Kitchen lane system, control device, method for controlling kitchen lane system, and store system

Abstract

To provide a kitchen lane system capable of continuously and accurately delivering even a plurality of commodities to an order lane.SOLUTION: A kitchen lane system includes a circulation lane, a delivery device for delivering a commodity conveyed on the circulation lane to a corresponding order lane, and a control device for controlling the delivery device. In the circulation lane, a plurality of partitioned regions partitioned along the conveyance path are defined, and at least one product is conveyed in a state of being arranged in any of the plurality of partitioned regions. The control device recognizes positions of the plurality of section areas and at least one commodity arranged in any of the plurality of section areas, and controls the delivery device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a kitchen lane system, a control device, a control method for a kitchen lane system, and a store system. [Background technology]

[0002] In the kitchens of restaurants such as conveyor-belt sushi restaurants, there are known circulation lanes that circulate ordered items and deliver them to the order lane at a predetermined timing (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In restaurants equipped with such circulation lanes, items can be circulated on the circulation lane depending on the usage status of the order lane. For example, if the order lane to which an item is to be delivered is in use, an employee can circulate the cooked items on the circulation lane, allowing them to prepare other items, thereby achieving efficient operation. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-107301 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the circulation lane system of Patent Document 1, an identifier such as an IC tag is attached to every plate on which products are placed, and the position of the products is managed. However, a configuration in which identifiers are attached to plates has the drawback that the identifiers are easily deteriorated when the plates are washed. Furthermore, since the system recognizes the identifiers attached to each plate, it is difficult to accurately grasp the relative position of the plate in the circulation lane. Therefore, it is not possible to recognize in detail the arrangement (usage) of plates in the circulation lane, and it is not possible to continuously and accurately transfer multiple plates to the order lane.

[0005] A typical object of the present disclosure is to continuously and accurately deliver even multiple products to an order lane. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A kitchen lane system provided by a typical embodiment of the present disclosure is a kitchen lane system installed in the kitchen of a restaurant, and includes: a circulation lane that is laid out in the kitchen and transports products by circulating along a predetermined transport route; a delivery device that is provided corresponding to each of a plurality of order lanes laid out within the restaurant and that hands over products transported on the circulation lane to the corresponding order lane; and a control device that controls the delivery device; the circulation lane has a plurality of partitioned areas defined along the transport route, and transports at least one product while being placed in one of the plurality of partitioned areas; the control device recognizes the positions of the plurality of partitioned areas and the at least one product placed in one of the plurality of partitioned areas, and controls the delivery device to deliver the product to the order lane corresponding to the customer who ordered the at least one product.

[0007] A control device provided by a typical embodiment of the present disclosure is a control device for a kitchen lane system that circulates products placed on a circulation lane installed in a restaurant kitchen along a predetermined conveying path and delivers the products to one of multiple order lanes installed in the restaurant that corresponds to the customer who ordered the product, and the control device includes at least one processor and at least one memory that stores computer program code. The processor executes the computer program code to cause the control device to recognize the positions of multiple partitioned areas defined by dividing the circulation lane along the conveying path and at least one product placed in one of the multiple partitioned areas, and controls a delivery device provided corresponding to each of the multiple order lanes based on the recognized positions of the multiple partitioned areas and the at least one product, thereby delivering the product to the order lane that corresponds to the customer who ordered the at least one product.

[0008] A typical embodiment of the present disclosure provides a control method for a kitchen lane system that circulates products placed on a circulation lane installed in a restaurant kitchen along a predetermined transport route and delivers the products to one of multiple order lanes installed in the restaurant that corresponds to the customer who ordered the product. The method recognizes the positions of multiple partitioned areas defined by dividing the circulation lane along the transport route and at least one product placed in any of the multiple partitioned areas, and controls a delivery device provided corresponding to each of the multiple order lanes based on the recognized positions of the multiple partitioned areas and the at least one product, thereby delivering the product to the order lane that corresponds to the customer who ordered the at least one product.

[0009] A typical embodiment of the present disclosure provides a store system that is installed in a sushi restaurant and transports sushi cooked in a kitchen within the restaurant to customers who have ordered the sushi. The store system includes: a plurality of plates on which the sushi is placed; a circulation lane that is installed in the kitchen and transports the plates in a circulation manner along a predetermined transport path; a plurality of order lanes that branch off from the circulation lane and are installed within the sushi restaurant toward the eating and drinking space of the customers and transport the plates handed over from the circulation lane; and a plurality of order lanes that are installed corresponding to each of the plurality of order lanes and transport the plates handed over from the circulation lane. a transfer device that transfers plates conveyed by a lane to a corresponding order lane; and a control device that controls the store system, wherein the circulation lane is defined by a plurality of partitioned areas along the conveyance route, and at least one plate is conveyed while placed in one of the plurality of partitioned areas, and the circulation lane is provided with a first conveyance area that conveys plates in a first direction, and a second conveyance area that is located farther away from the plurality of order lanes than the first conveyance area and conveys plates in a second direction that is different from the first direction; the store system further comprises a transfer device that transfers plates between one of the plurality of partitioned areas located in the first conveyance area and one of the plurality of partitioned areas located in the second conveyance area, the transfer device comprising a transfer conveyor that spans between the first conveyance area and the second conveyance area and that transfers plates from a source partitioned area that is located in one of the first conveyance area and the second conveyance area to a destination partitioned area that is located in the other of the first conveyance area and the second conveyance area; a transfer start guide that guides a plate from the source partitioned area of ​​the source area toward the transfer conveyor by entering an interference position within the transfer path from a non-interference position that deviates outside the transfer path of the area, and a transfer end guide that guides a plate from the transfer conveyor toward the destination partitioned area of ​​the destination area by entering an interference position within the transfer path from a non-interference position that deviates outside the transfer path of the destination transfer area, and once a specific source partitioned area in the source transfer area is determined, after the specific source partitioned area has reached the transfer device,When a transfer time for the plate to be transferred from the source transfer area to the destination transfer area by the transfer conveyor has elapsed, the partitioned area that the transfer device reaches in the destination transfer area corresponds one-to-one to the destination partitioned area to which the plate is transferred from the specific source partitioned area by the transfer device, and the control device, when another plate is already placed in the destination partitioned area corresponding to the source partitioned area, passes the transfer of the plate by the transfer device, and when another plate is not placed in the destination partitioned area corresponding to the source partitioned area, controls the control device to start the transfer while maintaining the transfer end guide at the non-interference position when the source partitioned area reaches the transfer device. The transfer device controls the transfer start guide from the non-interference position to the interference position, and then, when the destination partitioned area corresponding to the source partitioned area reaches the transfer device, the transfer end guide is moved from the non-interference position to the interference position, thereby transferring the plate from the source partitioned area to the destination partitioned area that corresponds one-to-one to the source partitioned area, adjusting the timing at which the plate arrives at the corresponding order lane, recognizing the positions of the plurality of partitioned areas and at least one plate placed in any of the plurality of partitioned areas, and delivering the at least one plate to the order lane corresponding to the customer who ordered the sushi placed on the plate. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a plan view schematically illustrating an entire restaurant. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a portion of the circulation lane. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing a first transport area and a second transport area of ​​a circulation lane. [Figure 4] FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an order image displayed on a kitchen terminal device. [Figure 7]FIG. 10 is a diagram showing partitioned area information at a certain time. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the device configuration of the kitchen lane system. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart showing a throw-in process. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart showing a delivery process. [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart showing shortcut processing. [Figure 12] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the state of product transportation when explaining shortcut processing. [Figure 13] 10 is a flowchart showing a throw-in process. [Figure 14] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the state of transport of products when explaining the detouring process. [Figure 15] FIG. 1 is a plan view schematically showing the entire restaurant according to a first modified example. [Figure 16] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a part of the kitchen lane system according to a first modified example. [Figure 17] 10 is a flowchart showing shortcut processing in Modification Example 1. [Figure 18] 10 is a diagram showing an order image displayed on a kitchen terminal device according to a second modified example. FIG. [Figure 19] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing divided area information according to a modification example 3. [Figure 20] FIG. 10 is a plan view schematically showing the entire restaurant according to Modification Example 4. [Figure 21] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an outline of a transfer device 30 according to a fourth modified example. [Figure 22] 10 is a bottom view of a portion of a plurality of plates 170 that constitute a circulation lane 28 according to a fourth modified example. FIG. [Figure 23] 10 is a schematic diagram showing a plurality of partitioned areas 40 provided in a circulation lane 28 according to a fourth modified example. FIG. [Figure 24] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a transfer source / transfer destination correspondence table according to Modification Example 4. [Figure 25] 10 is a flowchart showing a transfer process in Modification Example 4. [Figure 26] 10 is a plan view of the vicinity of the transfer device 30 in a state where neither the transfer source partitioned area 40K nor the transfer destination partitioned area 40D has reached the transfer device 30. FIG. [Figure 27] 27 is a plan view of the transfer device 30 when the transfer source partitioned area 40K reaches the transfer device 30 after the state shown in FIG. 26. FIG. [Figure 28] 28 is a plan view of the transfer device 30 when the transfer destination partition 40D reaches the transfer device 30 after the state shown in FIG. 27. FIG. [Figure 29] 29 is a plan view of the transfer device 30 when the transfer source partitioned area 40K passes through the transfer device 30 after the state shown in FIG. 28. FIG. [Figure 30] 30 is a plan view of the transfer device 30 when the destination partition 40D passes through the transfer device 30 after the state shown in FIG. 29. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] <Summary> The kitchen lane system exemplified in the present disclosure is installed in a restaurant kitchen. A circulation lane is installed in the kitchen and circulates along a predetermined transport route to transport products. A delivery device is installed corresponding to each of multiple order lanes installed in the restaurant, and delivers products transported on the circulation lane to the corresponding order lane. A control device controls the delivery device. The circulation lane is defined by multiple partitioned areas along the transport route, and transports at least one product placed in one of the multiple partitioned areas. The control device recognizes the positions of the multiple partitioned areas and at least one product placed in one of the multiple partitioned areas, and controls the delivery device to deliver the product to the order lane corresponding to the customer who ordered the at least one product.

[0012] In this way, the circulation lane defines multiple partitioned areas along the conveyance path, and ordered products are conveyed while placed in one of the multiple partitioned areas. The control device recognizes the location of each partitioned area and the products placed in the partitioned area and controls the delivery device based on the recognized information. Therefore, products can be efficiently delivered to the desired order lane for each partitioned area depending on the situation in the order lane and kitchen. The kitchen lane system may also manage partitioned areas, each of which can accommodate multiple products, as units for conveying products. Therefore, multiple products can be delivered to the order lane continuously, allowing for efficient delivery in the order lane. As a result, service to customers can be improved and product delivery in the kitchen can be optimized. Furthermore, by managing multiple products placed in each partitioned area by partitioned area, the positional relationship of a group of products to the circulation lane can be accurately determined. Therefore, products can be delivered to the order lane accurately.

[0013] Here, the circulation lane includes a first transport area that transports products in a first direction, and a second transport area that is located farther away from the multiple order lanes than the first transport area and transports products in a second direction different from the first direction. The circulation lane also includes a transport device that moves products between one of the multiple partitioned areas located in the first transport area and one of the multiple partitioned areas located in the second transport area. The control device controls the transport device to transport the at least one product arranged in one of the multiple partitioned areas located in the first transport area into one of the multiple partitioned areas located in the second transport area, or to transport the at least one product arranged in one of the multiple partitioned areas located in the second transport area into one of the multiple partitioned areas located in the first transport area, thereby adjusting the timing at which the at least one product arrives at the corresponding order lane.

[0014] In this way, the kitchen lane system includes a first transport area close to the order lane and a second transport area away from the order lane, and a transport device that transports products between the two areas. The control device controls the transport device according to the order lane and the situation in the kitchen, thereby appropriately adjusting the timing at which the product arrives at the desired order lane. Moreover, because the kitchen lane system transports products by partitioned area, it can transport multiple products continuously and efficiently.

[0015] The circulation lane includes a detectable object provided in at least one of the plurality of partitioned areas, and a detection unit that detects the detectable object is provided in the circulation lane. The control device recognizes the positions of the plurality of partitioned areas based on the detectable object detected by the detection unit.

[0016] In this way, a detectable object is provided in at least one of the multiple partitioned areas, and a detection unit that detects the detectable object is provided in the circulation lane. The control device then recognizes the position of each partitioned area based on the detectable object detected by the detection unit. This makes it possible to accurately grasp the positions of the partitioned areas in the entire circulation lane. Therefore, using the position information of the partitioned areas, it is possible to accurately optimize the transport of products in the kitchen lane system. Furthermore, because the detectable object is provided in the circulation lane, it does not need to be washed frequently like plates on which products are placed, and it is less likely to deteriorate.

[0017] The detectable object may be an IC tag or the like. Alternatively, for example, the color of the plate may be changed for each divided area, or an identification number or the like may be directly written on the plate, and the divided area may be recognized by detecting these with a camera. In this case, the color or identification number of the plate corresponds to the identifier. This disclosure illustrates an example in which a detectable object containing a material such as metal or magnet is provided at a connecting portion that connects two adjacent plates. In this case, the connecting portion also serves as the detectable object, which facilitates simplification of the system configuration.

[0018] The kitchen lane system may further include a rotation drive unit that circulates the circulation lane. The control device may recognize the current position of each partitioned area based on the timing at which the detection object is detected by the detection unit and the drive amount of the rotation drive unit.

[0019] In this case, even if the object to be detected is not always detected by the detection unit, the current position of each partitioned area can be properly recognized by using the timing at which the object to be detected is detected by the detection unit and the drive amount of the rotation drive unit, thereby preventing the system from becoming too complicated and allowing the system to operate more appropriately.

[0020] The circulation lane is a chain conveyor with a plurality of plates connected in the conveying direction, and each partitioned area is defined by a predetermined number of the plates. The detectable object is attached to the plate located at the head of at least one of the partitioned areas.

[0021] In this way, by configuring the circulation lane with a chain conveyor and providing a detection object on the leading plate of at least one of the partitioned areas, the partitioned area can be reliably detected when it reaches the detection unit, and as a result, the control device can accurately recognize the position of the partitioned area.

[0022] The transfer device may include a transfer conveyor, a transfer start guide, and a transfer end guide. The transfer conveyor spans between a first transfer area and a second transfer area and transfers products from a source transfer area, which is one of the first transfer area and the second transfer area, to a destination transfer area, which is the other. The transfer start guide guides the products from the source transfer area toward the transfer conveyor. The transfer end guide guides the products from the transfer conveyor toward the destination transfer area. The control device may control the transfer device to transfer at least one product placed in a specific source partitioned area among multiple partitioned areas located in the source transfer area to a destination partitioned area that is one of multiple partitioned areas located in the destination transfer area.

[0023] In this case, the timing at which the products arrive at the desired order lane is appropriately adjusted for each partition area by the transfer conveyor, transfer start guide, and transfer end guide of the transfer device.

[0024] The transfer device may include a shortcut device including: a shortcut conveyor that is a transfer conveyor that is suspended between the first transfer area and the second transfer area and transfers products from the second transfer area that serves as a source transfer area to the first transfer area that serves as a destination transfer area; a first guide that is a transfer end guide that is provided in the first transfer area and guides the products from the shortcut conveyor toward the first transfer area; and a second guide that is a transfer start guide that is provided in the second transfer area and guides the products from the second transfer area toward the shortcut conveyor. The control device may control the shortcut device to transfer at least one product that is located in a specific source partitioned area among multiple partitioned areas located in the two transfer areas to a destination partitioned area that is one of multiple partitioned areas located in the first transfer area, thereby accelerating the arrival of the at least one product in the corresponding order lane.

[0025] The transport device has a shortcut device equipped with first and second guides and a shortcut conveyor that transports products from the second transport area to the first transport area. The control device controls the shortcut device to cause products to take a shortcut from the second transport area to the first transport area. This allows products to arrive at the desired order lane more quickly than when they are transported along the circulation lane transport route, allowing ordered products to be provided to customers more quickly. Moreover, because products can be shortcutted by partitioned area, multiple products can be transported efficiently.

[0026] The transfer device also includes a detouring device that is a transfer conveyor that spans between the first transfer area and the second transfer area and transfers products from the first transfer area, which is a source transfer area, to the second transfer area, which is a destination transfer area, a third guide that is a transfer start guide that is provided in the first transfer area and guides the products from the first transfer area toward the detouring conveyor, and a fourth guide that is a transfer end guide that is provided in the second transfer area and guides the products from the detouring conveyor toward the second transfer area.The control device controls the detouring device to transfer at least one product that is placed in a specific source partition area among multiple partition areas located in the first transfer area to a destination partition area that is one of multiple partition areas located in the second transfer area, thereby delaying the arrival of the at least one product at the corresponding order lane.

[0027] In this way, the transfer device includes a detouring device equipped with third and fourth guides and a detouring conveyor that detours products from the first transport area to the second transport area. The control device controls the detouring device to detour products from the first transport area to the second transport area. This delays the timing at which the products arrive at the desired order lane. In other words, there are cases where products cannot be delivered even after arriving at the destination order lane because the destination order lane is in use. Depending on the usage status of such order lanes, the products can be detouring the destination order lane and circulating on the circulation lane, thereby buying time until the order lane becomes available.

[0028] In addition, the transfer start guide and the transfer end guide may each be configured to be displaceable by being controlled by a control device to a non-interference position that deviates from the conveying path of the circulation lane so as not to interfere with the goods, and an interference position that enters the conveying path of the circulation lane so as to interfere with the goods.

[0029] The transfer start guide and transfer end guide are each configured to be displaceable between a non-interfering position and an interfering position, so that the product can be appropriately transferred from the source transfer area to the destination transfer area.

[0030] A specific source partitioned area among the multiple partitioned areas located in the source transport area may correspond one-to-one to a destination partitioned area among the multiple partitioned areas located in the destination transport area to which the product is transported from the specific source partitioned area by the transport device. Once the source partitioned area to which the product is transported by the transport device is determined, the destination partitioned area corresponding to the source partitioned area may also be determined. In this case, once the source partitioned area is determined, the destination partitioned area is automatically determined, so the product can be appropriately transported by the transport device.

[0031] For example, after the reference position of the head of the source compartment reaches the transfer device, the destination compartment may be determined as the compartment within the destination area where the reference position of the head reaches the transfer device when the object is moved from the source area to the destination area by the transfer conveyor. In this case, the product in the source compartment is transferred to the destination compartment appropriately according to the transfer speed of the transfer conveyor.

[0032] In other words, the speed of the circulation lane and the speed of the transfer conveyor may be determined so that the time from when the reference position at the beginning of the source partitioned area reaches the transfer device to when the reference position at the beginning of the destination partitioned area reaches the transfer device matches the time it takes for the object to be transferred from the source transfer area to the destination transfer area by the transfer conveyor. In this case too, the product in the source partitioned area is transferred to the destination partitioned area appropriately in accordance with the transfer speed of the transfer conveyor.

[0033] The control device may pass through the transfer of the product by the transfer device when another product is already placed in the transfer destination partition area corresponding to the transfer source partition area to which the product is to be transferred by the transfer device.

