Information processing system, information processing method and program

Abstract

To provide an information processing system preventing a next customer at the same table from ordering on the same slip while the account of a previous customer at the table is still incomplete in a mobile order system of a restaurant.SOLUTION: An information processing system includes a control unit. When first receiving, from a user terminal, table identification information for identifying a table or a seat of a restaurant used by a user of the user terminal, the control unit generates slip identification information corresponding to the table identification information and causes the user terminal to display an order screen. Further, when next receiving the same table identification information, the control unit determines whether or not a prescribed time has elapsed since the immediately previous reception of the table identification information or since the reception of the first order information after the reception of the immediately previous table identification information. When determining that the prescribed time has not elapsed, the control unit maintains the generated slip identification information, and when determining that the prescribed time has elapsed, the control unit generates new slip identification information different from the generated slip identification information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing system, an information processing method, and a program capable of receiving mobile orders from a user terminal in a restaurant.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in restaurants, mobile order systems have been introduced that allow users to order food and drinks from their smartphones or the like.

[0003] For example, in Patent Document 1 below, in a restaurant, a printed matter with a two-dimensional code storing a table ID for identifying the table is installed on each table. By the user reading the two-dimensional code with a user terminal, it becomes possible to access the order page for food and drinks in the restaurant. Through the order page, by transmitting order information to the server together with the table ID, a system enabling mobile orders for food and drinks is disclosed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] By the way, in the above mobile order system, there are those that only accept orders for food and drinks and perform settlement by other means, and those that can be executed within the system from order to settlement (by credit card or electronic money). Here, in the former case, especially in restaurants with a high customer turnover rate, there is a case where the settlement of a customer who has finished eating and drinking at a certain table is incomplete (for example, the customer is waiting in line at the cashier for settlement), and the next customer is guided to the table, and an order is added to the ticket of the previous customer.

[0006] In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide an information processing system, an information processing method, and a program capable of preventing a customer at the next table from placing an order on the same slip while the accounting for the customer at the previous table remains incomplete in a mobile order system of a restaurant.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] To achieve the above object, an information processing system according to an aspect of the present invention includes a control unit. When the control unit first receives table identification information for identifying a table or seat of a restaurant used by a user of the user terminal from the user terminal, the control unit generates slip identification information corresponding to the table identification information and displays an order screen on the user terminal. Further, when the control unit receives the same table identification information next, the control unit determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the immediately previous reception of the table identification information or since the reception of the first order information after the reception of the immediately previous table identification information. Then, when the control unit determines that the predetermined time has not elapsed, the control unit maintains the generated slip identification information, and when the control unit determines that the predetermined time has elapsed, the control unit generates new slip identification information different from the generated slip identification information.

[0008] According to this configuration, the information processing system can prevent a customer at the next table from placing an order on the same slip while the accounting for the customer at the previous table remains incomplete in a mobile order system of a restaurant by forcibly switching the slip ID at a predetermined time regardless of whether the customer has completed the accounting. The predetermined time is, for example, 10 minutes, 15 minutes, 20 minutes, etc., but is not limited thereto.

[0009] When the control unit receives the same table identification information before the elapse of the predetermined time, the control unit may reset the predetermined time with the reception time as the start time.

[0010] With this configuration, when another user starts using the same table before the elapse of a predetermined time, the information processing system can count the predetermined time anew based on the start time of use of the other user, regarding the other user as a co-seater of the original user, and can secure the eating and drinking time of the other user.

[0011] When the control unit receives additional order information from the user terminal after receiving the first order information, the control unit may reset the predetermined time so that the reception time is the starting time.

[0012] With this configuration, when the information processing system receives an additional order before the elapse of a predetermined time, the information processing system can count the predetermined time anew based on the time of the additional order and can secure the eating and drinking time of the additional order.

[0013] The control unit may be able to switch between a first mode of generating new slip identification information for each settlement of the user and a second mode of generating new slip identification information based on the elapse of the predetermined time.

