Order management device and program

Abstract

The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an order management device and program that can make the products to be cooked clearly visible on a table-by-table basis. [Solution] The order management device of an embodiment comprises a storage means for storing product information for products to be cooked on a table-by-table basis, a display means for displaying a predetermined number of the stored product information in a display area of ​​each table, which is divided into multiple tables and can display a predetermined number of the product information, and not displaying any product information that cannot be displayed in the display area, and a display update means for, when a delete operation is performed on the displayed product information, deleting the display of the product information and newly displaying one of the product information that was not displayed on the display means in the display area.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to an order management device and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] At restaurants, customers order food (hereinafter referred to as "products") using an order terminal installed at the restaurant's table or a mobile terminal carried by the customer. The ordered products are then managed by a station and displayed on a kitchen display installed in the kitchen. A chef prepares the ordered products while looking at the information displayed on the kitchen display.

[0003] However, kitchen displays show items ordered by table, but if there are many tables in a restaurant, and you try to display the orders for all tables on one screen, there may be limited space to display the items per table.

[0004] In such cases, in order to prepare all the items ordered at one table, the chef would have to scroll the screen of items related to that table to display the hidden items, which was confusing. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an order management device and program that can make the products to be cooked clearly visible on a table-by-table basis. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The order management device of the embodiment comprises a storage means for storing product information of products to be cooked on a table-by-table basis, a display means for displaying a predetermined number of the stored product information in a display area of ​​each table, which is divided into multiple tables and can display a predetermined number of the product information, and not displaying any product information that cannot be displayed in the display area, and a display update means for, when a delete operation is performed on the displayed product information, deleting the display of the product information and newly displaying one of the product information that was not displayed on the display means in the display area. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the devices installed in a store. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the order terminal. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the station. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a memory map showing an example of the memory configuration of the order management unit. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a memory map showing another example of the memory configuration of the order management unit. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the kitchen display. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a memory map showing an example of the memory configuration of the cooking management unit. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a business selection screen on a kitchen display. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of an order unit product setting screen on the kitchen display. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing yet another example of a table-based screen of the kitchen display. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of display update on the display screen of the kitchen display. [Figure 12]FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram showing the main controls in the order terminal, station, and kitchen display and the exchange of information between each device in chronological order. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the flow of control processing of the order terminal. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the flow of the control process of the station. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a functional block diagram showing the functional configuration of the kitchen display. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the flow of the control process of the kitchen display. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the embodiments, a kitchen display will be described as an example of an order management device. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below.

[0009] In an embodiment of the eating and drinking establishment (restaurant, diner, izakaya, etc.), there are multiple tables where customers eat and drink, a kitchen where food is prepared, and other facilities. An order terminal is installed at each table. Customers seated at a table use the order terminal to select and order the food and drink they wish to eat or drink. Information about the ordered food and drink is displayed on a kitchen display installed in the kitchen, and the food is prepared in the kitchen based on the display, and the cooked food is then served to the table.

[0010] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the connection relationships between devices in restaurant T. Restaurant T is equipped with an order terminal 10, station 30, dedicated terminal 40, kitchen display 50, kitchen printer 70, and POS (Point of Sales) terminal 90. As shown in Fig. 1, order terminal 10, station 30, dedicated terminal 40, kitchen display 50, kitchen printer 70, and POS terminal 90 are connected via a communication line L, such as a LAN (Local Area Network), and can send and receive information between them.

[0011] An order terminal 10 is installed at each table. The order terminal 10 is a terminal that customers operate when ordering products. The order terminal 10 displays information (menu information) about all products available at the restaurant T, and customers select the products they wish to eat and place an order to order the products. Customers operate the order terminal 10 to order products when they enter the restaurant, and to order additional products later if they have any. Customers who are seated input information such as the number of customers seated into the order terminal 10. The order terminal 10 transmits to the station 30 order information including product information (including product identification information and product names) of the initially ordered product and any additionally ordered products, as well as table identification information identifying the table at which the order terminal 10 is installed, or terminal identification information identifying the order terminal 10 installed at that table (in the embodiment, table identification information (table number is used as an example of table identification information)) and number of people information.

[0012] Order terminal 10 may be a mobile terminal carried by a customer. Such a mobile terminal has an application pre-installed that allows the customer to select items available for consumption at restaurant T. For example, the customer can connect to communication line L by accessing a wireless access point (not shown), specify the items they want to consume, and place an order with station 30.

[0013] Station 30 is installed, for example, in the backroom of restaurant T. Station 30 stores and manages product information for items ordered based on order information received from each order terminal 10. Station 30 stores and manages items ordered from order terminals 10 by table number. Station 30 manages product information for the initial item ordered from an order terminal 10 and additional items ordered by table number. That is, product information for the initial item and additional items ordered from the same order terminal 10 is managed using the same table number. Station 30 also manages the order information by adding the time at which it received the order information. That is, the initial item ordered is managed by adding the time at which it received the order information, and the additional items ordered are managed by adding the time at which the additional order information was received.

[0014] The station 30 also places a cooking order to the kitchen display 50 for the items ordered from the order terminal 10. Note that the station 30 may automatically place a cooking order for the ordered items, but because the speed at which customers eat and drink varies with a course meal, for example, in this embodiment, the station 30 places a cooking order (sends order information) for the items for which cooking instructions have been given from the dedicated terminal 40.

