Food and beverage supply system

Abstract

This first food and drink provision system is for providing food / drink to a customer in a store having a plurality of seats for customers, the system comprising: a store entrance reception unit that receives a seat-waiting request from a customer and stores the request as reception information; an available seat processing unit that sets information of a seat that has become available, among the plurality of seats, in association with seat information regarding said seat; a seat setting unit that, if the available seat processing unit has set one of the customer seats as being available, associates the seat-waiting information with the seat information pertaining to the available seat, in a prescribed order, under a prescribed condition; and a start setting unit that, when the reception information is associated with the seat information by the seat setting unit, records eating / drinking start information indicating that eating / drinking has started, in association with the seat information.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a food and drink serving system for serving food and drink to customers in a store having a plurality of seats for customers. [Background technology]

[0002] In food and drink supply systems such as conveyor belt sushi restaurants, orders are placed via a touch panel display installed on the table (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The bill is then paid based on the food and drink ordered. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-103603 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Conventionally, a customer's eating and drinking start time is recorded as the time the customer is seated at a table. When this eating and drinking start time is recorded, the food and drinks ordered up until the time the bill is paid are used as the basis for the bill. However, if the start of eating and drinking at a table is not set correctly, the number of food and drinks ordered cannot be accurately calculated. For example, if a restaurant staff member forgets to set the start of eating and drinking and sets the start time some time after eating and drinking has already begun, some dishes may not be counted despite having been consumed. Since the start of eating and drinking is used not only as the basis for billing but also for customer analysis, a method for automatically obtaining the start of eating and drinking is desired. Furthermore, this problem is also desired in food and drink services other than conveyor-belt sushi restaurants.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve the above problem, and aims to provide a food and drink counting device that can automatically obtain the time when customers who have been shown to their seats begin eating and drinking. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The first food and beverage provision system of the present invention is a food and beverage provision system for providing food and beverages to customers in a store having multiple seats for customers, and includes: an entry reception unit that receives a seat waiting request from a customer and stores the request as reception information; a vacant seat processing unit that sets the fact that one of the multiple seats has become vacant in association with seat information related to that seat; a seat setting unit that, when the vacant seat processing unit has set one of the customer seats as vacant, associates the seat waiting information with seat information related to the vacant seat in a predetermined order under predetermined conditions; and a start setting unit that, when the seat setting unit has associated the reception information with the seat information, records eating and beverage start information indicating that eating and beverages have started in association with the seat information.

[0007] The second food and beverage provision system of the present invention is a food and beverage provision system for providing food and beverages to customers in a store having multiple seats for customers, and comprises: a reservation reception unit that stores reservation information regarding reservations from the customers and assigns the customer a reservation identification information associated with the reservation information; a vacant seat processing unit that sets the fact that one of the multiple seats has become vacant in association with the seat information for that seat; an entry reception unit that, when the reservation identification information is input at the store, stores the information as if the customer associated with the reservation information has entered the store; a seat setting unit that, when the vacant seat processing unit has set one of the customer's seats as vacant, associates the reservation information of the customer who has entered the store with the seat information for the vacant seat in a predetermined order under predetermined conditions; and a start setting unit that, when the seat setting unit associates the reservation information with the seat information, records eating and beverage start information indicating that eating and beverages have started in association with the seat information.

[0008] The food and drink serving system can include a checkout initiation unit provided at each seat for initiating checkout for that seat, and a checkout information generation unit that calculates the amount of food and drink consumed at that seat from the start of eating and drinking to the start of the checkout, and generates checkout information based on the amount of food and drink consumed.

[0009] The food and beverage service system can further include an order processing unit provided at each seat that accepts food and beverage orders, and the transaction information generation unit can be configured to generate the transaction information based on the orders accepted by the order processing unit.

[0010] The food and beverage serving system may further include a conveying path that passes along the plurality of seats and conveys plates carrying food and beverages, an input unit provided at each seat that receives the plates after they have been removed from the conveying path and the food and beverages have been consumed, and an input processing unit that counts the number of plates input into the input unit, and the accounting information generation unit may be configured to generate the accounting information based on the number of plates counted by the input processing unit.

[0011] The food and drink providing system includes a conveying path that passes alongside customer seats and conveys supports on which plates for food and drink can be placed, a first information acquisition unit that is arranged upstream of the seats and acquires information about the supports on the conveying path, a second information acquisition unit that is arranged downstream of the seats and acquires information about the supports on the conveying path, and a counting unit that calculates the number of plates taken out from the conveying path to the seats, wherein identification information for identifying each of the supports is provided on each of the supports, and each of the supports is configured to be able to take a first state in which the plate is placed on it and a second state in which the plate is not placed on it, and the counting unit includes a first determination step in which the first information acquisition unit determines which state the support is in, and a second information acquisition unit that determines which state the support is in, a first storage step of associating and storing the identification information of the support acquired by the second information acquisition unit with the state of the support; a second storage step of associating and storing the identification information of the support acquired by the second information acquisition unit with the state of the support; and a counting step of counting the food or drink supported on the support as having been consumed at the table when the first information acquisition unit determines that the support is in the first state and the second information acquisition unit determines that the support determined to be in the first state is in the second state, and the transaction information generation unit is configured to generate the transaction information based on the number of plates counted by the counting unit.

