Food and beverage supply information management system

Abstract

To provide a food and drink provision information management system capable of appropriately managing the process from ordering food and drink to providing it to an orderer. [Solution] The food and beverage provision information management system 100 comprises an order receiving means 110 that receives orders for food and beverages, an image acquisition means 120 that acquires an image including food and beverages cooked based on the order and placed in a container set on a transport means having first identification information, a destination information acquisition means 130 that acquires information about the destination to which the food and beverages are provided using the transport means, and a storage means 140 that links the first identification information, the image, and the destination information and stores them as food and beverage provision information.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a food and drink provision information management system. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, restaurants have introduced systems to efficiently process food and drink orders and serve them. For example, restaurants such as conveyor belt sushi restaurants use a system that assigns identification information to plates used for serving food, manages plates served on a conveyor, and automatically discards spoiled food.

[0003] Patent document 1 discloses a technology for managing the timing of food disposal by using plates with identification information attached to them to determine the distance traveled by a conveyor, taking into account changes in conveyor speed, changes in the wind blowing on the food, and changes in the time it takes for the food to deteriorate. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-256524 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the conventional system described above, although food is managed by assigning identification information to plates, it only manages the freshness (deterioration) of the food itself. In restaurants, it is important to cook ordered food and drink and serve it appropriately to customers, and a system for managing this is needed.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a food and drink provision information management system that can appropriately manage the process from ordering food and drink to providing it to the orderer. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A food and beverage provision information management system according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises an order receiving means for receiving orders for food and beverages, an image acquisition means for acquiring an image including food and beverages cooked based on an order and placed in a container set on a transport means having first identification information, a destination information acquisition means for acquiring information about the destination to which the food and beverages have been provided using the transport means, and a storage means for linking the first identification information, the image, and the destination information and storing them as food and beverage provision information.

[0008] In the above aspect, the container may have second identification information, and the storage means may store the first identification information and the second identification information in association with each other.

[0009] In the above aspect, a plurality of containers may be set in the transport means, and a plurality of pieces of second identification information may be linked to the first identification information.

[0010] In the above aspect, the food and drink provision information may include time information when the image was acquired.

[0011] In the above aspect, the food and drink provision information may include time information when the food and drink was provided to the provision destination.

[0012] In the above aspect, the system may further include a provider information acquisition means for acquiring information about the provider who provides the food and beverages using the transportation means, and the storage means may further link the first identification information, image, and destination information with provider information and store the information as food and beverage provision information.

[0013] In the above aspect, the food supply system may further comprise a serving possibility determining means for determining whether or not the food or drink contained in the container can be served based on the image acquired by the image acquiring means.

[0014] In the above aspect, the provision availability determination means may determine that the food or drink in the container cannot be provided if it is determined that the food or drink included in the image is not the food or drink ordered by the order receiving means.

[0015] In the above aspect, the serving availability determining means may determine that the food or drink contained in the container cannot be served if it is determined that a foreign object has been mixed in the food or drink included in the image.

[0016] In the above aspect, the provision availability determining means may determine whether or not the food or drink contained in the container can be provided by analyzing the food or drink included in the image using artificial intelligence.

[0017] A food and beverage provision information management system according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises an order receiving means for receiving orders for food and beverages, an image acquisition means for acquiring an image including food and beverages cooked based on the order and placed in a container having first identification information, a destination information acquisition means for acquiring information about the destination to which the food and beverages placed in the container have been provided, and a storage means for linking the first identification information, the image, and the destination information and storing them as food and beverage provision information. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a food and drink provision information management system that can appropriately manage the process from ordering food and drink to providing it to the orderer. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating operations at a restaurant 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a functional block diagram showing each function of a food and drink provision information management system 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 1 is a diagram showing an example of food and drink provision information managed by a food and drink provision information management system 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 is a flowchart showing a food and drink provision information management method M100 executed by a food and drink provision information management system 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the embodiment described below is merely a specific example for carrying out the present invention and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, to facilitate understanding of the description, the same components in each drawing will be designated by the same reference numerals wherever possible, and duplicate descriptions may be omitted.

