Self-ordering terminal and program

Abstract

To provide a technology that reduces the risk of non-payment for articles or services within a specific facility through a payment system within the facility.SOLUTION: A tablet terminal 2 can be used by a group of a plurality of users and accepts registration of the users who are subject to billing. The tablet terminal selects a payer for each article ordered, and stores an order history record 224 linking the article and the payer in a memory 22 according to the order. The tablet terminal enables the billing for each user based on the order history record 224 at the time of billing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 13

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The technical field disclosed in this specification relates to a self-order terminal and a program for accepting orders from users. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, restaurants and other establishments have introduced self-ordering terminals that allow users to input their own orders by operating tablet terminals, etc. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a self-ordering system that manages orders at a restaurant, in which an order terminal is placed at each table and accepts orders from each table. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-197543 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Even if a group of multiple users enters a restaurant and the group is seated at one table or private room, each table or private room has its own self-ordering terminal, so even if multiple users place separate orders, the total amount is paid for. While individual payments could be handled by lending an ordering terminal to each user, this would require the restaurant to prepare a large number of ordering terminals, making management of the terminals cumbersome. While there are technologies available to accommodate multiple users, such as splitting the final total amount evenly among the number of users, there are no technologies that allow for detailed payments for each user in a group. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The self-order terminal, which was developed to solve the above-mentioned problems, A self-order terminal equipped with an input device and capable of ordering in a group of multiple users, The self-order terminal includes: a user registration process in which multiple users from the group who are to make a transaction can be registered, and user information for each user who is to make a transaction is input via the input device, and the user who inputs the user information is registered; a product selection process for accepting, via the input device, a selection of a product to be ordered from among products that can be ordered; a user selection process for accepting, via the input device, a selection of a user to be paid from among registered users for each selected product; an ordering process for receiving an order for the selected product via the input device and outputting order information for the selected product; a storage process for storing order history information that associates product information indicating the ordered product with information on the user selected as the person to pay for the product; a transaction process that receives transaction instructions for the items ordered by the group via the input device and creates transaction information for each registered user using the stored order history information; is possible.

[0006] The self-ordering terminal described above can be used by a group of multiple users at a single self-ordering terminal. A payee is selected for each ordered item, and order history information associating the item with the payee is stored according to the order. Then, at checkout, payment information for each user is created based on that order history information, allowing for individual payments even when ordering as a group, increasing the flexibility of payment.

[0007] A control method for realizing the functions of the above-described device, a computer program, and a computer-readable recording medium storing the computer program are also novel and useful. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The technology disclosed in this specification realizes a self-ordering terminal that can be used by a group of multiple users, and technology that increases the flexibility of checkout. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the interior and system configuration of a restaurant. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a tablet terminal. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a start screen displayed on a tablet terminal. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a user registration screen displayed on a tablet terminal. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a product selection screen displayed on a tablet device when placing an individual order. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a thank you screen displayed on a tablet device when placing an individual order. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a product selection screen displayed on a tablet device when splitting an order. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a thank you screen displayed on a tablet device when ordering split-the-bill. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an accounting screen displayed on a tablet terminal. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an individual transaction details screen displayed on a tablet device. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the configuration of an order history record stored in a tablet terminal. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an end screen displayed on the tablet terminal. [Figure 13] FIG. 1 is a sequence diagram showing the procedure in a self-ordering system. [Figure 14] 10 is a flowchart showing the procedure of settlement amount calculation processing on a tablet terminal. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] A self-ordering terminal according to an embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this embodiment, the present invention is applied to a tablet terminal installed in a restaurant, and a user entering the restaurant operates the tablet terminal to select and order products.

[0011] The self-ordering system 100 of this embodiment is a system that is applied to a store 1 such as a restaurant shown in Fig. 1. Note that the stores to which the self-ordering system 100 can be applied are not limited to restaurants, but may also be service providing stores such as karaoke facilities, game centers, medical facilities, etc.

[0012] The self-order system 100 of this embodiment includes multiple tablet terminals 2 placed at each table or private room inside the store 1, one or more payment machines 3 placed at the entrance and exit of the store 1, a server 4, and one or more order output machines 5 placed in the kitchen. All of the tablet terminals 2, payment machines 3, and order output machines 5 included in the self-order system 100 are arranged to be able to communicate with the server 4. The server 4 may be located inside the store 1, or may be an external device such as a cloud server on the Internet, or may be configured by the cooperation of multiple devices. If there are multiple departments that accept orders (for example, the kitchen and the merchandise sales area), an order output machine 5 may be located in each department.

