Delivery system, delivery method, and delivery program

Abstract

To provide a delivery system, a delivery method, and a delivery program configured to specify a delivery destination based on order information.SOLUTION: A delivery system includes a kitchen area in which a commodity is cooked, a customer seat area in which seats for customers are arranged, and a standby area in which an unmanned vehicle stands by. The system includes: a receiving unit which receives order information including information on a commodity ordered by a customer and the number of a seat on which the customer is seated; a display unit which receives an instruction to deliver the commodity for commodity delivery; a display control unit which controls the display unit so as to display the commodity based on the order information received by the receiving unit; and a delivery control unit which transmits the order information to the unmanned vehicle when the commodity is mounted on the unmanned vehicle as the cooking of the commodity displayed on the display unit ends, and the instruction to deliver the commodity is issued on the display unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a transport system, a transport method, and a transport program. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is a system for delivering food from a kitchen to a table. The system includes a rail section that is placed between the kitchen and the top of the table, and a rack that runs along the rail section. When the rack is positioned above a pre-designated table, it descends toward the table (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-095381 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The system described in Patent Document 1 does not describe how to identify the table to which the rack is directed.

[0005] The present disclosure provides a transportation system, a transportation method, and a transportation program that identify a destination based on order information. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One embodiment of the conveying system comprises a kitchen area where products are cooked, a seating area where multiple customers are seated, and a waiting area between the kitchen area and the seating area where automated guided vehicles wait. The conveying system also comprises a reception unit that receives order information including information on the products ordered by customers and the seat numbers at which the customers will be seated, a display unit that receives product delivery instructions when the products are to be delivered, a display control unit that controls the display unit to display products based on the order information received by the reception unit, and a conveying control unit that places the product displayed on the display unit on the automated guided vehicle when cooking of the product is completed, and transmits the order information to the automated guided vehicle when an instruction to deliver the product is given on the display unit.When the order information is transmitted, the automated guided vehicle transports the cooked product to the seat corresponding to the number included in the order information. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The transport system, transport method, and transport program of the present disclosure can identify the destination of delivery based on order information. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a kitchen area, a seating area, and a waiting area according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a waiting area according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an information processing device according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining an automated guided vehicle according to an embodiment. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a transport method according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] An embodiment will be described below.

[0010] [Transport System 1 Overview] First, an overview of a transport system 1 according to an embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a kitchen area 11, a seating area 12, and a waiting area 13 according to one embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the waiting area 13 according to one embodiment.

[0011] The conveyance system 1 is a system that conveys cooked food to customer seats 400 in a restaurant or the like, for example. The restaurant includes, for example, a kitchen area 11, a seating area 12, and a waiting area 13.

[0012] The kitchen area 11 is an area where products are cooked. The kitchen area 11 is an area equipped with cooking equipment 300 and the like that cooks the products (dishes) served at the restaurant. Examples of the cooking equipment 300 may include various equipment such as a stove (a heating appliance that uses electricity, gaseous fuel, etc. to heat and cook food), a fryer, a griddle, a boiler, and a microwave oven.

[0013] The seating area 12 is an area where seats for multiple customers are arranged. In other words, the seating area 12 is an area where multiple seats 400 are arranged. The seats 400 may be, for example, seats and tables where customers sit to receive products (food). The seats 400 may also be arranged as booth seats or counter seats. Each of the seats 400 may be equipped with an order terminal 401 for customers to place orders.

[0014] The waiting area 13 is located between the kitchen area 11 and the customer seating area 12, and is an area where the automated guided vehicle 200 waits. The waiting area 13 is an area that forms the boundary between the kitchen area 11 and the customer seating area 12. The waiting area 13 may have an entrance 13a and an exit 13b for the automated guided vehicle 200. There may be multiple automated guided vehicles 200. It is also possible to grasp where each automated guided vehicle 200 is located in the waiting area 13 and the passenger seating area 12. In the waiting area 13, multiple automated guided vehicles 200 may wait in a single file, or multiple files may wait.

[0015] The automated guided vehicle 200 travels (waits) in one direction from the entrance 13a of the waiting area 13 to the exit 13b. The movement, stopping, etc. of the automated guided vehicle 200 may be controlled based on a vehicle control unit 210 (see FIG. 4) mounted on the automated guided vehicle 200 itself, or may be remotely controlled based on control of an information processing device 100 (control unit 110) (see FIG. 1) described later. When the automated guided vehicle 200 is to transport a product (food), once the product (food) is placed on the automated guided vehicle 200, the automated guided vehicle 200 may drive itself (determine a driving route by itself) to the customer seat 400 to which the product (food) is to be transported, and transport the product (food) by referring to correspondence information (first correspondence information) that associates the waiting area 13 (such as the positions of the entrance 13a and exit 13b of the waiting area 13), the position of the customer seating area 12, the arrangement (positions) of customer seats 400 in the customer seating area 12, and the numbers (table numbers) assigned to the customer seats 400. The first correspondence information may further be information that associates a customer seat 400 (table number), a travel route of the automated guided vehicle 200 from the exit 13b of the waiting area 13 to the customer seat 400 (table number), and a travel route of the automated guided vehicle 200 from the customer seat 400 (table number) to the entrance 13a of the waiting area 13. In this case, the automated guided vehicle 200 may transport the product (food) according to the travel route specified in the first correspondence information.