[0015] The dedicated terminal 40 is a device that issues cooking instructions for items ordered at the station 30. Items ordered at the station 30 are displayed on the display of the dedicated terminal 40. For example, when a course meal is ordered, there is a specific order and timing for serving the dishes, so the staff member operates the dedicated terminal 40 at the optimal timing to issue cooking instructions for the next item while monitoring the customer's eating and drinking speed, etc. Note that the dedicated terminal 40 is not a required component, and the station 30 may automatically place cooking orders on the kitchen display 50 for all items ordered from the order terminal 10. Note that the order information sent from the station 30 to order cooking includes product information identifying the product to be cooked (e.g., product name), quantity, table number, staff member identification information, order time, etc.

[0016] Kitchen display 50 receives and stores the cooking order information. Kitchen display 50 receives and stores the cooking order information by table number. Kitchen display 50 also displays the stored order information collectively by table number.

[0017] That is, kitchen display 50 has a framed display area of ​​a predetermined size for each table number, and displays order information for items with the same table number. The amount of product information that can be displayed in a display area as order information varies depending on how many display areas are displayed on one screen. The number of display areas displayed on one screen can be changed by settings. For example, if 16 display areas (display areas for 16 tables) are displayed on one screen, three items of product information can be displayed in one display area. If the number of items ordered to be cooked for one table is three or less, product information for all items can be displayed. Also, if the number of items ordered to be cooked for one table is more than three, product information for all items cannot be displayed (some product information is hidden). Restaurant T decides which items of product information to display, but it may be configured to display product information for the three items ordered earliest, for example.

[0018] The chef prepares the product based on the order information (particularly the product information) displayed on kitchen display 50. Once cooking is complete, the chef performs a delete operation to remove the product information for that product displayed on kitchen display 50. When the delete operation is performed, kitchen display 50 updates the display. That is, kitchen display 50 deletes the display of the product information for the deleted product. If there is hidden product information, kitchen display 50 displays the product information for the hidden product. For example, when the topmost product information display is deleted by a delete operation, the product information for the second product and the third product each move up one position, and the display is updated to display the product information for the previously hidden product in third position. Furthermore, for example, when the second product information display is deleted by a delete operation, the product information for the third product moves up one position, and the display is updated to display the product information for the previously hidden product in third position.

[0019] If there are multiple items (for example, two) of the same product ordered, kitchen display 50 updates the display by subtracting "1" from the displayed quantity when the first deletion operation is performed (for example, subtracting "1" from "2"), and the product information itself is not deleted. When a deletion operation is performed for a product with a quantity of "1," kitchen display 50 updates the display by deleting the product information for that product.

[0020] Furthermore, when cooking of an item is completed (i.e., when the operation to delete the item information is performed), kitchen display 50 transmits a cooking completion notification for that item to station 30 and kitchen printer 70. The cooking completion notification includes information indicating that cooking has been completed (which may include the cooking completion time when the deletion operation was performed) and the item information.

[0021] Kitchen printer 70 is installed, for example, near the area where cooked food is placed. Kitchen printer 70 prints a food serving slip on which the product name, table number, etc. are printed based on the cooking completion notification received from kitchen display 50. Once the food serving slip is printed, the staff serves the food with the printed product name (which has been cooked) to the table with the printed table number.

[0022] When the station 30 receives a cooking completion notification from the kitchen printer 70, it stores and manages information (including the cooking completion time) indicating that the product has been cooked (served). The station 30 transmits a cooking completion notification to the order terminal 10 that ordered the product for which the cooking completion notification was received.

[0023] When the order terminal 10 receives the cooking completion notification, it displays information indicating that the cooking of the product has been completed and that the product will be served.

[0024] The POS terminal 90 is installed in the checkout area of ​​the restaurant T. When the station 30 receives a checkout operation from the order terminal 10, it transmits the product information (product name, product price, etc.) of the ordered product stored in the station 30 to the POS terminal 90. The POS terminal 90 processes the transaction for the ordered product based on the product information received from the station 30. The POS terminal 90 stores the transaction information after the transaction has been processed.

[0025] Next, the hardware of the order terminal 10 according to the embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the order terminal 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the order terminal 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, which is an example of a microprocessor, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, and a memory unit 14. The CPU 11 is the main controller of the order terminal 10. The ROM 12 stores various programs. The RAM 13 loads programs and various data. The memory unit 14 stores various programs. The CPU 11, ROM 12, RAM 13, and memory unit 14 are connected to one another via a bus 15. The CPU 11, ROM 12, and RAM 13 constitute a control unit 100. That is, the control unit 100 executes the control processing of the order terminal 10, which will be described later, by the CPU 11 operating in accordance with the control programs stored in the ROM 12 and memory unit 14 and loaded in the RAM 13.

[0026] The RAM 13 has an order information section 131, a serving information section 132, and a number of people section 133. The order information section 131 stores product information of ordered products (product identification information (e.g., product code), product name, etc.). The serving information section 132 stores product information of ordered products that have been served. The number of people section 133 stores the number of customers seated at the table (customers using the table). The number of people seated is input by the customer when they sit at the table.

[0027] The memory unit 14 is composed of a non-volatile memory such as an HDD (Hard Disc Drive) or flash memory. The memory unit 14 has a control program unit 141, a menu master 142, and a table number unit 143. The control program unit 141 stores a control program related to the order terminal 10. The menu master 142 stores menu information (product identification information, product name, price, product image, etc.) for all products (dishes) available for consumption at the restaurant T. A customer selects the product to be consumed from the displayed menu information. The table number unit 143 stores table identification information (table number in this embodiment) that identifies the table at which the order terminal 10 is installed.

[0028] Furthermore, the control unit 100 is connected to a display unit 17 and an operation unit 18 via a bus 15 and a controller 16. The controller 16 controls the display unit 17 and the operation unit 18 in response to instructions from the control unit 100. For convenience of explanation, the control performed by the controller 16 will be described as being performed by the control unit 100.

