Conveyance facility

Abstract

To provide a conveyance facility capable of checking an image of a commodity.SOLUTION: Arithmetic units 4 and 5 include identification means for storing commodity identification information set for each commodity F, actual commodity identification information given to each actual commodity S, and the correspondence between the commodity identification information and the actual commodity identification information, and identifying each of them, and can perform a determination process for determining that an actual commodity S corresponding to a commodity F displayed in one order terminal 5 exists on a circulation conveyance passage 20, and a notification process for indicating the presence of the actual commodity S to a customer seat with which the one order terminal 5 is associated based on the determination of the presence of the actual commodity S by the determination process.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a conveying facility that provides products to customers who have placed orders using a conveying path. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, there has been known a conveyance system that has a conveyance path for conveying food and beverages and that can deliver ordered food and beverages from a kitchen area to a customer area without the need for human intervention. Some of these conveyance systems are also known to be capable of receiving orders from an ordering terminal.

[0003] For example, in the delivery equipment of Patent Document 1, an order terminal is provided at each customer seat, and food and drink ordered from the order terminal can be delivered to the customer seat associated with the order terminal. Note that an information terminal such as a smartphone owned by the customer may also be used as the order terminal. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-75099 A (page 4, Figure 1) Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the conveyance equipment of Patent Document 1, customers can operate the ordering terminal and the kitchen can accept the order, which reduces the manpower and labor required to take orders. However, although images of the products are displayed on the ordering terminal, there is a problem in that it is difficult to get a concrete image of the product.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and has as its object to provide a conveying facility that allows the image of a product to be confirmed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, the conveying equipment of the present invention comprises: A conveyance facility having an order conveyance path that is provided from the kitchen side to the customer side and can convey products ordered from an order terminal associated with a customer seat to the customer seat, a circulating conveyance path that can circulate and convey a plurality of actual products; a calculation unit connected to the order terminal, The calculation unit has an identification means for storing product identification information set for each product, product identification information assigned to each of the actual products, and the correspondence between the product identification information and the actual product identification information, and for enabling each to be identified, and is characterized in that it is capable of performing a determination process for determining whether the actual product corresponding to the product displayed on one of the order terminals is present on the circulating conveying path, and a notification process for indicating the presence of the actual product to the customer seat associated with the one of the order terminals based on the determination of the presence of the actual product by the determination process. This feature allows customers to recognize that the actual product corresponding to the product displayed on the ordering terminal is in circulation, and encourages them to visually check it, thereby allowing them to confirm the product image.

[0008] In the notification process, the control unit causes one of the ordering terminals to display a predetermined notification display corresponding to the product displayed on that ordering terminal. According to this feature, a predetermined notification display corresponding to the product is displayed together with the product displayed on the ordering terminal, making it easy to recognize that the actual product corresponding to the product is in circulation.

[0009] The calculation unit manages the position information of the actual product on the circulating conveying path and the position information of the ordering terminal, and in the notification process indicates that the actual product corresponding to the product displayed on one of the ordering terminals has approached the customer seat to which the ordering terminal is associated. This feature makes it easier to draw attention to the actual product.

[0010] The control unit is characterized in that, in the notification process, it causes one of the ordering terminals to display the time until the actual product corresponding to the product displayed on that ordering terminal arrives near the customer seat associated with that ordering terminal. This feature allows the user to recognize that the actual product is approaching.

[0011] The control unit is characterized in that, in the notification process, it causes the one ordering terminal to display an indication of the position of the actual product corresponding to the product displayed on that ordering terminal. This allows the position of the actual product to be recognized.

[0012] The ordering terminal is characterized in that it can simultaneously display a menu screen from which a product can be selected and a notification screen resulting from the notification process. This feature allows users to check whether the actual product they want to check is on the circulation path while viewing and ordering products using the ordering terminal.

[0013] A reading device is disposed along the circulating conveying path, The actual commodity identification information can be read by the reading device from a tag attached to the actual commodity, The calculation unit manages the actual product identification information of the tag by associating it with the reading time at which the tag's actual product identification information is read by the reading device, and determines that the actual product to which the actual product identification information is assigned has moved outside the circulating conveying path based on the fact that the tag's actual product identification information has not been read by the reading device within a predetermined time since the reading time to which the tag's actual product identification information is associated. This feature simplifies management of whether or not the actual product is on the circulation path.