[0016] The automated guided vehicles 200 may autonomously form a queue and wait in the waiting area 13 by communicating with other automated guided vehicles 200 under the control of a vehicle control unit 210 installed in the automated guided vehicles 200. Alternatively, the automated guided vehicles 200 may form a queue and wait in the waiting area 13 under the control of an information processing device 100 (control unit 110) described below, which communicates with multiple automated guided vehicles 200.

[0017] In this case, the automated guided vehicle 200 can determine whether it is waiting at the front 201 of the waiting area 13 (line) based on the control of the vehicle control unit 210. Alternatively, the information processing device 100 (control unit 110) can determine which automated guided vehicle 200 is waiting at the front 201 of the waiting area 13 (line) and which automated guided vehicle 200 is waiting at the rear 202 of the line. In other words, the conveyance system 1 can determine the order of the multiple automated guided vehicles 200 waiting in the waiting area 13 (the order in which they will convey products (food)).

[0018] Of the multiple automated guided vehicles 200, the automated guided vehicle 200 closest to the exit 13b of the waiting area 13 (the automated guided vehicle 200 waiting at the head 201 of the queue formed in the waiting area 13) may, for example, when a product (food) cooked in the kitchen area 11 is placed on it, refer to the response information (first response information), move from the exit 13b of the waiting area 13 to the customer seating area 12, and autonomously move to the customer seats 400 where the product is to be served. The automated guided vehicle 200 may, for example, stop moving when it arrives at the customer seat 400, and when the customer receives the product (food), refer to the response information (first response information), and autonomously move from the customer seating area 12 to the waiting area 13 through the entrance 13a of the waiting area 13. The automated guided vehicle 200 stops moving at the end 203 of the queue formed in the waiting area 13. In addition, the unmanned guided vehicle 200 or the information processing device 100 (control unit 110) may control its own vehicle (unmanned guided vehicle 200) so that the conveying speed (first conveying speed) (moving speed) when transporting the product (food) from the waiting area 13 to the customer seating area 12 is slower than the conveying speed (second conveying speed) (moving speed) when returning from the customer seating area 12 to the waiting area 13. The automatic guided vehicle 200 will be described in detail later.

[0019] The conveyance system 1 also includes an information processing device 100. The information processing device 100 may be a computer such as a server, a desktop, a laptop, a tablet, or a smartphone. Next, the information processing device 100 will be described.

[0020] [Details of the information processing device 100] Next, the information processing device 100 according to an embodiment will be described in detail. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an information processing device 100 according to an embodiment.

[0021] The information processing device 100 includes, for example, a communication unit 121, a storage unit 122, a display unit 123, and a control unit 110. The control unit 110 includes, for example, a reception unit 111, a display control unit 112, and a transport control unit 113. The control unit 110 may be configured, for example, by an arithmetic processing unit of the information processing device 100. The control unit 110 (for example, an arithmetic processing unit) may realize the functions of each unit (for example, the reception unit 111, the display control unit 112, and the transport control unit 113) by, for example, appropriately reading and executing various programs stored in the storage unit 122.

[0022] The communication unit 121 is, for example, a communication interface capable of transmitting and receiving various information to and from a device (external device) outside the information processing device 100. The external device here may be, for example, an automated guided vehicle 200 and a display terminal (order terminal 401).

[0023] The storage unit 122 may store, for example, various information and programs. Examples of the storage unit 122 may be a memory, a solid state drive, a hard disk drive, etc. Note that the storage unit 122 may be, for example, a storage area or a server on a cloud.

[0024] The display unit 123 is, for example, a display capable of displaying various characters, symbols, images, etc. There may be a plurality of display units 123.

