Order system, order method, order program

Abstract

To provide a technique capable of reducing the waiting time of a user after arriving at a destination when the user chooses a place where cooking is provided as the destination.SOLUTION: A disclosed order system includes one or multiple processors. The one or processors is configured to execute the steps: receiving a reservation for cooking to be provided at a place where cooking is provided, by the user; calculating the lead time required to provide the cooking and the arrival time at which the user will arrive at the location providing cooking in response to the reservation of cooking; and instructing to start preparation of the cooking to be provided to the place based on the arrival time and lead time.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a technology for accepting reservations for food provision from a user to a food provision location. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, many technologies have been devised for suggesting appropriate destinations according to the user's requirements and attributes when searching for destinations for travel, entertainment, or the like.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an information processing device having a control unit that identifies facilities that correspond to user attributes including the user's needs, preferences, or characteristics, and outputs information about unvisited facilities from the identified facilities to the user. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-134953 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, depending on the proposed destination, there is a possibility that the user may not receive satisfactory service even after arriving at the destination. As such, there is room for improvement in improving the user's satisfaction upon arriving at the destination, and further technology is required.

[0006] A particularly typical case is when the destination is a food service establishment such as a restaurant, where it takes time to serve the food, and the user ends up having to wait a long time after arriving at the destination.

[0007] In view of the above-mentioned problems, one object of the present disclosure is to provide a technology that reduces the waiting time of a user after arriving at a destination where food is served. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The first aspect relates to the order system. The order receiving system includes one or more processors. The one or more processors Accepting a reservation for food provision from a user for a food provision location; Upon receiving a reservation for food provision, calculate a lead time required for providing the food and an arrival time at which the user will arrive at the food provision location; Instructing a food serving location to start preparing food for serving based on the arrival time and lead time; is configured to execute

[0009] The second aspect relates to the order receiving method. How to order: Accepting a reservation for food provision from a user for a food provision location; Upon receiving a reservation for food provision, calculate a lead time required for providing the food and an arrival time at which the user will arrive at the food provision location; Instructing a food serving location to start preparing food for serving based on the arrival time and lead time; Includes:

[0010] The third aspect relates to the order program. The ordering program is Accepting a reservation for food provision from a user for a food provision location; Upon receiving a reservation for food provision, calculate a lead time required for providing the food and an arrival time at which the user will arrive at the food provision location; Instructing a food serving location to start preparing to serve the food based on the arrival time and the lead time; The present invention is configured to cause a computer to execute the following. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present disclosure, a food delivery location is instructed to begin preparing food based on the user's arrival time at the food delivery location and the lead time required to deliver the food. This allows the food provider to begin preparing the food in accordance with the instructions, which is expected to enable the food to be delivered close to the user's arrival time at the food delivery location. This ultimately reduces the waiting time after the user arrives at a food delivery location such as a restaurant. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of an order receiving system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an order receiving system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the storage device shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process executed by the order receiving device according to the present embodiment. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a part of a process executed by the order receiving device according to the present embodiment. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a part of a process executed by the order receiving device according to the present embodiment. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a part of a process executed by the order receiving device according to the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] 1. Order system FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of an order receiving system 10 according to this embodiment. The order receiving system 10 provides a function for accepting a food delivery reservation from a user 1 to a food delivery location 4, and a function for instructing the food delivery location 4 to start preparing to serve the food based on the reservation. Here, the food delivery reservation may include the specification of a specific dish to be delivered, or may simply be a reservation for a seat at the food delivery location 4. The food delivery reservation may also be a reservation for takeout.

[0014] The functions provided by the order receiving system 10 are realized by the order receiving device 100 executing processes. The order receiving device 100 is typically a computer (server) accessible via the Internet. The order receiving device 100 is also configured to be able to communicate with a user terminal 2 and a provider terminal 5 provided at a food serving location 4. FIG. 1 shows a configuration in which the order receiving device 100 communicates with the user terminal 2 and the provider terminal 5 via the Internet.

[0015] First, the order receiving device 100 receives a reservation for food delivery from user 1 through communication with the user terminal 2. That is, user 1 makes a reservation using the user terminal 2. For example, user 1 selects a delivery location 4 for the food they wish to reserve. Then, user 1 selects the specific food to be delivered. Then, information about the reservation for delivery of the food selected by user 1 is sent from the user terminal 2 to the order receiving device 100 via the Internet. In this way, the order receiving device 100 receives a reservation for food delivery from user 1.

