Food selling system, food case, and food selling method

Abstract

To prevent acts of mischief by individuals engaging in inappropriate behavior in restaurants selling food via lanes using a belt conveyor.SOLUTION: A food selling system 1 includes a food case 2, an automatic recognition device 3, and a settlement device 4. The food case 2 comprises a lid 20 for protecting food 5 and a locking mechanism 21 which prevents the lid 20 from opening and is configured to release the lock remotely. The automatic recognition device 3 comprises a settlement request unit 30 which sends settlement request data including an automatic recognition code read from the food case 2 and settlement information required for settlement of the price of the food 5 to the settlement device 4. The settlement device 4 comprises a settlement unit 40 which sends an unlock signal for unlocking the lid 20 to the food case 2 assigned with the automatic recognition code included in the settlement request data sent from the automatic recognition device 3 after performing settlement processing on the basis of the settlement request data sent from the automatic recognition device 3.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to a technology for preventing pranks by people who engage in inappropriate behavior in a food service establishment that sells food.

Background Art

[0002] In food service establishments such as conveyor belt sushi restaurants that sell food using a lane with a belt conveyor, pranks by people who engage in inappropriate behavior may occur. As a result, not only is the hygiene of the food simply compromised, but there is also a possibility that the reputation of the food service establishment will deteriorate. For this reason, food service establishments such as conveyor belt sushi restaurants require measures to prevent pranks by people who engage in inappropriate behavior.

[0003] In order to maintain the hygiene of food, it has been considered to store the food in a food case having a lid and convey it in a lane (Patent Documents 1 and 2). However, if the lid of the food case can be freely opened, it is impossible to prevent pranks by people who engage in inappropriate behavior.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] An object of this application is to prevent pranks by people who engage in inappropriate behavior in a food service establishment that sells food.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The first invention disclosed in the present application is a food sales system including a food case to which an automatic recognition code is assigned, an automatic recognition device having a reader unit that reads the automatic recognition code assigned to the food case, and a settlement device that performs settlement processing related to the price of the food stored in the food case. The food case includes a lid for protecting the food, and a locking mechanism configured to lock the lid so that it cannot be opened and to remotely release the lock. The automatic recognition device includes a settlement request unit that transmits settlement request data including the automatic recognition code read by the reader unit and settlement information necessary for settlement of the price of the food to the settlement device. The settlement device includes a settlement unit that, after performing settlement processing based on the settlement request data transmitted from the automatic recognition device, transmits an unlocking signal to unlock the lid to the locking mechanism of the food case to which the automatic recognition code included in the settlement request data transmitted from the automatic recognition device is assigned.

[0007] The second invention disclosed in the present application is a food case provided with an automatic recognition code, a lid for protecting the food, and a locking mechanism configured to lock the lid so that it cannot be opened and to remotely release the lock.

[0008] The third invention disclosed in the present application is a food sales method executed by a food sales system including a food case having a lid for protecting the food, an automatic recognition device having a reader unit that reads the automatic recognition code assigned to the food case, and a settlement device that performs settlement processing related to the price of the food stored in the food case. The food sales method according to the third invention includes: step a in which the automatic recognition device reads, by means of the reader unit, the automatic recognition code attached to the food case; step b in which the automatic recognition device transmits settlement request data including the automatic recognition code read by the reader unit and settlement information necessary for settlement of the price of the food to a settlement device that performs settlement processing related to the price of the food stored in the food case; step c in which, after the settlement device performs settlement processing based on the settlement request data transmitted from the automatic recognition device, the settlement device transmits a release signal for releasing the lock of the lid to the food case to which the automatic recognition code included in the settlement request data transmitted from the automatic recognition device is attached; and step d in which the food case that has received the release signal releases the lock of the lid.

Advantages of the Invention

[0009] In the present application, when a customer purchases food stored in a food case, by remotely releasing the lock of the lid provided on the food case, the occurrence of pranks by people who engage in inappropriate behavior is prevented.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present invention will be described. These embodiments are for facilitating understanding of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. Also, unless otherwise specified, the drawings are schematic diagrams drawn for facilitating understanding of the present invention.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the food sales system 1. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the food case 2. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the automatic recognition device. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the settlement device. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the food sales method.

