Control Method

Abstract

To strive for further improvements.SOLUTION: An information providing method comprises: obtaining allergy information of a user from a first server using identification information, the allergy information including a user's allergic reaction level to each ingredient; generating an individual menu for the user corresponding to the allergy information based on menu information and the allergy information, the menu information including information indicating one or more ingredients included in each dish and the amount of each ingredient, where the generation of the individual menu identifies ingredients that have the allergic reaction level equal to or higher than a reference value as the ingredients causing allergies from the menu information, and the individual menu includes dishes in which the ingredients causing allergies have been reduced from each dish in the menu information; and transmits the individual menu to the information terminal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information providing method and the like. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a mobile terminal for a personal meal management system that can determine a menu for a future meal by taking into consideration the contents of past meals according to a specific purpose. The mobile terminal for a personal meal management system in Patent Document 1 acquires menu information from the outside through a communication means, selects a meal menu to be recommended based on the acquired menu information and the meal history, user status, and meal rules stored in a storage means, and presents the selected meal menu.

[0003] Patent Document 2 discloses an order receiving device for a restaurant that is installed in a restaurant and that supports customer service operations by inputting menu order information, etc. The order receiving device for a restaurant in Patent Document 2 includes a means for displaying on a display device an order input screen on which menu order information can be input. Menu order information is input on the order input screen for each seat set at a table. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2004-310205 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2008-299821 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Further improvements are required in the above-mentioned conventional techniques. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An information providing method according to one aspect of the present disclosure is an information providing method in an information management system that communicates with a first server that manages allergy information of a user in correspondence with identification information for identifying the user, and includes a second server that stores menu information indicating one or more dishes corresponding to a restaurant, the information providing method comprising the steps of: obtaining a request for an individual menu for the user from an information terminal of the user via a network; obtaining the identification information stored in the information terminal from the information terminal via the network; obtaining the user's allergy information from the first server via the network using the identification information; the allergy information including the amount of an allergic reaction of the user to each ingredient; generating an individual menu for the user corresponding to the allergy information based on the menu information and the allergy information; the menu information including information indicating one or more ingredients contained in each dish and the amount of each ingredient; generating the individual menu by identifying ingredients whose allergy reaction amount is equal to or greater than a reference value as ingredients that cause allergies from the menu information; and the individual menu including dishes in which the amount of the ingredients that cause allergies has been reduced in each of the dishes included in the menu information; transmitting the individual menu to the information terminal; and selecting a dish on the information terminal based on the individual menu. Effect of the Invention

[0007] The above aspect allows further improvement to be achieved. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a typical food ordering system. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an overall image of an information infrastructure of an information processing system according to the present disclosure. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an overall view of the information processing system according to the present embodiment in more detail. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a specific configuration of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5]FIG. 1 shows the layout of a store with a restaurant. [Figure 6A] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of QR code (registered trademark, the same applies below) placement on seats. [Figure 6B] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of how QR codes are placed on seats. [Figure 6C] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of how QR codes are placed on seats. [Figure 6D] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of how QR codes are placed on seats. [Figure 7] 13 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen displayed on the information terminal when a user causes the information terminal to read a QR code. FIG. [Figure 8] 13 is a diagram showing an operation screen displayed on the information terminal immediately after the QR code reader reads the QR code. FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen including a standard menu. [Figure 10] 13 is a diagram showing a scene in which a user operates the operation screen to order food from a standard menu. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen displayed when a dish to be ordered from a standard menu is finally determined. [Figure 12] 13 is a diagram showing an example of an authentication screen displayed on an information terminal immediately after a user ordering food launches a matching app. FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing another example of the authentication screen. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a home screen displayed immediately after user authentication by the matching app is completed. [Figure 15] 11 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen displayed on an information terminal when a user who has launched a matching app causes the information terminal to read a QR code corresponding to the user's own seat. FIG. [Figure 16] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen displayed on the information terminal when the matching application is generating an individual menu. [Figure 17] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen including an individual menu. [Figure 18] 13 is a diagram showing a scene in which a user operates the operation screen to order food from an individual menu. FIG. [Figure 19] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen displayed when a dish to be ordered from an individual menu is finally determined. [Figure 20] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an order history screen that is displayed when a user checks his or her order history. [Figure 21] 13 is a diagram showing an example of a data configuration of the latest allergy information of a user returned from the first server to the matching application. FIG. [Figure 22] 13 is a diagram showing an example of a data configuration of ingredient information constituting menu information returned from the second server. FIG. [Figure 23] 13 is a diagram showing another example of the data structure of ingredient information constituting the menu information returned from the second server. FIG. [Figure 24] FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram showing an example of an overall image of processing of the information processing system according to the present embodiment. [Diagram 25] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a process of the information terminal when a dish is ordered from a standard menu. [Figure 26] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a process of the information terminal when a dish is ordered from an individual menu. [Figure 27] 27 is a flowchart showing details of the process in step S1 of FIG. 26. [Figure 28] 27 is a flowchart showing details of the process in step S2 of FIG. 26. [Figure 29] 27 is a flowchart showing details of the process in step S3 of FIG. 26. [Diagram 30] 27 is a flowchart showing details of the process in step S4 of FIG. 26. [Diagram 31] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a specific implementation form of the information processing system according to the present embodiment. [Diagram 32] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of processing of the matching application on a file from when the matching application is launched until when an individual menu is displayed. [Diagram 33] FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing an example of processing of the information processing system in the second embodiment. [Diagram 34] FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing an example of processing of the information processing system in the second embodiment. [Diagram 35] FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing an example of processing of the information processing system in the second embodiment. [Diagram 36] FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing an example of processing of an information processing system in the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] (Background to this disclosure) In Patent Documents 1 and 2, when a restaurant serves a customer with allergies a dish that contains reduced allergens, the technology for providing an individual menu for the customer taking into consideration the level of the customer's allergic reaction has not been fully considered. Furthermore, there has been no sufficient consideration of an information management system for realizing services that utilize personal information, while protecting such personal information, such as the level of the allergic reaction.

[0010] Means for Solving the Problems The present inventors conducted extensive research to solve at least one of the above problems and discovered the following control method.

[0011] An information providing method according to one aspect of the present disclosure is an information providing method in an information management system that communicates with a first server that manages allergy information of a user in correspondence with identification information for identifying the user, and includes a second server that stores menu information indicating one or more dishes corresponding to a restaurant, the information providing method comprising the steps of: obtaining a request for an individual menu for the user from an information terminal of the user via a network; obtaining the identification information stored in the information terminal from the information terminal via the network; obtaining the user's allergy information from the first server via the network using the identification information; the allergy information including the amount of an allergic reaction of the user to each ingredient; generating an individual menu for the user corresponding to the allergy information based on the menu information and the allergy information; the menu information including information indicating one or more ingredients contained in each dish and the amount of each ingredient; generating the individual menu by identifying ingredients whose allergy reaction amount is equal to or greater than a reference value as ingredients that cause allergies from the menu information; and the individual menu including dishes in which the amount of the ingredients that cause allergies has been reduced in each of the dishes included in the menu information; transmitting the individual menu to the information terminal; and selecting a dish on the information terminal based on the individual menu.

[0012] According to the above embodiment, ingredients that cause the user's allergic reaction to each ingredient are identified as ingredients that cause allergies and are greater than or equal to a reference value, and an individual menu is generated that includes dishes that reduce the amount of the identified ingredients. Therefore, it is possible to accurately identify ingredients that cause allergies and then present dishes that are suitable for the allergy to the user. This makes it possible to prevent serious adverse effects on the user's health.

[0013] In the above information providing method, when obtaining a request for an individual menu from the user, a seat ID indicating the user's seat may be obtained from the user's information terminal, and the seat ID may be obtained via an operation screen displayed on the display of the information terminal.

[0014] According to the above aspect, when a request for an individual menu is obtained, an operation screen is displayed on the display of the information terminal of the user, and a seat ID indicating the seat of the user is obtained via this operation screen.

[0015] This makes it possible to associate the food selected by the user from the individual menu with the user's seat during the series of steps of ordering food. The seat ID may be obtained by reading, via the operation screen, an identification code provided at the corresponding position of the table where the user is seated, or by the user manually inputting information corresponding to the seat ID according to instructions displayed on the operation screen.

[0016] In the above information providing method, reducing the amount of the ingredient may include reducing the amount of the ingredient to zero.

[0017] According to this aspect, the individual menu includes dishes that contain no ingredients that cause allergies, thereby preventing serious adverse effects on the user's health.

[0018] In another aspect of the present disclosure, an information providing method is an information providing method in an information management system that communicates with a first server that manages allergy information of a user in correspondence with identification information for identifying the user, and includes a second server that stores menu information indicating one or more dishes corresponding to a restaurant, the method comprising the steps of: obtaining a request for an individual menu for the user from an information terminal of the user via a network; obtaining the identification information stored in the information terminal from the information terminal via the network; obtaining the allergy information of the user from the first server via the network, the allergy information including the amount of an allergic reaction of the user to each ingredient; generating an individual menu for the user corresponding to the allergy information based on the menu information and the allergy information, the menu information including information indicating one or more ingredients contained in each dish and the amount of each ingredient; in generating the individual menu, ingredients whose allergy reaction amount is equal to or greater than a reference value are identified from the menu information as ingredients that cause allergies; generating the individual menu by excluding dishes that contain ingredients that cause the allergy from among the dishes included in the menu information; transmitting the individual menu to the information terminal; and selecting a dish on the information terminal based on the individual menu.

[0019] According to this aspect, ingredients that cause the user to have an allergic reaction to more than a reference value are identified as ingredients that cause allergies, and an individual menu is generated that includes dishes that exclude the identified ingredients. Therefore, it is possible to accurately identify ingredients that cause allergies and then present the user with dishes that are suitable for the allergy.

[0020] In the above information providing method, when obtaining a request for an individual menu from the user, a seat ID indicating the user's seat may be obtained from the user's information terminal, and the seat ID may be obtained via an operation screen displayed on the display of the information terminal.

[0021] According to this embodiment, when a request for an individual menu is obtained, an operation screen is displayed on the display of the information terminal of the user, and a seat ID indicating the seat of the user is obtained via this operation screen.

[0022] This makes it possible to associate the food selected by the user from the individual menu with the user's seat during the series of steps of ordering food. The seat ID may be obtained by reading, via the operation screen, an identification code provided at the corresponding position of the table where the user is seated, or by the user manually inputting information corresponding to the seat ID according to instructions displayed on the operation screen.

[0023] In the above information providing method, the identification information may include a user ID.

[0024] According to this aspect, since the identification information includes a user ID, it is possible to obtain allergy information corresponding to the user.

[0025] In the above information providing method, the first server may be different from the second server.

[0026] In this embodiment, the first server is configured as a server different from the second server, which can eliminate the need for the second server to manage allergy information, which is sensitive information of the user.

[0027] In the above information providing method, the seat ID may be acquired by reading, via the operation screen, an identification code provided at a position corresponding to the table where the user is seated.

[0028] According to this embodiment, the seat ID is obtained by reading an identification code prepared at a position corresponding to the table where the user is seated. This allows the seat ID to be obtained automatically without the user having to manually input it. This allows the association between the food selected by the user from the individual menu and the user's seat to be performed automatically without human intervention during the series of processes in which the user orders food. Therefore, for example, even if multiple users sit at the same table and each user orders food, it is possible to prevent food that is not suitable for the allergies ordered by other users sitting at the same table from being delivered to the seat of a user with an allergy to ingredients. As a result, a user with an allergy to ingredients can eat the ordered food without worrying about serious adverse effects on his / her health, and can easily order food.

[0029] In the above information providing method, the identification code may include a QR code.

[0030] According to this aspect, since the identification code is a QR code, this information can be obtained without the user having to manually input it.

[0031] In the above information providing method, the first server may distribute and manage biometric information including the allergy information, preference information including the user's item purchasing history information or food ordering history information, and behavioral history information including the user's location information.

[0032] According to this aspect, the first server is configured to distribute and manage the ecological information including allergy information, the preference information including purchase history information or food order history information, and the behavior history information, so that the user's personal information including allergy information can be acquired at any time. As a result, this aspect makes it possible to maintain the freshness of the allergy information stored in the first server, thereby preventing individual menus from being created based on past allergy information.

[0033] In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, an information providing method is an information providing system including a first server that manages allergy information of a user in association with identification information for identifying the user, the information providing method being in an information management system that communicates with a second server that stores menu information indicating one or more dishes corresponding to a restaurant, the information providing method including: outputting a request for the menu information to the second server based on a request for an individual menu of the user obtained from an information terminal of the user via a network; obtaining the identification information stored in the information terminal from the information terminal via the network; obtaining the menu information from the second server; generating an individual menu for the user corresponding to the allergy information based on the menu information and the allergy information of the user corresponding to the identification information, the menu information including information indicating one or more ingredients contained in each dish and the amount of each ingredient, the allergy information including the amount of an allergic reaction of the user to each ingredient; in generating the individual menu, identifying ingredients whose amount of an allergic reaction is equal to or greater than a reference value as ingredients that cause allergies from the menu information;

[0034] According to this embodiment, ingredients that cause the user's allergic reaction to more than a reference value are identified as ingredients that cause allergies, and an individual menu is generated that includes dishes with reduced amounts of the identified ingredients. Therefore, it is possible to accurately identify ingredients that cause allergies and present dishes that are suitable for the allergy to the user. This prevents serious adverse effects on the user's health. Furthermore, in this embodiment, allergy information is not transmitted to the second server, so it is possible to prevent the allergy information from being leaked to the restaurant.

[0035] In the above information providing method, when obtaining a request for an individual menu from the user, a seat ID indicating the user's seat may be obtained from the user's information terminal, and the seat ID may be obtained via an operation screen displayed on the display of the information terminal.

