Information processing device, information processing system, and information processing method

Abstract

To streamline the process of determining seating arrangements for customers in restaurants. [Solution] The information processing device 10 acquires tag information written to wireless tags that are wirelessly transmitted and detected from seats 3a, 3b, ... in the restaurant. Based on the tag information, the information processing device 10 updates seat information 11a that indicates the usage status of seats 3a, 3b, ... in the restaurant. Based on the seat information 11a, the information processing device 10 determines which seats will be used by customers 4a, 4b, ... who have come to the restaurant.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing system, and an information processing method.

Background Art

[0002] In a restaurant, customers dine at the seats inside the store. The restaurant accepts orders by a ticket vending machine or a store clerk. Then, the store clerk of the restaurant serves the ordered items to the orderer. Order management and serving in such a restaurant may be managed by a system.

[0003] As technologies related to a restaurant system, there has been proposed a food and beverage serving management system in which customers can freely choose seats for dining, and food and beverages are served reliably and efficiently. Also, for example, there has been proposed a service system for restaurants that suppresses labor costs and provides high-quality services. Also, for example, there has been proposed a restaurant settlement system for performing settlement promptly and accurately and improving the efficiency of settlement processing.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In a restaurant, a store clerk finds an unoccupied seat and guides a customer. Also, a customer may find an unoccupied seat by himself / herself and use it. During peak hours, it may take time to find an unoccupied seat.

[0006] One aspect of this project is that it aims to streamline the process of determining which seats customers will use in restaurants. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One proposal provides an information processing device having a memory unit and a processing unit. The memory unit stores seat information indicating the seating status of a restaurant. The processing unit acquires tag information written to wireless tags that are wirelessly transmitted and detected from the seats in the restaurant, updates the seat information based on the tag information, and determines which seats customers will use when they visit the restaurant based on the seat information. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to one embodiment, it is possible to streamline the process of determining which seats customers will use in a restaurant. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This figure shows an example of an information processing system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This figure shows an example of an information processing system according to the second embodiment. [Figure 3] This figure shows an example of a restaurant where the information processing system of the second embodiment is installed. [Figure 4] This diagram shows an example of a host computer hardware configuration. [Figure 5] This is a block showing examples of host computer functions. [Figure 6] This figure shows an example of seating information. [Figure 7] This figure shows an example of product information. [Figure 8] This figure shows an example of order information. [Figure 9] This is a diagram showing an example of a meal ticket. [Figure 10] This figure shows an example of tag data. [Figure 11]It is a diagram showing an example of the flow of seat determination and food ticket issuance. [Figure 12] It is a diagram showing an example of the display screen of the kitchen terminal. [Figure 13] It is a diagram showing an example of the display screen of the meal distribution counter terminal. [Figure 14] It is a flowchart (Part 1) showing an example of the procedure for food ticket purchase acceptance processing. [Figure 15] It is a flowchart (Part 2) showing an example of the procedure for food ticket purchase acceptance processing. [Figure 16] It is a flowchart (Part 3) showing an example of the procedure for food ticket purchase acceptance processing. [Figure 17] It is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure for food ticket issuance processing for multiple people. [Figure 18] It is a sequence diagram showing an example of seat and order management processing. [Figure 19] It is a sequence diagram showing an example of seat correction processing.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, this embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that multiple embodiments can be combined and implemented within a non - conflicting range. 〔First Embodiment〕 First, the first embodiment will be described.

[0011] [[ID=З9]] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of an information processing system according to the first embodiment. The first embodiment determines the seats to be used by customers 4a, 4b,... who come to a restaurant. The restaurant is a place that provides food and beverages to customers 4a, 4b,... who come to the restaurant and allows them to have meals at the seats inside the store. The restaurant in the first embodiment has seats 3a, 3b,.... The information processing system of the first embodiment includes a ticket vending machine 1, a detection device 2, and an information processing device 10.

[0012] Ticket vending machine 1 is a device that issues meal tickets containing wireless tags. Wireless tags are wirelessly wirelessly capable tags. Wireless tags are, for example, RFID (Radio Frequency Identifier) ​​tags. Tag information is written to the wireless tag. The tag information written to the wireless tag can be read by communicating with the wireless tag. Ticket vending machine 1 accepts input from customers 4a, 4b, ... via a touch panel or buttons. Ticket vending machine 1 writes tag information based on the input content to the wireless tag and issues meal tickets (meal tickets with wireless tags) containing the wireless tag on which the tag information has been written.

[0013] For example, ticket vending machine 1 accepts input of the number of customers and the items to be ordered. Ticket vending machine 1 writes the entered number of customers and items, along with seat information notified by the information processing device 10, as tag information to a wireless tag. Then, ticket vending machine 1 prints the price of the items, seat information, etc., on a meal ticket to which the wireless tag with the tag information has been written, and issues the ticket. Customers 4a, 4b, ... eat their meals using the seats indicated on their meal tickets from among seats 3a, 3b, ...

[0014] Detection device 2 is a device that detects wireless tags from seats 3a, 3b, ... Detection device 2 is, for example, an RFID reader. Detection device 2 communicates with the wireless tag and identifies the seat from which the wireless tag was detected. For example, detection device 2 identifies the seat from which the wireless tag was detected based on the strength of the communication with the wireless tag. Detection device 2 notifies information processing device 10 of the seat from which the wireless tag was detected and the tag information written to the detected wireless tag.

[0015] For example, customers 4a, 4b, ... place their meal tickets in the designated locations on the seats they will be using. The detection device 2 communicates with the wireless tags embedded in the placed meal tickets and notifies the information processing device 10 of the seat where the wireless tag was detected and the tag information written on the detected wireless tag. There may be multiple detection devices 2, and each detection device may detect wireless tags from pre-configured seats among seats 3a, 3b, ...

[0016] The information processing device 10 is a computer that manages the seats used by customers 4a, 4b, ... of a restaurant. The information processing device 10 has a storage unit 11 and a processing unit 12. The storage unit 11 stores data used for processing performed by the information processing device 10. The storage unit 11 is, for example, a memory or storage device of the information processing device 10. The storage unit 11 stores seat information 11a.

[0017] The seat information 11a shows the seating status of the restaurant. The seat information 11a records the number of people who can use each seat and the number of people using each seat, associated with the seat number. The number of people who can use each seat is the maximum number of people that can use it. For example, the number of people who can use a single person counter seat is set to 1. For example, the number of people who can use a four-person table seat is set to 4. The number of people using each seat is the number of people currently using it. For example, the number of people using an unused seat (empty seat) is set to 0. For example, the number of people using a four-person table seat that is being used by two people is set to 2.

[0018] The processing unit 12 controls the information processing device 10 and can perform the required processing. The processing unit 12 is, for example, a processor or arithmetic circuit in the information processing device 10. The processing unit 12 updates the seat information 11a and determines the seats to be used by customers 4a, 4b, ... as follows.

[0019] In updating seat information 11a, the processing unit 12 obtains the tag information written to the wireless tags detected from seats 3a, 3b, ... Then, the processing unit 12 updates seat information 11a based on the tag information. Here, the processing unit 12 records the number of people using the seats where wireless tags were detected in seat information 11a based on the tag information. For example, the processing unit 12 obtains information indicating the seat where the wireless tag was detected and the tag information written to the detected wireless tag from the detection device 2. The processing unit 12 sets the number of people included in the tag information to the number of people using the seat corresponding to the seat where the wireless tag was detected in seat information 11a. If multiple wireless tags are detected from the same seat, the processing unit 12 sets the sum of the number of people included in the tag information written to each of the multiple wireless tags to the number of people using the seat corresponding to the seat where the wireless tag was detected in seat information 11a.

