Business support systems, business support devices, and business support methods

Abstract

The system aims to effectively support order management operations by providing information management that reflects the actual work performed by store employees in relation to paper slips. [Solution] The system comprises a reference information generation unit 52 that generates reference information for store staff to refer to, a reference information management unit 53 that manages the reference information in association with the mounting position of the order slip on the slip holder, and a display control unit 54 that displays the reference information in association with the mounting position of the order slip. When the reference information management unit 53 detects that the order slip has been mounted within a predetermined handover time after it has been removed, it manages to transfer the target of the reference information linkage from the position where the order slip was removed to the position where the order slip was mounted within the handover time. This ensures that the attachment and detachment of the order slip performed within the predetermined handover time is considered as reattachment rather than discarding the order slip, and that the reference information is transferred from the removal position to the subsequent mounting position of the order slip.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a business support system, a business support device, and a business support method, and is particularly suitable for use in a system that supports the performance of tasks performed by store employees in relation to food and beverage orders. [Background technology]

[0002] In most restaurants, order management is carried out using paper slips printed with order details entered into an order terminal. For example, orders are managed by placing the paper slips in order clippers (also called slip holders) installed in the kitchen, lining them up on the cooking counter, or placing them directly on the dishes. Although this is basically a physical management method carried out by humans, it has a strong demand because it is easy to customize in terms of operation.

[0003] On the other hand, a technology called a kitchen display system has been developed to further streamline order management operations in the kitchen (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). According to the kitchen display system, it becomes possible to manage information that cannot be done with paper slips, such as color-coding orders for each table, indicating the urgency of orders, and crossing out orders after cooking is complete.

[0004] Patent Document 1 discloses a kitchen display system that displays order data for each slip number entered from an order input device on multiple display devices arranged in the kitchen, wherein when the display of all order data for a single slip is reversed, the slip number and order data for that slip are erased from the display screen, and the next slip number and order data are sequentially shifted up among the display devices.

[0005] Patent Document 2 discloses an order display system equipped with an order display unit in which multiple display units for individually displaying ordered item information are arranged in order of cooking priority, wherein each display unit constituting each order display unit displays information for the same ordered item in the same order, and the display is changed so that when the ordered item information displayed on a specific display unit with a higher priority is erased, the ordered item information displayed on the next highest priority display unit is sequentially promoted to the display unit with the higher priority.

[0006] However, kitchen display systems have the disadvantage of requiring cooks to operate a tablet or other control terminal while cooking. In contrast, a cooking time management device is known that has multiple slip holders and corresponding display units for each, and displays the elapsed time since a slip was set in a slip holder on the display unit (see Patent Document 3).

[0007] According to the technology described in Patent Document 3, cooking time is managed simply by setting paper slips in a slip holder, similar to an order clipper, so cooks do not need to operate an operating terminal while cooking. However, while it can manage cooking time, it is insufficient as a mechanism to support the performance of tasks that store staff perform in relation to orders.

[0008] For example, in actual operation using an order clipper, the paper slips set in the slip holder are not always kept fixed until cooking is complete and they are discarded. They may be removed and repositioned, or their position may be moved. However, the technology described in Patent Document 3 cannot manage information in a way that accommodates such actual operation. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0009] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 2866438 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 5111925 [Patent Document 3] Patent No. 3086448 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0010] This invention was made to solve these problems, and aims to effectively support operations in stores that use paper slips for order management by providing information management that is in line with the actual work performed by store employees in relation to paper slips. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] To solve the above-mentioned problems, the business support system of the present invention generates reference information for store employees to refer to when handling orders, manages the generated reference information in association with the mounting position of the order slip in the slip holder, and displays it on a display device in association with the mounting position. In the present invention, if it is detected that an order slip has been removed from the slip holder and then detected that the order slip has been mounted in the slip holder within a predetermined handover time, the system manages to transfer the target of the reference information linkage from the holder position from which the order slip was removed to the holder position in which the order slip was mounted within the handover time. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the present invention configured as described above, order management can be performed by attaching and detaching one or more order slips to a slip holder. If an order slip that has been attached to a slip holder is removed and then reattached to its original position, or moved to a different position and attached, as long as the attachment and detachment is done within a predetermined handover time, it is considered a reattachment rather than discarding the order slip, and the reference information is transferred from the holder position from which the order slip was removed to the holder position to which it was subsequently attached. This makes it possible to effectively support operations in stores that use paper slips for order management by providing information management that is in line with the actual work performed by store employees in relation to paper slips. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] This figure shows an example of the overall configuration of an order management system to which the business support system according to this embodiment is applied. [Figure 2] This diagram shows an example of the configuration of a slip holder. [Figure 3] This figure shows an example of the arrangement of display areas and LEDs for each type of document, as set on the liquid crystal display of an information processing device. [Figure 4] This is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the business support order management system according to this embodiment. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of the first transfer pattern for reference information. [Figure 6] This figure shows an example of a second pattern for transferring reference information. [Figure 7] This figure shows an example of a third pattern for transferring reference information. [Figure 8] This figure shows an example of the fourth transfer pattern for reference information. [Figure 9] This flowchart shows an example of the operation of the order management device (business support device) according to this embodiment. [Figure 10] This figure shows a modified example of this embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0014] Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of an order management system to which the business support system according to this embodiment is applied. As shown in Figure 1, the order management system according to this embodiment comprises a plurality of order terminals 1, an order receiving device 2, a printer 3, an information processing device 4, and an order management device 5. The business support system of this embodiment is composed of the information processing device 4 and the order management device 5. The order terminals 1, order receiving device 2, printer 3, and information processing device 4 are installed inside the restaurant. Of these, the plurality of order terminals 1 are each installed on a plurality of tables for customer seating inside the restaurant. The printer 3 and information processing device 4 are installed in the kitchen. Note that the printer 3 may be installed outside the kitchen. In addition, the order receiving device 2 may be configured as a cloud server or the like outside the store.

[0015] The order terminal 1, order receiving device 2, information processing device 4, and order management device 5 are connected to a communication network 6, such as the Internet or a mobile phone network. The order receiving device 2 and the printer 3 are connected by wireless communication means, such as a wired or wireless LAN (Local Area Network), USB (Universal Serial Bus), or Bluetooth (registered trademark). If the order receiving device 2 is configured as a cloud server outside the store, the printer 3 may be connected to the communication network 6, and the order receiving device 2 and the printer 3 may be connected via the communication network 6.

[0016] Order terminal 1 is a terminal used by customers to place orders for food and beverages. The display on order terminal 1 shows a list of available food and beverages. By operating order terminal 1, customers can select their desired food and beverages and quantities from the list and place an order. It is possible to select one or more food and beverages in a single order. After selecting one or more food and beverages and their respective quantities, pressing the order button transmits a single order containing one or more food and beverages from order terminal 1 to order receiving device 2. The transmitted order information includes details of the order.

[0017] Order terminal 1 may also be the customer's smartphone. For example, the customer could access the ordering site and place an order by scanning a QR code showing the address of the ordering site displayed on the display of order terminal 1 with their smartphone. Alternatively, order terminal 1 may be operated by a store employee to input orders.

[0018] The order receiving device 2 receives orders from the order terminal 1. That is, the order receiving device 2 receives order information transmitted from the order terminal 1. Upon receiving the order information, the order receiving device 2 generates print data for printing the order slip 100 based on that order information and supplies it to the printer 3. The printer 3 prints the order slip 100 based on the print data received from the order receiving device 2. The information printed on the order slip 100 includes at least information indicating the order details. Kitchen staff (store employees) check the order details printed on the order slip 100 and then prepare the food.

[0019] The information processing device 4 includes a slip holder 4a that detachably holds one or more order slips 100 printed by the printer 3, and display devices 4b and 4c for displaying information. The display device 4b is, for example, a liquid crystal display, and the display device 4c is, for example, an LED. In the example shown in Figure 1, the slip holder 4a and the liquid crystal display 4b are integrated. Furthermore, it is possible to attach up to four order slips 100 to a single horizontally oriented slip holder 4a. Note that the number four is just an example and is not limited to this.

[0020] Kitchen staff insert order slips 100, printed by printer 3 each time order information is transmitted from multiple order terminals 1 to order receiving device 2, into order slip holder 4a, and prepare one or more food and beverage items ordered according to the order details printed on the order slips 100. Once all food and beverage items included in the order details printed on the order slips 100 have been prepared, the kitchen staff remove the order slips 100 from the order slip holder 4a and place them near the dishes, hand them to a waiter, or discard them. Kitchen staff may also remove the order slips 100 from the order slip holder 4a during cooking to check the order details, then reinsert them into the order slip holder 4a and continue cooking. At this time, the order slips 100 may be reinserted in the same position as before, or in a different position. They may also be moved to arrange the order slips 100 in a way that makes them easier to see.