[0012] In the above food and beverage serving system, the seat setting unit can be configured to notify the customer of the seat information relating to the vacant seat after associating the vacant seat with the seat information. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the food and drink providing system of the present invention, it is possible to accurately grasp the time when a customer begins eating and drinking. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of a food and drink providing system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a reception device. [Figure 7] 10 is an example of a reservation screen of a customer terminal. [Figure 8] 10 is an example of a reservation screen of a customer terminal. [Figure 9] 10 is an example of a screen of a reception terminal. [Figure 10] 10 is an example of a screen of a reception terminal. [Figure 11] 10 is an example of a screen of a reception terminal. [Figure 12] 10 is a flowchart of a reception process when there is no reservation. [Figure 13] 10 is a flowchart of a reception process when there is a reservation. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the accounting device. [Figure 15] 10 is an example of a chronological list of container information. [Figure 16] 10 is a flowchart of an accounting process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] <1. Overview of the food and beverage supply system> An embodiment of a food and drink providing system according to the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of the food and drink providing system.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 1, a food and beverage service system 10 according to this embodiment is installed in a sushi restaurant, for example, and includes various devices such as a reception terminal 5 for receiving customers, a conveyance path 2 for conveying food and beverages, and a customer table 31 including a display, as well as a management system 6 for managing these devices, accepting reservations, assigning seats to customers, and handling payments. The management system 6 includes a reception device 7 for primarily receiving customers, and an accounting device 8 for primarily handling payments. The management system 6 is also connectable to a customer terminal 20 via a network such as the Internet, allowing customers to make seat reservations using the customer terminal 20. The customer terminal 20 is configured as a well-known computer such as a smartphone or personal computer. Each component will be described in detail below.

[0017] <2.Various equipment> Next, various devices installed in the store will be described. Figure 2 is a partial plan view of the store, Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the transport path arranged in the store, Figure 4 is a side view of the transport path, and Figure 5 is a side view of the container transported by the transport path.

[0018] <2-1. Reception terminal> As shown in Fig. 2, a reception terminal 5 is placed near the entrance of the store. This reception terminal 5 is equipped with a touch panel display. This reception terminal 5 receives customers who enter the store without a reservation and customers who enter with a reservation. Details of customer reception by the reception terminal 5 will be described later.

[0019] <2-2. Table and conveyor path> As shown in Figure 2, the store is provided with a transport path 2 for transporting containers 1 containing food and beverages between a guest room S1 and a kitchen S2. A plurality of customer seating booths 3 separated by partitions are provided in the guest room S1, and each customer seating booth 3 is arranged along the transport path 2. Each customer seating booth 3 is also provided with a rectangular table 31, and one side of this table 31 is installed so that it contacts the transport path 2.

[0020] As shown in Figure 3, the container 1 transported by the transport path 2 contains plates 11 on which food and drink (sushi, soup, sweets, drinks, etc.) are placed, and customers at each seating booth 3 take the plates 11 on which food and drink are placed from the container 1 on the transport path 2 and eat and drink at the table 31.

[0021] Additionally, a touch panel display 32 for placing orders, making payments, etc., and an insertion device 33 for inserting dishes 11 are arranged on a table 31 of the customer booth 3. Each component will be described in detail below.

[0022] A flat chain conveyor 21 is arranged on the conveying path 2, and this flat chain conveyor 21 is driven by a motor (not shown) to move in a circular motion between the guest room S1 and the kitchen S2. The above-mentioned containers 1 are arranged on the flat chain conveyor 21 at predetermined intervals and move on the conveying path 2.

[0023] As shown in Fig. 4, a first camera 41 and a second camera 42 are respectively disposed above the conveyance path 2, on the upstream and downstream sides of the table 31 of each seating booth 3. These cameras 41, 42 are used for accounting processing in the accounting device 8, which will be described later. The first camera 41 and the second camera 42 are installed in each seating booth 3.

[0024] The first camera 41 sequentially photographs the container 1 moving on the conveying path 2, and acquires photographed images of the container 1. Similarly, the second camera 42 sequentially photographs the container 1 moving on the conveying path 2, and acquires photographed images of the container 1.

[0025] As shown in Figure 5(a), each container 1 comprises a mounting section 12 that is placed on the flat chain conveyor 21, and a dome-shaped transparent lid 13 that covers the mounting section 12 and is configured to be openable and closable. A plate 11 with food or drink on it can be placed on the mounting section 12. The lid 13 is fixed to the mounting section 12 so that it can swing relative to the mounting section 12 by an opening and closing mechanism 14 that includes a hinge, and can be placed in two states: a closed state (first state) in which it covers the plate 11 placed on the mounting section 12, as shown in Figure 5(a), and an open state (second state) in which it is possible to remove the plate 11 with food or drink on it from the mounting section 12, as shown in Figure 5(b).