[0016] The user terminal 2 may take any suitable form depending on the environment in which the order-taking system 10 is applied. FIG. 1 shows a user terminal 2 provided in a vehicle 3. In this case, it is assumed that user 1 is the driver of vehicle 3. With this configuration, user 1 can make a reservation for food delivery while aboard vehicle 3, for example, when aboard vehicle 3 to travel to food delivery location 4. In particular, in this case, the order-taking device 100 may be configured to accept user 1's setting of food delivery location 4 as a destination for vehicle 3 as a reservation for food delivery. This allows user 1 to simultaneously set the destination for vehicle 3 and make a reservation for food delivery. This ultimately improves the usability of the order-taking system 10 with respect to food delivery reservations. In this case, the reservation for food delivery is typically a reservation for a seat at food delivery location 4. However, after food delivery location 4 is set as a destination, the order-taking device 100 may also be configured to accept the specification of a specific dish.

[0017] Another example of the user terminal 2 is a mobile terminal (for example, a smartphone) that connects to the Internet. In this case, the user terminal 2 may be capable of using the functions provided by the order receiving system 10 on a predetermined application.

[0018] Next, upon receiving the reservation for food provision, the order receiving device 100 calculates the lead time required for providing the food and the arrival time when the user 1 will arrive at the food provision location 4.

[0019] Here, the order receiving device 100 calculates the arrival time of user 1 at the food serving location 4 based on, for example, information about the current location of user 1 and map information. In this case, the order receiving device 100 may be configured to acquire information about the current location of user 1 and map information via the Internet. For example, the order receiving device 100 acquires GPS location information from the user terminal 2 via the Internet. In particular, the order receiving device 100 may be configured to grasp the congestion status of the route along which user 1 will travel, and calculate the arrival time based on the congestion status of the route.

[0020] The arrival time of the user 1 may be calculated in the user terminal 2. In this case, the order receiving device 100 may obtain the arrival time from the user terminal 2 via the Internet. Furthermore, when a reservation for food delivery is accepted in which the food delivery location 4 is set as the destination of the vehicle 3, the order receiving device 100 may be configured to calculate the estimated time at which the vehicle 3 will arrive at the destination as the arrival time of the user 1. In this case, the order receiving device 100 may be configured to obtain the estimated time at which the vehicle 3 will arrive at the destination from the user terminal 2 via the Internet.

[0021] Furthermore, when a reservation for food service includes the specification of a specific dish, the order receiving device 100 calculates the lead time required to provide the dish based on, for example, a standard lead time established for each dish to be served at the food service location 4. Here, the standard lead time may be the average time required to prepare the dish. The order receiving device 100 may be configured to manage the standard lead time for each dish as a database recorded in a storage device. Furthermore, the standard lead time for each dish may be configured so that the food provider 6 can set it by operating the provider terminal 5.

[0022] For example, the order receiving device 100 calculates the standard lead time established for a specified specific dish as the lead time required to provide the dish. Alternatively, the order receiving device 100 may calculate the lead time by multiplying the standard lead time by a multiplier that corresponds to the status of the food serving location 4. For example, the order receiving device 100 may be configured to calculate the lead time by multiplying the standard lead time by a multiplier that corresponds to the congestion status of the food serving location 4. In this case, the order receiving device 100 may be configured to obtain the congestion status from the provider terminal 5 via the Internet.

[0023] In addition, if the reservation for food delivery is a reservation for a seat at the food delivery location 4 and does not include a specification of a specific dish, the order receiving device 100 can calculate the lead time required for food delivery based on, for example, the average waiting time of user 1 in the past at the food delivery location 4.

[0024] Next, the order receiving device 100 instructs the food serving location 4 to begin preparation for serving the food through communication with the provider terminal 5. In particular, the order receiving device 100 requests the provider terminal 5 to instruct the food serving location 4 to begin preparation for serving the food at a predetermined timing based on the calculated arrival time of the user 1 and the lead time required for serving the food. Then, upon receiving the request from the order receiving device 100, the provider terminal 5 instructs the food provider 6 to begin preparation for serving the food.

[0025] Typically, the order receiving device 100 instructs the food serving location 4 to begin preparing food at a time that is the lead time required to serve the food before the arrival time of the user 1. Alternatively, the order receiving device 100 may be configured to use the lead time before the arrival time as a reference time and issue instructions at a timing that is either before or after the reference time, taking into account variations in arrival time and lead time. By issuing an instruction to begin preparing food in this manner, the food provider 6 can begin preparing the food in accordance with the instruction, and it is expected that the food will be served around the time that the user 1 arrives at the food serving location 4. This in turn reduces the waiting time after the user 1 arrives at the food serving location 4. Furthermore, it is expected that the turnover rate at the food serving location 4 will improve and congestion will be alleviated.