[0014] The calculation unit is characterized in that it determines that the actual product to which the actual product identification information of the tag is attached has moved outside the circulating conveying path based on the fact that the actual product identification information of the tag has not been read again by the reading device at the terminal position within the predetermined time since the reading time when the actual product identification information of the tag was read by the reading device at the starting position. This feature simplifies the process of reflecting changes in products and samples. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a plan view showing a conveying facility according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the order conveying device. [Figure 3] 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 1. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a required time table. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a circulation table. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the display content of the information terminal. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a notification screen display process. [Figure 8] 10 is a diagram illustrating the display content of the information terminal when an order screen is displayed in the menu area. FIG. [Figure 9] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the display contents of the information terminal when another menu screen is displayed in the menu area. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a product table of the conveying facility according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a menu screen display process in the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A mode for carrying out a conveying facility according to the present invention will be described below based on an embodiment. [Example]

[0017] A conveying system according to an embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 9. Fig. 1 is an image diagram showing the inside of a restaurant in which a conveying system 1 of the present invention is installed. The inside of the restaurant is divided by a partition wall W into a dining area G (diner side) where customers eat and drink, and a kitchen area K (kitchen side) where staff prepare food and drink F.

[0018] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the conveying equipment 1 comprises a circulating conveying device 2 (see Figure 1), an order conveying device 3 (see Figure 2), a kitchen terminal 4 provided in the kitchen area K, and a plurality of customer seat terminals 5 (order terminals) (22 in this embodiment) provided at customer seats (counter seats C, table seats T) in the dining customer area G. In this embodiment, the kitchen terminal 4 and the customer seat terminal 5 are each information terminals equipped with a processing device, and the processing devices of the kitchen terminal 4 and the customer seat terminal 5 constitute the calculation unit of the present invention.

[0019] 1, the roof 23a (see FIG. 4) disposed above the circulating transport path 20 in the circulating transport device 2 along its shape is omitted, and the position of the tag reader 24, which will be described in detail later, is indicated by a dashed line.

[0020] The circulating conveying device 2 is equipped with a circulating conveying path 20 and a drive motor (not shown), and is used to convey plates 21 on which samples S as actual products are placed from the kitchen area K to each seat. The samples S are three-dimensional models that resemble food or drink F.

[0021] The circulating conveying path 20 has a crescent chain conveyor and is provided in an endless E-shape in plan view. Referring to Figure 3, the circulating conveying path 20 is supported by a frame 23 that stands up from a base 22, and is disposed above and spaced apart from the ordered food conveying paths 6A, 6B, and 6C described below.

[0022] The drive motor is a motor for driving the circulating conveying path 20, and its rotation speed can be controlled by the kitchen terminal 4. In this embodiment, the circulating conveying path 20 has a circumference of 60 m and moves at a speed of approximately 10 cm per second. The movement speed of the circulating conveying path 20 can be changed by changing the settings on the kitchen terminal 4 side.

[0023] A roof 23a is fixed to the upper end of the frame 23. The roof 23a is provided along the circulating transport device 2. A plurality of (ten in this embodiment) tag readers 24 as reading devices are fixed to the underside of the roof 23a at predetermined intervals (approximately every 6 m in this embodiment) along the circulating transport device 2.

[0024] 1, tag reader IDs "24A" to "24K" (reader identification information) are assigned to each tag reader 24 in order downstream in the flow direction of circulating conveying device 2, starting from tag reader 24 located closest to kitchen terminal 4 and downstream of kitchen terminal 4. Note that in FIG. 1, only the tag reader IDs are shown for tag readers 24 other than tag reader ID "24A."

[0025] Referring to Figure 3, each tag reader 24 is wirelessly connected to the kitchen terminal 4 and can acquire the plate ID (actual product identification information) registered in the RFID tag 25 fixed to each plate 21 placed and transported on the circular conveying path 20, and can transmit this plate ID, the tag reader ID assigned to it, and the time when this plate ID was acquired to the kitchen terminal 4 via wireless communication.

[0026] Furthermore, since circulating conveyance path 20 moves at a speed of 10 cm per second, the time it takes for the plate ID of plate 21 to be read by one tag reader 24 and then read by the next tag reader 24 is approximately 60 seconds.

[0027] The tag reader 24 may be connected to the kitchen terminal 4 by wire, or may be connected to the kitchen terminal 4 via one of the customer seat terminals 5, or may be changed as appropriate.

[0028] Furthermore, the tag on which the dish ID is registered is not limited to an RFID tag, but may be any other identifier that corresponds to a combination with a reading device. Furthermore, the reading device is not limited to one that reads identifiers, but may be an image sensor that can identify products from an image of the sample S.

