Seat management system and program

Abstract

We provide a store management system that allows customers to easily check the next reservation status for assigned seats. [Solution] The seat management system 10 includes a seat management unit 117 that changes the display of the reservation time based on the time from the current time to the reservation time if there is a future reservation at the seat location in the store.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a seat management system and a program.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a system has been proposed that enables store staff to grasp the seat situation in a store or the like (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Among the processes of store operation automation, there are also many operations involving store staff, such as determining the seating destination for walk-in customers without reservations and checking the congestion status of the seating destination. In addition, when determining the seating destination for walk-in customers without reservations, it is necessary to determine the seating destination while also taking into account the next reservation status of that seating destination.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a seat management system and a program that facilitate checking the next reservation status of a seating destination.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is a seat management system including a seat management unit that changes the display of a reservation time based on the time from the current time to the reservation time when there is a future reservation for a seating destination in a store.

[0007] One aspect of the present invention is a program for causing a computer to change the display of a reservation time based on the time from the current time to the reservation time when there is a future reservation for a seating destination in a store. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, the next reservation status of the assigned seat can be easily checked. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This figure shows an example of the device configuration of the store operation system according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] This figure shows an example of a seating arrangement screen according to this embodiment. [Figure 3] This figure shows an example of the configuration of the seat status screen in this embodiment. [Figure 4] This figure shows an example of the configuration of the seat assignment screen in this embodiment. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of the external configuration of the reception device according to this embodiment. [Figure 6] This figure shows an example of the configuration of the order menu screen in this embodiment. [Figure 7] This figure shows an example of the configuration of the kitchen monitor screen in this embodiment. [Figure 8] This figure shows an example of the flow of the system integration setup operation in this embodiment. [Figure 9] This figure shows an example of the configuration of the queue waiting list setting screen in this embodiment. [Figure 10] This figure shows an example of the operation flow of the system integration in this embodiment. [Figure 11] This figure shows an example of the configuration of the reception screen in this embodiment. [Figure 12] This figure shows an example of a receipt for this embodiment. [Figure 13] This figure shows an example of the order process in this embodiment. [Figure 14] This figure shows another example of a different device configuration of the store operation system of this embodiment. [Figure 15] This diagram illustrates an example of the workflow for displaying the next reservation status for assigned seats using the seat management system. [Figure 16]It is a diagram showing an example of a seat status screen generated by a seat management system.

Embodiment for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] The store operation system 1 of the present embodiment will be described while referring to the drawings. The embodiments described below are merely examples, and the embodiments to which the present invention is applied are not limited to the following embodiments. In all the drawings for explaining the embodiments, those having the same function are denoted by the same reference numerals, and repeated explanations are omitted. In addition, “based on XX” as used in the present application means “at least based on XX”, and includes cases where it is based on another element in addition to XX. Also, “based on XX” is not limited to the case where XX is directly used, but includes cases where it is based on something obtained by performing operations or processing on XX. “XX” is an arbitrary element (for example, arbitrary information).

[0011] [Embodiment 1] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the device configuration of the store operation system 1 of the present embodiment. The store operation system 1 includes a seat management system 10, a reception device 20, a reservation system 30, an order management system 40, and a user terminal device 50.

[0012] The store operation system 1 of the present embodiment is widely applicable, for example, in facilities such as restaurants, hospitals, and dispensing pharmacies where waiting lines may occur for visitors. In the present embodiment, as an example, the case where the store operation system 1 is applied to a restaurant (for example, a so-called self-order restaurant where a visitor places an order by himself / herself using the user terminal device 50 used by the visitor himself / herself) in which some (or all) of the store visit reservation, seat guidance at the time of store visit, and food and beverage orders are automated will be described.

[0013] [Regarding the Seat Management System] The seating management system 10 is a system that manages the status of seats within a store. The status of seats includes, for example, empty seats, seats occupied by customers, seats waiting to be cleaned after customers have left, and seats waiting for reserved customers to arrive.

[0014] The seat management system 10 comprises a seat management calculation unit 11, a storage unit 12, an operation unit 13, and a display unit 14. The seat management calculation unit 11 is equipped with a central processing unit (CPU) and operates based on the programs and data stored in the storage unit 12, providing various functions. The storage unit 12 is composed of, for example, a hard disk drive or semiconductor memory (flash memory, RAM, ROM), and stores various types of information, such as programs and data read by the seat management calculation unit 11. The storage unit 12 may also be implemented by a virtual storage device, such as a cloud server, located outside the seat management system 10.

