Ordering system and ordering method

Abstract

To provide an ordering system and an ordering method configured to use a customer terminal and collect customer data.SOLUTION: An ordering system includes a staff terminal carried by store staff, a customer terminal carried by a customer to order a commodity, and a station which is installed in a store to receive an order of a commodity. The staff terminal includes symbol generation means which generates a code symbol including input customer data, and display means which displays the generated code symbol. The customer terminal includes an imaging unit, first storage means which stores the customer data included in the code symbol imaged by the imaging unit, and transmission means which transmits the customer data stored in the first storage means to the station. The station includes second storage means which receives and stores the customer data transmitted by the transmission means.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 13

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT An embodiment of the present invention relates to an ordering system and an ordering method. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, in restaurants, bars, and other establishments where customers eat and drink, when a customer comes to the establishment and sits down at a table, a waiter takes the customer's order and inputs the order information using a waiter terminal. At that time, the waiter inputs customer data such as the table number where the customer is seated, the number of customers, their gender, age (age group), etc.

[0003] Recently, some stores have adopted a style in which customers connect their own mobile terminals or cell phones (hereinafter referred to as "customer terminals") to a station when they visit the store, and use the customer terminals to place orders.

[0004] Although such stores have the advantage that staff do not have to serve customers to take orders, they are unable to collect the above-mentioned customer data, meaning that they are unable to grasp the number of customers visiting the store or their customer demographics, and therefore cannot use this data to understand product sales trends, etc. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an ordering system and ordering method which allows the use of customer terminals and the collection of customer data. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An ordering system of an embodiment is an ordering system comprising a clerk terminal carried by a clerk, a customer terminal carried by a customer for ordering goods, and a station installed in a store for accepting orders for goods, wherein the clerk terminal comprises a symbol generation means for generating a code symbol including input customer data, and a display means for displaying the generated code symbol, the customer terminal comprises an imaging unit, a first storage means for storing the customer data included in the code symbol imaged by the imaging unit, and a transmission means for transmitting the customer data stored by the first storage means to the station, and the station comprises a second storage means for receiving and storing the customer data transmitted by the transmission means. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a front view showing the store clerk terminal in an open state. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a front view showing the store clerk terminal in an open state. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the store clerk terminal. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a memory map showing the configuration of the order information section. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the customer terminal. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a memory map showing the configuration of the order data section. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the station. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a memory map showing the configuration of the order information section. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram showing the functional configuration of the store clerk terminal. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the flow of control processing of the store clerk terminal. [Figure 12]FIG. 12 is a functional block diagram showing the functional configuration of the customer terminal. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the flow of control processing of the customer terminal. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a functional block diagram showing the functional configuration of the station. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the flow of the control process of the station. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the embodiment, a restaurant or a bar where food and drink are served inside the restaurant will be described as an example of a store. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described below.

[0009] The system according to the embodiment is mainly related to ordering products for customers to eat and drink at restaurants. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the system according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, a station 3, a POS (Point of Sales) terminal 4, a wireless repeater 5, and a store clerk terminal 1 are installed in a store S. Also, a customer terminal 7 is provided which is connected to the station 3 for communication. The ordering system according to the embodiment includes the store clerk terminal 1, the station 3, and the customer terminal 7.

[0010] The station 3, the POS terminal 4, and the wireless repeater 5 are connected to each other via a communication line (e.g., a LAN (Local Area Network)) 2. The wireless repeater 5 and the store clerk terminal 1, and the wireless repeater 5 and the customer terminal 7 are connected to each other via a wireless communication line (e.g., a wireless LAN) 6.

[0011] The clerk terminal 1 is equipped with input keys for a number of items and a display unit (details will be described later in FIG. 2). Each clerk who takes orders from customers carries one clerk terminal 1. The clerk receives an order from a customer and operates the clerk terminal 1. When the item input operation is performed, the clerk terminal 1 accepts the input of the ordered item. Furthermore, when the send key 19d (see FIG. 2) is operated, the clerk terminal 1 transmits order information (item information for the ordered item and a table number identifying the table at which the order was received) to the station 3. Furthermore, when the billing key 17h is operated, the clerk terminal 1 transmits an accounting signal (including table number information) to the station 3 indicating that the customer has finished eating and drinking.

[0012] The staff terminal 1 is a device for inputting customer data such as the number of customers, their gender, and their age (age range). The table number at which the customer is seated is also input to the staff terminal 1. The customer data and table number are input to the staff terminal 1 by the staff.

[0013] Station 3 is a server installed, for example, in the back yard of store S. Station 3 controls the entire system. Station 3 has a product master 342 (see FIG. 8) that stores product information (product code that identifies the product, product name, price, product image, etc.) of products sold at store S. Station 3 transmits the product information stored in product master 342 to each store clerk terminal 1, for example, once a day.