[0029] Display unit 17 is, for example, a liquid crystal display, and displays information (menu information, order information, serving information, etc.) to the customer operating it. Operation unit 18 is, for example, a touch panel attached to the display surface of display unit 17. Operation unit 18 is operated by the customer. Operation unit 18 functions as a displayed button by pressing the touch panel on the image of the button displayed on display unit 17.

[0030] The control unit 100 is also connected to the communication unit 19 via the bus 15. The communication unit 19 communicates with the station 30 connected via the communication line L, and transmits order information and receives cooking completion notifications.

[0031] Next, the hardware of station 30 will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of station 30. As shown in FIG. 3, station 30 includes a CPU 31, which is an example of a microprocessor, a ROM 32, a RAM 33, a memory unit 34, and the like. CPU 31 is the main controller of station 30. ROM 32 stores various programs. RAM 33 loads programs and various data. Memory unit 34 stores various programs. CPU 31, ROM 32, RAM 33, and memory unit 34 are connected to one another via a bus 35. CPU 31, ROM 32, and RAM 33 constitute a control unit 300. That is, the control unit 300 executes control processing of station 30, which will be described later, by CPU 31 operating in accordance with a control program stored in ROM 32 or memory unit 34 and loaded in RAM 33.

[0032] The RAM 33 has an order management unit 331 and a food serving information unit 332. The order management unit 331 stores various information related to products for which orders have been received from the order terminal 10. The order management unit 331 will be described later with reference to Figures 4 and 5. The food serving information unit 332 stores the serving status of products that have been cooked. For example, when a staff member serves a cooked product to a customer, the staff member touches the information about the product displayed on the station 30, and food serving information indicating that the product has been served is stored in the food serving information unit 332.

[0033] The memory unit 34 is configured by a nonvolatile memory such as a HDD, a flash memory, etc. The memory unit 34 has a control program unit 341. The control program unit 341 stores a control program related to the station 30.

[0034] Furthermore, the control unit 300 is connected to a display unit 37 and an operation unit 38 via a bus 35 and a controller 36. The controller 36 controls the display unit 37 and the operation unit 38 in response to instructions from the control unit 300. For convenience of explanation, the control performed by the controller 36 will be described as being performed by the control unit 300.

[0035] The display unit 37 is, for example, a liquid crystal display. The display unit 37 displays information to an operator who operates the station 30. The operation unit 38 is, for example, a touch panel provided on the display unit 37, and is operated by a person who operates the station 30.

[0036] The control unit 300 is also connected to the communication unit 39 via the bus 35. The communication unit 39 communicates with the order terminal 10, dedicated terminal 40, kitchen display 50, kitchen printer 70, and POS terminal 90, which are connected via the communication line L, to send and receive information.

[0037] Next, the order management unit 331 will be described. Figures 4 and 5 are memory maps showing the memory configuration of the order management unit 331, which stores and manages order information received from the order terminals 10. Product order information includes the table number and other information for the ordered products, so the order management unit 331 stores the ordered products grouped by table number. Note that Figures 4 and 5 show order information sent from the same order terminal 10 installed at a single table being managed by the table number that identifies that table, but in reality the order management unit 331 stores the order information for the number of tables for which orders have been placed grouped by table number.

[0038] Fig. 4 shows a memory map of order information related to the first item ordered after a customer sits down. Fig. 5 shows a memory map of order information related to ordered items, including an additional item (item G) ordered in addition to the initial order. As shown in Fig. 4, the order management unit 331 has a table number section 3311, a number of people section 3312, a person in charge section 3313, an ordered item section 3314, a quantity section 3315, an addition section 3316, an order time section 3317, a cooking instruction section 3318, and a cooking completion section 3319.

[0039] The table number section 3311 stores the table number that groups the ordered items, which is included in the received order information. The number of people section 3312 stores the number of customers entered on the order terminal 10. The person in charge section 3313 stores a person in charge number that identifies the person in charge of the order terminal 10 that sent the order. The person in charge number is, for example, stored in advance in the order terminal 10 and included in the order information sent by the order terminal 10. The ordered item section 3314 stores item information (item code and item name) that identifies the ordered item. The quantity section 3315 stores the order quantity of the item in association with the item information stored in the ordered item section 3314. The adding section 3316 stores information indicating whether the item is an initial order or an additional order, in association with the item information stored in the ordered item section 3314. This information is, for example, flag information, and a flag of 1 is stored for an additional order item. That is, a product for which flag 0 is stored in the addition section 3316 indicates that it is the product that was initially ordered, and a product for which flag 1 is stored in the addition section 3316 indicates that it is a product that was additionally ordered. As shown in Fig. 5, since flag 1 is stored in the addition section 3316 for product G, product G is a product that was additionally ordered.

[0040] In this way, the order management unit 331 stores the items under the same table number, regardless of whether they are the first ordered item or an additional ordered item.

[0041] The order time section 3317 stores the time when the product was ordered in association with the product identification information stored in the ordered product section 3314. For the first ordered product, the time when the product was ordered is stored, and for additional ordered products, the time when the additional order was made is stored.

[0042] The cooking instruction unit 3318 stores information indicating whether or not a product is a product for which a cooking instruction has been issued by the dedicated terminal 40, in association with the product identification information stored in the ordered product unit 3314. This information is, for example, flag information, and a flag of 1 is stored for a product for which a cooking instruction has been issued by the dedicated terminal 40. That is, a product for which a flag of 0 is stored in the cooking instruction unit 3318 indicates that a cooking instruction has not been issued by the dedicated terminal 40, and a product for which a flag of 1 is stored in the cooking instruction unit 3318 indicates that a cooking instruction has been issued by the dedicated terminal 40.