[0020] In determining the seats to be used by customers 4a, 4b, ..., the processing unit 12 determines the seats to be used by customers 4a, 4b, ... based on the seat information 11a. The processing unit 12 determines the seats to be used by customers 4a, 4b, ... based on the number of customers 4a, 4b, ... and the number of people who can use each seat.

[0021] For example, the processing unit 12 receives notification of the number of customers entered from the ticket vending machine 1. If there is one customer, the processing unit 12 refers to the seat information 11a and identifies seats where the number of available seats is set to 1 and the number of people using the seats is set to 0 (i.e., empty counter seats). If there are multiple customers, the processing unit 12 also refers to the seat information 11a and identifies seats where the number of available seats is set to a value greater than or equal to the number of customers and the number of people using the seats is set to 0 (i.e., empty table seats). The processing unit 12 determines that the identified seats will be used by customers 4a, 4b, ... and notifies the ticket vending machine 1.

[0022] Furthermore, if there are no seats with the number of users set to 0 in the seat information 11a (i.e., no vacant seats), the processing unit 12 determines that seats with a number of users less than the number of available seats will be used by customers 4a, 4b, ... For example, the processing unit 12 refers to the seat information 11a and, if there are no seats with the number of users set to 0, determines that seats with a number of users less than the number of available seats will be used by customers 4a, 4b, ...

[0023] According to the first embodiment, the storage unit 11 of the information processing device 10 stores seat information 11a indicating the usage status of seats 3a, 3b, ... in a restaurant. The processing unit 12 of the information processing device 10 acquires tag information written to wireless tags that are wirelessly transmitted and detected from seats 3a, 3b, ... in the restaurant, and updates the seat information 11a based on the tag information. Based on the seat information 11a, the processing unit 12 determines which seats will be used by customers 4a, 4b, ... who have come to the restaurant.

[0024] In this way, the information processing device 10 can easily identify unused seats by managing seats 3a, 3b, ... Therefore, the information processing device 10 can efficiently determine which seats customers 4a, 4b, ... will use in a restaurant.

[0025] Furthermore, seat information 11a records the maximum number of people who can use each seat. The processing unit 12 determines which seats customers 4a, 4b, ... will use based on the number of customers 4a, 4b, ... and the number of people who can use each seat. This allows the information processing unit 10 to ensure that each seat is used by the appropriate number of people.

[0026] Furthermore, seat information 11a records the number of people currently using each seat. Based on the tag information, the processing unit 12 records the number of people using the seats where wireless tags have been detected in seat information 11a, and determines that seats with a number of users less than the number of available seats will be used by customers 4a, 4b, ... This allows the information processing device 10 to efficiently utilize seats 3a, 3b, ...

[0027] Furthermore, wireless tags on which information indicating the seats to be used by the determined customers 4a, 4b, ... may be detected from seats other than those used by the determined customers 4a, 4b, .... If the processing unit 12 detects a wireless tag from a seat other than the determined seat, it may output that a different seat is being used. This allows the information processing device 10 to guide customers 4a, 4b, ... to the appropriate seats.

[0028] [Second Embodiment] Next, a second embodiment will be described. The second embodiment manages seating and orders in a restaurant.

[0029] Figure 2 shows an example of an information processing system according to the second embodiment. The information processing system of the second embodiment is installed in a restaurant. The information processing system of the second embodiment includes a kitchen terminal 21, a serving terminal 22, RFID readers 23a, 23b, 23c, 23d, a host computer 100, and a ticket vending machine 200. The kitchen terminal 21, the serving terminal 22, the RFID readers 23a to 23d, the host computer 100, and the ticket vending machine 200 are connected to a network 20. The network 20 is, for example, the restaurant's LAN (Local Area Network). The kitchen terminal 21, the serving terminal 22, the RFID readers 23a to 23d, the host computer 100, and the ticket vending machine 200 may be connected to the network 20 by wire or by wireless connection.

[0030] Kitchen terminal 21 is a terminal in the kitchen of a restaurant that displays information about ordered items. Kitchen terminal 21 is, for example, a tablet terminal operated by a staff member cooking in the kitchen. Kitchen terminal 21 displays information about ordered items notified from the host computer 100. Kitchen terminal 21 also accepts input of the cooking status of ordered items and notifies the host computer 100. Serving terminal 22 is a terminal in the area outside the kitchen of a restaurant where seats are located (hall) that displays information about items to be served. Serving terminal 22 is, for example, a tablet terminal operated by a staff member serving in the hall. Serving terminal 22 displays information about ordered items notified from the host computer 100. Serving terminal 22 also accepts input of the serving status of ordered items and notifies the host computer 100.

[0031] RFID readers 23a to 23d detect RFID tags embedded in meal tickets and read data from the detected RFID tags. RFID readers 23a to 23d also detect RFID tags from seats in restaurants. RFID readers 23a to 23d notify the host computer 100 of the seats where RFID tags were detected and the data written to the detected RFID tags.

[0032] The host computer 100 is a computer that manages seating and orders in a restaurant. Based on the information notified by the RFID readers 23a to 23d, the host computer 100 manages seating status and orders. For example, the host computer 100 records that a seat where an RFID tag has been detected is in use. Also, for example, the host computer 100 records that the product indicated by the data written on the RFID tag is the ordered product for the seat where the RFID tag was detected, and notifies the kitchen terminal 21 and the serving terminal 22.

[0033] Furthermore, when customers at a restaurant purchase meal tickets from the ticket vending machine 200, the host computer 100 retrieves the number of customers entered by the customers from the ticket vending machine 200. Based on the seating availability and the retrieved number of customers, the host computer 100 determines which seats the customers will use. The host computer 100 then notifies the ticket vending machine 200 of the determined seats.

[0034] The ticket vending machine 200 is a device for issuing meal tickets in restaurants. The ticket vending machine 200 has a monitor and a touch panel. The ticket vending machine 200 displays the meal ticket purchase screen on the monitor and accepts selections from customers via the touch panel. The ticket vending machine 200 also has equipment for accepting payments in cash or electronic money and equipment for printing meal tickets.

[0035] First, the ticket vending machine 200 receives the customer's selection of the number of people in their party and notifies the host computer 100. The ticket vending machine 200 then receives notification from the host computer 100 of the seats the customer will use. Next, the ticket vending machine 200 receives the customer's selection of items to order and accepts payment for the ordered items. Finally, the ticket vending machine 200 issues a meal ticket with an embedded RFID tag containing information indicating the customer's seat, the number of people in their party, and the ordered items. For example, the ticket vending machine 200 prints the seat and order details on a piece of paper with RFID tags embedded at regular intervals. The ticket vending machine 200 writes the information indicating the seat, the number of people in their party, and the ordered items to the RFID tags included in the printed portion. The ticket vending machine 200 then cuts out the printed portion and issues it as a meal ticket.

[0036] Figure 3 shows an example of a restaurant where the information processing system of the second embodiment is installed. The information processing system of the second embodiment is installed in a restaurant 40. The restaurant 40 is a place that serves food and drinks to customers 42a, 42b, 42c, etc., and allows them to eat at the seats inside the restaurant. The restaurant 40 is, for example, a ramen shop. The restaurant 40 has a kitchen 41 and a dining area. The kitchen 41 is the area where food is prepared. A kitchen terminal 21 is installed in the kitchen 41.

[0037] The dining hall of restaurant 40 is equipped with table seating T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, T6, T7, T8 and counter seating C1, C2, C3, C4, C5. Table seating T1-T8 can be used by multiple people (for example, 4 people). Counter seating C1-C5 can be used by one person. The hall is also equipped with a serving terminal 22, RFID readers 23a-23d and a ticket vending machine 200.