[0029] In addition, in this embodiment, a sample S corresponding to an assigned dish ID is placed on the dish 21, but this is not limited to this, and the dish ID of the dish 21 may be associated with the sample S placed on the dish 21.

[0030] The sample S may be fixed to the dish 21 or may be formed integrally with the dish 21. Furthermore, the sample S may be provided with an RFID tag.

[0031] As shown in Figure 2, the order conveying device 3 includes order conveying paths 6A, 6B, and 6C, and a plurality of traveling bodies 7 (six in this embodiment) that can travel along the order conveying paths 6A, 6B, and 6C. The order conveying paths 6A, 6B, and 6C have their ends close to each other on the kitchen area K side. The kitchen terminals 4 are installed near these ends.

[0032] Here, we will explain the counter seats C and table seats T. There are 14 counter seats C and 8 sets of table seats T. Seven counter seats C are arranged at regular intervals on one side of the width of order conveying path 6A and the other side of the width of order conveying path 6C. The table seats T are sofa-shaped and face each other across a table, with two sets on each side of the other side of the width of order conveying path 6A and one side of the width of order conveying path 6C, and two sets on each side of the width of order conveying path 6B.

[0033] As shown in Figure 1, each counter seat C and each table seat T is assigned a customer seat ID "CI" to "C7", "T1" to "T8", "C8" to "C14" (customer seat identification information) in the flow direction of the circulating conveying device 2, in order from the counter seat C located at the most upstream side of the order conveying path 6A in the dining customer area G to the downstream side.

[0034] One customer seat terminal 5 is provided at each customer seat. Customer seat terminal 5 has a display 50 (see FIG. 6) with a touch panel function, and is wirelessly connected to kitchen terminal 4. Note that customer seat terminal 5 may also be connected to kitchen terminal 4 by wire.

[0035] Each customer seat terminal 5 has registered therein the customer seat ID of the seat where it is located. The customer seat terminal 5 can order food or drink F by transmitting to the kitchen terminal 4 the customer seat ID registered therein, product IDs (product identification information) assigned to each product, and order information including quantity information.

[0036] The ordering terminal is not limited to a built-in terminal, but may be a mobile terminal such as a smartphone owned by the customer. In such a case, for example, by registering the seat ID of the customer's seat in an application on the mobile terminal, it is possible to give the mobile terminal the same functions as the seat terminal 5. Hereinafter, the explanation of using a mobile terminal as an information terminal will be omitted, as it overlaps with the explanation of the seat terminal 5.

[0037] 4, each seat terminal 5 stores a required time table N for managing the location information of the seat terminal 5 (FIG. 4 shows an example of the required time table N for seat ID "C10"). The required time table N stores the time (seconds) required for each tag reader 24 to reach the seat associated with the seat ID.

[0038] Required time table N is created by extracting items corresponding to a customer seat ID from a total required time table (not shown) stored in kitchen terminal 4 after the customer seat ID is registered in customer seat terminal 5. The total required time table may be stored in customer seat terminal 5.

[0039] The kitchen terminal 4 is equipped with a display having a touch panel function that can display order information such as customer seat ID, product name, quantity, etc. based on the order information received from the customer seat terminal 5.

[0040] The display of the kitchen terminal 4 also displays a transport icon for each piece of order information. When this transport icon is operated, the kitchen terminal 4 moves the traveling object 7 carrying a plate 61 (see FIG. 3) with food or drink F on it to the corresponding customer's seat. When the customer removes the plate 61 from the traveling object 7, the kitchen terminal 4 returns the traveling object 7 to the kitchen area K.

[0041] Furthermore, since the plate 61 does not have an RFID tag, misreading by the tag reader 24 is prevented. A serving tray may be placed on the traveling body 7.

[0042] Kitchen terminal 4 stores a circulation table R (see FIG. 5) for managing the location information of samples S, a product table (see FIG. 10) as an identification means, and a total required time table (not shown). Note that circulation table R and the product table may be stored in customer seat terminal 5, or may be stored in a terminal or device different from kitchen terminal 4 and customer seat terminal 5.

[0043] Referring to Figure 5, the circulation table R is managed by the kitchen terminal 4 through the product spot management process, and in the order received by the kitchen terminal 4 from each tag reader 24, the dish ID, the latest tag reader ID indicating the tag reader ID that last read that dish ID, the first tag reader ID indicating the tag reader ID that first read that dish ID, and the reading time when that dish ID was last read are associated and registered / updated (hereinafter, the dish ID, latest tag reader ID, first tag reader ID, and reading time may be collectively referred to as "dish ID related information").