[0036] According to this embodiment, when a request for an individual menu is obtained, an operation screen is displayed on the display of the information terminal of the user, and a seat ID indicating the seat of the user is obtained via this operation screen.

[0037] This makes it possible to associate the food selected by the user from the individual menu with the user's seat during the series of steps of ordering food. The seat ID may be obtained by reading, via the operation screen, an identification code provided at the corresponding position of the table where the user is seated, or by the user manually inputting information corresponding to the seat ID according to instructions displayed on the operation screen.

[0038] In the above information providing method, reducing the amount of the ingredient may include reducing the amount of the ingredient to zero.

[0039] According to this aspect, the individual menu includes dishes that contain no ingredients that cause allergies, which can prevent serious adverse effects on the user's health.

[0040] According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an information providing method in an information management system including a first server that manages allergy information of a user in association with identification information that identifies the user, and that communicates with a second server that stores menu information indicating one or more dishes corresponding to a restaurant, the information providing method including: outputting a request for the menu information to the second server based on a request for an individual menu of the user acquired from an information terminal of the user via a network; acquiring the identification information stored in the information terminal from the information terminal via the network; acquiring the menu information from the second server; and Based on the user's allergy information, an individual menu for the user corresponding to the allergy information is generated, the menu information including information indicating one or more ingredients contained in each dish and the amount of each ingredient, and the allergy information including the user's level of allergic reaction to each ingredient. In generating the individual menu, ingredients from the menu information for which the level of allergic reaction is equal to or exceeds a standard value are identified as ingredients that cause allergies, and the individual menu is generated by excluding dishes included in the menu information that contain ingredients that cause the allergy. The individual menu is transmitted to the information terminal, and dishes are selected on the information terminal based on the individual menu.

[0041] According to the above embodiment, ingredients that cause the user's allergic reaction to each ingredient are identified as ingredients that cause allergies at or above a reference value, and an individual menu is generated that excludes dishes that contain the identified ingredients that cause allergies. Therefore, it is possible to accurately identify ingredients that cause allergies and then present dishes that are suitable for the allergy to the user. This makes it possible to prevent serious adverse effects on the user's health. Furthermore, in this embodiment, allergy information is not transmitted to the second server, so that leakage of allergy information to the restaurant is prevented.

[0042] In the above information providing method, when obtaining a request for an individual menu from the user, a seat ID indicating the user's seat may be obtained from the user's information terminal, and the seat ID may be obtained via an operation screen displayed on the display of the information terminal.

[0043] According to the above aspect, when a request for an individual menu is obtained, an operation screen is displayed on the display of the information terminal of the user, and a seat ID indicating the seat of the user is obtained via this operation screen.

[0044] This makes it possible to associate the food selected by the user from the individual menu with the user's seat during the series of steps of ordering food. The seat ID may be obtained by reading, via the operation screen, an identification code provided at the corresponding position of the table where the user is seated, or by the user manually inputting information corresponding to the seat ID according to instructions displayed on the operation screen.

[0045] In the above information providing method, the identification information may include a user ID.

[0046] According to this aspect, since the identification information includes a user ID, it is possible to obtain allergy information corresponding to the user.

[0047] In the above information providing method, the first server may be different from the second server.

[0048] The first server stores sensitive information about the user, such as the user's allergy information. It is not preferable that such sensitive information is provided outside the first server without the user's permission. In this embodiment, the first server is configured as a server different from the second server. Therefore, the restaurant side is prevented from leaking the user's sensitive information outside the first server.

[0049] In the above information providing method, the seat ID may be acquired by reading, via the operation screen, an identification code provided at a position corresponding to the table where the user is seated.

[0050] According to this embodiment, the seat ID is obtained by reading an identification code prepared at a position corresponding to the table where the user is seated. This allows the seat ID to be obtained automatically without the user having to manually input it. This allows the association between the food selected by the user from the individual menu and the user's seat to be performed automatically without human intervention during the series of processes in which the user orders food. Therefore, for example, even if multiple users sit at the same table and each user orders food, it is possible to prevent food that is not suitable for the allergies ordered by other users sitting at the same table from being delivered to the seat of a user with an allergy to ingredients. As a result, a user with an allergy to ingredients can eat the ordered food without worrying about serious adverse effects on his / her health, and can easily order food.

[0051] The identification code may include a QR code.

[0052] According to this aspect, since the identification code is a QR code, this information can be obtained without the user having to manually input it.

[0053] The first server may manage, in a distributed manner, biological information including the allergy information, preference information including product purchase history information or food order history information of the user, and behavior history information including location information of the user.

[0054] According to this aspect, the first server is configured to distribute and manage the ecological information including allergy information, the preference information including purchase history information or food order history information, and the behavior history information, so that the user's personal information including allergy information can be acquired at any time. As a result, this aspect makes it possible to maintain the freshness of the allergy information stored in the first server, thereby preventing individual menus from being created based on past allergy information.

[0055] The present disclosure can also be realized as a program that causes a computer to execute each of the characteristic configurations included in such an information providing method, or as a server operated by this program. Furthermore, it goes without saying that such a computer program can be distributed on a computer-readable non-transitory recording medium such as a CD-ROM or via a communication network such as the Internet.

[0056] (Embodiment 1) It is expected that the Internet will continue to become more widespread in our society, and various sensors will become more ubiquitous. As a result, it is expected that information on individuals' conditions and activities, as well as information on entire cities, including buildings and transportation networks, will be digitized and made available on computer systems. Digitized data on individuals (personal information) will be stored in the cloud via communication networks, managed as big data in information banks, and used for various purposes for individuals.

[0057] In Japan, this kind of advanced information society is called Society 5.0, a society that is expected to achieve economic development and resolve social issues through an information infrastructure (cyber-physical system) that highly integrates real space (physical space) and virtual space (cyberspace).

[0058] In such an advanced information society, when individuals make decisions in various everyday situations, big data containing accumulated personal information will be analyzed, allowing each individual to know the option that is likely to be best for them given the situation at the time.

[0059] In what follows, we will explain how economic efficiency and personal optimization (personalization) can be achieved in an advanced information society in which such cyber-physical systems are in operation, focusing on the theme of individual meals.

[0060] One example of a personalized food ordering system would be one in which menu information is sent from a restaurant's store terminal to an individual's information terminal, and a menu consisting of dishes that do not contain ingredients that are allergens to the user is presented as a recommended menu on the mobile terminal. First, we will explain a typical food ordering system that is expected to be built in a society before the above-mentioned highly information-oriented society was proposed.

[0061] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a general food ordering system. The ordering system includes a store terminal 1100 and a mobile terminal 1200. The store terminal 1100 and the mobile terminal 1200 are installed in a restaurant 1000. The store terminal 1100 is a computer that transmits menu information. The store terminal 1100 includes a communication unit for communicating with external devices, a calculation unit for performing calculation processing, a memory for storing data, and a UI unit for displaying and operating information. The memory stores menu information 1101. The menu information 1101 includes information about dishes provided by the restaurant. Specifically, the menu information 1101 includes the name of the dish, the ingredients used in the dish, and the price of the dish. In the example of FIG. 1, the menu information 1101 includes four dishes: beef hamburger, seafood pasta, beef curry, and spinach gratin.

[0062] The mobile terminal 1200 is a mobile terminal such as a smartphone owned by a user who visits the store 1000. The mobile terminal 1200 includes a communication unit for communicating with external devices, a calculation unit for performing calculation processing, a memory for storing data, and a UI unit for displaying and operating information. The memory stores allergy information, meal history information, and the like of the user who owns the mobile terminal 1200.

[0063] When a user enters the store 1000, the store terminal 1100 and the mobile terminal 1200 start communication automatically or manually. After starting communication, the mobile terminal 1200 acquires menu information 1101 from the store terminal 1100. Having acquired the menu information 1101, the mobile terminal 1200 compares the menu information with allergy information stored in memory and extracts dishes that do not contain the user's allergens. The mobile terminal 1200 generates a recommended menu 1211 based on the extracted dishes and displays it on the UI section. In the example of FIG. 1, since the user's allergy substance is beef, seafood pasta and spinach gratin, which are dishes that do not contain beef, are displayed as the recommended menu 1211.

[0064] According to the above configuration, the user can select a dish that does not contain his / her allergen from the displayed recommendation menu.

[0065] In Society 5.0, personal information such as allergy information will be anonymized and centrally managed on the servers of companies that manage personal information, known as information banks, to prevent third parties from identifying individuals. This personal information will be updated as needed under the management of the information banks, without relying on manual input by end users.

[0066] However, in the ordering system shown in FIG. 1, allergy information is managed by the mobile terminal 1200, not by the server. Therefore, in the ordering system shown in FIG. 1, it is not easy to update allergy information. For example, to update allergy information, the user is required to manually input the allergy information into the mobile terminal 1200, which is troublesome for the user. Furthermore, since the allergy information is not concealed, there is a possibility that the allergy information may be leaked to the store terminal 1100. Therefore, further improvement is required to make the ordering system shown in FIG. 1 compatible with the advanced information society advocated by Society 5.0. Therefore, in this embodiment, an information processing system based on Society 5.0 is proposed. Hereinafter, an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0067] Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an overall picture of the information infrastructure of the information processing system of the present disclosure. The information processing system of Fig. 2 is a system configured based on Society 5.0, and is a system that uses personal information to suggest products or services suitable for a user who is a consumer, and provides a selection support service that supports the user in selecting a product or service. In this embodiment, the main focus is on a service that supports ordering food as the selection support service, but before explaining this service, an overall picture of the information infrastructure for realizing this embodiment will be explained using Fig. 2. This information processing system is roughly composed of three equipment groups.

[0068] The first device group is a device group including an information terminal 100 such as a smartphone owned by a user. A matching application is installed in the information terminal 100. The matching application (hereinafter referred to as a matching app) is an application for selecting or recommending a product or service suitable for a user using the user's personal information. The personal information referred to here broadly includes public or private information about an individual. For example, the personal information includes at least one of name, date of birth, address, annual income, movable property / real estate information owned, physical information such as height / weight, genetic information, allergy information, medical information such as medical history / diagnostic chart, activity amount information such as number of steps / calories burned, diet history information, vital sign information such as heart rate / blood pressure, purchase information via a store / EC site, word information searched by a web search engine / AI speaker, text / video / audio information sent and received by email / SNS, and movement history information. The information terminal 100 can be connected to the Internet via a mobile base station 400 by a mobile communication network called 4G or 5G, for example.

[0069] The second device group is a device group including the first server 200. The first server 200 is a personal information server that distributes the user's personal information to multiple locations and further encrypts and stores the distributed personal information. For example, the first server 200 manages the personal information by fragmenting, encrypting, and storing the user's personal information in multiple storage devices on the cloud. This ensures high security and prevents leakage of personal information. Furthermore, the first server 200 has a function of returning necessary data in response to an inquiry from a third party according to the user's permission. Furthermore, the first server 200 has a function of securely sharing the personal information authorized by the user with a business authorized by the user. That is, the first server 200 has a function as an information bank. In this case, the first server 200 distributes and records one piece of data in multiple storage devices. An example of one piece of data is one file in which personal information is recorded.

[0070] In this embodiment, the first server 200 allows a specific business entity to share specific personal information based on the user's permission. Furthermore, the first server 200 has a function for providing a selection support service described below.

[0071] The above-mentioned matching app is developed and / or distributed by, for example, an operating company of the first server 200. This operating company evaluates the degree of suitability of the user for a product or service that the user may use by using the user's personal information. The operating company of the first server 200, the developer of the matching app, and the distributor of the matching app may be the same or different. The information processing system shown in FIG. 2 realizes the selection support service using the above-mentioned matching app, but this is one example. For example, the selection support service may be realized using an app other than the matching app or a general browser. In order to handle the user's personal information securely, it is preferable to provide the selection support service by a dedicated app such as a matching app. However, this is one example, and the selection support service may be provided by a means other than the matching app when handling personal information with low security importance such as publicly available personal information, or when a function for ensuring security is provided.

[0072] The matching app handles personal information only within the information terminal 100. For example, the matching app presents to the user products or services that are considered to be most suitable for the user under any conditions such as time, place, and situation. For example, the matching app provides an intermediary function in economic activities such as user purchases.

[0073] A matching app is an app that openly releases recommendation functions that were previously siloed for each service provider. For example, a certain service provider that is well-known in the electronic commerce market, such as an EC site, will be described. A large number of products are posted on the site of the service provider. When a specific product is searched for or purchased, other products that are highly related to the product (e.g., products that are often purchased together) are recommended to the user. Such a recommendation function for purchases is only effective within the EC site of the service provider. Therefore, the recommendation function has no effect when purchasing products on EC sites operated by other service providers, when ordering meals at a restaurant, or when planning a family vacation.

[0074] It is expected that in the future, personal information will be collected in information banks, and a system will be established where anyone can access huge amounts of accurate, diverse, and long-term personal information under certain conditions. In this case, it will be possible to estimate the suitability of not only the products of a particular service provider, but all products or services, using the search or purchase history on the EC site of a particular service provider and the personal information of various users. This will make it possible to recommend products or services that are more valuable to the user from among various options.

[0075] The first server 200 assumed in this embodiment is a general-purpose storage device provided on a cloud that decentralizes, encrypts, and manages personal information in order to realize the above-mentioned ideas or functions.

[0076] The third device group is a device group including a second server 300 in which each business manages data specific to each business. In FIG. 2, three companies, business X, business Y, and business Z, each own or rent a second server 300, and manage and / or provide information about their products and / or services. Businesses are not limited to food service businesses described in detail in this disclosure. For example, a business may be a take-out food business that can provide take-out cooked food, such as a lunch box shop or a fast food restaurant. Furthermore, a business may be a business for home cooking, such as a supermarket. Furthermore, a business may be a business that provides products and / or services to automobile manufacturers, real estate companies, hospitals, schools, cram schools for study or sports, law firms, and general consumers.