[0015] The control unit 13, for example, is equipped with a touch panel and detects operations performed by store staff (for example, store employees; also referred to as store users in the following description). The display unit 14, for example, is equipped with a liquid crystal display and displays various images. In the following description, the display of an image by the display unit 14 is also referred to as presenting an image to the store staff.

[0016] The operation unit 13 and the display unit 14 may be implemented by, for example, a personal computer, tablet, or smartphone. Furthermore, the seat management calculation unit 11, the storage unit 12, the operation unit 13, and the display unit 14 may be configured as a single device or as separate devices.

[0017] The seat management calculation unit 11 includes, as its functional units, a display control unit 111, an operation reception unit 112, a print control unit 113, a seat information acquisition unit 114, a self-ordering information generation unit 115, and a reservation information acquisition unit 116.

[0018] Furthermore, the functions provided by the seat management calculation unit 11 described above do not necessarily have to be implemented on a computer device installed within the store; for example, they may be implemented on a cloud server or the like.

[0019] As an example of the functions of the seat management calculation unit 11, the display function of the seat arrangement screen P1 will be described. In this example, the storage unit 12 has pre-registered seat arrangement information that shows the arrangement of seats in the store. The storage unit 12 also stores seat status information that shows the current status of seats in the store. In the following description, this seat arrangement information and seat status information will be collectively referred to as seat information.

[0020] The seat information acquisition unit 114 of the seat management calculation unit 11 acquires seat information from the storage unit 12. The display control unit 111 displays the seat arrangement screen P1 on the display unit 14 based on the acquired seat information.

[0021] Figure 2 shows an example of the seating arrangement screen P1 of this embodiment. The seating arrangement screen P1 includes an image based on seating arrangement information and an image based on seating status information. In the example shown, the seating arrangement screen P1 displays the arrangement of counter seats (counter 1 to counter 6) and table seats (table 1 to table 11) as images based on seating arrangement information, and the current status of the seats.

[0022] Seating arrangement information includes details about the seating arrangement on the store floor, seating capacity, smoking restrictions, and other information predetermined by the store.

[0023] As an example of a display based on seating arrangement information, the seating arrangement screen P1 shows that counter seats all have a capacity of 1 person. For table seats, it shows that Tables 1 to 4 all have a capacity of 2 people, Tables 5 to 10 all have a capacity of 4 people, and Table 11 has a capacity of 6 people.

[0024] Additionally, the seating arrangement screen P1 shows, for example, the smoking conditions for seats, indicating that counter seats, tables 1 through 8, and table 11 are non-smoking seats, while tables 9 through 11 are smoking seats.

[0025] Seat availability information includes daily or moment-by-moment information such as whether a seat is occupied or vacant, the time elapsed since the seat was first used, whether the seat is reserved, and, if reserved, the expected arrival time.

[0026] As an example of a display based on seat availability information, the seating arrangement screen P1 shows whether the seat is occupied, the time elapsed since the seat was used, and the expected arrival time if there is a reservation.

[0027] [Integration with reservation system] Returning to Figure 1, the seat management system 10 is connected to the reservation system 30 via the network N1. The reservation system 30 provides seat reservation information indicating the details of the seat reservation. The reservation information acquisition unit 116 of the seat management calculation unit 11 acquires the seat reservation information.

[0028] Seat reservation information includes details such as the planned date and time of visit, the number of people expected to visit, the breakdown of the group (e.g., number of adults, number of children), smoking / non-smoking preference, preferred seating type (e.g., counter, table, private room), menu reservation details (e.g., set course meal, special anniversary menu), and any food allergies or disliked ingredients.

[0029] The seat reservation information includes details that are referenced when determining which seat to reserve from among the multiple seats available in the store. For example, the planned date and time of visit, the number of customers expected to visit, smoking / non-smoking preference, and preferred seat type are all pieces of information that are referenced when determining the reserved seat.

[0030] The display control unit 111 displays the seat status screen P2 on the display unit 14 based on the seat information and the seat reservation information.

[0031] Figure 3 shows an example of the configuration of the seat status screen P2 of this embodiment. The seat status screen P2 comprises a seat status field P21, a display switching tab P22, and a sub-display field P23.

[0032] The seating status section P21 shows the current status of seats in the store. For each seat, the seating status section P21 displays information such as the seat's usage status (e.g., whether it is occupied or vacant), the time elapsed since the seat was first used, whether the seat is reserved, and if reserved, the expected arrival time.