[0014] With this configuration, the information processing system can flexibly use a first mode (normal mode) of switching slips for each settlement and a second mode (congestion mode) of automatically switching slips at a predetermined time according to the situation of the restaurant, such as during congestion and non-congestion.

[0015] When the congestion level of the restaurant becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold, the control unit may switch the first mode to the second mode.

[0016] With this configuration, the information processing system can easily switch from the first mode to the second mode during congestion without imposing a burden on the restaurant staff. The congestion level may be calculated, for example, as the ratio of the number of currently used tables to the total number of tables. In this case, the number of used tables may be counted as the number of used slip identification information, or may be counted, for example, from the output of a sensor installed at each table to detect the presence or absence of use.

[0017] The control unit may cause the accounting terminal of the food and beverage store to display a user interface for switching between the first mode and the second mode.

[0018] With this configuration, the information processing system can cause the employees of the food and beverage store to manually switch the mode according to the congestion situation and other various situations.

[0019] The control unit may change the length of the predetermined time according to a predetermined trigger.

[0020] Here, the predetermined trigger is time (such as time zone or time of day), congestion level, manual operation of employees, etc., but is not limited thereto. With this configuration, the information processing system can adjust the timing until the slip is automatically switched according to various situations in the food and beverage store.

[0021] When the predetermined time has elapsed, the control unit may cause the information prompting the user to settle the account to be displayed on the order screen.

[0022] With this configuration, the information processing system can prompt customers who have not settled their accounts within the predetermined time to settle their accounts, so that even if the slip is switched, the next customer can be quickly guided to the table and the slip after the switch can be used.

[0023] The control unit manages the session with the user terminal that is the source of the table identification information, and even when the predetermined time has elapsed, as long as the session with the user terminal that received the table identification information immediately before continues, the new slip identification information is not generated, and the slip identification information generated immediately before may be maintained.

[0024] This can prevent the situation where after the set time has elapsed, if the previous customer sends the table identification information again and the additional order is added to the slip identification information of the next customer.

[0025] The information processing method according to another aspect of the present invention is When first receiving table identification information for identifying a table or seat in a restaurant used by a user of the user terminal from the user terminal, generate ticket identification information corresponding to the table identification information, and display an order screen on the user terminal. Next, when receiving the same table identification information, determine whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the immediately preceding reception of the table identification information or since the reception of the first order information after the reception of the immediately preceding table identification information. If it is determined that the predetermined time has not elapsed, maintain the generated ticket identification information. If it is determined that the predetermined time has elapsed, generate new ticket identification information different from the generated ticket identification information. This includes.

[0026] A program according to another aspect of the present invention causes an information processing apparatus to When first receiving table identification information for identifying a table or seat in a restaurant used by a user of the user terminal from the user terminal, generate ticket identification information corresponding to the table identification information, and display an order screen on the user terminal; Next, when receiving the same table identification information, determine whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the immediately preceding reception of the table identification information or since the reception of the first order information after the reception of the immediately preceding table identification information; If it is determined that the predetermined time has not elapsed, maintain the generated ticket identification information. If it is determined that the predetermined time has elapsed, generate new ticket identification information different from the generated ticket identification information.

Advantages of the Invention

[0027] As described above, according to the present invention, in a mobile order system of a restaurant, it is possible to prevent a situation where a customer at the next table places an order on the same ticket while the settlement of the previous customer at the table is incomplete. However, this effect does not limit the present invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0028]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0029] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0030] [Configuration of the System] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a restaurant menu ordering system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] As shown in the figure, this system includes a restaurant information providing server 100 on the Internet 50, user terminals 200 of users who use each table T of a plurality of restaurants, and restaurant terminals 300 installed in each restaurant.

[0032] The restaurant information providing server 100 is a web server that operates a portal site on which information about restaurants is posted. The restaurant information providing server 100 is connected via the Internet 50 to a plurality of user terminals 200 and restaurant terminals 300 of a plurality of restaurants.