[0013] The tablet terminal 2 has the functions of accepting orders from users, creating order data indicating the order details, and creating accounting data required for settlement. The order data is an example of order information, and the accounting data is an example of accounting information, and the tablet terminal 2 is an example of a self-order terminal and an information processing device. The payment machine 3 performs accounting-related processing based on the accounting data. The server 4 has the function of managing orders based on the order data. The order output machine 5 has the function of outputting order details based on the order data.

[0014] 2 shows the hardware configuration of the tablet terminal 2. The tablet terminal 2 is equipped with a controller 20 including a CPU 21 and a memory 22. The tablet terminal 2 also has a touch panel 23 and a communication interface (hereinafter referred to as "communication IF") 24, which are electrically connected to the controller 20. Note that the controller 20 in FIG. 2 is a general term that collectively refers to hardware and software used to control the tablet terminal 2, and does not necessarily represent a single piece of hardware that actually exists in the tablet terminal 2.

[0015] The touch panel 23 includes hardware that displays a screen for notifying the user of information and hardware that accepts operations by the user. Note that the touch panel 23 is not limited to the touch panel 23, and may be a combination of a display having a display function and a mouse, keyboard, or the like having an input function. The touch panel 23 is an example of an input device and a display device.

[0016] The communication IF 24 includes hardware for communicating with external devices such as the server 4. The communication IF 24 is compatible with communication standards such as Ethernet (registered trademark), Wi-Fi (registered trademark), and USB. The tablet terminal 2 may be equipped with multiple communication IFs 24 compatible with multiple communication standards.

[0017] An order program 221 is installed in the memory 22 of the tablet terminal 2. The tablet terminal 2 can also store user information 222, product information 223, and an order history record 224 in the memory 22. The user information 222 is information for identifying a user using the self-order system 100, and is stored when the tablet terminal 2 receives an operation for user registration from the user. The product information 223 is information indicating the category, image, unit price, etc. of each product, and is stored by being input from the server 4. The order history record 224 is information that associates order details with the user who placed the order, and is stored when a user operates the tablet terminal 2 to order a product. The order history record 224 is an example of order history information. The order program 221 is an example of a program.

[0018] Next, a description will be given of the procedure for ordering using the tablet terminal 2. The operation of the tablet terminal 2 described below is realized by the CPU 21 executing processing in accordance with the order program 221. Furthermore, the display of each screen appearing in the following description is realized by the CPU 21 displaying it on the touch panel 23.

[0019] The tablet terminal 2 first displays a start screen 61 as shown in Fig. 3 and accepts operations from the user. The display area that the tablet terminal 2 can display on the touch panel 23 is roughly divided into a main area 6 displayed on the right side and a menu box 7 displayed on the left side, with the main area 6 taking up the majority of the display area displayed by the tablet terminal 2. The start screen 61 is displayed within the main area 6. The menu box 7 includes multiple boxes that serve as operators for accepting operations, and in the initial state, only the box frames are displayed and no operations are accepted.

[0020] The start screen 61 includes a welcome message, an individual checkout button 611, and a collective checkout button 612. The individual checkout button 611 is a button indicating that an "individual checkout" will be performed, where checkouts are made for each registered user, while the collective checkout button 612 is a button indicating that a "regular checkout" will be performed, where checkouts are not made individually but collectively by table. For example, when a group of multiple users enters the restaurant, they can choose whether to perform individual checkouts, where each user in the group pays for only the amount ordered by that user, or a regular checkout, where checkouts are made collectively for the group. On the tablet terminal 2, pressing the individual checkout button 611 or collective checkout button 612 also serves as an instruction to start using the self-ordering system 100.

[0021] When the individual payment button 611 is operated, the tablet terminal 2 displays a user registration screen 62 as shown in Fig. 4 and accepts operations by the user. The user registration screen 62 is displayed in the main area 6.