[0077] One of the advantages of the information processing system of this embodiment is that personal information is not handed over to business operators. It is assumed that information banks will allow specific business operators to share personal information with individuals based on their consent.

[0078] However, it is very troublesome to make users decide how to manage their data individually. Even if there is a trustee that defines a data management policy, users may feel uneasy because they cannot know which data has been given to whom.

[0079] Therefore, in this embodiment, the business operator of the first server 200 is prohibited or restricted from using the stored personal information, for example, from decrypting and interpreting the encryption, unless the user gives permission.

[0080] Furthermore, if information banks or information intermediaries that provide personal information management and matching apps under strict privacy operating policies have entered the market, users may enter into a contract with the information bank or information intermediary to receive the services, which will make it possible to prevent personal information from being passed on to other businesses.

[0081] The information processing system of this embodiment is one form of an operation system for the next-generation information society that reduces the possibility that personal information, including sensitive information, will be known to a third party other than the person in question, and can utilize a huge amount of ever-changing personal information for matching with various services. Hereinafter, the information processing system will be described under this assumption.

[0082] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an overall picture of the information processing system of this embodiment in more detail. The information processing system shown in Fig. 3 is a system that matches menu information viewed by a user to order food when eating out with the user's personal information and presents the most suitable menu for the user. The information processing system shown in Fig. 3 further includes a biosensor 600 and a public information server 500 in addition to the information processing system shown in Fig. 2.

[0083] The service providing businesses are assumed to be Restaurant A, Restaurant B, and Restaurant C, which are companies in the food service industry. Restaurants A, B, and C are each separate companies. The information processing system shown in FIG. 3 includes a second server 300 operated by Restaurant A, a second server 300 operated by Restaurant B, and a second server 300 operated by Restaurant C. Menu information for each restaurant and information regarding each store are managed by these second servers 300. Second server 300 is configured, for example, as a cloud server.

[0084] The public information server 500 manages public information different from information about restaurants and personal information. The public information server 500 is connected to the Internet. For example, the public information includes weather information and traffic information. This information is used appropriately if necessary in matching.

[0085] The biosensor 600 is a biosensor such as a smart watch. The biosensor 600 is worn by a user who owns the information terminal 100. The biosensor 600 continuously measures vital sign information of the user. Various vital sign information measured by the biosensor 600 is transmitted from the biosensor 600 to the information terminal 100 by short-range communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark). The vital sign information is stored and / or managed by a sensor application installed in the information terminal 100. The sensor application uploads the collected vital sign information and time information indicating the measurement time of the vital sign information to the first server 200 according to the user account information. This allows vital sign information to be accumulated.

[0086] The sensor application may grant the matching application or the OS (Operating System) of the information terminal 100 the right to access the stored and / or managed data. In this case, the vital sign information is uploaded to the first server 200 via the matching app or the OS. The sensor app may store the vital sign information in the memory of the information terminal 100, or may store the vital sign information by uploading it to the first server 200.

[0087] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a specific configuration of the information processing system according to the present embodiment. The information processing system shown in Fig. 4 includes the information terminal 100, the first server 200, and the second server 300 described in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3. For convenience of explanation, the mobile base station 400 and the biosensor 600 are omitted from Fig. 4. The information terminal 100, the first server 200, and the second server 300 are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other via a network NT. The network NT is a wide area communication network including a mobile phone communication network and the Internet.

[0088] The information terminal 100 is configured as a portable information processing device such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal. In this embodiment, the information terminal 100 is carried by a user who orders food at a restaurant. The information terminal 100 includes a communication unit 101, a memory 102, a camera 103, a calculation unit 104, a display 105, and an operation unit 106.

[0089] The communication unit 101 is composed of a communication circuit that connects the information terminal 100 to the network NT. The communication unit 101 receives menu information, described later, transmitted from the second server 300, and stores it in the memory 102. The calculation unit 104 reads out the menu information stored in the memory 102 and performs a process. The communication unit 101 also receives allergy information, described later, transmitted from the first server 200, and stores it in the memory 102. The calculation unit 104 also reads out the allergy information stored in the memory 102 and performs a process. In this way, the calculation unit 104 acquires the allergy information and the menu information. Furthermore, under the control of the calculation unit 104, the communication unit 101 transmits ordered dish information, described later, and a seat ID, described later, in association with each other, to the second server 300.

[0090] The memory 102 is configured from a non-volatile storage device such as a flash memory. Memory 102 stores information 2700 including allergy information as exemplified in FIG. 21, and ingredient information 2800 as exemplified in FIG. 22 and FIG. 23. One piece of ingredient information 2800 corresponds to one dish and is information regarding ingredients used in the dish. Menu information is made up of one or more pieces of ingredient information 2800. Details of information 2700 and ingredient information 2800 will be described later. Furthermore, memory 102 stores identification information for identifying a user. The identification information includes a user ID (Identifier). The user ID is an identifier for the user.

[0091] The camera 103 is an imaging device configured with a CMOS sensor etc. The camera 103 is used to capture an image of a QR code attached to a seat in a restaurant.

[0092] The calculation unit 104 is configured with a processor such as a CPU, etc. The calculation unit 104 executes the OS of the information terminal 100, the above-mentioned matching application, a QR code reader, a browser, and the like.

[0093] The calculation unit 104 acquires a restaurant ID and a seat ID indicating a seat via a first operation screen displayed on the display 105. The first operation screen is an operation screen for reading a QR code provided by a matching app, as shown in FIG. 15. The restaurant ID is an identifier of the restaurant. If a restaurant has multiple stores, the restaurant ID may include a restaurant identifier and a store identifier. The seat ID is an identifier of a seat arranged in the store. The calculation unit 104 acquires the restaurant ID and the seat ID by analyzing the QR code captured by the camera 103 when the user inputs a capture command to the operation unit 106.

[0094] The calculation unit 104 acquires menu information indicating one or more dishes provided by the restaurant from the second server 300 of the restaurant corresponding to the restaurant ID via the network NT, and stores the menu information in the memory 102. For example, if the restaurant ID includes an identifier of Restaurant A, the menu information is acquired from the second server 300 of Restaurant A.

[0095] The calculation unit 104 transmits the identification information stored in the memory 102 to the first server 200, and acquires the allergy information of the user from the first server 200 based on the identification information, and stores it in the memory 102.

[0096] The calculation unit 104 generates an individual menu for the user that corresponds to the allergy information based on the acquired menu information and the acquired allergy information. The individual menu includes dishes that have been generated by reducing ingredients that cause allergies as indicated by the allergy information in each dish included in the menu information acquired by the calculation unit 104. Here, "reducing ingredients" includes reducing ingredients that cause allergies to zero. As a result, the individual menu includes only dishes that correspond to the allergy. Alternatively, the individual menu may be generated by omitting dishes that contain ingredients that cause allergies as indicated by the allergy information from among the dishes included in the menu information.

[0097] The calculation unit 104 displays the individual menu via a second operation screen displayed on the display 105. The second operation screen is an operation screen for the restaurant to receive a food order from the user, as shown in Fig. 18, and is provided via the matching app based on the design specified by the restaurant. The user inputs an operation to select a desired dish from the individual menu displayed on this second operation screen, and orders the dish.

[0098] The calculation unit 104 associates the ordered dish information indicating the dish selected from the individual menu with the seat ID and transmits them to the second server 300 via the communication unit 101. The ordered dish information and seat ID transmitted to the second server 300 are displayed on a display installed in the restaurant corresponding to the second server 300, which is the transmission destination. An employee of this restaurant cooks the dish ordered by the user according to the displayed information and delivers it to the user's seat. This allows the user to eat the ordered dish.

[0099] The display 105 is configured with, for example, a liquid crystal display panel or an organic EL panel, and displays various images. For example, the display 105 displays the above-mentioned first operation screen and second operation screen.

[0100] The operation unit 106 is configured with an input device such as a touch panel, etc. The operation unit 106 receives an instruction from the user to select a desired dish from the individual menu.

[0101] The configuration of the information terminal 100 has been described above.

[0102] Next, the configuration of the first server 200 will be described. The first server 200 includes a communication unit 201, a calculation unit 202, and a memory 203. The communication unit 201 is composed of a communication circuit for connecting the first server 200 to the network NT. The communication unit 201 transmits allergy information to the information terminal 100 in response to a request from the information terminal 100. The calculation unit 202 is composed of a processor such as a CPU. The calculation unit 202 processes personal information of the user stored in the memory 203.

[0103] For example, it is assumed that the communication unit 201 of the calculation unit 202 receives a signal requesting acquisition of personal information about an authorized user. The authorized user is a user who is directly permitted to read out the personal information stored in the first server 200 requested by the information terminal 100 or the second server 300, or a user who is indirectly permitted via a trusted third party. In this case, the calculation unit 202 reads out the personal information of the authorized user stored in the memory 203 in response to a request from the information terminal 100 or the second server 300, and returns it to the communication unit 201. The personal information to be read out may be the entire managed personal information, or may be only information related to the requested specific item (only a part of the personal information) from the managed personal information.

[0104] The memory 203 is composed of multiple non-volatile storage devices such as hard disk drives. The memory 203 stores personal information of one or more users. The personal information includes allergy information of each user. The personal information is distributed and encrypted and then stored in the multiple storage devices. The personal information stored in the memory 203 may include biometric information, purchase history information, preference information, and behavioral history information. The biometric information is information related to the biometrics of each user, such as heart rate. The biometric information includes the above-mentioned allergy information. The purchase history information is information indicating the purchase history of each user's products (goods) or services. The preference information is information indicating the preferences of each user. The preference information includes order history information indicating the food ordering history of each user. The behavior history information is information indicating the behavior history of each user. The behavior history information is composed of time-series data in which the location information of the user is associated with time information.

[0105] Next, the configuration of the second server 300 will be described. One or more second servers 300 exist corresponding to each restaurant company. The second server 300 includes a communication unit 301, a calculation unit 302, and a memory 303. The communication unit 301 is composed of a communication circuit for connecting the second server 300 to the network NT. The communication unit 301 transmits menu information to the information terminal 100 in response to a request from the information terminal 100. The calculation unit 302 is composed of a processor such as a CPU. The calculation unit 302 processes the menu information stored in the memory 303. The memory 303 is composed of a non-volatile storage device such as a hard disk drive. The memory 303 stores the menu information.

[0106] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing the layout of a store with a restaurant. In the example of Fig. 5, the layout of store 40 of Restaurant A is shown. Four tables 410 are set up in store 40. Each table 410 has four chairs 411, 412, 413, and 414 set up.

[0107] When two or more users are seated at one table 410, some of these users may have food allergies. In this case, it is necessary to prevent the food ordered by each user from being served to another user by mistake. This is because food allergies pose a risk of causing serious symptoms, such as anaphylactic shock, that may affect life activities.

[0108] To avoid such mistakes, an appropriate mechanism is needed to match users with the food they have ordered. However, currently there are only limited solutions to avoid such mistakes. In particular, there are no solutions that are applicable to general restaurant establishments such as the one shown in Figure 3. Currently, such matching is attempted in small stores that have counters where each seat is numbered, but this matching is done manually using order slips or order input terminals, and is therefore insufficient to eliminate mistakes in serving food.

[0109] This embodiment provides a mechanism for more reliably associating and managing a user with a dish ordered by the user. A specific example for realizing this mechanism will be described below. In this embodiment, a QR code is placed on each seat of the store 40. FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C, and 6D are diagrams showing examples of placing a QR code 601 on a seat. In the example of FIG. 6A, the QR code 601 is placed on the upper surface of the backrest of each chair in the store. As described above, the QR code 601 includes the restaurant ID and the seat ID of each seat. Here, a QR code is used, but this is only one example, and any information such as a barcode may be used as long as it is information that allows the restaurant ID and seat ID to be identified.

[0110] In the example of Fig. 6B, the QR code 601 is placed on the side of the seat of each chair. By placing the QR code 601 on the side of the seat, the user can easily operate the QR code 601 to read it.

[0111] In the example of Figure 6C, the QR codes 601 are placed on the side of the table (e.g., the side facing the chairs) rather than on the chairs. In this example, the table seats four people, so there are four QR codes 601 placed on the side of the table, one for each seat.

[0112] In the example of Fig. 6D, the QR code 601 is placed on the top surface of the table top. In this example, the table is for four people, so four QR codes 601 corresponding to each seat are placed on the top surface of the table top. By placing the QR code 601 on the top surface of the table top, the presence of the QR code 601 can be easily noticed by the user.

[0113] The QR code prepared for each seat is used by the information terminal 100 of the user who ordered the food to obtain menu information of the restaurant. Below, a detailed explanation will be given of a method for ordering food using the QR code and the information terminal 100. In this embodiment, food is ordered either from a standard menu or from an individual menu.

[0114] (Order from the standard menu) The standard menu is used when a user who does not have or is not concerned about food allergies orders food. The standard menu is a menu that includes common dishes that are served to users at restaurants. The process of ordering food using the standard menu will be described below with reference to various screens displayed on the information terminal 100.

[0115] This order process from the standard menu corresponds to the flowchart in Fig. 25, so in the following explanation, the flowchart in Fig. 25 will be referred to as appropriate. First, the QR code reader is started, and the QR code reader reads the QR code corresponding to the seat where the user is seated. This process corresponds to step S11 in Fig. 25.