[0033] The display switching tab P22 is an operation image for switching the information displayed in the sub-display area P23. The sub-display area P23 can be switched between displaying the seating information area (not shown), today's reservation area (not shown), and the waiting list area P231. The waiting list section P231 displays information about customers who have arrived but have not yet been assigned a seat and are waiting in line to enter the store. The arrival button P2311 is displayed in the waiting list section P231. The arrival button P2311 is an image that allows store staff to manually assign a seat to a customer when they arrive.

[0034] If automated customer check-in is not available, store staff operate the control unit 13 to assign seats to customers upon their arrival.

[0035] Figure 4 shows an example of the configuration of the seat assignment screen P3 of this embodiment. The seat assignment screen P3 includes a seat candidate field P31 and a customer information field P32. The seating arrangement section P31 shows the seats that are being offered as assignments. The customer information section P32 displays the number of customers, their preference for non-smoking / smoking seating, and their preferred seating type.

[0036] In this embodiment, the seat management system 10 can assign seats to both customers with reservations and customers without reservations.

[0037] When a customer with a reservation (i.e., a reserved customer) arrives at the store, the store staff will ask the customer for the reservation name (such as the name of the customer who made the reservation), select a seat for the reserved customer from the seat options shown in the seat options section P31, and confirm the seat by operating the confirm button P321.

[0038] On the other hand, if a customer arrives without a reservation, the store staff will ask the customer about the number of people in their party and their seating preferences (non-smoking / smoking preference, type of seating preference), and register this information in the seating management system 10. The store staff will then check the seating options shown in the seating options column P31 to see which seats are available for the customer. If there are available seats, the store staff will select the available seat and confirm the seating by operating the confirm button P321. If there are no available seats, the store staff will guide the customer to join the waiting line to enter the store.

[0039] The store operation system 1 of this embodiment is capable of automatically receiving customers. Automated customer reception means that the above-mentioned tasks of inquiring with customers, determining seats, and guiding them to their seats are automated by a computer program. The store operation system 1 of this embodiment performs automated customer reception using the reception device 20.

[0040] [Regarding the reception device] The seat management system 10 is connected to the reception device 20 via the network N2. The reception device 20 is a computer device installed at the entrance of a store or similar location and operated by customers.

[0041] Figure 5 shows an example of the external configuration of the reception device 20 of this embodiment. The reception device 20 comprises a reception display unit 21, a reception operation unit 22, and a printing unit 23.

[0042] The reception display unit 21, for example, is equipped with a liquid crystal display and displays various images. In one example of this embodiment, the reception display unit 21 displays various images based on the control of the display control unit 111 of the seat management system 10. The reception operation unit 22, for example, is equipped with a touch panel and detects customer operations. The reception display unit 21 and the reception operation unit 22 may be implemented using, for example, a personal computer, tablet, or smartphone.

[0043] The printing unit 23, for example, is equipped with a thermal printer for roll paper and prints information such as seating guides for customers.

[0044] In this embodiment, when the reception device 20 receives a customer's entry notification, the seat management system 10 automatically performs the aforementioned tasks such as assigning seats to store staff, guiding customers to their seats, and directing them to the waiting line to enter the store.

[0045] [About the order management system] The seat management system 10 of this embodiment has a function to cooperate with the order management system 40. Returning to Figure 1, the configuration of the order management system 40 will be described.

[0046] The order management system 40 includes an order management calculation unit 41, a storage unit 42, an operation unit 43, and a display unit 44.

[0047] The order management calculation unit 41 is equipped with a central processing unit (CPU) and operates based on the programs and data stored in the storage unit 42, providing various functions. The storage unit 42 is composed of, for example, a hard disk drive or semiconductor memory (flash memory, RAM, ROM), and stores various types of information, such as programs and data read by the order management calculation unit 41. The storage unit 42 may also be implemented by a virtual storage device, such as a cloud server, located outside the order management system 40.

[0048] The operation unit 43, for example, is equipped with a touch panel and detects operations performed by store staff. The display unit 44, for example, is equipped with a liquid crystal display and displays various images. In the following description, the display of an image by the display unit 44 is also referred to as presenting an image to store staff.

[0049] The operation unit 43 and the display unit 44 may be implemented by, for example, a personal computer, tablet, or smartphone. Furthermore, the order management calculation unit 41, storage unit 42, operation unit 43, and display unit 44 may be configured as a single device or as separate devices.

[0050] In one example of this embodiment, the operation unit 43 and display unit 44 of the order management system 40 function as a so-called kitchen monitor. A kitchen monitor is a device used in restaurants to display customer orders to restaurant staff (especially kitchen staff).