[0033] The restaurant information providing server 100 provides a search system for restaurant information for users of the user terminal 200 on the above portal site. Specifically, the restaurant information providing server 100 searches for restaurant information that matches the search conditions based on a search request from the user terminal 200, generates a web page on which the search results are posted, and transmits it to the user terminal 200. In addition, the restaurant information providing server 100 substitutes for the reservation acceptance process for any restaurant from the user terminal 200 of the user who has viewed the restaurant information.

[0034] The restaurant information providing server 100 also provides a management screen (web page) for restaurant information for restaurants (franchise stores) posted on the above portal site. The user of the restaurant terminal 300 can edit and update the restaurant information on the web page provided to the general user as the above search results via the management screen, and upload the web page onto the above portal site.

[0035] The user terminal 200 (200A, 200B,...) is a terminal used by the user, such as a smartphone, a mobile phone, a tablet PC, etc. The user terminal 200 accesses the restaurant information providing server 100, receives the above web page, and displays it on the screen by a browser or the like.

[0036] The user terminal 200 determines the search conditions for restaurants on the above portal site based on the user's operation, and transmits a restaurant search request based on the search conditions to the restaurant information providing server 100.

[0037] On the other hand, the food and beverage store information providing server 100 can receive orders for food and beverages at each table of a food and beverage store from users who use each table T of the food and beverage store via the user terminal 200. For example, when the user terminal 200 reads a two-dimensional barcode C printed and placed on a card, plate, stand, etc. at each table of the food and beverage store and a table usage start request is sent to the food and beverage store information providing server 100 based on the read information (URL including the table ID), the food and beverage store information providing server 100 displays an order screen for the menu of the food and beverage store on the display unit of the user terminal 200.

[0038] Then, when the food and beverage store information providing server 100 receives the input of the user's order via the order screen, it sends the received order information to the food and beverage store terminal (POS terminal) 300 of the food and beverage store. The order information is transferred from the food and beverage store terminal 300 to a terminal in the kitchen (not shown). Also, the food and beverage store information providing server 100 accumulates the received order information, and when it receives a request for settlement processing from the user, it ends the order reception process from the user terminal 200 and waits for an order request (reading of the two-dimensional barcode C) from the next customer.

[0039] In this way, the user terminal 200 also functions as a mobile order terminal for receiving orders from users who use each table T of the food and beverage store and sending the order information to the food and beverage store information providing server 100. An application (hereinafter also referred to as an MO application) capable of executing processing related to mobile orders in cooperation with the food and beverage store information providing server 100 may be installed on the user terminal 200.

[0040] The restaurant terminal 300 is a terminal installed in each restaurant, such as a tablet PC, a notebook PC, a desktop PC, etc. Based on the operation of the administrator, the restaurant terminal 300 can execute processing related to its own restaurant information, such as editing and updating the above-mentioned restaurant information, through communication with the restaurant information providing server 100. In addition, the restaurant terminal 300 mediates communication between the restaurant information providing server 100 and the kitchen terminal or the POS terminal in the above mobile order processing. Of course, the restaurant terminal 300 may also serve as the above kitchen terminal or POS terminal and communicate directly with the restaurant information providing server 100.

[0041] By the way, in the conventional mobile order system, especially in restaurants with a high customer turnover rate, there is a case where the accounting for a customer who has finished eating at a certain table is in an unfinished state (for example, the customer is waiting in line at the cashier for accounting), and the next customer is guided to the table, and an order is added to the ticket of the previous customer.

[0042] Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in the figure, the restaurant information providing server 100 can forcibly switch the ticket ID (ticket number) that identifies the ticket of a customer at a predetermined set time at a single table T regardless of whether the previous customer has completed the accounting (before the session of the previous customer ends), especially when the restaurant is crowded, and start the next session. The details of the automatic switching process of the ticket ID will be described later.

[0043] [Hardware Configuration of Restaurant Information Providing Server] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of the restaurant information providing server 100. As shown in the figure, the restaurant information providing server 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11 (server control unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, an input / output interface 15, and a bus 14 that connects these to each other.