[0025] The display unit 123 may be disposed, for example, in a position in the kitchen area 11 adjacent to the waiting area 13. The display unit 123 may have a touch panel function. The display unit 123 displays a product (finished dish) cooked in the kitchen area 11. When the cooked product (dish) is placed by an employee 500 (see FIG. 2 ) on an automated guided vehicle 200 waiting at the front 201 of the waiting area 13, the employee 500 selects the product (dish placed on the automated guided vehicle 200) displayed on the display unit 123 to instruct the automated guided vehicle 200 to transport the product. That is, the display unit 123 receives a product delivery instruction when the product (dish placed on the automated guided vehicle 200) is selected (when a designation button for delivery when the product is delivered (transported) by the automated guided vehicle 200 is operated). The display unit 123 displays a designation button for receiving a delivery instruction when the product is delivered. Note that product delivery instructions are not limited to being given by operating a designated button, and may be given using various methods and means.

[0026] The reception unit 111 receives order information from an order terminal 401 that receives orders for products from customers, for example, via the communication unit 121. The order information may include information on the products (dishes) (ordered products) that the customer desires to be served, input via the order terminal 401, and table number information that identifies the seat 400 (table number) at which the customer will be seated. In other words, the reception unit 111 receives order information that includes information on the products ordered by customers in the seating area 12 and the seat number at which the customer will be seated.

[0027] Order terminal 401 may be a terminal (employee terminal) operated by an employee of the restaurant, or may be a terminal (customer seat terminal) arranged at each of the plurality of customer seats 400 and operated by a customer. In this case, reception unit 111 may, for example, receive order information (customer orders for products) via a display terminal (customer seat terminal) with a touch panel arranged at each seat in customer seating area 12, or may receive order information (customer orders for products) via an employee terminal.

[0028] The display control unit 112 controls the display unit 123 to display a product based on the order information received by the reception unit 111. When the product is cooked in the kitchen area 11 based on the order information and completed (when cooking is finished), for example, when the completed product is designated by the employee 500, the display control unit 112 controls the display unit 123 to display the product. Alternatively, the display control unit 112 controls the display unit 123 to display the product based on the order information, and also controls the kitchen display unit 301 (see FIG. 1 ) arranged in the kitchen area 11 to display the product based on the order information.

[0029] As described above, when the display unit 123 receives a product delivery instruction, it transmits the product delivery instruction to the control unit 110 (for example, the transport control unit 113, etc.). When the cooking of a product displayed on the display unit 123 is completed and the product is placed on the display unit 123, and a product delivery instruction for the product is received via the display unit 123, the transport control unit 113 controls the automated guided vehicle 200 to transport the product. That is, the transport control unit 113 instructs the automated guided vehicle 200 to transport the completed product (the product selected on the display unit 123) to the customer seat 400 corresponding to the table number to which the product will be transported, based on the order information and response information (first response information). As an example, the transport control unit 113 transmits information on the customer seat 400 (table number) to which the product will be transported, and information on the product to be transported (product delivery instruction) (departure command) to the automated guided vehicle 200 via the communication unit 121. When the cooking of a product displayed on the display unit 123 is completed and the product is placed on the automated guided vehicle 200, and a product delivery instruction is received via the display unit 123, the transport control unit 113 may transmit order information to the automated guided vehicle 200.

[0030] [Automated Guided Vehicle 200] Next, the automatic guided vehicle 200 will be described. FIG. 4 is a block diagram for explaining an automatic guided vehicle 200 according to an embodiment.

[0031] The automated guided vehicle 200 includes a vehicle communication unit 221 , a vehicle display unit 222 , and a vehicle control unit 210 .

[0032] The vehicle communication unit 221 is, for example, a communication interface capable of transmitting and receiving various information to and from devices (external devices) outside the automatic guided vehicle 200. The external devices here may be, for example, the information processing device 100, a display terminal (order terminal 401), and other automatic guided vehicles 200 different from the automatic guided vehicle itself.

[0033] The vehicle display unit 222 is a display that can display, for example, various characters, symbols, images, etc. That is, the vehicle display unit 222 displays various contents under the control of the vehicle control unit 210.

[0034] The vehicle control unit 210 controls the automated guided vehicle 200. The vehicle control unit 210 controls, for example, the running and stopping of the automated guided vehicle 200, the transport of goods by the automated guided vehicle 200 in response to a goods delivery instruction (departure command), the movement of the automated guided vehicle 200 between the waiting area 13 and the customer seating area 12, and the lining up in the waiting area 13.

[0035] When order information is transmitted, the automated guided vehicle 200 transports the cooked product to the seat with the number included in the order information based on that number. When the automated guided vehicle 200 is instructed by the transport control unit 113 to transport the product (when a departure command is received via the vehicle communication unit 221), it transports the product (food) to the customer seat 400. In other words, when the automated guided vehicle 200 places the product displayed on the display unit 123 upon completion of cooking the product, and receives a product delivery instruction via the display unit 123, it moves to the seat (customer seat 400) with the number (table number) based on the number (table number information) and correspondence information (first correspondence information) included in the order information and transports the cooked product (finished product).