[0116] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen G1 displayed on the information terminal 100 when a user has the information terminal 100 read a QR code. The operation screen G1 is displayed in a scene in which a user who has entered a restaurant and sat down has the information terminal 100 read a QR code corresponding to the seat where the user is seated (the user's own seat). The QR code corresponding to the user's seat is arranged in any of the forms shown in FIG. 6A to FIG. 6D. The seated user takes out the information terminal 100 and has the information terminal 100 read the QR code corresponding to the user's seat in order to obtain the standard menu of the restaurant. The QR code is read using a general-purpose QR code reading application called "QR code reader" that is pre-installed in the information terminal 100. FIG. 7 shows the operation screen G1 in which the user is in the middle of focusing the information terminal 100 on the QR code corresponding to the user's own seat. The user adjusts the orientation and position of the information terminal 100 so that the QR code 601 fits within the guide line 701 (dashed square in the figure) of the QR code reader. Near the QR code 601 placed for each seat, there is also information for the user or store staff to identify the seat, such as "seat number 18," and an explanation of the purpose of this QR code 601 (in the figure, "QR code for personal matching"). Therefore, an image showing "seat number 18" and an image showing the "QR code for personal matching" are also displayed on the operation screen G1.

[0117] Next, standard menu information of Restaurant A is obtained from the QR code read by the QR code reader, and a standard menu is generated based on the standard menu information and displayed on the information terminal 100.

[0118] This process corresponds to step S12 in FIG. 25. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen G2 displayed on the information terminal 100 immediately after the QR code reader has read the QR code. This operation screen G2 displays a character string that is the result of the QR code being successfully read by the QR code reader. In this example, the character string "http: / / restaurantA.com / QRorder-18" is obtained as the result of the QR code being read. The operation screen G2 includes a button 801 labeled "Open in Browser" and a button 802 labeled "Send Email". Button 801 is a button that is selected when the user interprets the character string that is the result of the QR code being read as a URL. When button 801 is touched, an Internet browser is started, and the web page indicated by this URL is displayed on the information terminal 100.

[0119] Button 802 is a button that is selected when the user interprets the character string resulting from the reading of the QR code as an email address. When button 802 is touched, an email application is launched. Here, button 801 is touched to view the standard menu.

[0120] When ordering food from this standard menu, there is no need to install a specific application on the information terminal 100; a QR code reader and a browser are sufficient. Therefore, food ordering using the standard menu can be easily performed by many users.

[0121] The browser can identify that the connection destination is Restaurant A from the connection destination information (e.g., the domain name, restaurantA.com portion) included in the character string (e.g., URL) read by the QR code reader. Since the final number of the requested URL is 18, the second server 300 can identify that this request is from the browser of the information terminal 100 that read the QR code of the seat with seat number "18". The character string shown in FIG. 8 does not include the store ID of the store 40, but may explicitly include the store 40 (Store-A). In this case, the character string represented by the QR code is expressed as, for example, "http: / / restaurantA.com / Store-A / QRorder-18". In this way, the browser of the information terminal 100 obtains the connection destination information to be requested.

[0122] 9 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen G3 including a standard menu of restaurant A. This operation screen G3 is displayed when standard menu information is received by information terminal 100. The standard menu includes the dishes included in the standard menu information as is, and does not correspond to the user's allergy information. The standard menu information may be the same information as the menu information used when generating an individual menu, or may be different information.

[0123] On this operation screen G3, a plurality of tile objects 901 are arranged in a matrix. The standard menu is composed of these plurality of tile objects 901. One tile object 901 corresponds to one dish included in the standard menu. Each tile object 901 includes the name, price, and image of the dish. On the operation screen G3, the standard menu scrolls in response to a scroll operation by the user. This allows other dishes that could not be displayed at once on the operation screen G3 to be displayed. In this way, the user can view all the dishes included in the standard menu by scrolling.

[0124] The operation screen G3 is displayed when the browser connects to a URL (for example, http: / / restaurantA.com / QRorder-18) indicated by the character string resulting from reading the QR code, and receives menu information from the second server 300 of Restaurant A.

[0125] For example, the browser of the information terminal 100 connects to the above URL, makes an HTTP request for an HTML file for rendering the standard menu of Restaurant A, receives an HTTP response from the second server 300 of Restaurant A, and renders the operation screen G3 including the standard menu according to the received HTTP response. However, this implementation form is just one example, and rendering of the operation screen G3 may be achieved by other technical means.

[0126] Next, the user selects a dish from the displayed standard menu. This process corresponds to step S13 in FIG.

[0127] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a scene in which a user operates the operation screen G3 to order a dish from the standard menu. As shown in this figure, the user can decide the dish to be ordered by a touch operation using a pointer 1001 such as a finger. For example, when the information terminal 100 detects that the tile object 901A corresponding to the dish "egg" has been touched once, the information terminal 100 changes the color of the tile object 901A from the default first color to a second color indicating that the tile object 901A has been selected. At this time, the information terminal 100 displays "1" indicating the number of "egg" dishes ordered, for example, in the upper right corner of the tile object 901A. In this example, the tile object 901B corresponding to the dish "otoro" has been touched twice by the user. Therefore, the color of the tile object 901B has been changed from the first color to the second color, and "2" indicating the number of dishes ordered is displayed in the upper right corner of the tile object 901B. From the above, it can be seen that one dish of "egg" and two dishes of "otoro" have been selected from the standard menu in this example. Since the user can order food by touching the tile object 901 corresponding to each dish, the user can intuitively and easily order food using familiar operation sensations.

[0128] In this embodiment, the color of tile object 901 is changed when the user selects a dish to order, but this is not limiting. For example, the pattern of tile object 901 may be changed from a first pattern to a second pattern when selected by the user. Alternatively, the color and pattern of tile object 901 may be changed from a first color and pattern to a second color and pattern when selected by the user.

[0129] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen G4 that is displayed when a user finally decides which dishes to order from the standard menu. The operation screen G4 is displayed when the user touches the order button (not shown in FIG. 9) on the operation screen G3 after deciding which dishes to order. The operation screen G4 includes tile objects 901A, 901B corresponding to the dishes selected on the operation screen G3, a total amount field 1011 showing the total amount of the ordered dishes (e.g., 1,100 yen), and an order button 1012 for finally deciding the order. In this way, the operation screen G4 displays a list of the dishes to be ordered, the quantity of each dish, and the total amount of the dishes to be ordered, so that the user can efficiently check the order details on one screen. After confirming that there are no problems with the order details, the user touches the order button 1012 at the bottom of the operation screen G4. This confirms the order of the dishes. Furthermore, the order button shows the seat number "18", so that the user can order the dishes after confirming that they will be served at his or her seat. When the order button 1012 is touched, the information terminal 100 sends an order request to the second server 300 of Restaurant A, which associates the seat ID read from the QR code (seat number "18" in the example of FIG. 11) with the ordered dish information indicating the selected dish. This completes the order process for the standard menu. This process corresponds to step S14 in FIG. 25.

[0130] The order process from the standard menu for general users is carried out as described above. In this order process, a user who orders food can have the information terminal 100 read a QR code, display the standard menu of restaurant A through a browser, and order food through this standard menu. This eliminates the need to install a specific application distributed by restaurant A in advance on the information terminal 100. This allows users to immediately use this service using the information terminal 100, and this service is used by more users. In addition, users can easily select and order their favorite dishes through intuitive operations through the standard menu. Furthermore, the zoom magnification of the operation screen G3 can be adjusted by pinching. Therefore, even users with farsightedness can easily check the dishes included in the operation menu. Furthermore, the user can simultaneously view more information by reducing the display of the operation screen G3. Furthermore, since the order request is an HTTP request that corresponds the ordered food information with a seat ID (e.g., seat number "18"), the second server 300 of Restaurant A can recognize the food ordered by the user at seat number "18" through this HTTP request and display the recognized seat number "18" and the ordered food on a display inside the restaurant.

[0131] This allows restaurant staff to serve the food ordered at seat number "18" without making a mistake. Furthermore, because the standard menu is not paper-based, Restaurant A can save the trouble of updating or managing the standard menu, which would be necessary if they adopted a paper-based standard menu. As a result, the human resources required for taking orders and the risk of complaints due to incorrect orders are reduced, leading to cost reductions and management efficiency.

[0132] (Order from individual menu) Next, ordering food from an individual menu will be described. Although the individual menu is a general menu provided by a restaurant, it is a menu that includes dishes from which ingredients that may cause a strong allergic reaction that is harmful to the user's health are excluded or reduced. Alternatively, the individual menu is a menu from which dishes containing ingredients that may cause a strong allergic reaction that is harmful to the user's health are excluded. A strong allergic reaction that is harmful to health refers to an allergic reaction that is diagnosed as positive in an allergy test and that the user should be aware of and take into consideration in their daily lives. Therefore, ingredients that may cause a relatively weak allergic reaction such as a negative and / or false positive in an allergy test may be excluded from the dishes on the individual menu, or the amount of the ingredients may be appropriately reduced after fully considering the impact.

[0133] The process of ordering food from this individual menu is shown in the later-described flowchart of Fig. 26. Hereinafter, the process of ordering food from the individual menu will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 26 as needed.

[0134] Ordering food from individual menus begins when the matching app is launched. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of an authentication screen G101 displayed on the information terminal 100 immediately after a user who orders food launches a matching app. The authentication screen G101 is a screen for performing user authentication by fingerprint authentication. A fingerprint image 1201 that shows a fingerprint in the center of the authentication screen G101 is displayed, and a message saying "Please perform fingerprint authentication" is displayed below the fingerprint image 1201. As a result, the authentication screen G101 prompts the user to perform fingerprint authentication. "Personal matching" is written at the top of the authentication screen G101. This allows the user to confirm that the authentication screen G101 is a screen of a matching app. The same applies to FIGS. 13 to 16 described later.

[0135] 13 is a diagram showing another example of the authentication screen G102. The authentication screen G102 is an example of a screen for performing user authentication by face authentication. In the authentication screen G102, a dotted line 1301 that typically indicates the outline of the face is displayed in the center so that the information terminal 100 can capture an image of the user's face from the front at an appropriate size. The user adjusts the orientation and position of the information terminal 100 so that the user's face from the front is displayed within the dotted line 1301.

[0136] If there is a method of user authentication that can achieve the required authentication accuracy with less burden on the user than the above user authentication methods, that method may be adopted. As the method of user authentication, two-step authentication, which is generally considered to have high security, or a method of inputting a user ID and password may be adopted.

[0137] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a home screen G103 displayed immediately after user authentication by the matching app is completed. In the home screen G103, the app name "personal matching" is displayed in the upper row, and a plurality of tile objects 1401 are displayed in a matrix in the middle row. Each tile object 1401 is associated with a linking function or another app incorporated by the matching app. The other app is, for example, an app launched within the matching app. In this example, five tile objects 1401 labeled a, b, c, d, and e are displayed. These tile objects 1401 are associated with a dedicated function (for example, an app within the matching app) that links with the matching app to match the company's products or services. This allows the user to use five types of linking functions indicated by a, b, c, d, and e. The grayed-out tile objects 1401 are empty tile objects with no linking functions installed. In the lower row of the home screen, a scan button 1402, a map button 1403, an account button 1404, and a home button 1405 are displayed from the left. These four buttons are fixed buttons. The scan button 1402 is a button used when reading a QR code or the like linked to a service provided by a business such as the restaurant described above. The map button 1403 is a button for displaying matching app-enabled stores in the vicinity of the current location of the information terminal 100 using a map screen. The account button 1404 is a button for registering and editing the user's account information. Registering and editing the account information includes, for example, setting personal authentication and setting a link function with the first server 200. The home button 1405 is a button for returning the screen display to the home screen G103 shown in this figure.

[0138] In the home screen G103, tile objects 1401 for linking with link functions, other applications, or services of other businesses are arranged in a central area. The user can set whether to display these tile objects 1401 and where to arrange them according to his / her preferences. Thus, the user can use one matching application to obtain products and / or services that suit the user based on personal information from among products and services provided by many businesses (e.g., electronics retailers, DVD / Blu-ray (registered trademark) rental stores, bookstores, coffee shops, taxis, etc.).

[0139] Fig. 15 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen G104 displayed on information terminal 100 when a user who has launched the matching app has information terminal 100 read a QR code corresponding to the user's own seat. Operation screen G104 (an example of a first operation screen) is almost the same as operation screen G1 in Fig. 7. Operation screen G104 differs from operation screen G1 in that the name of the app displayed at the top is "Personal Matching."

[0140] The matching app can identify that the connection destination is Restaurant A from the connection destination information (e.g., domain name, restaurantA.com) of the character string (e.g., URL) read from the QR code. The second server 300 that receives this request can identify that this request is a request sent from the information terminal 100 that read the QR code of the seat with seat number "18" because the number at the end of the URL requested from the matching app is "18". This embodiment illustrates an example in which a user seated at seat number "18" in store 40 of Restaurant A orders food. In this request, the matching app may explicitly specify the store 40 (Store-A). In this case, the character string represented by the QR code is set as, for example, http: / / restaurantA.com / Store-A / QRorder-18. In this way, the matching app can obtain information (e.g., restaurant ID) that identifies the connection destination.

[0141] The above-described process of starting the matching application, performing user authentication, and reading the QR code corresponds to step S1 in FIG.

[0142] Next, a process will be described in which the matching application accesses the second server 300 of the restaurant A and acquires menu information. This process corresponds to step S2 in FIG.

[0143] 16 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen G105 displayed on information terminal 100 when the matching app is generating an individual menu. On display screen G105, the image of the QR code photographed on operation screen G104 is displayed with reduced transparency, and a circular arrow object 1501 is displayed rotating above the image. Furthermore, below arrow object 1501, "Matching with the menu of restaurant A" is displayed. This allows the user to recognize that the matching app is processing.

[0144] While the display screen G105 is being displayed, the matching app of the information terminal 100 cooperates with the second server 300 of Restaurant A and the first server 200 to generate an individual menu. Specifically, the matching app accesses the second server 300 of Restaurant A based on the URL indicated by the read QR code, and acquires menu information. Having acquired the menu information, the matching app detects the data attribute of the menu information. Since the menu information is information related to food, the data attribute detected here is the food attribute.