[0043] The cooking completion section 3319 stores information on whether or not a cooking completion notification has been received from the kitchen display 50. This information is, for example, flag information, and a flag of 1 is stored when a cooking completion notification has been received from the kitchen display 50. That is, a product for which a flag of 0 is stored in the cooking completion section 3319 indicates that the kitchen display 50 has not yet issued a cooking completion notification for the product, and a product for which a flag of 1 is stored in the cooking completion section 3319 indicates that the kitchen display 50 has issued a cooking completion notification for the product.

[0044] Next, the hardware of kitchen display 50 will be described. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of kitchen display 50. As shown in FIG. 6, kitchen display 50 includes a CPU 51, which is an example of a microprocessor, a ROM 52, a RAM 53, and a memory unit 54. CPU 51 is the main controller of kitchen display 50. ROM 52 stores various programs. RAM 53 loads programs and various data. Memory unit 54 stores various programs. CPU 51, ROM 52, RAM 53, and memory unit 54 are connected to one another via bus 55. CPU 51, ROM 52, and RAM 53 constitute control unit 500. That is, control unit 500 executes the control processing of kitchen display 50, which will be described later, by CPU 51 operating in accordance with the control program stored in ROM 52 or memory unit 54 and loaded in RAM 53.

[0045] The RAM 53 includes a cooking management unit 531. The cooking management unit 531 stores the order information transmitted from the station 30. The cooking management unit 531 will be described later with reference to FIG.

[0046] Memory unit 54 is configured by a non-volatile memory such as a HDD, flash memory, etc. Memory unit 54 has control program unit 541. Control program unit 541 stores a control program related to kitchen display 50.

[0047] Furthermore, the control unit 500 is connected to a display unit 57, an operation unit 58, and a microphone 60 via a bus 55 and a controller 56. The controller 56 controls the display unit 57 and the operation unit 58 in response to instructions from the control unit 500. For convenience of explanation, the control performed by the controller 56 will be described as being performed by the control unit 500. The microphone 60 receives a person's voice as sound.

[0048] Display unit 57 is, for example, a liquid crystal display. Display unit 57 displays information to the chef operating kitchen display 50. Operation unit 58 is, for example, a touch panel provided on display unit 57, and is operated by the chef operating kitchen display 50.

[0049] The control unit 500 is also connected to a communication unit 59 via a bus 55. The communication unit 59 communicates with the order terminal 10, station 30, kitchen printer 70, and POS terminal 90 connected via a communication line L to send and receive information.

[0050] Next, we will explain the cooking management unit 531, which stores order information. Fig. 7 is a memory map showing the memory configuration of the cooking management unit 531. As shown in Fig. 7, the cooking management unit 531 has a table number section 5311, a number of people section 5312, a person in charge section 5313, an ordered product section 5314, a quantity section 5315, an addition section 5316, an order time section 5317, and a cooking completion section 5318.

[0051] The table number section 5311 stores the table number that groups the ordered items. The number of people section 5312 stores the number of customers entered on the order terminal 10. The person in charge section 5313 stores a person in charge number that identifies the person in charge of the order terminal 10 that sent the order. The person in charge number is, for example, stored in advance in the order terminal 10 and is transmitted simultaneously when the order terminal 10 sends the order. The ordered item section 5314 stores item information (item code and item name) that identifies the ordered item. The quantity section 5315 stores the ordered quantity of the item in association with the item information stored in the ordered item section 5314. The addition section 5316 stores information indicating whether the item is an initial order or an additional order in association with the item information stored in the ordered item section 5314. This information is, for example, flag information, and a flag of 1 is stored for an additional order item. That is, a product for which flag 0 is stored in the addition section 5316 indicates that it is the product that was initially ordered, and a product for which flag 1 is stored in the addition section 5316 indicates that it is a product that was additionally ordered. As shown in Fig. 7, since flag 1 is stored in the addition section 5316 for product G, product G is a product that was additionally ordered.

[0052] In this way, the cooking management unit 531 stores the items under the same table number, regardless of whether they are the first ordered item or an additional ordered item.

[0053] The order time section 5317 stores the time when the product was ordered, in association with the product information stored in the ordered product section 5314. For the first ordered product, the time when the product was ordered is stored, and for additional ordered products, the time when the additional order was made is stored.

[0054] The cooking completion section 5318 stores information on whether a cooking completion notification has been sent for a product that has been cooked by the chef operating the operation section. This information is, for example, flag information, and a flag of 1 is stored when a cooking completion notification has been sent from the kitchen display 50 to the station 30. That is, a product for which a flag of 0 is stored in the cooking completion section 5318 indicates that the cooking completion notification has not been sent, and a product for which a flag of 1 is stored in the cooking completion section 5318 indicates that the cooking completion notification has been sent.

[0055] From here on, we will explain the display unit 57 and the operation unit 58. Note that the operation unit 58 is provided on the display unit 57, and the operation unit 58 at positions corresponding to the images of various buttons displayed on the display unit 57 function as displayed buttons, but in the following explanation, this will be simplified and the explanation will be made as if the images of buttons displayed on the display unit 57 function as buttons, such as "various buttons are displayed on the display unit 57" and "various buttons displayed on the display unit 57."

[0056] 8 shows the service selection screen Ma displayed by the kitchen display 50. The service selection screen Ma displays various buttons (including a per-order screen setting button Maa and a per-table screen button Mab) related to the services performed by the kitchen display 50. The per-order screen setting button Maa is a button that is operated when changing the number of tables that the kitchen display 50 displays on one screen. The per-table screen button Mab is a button that is operated when displaying ordered items by table.

