Information processing device

Abstract

To provide quality food and drink at a fair price. [Solution] A circumnavigation count detection unit 151 detects the number of times a sushi plate D has circulated around the conveyor V (number of circumnavigations) from data obtained by a detection sensor 20. A price calculation unit 52 calculates the price of sushi S placed on the sushi plate D based on the number of circumnavigations detected by the circumnavigation count detection unit 151. A container shape conversion unit 54 executes control to convert the shape of the sushi plate D based on the price of the sushi S changed by the price calculation unit 52. This allows consumers to easily purchase sushi at a fair price according to its quality.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a system has been widely used in which plates on which sushi is served are displayed and transported on a circulating sushi supply conveyor, and the sushi is provided to consumers (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-63927 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, it is unavoidable that food, such as sushi, loses its freshness over time. In particular, in the case of a system in which food and drink are continuously circulated, such as the conventional technology disclosed in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, it is difficult for consumers to know how much time has passed since the circulated food and drink was cooked. Because consumers want to buy fresh, high-quality products for the same price, they tend to avoid picking up food and drink that is already in circulation and choose to order new products, which creates the problem of large amounts of food waste.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and has an object to provide food and beverages at a fair price according to their quality. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, an information processing device according to one aspect of the present invention comprises: 1. An information processing device that supports a service of providing food and drink to consumers around a closed-loop conveyor by conveying containers containing the food and drink, the information processing device comprising: a circulating number detection means for detecting the number of circulating times that the container has circulated around the conveyor; a price changing means for changing the price of the food or drink contained in the container according to the number of revolutions of the container; and a container shape changing means for changing the shape of the container in accordance with the price that has been changed in accordance with the number of revolutions. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide food and beverages at a fair price according to their quality. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of an information processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 2 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the installation of equipment used in the present service and an example of the functional configuration of the information processing device of FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] FIG. 13 is an image diagram showing an example of plate shape conversion. [Figure 4] 3 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of a container shape conversion process executed by an information processing device having the functional configuration of FIG. 2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of an information processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0011] First, prior to describing the embodiment of the present invention, a brief description will be given of a service (hereinafter, referred to as "the present service") to which an information processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. In other words, this service is provided to consumers who receive food and drink such as sushi at a store, such as a conveyor belt sushi restaurant, and enables the consumer to receive sushi at a fair price that corresponds to the quality.

[0012] This service utilizes an information processing device 1 that has the functions of detecting the condition of the sushi and sushi plates, changing the price of food and drinks such as sushi depending on that condition, and converting the shape of the sushi plate depending on the price of the sushi. The information processing device 1 is provided by a system administrator (not shown) and is installed, for example, in a conveyor belt sushi restaurant.

[0013] The information processing device 1 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, a bus 14, an input / output interface 15, an output unit 16, an input unit 17, a memory unit 18, a communication unit 19, a detection sensor 20, a dish color / display converter 21, and a drive 22.

[0014] The CPU 11 executes various processes according to a program recorded in the ROM 12 or a program loaded from the storage unit 18 into the RAM 13 . The RAM 13 also stores data and the like necessary for the CPU 11 to execute various processes.

[0015] The CPU 11, ROM 12, and RAM 13 are connected to one another via a bus 14. An input / output interface 15 is also connected to this bus 14. An output unit 16, an input unit 17, a storage unit 18, a communication unit 19, a detection sensor 20, a dish color / display converter 21, and a drive 22 are connected to the input / output interface 15.

[0016] The output unit 16 is composed of various liquid crystal displays and the like, and outputs various information. The input unit 17 is composed of various hardware devices and the like, and inputs various types of information. The storage unit 18 is composed of a hard disk, a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory), etc., and stores various data. The communication unit 19 controls communications with other devices via a network N including the Internet. Detection sensor 20 is, for example, a camera, and is installed at a predetermined position on the ceiling, wall, or the like of a store such as a conveyor-belt sushi restaurant. The camera serving as detection sensor 20 captures an image of a sushi plate placed on a chain conveyor (for example, conveyor V in FIG. 2) as the sushi plate passes a predetermined position. In other words, the camera captures an image of the sushi plate every time the continuously circulated sushi plate makes one revolution around the chain conveyor. Plate color / display converter 21 is composed of, for example, a device capable of changing the color tone of a sushi plate. Specifically, for example, plate color / display converter 21 converts the color of a sushi plate to a predetermined color by applying a predetermined voltage to electrodes on the sushi plate made of glass (for example, electrochromic glass) containing a predetermined chemical substance.