[0021] The slip holder 4a incorporates sensors (e.g., reflective optical sensors, transmissive optical sensors, etc.) for detecting the insertion and removal of order slips 100, making it possible to detect when an order slip 100 is inserted into the slip holder 4a and when an order slip 100 is removed from the slip holder 4a. These sensors are installed at each holder position where an order slip 100 should be inserted, making it possible to detect at which holder position of the slip holder 4a the order slip 100 was inserted or removed.

[0022] For example, in the configuration shown in Figure 1, where multiple order slips 100 are attached to a single horizontally oriented slip holder 4a, sensors are installed at multiple locations on the slip holder 4a to detect when an order slip 100 is attached or detached at each of these locations. The information processing device 4 transmits the detection information regarding the attachment and detachment of the order slips 100 by the sensors on the slip holder 4a, along with holder position information indicating the position of the slip holder 4a on which the order slips 100 are attached, to the order management device 5.

[0023] Figure 2 shows an example of the configuration of a slip holder 4a. Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of one holder position of the slip holder 4a as seen from the side. As shown in Figure 2, the slip holder 4a is equipped with a liquid crystal display 4b in the upper region of the housing and a holding chamber 4a1 for holding spheres 4a5 in the lower region of the housing. At each holder position, two or more spheres 4a5 are held in one holding chamber 4a1, arranged in the width direction of the slip holder 4a. The holding chamber 4a1 is composed of a flexible support portion 4a2 that is bent to support multiple points of the spheres 4a5 and a planar wall portion 4a3 formed at a position opposite to the support portion 4a2. A gap 4a4 is provided at the lower end of the holding chamber 4a1.

[0024] It is possible to insert the order slip 100 into the holding chamber 4a1 from below the gap 4a4, and the upper part of the inserted order slip 100 is held between the sphere 4a5 and the wall 4a3. In this holding, the force holding the order slip 100 is adjusted by the weight of the sphere 4a5 and the shape of the support part 4a2. Furthermore, by adjusting the angle of the lower slope of the support part 4a2 on which the sphere 4a5 is placed, the pressure of the sphere 4a5 applied to the held order slip 100 can be adjusted, thereby adjusting the force holding the order slip 100. It is also possible to adjust the force holding the order slip 100 by changing the coefficient of friction on the surface of the sphere 4a5. A hole is made in a part of the wall 4a3, and a sensor 4a6 is installed on the back side of the hole (opposite the holding chamber 4a1 with the wall 4a3 in between), and this sensor 4a6 detects when the order slip 100 is inserted or removed. The sensor 4a6 is positioned between and / or on the two spheres 4a5 that are held adjacent to each other in a single holding chamber 4a1. The structure of one holder position in the lower region shown in Figure 2 is provided in four locations, aligned in the width direction of the slip holder 4a.

[0025] The liquid crystal display 4b is a horizontally elongated display device positioned in the upper area of ​​the slip holder 4a, spanning multiple holder positions of the order slip 100. As shown in Figure 3, the liquid crystal display 4b has multiple slip-specific display areas 4b1 to 4b4 set in positions that are 1:1 opposite to the individual holder positions of the order slip 100 in the slip holder 4a, and reference information (details will be described later) generated individually for each holder position of the slip holder 4a is displayed in the slip-specific display areas 4b1 to 4b4.

[0026] As shown in Figure 3, the configuration of the information processing device 4 in which the slip holder 4a and the liquid crystal display 4b are arranged horizontally is called the "rail type". This rail type configuration may be as follows: one configuration with a single horizontal slip holder 4a to which multiple order slips 100 are attached; or one configuration with a single horizontal liquid crystal display 4b and multiple slip holders 4a configured separately, each to which one order slip 100 is attached. In addition to the configuration with a single horizontal liquid crystal display 4b as shown in Figure 3, there may also be a configuration in which liquid crystal displays 4b are individually provided at positions that are 1:1 opposite to the multiple holder positions of the single horizontal slip holder 4a.

[0027] The information processing device 4 of this embodiment is not limited to the rail-type configuration described above. For example, it may be configured to have one slip holder 4a that holds one order slip 100 and a liquid crystal display 4b (referred to as a binder type), and a configuration in which multiple binder-type information processing devices 4 are provided. When the information processing device 4 is configured as a binder type, multiple information processing devices 4 may be connected to each other by wireless communication means such as BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy).

[0028] Alternatively, the configuration may consist of multiple slip holders 4a and liquid crystal displays 4b arranged vertically and horizontally within a rectangular area having a fixed area in both the vertical and horizontal directions (referred to as a board type). The board-type information processing device 4 can be configured to have multiple sets of slip holders 4a and liquid crystal displays 4b arranged horizontally in the vertical direction, similar to the rail type. Alternatively, it is also possible to have multiple sets of slip holders 4a and liquid crystal displays 4b configured in the vertical and horizontal directions, similar to the binder type.

[0029] LED4c is a set of multiple display devices positioned on the slip holder 4a, with each LED positioned in a 1:1 correspondence to the individual holder positions of the slip holder 4a. Specifically, LED4c consists of multiple LEDs 4c1 to 4c4 positioned in a 1:1 correspondence to the multiple slip-specific display areas 4b1 to 4b4 of the liquid crystal display 4b. The illumination or blinking of LED4c displays reference information (details of which will be described later) that is individually generated for each individual holder position of the slip holder 4a. Alternatively, the slip holder 4a and the liquid crystal display 4b may be configured separately, with LED4c placed between them. Or, LED4c may not be provided, and the reference information displayed on LED4c may be displayed on the liquid crystal display 4b instead.

[0030] The order management device 5 corresponds to the business support device in the claims, and in response to the insertion and removal of one or more order slips 100 from the slip holder 4a, it generates reference information for kitchen employees to refer to when performing order handling tasks, transmits it to the information processing device 4, and displays it on the display devices 4b and 4c. The reference information is information that supports the performance of order handling tasks by kitchen employees. Kitchen employees can perform order handling tasks by checking the reference information displayed on the display devices 4b and 4c. Details of the processing performed by the order management device 5 will be explained using Figure 4 below.

[0031] Figure 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of an order management system according to this embodiment. As shown in Figure 4, the order terminal 1 has an order processing unit 11 as its functional configuration. The order receiving device 2 has an order receiving unit 21 and a print data generation unit 22 as its functional configuration. The information processing device 4 has an attachment / detachment detection unit 41 and a reference information display unit 42 as its functional configuration. The order management device 5 has an order recognition unit 51, a reference information generation unit 52, a reference information management unit 53 and a display control unit 54 as its functional configuration. The order management device 5 also has a reference information storage unit 55 as its storage medium.

[0032] The functional blocks 11 of the order terminal 1, 21-22 of the order receiving device 2, 41-42 of the information processing device 4, and 51-54 of the order management device 5 each execute the processes described below through the cooperation of hardware and software. For example, the processing of the above functional blocks is executed by the operation of programs stored in storage media such as RAM, ROM, hard disk, or semiconductor memory, under the control of a processor configured by a microcomputer equipped with a CPU, RAM, ROM, etc. In addition to the microcomputer, a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) may also be provided.

[0033] The order processing unit 11 of the order terminal 1 performs processing related to food and beverage orders. As described above, the order processing unit 11 displays a list of available food and beverages on the display of the order terminal 1. After the customer specifies the desired food and beverages and the quantity to be ordered by operating the order terminal 1 and presses the order button, the order processing unit 11 transmits order information to the order receiving device 2, which includes the order details, including one or more food and beverages and the quantity of each, as well as the identification information of the table where the order terminal 1 is located (e.g., table number). The table number corresponds to order location information indicating where the order was placed.

[0034] The order receiving unit 21 of the order receiving device 2 receives order information transmitted from the order terminal 1. Upon receiving the order information, the order receiving device 2 transmits it to the order management device 5. The order information transmitted from the order receiving unit 21 is provided to the order recognition unit 51.

[0035] The print data generation unit 22 generates print data for printing the order slip 100 based on the order information received by the order receiving unit 21 and supplies it to the printer 3. The print data generation unit 22 generates print data such that at least textual information indicating the order details (ordered food and beverages and quantities) is printed on the order slip 100. In addition to the textual information indicating the order details, the print data may also be configured to include a table number printed on the order slip 100. As described above, the kitchen staff insert the order slip 100 printed by the printer 3 into the slip holder 4a of the information processing device 4.