[0022] The user registration screen 62 includes a table number, a name setting button 621, an avatar selection button 622, a user information display field 623, a confirm button 624, and an end button 625. The table number is information that is set in advance for each tablet terminal 2 and is not information that can be changed by the user. When the name setting button 621 is operated, a keypad that allows characters to be entered is displayed, and the setting of a user name is accepted. When the avatar selection button 622 is operated, a list of selectable avatars is displayed, and the selection of an avatar is accepted. The user information display field 623 displays the set user name and the selected avatar.

[0023] When the enter button 624 is operated, the tablet terminal 2 stores in the memory 22 user information 222 that associates the set user name with the selected avatar. Storing the user information 222 means that the user corresponding to the stored user information 222 is registered, and a user box 73 corresponding to the registered user is displayed in the menu box 7. The menu box 7 shown in FIG. 4 shows the state after user A has been registered. The user box 73 displays the registered user name and avatar. The storage destination for the user information 222 is not limited to the memory 22 of the tablet terminal 2, and may be, for example, the server 4. In this case, the user information 222 is stored in the server 4 in association with a table number.

[0024] When the end button 625 is operated, the operation for user registration ends. Multiple users can be registered on the tablet terminal 2, and even if the decision button 624 is operated, the operation for user registration does not end, but the operation for registering the next user is accepted. Then, when the end button 625 is operated, the operation for user registration ends.

[0025] When the end button 625 on the user registration screen 62 is operated, the tablet terminal 2 displays a product selection screen 63 as shown in Fig. 5 and accepts an operation for placing an order by the user. The product selection screen 63 is displayed in the main area 6.

[0026] The product selection screen 63 includes a category field 631, a menu field 632, and an order field 633. The category field 631 has a selection box for each product category, and accepts selection of one of the selection boxes. Each time one of the selection boxes is selected, the contents of the menu field 632 change. The menu field 632 displays a list of products corresponding to the selected category. Specifically, in this embodiment, an image, name, and price of the product are displayed for each product. It is also possible to select one of the displayed products, and the entire product image of the selected product is displayed surrounded by a selection frame 634. The product selection screen 63 shown in FIG. 5 shows a state in which the selected category is "fish" and the selected product is "shishamo (smelt)." The tablet terminal 2 determines the type of category to be displayed on the product selection screen 63 and the contents of the products to be displayed in each category based on the product information 223 stored in the memory.

[0027] The order field 633 includes a selected product field 635, a quantity field 636, and an order button 637. The selected product field 635 displays the name of the currently selected product. The quantity field 636 accepts the quantity when ordering the selected product. The quantity can be increased or decreased by operating the "-" button and "+" button on the left and right of the quantity displayed. The order button 637 is an operator for accepting an order for the selected product.

[0028] Furthermore, when the end button 625 on the user registration screen 62 is operated to transition to the product selection screen 63, the tablet terminal 2 displays a checkout box 71, a user registration box 72, and an all users box 74 in addition to the user boxes 73 corresponding to each registered user in the menu box 7, and accepts operations by the user. The menu box 7 shown in Figure 5 shows the state after user A, user B, and user C have been registered.

[0029] The checkout box 71 is an operator for accepting checkout instructions. Note that the checkout box 71 may be hidden or may be unable to accept orders if no orders have been placed.

[0030] The user registration box 72 is an operator for registering an additional user after completing user registration using the user registration screen 62, which is displayed by operating the individual checkout button 611. When the user registration box 72 is operated, the tablet terminal 2 displays the user registration screen 62 again and accepts the additional user registration.

[0031] When individual accounting is selected and users are registered, the tablet terminal 2 displays user boxes 73 corresponding to each registered user within the menu box 7. For example, as shown in Fig. 5, when three users A, B, and C are registered, a user box 73A corresponding to user A, a user box 73B corresponding to user B, and a user box 73C corresponding to user C are displayed.

[0032] Each user box 73 can be switched between a selected state (selected state) and an unselected state (unselected state) by a touch operation, and in the selected state, it is displayed in a different display mode (for example, a different background color) compared to the unselected state. The menu box 7 shown in FIG. 5 shows a state in which the user box 73A is selected and the user box 73B and the user box 73C are not selected. When multiple users are registered, the user boxes 73 are not selected one by one, but multiple user boxes 73 can be selected simultaneously. In other words, multiple users can be selected.

[0033] The all users box 74 is an operator for all registered users. The all users box 74 displays the avatar of each user, with the user name omitted. When the all users box 74 is operated, the all users box 74 is switched to a selected state. When only one user is registered, the all users box 74 may be hidden or may be unable to accept requests.