[0014] Furthermore, the station 3 receives order information from each store clerk terminal 1. The station 3 stores the received order information in the order data section 3312 (see FIG. 9) in association with the table number included in the received order information.

[0015] Furthermore, when station 3 receives a billing signal from clerk terminal 1, it reads out the ordering information stored in order data section 3312 in association with the table number included in the received billing signal, and transmits this as billing information to POS terminal 4. Furthermore, when station 3 receives a cashless billing signal from customer terminal 7, it reads out the ordering information stored in order information section 331 in association with the table number included in the received billing signal, and executes billing processing. The billing processing calculates a total amount (including tax) by adding up the prices of the products based on product information such as the product prices included in the received order information, and performs payment processing using a specified medium (for example, credit processing, electronic payment, etc.).

[0016] The POS terminal 4 receives transaction information from station 3. The POS terminal 4 executes transaction processing for the ordered items based on the received transaction information. The transaction processing includes a process of displaying a total amount of the items based on the item information of the items included in the received order information. The transaction processing also includes a process of calculating and displaying the change based on the deposit received from the customer, and a process of instructing the change dispenser to issue the change.

[0017] The POS terminal 4 also executes a receipt issuing process to issue a receipt on which product information about the processed product and transaction information are printed.

[0018] Next, the configuration of the store clerk terminal 1 used by the store clerk when accepting an order will be described.

[0019] 2 is a diagram showing the clerk terminal 1 when open. The clerk terminal 1 comprises a left unit 102 disposed on the left side and a right unit 103 disposed on the right side when viewed from the front of the clerk terminal 1. The left unit 102 and the right unit 103 are connected by a hinge 104 so that they can be rotated open and closed.

[0020] The left unit 102 has a housing 102a made of resin. A display unit 20 formed of, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) is provided on the surface of the housing 102a that is closed by the right unit 103. The display unit 20 provides information display to a store clerk who uses the store clerk terminal 1 to take orders from customers. A menu screen is displayed on the display unit 20. In addition, an operation unit 18 formed of a touch panel is layered on the display surface of the display unit 20.

[0021] In addition, an operation unit 19 consisting of a key sheet is provided below the operation unit 18. The operation unit 19 includes a numeric keypad 19a that displays numbers and is used by the store clerk to input information such as a table number to specify the table at which the order will be received, arrow keys 19b that display up and down arrows and are used to move a cursor displayed on the display unit 20, a conversion key 19c that displays "convert" and is used when the customer himself places an order for a product using the customer terminal 7 described later, and a transmission key 19d that displays "send" and is used to instruct the transmission of order data.

[0022] The right unit 103 has a housing 103a made of resin. An operation unit 17 consisting of a keyboard is provided on the surface of the housing 103a that is closed by the left unit 102. The operation unit 17 is a membrane keyboard having 12 rows x 5 columns = 60 keys. Some of the keys that the operation unit 17 has are a menu key 17a, a confirmation key 17d, an enter key 17e, an add key 17f, a send key 17g, and an accounting key 17h.

[0023] The add keys 17f have characters printed on their top surface indicating products such as food and drinks that can be consumed in the store, and are multiple keys for inputting orders for those products. The confirm key 17d has the word "confirm" printed on its top surface, and is a key for confirming an inputted order for a menu item. The enter key 17e has the word "Enter" printed on its top surface, and is a key for confirming an inputted order for a menu item. The add key 17f has the word "add" printed on its top surface, and is a key for adding an order for a menu item.

[0024] In FIG. 2, the display unit 20 displays a table number field 21, a number of people field 22, a gender field 23, and an age field 24. In the table number field 21, a table number that specifies the seat where the customer is seated is input. In the number of people field 22, the number of customers who have visited the restaurant is input. In the gender field 23, the gender of the customer who has visited the restaurant is input. For example, if a customer visits the restaurant alone, the gender of the customer is input. For example, if two men and two women visit the restaurant, the number of men and the number of women are input. In the age field 24, the age of the customer who has visited the restaurant is input. The age to be input may be the age estimated by the staff. Alternatively, the age group estimated by the staff may be input by operating a separately provided key indicating the age group. Input to the table number field 21 and the number of people field 22 is performed by operating the numeric keypad 19a.

[0025] When information is entered in the table number field 21, the number of people field 22, the gender field 23, and the age field 24 and the conversion key 19c is operated, the display on the display unit 20 is switched as shown in FIG. 3. In FIG. 3, the display in the table number field 21, the number of people field 22, the gender field 23, and the age field 24 disappears, and instead a code symbol such as a two-dimensional code 25 is displayed. The two-dimensional code includes the entered customer data. That is, the two-dimensional code includes coded information of the table number information entered in the table number field 21, the number of people information entered in the number of people field 22, the gender information entered in the gender field 23, and the age information entered in the age field 24. The two-dimensional code also includes information of the address (access information) of the station 3 for the customer terminal 7 to access and connect to the station 3.