[0057] FIG. 9 shows the screen Mb of the kitchen display 50 when the order unit screen setting button Maa is operated. As shown in FIG. 9, the screen Mb displays a 4-frame button Mba, an 8-frame button Mbb, and a 16-frame button Mbc. When the 4-frame button Mba is operated, the kitchen display 50 displays display areas for four tables on one screen, and in each display area, product information for products ordered from the station 30 among the products ordered from the order terminals 10 installed at the respective tables is displayed collectively. When the 8-frame button Mbb is operated, the kitchen display 50 displays display areas for eight tables on one screen, and in each display area, product information for products ordered from the station 30 among the products ordered from the order terminals 10 installed at the respective tables is displayed collectively. When the 16-frame button Mbc is operated, the kitchen display 50 displays display areas for 16 tables on one screen, and in each display area, product information for products ordered from the station 30 among the products ordered from the order terminals 10 installed at the respective tables is displayed collectively.

[0058] The screen Mb also displays a button Mbd for displaying products for eating in the restaurant and products for takeout separately. To display products for eating in the restaurant and products for takeout separately, the user operates the button Mbd.

[0059] FIG. 10 shows a table-based screen Mc on which the kitchen display 50 displays order information when the 16-frame button Mbc is operated. As shown in FIG. 10, when the 16-frame button Mbc is operated, it is possible to display display areas for up to 16 tables installed in the restaurant T on one screen. FIG. 10 shows an example in which, in each display area for five tables, product information and the like for products ordered at station 30 among the products ordered at each table is displayed by table (more precisely, by table number). Note that in the example of FIG. 10, product information for three ordered products can be displayed in each display area. If three or fewer products are ordered for cooking at station 30 at one table, product information for all products can be displayed in the display area. However, if four or more products are ordered for cooking, the fourth and subsequent products are not displayed in the display area and are hidden products.

[0060] In Figure 10, the display area Mca for table number 1 displays the table number of the table where the products were ordered, the time elapsed since the products were ordered, the number of customers, the staff member number, as well as the product names (product information) of ordered products A, B, and C. Product A is displayed in the upper row, product B is displayed in the middle, and product C is displayed in the lower row. The order quantity of each product is also displayed in association with the product information for each product. Similarly, the display area Mcb for table number 3, the display area Mcc for table number 4, the display area Mcd for table number 5, and the display area Mce for table number 6 also display order information in the display area corresponding to each table number.

[0061] Additionally, the word "additional" Mcf is displayed in the display area Mca for table number 1. The display area displaying the word "additional" Mcf indicates that an additional order has been placed. Note that in FIG. 10, the other display areas do not display order information because no cooking order for the product has been placed from station 30 to kitchen display 50.

[0062] The correction button Mcg and update button Mch displayed on the right side of the table unit screen Mc are used to erase the display of products that have been cooked. The correction button Mcg and update button Mch will be described later with reference to FIG.

[0063] Next, we will explain display updates of the display area, specifically, the display of product information displayed in the display area and the scrolling of the display associated with the operation to delete product information for cooked products. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of display updates of the display screen of the kitchen display 50. Note that the explanation for FIG. 11 will be given using table number 6 displayed in FIG. 10 as an example. FIG. 11(a) shows the product information displayed in the display area Mce for table number 6 shown in FIG. 10 and the information that is not displayed (hidden information). In FIG. 11(a), the display area Mca displays the product information of ordered products (products A, B, and C) and the order quantity of each product, in addition to the table number, the time elapsed since the order, the number of customers, and the staff member information. However, the product information of ordered products (products D, E, and F) and the order quantity of each product are not displayed. Note that at this point, product G has not yet been ordered. To display the product names of products D, E, and F that are not displayed and the order quantity of each product, operate the left page button or right page button in FIG. 10.

[0064] The chef looks at product A, product B, or product C, whose product information is displayed in display area H in Figure 11(a), and prepares one of the products. Once the cooking of the product is complete, the chef performs a delete operation on the product that has been cooked. The delete operation can be performed, for example, using one of the following two patterns. (1) Deleting by operating the operation buttons. Operate the correction button Mcg shown in Figure 10 → touch the column displaying the cooked products (touch the number of times corresponding to the number of products to be deleted) → operate the update button Mch. (2) Deletion by voice control using the cook's voice. The cook says "delete" into the microphone 60, then says the number of the item to be deleted (in the example of Figure 11, it says either "1," "2," or "3"), then says the number of items to be deleted (for example, "1" or "2"), and then says "OK."

[0065] For example, if there are multiple products displayed (for example, two), in (1), touching the product display field once will decrease the number of products by one. Touching it once more will erase the display of that product information. In addition, in (2), if the voice announcing the number of products to be erased is "1," the number of products will be decreased by one, and if the voice announcing the number of products to be erased is "2," the display of that product information will be erased.

[0066] Fig. 11(b) shows the display within the frame Mce when a deletion operation has been performed. In Fig. 11(b), when cooking of product A is completed, a deletion operation is performed for product A displayed in the upper row. This deletes the product information for product A (for the sake of explanation, in Fig. 11(b), the deletion of the product information for product A is indicated by a strikethrough).

[0067] Figure 11(c) shows the state after the display has been updated by the deletion operation. Specifically, the product information for product B, which was displayed in the middle row in the top row where the product information for product A in Figure 11(b) has been deleted, is moved up and displayed, and the product information for product C is moved up and displayed in the middle row, which has become empty after the product information for product B has moved up. At this point, product G is additionally ordered.