[0013] The food sales system 1 disclosed in the present application is a system suitable for a restaurant that sells food 5 to customers in a form housed in a food case 2. The food sales system 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a food case 2 with an automatically recognized code assigned thereto, an automatic recognition device 3 that reads the automatically recognized code assigned to the food case 2, and a settlement device 4 that performs settlement processing related to the price of the food 5 housed in the food case 2. In FIG. 1, each of the food case 2, the settlement device 4, and the automatic recognition device 3 is connected to a network 6. Each of the food case 2 and the automatic recognition device 3 is connected to the network 6 via a wireless access point 60 installed in the restaurant.

[0014] The food case 2 is a case for housing the food 5. The food case 2 is provided with a lid 20 for protecting the food 5 housed in the food case 2. Even if the food case 2 is provided with the lid 20, if the lid 20 can be freely opened, it is impossible to prevent the occurrence of pranks by people who take inappropriate actions. Therefore, the food case 2 according to the present application is provided with a locking mechanism 21 for locking the lid 20 so that it cannot be opened.

[0015] By providing the user with the food case 2 containing the food 5 with the lid 20 locked, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of pranks by people who take inappropriate actions. However, if the lid 20 of the food case 2 containing the food 5 remains locked, the customer cannot take out the food 5 purchased by the customer from the food case 2. Therefore, in the present application, the locking mechanism 21 of the lid 20 can be remotely released, and when the customer purchases the food 5 housed in the food case 2, the lid 20 is remotely unlocked, thereby preventing the occurrence of pranks by people who take inappropriate actions and enabling the customer who has purchased the food 5 to take out the food 5 from the food case 2.

[0016] In this application, the device that sends a release signal for unlocking the lid 20 to the food case 2 is the payment device 4. In this application, the payment device 4 sends a release signal to the food case 2 that contains the food 5 for which the payment has been completed. In this application, the device that sends the payment information related to the price of the food 5 to the payment device 4 is the automatic recognition device 3. In FIG. 1, a handy terminal type automatic recognition device 3 is shown. An automatic recognition code unique to each food case 2 is assigned to the food case 2. To the food case 2 shown in FIG. 1, a label 23 with a barcode encoding the automatic recognition code is attached. When the automatic recognition device 3 reads the automatic recognition code assigned to the food case 2, it sends settlement request data including the automatic recognition code read from the food case 2 and the settlement information necessary for settling the price of the food 5 contained in the food case 2 from which the automatic recognition code was read to the payment device 4.

[0017] Hereinafter, the food case 2, the automatic recognition device 3, and the payment device 4 that constitute the food sales system 1 shown in FIG. 1 will be described respectively.

[0018] First, the food case 2 will be described with reference to FIG. 2. Note that the food case 2 shown in FIG. 2 is only an example of the food case 2. The food case 2 may be realized in a form other than that shown in FIG. 2.

[0019] As described above, the food case 2 is provided with a lid 20 for safely storing the food 5 contained in the food case 2. The shape of the lid 20 may be arbitrary as long as it can protect the food 5 contained in the food case 2. In FIG. 2 and the like, the shape of the lid 20 is made into a dome shape. As the material of the lid 20, a material having rigidity to maintain the shape of the lid 20 and having transparency is used.

[0020] In FIG. 2, a cylindrical rod 201 is inserted on one side of the lid body 20. By rotating the lid body 20 around the rod 201, the lid body 20 in the closed state can be opened. In the food case 2, a member for restricting the rotation of the lid body 20 is provided on the side opposite to the side where the cylindrical rod 201 is inserted. By restricting the rotation of the lid body 20, the lid body 20 of the food case 2 can be prevented from being opened.

[0021] The locking mechanism 21 shown in FIG. 2 includes a motor shaft 211 provided with a horizontally long hanger 210 at its tip, a slit 212 provided in the flange portion 200 of the lid body 20, a button 215 for locking the lid body 20, a motor 213 for rotating the motor shaft 211, and a control unit 214 for controlling the rotation of the motor 213. The size of the slit 212 provided in the flange portion 200 of the lid body 20 is slightly larger than the hanger 210. When the control unit 214 controls the motor 213 so that the angle formed by the longitudinal direction of the slit 212 and the longitudinal direction of the hanger 210 is approximately 90 degrees (in FIG. 2, the state where the hanger 210 is shown by a solid line), the flange portion 200 of the lid body 20 and the hanger 210 are engaged and the rotation of the lid body 20 is restricted, and the lid body 20 can be locked. Further, when the control unit 214 controls the motor 213 so that the angle formed by the longitudinal direction of the slit 212 and the longitudinal direction of the hanger 210 is approximately 0 degrees (in FIG. 2, the state where the hanger 210 is shown by a dotted line), the flange portion 200 of the lid body 20 and the hanger 210 are not engaged and the lid body 20 can rotate about the rod 201, and the lock of the lid body 20 can be released. Note that the locking mechanism 21 shown in FIG. 2 is only an example of the locking mechanism 21. The configuration of the locking mechanism 21 may be arbitrary as long as it can lock so that the lid body 20 cannot be opened and can remotely release the lock.