[0034] In this case, it is possible to prevent a problem in which an additional product is transferred from the source partition area to the destination partition area even though another product has already been placed in the destination partition area, resulting in interference between multiple products within the same destination partition area. Therefore, products can be transferred more appropriately by the transfer device.

[0035] A specific source partitioned area among the multiple partitioned areas located in the source transport area may correspond one-to-one to a destination partitioned area among the multiple partitioned areas located in the destination transport area to which products are transferred from the specific source partitioned area by the transfer device.The destination partitioned area corresponding to the source partitioned area may arrive at the transfer device after the source partitioned area arrives at the transfer device.The control device may cause a transfer start guide to enter the interference position from a non-interference position based on the timing at which the source partitioned area arrives at the transfer device, and then cause a transfer end guide to enter the interference position from the non-interference position based on the timing at which the destination partitioned area corresponding to the source partitioned area arrives at the transfer device.

[0036] In this case, the transfer start guide and transfer end guide move from the non-interference position to the interference position depending on the timing when the source and destination compartments reach the transfer device. This appropriately prevents problems such as the transfer start guide and transfer end guide interfering with products in compartments other than the source and destination compartments. As a result, products can be more easily transferred by the transfer device.

[0037] The control device may retract the transfer start guide from the interference position to the non-interference position based on the timing when the source partition area passes the transfer device, and then retract the transfer end guide from the interference position to the non-interference position based on the timing when the destination partition area corresponding to the source partition area passes the transfer device.

[0038] In this case, the transfer start guide and transfer end guide each retract from the interference position to a non-interference position depending on the timing when the source partitioned area and the destination partitioned area pass by the transfer device. Therefore, problems such as the transfer start guide and transfer end guide interfering with products in partitioned areas other than the source partitioned area and the destination partitioned area are appropriately prevented. As a result, products are more easily transferred by the transfer device more appropriately. Furthermore, regardless of the number of products placed in the partitioned area, all products are appropriately transferred from the source partitioned area to the destination partitioned area.

[0039] The control device may control the transfer start guide and transfer end guide at a timing to transfer all of the maximum number of products that can be placed in one partition area to the destination partition area, regardless of the number of products placed in the source partition area.

[0040] In this case, by performing the same control on the transfer start guide and transfer end guide regardless of the number of products placed in the partitioned area, all products are appropriately transferred from the source partitioned area to the destination partitioned area. This makes control easier. Also, even if the product conveying speed using a circulation lane or the like is increased, one or more products placed in the source partitioned area are smoothly transferred to the destination partitioned area. Furthermore, it is possible to omit the configuration (e.g., a sensor) for confirming the completion of product transfer by the transfer device, which makes it easier to prevent the configuration from becoming too complex.

[0041] The product conveyance speed of the circulating lane may be 150 mm / sec, more preferably 200 mm / sec, and even more preferably 240 mm / sec. As described above, by using the conveyance device of the present disclosure, even if the product conveyance speed of the circulating lane is increased, the conveyance device can appropriately convey the product from the source compartment to the destination compartment. As an example, the product conveyance speed of the circulating lane of the present disclosure is approximately 247 mm / sec. It is also possible to increase the conveyance speed to approximately 297 mm / sec. Note that the typical conveyance speed of conveyor belt sushi conveyor systems (e.g., conveyor belts operated by chain conveyors) is approximately 80 to 100 mm / sec. Therefore, the technology of the present disclosure allows products to be conveyed at a speed greater than that of a typical conveyor belt sushi restaurant.

[0042] The details of the configuration of the transfer start guide and transfer end guide (hereinafter, sometimes collectively referred to as "guides") can be selected as appropriate. Here, the plate on which the product (e.g., sushi) is placed may include a plate plate on which the product is placed and a cylindrical platform that protrudes downward from a position slightly inside the outer periphery of the plate plate's underside. For example, the height of the upper end of the portion of the guide that contacts the plate on which the product is placed may be set to a height lower than the upper end of the platform of the plate. In this case, the guide contacts the platform rather than the plate, thereby guiding the direction of movement of the plate. Therefore, the direction of movement of various plates is appropriately guided regardless of the size and shape of the plate.

[0043] Furthermore, the shape of the portion of the guide that contacts the dish may be curved, such as a partial arc, in plan view. Unlike when the shape of the portion of the guide that contacts the dish is linear in plan view, the curved shape allows the direction of movement of the dish guided by the guide to change smoothly. This appropriately reduces the possibility of the dish falling off the path.

[0044] At least the portion of the guide that contacts the dish may be a part of a plate-shaped member. The plate-shaped member of the guide may have ribs formed thereon to reinforce its strength. In this case, various problems caused by deformation of the plate-shaped member (for example, a problem in which the plate-shaped member comes into contact with another member located above or below) are appropriately suppressed. Furthermore, if various sensors (for example, optical sensors, etc.) are installed near the guide, the ribs of the guide may have openings or notches formed therein to allow light or electromagnetic waves, etc. detected by the sensors to pass through. In this case, the possibility that the ribs will interfere with detection by the sensors is appropriately reduced.

[0045] The transfer device may be provided so as to be located between the order lanes in the direction in which the order lanes are arranged.

[0046] In this way, the transfer device is positioned between multiple order lanes. Therefore, for example, when a product is shortcutted from the second transport area to the first transport area, the product can be moved upstream of the order lane. Also, when there is already another product on the order lane to which the product is being transported, the product can be appropriately detoured by transferring the product from the first transport area to the second transport area.

[0047] The system may further include an input conveyance path that conveys at least one product prepared in response to a customer order and inputs it into the circulation lane. The control device controls the input conveyance path to place the at least one product in a specific partition area among the multiple partition areas.

[0048] In this way, by providing a feed conveyor and controlling the feed conveyor with a control device, ordered products can be fed into a specific partitioned area, so that products can be fed into the optimal partitioned area depending on the situation of the kitchen and order lane.

[0049] A terminal device may also be provided that displays the products ordered by customers and the order lane corresponding to the customer who placed the order, and that receives input indicating that the products prepared in accordance with the order have been placed on the input conveyance path.The control device then recognizes the products placed on the input conveyance path and controls the input conveyance path based on the information input to the terminal device.

[0050] In this way, the control device can recognize via the terminal device that the prepared product has been placed on the feeding conveyor, and as a result, the control device can determine which section area the product should be fed into, taking into account the order lane and kitchen conditions.

[0051] A plurality of input conveyance paths may be provided in the kitchen. A terminal device may be provided in the kitchen corresponding to each input conveyance path. The control device may further identify the input conveyance path on which the product is set based on information input to the terminal device corresponding to the input conveyance path on which the product is set.

[0052] In this way, even when there are multiple input conveyance paths, the control device can identify which input conveyance path the product is set on based on information input via the terminal device. Therefore, based on this information, the control device can appropriately determine which partitioned area of ​​the circulation lane the product should be inserted into. Furthermore, since the terminal devices are installed in the kitchen corresponding to the input conveyance paths, employees input the input conveyance path on which the product is set into the corresponding terminal device. Therefore, the control device can accurately recognize the input conveyance path on which the product is set.

[0053] The terminal device does not necessarily have to be installed in the kitchen. For example, a mobile terminal carried by an employee may be used as the terminal device.

[0054] A plurality of tables may be arranged along the order lane. The kitchen lane system may further include a branch lane that branches off and transports products conveyed by the order lane to any of the plurality of tables.

[0055] In this case, the product is not only transferred from the circulation lane to a specific order lane, but also branched off from the order lane and delivered to a specific table, making it easier for the product to be delivered to the customer at the table in an appropriate manner.

[0056] One aspect of the store system disclosed herein is installed in a sushi restaurant and transports sushi prepared in the restaurant's kitchen to customers who order sushi. The store system includes multiple plates, a circulation lane, multiple order lanes, a delivery device, and a control device. Sushi is placed on each of the multiple plates. The circulation lane is installed in the kitchen and transports the plates by circulating along a predetermined transport path. Each of the multiple order lanes branches off from the circulation lane and is installed inside the sushi restaurant toward the customer's dining area, transporting plates handed over from the circulation lane. A delivery device is installed corresponding to each of the multiple order lanes and delivers plates transported by the circulation lane to the corresponding order lane. The control device controls the store system. The circulation lane defines multiple partitioned areas along the conveyance path. The circulation lane, which conveys at least one plate placed in one of the multiple partitioned areas, includes a first conveyance area and a second conveyance area. The first conveyance area conveys plates in a first direction. The second conveyance area is located farther away from the multiple order lanes than the first conveyance area and conveys plates in a second direction different from the first direction. The store system further includes a transfer device that transfers plates between one of the multiple partitioned areas located in the first conveyance area and one of the multiple partitioned areas located in the second conveyance area. The transfer device includes a transfer conveyor, a transfer start guide, and a transfer end guide. The transfer conveyor spans between the first conveyance area and the second conveyance area and transfers plates from a transfer source partitioned area located in one of the first conveyance area and the second conveyance area to a transfer destination partitioned area located in the other of the first conveyance area and the second conveyance area. The transfer start guide guides plates from a source partitioned area in the source area toward the transfer conveyor by entering an interference position within the transfer path from a non-interference position deviating from outside the transfer path of the source transfer area. The transfer end guide guides plates from the transfer conveyor toward a destination partitioned area in the destination area by entering an interference position within the transfer path from a non-interference position deviating from outside the transfer path of the destination transfer area. Once a specific source partitioned area in the source transfer area is determined, after the specific source partitioned area reaches the transfer device, when the transfer time for the plate to be transferred from the source transfer area to the destination transfer area by the transfer conveyor has elapsed, the partitioned area in the destination transfer area that reaches the transfer device corresponds one-to-one to the destination partitioned area to which the plate will be transferred from the specific source partitioned area by the transfer device.

[0057] The control device allows the transfer device to pass the plate if another plate is already placed in the destination partitioned area corresponding to the source partitioned area. If no other plate is placed in the destination partitioned area corresponding to the source partitioned area, the control device moves the transfer start guide from the non-interference position to the interference position while maintaining the transfer end guide in the non-interference position when the source partitioned area reaches the transfer device, and then moves the transfer end guide from the non-interference position to the interference position when the destination partitioned area corresponding to the source partitioned area reaches the transfer device. This transfers the plate in the source partitioned area that corresponds one-to-one to the source partitioned area to the destination partitioned area and adjusts the timing at which the plate arrives at the corresponding order lane. The control device recognizes the positions of the multiple partitioned areas and at least one plate placed in any of the multiple partitioned areas, and controls the transfer device to transfer the at least one plate to the order lane corresponding to the customer who ordered the sushi placed on the plate.

[0058] According to one aspect of the store system disclosed herein, plates of sushi can be delivered to the order lane of a customer who has ordered sushi, using multiple partitioned areas in the circulation lane as units. Each partitioned area can hold one or multiple plates. This allows plates to be delivered to customers efficiently, using each partitioned area as a unit.

[0059] Furthermore, it is desirable to deliver cooked sushi to customers as quickly as possible. If the time that plates are transported along the circulation lane can be reduced, the time to deliver sushi to customers can be reduced. The store system disclosed herein is equipped with a transport device that transports plates between the first transport area and the second transport area along the circulation lane. The transport device adjusts the timing at which plates arrive at the corresponding order lane, thereby reducing the time it takes to transport plates.

[0060] Here, a source partitioned area corresponds one-to-one with a destination partitioned area to which plates are transferred from the source partitioned area by a transfer device. The transfer start guide and transfer end guide of the transfer device are driven according to the timing at which the source partitioned area and the destination partitioned area reach the transfer device, based on the one-to-one correspondence between the source partitioned area and the destination partitioned area. As a result, the timing at which plates arrive at the corresponding order lane is adjusted while appropriately preventing malfunctions such as the transfer start guide and transfer end guide interfering with products in partitioned areas other than the source partitioned area and the destination partitioned area.

[0061] On the other hand, if a transfer device transfers a plate to a destination partitioned area even though other plates are already placed there, the multiple plates will interfere with each other within the same partitioned area. In contrast, in one aspect of the store system disclosed herein, if other plates are already placed in the destination partitioned area, the control device will not transfer the plate using the transfer device and will pass it by. This further facilitates store operations.

[0062] The transport device may include a shortcut device and a detouring device. The shortcut device transfers the plate from the second transport area to the first transport area to accelerate the timing at which the plate reaches the corresponding order lane. The detouring device transfers the plate from the first transport area to the second transport area to delay the plate's arrival at the corresponding order lane.

[0063] In this case, the shortcut device can shortcut the plate from the second transport area to the first transport area, thereby appropriately shortening the plate transport time. Furthermore, if there is already another plate on the order lane to which the plate is to be transported, the detouring device can transfer the plate from the first transport area to the second transport area, appropriately detouring the plate and avoiding the problem of multiple plates interfering with each other on the order lane. This makes it easier for the store to be operated more efficiently.

[0064] It should be noted that a plurality of shortcut devices may be provided on the circulation lane, which will further reduce the plate transport time.

[0065] The store system may further include an input conveying path. The input conveying path conveys plates on which sushi cooked according to customer orders is placed and inserts them into the circulation lane. The control device may control the input conveying path to insert the plates into a specific partitioned area among the multiple partitioned areas. The input conveying path may be connected to at least the second conveying area of ​​the first conveying area and the second conveying area.

[0066] In this case, sushi ordered by a customer is placed into a specific section via a feed conveyor. Therefore, the sushi (plates) are placed into an appropriate section depending on the kitchen and order lane conditions. Furthermore, the feed conveyor is connected to at least the second conveyor area. Therefore, the store system can also use a shortcut device to route plates placed into the section of the second conveyor area to the first section. This makes it easier to appropriately shorten the plate transport time.

[0067] The transfer device of the kitchen lane system (store system) disclosed herein transfers products from a source transport area to a destination transport area using a transfer conveyor, a transfer start guide, and a transfer end guide. Furthermore, in the kitchen lane system disclosed herein, multiple partitioned areas are defined in the circulation lane, and the transfer device transfers products from the source partitioned area to the corresponding destination partitioned area. Based on the above configuration, the kitchen lane system disclosed herein prevents interference between multiple products in the destination area by passing the product through when another product is already placed in the destination area corresponding to the source area. However, the technology for passing the product through when another product is already placed in the destination area corresponding to the source area can also be used in the kitchen lane system without combining it with at least one of the technology using a transfer conveyor, a transfer start guide, and a transfer end guide and the technology for defining multiple partitioned areas in the circulation lane. For example, instead of the transfer device of the present disclosure, it is possible to combine a configuration in which products are transferred by pushing them from a source transfer area to a destination transfer area with technology to prevent interference between multiple products in the destination area. Also, it is possible to use a sensor or the like to detect the presence or absence of products in a destination area corresponding to a source area transferred by the transfer device, without defining multiple partitioned areas in the circulation lane.

[0068] The above configuration can also be expressed as follows: A kitchen lane system installed in a kitchen of a restaurant, comprising: a circulation lane laid in the kitchen that circulates and transports products along a predetermined transport path, a transfer device that transfers products from a source area on the circulation lane to a destination area corresponding to the source area, a product presence / absence detection unit that detects the presence or absence of products in the destination area, and a control device that controls the circulation lane system, wherein the control device passes over the transfer of the product by the transfer device when the product presence / absence detection unit detects that another product has already been placed in the destination area corresponding to the source area.

[0069] The kitchen lane system (store system) disclosed herein includes a branch lane, a branch switching unit (e.g., a branch guide), and an individual detection unit (e.g., an individual sensor). The branch lane branches products received from the circulation lane and transported by the order lane to one of multiple tables arranged along the order lane. The branch switching unit switches whether or not products being transported by the order lane are to be diverted from the order lane to the branch lane. The individual detection unit detects whether or not products are present on each branch lane. If the individual detection unit detects that a product is already placed on the branch lane to which the product is to be transported (i.e., the branch lane is "in use"), the control device allows the product to pass through without transferring the product from the circulation lane to the order lane via the transfer device. In other words, if the branch lane to which the product is to be transported is "in use," the kitchen lane system disclosed herein does not make the product wait on the order lane immediately before branching to the branch lane, but makes the product wait on the circulation lane before handing it over to the order lane. During this time, the order lane becomes available, allowing other products to be transported to other branch lanes via the order lane. Therefore, the product can be made to wait until other products are taken out from the branch lane to which the product is to be transported, while preventing a decrease in product transport efficiency.

[0070] The technology of making products wait on the circulation lane when the branch lane to be transported is "in use" can be adopted in a kitchen lane system separately from other technologies exemplified in this disclosure (for example, a technology of providing multiple partitioned areas on the circulation lane, and a technology of transporting products within the circulation lane using a transport guide, etc.). This technology can also be expressed as follows.

[0071] a control device for controlling the kitchen lane system; a circulation lane installed in the kitchen that circulates along a predetermined transport path to transport products; a transfer device installed corresponding to one or more order lanes installed within the restaurant that hands over the products transported by the circulation lane to the corresponding order lane; branch lanes that branch the products transported by the order lane to one of a plurality of tables arranged along the order lane; a branch switching unit that switches whether the products transported by the order lane are to be diverted from the order lane to the branch lane; an individual detection unit that detects the presence or absence of products on each of the branch lanes; and a control device that controls the kitchen lane system; when the individual detection unit detects that another product is already placed in the branch lane to which the product is to be transported, the control device allows the product to pass through without handing over the product from the circulation lane to the order lane by the transfer device.

[0072] <Embodiment> Next, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

[0073] (Overall composition) FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the entire restaurant including a kitchen 14 in which a kitchen lane system (store system) 10 according to this embodiment is installed. In this embodiment, a sushi restaurant (specifically, a so-called conveyor belt sushi restaurant) is used as an example of the restaurant. As shown in FIG. 1, the restaurant is broadly divided into an interior 12 where customers eat and drink, and a kitchen 14 where food and drink (such as sushi in this embodiment) are cooked and prepared. Note that the restaurant using this kitchen lane system 10 may be a restaurant of other business type or industry. Furthermore, the product 5 provided to the customer may be provided free of charge or for a fee.

[0074] In this embodiment, the product 5 is, for example, food or drink such as sushi. For example, it may be a dish such as nigiri sushi or hand-rolled sushi, or other dishes. Food or drink may also include beverages, sweets, containerized foods, packaged foods, etc. Product 5 may also include valuable items other than food or drink. The kitchen lane system (store system) 10 of this embodiment is equipped with a plurality of plates, and food or drink such as sushi is served to customers on the plates.

[0075] In the restaurant of this embodiment, customers can order products 5 at each seat. The restaurant of this embodiment also has multiple order lanes (registered trademark of Kura Sushi Co., Ltd.) 16 that deliver products 5 to customers' seats according to their orders.