[0068] Additionally, the product information for product C moves to the middle row, and in the blank space in the bottom row, the product information for product D, which was hidden in Figures 11(a) and 11(b), moves up and is displayed. Products F and G (additionally ordered products), which are still hidden, also move up one row. When one item of product information displayed in the display area is deleted, the display update in which other item information moves up is one example; for example, the display may be updated so that one of the hidden items is displayed in the deleted column. To display the product names of products E, F, and G (additional products) that are not displayed in Figure 11(c) and the order quantities of each item, operate the left page button or right page button in Figure 10.

[0069] In this way, when the product information of a product that has been cooked is deleted, the product information is deleted from the display area, the product information of other products is brought up to be displayed, and the product information of one hidden product is automatically displayed in the display area. This makes it possible to clearly see the products to be cooked on a table-by-table basis.

[0070] Next, we will explain the processes of the order terminal 10, station 30, and kitchen display 50 and the transmission and reception of data between the devices. Fig. 12 is a sequence diagram showing the timeline of control and information transmission and reception between the order terminal 10, station 30, and kitchen display 50. As shown in Fig. 12, product information for an item to be ordered is input into the order terminal 10 (T1). The order terminal 10 transmits order information related to the input product information to the station 30 (T2). The station 30 stores the received order information in the order management unit 331 (T3).

[0071] The person at the table to whom the order information was sent operates the dedicated terminal 40 to give cooking instructions for some or all of the ordered items (T4). Based on the cooking instructions received from the dedicated terminal 40, the station 30 sends order information for the ordered items for which cooking instructions have been given to the kitchen display 50 (T5).

[0072] Kitchen display 50 stores the order information received from station 30 in cooking management unit 531, grouping them by table number (T6). Based on the stored order information, kitchen display 50 then displays the product information of the ordered products, grouping them by table number as shown in Fig. 10 (T7).

[0073] The chef prepares the food by looking at the product information displayed on the kitchen display 50. The chef then deletes the product information of the food that has been cooked (T8). When the deletion operation is performed, the kitchen display 50 updates the display of the product information for the table number where the deletion operation was performed (display update). In other words, the deleted product information is erased, and the remaining product information moves up one by one. If there is hidden product information, one hidden product information is displayed in the display area.

[0074] Next, kitchen display 50 sends a cooking completion notification of the cooked items to kitchen printer 70 (T10). Kitchen printer 70 prints the item information (i.e., the item information for which a cancellation operation was performed) and the table number included in the received cooking completion notification, and issues a printed receipt. The person in charge checks the receipt issued by kitchen printer 70, confirms the cooked items, and serves the items to the corresponding table. Kitchen display 50 also sends the same cooking completion notification to station 30 (T11). Kitchen display 50 repeats T8 to T11 each time the cooking of an ordered item is completed (T12).

[0075] Based on the cooking completion notification received from the kitchen display 50, the station 30 stores flag 1 indicating that cooking is complete in the cooking completion section 3319 of the product (T13). The station 30 then transmits information that cooking of the product is complete and the product will be served (cooking completion notification) to the ordering terminal 10 that placed the order (T14). The ordering terminal 10 that has received the cooking completion notification stores the cooking completion notification in the serving information section 132, and displays on the display unit 17 that the product will be served (T15).

[0076] Next, we will explain the control of the order terminal 10. Figure 13 is a flowchart showing the flow of control processing of the order terminal 10. A customer inputs the number of customers seated at the table. The input number of customers is stored in the number of customers section 133.

[0077] The control unit 100 of the order terminal 10 displays selectable items provided by the restaurant T that are stored in the menu master 142. The customer operates the operation unit 18 to select and input the items to be ordered from the displayed menu. The control unit 100 determines whether an order (including product information) for the items to be eaten by the customer has been input (S11). If it is determined that an order has been input (Yes in S11), the control unit 100 stores the order information for the input order in the order information unit 131 (S12), and the control unit 100 returns to S11. If there are multiple items to be ordered, the processes of S11 and S12 are repeated.

[0078] If it is determined that the input is not an order (No in S11), the control unit 100 determines whether an order button (not shown) provided on the operation unit 18 has been operated (S13). If it is determined that the order button has been operated (Yes in S13), the control unit 100 transmits to the station 30 the order information stored in the order information unit 131, plus the number of customers stored in the number of customers unit 133, the person in charge of the table, and the table number stored in the table number unit 143 (S14). The control unit 100 then returns to S11.

[0079] If it is determined that the order button was not operated (No in S13), the control unit 100 determines whether a cooking completion notification has been received from the station 30 (S15). If it is determined that a cooking completion notification has been received (Yes in S15), the control unit 100 stores the product information included in the received cooking completion notification in the serving information unit 132, and displays the product (dish) to be served on the display unit 17 based on the stored product information (S16). The control unit 100 then returns to S11.

[0080] Furthermore, if it is determined that the notification has not been a cooking completion notification (No in S15), the control unit 100 determines whether the checkout button (not shown) on the operation unit 18 has been operated (S17). If it is determined that the checkout button has not been operated (No in S17), the process returns to S11. If it is determined that the checkout button has been operated (Yes in S17), the process sends information to the station 30 indicating that the checkout will be carried out (including the table number) (S18). The control unit 100 then erases the information stored in the order information unit 131, the catering information unit 132, and the number of people unit 133 (S19). The control unit 100 then ends the process and returns to S11.