[0022] The locking mechanism 21 of the food case 2 includes a wireless communication module 24 for connecting to the wireless access point 60. The food case 2 uses the wireless communication module 24 to receive a release signal from the payment device 4. As the wireless communication module 24, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth (registered trademark), or the like can be used. When the wireless communication module 24 receives the release signal, the control unit 214 of the locking mechanism 21 controls the motor 213 to release the lock of the lid 20. Also, when the button 215 is operated, the control unit 214 of the locking mechanism 21 controls the motor 213 to lock the lid 20.

[0023] As described above, in the present application, an automatic recognition code used for identifying the food case 2 is assigned to the food case 2. In the present embodiment, a label 23 printed with a barcode encoding the automatic recognition code is attached to the lid 20 of the food case 2, but in the present application, various types of automatic recognition technologies can be used. For example, as the automatic recognition technology, in addition to barcodes (1D barcodes or 2D barcodes), RF tags (RF: Radio Frequency), or OCR (Optical Character Recognition) can be used. The form of assigning the automatic recognition code to the food case 2 depends on the automatic recognition technology. When using a barcode as the automatic recognition technology, the automatic recognition code is printed on the food case 2 at least as a barcode, or a label 23 printed with this barcode is attached to the food case 2. Also, when using an RF tag as the automatic recognition technology, an RF tag storing at least the automatic recognition code is attached to the food case 2. Further, when using OCR as the automatic recognition technology, the automatic recognition code itself is printed on the food case 2, or a label printed with the automatic recognition code is attached to the food case 2.

[0024] Next, the automatic recognition device 3 will be described with reference to FIG. 3. The automatic recognition device 3 according to the present embodiment includes the hardware shown in FIG. 3. Note that the automatic recognition device 3 does not show a power supply unit for supplying power and the like in FIG. 3, but includes the hardware necessary for operating as the automatic recognition device 3.

[0025] The automatic recognition device 3 includes, as a memory device, a RAM 302 (Random Access Memory) and an NVM 301 (Non-Volatile Memory). The RAM 302 is a memory that temporarily stores data when the automatic recognition device 3 executes a computer program. The NVM 301 is a memory that permanently stores data. In the automatic recognition device 3, an SSD (Solid State Drive) is used as the NVM 301.

[0026] The automatic recognition device 3 includes a wireless communication module 303 for connecting to the wireless access point 60. The automatic recognition device 3 uses the wireless communication module 303 to access the wireless access point and perform data communication with the settlement device 4. Wi-Fi, Bluetooth (registered trademark), etc. can be used for the wireless communication module 303 of the automatic recognition device 3.

[0027] The automatic recognition device 3 includes a reader unit 31 for reading the automatic recognition code attached to the food case 2. The form of the reader unit 31 included in the automatic recognition device 3 depends on the automatic recognition technology used in the food sales system 1. When using a barcode as the automatic recognition technology, the reader unit 31 included in the automatic recognition device 3 becomes a barcode reader. When using an RF tag as the automatic recognition technology, the reader unit 31 included in the automatic recognition device 3 becomes an RF tag reader. When using OCR as the automatic recognition technology, the reader unit 31 included in the automatic recognition device 3 becomes a character recognition module using a camera.

[0028] The display 304 included in the automatic recognition device 3 is a device for displaying a screen. In the automatic recognition device 3, a liquid crystal display, an OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode), etc. are used. The operation device 305 included in the automatic recognition device 3 is a device used for operating the automatic recognition device 3. The operation device 305 includes an input device used for inputting text, etc. In the automatic recognition device 3, a numeric keypad, etc. is used for the operation device 305.

[0029] The processor 300 provided in the automatic recognition device 3 is an integrated circuit that performs complex calculations and data processing. In the NVM 301 of the automatic recognition device 3, a computer program that causes the processor 300 to function as the settlement request unit 30 according to the present application is stored. By executing this computer program, the processor 300 functions as the settlement request unit 30 according to the present application.