[0036] When multiple automated guided vehicles 200 are waiting in the waiting area 13, the automated guided vehicle 200 that is closest to the exit 13b of the waiting area 13 receives the cooked food. That is, the multiple automated guided vehicles 200 form a line and wait in the waiting area 13. For this reason, the employee 500 places the cooked food on the automated guided vehicle 200 waiting at the front 201 of the line. Each of the multiple automated guided vehicles 200 may be able to, for example, communicate with other vehicles (automated guided vehicles 200 other than itself) and determine where it is located, where the other vehicles are located, and whether it is waiting at the front 201 of the line in the waiting area 13 or at the rear 202 of the line by referring to its own position (position information) and correspondence information (first correspondence information).

[0037] For this reason, the automated guided vehicle 200 (one automated guided vehicle 200) can recognize that it is waiting at the front 201 of a line formed in the waiting area 13, that is, it is one of the vehicles at the front 201 when waiting in a line, or one of the vehicles waiting in multiple lines (one of the multiple lines combined), and can recognize that a product delivery instruction sent from the information processing device 100 (e.g., the transport control unit 113, etc.) is for itself, and can assume that the product for which the product delivery instruction was made has already been placed on itself, and can start transporting the product to a customer seat 400 based on the order information and correspondence information (first correspondence information). In other words, the automated guided vehicle 200 can identify the position of the seat (customer seat 400) corresponding to the number (table number information) by referring to the correspondence information (first correspondence information) that associates the number (table number) of the seat (customer seat 400) with the position of the seat (customer seat 400) in the seating area 12, and can start transporting the cooked product based on the product delivery instruction.

[0038] The unmanned guided vehicle 200 can set its running speed in multiple stages, and by referring to correspondence information (second correspondence information) that associates each of multiple products with the running speed of the unmanned guided vehicle 200, it can travel at a running speed that corresponds to the product when transporting cooked products. For example, when transporting relatively low products such as pasta and pizza, the products are less likely to tip over or collapse compared to when transporting relatively high products such as drinks and parfaits. For this reason, for example, the travel speed of the automated guided vehicle 200 when transporting products may be changed depending on whether the products are less likely to tip over or collapse during transport, the height of the products, etc. That is, in a case where the product is unlikely to tip over or collapse during transport, or where the height of the product is relatively low (first case), the travel speed of the automated guided vehicle 200 may be set to be relatively fast. Also, in a case where the product is likely to tip over or collapse during transport, or where the height of the product is relatively high (second case), the travel speed of the automated guided vehicle 200 may be set to be relatively slow. In other words, in the first case described above, the travel speed of the automated guided vehicle 200 may be set to be faster than in the second case described above. The travel speed may be set for each product, and the association between the product and the travel speed may be recorded in the second association information.

[0039] When the unmanned guided vehicle 200 receives a product delivery instruction, it may refer to the second response information to determine a travel speed corresponding to the product for which the product delivery instruction was received, and move from the waiting area 13 to the customer seats 400 at the determined travel speed.

[0040] When the automated guided vehicle 200 carrying the cooked product arrives at the destination seat (customer seat 400), the automated guided vehicle 200 may be controlled to display a message indicating that the product has arrived on a display terminal (ordering terminal 401) arranged at the destination seat (customer seat 400). The automated guided vehicle 200 may be capable of wireless communication with the display terminal (ordering terminal 401) via the vehicle communication unit 221. When the automated guided vehicle 200 arrives at and stops at a customer seat 400, it may transmit an arrival signal to the display terminal (ordering terminal 401) arranged at that customer seat 400. As an example, the automated guided vehicle 200 may identify the display terminal (ordering terminal 401) based on the table number of the customer seat 400 (or the identification information of the ordering terminal 401), and transmit an arrival signal to the display terminal (the display terminal on which the identification information is recorded) corresponding to the table number specified in the product delivery instruction. The identification information of the display terminal (ordering terminal 401) may be recorded, for example, in the order information. When the display terminal (order terminal 401) receives the arrival signal, it displays an output that indicates that the product has arrived, which is associated with the arrival signal in advance, i.e., displays characters, symbols, images, etc., indicating that the product has arrived, and may also output a sound or voice from a speaker (not shown) indicating that the product has arrived. This allows the display terminal (order terminal 401) to notify the customer of the arrival of the automatic guided vehicle 200, even if the customer cannot see the arrival of the automatic guided vehicle 200, for example, if the customer seat 400 is a counter seat.