[0081] Next, the control of station 30 will be described. Fig. 14 is a flowchart showing the flow of control processing of station 30. As shown in Fig. 14, the control unit 300 of station 30 determines whether order information (product information, number of people, information about the person in charge, and including table number) has been received from the order terminal 10 (S31). If it is determined that order information has been received (Yes in S31), the received order information and the time when the order information was received (this time becomes the time when the product was ordered) are stored by table number in the order management unit 331 (S32). Then, the control unit 300 returns to S31.

[0082] If the control unit 300 determines that the received information is not order information (No in S31), it determines whether cooking instruction information has been received from the dedicated terminal 40 (S33). If it determines that cooking instruction information has been received (Yes in S33), it transmits the order information (including product information, table number, number of people, person in charge, and order time) related to the product for which the cooking instruction was received to the kitchen display 50 (S34). The control unit 300 then returns to S31.

[0083] Furthermore, if it is determined that the cooking instruction has not been received from the dedicated terminal 40 (No in S33), the control unit 300 determines whether order information related to an additional order has been received from the order terminal 10 (S35). If it is determined that order information related to an additional order has been received (Yes in S35), the control unit 300 executes the process of S32. That is, the order information related to the additional order is stored in the same order management unit 331 as the order information previously stored in S32, and the product information of the additional order is also stored together with the previously stored table number.

[0084] Furthermore, if it is determined that the received order information is not related to an additional order (No in S35), the control unit 300 determines whether a cooking completion notification has been received from the kitchen display 50 (S36). If it is determined that a cooking completion notification has been received (Yes in S36), the control unit 300 stores flag 1, indicating that cooking is complete, in the cooking completion unit 3319 corresponding to the product, and sends a cooking completion notification to the order terminal 10 that placed the order (S37). The control unit 300 then returns to S31.

[0085] If it is determined that the notification did not indicate a cooking completion status (No in S36), the control unit 300 then determines whether transaction information has been received from the order terminal 10 (S38). If it is determined that transaction information has not been received (No in S38), the control unit 300 returns to S31. If it is determined that transaction information has been received from the order terminal 10 (Yes in S38), the control unit 300 sends the product information stored in the order management unit 331 or the serving information unit 332 to the POS terminal 90 as transaction information (S39). The control unit 300 then ends processing and returns to S31.

[0086] Next, we will explain the functional configuration of kitchen display 50. Fig. 15 is a functional block diagram showing the functional configuration of kitchen display 50. Control unit 500 of kitchen display 50 functions as storage means 501, display means 502, and display update means 503 by following the control programs stored in ROM 52 and control program unit 541 of memory unit 54.

[0087] The storage means 501 stores product information for products to be cooked in units of tables. Specifically, the storage means 501 stores the product information included in the order information received from the station 30 that places the cooking order for the ordered products in units of tables. The storage means 501 also stores product information for additional products that have been added to the order in units of tables.

[0088] The display means 502 displays a predetermined number of pieces of product information out of the product information stored in the storage means 501 in a display area of ​​each table, which is divided into a plurality of tables and can display a predetermined number of pieces of product information, and does not display any product information that cannot be displayed. Specifically, the display means 502 displays a list of the predetermined number of pieces of product information that can be displayed in the display area, arranged vertically.

[0089] When a deletion operation is performed on displayed product information, the display update means 503 deletes the display of the product information and newly displays in the display area one of the product information that was not displayed by the display means 502. Specifically, the display update means 503 deletes the display of the product information that has been deleted from the display area, scrolls the display of other product information upward in the column of the deleted product information, and newly displays one of the product information that was not displayed by the display means 502 in the empty column of the display area. Furthermore, the display update means 504 newly displays one piece of product information in the display area, including product information of an added product related to the same table number.

[0090] Next, the control of kitchen display 50 will be described. FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the flow of the control process of kitchen display 50. As shown in FIG. 15, control unit 500 of kitchen display 50 determines whether order information has been received from station 30 (S51). If it is determined that order information has been received (Yes in S51), storage means 501 stores the received order information in cooking management unit 531 by table number (S52). Then, display means 502 displays the cooking information stored in cooking management unit 531 by table (for example, as shown in FIG. 10) (S53). Control unit 500 then returns to S51.

[0091] Furthermore, if it is determined that the received information is not order information (No in S51), the control unit 500 determines whether a deletion operation has been performed on the displayed product information (S54). If it is determined that a deletion operation on the product information has been performed (Yes in S54), the display update means 503 executes the display update process shown in Fig. 11 (S55). That is, the display update means 503 deletes the display of the product information for which a deletion operation has been performed, scrolls the display of other product information displayed in the display area upward in the column for the deleted product information, and newly displays one of the product information that was not displayed by the display means 502 in the empty column in the display area.

[0092] Next, the control unit 500 stores flag 1, indicating that cooking is complete, in the cooking completion section 6318 for the product that has been cooked (S56). The control unit 500 then sends a cooking completion notification to the kitchen printer 70 (S57). Based on the received cooking completion notification, the kitchen printer 70 issues a slip on which is printed product information (product name) for the cooked product and the table number for the table where the product was ordered. The control unit 500 then sends the cooking completion notification to the station 30 (S58). The control unit 500 then returns to S51.

[0093] Furthermore, if it is determined that the operation is not a deletion operation of product information (No in S54), the control unit 500 determines whether cooking has been completed for all products (S59). Whether cooking has been completed for all products is determined based on whether all flags 1 are stored in the cooking completion section 5318 for the ordered products. If all flags 1 are stored in the cooking completion section 5318, the control unit 500 determines that cooking has been completed for all products. If all flags 1 are not stored in the cooking completion section 5318 (if flag 0 is stored in part of the cooking completion section 5318), the control unit 500 determines that cooking has not been completed for all products. If it is determined that cooking has not been completed for all products (No in S59), the control unit 500 returns to S51. If it is determined that cooking has been completed for all products (Yes in S59), the control unit 500 clears the storage in the cooking completion section 5318 for that table number (S60). The control unit 500 then ends the process and returns to S51.