[0076] Here, a seat is a concept meaning a seat or table 18 used by a customer to whom the product 5 is provided. One seat corresponds, for example, to a customer group of one or more customers (a customer group includes one or more customers and may be a single customer) who purchases the product 5. For example, when a customer group consisting of multiple customers visits a restaurant and the customer group is shown to a table 18 within the restaurant, the table 18 corresponds to a seat. Also, for example, when a single customer visits a restaurant and the customer is shown to a counter seat within the restaurant, the counter seat corresponds to a seat. Note that a seat is not limited to an actual seat or table 18. A seat may also correspond to a group consisting of one or more customers and indicate a purchaser, orderer, recipient, etc. of the product 5 by the group. Such a seat may be real or virtual. In other words, a seat is a concept indicating a recipient of the product 5 and a unit for charging the price of the product 5. In the following description, the seat corresponding to such a customer (customer group) may be simply referred to as a customer or a table. In other words, the provision of product 5 at a seat corresponding to a customer (customer group) may be simply expressed as product 5 being provided to the customer or table.

[0077] The restaurant includes, for example, an interior 12 where customers eat and drink, and a kitchen 14 where products 5 are cooked and prepared. Inside 12, for example, tables 18 and seats are provided for customers to eat and drink at. Tables 18 may be counter tables that allow customers to eat and drink while sitting in a line.

[0078] (About 12 in the store) The in-store terminal devices 20 provided in the store 12 are, for example, reception terminals provided corresponding to each seat. One in-store terminal device 20 may be shared by two or more seats. Also, two or more in-store terminal devices 20 may be associated with one seat.

[0079] In this embodiment, a group of customers can place orders for products 5, etc., using an in-store terminal device 20 having a screen such as a touch panel, which is installed corresponding to the seats they will be using.

[0080] In the figure, a tablet-type information terminal device is shown as the in-store terminal device 20, but a mobile information terminal device, a personal computer (PC), or the like may also be used as the in-store terminal device 20.

[0081] In the restaurant of this embodiment, customers at the corresponding seats can use a so-called electronic menu displayed on an in-store terminal device 20 to place orders for products 5, etc. For example, a main control device 24 (described later) accepts orders from each seat based on the customer's ordering operation on the in-store terminal device 20 corresponding to each seat. The main control device 24 then transfers the order details to a kitchen terminal device (described later) 22 provided in the kitchen 14, which enables the preparation and serving of the products 5 in accordance with the order.

[0082] In this embodiment, devices that can communicate with each other can communicate with each other via a network such as a local area network or the Internet, but this is not limiting.

[0083] In this embodiment, there is an order lane 16 that transports ordered products 5 to specific seats / tables 18, and a regular lane (not shown) that transports the products 5 in a circulating manner. The order lane 16 is provided above the regular lane. However, the positional relationship between the order lane 16 and the regular lane is not limited to this. The order lane 16 may be located below the regular lane. Also, a pair of order lanes 16 may be arranged running parallel one above the other. Therefore, the kitchen lane system 10 of the present disclosure can be applied even if there is an order lane 16 below the regular lane. Also, the kitchen lane system 10 of the present disclosure can be applied even if there is a configuration in which two order lanes 16 are arranged one above the other.

[0084] The normal lane is always in operation, constantly transporting plates of sushi and other items. On the other hand, the order lane 16 is only operated when an ordered item 5 is to be delivered to a specific table or seat 18.

[0085] Plates with items 5, such as sushi, can be placed on the order lanes 16. A plurality of order lanes 16 (three in this embodiment) are installed inside the store 12 so that plates can be transported near each table 18. The order lanes 16 are configured, for example, using a belt on which plates, etc., can be placed, but they may also be configured to move a platform on which plates can be placed in the transport direction.

[0086] The order lane 16 is configured to transport plates in a predetermined transport direction and deliver the products 5 to each seat or table 18 within the store 12. In a plan view, the order lane 16 is arranged to pass between seats arranged on either side of the order lane 16, but this is not limited to this. Multiple order lanes 16, each consisting of a set of transport paths, may be provided. One end of each order lane 16 is located in the kitchen 14.

[0087] The order lane 16 is driven by a main controller 24. Specifically, the main controller 24 controls a drive source (not shown), such as a motor, for driving the order lane 16.

[0088] The order lane 16 is driven by the main control device 24 to transport plates carrying products 5 such as sushi from the kitchen 14 to the store interior 12. In other words, the order lane 16 transports plates carrying products 5 such as sushi from upstream to downstream. The order lane 16 may extend in a straight line or a curved line.

[0089] In this embodiment, the order lane 16 can provide the product 5 by specifying the table / seat 18 to which the product 5 is to be delivered. In other words, the order lane 16 is configured to be able to deliver the product 5 to the specified destination. When delivering the product 5 to the destination, the order lane 16 is controlled to deliver the product 5 from upstream toward the destination and stop delivery when the product 5 arrives at the destination. This allows the customer to reach out and pick up the product 5 stopped on the order lane 16 from their seat at the destination.

[0090] It is desirable to provide the products 5 via the order lane 16 quickly, and the conveying speed of the order lane 16 is higher than the conveying speed of the normal lane. For example, the order lane 16 may provide the products 5 mainly in response to orders from customers at their seats. On the other hand, the normal lane may provide the products 5 regardless of whether or not a customer has ordered them. This allows, for example, customers to purchase products 5 as they are conveyed by the normal lane and passing by their seats at any time, and, if they desire a specific product 5, to place an order and purchase the product 5 being conveyed by the order lane 16.

[0091] In this embodiment, the restaurant is provided with multiple monitoring devices 26 within the restaurant 12. These monitoring devices 26 are, for example, sensors such as cameras, and are provided along the order lanes 16. The monitoring devices 26 monitor whether an item 5 transported by the order lane 16 is removed from the order lane 16. That is, even if an ordered item 5 is transported to the destination table / seat 18 by the order lane 16, the customer may not immediately remove the item 5. In such a case, even if the next item 5 needs to be served, the same order lane 16 cannot be operated. Therefore, the monitoring device 26 monitors whether an item 5 is removed from the order lane 16 and determines whether the order lane 16 is in use. If an item 5 is removed from the order lane 16 and is available for the next delivery, the monitoring device 26 determines that the order lane 16 is "stopped." On the other hand, if the order lane 16 is in transit, or if the product 5 has arrived at its destination but is still on the order lane 16, the monitoring device 26 determines that the order lane 16 is "in use." The monitoring device 26 transmits these determination results to the main control device 24 as needed.

[0092] (About Kitchen 14) As shown in FIG. 1 , a kitchen 14 of a restaurant forms a long space along the direction in which multiple order lanes 16 are lined up, and a kitchen lane system 10 is installed in this kitchen 14. In addition, in this kitchen 14, multiple employees (two in this embodiment) are each assigned a position to prepare products 5 in response to orders from customers. The kitchen lane system 10 according to this embodiment includes a circulation lane 28, a transfer device 30, an input device 32, a delivery device 34, and a main control device 24. The main control device 24 controls the entire kitchen lane system (store system) 10, as well as the order lanes 16 and the like. The kitchen lane system 10 also includes multiple kitchen terminal devices 22 installed in the kitchen 14.

[0093] In the following description, for convenience, the three order lanes 16 in FIG. 1 may be referred to as the first to third order lanes 16 from the left. The transfer devices 34 provided corresponding to each order lane 16 may also be referred to as the first to third transfer devices 34 from the left in FIG. 1. Furthermore, two employees may be referred to as employee A and employee B, and the input device 32 used by employee A may be referred to as the first input device 32A. The input device 32 used by employee B may be referred to as the second input device 32B. The reference symbols for these components may be appended with "A" and "B" to distinguish them from one another. Furthermore, the transfer device 30 located on the left side of FIG. 1 may be referred to as the first transfer device 30A, and the transfer device 30 located on the right side may be referred to as the second transfer device 30B. The reference symbols for these components may be appended with "A" and "B," respectively.

[0094] (Regarding Circulation Lane 28) The circulation lane 28 is laid in a long loop in the restaurant kitchen 14 along the direction in which the multiple order lanes 16 are lined up (hereinafter referred to as the longitudinal direction). The circulation lane 28 is connected to the upstream ends of the multiple order lanes 16 via a transfer device 34. The circulation lane 28 transports products 5 prepared in response to customer orders to the corresponding order lane 16. The circulation lane 28 operates to circulate at a constant transport speed. For example, when an order lane 16 transporting an ordered product 5 is operating (e.g., when another product 5 is being transported), the circulation lane 28 can circulate the product 5 within the kitchen 14, allowing the order lane 16 to wait until the order lane 16 becomes available. In this embodiment, the transport direction of the circulation lane 28 is counterclockwise, but it may also circulate clockwise. In the following description, the path along which the circulation lane 28 extends is referred to as the transport path.

[0095] As shown in FIG. 2 , the circulation lane 28 is configured, for example, by a crescent chain conveyor in which multiple plates 36 are connected along a conveyance path. Multiple partitioned areas 40 are defined along the conveyance path in the circulation lane 28. More specifically, each partitioned area 40 is defined by a predetermined number of plates 36 (e.g., eight plates 36). Therefore, for example, if the circulation lane 28 is configured with 80 plates 36, 10 partitioned areas 40 are defined. Each partitioned area 40 is provided with an identifier (an example of a detectable object) 42 for identifying the partitioned area 40. For example, an IC tag is used as the identifier 42, but other identifiers 42 may also be used. For example, a two-dimensional code such as a QR code (registered trademark) may also be used as the identifier 42. Identification information for the partitioned area 40 is recorded in the identifier 42. The identifier 42 is attached to the plate 36 located at the head of each partitioned area 40 (the most upstream in the conveyance direction). In this embodiment, the identifier 42 is provided on the upper surface of the plate 36 located at the beginning of the partitioned area 40, at the center of the width direction of the plate 36 (the direction perpendicular to the conveying direction). However, as shown in FIG. 2, the identifier 42a may be provided on the lower surface of the plate 36, or the identifier 42b may be provided on the side surface of the plate 36. When the identifier 42a is provided on the lower surface of the plate 36 in this way, a reader 44 for the identifier 42a (described later) is provided below the circulation lane 28. On the other hand, when the identifier 42b is provided on the side surface of the plate 36, the reader 44 is provided to the side of the circulation lane 28. By providing the identifiers 42a and 42b on the lower surface or side surface of the plate 36, the identifiers are less likely to be affected by the products 5 (plates) placed on the plate 36, and the reader 44 can reliably recognize the identifiers 42a and 42b.

[0096] The circulation lane 28 is also provided with a reader (detector) 44 that reads the identifier 42 to obtain the identification information of the sectioned area 40. For example, an RFID reader that reads information from an IC tag is used as this reader 44. However, any other device may be used as long as it is capable of reading the identification information recorded in the identifier 42. As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of readers 44 are installed along the conveyance route of the circulation lane 28. The detailed installation locations of the readers 44 will be described later. The identification information of each sectioned area 40 read by the reader 44 is transmitted to the main control device 24 each time.

[0097] As shown in FIG. 3 , the circulation lane 28 according to this embodiment has a generally parallelogram shape, consisting of two parallel regions extending linearly along the longitudinal direction and two parallel regions connecting the two regions. Of these two longitudinal regions, the one closest to the order lanes 16 is defined as a first conveyance area 46. Of these two longitudinal regions, the one farther away from the order lanes 16 is defined as a second conveyance area 48. In the first conveyance area 46 and the second conveyance area 48, the circulation lane 28 conveys products 5 in opposite directions. In the following description, the conveyance direction of the circulation lane 28 in the first conveyance area 46 (from right to left in FIG. 3 ) is referred to as the “first direction,” and the conveyance direction of the circulation lane 28 in the second conveyance area 48 (from left to right in FIG. 3 ) is referred to as the “second direction.”

[0098] (Regarding the transport device 30) The circulation lane 28 is provided with a transfer device 30 spanning the first transfer area 46 and the second transfer area 48. In this embodiment, two transfer devices 30 (a first transfer device 30A and a second transfer device 30B) are provided spaced apart in the longitudinal direction. As shown in FIG. 4, each transfer device 30 is composed of a pair of a shortcut device 50 that transfers (shortcuts) products 5 being transported through the second transfer area 48 to the first transfer area 46, and a detour device 52 that transfers (detours) products 5 being transported through the first transfer area 46 to the second transfer area 48.

[0099] As shown in FIG. 4 , the shortcut device 50 includes a shortcut conveyor 50a, a first guide 50b, and a second guide 50c. The shortcut conveyor 50a is installed in the circulation lane 28 so as to span between the first transfer area 46 and the second transfer area 48. In this embodiment, the shortcut conveyor 50a transports products 5 from the second transfer area 48 to the first transfer area 46. The shortcut conveyor 50a may be, for example, a belt conveyor or a roller conveyor, as long as it is capable of transporting the products 5. The shortcut conveyor 50a is driven by a drive source such as a motor (not shown). The operation of the drive source is controlled by the main control device 24 and is normally stopped. When the drive source is driven by the main control device 24 at a predetermined timing, the shortcut conveyor 50a transports the products 5 from the second transfer area 48 to the first transfer area 46. In other words, the shortcut conveyor 50a has the function of transporting (shortcutting) the product 5 in the second transport area 48 to the first transport area 46, thereby accelerating the timing at which the product 5 arrives at the order lane 16.

[0100] The first guide 50b and the second guide 50c are both rod-shaped guide walls that are rotatable about a shaft on the circulation lane 28. The first guide 50b and the second guide 50c are rotated by a drive source, such as a motor (not shown). The drive sources of the first guide 50b and the second guide 50c are each controlled and driven by the main control device 24. The second guide 50c is attached to the second conveying area 48 of the circulation lane 28 at a position spaced apart from the order lanes 16. The second guide 50c is normally positioned in a non-interference position extending downstream from the shaft in a direction parallel to the conveying direction of the circulation lane 28. When positioned in the non-interference position, the second guide 50c deviates from the conveying path so as not to interfere with the products 5 on the circulation lane 28. When the main control device 24 drives the drive source at a predetermined timing, the second guide 50c is displaced (rotated) to an interference position where it enters the conveyance path of the circulation lane 28. When the second guide 50c is positioned at the interference position, the second guide 50c diagonally crosses the circulation lane 28 downstream from the shaft in the second conveyance area 48. When a product 5 reaches the second guide 50c positioned at the interference position, the second guide 50c guides the product 5 toward the shortcut conveyor 50a. When all of the products 5 in the partitioned area 40 have been transferred from the second conveyance area 48 to the shortcut conveyor 50a, the second guide 50c returns to the non-interference position.

[0101] The first guide 50b is attached to a position adjacent to the multiple order lanes 16 in the first conveying area 46 of the circulation lane 28. The first guide 50b is normally positioned in a non-interference position extending from the shaft portion toward the upstream side of the first conveying area 46 in a direction parallel to the conveying direction of the circulation lane 28. In other words, the first guide 50b positioned in the non-interference position deviates from the conveying path so as not to interfere with the products 5 on the circulation lane 28. When the main control device 24 drives the drive source at a predetermined timing, the first guide 50b is displaced (rotated) to an interference position where it enters the conveying path of the circulation lane 28. When the first guide 50b is positioned in the interference position, the first guide 50b is in a state in which it diagonally crosses the circulation lane 28 from the shaft portion toward the upstream side in the first conveying area 46 of the circulation lane 28. The products 5 transported by the shortcut conveyor 50a are then guided by the first guide 50b in the interference position and transferred into one partitioned area 40 located in the first transport area 46 of the circulation lane 28. Then, when all of the products 5 in one partitioned area 40 in the second transport area 48 have moved into one partitioned area 40 in the first transport area 46, the first guide 50b returns to the non-interference position.

[0102] The detouring device 52 has a structure substantially similar to that of the shortcut device 50, but has the opposite function to that of the shortcut device 50 (i.e., the function of diverting products 5 from the order lane 16). The detouring device 52 includes a detouring conveyor 52a, a third guide 52b, and a fourth guide 52c. The detouring conveyor 52a is installed between the first conveying area 46 and the second conveying area 48 in the circulation lane 28, and transports products 5 from the first conveying area 46 to the second conveying area 48. As with the shortcut conveyor 50a, the detouring conveyor 52a may be, for example, a belt conveyor or a roller conveyor, as long as it is capable of transporting products 5. The detouring conveyor 52a is driven by a drive source such as a motor (not shown). The operation of the drive source is controlled by the main control device 24, and is normally stopped. When the drive source is driven by the main control device 24 at a predetermined timing, the detouring conveyor 52a transfers the product 5 from the first transfer area 46 to the second transfer area 48. In other words, the detouring conveyor 52a has the function of transferring (detouring) the product 5 in the first transfer area 46 to the second transfer area 48, thereby delaying the timing at which the product arrives at the order lane 16.

[0103] The third guide 52b and the fourth guide 52c are basically similar in configuration to the first guide 50b and the second guide 50c. Therefore, in the following description, only the differences from the first guide 50b and the second guide 50c are described, and the same configurations are omitted. The third guide 52b is attached to a position adjacent to the multiple order lanes 16 in the first conveying area 46 of the circulation lane 28. The third guide 52b is always positioned in a non-interference position extending downstream from the shaft in a direction parallel to the conveying direction of the circulation lane 28. In other words, when the third guide 52b is in the non-interference position, it deviates from the conveying path so as not to interfere with the products 5 on the circulation lane 28. When the main control device 24 drives the drive source at a predetermined timing, the third guide 52b is displaced (rotated) to an interference position where it enters the conveying path of the circulation lane 28. When the third guide 52b is positioned at the interference position, the third guide 52b diagonally crosses the circulation lane 28 downstream from the shaft in the first transport area 46. When a product 5 reaches the third guide 52b positioned at the interference position, the third guide 52b guides the product 5 toward the detour conveyor 52a. When all of the products 5 in a certain partitioned area 40 have moved from the first transport area 46 to the detour conveyor 52a, the third guide 52b returns to the non-interference position.

[0104] The fourth guide 52c is attached at a position spaced apart from the plurality of order lanes 16 in the second conveying area 48 of the circulation lane 28. The fourth guide 52c is normally positioned at a non-interference position extending from the shaft toward the upstream side of the second conveying area 48 in a direction parallel to the conveying direction of the circulation lane 28. That is, the fourth guide 52c in the non-interference position deviates from the conveying path so as not to interfere with the products 5 on the circulation lane 28. When the main control device 24 drives the drive source at a predetermined timing, the fourth guide 52c is displaced (rotated) to an interference position where it enters the conveying path of the circulation lane 28. When the fourth guide 52c is positioned at the interference position, the fourth guide 52c is in a state in the second conveying area 48 where it diagonally crosses the circulation lane 28 from the shaft toward the upstream side. The products 5 transported by the bypass conveyor 52a are then guided by the fourth guide 52c, which is in the interference position, and transferred into one partitioned area 40 located in the second transport area 48 of the circulation lane 28. When all of the products 5 in a specific partitioned area 40 in the first transport area 46 have been transferred into one partitioned area 40 located in the second transport area 48, the fourth guide 52c returns to the non-interference position.