[0017] Removable media 31, such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a semiconductor memory, is appropriately loaded into the drive 22. A program read from the removable media 31 by the drive 22 is installed in the storage unit 18 as necessary. Furthermore, the removable medium 30 can also store various data stored in the storage unit 18 in the same manner as the storage unit 18 .

[0018] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the installation of equipment used in this service and an example of the functional configuration of the information processing device in FIG.

[0019] In the example of Figure 2, a conveyor V that circulates sushi plates D carrying sushi S is installed in store A. The sushi plates D circulated by the conveyor V are provided to consumers C who are nearby the conveyor V by taking them away.

[0020] In the CPU 11 of the information processing device 1, a state detection unit 51, a price calculation unit 52, a lane conversion unit 53, a container shape conversion unit 54, and an advertisement and other information provision unit 55 function.

[0021] The status detection unit 51 is composed of a lap count detection unit 151 and an abnormality detection unit 152, and detects the status of m (m is any integer greater than or equal to 1) sushi plates D-1 to Dm transported by a closed conveyor V and the pieces of sushi S-1 to Sn (n is any integer greater than or equal to 1) placed on each of the sushi plates D-1 to Dm. In addition, when there is no particular need to distinguish between the sushi plates D-1 to Dm, they will be collectively referred to as "sushi plate D." In addition, when there is no particular need to distinguish between the sushi plates S-1 to Sn, they will be collectively referred to as "sushi S." For convenience of explanation, unless otherwise specified, the following specific explanation will be given on the assumption that sushi S is placed on sushi plate D.

[0022] The lap count detection unit 151 detects the number of times that the sushi plate D has circulated around the conveyor V (hereinafter referred to as the "lap count") from an image of the sushi plate D captured by a camera, which is an example of the detection sensor 20. Specifically, for example, by using a predetermined image recognition technique, the lap count detection unit 151 detects that the sushi plate D-1 has circulated around the conveyor V two times, that the sushi plate D-2 has circulated around the conveyor V five times, and so on. Note that the camera installed in the store is merely an example of the detection sensor 20 and is not limited thereto. For example, various sensors including a weight sensor, a temperature sensor, and a sensor using infrared rays may be installed. Furthermore, a plurality of such sensors including the camera may be installed on the conveyor V. In this way, the number of times the sushi plate D has circulated around the conveyor V is automatically detected, making it possible to quantify the amount of time that has passed since the sushi plate D was placed on the conveyor V.

[0023] The abnormality detection unit 152 detects an abnormality in the sushi S from a captured image of the sushi plate D obtained as a result of imaging by a camera, which is an example of the detection sensor 20 . Possible abnormalities in the sushi S include, for example, the sushi S not being neatly arranged on the sushi plate D, the toppings of the sushi S falling off the rice, the sushi S being dry, etc. Furthermore, for example, the abnormality detection unit 152 may detect a change in the color of the toppings of the sushi S by executing a predetermined image processing based on a captured image of the sushi plate D. For example, if the sushi S is mackerel sushi and the color of the toppings has turned black, the sushi S may be determined to be abnormal (its freshness has decreased). In this way, abnormalities in the sushi S are automatically detected, and can be used as an indicator of the quality of the sushi S.

[0024] The price calculation unit 52 calculates the price of the sushi S placed on the sushi plate D according to the number of revolutions of the sushi plate D detected by the revolution number detection unit 151. In other words, if the initial set price for the tuna sushi S is 500 yen, the price calculation unit 52 changes the price of the sushi S according to the number of times it has traveled around the conveyor V based on a predetermined calculation formula: 300 yen if the sushi S has traveled around the conveyor V three times, 100 yen if it has traveled around five times, and 0 yen if it has traveled around five times or more. For example, if the sushi S is mackerel sushi, which loses freshness relatively quickly, the initial set price may be 300 yen, and the price calculation unit 52 may change the price of the sushi to 100 yen if the sushi S has made one revolution around the conveyor V, and 0 yen if it has made five or more revolutions. In this way, the price of the sushi changes depending on the number of times the sushi plate D goes around, so that the consumer C can receive sushi S at a fair price according to its quality.