[0145] The menu information is, for example, an HTML file. In the menu information, for example, the fact that the data attribute is a food attribute is described in a predetermined format. The matching app may detect that the data attribute of the menu information is a food attribute based on this format. Alternatively, the matching app may detect that the data attribute of the menu information is a food attribute from, for example, the domain name of the URL indicated by the QR code. Here, since the domain name "restaurantA.com" indicates Restaurant A, it is determined that the data attribute of the menu information is a food attribute. Alternatively, the matching app may analyze the acquired menu information, and when an analysis result is obtained that the data is related to food, it may determine that the data attribute of the menu information is a food attribute. Alternatively, the matching app may detect that the data attribute of the menu information is a food attribute by acquiring supplementary information indicating the data attribute of the menu information from the second server 300. The implementation form for detecting the data attribute of the menu information may adopt other methods as long as the method can identify the data attribute.

[0146] Next, a description will be given of a process in which the matching application acquires allergy information from the second server 300. This process corresponds to step S3 in FIG.

[0147] The matching app, which has determined that the data attribute of the menu information is a food attribute, requests the first server 200 to acquire the latest allergy information, which is a dietary constraint condition of the user classified as a food attribute. This request includes the user ID. The first server 200, which has received this request, extracts the latest allergy information from the distributed and encrypted personal information based on the user ID. The extracted allergy information is transmitted from the first server 200 to the information terminal 100. As a result, the matching app acquires the allergy information. Details of the allergy information will be described later with reference to FIG. 21.

[0148] The information terminal 100, which has acquired the allergy information, executes a process of comparing the menu information of restaurant A with the allergy information and generating an individual menu. This process corresponds to step S4 in FIG. 26. At this time, the display screen G105 shown in FIG. 16 is still displayed on the information terminal 100, but the matching app executes a process of comparing the menu information with the allergy information and generating an individual menu corresponding to the allergy information. There are several methods for this generation.

[0149] The first method is to exclude from the individual menu any dishes that contain even a small amount of ingredients that may cause an allergic reaction to the user. Allergic reactions to ingredients are classified into seven classes, from class 0 to class 6, in ascending order, as described below. Of these, class 0 is negative, meaning that there is almost no possibility of causing an allergic reaction, and class 1 is a false positive, meaning that although there is a possibility of causing an allergic reaction, the possibility is relatively low. Classes 2 to 6 are all positive, and the higher the class, the higher the possibility of causing an allergic reaction. In the first method, for example, any dish that contains even a small amount of ingredients of class 1 or higher is excluded from the individual menu, and dishes consisting only of ingredients of class 0 or lower are included in the individual menu.

[0150] The second method is to keep a dish on the individual menu even if it contains ingredients that may cause an allergic reaction in the user, if the user's allergic reaction to the ingredients is relatively mild. In the second method, for example, dishes containing ingredients of class 2 or higher are excluded from the individual menu, and dishes containing ingredients of class 1 or lower (negative and false positive) are left on the individual menu.

[0151] The third method is to calculate the total value of the product of the amount of an ingredient (in grams) and the amount of allergic reaction of the user to that ingredient (in IU / mL) for each dish, and change the dishes included in the individual menu according to this total value. For example, the total value calculated for each dish is classified into three levels: low, medium, and high, and the dishes included in the individual menu are changed according to the classification result.

[0152] For example, a dish with a low total value is registered in an individual menu without changing the cooking method since the allergic reaction is mild.

[0153] Since dishes with a medium total value may cause some allergic reactions, the cooking method is changed so that the total value falls within the low range, and the dish is then registered as an individual menu. In this cooking method change, for example, the amount of ingredients that cause allergies is gradually reduced so that the total value falls within the low range. Alternatively, dishes with a medium total value may be registered as individual menus after the cooking method is changed so that the amount of ingredients that cause allergic reactions (IU / mL) exceeding the standard value is reduced to zero.

[0154] For example, dishes with a high total value may be omitted from the individual menus due to their strong allergic reactions.

[0155] Avoiding allergenic ingredients is a major problem for the nutritional balance of growing children, so it is important to have an information processing system that dynamically changes the cooking method according to the level of allergy of each user, rather than cooking only with ingredients that have no or very low allergenicity.

[0156] The matching app that has created the individual menu displays the individual menu on the information terminal 100 using a browser in the same way as when ordering from the standard menu. All of the dishes listed on the individual menu are highly safe dishes that take into account the latest allergy information, so the user can eat with peace of mind.

[0157] FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen including an individual menu. In the operation screen G106 (an example of a second operation screen), a plurality of tile objects 901 are arranged in a matrix, similar to the operation screen G3. In the operation screen G106, the individual menu is configured to be scrollable in response to a scroll operation by the user. The plurality of tile objects 901 constitute the individual menu. In the operation screen G106, the tile objects 901 of "Botan shrimp" and "Egg" are excluded from the standard menu of FIG. 8, and instead, the tile objects 901 of "Salmon roe" and "Soy sauce ramen" are displayed. This is because, as shown in FIG. 21, the user's allergic reaction level to shrimp is "632.38" and the allergic reaction level to egg is "25.40", and the allergic reaction levels to these ingredients are high. Here, since the two dishes of "Botan shrimp" and "Egg" have been omitted, the two dishes of "Salmon roe" and "Soy sauce ramen" are displayed in the individual menu to replace these two dishes. However, this is just an example, and the individual menu does not have to include substitute dishes. In this case, the individual menu is generated by deleting dishes that include ingredients that are highly likely to cause allergic reactions from the menu information.

[0158] The top of the operation screen G106 is labeled "Custom Menu for Restaurant A," clearly indicating that the individual menu displayed on the operation screen G106 is a menu customized for the user. This appeals to the user that the individual menu included in the operation screen G106 is a menu of dishes that can be eaten with peace of mind.

[0159] The matching app that has displayed the individual menu executes a process to accept a selection of dishes to be ordered from the user. This process corresponds to step S5 in Fig. 26. Fig. 18 is a diagram showing a scene in which the user operates the operation screen G106 to order dishes from the individual menu.

[0160] In this example of operation screen G106, from the individual menu, tile object 901C for the dish "Ikura" is touched once, and tile object 901D for the dish "Otoro" is touched twice. As a result, the color of tile object 901C is changed from the first color to the second color, and the order number "1" is displayed in the upper right. Also, the color of tile object 901D is changed from the first color to the second color, and the order number "2" is displayed in the upper right. In this way, the user can simply and intuitively order food by touch operation using pointing object 1001 such as a finger.

[0161] In this embodiment, the color of tile object 901 is changed when the user selects a dish to order, but this is not limiting. For example, the pattern of tile object 901 may be changed from a first pattern to a second pattern when selected by the user. Alternatively, the color and pattern of tile object 901 may be changed from a first color and pattern to a second color and pattern when selected by the user.

[0162] The matching app that receives a food order through the operation screen G106 sends an order request that associates the ordered food information and the seat ID to the second server 300. Fig. 19 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen that is displayed when the user finally decides on the food to order from the individual menu. The operation screen G107 is displayed when the user touches the order button (not shown in Fig. 18) on the operation screen G106 after deciding on the food to order.

[0163] Operation screen G107 includes tile objects 901C, 901D corresponding to the dishes selected on operation screen G106, and a total price field 1702 showing the total price (1,400 yen) for the ordered dishes (one plate of salmon roe and two plates of otoro). Furthermore, operation screen G107 includes an order button 1701. The content of this operation screen G107 is the same as that of operation screen G4 in the standard menu. When order button 1701 is touched, an order request associating the ordered dish information with a seat ID is sent to second server 300 of restaurant A. The order request is displayed on a display installed at restaurant A's store. This allows the restaurant staff to understand the order from the displayed seat number "18" and the ordered food information, start cooking, and serve the ordered food to seat number "18."

[0164] FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of an order history screen that is displayed when a user checks the order history. The order history screen G108 includes a cooking frame 1801 provided on the left side of the screen and a served frame 1802 provided on the right side of the screen. In the cooking frame 1801, tile objects 901 indicating dishes that have been ordered and are currently being cooked are arranged. In the served frame 1802, tile objects 901 indicating dishes that have already been served are arranged. In the example of FIG. 20, since no dishes have been served yet, no tile objects 901 are arranged in the served frame 1802. Currently, two plates of fatty tuna and one plate of salmon roe are being cooked, so the cooking frame 1801 has tile objects 901 indicating fatty tuna and salmon roe. In the bottom of the order history screen G108, the total amount (1,400 yen) of dishes ordered so far through the matching app is clearly displayed. By checking the order history screen G108, a user can check at a glance the dishes ordered so far, the quantity, and the payment amount. It should be noted that an "order history" button (not shown) may be provided on the operation screen G106, and when this "order history" button is touched, the order history screen G108 may be displayed.

[0165] The ordering process from an individual menu at Restaurant A is carried out as described above. A user who wishes to order food can use the matching app distributed by the first server 200 to have the information terminal 100 read the QR code of his / her seat in the restaurant, obtain an individual menu that takes into consideration his / her allergy information, and order food from the individual menu. This is an unprecedented, easy, and error-free method of ordering individual dishes.

[0166] To do this, the user needs to install a matching application on the information terminal 100 in advance.

[0167] Furthermore, the user may take a picture of the diagnosis sheet of the allergy test result obtained at the hospital and set the image of the diagnosis sheet to be shared with the matching app or set the image of the diagnosis sheet to be accessible. The first server 200 may mechanically read the written information from the shared image of the diagnosis sheet and register it as allergy information.

[0168] Alternatively, the user may give permission in advance to share the allergy test results and associated information issued by the hospital that performed the allergy diagnosis with the matching app or the developer or operator of the matching app. In this case, when the hospital shares new diagnostic results with the matching app, the matching app causes the first server 200 to add the new diagnostic results. The matching app can then use the added diagnostic results in matching with new products or services.

[0169] Alternatively, the user may permit the allergy test results and associated information issued by the hospital that performed the allergy diagnosis to be stored in the first server 200 in association with the user ID. In this case, the hospital can request the first server 200 to store new diagnosis results. The matching app can then use the stored diagnosis results to match with new products or services.

[0170] It is also conceivable that the user himself / herself may register and record the allergy information of the user in the information terminal 100. If the amount of data is small and does not change over time, the user himself / herself can input the allergy information into the information terminal 100. However, if the allergy information is frequently updated and the amount of data is huge, the complexity of inputting the data may mean that the allergy information is not accurately and continuously registered in the first server 200. In contrast, according to the above-described method, even if the allergy information is appropriately updated and the amount of data is huge, the allergy information can be accurately and continuously stored in the first server 200.

[0171] (Data Composition) Next, the data structure of the allergy information and ingredient information 2800 will be described. Fig. 21 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of information 2700 including the user's allergy information returned from the first server 200 to the matching app. This information 2700 is written with fields and values ​​associated with each other to facilitate calculation processing. The information 2700 is composed of one file in, for example, JSON (JavaScript (registered trademark) Object Notation) format.

[0172] The "information category" field is a field that indicates what type of personal information the information 2700 is. Since the information 2700 is data related to healthcare, "healthcare" is entered as the value for the "information category" field. The "information category" field is entered at the beginning of the information 2700.

[0173] The "issuer" field is a field for identifying the institution, corporation, or individual that issued the information 2700. In this case, since the information 2700 was issued by ABC Clinic, the value corresponding to the "issuer" field is set to ABC Clinic.

[0174] The "issued date" field is a field that indicates the date and time of issue by the issuer of this information 2700. Here, the value corresponding to the "issued date" field is set to December 1, 2019. This value may include the time in addition to the issue date. This value may also include time zone information.

[0175] The "data type" field is a field that specifically identifies the content of this information 2700. Here, the value corresponding to the "data type" field is, for example, an allergy test result [IU / mL]. This indicates that the data entered in the following field is the test result of the user's allergic reaction. In this example, the amount of allergic reaction is entered in IU / mL, which is the unit of non-specific IgE.

[0176] Information terminal 100 may interpret that information 2700 contains allergy information based on the contents of the values ​​corresponding to the "information category" field and the "data type" field. Alternatively, information terminal 100 may interpret that information 2700 contains allergy information based on information related to information 2700 (for example, the file name of information 2700).

[0177] The "Data Measurement Date" field is a field that indicates the date and time when the value "Allergy Test Result" corresponding to the preceding "Data Type" field was measured. Here, the value corresponding to the "Data Measurement Date" field is written as November 14, 2019. This value may include the time in addition to the measurement date. This value may also include time zone information.

[0178] The "egg" field is a field that indicates the amount of allergic reaction to eggs. Here, the value corresponding to the "egg" field is set to 25.40, which indicates the amount of allergic reaction to eggs by the user in IU / mL units. After that, the test results for the amount of allergic reaction to various allergens such as "milk," "wheat," "peanuts," "shrimp," "crab," and "tuna" are set in the same way as for eggs.

[0179] According to the non-specific IgE settings by ImmunoCAP, allergic reactions are classified as follows, from bottom up: up to 0.34 IU / mL is Class 0 (negative), up to 0.70 IU / mL is Class 1 (suspect positive), up to 3.5 IU / mL is Class 2 (positive), up to 17.5 IU / mL is Class 3 (positive), up to 50 IU / mL is Class 4 (positive), up to 100 IU / mL is Class 5 (positive), and above that is Class 6 (positive).

[0180] In the example of Figure 21, it can be seen that eggs belong to class 4 positive, while shrimp and crab belong to class 6 positive. In the individual menu of Figure 17, "Botan shrimp" and "egg" that were included in the standard menu were excluded because the amount of allergic reaction was judged to be at a strong level that would be harmful to health.