[0051] The order management system 40 is connected to the user terminal device 50 via the network N4. The user terminal device 50 is a terminal device used by customers to place orders. In one example of this embodiment, the user terminal device 50 is a computer device such as a smartphone or tablet owned by the customer.

[0052] The user terminal device 50 includes a terminal display unit 51, a terminal operation unit 52, and an imaging unit 53. The terminal display unit 51, for example, is equipped with a liquid crystal display and displays various images. In the following description, the display of an image by the terminal display unit 51 is also referred to as presenting an image to the customer's (or user's) terminal. cormorant.

[0053] The order management calculation unit 41 of the order management system 40 includes an order processing unit 411 and a self-order information acquisition unit 412 as its functional units.

[0054] Furthermore, the functions provided by the order management calculation unit 41 described above do not necessarily have to be implemented on a computer device installed within the store; for example, they may be implemented on a cloud server or the like.

[0055] The order processing unit 411 communicates with the user terminal device 50 via the network N4, thereby displaying the menu screen (order menu screen P4) of food and beverages offered by the store on the user terminal device 50.

[0056] Figure 6 shows an example of the configuration of the order menu screen P4 in this embodiment. The order menu screen P4 includes buttons for selecting food and beverage categories, ordering food and beverages, and displaying a shopping cart. Customers place orders for food and beverages by operating the button images displayed on the terminal display unit 51 of the user terminal device 50. When the user terminal device 50 receives an order, it transmits information indicating the order details (order information) to the order management system 40 via the network N4.

[0057] When the order processing unit 411 of the order management system 40 receives order information from the user terminal device 50, it displays the kitchen monitor screen P5 on the display unit 44, which is a kitchen monitor.

[0058] Figure 7 shows an example of the configuration of the kitchen monitor screen P5 in this embodiment. The kitchen monitor screen P5 displays the customer's order details, separated by seat. The kitchen staff of the restaurant prepare food and beverages while checking the kitchen monitor screen P5 displayed on the display unit 44.

[0059] [Integration between order management system 40 and user terminal device 50] When an order is placed from the user terminal device 50, it is desirable that the kitchen monitor screen P5 be able to determine which seat the order is coming from. As described above, in this example of the embodiment, the user terminal device 50 is not a computer device permanently installed in the store, but rather a computer device brought into the store by the customer (for example, owned by the customer). Therefore, the order management system 40 and the user terminal device 50 are not linked until the customer comes to the store. Therefore, it is necessary to perform a linking process between the order management system 40 and the user terminal device 50 at the time the customer's seat is confirmed.

[0060] Conventionally, the process of linking the order management system 40 and the user terminal device 50 involved, for example, presenting customers with information such as a 2D code or other order link prepared for each seat after they had been seated. Customers would obtain the order link by scanning the 2D code with the imaging unit 53 of their own user terminal device 50, thereby linking the order management system 40 and the user terminal device 50.

[0061] According to this conventional method, after guiding customers to their seats, store staff would hand them a QR code prepared for each seat. This method requires store staff to be involved from the time a customer is checked in until they start placing their order.

[0062] Alternatively, a different method may be used, where a unique order link is provided for each seat, and a 2D code indicating this order link is displayed on the seat. In this case, the order management system 40 and the user terminal device 50 can be linked by having the seated customer scan the 2D code of the order link.

[0063] However, with this method, since the user terminal device 50 remains in a state where it can be linked with the order management system 40 after the customer leaves the store until the 2D code is updated, problems such as incorrect orders being placed due to user errors after leaving the store may arise. Furthermore, if an operation is implemented to overcome this problem, such as periodically updating the 2D code displayed on the seats, another problem arises: it creates extra work for the store staff.

[0064] [Integration between order management system 40 and seat management system 10] The store operation system 1 of this embodiment is equipped with a function to link the seat management system 10 and the order management system 40 as described below. Specifically, in the store operation system 1 of this embodiment, the seat management system 10 and the reservation system 30 are connected via network N3, and can exchange information with each other. In the following description, the linking of the seat management system 10 and the order management system 40 will also be simply referred to as "system linking".

[0065] In this embodiment, the system linkage between the seat management system 10 and the order management system 40 is described as being configured from the seat management system 10 side, but it is not limited to this. The system linkage between the seat management system 10 and the order management system 40 may also be configured from the order management system 40 side.

[0066] Figure 8 shows an example of the system integration setup process in this embodiment. (Step S101) The store staff (user) operates the control unit 13 of the seat management system 10 to start setting up the system linkage. The display control unit 111 of the seat management system 10 displays the queue waiting registration setting screen P6 on the display unit 14.