[0025] At this time, the price calculation unit 52 may change the price of the sushi depending on the presence or absence of an abnormality in the sushi S detected by the abnormality detection unit 152. Specifically, for example, in the above-mentioned example of the tuna sushi S, if the sushi plate D has made four revolutions around the conveyor V, the price of the sushi S would normally be 300 yen, but if the abnormality detection unit 152 detects that the color of the toppings of the sushi S has changed, the price of the sushi S may be changed to 0 yen even if the number of revolutions is the fourth. In this way, the price is reflected in the number of times the sushi plate D is rotated and the appearance of the sushi S, so consumer C can eat sushi S at a fair price according to its quality. Therefore, for example, consumer C can eat a large amount of cheap sushi S or a small amount of expensive sushi S. In this way, consumer C can freely enjoy conveyor belt sushi according to his / her budget and condition. And because people can enjoy sushi in such a variety of ways, the number of sushi plates D that continue to circulate for long periods of time without being picked up will decrease, which will ultimately reduce food waste.

[0026] The container form conversion unit 54 executes control to convert the form of the sushi plate D according to the price of the sushi S changed by the price calculation unit 52. Specifically, for example, when a sushi plate D-1 carrying a 100-yen sushi S-1 passes a predetermined position, the container form conversion unit 54 executes control to convert the color of the sushi plate D-1 from white to blue via the plate color / display converter 21. Also, for example, when a sushi plate D-2 carrying a 300-yen sushi S-2 passes a predetermined position, the container form conversion unit 54 executes control to convert the color of the sushi plate D-2 from blue to yellow. This allows consumer C to easily recognize the change in price of the sushi S placed on the sushi plate D, so that consumer C can receive the sushi S after being satisfied with the quality and price.

[0027] Based on the price of the sushi S, the lane conversion unit 53 operates the path separator G provided on the conveyor V to execute control to separate the sushi plate D from the closed conveyor V. Specifically, for example, when sushi plates D-3 and D-4, whose price has been changed to 50 yen, are transported close to the path separator G, the lane conversion unit 53 outputs a signal to close the path separator G via the communication unit 19. As a result, as shown in Figure 2, sushi plates D-3 and D-4 are separated from the closed conveyor V and transported to the separator lane Q, where they are disposed of or otherwise processed as required. Then, when the next 300 yen sushi plate D-5 is conveyed near the path separator G, the lane conversion unit 53 outputs a signal to open the path separator G via the communication unit 19. As a result, the sushi plate D-5 is circulated on the closed conveyor V as shown in FIG. To sum up, when the price of sushi S falls below a predetermined threshold, the lane conversion unit 53 removes the sushi S from the route and does not serve it to the consumer C. This prevents only cheap sushi S with low profit margins from being purchased, allowing store A to secure a certain profit margin.

[0028] When the price of sushi S changed in the price calculation unit 52 satisfies specified conditions, the advertising etc. information providing unit 55 executes control to send specified information to the terminal 2 owned by consumer C via the communication unit 19. Specifically, for example, when the price of sushi S-2 is changed to 100 yen in the price calculation unit 52, the advertising information provision unit 55 executes control to send to the terminal 2 sales information such as "Anyone who buys five plates of 100 yen sushi will receive one more plate free." Providing such information will encourage consumption of the sushi S circulating on the conveyor V. As a result, store A's sales will increase and food waste will be reduced.

[0029] FIG. 3 is an image diagram showing an example of changing the shape of a sushi plate D.