[0181] On the other hand, if ingredient information for each dish is not described in the menu information obtained from the second server 300 of Restaurant A, it will be impossible to identify dishes that cause allergic reactions. Figure 22 is a diagram showing an example of the data configuration of ingredient information 2800 constituting the menu information returned from the second server.

[0182] Ingredient information 2800 is written with fields and values ​​associated with each other to facilitate calculation processing. Ingredient information 2800 is embedded together with tags indicating ingredient information in menu information in, for example, an HTML file format, which is obtained from the second server 300 of each restaurant company. However, this is just one example, and ingredient information 2800 may be in JSON format and may be in separate files prepared for each dish.

[0183] The "dish name" field is a field that indicates which dish the ingredient information pertains to. In this example, the ingredient information 2800 is ingredient information for two pieces of button shrimp, so the value corresponding to the "dish name" field is "button shrimp (2 pieces)."

[0184] The following fields and values ​​list the ingredients used. For example, the "Botan shrimp" field indicates that button shrimp is used as an ingredient in this dish. The value corresponding to the "Botan shrimp" field lists 20g, which is the amount of button shrimp used in this dish. In the example of information 2700 in FIG. 21, the amount of shrimp allergic reaction is class 6, a strong positive. Therefore, "Botan shrimp (2 pieces)" is excluded from the individual menu shown in FIG. 17.

[0185] The matching app may determine that "botan shrimp" listed in food ingredient information 2800 corresponds to "shrimp" listed in the "allergy test result" field of information 2700, for example, by referring to a dictionary registered in association with the matching app. Alternatively, the matching app may obtain a public information source such as Wikipedia from, for example, public information server 500, and determine that botan shrimp is a type of shrimp based on the obtained public information source.

[0186] FIG. 23 is a diagram showing another example of the data configuration of ingredient information 2800 constituting the menu information returned from the second server 300. In this ingredient information 2800, ingredient information for soy sauce ramen is shown. Therefore, soy sauce ramen is entered in the value corresponding to the "dish name" field. Furthermore, in this ingredient information 2800, each ingredient constituting soy sauce ramen is associated with the amount of each ingredient, such as 50g of wheat flour and 5g of salt. The ingredient information 2800 for soy sauce ramen does not include any of the ingredients listed in the information 2700 that would cause a positive allergic reaction. Therefore, soy sauce ramen is displayed as an alternative dish in the individual menu shown in FIG. 17.

[0187] (Overall processing) Next, an overview of the processing of the information processing system in this embodiment will be described. Fig. 24 is a sequence diagram showing an example of an overview of the processing of the information processing system in this embodiment.

[0188] The matching app launched by the information terminal 100 in response to an operation by a user who has entered and sat down at restaurant A performs user authentication (step S501). If the user authentication is successful, the matching app displays the home screen G103 (see FIG. 14).

[0189] When the user touches the scan button 1402 on the home screen G103, the matching app starts the scan function and acquires the QR code corresponding to the user's seat (step S502). As a result, the matching app acquires the URL of the second server 300 (HTTP server) of the restaurant A company, which is the connection destination.

[0190] The matching app that has acquired the URL transmits a request (e.g., an HTTP request) to the second server 300 of Restaurant A based on the URL to acquire menu information (step S503). At this time, the matching app may transmit the seat ID included in the QR code to the second server 300 as described above.

[0191] The second server 300 that has received the request uses the HTTP server function to transmit an HTTP response that returns the menu information, so that the matching application receives the menu information of Restaurant A (Step S504).

[0192] The matching app that has received the menu information analyzes the received menu information and detects that the data attribute of the received menu information is a food attribute. In this case, the matching app may detect that the menu information is a food attribute by internally analyzing the menu information. Alternatively, the matching app may detect that the menu information is a food attribute from supplemental information transmitted separately from the menu information. Then, since the data attribute of the received menu information is a food attribute, the matching app determines that allergy information is data for matching (step S505).

[0193] Next, the matching app transmits an HTTP request to the first server 200 to request acquisition of allergy information of the user based on the user ID of the user who has been authenticated (step S506). The first server 200 receives this HTTP request using the HTTP server function, extracts the allergy information of the user from the memory 203 based on the user ID, and transmits an HTTP response returning the extracted allergy information to the matching app. As a result, the matching app receives the allergy information of the user (step S507).

[0194] The matching app that has received the allergy information generates an individual menu corresponding to the user's allergy information using the received menu information and the received allergy information, using one of the three methods described above (step S508).

[0195] The matching app generates the UI (User Interface) design of various screens displayed in the processing from step S501 to step S508 according to the matching app's style, but the style (e.g., UI design) of various screens from individual menus to order completion is generated according to the style provided by Restaurant A. In other words, each business (e.g., each restaurant) that is a service provider can communicate with users (e.g., customers) in their preferred style (e.g., UI design) even on a matching app developed by another company (e.g., an information bank or information intermediary). This means that the above-mentioned standard menu and individual menu can each be expressed in a style (e.g., UI design) specified by Restaurant A, and furthermore, it is possible to provide consistency.

[0196] The matching application that has generated the individual menu displays the operation screen G106 including the generated individual menu in a style specified by restaurant A, and accepts a selection instruction from the user ordering food from the individual menu (step S509).

[0197] The matching app that has received the selection instruction sends an order request that associates the user's seat ID with order dish information indicating the dish to be ordered to the second server 300 of Restaurant A (step S510). The second server 300 that has received the order request returns an acknowledgement (ACK) to the matching app indicating that the order has been received, and, if necessary, the current order status (for example, information related to the order history screen G108). As a result, the matching app receives the current order status (step S511). The matching app displays the received current order status on the display 105.

[0198] The matching app sends the ordered dish information to the first server 200 in association with the user ID (step S512), and requests that the ordered dish information be added to or updated in the meal history information of the user. The first server 200, which has received the ordered dish information, updates the meal history information of the user in accordance with the received ordered dish information (step S513). In this case, a timestamp indicating the time when the dish indicated in the ordered dish information was ordered is also added to the meal history information.

[0199] The second server 300 of Restaurant A that receives the order request displays the order request on a display in the restaurant (step S514). This allows the restaurant staff to deliver the ordered food to the user at the seat that ordered the food without any mistakes.

[0200] In this way, the meal history information, which is also part of the user's personal information, is meticulously, accurately, and chronologically accumulated in the first server 200. As a result, when ordering the next dish, the big data is utilized, and highly suitable dish options are presented to the user with a high degree of accuracy.

[0201] The control method shown in Fig. 24 reduces the risk that a user who has ordered food is served a dish that does not meet the allergies that he or she has ordered by mistake. Furthermore, the control method shown in Fig. 24 allows a user who needs to check ingredients and cooking methods for allergies in detail to order food easily without having the restaurant check the ingredients and cooking methods, and allows the restaurant to easily handle food orders from such users. The control method shown in Fig. 24 also reduces the user's anxiety that personal information related to the user's privacy, such as allergy information, will be conveyed to restaurant staff, and that personal information related to the user's privacy will be stored in the store terminal.

[0202] Furthermore, according to the control method shown in Fig. 24, personal information including accurate and chronologically continuous allergy information, meal history information (e.g., order history information), activity level, vital sign information, etc. is efficiently and safely managed. Furthermore, according to the control method shown in Fig. 24, personal information is prevented from being leaked to anyone other than the business operator authorized by the user.

[0203] (Order processing flow chart) Next, the processing of the information terminal 100 in this embodiment will be described. Fig. 25 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing of the information terminal 100 when a dish is ordered from the standard menu. This flowchart is triggered by the user starting up the QR code reader on the information terminal 100.

[0204] In step S11, the QR code reader reads the QR code and passes the read character string (e.g., a URL) to the browser. In this process, the QR code is read using the operation screen G1 shown in Fig. 7, and the QR code reading result shown in Fig. 8 is displayed on the operation screen G2.

[0205] In step S12, the browser accesses the second server 300 of Restaurant A according to the URL, acquires the standard menu information, and displays the standard menu on the display 105 of the information terminal 100. In this process, the operation screen G3 including the standard menu shown in Fig. 9 is displayed.

[0206] In step S13, the browser accepts an instruction from the user to select a dish to be ordered from the standard menu. In this process, the user operates the standard menu included in the operation screen G3 shown in FIG. 10 to select a dish to be ordered.

[0207] In step S14, the browser transmits an order request that associates the user's seat ID with the ordered dish information indicating the dish ordered by the user to the second server 300 of Restaurant A. This completes the order process from the standard menu.

[0208] In this way, a user who wants to order an appropriate 50-item menu that takes their allergy information into consideration at a restaurant can use a matching app to display the individual menu and order the food. On the other hand, a user who wants to select a dish from the restaurant's standard menu without taking their allergy information into consideration can use a general-purpose QR code reader to display the standard menu and order the food.

[0209] In either case, the seat ID read from the QR code corresponding to the seat where the user is seated is associated with the food order information and transmitted to the second server 300, so the ordered food is delivered without a problem.

[0210] 26 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing of an information terminal when a dish is ordered from an individual menu. This flowchart is triggered by a user who enters a restaurant and orders a dish starting the matching app.

[0211] In step S1, the matching app executes a process to obtain a QR code corresponding to the user's own seat. The details of this process will be described later with reference to FIG. 27. In this process, the QR code is read via the operation screen G104 shown in FIG. 15, and a seat ID and a restaurant ID are obtained. This process corresponds to steps S501 and S502 in FIG. 24.

[0212] In step S2, the matching app uses a browser function to access the URL indicated by the acquired QR code, and executes a process of acquiring menu information of restaurant A from second server 300 of restaurant A. Details of this process will be described later with reference to FIG. 28. In this process, it is also detected that the data attribute of the menu information is a food attribute. In this process, display screen G105 shown in FIG. 16 is displayed on information terminal 100. This process corresponds to steps S503 and S504 in FIG. 24.

[0213] In step S3, the matching application executes a process of acquiring, from the first server 200, allergy information, which is personal information related to food attributes, from the personal information of the user. Details of this process will be described later with reference to Fig. 29. This process obtains allergy information of the user who sits at the seat indicated by the seat ID obtained in step S1. This process corresponds to steps S505, S506, and S507 in Fig. 24.

[0214] In step S4, the matching app executes a process of comparing the menu information of restaurant A with the user's allergy information and generating an individual menu that includes only dishes that cater to the allergy. This process causes an operation screen G106 including the individual menu to be displayed. This process corresponds to step S508 in FIG. 24.

[0215] In step S5, the matching application accepts an instruction to select a dish to be ordered by the user who has viewed the individual menu. In this case, the dish is selected as shown on the operation screen G106 in Fig. 18. This process corresponds to step S509 in Fig. 24.

[0216] In step S6, the matching application sends an order request in which the order dish information indicating the dish selected in step S5 is associated with the seat ID acquired in step S1 to the second server 300 of Restaurant A. This process corresponds to step S510 in FIG.

[0217] The following describes the details of the case where a dish is ordered from an individual menu. Fig. 27 is a flow chart showing the details of the process of step S1 in Fig. 26. In step S101, the matching app started by the user requests the user to perform user authentication. In this case, user authentication is performed using the authentication screen G101 shown in Fig. 12 or the authentication screen G102 shown in Fig. 13.

[0218] In step S102, the matching application determines whether or not the user authentication has been successful. If the user authentication has failed (NO in step S102), the process returns to step S101. If the user authentication has been successful (YES in step S102), the process proceeds to step S103. In step S103, the matching application displays a home screen G103 of the matching application shown in FIG. 14.

[0219] In step S104, the matching application accepts a user operation of touching the scan button 1402 on the home screen G103, and starts a QR code reading function, whereby an operation screen G104 shown in FIG.

[0220] In step S105, the user adjusts the orientation and position of information terminal 100, and the matching application reads the QR code corresponding to the seat where the user is seated.

[0221] Fig. 28 is a flowchart showing details of the process in step S2 in Fig. 26. In step S201, the matching application accesses the second server 300 of Restaurant A based on the character string (e.g., a URL) described in the QR code. This access is performed by, for example, an HTTP request.

[0222] In step S202, the second server 300 of the restaurant A uses the HTTP server function to return the latest menu information to the matching application. This return is made, for example, by an HTTP response.

[0223] In step S203, the matching application obtains the latest menu information of Restaurant A.

[0224] In step S204, the matching application detects that the data attribute of the menu information is a food attribute from the acquired menu information. This detection is performed, for example, based on the data attribute described in the HTML file that constitutes the menu information.

[0225] Fig. 29 is a flowchart showing details of the process in step S3 in Fig. 26. In step S301, since the data attribute of the acquired menu information is a food attribute, the matching application determines the user's allergy information as data for matching.

[0226] In step S302, the matching application requests the first server 200 to acquire the latest allergy information of the user to be matched. In this case, the matching application requests the first server 200 to return the allergy information in a predetermined encrypted state, specifying the user ID.

[0227] In step S303, the first server 200 extracts the latest allergy information based on the user ID from the vast amount of personal information managed in a distributed encrypted form, formats this allergy information into a specified format, encrypts it as specified, and sends it back to the matching app.

[0228] In step S304, the matching application decrypts the acquired latest allergy information, thereby acquiring the user's latest allergy information.

[0229] Fig. 30 is a flowchart showing the details of the process of step S4 in Fig. 26. In step S401, the matching app compares the menu information of restaurant A with the user's latest allergy information, and generates an individual menu that includes only dishes that meet the user's allergies. The menu information includes one or more ingredients and the amounts of the ingredients included in each dish, as described below. The menu information may also include cooking method information that indicates the cooking method for each dish. Here, the individual menu is generated using the three methods described above.

[0230] In step S402, the matching application uses a browser function to generate an operation screen G106 including the generated individual menu, and displays it on the display 105 of the information terminal 100. In this case, the individual menu is displayed by applying display style information included in the menu information of the restaurant A, for example.