[0044] Furthermore, when a first predetermined time (70 seconds in this embodiment) has passed since the time of reading without the tag being read by another tag reader 24, the kitchen terminal 4 deletes the target dish ID related information from the circulating table R. This makes it easy to reflect that the target dish 21 has been moved out of the circulating conveying path 20, for example, when a waiter has replaced the sample S. Note that when deleting dish ID related information from the circulating table R, the desired dish ID related information may be deleted by operating the kitchen terminal 4.

[0045] In this embodiment, the time required from one tag reader 24 to the next tag reader 24 is approximately 60 seconds, and the first predetermined time is set to 70 seconds in consideration of delays that may occur due to a customer touching the plate 21, etc. Note that the first predetermined time may be changed as appropriate, but it is preferable from the perspective of updating the required time image 52b and position icon 53b, which will be described later, that the first predetermined time be equal to or greater than the shortest time required from one tag reader 24 to the next tag reader 24 and equal to or less than the longest time required from one tag reader 24 to the next tag reader 24.

[0046] Furthermore, a plate 21 placed on circulating conveying path 20 by a waiter in kitchen area K is first read by tag reader 24 to which tag reader ID 24A is assigned, and therefore the initial tag reader ID "24A" is registered. As a result, a plate 21 identified by plate ID-related information (see the third line from the bottom in FIG. 5) that includes an initial tag reader ID other than "24A" can be determined to have been temporarily removed from circulating conveying path 20 and returned to circulating conveying path 20.

[0047] The product table registers page IDs "S01" to "S03" (see the page ID column in Figure 10) that can identify pages of the menu screen described below, product IDs "F001" to "F009" (see the product ID column in Figure 10) that are assigned to the page IDs, product names (see the product name column in Figure 10), icon IDs "P001" to "P009" (see the page ID column in Figure 10), and dish IDs "D0501" to "D2650" (see the sample S column in Figure 10).

[0048] Next, we will explain the display contents of the display 50 of the audience terminal 5. As shown in Fig. 6, the display 50 has a menu area 51 where a menu screen is displayed, a pickup area 52 and a map area 53 where a notification screen is displayed, and an operation area 54 where a previous page icon 54a and the like are displayed.

[0049] A maximum of three product icons 51a can be displayed in the menu area 51. A maximum of four product icons 52a can be displayed in the pickup area 52. A map image 53a is displayed in the map area 53. The product icons 51a and 52a are icons for displaying an order page for ordering the target product. The customer seat terminal 5 can acquire and display the target product icons 51a and 52a by querying the kitchen terminal 4 for the icon ID. The product icons 51a and 52a may be stored in the customer seat terminal 5 in advance.

[0050] The number of product icons 51a, 52a that can be displayed in the menu area 51, pickup area 52, etc. may be changed as appropriate. Also, the operation area 54 may not be provided, and similar operations may be possible using physical buttons.

[0051] In the map area 53, the seat image corresponding to the seat ID registered in the seat terminal 5 (counter seat C with seat ID "C10" in FIG. 6) blinks in the map image 53a, allowing the customer to recognize the seat in which they are sitting. The seat image may be displayed in a color different from that of the other seats, and may be changed as appropriate as long as it is distinguishable.

[0052] When displaying the menu screen in the menu area 51, the customer terminal 5 references the page ID in the product table, acquires the product ID, product name, icon ID, dish ID, etc. assigned to the page ID (see Sa01 in FIG. 11), and displays the product icon 51a corresponding to the icon ID in the menu area 51 (see Sa02 in FIG. 11). The page ID is updated by operating the previous page icon 54a or the next page icon 54b.

[0053] Furthermore, the customer terminal 5 refers to the circular table R shown in FIG. 5 for the dish ID acquired from the product table, and executes the determination process and notification process of the present invention (see Sa03, Sa06, and Sa07 in FIG. 11).

[0054] If the determination process determines that the dish ID corresponding to the sample S is on the circulation table R (Sa06: Yes), the notification process displays a sample circulation icon 51b with the words "sample available" above the target product icon 51a (Sa07). In FIG. 6, the sample circulation icon 51b is displayed above the product icons 51a for "medium fatty tuna" and "conger eel." This makes it easy to recognize that the sample S corresponding to the product is being circulated.

[0055] Furthermore, for a product for which the dish ID could not be acquired from the circulating table R (Sa06: No) through the determination process, the customer seat terminal 5 displays only the product icon 51a of the product, such as "salmon roe" shown in FIG.

[0056] In addition, after the customer terminal 5 has checked the circulation table R for all dish IDs assigned to the page ID, if a second predetermined time (1 second in this embodiment) has elapsed without the page ID being updated, it checks the circulation table R again for the dish ID.