[0030] FIG. 3(A) shows an image of the color tone of the sushi plate D being changed in accordance with the price of the sushi S changed by the price calculation unit 52. Specifically, for example, the price of sushi S-7-1 placed on sushi plate D-7-1 before it is transported is 500 yen, and the color tone of sushi plate D-7-1 at this time is blue. The sushi plate D-7-1 is made of electrochromic material and changes color when a certain voltage is applied. Therefore, for example, when the number of rotations reaches 3 and the price of the sushi S-7-1 becomes 300 yen, the color of the sushi plate D-7-1 changes from blue to yellow when a certain voltage is applied to the electrodes (not shown) on the sushi plate D-7-1 (sushi plate D-7-2 in Fig. 3(A)).

[0031] FIG. 3(B) shows an image of how the display content of a display screen U provided on a sushi plate D changes according to the price of the sushi S changed by the price calculation unit 52. Specifically, for example, if the price of the sushi S-8-1 placed on the sushi plate D-8-1 before being conveyed is 500 yen, the display screen U will show "500 yen." After the sushi plate D-8-1 has been rotated three times, the price of the sushi S-8-1 becomes 300 yen, so the display screen U shows "300 yen" (sushi plate D-8-2 in Figure 3(B)). In this way, the shape of the plate changes depending on the price of the sushi S, so that the consumer C can easily recognize at a glance that the price of the sushi S has changed. This allows the consumer C to efficiently pick up the sushi plate D that he or she desires, for example.

[0032] Next, with reference to FIG. 4, a flow of container shape conversion processing executed in the information processing device 1 having the functional configuration of FIG. 2 will be described.

[0033] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of container shape conversion processing executed by an information processing device having the functional configuration of FIG.

[0034] In step S1, the rotation number detection unit 151 detects the number of rotations of the sushi plate D via the detection sensor 20. In step S2, the abnormality detection unit 152 detects whether or not the sushi S has an abnormality. In step S3, the price calculation unit 52 changes the price of the sushi S depending on the number of revolutions of the sushi plate D. At this time, the price calculation unit 52 may also change the price of the sushi S depending on whether or not there is an abnormality in the sushi S. In step S4, the price calculation unit 52 determines whether the price of the sushi S changed in step S3 is equal to or higher than a threshold value.

[0035] If it is determined in step S4 that the price of the sushi S is equal to or greater than the threshold value, the process proceeds to step S5. In step S5, the container shape conversion unit 54 executes control to convert the shape of the sushi plate D in accordance with the price of the sushi S changed by the price calculation unit 52. Then, the process returns to step S1, and the subsequent processes are repeated.

[0036] On the other hand, if it is not determined in step S4 that the calculated price of the sushi S is equal to or greater than the predetermined value, the process in step S5 described above is not executed, and the process proceeds to step S6.

[0037] In step S6, the lane conversion unit 53 outputs a signal to close the path separator G on the conveyor V, thereby executing a process of removing, from the closed conveyor V, the sushi S that is cheaper than a predetermined price. In this way, the container shape conversion process is completed.

[0038] Although an embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and modifications and improvements that can achieve the object of the present invention are included in the present invention.

[0039] For example, the conveyor V may be equipped with an ultraviolet ray irradiation device. When the sushi plate D passes through a specified location on the conveyor V, the ultraviolet ray irradiation device irradiates the sushi plate D with ultraviolet rays, thereby removing viruses and other contaminants that may be attached to the sushi plate D and the sushi S.

[0040] The above-described series of processes can be executed by hardware or software. In other words, the functional configuration in FIG. 2 is merely an example and is not particularly limited. That is, it is sufficient if the system is provided with a function capable of executing the above-mentioned series of processes as a whole, and the type of functional block used to realize this function is not limited to the example in Fig. 2. Furthermore, the locations of the functional blocks and databases are not particularly limited to those in Fig. 2 and may be arbitrary. Furthermore, one functional block may be configured as a single piece of hardware, a single piece of software, or a combination of both.

[0041] Furthermore, for example, when a series of processes is executed by software, a program constituting the software is installed into a computer or the like from a network or a recording medium. The computer may be a computer implemented with dedicated hardware. Furthermore, the computer may be a computer capable of executing various functions by installing various programs thereon, such as a server, a general-purpose smartphone, or a personal computer.