[0021] <One embodiment> [Restaurant operation overview] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating operations at restaurant 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 1, restaurant 10 includes cooking area 11, serving preparation area 12, and multiple tables 13-1, 13-2, 13-3, 13-4, etc. (hereinafter, sometimes collectively referred to as "tables 13").

[0022] In the cooking area 11, food and drink are cooked based on orders from customers (orderers).

[0023] In the serving preparation area 12, cooked food and drink are temporarily placed to be served on the table 13. For example, food and drink prepared in the cooking area 11 is placed in appropriate containers such as plates, bowls, or cups depending on the type and amount of food and drink, and then multiple foods and drinks (containers holding the foods and drinks) are placed on trays or the like to be transported to the table 13. In the serving preparation area 12, the food and drink set on the trays (food and drink in containers) are checked by the wait staff who transports the food and drink to the table 13, and are photographed by a camera.

[0024] The wait staff then serves the food and drink by carrying a tray on which the food and drink (containers containing the food and drink) is set to the table 13 of the customer (orderer) who has placed the food and drink order. Here, the wait staff obtains information about the table 13 to which the food and drink is served using the tray.

[0025] In this way, from the time a food and drink order is received until it is served to table 13, information regarding which tray the food and drink was served on and to which table 13 is stored in a computer memory or the like as food and drink provision information together with images taken by a camera. A specific system and method for managing food and drink provision information will be described in detail below.

[0026] [Configuration of the food and beverage provision information management system] Figure 2 is a functional block diagram showing each function of a food and drink provision information management system 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 2, the food and drink provision information management system 100 comprises an order receiving means 110, an image acquiring means 120, a destination information acquiring means 130, and a storage means 140, and may further comprise a provider information acquiring means 150 and a provision availability determining means 160.

[0027] The order receiving means 110 receives orders for food and drink. For example, at table 13, the wait staff may ask the customer what food and drink they want, or the customer may input (select) the food and drink they want using a touch panel or the like, thereby receiving the food and drink order. Typically, the order receiving means 110 may be a POS (Point Of Sales).

[0028] Then, for example, food and drink are cooked in cooking area 11 based on the order received by order receiving means 110. The cooked food and drink are placed in appropriate containers such as plates, bowls, or cups depending on the type and amount of food and drink.

[0029] The image acquisition means 120 acquires an image including food and drink in a container such as a plate, bowl, or cup set on a tray (transport means) having first identification information. Here, the first identification information is information for uniquely identifying the tray, and for example, the tray may be provided with RFID (Radio Frequency Identification), a QR code (registered trademark), a barcode, or the like.

[0030] In the serving preparation area 12, a camera is used to photograph the state in which cooked food and drink (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "cooked food and drink") is set on a tray. When a tray is used to transport multiple cooked foods and drinks, it is preferable to use the camera to photograph the multiple cooked foods and drinks after they have been set on the tray and immediately before the wait staff is about to transport them to the table 13. Here, the tray having the first identification information and the image photographed of the tray with the cooked food and drink set on it (before it is transported to the table 13) are linked and stored in memory.

[0031] The containers containing cooked food and drink that are set on the tray may also have identification information (second identification information), and may be provided with, for example, RFID, a QR code, or a barcode.

[0032] This allows the tray (first identification information) to be linked to the container (second identification information) set on the tray. Specifically, RFID tags may be attached to the tray and / or containers, and when a container is set on the tray, the tray (first identification information) may be linked to the container (second identification information), or a QR code or barcode may be attached to the tray and / or containers, and a wait staff member or the like may read the QR code or barcode using a barcode reader, thereby linking the tray (first identification information) to the container (second identification information).

[0033] The serving destination information acquisition means 130 acquires information about tables 13 (serving destinations) to which cooked food and drink have been served using trays (conveying means). Each table 13 is assigned a unique number, and for example, a wait staff member who has served cooked food and drink using a tray may input the number of that table 13 using a terminal device or the like. Alternatively, each table 13 may be assigned a QR code or barcode as identification information, and the wait staff may obtain information about the table 13 to which cooked food and drink have been served using the tray by reading the QR code or barcode using a barcode reader or the like. Here, the tray having the first identification information and the table 13 to which cooked food and drink have been served using that tray are associated and stored in memory.