[0057] As described above, when the first predetermined time (70 seconds in this embodiment) has elapsed since the reading time, the target dish ID related information is deleted from the circulation table R, so that even if all target dishes 21 are moved out of the circulating conveyance path 20 due to a replacement of samples S, etc., it is possible to prevent the sample circulation icon 51b from continuing to be displayed. Note that the second predetermined time may be changed as appropriate.

[0058] Next, the notification screen display process as the notification process will be described with reference to Fig. 7. The sample tour icon 51b is associated with the icon ID of the product icon 51a that it overlaps. When the sample tour icon 51b is operated, the customer terminal 5 displays the product icon 52a in the pickup area 52 based on the associated icon ID (Sb01).

[0059] Next, the customer terminal 5 acquires the dish ID corresponding to the icon ID from the product table (Sb02), queries the acquired dish ID against the circulation table R, and acquires dish ID-related information including the queried dish ID (Sb03).

[0060] For example, when the sample patrol icon 51b corresponding to "Chutoro" shown in Figure 6 is operated, the dish IDs "D0501" to "D0550" are referenced in the patrol table R to obtain dish ID related information that includes any of the dish IDs "D0501", "D0537", and "D0511" (see Figure 5).

[0061] The customer seat terminal 5 subtracts the read time from the current time for each piece of dish ID related information acquired in step Sb03, and calculates the elapsed time from the read time (elapsed time=current time−read time) (Sb04).

[0062] For example, if the current time is "19:00:25," the elapsed time from the read time of dish ID "D0501," which was "19:00:21" (see Figure 5), is 4 seconds. Similarly, the elapsed time for dish ID "D0537" is 5 seconds. The elapsed time for dish ID "D0511" is 63 seconds.

[0063] The customer terminal 5 acquires the required time corresponding to the latest tag reader ID from the required time table N (see FIG. 4) for each piece of dish ID related information acquired in step Sb03 (Sb05).

[0064] For example, as shown in Figure 4, for counter seat C with seat ID "C10" registered in the seat terminal 5, a required time of 465 seconds corresponding to tag reader ID "24A" is obtained, and a required time of 45 seconds corresponding to tag reader ID "24H" is obtained.

[0065] For each dish ID-related information obtained in step Sb03, the customer terminal 5 calculates the estimated arrival time by subtracting the elapsed time calculated in step Sb04 from the required time obtained in step Sb05 (estimated arrival time = required time - elapsed time) (Sb06).

[0066] For example, for dish ID "D0501," the estimated arrival time is 461 seconds, calculated by subtracting 4 seconds from the required time of 465 seconds. Similarly, for dish ID "D0537," the estimated arrival time is 40 seconds, calculated by subtracting 5 seconds from 45 seconds. Similarly, for dish ID "D0511," the estimated arrival time is 402 seconds, calculated by subtracting 63 seconds from 465 seconds.

[0067] The seat terminal 5 compares the estimated arrival times calculated in step Sb06 and identifies the shortest estimated arrival time as the shortest estimated arrival time (Sb07). It also identifies the latest tag reader ID corresponding to the shortest estimated arrival time as the shortest tag reader ID (Sb08).

[0068] In the case of the above-mentioned dish IDs "D0501," "D0537," and "D0511," the estimated arrival time of dish 21 assigned dish ID "D0537" is 40 seconds, which is the shortest estimated arrival time, and this dish 21 is identified as being closest to the customer seats. In addition, the shortest tag reader ID is "24H."

[0069] The customer seat terminal 5 displays a required time image 52b, which indicates the shortest estimated arrival time as an estimate of the time it will take for the sample S to arrive near the customer seat associated with the customer seat, superimposed on the product icon 52a (see FIG. 6) (Sb09). This allows the customer to recognize that the sample S is approaching.

[0070] If the shortest expected arrival time is less than or equal to a third predetermined time (10 seconds in this embodiment), the customer seat terminal 5 blinks the product icon 52a (Sb10: Yes, Sb11) (see FIG. 8). This makes it clear that the target sample S is near the customer seat, making it easier to draw attention to the sample S.

[0071] The third predetermined time may be changed as appropriate. When the shortest estimated arrival time is equal to or shorter than the third predetermined time, the product icon 52a may be displayed in a color different from that of the other customer seats, and may be changed as appropriate.

[0072] Next, in the map area 53, a position icon 53b serving as a location guide is superimposed and displayed in front of the seat image to which the seat ID of the map image 53a is assigned (Sb12) (see FIG. 9). This makes it possible to notify that the target sample S is nearby. Note that four types of position icons 52c and 53b are set in advance, and an icon in an unused state is appropriately selected.