[0038] The dashed lines in Figure 3 indicate the detection area of ​​each RFID reader. RFID reader 23a detects RFID tags from table seats T1, T2 and counter seats C1-C5. RFID reader 23b detects RFID tags from table seats T3, T4. RFID reader 23c detects RFID tags from table seats T5, T6. RFID reader 23d detects RFID tags from table seats T7, T8. RFID readers 23a-23d identify the seat where the RFID tag is located based on the strength of the communication with the RFID tag.

[0039] Customers 42a, 42b, 42c, ... purchase meal tickets from the ticket vending machine 200 and use the seats indicated on the meal tickets. Customers 42a, 42b, 42c, ... place their meal tickets in the designated locations at the seats they will be using. When RFID readers 23a to 23d detect RFID tags embedded in the meal tickets from the seats, they notify the host computer 100 of the information indicating the seat where the RFID tag was detected (seat number), as well as the number of customers and order details written on the detected RFID tag.

[0040] The host computer 100 manages seat usage and orders based on information received from RFID readers 23a to 23d. The host computer 100 records that the seat with the notified seat number is in use. The host computer 100 also records that the notified order is for the seat with the notified seat number and notifies the kitchen terminal 21 and the serving terminal 22. The kitchen terminal 21 and the serving terminal 22 update the information of the ordered items they are displaying.

[0041] The host computer 100 uses the seating status to determine which seats customers 42a, 42b, 42c, ... will use when purchasing meal tickets. When purchasing meal tickets, the ticket vending machine 200 first accepts the number of customers 42a, 42b, 42c, ... from selecting the number of customers. The ticket vending machine 200 notifies the host computer 100 of the selected number of customers. Based on the seating status and the number of customers, the host computer 100 determines which seats customers 42a, 42b, 42c, ... will use. For example, if there is only one customer, the host computer 100 refers to the seating status and determines that an unused counter seat will be used by customer 42a, 42b, 42c, ... Furthermore, for example, if there are multiple customers, the host computer 100 will refer to the seating arrangement and determine which unused tables will be used by the customers 42a, 42b, 42c, ...

[0042] When the ticket vending machine 200 receives notification from the host computer 100 of the seats to be used by customers 42a, 42b, 42c, etc., it accepts the selection of items to be ordered and payment from the customers 42a, 42b, 42c, etc. Then, the ticket vending machine 200 issues a meal ticket embedded with an RFID tag on which information such as the seats to be used by the customers 42a, 42b, 42c, etc., the number of customers, and the items ordered is written. In this way, the information processing system of the second embodiment can determine the seats to be used by the customers 42a, 42b, 42c, etc., and notify the customers 42a, 42b, 42c, etc. by writing it on the meal ticket.

[0043] Figure 4 shows an example of the hardware configuration of a host computer. The host computer 100 is controlled as a whole by a processor 101. The processor 101 is connected to memory 102 and several peripheral devices via a bus 109. The processor 101 may be a multiprocessor. The processor 101 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), or a DSP (Digital Signal Processor). At least some of the functions that the processor 101 implements by executing a program may be implemented by electronic circuits such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or a PLD (Programmable Logic Device).

[0044] Memory 102 is used as the main memory of the host computer 100. Memory 102 temporarily stores at least a portion of the OS (Operating System) programs and application programs that are to be executed by the processor 101. Memory 102 also stores various data used for processing by the processor 101. For example, a volatile semiconductor memory device such as RAM (Random Access Memory) is used as memory 102.

[0045] Peripheral devices connected to bus 109 include a storage device 103, a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) 104, an input interface 105, an optical drive device 106, a device connection interface 107, and a network interface 108.

[0046] The storage device 103 electrically or magnetically writes and reads data from its built-in recording medium. The storage device 103 is used as an auxiliary storage device for a computer. The storage device 103 stores the OS program, application programs, and various data. For example, the storage device 103 can be an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive).

[0047] A monitor 31 is connected to the GPU 104. The GPU 104 displays images on the screen of the monitor 31 according to instructions from the processor 101. The monitor 31 can be an OLED display or an LCD display, among others.

[0048] The input interface 105 is connected to a keyboard 32 and a mouse 33. The input interface 105 transmits signals from the keyboard 32 and mouse 33 to the processor 101. Note that the mouse 33 is just one example of a pointing device; other pointing devices can also be used. Other pointing devices include touch panels, tablets, touchpads, and trackballs.

[0049] The optical drive device 106 reads data recorded on the optical disc 34 using laser light or the like. The optical disc 34 is a portable recording medium on which data is recorded in a way that makes it readable by the reflection of light. Examples of optical discs 34 include DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), DVD-RAM, CD-ROM (Read Only Memory), CD-R (Recordable) / RW (ReWritable), etc.

[0050] The device connection interface 107 is a communication interface for connecting peripheral devices to the host computer 100. For example, a memory device 35 and a memory reader / writer 36 can be connected to the device connection interface 107. The memory device 35 is a recording medium equipped with a communication function with the device connection interface 107. The memory reader / writer 36 is a device that writes data to or reads data from the memory card 37. The memory card 37 is a card-type recording medium.

[0051] The network interface 108 is connected to the network 20. The network interface 108 transmits and receives data to and from other computers or communication devices via the network 20.

[0052] The host computer 100 can realize the processing functions of the second embodiment with the hardware configuration described above. The information processing device 10 shown in the first embodiment can also be realized with hardware similar to that of the host computer 100 shown in Figure 4. Furthermore, the processor 101 is an example of the processing unit 12 shown in the first embodiment. Also, the memory 102 or storage device 103 is an example of the storage unit 11 shown in the first embodiment.

[0053] The host computer 100 implements the processing functions of the second embodiment by executing a program recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, for example. The program describing the processing content to be executed by the host computer 100 can be recorded on various recording media. For example, the program to be executed by the host computer 100 can be stored in the storage device 103. The processor 101 loads at least a portion of the program in the storage device 103 into the memory 102 and executes the program. Alternatively, the program to be executed by the host computer 100 can be recorded on a portable recording medium such as an optical disc 34, a memory device 35, or a memory card 37. The program stored on the portable recording medium becomes executable after being installed in the storage device 103, for example, under control from the processor 101. The processor 101 can also directly read and execute the program from the portable recording medium. Next, the functions of the host computer 100 will be described in detail.

[0054] Figure 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the functions of a host computer. The host computer 100 includes a storage unit 110, a seat management unit 120, and an order management unit 130. The storage unit 110 is implemented using the storage area of ​​memory 102 or storage device 103. The seat management unit 120 and the order management unit 130 are implemented by the processor 101 executing a program stored in memory 102.

[0055] The memory unit 110 stores seat information 111, product information 112, and order information 113. The seat information 111 is information recording the usage status of table seats T1 to T8 and counter seats C1 to C5. The product information 112 is information about the products offered at the restaurant 40. The order information 113 is a record of the products that were ordered.

[0056] The seat management unit 120 manages seat information 111, which indicates the usage status of seats, and determines which seats customers 42a, 42b, 42c, ... will use. In managing seat information 111, the seat management unit 120 updates the seat information 111 based on tag data written to RFID tags detected from seats by RFID readers 23a to 23d. For example, the seat management unit 120 records the number of customers indicated by the tag data of the RFID tag detected from the seat in the seat information 111 as the number of people currently using that seat. Also, if the seat number of a seat detected by the RFID tag of RFID readers 23a to 23d does not match the seat number indicated by the tag data, the seat management unit 120 displays on the serving terminal 22 that a different seat than the one determined is being used.