[0030] When the reader unit 31 reads the automatic recognition code, the processor 300 that functions as the settlement request unit 30 according to the present application uses the wireless communication module 303 to transmit settlement request data including the automatic recognition code read from the food case 2 to the settlement device 4. The automatic recognition code included in the settlement request data is information for identifying the food case 2 that contains the food 5 purchased by the customer operating the automatic recognition device 3. In addition to the automatic recognition code, the settlement request data can include settlement information necessary for settling the price of the food 5. The settlement information depends on the method of settling the price of the food 5. When aggregating the prices of the food 5 purchased by the customer at the restaurant and clearing the prices of the food 5 in a lump when the customer leaves the restaurant, the identification code of the automatic recognition device 3 can be used as the settlement information. Also, when settling the price of the food 5 each time the customer purchases the food 5 at the restaurant, the customer's credit card information can be used as the settlement information.

[0031] Next, the settlement device 4 will be described with reference to FIG. 4. The settlement device 4 according to the present embodiment includes the hardware shown in FIG. 4. Note that the settlement device 4 includes hardware necessary for operating as the automatic recognition device 3, such as a power supply unit that supplies power and a cooling system that cools to prevent overheating, which are not shown in FIG. 4.

[0032] The settlement device 4 includes a RAM 401 and a storage as a storage device. The RAM 401 is a memory that temporarily stores data when the settlement device 4 executes a computer program. The storage 402 is a large-capacity memory that permanently stores data in the settlement device 4. In the settlement device 4, a large-capacity SSD (Solid State Drive) or a large-capacity hard disk is used as the storage 402. In the present embodiment, a database 41 that stores the ID of the wireless communication module 24 included in the food case 2 is stored in association with the automatic recognition code assigned to the food case 2.

[0033] The network interface 403 of the settlement device 4 is an interface that provides a function for the settlement device 4 to connect to the network 6. In the settlement device 4, a wired-type network interface 403 is used.

[0034] The processor 400 of the settlement device 4 is an integrated circuit that performs complex calculations and data processing. A computer program that causes the processor 400 to function as the settlement unit 40 according to the present application is stored in the storage 402 of the settlement device 4. The processor 400 functions as the settlement unit 40 according to the present application by executing this computer program.

[0035] When settlement request data is transmitted from the automatic recognition device 3, the processor 400 functioning as the settlement unit 40 according to the present application executes a settlement process based on the settlement information included in the settlement request data. When this settlement process is normally completed, the processor 400 functioning as the settlement unit 40 according to the present application refers to the database 41 to identify the ID of the food case 2 corresponding to the automatic recognition code included in the settlement request data, and transmits a release signal for releasing the lock of the lid 20 to the food case 2 corresponding to this ID. The lock mechanism 21 of the food case 2 that has received the release signal releases the lock of the lid 20, allowing the food 5 stored in the food case 2 to be taken out.

[0036] The settlement process based on the settlement information included in the settlement request data depends on the method of settling the price of Food 5. When aggregating the price of Food 5 purchased by a customer at a restaurant and settling the price of Food 5 in a lump sum when the customer leaves the restaurant, the settlement unit 40 records the price of Food 5 contained in the food case 2 in association with the identification code of the automatic recognition device 3 included as settlement information in the settlement request data. Also, when the customer settles the price of Food 5 each time the customer purchases Food 5 at the restaurant, the settlement unit 40 uses the customer's credit card information included as settlement information in the settlement request data to settle the price of Food 5 contained in the food case 2.

[0037] With reference to FIG. 5, the food sales method disclosed in the present application will be described. This description also serves as an explanation of the processes executed in the food sales system 1. The first step S1 executed in the food sales system 1 is a step in which the settlement request unit 30 of the automatic recognition device 3 reads the automatic recognition code assigned to the food case 2. In this step S1, a customer who purchases Food 5 contained in the food case 2 operates the automatic recognition device 3 to read the automatic recognition code assigned to the food case 2 containing the Food 5 to be purchased by the customer, and the settlement request unit 30 of the automatic recognition device 3 reads the automatic recognition code from the food case 2 using the reader unit 31. Note that before this step S1 is executed, the button 215 is operated and the lid 20 provided on the food case 2 is locked.