[0026] Returning to the explanation of FIG. 1, the customer terminal 7 is a portable terminal such as a smartphone, mobile phone, tablet terminal, or PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) carried by a customer who visits the store. A dedicated application is pre-installed on the customer terminal 7. This application has a function of connecting the customer terminal 7 to the station 3 based on address information. The application also has a function of receiving information on the products to be eaten or drunk from the connected station 3 and displaying the information on the display unit 78 (see FIG. 6). The application also has a function of transmitting the acquired customer data to the station 3. The application also has a function of ordering the products to be eaten or drunk from the station 3. The application also has a function of performing a cashless payment operation for the station 3.

[0027] From here, the hardware of the clerk terminal 1 will be described. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the clerk terminal 1. As shown in FIG. 4, the clerk terminal 1 is equipped with a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, a memory unit 14, and the like. The CPU 11 is the main controller. The ROM 12 stores various programs. The RAM 13 expands programs and various data. The memory unit 14 stores various programs. The CPU 11, the ROM 12, the RAM 13, and the memory unit 14 are connected to each other via a bus 15. The CPU 11, the ROM 12, and the RAM 13 constitute the control unit 100. That is, the control unit 100 executes the control process of the clerk terminal 1, which will be described later, by the CPU 11 operating in accordance with the control program stored in the ROM 12 and the memory unit 14 and expanded in the RAM 13.

[0028] The RAM 13 includes an order information section 131. The order information section 131 stores products ordered by customers. The order information section 131 also stores table number information input from the table number section 21, number of people information input from the number of people section 22, gender information input from the gender section 23, and age information input from the age section 24. In other words, the order information section 131 stores customer data.

[0029] The memory unit 14 is composed of a non-volatile memory such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a flash memory that retains stored information even when the power is turned off, and includes a control program unit 141 that stores a control program, a product master 142, and an address unit 143. The product master 142 stores product information (product name, price, etc.) of the product corresponding to a product code that identifies the product to be consumed. The address unit 143 stores the address of the station 3 for connecting the customer terminal 7 to the station 3 via the wireless communication line 6 and the communication line 2.

[0030] Furthermore, the control unit 100 is connected to the operation units 17, 18, 19, and display unit 20 via the bus 15 and the controller 16. The controller 16 receives instructions from the control unit 100 and controls the operation units 17, 18, 19, and display unit 20. However, for the sake of convenience, the control performed by the controller 16 will be described as being performed by the control unit 100. The operation units 17, 18, and 19 are, for example, a keyboard or a touch panel, and a store clerk inputs information. The display unit 20 is, for example, a liquid crystal display, and displays information to the store clerk.

[0031] The control unit 100 is also connected to a communication unit 26 via a bus 15. The communication unit 26 is connected to a station 3 via a communication line 2 and a wireless communication line 6.

[0032] From here, the order information section 131 will be explained. The order information section 131 has a table number section 1311, a number of people section 1312, a gender section 1313, an age section 1314, and an ordered product section 1315. The table number section 1311 stores table number information input from the table number column 21. The number of people section 1312 stores number of people information input from the number of people column 22 in association with the table number information stored in the table number section 1311. The gender section 1313 stores gender information input from the gender column 23 in association with the table number information stored in the table number section 1311. The age section 1314 stores age information input from the age column 24 in association with the table number information stored in the table number section 1311.

[0033] From here, the hardware of the customer terminal 7 will be described. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the customer terminal 7. As shown in FIG. 6, the customer terminal 7 is equipped with a CPU 71, a ROM 72, a RAM 73, a memory unit 74, etc. The CPU 71 is the main controller. The ROM 72 stores various programs. The RAM 73 expands programs and various data. The memory unit 74 stores various programs. The CPU 71, the ROM 72, the RAM 73, and the memory unit 74 are connected to each other via a bus 75. The CPU 71, the ROM 72, and the RAM 73 constitute a control unit 700. That is, the control unit 700 executes the control process of the customer terminal 7 described later by the CPU 71 operating in accordance with the control program stored in the ROM 72 and the memory unit 74 and expanded in the RAM 73.

[0034] The RAM 73 includes an order data section 731. The order data section 731 stores products ordered from the customer terminal 7. The order data section 731 also stores customer data included in a two-dimensional code captured by the imaging section 79, which will be described later.

[0035] The memory unit 74 is configured with a non-volatile memory such as a HDD or a flash memory that retains stored information even when the power is turned off, and includes a control program unit 741 that stores a control program.