[0026] In the closed state, the lower edge of the lid 13 contacts the periphery of the plate 11 placed on the placement section 12. This covers the food and drink on the plate, preventing dust and other particles from adhering to the plate and maintaining hygiene. The lower end of the lid 13 is formed with an arc-shaped notch 131 facing the customer booth 3, allowing the edge of the plate 11 stored therein to be grasped through this notch 131 when the lid 13 is in the closed state. When a customer inserts their finger through the notch 131 to grasp the edge of the plate 11 and then slightly pulls up the plate 11, the opening / closing mechanism 14 causes the lid 13 to spring open. This allows the customer to remove the plate 11 from the container 1 while still holding it with their fingers.

[0027] Additionally, the top of each lid 13 is provided with a display tag 132 indicating the type of food or drink contained in each lid 13, and an identifier 133 embedded with identification information for identifying each container 1. For example, the display tag 132 can indicate the type of sushi, such as tuna or sea bream. Additionally, the identifier 133 is not particularly limited, but can be, for example, a barcode, QR code (registered trademark), or a unique symbol that can be read by a camera.

[0028] Next, the touch panel display 32 installed on the table 31 will be described. A screen for receiving orders from customers is displayed on this touch panel display 32. For example, a menu is displayed, and an order is placed by touching the food or drink shown on the menu. Then, as will be described later, the accounting device 8 counts and stores the type and number of food or drink ordered. The order thus placed is transmitted to the kitchen S2, where it is prepared. The ordered food or drink is then placed on a plate 11, contained in the container 1, and transported. At this time, the container 1 is marked with a label indicating that the food or drink has been ordered and identifying the customer who placed the order, such as the table number. Alternatively, a dedicated transport path can be provided for transporting only the ordered food or drink.

[0029] Next, the insertion device 33 will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, the insertion device 33 is equipped with a guide path 332 that opens above the table 31 and has an insertion opening 331 through which plates are inserted, and a sensor 333 that is provided inside the guide path 332 and detects plates 11 that have passed through. The guide path 332 extends diagonally downward toward the conveyor path 2 and is connected to a dish recovery channel 22 that is provided inside the conveyor path 2. The dish recovery channel 22 extends to the kitchen S2 and is connected to a storage tub (not shown) provided in the kitchen S2. Water flows through the dish recovery channel 22 toward the storage tub, and when plates 11 are inserted through the insertion opening 331 and fall into the dish recovery channel 22 via the guide path 332, the water carries the plates 11 to the storage tub. The plates 11 are then collected in the storage tub, washed, and reused.

[0030] When the dish 11 passing through the guide path 332 is detected by the sensor 333, the accounting device 8 stores the number of dishes, as will be described later.

[0031] In addition, a message urging customers to insert the plates 11 into the insertion slot 331 after eating and drinking can be displayed on the touch panel display 32 or the customer booth 3.

[0032] <3. Management System> Next, a description will be given of the management system 6. As shown in the above-mentioned Fig. 1, the management system 6 comprises a reception device 7 and an accounting device 8. First, the reception device 7 will be described.

[0033] <3-1. Reception device> Fig. 6 is a block diagram of the reception device 7. As shown in Fig. 6, the reception device 7 is a computer to which a control unit 71, a storage unit 72, a communication interface 73, etc. are electrically connected. The reception device 7 is also electrically connected to the reception terminal 5 and speaker 55 described above.

[0034] The control unit 71 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), etc., and performs various processes for accepting customers. Details will be described later. The storage unit 72 is an auxiliary storage device such as a hard disk drive or solid state drive, and stores information such as a program 721 executed by the control unit 71, reservation information 722, reception information 723, and seat information 724.

[0035] The communication interface 73 is, for example, a wired LAN (Local Area Network) module, a wireless LAN module, or the like, and is an interface for performing wired or wireless communication. That is, the communication interface 73 is an example of a communication unit configured to communicate with other devices. The reception device 7 of this embodiment can be connected to the customer terminal 20 via the communication interface 73 and the Internet. Note that communication via a local network within the store other than the Internet is also possible.

[0036] Next, the functional configuration (software configuration) of the reception device 7 will be described along with the procedure from reception to seating. The control unit 71 of the reception device 7 loads a program 721 stored in the storage unit 72 into RAM. The control unit 71 then interprets and executes the program 721 loaded into RAM using the CPU to control each component. As a result, as shown in FIG. 6, the reception device 71 according to this embodiment functions as a computer equipped with a reservation reception unit 661, an entry reception unit 662, a vacant seat processing unit 663, a seat setting unit 664, and a start setting unit 665. These functional configurations will be described below.

[0037] The reservation reception unit 661 performs the following process to receive a reservation from the customer terminal 20. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, a reservation screen is displayed on the display 201 of the customer terminal 20, and the customer inputs the store name, number of people for the reservation, reservation date, and reservation time on this reservation screen. Then, when the reservation is completed, the reservation details are displayed on the display 201, as shown in FIG. 8. The reservation details include a reservation number (reservation identification information), and as will be described later, the customer can enter this reservation number into the store's reception terminal 5 to receive the reservation at the store. The scheduled time of the tour is also displayed. Note that the information for identifying the reservation is not particularly limited, and in addition to the reservation number as described above, various information such as a QR code (registered trademark) or a barcode can be used.