[0034] Furthermore, the destination information acquisition means 130 may acquire, as destination information, an image (e.g., a facial photograph) including the person (customer (orderer)) to whom the food and drink is served, in addition to or instead of the information on the table 13. The image (e.g., a facial photograph) including the person (customer (orderer)) may be captured using a video camera or the like so that it is possible to visually and directly understand to whom the food and drink is served. Here, a tray having first identification information and an image (e.g., a facial photograph) including the person (customer (orderer)) to whom the food and drink is served may be linked and stored in memory together with the table 13 to which cooked food and drink is served using the tray, or in place of the table 13. However, as a configuration that takes privacy into consideration, the facial photograph of the person (customer (orderer)) captured using a camera may be processed before being stored.

[0035] Storage means 140 stores the first identification information assigned to the tray, the image acquired by image acquisition means 120, and information on table 13 (destination) where cooked food and drink was served using the tray, linking them together as food and drink serving information. For example, storage means 140 may be a memory provided in a computer, and as described above, stores the tray (first identification information), an image including cooked food and drink set on the tray, and table 13 where cooked food and drink was served using the tray, linking them together as food and drink serving information. Furthermore, if an image (e.g., a facial photograph) including a person (customer (orderer)) is acquired as destination information, storage means 140 may store an image (e.g., a facial photograph) including the person (customer (orderer)) where the food and drink was served, in addition to or instead of the information on table 13, as information to be stored in association with the tray (first identification information) and the image including cooked food and drink set on the tray.

[0036] Furthermore, food and drink provision information management system 100 may include provider information acquisition means 150, which acquires information about the wait staff (provider) who serves cooked food and drink using a tray (conveyor). For example, when carrying a tray containing cooked food and drink that has been prepared in serving preparation area 12 to table 13, the wait staff obtains their own identification information by reading an ID card they are holding using a barcode reader or the like. Here, the tray having the first identification information and the wait staff (provider) who uses the tray to serve cooked food and drink to table 13 are associated and stored in memory.

[0037] In the storage means 140, the tray (first identification information), an image including the cooked food and drink set on the tray, the table 13 to which the cooked food and drink was served using the tray, and information on the hall staff (provider) who served the cooked food and drink to the table 13 using the tray are linked and stored as food and drink provision information.

[0038] Furthermore, the food and beverage serving information may include the image capture time when the image was captured by a camera, the confirmation time when the cooked food and beverage set on a tray prepared in the serving preparation area 12 was confirmed by the hall staff who transported the cooked food and beverage set on the tray to the table 13 using the tray, and the serving completion time when the cooked food and beverage was served to the table 13 by the hall staff using the tray.

[0039] 3 is a diagram showing an example of food and drink provision information managed by the food and drink provision information management system 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the memory stores the order, transportation means, container, image, image acquisition time, provider, confirmation time, delivery destination, and delivery completion time.

[0040] For example, to explain "#1" in more detail, tray T001, which is a conveyance means, is stored for food and drink order O001. Tray T001 is linked to three containers D001, D002, and D003 set on tray T001, and an image of the state in which cooked food and drink are placed in containers D001, D002, and D003 and set on tray T001 is stored. Furthermore, the image acquisition time (2025 / 05 / 01 12:05:33) when the image was acquired is also stored.

[0041] Next, the provider S001 who uses the tray T001 to serve the cooked food and drink to the table 13, and the confirmation time (2025 / 05 / 01 12:05:51) when the cooked food and drink set on the tray T001 by the provider S001 is confirmed are stored, and then the table Tb001 to which the cooked food and drink is served using the tray T001, and the time when the serving is completed (2025 / 05 / 01 12:06:20) are stored.

[0042] In this way, until the ordered food and drink is served to the customer, the container in which the cooked food and drink was placed, which tray was used, which wait staff member served it, and to which table are stored, linked to the image and each time.