[0105] As described above, the transfer device 30 of this embodiment includes a shortcut device 50 and a detour device 52. The shortcut device 50 transfers (shortcuts) the products 5 being transferred through the second transfer area 48 to the first transfer area 46. The detour device 52 transfers (detours) the products 5 being transferred through the first transfer area 46 to the second transfer area 48. The transfer device 30 (in this embodiment, each of the shortcut device 50 and the detour device 52) adjusts the timing at which the products 5 arrive at the corresponding order lane 16. The transfer device 30 of this embodiment includes a transfer conveyor, a transfer start guide, and a transfer end guide.

[0106] The transfer conveyor spans between the first transfer area 46 and the second transfer area 48, and transfers products 5 (for example, plates with sushi on them) from one of the first transfer area 46 and the second transfer area 48, which is a source transfer area, to the other destination transfer area. The shortcut conveyor 50a of the shortcut device 50 is an example of a transfer conveyor, and transfers the products 5 from the second transfer area 48, which is the source transfer area, to the first transfer area 46, which is the destination transfer area. The detouring conveyor 52a of the detouring device 52 is also an example of a transfer conveyor, and transfers the products 5 from the first transfer area 46, which is the source transfer area, to the second transfer area 48, which is the destination transfer area.

[0107] The transfer start guide guides the product 5 from the source transfer area toward the transfer conveyor. The second guide 50c of the shortcut device 50 is an example of a transfer start guide, and guides the product 5 from the second transfer area 48, which is the source transfer area, toward the shortcut conveyor 50a, which is a transfer conveyor. The third guide 52b of the detour device 52 is also an example of a transfer start guide, and guides the product 5 from the first transfer area 46, which is the source transfer area, toward the detour conveyor 52a, which is a transfer conveyor.

[0108] The transfer end guide guides the product 5 from the transfer conveyor toward the destination transfer area. The first guide 50b of the shortcut device 50 is an example of a transfer end guide, and guides the product 5 from the shortcut conveyor 50a, which is a transfer conveyor, toward the first transfer area 46, which is a destination transfer area. The fourth guide 52c of the detour device 52 is also an example of a transfer end guide, and guides the product 5 from the detour conveyor 52a, which is a transfer conveyor, toward the second transfer area 48, which is a destination transfer area. As a result, the product 5 is appropriately transferred by the transfer conveyor, transfer start guide, and transfer end guide of the transfer device. Note that when a transfer device is provided in the kitchen lane system 10, only one of the shortcut device 50 and the detour device 52 may be employed.

[0109] (Regarding the delivery device 34) The transfer devices 34 transfer products 5 from the circulation lane 28 to the order lane 16, and one transfer device 34 is provided for each of the order lanes 16. Similar to the first to fourth guides 50b, 50c, 52b, and 52c described above, the transfer devices 34 are rod-shaped guide walls. As shown in FIG. 5, each transfer device 34 is rotatably mounted via a shaft at the connection between the circulation lane 28 and the order lane 16. Each transfer device 34 is driven by a drive source such as a motor (not shown). The operation of the drive source is controlled by the main controller 24 and is normally stopped. When the drive source is driven by the main controller 24 at a predetermined timing, the transfer device 34 transfers the product 5 from the circulation lane 28 to the corresponding order lane 16.

[0110] More specifically, the transfer device 34 is pivotally supported in the first transport area 46 at a position spaced apart from the order lane 16 of the circulation lane 28. The transfer device 34 is normally positioned at a non-interference position extending from the shaft toward the downstream side of the first transport area 46 parallel to the transport path of the circulation lane 28. In other words, the transfer device 34 in the non-interference position deviates from the transport path so as not to interfere with the products 5 on the circulation lane 28. When the main control device 24 drives the drive source at a predetermined timing, the transfer device 34 moves (rotates) to an interference position where it enters the transport path of the circulation lane 28. When the transfer device 34 is positioned at the interference position, the transfer device 34 diagonally crosses the transport path of the circulation lane 28 from the shaft toward the corresponding order lane 16 in the first transport area 46. As a result, the products 5 that arrive at the transfer device 34 are guided by the transfer device 34 and transferred to the corresponding order lane 16. Then, when all the products 5 in the partitioned area 40 have been transferred from the circulation lane 28 to the corresponding order lane 16, the transfer device 34 returns to the non-interfering position.

[0111] (Regarding the insertion device 32) Next, the input device 32 will be described. As described above, a plurality of input devices 32 (two in this embodiment, a first input device 32A and a second input device 32B) are installed corresponding to each of a plurality of employees. Each input device 32 is equipped with a first input conveyance path 60 for inputting products 5 into the first conveyance area 46 of the circulation lane 28, and a second input conveyance path 62 for inputting products 5 into the second conveyance area 48. In this embodiment, both the first input conveyance path 60 and the second input conveyance path 62 are provided in the circulation lane 28 between the first conveyance area 46 and the second conveyance area 48.

[0112] The first input conveying path 60 includes an input conveyor 60a that conveys the products 5 parallel to the first direction of the first conveying area 46, a guide section 63, and an input port 64. The input conveyor 60a is capable of conveying multiple products 5 (e.g., 6) at a time. The input conveyor 60a may be a belt conveyor, a roller conveyor, or the like, similar to the shortcut conveyor 50a and the detour conveyor 52a described above. The input conveyor 60a is driven by a drive source such as a motor (not shown). The drive of this drive source is controlled by the main control device 24. The input conveyor 60a is normally stopped. When the main control device 24 drives the drive source at a predetermined timing, the input conveyor 60a begins operating.

[0113] The guide section 63 is a guide wall that extends in a direction intersecting the conveying direction of the input conveyor 60a toward the first conveying area 46, and guides the products 5 conveyed by the input conveyor 60a toward the first conveying area 46. The input opening 64 opens toward the first conveying area 46 at the downstream end of the guide section 63, and the products 5 guided by the guide section 63 are input into the first conveying area 46 from the input opening 64.

[0114] The second input conveyance path 62 has a configuration basically similar to that of the first input conveyance path 60. Therefore, in the following explanation, only the differences between the second input conveyance path 62 and the first input conveyance path 60 will be described, and the same configuration will be omitted. The second input conveyance path 62 comprises an input conveyor 62a, a guide unit 63, and an input opening 64. The input conveyor 62a of the second input conveyance path 62 transports products 5 parallel to the second direction of the second transport area 48. The second input conveyance path 62 also comprises a guide unit 63 and an input opening 64. The guide unit 63 of the second input conveyance path 62 is a guide wall that extends in a direction intersecting the transport direction of the input conveyor 62a toward the second transport area 48. The guide unit 63 guides products 5 transported by the input conveyor 60a toward the second transport area 48. The second input conveying path 62 has an input opening 64 that opens toward the second conveying area 48 at the downstream end of the guide section 63. The product 5 guided by the guide section 63 is inserted from the input opening 64 into the second conveying area 48.

[0115] Here, the first input conveying path 60 and the second input conveying path 62 are both arranged so as not to interfere with the products 5 being transported through the circulation lane 28. That is, the first input conveying path 60 and the second input conveying path 62 are arranged between the first transport area 46 and the second transport area 48, and each input conveyor 60a extends between the two transport areas. The input openings 64, 64 of each input conveying path 60, 62 open toward the transport path from a position deviating from the transport path of the circulation lane 28. Therefore, the system is designed so that the products 5 being transported through the first transport area 46 or the second transport area 48 do not come into contact with the first input conveying path 60 and the second input conveying path 62. Moreover, the first input conveying path 60 and the second input conveying path 62 are both arranged between the first transport area 46 and the second transport area 48. Therefore, by effectively utilizing the 28 empty spaces in the circulation lane, it is possible to ensure ample working space for employees.

[0116] As shown in FIG. 1 , two input devices 32 (first input device 32A and second input device 32B) are disposed between the three order lanes 16. The two transfer devices 30 (first transfer device 30A and second transfer device 30B) are also positioned between the three order lanes 16. The first input conveyance path 60A of the first input device 32A, which is positioned between the first and second order lanes 16, is provided close to the first order lane 16. The first input conveyance path 60B of the second input device 32B, which is positioned between the second and third order lanes 16, is provided close to the second order lane 16. The input port 64 of the first input conveyance path 60A is located near the upstream side of the first order lane 16, and the input port 64 of the first input conveyance path 60B is located near the upstream side of the second order lane 16. Furthermore, the insertion opening 64 of the first input conveying path 60A is located downstream of the shortcut device 50A, and the insertion opening 64 of the first input conveying path 60B is located downstream of the shortcut device 50B. That is, the insertion opening 64 of the first input conveying path 60A is located downstream of the shortcut device 50A and upstream of the first delivery device 34. Also, the insertion opening 64 of the first input conveying path 60B is located downstream of the shortcut device 50B and near the upstream side of the second delivery device 34.

[0117] (Regarding kitchen terminal device 22) A plurality of kitchen terminal devices 22 are provided in the restaurant kitchen 14. These kitchen terminal devices 22 are provided corresponding to the first input conveying path 60 and the second input conveying path 62 of each input device 32. That is, in this embodiment, four kitchen terminal devices 22 are provided. For ease of explanation, the four kitchen terminal devices 22 shown in FIG. 1 may be referred to as the first to fourth kitchen terminal devices 22, from left to right. The first and second kitchen terminal devices 22 correspond to the first and second input conveying paths 60A and 62A of the first input device 32A, respectively, and the third and fourth kitchen terminal devices 22 correspond to the first and second input conveying paths 60B and 62B of the second input device 32B, respectively. The first and second kitchen terminal devices 22 are primarily used by employee A, who is in charge of the first input device 32A. On the other hand, the third and fourth kitchen terminal devices 22 are mainly used by employee B who is in charge of the second feeding device 32B.

[0118] Each kitchen terminal device 22 is, for example, a tablet-type display terminal with a touch panel display screen. Alternatively, a personal computer such as a laptop computer may be used as the kitchen terminal device 22. Each kitchen terminal device 22 is communicatively connected to the main control device 24, and an order for a product 5 input via the in-store terminal device 20 is transmitted from the main control device 24 to each kitchen terminal device 22. At this time, the main control device 24 transmits at least the type and quantity of the ordered product 5, as well as the identification information of the order lane 16 corresponding to the customer who placed the order. Upon receiving this information (hereinafter referred to as order output information) from the main control device 24, the kitchen terminal device 22 displays an image (hereinafter referred to as order image 66) corresponding to the order output information on its display screen.

[0119] FIG. 6 shows an example of an order image 66 displayed on the display screen of a kitchen terminal device 22. Note that, in this embodiment, all kitchen terminal devices 22 are configured to display the same display screen. In the example of FIG. 6, an order image 66 related to the second order lane 16 and an order image 66 related to the first order lane 16 are displayed. That is, the example of FIG. 6 shows a state in which an order related to the second order lane 16 (Order No. 1) is placed first, followed by an order related to the first order lane 16 (Order No. 2). The order image 66 for Order No. 1 displays the ordered product (tuna), the quantity (3 plates), and the corresponding order lane 16 (second lane). The order image 66 for Order No. 2 displays the ordered product (shrimp), the quantity (2 plates), and the corresponding order lane 16 (first lane). Note that a single order may include multiple types of products 5 (e.g., squid, shrimp, and 5 plates).

[0120] The order image 66 also displays a placement completion button 68 that is operated by the employee when the employee places the prepared product 5 on the input conveying paths 60, 62. For example, assume that employee B places the prepared product for order No. 1 (tuna: three plates) on the first input conveying path 60B corresponding to the third kitchen terminal device 22. In this case, employee B operates (touches) the placement completion button 68 displayed on the order image 66 for order No. 1 on the display screen of the third kitchen terminal device 22. This causes the third kitchen terminal device 22 to transmit information (placement completion information) to the main control device 24 indicating that the product 5 for order No. 1 has been placed on the corresponding first input conveying path 60. Based on the received placement completion information, the main control device 24 can determine in which partitioned area 40 of the circulation lane 28 the placed product 5 should be placed.

[0121] In the example described above, the order image 66 is displayed in the same way on all kitchen terminal devices 22. However, the order image 66 displayed on each kitchen terminal device 22 may be displayed in different formats and contents. For example, the order image 66 displayed on the kitchen terminal device 22 may be different depending on the order lane 16 corresponding to the ordered product 5. Specifically, for example, the order image 66 related to an order from the first order lane 16 (left side of FIG. 1) may be displayed only on the first kitchen terminal device 22 and the second kitchen terminal device 22 (the two on the left side of FIG. 1). On the other hand, the order image 66 related to an order from the third order lane 16 (right side of FIG. 1) may be displayed only on the third kitchen terminal device 22 and the fourth kitchen terminal device 22 (the two on the right side of FIG. 1).

[0122] Furthermore, the manner in which the order image 66 is displayed on the kitchen terminal device 22 may be changed depending on the order lane 16 corresponding to the ordered product 5. Specifically, for example, assume that there are two orders, one for the first order lane 16 and one for the third order lane 16. In this case, the order images 66 for all the orders may be displayed on each kitchen terminal device 22, and the order image 66 for the order from the first order lane 16 may be highlighted on the first kitchen terminal device 22 and the second kitchen terminal device 22. On the other hand, the order image 66 for the order from the third order lane 16 may be highlighted on the third kitchen terminal device 22 and the fourth kitchen terminal device 22. Examples of highlighting include flashing the order image 66 or enlarging it.

[0123] (Installation location of reader 44) Next, the installation positions of the readers (detectors) 44 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 1, 4, and 5, multiple readers 44 are installed along the conveyance path of the circulation lane 28. The installation positions of the readers 44 are set to at least (1) near the upstream side of the input port 64 of each input device 32 (see FIG. 5), (2) near the upstream side of the second guide 50c of the shortcut device 50 (see FIG. 4), (3) near the upstream side of the third guide 52b of the detour device 52 (see FIG. 4), and (4) near the upstream side of the delivery device 34 (see FIG. 1). However, in addition to these installation locations, the readers 44 may also be installed near the downstream side of the first guide 50b of the shortcut device 50 or near the downstream side of the fourth guide 52c of the detour device 52, for example.

[0124] In this way, by providing multiple readers 44, the identifier (detectable object) 42 provided on the plate 36 can be identified at different positions. In other words, the partitioned area 40 of the circulation lane 28 can be identified at multiple locations, allowing the position of the partitioned area 40 to be accurately recognized. Furthermore, by providing the reader 44 near the upstream side of the insertion port 64 of the insertion device 32, it is possible to detect whether the partitioned area 40 into which the product 5 set in the insertion device 32 is inserted (hereinafter, may be referred to as the insertion destination partitioned area 40) has arrived at the insertion port 64. Furthermore, by installing the reader 44 near the upstream side of the second guide 50c, it is possible to detect whether the partitioned area 40 in which the product 5 to be shortcut is located (hereinafter, may be referred to as the transfer source partitioned area 40) has arrived at the second guide 50c. Furthermore, by installing a reader 44 near the upstream side of the third guide 52b, it is possible to detect whether the partitioned area 40 in which the product 5 to be diverted is located (hereinafter, may be referred to as the partitioned area 40 from which the product 5 is diverted or from which the product 5 is transferred) has arrived at the third guide 52b. Furthermore, by installing the reader 44 near the upstream side of the transfer device 34, it is possible to detect that the specified partitioned area 40 (i.e., the product 5) has arrived at the order lane 16 (transfer device 34) to which the product 5 is to be transferred.

[0125] As described above, in this embodiment, the positions of multiple defined areas 40 are determined by installing multiple readers 44 at various locations. However, the number and locations of the readers 44 are not limited to the above example. For example, a single reader (detector) 44 may be installed in any one of the circulation lanes 28, and the reader 44 may read the identifiers (detectable objects) 42 of each defined area 40. In this way, even when a single reader 44 is installed, the main control device 24 can estimate the positions of all defined areas 40. In other words, because the length and conveying speed of the circulation lane 28 are constant, the main control device 24 can estimate the positions of all defined areas 40 from the detection signals of the defined areas 40 detected by a single reader 44.

[0126] (Regarding the main control device 24) Next, the main control device 24 will be described. As shown in FIG. 8, the main control device 24 is communicably connected to each device on the inside of the store 12 side and the kitchen 14 side, and controls these devices in an integrated manner. The main control device 24 can be realized by a computer equipped with a processor 70, memory 72, etc. The processing procedures of the main control device 24 are usually realized by software (computer program code), and the software is recorded on a recording medium such as a ROM. However, some or all of the processing may also be realized by hardware (dedicated circuitry).

[0127] In this disclosure, the term "processor" refers to one or more hardware processors configured to execute program code (i.e., one or more instructions constituting the program) included in a program. In other words, "processor 70" is a hardware device capable of executing one or more programmed processes. For example, a "processor" may be a general-purpose or special-purpose processor, such as a CPU, a microprocessor, a GPU, and a DFP (Data Flow Processor), but is not limited to these.

[0128] In this disclosure, the term "memory" refers to one or more hardware memories that are non-transitory tangible recording media configured to store computer program code and / or data accessible to the processor 70. The "memory" may be implemented using memory technologies such as SRAM, SDRAM, non-volatile flash memory, or other types of memory. Computer program code constituting a program may be stored in the memory and executed by the processor to cause the main controller 24 to perform various functions.

[0129] 8, the main control device 24 is communicatively connected to the in-store terminal device 20, the order lane 16 (drive unit), and the monitoring device 26, which are devices on the inside of the store 12 side. The main control device 24 is also communicatively connected to the input device 32, the reader 44, the transport device 30, the delivery device 34, and the kitchen terminal device 22, which are devices on the kitchen 14 side. The main control device 24 is connected to these devices via wired or wireless communication lines.

[0130] The main control device 24 receives information regarding orders for products 5 (hereinafter referred to as order input information) from the in-store terminal devices 20. The order input information includes the type and quantity of the products 5, as well as the identification information of the table / seat 18 for which the order has been placed, and the identification information of the order lane 16 corresponding to that table / seat 18. Upon receiving the order input information, the main control device 24 assigns an order number to the order and transmits it to each kitchen terminal device 22 as the above-mentioned order output information. The main control device 24 also receives the above-mentioned placement completion information from each kitchen terminal device 22. This allows the main control device 24 to recognize which input conveyor path 60, 62 has been set with which product 5 with which order number.

[0131] Furthermore, the identification information of each sectioned area 40 detected by the reader 44 is transmitted to the main control device 24 as needed, along with the identification information of the reader 44. The main control device 24 stores the installation positions of all readers 44 in advance. This allows the main control device 24 to constantly grasp the positions of all sectioned areas 40 in the circulation lane 28 based on information from the readers 44. In this way, by constantly grasping the position of each sectioned area 40, the main control device 24 can accurately predict the timing at which a sectioned area 40 will reach the order lane 16. Note that the position of a sectioned area 40 can be, for example, determined as a reference position at a predetermined position in the circulation lane 28, and the distance in the conveying direction from the reference position to the leading plate 36 in that sectioned area 40 can be used.

[0132] The main control device 24 constantly receives information about the status of the order lane 16 from the monitoring device 26. That is, information indicating the usage status of the order lane 16 (information indicating whether the order lane 16 is in use or stopped) is sent from the monitoring device 26 to the main control device 24. This allows the main control device 24 to constantly grasp the status of the order lane 16 at the delivery destination.