[0073] On the other hand, if the shortest estimated arrival time exceeds 10 seconds, the seat terminal 5 displays a location icon 53b superimposed on the position of the tag reader 24 to which the shortest tag reader ID in the map image 53a is assigned in the map area 53 (Sb13) (see Figure 6).

[0074] Furthermore, the customer seat terminal 5 displays a location icon 52c of the same type as the location icon 53b displayed superimposed on the map image 53a, superimposed on the product icon 52a in the pickup area 52 (Sb14). As a result, the same location icons 52c and 53b are displayed on the product icon 52a and the map image 53a, respectively, making it easier to recognize the approximate location of the sample S corresponding to the product icon 52a.

[0075] After step Sb14 is completed, if a fourth predetermined time (one second in this embodiment) has elapsed without the display of the corresponding product icon 52a being cancelled, the customer seat terminal 5 executes steps Sb03 to Sb14 and updates the display of the shortest estimated arrival time, the shortest tag reader ID, the required time image 52b, and the position icon 53b. Note that the fourth predetermined time may be changed as appropriate.

[0076] This update reduces the time displayed on the required time image 52b, making it possible to clearly recognize that the product is approaching.

[0077] Furthermore, by moving the position of the position icon 53b, it is possible to clearly recognize that the product is approaching.

[0078] In addition, when another customer takes out the target dish 21, or when the target dish 21 passes in front of the customer seats, the required time image 52b and position icon 53b corresponding to that dish 21 can be hidden, and the required time image 52b and position icon 53b of another dish 21 that is closest at that time can be displayed.

[0079] When product icon 51a in menu area 51 or product icon 52a in pickup area 52 is operated while product icon 52a is displayed in pickup area 52, an order screen is displayed in menu area 51 while product icon 52a remains displayed in pickup area 52, as shown in Fig. 8. The order screen displays the product name, product image, order quantity, etc.

[0080] Even when the order screen is displayed, the customer terminal 5 continues to display the product icon 52a, the required time image 52b, and the location icon 52c in the pickup area 52, and after step Sb14 is completed, when a fourth predetermined time (1 second in this embodiment) has elapsed, steps Sb03 to Sb14 are executed.

[0081] In addition, in conjunction with the display of the order screen, the operation area 54 displays a back icon 54c for returning to the menu screen, a cancel icon 54d, and an order icon 54e for sending order information.

[0082] When the cancel icon 54d is operated, the product icon 52a, required time image 52b, and location icons 52c and 53b corresponding to the product displayed on the order screen are hidden, and the update of the shortest estimated arrival time and shortest tag reader ID is terminated. Then, the cancel icon 54d is hidden (not shown).

[0083] Note that when the order icon 54e is operated, the target product icon 52a, etc. may be hidden, as in the case of operating the cancel icon 54d, and updating of the shortest estimated arrival time, etc. may be terminated. With this configuration, it is possible to eliminate the need to separately operate the cancel icon 54d.

[0084] 6, when the next page icon 54b is operated while the product icon 52a is displayed in the pickup area 52, as shown in Fig. 9, a menu screen corresponding to the corresponding page ID "S02" (see Fig. 10) is displayed while the product icon 52a remains displayed in the pickup area 52. Even in this case, the required time image 52b in the pickup area 52 and the position icon 53b in the map area 53 are updated.

[0085] In addition, when the sample tour icon 51b for another product ("Ramen" in Figure 9) is operated, the customer terminal 5 executes the above-mentioned steps Sb01 to Sb14 and displays the product icon 52a ("Chutoro" in Figure 9) and position icon 53b ("★" in Figure 9) of the other product along with the product icon 52a ("Ramen" in Figure 9) and position icon 53b ("●" in Figure 9) that were previously displayed.

[0086] Although the display contents of the display 50 of the audience terminal 5 have been described above, the arrangement and configuration of each area and each process may be changed as appropriate without being limited to the above description.

[0087] For example, instead of the required time table N, a table in which the distance from each tag reader 24 to the target customer seat is registered may be configured, and the estimated arrival time may be calculated based on the speed of the circulating conveyance path 20 set by the kitchen terminal 4. With such a configuration, even if the speed of the circulating conveyance path 20 changes, the estimated arrival time can be calculated using the same process.

[0088] As described above, the conveying equipment 1 of this embodiment is equipped with a circulating conveying path 20 and a control unit, which has a product table and is capable of performing a determination process to determine whether a sample S corresponding to a displayed product is present on the circulating conveying path 20, and a notification process to indicate the presence of the sample S based on the determination of the presence of the sample S by the determination process.