[0036] The control unit 700 is also connected to the operation unit 77, the display unit 78, and the imaging unit 79 via the bus 75 and the controller 76. The controller 76 receives instructions from the control unit 700 and controls the operation unit 77, the display unit 78, and the imaging unit 79. However, for convenience of explanation, the control performed by the controller 76 will be explained as being performed by the control unit 700. The operation unit 77 is, for example, a keyboard or a touch panel including an order key 771 and a checkout key 772, and is used by the customer to input information. The order key 771 is operated when placing an order for a product. The checkout key 772 is operated when checking out between the customer terminal 7 and the station 3. The display unit 78 is, for example, a liquid crystal display, and displays information to the customer. The imaging unit 79 is, for example, a camera. The control unit 700 uses the imaging unit 79 to capture an image of the two-dimensional code 25 displayed on the store clerk terminal 1, and obtains the table number, customer data, address, etc. contained in the two-dimensional code 25.

[0037] The control unit 700 is also connected to a communication unit 80 via a bus 75. The communication unit 80 is connected to a station 3 via a communication line 2 and a wireless communication line 6.

[0038] From here, the order data section 731 will be described. FIG. 7 is a memory map showing the configuration of the order data section 731. As shown in FIG. 7, the order data section 731 has a table number section 7311, a number of people section 7312, a gender section 7313, an age section 7314, a flag section 7315, an address section 7316, and an order product section 7317. The table number section 7311 stores a table number that identifies the seat where the customer is seated, obtained from the captured two-dimensional code. The number of people section 7312 stores information on the number of customers obtained from the captured two-dimensional code in association with the table number stored in the table number section 7311. The gender section 7313 stores information on gender obtained from the captured two-dimensional code in association with the table number stored in the table number section 7311. The age section 7314 stores information on age obtained from the captured two-dimensional code in association with the table number stored in the table number section 7311. The flag section 7315 stores a flag, which will be described later in S44 of Fig. 13, in association with the table number stored in the table number section 7311. This flag indicates whether or not the customer data has been transmitted to the station 3, and stores a flag "1" if the customer data has been transmitted to the station 3, and stores a flag "0" if the customer data has not been transmitted to the station 3. The address section 7316 stores an address for connecting to the station 3 acquired from the captured two-dimensional code in association with the table number stored in the table number section 7311. The ordered product section 7317 stores product information (product code, product name, price, etc., which identify the product) of the product ordered from the customer terminal 7 in association with the table number stored in the table number section 7311.

[0039] From here, the hardware of station 3 will be described. Station 3 is installed in store S, and receives order information placed by clerk terminal 1 and order information placed by customer terminal 7. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of station 3. As shown in FIG. 8, station 3 includes CPU 31, ROM 32, RAM 33, memory unit 34, etc. CPU 31 is the main controller. ROM 32 stores various programs. RAM 33 expands programs and various data. Memory unit 34 stores various programs. CPU 31, ROM 32, RAM 33, and memory unit 34 are connected to each other via bus 35. CPU 31, ROM 32, and RAM 33 constitute control unit 300. That is, control unit 300 executes the control process of station 3 described later by CPU 31 operating according to the control program stored in ROM 32 and memory unit 34 and expanded in RAM 33.

[0040] The RAM 33 includes an order information section 331, a customer data management section 332, and a sales management section 333. The order information section 331 stores customer data and order information received from the clerk terminal 1 or the customer terminal 7 by table number. The order information section 331 also stores information on whether or not a payment process has been performed for the products ordered by the customer. The customer data management section 332 collects and stores the customer data stored by the order information section 331. That is, the customer data management section 332 is a storage section that collects customer data related to customers who have visited the store and received from the clerk terminal 1 and the customer terminal 7. The sales management section 333 collects and stores the order information stored by the order information section 331 and received from the clerk terminal 1 or the customer terminal 7. That is, the sales management section 333 stores sales information (sales amount of the entire store, sales number, sales amount by product, sales number, etc.) that is collected by collecting information on ordered products.

[0041] The memory unit 34 is composed of a non-volatile memory such as a HDD or a flash memory that retains stored information even when the power is turned off. The memory unit 34 includes a control program unit 341 and a product master 342. The control program unit 341 stores a control program for controlling the station 3. The product master 342 stores product information (product name, price, etc.) of a product in correspondence with a product code that identifies the product to be consumed at the store.

[0042] Furthermore, the control unit 300 is connected to an operation unit 37 and a display unit 38 via a bus 35 and a controller 36. The controller 36 receives instructions from the control unit 300 and controls the operation unit 37 and the display unit 38. However, for convenience of explanation, the control performed by the controller 36 will be explained as being performed by the control unit 300. The operation unit 37 is, for example, a keyboard or a touch panel. The display unit 38 is, for example, a liquid crystal display, and displays information.