[0036] The attachment / detachment detection unit 41 of the information processing device 4 detects the attachment / detachment of the order slip 100 to the slip holder 4a and the position of the holder where the attachment / detachment occurred, based on the detection results from the sensor 4a6 built into the slip holder 4a. It transmits the respective attachment / detachment detection information (attachment detection information and detachment detection information) to the order management device 5 along with holder position information indicating the position of the slip holder 4a where the order slip 100 was attached or detached. The attachment / detachment detection information and holder position information transmitted from the attachment / detachment detection unit 41 are provided to the reference information generation unit 52 and the reference information management unit 53 of the order management device 5.

[0037] The order recognition unit 51 of the order management device 5 recognizes the table number included in the order information received from the order receiving unit 21. Alternatively, the order details may be recognized in addition to or instead of the table number. The order recognition unit 51 notifies the reference information generation unit 52 of at least one of the recognized table number and order details.

[0038] The reference information generation unit 52 generates reference information for store kitchen employees to refer to when performing order processing tasks, triggered by attachment detection information notified from the attachment / detachment detection unit 41 of the information processing device 4. Details of the reference information will be described later, but some of the reference information is generated using the recognition results of the order recognition unit 51. The reference information may include information whose values ​​change over time (i.e., information whose values ​​are continuously updated by the reference information generation unit 52). In addition, the reference information may include information whose values ​​do not change over time (i.e., information whose values ​​are maintained as they are once generated by the reference information generation unit 52).

[0039] The reference information management unit 53 manages the reference information generated by the reference information generation unit 52 by linking it to the holder position information (information indicating the mounting position of the order slip 100 on the slip holder 4a) notified by the attachment / detachment detection unit 41 of the information processing device 4 along with the attachment / detachment detection unit 41. In other words, the reference information management unit 53 stores the reference information generated by the reference information generation unit 52 in the reference information storage unit 55 by linking it to the holder position information notified by the attachment / detachment detection unit 41. When managing reference information whose value changes over time, the reference information management unit 53 sequentially updates and stores the reference information continuously generated by the reference information generation unit 52 in the reference information storage unit 55.

[0040] The display control unit 54 transmits the reference information, which is managed by the reference information management unit 53 in the reference information storage unit 55 in association with the mounting position of the slip holder 4a, to the information processing device 4, and controls it to display the information on the display devices 4b and 4c in association with the mounting position. The reference information display unit 42 of the information processing device 4 receives the reference information transmitted from the order management device 5 and displays it on the display devices 4b and 4c.

[0041] Here, the display control unit 54 controls the display to show, for example, the reference information managed in association with the leftmost holder position information on the leftmost slip-specific display area 4b1 and the leftmost LED 4c1 of the liquid crystal display 4b. Similarly, the display control unit 54 controls the display to show the reference information managed in association with the second to fourth holder position information from the left on the second to fourth slip-specific display areas 4b2 to 4b4 and the second to fourth LEDs 4c2 to 4c4 from the left of the liquid crystal display 4b, respectively.

[0042] In this embodiment, the reference information generated by the reference information generation unit 52 includes, for example, timing information that is counted up from the time it is detected that the order slip 100 has been attached to the slip holder 4a (the time the reference information generation unit 52 receives attachment detection information from the attachment / detachment detection unit 41). This timing information indicates the elapsed time since the kitchen employee attached the order slip 100 to the slip holder 4a, and is displayed as a numerical value on the liquid crystal display 4b. By checking this, the kitchen employee can understand the time it is taking to prepare the ordered food and beverages.

[0043] The timing information may also be information that counts down from the moment it is detected that the order slip 100 has been placed in the slip holder 4a. For example, the order recognition unit 51 may recognize the order details. The reference information generation unit 52 may then set a pre-set cooking time to an initial value according to the order details recognized by the order recognition unit 51, and generate timing information as reference information that counts down from that initial value. This timing information indicates the time remaining until cooking is completed, and by checking this, kitchen staff can understand the remaining time that can be spent cooking the ordered food and beverages.

[0044] The reference information generated by the reference information generation unit 52 may include priority information indicating the processing priority of the order slips 100 placed in the slip holder 4a. The priority information can be, for example, information determined according to the order details recognized by the order recognition unit 51, and can be displayed, for example, by the LED 4c. For example, the reference information generation unit 52 generates reference information to light up the LED 4c as information indicating that the priority is higher than others. Multiple priority ranks may be provided, and reference information to light up the LED 4c in different colors according to the rank may be generated.

[0045] Priority can be determined based on predetermined rules according to the order content. For example, priorities may be set in advance according to the type of food and beverage to be prepared, or according to the ordering method such as in-store order, takeout order, food delivery, or telephone order, and the priority may be determined according to which category the order content falls under. Alternatively, the order receiving device 2 may specify the priority when transmitting the order information to the order management device 5, and transmit the order information including the priority information to the order management device 5.

[0046] Priority information may be determined, for example, by pressing buttons (not shown) located near each holder position on the slip holder 4a. In this case, the information processing device 4 notifies the order management device 5 of the holder position where the button was pressed, and the reference information generation unit 52 receives this notification and generates reference information for priority. For example, the reference information generation unit 52 sets the priority of the holder position where the button was pressed higher than others and generates reference information to light up the LED 4c corresponding to the button press position. The priority rank may also be set according to the number of times the button is pressed.

[0047] The reference information generated by the reference information generation unit 52 may include priority information indicating the processing priority of the order slips 100 placed in the slip holder 4a. The priority information can be determined, for example, according to the order in which the order slips 100 are placed in each holder position of the slip holder 4a, with the order slips placed in the holder positions earlier having a higher priority, and can be displayed, for example, by the LED 4c. For example, the reference information generation unit 52 generates reference information to light up the LED 4c in a color corresponding to the priority as information to indicate priority.

[0048] The priority information may be determined based on the order in which the order slips 100 are inserted into each holder position of the slip holder 4a, while also taking into account the priority mentioned above. For example, the reference information generation unit 52 may generate priority information such that holder positions with a high priority are given a higher priority than other holder positions, regardless of the order in which they are inserted into the slip holder 4a. When priority is determined by taking into account priority, each time an order slip 100 is inserted into or removed from the slip holder 4a, the priority of one or more order slips 100 inserted into each holder position of the slip holder 4a is determined and reference information is generated. In this case, the reference information management unit 53 updates and stores the regenerated priority reference information, linking it to each insertion position.

[0049] When determining priority by taking priority into account, priority information may be generated such that the priority of a holder position is higher than other holder positions only when the priority rank is above a predetermined value. Alternatively, priority information may be generated such that the priority of a holder position is higher than other holder positions where the order slip 100 is already installed, and where the count-up timing information is below a predetermined value or the count-down timing information is above a predetermined value.

[0050] Priority information and priority information may also be information displayed on the liquid crystal display 4b. For example, the reference information generation unit 52 may generate reference information representing priority using predetermined marks or characters. Alternatively, the reference information generation unit 52 may generate reference information representing priority using numbers. The display control unit 54 controls the display of this reference information on the liquid crystal display 4b.

[0051] The reference information generated by the reference information generation unit 52 may include order location information indicating the location where the order corresponding to the order slip 100 placed in the slip holder 4a was placed. For example, the order location information can be a table number recognized by the order recognition unit 51 and is displayed as a numerical value on the liquid crystal display 4b.

[0052] In this embodiment, after the attachment / detachment detection unit 41 detects that the order slip 100 has been removed from the slip holder 4a, the attachment / detachment detection unit 41 detects that the order slip 100 has been attached to the slip holder 4a within a predetermined handover time, and the reference information management unit 53 manages to transfer the target of the reference information linkage generated by the reference information generation unit 52 from the holder position from which the order slip 100 was removed to the holder position to which the order slip 100 was attached within the handover time.

[0053] In other words, after the reference information management unit 53 receives detachment detection information along with holder position information, if it receives attachment detection information along with holder position information within a predetermined handover time, it updates the linking relationship stored in the reference information storage unit 55 so that the target of the linking of the reference information generated by the reference information generation unit 52 is changed from the holder position indicated by the holder position information received along with the detachment detection information to the holder position indicated by the holder position information received along with the attachment detection information within the handover time. The timing of the update is when the reference information management unit 53 receives the attachment detection information within the handover time.

[0054] The predetermined handover time can be set to a fixed value (e.g., 5 seconds) predetermined by the order management device 5. Alternatively, the handover time may be arbitrarily specified by the user through an operation on the order management device 5. For example, the handover time may be arbitrarily specified between 0 and 600 seconds (in 1-second intervals). If 0 seconds is specified, the handover of linked reference information will not be performed.

[0055] The following sections describe specific examples of how reference information is linked and passed on, referring to Figures 5 to 8 for several different patterns. Figures 5 to 8 illustrate an example of reference information, specifically the generation of count-up timing information and table numbers displayed on the liquid crystal display 4b.