[0057] In determining which seats to use, the seat management unit 120 determines which seats customers 42a, 42b, 42c, ... will use based on the seat information 111 when meal tickets are purchased at the ticket vending machine 200. The seat management unit 120 obtains the number of customers selected by customers 42a, 42b, 42c, ... from the ticket vending machine 200. The seat management unit 120 refers to the seat information 111 and determines which seats customers 42a, 42b, 42c, ... will use based on the number of people currently using the seats, the maximum number of people who can use the seats, and the number of customers. For example, if there is one customer, the seat management unit 120 determines which seats customers 42a, 42b, 42c, ... will use, which seats are currently being used by 0 people and have a maximum capacity of 1 person. Furthermore, for example, if there are two or more customers, the seat management unit 120 determines that seats currently occupied by 0 people and with a maximum capacity equal to or greater than the number of customers will be used by customers 42a, 42b, 42c, ...

[0058] Furthermore, if there are no seats currently occupied by 0 people, the seat management unit 120 refers to the seat information 111 and extracts seats where the number of people currently occupied is less than the maximum number of seats available, corresponding to the number of customers. The seat management unit 120 then determines that the extracted seats will be used by customers 42a, 42b, 42c, ...

[0059] The order management unit 130 manages the order information 113. The order management unit 130 records the items indicated by the tag data of the RFID tags detected from the seats by the RFID readers 23a to 23d as the ordered items for that seat in the order information 113. The order management unit 130 then notifies the kitchen terminal 21 and the serving terminal 22 of the contents of the order information 113.

[0060] Note that the lines connecting each element shown in Figure 5 represent only a portion of the communication path, and other communication paths besides those shown can also be configured. Next, the information stored in the memory unit 110 will be explained in detail.

[0061] Figure 6 shows an example of seat information. Seat information 111 records the usage status of table seats T1-T8 and counter seats C1-C5. For each seat, seat information 111 records the number of seats, the number of people seated, and the number of remaining seats, all associated with the seat number. The number of seats is the maximum number of people who can use the corresponding seat, as set in advance. For example, the number of seats for a counter seat is set to 1. Also, for example, the number of seats for a 4-person table seat is set to 4.

[0062] The number of occupied seats is the number of people currently using the corresponding seats. The number of occupied seats is recorded by the seat management unit 120 based on information received from RFID readers 23a to 23d. The number of remaining seats is the number of unused seats corresponding to the seats. The number of remaining seats is calculated by subtracting the number of occupied seats from the number of occupied seats when the number of occupied seats is updated.

[0063] Figure 7 shows an example of product information. Product information 112 is information about the products offered at restaurant 40. Product information 112 has a product number, product name, and price assigned to each product. The product number is a number used to identify the product. The product name is the name of the product. The price is the price of the product.

[0064] Figure 8 shows an example of order information. Order information 113 records information about the ordered items. For each ordered item, order information 113 is set to include the RFID number, item number, ordered item name, quantity, seat number, cooking status, serving status, and whether or not the order was canceled. The RFID number is the number that identifies the RFID tag on which the item is written as part of the order. The item number is the number that identifies the item. The ordered item name is the name of the item. The quantity is the quantity of the item.

[0065] The seat number is the seat number used by the customer who ordered the item. The cooking status indicates whether the item has been cooked or not. The serving status indicates whether the item has been served or not. The cancellation status indicates whether the order has been canceled or not. Next, we will explain the meal tickets issued by ticket vending machine 200.

[0066] Figure 9 shows an example of a meal ticket. The ticket vending machine 200 issues a meal ticket 51. The meal ticket 51 is also used as a receipt. The meal ticket 51 has the store name, phone number, date and time of issue, number of customers, RFID number, seat number, and order details printed on it.

[0067] The order details printed on meal ticket 51 include the name of the ordered item (menu item), the quantity, and the total price. The meal ticket 51 also prints the total amount for all ordered items, the amount paid (received), and the change (change). Furthermore, a message such as "The above has been received" is printed on meal ticket 51 to indicate that the total amount for all printed items has been received. Customers 42a, 42b, 42c, etc., can determine their assigned seat by checking the seat number printed on meal ticket 51. Additionally, meal ticket 51 has an embedded RFID tag. Next, we will explain the data written to the RFID tag.

[0068] Figure 10 shows an example of tag data. Tag data 52 is written to the RFID tag embedded in the meal ticket 51. Tag data 52 includes date and number of people data, RFID number data, seat number data, and order details data.

[0069] The date and number of people data indicates the date meal ticket 51 was issued and the number of customers. The date and number of people data is a 14-digit number. The first four digits from the left of the date and number of people data indicate the year of issuance. The fifth to twelfth digits from the left indicate the date and time of issuance. The thirteenth to fourteenth digits from the left indicate the number of customers. For example, tag data 52 has "20241125120502" written as the date and number of people data. This data indicates that meal ticket 51 was issued on November 25, 2024 at 12:05. It also indicates that there were 2 customers who ordered the product indicated on meal ticket 51.

[0070] The RFID number data indicates the RFID number of the RFID tag to which the tag data 52 is written. The RFID number data consists of an 8-digit number representing the RFID number. The RFID number indicates, for example, the order in which the data was written on that day. The seat number data indicates the seat number used by the customer who ordered the item indicated on the meal ticket 51. The seat number data consists of a combination of letters and numbers.

[0071] The order details data shows the order details when issuing meal ticket 51. Each ordered item is recorded as a 6-digit number in the order details data. The first four digits from the left of the order details data indicate the item number of the ordered item. The fifth and sixth digits from the left indicate the quantity of the ordered item. For example, tag data 52 contains "000102" as part of the order details data. This data indicates that two units of item number 0001 (soy sauce ramen) were ordered.

[0072] When RFID readers 23a to 23d detect an RFID tag embedded in the meal ticket 51, they read tag data 52 from the RFID tag and notify the host computer 100 of the seat number of the seat where the RFID tag was detected and the tag data 52. Based on the notified seat number and tag data 52, the host computer 100 updates the seat information 111 and order information 113. Next, the process of seat determination by the host computer 100 and ticket issuance by the ticket vending machine 200 will be explained.

[0073] Figure 11 shows an example of the seating arrangement and ticket issuance process. First, when customers 42a, 42b, 42c, ... arrive, the ticket vending machine 200 accepts their selection of the number of people in their party. The ticket vending machine 200 displays screen 61 on its monitor and accepts their selection of the number of people in their party.

[0074] Screen 61 is a screen for selecting the number of customers. Screen 61 includes an input field and a numeric keypad. The ticket vending machine 200 accepts touch operations on the numeric keypad via a touch panel on the ticket vending machine 200. The ticket vending machine 200 displays numbers in the input field corresponding to the touch operations on the numeric keys included in the numeric keypad. When the ticket vending machine 200 accepts a touch operation on the OK key included in the numeric keypad, it accepts the number displayed in the input field as the number of customers. Also, when the ticket vending machine 200 accepts a touch operation on the Correction key included in the numeric keypad, it deletes the number displayed in the input field. The ticket vending machine 200 notifies the host computer 100 of the entered number of customers.

[0075] The seat management unit 120 of the host computer 100 refers to the seat information 111 to check for vacant seats. For example, the seat management unit 120 determines that a seat is vacant if the number of seats in the seat information 111 is set to 0. Also, for example, if there are no seats in the seat information 111 with the number of seats set to 0, the seat management unit 120 determines that the restaurant is full. If there are vacant counter seats and table seats, the seat management unit 120 determines the type of seat depending on whether the number of customers is one or two or more.

[0076] If there is only one customer, the seat management unit 120 assigns an empty counter seat to customer 42a, 42b, 42c, ... (counter seat reserved). The seat management unit 120 notifies the ticket vending machine 200 of the seat number of the assigned counter seat. The ticket vending machine 200 accepts the selection of items (menu) and payment for the items, and issues a meal ticket.