[0044] The CPU 11 appropriately accesses the RAM 13 or the like as necessary, and comprehensively controls the entire blocks of the food service information providing server 100 while performing various arithmetic processes. The ROM 12 is a non-volatile memory in which firmware such as an OS, programs, and various parameters to be executed by the CPU 11 are fixedly stored. The RAM 13 is used as a working area of the CPU 11 or the like, and temporarily holds an OS, various applications being executed, and various data being processed.

[0045] Connected to the input / output interface 15 are a display unit 16, an operation reception unit 17, a storage unit 18, a communication unit 19, and the like.

[0046] The display unit 16 is a display device using, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), an OELD (Organic ElectroLuminescence Display), a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), or the like.

[0047] The operation reception unit 17 is, for example, a pointing device such as a mouse, a keyboard, a touch panel, or other input devices. When the operation reception unit 17 is a touch panel, the touch panel can be integrated with the display unit 16.

[0048] The storage unit 18 is a non-volatile memory such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), a flash memory (SSD; Solid State Drive), or other solid-state memories. Stored in the storage unit 18 are the above-mentioned OS, various applications, and various data.

[0049] Particularly in this embodiment, the storage unit 18 stores data, applications, and other programs for the food service information providing server 100 to execute mobile order processing and automatic ticket ID switching processing described later. As will be described later, the storage unit 18 has a food service information database, a user information database, and a POS information database as databases including such data.

[0050] The communication unit 19 is various modules for wireless communication such as, for example, a NIC (Network Interface Card) for Ethernet or a wireless LAN, and is responsible for communication processing between the user terminal 200 and the restaurant terminal 300.

[0051] [Database Configuration of Restaurant Information Providing Server] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the database possessed by the restaurant information providing server 100.

[0052] As shown in the figure, the restaurant information providing server 100 has a restaurant information database 31, a user information database 32, and a POS information database 33 in the storage unit 18.

[0053] The restaurant information database 31 stores, for each restaurant, the name of the restaurant, location information (address or latitude and longitude), area information, access information (nearest station information, walking distance information from the nearest station), telephone number, an ID (store ID) for identifying the restaurant, genre information of the business type and services of the restaurant, information for introducing the restaurant (information indicating the characteristics of the store such as the store's PR text, event information held by the restaurant, etc.), image data related to the restaurant (for introducing the restaurant), menu information related to the menu provided by the restaurant, average budget information, business hours, website URL, and other information. These information are input from the restaurant terminals 300 of each restaurant via the management screen provided by the restaurant information providing server 100.

[0054] The above menu information is information corresponding to the menus posted on the website of each restaurant on the portal site, and stores the menu names of a plurality of menus that each restaurant can provide, for each restaurant. The menu information may be stored for each menu category such as, for example, appetizer / main course / meat dish / fish dish / carbohydrates / side menu, lunch / dinner / course, etc. In addition to character information indicating the menu name, price, description, etc., the menu information also stores image information such as a photo taken of the menu in an associated manner. Furthermore, information regarding the calorie, quantity, and raw materials of each menu may also be stored.

[0055] The genre information may include, for example, in addition to main categories such as Japanese cuisine, Chinese cuisine, Italian cuisine, French cuisine, and barbecue, more detailed sub-categories such as yakitori and tempura in Japanese cuisine, and pasta and pizza in Italian cuisine.

[0056] The user information database 32 stores information about users who are users (members) of the restaurant information service provided through the portal site provided by the above restaurant information providing server 100 and own the user terminal 200. Specifically, the user information database 32 stores information such as user ID, password, name, email address (other information serving as the destination of a message), phone number, address, age (group), gender, and birthday for each user.

[0057] The POS information database 33 stores POS data based on orders received from the user terminal 200 at each table T. The POS data is composed of, for example, table ID, ticket ID, entry time, number of customers, ordered menu, number of orders (quantity), sales amount, and order time.