[0133] In this way, the main control device 24 grasps the positions of all the partitioned areas 40 in the circulation lane 28 and the contents of the products 5 placed in each partitioned area 40. Furthermore, the main control device 24 grasps the usage status of the order lanes 16. This information (hereinafter referred to as partitioned area information) is stored in the partitioned area information storage unit 72a of the memory 72. FIG. 7 shows the partitioned area information stored in the partitioned area information storage unit at a certain time. In the example of FIG. 7, the partitioned area information stored includes the identification information of the partitioned areas 40 (e.g., if there are 10 partitioned areas 40, the identification numbers are 1 to 10), the position of the partitioned areas 40 (distance from the reference position), whether or not there are products 5, the order number, the contents of the products 5 (type, number of plates), the destination order lane 16 (the identification number of the order lane 16), the usage status of the destination order lane 16 (in use or stopped), the estimated arrival time (seconds) to the destination order lane 16, and the like. The positions of the partitioned areas 40 are updated as needed based on information from the reader 44. In addition, the partition area information is updated when (1) a new product 5 is put into the circulation lane 28, (2) a product 5 is handed over to the order lane 16, (3) a shortcut is taken for the product 5, and (4) a detour is taken for the product 5.

[0134] Next, we will explain the various control processes executed by the main control device 24. The main control device 24 executes the following input process, delivery process, shortcut process, and detour process by having the processor 70 read various control programs stored in the memory 72.

[0135] (About input processing) Next, the input process executed by the main control device 24 will be described with reference to the flowchart in Figure 9. The input process is initiated when an employee places a product 5 on one of the input conveyance paths and operates the placement completion button 68 displayed on the corresponding kitchen terminal device 22. The following description assumes that the product 5 for order No. 2 (product 5: shrimp, quantity: 2 plates) has been placed on the first input conveyance path 60A corresponding to the first kitchen terminal device 22. When the input process is initiated, placement completion information is received from the first kitchen terminal device 22 (step S10). The main control device 24 recognizes from the placement completion information that the product 5 for order No. 2 has been placed on the first input conveyance path 60A corresponding to the first kitchen terminal device 22.

[0136] Upon receiving the placement completion information, the main control device 24 accesses the sectional area information storage unit 72a and references the sectional area information (step S12). Then, based on the sectional area information and the usage status of the circulation lane 28 and the order lane 16 of the destination, the main control device 24 determines the sectional area 40 in which to place the product 5 (step S14). In this way, the main control device 24 can grasp the usage status of the circulation lane 28 and the order lane 16 based on the sectional area information that is updated as needed. Therefore, it can select the optimal sectional area 40 depending on the usage status of the circulation lane 28 and the order lane 16.

[0137] For example, if no product 5 is placed in the partitioned area 40 closest to the first input conveying path 60A on which the product 5 is set, the main control device 24 can determine that partitioned area 40 as the partitioned area 40 into which the product 5 should be placed. On the other hand, if a product 5 is placed in the partitioned area 40 closest to the first input conveying path 60A and no product 5 is placed in the next partitioned area 40, the main control device 24 can determine that next partitioned area 40 as the partitioned area 40 into which the product 5 should be placed. In the following explanation, it is assumed that the partitioned area 40 with identification number 8 is determined to be the partitioned area into which the product 5 should be placed.

[0138] Next, the main control device 24 determines whether the reader 44 (see FIG. 5) provided near the first input conveying path 60A has detected the destination compartment area 40 (i.e., the compartment area 40 with identification number 8) (step S16). If the reader 44 detects the destination compartment area 40 (step S16: YES), the main control device 24 drives the first input conveying path 60A (step S18). As a result, the product 5 set on the first input conveying path 60A is transported by the input conveyor 60a and guided by the guide unit 63 toward the circulation lane 28. The product 5 is then inserted into the destination compartment area 40 through the input port 64.

[0139] Next, the main control unit 24 determines whether the reader 44 has detected the next sectioned area 40 after the sectioned area 40 where the product is to be inserted (i.e., the sectioned area 40 with the identification number 9) (step S20). When the reader 44 detects the next sectioned area 40, the main control unit 24 stops driving the first input conveying path 60A. In this manner, in this embodiment, multiple sectioned areas 40 in which multiple products 5 can be placed are defined in the circulation lane 28, and the multiple products 5 inserted into each sectioned area 40 are managed on a sectioned area 40 basis. This makes it possible to accurately identify the multiple products 5 within a sectioned area 40 and realize appropriate transport and delivery of the products 5 according to the usage status of the circulation lane 28 and the order lane 16. Furthermore, the first input conveying path 60 is driven from the time the reader 44 detects the sectioned area 40 where the product is to be inserted until the time the reader 44 detects the next sectioned area 40. In other words, the first input conveying path 60 is driven from the time the sectioned area 40 where the product is to be inserted arrives until it passes through. Therefore, even if multiple products 5 are set on the first input conveying path 60, all of the products 5 can be reliably inserted into the compartmented area 40 to which they are to be inserted. The time for driving the input conveying paths 60, 62 is not limited to that described above. For example, the main control device 24 knows the number of products 5 set, and may therefore drive the input conveying paths 60, 62 for a time period corresponding to the number of products 5. Furthermore, for example, the main control device 24 may pre-store the time required to insert all of the maximum number of products 5 (e.g., six) that can be set on the input conveying paths 60, 62. Furthermore, the input conveying paths 60, 62 (input conveyors 60a, 62a) may be driven for the pre-stored time period.

[0140] When the main control device 24 stops driving the first input conveying path 60 (step S22), it updates the sectional area information (step S24). That is, it updates the information related to the sectional area information for the input destination sectional area 40. In this example, since the product with order No. 2 was input into the sectional area 40 with identification number 8, the information related to the sectional area 40 with identification number 8 is updated as shown in FIG. 7. Then, the main control device 24 ends the input process.

[0141] Here, the input device 32 is installed between the first conveyance area 46 and the second conveyance area 48 and is configured not to interfere with the products 5 being conveyed through the circulation lane 28. In particular, the input port 64 of the first input conveyance path 60 is located near the upstream side of the first order lane 16 and the second order lane 16. Therefore, when an order for a product 5 is placed for the first order lane 16, the product 5 can be quickly conveyed to the first order lane 16A by placing the product 5 on the first input conveyance path 60A close to the first order lane 16. In this way, by placing the product 5 on the first input conveyance path 60 closest to the destination order lane 16, the employee can intuitively determine the input conveyance path to which the product 5 should be placed. Therefore, even an inexperienced employee can easily determine the input conveyance path 60, 62 into which the product 5 should be placed.

[0142] Furthermore, in this embodiment, in addition to the first input conveyance path 60, a second input conveyance path 62 is used. Therefore, for example, an employee can deliberately input the product 5 into the second conveyance area 48, which is farther away from the order lane 16, in consideration of the usage status of the circulation lane 28 and the order lane 16. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 1 , in the restaurant of this embodiment, by using the second input conveyance path 62B, the product 5 can reach the rightmost order lane 16 as quickly as possible. In this way, by providing the input conveyance paths 60, 62 in each of the first conveyance area 46 and the second conveyance area 48, the product 5 can be flexibly input according to the specifications of the restaurant.

[0143] Furthermore, the insertion opening 64 of the first insertion conveying path 60 is located downstream of the shortcut device 50 and upstream of the order lane 16. By positioning the insertion opening 64 in this way, even if the shortcut device 50 is being used, it is possible to insert products 5 using the first insertion conveying path 60. In other words, while the shortcut device 50 is in use, the circulation lane 28 is blocked from transport by the first and second guides 50b, 50c, but by locating the insertion opening 64 downstream of these guides, it is possible to insert products 5 even when the shortcut device 50 is being used.

[0144] (Regarding delivery processing) Next, the delivery process will be explained with reference to the flowchart in Figure 10. The delivery process will be explained using an example of the situation assumed in the above-mentioned insertion process after the insertion process has been completed. That is, it is assumed that the product 5 has been inserted from the first insertion conveyor path 60A into the partitioned area 40 with identification number 8.

[0145] When the product 5 is inserted, the main control unit 24 determines whether the reader 44 provided corresponding to the first order lane 16 has detected the partitioned area 40 in which the product 5 is placed (hereinafter referred to as the source partitioned area 40) (step S100). If the reader 44 has not detected the source partitioned area 40 (step S100: NO), the main control unit 24 repeats the steps. On the other hand, if the reader 44 detects the source partitioned area 40 (step S100: YES), the main control unit 24 determines the usage status of the destination order lane 16 (in this case, the first order lane 16) (step S102). That is, the main control unit 24 accesses the partitioned area information storage unit 72a and determines the usage status of the first order lane 16 from the partitioned area information. If the first order lane 16 is "stopped" (step S102: YES), the main controller 24 drives the first delivery device 34 provided corresponding to the first order lane 16 (step S104).

[0146] That is, the main control device 24 drives the first transfer device 34 to move from the non-interference position to the interference position. As a result, the first transfer device 34 crosses the circulation lane 28. The product 5 that arrives at the first transfer device 34 is guided by the first transfer device 34 and transferred to the first order lane 16. Next, the main control device 24 determines whether the reader 44 provided corresponding to the first order lane 16 has detected the next partitioned area 40 after the partitioned area 40 of the transfer source (i.e., the partitioned area 40 with the identification number 9) (step S106). Then, when the reader 44 detects the next partitioned area 40 (step S106: YES), the main control device 24 returns the first transfer device 34 from the interference position to the non-interference position (step S108). In this way, the main control device 24 maintains the first transfer device 34 in the interference position while the partitioned area 40 of the transfer source passes. Therefore, even if a plurality of products 5 are placed in the partitioned area 40 of the delivery source, all of the products 5 can be delivered to the first order lane 16 reliably.

[0147] On the other hand, if the first order lane 16 is "in use" (step S102: NO), the main control device 24 allows the product 5 to pass through the first order lane 16 without driving the first delivery device 34. Therefore, the product 5 placed in the partitioned area 40 of the delivery source will circulate through the circulation lane 28 without being delivered to the first order lane 16. In this way, if the order lane 16 of the delivery destination is in use, circulating the product 5 on the circulation lane 28 can buy time until the order lane 16 becomes available for delivery. Then, the main control device 24 repeats step S102.

[0148] Meanwhile, when the delivery of the product 5 to the order lane 16 is complete, the main control device 24 updates the information about the delivery source partitioned area 40 in the partitioned area information (step S110). In this example, the product 5 placed in the partitioned area 40 with identification number 8 has been delivered, so the information about the partitioned area 40 with identification number 8 is updated. Then, the main control device 24 ends the delivery process.

[0149] (About shortcut processing) Next, the shortcut process will be described below with reference to Figure 11. Note that the following description assumes that, in the situation assumed in the above-described delivery process, the product 5 passes through the first order lane 16 without being delivered to the first order lane 16, as shown in Figure 12. Therefore, when the shortcut process is executed, the first order lane 16 is considered to be "in use."

[0150] In the shortcut process, the main control device 24 constantly references the partition area information to determine whether it is possible to shorten the route of the product 5 being transported, thereby speeding up the timing at which the product arrives at the destination order lane 16 (step S200). In the example of FIG. 12, the main control device 24 can shorten the time at which the product 5 arrives at the first order lane 16 by using the shortcut device 50A to shorten the route. Therefore, in such a case, the main control device 24 proceeds to step S202.

[0151] 12, the destination order lane 16 is the second order lane 16. In this case, if the shortcut device 50A is used to take a shortcut for the product 5, the timing at which the product arrives at the second order lane 16 will be delayed. Therefore, in this case, the main control device 24 repeats the determination in step S200 without proceeding to step S202.

[0152] In step S202, the main control device 24 determines whether the reader 44, which is provided upstream of the second guide 50c (see FIG. 12) of the shortcut device 50A, has detected the partitioned area 40 in which the product 5 to be shortcutted is placed (i.e., the transfer source partitioned area 40). Then, when the reader 44 detects the transfer source partitioned area 40 (step S202: YES), the main control device 24 references the partitioned area information and determines (S203) whether a product 5 is already placed in the transfer destination partitioned area 40 that will arrive at the shortcut device 50A in the first transport area 46. If a product 5 is already placed in the transfer destination partitioned area 40 (S203: YES), a shortcut is not possible at this timing, so the transfer source partitioned area 40 is allowed to pass through the shortcut device 50A. Then, the main control device 24 returns to step S200 and determines again whether a shortcut is necessary.

[0153] On the other hand, if no product 5 is located in the destination compartment 40 in step S203 (S203: NO), the main control device 24 drives the first guide 50b and the second guide 50c and also drives the shortcut conveyor 50a (S204). That is, the first guide 50b and the second guide 50c are each displaced from their non-interference positions to their interference positions, and the shortcut conveyor 50a is driven. As a result, the product 5 that has arrived at the second guide 50c is guided by the second guide 50c toward the shortcut conveyor 50a. The shortcut conveyor 50a then transports the product 5 toward the first transport area 46, and then transports the product 5 to the first transport area 46 via the first guide 50b. In this way, by using the shortcut device 50, the product 5 can be shortcut from the second transport area 48 to the first transport area 46. This makes it possible to speed up the timing at which the product 5 arrives at the destination order lane 16 (in this case, the first order lane 16). Moreover, by referencing the partitioned area information, the main control device 24 can determine whether or not the product 5 has already been placed in the destination partitioned area 40. This makes it possible to avoid situations where a shortcut is executed even though the product 5 has been placed in the destination partitioned area 40.

[0154] Next, the main control device 24 determines whether the reader 44 installed near the second guide 50c has detected the next sectioned area 40 after the source sectioned area 40 (step S206). If the reader 44 detects the next sectioned area 40 (step S206: YES), the main control device 24 returns the first guide 50b and the second guide 50c from the interference position to the non-interference position. In this way, the main control device 24 holds the first and second guides 50b, 50c in the interference position while the source sectioned area 40 passes. Therefore, even if multiple products 5 are placed in the source sectioned area 40, all of the products 5 can be reliably shortcut.

[0155] When the main control device 24 completes the shortcut, it updates the partitioned area information for the partitioned area 40 from which the product 5 was transferred and the partitioned area 40 in the first transport area 46 to which the product 5 was transferred (i.e., the partitioned area 40 to which the product 5 was transferred) (step S208). In this example, if the partitioned area 40 to which the product 5 was transferred is the partitioned area 40 with identification number 2, for example, the main control device 24 updates the partitioned area information for the partitioned area 40 with identification number 8 and the partitioned area 40 with identification number 2. The main control device 24 can ascertain (estimate) the partitioned area 40 to which the product 5 will be transferred by the shortcut from the position of each partitioned area 40 at the time the shortcut is executed. Alternatively, a reader 44 may be installed upstream of the first guide 50b, and the destination partitioned area 40 may be recognized from detection information from the reader 44. After updating the partitioned area information in step S208, the main control device 24 terminates the shortcut processing.

[0156] (Detour processing) Next, the detouring process will be explained with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 13. Note that the detouring process will be explained assuming that the product 5 is transported to the second order lane 16 and the product 5 is located upstream of the third order lane 16, as shown in Fig. 14.

[0157] In the detouring process, the main control unit 24 periodically references the sectional area information to determine whether it is necessary to detour the product 5 being transported, thereby delaying the timing of the product's arrival at the destination order lane 16 (step S300). In the example of FIG. 14 , for example, if the destination second order lane 16 is in use, it is necessary to delay the timing of the product 5's arrival at the second order lane 16. Furthermore, even if the second order lane 16 is stopped, it is necessary to detour the product 5 in the sectional area 40 located downstream adjacent to the sectional area 40 in which the product 5 is located (hereinafter referred to as the detouring source sectional area 40). In such a case, the main control unit 24 determines that a detouring is necessary (S300: YES) and proceeds to step S302. If a negative determination is made in step S300, the main control unit 24 repeats step S300.

[0158] In step S302, the main control device 24 determines whether the reader 44 provided upstream of the third guide B has detected the sectioned area 40 in which the product 5 to be detoured is placed (i.e., the sectioned area 40 from which the detour originates). Then, when the sectioned area 40 from which the detour originates is detected (step S302: YES), the main control device 24 references the sectioned area information and determines (S303) whether a product 5 is already placed in the sectioned area 40 from which the detour originates and which arrives at the detour device 52A in the second conveyance area 48. If a product 5 is already placed in the sectioned area 40 from which the detour originates (S303: YES), a detour is not possible at this timing, and so the detour origin sectioned area 40 is allowed to pass through the detour device 52A. Then, the main control device 24 returns to step S300 and determines again whether a detour is necessary.

[0159] On the other hand, if no product 5 is located in the detour destination compartment 40 in step S303 (S303: NO), the main control device 24 proceeds to step S304 and drives the detour device 52. That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the main control device 24 drives the third guide 52b and fourth guide 52c of the detour device 52B and also drives the detour conveyor 52a. That is, the third and fourth guides 52c are each displaced from their non-interference positions to their interference positions, and the detour conveyor 52a is driven. As a result, the product 5 that has arrived at the third guide 52b is guided by the third guide 52b to the detour conveyor 52a. The product 5 is then transported by the detour conveyor 52a toward the second transport area 48 and then to the second transport area 48 via the fourth guide 52c. In this way, by using the detouring device 52, the product 5 can be detouring from the first conveying area 46 to the second conveying area 48. This makes it possible to delay the timing at which the product 5 arrives at the destination order lane 16 (in this case, the second order lane 16). This allows the product 5 to detouring until the second order lane 16, which is in use, stops, thereby gaining time.

[0160] Next, the main control device 24 determines whether the reader 44 installed near the third guide 52b has detected the next sectioned area 40 after the sectioned area 40 from which the detour originated (step S306). If the reader 44 detects the next sectioned area 40 (step S306: YES), the main control device 24 returns the third and fourth guides 52a, 52c from the interference position to the non-interference position (step S308). In this way, the main control device 24 maintains the third and fourth guides 52b, 52c in the interference position while the sectioned area 40 from which the detour originated passes. Therefore, even if multiple products 5 are placed in the sectioned area 40 from which the detour originated, all of the products 5 can be reliably detoured.

[0161] When the main control device 24 completes the detouring of the product 5, it updates the delimited area information for the detouring source delimited area 40 and the delimited area 40 in the second transport area 48 to which the product 5 has been transferred (hereinafter referred to as the detouring destination delimited area 40) (step S310). The main control device 24 can also determine the detouring destination delimited area 40 from the position of each delimited area 40 at the time of detouring. Alternatively, a reader 44 may be installed upstream of the fourth guide 52c, and the detouring destination delimited area 40 may be recognized from the detection information of the reader 44. After updating the delimited area information in step S310, the main control device 24 ends the detouring process.