[0077] If there are two customers, the ticket vending machine 200 confirms the customer's choice of table seats or counter seats. The ticket vending machine 200 displays screen 62 on its monitor and accepts the customer's choice of table seats or counter seats. Screen 62 is a screen that accepts the customer's choice of seat type. Screen 62 includes buttons corresponding to table seats and buttons corresponding to counter seats. The ticket vending machine 200 accepts touch operations on the buttons on screen 62 via its touch panel. The ticket vending machine 200 accepts the customer's choice of seat type corresponding to the button that was touched.

[0078] If a counter seat is selected, the seat management unit 120 assigns two vacant counter seats to customers 42a, 42b, 42c, ... (counter seat reservation). The seat management unit 120 notifies the ticket vending machine 200 of the seat numbers of the assigned counter seats. The ticket vending machine 200 accepts the selection of items (menu) and payment for the items, and issues meal tickets. Here, the ticket vending machine 200 issues two meal tickets, each with the ordered items for one person and one of the two seat numbers notified by the host computer 100 written on it. The ticket vending machine 200 also writes "1 person" as the number of customers on the RFID tag of each meal ticket.

[0079] If a table seat is selected, the seat management unit 120 assigns an available table seat to the customers 42a, 42b, 42c, ... (table seat reserved). Also, if there are three or more customers, the seat management unit 120 assigns an available table seat to the customers 42a, 42b, 42c, ... (table seat reserved).

[0080] The seat management unit 120 notifies the ticket vending machine 200 of the seat number of the determined table seat. At this point, the ticket vending machine 200 accepts the selection of whether to pay in a lump sum or in installments (split payment). The ticket vending machine 200 displays screen 63 on its monitor and accepts the selection of lump sum payment or installment payment. Screen 63 is a screen that accepts the selection of the type of payment method. Screen 63 includes buttons corresponding to lump sum payment and buttons corresponding to installment payment. The ticket vending machine 200 accepts touch operations on the buttons on screen 63 via the touch panel on the ticket vending machine 200. The ticket vending machine 200 accepts the selection of the type of payment corresponding to the button that was touched.

[0081] If lump-sum payment is selected, the ticket vending machine 200 accepts the selection of items (menu items) and payment for the items in a lump sum, and issues a meal ticket. In this case, the ticket vending machine 200 issues one meal ticket with the ordered items for the number of people in the party and the table seat number notified by the host computer 100 written on it. The ticket vending machine 200 also writes the number of people entered into the RFID tag on the meal ticket.

[0082] If installment payments are selected, the ticket vending machine 200 accepts the selection of items (menu items) and payment for the items from each person, and issues meal tickets for the number of people in the party. In this case, the ticket vending machine 200 issues meal tickets for the number of people in the party, with the ordered items for one person and the table seat number notified by the host computer 100 written on them. The ticket vending machine 200 also writes "1" as the number of people in the party on the RFID tag of each meal ticket.

[0083] If the restaurant is full, the ticket vending machine 200 will ask the customer to choose between sharing a table, waiting, or canceling, regardless of whether there is one person or two or more people in the party. The ticket vending machine 200 will display screen 64 on its monitor and accept the customer's choice of sharing a table, waiting, or canceling. Screen 64 is a screen that accepts the customer's choice of how to handle the situation when the restaurant is full. Screen 64 includes buttons for sharing a table, waiting, and canceling. The ticket vending machine 200 accepts touch operations on the buttons on screen 64 via its touch panel. The ticket vending machine 200 accepts the customer's choice of how to handle the situation corresponding to the button that was touched.

[0084] If shared seating is selected, the seat management unit 120 extracts available seating locations at tables from the seat information 111. The seat management unit 120 extracts table seats for the number of customers selected, where the number of remaining seats in the seat information 111 is set to 1 or more. The seat management unit 120 determines that the extracted seats will be used by customers 42a, 42b, 42c, ... (table seats secured). The ticket vending machine 200 accepts product selection and payment as if table seats had been determined, and issues meal tickets for the number of customers. In this case, the ticket vending machine 200 issues meal tickets for the number of customers, each with the ordered products for one person and the seat number of one of the table seats notified by the host computer 100 written on it. The ticket vending machine 200 also writes "1 person" as the number of customers on the RFID tag of each meal ticket.

[0085] If "Wait" is selected, the ticket vending machine 200 issues a queue ticket for waiting. For example, once the ticket vending machine 200 issues a queue ticket, it is configured to only accept orders if the queue ticket is inserted. Alternatively, the restaurant 40 may be configured to allow customers with queue tickets to use the ticket vending machine 200 preferentially. If "Cancel" is selected, the ticket vending machine 200 terminates the process.

[0086] In this way, the host computer 100 determines which seats customers 42a, 42b, 42c, ... will use, and the ticket vending machine 200 issues meal tickets. If there is one customer, the host computer 100 assigns an empty counter seat to customer 42a, 42b, 42c, ... If there are three or more customers, the host computer 100 assigns an empty table seat to customer 42a, 42b, 42c, ... This allows the host computer 100 to ensure that each seat is used by the appropriate number of people.

[0087] Furthermore, if there are two customers, the host computer 100 determines which available counter seats or table seats will be used by customers 42a, 42b, 42c, ..., based on their selection. This allows the host computer 100 to allow customers 42a, 42b, 42c, ... to use the type of seat they desire.

[0088] Furthermore, if the restaurant is full, the host computer 100 determines that tables with a remaining seat count of 1 or more, as set in the seat information 111, will be used by customers 42a, 42b, 42c, ... This allows the host computer 100 to efficiently utilize seats for shared seating.

[0089] The ticket vending machine 200 issues meal tickets embedded with RFID tags containing the selected number of customers and ordered items. Customers 42a, 42b, 42c, ... place the issued meal tickets in the designated seats where they will be used. The host computer 100 can manage the ordered items and the number of people seated at each seat by acquiring data from the RFID tags detected from each seat using the RFID readers 23a to 23d. When issuing meal tickets for the number of customers, the ticket vending machine 200 issues a ticket with the number of customers recorded as 1. The host computer 100 can appropriately manage the number of people using a seat by using the sum of the number of customers recorded on the RFID tags detected at that seat as the number of people seated at that seat.

[0090] Next, we will describe the display screens of the kitchen terminal 21 and the serving counter terminal 22. Figure 12 shows an example of a kitchen terminal display screen. The host computer 100 notifies the kitchen terminal 21 of order information 113. The kitchen terminal 21 displays the order information screen 71. The order information screen 71 is a screen for presenting the items to be prepared to the staff in the kitchen 41. The order information screen 71 includes a table containing the RFID number, product number, ordered product name, quantity, cooking status, serving status, and whether or not the order was canceled, extracted from the order information 113 notified from the host computer 100. In addition, the table on the order information screen 71 may highlight information corresponding to canceled items.

[0091] Furthermore, the kitchen terminal 21 accepts the selection of cooked items from the staff in the kitchen 41. For example, when the kitchen terminal 21 receives the selection of information corresponding to an item being prepared, as shown in the table on the order information screen 71, it notifies the host computer 100 that the item is ready. The host computer 100 records in the order information 113 that the notified item is ready.

[0092] Figure 13 shows an example of the display screen of a serving terminal. The host computer 100 notifies the serving terminal 22 of the order information 113. The serving terminal 22 displays the serving instruction screen 72. The serving instruction screen 72 is a screen for instructing the staff in charge of serving in the hall to serve the food. The serving instruction screen 72 includes a table containing the RFID number, product number, ordered product name, quantity, seat number, and serving status extracted from the order information 113 notified from the host computer 100. In addition, the table on the serving instruction screen 72 may highlight information corresponding to canceled items. The serving instruction screen 72 also includes a seating arrangement diagram within the restaurant 40.