[0043] The control unit 300 is also connected to the communication unit 39 via the bus 35. The communication unit 39 is connected to the store clerk terminal 1 and the customer terminal 7 via the communication line 2 and the wireless communication line 6. The communication unit 39 is also connected to the POS terminal 4 via the communication line 2.

[0044] From here, the order information section 331 will be described. FIG. 9 is a memory map showing the configuration of the order information section 331. The order information section 331 has a table number section 3311, an order data section 3312, a customer data section 3313, and a settlement management section 3314. The table number section 3311 stores information on table numbers received from the clerk terminal 1 and the customer terminal 7. The order data section 3312 stores order information received from the clerk terminal 1 and the customer terminal 7 in association with the table number stored in the table number section 3311. The customer data section 3313 stores customer data received from the clerk terminal 1 and the customer terminal 7 in association with the table number stored in the table number section 3311. The settlement management section 3314 stores settlement information related to the product ordered in association with the table number stored in the table number section 3311 in association with the table number stored in the table number section 3311. When the product ordered in association with the table number has been settled, the settlement management unit 3314 stores a flag indicating that it has been settled (e.g., flag "1"). When the product ordered in association with the table number has not been settled, the settlement management unit 3314 stores a flag indicating that it has not been settled or accounted for (e.g., flag "0"). When a cashless settlement is performed between the customer terminal 7 and the station 3, the settlement management unit 3314 for that table number stores flag "1". Also, when the settlement process is performed at the POS terminal 4, the settlement management unit 3314 for that table number stores flag "1".

[0045] From here, we will explain the functional configuration of the clerk terminal 1. Fig. 10 is a functional block diagram showing the functional configuration of the clerk terminal 1. As shown in Fig. 10, the control unit 100 functions as a symbol generating means 105 and a display means 106 by following a control program stored in the ROM 12 or the control program unit 141 of the memory unit 14.

[0046] The symbol generating means 105 generates a two-dimensional code 25 including the input customer data. Specifically, the symbol generating means 105 generates information for the two-dimensional code 25 including table number information input from the table number column 21, number of people information input from the number of people column 22, gender information input from the gender column 23, age information input from the age column 24, and address information of the station 3 acquired from the address section 143.

[0047] The display means 106 displays the generated two-dimensional code 25. Specifically, the display means 106 displays the two-dimensional code 25 generated by the symbol generating means 105 on the display unit 20.

[0048] From here, the control of the store clerk terminal 1 will be described. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the flow of the control process of the store clerk terminal 1. As shown in FIG. 11, the control unit 100 of the store clerk terminal 1 judges whether to start an order for a new customer (S11). For example, when a start key (not shown) is operated, the control unit 100 judges that an order for a new customer is to be started. If it is judged that an order for a new customer is to be started (Yes in S11), the control unit 100 waits for input of customer data. Specifically, the control unit 100 waits for input of a table number from the table number field 21, input of the number of people from the number of people field 22, input of gender from the gender field 23, and input of age from the age field 24 (S12). Then, when the customer data is input, the control unit 100 stores the customer data in the order information unit 131 (S13). Specifically, the control unit 100 stores table number information in the table number field 1311. The control unit 100 stores number of people information in the number of people field 1312. The control unit 100 stores gender information in the gender section 1313. The control unit 100 stores age information in the age section 1314.

[0049] Next, the control unit 100 judges whether the conversion key 19c has been operated (S21). If it is judged that the conversion key 19c has been operated (Yes in S21), the symbol generating means 105 (symbol generating step) generates two-dimensional code information (code symbolized information) including the table number information stored in the table number section 1311, the number of people information stored in the number of people section 1312, the gender information stored in the gender section 1313, the age information stored in the age section 1314, and the address (access information) of the station 3 stored in the address section 143 (S22). Then, the display means 106 (display step) displays the generated two-dimensional code on the display unit 20 (S23). Then, the control unit 100 returns to S11.

[0050] Furthermore, if it is determined in S21 that the conversion key 19c has not been operated (No in S21), the control unit 100 executes normal processing (S24). In other words, if the conversion key 19c is not operated, the product is not ordered using the customer terminal 7, but is ordered from the clerk terminal 1. In such a case, the clerk asks the customer which product has been ordered, and operates the clerk terminal 1 to input information about the ordered product. The input information about the ordered product is stored in the ordered product section 1315. Then, when the transmission key 17g of the clerk terminal 1 is operated, all information stored in the order information section 131 is transmitted to the station 3.

[0051] Furthermore, in S11, if it is determined that the order is not the start of an order (No in S11), the control unit 100 determines whether it is an additional order (S25). If the add key 17f is operated, the control unit 100 determines that it is an additional order. If it is determined that it is an additional order (Yes in S25), the control unit 100 executes the process of S24. That is, the control unit 100 stores information on the additionally ordered product in the ordered product section 1315, and when the send key 17g is operated, places an order for the additional product stored in the ordered product section 1315. Then, the control unit 100 returns to S11. Note that, if it is determined that the order is not an additional order (No in S25), the control unit 100 returns to S11.