[0042] Furthermore, for example, a recording medium containing such a program may be configured not only as a removable medium (not shown) that is distributed separately from the device main body in order to provide the program to users (providers of this service), but also as a recording medium that is provided to users in a state where it is pre-installed in the device main body.

[0043] In this specification, the steps of describing a program to be recorded on a recording medium include not only processes that are performed chronologically according to the order, but also processes that are not necessarily performed chronologically but are executed in parallel or individually. In addition, in this specification, the term "system" refers to an overall device that is composed of a plurality of devices, a plurality of means, etc.

[0044] In other words, the information processing apparatus to which the present invention is applied is sufficient if it has the following configuration, and can take on a variety of different embodiments.

[0045] That is, the information processing device to which the present invention is applied is In an information processing device (e.g., information processing device 1 in FIG. 2) that supports a service of providing food and drink (e.g., sushi S in FIG. 2) to consumers (e.g., consumer C in FIG. 2) present around a closed-loop conveyor (e.g., conveyor V in FIG. 2) by conveying a container (e.g., sushi plate D in FIG. 2) containing the food and drink, the information processing device (e.g., information processing device 1 in FIG. 2) supports a service of providing the food and drink to consumers (e.g., consumer C in FIG. 2) present around the conveyor, A circulating number detection means (for example, the circulating number detection unit 151 in FIG. 2) for detecting the number of circulating times that the container has circulated on the conveyor; A price changing means (e.g., the price calculation unit 52 in FIG. 2) for changing the price of the food or drink contained in the container according to the number of revolutions of the container; The device includes a container shape changing means (for example, container shape changing unit 54 in FIG. 2) that changes the shape of the container according to the price that has been changed according to the number of revolutions. This allows the consumer to know at a glance that the price of the food and drink being delivered has changed, so that the consumer can receive the food and drink at a fair price according to the quality of the food and drink.

[0046] In addition, the information processing device to which the present invention is applied further includes a provision means (e.g., an advertisement and other information provision unit 55) for providing predetermined information (e.g., sale information) to the consumer when the price changed according to the number of laps satisfies a predetermined condition (e.g., when it becomes 300 yen or less). This will stimulate consumer purchasing desire, promoting consumption of Sushi S and, as a result, reducing food waste.

[0047] In addition, in the information processing device to which the present invention is applied, the conveyor (e.g., conveyor V in FIG. 2) has an exit path (e.g., path exit device G) that exits the closed path, and further includes an exit means (e.g., lane conversion unit 53 in FIG. 2) that transports the containers (e.g., sushi plates D in FIG. 2) whose prices have fallen below a predetermined threshold (e.g., those priced at 0 yen) to the exit path. This makes it possible to prevent only 0 yen food and drink items from being consumed, enabling establishments that provide food and drink to secure a certain profit margin.

[0048] The information processing device to which the present invention is applied further comprises a state detection means for detecting a state of the container and the food or drink contained therein. This allows food and drink to be provided at a fair price according to the quality, such as the appearance, of the food and drink. [Explanation of symbols]

[0049] 1 information processing device, 51 status detection unit, 52 price calculation unit, 53 lane conversion unit, 54 container shape conversion unit, 55 advertisement and other information provision unit, 151 lap number detection unit, 152 abnormality detection unit

Claims

1. 1. An information processing device that supports a service of providing food and drink to consumers around a closed-loop conveyor by conveying containers containing the food and drink, the information processing device comprising: a circulating number detection means for detecting the number of circulating times that the container has circulated around the conveyor; a price changing means for setting a plurality of price ranges and transition timings to the price ranges for each of the foods and beverages, and automatically changing the price to the price in the corresponding price range each time the number of revolutions of the container reaches the transition timing; a transmission control means for controlling the transmission of sale information including price information indicating the changed price range to the consumer's terminal; An information processing device comprising:

2. The conveyor has a withdrawal path for withdrawing the conveyor from the closed path, A detachment means for transporting, among the containers, those whose prices in the changed price range fall below a predetermined threshold, to the detachment path; The information processing device according to claim 1 , further comprising:

3. a state detection means for detecting a state of the container and the food or drink contained therein; The information processing device according to claim 1 , further comprising:

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