holder to which the one order slip is attached.

6. The business support system according to claim 5.

7. The system further includes a business support device that executes a process related to the business-related reference information, The business support device includes the order content recognition unit, the reference information generation unit, and the display control unit.

4. The business support system according to claim 2 or 3.

8. The system further includes a business support device that executes a process related to the business-related reference information, The information processing device is provided with the attachment / detachment detection unit, The business support device includes the order content recognition unit, the reference information generation unit, and the display control unit.

5. The business support system according to claim 4.

9. an order receiving device that receives orders from the order terminal; a business support device for executing a process related to the business-related reference information, the order receiving device includes the order receiving unit and the print data generating unit, The information processing device is provided with the attachment / detachment detection unit, The business support device includes the order content recognition unit, the reference information generation unit, and the display control unit.

7. The business support system according to claim 6.

10. 1. A business support device that provides information based on order details printed on an order slip attached to an information processing device having a slip holder and a display that detachably holds one or more order slips printed by a printer, comprising: an order content recognition unit for recognizing order content indicated by the one or more order slips; a reference information generating unit that analyzes the order contents recognized by the order content recognizing unit and generates, based on the analysis result, task-related reference information for a store clerk to refer to when handling the order; a display control unit that controls display of the business-related reference information generated by the reference information generation unit on the display. A business support device comprising:

11. 1. A business support method for providing information based on order details printed on an order slip attached to an information processing device having a slip holder and a display for detachably holding one or more order slips printed by a printer, comprising: a first step in which an order content recognition unit of the business support device recognizes order contents indicated by the one or more order slips; a second step in which a reference information generating unit of the business support device analyzes the order contents recognized by the order content recognizing unit, and generates business-related reference information based on the analysis result for a store clerk to refer to when performing an order handling business; a third step in which a display control unit of the business support device controls display of the business-related reference information generated by the reference information generation unit on the display. A business support method comprising:

Images