[0231] (Example of information processing when ordering from an individual menu) Next, an example of information processing implementation when ordering food from an individual menu will be described. If the information communication interface and the data structure handled are specific to each restaurant, various data handled by the information processing system may be available at, for example, restaurant A's store 40 but not at restaurant B, or may be unavailable at both another store of restaurant A and restaurant B. To avoid such situations, a general-purpose solution that allows many users to order food using individual menus at many restaurants will be described below.

[0232] FIG. 31 is a diagram showing an example of a specific implementation form of the information processing system in this embodiment. The memory 102 of the information terminal 100 has a "matching_app" directory, which is a storage location for files required to execute a matching app. Under the "matching_app" directory, there are an "account" directory, a "main" directory, and a "matching_temp" directory. The "account" directory stores information required for a user's account and / or user authentication. The "main" directory stores information required for the matching app to realize basic functions such as drawing a home screen and scanning a QR code. The "matching_temp" directory temporarily stores information required for matching.

[0233] The "account" directory stores a "user_account.xml" file that describes information required for account and / or user authentication. In the "user_account.xml" file, for example, a unique account name (e.g., a user ID specified by a user) and its authentication information (e.g., a password, fingerprint features, and / or facial features) are encrypted and recorded as information for identifying a user.

[0234] The account name is not limited to a user ID designated by a user, and any information capable of individually identifying a user who uses the matching app may be used. For example, a unique serial code for each individual matching app, embedded in the program of the matching app or distributed together with the matching app, may be used. The unique serial code for each individual is a serial code uniquely assigned to each information terminal 100 on which the matching app is installed. Alternatively, the account name may be a unique account name generated by the matching app based on random numbers when the matching app is first launched or first registered. In this case, the matching app may automatically generate the account name by, for example, confirming with the first server 200 that the account name is not the same as an account name already registered.

[0235] In this way, by setting character string information that is meaningless to humans as the account name, communication of personal information with higher confidentiality becomes possible. The allergy information of personal information shown in FIG. 31 is fragmented into multiple files and managed as described below. The above-mentioned account name may be used as the user ID portion of the file name of each fragmented file. Alternatively, another piece of information that is one-to-one paired with the above-mentioned account name may be used as part of the file name of each fragmented file (for example, the user ID portion).

[0236] The "main" directory contains a "main.html" file, which describes the content information necessary to realize the basic functions of the matching app, and a "main.css" file, which describes the screen display style (e.g., UI design).

[0237] The second server 300 of Restaurant A stores in advance a group of files to be returned when the URL (e.g., http: / / restaurantA.com / QRorder-18) indicated by the character string obtained by reading the QR code is accessed. The group of files includes a "ResA.html" file that describes the content information to be returned, and a "ResA.css" file that describes the screen display style (e.g., UI design) of that content information. For example, the ingredient information 2800 shown in Figs. 22 and 23 may be included in the "ResA.html" file, or may be stored in an external file referenced by the "ResA.html" file.

[0238] In the first server 200, a wide variety of huge personal information of the user is distributed and encrypted and stored. For example, the allergy information of the user used in the present disclosure is stored as N JSON format files, such as a "userID_healthcare_allergia_1.json" file, a "userID_healthcare_allergia_2.json" file, ..., and a "userID_healthcare_allergia_N.json" file, in physically different storage devices in the first server 200. In the N files, the "userID" at the beginning of the file name is identification information for identifying the target user, the following "healthcare" is identification information for identifying the information category (e.g., health care) described in FIG. 21, the following "allergia" is identification information for identifying the data type (e.g., allergy test result [IU / mL]) described in FIG. 21, and the last number is an identification number of the divided file.

[0239] If the first server 200 receives a request for the user's allergy information along with appropriate permissions (e.g., access permission information), it can correctly restore the data from these N files, convert it into a specified description format (.json) to obtain an "allergia.json" file, and send an encrypted "allergia.json.enc" file back to the matching app.

[0240] Hereinafter, the handling of files when the matching app uses HTML to control the screen will be described with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 32. Fig. 32 is a flowchart showing an example of the matching app's processing of files from when the matching app is launched until when an individual menu is displayed.

[0241] In step S601, the matching application starts and draws a home screen. Immediately after starting, the matching application draws the home screen using the "main.html" file and the "main.css" file in the "main" directory. As a result, the home screen G103 shown in FIG. 14 is drawn.

[0242] In step S602, the matching application receives menu information from the second server 300 of Restaurant A. The received menu information is recorded as "ResA.html" file and "ResA.css" file under the "matching_temp" directory.

[0243] In step S603, the matching application receives the encrypted allergy information (allergia.json.enc) of the user from the first server 200. The received allergy information is decrypted by the matching application and recorded as an "allergia.json" file under the "matching_temp" directory.

[0244] In step S604, the matching application generates an individual menu corresponding to the user's allergy information by editing the ResA.html file. The generated individual menu is recorded as a new "Custom_ResA.html" file under the "matching_temp" directory. As a result, the "allergia.json" file, the "ResA.html" file, the "Custom_ResA.html" file, and the "ResA.css" file are recorded under the "matching_temp" directory, as shown in FIG. 31.

[0245] In step S605, the matching application uses the "Custom_ResA.html" file and the "ResA.css" file to render the generated individual menu in the style specified by Restaurant A.

[0246] In this way, various screens are rendered using HTML / CSS files. Therefore, when a single matching app presents products or services that match the user's vast and diverse personal information among products or services offered by an unspecified number of businesses, the information that the business expects can be displayed in the style (e.g., UI design) that the business expects.

[0247] When the user has finished ordering food from an individual menu and the display screen is returned to the home screen of the matching app, or when a predetermined amount of time has passed since the user finished ordering food from an individual menu, all files temporarily stored in the "matching_temp" directory may be deleted for safety reasons.

[0248] (Embodiment 2) In the first embodiment, the individual menu is generated by the information terminal 100, but in the second embodiment, the individual menu is generated by the second server 300. In the second embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and the description will be omitted. The second server 300 constitutes an information management system. The information management system constitutes an information processing system.

[0249] First, the configuration of the second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 4. In the second embodiment, since the individual menu is generated by the second server 300, the configuration of the second server 300 will be mainly described below.

[0250] The calculation unit 302 of the second server 300 acquires the user ID stored in the information terminal 100 from the information terminal 100 via the network.

[0251] The calculation unit 302 acquires the user's allergy information from the first server 200 via the network using the user ID. The allergy information includes the user's allergic reaction amount to each ingredient. Here, the allergy information is transmitted from the first server 200 when the user permits the restaurant A or the second server 300 to access the allergy information. This prevents the user's personal information from being leaked outside the first server 200 without the user's permission. On the other hand, when the user does not permit the restaurant A or the second server 300 to access the allergy information, the allergy information is not transmitted from the first server 200. When the user's allergy information cannot be acquired in this way, the second server 300 may transmit the standard menu of the second restaurant to the information terminal 100.

[0252] The calculation unit 302 generates an individual menu for the user corresponding to the allergy information based on the menu information and the allergy information. Here, the menu information includes information indicating one or more ingredients contained in each dish and the amount of each ingredient.

[0253] The calculation unit 302 identifies ingredients that cause allergies from the menu information and have an allergic reaction level equal to or greater than a reference value as ingredients that cause allergies. Here, the individual menu includes dishes that have been reduced or removed from the dishes included in the menu information.

[0254] The calculation unit 302 transmits individual menu information indicating the individual menu to the information terminal 100 using the communication unit 301. As a result, the calculation unit 302 causes the user at the information terminal 100 to select a dish based on the individual menu.

[0255] Fig. 33 is a sequence diagram showing an example of processing of the information processing system in the embodiment 2. In Fig. 33, the same processes as those in Fig. 24 are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted. In Fig. 33, it is assumed that the user has not set the access information of restaurant A or the second server 300 for his / her allergy information.

[0256] Steps S501 and S502 are the same as those in FIG.

[0257] In step S1001 following step S502, the information terminal 100 (matching application) transmits an acquisition request for individual menu information to the second server 300. This acquisition request includes the store ID of the store of restaurant A company that the user entered, the seat ID of the seat where the user is seated, and the user ID of the information terminal 100.

[0258] In step S1002, the second server 300 of the restaurant A obtains the menu information of the restaurant A from the memory 303.

[0259] In step S1003, the second server 300 transmits to the first server 200 a request to acquire allergy information of the corresponding user.

[0260] In step S1004, the first server 200 reads the access information of the corresponding user from the memory 203, and confirms that the access information for the corresponding user to the restaurant A or the second server 300 has not yet been set.

[0261] In step S1005, the first server 200 transmits an inquiry message to the information terminal 100 as to whether or not to permit access to the allergy information to the restaurant A or the second server 300. The inquiry message is displayed on the display 105 of the information terminal 100.

[0262] In step S1006, information terminal 100 accepts an operation from the user who has confirmed the inquiry message to select the access information as an access permission.

[0263] In step S1007, the information terminal 100 transmits to the first server 200 notification information indicating that the access information has been selected as accessible.

[0264] In step S1008, the first server 200, which has received the notification information indicating that the access permission has been selected, sets the access information of the corresponding user stored in the memory 203 as the access permission. As a result, the first server 200 is in a state in which it has obtained permission from the user to read out the allergy information of the corresponding user from the memory 203 and transmit it to the second server 300 used by the restaurant A.

[0265] In step S1009, the second server 300 receives the allergy information of the corresponding user from the first server 200.

[0266] In step S1010, the second server 300 generates an individual menu for the user based on the allergy information of the user. Here, the individual menu may be generated using the third method (method using the amount of allergic reaction) described above. The second server 300 transmits individual menu information indicating the generated individual menu to the information terminal 100.

[0267] In step S1011, the information terminal 100 receives the individual menu information.

[0268] The various screens displayed in the processing of steps S501, S502, and S1001 to S1011 are generated according to the style of the matching app, but the various screens from the individual menus to the order completion are generated according to the style provided by Restaurant A.

[0269] The information terminal 100 that has generated the individual menu displays the operation screen G106 including the individual menu in a style designated by the restaurant A (step S1012). The processing from step S509 onwards is the same as that in FIG.

[0270] In the process from step S1012, the various screens displayed on the information terminal 100 may be screens in which materials (such as text describing the dishes and photos of the dishes) prepared by restaurant A are laid out in the style of the administrator (information bank) of the first server 200. In this way, a unified user experience can be provided to users of the matching app.

[0271] Fig. 34 is a sequence diagram showing an example of processing of the information processing system in the embodiment 2. In Fig. 34, the same processes as those in Fig. 33 are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted. In Fig. 34, it is assumed that the user has set the access information of restaurant A company to the user's allergy information as the access permission.

[0272] The processes in steps S501 to S502 and steps S1001 to S1003 are the same as those in FIG.

[0273] In step S2001 following step S1003, the first server 200, which has received the request to obtain allergy information for the user, reads the access information for the user from memory 203, and confirms that the access information for the user to restaurant A or the second server 300 is set as access permission. As a result, the first server 200 reads the allergy information for the user from memory 203, and transmits it to the second server 300 used by restaurant A.

[0274] The processing from step S1009 onwards is the same as in FIG.

[0275] Fig. 35 is a sequence diagram showing an example of processing of the information processing system in the embodiment 2. In Fig. 35, the same processes as those in Fig. 33 are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted. In Fig. 35, it is assumed that the user has set the access information of restaurant A or the second server 300 for his / her allergy information as not set.

[0276] The processes in steps S501 to S502 and steps S1001 to S1005 are the same as those in Fig. 33. In step S3001 following step S1005, information terminal 100 accepts an operation from the user who has confirmed the inquiry message to select the access information as access not permitted.

[0277] In step S3002, information terminal 100 transmits to first server 200 notification information indicating that the access information has been selected as access not permitted.

[0278] In step S3003, the first server 200, having received the notification information indicating that access denial has been selected, sets the access information of the corresponding user stored in memory 203 to access denial for restaurant A or the second server 300. As a result, the first server 200 transmits a request error to the second server 300. The request error is information for notifying the second server 300 that it is unable to respond to the request to obtain allergy information from the user.

[0279] In step S3004, the second server 300 receives the request error. The second server 300 that has received the request error reads out the menu information of the restaurant A or the store the user has entered from the memory 303, and transmits the read out menu information and the request error to the information terminal 100.

[0280] In step S3005, information terminal 100 receives the menu information and the request error.

[0281] In step S3006, the information terminal 100 displays on the display 105 information indicating that an individual menu could not be generated, and an operation screen G106 including the standard menu indicated by the menu information.

[0282] The process from step S509 onwards is the same as in FIG.

[0283] As described above, according to the second embodiment, when the second server 300 generates an individual menu, it is possible to present to the user appropriate dishes that take into consideration the amount of allergic reaction of the user. Furthermore, in the second embodiment, allergy information is transmitted to the second server 300 only when the user permits it, so that it is possible to prevent personal information of the user from being leaked outside the first server 200 against the user's intention.

[0284] (Embodiment 3) In the second embodiment, the individual menu is generated by the second server 300, but in the third embodiment, the individual menu is generated by the first server 200. In the third embodiment, the same components as those in the first and second embodiments are given the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. The first server 200 constitutes an information management system. The information management system constitutes an information processing system.

[0285] First, the configuration of the third embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 4. In the third embodiment, since the individual menu is generated by first server 200, the following description will mainly focus on the configuration of first server 200.

[0286] The calculation unit 202 of the first server 200 outputs a request for acquiring menu information to the second server 200 using the communication unit 201 based on a request for an individual menu of the user acquired from the information terminal 100 of the user via the network.

[0287] The calculation unit 202 acquires the user ID stored in the information terminal 100 from the information terminal 100 via the network and the communication unit 201 .