[0093] The serving terminal 22 can display the serving instruction screen 72 to show the items to be served and the seats to which they should be served. The serving terminal 22 also accepts the selection of items that have already been served from the staff. For example, when the serving terminal 22 receives a selection of information corresponding to an unserved item included in the table on the serving instruction screen 72, it notifies the host computer 100 that the item has already been served. The host computer 100 records in the order information 113 that the notified item has already been served.

[0094] Next, the processing procedures performed by the host computer 100 and the ticket vending machine 200 will be described. Figure 14 is a flowchart (part 1) showing an example of the procedure for processing meal ticket purchases. The process shown in Figure 14 will be explained below according to the step numbers.

[0095] [Step S11] The ticket vending machine 200 accepts the selection of the number of customers. For example, the ticket vending machine 200 displays screen 61 on its monitor and accepts the selection of the number of customers. The ticket vending machine 200 notifies the host computer 100 of the selected number of customers.

[0096] [Step S12] The seat management unit 120 of the host computer 100 determines whether or not there is one customer. If the seat management unit 120 determines that there is one customer, it proceeds to step S13. If the seat management unit 120 determines that there are two or more customers (not one), it proceeds to step S22.

[0097] [Step S13] The seat management unit 120 determines whether or not there are any empty counter seats. For example, the seat management unit 120 refers to the seat information 111 and determines that there are empty counter seats if there are seats with 1 set as the number of seats and 0 set as the number of occupied seats. If the seat management unit 120 determines that there are empty counter seats, it proceeds to step S14. If the seat management unit 120 determines that there are no empty counter seats, it proceeds to step S15.

[0098] [Step S14] The seat management unit 120 determines that the vacant counter seats will be used by customers 42a, 42b, 42c, ... For example, the seat management unit 120 refers to the seat information 111 and determines that the seat registered at the highest position among the seats with a seat count of 1 and a seat count of 0 will be used by customers 42a, 42b, 42c, ... Then the process proceeds to step S17.

[0099] [Step S15] The seat management unit 120 determines whether or not there are any empty table seats. For example, the seat management unit 120 refers to the seat information 111 and determines that there are empty table seats if there are seats with a value of 2 or more for the number of seats and 0 for the number of occupied seats. If the seat management unit 120 determines that there are empty table seats, it proceeds to step S16. If the seat management unit 120 determines that there are no empty table seats, it proceeds to step S33.

[0100] [Step S16] The seat management unit 120 determines that the empty table seats will be used by customers 42a, 42b, 42c, ... For example, the seat management unit 120 refers to the seat information 111 and determines that the seats registered at the highest position among the seats with a value of 2 or more for the number of seats and 0 for the number of occupied seats will be used by customers 42a, 42b, 42c, ...

[0101] [Step S17] The seat management unit 120 notifies the ticket vending machine 200 of the seat numbers of the seats that have been assigned to be used by customers 42a, 42b, 42c, ... [Step S18] The ticket vending machine 200 accepts the selection of products.

[0102] [Step S19] The ticket vending machine 200 accepts payment for the item selected in Step S18. [Step S20] The ticket vending machine 200 writes the product, seat number, and number of customers to the RFID tag and prints the meal ticket. For example, the ticket vending machine 200 prints the store name, phone number, date and time of issuance, number of customers, RFID number, seat number, and order details on a piece of paper to which RFID tags are embedded at regular intervals. The ticket vending machine 200 writes the date / number of customers data, RFID number data, seat number data, and order details data to the RFID tags embedded in the printed portion. Here, the ticket vending machine 200 writes the date / number of customers data to the RFID tag, indicating that there is one customer. The ticket vending machine 200 also writes the seat number data to the RFID tag, indicating the seat number notified in step S17. The ticket vending machine 200 also writes the order details data to the RFID tag, indicating the product selected in step S18.

[0103] [Step S21] The ticket vending machine 200 cuts off the portion printed in step S20 and dispenses it as a meal ticket. Then the process is complete. Figure 15 is a flowchart (part 2) showing an example of the procedure for processing meal ticket purchases. The process shown in Figure 15 will be explained below according to the step numbers.

[0104] [Step S22] The seat management unit 120 determines whether the number of customers is 2 or not. If the seat management unit 120 determines that the number of customers is 2, it proceeds to step S23. If the seat management unit 120 determines that the number of customers is 3 or more (not 2), it proceeds to step S29.

[0105] [Step S23] The seat management unit 120 determines whether there are two or more empty counter seats. For example, the seat management unit 120 refers to the seat information 111 and determines that there are two or more empty counter seats if there are two or more seats with the number of seats set to 1 and the number of occupied seats set to 0. If the seat management unit 120 determines that there are two or more empty counter seats, it proceeds to step S24. If the seat management unit 120 determines that there are less than two empty counter seats, it proceeds to step S29.

[0106] [Step S24] The seat management unit 120 determines whether or not there are any empty table seats. If the seat management unit 120 determines that there are empty table seats, it proceeds to step S25. If the seat management unit 120 determines that there are no empty table seats, it proceeds to step S28.

[0107] [Step S25] The seat management unit 120 instructs the ticket vending machine 200 to accept the selection of table seats or counter seats. [Step S26] The ticket vending machine 200 accepts the selection of table seats or counter seats. The ticket vending machine 200 displays screen 62 on its monitor and accepts the selection of table seats or counter seats. The ticket vending machine 200 notifies the host computer 100 of the selected seat type.

[0108] [Step S27] The seat management unit 120 determines whether a counter seat has been selected. If the seat management unit 120 determines that a counter seat has been selected, it proceeds to step S28. If the seat management unit 120 determines that a table seat has been selected, it proceeds to step S30.

[0109] [Step S28] The seat management unit 120 determines that two vacant counter seats will be used by customers 42a, 42b, 42c, ... For example, the seat management unit 120 refers to the seat information 111 and determines that the two seats registered at the top of the list of seats with a seat count of 1 and a seat count of 0 will be used by customers 42a, 42b, 42c, ... Then the process proceeds to step S31.

[0110] [Step S29] The seat management unit 120 determines whether or not there are any empty table seats. If the seat management unit 120 determines that there are empty table seats, it proceeds to step S30. If the seat management unit 120 determines that there are no empty table seats, it proceeds to step S33.

[0111] [Step S30] The seat management unit 120 determines that the empty table seats will be used by customers 42a, 42b, 42c, ... For example, the seat management unit 120 refers to the seat information 111 and determines that the seats registered at the highest position among the seats where the number of seats is set to a value greater than or equal to the number of customers and the number of seats occupied is set to 0 will be used by customers 42a, 42b, 42c, ...

[0112] [Step S31] The seat management unit 120 notifies the ticket vending machine 200 of the seat numbers of the seats that have been assigned to be used by customers 42a, 42b, 42c, ... [Step S32] The ticket vending machine 200 performs the process of issuing meal tickets for multiple people. Details of the process of issuing meal tickets for multiple people will be described later (see Figure 17). Then the process is completed.

[0113] Figure 16 is a flowchart (part 3) showing an example of the procedure for processing meal ticket purchases. The process shown in Figure 16 will be explained below according to the step numbers. [Step S33] The seat management unit 120 instructs the ticket vending machine 200 to accept the option of sharing a seat, waiting, or canceling.

[0114] [Step S34] The ticket vending machine 200 accepts the selection of sharing a seat, waiting, or canceling. The ticket vending machine 200 displays screen 64 on its monitor and accepts the selection of sharing a seat, waiting, or canceling. The ticket vending machine 200 notifies the host computer 100 of the type of action that has been selected.