[0056] <First handover pattern> The first handover pattern is the one that occurs when, after it is detected that an order slip 100 has been removed from the slip holder 4a, it is detected that an order slip 100 has been placed in the same holder position from which it was removed within the handover time, as shown in Figure 5. In the example in Figure 5, three order slips 100 are placed in the first, third, and fourth holder positions of the slip holder 4a. A ,100 B ,100 C When it is installed, order slip 100 is in the fourth holder position. C After the slip is removed from the slip holder 4a (Figure 5(a)), the order slip 100 must be placed in the same fourth holder position within the handover time (e.g., within 5 seconds). C This shows the case when it is installed (Figure 5(b)).

[0057] In this case, the reference information management unit 53 will use the order slip 100 C The reference information (count-up timing information and table number) that was associated with the fourth holder position from which the item was removed is managed to be transferred and linked to the same fourth holder position. In this case, the reference information management unit 53 will transfer the order slip 100 from the fourth holder position of the slip holder 4a. CAfter it is removed, the linking target of the reference information at the holder position is not changed while maintaining it at the fourth holder position. At this time, the display control unit 54 orders slip 100 C The reference information displayed in the fourth slip display area 4b4 of the liquid crystal display 4b corresponding to the fourth holder position from which C has been removed is taken over, and the reference information is displayed in the fourth slip display area 4b4 corresponding to the same fourth holder position.

[0058] Here, the reference information generation unit 52 generates count-up timing information continuously from the ticket holder 4a after it is detected that 100 C has been removed, during the elapsed period until it is detected that the order slip 100 C [[ID=​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​The first and third slip-specific display areas 4b1 and 4b3 may be controlled to display the reference information in a different display mode than that displayed in the first and third slip-specific display areas 4b1 and 4b3, corresponding to the first and third holder positions that have not been removed. For example, the display control unit 54 may make the reference information to be displayed in the fourth slip-specific display area 4b4 blink during the elapsed period. The same applies to the second to fourth handover patterns described below.

[0060] <Second handover pattern> The second handover pattern, as shown in Figure 6, is the pattern that occurs when, after it is detected that an order slip 100 has been removed from the slip holder 4a, it is detected that the order slip 100 has been placed in a different holder position from the one from which it was removed, within the handover time. In the example in Figure 6, three order slips 100 are placed in the first, third, and fourth holder positions of the slip holder 4a. A ,100 B ,100 C When it is installed, order slip 100 is in the fourth holder position. C After the slip is removed from the slip holder 4a (Figure 6(a)), the order slip 100 is transferred to another second holder position within the handover time (e.g., within 5 seconds). C This shows the case when it is installed (Figure 6(b)).

[0061] In this case, the reference information management unit 53 will use the order slip 100 C The reference information (count-up timing information and table number) that was associated with the fourth holder position from which it was removed is managed to be transferred and associated with a different second holder position. In this case, the reference information management unit 53 will transfer 100 from the fourth holder position of the slip holder 4a. C After it was detected that it had been removed, order slip 100 within the handover time C During the period until it is detected that the second holder position has been installed, the target of the reference information linkage remains unchanged, maintaining it at the fourth holder position. And, order slip 100 CWhen it is detected that the device has been installed in the second holder position, the target of the reference information linkage is updated from the fourth holder position to the second holder position.

[0062] At this time, the display control unit 54 will display the order slip 100 C The reference information that was displayed in the fourth document-specific display area 4b4 of the liquid crystal display 4b, corresponding to the fourth holder position from which it was removed, is then displayed in the second document-specific display area 4b2, corresponding to a different second holder position, and when the reference information is transferred, the order slip 100 C This controls the display of reference information in the fourth slip-specific display area 4b4, which has been removed.

[0063] Here, the reference information generation unit 52 continues to generate count-up timing information during and after the aforementioned elapsed period. The display control unit 54 uses the reference information managed by the reference information management unit 53 and the order slip 100. C The count-up timing information, continuously generated by the reference information generation unit 52 according to its association with the mounting position, is continuously displayed in the fourth slip-specific display area 4b4 for the duration of the elapsed period. Then, the order slip 100 C When the device is mounted in the second holder position, the system takes over the count-up timing information that had been continuously displayed in the fourth slip-specific display area 4b4, which is associated with the fourth holder position, and controls it to display it in the second slip-specific display area 4b2, which is associated with the second holder position.

[0064] Furthermore, the display control unit 54 displays the order slip 100 C The fixed table number generated by the reference information generation unit 52 when the fourth holder position is first installed will continue to be displayed in the fourth document-specific display area 4b4 for the duration of the order slip 100. C When the device is mounted in the second holder position, the system controls the display to change from the fourth document-specific display area 4b4 to the second document-specific display area 4b2.

[0065] <Third handover pattern> The third handover pattern is the one that occurs when, after it is detected that multiple order slips 100 have been sequentially removed from multiple holder positions of the slip holder 4a, it is detected that the order slips 100 have been placed back into the slip holder 4a within the handover time, as shown in Figure 7. In the example in Figure 7, three order slips 100 are placed in the first, third, and fourth holder positions of the slip holder 4a. A ,100 B ,100 C When it is installed, order slip 100 is in the fourth holder position. C and order slip 100 in the third holder position B After the slips are removed from the slip holder 4a in this order (Figure 7(a)(b)), the order slip 100 is removed from the third holder position. B Order slip 100 must be placed in the same third holder position within the handover time (e.g., within 5 seconds) after it has been removed. B This shows the case when it is installed (Figure 7(c)).

[0066] In this embodiment, the reference information management unit 53 continues to store in the reference information storage unit 55 only the reference information associated with the holder position from which the last (most recent) order slip 100 was removed, and deletes the reference information associated with the holder position from which the order slip 100 was removed before that, when the most recent order slip 100 is removed from the slip holder 4a. In the example shown in Figure 7, the reference information management unit 53 first stores the reference information for the fourth order slip 100. C After it was removed, then within the handover time, the third order slip 100 B When the slip is removed from the slip holder 4a, the reference information associated with the fourth holder position is deleted from the reference information storage unit 55.

[0067] In this case, the reference information management unit 53 will determine the number of order slips 100 that were removed within the handover period. B ,100 C Of these, order slip 100 was the last to be removed. B The reference information linked to the holder position was transferred to the first order slip 100 inserted within the handover period. BThe system manages to transfer to the third holder position. At this time, the display control unit 54 controls the order slip 100 B The system takes over the reference information that was displayed in the third document-specific display area 4b3 of the liquid crystal display 4b, corresponding to the third holder position from which the previous holder was removed, and displays the reference information in the same third document-specific display area 4b3, corresponding to the same third holder position.

[0068] Here, the reference information generation unit 52 generates the order slip 100 from the fourth holder position of the slip holder 4a. C After it is detected that it has been removed, order slip 100 is moved from the third holder position. B The count-up timing information generation continues until it is detected that the third holder position has been removed from order slip 100. B The generation of count-up timing information is stopped when it is detected that the holder has been removed. The reference information management unit 53 then deletes the count-up timing information and table number associated with the fourth holder position from the reference information storage unit 55.

[0069] Furthermore, the reference information generation unit 52 generates the order slip 100 from the third holder position of the slip holder 4a. B After it was detected that it had been removed, the third order slip 100 B Within the time of removal and handover, place order slip 100 in the same third holder position of slip holder 4a. B During the period before the device is detected as being attached, and even afterward, the generation of count-up timing information linked to the third holder position continues.

[0070] The display control unit 54 manages the reference information managed by the reference information management unit 53 and the order slip 100. C According to the linkage with the mounting position, order slip 100 is moved from the fourth holder position of slip holder 4a. C After it is removed, order slip 100 is taken from the third holder position. B Until it is removed, the reference information for the fourth document-specific display area 4b4 will continue to be displayed (Figure 7(a)(b)), but from the third holder position, the order slip 100B When it is detected that the device has been removed, the display of reference information for the fourth document-specific display area 4b4 is cleared (Figure 7(c)).

[0071] Furthermore, the display control unit 54 continuously generates count-up timing information for the third holder position from the third holder position of the slip holder 4a to the order slip 100. B The system controls the display to continue showing the third slip-specific display area 4b3 even after it is detected that the item has been removed. The display control unit 54 also controls the order slip 100 B When the third holder position is first installed, the fixed table number generated by the reference information generation unit 52 is transferred from the slip holder 4a to the order slip 100. B The system is controlled to continue displaying the information in the third document-specific display area 4b3 even after it has been detected that the item has been removed.