[0034] Note that if individual payments are not being made, i.e., if regular payments are being made, there is no need to register a user on the tablet terminal 2. Therefore, when the all-in-one payment button 612 is operated on the start screen 61, the tablet terminal 2 does not display the user registration screen 62, but instead displays the product selection screen 63. Furthermore, the menu box 7 on the product selection screen 63 does not display the user box 73, everyone box 74, or user registration box 72. In other words, only the payment box 71 is displayed in the menu box 7.

[0035] Next, we will explain the case where individual payments are made and one user orders one item. With the item selection screen 63 displayed on the tablet terminal 2, the user first selects the item to order. The user then selects who will order the selected item, i.e., who will be the payee, from among the users displayed in the user box 73 (i.e., registered users). The order of selecting the item and selecting the payee may be reversed. The user then enters the quantity of the selected item in the quantity field 636 of the order field 633. Figure 5 shows a state in which "shishamo" has been selected as the item, user A has been selected as the payee, and "1" has been entered as the quantity.

[0036] When the user operates the order button 637 after deciding on the product, payee, and quantity, the tablet terminal 2 determines the order details and payee, creates order data that associates the table number, product name, and quantity, and sends this to the server 4. After sending the order data, the tablet terminal 2 displays a thank you screen 64 as shown in Fig. 6 and accepts operations by the user. The thank you screen 64 is displayed in the main area 6, and when the thank you screen 64 is displayed, the menu box 7 is switched to a display that indicates that orders cannot be accepted.

[0037] The thank you screen 64 includes a message thanking the customer for the order, the order details, and a menu display button 641. The order details include the name, quantity, and price of the ordered product, as well as an avatar corresponding to the person paying for the product. This indicates who the person paying for is. When the menu display button 641 is operated, the tablet terminal 2 returns the display in the main area 6 to the product selection screen 63 and accepts additional orders. Furthermore, if the menu display button 641 is not operated within a certain period of time after the thank you screen 64 is displayed, the tablet terminal 2 also returns the display in the main area 6 to the product selection screen 63.

[0038] The tablet terminal 2 accepts orders even if a person to pay for the product has not been selected. However, since an order for individual accounting cannot be processed unless a person to pay for the product has been determined, if an order is placed without a person to pay for the product being selected, the user will be prompted to select a person to pay for the product at the time of accounting, as will be described later. If an order is placed without a person to pay for the product being selected, the user may be notified that an order has been placed without a person to pay for the product being selected.

[0039] Furthermore, when performing a regular payment, the tablet terminal 2 accepts product orders using the same operations as when performing an individual payment, except that the user does not make a selection. That is, with the product selection screen 63 displayed on the tablet terminal 2, the user selects the products to order, inputs the quantity of the selected products, and then operates the order button 637. In this case, the thank you screen 64 does not include an avatar indicating the person to pay.

[0040] Next, we will explain the case where individual payments are made and multiple users order one product and split the cost. As mentioned above, when the product selection screen 63 is displayed on the tablet terminal 2, the user can select multiple users as the payees for the selected product. Operations other than selecting a user are the same as when only user A is the payee, as mentioned above. Figure 7 shows the state when "Atka mackerel" is selected as the product, users A and C are selected as the payees, and "1" is entered as the quantity.

[0041] Thereafter, when the user operates the order button 637, the tablet terminal 2 determines the order details and the payees, and displays a thanks screen 64 as shown in Fig. 8. In this case, the thanks screen 64 displays avatars corresponding to the selected users as payees, and displays the split amount of the selected items among the payees.

[0042] Furthermore, for example, when three users, User A, User B, and User C, order one product and split the cost, the user selects the user box 73 of User B in addition to User A and User C, and operates the order button 637. In this case, the thanks screen 64 displays User A, User B, and User C as the payees, and displays the amount of the selected product split among the three people for each.

[0043] If the price of the product is not evenly divisible and a fractional amount is generated, the fractional amount is allocated to, for example, the first registered user A. The user to whom the fractional amount is allocated may be the first registered user, or a randomly determined user. Also, when registering users in a group, a representative may be registered and the fractional amount may be allocated to that representative, or each time a fractional amount is generated, users may be queried to determine the user to allocate the fractional amount to.