[0058] Also, in the present embodiment, the restaurant information providing server 100 can switch between a normal mode (first mode) in which the ticket ID of each table T is switched for each settlement of each table T (a new ticket ID is generated for each settlement), and a congestion mode (second mode) in which the ticket ID is automatically switched based on the elapsed time since the start of use of the table T when the restaurant is crowded (a new ticket ID is generated when a predetermined set time has elapsed). The POS information database 33 also stores information about the currently executing mode among the normal mode and the congestion mode.

[0059] Among these, when operating in the congestion mode, the POS information database 33 stores, for each table T in the restaurant, the count information of the elapsed time since the two-dimensional barcode C was read by the user terminal 200 at each table T and a table use start request was received. The elapsed time is reset when a table use start request is received immediately from the table T (or its user terminal 200).

[0060] These databases are mutually referred to and used as necessary in the mobile order processing by the restaurant information providing server 100.

[0061] [System Operation] Next, the operation of the system configured as described above (mainly the restaurant information providing server 100) will be described. The operation is executed by the cooperation of the hardware such as the CPU 11 of the restaurant information providing server 100 and the software stored in the storage unit 18. In the following description, for convenience, the CPU 11 is taken as the main operating entity.

[0062] Figure 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of the slip ID automatic switching process when receiving a mobile order by the restaurant information providing server 100. In this operation, it is assumed that the restaurant information providing server 100 has already started the mobile order receiving operation in the normal mode.

[0063] First, the CPU 11 of the restaurant information providing server 100 determines whether the degree of congestion in the restaurant has reached a predetermined threshold or more (step 41). The CPU 11 may calculate the degree of congestion, for example, as the ratio of the number of currently used tables T to the total number of tables T. In this case, the number of used tables T may be counted as the number of used slip IDs, or for example, sensors for detecting the presence or absence of use (human sensors such as temperature sensors and optical sensors) may be installed at each table T and counted from the output of the sensors.

[0064] When it is determined that the above congestion level has reached a predetermined threshold or higher (Yes in step 41), the CPU 11 switches the above normal mode to the congestion mode and updates the mode information in the above POS information database 33 (step 42).

[0065] Subsequently, the CPU 11 determines whether it has received a request to start using the first table T in the congestion mode (table ID) from the user terminal 200 via the two-dimensional barcode C of any table T (step 43). Note that the operation by the user to start such use (the operation of reading the two-dimensional barcode C) is also referred to as "check-in". The start-use request may include a different terminal ID for each source user terminal 200.

[0066] The request to start using the table T may include, in addition to the above table ID, information regarding the number of users using the table T. When the CPU 11 determines that it has received the above table ID (Yes in step 43), it generates a slip ID for the table T to be used and stores it in the above POS information database 33, and starts counting the use time (step 44).

[0067] Subsequently, the CPU 11 stores the above number-of-users information in the POS information database 33 and transmits an order screen for mobile orders to the user terminal 200 (step 45).

[0068] Subsequently, the CPU 11 determines whether it has newly received a table ID from the user terminal 200 via the two-dimensional barcode C of the table T to be used (step 46).

[0069] Subsequently, the CPU 11 refers to the above POS information database 33 and determines whether the use time from the reception of the previous table ID has elapsed the set time at the time of receiving the new table ID (step 47). Here, the set time is, for example, 10 minutes, 15 minutes, 20 minutes, etc., but is not limited thereto.

[0070] When it is determined that the usage time at the time of receiving the above table ID has elapsed the set time since the previous reception (Yes in step 47), the CPU 11 generates a new slip ID different from the slip ID stored in the POS information database 33 until then, updates the information, and starts counting the usage time (step 48).

[0071] On the other hand, when it is determined that the usage time at the time of receiving the above table ID has not elapsed the set time since the previous reception (No in step 47), the CPU 11 maintains the current slip ID, resets the usage time being counted in the POS information database 33 (step 49), returns to step 46, and repeats the subsequent processing. Here, when it is determined that the set time has not elapsed, the counting of the usage time from the beginning may be continued without resetting the usage time.