[0038] The method for generating such a reservation screen is not particularly limited, and for example, a control language such as HTML (HyperText Markup Language) can be sent from the management system 6 or other reservation server (not shown) to the customer terminal 20, and then interpreted and executed by browser software or other dedicated application program on the customer terminal 20 to present it to the customer.

[0039] The reservation reception unit 711 stores the above-mentioned store name, number of people for reservation, reservation date, reservation time, and reservation number in the storage unit 72 of the reception device 7 in association with each other as reservation information 722.

[0040] The entry reception unit 712 performs the following process on the reception terminal 5 to receive a customer's entry. As shown in FIG. 9, a reception screen is displayed on the touch panel display 51 of the reception terminal 5. This reception screen is configured to receive both customers who enter without a reservation and customers who enter with a reservation. Customers who enter without a reservation are prompted to enter the number of people. When the customer touches the appropriate number on this screen, the reception is completed and a reception number is displayed, as shown in FIG. 10, for example. This reception number is then associated with the number of customers and stored as reception information 723 in the memory unit 72 of the reception device 7. The reception terminal 5 can also print out a paper with this reception number written on it and provide it to the customer.

[0041] Meanwhile, a customer who has made a reservation inputs the reservation number on the reception screen shown in Fig. 9. As a result, the screen shown in Fig. 11 is displayed on the touch panel display 51, and the customer waits until they are guided in. When the reservation number is input, the store entry reception unit 652 adds a flag to the reservation information 662 indicating that entry has been made, and stores the flag in the storage unit 72.

[0042] The vacant seat processing unit 713 performs the following process when one of the tables 31 in the restaurant becomes vacant. First, seat information 724 is assigned to each table 31. The seat information 724 includes the table number, capacity, table type, and a vacant seat flag, and is stored in the memory unit 72. When a customer finishes eating and drinks and leaves the table 31, a restaurant staff member cleans the table 31. At this time, a door (not shown) for widening the insertion slot 331 is opened, allowing the interior of the insertion slot 331 to be cleaned. When the door is opened, the vacant seat processing unit 713 determines that the table 31 is in a cleaning state. When the door is closed after cleaning is completed, the vacant seat processing unit 713 adds a flag indicating that the table 31 has become vacant to the seat information and stores the flag in the memory unit 72. In this way, the memory unit 72 stores information that can be used to refer to which tables 31 are vacant. Note that the cleaning completion button is preferably located in a position that is not visible to customers so that customers do not press it accidentally. For example, it can be provided inside the insertion port 331 of the insertion device 33. The method for indicating that cleaning has been completed, i.e., that the table 31 is now vacant, is not particularly limited, and in addition to opening and closing the door as described above, it is also possible to input information from the touch panel display 32 provided on the table 31, or to provide a separate switch for indicating that the table is now vacant.

[0043] The seat assignment unit 714 performs the following process to guide a customer to a vacant seat. That is, the seat assignment unit 714 refers to the seat information 724, and if there is a vacant seat, associates the reception information 723 with the seat information 724 for the vacant table 31 in a predetermined order. For example, if the capacity of a vacant table 31 matches the number of people included in the reception information 723 according to the order in which the reservations were made, the customer having the reception information 723 is guided to that table 31. The method for guiding a customer to a table 31 is not particularly limited, but for example, the speaker 55 can announce the reception number and the number of the table 31 that can be accommodated. Alternatively, a display (not shown) displaying the reception number and table number that can be accommodated can be installed, or a terminal indicating that the table is available can be given to the customer, or the store staff can guide the customer to the table 31.

[0044] However, the order of seating is not particularly limited, and even if the reception information 723 is set later, if the capacity of the vacant table 31 matches the number of people included in the reception information 723, priority can be given to seating customers whose reception information 723 was set earlier. Furthermore, regardless of the reception order described above, customers with reservation information 722 are seated within the scheduled seating time displayed as the reservation details. In other words, whenever possible, seats matching the reserved number of people are secured by the end of the scheduled seating time, and if an entry flag is added to the reservation information 722, the reservation information 722 is associated with the seating information 724 and stored in the storage unit 72, and seating is performed at the table 31 as described above.

[0045] The start setting unit 715 performs processing to set the start of eating and drinking. That is, when the reception information 723 or reservation information 722 is associated with the seating information 724, the current time (or the time after a predetermined time has elapsed) is associated with the seating information 724 as the eating and drinking start time (eating and drinking start information) and recorded in the storage unit 72. This makes it possible to automatically store the eating and drinking start time at that table 31. Furthermore, this eating and drinking start time is associated with the seating information 724 and also stored as consumption information 822, which will be described later.