[0089] This allows customers to recognize that product samples S displayed on customer terminals 5 are circulating, and encourages them to visually check them. This allows customers to check the product image.

[0090] The control unit also manages the circulation table R and the required time table N, and in the notification process, the control unit can indicate that the sample S corresponding to the product displayed on the customer seat terminal 5 has approached the customer seat to which the sample S is associated. This makes it easier to draw attention to the sample S.

[0091] Furthermore, in the notification process, the customer seat terminal 5 can display a position icon 53b of the sample S corresponding to the product displayed on the customer seat terminal 5, thereby allowing the customer to recognize the position of the sample S.

[0092] In addition, the customer terminal 5 can display a required time image 52b in the pickup area 52 and a location icon 53b in the map area 53, along with the menu screen displayed in the menu area 51, so that while viewing and ordering products using the customer terminal 5, it is possible to confirm that the sample S that you want to check is on the circulating conveying path 20. [Example]

[0093] Next, a transfer facility according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 10 and 11. Note that the same configuration as in the previous embodiment will be omitted.

[0094] The circulating conveying device 2 of this embodiment can convey not only the trays 21 on which the samples S are placed, but also the trays 21 on which food and drink F are placed. In other words, the actual product may be edible food and drink F.

[0095] Referring to the product table M of this embodiment shown in FIG. 10, a plate ID for food and drink F and a plate ID for sample S are assigned to the plate IDs.

[0096] 11, if a dish ID corresponding to food or drink F is on the circulation table R (Sa04: Yes), a circulating icon (not shown) that is displayed in a different manner from the sample circulating icon 51b can be displayed above the target product icon 51a (Sa05). This allows the user to distinguish between food or drink F and sample S on the circulating conveyance path 20.

[0097] Furthermore, the above-described notification screen display process can clearly indicate whether or not the food or drink F displayed on the customer seat terminal 5 is in the vicinity of the customer seat.

[0098] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments, and additions and modifications within the scope of the present invention are also included in the present invention.

[0099] For example, in the first and second embodiments, food and drink F is exemplified as the product, but the product is not limited to this and may be, for example, a key holder or T-shirt with the store name printed on it, or may be changed as appropriate.

[0100] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned Examples 1 and 2, it was explained that the calculation unit is composed of processing devices for the kitchen terminal 4 and the customer terminal 5, but this is not limited to this, and the calculation unit may be composed of only the kitchen terminal, or calculation units other than the kitchen terminal and the order terminal may be provided.

[0101] Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments, the total number of tag readers 24 is smaller than the total number of customer terminals 5, and they are connected to kitchen terminal 4. However, this is not limiting, and one or more tag readers 24 may be connected to an ordering terminal, or the ordering terminal may have a reading device (tag reader, built-in camera, etc.). With this configuration, the position of the target plate 21 can be identified based on the target plate ID read by any tag reader 24 and input into the ordering terminal.

[0102] In addition, in the above-mentioned Examples 1 and 2, it was explained that the passenger terminal 5 can display the pickup area 52 and the map area 53 together with the menu area 51, but this is not limited to this, and only the pickup area 52 or the map area 53 may be displayed together with the menu area 51.

[0103] In addition, in the above-mentioned Examples 1 and 2, it was explained that the shortest estimated arrival time is displayed in the pickup area 52, but this is not limited to this, and the shortest estimated arrival time may not be displayed, and only the product icon 52a may be displayed to indicate that the actual product is on the circulating conveying path 20.

[0104] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned Examples 1 and 2, the notification process has been exemplified as a configuration in which a sample tour icon 51b or the like is displayed on the display 50 of the audience terminal 5, but this is not limited to this and may also be a light-emitting device or speaker separately provided in the audience seat, or any of these may be used in combination or modified as appropriate.

[0105] Furthermore, in the above-described first and second embodiments, the kitchen terminal 4 has been described as being configured to delete the plate ID-related information of a target for which a first predetermined time has passed since the time of reading without it being read by another tag reader 24, but this is not limited to this. The tag reader 24 assigned with tag reader ID 24A that first reads the plate 21 placed on the circular conveying path 20 by the store clerk may be set as the starting position and the ending position, and it may be determined that the actual product has moved out of the circular conveying path 20 when a predetermined time (e.g., 610 seconds) has passed until the plate ID is read again by this tag reader 24, i.e., until it has made one lap around the circular conveying path 20.