[0162] As described above, in the kitchen lane system 10 according to this embodiment, multiple compartments are defined in the circulation lane 28 along the conveyance path, and one or more products 5 are placed in each compartment. The main control device 24 then grasps the locations of all compartments and the contents of the products 5, enabling appropriate control according to the usage status of the circulation lane 28 and the order lane 16. Moreover, because the main control device 24 manages the products 5 on a compartment-by-compartment basis, it can appropriately control the circulation lane 28 system even when multiple products 5 are placed. Furthermore, each compartment 40 is designed to accommodate multiple products 5 arranged side by side along the conveyance direction. Therefore, a group of products 5 placed in each compartment 40 can be appropriately managed on a compartment-by-compartment basis. As a result, the positional relationship of the products 5 with respect to the circulation lane 28 can be accurately grasped, enabling reliable delivery of products to the order lane.

[0163] Next, modified examples of the present disclosure will be described below. In the following description, only differences from the above-described embodiment will be described, and elements having the same functions and effects as those in the embodiment will be assigned the same reference numerals and will not be described again.

[0164] (Transformation example 1) FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing the entire restaurant in which a kitchen lane system (store system) 100 according to Modification Example 1 is installed. In the above-described embodiment, three order lanes 16 were installed, one for each island in the restaurant 12. On the other hand, in the restaurant according to Modification Example 1, two order lanes 16 are installed parallel to each other in the island at the center of the restaurant 12. Also, in the embodiment, a monitoring device 26 such as a camera that monitors the usage status of the order lanes 16 is installed at each table / seat 18. In contrast, in Modification Example 1, an object detection sensor 84 is installed at each order lane 16, and the object detection sensor 84 detects the presence or absence of a product 5 on the corresponding order lane 16. The object detection sensor 84 may be an optical sensor or a photoelectric sensor that irradiates light such as visible light or infrared light toward a light receiving unit.

[0165] The object detection sensor 84 is connected to the main control device 24 so that it can communicate with the main control device 24. The object detection sensor 84 sends a detection signal 84 from the object detection sensor 84 to the main control device 24 at any time. When the main control device 24 receives a signal from the object detection sensor 84 indicating that a product 5 has been detected, it determines that the corresponding order lane 16 is "in use." On the other hand, when the main control device 24 receives a signal from the object detection sensor 84 indicating that a product 5 has not been detected, it determines that the corresponding order lane 16 is "stopped."

[0166] In the above-described embodiment, the first and second input conveyance paths 60, 62 were both provided between the first conveyance area 46 and the second conveyance area 48 in the circulation lane 28. On the other hand, in the kitchen lane system 100 according to the first modified example, the second input conveyance path 62 is provided on the opposite side of the order lane 16 from the second conveyance area 48. That is, in the first modified example, the second input conveyance path 62 is provided on the side of the second conveyance area 48 that faces the work space of the employees provided in the kitchen 14. In this way, the first input conveyance path 60 is provided between the first and second conveyance areas 46, 48 (i.e., close to the first conveyance area 46), while the second input conveyance path 62 is provided on the side closer to the employees (i.e., close to the second conveyance area 48). Therefore, the employee can intuitively select the insertion conveyance path 60, 62 depending on the area into which the product is inserted, and the occurrence of mistakes such as inserting the product 5 into the wrong destination can be reduced.

[0167] FIG. 16 is an enlarged view of a portion of the kitchen lane system 10a according to Modification Example 1. As shown in FIG. 16, the input conveying paths 60, 62 of Modification Example 1 are provided with input product sensors 80 capable of detecting products 5 set on the input conveying paths 60, 62. Similar to the object detection sensor 84, the input product sensors 80 may be optical sensors, photoelectric sensors, or the like, and are configured to detect the presence or absence of products 5 placed on the input conveying paths 60, 62. Note that a weight sensor or the like may also be used as the input product sensor 80 as long as it is capable of detecting the products 5. The input product sensors 80 are communicatively connected to the main control device 24, and a detection signal from the input product sensors 80 is transmitted to the main control device 24 as needed. Based on the detection signal from the input product sensors 80, the main control device 24 can determine whether or not products 5 are actually set on the input conveying paths 60, 62. For example, if an employee presses the placement completion button 68 on the corresponding kitchen terminal device 22 when no product 5 has been placed on the insertion conveyor path 60, the main control device 24 can recognize, based on the detection signal from the insertion product sensor 80, that no product 5 has actually been placed on the insertion conveyor path 60. As a result, even if the main control device 24 receives placement completion information from the kitchen terminal device 22, it can display an error message indicating that no product 5 has been placed on the kitchen terminal device 22, without executing the insertion process.

[0168] In the above-described embodiment, the main control device 24 is configured to estimate the sectional area 40 of the transfer destination or detour destination when a shortcut or detour is performed based on the sectional area information. However, in the first modified example, a reader 44a is also provided downstream of the shortcut device 50 and the detour device 52, thereby directly recognizing the sectional area 40 of the transfer destination or detour destination. That is, in the kitchen lane system 100 according to the first modified example, in addition to the reader 44 provided upstream of the shortcut device 50 in the second transport area 48, a reader 44a is also provided downstream of the shortcut device 50 in the first transport area 46. More specifically, the reader 44a is provided near the upstream side of the shortcut conveyor 50a in the first transport area 46. Furthermore, by providing the reader 44a upstream of the shortcut conveyor 50a, the reader 44a can recognize the sectional area 40 of the transfer destination to which the shortcut-taken product 5 is transferred.

[0169] Similarly, in addition to the reader 44 provided upstream of the detouring device 52 in the first transport area 46, a reader 44a is also provided downstream of the detouring device 52 in the second transport area 48. More specifically, the reader 44a is provided near the upstream side of the detouring conveyor 52a in the second transport area 48. By providing the reader 44a upstream of the detouring conveyor 52a, the reader 44a can recognize the compartment area 40 to which the diverted products 5 are to be placed.

[0170] In the kitchen lane system 100 according to the first modified example, a plurality of product detection sensors 82 are provided in the circulation lane 28. A product detection sensor 82 is also provided in the order lane 16. Similar to the object detection sensor 84 described above, the product detection sensors 82 are photoelectric sensors such as optical sensors. In the first modified example, the product detection sensors 82 are provided (1) near the input ports 64 of the input conveying paths 60, 62 in the circulation lane 28, (2) downstream of the first guide 50b of the shortcut device 50 in the circulation lane 28, (3) downstream of the fourth guide 52c of the detouring device 52 in the circulation lane 28, and (4) near the delivery device 34 in each order lane 16. These product detection sensors 82 are communicatively connected to the main control device 24, and detection signals from the product detection sensors 82 are transmitted to the main control device 24 as needed.

[0171] In this way, by providing product detection sensors 82 near the insertion openings 64 of each insertion conveyance path 60, 62, it is possible to determine whether or not the products 5 have been inserted from the insertion conveyance paths 60, 62 into the desired compartmented area 40. Therefore, for example, if products 5 become stuck on the insertion conveyors 60a, 62a for some reason and cannot be inserted into the circulation lane 28, the main control device 24 can recognize that the products 5 have not been inserted. Furthermore, based on the detection signal from the product detection sensors 82, the main control device 24 can recognize the number of inserted products 5, and can therefore determine whether the correct number of products 5 have been inserted from the insertion conveyance paths 60, 62.

[0172] Furthermore, by providing a product detection sensor 82 downstream of the first guide 50b of the shortcut device 50, the main control device 24 can determine whether or not the products 5 have been transferred to the destination partitioned area 40. Furthermore, based on the detection signal of the product detection sensor 82, the main control device 24 can also determine the number of products 5, and can therefore determine whether or not all of the products 5 that should be transferred have been transferred to the destination partitioned area 40.

[0173] Similarly, by providing a product detection sensor 82 downstream of the fourth guide 52c of the detouring device 52, the main control device 24 can determine whether or not a product 5 has been placed in the detouring destination compartment area 40. Furthermore, based on the detection signal of the product detection sensor 82, the main control device 24 can also determine the number of products 5, and can therefore determine whether or not all of the products 5 that should be detouring have been placed in the detouring destination compartment area 40.

[0174] Furthermore, by providing product detection sensors 82 near the upstream end of each order lane 16, the main control device 24 can determine whether or not a product 5 has been delivered to the order lane 16. Moreover, based on the detection signal from the product detection sensors 82, the main control device 24 can also determine the number of products 5, making it possible to determine whether or not the number of products 5 corresponding to the order has been delivered to the order lane 16.

[0175] Next, the shortcut processing of the kitchen lane system 100 according to the first modified example will be described with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 17. In the description of Fig. 17, only steps that are different from the above-described embodiment will be described, and the same processes as those in the embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals and will not be described.

[0176] In the shortcut process according to the first modified example, when it is determined by referring to the sectioned area information that no product is located in the sectioned area 40 of the transfer destination (step S203: NO), it is determined whether the reader 44a provided upstream of the first guide 50b in the first conveying area 46 has detected the sectioned area 40 of the transfer destination (step 400). If the reader 44a has detected the sectioned area 40 of the transfer destination (step 400: YES), the shortcut is executed (step S204).

[0177] In step S208, after the shortcut device 50 is stopped, the main control device 24 determines whether or not there are any products 5 in the destination compartment area 40 based on the detection signal from the product detection sensor 82, which is provided downstream of the first guide 50b in the first conveyance area 46. At this time, the main control device 24 recognizes the number of products 5 that have been transferred from the detection signal from the product detection sensor 82 and also determines whether or not all of the products 5 that should be transferred have been transferred to the destination compartment area 40 (step S402). If all of the products 5 have been transferred to the destination compartment area 40 (step S402: YES), the main control device 24 updates the compartment information (step S210) and terminates the shortcut process. On the other hand, if, for some reason, not all of the products 5 have been transferred to the destination compartment area 40 (step S402: NO), the main control device 24 determines that an error has occurred (step S404). The main control device 24 then executes error processing (step S406) and terminates the shortcut process. The error processing executed in step S406 may involve, for example, displaying a message indicating that an error has occurred during shortcutting on all kitchen terminal devices 22. Alternatively, or in addition to this, main control device 24 may stop or slow down circulation lane 28.

[0178] Thus, in the kitchen lane system 100 according to the first modified example, the second input conveying path 62 is provided on the work space side of the second transport area 48 in the kitchen 14. Meanwhile, the first input conveying path 60 is located between the first and second transport areas 46, 48. Therefore, when an employee wishes to input a product 5 into the second transport area 48, the employee will intuitively use the second input conveying path 62, which is provided in a position closer to the second transport area 48. As a result, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of mistakes such as inputting a product 5 into the wrong transport area.

[0179] Furthermore, the input conveying paths 60, 62 in Modification Example 1 are provided with an input product sensor 80. Based on the detection signal from the input product sensor 80, the main control device 24 can determine whether or not a product 5 has actually been placed on the input conveying paths 60, 62. Therefore, even if an employee presses the placement completion button 68 even though a product 5 has not been placed on the input conveying paths 60, 62, the main control device 24 can detect this as an error. Furthermore, in Modification Example 1, a reader 44a is also provided downstream of the shortcut device 50 and the detouring device 52. Therefore, the reader 44a can detect the destination compartment 40 to which the product 5 is to be transferred and the destination compartment 40 to which the product 5 is to be detoured, allowing the shortcut or detouring of the product 5 to be accurately performed.

[0180] Furthermore, the kitchen lane system 100 according to the first modified example is provided with product detection sensors 82 that can detect products 5 transferred to the destination compartment area 40, the transfer destination compartment area 40, the bypass destination compartment area 40, and the delivery destination order lane 16. Therefore, it is possible to determine whether the products 5 have actually been transferred to the destination compartment area 40, etc. based on the detection signals of these product detection sensors 82. Moreover, because the main control device 24 can ascertain the quantity of products 5 based on the detection signals of the product detection sensors 82, it can also determine whether the correct number of products 5 have been transferred to the destination compartment area 40, etc.

[0181] The installation locations and number of the merchandise detection sensors 82 described in the above-described modified example 1 can be changed as appropriate. For example, in modified example 1, the merchandise detection sensors 82 are provided downstream of the shortcut device 50 or the detouring device 52 so as to determine whether or not a merchandise 5 has been placed in the compartment area 40 at the transfer destination or detouring destination. However, for example, it is also possible to detect a merchandise 5 on the shortcut conveyor 50a by irradiating light from the merchandise detection sensors 82 along the conveying direction of the shortcut conveyor 50a.

[0182] In addition, in the first modified example, the product detection sensor 82 is provided at the upstream end of the order lane 16, but the object detection sensor 84 may also serve as a sensor for determining whether or not an item has been handed over to the order lane 16.

[0183] In the above-described embodiment and modified example 1, a second input conveying path 62 for inputting products 5 into the second conveying area 48 is provided, but it is not necessary to use the second input conveying path 62. In other words, it is also possible to provide only the first input conveying path 60 for inputting products 5 into the first conveying area 46, without using the second input conveying path 62.

[0184] In the above-described embodiment, when an employee presses the placement completion button 68, the main control device 24 recognizes that the products 5 have been placed on the input conveying paths 60, 62. Furthermore, in Modification Example 1, an input product sensor 80 is provided to confirm that the products 5 have actually been placed on the input conveying paths 60, 62. However, without using the placement completion button 68 on the kitchen terminal device 22, various sensors may be used to detect the products 5 placed on the input conveying paths 60, 62, and the main control device 24 may automatically recognize that the products 5 corresponding to the order have been placed. In this case, the main control device 24 may automatically place the products 5 into the circulation lane 28 without waiting for instructions from an employee.

[0185] (Transformation example 2) Next, a kitchen lane system according to Modification Example 2 will be described below. In Modification Example 2, the order image 86 displayed on the kitchen terminal device 22 differs from that in the above-described embodiment. In the embodiment, an order image 66 was displayed on the kitchen terminal device 22 for each order in response to an order from a customer (see FIG. 6). Then, when preparation of each ordered product 5 was completed, by pressing the placement completion button 68 displayed on the corresponding order image 66, placement completion information was sent to the main control device 24. In contrast, in Modification Example 2, as shown in FIG. 18, an order image 86 is displayed for each type of ordered product 5. The example in FIG. 18 assumes that three plates of squid and two plates of shrimp have been ordered as Order No. 3. In this case, the kitchen terminal device 22 displays an order image 86 for three plates of squid and an order image 86 for two plates of shrimp. Furthermore, a preparation completion button 69 is displayed on each order image 86. This preparation complete button 69 is touched by the employee when the product 5 corresponding to the order image 86 is ready and set on the input conveying path 60, 62. In addition, in the second modified example, a single placement complete button 68 is displayed.

[0186] For example, for order No. 3, when three plates of squid are ready and placed on the input conveyors 60, 62, the employee touches the preparation complete button 69 on the corresponding order image 86 (middle in FIG. 18 ). When the preparation complete button 69 is touched, a message is sent to the main controller 24 indicating that the product 5 for the three plates of squid is ready. Next, when two plates of shrimp are ready for order No. 3 and placed on the input conveyors 60, 62, the employee touches the preparation complete button 69 on the order image 86 (right side in FIG. 18 ). In this case, a message is sent to the main controller 24 indicating that the two plates of shrimp are ready. Then, since preparation of all types of products 5 for order No. 3 is complete, the employee presses the placement complete button 68, which sends a message to the main controller 24 indicating that the product 5 for order No. 3 has been placed on the input conveyors 60, 62 (i.e., placement complete information).

[0187] When the main control unit 24 receives the placement completion information, it refers to the sectional area information to confirm the details of the products 5 for order No. 3. In this example, the main control unit 24 receives information that preparation of squid (3 plates) and shrimp (2 plates) is complete, and therefore determines that all types of products 5 for order No. 3 are prepared, and places these products 5 into the circulation lane 28. On the other hand, if the details of products 5 for order No. 3 in the sectional area information differ from the types of products 5 that are considered to be ready, the main control unit 24 will not place the products 5. In this case, the main control unit 24 may, for example, display on the kitchen terminal device 22 that a different type of product 5 has been placed than the contents of the order.

[0188] In this way, by displaying an order image 86 for each type of ordered product 5, even if a single order contains multiple types of products 5, the employee can reliably proceed with order processing while checking the order images 86. Furthermore, since each order image 86 is provided with a preparation complete button 69, even if a single order contains multiple types of products 5, the products 5 can be reliably prepared, and the occurrence of ordering mistakes can be reduced.

[0189] (Transformation example 3) Next, a kitchen lane system according to Modification Example 3 will be described below. In Modification Example 3, the partitioned area information stored by the main control device 24 in the partitioned area information storage unit differs from that in the above-described embodiment. That is, as shown in FIG. 19 , in Modification Example 3, in addition to the partitioned area information described in the embodiment, the waiting time of each product 5 is also stored. The waiting time of each product 5 indicates the elapsed time that each product 5 is transported along the circulation lane 28 after being placed into the circulation lane 28. This waiting time is measured for each partitioned area 40. That is, because all products 5 placed in a given partitioned area 40 are transported along the circulation lane 28 for approximately the same amount of time, the main control device 24 measures the waiting time of each product 5 for each partitioned area 40.

[0190] Specifically, the main control device 24 starts measuring the waiting time when it activates the input conveying paths 60, 62 and inserts the product 5 into the destination compartment area 40. It then ends measuring the waiting time when the product 5 is delivered to the order lane 16. By measuring the waiting time of the products 5 in the compartment area 40 in this way, the main control device 24 can, for example, prioritize shortcutting products 5 that have been waiting for a long time. The main control device 24 can also prioritize products 5 that have been waiting for a short time by passing them through the order lane 16, and deliver products 5 that have been waiting for a long time to the order lane 16.

[0191] (Transformation Example 4) Next, a kitchen lane system 200 according to Modification Example 4 will be described below. The configurations and processes of the above-described embodiment and Modification Examples 1 to 3 can be adopted for at least a part of the configurations and processes of the kitchen lane system (store system) 200 according to Modification Example 4. Therefore, the description of the parts of the configurations and processes of Modification Example 4 that can adopt the configurations and processes of the above-described embodiment and Modification Examples 1 to 3 will be omitted or simplified.

[0192] (branch lane) As shown in FIG. 20 , in the kitchen lane system 200 of Modification Example 4, similar to Modification Example 1 (see FIG. 15 ), two order lanes 16 are arranged parallel to one another in the central island of the store 12. In practice, two order lanes 16 are often arranged side by side in each of the islands on the left and right sides of the store 12. However, for simplicity of explanation, FIG. 20 illustrates a case in which one order lane 16 is arranged in each of the islands on the left and right sides. A plurality of tables 18 (three in the example shown in FIG. 20 ) are arranged along each order lane 16. In the kitchen lane system 200 of Modification Example 4, a branch lane 90 is provided for each of the plurality of order lanes 16 (four in the example shown in FIG. 20 ). The branch lane 90 branches off products 5 received from the circulation lane 28 and transported by the order lane 16 to one of the plurality of tables 18 arranged along the order lane 16 for transport. As a result, the product 5 is not only handed over from the circulation lane 28 to a specific order lane 16, but also diverged from the order lane 16 to be transported to a specific table 18 (i.e., the table of the customer who ordered the product). This makes it easier for the product 5 to be transported to the customer at the table 18 in an appropriate manner.