[0046] <3-2. Reception process> Next, the reception process by the reception device 7 configured as described above will be described. First, the process when no reservation has been made will be described with reference to FIG. 12. As shown in FIG. 12, when a customer enters the store and inputs their reception information into the reception terminal 5, the entrance reception unit 712 generates reception information 723 and issues a reception number (step S101). Then, the vacant seat processing unit 713 sets up an empty seat, and when an empty seat is set up (YES in step S102), the seat setting unit 714 checks whether the reception information 723 matches the empty seat. For example, it checks whether the reception order, number of customers, etc. match with the empty seat. Then, when the reception information 723 matches with the empty seat (YES in step S103), it associates the reception information 723 with seat information 724 for the empty seat, and sets the start of eating and drinking (step S104). Subsequently, the customer is guided to an empty table 31 (step S105).

[0047] Next, the process when a reservation is made will be described with reference to FIG. 13. As shown in FIG. 13, first, when a customer makes a reservation from the customer terminal 20, the reservation reception unit 71 accepts the reservation and generates reservation information 722 (step S201). The reservation reception unit 71 also notifies the customer terminal 20 of reservation identification information such as a reservation number. Next, when the customer enters the store and inputs the reservation number into the reception terminal 5 (YES in step S202), the entrance reception unit 712 adds an entry flag to the reservation information 722. Then, the seat setting unit 714 checks whether a vacant seat matching the reservation information 722 is available. If a vacant seat is available (YES in step S203), the seat setting unit 714 associates the reservation information 722 with the seat information 724 for the vacant seat and sets the start of eating and drinking (step S204). Subsequently, the customer is guided to the vacant table 31 (step S205).

[0048] <3-3. Accounting equipment and accounting processing> Next, the accounting device 8 and the accounting process will be described with reference to the drawings. Figure 14 is a block diagram of the accounting device. As shown in Figure 14, the accounting device 8 is a computer to which a control unit 81, a memory unit 82, etc. are electrically connected. The accounting device 8 is also electrically connected to the first camera 41 and second camera 42 described above.

[0049] The control unit 81 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), etc., and performs various processes for transaction processing. Details will be described later. The memory unit 82 is an auxiliary storage device such as a hard disk drive or solid state drive, and stores information such as a program 821 executed by the control unit 81, consumption information 822, transaction information 823, and container information 824.

[0050] Next, the functional configuration (software configuration) of the accounting device 8 will be explained. The control unit 81 of the accounting device 8 loads a program 821 stored in the memory unit 82 into RAM. The control unit 81 then interprets and executes the program 821 loaded into RAM using the CPU, controlling each component. As a result, as shown in FIG. 14, the accounting device 8 according to this embodiment functions as a computer equipped with a deposit processing unit 811, order processing unit 812, counting unit 813, accounting start unit 814, and transaction information generation unit 815. These functional configurations will be explained below.

[0051] The dish insertion processing unit 811 counts the number of dishes inserted into the insertion slot 311 at each table 31 and detected by the sensor 333. This processing is carried out from the time the meal start time is set, as described above, until the transaction process on the touch panel display 32 is completed, as will be described later, and the number of detected dishes is stored as part of the consumption information 822 in the memory unit 82.

[0052] The order processing unit 812 counts the types and quantities of food and drink ordered on the touch panel display 32 and stores this as part of the consumption information 822. This process is also carried out between the time the meal start time is set and the time the checkout start button is pressed.

[0053] Counting unit 813 counts the number of plates taken out from conveying path 2 to table 31. Furthermore, this counting unit 813 counts the number of plates 11 taken out to table 31 from conveying path 2 shown in Figures 1 to 3, not from a conveying path dedicated to conveying ordered food and drink.

[0054] The processing by the counting unit 813 will be described below with reference to Fig. 15. Fig. 15 is an example of a chronological list of contained item information.

[0055] The counting unit 813 determines whether the lid 13 of the container 1 is in an open or closed state from the captured images acquired by each camera 41, 42 using known image recognition technology. The result of this determination is referred to as open / closed information. Furthermore, identification information for each container 1 is acquired from the identifier 133 shown in the captured image. The thus acquired open / closed information, identification information, the time the image was captured, and information about the camera that captured the image are associated and sequentially stored in the storage unit 82 as container information 824. That is, a chronological list of container information 824 as shown in FIG. 14 is stored in the storage unit 82. Note that, to improve the accuracy of the open / closed information for the container 1, multiple images may be captured (for example, an odd number of times, such as five times) when the container 1 passes under the cameras 41, 42, thereby acquiring multiple captured images. Then, the open / closed state of each captured image may be determined using image recognition technology, and the larger number of images determined to be open or closed may be used as the open / closed information. Furthermore, the timing for determining the open / closed state is not particularly limited, and the captured image may be stored in memory unit 82, and then the determination may be made at a predetermined timing before the transaction.

[0056] Then, as will be described later, when the checkout button is touched, the counting unit 813 reads out the necessary container information 824 from the memory unit 82. That is, the counting unit 813 reads out the container information 824 acquired by the cameras 41, 42 of this customer booth 3 between the start time of eating and drinking and the end time of eating and drinking, which will be described later. Note that which customer booth 3 the checkout took place at is identified by associating the cameras 41, 42 that took the image with the touch panel display 32 of each customer booth 3.