[0026] The order receiving device 100 may be configured to transmit the calculated arrival time and lead time to the provider terminal 5 via the Internet. In this case, the provider terminal 5 may be configured to instruct the food provider 6 of the arrival time and lead time. This configuration allows the food provider 6 to check the arrival time and lead time before and after issuing an instruction to start preparing the food.

[0027] The vehicle 3 may be an autonomous vehicle. In this case, the vehicle 3 may be configured to autonomously drive toward the food serving location 4 after the user 1 sets the food serving location 4 as the destination of the vehicle 3. The order-taking device 100 may be configured to communicate with the vehicle 3 to obtain an estimated time at which the vehicle 3 will arrive at the destination.

[0028] As described above, according to the order receiving system 10 of this embodiment, the food serving location 4 is instructed to start preparing food based on the arrival time of user 1 and the lead time required to serve the food, thereby reducing the waiting time after user 1 arrives at the food serving location 4.

[0029] The configuration of the order receiving system 10 according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0030] 2 is a block diagram showing a preferred example of the configuration of the order receiving system 10. Note that, in FIG. 2, the user terminal 2 is mounted on a vehicle 3.

[0031] The order receiving device 100 includes one or more processors 110 (hereinafter simply referred to as processors 110), one or more storage devices 120 (hereinafter simply referred to as storage devices 120), and a communication device .

[0032] The processor 110 executes various processes. That is, the operation of the processor 110 realizes the execution of the processes of the order receiving device 100. In turn, the functions provided by the order receiving system 10 are realized. For example, the processor 110 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit).

[0033] The storage device 120 stores various types of information required for processing by the processor 110. Examples of the storage device 120 include a volatile memory, a non-volatile memory, a hard disk drive (HDD), and a solid state drive (SSD). The processor 110 reads various types of information from the storage device 120 and stores various types of information in the storage device 120. In particular, the processor 110 operates according to a program read from the storage device 120. The information stored in the storage device 120 will be described later.

[0034] The communication device 130 communicates with devices external to the order-receiving device 100 to send and receive information. In particular, the communication device 130 sends and receives information to and from the vehicle 3 (or the user terminal 2) and the provider terminal 5. That is, the order-receiving device 100 communicates with the vehicle 3 (or the user terminal 2) and the provider terminal 5 via the communication device 130. Typically, the communication device 130 is configured to connect to the Internet and communicate with the vehicle 3 (or the user terminal 2) and the provider terminal 5. The communication device 130 receives reservations for food service, requests instructions to start preparing food service, and the like. The information received by the communication device 130 is stored in the storage device 120.

[0035] The user terminal 2 may be, for example, a device that functions as a car navigation system. The user terminal 2 is configured so that it can at least input a reservation for the provision of food.

[0036] The provider terminal 5 is configured to be able to at least give instructions to the food provider 6. For example, the provider terminal 5 is a tablet terminal equipped with a speaker and a display. In this case, the provider terminal 5 gives instructions to the food provider 6 by sound or display. However, the provider terminal 5 may also be able to use the functions provided by the order receiving system 10 on a specific application.

[0037] 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the storage device 120. The storage device 120 stores standard lead time information 121, map information 122, vehicle information 123, and an order receiving program PROG.

[0038] The standard lead time information 121 is information relating to the standard lead time determined for each dish served at the food serving location 4. The standard lead time information 121 may be managed as a database. In particular, the standard lead time information 121 may include information on the standard lead time for each dish served at each of a plurality of food serving locations for which the order receiving system 10 accepts reservations for food service.

[0039] The map information 122 includes information about the location of the food serving place 4 and road information.

[0040] The vehicle information 123 includes information about the vehicle 3 in which the user 1 rides, such as the current location of the vehicle 3, the vehicle speed, and the destination.

[0041] The order receiving program PROG is a program that causes the processor 110 to execute processing related to the functions provided by the order receiving system 10. In other words, the processor 110 operates in accordance with the order receiving program PROG, thereby realizing the execution of processing related to the functions provided by the order receiving system 10.

[0042] 3. How to order FIG. 4 shows an example of processing executed by the order receiving device 100 in the order receiving system 10, more specifically, processing executed by the processor 110.

[0043] In step S100, the order receiving device 100 receives a reservation from the user 1 for food provision to the food provision place 4.

[0044] In the following step S110, the order receiving device 100 calculates the arrival time at which the user 1 will arrive at the food serving location 4.

[0045] In the next step S120, the order receiving device 100 calculates the lead time required to provide the food for the reservation for food service received in step S100. In particular, if the reservation for food service includes the specification of a specific dish, the order receiving device 100 refers to the standard lead time information 121 stored in the storage device 120, and calculates the lead time based on the standard lead time determined for the specific dish.