[0072] Subsequently, the CPU 11 determines whether there is an end trigger for the congestion mode (step 50).

[0073] When it is determined that there is no end trigger for the congestion mode (No in step 50), the CPU 11 returns to step 46 and repeats the subsequent processing.

[0074] On the other hand, when it is determined that there is an end trigger for the congestion mode (Yes in step 50), the CPU 11 switches the congestion mode to the normal mode and ends (step 51). The end trigger is, for example, when the above congestion level becomes less than the above predetermined threshold value (or a different threshold value), when an end instruction for the congestion mode is transmitted from the terminal of an employee to the food service information server 100, when a predetermined time (for example, 1 hour, 2 hours) has elapsed since the start of the congestion mode, or when a set time (for example, the end time of lunch time) has arrived, etc., but is not limited to these.

[0075] FIG. 5 is a diagram conceptually showing the slip ID switching process when the usage time at the time of receiving the above new table ID has elapsed the set time along the time axis.

[0076] As shown in the figure, after a certain customer A checks in at Table A and a ticket ID "001" is generated, if another customer B checks in at Table A after the usage time has passed the above-mentioned set time, regardless of whether customer A is waiting for payment or has completed payment, a new ticket ID "002" will be generated for customer B separately from the above-mentioned ticket ID "001".

[0077] In this case, not only when customer B is someone other than customer A, but also when customer B is a member who dines with customer A, separate ticket IDs will be generated for both of them, and the orders from their respective user terminals 200 will be processed separately. When customer A and customer B dine together, they may be billed separately with each ticket ID, or the employee may combine the two tickets on the POS terminal at the time of payment.

[0078] FIG. 6 is a diagram conceptually showing the ticket ID switching process along the time axis when the usage time has not passed the above-mentioned set time at the time of receiving the above-mentioned new table ID.

[0079] As shown in the figure, after a certain customer A checks in at Table A and a ticket ID "001" is generated, if another customer B checks in at Table A before the usage time has passed the above-mentioned set time, the ticket ID "001" will be maintained, and the usage time will be reset starting from the time of customer B's check-in so as to count, and the order from customer B's user terminal 200 will also converge to the said ticket ID "001". Also, although the tickets converge due to customer B's check-in, the reset of the usage time may be executed at the time of the first order from customer B's user terminal 200.

[0080] In this way, when another customer starts using the same table before the set time has passed, by regarding the new customer as a co-diner of the original customer and recalculating the usage time based on the start time of the new customer's use, it is possible to ensure the dining time of the new customer.

[0081] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a POS register screen that the restaurant information providing server 100 causes the restaurant terminal 300 (or a POS terminal or a cashier terminal) to display.

[0082] As shown in the figure, in addition to general display items including the slip ID 60 and the like on the POS register screen, the restaurant information providing server 100 may display, on the POS register screen, a mode switching button 61 as a user interface for switching the current mode to another mode together with information indicating the current mode among the normal mode and the crowded mode. In the example of the figure, the current mode is the normal mode, and the mode switching button 61 for switching to the crowded mode is displayed.

[0083] Thereby, an employee can manually perform mode switching according to the crowded situation and other various situations in the restaurant. The pressing operation of the mode switching button 61 can also serve as an "end trigger for the crowded mode" in step 50 of FIG. 4 above. Further, the pressing operation can also serve as a start trigger for the crowded mode in step 42 of FIG. 4, and the employee may manually switch the crowded mode / normal mode from the restaurant terminal 300, a handy terminal, or the like.

[0084] [Summary] As described above, according to the present embodiment, the restaurant information providing server 100 can prevent a situation where, in the mobile order system of a restaurant, a customer at the next table orders on the same slip while the accounting of the customer in front of the table remains incomplete by forcibly switching the slip ID based on a predetermined set time regardless of whether the customer has completed the accounting.

[0085] [Modification Example] The present invention is not limited only to the above-described embodiment, and various changes can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0086] In the above-described embodiment, the restaurant information providing server 100 has been executed by switching between the normal mode and the crowded mode, but the crowded mode (automatic switching process of the slip ID) may be always executed as a single mode.