[0052] From here, the functional configuration of the customer terminal 7 will be described. Fig. 12 is a functional block diagram showing the functional configuration of the customer terminal 7. As shown in Fig. 12, the control unit 700 functions as a first storage means 701, a connection means 702, and a transmission means 703 by following a control program stored in the ROM 72 or a control program unit 741 of the memory unit 74.

[0053] The first storage means 701 stores customer data included in the two-dimensional code captured by the imaging unit 79. Specifically, the first storage means 701 stores customer data included in the two-dimensional code captured by the imaging unit 79 in the order data section 731. More specifically, the first storage means 701 stores the table number included in the two-dimensional code captured by the imaging unit 79 in the table number section 7311. The first storage means 701 also stores information on the number of people included in the customer data included in the two-dimensional code captured by the imaging unit 79 in the number of people section 7312 in association with the table number stored in the table number section 7311. The first storage means 701 also stores information on the gender included in the customer data included in the two-dimensional code captured by the imaging unit 79 in the gender section 7313 in association with the table number stored in the table number section 7311. In addition, the first storage means 701 stores the age information, which is one of the customer data included in the two-dimensional code captured by the imaging unit 79, in the age unit 7314 in association with the table number stored in the table number unit 7311.

[0054] The first storage means 701 further stores address information of the station 3 included in the two-dimensional code captured by the imaging unit 79. Specifically, the first storage means 701 further stores the address information of the station 3 included in the two-dimensional code captured by the imaging unit 79 in the address section 7316.

[0055] The connection means 702 connects to the station 3 based on the address of the station 3 included in the two-dimensional code. Specifically, the connection means 702 connects to the station 3 based on the address stored in the address section 7316.

[0056] The transmission means 703 transmits the customer data to the station 3. Specifically, the transmission means 703 transmits information on the number of people stored in the number of people section 7312, information on the gender stored in the gender section 7313, and information on the age stored in the age section 7314 to the station 3.

[0057] Furthermore, the transmission means 703 transmits customer data to the station 3 when initially transmitting information on the product stored in the ordered product section 7317 to the station 3 .

[0058] From here, the control of the customer terminal 7 will be described. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the flow of the control process of the customer terminal 7. As shown in FIG. 13, the control unit 700 of the customer terminal 7 judges whether the imaging unit 79 has imaged the two-dimensional code 25 displayed on the display unit 20 of the store clerk terminal 1 (S31). It waits until the two-dimensional code 25 is imaged (No in S31), and if it is judged that the two-dimensional code 25 has been imaged (Yes in S31), the first storage means 701 (first storage step) stores the table number, customer data, and address of the station 3 included in the imaged two-dimensional code in the order data section 731 (S32). Specifically, the first storage means 701 stores the table number included in the two-dimensional code imaged by the imaging unit 79 in the table number section 7311. The first storage unit 701 also stores in the number of people section 7312, the number of people information included in the two-dimensional code captured by the imaging unit 79, in association with the table number stored in the table number section 7311. The first storage unit 701 also stores in the gender section 7313, the gender information included in the customer data included in the two-dimensional code captured by the imaging unit 79, in association with the table number stored in the table number section 7311. The first storage unit 701 also stores in the age section 7314, the age information included in the customer data included in the two-dimensional code captured by the imaging unit 79, in association with the table number stored in the table number section 7311. The first storage unit 701 also stores in the address section 7316, the address of the station 3 included in the two-dimensional code captured by the imaging unit 79.

[0059] Next, the control unit 700 accesses and connects to the station 3 via the wireless communication line 6 and the communication line 2 based on the address of the station 3 stored in the address unit 7316 (S33). That is, by storing the address of the station 3 in the address unit 7316, the customer terminal 7 becomes able to connect to the station 3.

[0060] Next, the control unit 700 obtains menu information related to the product to be ordered from the station 3, stores it in the RAM 73, and displays it on the display unit 78 (S34). The customer selects the product to be ordered from the displayed products. The selected product is stored in the ordered product section 7317. The control unit 700 determines whether a product has been selected (S35). If it is determined that the product to be ordered has been selected (Yes in S35), the control unit 700 stores the ordering information of the selected product in the ordered product section 7317 (S36).