[0041] The automated guided vehicle 200 may be equipped with a vehicle display unit (vehicle display unit 222) that displays content related to a cooked product when the cooked product is being delivered. The automated guided vehicle 200 stores information (third correspondence information) that associates the product with content related to the product (e.g., characters, symbols, images, etc., as well as sounds and voices, etc.). The content related to the product may be content advertising the product, various benefits that can be obtained by ordering the product, information about the origins of the ingredients used in the product, or various other content related to the product. The automated guided vehicle 200 identifies content related to the product based on the product specified in the product delivery instruction (the product to be delivered to the customer seat 400) and outputs the identified content when the product is delivered to the customer seat 400. For example, the automated guided vehicle 200 may display the identified content (e.g., characters, symbols, images, etc.) on the vehicle display unit 222 and output the identified content (e.g., sounds and voices, etc.) from a speaker (not shown) provided in the automated guided vehicle 200.

[0042] When the automated guided vehicle 200 has finished transporting the goods, it may pass through the entrance 13a of the waiting area 13 and move to the end 203 of the multiple automated guided vehicles 200 waiting in the waiting area 13. The automated guided vehicle 200 is able to determine its own position in the waiting area 13 and the customer seating area 12. Furthermore, as described above, the automated guided vehicle 200 communicates with other vehicles and refers to its own position (position information) and correspondence information (first correspondence information), thereby being able to determine where it is, where the other vehicles are, and whether it will wait at the front 201 of the line in the waiting area 13 or at the rear 202 of the line. Therefore, when the automated guided vehicle 200 moves from the customer seating area 12 to the waiting area 13, it can pass through the entrance 13a of the waiting area 13 and move to the end 203 of the waiting line formed in the waiting area 13 and stop there.

[0043] [Transportation method] Next, a transport method according to an embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a transport method according to an embodiment.

[0044] In step ST101, the display terminal (order terminal 401) accepts a customer's order for a product. The display terminal (order terminal 401) generates order information in response to the acceptance of the product order and transmits it to the information processing device 100 (e.g., the control unit 110, etc.). The order information may include, for example, information about the product ordered by the customer and the number (table number) of the seat 400 at which the customer will be seated.

[0045] In step ST102, the control unit 110 receives order information through the reception unit 111. That is, the reception unit 111 receives the order information including information on the products ordered by customers in the seating area 12 and the seat number at which the customers will be seated. The reception unit 111 may receive the order information (product orders by customers) through, for example, a display terminal (customer seat terminal) with a touch panel arranged at each seat in the seating area 12. The control unit 110 (for example, the display control unit 112, etc.) controls the display unit 123 and the kitchen display unit 301 to display the products based on the order information received by the reception unit 111.

[0046] In step ST103, the display unit 123 displays the product based on the order information under the control of the control unit 110 (for example, the display control unit 112, etc.) in step ST102.

[0047] In step ST104, when the product displayed in step ST103 is completed, i.e., cooking of the product is completed, and the product is placed on the unmanned guided vehicle 200 waiting at the front 201 of the waiting area 13, the display unit 123 accepts a product delivery instruction for the product to be displayed. When a plurality of automatic guided vehicles 200 are waiting in the waiting area 13, the automatic guided vehicle 200 that is closest to the exit 13b of the waiting area 13 among the plurality of automatic guided vehicles 200 receives the cooked food. When the display unit 123 receives the product delivery instruction, it transmits the product delivery instruction to the control unit 110 (for example, the transport control unit 113, etc.). The product delivery instruction may include information on the product that has been cooked based on the order information and the customer seat 400 (table number) that ordered the product.

[0048] In step ST105, upon receiving the product delivery information transmitted in step ST104, the control unit 110 (for example, the transport control unit 113, etc.) transmits a product delivery instruction (departure command) to the automated guided vehicle 200 on which the product is placed. The product delivery instruction (departure instruction) may include information on the product that has been cooked based on the order information (the product placed on the automated guided vehicle 200) and the customer seat 400 (table number) that ordered the product.

[0049] In step ST106, the automated guided vehicle 200 transports the placed product to a customer seat 400 (table number) based on the product delivery instruction in step ST105. That is, based on the number (table number information) and correspondence information (first correspondence information) included in the order information, the automated guided vehicle 200 moves to the seat (customer seat 400) with that number (table number) and delivers the cooked product. In other words, when the automated guided vehicle 200 receives a product delivery instruction (departure command), it may refer to the correspondence information (first correspondence information) that associates the number (table number) of the customer seat 400 with the position of the customer seat 400 within the customer seating area 12, thereby identifying the position (and travel route, etc.) of the customer seat 400 corresponding to the table number, and start delivering the cooked product. The unmanned guided vehicle 200 can set its running speed in multiple stages, and by referring to correspondence information (second correspondence information) that associates each of multiple products with the running speed of the unmanned guided vehicle 200, it can travel at a running speed that corresponds to the product when transporting cooked products.