[0072] Furthermore, after the state shown in Figure 7(c) is reached, the order slip 100 is placed in the fourth holder position of the slip holder 4a. C Even if it is installed, the reference information that was linked to the fourth holder position has already been deleted, so the reference information will not be transferred. Also, after the state shown in Figure 7(b) is reached, order slip 100 is placed in the third holder position of slip holder 4a. B Order slip 100 was placed in the fourth holder position before it was installed. C Even if it is installed, the reference information that was linked to the fourth holder position has already been deleted, so the reference information will not be transferred. In these cases, the reference information management unit 53 will process the order slip 100 C The reference information generated by the reference information generation unit 52 in response to the installation is newly managed by linking it to the fourth holder position.

[0073] Also, the fourth order slip 100 C and the third order slip 100 B After these are removed from the slip holder 4a in this order (Figure 7(a)(b)), the third order slip 100 B Order slip 100 within the time of removal and handover BWhen it is mounted in the fourth holder position (Figure 7(c')), the reference information management unit 53 will determine the last removed order slip 100 B The reference information that was linked to the third holder position is managed to be transferred and linked to the fourth holder position. At this time, the display control unit 54 controls the order slip 100 B The reference information that was displayed in the third slip-specific display area 4b3 of the liquid crystal display 4b, corresponding to the third holder position from which the previous holder was removed, is taken over and displayed in the fourth slip-specific display area 4b4, corresponding to a different fourth holder position.

[0074] <Fourth handover pattern> The fourth handover pattern, as shown in Figure 8, is the pattern that occurs when the handover time elapses after it is detected that the order slip 100 has been removed from the slip holder 4a, but before it is detected that the order slip 100 has been placed back into the slip holder 4a. In the example in Figure 8, three order slips 100 are placed in the first, third, and fourth holder positions of the slip holder 4a. A ,100 B ,100 C When it is installed, order slip 100 is in the fourth holder position. C After the slip is removed from the slip holder 4a (Figure 8(a)), the order slip 100 must be removed within the handover time (for example, within 5 seconds). C This shows the case where the slip was not attached to the slip holder 4a (Figure 8(b)).

[0075] In this case, order slip 100 C It will be considered discarded, and the reference information will not be transferred. In other words, the reference information management unit 53 will retrieve the order slip 100 from the fourth holder position. C After the fourth holder is removed, and after a handover period has elapsed, the reference information associated with the fourth holder position is deleted from the reference information storage unit 55.

[0076] Here, the reference information generation unit 52 generates the order slip 100 from the fourth holder position of the slip holder 4a. C After it was detected that it had been removed, order slip 100 CThe generation of count-up timing information continues until the handover time elapses without the system detecting that the slip has been placed in the slip holder 4a, but the generation of count-up timing information stops once the handover time has elapsed. The reference information management unit 53 then deletes the count-up timing information and table number associated with the fourth holder position from the reference information storage unit 55.

[0077] In the above procedure, the count-up timing information and table number were deleted from the reference information storage unit 55 after the handover time had elapsed. However, a separate button, deletion trigger, or deletion signal from the order terminal 1 may be provided to forcibly delete the count-up timing information and table number from the reference information storage unit 55. This would allow deletion before the handover time has elapsed.

[0078] The display control unit 54 manages the reference information managed by the reference information management unit 53 and the order slip 100. C According to the linkage with the mounting position, order slip 100 is moved from the fourth holder position of slip holder 4a. C After it is removed, the display of reference information for the fourth document-specific display area 4b4 continues for the elapsed period until the handover time is reached, but once the handover time has elapsed, the display of reference information for the fourth document-specific display area 4b4 is cleared.

[0079] In Figures 5 to 8, only the display of timing information and table numbers on the liquid crystal display 4b is shown as an example, but the priority information and priority data displayed on the LED 4c are controlled in the same way. Since the priority information is a fixed value that does not change over time, it can be controlled in the same way as the table number. Although the priority information is also a fixed value that does not change over time, the priority may change depending on the priority of the order slips 100 that are added later. If the priority changes during the above-mentioned elapsed period, the updated priority information generated by the reference information generation unit 52 is updated and stored in the reference information storage unit 55, and the updated priority information is taken over so that it is linked to the holder position of the slip holder 4a. In both the priority information and priority data, the LED 4c may be made to blink during the above-mentioned elapsed period.

[0080] Figure 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the order management device 5 (business support device) according to this embodiment, configured as described above. The flowchart shown in Figure 9 starts, for example, when the power to the order management device 5 is turned on, and continues to run until the power is turned off. It is assumed that when the power to the order management device 5 is turned on, no order slips 100 are loaded into the slip holder 4a.

[0081] First, the reference information generation unit 52 determines whether or not the attachment of the order slip 100 has been detected by the attachment / detachment detection unit 41 of the information processing device 4 (i.e., whether or not it has received attachment detection information along with holder position information from the attachment / detachment detection unit 41) (step S1). If the attachment of the order slip 100 has not been detected, the determination in step S1 is repeated until it is detected.

[0082] When the insertion of order slip 100 is detected, the reference information generation unit 52 generates reference information (step S2). The reference information generated by the reference information generation unit 52 is at least one of the following: count-up or count-down timing information, priority information, priority information, and order location information (table number). In the operation description of Figure 9, the reference information generation unit 52 generates count-up timing information and a table number as reference information, as in Figures 5 to 8.

[0083] The reference information management unit 53 stores the reference information generated by the reference information generation unit 52 in the reference information storage unit 55, linking it to the holder position information (information indicating the mounting position of the order slip 100 on the slip holder 4a) notified by the attachment / detachment detection unit 41 of the information processing device 4 (step S3). Next, the display control unit 54 transmits the reference information stored in the reference information storage unit 55, linked to the holder position information, to the information processing device 4 and controls it to display the reference information on the display devices 4b and 4c in correspondence with the mounting position indicated by the holder position information (step S4).

[0084] Next, the reference information generation unit 52 determines whether the attachment of the order slip 100 has been further detected by the attachment / detachment detection unit 41 of the information processing device 4 (i.e., whether it has received attachment detection information from the attachment / detachment detection unit 41 along with other holder position information) (step S5). If the attachment of the order slip 100 has not been detected, the process proceeds to step S9.

[0085] When the insertion of the order slip 100 is detected in step S5, the reference information generation unit 52 generates reference information (step S6). The reference information management unit 53 stores the reference information generated by the reference information generation unit 52 in the reference information storage unit 55, linking it to other holder position information (information indicating a different insertion position of the order slip 100 relative to the slip holder 4a) notified by the insertion / detachment detection unit 41 of the information processing device 4 (step S7).

[0086] Next, the display control unit 54 transmits the reference information stored in the reference information storage unit 55, linked to another holder position information, to the information processing device 4, and controls the display devices 4b and 4c to display the reference information in correspondence with the mounting position indicated by the other holder position information (step S8). After that, the process proceeds to step S9. In step S9, the reference information management unit 53 determines whether or not the removal of the order slip 100 has been detected by the attachment / detachment detection unit 41 of the information processing device 4 (i.e., whether or not the attachment / detachment detection unit 41 has received detachment detection information along with the holder position information).

[0087] If it is determined that the removal of order slip 100 has not been detected, the process returns to step S2. As a result, through the processes in steps S2 to S4, the reference information generation unit 52 generates count-up timing information, the reference information management unit 53 updates and stores the information in the reference information storage unit 55, and the display devices 4b and 4c display the updated information for one or more order slips 100 (including any additional order slips 100 detected in step S5) that are mounted in the slip holder 4a. Since the table number is a fixed value, the processes in steps S2 and S3 are not executed, and only the fixed display on the display devices 4b and 4c continues.

[0088] On the other hand, if the removal of the order slip 100 is detected in step S9, the reference information management unit 53 starts counting a predetermined handover time with respect to the holder position from which the removal occurred (step S10). Next, the reference information management unit 53 determines whether the removal of the order slip 100 has been further detected by the attachment / detachment detection unit 41 of the information processing device 4 (i.e., whether or not it has received detachment detection information from the attachment / detachment detection unit 41 along with other holder position information) (step S11).

[0089] If further removal of the order slip 100 is detected, the reference information management unit 53 stops the counting operation for the handover time that began in step S10 for the initial removal of the order slip 100, and starts counting a predetermined handover time for the holder position where the further removal occurred (step S12). The reference information management unit 53 also deletes the reference information associated with the holder position information of the order slip 100 that was removed before the most recent removal from the reference information storage unit 55 (step S13). On the other hand, if further removal of the order slip 100 is not detected, the processes in steps S12 and S13 are skipped.