[0046] In the following step S130, the order receiving device 100 instructs the food serving location 4 to start preparing to serve the food based on the arrival time of user 1 calculated in step S110 and the lead time calculated in step S120. Typically, the order receiving device 100 instructs the food serving location 4 to start preparing to serve the food at a time that is the lead time calculated in step S120 before the arrival time of user 1 calculated in step S110.

[0047] After step S130, the process ends. By receiving the instruction, the food provider 6 can determine when to start preparing the food. In particular, by starting food preparation according to the instruction, the food provider 6 can be expected to be served close to the time when the user 1 arrives at the food serving location 4. This in turn enables the user 1 to shorten the waiting time for the food at the food serving location 4.

[0048] In this way, processing is executed by the order receiving device 100. Furthermore, in this way, the order receiving device 100 realizes an order receiving method for accepting a reservation for food provision from the user 1 to the food provision place 4.

[0049] 3-1. Specific processing example of step S100 Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a part of the processing executed by the order receiving device 100 according to this embodiment. Specifically, Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing in detail the processing executed by the order receiving device 100 in step S100.

[0050] In step S101, the order receiving device 100 acquires the destination of the user 1, that is, the food serving location 4.

[0051] In step S102, the order receiving device 100 acquires a designation of a specific dish that the user 1 will receive.

[0052] Step S100 is made up of steps S101 and S102. After step S102, the process proceeds to step S110.

[0053] 3-2. Specific configuration example of step S110 Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a part of the processing executed by the order receiving device according to this embodiment. Specifically, Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing in detail the processing executed by the order receiving device 100 in step S110.

[0054] In step S111, the order-receiving device 100 acquires the current location of the user 1. Specifically, the order-receiving device 100 acquires GPS location information from the user terminal 2 via the Internet, and recognizes it as the current location of the user 1.

[0055] In step S112, the order receiving device 100 acquires a route along which the user 1 will travel, based on the current location of the user 1, the destination acquired in step S101, and the map information 122.

[0056] In step S113, the order receiving device 100 ascertains the congestion status of the route acquired in step S112. For example, the order receiving device 100 acquires the congestion status of the route from an external traffic information center via the communication device 130.

[0057] In step S114, the order receiving device 100 calculates the estimated time at which the user 1 will arrive at the food serving location 4 based on the congestion status grasped in step S113, and sets this as the user 1's arrival time.

[0058] Step S110 is made up of steps S111 to S114. After step S114, the process proceeds to step S120.

[0059] 3-3. Specific configuration example of step S120 Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of a part of the processing executed by the order receiving device according to this embodiment. Specifically, Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing in detail the processing executed by the order receiving device 100 in step S120.

[0060] In step S121, the order receiving device 100 ascertains the congestion status of the food providing location 4. For example, the order receiving device 100 acquires the congestion status input by the food provider 6 using the provider terminal 5 via the Internet.

[0061] In step S122, the order receiving device 100 acquires the standard lead time.

[0062] In step S123, the order receiving device 100 calculates the lead time based on the congestion status of the food serving location 4 and the standard lead time.

[0063] Step S120 is made up of steps S121 to S123. After step S123, the process proceeds to step S130. [Explanation of symbols]

[0064] 2. User terminal 3 vehicles 4. Where food is served 5 Provider terminal 6. Food provider 10 Order System 100 Order receiving device 110 processors 120 Storage device PROG Order Program

Claims

1. one or more processors; the one or more processors: A process of accepting a reservation for food provision from a user to a food provision location; a process of calculating a lead time required for serving the food and an arrival time of the user at the serving location upon receiving the reservation; a process of instructing the serving location to start preparing to serve the food based on the arrival time and the lead time; is configured to run The one or more processors accept the reservation when the reservation information including the user operating a user terminal to set the provision location as a destination of the vehicle is received from the user terminal. Characterized by Order system.

2. The order receiving system according to claim 1, The one or more processors calculating the arrival time includes setting the estimated time at which the vehicle will arrive at the destination as the arrival time. Characterized by Order system.

3. The order receiving system according to claim 1, The one or more processors calculating the arrival time grasping the congestion status of the route traveled by the user; calculating the arrival time based on a congestion status of the route; Contains Characterized by Order system.

4. The order receiving system according to claim 1, The one or more processors calculating the lead time Grasping the congestion status of the provision location; Calculating the lead time based on a congestion state of the supply location; Contains Characterized by Order system.

5. The order receiving system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The reservation includes a designation of a particular dish to be served; Calculating the lead time by the one or more processors includes calculating the lead time based on a standard lead time defined for the specific dish. Characterized by Order system.

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