[0044] Furthermore, when splitting the bill among all registered users, in addition to the method of selecting the user boxes 73 of all users, the all box 74 may be operated. By operating the all box 74, all registered users are selected.

[0045] Next, we will explain how to make a payment. When the product selection screen 63 is displayed on the tablet terminal 2, the user can operate the checkout box 71. When the checkout box 71 is operated, the tablet terminal 2 displays a checkout screen 65 as shown in Figure 9 and accepts operations by the user. The checkout screen 65 is displayed in the main area 6, and when the checkout screen 65 is displayed, the menu box 7 is switched to a display that does not allow payments to be accepted.

[0046] If an order is placed for a product for which no payee has been selected, the tablet terminal 2 displays a screen for accepting the selection of a payee, and accepts the selection of a payee for each product for which no payee has been selected, before displaying the checkout screen 65. Then, once a payee has been selected for all orders, the tablet terminal 2 displays the checkout screen 65.

[0047] The accounting screen 65 includes the table number, the payment amount for each registered user, the total payment amount for all users, a "Yes" button 651, and a "Back" button 652. The payment amount for each registered user is displayed with the user name and avatar set for each user, and a details button 653 is also displayed.

[0048] Each time an order is received, the tablet terminal 2 creates an order history record 224 indicating the order details and stores it in the memory 22. Specifically, the tablet terminal 2 has a database 225 as shown in FIG. 11. The order history record 224 is registered in the database 225. The order history record 224 is information in which the payee, order time, product name, quantity, and amount are associated with each other. When there are multiple payees, one order history record 224 is associated with the multiple orderers and further with each orderer's share of the payment. Note that the order history record 224 (database 225) may not be stored in the memory 22 of the tablet terminal 2, but may also be stored in, for example, the server 4. In this case, the order history record 224 (database 225) is associated with a table number and stored in the server 4.

[0049] When the checkout box 71 is operated, the tablet terminal 2 calculates the total amount for each user and the total amount for all users based on the order history records 224 registered in the database 225, and writes each calculated amount to the database 225. The calculation results are then displayed on the checkout screen 65.

[0050] Furthermore, when the details button 653 associated with user A is operated on the accounting screen 65, the tablet terminal 2 displays an individual accounting screen 66 as shown in Figure 10 and accepts operations by the user. The individual accounting screen 66 is displayed in the main area 6.

[0051] The individual accounting screen 66 includes the username and avatar of the user associated with the operated details button 653, the items ordered by the user and the price of each item, the total price, a "Back" button 661, and a transition button 662.

[0052] When displaying the individual accounting screen 66, the tablet terminal 2 reads from the database 225 the order history record 224 in which the user corresponding to the operated details button 653 is the person to be paid, displays the ordered items and the price of each item in chronological order of the orders, and also displays the total price of the items ordered by that user.

[0053] Furthermore, when the "Back" button 661 is operated on the individual accounting screen 66, the screen in the main area 6 returns to the accounting screen 65. On the other hand, when the transition button 662 is operated, the tablet terminal 2 displays the individual accounting screen 66 for another user. For example, when the individual accounting screen 66 for user A is displayed and the transition button 662 is operated, the individual accounting screen 66 for user B or user C is displayed.

[0054] Furthermore, when the "Yes" button 651 is operated on the checkout screen 65, the tablet terminal 2 instructs the server 4 to settle the bill and displays an end screen 67 as shown in FIG. 12. The end screen 67 is displayed in the main area 6. The end screen 67 consists of only a message and does not accept any user operations. On the other hand, when the "Back" button 652 is operated on the checkout screen 65, the screen in the main area 6 returns to the product selection screen 63.

[0055] Note that even after completing user registration on the user registration screen 62 displayed immediately after selecting individual checkout on the start screen 61, the tablet terminal 2 allows for user registration by operating the user registration box 72. Therefore, it is possible to register additional users even after placing an order, and for subsequent orders, the additionally registered user can be selected as the payee. For example, on the user registration screen 62 displayed immediately after selecting individual checkout, if users A and B are registered and order products, and then user C joins the table, if user C is newly registered, user C can be selected as the payee for subsequent orders, and an order history record 224 can be created with user C as the payee. Then, at checkout, checkout can be performed for each user registered at the time the checkout box 71 is operated.