[0067] Figure 9 shows an example of the configuration of the queue waiting list setting screen P6 in this embodiment. The queue waiting list setting screen P6 is a setting screen of the seat management system 10 that determines whether or not to perform system integration with the order management system 40.

[0068] (Step S102) Returning to Figure 8, the seat management system 10 determines whether or not the store is using the order management system 40. If the seat management system 10 determines that the store is using the order management system 40, the seat management system 10 displays the system linkage setting field P61 on the queue waiting registration setting screen P6.

[0069] (Step S103) The store staff operates the system integration settings section P61 to set whether or not to use system integration. (Step S104) The seat management system 10 enables the system integration function when using system integration (the system integration flag is ON).

[0070] [System Integration Operation] Figure 10 shows an example of the operation flow of the system integration in this embodiment. (Step S211) The customer (user) operates the reception operation unit 22 of the reception device 20 (self-check-in device) to start the reception input. The reception device 20 displays the reception screen P7 on the reception display unit 21.

[0071] Figure 11 shows an example of the configuration of the reception screen P7 of this embodiment. The reception screen P7 includes a reservation button P71 and a no reservation button P72. The reservation button P71 is an operation image to be operated when the customer has a reservation (i.e., is a customer with a reservation). The no reservation button P72 is an operation image to be operated when the customer does not have a reservation. The customer (user) performs the reception input by operating either the reservation button P71 or the no reservation button P72.

[0072] If a reservation is made, the reception display unit 21 will display an input screen (not shown) for information to identify the customer, such as the customer's reservation name. If there is no reservation, the reception display unit 21 will show an input screen (not shown) for entering the number of customers, smoking / non-smoking preference, and preferred seating type.

[0073] Information used to identify these reservations, such as the number of customers, smoking / non-smoking preferences, and preferred seating type, can also be considered information used to identify specific seats. Customers enter information to identify their seat according to the screen displayed on the reception display unit 21.

[0074] (Step S111) The seat management system 10 compares the seat identification information entered into the reception device 20 with the seat information to determine whether or not the seat requested by the customer is available. If there is an available seat, the seat management system 10 identifies the seat, updates the seat information to change the seat status to "in use," and starts measuring the elapsed time since the seat was first used.

[0075] (Step S112) The self-ordering information generation unit 115 of the seat management system 10 generates self-ordering information C1 when the system linkage flag is ON (when using system linkage). Self-ordering information C1 is a two-dimensional code that the user terminal device 50 reads when an order is started. This two-dimensional code contains information about the order link that the order management system 40 uses for order management.

[0076] In one example of this embodiment, the self-ordering information C1 is generated by the following procedure: (Step S112-1) If the system linkage flag is ON, the seat management system 10 transmits the customer's seat number to the order management system 40. (Step S112-2) The order management system 40 receives the seat number of the customer from the seat management system 10. (Step S112-3) The order management system 40 generates an order link to accept the order from the received seat number. (Step S112-4) The order management system 40 sends the generated order link to the seat management system 10. (Step S112-5) The seat management system 10 receives an order link from the order management system 40. (Step S112-6) The seat management system 10 generates self-ordering information C1 (e.g., a 2D code) that shows the received order link.

[0077] In other words, an order code (self-ordering information C1) is information linked to at least one of the following in a management system that performs at least one of the following functions in a store: seat management, order management, or reservation management: seat location, order slip, or reservation information.

[0078] Through the series of steps described above, the self-ordering information C1 (e.g., a 2D code) read by the user terminal device 50 is linked to the seat number of the customer using the user terminal device 50. Therefore, the order management system 40 can identify which seat a customer is using when they access the order link indicated by the self-ordering information C1. In other words, when an order is placed from a user terminal device 50, the order management system 40 can identify which seat the order originated from.

[0079] The procedure described above is just one example. For example, the self-ordering information C1 (e.g., a 2D code) may be generated on the order management system 40 and sent to the seat management system 10. Alternatively, the system may be configured to send the self-ordering information C1 (e.g., a 2D code) directly from the order management system 40 to the reception device 20.

[0080] (Step S113) The print control unit 113 of the seat management system 10 instructs the print unit 23 to print the self-ordering information C1 generated in step S112 onto the information ticket (reception receipt R1). The print unit 23 prints the reception receipt R1 based on the instructions from the print control unit 113.

[0081] Figure 12 shows an example of a reception receipt R1 of this embodiment. The reception receipt R1 includes an order code display field R11 and a seating information field R12. The order code display field R11 will have self-ordering information C1 (for example, a 2D code) printed on it. The seat number identified by the seat management system 10 is printed in seat information section R12.