[0090] Next, the reference information management unit 53 determines whether a predetermined handover time has elapsed since the count started in step S10 or step S12 (step S14). If it determines that the handover time has elapsed, the reference information management unit 53 deletes the reference information associated with the holder position where the removal of the order slip 100 was most recently detected in step S9 or step S11 from the reference information storage unit 55 (step S15).

[0091] Subsequently, the reference information management unit 53 determines whether or not one or more order slips 100 are mounted in the slip holder 4a (i.e., whether or not the reference information management unit 53 has stored reference information associated with one or more mounting positions) (step S16). If it is determined that one or more order slips 100 are mounted in the slip holder 4a, the process returns to step S5. On the other hand, if it is determined that no order slips 100 are mounted in the slip holder 4a, the process returns to step S1.

[0092] If the reference information management unit 53 determines in step S14 that the predetermined handover time has not yet elapsed, it determines whether the attachment / detachment detection unit 41 of the information processing device 4 has detected the attachment of the order slip 100 (step S17). If the attachment of the order slip 100 has not been detected, the process returns to step S11. On the other hand, if it determines that the attachment of the order slip 100 has been detected, the reference information management unit 53 updates the linking relationships stored in the reference information storage unit 55 so that the target of the linking of the reference information generated by the reference information generation unit 52 is transferred from the holder position where the order slip 100 was most recently removed in step S9 or step S11 to the holder position where the order slip 100 was attached in step S16 within the handover time (step S18). After that, the process returns to step S5.

[0093] As explained in detail above, in this embodiment, when an order slip 100 is placed in the slip holder 4a, reference information is generated for kitchen employees to refer to when performing order processing duties. This generated reference information is managed in association with the placement position of the order slip 100 in the slip holder 4a, and is displayed on the display devices 4b and 4c in association with the placement position of the order slip 100. In this embodiment, if it is detected that the order slip 100 has been placed in the slip holder 4a within a predetermined handover time after it has been detected that the order slip 100 has been removed from the slip holder 4a, the target of the reference information association is managed to be transferred from the holder position from which the order slip 100 was removed to the holder position from which the order slip 100 was placed within the handover time.

[0094] According to this embodiment, order management can be performed by attaching and detaching one or more order slips 100 to the slip holder 4a. If an order slip 100 that has been attached to the slip holder 4a is removed and reattached to its original position, or moved to a different position and attached, if the attachment and detachment is performed within a predetermined handover time, it is considered a reattachment rather than discarding the order slip 100, and the reference information is transferred from the holder position from which the order slip 100 was removed to the holder position to which it was subsequently attached, and displayed on the display devices 4b and 4c. This makes it possible to effectively support operations in stores that use paper slips for order management by providing information management that is in line with the actual work performed by store employees in relation to paper slips.

[0095] In the above embodiment, count-up timing information and count-down timing information were described as examples of reference information, but the following processing may be performed with respect to this. That is, as shown in Figure 10, the slip holder 4a has a count-up holder 401 which is specified to perform a count-up, and a count-down holder 402 which is specified to perform a count-down. The reference information generation unit 52 generates the order slip 100 which is mounted in the count-up holder 401. A ,100 B For this, it generates count-up timing information. Also, the reference information generation unit 52 generates the order slip 100 which is attached to the count-down holder 402. C ,100 D For this, countdown timing information is generated.

[0096] In this state, order slip 100 is taken from the count-up holder 401. A After it was detected that it had been removed, order slip 100 within the handover time A If it is detected that the order slip 100 has been attached to the countdown holder 402 (assuming no other order slips 100 have been attached or detached during this time), the reference information management unit 53 will set the target for linking the count-up timing information generated by the reference information generation unit 52 to the order slip 100. AFrom the holder position of the count-up holder 401 from which the order slip 100 has been removed, the order slip 100 A is transferred to the holder position of the count-down holder 402 on which it is mounted. In this case, even after the order slip 100 A is mounted on the count-down holder 402, the generation of the count-up timing information continues.

[0097] On the other hand, after it is detected that the order slip 100 A has been removed from the count-up holder 401, if it is detected that the order slip 100 A has been mounted on the count-down holder 402 after the elapse of the transfer time, the reference information management unit 53 does not perform the transfer of the count-up timing information, and manages to link the count-down timing information generated by the reference information generation unit 52 to the count-down holder 402 on which the order slip 100 A is mounted. In this case, the reference information generation unit 52 starts the count-down of the timing information from the time when the order slip 100 A is mounted on the count-down holder 402.

[0098] Also, after it is detected that the order slip 100 B has been removed from the count-up holder 401, if it is detected that the order slip 100 B has been mounted on the count-up holder 401 within the transfer time (assuming that no other order slips 100 have been attached or detached during this period), the reference information management unit 5 transfers the target of linking the count-up timing information generated by the reference information generation unit 52 from the holder position of the count-up holder 401 from which the order slip 100 B has been removed to another holder position of the count-up holder 40 from which the order slip 100 B is mounted within the transfer time. The operation in this case is the same as that in the above-described embodiment.

[0099] Also, after it is detected that the order slip 100 C has been removed from the count-down holder 402, if it is detected that the order slip 100 CIf it is detected that the order slip 100 has been attached to the countdown holder 402 (assuming no other order slips 100 have been attached or detached during this time), the reference information management unit 53 will set the target for linking the countdown timing information generated by the reference information generation unit 52 to the order slip 100. C From the holder position of the removed countdown holder 402, order slip 100 within the handover time C The function is then transferred to another holder position of the countdown holder 402 to which it is attached. The operation in this case is the same as in the embodiment described above.

[0100] Also, order slip 100 from countdown holder 402 D After it was detected that it had been removed, order slip 100 within the handover time D When it is detected that the count-up holder 401 has been attached, the reference information management unit 53 sets the target for linking the countdown timing information generated by the reference information generation unit 52 to the order slip 100. D From the holder position of the removed countdown holder 402, order slip 100 within the handover time D It is transferred to the holder position of the count-up holder 401 to which it is attached. In this case, order slip 100 D Even after the device is mounted in the count-up holder 401, the generation of countdown timing information continues.

[0101] Meanwhile, order slip 100 is taken from the countdown holder 402. D After it is detected that it has been removed, order slip 100 after the handover period has elapsed. D If it is detected that the count-up holder 401 has been attached, the count-down timing information will not be transferred, and order slip 100 D The system manages to associate the count-up timing information generated by the reference information generation unit 52 with the count-up holder 401 to which the count-up is attached. In this case, the reference information generation unit 52 uses the order slip 100. D The count-up of the timing information begins from the moment the device is attached to the count-up holder 401.

[0102] In the above embodiment, an example configuration with one information processing device 4 was shown, but a configuration with multiple information processing devices 4 is also possible. For example, as described above, a configuration with multiple information processing devices 4 in a binder type may be used, or a configuration with multiple information processing devices 4 in a board type may be used. Alternatively, multiple information processing devices 4 may be installed in different locations (for example, in different kitchens). In this case, even when an order slip 100 removed from the slip holder 4a of one information processing device 4 is placed in the slip holder 4a of another information processing device 4, the reference information may be transferred.

[0103] Furthermore, although the above embodiment describes an example in which the business support system is configured using the order management device 5, it is not limited to this. For example, if the order management device 5 generates only reference information that can be generated regardless of the order information received from the order receiving device 2 (for example, count-up / count-down timing information, priority information determined according to the pressing of buttons provided near each holder position, priority information determined according to the order slip 100 being attached to each holder position, etc.), then the business support system can be configured using the information processing device 4. That is, the information processing device 4 can have the functions of a reference information generation unit 52, a reference information management unit 53, and a display control unit 54, and can display the reference information on the display devices 4b and 4c without coordinating with the order management device 5. In this case, the information processing device 4 does not need to be connected to the communication network 6. Also, the information processing device 4 and the order management device 5 may be configured as a single unit, and the processing of the above embodiment may be performed in the integrated unit.

[0104] Furthermore, while the above embodiment describes an example in which the count-up / count-down of timing information is started as a trigger when the order slip 100 is placed in the slip holder 4a, the system is not limited to this. For example, the reference information generation unit 52 may start the count-up / count-down as a trigger when the order recognition unit 51 receives order information from the order receiving device 2. Note that if the order slip 100 is removed from the slip holder 4a and then reattached to the slip holder 4a after a handover period has elapsed, the order recognition unit 51 has not received order information from the order receiving device 2. In this case, the count-up / count-down of timing information may be started as a trigger when the order slip 100 is placed in the slip holder 4a.

[0105] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the order management device 5 manages which positions on the slip holder 4a are fitted with order slips 100 and which are not, based on the fitting detection information and holder position information of the order slips 100 received from the fitting detection unit 41 of the information processing device 4. When the order management device 5 receives order information from the order receiving device 2, it identifies the positions of the slip holders 4a that do not have order slips 100 fitted with them, generates fitting position instruction information specifying the positions of the unfitted slips, and transmits it to the information processing device 4.