[0038] The next step S2 is the step in which the settlement request unit 30 of the automatic recognition device 3 transmits settlement request data to the settlement device 4. The settlement request data transmitted by the automatic recognition device 3 to the settlement device 4 includes the automatic recognition code read from the food case 2 and the settlement information necessary for settling the price of the food 5 contained in the food case 2. When using the identification code of the automatic recognition device 3 as this settlement information, in step S2, the settlement request unit 30 of the automatic recognition device 3 reads out the identification code registered in advance in the NVM 301 of the automatic recognition device 3. Also, when using the customer's credit card information as this settlement information, in this step S2, the settlement request unit 30 of the automatic recognition device 3 uses the operation device 305 of the automatic recognition device 3 to cause the customer who purchases the food 5 to input the credit card information into the automatic recognition device 3.

[0039] The next step S3 is the step in which the settlement unit 40 of the settlement device 4 executes settlement processing related to the price of the food 5. In this step S3, the settlement processing executed by the settlement unit 40 of the settlement device 4 depends on the method of settling the price of the food 5. When aggregating the prices of the food 5 purchased by the customer at the restaurant and settling the prices of the food 5 in a lump sum when the customer leaves the restaurant, the settlement unit 40 records the price of the food 5 contained in the food case 2 in association with the identification code of the automatic recognition device 3 included as settlement information in the settlement request data. Also, when settling the price of the food 5 each time the customer purchases the food 5 at the restaurant, settlement is performed using the customer's credit card information included as settlement information in the settlement request data.

[0040] The next step S4 is the step in which the settlement unit 40 of the settlement device 4 transmits a release signal for unlocking the lid 20 to the food case 2. The settlement unit 40 of the settlement device 4 refers to the database 41 to identify the ID of the food case 2 to which the release signal is to be transmitted, and transmits the release signal to the food case 2 specified by this ID.

[0041] The next step S5 is the step in which the locking mechanism 21 of the food case 2 releases the lock of the lid 20. When the wireless communication module 24 of the locking mechanism 21 of the food case 2 receives a release signal, it operates the motor 213 to release the lock of the lid 20.

[0042] As described above, in the invention disclosed in the present application, when a customer purchases the food 5 stored in the food case 2, in order to protect the food 5, the lock of the lid 20 provided on the food case 2 is remotely released, thereby preventing the occurrence of pranks by people who take inappropriate actions.

Explanation of reference numerals

[0043] 1 Food vending system 2 Food case 20 Lid 21 Locking mechanism 3 Automatic recognition device 30 Settlement request unit 31 Reader unit 4 Settlement device 40 Settlement unit 5 Food

Claims

1. An automatic recognition device having a food case with an automatically recognized code assigned thereto, a reader unit that reads the automatically recognized code assigned to the food case, and a settlement device that performs settlement processing related to the price of the food stored in the food case, wherein the food case includes a lid for protecting the food, a locking mechanism configured to lock the lid so that it cannot be opened and to remotely unlock it, and a wireless communication module for wireless communication, the automatic recognition device includes a settlement request unit that transmits settlement request data including the automatically recognized code read by the reader unit and settlement information necessary for settlement of the price of the food to the settlement device, the settlement device performs settlement processing based on the settlement request data transmitted from the automatic recognition device, and then transmits an unlocking signal for unlocking the lid to the locking mechanism of the food case to which the automatically recognized code included in the settlement request data transmitted from the automatic recognition device is assigned, and includes a settlement unit, A food sales system characterized by the above.

2. A food case having an automatically recognized code, a lid for protecting the food, and a locking mechanism configured to lock the lid so that it cannot be opened and to remotely unlock it.

3. A food sales method executed by a food sales system including a food case having a lid for protecting the food, an automatic recognition device having a reader unit that reads the automatically recognized code assigned to the food case, and a settlement device that performs settlement processing related to the price of the food stored in the food case, wherein step a is that the automatic recognition device reads the automatically recognized code assigned to the food case by the reader unit; step b is that the automatic recognition device transmits settlement request data including the automatically recognized code read by the reader unit and settlement information necessary for settlement of the price of the food to a settlement device that performs settlement processing related to the price of the food stored in the food case; step c is that the settlement device performs settlement processing based on the settlement request data transmitted from the automatic recognition device, and then transmits an unlocking signal for unlocking the lid to the food case to which the automatically recognized code included in the settlement request data transmitted from the automatic recognition device is assigned; step d is that the food case that has received the unlocking signal unlocks the lid; A food sales method including the above.

Images