[0082] Here, the order code (self-ordering information C1) can also be described as information that includes seat identification information to identify the location of the customer's seat. Here, seat identification information refers to information that can identify the customer's seat, such as the seat number or the receipt number linked to the seat number. A customer's seat may be selected based on a self-check-in operation or assigned by the reservation system 30. In other words, the seat identification information may be information indicating the location of a customer's seat selected based on a self-check-in operation, or information indicating the location of a customer's seat assigned by the reservation system 30. In other words, the seat identification information includes information that identifies the location of the customer's seat selected based on the self-check-in operation, and information that indicates the location of the customer's seat as specified by the reservation system 30.

[0083] In other words, when a self-check-in operation is received, the print control unit 113 (display unit) displays the seat location indicated by the seat identification information to the customer.

[0084] [Order Process Flow] Figure 13 shows an example of the order process in this embodiment. (Step S221) The customer (user) operates the user terminal device 50 to read the order code display field R11 on the receipt R1. As described above, the order code display field R11 has self-ordering information C1 (for example, a 2D code) printed on it. The user terminal device 50 accesses the order link indicated by the self-ordering information C1.

[0085] (Step S121) The order management system 40 identifies the seat number of the order link accessed from the user terminal device 50 and displays the order menu screen P4 on the user terminal device 50.

[0086] (Step S222) The customer places an order (registers an order) by operating the order menu screen P4 displayed on the user terminal device 50.

[0087] (Step S122) The order management system 40 displays the order details registered by the user terminal device 50 on the display unit 44 (for example, the kitchen monitor).

[0088] [Embodiment 2] This embodiment describes a store operation system 1 equipped with a seat management system 10 that clearly displays the next reservation status of the seat assigned to a customer. Figure 14 is a diagram showing an example of the device configuration of the store operation system 1 in this embodiment. The difference from the device configuration of the store operation system 1 shown in Figure 1 is that the seat management system 10 further includes a seating management unit 117. The seating management unit 117 processes a process to change the display of information regarding the next reservation based on the time from the current time to the reservation time if there is a future reservation at the seat assigned to the store. That is, the seating management unit 117 processes a process to change the way information regarding the next reservation is displayed depending on whether the reservation is close to the current time or far away. For example, the seating management unit 117 changes the display of information regarding the next reservation by changing the color of the display regarding the next reservation depending on whether it is within a predetermined time or not. The seating management unit 117 also calculates a predetermined time as the sum of the reserved time to be set aside for the customer at the seat assigned to the store and the grace period for a buffer. In addition, the seating management unit 117 displays information regarding the next reservation along with the seat status of the seat assigned to the store, if there is a next reservation at that seat assigned to the store. "Seating arrangements" refer to the locations where customers are seated, such as tables or counters, according to their group size. "Information regarding the next reservation" includes the reservation time. "Information regarding the next reservation" may also include information regarding the number of people in the reservation.

[0089] Figure 15 shows an example of the operation flow of the seat management system 10's process for displaying the next reservation status of assigned seats. The operation flow of the seat management system 10 will be explained below using Figure 15.

[0090] When a staff member at a store who is a user of the seat management system 10 instructs the seat management system 10 to display a screen for managing seat assignments, the seat management unit 117 of the seat management system 10 performs display processing such as the seat status and reservation status of the assigned seats. Figure 16 shows an example of a seat status screen. For example, when a user selects "Today's Reservations" shown by code P161 from among several tabs shown by code P16A, the seat management unit 117 performs the processing shown in Figure 15. The "(4)" in "Today's Reservations" shown by code P161 indicates that there are four reservations.

[0091] The seating management unit 117 obtains the reserved time set in advance in the seating management system 10 by the user (step S131). Here, "reserved time" is the time reserved to provide service to customers at the seating location, and is the time set in advance in the seating management system 10. For example, 2 hours may be set as the "reserved time".

[0092] Information regarding the "next reservation" is obtained for the seating location to be processed (step S132). In the example in Figure 16, the area indicated by symbol P16B shows reservation information for which service is scheduled to be provided during the day's business hours. In the example in Figure 16, there are four reservations, and information such as the customer's name, the number of customers, the table number to which they are scheduled to be seated, and the reservation time is displayed for each reservation. Also in Figure 16, the area indicated by symbol P16C shows a seating status column. The seating status column P16C is configured to allow users to check information such as the seating status, reservation status, number of available seats or current number of users, and whether it is a non-smoking or smoking seat for each table or counter that will be the seating location in the store. The seating status may also include information on the current number of users at the seating location. Incidentally, if there are multiple reservations for one seating location, the "next reservation" is the reservation immediately preceding the current time. The following will explain the processing for the first reservation, table 003, as an example. In the case of table 003, the seating management unit 117 obtains reservation information from the seat reservation information stored in the storage unit 12, indicating that there is another reservation from 18:00, as shown by the reference numeral P165 in the reservation information P16B.