[0106] In this case, the reference information display unit 42 of the information processing device 4 may display the mounting position of the instructed order slip 100 on the liquid crystal display 4b or notify the mounting position by displaying the LED 4c, based on the mounting position instruction information transmitted from the order management device 5. For example, it is possible to light up or blink a predetermined mark in the slip-specific display area 4b1 to 4b4 of the liquid crystal display 4b that corresponds to the position instructed as the mounting position. Alternatively, characters indicating the mounting position may be displayed in any of the slip-specific display areas 4b1 to 4b4. Alternatively, one of the multiple LEDs 4c1 to 4c4 that corresponds to the position instructed as the mounting position may be lit up or blink.

[0107] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the display control unit 54 may control the display of the display devices 4b and 4c in response to the order recognition unit 51 of the order management device 5 receiving order information from the order receiving device 2. For example, the LED 4c may be turned on or blinked. Alternatively, a predetermined mark may be turned on or blinked on the liquid crystal display 4b, or a message indicating that an order has been placed may be displayed. Here, the display control unit 54 may identify the position of a slip holder 4a in which an order slip 100 is not mounted from among the multiple slip-specific display areas 4b1 to 4b4 of the liquid crystal display 4b or the multiple LEDs 4c1 to 4c4, and display information at the identified position of the unmounted slip.

[0108] The processes described above can be combined and applied as appropriate. Examples of configurations that can be applied to this embodiment are summarized below.

[0109] [Configuration 1] A business support system comprising an information processing device having a slip holder and display device that detachably hold one or more order slips, wherein the display device presents reference information for store employees to refer to when performing order handling duties, A reference information generation unit that generates the above reference information, A removal detection unit that detects the attachment and removal of the order slip to the above slip holder and the position of the holder where the attachment or removal occurred, A reference information management unit manages the reference information generated by the reference information generation unit in association with the mounting position of the order slip on the slip holder detected by the attachment / detachment detection unit, The system includes a display control unit that displays the reference information managed by the above-mentioned reference information management unit in association with the above-mentioned mounting position on the above-mentioned display device in correspondence with the above-mentioned mounting position, The above-mentioned reference information management unit, after detecting that the order slip has been removed from the slip holder, manages to transfer the target of the linking of the above-mentioned reference information generated by the above-mentioned reference information generation unit from the holder location from which the order slip was removed to the holder location to which the order slip was placed within the transfer time. A business support system characterized by the following features.

[0110] [Configuration 2] The above-mentioned reference information management unit, after detecting that the order slip has been removed from the slip holder, manages the reference information that was associated with the holder from which the order slip was removed to be transferred and associated with the same holder within the transfer time, if it is detected that the order slip has been attached to the same holder position from which it was removed within the transfer time. The business support system according to configuration 1, characterized in that it is a business support system.

[0111] [Configuration 3] If the display control unit detects that the order slip has been removed from the slip holder, and then detects that the order slip has been mounted in the same holder position from which it was removed within the handover period, it will take over the reference information displayed in association with the holder position from which the order slip was removed and display the reference information in association with the same holder position. The business support system according to configuration 1, characterized in that it is a business support system.

[0112] [Structure 4] The above-mentioned reference information management unit, after detecting that the order slip has been removed from the above-mentioned slip holder, manages the reference information that was linked to the holder from which the order slip was removed to be transferred and linked to the different holder location within the transfer time. The business support system according to configuration 1, characterized in that it is a business support system.

[0113] [Composition 5] If the display control unit detects that the order slip has been removed from the slip holder, and then detects that the order slip has been mounted in a different holder position within the handover period, it will take over the reference information displayed in association with the holder position from which the order slip was removed, and display the reference information in association with the different holder position. At the time the reference information is taken over, it will also erase the display of the reference information at the holder position from which the order slip was removed. The business support system according to configuration 4, characterized by the features described above.

[0114] [Composition 6] The above-mentioned reference information management unit is characterized in that, after detecting that multiple order slips have been removed sequentially from multiple holder locations, and then detecting that the order slip has been placed in the slip holder within the above-mentioned handover time, it manages to transfer and link the reference information that was associated with the holder location of the last order slip to be removed from the multiple order slips to the holder location where the order slip was first placed within the above-mentioned handover time, as described in any one of configurations 1 to 5.

[0115] [Composition 7] The business support system according to any one of configurations 1 to 6, characterized in that the display control unit, after detecting that the order slip has been removed from the slip holder, controls the reference information managed by the reference information management unit in association with the holder position from which the order slip was removed, to continue displaying the reference information managed by the reference information management unit in association with the holder position from which the order slip was removed, for a period of time until it is detected that the order slip has been placed in the slip holder within the handover time, or until the handover time has elapsed without it being detected that the order slip has been placed in the slip holder.

[0116] [Structure 8] The business support system according to configuration 7, characterized in that the display control unit controls the reference information that has been continuously displayed in association with the holder position from which the order slip was removed during the elapsed period to be displayed in a different display manner from the reference information that has been displayed in association with the holder position from which the order slip was not removed.

[0117] [Composition 9] The above reference information is characterized in that it is timing information that is counted up or counted down, as described in any one of Configurations 1 to 8.

[0118] [Configuration 10] The above slip holder includes a count-up holder designated to perform the above count-up, and a count-down holder designated to perform the above count-down, The above-mentioned reference information management department is: If, after it is detected that the order slip has been removed from the count-up holder, it is detected that the order slip has been placed in the count-down holder within the handover period, the reference information generation unit will transfer the target of the count-up timing information to the count-up holder to the count-down holder to which the order slip was placed within the handover period. However, if, after it is detected that the order slip has been removed from the count-up holder, it is detected that the order slip has been placed in the count-down holder after the handover period has elapsed, the count-up timing information will not be transferred. Instead, the count-down timing information generated by the reference information generation unit will be linked to the placement position of the count-down holder to which the order slip was placed. If, after it is detected that the order slip has been removed from the countdown holder, it is detected that the order slip has been placed in the count-up holder within the handover time, the reference information generation unit will transfer the target of the countdown timing information to be linked from the countdown holder from which the order slip was removed to the count-up holder to which the order slip was placed within the handover time. On the other hand, if, after it is detected that the order slip has been removed from the countdown holder, it is detected that the order slip has been placed in the count-up holder after the handover time has elapsed, the countdown timing information will not be transferred, and the reference information generation unit will manage to link the count-up timing information to the mounting position of the count-up holder to which the order slip was placed. The business support system according to configuration 9, characterized by the features described herein.

[0119] [Composition 11] The above-mentioned reference information generation unit continues to generate the above-mentioned timing information even after detecting that the order slip has been removed from the slip holder, until it is detected that the order slip has been placed in the slip holder within the handover time, or until the handover time has elapsed without it being detected that the order slip has been placed in the slip holder. The above-mentioned reference information management unit will continue to manage the above-mentioned timing information by linking it to the holder location from which the above-mentioned order slip was removed during the above-mentioned elapsed period. The display control unit controls the timing information, which is continuously generated by the reference information generation unit, to continue displaying it in association with the holder position from which the order slip was removed, even during the elapsed period. A business support system according to configuration 9 or 10, characterized by the following:

[0120] [Composition 12] The business support system according to any one of configurations 1 to 11, characterized in that the above reference information is priority information indicating the processing priority of the order slips attached to the above slip holder.

[0121] [Composition 13] The business support system according to any one of configurations 1 to 12, characterized in that the above reference information is priority information indicating the processing priority of the order slips attached to the above slip holder.

[0122] [Composition 14] The business support system according to any one of configurations 1 to 13, characterized in that the above reference information is order location information indicating the location where the order corresponding to the order slip attached to the above slip holder was placed.

[0123] [Composition 15] A business support device that displays reference information on a display device for store employees to refer to when performing order processing tasks, in response to the insertion and removal of one or more order slips from a slip holder, A reference information generation unit that generates the above reference information, A reference information management unit manages the reference information generated by the above reference information generation unit in relation to the mounting position of the order slip on the slip holder, The system includes a display control unit that displays the reference information managed by the above-mentioned reference information management unit in association with the above-mentioned mounting position on the above-mentioned display device in correspondence with the above-mentioned mounting position, The above-mentioned reference information management unit, after detecting that the order slip has been removed from the slip holder, manages to transfer the target of the linking of the above-mentioned reference information generated by the above-mentioned reference information generation unit from the holder location from which the order slip was removed to the holder location to which the order slip was placed within the transfer time. A business support device characterized by the following features.