[0043] "#2" and "#3" are similar to "#1", but "#4" does not store a transport means, unlike "#1". For example, cooked food may be provided to an orderer by transporting a container containing cooked food to table 13 without using a tray. In this case, for food order O004, container D009 is stored, and an image of the cooked food placed in container D009 is stored.

[0044] Furthermore, it is conceivable that the same trays and containers will be used repeatedly at the restaurant 10. To explain "#5" in more detail, a tray T001, which is a conveyance means, is stored for a food and drink order O005. Two containers D004 and D010 set on the tray T001 are linked to the tray T001, and an image of the cooked food and drink placed in the containers D004 and D010 and set on the tray T001 is stored. Furthermore, the image acquisition time (2025 / 05 / 01 15:10:35) at which the image was acquired is also stored.

[0045] Here, tray T001 is used for food and drink order O001, and container D004 is used for food and drink order O002, but information such as the order, transportation means (tray: first identification information), container (second identification information), image and image acquisition time, as well as provider, confirmation time, destination (table) and completion time of provision are linked and stored, allowing for appropriate identification.

[0046] The wait staff may check whether the cooked food and drink set on the tray prepared in the serving preparation area 12 is appropriate before carrying it to the table 13. If the staff determines that the cooked food and drink is appropriate, they may store this fact and the time of confirmation, but if they determine that the food and drink is not appropriate, they may notify the staff of an abnormality or re-cook the food and drink. The re-cooked food is then placed in a container and a new image is taken.

[0047] Here, the wait staff will check whether the order matches the order details (including toppings, size, customizations, etc.) and whether any foreign objects (hair, trash, or other items unrelated to the food or drink) have been mixed in.

[0048] In addition, the appropriateness of the cooked food and drink set on the tray prepared in the serving preparation area 12 may be automatically determined based on images acquired by the image acquisition means 130, instead of or in addition to confirmation by the hall staff.

[0049] Returning to the explanation of Figure 2, the food and drink provision information management system 100 may include a provision possibility determination means 160, which determines whether or not the food and drink in the container can be provided based on the image acquired by the image acquisition means 120. For example, the provision possibility determination means 160 processes the image acquired by the image acquisition means 120 by image analysis, and determines whether or not the food and drink included in the image matches the food and drink ordered by the order receiving means 110.

[0050] When determining whether the food and drink included in the image matches the ordered food and drink, the provision availability determining means 160 may also determine whether the toppings, size, customization, etc. match the order.

[0051] If it is determined that the food and drink contained in the image does not match the ordered food and drink, it is determined that the cooked food and drink (the food and drink placed in the container) cannot be served. In this case, a notification of the abnormality may be sent, or the food and drink may be re-cooked. The re-cooked food is then placed in the container, and a new image is acquired.

[0052] Furthermore, the serving readiness determination means 160 processes the image acquired by the image acquisition means 120 through image analysis to determine whether the food or drink contained in the image contains any foreign matter (such as hair, dirt, or other matter unrelated to the food or drink). If it is determined that the food or drink contained in the image contains any foreign matter, it determines that the cooked food or drink (the food or drink contained in the container) cannot be served. In this case as well, it may be possible to notify the user of the abnormality or to re-cook the food or drink. The re-cooked food is then placed in a container and a new image is acquired.

[0053] Furthermore, the serving availability determination means 160 may use artificial intelligence (AI) when analyzing the image, thereby enabling more accurate determination of whether the food or drink in the container can be served. Also, a machine learning model that has previously learned patterns of toppings and customizations, and patterns of foreign matter such as hair that may be mixed in, may be used.

[0054] [Food and beverage provision information management method] Next, a method for managing food and drink provision information will be specifically described in detail. 4 is a flowchart showing a food and drink provision information management method M100 executed by a food and drink provision information management system 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4, the food and drink provision information management method M100 includes steps S101 to S113, at least some of which are executed by a processor included in each device constituting the food and drink provision information management system 100.