[0050] In step ST107, the automatic guided vehicle 200 may display on the vehicle display unit 222 details related to the cooked product when transporting the cooked product.

[0051] In step ST108, when the automated guided vehicle 200 arrives at the customer seat 400 to which the product is to be delivered, the automated guided vehicle 200 may be controlled to display a message on a display terminal (order terminal 401) located at the customer seat 400 to indicate that the product has arrived. As an example, when the automated guided vehicle 200 arrives at and stops at a customer seat 400, it may transmit an arrival signal to a display terminal (order terminal 401) arranged at the customer seat 400. When the display terminal (order terminal 401) receives the arrival signal, it may output information that indicates that the product has arrived, which is associated in advance with the arrival signal, i.e., display characters, symbols, images, etc. indicating that the product has arrived, and may also output a sound or voice from a speaker indicating that the product has arrived.

[0052] When the transport of the product is completed in accordance with the processing of steps ST106 to ST108, the automatic guided vehicle 200 may pass through the entrance 13a of the waiting area 13 and move to the rearmost 203 of the multiple automatic guided vehicles 200 waiting in the waiting area 13.

[0053] [Functions and circuits] Next, the functions and circuits of the information processing device 100 will be described. Each unit of the information processing device 100 may be realized as a function of a computer's arithmetic processing unit, etc. That is, the reception unit 111, display control unit 112, and transport control unit 113 (control unit 110) of the information processing device 100 may be realized as a reception function, a display control function, and a transport control function (control function), respectively, by a computer's arithmetic processing unit, etc. The information processing program can cause a computer to realize each of the above-mentioned functions. The information processing program may be recorded on a computer-readable non-transitory storage medium, such as a memory, a solid-state drive, a hard disk drive, or an optical disk. The storage medium may also be referred to as a non-transitory computer-readable medium that stores the information processing program. The information processing program may also be transmitted online. Furthermore, as described above, each unit of the information processing device 100 may be realized by an arithmetic processing device of a computer or the like. The arithmetic processing device or the like is configured by, for example, an integrated circuit or the like. Therefore, each unit of the information processing device 100 may be realized as a circuit that constitutes the arithmetic processing device or the like. That is, the reception unit 111, display control unit 112, and transport control unit 113 (control unit 110) of the information processing device 100 may be realized as a reception circuit, a display control circuit, and a transport control circuit (control circuit) that constitute the arithmetic processing device of a computer or the like. Furthermore, the communication unit 121, the storage unit 122, and the display unit 123 (output unit) of the information processing device 100 may be realized as, for example, a communication function, a storage function, and a display function (output function) including the functions of an arithmetic processing device or the like. Furthermore, the communication unit 121, the storage unit 122, and the display unit 123 (output unit) of the information processing device 100 may be realized as, for example, a communication circuit, a storage circuit, and a display circuit (output circuit) by being configured using an integrated circuit or the like. Furthermore, the communication unit 121, the storage unit 122, and the display unit 123 (output unit) of the information processing device 100 may be realized as, for example, a communication device, a storage device, and a display device (output device) by being configured using a plurality of devices.

[0054] The transport system 1 can be configured by combining one or any combination of the above-described multiple units. In this disclosure, the term "information" is used, but the term "information" can be replaced with "data" and the term "data" can be replaced with "information."

[0055] [Aspects and Effects of the Present Embodiment] Next, one aspect of this embodiment and the effects of each aspect will be described. Note that each aspect described below is an example at the time of filing, and this embodiment is not limited to the aspects described below. In other words, this embodiment is not limited to the aspects described below, and may be realized by appropriately combining the above-mentioned parts. Furthermore, a lower-level aspect may be able to cite any of the higher-level aspects. The effects described below are merely examples, and the effects of each aspect are not limited to those described below. Each aspect may, for example, achieve at least one of the effects described below.

[0056] (Aspect 1) One embodiment of the conveying system comprises a kitchen area where products are cooked, a seating area where multiple customers are seated, and a waiting area between the kitchen area and the seating area where automated guided vehicles wait. The conveying system also comprises a reception unit that receives order information including information on the products ordered by customers and the seat numbers at which the customers will be seated, a display unit that receives product delivery instructions when the products are to be delivered, a display control unit that controls the display unit to display products based on the order information received by the reception unit, and a conveying control unit that places the product displayed on the display unit on the automated guided vehicle when cooking of the product is completed, and transmits the order information to the automated guided vehicle when an instruction to deliver the product is given on the display unit.When the order information is transmitted, the automated guided vehicle transports the cooked product to the seat corresponding to the number included in the order information. This allows the transport system to identify the destination based on the order information and transport the product to the customer's seat using an automated guided vehicle.