[0124] [Composition 16] A business support method that displays reference information on a display device for store employees to refer to when handling orders, in response to the insertion and removal of one or more order slips from a slip holder, The business support device's reference information generation unit generates the above-mentioned reference information, The above business support device's reference information management unit manages the reference information generated by the above reference information generation unit by linking it to the mounting position of the order slip on the slip holder, The display control unit of the above-mentioned business support device has the step of displaying the reference information, which is managed by the above-mentioned reference information management unit in association with the above-mentioned mounting position, on the display device in association with the above-mentioned mounting position. The above-mentioned reference information management unit, after detecting that the order slip has been removed from the slip holder, manages to transfer the target of the linking of the above-mentioned reference information generated by the above-mentioned reference information generation unit from the holder location from which the order slip was removed to the holder location to which the order slip was placed within the transfer time. A business support method characterized by the following features.

[0125] Furthermore, the above embodiments are merely examples of how the present invention may be implemented, and the technical scope of the invention should not be interpreted as being limited by them. In other words, the present invention can be implemented in various ways without departing from its gist or its main features. [Explanation of symbols]

[0126] 4. Information Processing Device 4a Slip holder 4b Liquid Crystal Display (Display Device) 4c LED (display device) 5. Order Management System (Business Support System) 41 Attachment / Detachment Detection Unit 42 Reference information display section 51 Order Recognition Department 52 Reference information generation section 53 Reference information management department 54 Display Control Unit 55 Reference information storage unit 100 Order slips

Claims

1. A business support system comprising an information processing device having a slip holder and display device that detachably hold one or more order slips, wherein the display device presents reference information for store employees to refer to when performing order processing duties, A reference information generation unit that generates the above reference information, A removal detection unit that detects the attachment and removal of the order slip to the above slip holder and the position of the holder where the attachment or removal occurred, A reference information management unit manages the reference information generated by the reference information generation unit in association with the mounting position of the order slip on the slip holder detected by the attachment / detachment detection unit, The system includes a display control unit that displays the reference information managed by the above-mentioned reference information management unit in association with the above-mentioned mounting position on the above-mentioned display device in correspondence with the above-mentioned mounting position, The above-mentioned reference information management unit, after detecting that the order slip has been removed from the slip holder, manages to transfer the target of the linking of the above-mentioned reference information generated by the above-mentioned reference information generation unit from the holder location from which the order slip was removed to the holder location to which the order slip was placed within the transfer time. A business support system characterized by the following features.

2. The above-mentioned reference information management unit, after detecting that the order slip has been removed from the slip holder, manages the reference information that was associated with the holder from which the order slip was removed to be transferred and associated with the same holder within the transfer time, if it is detected that the order slip has been attached to the same holder position from which it was removed within the transfer time. The business support system according to feature 1.

3. If the display control unit detects that the order slip has been removed from the slip holder, and then detects that the order slip has been mounted in the same holder position from which it was removed within the handover period, it will take over the reference information displayed in association with the holder position from which the order slip was removed and display the reference information in association with the same holder position. The business support system according to feature 1.

4. The above-mentioned reference information management unit, after detecting that the order slip has been removed from the above-mentioned slip holder, manages the reference information that was linked to the holder from which the order slip was removed to be transferred and linked to the different holder location within the transfer time. The business support system according to feature 1.

5. If the display control unit detects that the order slip has been removed from the slip holder, and then detects that the order slip has been mounted in a different holder position within the handover period, it will take over the reference information displayed in association with the holder position from which the order slip was removed, and display the reference information in association with the different holder position. At the time the reference information is taken over, it will also erase the display of the reference information at the holder position from which the order slip was removed. The business support system according to feature 4.

6. The business support system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, after detecting that multiple order slips have been removed sequentially from multiple holder locations, and then detecting that the order slip has been placed in the slip holder within the handover period, the reference information management unit manages to transfer and link the reference information that was associated with the holder location of the last order slip to be removed from the multiple order slips to the holder location where the order slip was first placed within the handover period.

7. The business support system according to claim 1, characterized in that the display control unit, after detecting that the order slip has been removed from the slip holder, controls the display control unit to continue displaying the reference information managed by the reference information management unit in association with the holder position from which the order slip was removed, in correspondence with the holder position from which the order slip was removed, for a period of time until it is detected that the order slip has been placed in the slip holder within the handover time, or until the handover time has elapsed without it being detected that the order slip has been placed in the slip holder.

8. The business support system according to claim 7, characterized in that the display control unit controls the reference information that has been continuously displayed in association with the holder position from which the order slip was removed during the elapsed period to be displayed in a different display manner from the reference information that has been displayed in association with the holder position from which the order slip was not removed.

9. The business support system according to claim 1, characterized in that the above reference information is timing information that is counted up or counted down.

10. The above slip holder includes a count-up holder designated to perform the above count-up, and a count-down holder designated to perform the above count-down, The above-mentioned reference information management department is: If, after it is detected that the order slip has been removed from the count-up holder, it is detected that the order slip has been placed in the count-down holder within the handover period, the reference information generation unit will transfer the target of the count-up timing information to the count-up holder to the count-down holder to which the order slip was placed within the handover period. However, if, after it is detected that the order slip has been removed from the count-up holder, it is detected that the order slip has been placed in the count-down holder after the handover period has elapsed, the count-up timing information will not be transferred. Instead, the count-down timing information generated by the reference information generation unit will be linked to the placement position of the count-down holder to which the order slip was placed. If, after it is detected that the order slip has been removed from the countdown holder, it is detected that the order slip has been placed in the count-up holder within the handover time, the reference information generation unit will transfer the target of the countdown timing information to be linked from the countdown holder from which the order slip was removed to the count-up holder to which the order slip was placed within the handover time. On the other hand, if, after it is detected that the order slip has been removed from the countdown holder, it is detected that the order slip has been placed in the count-up holder after the handover time has elapsed, the countdown timing information will not be transferred, and the reference information generation unit will manage to link the count-up timing information to the mounting position of the count-up holder to which the order slip was placed. The business support system according to feature 9.

11. The above-mentioned reference information generation unit continues to generate the above-mentioned timing information even after detecting that the order slip has been removed from the slip holder, until it is detected that the order slip has been placed in the slip holder within the handover time, or until the handover time has elapsed without it being detected that the order slip has been placed in the slip holder. The above-mentioned reference information management unit will continue to manage the above-mentioned timing information by linking it to the holder location from which the above-mentioned order slip was removed during the above-mentioned elapsed period. The display control unit controls the timing information, which is continuously generated by the reference information generation unit, to continue displaying it in association with the holder position from which the order slip was removed, even during the elapsed period. The business support system according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that it does so.

12. The business support system according to claim 1, characterized in that the above reference information is priority information indicating the processing priority of the order slips attached to the above slip holder.

13. The business support system according to claim 1, characterized in that the above reference information is priority information indicating the processing priority of the order slips attached to the above slip holder.

14. The business support system according to claim 1, characterized in that the above reference information is order location information indicating the location where the order corresponding to the order slip attached to the above slip holder was placed.

15. A business support device that displays reference information on a display device for store employees to refer to when performing order processing tasks, in response to the insertion and removal of one or more order slips from a slip holder, A reference information generation unit that generates the above reference information, A reference information management unit manages the reference information generated by the reference information generation unit by linking it to the mounting position of the order slip on the slip holder, The system includes a display control unit that displays the reference information managed by the above-mentioned reference information management unit in association with the above-mentioned mounting position on the above-mentioned display device in correspondence with the above-mentioned mounting position, The above-mentioned reference information management unit, after detecting that the order slip has been removed from the slip holder, manages to transfer the target of the linking of the above-mentioned reference information generated by the above-mentioned reference information generation unit from the holder location from which the order slip was removed to the holder location to which the order slip was placed within the transfer time. A business support device characterized by the following features.

16. A business support method that displays reference information on a display device for store employees to refer to when performing order processing tasks, in response to the insertion and removal of one or more order slips from a slip holder, The business support device's reference information generation unit generates the above-mentioned reference information, The above business support device's reference information management unit manages the reference information generated by the above reference information generation unit by linking it to the mounting position of the order slip on the slip holder, The display control unit of the above-mentioned business support device has the step of displaying the reference information, which is managed by the above-mentioned reference information management unit in association with the above-mentioned mounting position, on the display device in association with the above-mentioned mounting position. The above-mentioned reference information management unit, after detecting that the order slip has been removed from the slip holder, manages to transfer the target of the linking of the above-mentioned reference information generated by the above-mentioned reference information generation unit from the holder location from which the order slip was removed to the holder location to which the order slip was placed within the transfer time. A business support method characterized by the following features.

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