[0093] The seating management unit 117 determines whether the start time of the "next reservation" obtained in step S132 is within a predetermined time from the current time (step S133). Here, the "predetermined time" is the sum of the "reserved time" obtained in step S131 and the "grace time" for leeway. The "grace time" is the time required to clean up the seating area after a customer leaves, to prepare the seating area for the next customer, and / or to allow time for the next reservation to be made even if the customer slightly exceeds the "reserved time". For example, "30 minutes" is pre-set as the "grace time" in the seating management system 10. If the "reserved time" is 2 hours and the "grace time" is 30 minutes, the "predetermined time" will be 2 hours and 30 minutes. In the example in Figure 16, as indicated by the symbol P163, the current time is "16:25", and the disclosure time for the "next reservation" in Table 003 is 18:00. Therefore, the time from the current time to the start time of the "next reservation" is within the "specified time". Thus, in the case of Table 003, the seating management unit 117 determines that the "next reservation" in Table 003 is within the "specified time".

[0094] If the "next reservation" is within the "specified time" (step S133: Yes), the information regarding the next reservation will be displayed in red when the "next reservation" is displayed at that seating location. As a result of this process, in table 003, indicated by symbol P164 in Figure 16, the next reservation information, "Next: 18:00~", will be displayed in red, as shown by symbol P165. Note that in the display of information for table 003, symbol P164, the "table 003" at the top is enclosed in a frame, indicating that table 003 is currently being used by a customer. Note that the display of usage status, indicating that a table is being used by a customer, may be displayed in a different color from unused table numbers, for example, green, or some kind of highlighting to distinguish it. Note that the time "0:24" shown in the center of the information display for table 003 indicates the elapsed time since service to the customer at table 003 began (or the customer was guided to table 003). The "2 people" displayed to the left of the "Next: 18:00~" display for Table 003 indicates the number of customers using Table 003. The elapsed time since service began for the customers ("0:24") and the number of customers ("2 people") are also forms of indicators of the occupancy status of the assigned seating area.

[0095] After processing in step S134, the seating management unit 117 determines if there are any unprocessed "next reservations" (step S137). If there are unprocessed "next reservations" (step S137: Yes), the process returns to step S132 to process the unprocessed "next reservations". The following explanation uses "next reservations" in table 004 of Figure 16 as an example.

[0096] For the seating arrangement to be processed, information regarding the next reservation in table 004 is obtained as an unprocessed "next reservation" (step S132). In the example in Figure 16, for table 004, the seating management unit 117 obtains reservation information from the seat reservation information that there is a next reservation at 22:00 in table 004.

[0097] The seating management unit 117 determines whether the start time of the "next reservation" obtained in step S132 is within a predetermined time from the current time (step S133). In the example in Figure 16, as shown by reference numeral P163, the current time is "16:25", the "predetermined time" is 2 hours and 30 minutes, and the disclosure time of the "next reservation" in table 004 is 22:00. Therefore, the time from the current time to the start time of the "next reservation" is greater than or equal to the "predetermined time". Thus, in the case of table 004, the seating management unit 117 determines that the "next reservation" in table 003 is not within the "predetermined time".

[0098] If the next reservation is not within the specified time (step S133: No), the system checks whether the next reservation to be processed falls within the system's operating hours. The seat management system 10 has the store's operating hours pre-set. For example, if the seat management system 10 is set to 15:00-04:00, the store's operating hours for the day are from 3:00 PM on the current day to 4:00 AM the following day. "Within the system's operating hours" means the operating hours set in the seat management system 10, including cases where there is no closing time on the day of opening, as mentioned above. If the seating management unit 117 selects the next reservation in step S132 and extracts only reservations that fall within the system's operating hours from the current time onward, the process in step S135 is not necessary. In this case, if the next reservation is not within the specified time (step S133: No), the seating management unit 117 proceeds to the process in step S136.