[0057] In the past, employees would input table numbers and other information into the automated guided vehicles, which would then transport the products. This required the placement of additional personnel in the waiting area to input table numbers and other information into the automated guided vehicles. In this regard, the conveyance system of this embodiment can send product conveyance instructions from an information processing device to an automated guided vehicle. That is, the conveyance system can instruct the automated guided vehicle to convey products from the kitchen area. This allows the conveyance system to link the information processing device (e.g., a display unit) with the automated guided vehicle, thereby improving the efficiency of product conveyance and reducing the number of people required for product conveyance.

[0058] (Aspect 2) In one embodiment of the conveying system, the display unit is located in a kitchen area adjacent to the waiting area, and the display unit may display a designated button for accepting delivery instructions when delivering products. This allows the transport system to receive a product delivery instruction via the designated button, for example, and to transport the product to the customer's seat using an automated guided vehicle based on the delivery instruction.

[0059] (Aspect 3) In one embodiment of the conveying system, there are multiple automated guided vehicles, and the waiting area has an entrance and exit for the automated guided vehicles.When multiple automated guided vehicles are waiting in the waiting area, the automated guided vehicle that is closest to the exit of the waiting area may receive the cooked products. This allows the transport system to identify one automated guided vehicle and transport goods more efficiently, even when there are multiple automated guided vehicles.

[0060] (Aspect 4) In one aspect of the transport system, when the automated guided vehicle has finished transporting the product, it may pass through an entrance to the waiting area and move to the rearmost position of multiple automated guided vehicles waiting in the waiting area. This allows the transport system to line up the automated guided vehicles in the waiting area and have them wait.

[0061] (Aspect 5) In one embodiment of the transportation system, the automated guided vehicle may identify the position of the seat corresponding to the number by referring to correspondence information that associates the seat number with the seat position within the customer seating area, and may begin transporting the cooked product based on a product delivery instruction. This allows the transport system to transport products as ordered by the customer.

[0062] (Aspect 6) In one embodiment of the transportation system, the reception unit receives order information via a display terminal with a touch panel placed at each seat in the customer seating area, and when the automated guided vehicle carrying the cooked product arrives at the destination seat, it may be controlled so that a message indicating that the product has arrived is displayed on the display terminal placed at the destination seat. As a result, although there may be cases where customers cannot see the arrival of the automated guided vehicle depending on the direction of the passenger seats, the transportation system can notify customers of the arrival of the automated guided vehicle by using a display terminal placed in the passenger seat.

[0063] (Aspect 7) In one embodiment of the conveying system, the travel speed of the automated guided vehicle can be set to multiple levels, and by referring to correspondence information that associates each of multiple products with the travel speed of the automated guided vehicle, the automated guided vehicle can travel at a travel speed that corresponds to the product when conveying cooked products. As a result, when transporting products that are relatively prone to toppling or crumbling, the conveying system slows down the traveling speed of the automated guided vehicle, thereby reducing the possibility of the products toppling or crumbling during transport. In other words, the conveying system can more reliably provide products to customers, thereby increasing customer satisfaction.

[0064] (Aspect 8) In one aspect of the transport system, the automated guided vehicle may be provided with a vehicle display unit that displays information related to the cooked product when the cooked product is being transported. As a result, the transport system can notify other customers who have not ordered the product, different from the customer who ordered the product, of the contents related to the product, thereby conveying the appeal of the product to other customers and providing them with an opportunity to order the product.

[0065] (Aspect 9) In one embodiment of the transportation method, a computer installed in a store having a kitchen area where products are cooked, a seating area where multiple customers are seated, and a waiting area between the kitchen area and the seating area where an automated guided vehicle waits, performs the following steps: a first reception step of receiving order information including information on the product ordered by the customer and the seat number where the customer will be seated; a display control step of controlling the display unit to display the product based on the order information received in the first reception step; a second reception step of receiving a product delivery instruction via the display unit when a product delivery designation button is operated; and a transportation step of placing the product displayed on the display unit on an automated guided vehicle when cooking of the product is completed, and, if a product delivery instruction is received by the display unit, transporting the cooked product to the seat with that number using the automated guided vehicle based on the number included in the order information. As a result, the transport method can achieve the same effects as the transport system of the above-described aspect.