[0061] Next, the control unit 700 judges whether the order key 771 has been operated (S41). If it is judged that the order key 771 has been operated (Yes in S41), the control unit 700 judges whether the flag "1" is stored in the flag section 7315 (S42). If it is judged that the flag "1" is not stored in the flag section 7315 (i.e., the flag "0" is stored) (No in S42), the transmission means 703 (transmission step) transmits customer data, i.e., the number of people information stored in the number of people section 7312, the gender information stored in the gender section 7313, and the age information stored in the age section 7314 to the station 3 (S43). In addition, the transmission means 703 transmits the product information stored in the ordered product section 7317 as order information together with the table number to the station 3 (orders the product) (S43). That is, the transmission means 703 transmits the customer data together with the order information of the first product in S43. Then, the control unit 700 stores the flag "1" in the flag unit 7315 (S44). Then, the control unit 700 returns to S34.

[0062] Furthermore, in S42, if it is determined that the flag "1" is stored in the flag section 7315 (Yes in S42), the control section 700 transmits the product information stored in the ordered product section 7317 as ordering information together with the table number to the station 3 (orders the product) (S45), since the customer data has already been transmitted to the station 3. Then, the control section 700 returns to S34.

[0063] Furthermore, in S41, if it is determined that the order key 771 has not been operated (No in S41), the control unit 700 determines whether the payment key 772 has been operated (S51). If it is determined that the payment key 772 has been operated (Yes in S51), the control unit 700 transmits the table number stored in the table number unit 7311 and a payment signal to the station 3 (S52). Then, the control unit 700 returns to S31.

[0064] Moreover, if it is determined that the operation is not an operation of the settlement key 772 (No in S51), the control unit 700 returns to S31. Moreover, if it is determined in S35 that the operation is not an operation of a product specification (No in S35), the control unit 700 returns to S31.

[0065] In this way, the customer terminal 7 captures the two-dimensional code 25 including the customer code from the clerk terminal 1 and transmits the customer data to the station 3. Therefore, the station 3 can collect customer data even when a product order is placed using the customer terminal 7. Furthermore, the customer terminal 7 becomes connectable to the station 3 on the condition that the customer data has been stored in S32, and the product can be ordered.

[0066] From here, we will explain the functional configuration of station 3. Fig. 14 is a functional block diagram showing the functional configuration of station 3. As shown in Fig. 14, control unit 300 functions as second storage means 301 by following a control program stored in ROM 32 or control program unit 341 of memory unit 34.

[0067] The second storage means 301 receives and stores the customer data transmitted by the transmission means 703. Specifically, the second storage means 301 receives the customer data transmitted by the transmission means 703 and stores it in the order information section 331.

[0068] From here, the control of station 3 will be described. FIG. 15 is a flow chart showing the flow of the control process of station 3. As shown in FIG. 15, the control unit 300 of station 3 judges whether the table number, customer data, and order information have been received from the customer terminal 7 (S61). If it is judged that the table number, customer data, and order information have been received from the customer terminal 7 (Yes in S61), the second storage means 301 (second storage step) stores the received table number in the table number section 3311 of the order information section 331 (S62). In addition, the second storage means 301 stores the received customer data in the customer data section 3313 (S62). In addition, the second storage means 301 stores the received order data in the order data section 3312 (S62). Then, the control unit 300 returns to S61.

[0069] Furthermore, if it is determined that the customer data and order information have not been received from the customer terminal 7 (No in S61), the control unit 300 determines whether a table number and order information have been received from the customer terminal 7 (S63). If it is determined that order information has been received from the customer terminal 7 (Yes in S63), the control unit 300 stores the received order data in the order data unit 3312 associated with the received table number (S64). The control unit 300 then returns to S61.

[0070] If it is determined that the table number and order information are not received from the customer terminal 7 (No in S63), the control unit 300 determines whether the table number and the settlement signal are received from the customer terminal 7 (S71). If it is determined that the table number and the settlement signal are received from the POS terminal 4 or the customer terminal 7 (Yes in S71), the control unit 300 executes the settlement process based on the order information stored in the order data unit 3312 for the table number from which the settlement signal was received (S72). For example, when the settlement signal is received from the customer terminal 7, the control unit 300 calculates the total amount of the ordered products based on the order information stored in the order data unit 3312, and executes the settlement process based on a pre-registered number, for example, a credit card number. Then, the control unit 300 returns to S61. The customer data stored in the customer data unit 3313 is collected and managed in the customer data management unit 332. The order information stored in the order data unit 3312 is collected in the sales management unit 333 and managed as the sales data of the store S.

[0071] If it is determined that the table number and settlement signal have not been received from the customer terminal 7 (No in S71), the control unit 300 returns to S61.

[0072] In such an embodiment, the station 3 is capable of collecting customer data from the customer terminal 7 .