[0056] Next, the processing flow of each device in the self-ordering system 100 will be explained using the sequence diagram in Figure 13. The following sequence will be explained assuming that the user has selected individual accounting. The processing of the tablet terminal 2 in this sequence is mainly processing that the order program 221 causes the tablet terminal 2 to execute.

[0057] First, the server 4 transmits product information 223 to each tablet terminal 2 in the store 1 (S01). The timing for transmitting the product information 223 may be regular timing such as opening time, or any timing when it is necessary to update the menu. Alternatively, the tablet terminal 2 may request the server 4 to transmit the product information 223 when it is started up.

[0058] When the tablet terminal 2 receives the product information 223, it stores the received product information 223 and determines the product details to be displayed in the menu field 632 (S02). After determining the product details to be displayed in the menu field 632, the tablet terminal 2 displays the start screen 61 and goes into standby mode.

[0059] When a user enters store 1 and sits at a designated table, the user operates tablet terminal 2. First, the user selects a payment method from start screen 61 (S11). In this sequence, it is assumed that the user selects individual payment.

[0060] In response to the selection of the payment method, the tablet terminal 2 notifies the server 4 of the payment method and table number (S12). The server 4 stores table information, which is information for each table, and upon receiving the table number etc., updates the table information corresponding to the received table number (S13). Specifically, information indicating that the table is in use is written to the table information corresponding to the table number for which the payment method was selected. By having the server 4 manage the table information, the staff at the store 1 can know via the server 4 that the user is seated at that table.

[0061] When the user selects a payment method, the tablet terminal 2 displays a user registration screen 62 (S14). The user then enters information such as their name and avatar on the user registration screen 62 (S15). When the confirm button 624 is pressed, the tablet terminal 2 registers the user by storing user information 222 based on the entered information in memory 22 (S16). Multiple users can be registered for one tablet terminal 2, and if multiple users are seated at a given table, for example, the tablet terminal 2 will accept registration for each user. Note that users who require user registration are those who will be the subject of payment; user registration is not required for users who will not be the subject of payment. S14 and S16 are an example of the user registration process.

[0062] Once user registration is complete, the tablet terminal 2 displays the product selection screen 63 and accepts product and user selection, as well as an order (S20). S20 is an example of product selection processing, user selection processing, and order processing. The user then selects a product and a payee from the product selection screen 63 (S21) and places an order by operating the order button 637 (S22). Upon accepting the order, the tablet terminal 2 creates an order history record 224 corresponding to the order and updates the database 225 (S23). S23 is an example of storage processing. Furthermore, upon accepting the order, the tablet terminal 2 displays a thank you screen 64 corresponding to the order and notifies the user of the order details (S24).

[0063] Furthermore, when the tablet terminal 2 receives an order, it creates order data indicating the order details and transmits the order data to the server 4 (S25). S25 is an example of order processing. Then, based on the order data, the server 4 transmits an order instruction for the product to the order output machine 5 of the department that can provide the product indicated in the order data (S26).

[0064] The order output device 5 that has received the order instruction outputs the order details (S27). The output format may be, for example, printing or displaying. For example, kitchen staff may look at the output content and prepare and serve the ordered items.

[0065] When the user has finished placing all orders and operates the checkout box 71, the tablet terminal 2 executes the payment calculation process (S30). In the payment calculation process, as shown in FIG. 14, it is determined whether individual payment has been selected (S301).

[0066] If individual payment is selected (S301: YES), the tablet terminal 2 refers to the database 225 and determines whether there are any orders for which a payee has not been selected (S302). If there are any orders for which a payee has not been selected (S302: YES), the tablet terminal 2 displays a screen for accepting the selection of a payee on the touch panel 23, and accepts the selection of a payee for each order for which a payee has not been selected (S303).

[0067] If the payee has been determined for all orders in S303, or if there are no orders for which the payee has not been selected (S302: NO), the tablet terminal 2 refers to the database 225 and calculates the settlement amount for each registered user (S304). On the other hand, if individual accounting has not been selected, i.e., if regular accounting has been selected (S301: NO), the tablet terminal 2 calculates the total settlement amount for all orders (S305).

[0068] After S304 or S305, the tablet terminal 2 displays the accounting screen 65 on which the calculated settlement amount is written (S306), and ends the settlement amount calculation process. S306 is an example of the settlement amount display process.