[0193] Specifically, each branch lane 90 in this embodiment is provided with an individual sensor 92 and a branch guide 94. The branch guide 94 switches whether or not to branch the product 5 being conveyed by the order lane 16 from the order lane 16 to the branch lane 90. The individual sensor 92 detects the presence or absence of a product 5 on the branch lane 90. The individual sensor 92 may be, for example, at least one of an optical sensor that emits light such as visible light or infrared light toward a light receiving unit, a photoelectric sensor, or a camera. The individual sensor 92 is communicatively connected to the main control device 24. A detection signal from the individual sensor 92 is sent from the individual sensor 92 to the main control device 24 as needed. When the main control device 24 receives a signal from the individual sensor 92 indicating that a product 5 has been detected, the main control device 24 determines that the corresponding branch lane 90 is "in use." On the other hand, when the main control device 24 receives a signal from the individual sensor 92 indicating that a product 5 has not been detected, the main control device 24 determines that the corresponding branch lane 90 is "stopped." Information indicating the usage status of each branch lane 90 (that is, whether it is "in use" or "out of service") is stored in the divided area information storage unit 72a.

[0194] The branch guide 94 is rotatable around a vertically extending rotation axis at the joint between the order lane 16 and the branch lane 90. The branch guide 94 is driven by a drive source, such as a motor (not shown). The drive source is controlled by the main control device 24. Specifically, the branch guide 94 in this modified example is supported on a shaft at a position off the conveyance path of the order lane 16. When a product 5 is not diverted to the branch lane 90, the branch guide 94 is positioned at a non-interference position where it does not come into contact with the product 5 on the order lane 16. In other words, the branch guide 94 in the non-interference position deviates from the conveyance path so as not to interfere with the product 5 on the order lane 16. When the main control device 24 drives the drive source at a predetermined timing, the branch guide 94 is displaced (rotated) to an interference position where it enters the conveyance path of the order lane 16. As a result, the branch guide 94 is positioned diagonally across the conveyance path of the order lane 16 from the rotation axis toward the branch lane 90. As a result, the products 5 that reach the branch guide 94 are guided by the branch guide 94 and branched off to the corresponding branch lane 90. Then, when all the products 5 have been delivered to the branch lane 90, the branch guide 94 returns to the non-interfering position.

[0195] In S102 of the aforementioned delivery process (see FIG. 10 ), the main control device 24 determines the usage status of the branch lane 90 (hereinafter referred to as the “transport target branch lane 90”) corresponding to the table 18 of the customer who ordered the product 5. That is, the main control device 24 accesses the partitioned area information storage unit 72a, and if the transport target branch lane 90 is “in use,” the delivery device 34 does not deliver the product 5 from the circulation lane 28 to the order lane 16, but instead makes the product 5 wait on the circulation lane 28 before handing it over to the order lane 16 if the transport target branch lane 90 is “in use.” In other words, if the transport target branch lane 90 is “in use,” the kitchen lane system 200 of Modified Example 4 does not make the product 5 wait on the order lane 16 immediately before branching to the branch lane 90, but makes the product 5 wait on the circulation lane 28 before handing it over to the order lane 16. During this time, the order lane 16 becomes available, so another product 5 can be delivered to another branch lane 90 via the order lane 16. Therefore, the product 5 can be made to wait until the branch lane 90 to which the product 5 is to be transported becomes "stopped" while preventing a decrease in the transport efficiency of the product 5. On the other hand, if the branch lane 90 to which the product 5 is to be transported is "stopped," the main control device 24 drives the transfer device 34 to transfer the product 5 from the circulation lane 28 to the order lane 16.

[0196] Next, the main control device 24 rotates the branch guide 94 to the interference position before the one or more products 5 transferred to the order lane 16 by the transfer device 34 arrive at the branch lane 90 to be transported. As a result, the products 5 branch off from the order lane 16 to the branch lane 90 to be transported. Thereafter, the main control device 24 retracts the branch guide 94 to the non-interference position after all of the one or more products 5 being transported by the order lane 16 have branched off to the branch lane 90 to be transported.

[0197] As shown in FIG. 20 , in the kitchen lane system 200 according to Modification Example 4, similar to Modification Example 1 (see FIG. 15 ), the second input conveying path 62 (62a, 62b) is provided on the opposite side of the order lane 16 from the second transport area 48. That is, in Modification Example 4, the second input conveying path 62 is provided on the employee work space side of the second transport area 48, which is provided in the kitchen 14. In this way, the first input conveying path 60 (60a, 60b) is provided between the first and second transport areas 46, 48 (i.e., close to the first transport area 46), while the second input conveying path 62 is provided on the side closer to the employee (i.e., close to the second transport area 48). Therefore, the employee can intuitively select the input conveying path 60, 62 depending on the area into which the employee has input the product, thereby reducing the occurrence of mistakes such as inserting the product 5 into the wrong destination.

[0198] (transfer device) The following describes a transfer device 30 of modified example 4. As in the above embodiment, the transfer devices 30 (each of the shortcut device 50 and the detouring device 52) adjust the timing at which the products 5 arrive at the corresponding order lane 16. In the example shown in FIG. 20 , the first transfer device 30 includes a first shortcut device 50A and a first detouring device 52A. The second transfer device 30B includes a second shortcut device 50B and a second detouring device 52B.

[0199] As shown in FIG. 21, each transfer device 30 transfers products 5 from one of the first transfer area 46 (see FIG. 20) and the second transfer area 48 (see FIG. 20) as a transfer source area to the other transfer destination area. Each transfer device 30 includes a transfer conveyor 151, a transfer start guide 152, and a transfer end guide 153. In Modification Example 4, the shortcut conveyor 50a (see FIG. 4) of the shortcut device 50 and the detour conveyor 52a (see FIG. 4) of the detour device 52 serve as the transfer conveyor 151. The transfer start guide 152 guides the products 5 from the transfer source area toward the transfer conveyor 151. In Modification Example 4, the second guide 50c of the shortcut device 50 and the third guide 52b of the detour device 52 serve as the transfer start guide 152. The transfer end guide 153 guides the products 5 from the transfer conveyor 151 toward the transfer destination area. In the fourth modified example, the first guide 50 b of the shortcut device 50 and the fourth guide 52 c of the detouring device 52 serve as the transfer start guide 152 .

[0200] As shown in FIG. 21, a plate 95 on which an item 5, such as sushi, is placed comprises a plate base 96 and a foot 97. The plate base 96 is a generally plate-shaped (in the present disclosure, generally disk-shaped) member on which the item 5 is placed. The item 5 is placed on the upper surface of the plate base 96. The foot 97 is a cylindrical member that protrudes downward from a position slightly inside the outer periphery of the underside of the plate base 96. The foot 97 supports the plate base 96 above the installation surface on which the plate 95 is placed.

[0201] As shown in FIG. 21 , the transfer start guide 152 and the transfer end guide 153 each include a base portion 161, a pivotal support portion 162, a contact guide portion 163, a reinforcing rib 164, and a sensor opening 165. The base portion 161 is a plate-shaped member that serves as the base of the transfer start guide 152. The base portion 161 is supported by the pivotal support portion 162 so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis extending in the vertical direction. The contact guide portion 163 contacts the tray 95 on which the product 5 is placed, thereby guiding the direction of movement of the tray 95 as it moves along the circulation lane 28, the transfer conveyor 151, and the like. In the example shown in FIG. 21 , the contact guide portion 163 is part of the side of the base portion 161 formed by a plate-shaped member. The height of the upper end of the portion of the contact guide portion 163 that contacts the tray 95 is set to be lower than the upper end of the platform 97 of the tray 95. As a result, the contact guide portion 163 comes into contact with the platform 97 instead of the tray plate 96, thereby guiding the direction of movement of the tray 95. Therefore, regardless of the size, shape, etc. of the tray plate 96, the direction of movement of various trays 95 is appropriately guided.

[0202] Furthermore, the shape of contact guide portion 163 is formed in a curved shape, such as a partial arc shape, in a plan view. Therefore, unlike when the shape of the portion that contacts dish 95 (specifically, platform 97) is linear in a plan view, the direction of movement of dish 95 guided by contact guide portion 163 changes smoothly. This appropriately reduces the possibility of dish 95 falling off the path.

[0203] The reinforcing rib 164 is formed on at least a portion of the plate-shaped base portion 161 (in the example shown in FIG. 21 , the end portion opposite the contact guide portion 163). As an example, in the present disclosure, the base portion 161 having the reinforcing rib 164 is manufactured by bending a portion of the end portion of a cut plate-shaped metal member upward. By forming the reinforcing rib 164 on the base portion 161, various defects caused by deformation of the plate-shaped base portion 161 (for example, defects such as the base portion 161 coming into contact with another member located above or below (for example, the upper surface of the transfer conveyor 151)) are appropriately suppressed.

[0204] The sensor opening 165 is an opening formed in a part of the reinforcing rib 164. The sensor opening 165 allows light, electromagnetic waves, etc. to pass through, which are detected by various sensors. Therefore, the sensor opening 165 appropriately reduces the possibility that the reinforcing rib 164 will interfere with the detection by the sensors. Note that a notch or the like may be formed instead of the sensor opening 165.

[0205] In the fourth modified example, the branch lane 90 (see FIG. 20) and the transfer device 34 (see FIG. 20) also have the same configuration as the base portion 161, the pivot portion 162, the contact guide portion 163, and the reinforcing rib 164 provided on the transfer start guide 152 and the transfer end guide 153. Therefore, the branch lane 90 and the transfer device 34 can more appropriately guide the movement direction of the product 5 (plate 95). Furthermore, the branch lane 90 and the transfer device 34 may also have openings or notches for sensors formed in the reinforcing ribs.

[0206] (Recognizing the current location of the partition area) 20 and 22, a method for recognizing the current position of a sectional area 40 in a kitchen lane system (store system) 200 of modified example 4 will be described. In the embodiment described above, an identifier 42 is provided on a plate 36 located at the beginning of each sectional area. A reader (detector) 44 installed in the circulation lane 28 reads the identifier 42, thereby recognizing the current position of each sectional area 40. In contrast, in the kitchen lane system 200 of modified example 4, a detectable object 142 different from the identifier 44 is provided in the circulation lane 28.

[0207] 22 is a bottom view of some of the multiple plates 170 that make up the circulation lane 28 of modified example 4. The circulation lane 28 of modified example 4 is provided with connecting portions 171 that connect a pair of adjacent plates 170 to each other so that they can rotate about a rotation axis that extends in the vertical direction. In modified example 4, at least one of the multiple connecting portions 171 (for example, one of the multiple connecting portions 171) is provided with a detectable object 142 that includes a material such as metal or a magnet. In other words, at least one of the multiple connecting portions 171 also serves as the detectable object 142 for recognizing the current position in the partitioned area, which makes it easier to simplify the system configuration.

[0208] As shown in FIG. 20 , a detection unit 144 that detects the passage of a detection target 142 is provided at a predetermined location on the path of the circulation lane 28. The kitchen lane system 200 of the fourth modified example also includes a rotation drive unit (e.g., a step motor) 29 that moves the circulation lane 28 in a circular motion along the path. The main control device 24 recognizes the current position of each of the multiple partitioned areas 40 provided in the circulation lane 28 based on information on the position and timing at which the detection unit 144 detects the detection target 142 that moves in a circular motion along the circulation lane 28, and information on the drive amount of the rotation drive unit 29 (e.g., the number of rotations of a gear provided in the rotation drive unit 29 or the number of steps of a step motor). Therefore, even if the detection unit 144 does not always detect the detection target 142, the current position of each partitioned area 40 can be appropriately recognized by using the position and timing at which the detection target 142 is detected by the detection unit 144 and the drive amount of the rotation drive unit 29. This allows the system to operate more appropriately without increasing the complexity of the configuration.

[0209] In fact, in the fourth modified example, the detectable object 142 is provided only at one predetermined location on the circulation lane 28. The detector 144 is also provided only at one predetermined location on the route of the circulation lane 28 (specifically, on the plate 170 located at the beginning of a specific defined area 40 among the multiple defined areas 40). However, since the position of each defined area 40 relative to the position of the detectable object 142 on the circulation lane 28 is known, the current position of each defined area 40 can be appropriately determined with a simple configuration. However, the detectable object 142 may be provided at two or more predetermined locations on the circulation lane 28, or the detector 144 may be provided at two or more predetermined locations on the route of the circulation lane 28. In these cases, the current position of each defined area 40 can be more easily recognized with higher accuracy.

[0210] (Correspondence between source and destination partition areas) 23 and 24, the correspondence between the source partitioned area and the destination partitioned area in Modification Example 4 will be described. As described above, the transfer device 30 transfers the product 5 (plate 95) from one of the source transfer areas, the first transfer area 46 and the second transfer area 48, to the other destination transfer area. In the present disclosure, of the multiple partitioned areas 40 located in the source transfer area, a specific source partitioned area to which the product 5 is transferred by the transfer device 30 is referred to as the source partitioned area. Furthermore, a specific destination partitioned area to which the product 5 is transferred from the source partitioned area by the transfer device 30 is referred to as the destination partitioned area.

[0211] In the example shown in FIG. 23, twelve partitioned areas 40 (40A to 40L) are provided within the circulation lane 28. The length of each partitioned area 40 in the direction along the movement direction of the circulation lane 28 is equal. Also, as shown in FIG. 20, a first shortcut device 50A, a first detouring device 52A, a second shortcut device 50B, and a second detouring device 52B are used as the transfer devices 30. In modified example 4, for each of the four transfer devices 30, there is a one-to-one correspondence between the source partitioned area to which the product 5 is transferred by the transfer device 30 and the destination partitioned area. Once the source partitioned area to which the product is transferred by a specific transfer device 30 is determined, the destination partitioned area corresponding to the source partitioned area is also determined, and the product 5 is transferred appropriately by the transfer device 30.

[0212] As an example, in the fourth modification, information indicating the correspondence between the source partitioned area and the destination partitioned area is stored in the memory 72. However, the correspondence between the source partitioned area and the destination partitioned area may be defined in advance by a program.

[0213] FIG. 24 shows an example of a transfer source / destination correspondence table stored in memory 72. The transfer source / destination correspondence table shown in FIG. 24 specifies the correspondence between the transfer source partitioned area and the transfer destination partitioned area when the first shortcut device 50A shown in FIG. 23 transfers the product 5 from the transfer source transport area (second transport area 48) to the transfer destination transport area (first transport area 46). For example, if partitioned area 40K is the transfer source partitioned area, the corresponding transfer destination partitioned area (i.e., the partitioned area 40 to which the product 5 is transferred from partitioned area 40K by the first shortcut device 50A) is partitioned area 40D. Also, if partitioned area 40A is the transfer source partitioned area, the corresponding transfer destination partitioned area is partitioned area 40F. As described above, in modified example 4, there is a one-to-one correspondence between the transfer source partitioned area to which the product 5 is transferred by the transfer device 30 and the transfer destination partitioned area for each of the four transfer devices 30.

[0214] In the fourth modification, after the reference position of the head of the source partitioned area reaches the transfer device 30, when the product 5 is moved from the source transport area to the destination transport area by the transfer conveyor 151, the partitioned area 40 in the destination transport area whose head reference position reaches the same transfer device 30 is determined to be the destination partitioned area in one-to-one correspondence with the source partitioned area. In other words, once a specific source partitioned area in the source transport area is determined, after the source partitioned area reaches the transfer device 30, when the transport time for the product 5 to be transported from the source transport area to the destination transport area by the transfer conveyor 151 has elapsed, the partitioned area 40 in the destination transport area that reaches the same transfer device 30 is determined to be the destination partitioned area. Therefore, the product in the source partitioned area is transported to the destination partitioned area appropriately according to the transport speed of the transfer conveyor 151.

[0215] The speed of the circulation lane 28 and the speed of the transfer conveyor 151 may be determined so that the time from when the reference position at the beginning of the source partitioned area reaches the transfer device 30 until the reference position at the beginning of the destination partitioned area reaches the same transfer device 30 matches the time it takes for the product 5 to be transferred from the source transport area to the destination transport area by the transfer conveyor 151. In this case too, the product 5 in the source partitioned area is transferred to the destination partitioned area appropriately according to the transfer speed of the transfer conveyor 151.

[0216] (Transportation processing) 25 to 30, the transfer process executed by the kitchen lane system (store system) 200 of Modified Example 4 will be described. The transfer process shown in Fig. 25 is a process for transferring a product 5 (plate 95) from a transfer source section to a transfer destination section by a transfer device 30. The transfer process shown in Fig. 25 can be used for both shortcut process in which the shortcut device 50 takes a shortcut for the product 5 from the second transfer area 48 to the first transfer area 46, and detour process in which the detour device 52 takes a detour for the product 5 from the first transfer area 46 to the second transfer area 48.

[0217] The following description will exemplify a case in which three products 5 are transferred by the first shortcut device 50A (see FIGS. 20 and 23) from a source partitioned area 40K located in the second transport area 48 (source transport area) to a destination partitioned area 40D located in the first transport area 46 (destination transport area). As described above, when the first shortcut device 50A transfers the products 5 from the source partitioned area 40K, the destination partitioned area is previously associated as the partitioned area 40D (see FIG. 24).

[0218] First, the main control device 24 references the sectional area information to determine whether the product 5 being transported by the transport device 30 needs to be transported (whether the timing at which the product 5 arrives at the destination order lane 16 can be advanced) (S501). If it is determined that transport is not necessary (S501: NO), the process of S501 is repeated and the system enters a standby state. In the example of FIG. 26, the main control device 24 can advance the timing at which the product 5 arrives at the destination order lane 16 by shortcutting the product 5 in the sectional area 40K using the transport device 30 (the first shortcut device 50A in FIG. 26). Therefore, in the case shown in FIG. 26, the main control device 24 determines that transport is necessary (S501: YES), and the process proceeds to S502.

[0219] Next, the main control device 24 determines whether a product 5 has already been placed in the destination partitioned area 40D, which has a one-to-one correspondence with the source partitioned area 40K (S502). If a product 5 has already been placed in the destination partitioned area 40D (S203: YES), transferring the product 5 using the transfer device 30 would result in a problem where multiple products 5 interfere with each other within the same destination partitioned area 40D. Therefore, the product 5 is not transferred by the transfer device 30, but is passed through, and the process returns to S501. As a result, the problem of multiple products 5 interfering with each other within the destination partitioned area 40D is appropriately prevented.

[0220] 26, if no product 5 is located in the destination section 40D (S502: NO), the main control device 24 determines whether the source section 40K has reached the transfer device 30 (S503). As described above, the main control device 24 of modified example 4 recognizes the current position of each of the multiple section areas 40 provided in the circulation lane 28 based on information on the position and timing at which the detection unit 144 detects the detectable object 142 that circulates along with the circulation lane 28, and information on the drive amount of the rotation drive unit 29. The main control device 24 also recognizes the position of the transfer device 30.

[0221] 27, when the source section 40K reaches the transfer device 30 (S503: YES), the main control device 24 starts driving the transfer conveyor 151 and moves the transfer start guide 152 to the interference position while maintaining the transfer end guide 153 in the non-interference position (S504). As a result, the product 5 located in the source section 40K is guided by the transfer start guide 152 to the transfer conveyor 151, and is moved by the transfer conveyor 151 to the destination transport area.