[0288] The calculation unit 202 acquires, from the second server 300, menu information of the restaurant A or the store visited by the user, using the communication unit 201.

[0289] The calculation unit 202 generates an individual menu for the user corresponding to the allergy information based on the menu information and the allergy information of the user corresponding to the user ID. The menu information includes information indicating one or more ingredients contained in each dish and the amount of each ingredient. The allergy information includes the amount of the user's allergic reaction to each ingredient.

[0290] The calculation unit 202 identifies ingredients that cause allergies from the menu information and have an allergic reaction level equal to or greater than a reference value as ingredients that cause allergies. Here, the individual menu includes dishes that have reduced or eliminated ingredients that cause allergies from each dish included in the menu information.

[0291] The calculation unit 202 transmits individual menu information indicating the individual menu to the information terminal 100 using the communication unit 201. As a result, the calculation unit 202 causes the user at the information terminal 100 to select a dish based on the individual menu.

[0292] Fig. 36 is a sequence diagram showing an example of processing of the information processing system in the third embodiment. In Fig. 36, the same processes as those in Fig. 24 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. In step S4001 following step S502, the information terminal 100 (matching application) transmits an acquisition request for individual menu information to the first server 200. This acquisition request includes the store ID of the store of restaurant A company that the user has entered, the seat ID of the seat where the user is seated, and the user ID of the information terminal 100.

[0293] In step S4002, the first server 200 transmits a request to obtain menu information to the second server 300 of the restaurant A based on the store ID of the store of the restaurant A visited by the user. The second server 300, which receives this request, obtains the menu information of the restaurant A or the store visited by the user from the memory 303, and transmits the obtained menu information to the first server 200.

[0294] In step S4003, the first server 200 receives menu information of the restaurant A or the store visited by the user.

[0295] The first server 200 that has received the menu information analyzes the received menu information and detects that the data attribute of the received menu information is a food attribute. In this case, the first server 200 may detect that the menu information is a food attribute by performing internal analysis of the menu information. Alternatively, the first server 200 may detect that the menu information is a food attribute from supplemental information transmitted separately from the menu information. Then, since the data attribute of the received menu information is a food attribute, the first server 200 determines that the user's allergy information for foods is data for matching, and obtains the allergy information corresponding to the user ID from the memory 203 (step S4004).

[0296] In step S4005, the first server 200 generates an individual menu for the user based on the allergy information of the user. Here, the individual menu is generated using the third method (method using the amount of allergic reaction) described above. The first server 200 transmits individual menu information indicating the generated individual menu to the information terminal 100.

[0297] In step S 4006 , information terminal 100 receives the individual menu information from first server 200 .

[0298] The various screens displayed in the processing of steps S501, S502, and S4001 to S4006 are generated according to the style of the matching app, but the various screens from the individual menus to the completion of the order are generated according to the style provided by Restaurant A.

[0299] In the process from step S1012, the various screens displayed on the information terminal 100 may be screens in which materials (such as text describing the dishes and photos of the dishes) prepared by restaurant A are laid out in the style of the administrator (information bank) of the first server 200. In this way, a unified user experience can be provided to users of the matching app.

[0300] Steps S1012 and S509 are the same as in FIG.

[0301] In step S4007 following step S509, the information terminal 100 that has accepted the selection instruction transmits to the first server 200 an order request in which the user's seat ID is associated with order food information indicating the food to be ordered.

[0302] In step S4008, the first server 200 transmits the order request to the second server 300.

[0303] The second server 300 that has received the order request returns an acknowledgement (ACK) indicating that the order has been received to the first server 200, and, if necessary, the current order status (for example, information related to the order history screen G108). In response, the first server 200 receives the acknowledgement and the current order status (step 4009).

[0304] Having received the response confirmation and the current order status, first server 200 transmits the current order status to information terminal 100. As a result, information terminal 100 receives and displays the current order status (step S4010). The processes of S513 and S514 are the same as those in FIG.

[0305] As described above, according to the third embodiment, when the first server 200 generates an individual menu, it is possible to present to the user appropriate dishes that take into consideration the amount of allergic reaction of the user. Furthermore, in the third embodiment, the allergy information is not transmitted to the second server 200, so that it is possible to prevent the personal information of the user from being leaked outside the first server 200 against the user's intention.

[0306] (Problems from another perspective related to Patent Documents 1 and 2) In a restaurant, when a customer with allergies is served a dish containing reduced allergen ingredients, the dish containing the reduced allergen ingredients must be served to the customer who ordered the dish. Here, a dish containing reduced allergen ingredients is, for example, a dish that does not contain allergen ingredients or has reduced amounts of allergen ingredients. Hereinafter, a dish containing reduced allergen ingredients for the customer who placed the order is called an allergy-friendly dish. It is necessary to reliably avoid serving a dish that is not allergy-friendly and that was ordered by another customer sitting at the same table to the customer, as this has a significant adverse effect on the health of the customer.

[0307] In the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, when an allergy-causing ingredient is included in the dietary rules, the dish containing the allergy-causing ingredient is excluded from the menu information of the recommended dishes.

[0308] However, Patent Document 1 only discloses the presentation of menu information that excludes dishes containing allergy-causing ingredients, and does not disclose anything about serving dishes selected by customers via the menu information to their seats. Therefore, Patent Document 1 raises the possibility that dishes that do not exclude allergy-causing ingredients may be mistakenly served to customers' seats. As a result, Patent Document 1 raises the possibility that customers may consume dishes that do not exclude allergy-causing ingredients, which may have a significant adverse effect on the health of the customers.

[0309] In addition, because information regarding allergenic ingredients is sensitive information, it is also necessary to prevent the information from being provided to third parties without the user's permission.

[0310] The aforementioned Patent Document 2 discloses an order input screen that allows input and registration of food order information for each seat set at each table by an input device. This order input screen includes a seat position image including seat objects indicating multiple seats, and multiple specific dish images corresponding to each dish item. For example, a waiter touches the seat object of a desired seat from the seat position image, and then touches the specific dish image corresponding to the desired dish item. This selects the dish items to be individually ordered by the customer seated at the touched seat.

[0311] In this way, in Patent Document 2, the association between seats and dish items is performed by a waiter manually inputting information via an order input screen. Therefore, there is a possibility that an input error may occur when associating seats and dish items. Such input errors are particularly likely to occur when the restaurant is crowded. Furthermore, the order input screen of Patent Document 2 includes various information and objects other than the seat position image and the dish specification image as shown in Figure 38 of Patent Document 2. From this, it can be seen that there is a high possibility of such erroneous input occurring on the order input screen of Patent Document 2. Therefore, Patent Document 2 has the same problem as Patent Document 1.

[0312] The following disclosure has been made to solve the problem from another perspective described above, and has as its first objective to prevent mistaken ordering of food that is not suitable for allergies, thereby preventing a user from consuming food that is not suitable for allergies and causing serious adverse effects on the user's health.

[0313] Furthermore, a second object of the disclosure below is to prevent sensitive information stored in the first server from being leaked outside the first server without the user's permission.

[0314] A control method according to another aspect of the present disclosure is a control method for an information terminal that communicates via a network with a first server that manages allergy information of a user corresponding to identification information that identifies the user, the control method including: acquiring a restaurant ID and a seat ID indicating the seat of the user via a first operation screen displayed on a display of the information terminal of the user; acquiring menu information indicating one or more dishes offered by the restaurant from a second server related to the restaurant corresponding to the restaurant ID via a network based on the restaurant ID; transmitting the identification information stored in the information terminal to the first server; acquiring allergy information of the user from the first server based on the identification information; generating an individual menu for the user corresponding to the allergy information based on the menu information and the allergy information; displaying the individual menu via a second operation screen for accepting orders for dishes at the restaurant displayed on the display of the information terminal of the user; and transmitting an order menu selected in the individual menu and the seat ID to the second server.

[0315] According to the above-mentioned another aspect, for example, when ordering food, a first operation screen is displayed on the display of the user's information terminal, and a restaurant ID and a user ID are acquired via this first operation screen. From the acquired restaurant ID, menu information indicating one or more dishes provided by the restaurant corresponding to the restaurant ID is acquired from the second server.

[0316] Identification information for identifying a user is stored in the information terminal. Based on this identification information, allergy information of the user is acquired from the first server. Based on this allergy information and menu information, an individual menu for the user corresponding to the allergy information is generated. This individual menu is displayed on the display of the information terminal via the second operation screen. A dish is selected from the displayed individual menu, and ordered dish information indicating the selected dish is associated with the seat ID and transmitted to the second server.

[0317] In this way, in the above-mentioned another aspect, during a series of processes in which a user orders food, the order food information indicating the food selected by the user from an individual menu is associated with the user's seat automatically without human intervention. This prevents food ordered by other users at the same table, which is not suitable for allergies, from being delivered to the seat of a user with an ingredient allergy, even if multiple users sit at the same table and each user orders food. As a result, a user with an ingredient allergy can eat the ordered food without worrying about serious adverse effects on his or her health, and can easily order food.

[0318] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned another aspect, the allergy information is not transmitted to the second server, so that the allergy information is prevented from being leaked to the restaurant. Furthermore, in the above-mentioned another aspect, the ordered food information is transmitted in association with the seat ID, not with the identification information that identifies the user, so that the identification information is prevented from being leaked to the restaurant.

[0319] The above description is merely an example, and the present disclosure may be adapted for various applications by those skilled in the art.

[0320] In the above embodiment, the user's seat is assumed to be a chair, but the present disclosure is not limited to this, and in a buffet-style restaurant, the seat may be, for example, a section of a table where the user eats.

[0321] In each of the above embodiments, each component may be implemented by dedicated hardware or by executing a software program suitable for each component. Each component may be implemented by a program execution unit such as a CPU or processor reading and executing a software program recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk or semiconductor memory.

[0322] The scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiment. As long as it does not deviate from the gist of the present disclosure, various modifications conceived by a person skilled in the art to the present embodiment and forms constructed by combining components in different embodiments may also be included in the scope of the present disclosure. [Industrial Applicability]

[0323] One example of the control method according to the present disclosure is useful as a technology for providing a user who orders a dish in a restaurant that provides cooked food with food that is suitable for the user's allergies. [Explanation of symbols]

[0324] 100: Information terminal 101: Communications Department 102: Memory 103: Camera 104: Arithmetic section 105: Display 106:Operation unit 200: First server 201: Communications Department 202: Arithmetic section 203: Memory 300: Second server 301: Communications Department 302: Arithmetic section 303: Memory

Claims

1. A method for controlling an information terminal that communicates with a first server that manages allergy information of a user corresponding to identification information that identifies the user via a network, comprising: acquiring a restaurant ID via a first operation screen displayed on a display of the information terminal of the user; based on the restaurant ID, obtain menu information indicating one or more dishes provided by the restaurant from a second server associated with the restaurant corresponding to the restaurant ID via a network, the menu information including information indicating one or more ingredients contained in each dish and the amount of each ingredient; transmitting the identification information stored in the information terminal to the first server, and acquiring allergy information of the user from the first server based on the identification information, the allergy information including the amount of allergic reaction of the user to each ingredient; Based on the menu information and the allergy information, an individual menu for the user corresponding to the allergy information is generated, and in generating the individual menu, a calculation value based on the amount of ingredients and the amount of allergic reaction of the user to the ingredients is calculated for each dish included in the menu information, and ingredients whose calculation value is equal to or greater than a reference value are identified as ingredients that cause allergies, and the individual menu includes dishes in which the ingredients that cause allergies have been reduced in each dish included in the menu information, displaying the individual menu via a second operation screen for receiving a food order at the restaurant, which is displayed on a display of the information terminal of the user, and transmitting ordered food information indicating a food selected on the individual menu to the second server. Control methods.

2. Reducing the amount of the ingredient includes reducing the amount of the ingredient to zero. The control method according to claim 1.

3. A method for controlling an information terminal that communicates with a first server that manages allergy information of a user corresponding to identification information that identifies the user via a network, comprising: acquiring a restaurant ID via a first operation screen displayed on a display of the information terminal of the user; based on the restaurant ID, obtain menu information indicating one or more dishes provided by the restaurant from a second server associated with the restaurant corresponding to the restaurant ID via a network, the menu information including information indicating one or more ingredients contained in each dish and the amount of each ingredient; transmitting the identification information stored in the information terminal to the first server, and acquiring allergy information of the user from the first server based on the identification information, the allergy information including the amount of allergic reaction of the user to each ingredient; Based on the menu information and the allergy information, an individual menu for the user corresponding to the allergy information is generated, and in generating the individual menu, a calculation value based on the amount of ingredients and the amount of allergic reaction of the user to the ingredients for each dish included in the menu information is calculated, and ingredients whose calculation value is equal to or greater than a reference value are identified as ingredients that cause allergies, and the individual menu is generated by excluding dishes that contain ingredients that cause allergies from each dish included in the menu information; displaying the individual menu via a second operation screen for receiving a food order at the restaurant, which is displayed on a display of the information terminal of the user, and transmitting ordered food information indicating a food selected on the individual menu to the second server. Control methods.

4. The identification information includes a user ID. The control method according to claim 1 or 3.

5. the first server is different from the second server; The control method according to claim 1 or 3.

6. The restaurant ID is acquired by reading, via the first operation screen, an identification code provided at a position corresponding to the table where the user is seated. The control method according to claim 1 or 3.

7. The identification code includes a QR code. The control method according to claim 6.

8. The first server manages in a distributed manner the biological information including the allergy information, the preference information including the product purchase history information or the food order history information of the user, and the behavior history information including the location information of the user. The control method according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. An information terminal that executes the control method according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. A program for causing a computer of the information terminal to execute the control method according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

11. The identification information for identifying the user includes a serial code for each information terminal assigned to the program. The program according to claim 10.

12. A recording medium having recorded thereon a program for causing a computer of the information terminal to execute the control method according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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