[0069] The user then operates the "Yes" button 651 on the checkout screen 65 to input a checkout instruction into the tablet terminal 2 (S31). When the tablet terminal 2 accepts the checkout instruction, it creates checkout data that contains the checkout amount for each user calculated in S304, associates the created checkout data with the table number, and sends it to the server 4 (S32). The checkout data includes the order details and checkout amount for each user. S304 and S32 are an example of checkout processing.

[0070] Furthermore, after transmitting the settlement data to the server 4, the tablet terminal 2 displays an end screen 67 to notify the user that use of the tablet terminal 2 has ended (S33). After transmitting the settlement data to the server 4, the tablet terminal 2 resets the memory 22 by erasing the information entered after selecting the payment method in S11 (S34). Specifically, the order history record 224 and the user information 222 are erased.

[0071] On the other hand, when the server 4 receives the settlement data, it associates the settlement data with the table number and transmits it to the settlement machine 3 (S35). This makes it possible to settle the bill for that table number at the settlement machine 3.

[0072] The user then proceeds to the payment machine 3, inputs their table number, and performs operations on the payment machine 3 to settle their payment (S41). The payment machine 3 displays the settlement amount for each user based on the settlement data received from the server 4, and executes the settlement process based on operations from the user (S42). Note that all payments may be self-checkout by user operation at the payment machine 3, or manual checkout where the payment is accepted by a staff member of the store 1.

[0073] When all users have completed their payments, the payment machine 3 associates a payment completion notification with the table number and sends it to the server 4 (S43). When the server 4 receives the payment completion notification, it updates the table information (S44). Specifically, it writes information indicating non-use into the table information corresponding to the table number associated with the payment completion notification. By the server 4 updating the table information, the store staff at the store 1 can know via the server 4 that no users are seated at that table.

[0074] If regular payment is selected, the user registration processes from S14 to S16 are not performed, and the tablet terminal 2 displays the product selection screen 63 (S20). At this time, the tablet terminal 2 accepts the selection of a product, but does not accept the selection of a payee. Furthermore, when creating the order history record 224, payment data is created in which the payment amount calculated in S305 is written. However, the payment data does not include the information on the payee that would be written in the case of individual payment.

[0075] As explained in detail above, according to the tablet terminal 2 of this embodiment, one tablet terminal 2 can be used by a group of multiple users, and the tablet terminal 2 allows the user to select a payee for each product, and stores an order history record 224 that associates the product with the payee in accordance with the order in the memory 22. Then, at the time of payment, payment can be made for each user based on the order history record 224, so that individual payments are possible even when ordering as a group, increasing the flexibility of payment.

[0076] It should be noted that the present embodiment is merely an example and does not limit the present invention in any way. Therefore, the present invention can naturally be improved and modified in various ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, in the embodiment, the self-order terminal of the present invention is applied to a tablet terminal, but it is not limited to a tablet terminal and may also be a desktop computer.

[0077] Furthermore, in the embodiment, the user information 222 and the order history record 224 are stored in the memory 22 of the tablet terminal 2, but this information may also be transmitted from the tablet terminal 2 to the server 4 and stored in the server 4. In other words, the self-ordering terminal that realizes the present invention is not limited to the tablet terminal 2 alone, but may be realized by multiple devices including the tablet terminal 2.

[0078] Furthermore, in the embodiment, when registering a user on the tablet terminal 2, the input of user information is accepted by screen operations on the user registration screen 62 displayed on the touch panel 23, but the input of user information is not limited to screen operations and may also be input by, for example, analyzing an image taken with a camera or reading an IC chip or code image.

[0079] Furthermore, in the embodiment, user registration is accepted by operating the tablet terminal 2. However, a user registration machine may be provided in the store 1 separately from the tablet terminal 2, and the user registration machine may display a screen equivalent to the user registration screen 62 to accept input of user information. The accepted user information may then be transmitted to the tablet terminal 2, thereby storing the user information in the tablet terminal 2. In this case, the user registration machine may also accept input of a table number and transmit the user information to the tablet terminal 2 corresponding to the accepted table number. In this way, the tablet terminal 2 may also accept user registration from an external device via the communication interface 24. If the tablet terminal 2 has already stored user information 222 when the individual checkout button 611 is operated, the tablet terminal 2 may not display the user registration screen 62 but may instead transition to the product selection screen 63 and display the user box 73 based on the user information 222.