[0115] [Step S35] The seat management unit 120 determines whether "waiting" has been selected. If the seat management unit 120 determines that "waiting" has been selected, it proceeds to step S36. If the seat management unit 120 determines that "sharing a seat" or "cancellation" has been selected, it proceeds to step S37.

[0116] [Step S36] The ticket vending machine 200 issues a queue ticket for waiting. Then the process is completed. [Step S37] The seat management unit 120 determines whether cancellation has been selected. If the seat management unit 120 determines that cancellation has been selected, it terminates the process. If the seat management unit 120 determines that shared seating has been selected, it proceeds to step S38.

[0117] [Step S38] The seat management unit 120 selects a seat with a remaining seat count of 1 or more. For example, the seat management unit 120 refers to the seat information 111 and selects the seat registered at the highest position among the seats with a remaining seat count of 1 or more. The seat management unit 120 can select the same seat a number of times equal to the number set for the remaining seat count.

[0118] [Step S39] The seat management unit 120 determines whether it has selected seats for the number of customers. If the seat management unit 120 determines that it has selected seats for the number of customers, it proceeds to step S40. If the seat management unit 120 determines that it has not selected seats for the number of customers, it proceeds to step S38.

[0119] [Step S40] The seat management unit 120 determines that the seats selected in step S38 will be used by customers 42a, 42b, 42c, ... The process then proceeds to step S31.

[0120] In this way, the seat management unit 120 automatically determines which seats customers 42a, 42b, 42c, ... will use based on the seat information 111 which records the usage status of seats. This makes it easy for the seat management unit 120 to find unused seats and streamlines seat assignment in the restaurant 40.

[0121] Furthermore, the seat management unit 120 refers to the seat information 111 and determines which seats customers 42a, 42b, 42c, ... will use based on the maximum number of seats that can be used and the number of customers. For example, if there is one customer, the seat management unit 120 assigns an empty counter seat to customer 42a, 42b, 42c, ... and if there are three or more customers, it assigns an empty table seat to customer 42a, 42b, 42c, ... Also, for example, if there are two customers, the seat management unit 120 assigns an empty counter seat or table seat to customer 42a, 42b, 42c, ... depending on their selection. This allows the seat management unit 120 to ensure that each seat is used by the appropriate number of people.

[0122] Furthermore, if there are no empty counter seats or table seats, the seat management unit 120 determines which seats to be used for shared seating according to the selection of customers 42a, 42b, 42c, ... The seat management unit 120 refers to the seat information 111 and determines which seats are used by customers 42a, 42b, 42c, ... if the number of people currently using the seats is less than the number of seats. This allows the seat management unit 120 to use the seats efficiently.

[0123] Figure 17 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the procedure for issuing meal tickets for multiple people. The process shown in Figure 17 will be explained below according to the step numbers. [Step S41] The ticket vending machine 200 accepts the selection of a payment method. For example, the ticket vending machine 200 displays screen 63 on its monitor and accepts the selection of lump-sum payment or installment payment.

[0124] [Step S42] The ticket vending machine 200 determines whether a lump-sum payment has been selected. If the ticket vending machine 200 determines that a lump-sum payment has been selected, it proceeds to step S43. If the ticket vending machine 200 determines that installment payments have been selected, it proceeds to step S48.

[0125] [Step S43] The ticket vending machine 200 determines whether there is only one type of seat number notified by the host computer 100. If the ticket vending machine 200 determines that there is only one type of seat number, it proceeds to step S44. If the ticket vending machine 200 determines that there are two or more types of seat numbers, it proceeds to step S46.

[0126] [Step S44] The ticket vending machine 200 accepts the selection of products for the number of customers (for all customers) and payment of the total amount for the selected products. [Step S45] The ticket vending machine 200 writes the items, seat numbers, and number of customers for everyone to the RFID tags and prints the meal tickets. For example, the ticket vending machine 200 writes the date / number of customers data, RFID number data, seat number data, and order details data to the RFID tags embedded in the printed portion of the meal ticket. Here, the ticket vending machine 200 writes the date / number of customers data, which indicates the selected number of customers, to the RFID tag. The ticket vending machine 200 also writes the seat number data, which indicates the seat number notified by the host computer 100, to the RFID tag. The ticket vending machine 200 also writes the order details data, which indicates the items selected in step S44, to the RFID tag. Then the process proceeds to step S51.

[0127] [Step S46] The ticket vending machine 200 accepts product selections for one person at a time. [Step S47] The ticket vending machine 200 accepts payment for the total amount of all items selected in step S46. Then the process proceeds to step S49.

[0128] [Step S48] The ticket vending machine 200 accepts the selection of products and payment for the selected products one person at a time. [Step S49] The ticket vending machine 200 writes the items, seat number, and number of customers for one person to the RFID tag and prints the meal ticket. For example, the ticket vending machine 200 writes date / number of people data, RFID number data, seat number data, and order details data to the RFID tag embedded in the printed portion of the meal ticket. Here, the ticket vending machine 200 writes the date / number of people data to the RFID tag, indicating that there is one customer. The ticket vending machine 200 also writes seat number data to the RFID tag, indicating one of the seat numbers notified by the host computer 100. The ticket vending machine 200 also writes order details data to the RFID tag, indicating the items selected for one person.

[0129] [Step S50] The ticket vending machine 200 determines whether it has printed enough meal tickets for the number of customers. If the ticket vending machine 200 determines that it has printed enough meal tickets for the number of customers, it proceeds to step S51. If the ticket vending machine 200 determines that it has not printed enough meal tickets for the number of customers, it proceeds to step S49.

[0130] [Step S51] The ticket vending machine 200 cuts the ticket into sections with the contents of one ticket printed on them and dispenses them as tickets. In this way, the ticket vending machine 200 issues meal tickets for multiple people. The ticket vending machine 200 accepts either lump-sum payment or installment payment depending on the selection. When lump-sum payment is selected, if there is only one seat number notified by the host computer 100 (i.e., all members of the visiting group use the same seat), the ticket vending machine 200 issues one meal ticket with the items for all members written on the RFID tag. This allows the ticket vending machine 200 to issue a meal ticket as a receipt for the total amount of items for all members to customers who have paid for everyone.

[0131] If installment payment is selected, or if there are two or more different seat numbers notified by the host computer 100 (i.e., different seats are used by the group that visits), the ticket vending machine 200 will issue meal tickets with the contents of one person's order written on an RFID tag, one for each person in the group. By issuing meal tickets for each person in the group when installment payment is selected, the ticket vending machine 200 can issue a meal ticket to each customer as a receipt for the amount of the items they ordered. In addition, by issuing meal tickets for each person in the group when there are two or more different seat numbers, the ticket vending machine 200 can enable the host computer 100 to manage the number of people seated and the order contents for each seat.

[0132] Next, the communication flow between devices during seat and order management by the host computer 100 will be explained using a sequence diagram. Figure 18 is a sequence diagram showing an example of seat and order management processing. When customers 42a, 42b, 42c, ... obtain a meal ticket, they place the ticket in the designated seat indicated on the ticket and begin using the seat. Then, an RFID reader (e.g., RFID reader 23a) that detects RFID tags from the seat detects a new RFID tag (step S61). For example, if RFID reader 23a communicates with the new RFID tag for a predetermined time (e.g., 10 seconds), it determines that a new RFID tag has been detected. RFID reader 23a transmits the seat number of the seat where the new RFID tag was detected and the tag data read from the RFID tag to the host computer 100 (step S62).