[0057] The counting unit 813 counts the number of containers 1 that have passed through the customer seating booth 3 and that are determined to be in a closed state by the first camera 41 and in an open state by the second camera 42. In other words, if the same container 1 is in a closed state upstream of the customer seating booth 3 and in an open state downstream, this means that the lid 13 was opened and a plate 11 was removed while the container 1 passed through the customer seating booth 3. For example, in the example of FIG. 15, the No. 8 container 1 photographed by the first camera 41 (camera No. 1) is in a closed state, and the No. 8 container 1 photographed by the second camera 42 (camera No. 2) is in an open state. Therefore, it is determined that a plate 11 has been removed from the No. 8 container 1. In this example, it is also determined that a plate 11 has been removed from the No. 10 container 1. Therefore, the number of containers 1 that have been detected to be in this state is regarded as the number of plates 11 removed, i.e., the amount of food and drink consumed.

[0058] When the counting of the number of plates 11 removed is completed in this way, the counting unit 813 stores the number as part of the consumption information 822.

[0059] Next, the transaction initiation unit 814 and transaction information generation unit will be described along with the transaction process with reference to Figure 15. Figure 16 is a flowchart of the transaction process.

[0060] First, the checkout initiation unit 814 performs processing that serves as the starting point for starting a checkout after the customer has finished eating and drinking. That is, after the customer has finished eating and drinking, when the customer touches the checkout button (not shown) displayed on the touchscreen display 32 (step S301), a screen appears on the touchscreen display 32 prompting the customer to insert the plate 11 containing the food and drink into the insertion slot 331 and, once insertion is complete, to touch the insertion completion button (not shown). When the insertion completion button is touched, the checkout initiation unit 814 stores that time in the consumption information 822 as the eating and drinking end time (step S302). As described above, the consumption information 822 also stores the eating and drinking start time, and therefore the amount of food and drink consumed between the eating and drinking start time and the eating and drinking end time (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the eating time) is used for the checkout. That is, the checkout is performed based on the number of plates detected by the insertion processing unit 811, the types and numbers of food and drink ordered by the order processing unit 812, and the number of plates removed from the conveyor path 2 counted by the counting unit 813 during the eating and drinking time.

[0061] The transaction information generation unit 815 performs the following process to calculate the fee. The transaction criteria can be determined by any of the input processing unit 811, order processing unit 812, and counting unit 813. For example, the fee can be calculated based on the number of plates 11 detected by the input processing unit 811.

[0062] Once the number of plates 11 removed has been counted, the transaction information generation unit 815 displays that number on the touch panel display 32 (Step S303). A confirmation button (not shown) is also displayed on the touch panel display 32, and if the customer agrees to the number of plates consumed (YES in Step S304), a message prompting the customer to touch the confirmation button is displayed. If the customer touches the confirmation button (Step S305), the transaction is processed. That is, the fee based on the number of plates counted is calculated and sent to the POS register (not shown) (Step S306). Once the transmission is complete, a transaction completion screen is displayed on the touch panel display 32. The customer then goes to the POS register to make the payment.

[0063] If the customer does not agree with the number of plates 11 counted (NO in step S304), a staff member can be called to confirm the number. For this reason, a button for calling a staff member is displayed on the touch panel display 32.

[0064] In addition to the customer's declaration of the number of plates 11, the accounting device 8 also checks the number of plates 11 (amount consumed). For example, if ordered food and drink and unordered food and drink are transported along the same transport path 2, the number of plates 11 counted by the counting unit 813 will be the number of plates 11 consumed, and will therefore normally match the number of plates 11 detected by the input processing unit 811. Therefore, for example, if these do not match, the staff may recalculate.

[0065] Alternatively, if ordered food and drink and unordered food and drink are transported by different transport paths 2, the number of consumed plates 11 is the sum of the number of food and drink ordered by the order processing unit 812 and the number of plates 11 counted by the counting unit 813, and this will normally match the number of plates 11 detected by the input processing unit 811. Therefore, for example, even if these do not match, the staff may recalculate.

[0066] <4. Features> The food and drink providing system configured as above can achieve the following effects. (1) In the above embodiment, the system is configured to set the start of eating and drinking when an empty seat is provided and reservation information or reception information is associated with seat information for the empty seat. Therefore, the eating and drinking start time that serves as the basis for accounting is the start time for ordering and the start time for plate counting. If this time is entered incorrectly or entered some time after eating and drinking has begun, there is a risk that the accounting will not be accurate. In contrast, the food and beverage service system of this embodiment can automatically set the start of eating and drinking when a customer can be guided to an empty seat, allowing for accurate accounting. It also reduces human error and reduces the number of staff required.

[0067] (2) In the above embodiment, the number of plates (amount of food and drink consumed) is calculated automatically, which shortens checkout time, reduces human error, and reduces the number of staff required. In particular, since the number of plates is calculated using multiple methods, the number of plates can be calculated accurately.

[0068] <5. Variations> Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention. The following modifications can be combined as appropriate.