[0087] In the above-described embodiment, when the food and beverage store information providing server 100 receives the table ID from the user terminal 200, it starts counting the elapsed time from that point, and when it receives the table ID immediately after that, it determines whether the elapsed time exceeds the set time (such as 15 minutes). Instead of this, considering that there are customers who take time from the start of table use to placing an order, the food and beverage store information providing server 100 may start counting the elapsed time at the time of receiving the first order (when receiving order information) after receiving the table ID, rather than at the time of receiving the table ID from the user terminal 200.

[0088] In the above-described embodiment, when the food and beverage store information providing server 100 receives additional order information from the user terminal 200 after generating the slip ID and receiving the first order information, it may reset the set time with the time of this reception as the starting time. With this configuration, when the food and beverage store information providing server 100 receives an additional order before the set time has elapsed, it can ensure the dining time for the additional order by restarting the count of the set time based on the time of the additional order.

[0089] In the above-described embodiment, the food and beverage store information providing server 100 may change the length of the set time in response to a predetermined trigger. Here, the predetermined trigger is, for example, time (time zone or time of day, etc.), congestion level, manual operation by an employee via the store management screen, etc., but is not limited to these. For example, the set time may be 15 minutes during lunchtime and 30 minutes during dinnertime. Also, it may be preset so that the set time becomes longer as the congestion level increases or as the number of orders increases. With this configuration, the food and beverage store information providing server 100 can adjust the timing until the slip is automatically switched according to various situations in the food and beverage store.

[0090] In the above-described embodiment, when the set time has elapsed since the start of use of the user's table T, the restaurant information providing server 100 may display information prompting the user to settle the bill on the mobile order screen of the user terminal 200. With this configuration, the restaurant information providing server 100 can prompt customers who have not settled the bill within the set time to settle the bill, so that even if the ticket ID is switched, the next customer can be quickly guided to the table T and the ticket after the switch can be used.

[0091] In the above-described embodiment, an example in which a ticket ID is assigned to each table T was shown. Instead of this, the two-dimensional barcode C may be installed for each seat of the table T, and a ticket ID may be assigned and managed for each seat. For example, when there are four seats at one table T, a ticket ID is assigned to each of the four seats or to every two seats. As a result, the ticket ID switching process can be independently executed for each seat within one table T according to the usage time.

[0092] In the above-described embodiment, after the set time has elapsed since the start of use of the user's table T, if a user who has stayed for more than the set time reads the two-dimensional barcode C again and makes an additional order request, the order will be associated with the ticket ID of the next customer switched due to the elapse of the set time. Therefore, the restaurant information providing server 100 may manage the session by, for example, using a Cookie or a session ID to identify the communication partner with the time point when the table ID is received from the user terminal 200 as the start time of the session. And even when a new table ID is received from the user terminal 200, as long as the previous session continues (access from the same session ID as before), the ticket ID up to that point is maintained even after the set time has elapsed, and if there is an additional order request in the session, the order is added to the ticket ID, and the ticket ID may be switched when it is confirmed that the previous session has ended after the set time has elapsed (access from a different session ID than before). This can prevent an order added by the previous customer by re-reading the two-dimensional barcode C after the set time has elapsed from being added to the ticket ID of the next customer.

[0093] The processing of the restaurant information providing server 100 in the above-described embodiment may be executed in a distributed manner by a plurality of servers. For example, the order reception processing for mobile orders and the ticket ID switching processing may be executed on separate servers.

[0094] In the above-described embodiment, an example is shown in which the restaurant information providing server 100 on the cloud executes a restaurant search process for a plurality of user terminals 200. However, for each restaurant, a server having the same functions as the above-described restaurant information providing server 100 may be installed, and the control process of the above menu order interface may be executed.