[0080] Furthermore, in the embodiment, an order can be placed even when a payee has not been selected, but an arrangement may also be made in which an order cannot be placed when a payee has not been selected, i.e., the order button 637 is inoperable. Alternatively, if the order button 637 is operated when a payee has not been selected, a warning may be displayed or the order may be canceled. In this case, a payee is selected for all orders at the time of checkout, so there is no need to select a payee at the time of checkout.

[0081] In the embodiment, when multiple users order one product, the payment is split among the multiple users, i.e., the payment ratios are equalized, but it is also possible to accept input of the payment ratio for each selected user and determine the settlement amount for each user based on the input payment ratio. Also, a button for randomly determining the user who will pay may be provided, and the tablet terminal 2 may be given the function of determining one of the selected users as the person to pay.

[0082] Furthermore, in the embodiment, when a payment instruction is input to the tablet terminal 2 by operating the "Yes" button 651 on the payment screen 65, the tablet terminal 2 associates the payment data with the table number and sends it to the server 4, but the contents of the payment data may also be printed on a printer attached to the table. The printed matter may include the payment amount for each user, or a two-dimensional code that stores the payment amount. In this case, the user takes the printed matter to the register to make the payment.

[0083] In addition, in the embodiment, settlement is performed using the settlement machine 3, but if the tablet terminal 2 has a settlement function, for example, a code payment function, settlement data may not be sent to the server 4, and settlement may be performed for each user using the code payment function, etc.

[0084] Furthermore, in any flowchart disclosed in the embodiments, the execution order of multiple processes in any multiple steps can be changed or they can be executed in parallel as long as no contradiction occurs in the processing content.

[0085] The processes disclosed in the embodiments may be executed by hardware such as a single CPU, multiple CPUs, or ASIC, or a combination thereof. The processes disclosed in the embodiments may be realized in various ways, such as a recording medium on which a program for executing the processes is recorded, or a method. [Explanation of symbols]

[0086] 2. Tablet devices 3 Payment machine 4 Server 23 Touch Panel 221 Order Program

Claims

1. A self-order terminal equipped with an input device and capable of ordering in a group of multiple users, The self-order terminal includes: a user registration process in which multiple users from the group who are to make a transaction can be registered, and user information for each user who is to make a transaction is input via the input device, and the user who inputs the user information is registered; a product selection process for accepting, via the input device, a selection of a product to be ordered from among products that can be ordered; a user selection process for accepting, via the input device, a selection of a user to be paid from among registered users for each selected product; an ordering process for receiving an order for the selected product via the input device and outputting order information for the selected product; a storage process for storing order history information that associates product information indicating the ordered product with information on the user selected as the person to pay for the product; a transaction process that receives transaction instructions for the items ordered by the group via the input device and creates transaction information for each registered user using the stored order history information; It is possible to A self-order terminal characterized by the above.

2. 2. The self-order terminal according to claim 1, In the user selection process, For the selected product, it is possible to select multiple users to be the payment target from among the registered users, The storage process includes: When multiple users to be paid for are selected, the order history information is stored, which associates information indicating the ordered product, information on the multiple users who will purchase the product, and the payment burden ratio for each user to be paid for the product. A self-order terminal characterized by the above.

3. 3. The self-order terminal according to claim 2, If multiple users are selected as payment recipients, the payment burden will be equal for each user. A self-order terminal characterized by the above.

4. A program executable by an information processing device to enable ordering by a group of multiple users, The information processing device includes: a user registration process in which multiple users from the group who are to make a transaction can be registered, and user information for each user who is to make a transaction is input via an input device of the information processing device, and the user who inputs the user information is registered; a product selection process for accepting, via the input device, a selection of a product to be ordered from among products that can be ordered; a user selection process for accepting, via the input device, a selection of a user to be paid from among registered users for each selected product; an ordering process for receiving an order for the selected product via the input device and outputting order information for the selected product; a storage process for storing order history information that associates product information indicating the ordered product with information on the user selected as the person to pay for the product; a checkout process that receives, via the input device, a checkout instruction for the items ordered by the group, and creates checkout data indicating the settlement amount for each registered user using the stored order history information; Make it executable, A program characterized by:

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