[0066] (Aspect 10) One embodiment of the transportation program is implemented in a computer located in a store having a kitchen area where products are cooked, a seating area where multiple customers are seated, and a waiting area between the kitchen area and the seating area where automated guided vehicles wait, and includes the following functions: a first reception function that receives order information including information on the products ordered by the customers and the seat numbers where the customers will be seated; a display control function that controls the display unit to display the products based on the order information received by the first reception function; a second reception step that receives a product delivery instruction via the display unit when a product delivery designation button is operated; and a transportation control function that controls the automated guided vehicle to transport the cooked product to the seat with the number included in the order information based on the number included in the order information when the product delivery instruction is received by the display unit when the product displayed on the display unit is placed on the automated guided vehicle upon completion of cooking of the product. As a result, the transport program can achieve the same effect as the transport system of the above-described aspect. [Explanation of symbols]

[0067] 1. Transport system 11 Kitchen area 12 Seating area 13 Waiting Area 13a Entrance 13b Exit 100 Information processing device 110 control section 111 Reception 112 Display control unit 113 Transport control unit 121 Communications Department 122 Storage section 123 Display section 200 Automated Guided Vehicle 201 First (Automated Guided Vehicle at the head of the line) 202 Rear (automated guided vehicle at the back of the line) 203 End of line (end of line) 210 Vehicle control unit 221 Vehicle Communications Department 222 Vehicle display unit (transport vehicle display unit) 300 Cooking facilities 301 Kitchen display section 400 seats 401 Display terminal (order terminal) 500 employees

Claims

1. a kitchen area where products are cooked, a customer seating area where seats for multiple customers are arranged, and a waiting area located between the kitchen area and the customer seating area where automatic guided vehicles wait; a reception unit that receives order information including information on the product ordered by the customer and the seat number at which the customer will be seated; a display unit that receives product delivery instructions when delivering the product; a display control unit that controls the display unit to display products based on the order information received by the receiving unit; a transport control unit that, when cooking of the product displayed on the display unit is completed and the product is placed on an automated guided vehicle, and an instruction to deliver the product is given on the display unit, transmits the order information to the automated guided vehicle; When the order information is transmitted, the automated guided vehicle delivers the cooked food to the seat corresponding to the number included in the order information based on the number. Conveying system.

2. the display unit is disposed in the kitchen area adjacent to the waiting area, The display unit displays a designation button for accepting delivery instructions when delivering the product. The transport system according to claim 1 .

3. There are a plurality of the automated guided vehicles, the waiting area has an entrance and an exit for the automated guided vehicle; When a plurality of the automated guided vehicles are waiting in the waiting area, the automated guided vehicle closest to the exit of the waiting area receives the cooked food. The transport system according to claim 1 .

4. When the automated guided vehicle has finished transporting the product, it passes through the entrance of the waiting area and moves to the rearmost position of the multiple automated guided vehicles waiting in the waiting area. The transport system according to claim 3 .

5. The automated guided vehicle identifies the seat position corresponding to the number by referring to correspondence information that associates the seat number with the seat position within the customer seating area, and starts transporting the cooked product based on the product delivery instruction. The transport system according to claim 1 .

6. the reception unit receives order information via a display terminal with a touch panel arranged at each seat in the seating area, When the automated guided vehicle carrying the cooked food arrives at the seat of the destination, the display terminal arranged at the seat of the destination is controlled to display a message indicating that the food has arrived. The transport system according to claim 1 .

7. The automated guided vehicle is The running speed can be set in multiple stages, By referring to correspondence information that associates each of the plurality of products with the traveling speed of the automated guided vehicle, the automated guided vehicle travels at a traveling speed that corresponds to the product when transporting the cooked product. The transport system according to claim 1 .

8. The automated guided vehicle is equipped with a guided vehicle display unit that displays information related to the cooked product when the cooked product is being transported. The transport system according to claim 1 .

9. A computer is provided in a store that has a kitchen area where products are cooked, a customer seating area where seats for multiple customers are arranged, and a waiting area that is located between the kitchen area and the customer seating area and where an automated guided vehicle waits, a first receiving step of receiving order information including information on a product ordered by a customer and a seat number at which the customer will be seated; a display control step of controlling a display unit to display products based on the order information received in the first receiving step; a second receiving step of receiving a product delivery instruction via the display unit by operating a product delivery designation button; a transport step of transporting the cooked product displayed on the display unit to the seat corresponding to the number by the automated guided vehicle when the cooking of the product is completed and the display unit receives a product delivery instruction, based on the number included in the order information; A transportation method that performs the above.

10. A computer is provided in a store that has a kitchen area where products are cooked, a customer seating area where seats for multiple customers are arranged, and a waiting area that is located between the kitchen area and the customer seating area and where an automated guided vehicle waits, a first reception function for receiving order information including information on a product ordered by a customer and a seat number at which the customer will be seated; a display control function that controls a display unit to display products based on order information received by the first receiving function; a second receiving step of receiving a product delivery instruction via the display unit by operating a product delivery designation button; a transport control function that controls the automated guided vehicle to transport the cooked product to the seat with the number included in the order information when the product displayed on the display unit is placed on the automated guided vehicle after cooking is completed and a product delivery instruction is received by the display unit; and A transportation program that makes this possible.

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