[0094] According to this embodiment of the kitchen display 50, when a product information deletion operation is performed, the display of that product information is erased, the remaining product information is scrolled to display, and the hidden product information is automatically displayed again. This makes it possible to clearly see the products to be cooked on a table-by-table basis.

[0095] As described above, the kitchen display 50 of the embodiment comprises a storage means 501 that stores product information for products to be cooked on a table-by-table basis, a display means 502 that displays a predetermined number of pieces of product information from the product information stored in the storage means 501 in a display area for each table, the display area being divided into a plurality of tables and capable of displaying a predetermined number of pieces of product information, and does not display any product information that cannot be displayed, and a display update means 503 that, when a deletion operation for displayed product information is performed, deletes the display of the product information and newly displays one of the product information that was not displayed by the display means 502 in the display area.

[0096] According to kitchen display 50 of this embodiment, when a deletion operation is performed on product information displayed by display means 502, display update means 503 deletes the display of that product information and newly displays in the display area one of the product information items that was not displayed by display means 502. This makes it possible to clearly see the products to be cooked on a table-by-table basis.

[0097] In addition, in the kitchen display 50 of this embodiment, the storage means 501 adds and stores product information for additionally ordered items on a table-by-table basis, and when a deletion operation is performed, the display update means 504 newly displays one piece of product information including the product information for the additional items in the display area.

[0098] According to this embodiment of the kitchen display 50, additionally ordered items can be managed using the same table number as the initially ordered items, and the additional items can be displayed in the same display area as the initially ordered items.

[0099] Although an embodiment of the present invention has been described above, this embodiment is presented as an example and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. This novel embodiment can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. This embodiment and its modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are also included in the invention and its equivalents as defined in the claims.

[0100] For example, in the embodiment, the kitchen display 50 has been described as an example of the order management device. However, this is not limiting, and for example, the station 30 may also be used as the order management device. In this case, the display unit 37 of the station 30 is installed in a position that is easily visible to the cook.

[0101] In the embodiment, the station 30 processes orders to the kitchen display 50 for items ordered by the order terminal 10 and for which cooking instructions have been issued from the dedicated terminal 40. However, this is not limiting, and the station 30 may process orders for all items ordered by the order terminal 10.

[0102] In the embodiment, the order terminal 10 is installed at each table. However, the order terminal 10 is not limited to this, and may be a mobile terminal carried by a customer on which an application that enables the user to view a menu and order products is installed.

[0103] In the embodiment, the table number is used as the table identification information for identifying a table, but this is not limiting, and terminal identification information for identifying the order terminal 10 may be used instead of the table number.

[0104] In the embodiment, the payment for the ordered products is made at the POS terminal 90. However, this is not limiting, and for example, the order terminal 10 may be provided with a payment function for the POS terminal 90, and the payment for the ordered products may be made at the order terminal 10.

[0105] The program executed by the kitchen display 50 of the embodiment is provided as a file in an installable or executable format recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk).

[0106] The program executed by kitchen display 50 of the embodiment may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by being downloaded via the network. The program executed by kitchen display 50 of the embodiment may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

[0107] Furthermore, the program executed by kitchen display 50 of the embodiment may be provided by being pre-installed in a ROM or the like. [Explanation of symbols]

[0108] 10 Order terminal 30 Stations 40 Dedicated terminal 50 Kitchen Display 60 Mike 70 Kitchen Printer 90 POS terminals 100 control section 131 Order Information Department 132 Food Distribution Information Department 133 Number of people 142 Menu Master 143 Table Number Section 300 control section 331 Order Management Department 332 Food Distribution Information Department 500 control section 501 Memory means 502 Display means 503 Display update means 504 Display update means 531 Cooking Management Department 3311 Table Number Section 5311 Table number section [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0109] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-233875

Claims

1. a storage means for storing product information of products to be cooked in units of tables; a display means for displaying a predetermined number of pieces of product information among the stored product information in a display area of ​​each table divided into a plurality of tables, each table being capable of displaying a predetermined number of pieces of product information, and not displaying any product information that cannot be displayed in the display area; a display update means for, when a deletion operation of the displayed product information is performed, deleting the display of the product information and newly displaying one of the product information that has not been displayed on the display means in the display area; An order management device comprising:

2. the display means displays the predetermined number of pieces of product information that can be displayed in a list in a vertical direction, the display update means scrolls the display of other product information into the column of the deleted product information, and newly displays the product information that was not displayed in the empty column. The order management system according to claim 1 .

3. the storage means stores product information of additionally ordered products in units of the tables; the display update means newly displays the one item of product information including the item information of the added product in the display area. The order management device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. the storage means stores product information included in order information received from a station that places an order for the ordered product; The order management system according to claim 1 .

5. The deletion operation is an operation of an operation unit or an operation by voice. The order management system according to claim 1 .

6. sending a cooking completion notification to a kitchen printer for the item deleted by the display update means; The order management system according to claim 1 .

7. Computers as order management devices a storage means for storing product information of products to be cooked in units of tables; a display means for displaying a predetermined number of pieces of product information among the stored product information in a display area of ​​each table divided into a plurality of tables, each table being capable of displaying a predetermined number of pieces of product information, and not displaying any product information that cannot be displayed in the display area; a display update means for, when a deletion operation of the displayed product information is performed, deleting the display of the product information and newly displaying one of the product information that has not been displayed on the display means in the display area; A program that can function as a

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