[0106] With this configuration, it is possible to determine whether the actual product has moved outside the circulating conveyance path 20 simply by determining the reading time by the tag reader 24 to which the tag reader ID 24A is assigned and whether a predetermined time has passed since the reading time, so that even if a store clerk replaces the sample S in the kitchen area K, the process for reflecting this can be simplified. Also, the first tag reader ID in the first and second embodiments may be located at the start and end positions.

[0107] In this way, the plate ID-related information read by the same tag reader 24 may be displayed in the order in which it was read. With this configuration, the types of products being moved and their arrangement order can be easily identified, making it easier to identify actual products that need to be replenished.

[0108] Furthermore, the tag reader 24 in the kitchen area K to which the tag reader ID 24K is assigned may be set as the starting position, and the tag reader 24 to which the tag reader ID 24A is assigned may be set as the terminal position. With this configuration, the replacement of the sample S by the waiter in the kitchen area K can be reflected in a short time.

[0109] In addition, in the first and second embodiments, the circulating conveying path 20 is configured to be spaced apart above the ordered food conveying paths 6A, 6B, and 6C, but this is not limiting, and the circulating conveying path 20 may be spaced apart below the ordered food conveying paths 6A, 6B, and 6C. Furthermore, the number and shapes of the circulating conveying paths and ordered food conveying paths may be changed as appropriate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0110] 1. Transport equipment 4 Kitchen terminal (computing unit) 5 Customer terminal (computing unit, order terminal) 20 Circulation conveying path 21 dishes 24 Tag reader (reading device) 24A~24K Tag reader ID 25 RFID tags (tags) 50 displays 51b Sample patrol icon (notification display) 52 Pickup area (notification screen) 52b Travel time image (estimated time) 53 Map area (notification screen) 53a Map image 53b Location icon (location guide) C Counter seats (customer seats) D0001~D2650 Plate ID (product identification information) F Food and drink (actual product) F001~F009 Product ID (product identification information) G Dining area (dining and drinking side) K Kitchen area (kitchen side) S Sample (actual product) T table seats (audience seats)

Claims

1. A conveyance facility having an order conveyance path that is provided from the kitchen side to the customer side and can convey products ordered from an order terminal associated with a customer seat to the customer seat, a circulating conveyance path that can circulate and convey a plurality of actual products; a calculation unit connected to the order terminal, The calculation unit has an identification means for storing product identification information set for each product, product identification information assigned to each of the actual products, and the correspondence between the product identification information and the actual product identification information, and is capable of performing a determination process for determining whether the actual product corresponding to the product displayed on one of the order terminals is present on the circulating conveying path, and a notification process for indicating the presence of the actual product to the customer seat associated with the one of the order terminals based on the determination of the presence of the actual product by the determination process.

2. The conveying facility according to claim 1, characterized in that, in the notification process, the calculation unit causes the one ordering terminal to display a predetermined notification display corresponding to the product displayed on that ordering terminal.

3. The conveying equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that the calculation unit manages the position information of the actual product on the circulating conveying path and the position information of the ordering terminal, and in the notification process indicates that the actual product corresponding to the product displayed on one of the ordering terminals has approached the customer seat associated with that ordering terminal.

4. The transportation equipment according to claim 3, characterized in that, in the notification process, the calculation unit causes the ordering terminal to display the time until the actual product corresponding to the product displayed on the one ordering terminal arrives near the customer seat associated with the ordering terminal.

5. The conveying equipment according to claim 3, characterized in that, in the notification process, the calculation unit causes the one ordering terminal to display an indication of the position of the actual product corresponding to the product displayed on that ordering terminal.

6. 6. The conveyance facility according to claim 3, wherein the order terminal is capable of simultaneously displaying a menu screen from which a product can be selected and a notification screen resulting from the notification process.

7. A reading device is disposed along the circulating conveying path, The actual commodity identification information can be read by the reading device from a tag attached to the actual commodity, The conveying equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that the calculation unit manages the actual product identification information of the tag by associating it with the reading time at which the actual product identification information is read by the reading device, and determines that the actual product to which the actual product identification information is attached has moved outside the circulating conveying path based on the fact that the actual product identification information has not been read by the reading device within a predetermined time from the reading time to which the actual product identification information is associated.

8. The conveying equipment according to claim 7, characterized in that the calculation unit determines that the actual product to which the actual product identification information of the tag is attached has moved outside the circular conveying path based on the fact that the actual product identification information of the tag is not read again by the reading device at the terminal position within the predetermined time since the reading time when the actual product identification information of the tag was read by the reading device at the starting position.

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