[0099] If the time until the next reservation is longer than the specified time, and the reservation is within the "system's business hours," the seating management unit 117 displays the information regarding the "next reservation" at that seating location in black (or gray) (step S136). As a result of this process, in table 004 shown by reference numeral P166 in Figure 16, the next reservation information, "Next: 22:00~," is displayed in black (or gray), as shown by reference numeral P167.

[0100] If there are no pending "next reservations" (step S137: No), the seating management unit 117 performs processing to update the information on the screen after a predetermined time has elapsed. If the screen shown in Figure 16 is displayed for a certain period of time, the result of the decision in step S133 will change according to the change in the current time. Therefore, the seating management unit 117 returns to step S132, for example, every minute, to process all "next reservations" within the "system's business hours" from the current time onward, in order to update the display for "next reservations".

[0101] As described above, according to the seat management system 10 of this embodiment, when assigning seats such as tables in a store, reservation information for seats with ample time before the next reservation is displayed, while reservation information for seats with an upcoming next reservation is displayed more prominently. Therefore, for example, when deciding on a seat for a customer who does not have a reservation, store staff can avoid seats with an upcoming next reservation when making their decision. Furthermore, when viewing a screen like the one shown in Figure 16, reservation information for seats with an upcoming next reservation is highlighted more prominently, so even store staff who cannot see all the seats in the store can easily check the store's congestion level on the screen.

[0102] While it was explained that the display method for seating arrangements with upcoming reservations being close in time should be changed to red, different from the display for seating arrangements with ample time before the next reservation, this is not the only method. For example, the display change could be any method that effectively draws the attention of users of the seating management system 10, such as making the reservation time blink, making the reservation time bold, or changing the background color for each table in the seating status column P16C. Furthermore, the information regarding the next reservation that is subject to the display change should preferably include the start time of the next reservation. This allows store staff to easily understand how close the next reservation is to its start time. However, the information regarding the next reservation is not limited to the start time of the next reservation. The information regarding the next reservation should be such that it is clear that the next reservation at that seating arrangement is within a specified time. While a two-stage display example was shown where "Next Reservation" is displayed in red or black depending on whether the next reservation is within a specified time, the display change is not limited to this two-stage method. For example, the display could be changed in several stages based on the reserved time, depending on how close the next reservation is.

[0103] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments, and design modifications and the like are also included within the scope of the gist of the present invention. For example, a computer program to implement the functions of each of the above-mentioned devices may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded on this recording medium may be loaded into a computer system and executed. The term "computer system" here may include hardware such as an operating system and peripheral devices.

[0104] Furthermore, "computer-readable recording media" refers to writable non-volatile memory such as flexible disks, magneto-optical disks, ROMs, and flash memory, portable media such as DVDs (Digital Versatile Discs), and storage devices such as hard disks built into computer systems. Furthermore, "computer-readable recording media" also includes volatile memory (such as DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory)) within computer systems that act as servers or clients when programs are transmitted via networks such as the Internet or communication lines such as telephone lines, which retain programs for a certain period of time.

[0105] Furthermore, the above program may be transmitted from a computer system that stores the program in a memory device or the like to another computer system via a transmission medium or by transmission waves within the transmission medium. Here, the "transmission medium" used to transmit the program refers to a medium that has the function of transmitting information, such as a network (communication network) like the Internet or a communication line (communication line) like a telephone line. Furthermore, the above program may be intended to implement some of the functions described above. It may also be a so-called differential file (differential program) that can implement the aforementioned functions in combination with programs already recorded in the computer system. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0106] 1...Store operation system, 10...Seat management system, 20...Reception device, 30...Reservation system, 40...Order management system, 50...User terminal device

Claims

1. If there is a future reservation at a given seat in the store, the seating management unit changes the display of the reservation time based on the time from the current time to the reservation time. A seat management system equipped with the following features.

2. The seating management unit changes the display of the reservation time by changing the color of the display of the reservation time. The seat management system according to claim 1.

3. The seating management unit changes the color of the display of the reservation time depending on whether the time from the current time to the reservation time is within a predetermined time. The seat management system according to claim 2.

4. The seating management unit changes the display of the reservation time by flashing the reservation time if the time from the current time to the reservation time is within a predetermined time. The seat management system according to claim 1.

5. The seating management unit calculates the predetermined time as the sum of the reserved time and the grace period for customers at the assigned seating location. The seat management system according to claim 3 or 4.

6. The aforementioned seating management unit also displays the seat status of the assigned seat. The seat management system according to claim 1 or 2.

7. On the computer, If there is a future reservation for a seat in the store, the display of the reservation time will be changed based on the time from the current time to the reservation time. A program to perform a task.

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