[0073] As described above, the ordering system of the embodiment is an ordering system comprising a clerk terminal 1 carried by a clerk, a customer terminal 7 carried by a customer for ordering products, and a station 3 installed in a store S for accepting product orders, wherein the clerk terminal 1 comprises a symbol generation means 105 for generating a two-dimensional code 25 including input customer data, and a display means 106 for displaying the generated two-dimensional code 25, the customer terminal 7 comprises an imaging unit 79, a first storage means 701 for storing customer data included in the two-dimensional code captured by the imaging unit 79, and a transmission means 703 for transmitting the customer data stored in the first storage means 701 to the station 3, and the station 3 comprises a second storage means 301 for receiving and storing the customer data transmitted by the transmission means 703.

[0074] In the ordering system of this embodiment, the store clerk terminal 1 displays a two-dimensional code including customer data, and the customer terminal 7 captures the two-dimensional code and transmits the customer data to the station 3. The station 3 stores the customer data received from the customer terminal 7. This makes it possible to use the customer terminal 7 and collect customer data.

[0075] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, this embodiment is presented as an example and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. This new embodiment can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. This embodiment and its modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims.

[0076] For example, in the embodiment, a two-dimensional code has been described as an example of a code symbol, but the code symbol is not limited to this and other codes may be used.

[0077] In the embodiment, the customer terminal 7 is connected to the station 3 via the wireless communication line 6 and the communication line 2. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the customer terminal 7 may be connected to the station 3 using another communication line such as a public line.

[0078] In the embodiment, the customer terminal 7 orders products according to the installed application and transmits a settlement signal. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The customer terminal 7 may access the station 3 using a browser and perform product ordering and settlement operations on the browser. In this case, the customer terminal 7 does not transmit order information or settlement signals to the station 3.

[0079] In addition, the programs executed by the clerk terminal 1, customer terminal 7, and station 3 in the embodiment are provided in the form of files in an installable or executable format recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk).

[0080] The programs executed by the clerk terminal 1, customer terminal 7, and station 3 of the embodiment may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by downloading them via the network. The programs executed by the clerk terminal 1, customer terminal 7, and station 3 of the embodiment may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

[0081] Furthermore, the programs executed by the clerk terminal 1, the customer terminal 7, and the station 3 in the embodiment may be provided by being pre-installed in a ROM or the like. [Explanation of symbols]

[0082] 1. Store clerk terminal 3 Station 7 Customer terminal 20 Display section 21 Table Number Column 22 Number of people column 23 Gender column 24 Age column 25 2D Code 79 Imaging section 100 Control section 105 Symbol Generation Means 106 Display means 131 Order Information Department 143 Address section 300 Control section 301 Second storage means 331 Order Information Department 332 Customer Data Management Department 333 Sales Management Department 700 Control section 701 First storage means 702 Connection Method 703 Transmission means 731 Order Data Section 771 Order Key 772 Checkout Key 1311 Table Number Section 1312 Number of people 1313 Gender Department 1314 Age Division 1315 Ordering Department 3311 Table Number Section 3312 Order Data Section 3313 Customer Data Department 3314 Settlement Management Department 7311 Table Number Section 7312 Number of people 7313 Gender Department 7314 Age Division 7315 Flag section 7316 Address section 7317 Ordering Department [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0083] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-46710 A

Claims

1. An ordering system comprising: a store clerk terminal carried by a store clerk; a customer terminal carried by a customer for ordering products; and a station installed in a store for receiving product orders, The store clerk terminal includes: a symbol generating means for generating a code symbol including the input customer data; a display means for displaying the generated code symbol; Equipped with The customer terminal includes: An imaging unit; a first storage means for storing the customer data included in the code symbol captured by the imaging unit; a transmitting means for transmitting the customer data stored in the first storage means to the station; Equipped with The station includes: a second storage means for receiving and storing the customer data transmitted by the transmission means; Equipped with an ordering system.

2. the transmitting means transmits the product order information to the station, and transmits the customer data to the station at the time of the first transmission of the order information; 2. The ordering system according to claim 1.

3. The customer terminal is capable of ordering products on the condition that the customer data is stored.

3. An ordering system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. the display means displays the code symbol including access information to the station; the first storage means further stores the access information included in the code symbol captured by the imaging unit; The customer terminal further includes a connection means for connecting to the station based on the access information, the transmitting means transmits the customer data to the station connected by the connecting means.

4. An ordering system according to claim 1.

5. An ordering method in an ordering system including a store clerk terminal carried by a store clerk, a customer terminal having an imaging unit and carried by a customer for ordering a product, and a station installed in a store for accepting product orders, comprising: The store clerk terminal executes a symbol generating step of generating a code symbol including the input customer data; a display step of displaying the code symbol generated by the symbol generating step; Including, The client terminal executes: a first storage step of storing the customer data included in the code symbol imaged by the imaging unit; a transmission step of transmitting the customer data stored in the first storage step to the station; Including, The station executes a second storage step of receiving and storing the customer data transmitted by the transmission step; An ordering method in an ordering system comprising:

Images