[0069] (1) In the above embodiment, the management system is configured with two computers: a reception device and a checkout device. However, the number of computers constituting these devices is not particularly limited. For example, as long as the functional configurations 711-715 of the control unit 71 shown in FIG. 16 and the functional configurations 811-815 of the control unit 81 shown in FIG. 14 can be realized, the number of computers that realize these devices is not particularly limited. Furthermore, while the various processes described above are realized by a computer having a general-purpose CPU, some or all of the processes may be realized by one or more dedicated processors. Furthermore, reservations may be accepted, for example, by a server in a facility other than the store, and reservation information 722 may be sent to the store's reception device 7.

[0070] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, when a customer who has made a reservation enters the reservation number into the reception terminal 5, a flag relating to entry into the reservation information 722 is added, but the method for doing so is not particularly limited as long as it is possible to record that the customer relating to the reservation information 722 has entered the store.

[0071] (2) The reservation screen of the customer terminal 20 and the reception screen of the reception terminal 5 shown in the above embodiment are merely examples, and various modifications are possible. For example, the items to be input may be other than those described above.

[0072] (3) Although the case where a customer takes out a plate 11 from a container 1 transported on the transport path 2 and eats it has been described above, the customer may also order the desired food and drink using the touch panel display 32. This order is then transmitted to the kitchen S2, where it is prepared. In this case, the container 1 containing the ordered food and drink is transported on the transport path 2. To make it clear that the ordered food and drink is contained therein, the container 1 may be provided with a display such as the number of the customer seating booth 3, or the touch panel display 32 may display a screen announcing that the container 1 containing the ordered food and drink will soon be delivered. In this case, the plate 11 is also taken out from the container 1, and the number of plates 11 can be counted in the same manner as described above.

[0073] (4) The configuration of the container 1 is not particularly limited, as long as it can support the dish 11 and can determine from a captured image whether the dish 11 is on it or has been removed. Therefore, the lid 13 is not necessarily required, and the identifier 133 may also be located anywhere on the container 1.

[0074] (5) In the above embodiment, when the counting unit 813 counts plates, the cameras 41 and 42 acquire the open / closed status information of the container 1 and the identification information of the container 1, but this is not limited to this. That is, this information can also be acquired by various means (first information acquisition unit, second information acquisition unit), such as various sensors other than the cameras 41 and 42, or communication means such as an IC tag. Furthermore, the open / closed status information and the identification information can also be acquired by different information acquisition units.

[0075] (6) A robot can be placed on the conveyor path 2 and made to talk to customers or perform some other action. For example, when the robot passes the table of a customer who has just picked up a plate of tuna, it can surprise the customer by saying something like, "Was the tuna delicious today?", thereby improving the playability of the game.

[0076] (7) Information about the type of food and drink contained in the container 1 can also be embedded in the identifier. This makes it possible to recognize the type and number of food and drink on the conveying path 2 from the identifier photographed by the cameras 41 and 42. This makes it easier to adjust the amount of food and drink supplied to the conveying path 2. It is also possible to grasp the type and number of food and drink taken out of the conveying path 2 at each table 31.

[0077] It is also possible to link such information about the food and drink purchased by a customer with a system for managing customers. For example, by associating the account registered by the customer with the information acquired by the counting unit 813, it is possible to provide a special benefit to the customer's account according to the type and number of food and drink purchased at each table 31.

[0078] (8) In the food and beverage service system described above, only a reception device may be provided, and accounting may be handled separately. Even in this case, if the reception device can automatically record the start of eating and drinking, accounting can be handled accurately, and the start time of eating and drinking can be used as data for customer analysis, for example.

[0079] (9) As described above, during transaction processing, the transaction is performed based on the number of plates detected by the insertion processing unit 811, the number of foods and beverages ordered by the order processing unit 812, and the number of plates removed from the conveyor path 2 counted by the counting unit 813. At this time, the customer is prompted to insert all of the plates 11 on the table 31 into the insertion slot 331. If all of the plates 11 are inserted into the insertion slot 331, the number of plates detected by the insertion processing unit 811 should be the sum of the number of foods and beverages ordered by the order processing unit 812 and the number of plates removed from the conveyor path 2 counted by the counting unit 813. At this time, the calculation result can be displayed on the touch panel display 32 so that the store staff can easily check it. For example, if the above calculation does not match, the touch panel display 32 can display yellow, and if it matches, the touch panel display 32 can display white. This allows the store staff to easily check if the calculation does not match at the table where transaction processing is being performed, and allows the store staff to quickly recalculate. The indication of whether the calculations match or mismatch may be other than color, and various other indications are possible.

[0080] Additionally, the status of the transaction can be displayed appropriately on the touch panel display 32. For example, the yellow display described above is generally displayed before the customer touches the confirmation button during the transaction (step S305), but the yellow display can also be displayed if the customer calls a store staff member before touching the confirmation button. Furthermore, if the customer calls a store staff member after the transaction is completed, the touch panel display 32 can display red. On the other hand, if the transaction is completed successfully, the touch panel display 32 can display white. In this way, by displaying the status of the transaction for each status on the touch panel display 32, store staff can easily see the status of the transaction.