[0222] The timing at which it is determined that the source partitioned area 40K has reached the transfer device 30 is not limited to the instant at which the leading end of the source partitioned area 40K reaches the transfer device 30. Specifically, the timing at which it is determined that the source partitioned area 40K has reached the transfer device 30 may be any timing at which, when the transfer start guide 152 of the transfer device 30 is moved to the interference position, the transfer start guide 152 does not interfere with the products 5 in the adjacent partitioned area 40J upstream of the source partitioned area 40K, and at which all of the products 5 in the source partitioned area 40K can be guided to the transfer conveyor 151 by the transfer start guide 152.

[0223] Next, the main control device 24 determines whether the destination section 40D has reached the transfer device 30 (S505). As shown in Fig. 28, when the destination section 40D has reached the transfer device 30 (S505: YES), the main control device 24 moves the transfer end guide 153 from the interference position to the non-interference position (S506). As a result, the product 5 moved toward the destination transfer area by the transfer conveyor 151 is guided into the destination transfer area 40D by the transfer end guide 153.

[0224] The timing at which it is determined that the destination partitioned area 40D has reached the transfer device 30 is not limited to the instant at which the leading edge of the destination partitioned area 40D reaches the transfer device 30. Specifically, the timing at which it is determined that the destination partitioned area 40D has reached the transfer device 30 may be any timing at which, when the transfer end guide 153 is moved to the interference position, the transfer end guide 153 does not interfere with the products 5 in the adjacent partitioned area 40C upstream of the destination partitioned area 40D, and the transfer end guide 153 can guide all of the products 5 being moved by the transfer conveyor 151 to the destination partitioned area 40D.

[0225] Next, the main control device 24 determines whether the transfer source partitioned area 40K has passed the transfer device 30 (S507). As shown in Fig. 29, when the transfer source partitioned area 40K has passed the transfer device 30 (S507: YES), the main control device 24 retracts the transfer start guide 152 from the interference position to the non-interference position (S508). As a result, a problem in which the transfer start guide 152 interferes with the products 5 in a partitioned area downstream of the transfer source partitioned area 40K (for example, partitioned area 40L) is prevented.

[0226] The timing at which it is determined that the source partitioned area 40K has passed the transfer device 30 is not limited to the instant at which the rear end of the source partitioned area 40K passes the transfer device 30. Specifically, the timing at which it is determined that the source partitioned area 40K has passed the transfer device 30 may be any timing after the transfer start guide 152 has been able to guide all of the products 5 located in the source partitioned area 40K onto the transfer conveyor 151, and before the transfer start guide 152 interferes with the products 5 in the adjacent partitioned area 40L downstream of the source partitioned area 40K.

[0227] Next, the main control device 24 determines whether the transfer device 30 has been added to the destination section 40D (S509). As shown in FIG. 30, when the destination section 40D passes the transfer device 30 (S509: YES), the main control device 24 retracts the transfer end guide 153 from the interference position to a non-interference position (S510). As a result, the transfer end guide 152 is prevented from interfering with products 5 in a section downstream of the destination section 40D (e.g., section 40E). Next, the main control device 24 updates the section information (S511), and the process ends.

[0228] The timing at which it is determined that the destination partitioned area 40D has passed the transfer device 30 is not limited to the instant at which the rear end of the destination partitioned area 40D passes the transfer device 30. Specifically, the timing at which it is determined that the destination partitioned area 40D has passed the transfer device 30 may be any timing after the transfer end guide 152 has been able to guide all of the products 5 being moved by the transfer conveyor 151 into the destination partitioned area 40D, and before the transfer end guide 153 interferes with the products 5 in the adjacent partitioned area 40E downstream of the destination partitioned area 40D.

[0229] As described above, in the fourth modification, the main control device 24 moves the transfer start guide 152 from the non-interference position to the interference position based on the timing when the source partitioned area 40K reaches the transfer device 30. The main control device 24 then moves the transfer end guide 153 from the non-interference position to the interference position based on the timing when the destination partitioned area 40D corresponding to the source partitioned area 40K reaches the transfer device 30. That is, the transfer start guide 152 and the transfer end guide 153 each move from the non-interference position to the interference position depending on the timing when the source partitioned area 40K and the destination partitioned area 40D each reach the transfer device 30. This appropriately prevents problems such as the transfer start guide 152 and the transfer end guide 153 interfering with products 5 in partitioned areas 40 other than the source partitioned area 40K and the destination partitioned area 40D. As a result, the products 5 can be more appropriately transferred by the transfer device 30.

[0230] Furthermore, in the fourth modified example, the main control device 24 retracts the transfer start guide 152 from the interference position to the non-interference position based on the timing when the source partitioned area 40K passes the transfer device 30. Thereafter, the main control device 24 retracts the transfer end guide 153 from the interference position to the non-interference position based on the timing when the destination partitioned area 40D corresponding to the source partitioned area 40K passes the transfer device 30. That is, the transfer start guide 152 and the transfer end guide 153 each retract from the interference position to the non-interference position depending on the timing when the source partitioned area 40K and the destination partitioned area 40D each pass the transfer device 30. This appropriately prevents problems such as the transfer start guide 152 and the transfer end guide 153 obstructing products 5 in partitioned areas 40 other than the source partitioned area 40K and the destination partitioned area 40D. As a result, the products 5 can be more appropriately transferred by the transfer device 30. Furthermore, regardless of the number of products 5 arranged in the transfer source partitioned area 40K, all of the products 5 are appropriately transferred from the transfer source partitioned area 40K to the transfer destination partitioned area 40D.

[0231] In other words, in Modification Example 4, the main control device 24 controls the transfer start guide 152 and the transfer end guide 153 at a timing to transfer all of the maximum number of products 5 that can be placed in one partitioned area 40 to the destination partitioned area 40D, regardless of the number of products 5 placed in the transfer source partitioned area 40K. In other words, by performing similar control on the transfer start guide 152 and the transfer end guide 153 regardless of the number of products 5 placed in the partitioned area 40, all of the products 5 are appropriately transferred from the transfer source partitioned area 40K to the transfer destination partitioned area 40D. This simplifies control. Furthermore, even if the conveying speed of the products 5 by the circulation lane 28 or the like is increased, one or more products 5 placed in the transfer source partitioned area 40K are smoothly transferred to the transfer destination partitioned area 40D. As a result, the products 5 can be quickly provided to customers who ordered them, thereby increasing customer satisfaction and appropriately suppressing deterioration of the products 5 over time (e.g., drying out of the products). Furthermore, since a configuration (such as a sensor) for confirming the completion of the transfer of the products 5 by the transfer device 30 is not necessarily required, it is easy to prevent the configuration from becoming complicated.

[0232] The conveyance speed of the products 5 along the circulating lane 28 is set to 150 mm / sec, preferably 200 mm / sec, and even more preferably 240 mm / sec. As described above, by using the transfer device 30 of Modification Example 4, even if the conveyance speed of the products 5 along the circulating lane 28 is increased, the transfer device 30 can appropriately transfer the products 5 from the source section 40K to the destination section 40D. As an example, the conveyance speed of the products 5 along the circulating lane 28 in Modification Example 4 is set to approximately 247 mm / sec. It is also possible to increase the conveyance speed to approximately 297 mm / sec. Note that the typical conveyance speed of conveyor belt sushi conveyor systems (e.g., conveyor belts operated by chain conveyors) is approximately 80 to 100 mm / sec. Therefore, the technology disclosed herein allows products to be conveyed at a speed greater than that of a typical conveyor belt sushi restaurant.

[0233] The techniques disclosed in the above embodiments and modifications are merely examples. Therefore, the techniques exemplified in the above embodiments and modifications may be modified. For example, it is possible to implement only a part of the techniques exemplified in the above embodiments and modifications. Furthermore, it is also possible to adopt the techniques exemplified in the above embodiments in other configurations.

[0234] For example, the transfer device 30 (at least one of the shortcut device 50 and the detouring device 52) exemplified in the above embodiment and modified examples may be employed in a circulation lane to which the order lane 16 is not connected. In this case, the circulation lane may include a first passenger compartment shuttle path and a second passenger compartment shuttle path within the passenger compartment that shuttle products between the passenger compartment and the kitchen, and a kitchen path connected to each of the first passenger compartment shuttle path and the second passenger compartment shuttle path and that transports products within the kitchen. In this case, for example, by disposing the transfer device 30 between a pair of kitchen paths that transport products in different directions, it is possible to shorten the transport time until products are transported to a specific passenger compartment shuttle path among multiple passenger compartment shuttle paths.

[0235] Furthermore, the technology for handling products 5 in multiple partitioned areas 40 can also be employed in a circulation lane that is not connected to an order lane 16. In this case, for example, by transporting the desired product to a specific partitioned area 40, it is possible to place the desired product in an appropriate position on the circulation lane. [Explanation of symbols]

[0236] 5 items 10, 100, 200 Kitchen lane system (store system) 14 Kitchen 16 Order Lane 22 Terminal device (kitchen terminal device) 24 Control unit (main control unit) 28 Circulation Lane 29 Rotation drive unit 30 Transfer device 32 Feeding device 34 Delivery device 36 Plates 40 Plot Area 42 Identifiers 44 Reader (detection unit) 46 First Transfer Area 48 Second Transfer Area 50 Shortcut Device 50a Shortcut Conveyor 50b First Guide 50c Second Guide 52a Detour conveyor 52b Third Guide 52c Fourth Guide 60 First input conveying path 62 Second input transport path 60a Input conveyor 64 Inlet 62 Guide section 90 Branch Lane 95 plates 142 Object to be detected 144 Detector 151 Transfer conveyor 152 Transfer Start Guide 153 Transfer Completion Guide

Claims

1. A kitchen lane system installed in the kitchen of a restaurant, A circulation lane is installed in the kitchen and transports goods in a circular manner along a predetermined transport route, A delivery device is provided in each of the multiple order lanes laid out inside the restaurant, which transfers the goods transported on the circulation lane to the corresponding order lane. The device comprises a control device for controlling the transfer device, The aforementioned circulation lane is defined as having a plurality of partitioned areas along the transport path, and transports the product with at least one of the aforementioned products placed in one of the plurality of partitioned areas. A kitchen lane system in which the control device recognizes the location of the plurality of partitioned areas and the at least one product placed in any of the plurality of partitioned areas, and controls the delivery device so that the product is delivered to the order lane corresponding to the customer who ordered the at least one product.

2. The circulation lane comprises a first transport area for transporting the goods in a first direction, and a second transport area located further apart from the first transport area relative to the plurality of order lanes and transporting the goods in a second direction different from the first direction. The system further includes a transport device for transporting the goods between one of the plurality of partitioned areas located in the first transport area and one of the plurality of partitioned areas located in the second transport area. The kitchen lane system according to claim 1, wherein the control device controls the transport device to transport at least one product located in any one of the plurality of partitioned areas located in the first transport area to any one of the plurality of partitioned areas located in the second transport area, or to transport at least one product located in any one of the plurality of partitioned areas located in the second transport area to any one of the plurality of partitioned areas located in the first transport area, thereby adjusting the timing at which the at least one product arrives at the corresponding order lane.

3. The circulation lane includes a detectable object provided in at least one of the plurality of partitioned areas, and a detection unit for detecting the detectable object is provided in the circulation lane. The kitchen lane system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control device recognizes the position of the plurality of partitioned areas based on the detected object detected by the detection unit.

4. The aforementioned circulation lane is a chain conveyor in which a plurality of plates are connected in the direction of transport, and each partitioned area is defined by a predetermined number of plates. The kitchen lane system according to claim 3, wherein the detected object is attached to the plate located at the front of at least one of the partitioned areas.

5. The transfer device is A transport conveyor is provided, which is stretched between the first transport area and the second transport area, and transports the goods from one of the transport source transport areas, the first transport area or the second transport area, to the other transport destination transport area. A transfer start guide that guides the aforementioned product from the transfer source transfer area toward the transfer conveyor, A transfer completion guide that guides the aforementioned product from the transfer conveyor toward the transfer destination transfer area, Equipped with, The kitchen lane system according to claim 2, wherein the control device controls the transfer device to transfer at least one product located in a specific source partition area among the plurality of partition areas located in the source transfer area to a destination partition area which is one of the plurality of partition areas located in the destination transfer area.

6. The transfer device is A shortcut conveyor is a transport conveyor that is stretched between the first transport area and the second transport area, and transports the goods from the second transport area, which is the source transport area, to the first transport area, which is the destination transport area. A first guide, which is a transfer completion guide, is provided in the first transport area and guides the product from the shortcut conveyor toward the first transport area, A second guide, which is a transport start guide, is provided in the second transport area and guides the product from the second transport area toward the shortcut conveyor, It has a shortcut device equipped with The kitchen lane system according to claim 5, wherein the control device controls the shortcut device and moves at least one product located in a specific source partition area among the plurality of partition areas located in the second transport area to the destination partition area which is any one of the plurality of partition areas located in the first transport area, thereby accelerating the timing at which the at least one product arrives at the corresponding order lane.

7. The transfer device is A bypass conveyor is a transport conveyor that is stretched between the first transport area and the second transport area, and transports the goods from the first transport area, which is the source transport area, to the second transport area, which is the destination transport area. A third guide, which is a transport start guide, is provided in the first transport area and guides the product from the first transport area toward the bypass conveyor, A fourth guide, which is a transfer completion guide, is provided in the second transport area and guides the product from the bypass conveyor toward the second transport area. Equipped with a bypass device, The kitchen lane system according to claim 5, wherein the control device controls the bypass device and moves at least one product located in a specific source partition area among the plurality of partition areas located in the first transport area to the destination partition area which is any one of the plurality of partition areas located in the second transport area, thereby delaying the arrival of the at least one product in the corresponding order lane.

8. The kitchen lane system according to claim 5, wherein the transfer start guide and the transfer end guide are each configured to be displaceable by the control device to a non-interference position where they deviate outside the transport path of the circulation lane so as not to interfere with the product, and an interference position where they enter the transport path of the circulation lane so as to interfere with the product.

9. The kitchen lane system according to claim 2, wherein the transfer device is provided so as to be located between the order lanes in the direction in which the order lanes are arranged.

10. The system further includes an input transport path for transporting at least one product prepared in accordance with a customer order and loading it into the circulation lane, The kitchen lane system according to claim 1, wherein the control device controls the input transport path to input at least one product into a specific partition area in the plurality of partition areas.

11. The system further includes a terminal device that displays the products ordered by the customer and the order lane corresponding to the customer who placed the order, and that receives input indicating that the products prepared in accordance with the order have been set on the input transport path. The kitchen lane system according to claim 10, wherein the control device recognizes the goods set in the input transport path and controls the input transport path based on the information input to the terminal device.

12. Multiple input transport paths are provided in the kitchen. The terminal devices are provided in the kitchen, corresponding to each input transport path. The kitchen lane system according to claim 11, further comprising: the control device further identifying the input transport path on which the product is set, based on information input to the terminal device corresponding to the input transport path on which the product is set.

13. A control device for a kitchen lane system that circulates products placed on a circulation lane installed in the kitchen of a restaurant along a predetermined transport route, and delivers the products to the order lane corresponding to the customer who ordered the product, among multiple order lanes installed in the restaurant. At least one processor, A device comprising at least one memory that stores computer program code, The processor executes the computer program code to the control device, The location of a plurality of partitioned areas defined by dividing the circulation lane along the transport path, and at least one product located in one of the plurality of partitioned areas are recognized. A control device that, based on the recognized locations of the plurality of partitioned areas and the at least one product, controls a delivery device provided in each of the plurality of order lanes to deliver the product to the order lane corresponding to the customer who ordered the at least one product.

14. A control method for a kitchen lane system that circulates products placed on a circulation lane installed in the kitchen of a restaurant along a predetermined transport route, and delivers the products to the order lane corresponding to the customer who ordered the product, among multiple order lanes installed in the restaurant. The location of a plurality of partitioned areas defined by dividing the circulation lane along the transport path and the recognition of at least one product located in any of the plurality of partitioned areas, A method for controlling a kitchen lane system, which involves controlling a delivery device provided in each of the multiple order lanes based on the recognized location of the multiple partitioned areas and the at least one product, thereby delivering the at least one product to the order lane corresponding to the customer who ordered it.

15. A store system installed in a sushi restaurant that delivers sushi prepared in the kitchen of the store to customers who have ordered the sushi, Multiple plates on which the sushi is placed, A circulation lane is installed in the kitchen and transports dishes by circulating along a predetermined transport route, Branching off from the aforementioned circulating lane, multiple order lanes are laid out within the sushi restaurant towards the customer's dining area, and transport plates handed over from the aforementioned circulating lane. A transfer device is provided corresponding to each of the aforementioned plurality of order lanes, which transfers plates being transported in the circulation lane to the corresponding order lane. A control device for controlling the aforementioned store system, Equipped with, The aforementioned circulation lane is, Multiple partitioned areas are defined along the transport path, and at least one plate is transported with one of the multiple partitioned areas placed in it. The system comprises a first transport area for transporting plates in a first direction, and a second transport area located further apart from the first transport area relative to the plurality of order lanes, and for transporting plates in a second direction different from the first direction. The aforementioned store system is The system further includes a transfer device for transferring a plate between one of the plurality of partitioned areas located in the first transfer area and one of the plurality of partitioned areas located in the second transfer area. The transfer device is A transport conveyor is provided, which is stretched between the first transport area and the second transport area, and transports a plate from a transport source area located in one of the first or second transport areas to a transport destination area located in the other transport destination area. A transfer start guide guides the plate from the transfer source partition area of ​​the transfer source area toward the transfer conveyor by moving from a non-interference position that deviates outside the transfer path of the transfer source area to an interference position within the transfer path, A transfer completion guide guides the tray from the transfer conveyor toward the transfer destination area of ​​the transfer destination region by moving from a non-interference position that deviates outside the transfer path of the transfer destination area to an interference position within the transfer path, Equipped with, Once a specific source area is determined within the source area, after the specific source area reaches the transfer device, and after the transfer time has elapsed for the plate to be transferred from the source area to the destination area by the transfer conveyor, the area in the destination area that reaches the transfer device corresponds one-to-one with the specific source area as the destination area to which the plate is transferred by the transfer device. The control device is If another dish is already placed in the destination area corresponding to the source area, the transfer of the dish by the transfer device is bypassed. If no other trays are placed in the destination tray area corresponding to the source tray area, when the source tray area reaches the transfer device, the transfer start guide is moved from the non-interference position to the interference position while the transfer end guide is maintained in the non-interference position, and then, when the destination tray area corresponding to the source tray area reaches the transfer device, the transfer end guide is moved from the non-interference position to the interference position, thereby transferring the trays from the source tray area to the destination tray area which corresponds one-to-one with the source tray area, and adjusting the timing of the trays' arrival in the corresponding order lane. A store system that recognizes the location of the plurality of partitioned areas and at least one plate placed in any of the plurality of partitioned areas, and controls the delivery device so that the at least one plate is delivered to the order lane corresponding to the customer who ordered the sushi placed on the plate.

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