[0095] In the above-described embodiment, an example is shown in which the present invention is applied to a mobile order system that can be ordered from a user terminal 200. However, the present invention can be similarly applied to an order terminal installed in each restaurant, that is, a tabletop order system that can be ordered from a tabletop terminal installed on each table T, a smart speaker order system that can be ordered from a smart speaker (with a microphone) installed on each table T, and other systems that can be ordered from a floor robot that patrols the floor of the restaurant.

[0096] Among the inventions described in the claims of the present application, the invention described as "information processing method" is such that each step thereof is automatically performed by at least one device such as a computer by information processing using software, and is not performed by a human using a device such as a computer. That is, the "information processing method" is an information processing method using computer software, and is not a method of operating a computing tool called a computer by a human.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0097] 11…CPU 12…ROM 13…RAM 14…Bus 15…Input / Output Interface 18…Storage Unit 19…Communication unit 31…Restaurant information database 32…User information database 33…POS information database 61…Mode switching button 100…Restaurant information providing server 200…User terminal 300…Restaurant terminal C…Code (2D barcode)

Claims

1. When first receiving table identification information for identifying a table or seat in a restaurant used by a user of the user terminal from the user terminal, generate receipt identification information corresponding to the table identification information, and cause an order screen to be displayed on the user terminal. Next, when receiving the same table identification information, determine whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the immediately preceding receipt of the table identification information or since the receipt of the first order information after the receipt of the immediately preceding table identification information. If it is determined that the predetermined time has not elapsed, maintain the generated receipt identification information; if it is determined that the predetermined time has elapsed, generate new receipt identification information different from the generated receipt identification information. A control unit An information processing system comprising.

2. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein when the control unit receives the same table identification information before the elapse of the predetermined time, the control unit resets the predetermined time with the time of receipt as the starting time. An information processing system.

3. The information processing system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein when the control unit receives additional order information from the user terminal after receiving the first order information, the control unit resets the predetermined time with the time of receipt as the starting time. An information processing system.

4. The information processing system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control unit can switch between a first mode of generating new receipt identification information for each settlement of the user and a second mode of generating new receipt identification information based on the elapse of the predetermined time. An information processing system.

5. The information processing system according to claim 4, wherein when the congestion level of the restaurant reaches a predetermined threshold or more, the control unit switches the first mode to the second mode. An information processing system.

6. The information processing system according to claim 4, wherein the control unit causes a user interface for switching between the first mode and the second mode to be displayed on an accounting terminal of the restaurant. An information processing system.

7. The information processing system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control unit changes the length of the predetermined time in response to a predetermined trigger. An information processing system.

8. The information processing system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein when the predetermined time has elapsed, the control unit causes information prompting the user to settle the bill to be displayed on the order screen. An information processing system.

9. An information processing system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control unit manages a session with the user terminal that is the source of the table identification information, and even when the predetermined time has elapsed, as long as the session with the user terminal that most recently received the table identification information continues, the control unit does not generate new slip identification information and maintains the slip identification information generated immediately before. An information processing system.

10. When first receiving table identification information for identifying a table or seat of a restaurant used by a user of the user terminal from the user terminal, generate slip identification information corresponding to the table identification information, and display an order screen on the user terminal. Next, when receiving the same table identification information, determine whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the immediately preceding reception of the table identification information or since the reception of the first order information after the reception of the immediately preceding table identification information. If it is determined that the predetermined time has not elapsed, maintain the generated slip identification information, and if it is determined that the predetermined time has elapsed, generate new slip identification information different from the generated slip identification information. An information processing method.

11. In an information processing apparatus, when first receiving table identification information for identifying a table or seat of a restaurant used by a user of the user terminal from the user terminal, generate slip identification information corresponding to the table identification information, and display an order screen on the user terminal; next, when receiving the same table identification information, determine whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the immediately preceding reception of the table identification information or since the reception of the first order information after the reception of the immediately preceding table identification information; and when it is determined that the predetermined time has not elapsed, maintain the generated slip identification information, and when it is determined that the predetermined time has elapsed, generate new slip identification information different from the generated slip identification information. A program for causing the above to be executed.

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