[0081] (10) In addition to transporting plates 11 carrying food and drink using the entire conveying path 2, plates 11 can also be transported using only a portion of conveying path 2 depending on the number of customers. For example, when there are only a few customers, plates 11 can be transported using only a portion of conveying path 2 so that they pass at least the tables 11 and seats that are in use, rather than passing by all the tables 31 and seats.

[0082] (11) In the above embodiment, the food and drink serving system of the present invention is applied to a sushi serving system, but other food and drink serving systems may also be used. Furthermore, the configuration of the conveying path and the configuration of the customer seating booths described above are examples and can be modified as appropriate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0083] 1. Container (support) 2 Transport path 31 Table 32 Touch panel display (display unit) 331 Inlet (Inlet part) 41 Camera 1 42 Second Camera 7 Reception device 711 Reservations Department 712 Reception desk 713 Vacancy Processing Department 714 Seat Setting Department 715 Start setting section 814 Accounting Opening Division 815 Accounting Information Generation Department

Claims

1. A food and drink providing system for providing food and drink to customers in a store having a plurality of seats for customers, an entrance reception unit that receives a seat waiting request from a customer and stores the request as reception information; a vacant seat processing unit that associates the fact that any one of the plurality of seats has become vacant with seat information relating to the vacant seat; a seat setting unit that, when any of the customer seats is set as vacant by the vacant seat processing unit, associates the reception information with seat information relating to the vacant seat in a predetermined order under a predetermined condition; a start setting unit that, when the reception information and the seat information are associated by the seat setting unit, records eating and drinking start information indicating that eating and drinking has started in association with the seat information; Equipped with The food and drink providing system is configured to generate accounting information based on the amount of food and drink consumed at the seat from the start of eating and drinking based on the eating and drinking start information to the start of accounting.

2. A food and drink providing system for providing food and drink to customers in a store having a plurality of seats for customers, a reservation receiving unit that stores reservation information relating to a reservation from the customer and assigns reservation identification information associated with the reservation information to the customer; a vacant seat processing unit that associates the fact that any one of the plurality of seats has become vacant with seat information relating to the vacant seat; a store entry reception unit that, when the reservation identification information is input at the store, stores the information as if the customer associated with the reservation information has entered the store; a seat setting unit that, when the vacant seat processing unit has set any of the customer seats as vacant, associates the reservation information of the customer who has entered the store with seat information relating to the vacant seat in a predetermined order under predetermined conditions; a start setting unit that, when the seat setting unit associates the reservation information with the seat information, records eating and drinking start information indicating that eating and drinking has started in association with the seat information; Equipped with The food and drink providing system is configured to generate accounting information based on the amount of food and drink consumed at the seat from the start of eating and drinking based on the eating and drinking start information to the start of accounting.

3. a checkout initiation unit provided at each seat for initiating checkout at that seat; a transaction information generation unit that calculates the amount of food and drink consumed at the seat from the start of eating and drinking to the start of the payment, and generates transaction information based on the amount of food and drink consumed; The food and drink providing system according to claim 1 or 2, comprising:

4. A conveying path is provided for conveying food and beverages between the plurality of seats and a kitchen, and the food and beverages are provided to each of the seats via the conveying path. The food and drink serving system of claim 1 or 2, configured to generate accounting information based on the amount of food and drink provided to each seat by the conveying path between the start of eating and drinking based on the eating and drinking start information and the start of accounting.

5. a conveying path that passes along the plurality of seats and conveys plates on which food and drink are placed; an insertion unit provided at each seat, into which the plate is removed from the conveying path and into which the food and drink has been consumed; an insertion processing unit that counts the number of the plates inserted into the insertion unit based on the eating start information; Furthermore, The food and drink serving system according to claim 3 , wherein the transaction information generation unit is configured to generate the transaction information based on the number of plates counted by the input processing unit.

6. a conveying path that passes along the seats for customers and conveys a support on which a plate for food or drink can be placed; a first information acquisition unit disposed upstream of the seat and acquiring information about the support on the transport path; a second information acquisition unit disposed downstream of the seat and acquiring information about the support on the transport path; a counting unit that calculates the number of the plates taken out from the conveying path to the seat; Equipped with Identification information for identifying each of the supports is provided on each of the supports, Each of the supports is configured to be capable of taking a first state in which the dish is placed thereon and a second state in which the dish is not placed thereon; The counting unit a first determination step of determining, by the first information acquisition unit, which state the support is in; a second determination step of determining, by the second information acquisition unit, which state the support is in; a first storage step of storing the identification information of the support body acquired by the first information acquisition unit in association with a state of the support body; a second storage step of storing the identification information of the support body acquired by the second information acquisition unit in association with a state of the support body; a counting step of counting the food and drink supported on the support as having been consumed at each of the seats when the support is determined to be in the first state by the first information acquisition unit and the support determined to be in the first state is determined to be in the second state by the second information acquisition unit; configured to run The food and drink serving system according to claim 3 , wherein the transaction information generation unit is configured to generate the transaction information based on the number of plates counted by the counter.

7. The food and beverage providing system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the seat setting unit is configured to notify the customer of the seat information relating to the vacant seat after associating the seat information with the vacant seat.

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