[0133] The seat management unit 120 of the host computer 100 updates the number of occupied seats and the number of remaining seats for the seat numbers notified by the RFID reader 23a (step S63). For example, the seat management unit 120 identifies the number of customers indicated by the tag data obtained from the RFID reader 23a. The seat management unit 120 adds the identified number of customers to the number of occupied seats for the seat numbers notified by the RFID reader 23a in the seat information 111. Then, the seat management unit 120 updates the number of remaining seats for the seat numbers notified by the RFID reader 23a in the seat information 111 to be the difference between the number of seats and the number of occupied seats.

[0134] The order management unit 130 of the host computer 100 updates the order information 113 (step S64). For example, the order management unit 130 adds records to the order information 113 for the number of items indicated in the tag data obtained from the RFID reader 23a. Based on the tag data and product information 112, the order management unit 130 sets the RFID number, product number, ordered product name, quantity, seat number, cooking status, serving status, and cancellation status for the added records. The order management unit 130 notifies the kitchen terminal 21 and the serving terminal 22 of the updated order information 113 (step S65).

[0135] The kitchen terminal 21 updates the order information screen 71 (step S66). For example, the kitchen terminal 21 reflects the information notified from the host computer 100 in the table on the order information screen 71. Also, the serving terminal 22 updates the serving instruction screen 72 (step S67). For example, the serving terminal 22 reflects the information notified from the host computer 100 in the table on the serving instruction screen 72.

[0136] Here, when customers 42a, 42b, 42c, ... finish their meal, they remove their meal tickets from the designated location on the seat and take them with them, thus ending their use of the seat. Also, the staff of the restaurant 40 remove the meal tickets from the designated location on the seats that have been used. When the meal tickets are removed from the seats, an RFID reader (for example, RFID reader 23a) that detects RFID tags from the seats detects the removal of the RFID tags (step S68). For example, RFID reader 23a determines that it has detected the removal of the RFID tag if communication with the RFID tag is disconnected and a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds) has elapsed.

[0137] The RFID reader 23a transmits to the host computer 100 the seat number of the seat from which the RFID tag has been removed and the tag data read from the remaining RFID tags on that seat (step S69). The seat management unit 120 updates the number of occupied seats and the number of remaining seats for the seat number notified by the RFID reader 23a (step S70). For example, the seat management unit 120 identifies the number of customers indicated by each tag data obtained from the RFID reader 23a. The seat management unit 120 sets the number of occupied seats for the seat number notified by the RFID reader 23a in the seat information 111 to the total number of identified customers. Then, the seat management unit 120 updates the number of remaining seats for the seat number notified by the RFID reader 23a in the seat information 111 to be the difference between the number of seats and the number of occupied seats.

[0138] In this way, the host computer 100 manages seats and orders. The seat management unit 120 updates the seat information 111 based on the tag data of the RFID tags detected from the seats. Here, the seat management unit 120 sets the number of people seated in the seat information 111 to the total number of customers indicated by the tag data of the RFID tags detected from the seats. This allows the seat management unit 120 to appropriately manage whether each seat is occupied and the number of people currently using each seat.

[0139] Furthermore, the order management unit 130 records the items indicated by the tag data of the RFID tags detected from the seats as the ordered items for that seat in the order information 113. The order management unit 130 then notifies the kitchen terminal 21 and the serving terminal 22 of the contents of the order information 113. This allows the order management unit 130 to notify the staff of the orders quickly and accurately, thereby reducing the waiting time for customers 42a, 42b, 42c, ... Next, we will explain the process for correcting cases where customers 42a, 42b, 42c, ... use a different seat than the one indicated on their meal ticket.

[0140] Figure 19 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a seat correction process. Customers 42a, 42b, 42c, ... place their meal tickets in the designated seats that are different from the seats indicated on the tickets and begin using the seats. Then, an RFID reader (for example, RFID reader 23a) that detects RFID tags from the seats detects a new RFID tag (step S81). RFID reader 23a transmits the seat number of the seat where the new RFID tag was detected and the tag data read from the RFID tag to the host computer 100 (step S82).

[0141] Here, the seat management unit 120 of the host computer 100 detects that the seat number notified by the RFID reader 23a does not match the seat number shown in the tag data (step S83). The seat management unit 120 then notifies the serving terminal 22 of the seat number mismatch and instructs it to display a message on the screen (step S84). For example, the seat management unit 120 notifies the serving terminal 22 of the seat number of the seat where the RFID tag was detected, as notified by the RFID reader 23a, and the seat number shown in the tag data, and instructs it to display on the screen that there is a customer who has come to the wrong seat.

[0142] The serving terminal 22 displays on its screen that there is a customer who is seated in the wrong seat (step S85). For example, the serving terminal 22 displays on its screen that the customer seated in the seat where the RFID tag was detected has been notified by the host computer 100 that the customer is seated in the wrong seat. This allows the serving terminal 22 to instruct the hall staff to move the customer seated in the seat where the RFID tag was detected to the seat indicated on the meal ticket.

[0143] Customers 42a, 42b, 42c, ... move to the seats indicated on their meal tickets, place the tickets in the designated positions on the seats, and begin using them. An RFID reader (for example, RFID reader 23a) that detects RFID tags from the seats then detects a new RFID tag (step S86). RFID reader 23a transmits the seat number of the seat where the new RFID tag was detected and the tag data read from the RFID tag to the host computer 100 (step S87). The seat management unit 120 updates the number of occupied seats and the number of remaining seats for the seat number notified by RFID reader 23a (step S88).

[0144] In this way, if the seat number of the seat detected by the RFID tag does not match the seat number indicated in the tag data, the seat management unit 120 displays on the serving terminal 22 that a different seat from the one determined by the seat management unit 120 is being used. This allows the seat management unit 120 to guide customers 42a, 42b, 42c, ... to the appropriate seats.

[0145] Although embodiments have been illustrated above, the configurations of each part shown in the embodiments can be replaced with others having similar functions. Furthermore, other arbitrary components or processes may be added. Moreover, any two or more configurations (features) from the embodiments described above may be combined. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0146] 1 Ticket vending machine 2. Detection device 3a,3b,... Seats 4a, 4b, ... Customers 10 Information Processing Devices 11 Storage section 11a Seat Information 12 Processing Units

Claims

1. A memory unit that stores seat information showing the seating status of a restaurant, A processing unit that acquires tag information written to wireless tags that are wirelessly transmitted and detected from the seats of the restaurant, updates the seat information based on the tag information, and determines the seat to be used by a customer who has come to the restaurant based on the seat information, An information processing device having

2. The aforementioned seat information records the maximum number of people who can use each seat, which is the number of available seats. The processing unit determines which seat a customer will use based on the number of customers and the number of people who can use each seat. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The aforementioned seat information records the number of people currently using each seat. The processing unit records the number of people using the seats where the wireless tag was detected based on the tag information in the seat information, and determines that seats with fewer users than the number of available seats will be used by the customer. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2.

4. The processing unit outputs that a seat other than the determined seat is being used if the wireless tag on which information indicating the seat to be used by the determined customer is written as tag information is detected from a seat other than the seat to be used by the determined customer. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

5. An information processing device that acquires tag information written to wireless tags that are wirelessly transmitted and detected from seats in a restaurant, updates seat information indicating the usage status of seats in the restaurant based on the tag information, and determines which seats to be used by customers who visit the restaurant based on the seat information, A ticket vending machine that issues meal tickets including the aforementioned wireless tag, An information processing system having [a certain feature].

6. Computers We obtain tag information written to wireless tags that are wirelessly transmitted and detected from seats in restaurants. Based on the aforementioned tag information, the seating information indicating the seating status of the restaurant is updated. Based on the aforementioned seating information, the seat to be used by a customer visiting the restaurant is determined. Information processing methods.

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