[0055] In step S101, the order receiving means 110 receives an order for food and drink.

[0056] In step S102, food and drink are cooked in cooking area 11 based on the order received in step S101.

[0057] In step S103, the dish (food or drink) cooked in step S102 is placed in a container such as a plate.

[0058] In step S104, the container containing the food in step S103 is set on a tray (transport means).

[0059] In step S105, the tray (first identification information) and the containers (second identification information) set on the tray in step S104 are associated with each other and stored in a memory or the like.

[0060] In step S106, it is determined whether the cooked food and drink have been set on a tray and are ready to be served. For example, if a tray is being transported with multiple cooked foods and drinks set on it, steps S102 to S106 are repeated until the multiple cooked foods and drinks are set on the tray ("No" in step S106).

[0061] On the other hand, if multiple cooked foods and drinks have been set on the tray, or if one cooked food and drink is to be served, it is determined that the cooked food and drink has been set on the tray and is ready to be served ("Yes" in step S106), and the process proceeds to step S107.

[0062] In step S107, a camera is used to capture an image of the cooked food and drink set on the tray. For example, the camera may monitor the situation and recognize that the cooked food and drink has been set on the tray and is ready to be served in step S106, and then automatically capture the image, or a wait staff member or kitchen staff member may press a button to capture the image. The tray (first identification information) and the captured image are associated and stored in memory, and the time the image was taken (image acquisition time) may also be stored in memory.

[0063] In step S108, the image acquired in step S107 is judged. For example, by analyzing the food and drink contained in the image using AI, it is judged whether the food and drink placed in the container is appropriate.

[0064] In step S109, it is determined whether the food and drink placed in the container matches the order details accepted in step S101 and whether any foreign matter has been mixed in, based on the image analyzed in step S108. If it is determined that the food and drink matches the order details and that no foreign matter has been mixed in, it is determined that the food and drink placed in the container is appropriate, and the process proceeds to step S110 ("Yes" in step S109).

[0065] In step S110, the tray (first identification information), the image, and the provider are linked. As a specific example, a wait staff member (provider) who uses the tray to serve cooked food to table 13 may use a barcode reader or the like to obtain the first identification information from the tray on which the cooked food is set, obtain his / her own identification information from an ID card he / she carries, and store in memory the tray (first identification information), the provider who uses the tray to serve cooked food to table 13, and the image captured in step S107 in a linked manner.

[0066] In step S111, the wait staff (servee) serves the cooked food and drink to the table 13 using the tray.

[0067] In step S112, information on the table 13 on which the cooked food and drink was served using the tray in step S111 is linked. Specifically, in addition to the tray (first identification information), image, and provider linked in step S110, information on the table (recipient) is linked and stored in memory.

[0068] If it is determined in step S109 that the contents do not match the order or that a foreign object has been mixed in, the food or drink placed in the container is determined to be inappropriate, and the process proceeds to step S113 ("No" in step S109).

[0069] In step S113, based on the determination result in step S109, a notification of an abnormality may be made or the food or drink may be cooked again. If cooking is to be done again, for example, the process may return to step S102 and the subsequent processes may be executed again.

[0070] As described above, according to the food and drink provision information management system 100 and food and drink provision information management method M100 of one embodiment of the present invention, the order receiving means 110 receives an order for food and drink, and the image acquiring means 120 acquires an image of cooked food and drink in containers set on a tray having first identification information. The cooked food and drink is then served to a table 13 using the tray, and the serving destination information acquiring means 130 acquires information about the table 13. The tray (first identification information), image, and table information are linked and stored as food and drink provision information in the storage means 140 (memory). This allows for appropriate management of the process from when the ordered food and drink is served to the orderer.

[0071] Furthermore, by linking the containers set on the tray (second identification information), the wait staff who uses the tray to serve the cooked food and drink to table 13, the time the image was taken, the time of confirmation by the wait staff, and the time of completion of serving to table 13, it is possible to manage the process of serving the ordered food and drink to the customer in more detail and appropriately.

[0072] In this embodiment, restaurant 10 has areas where cooking area 11, serving preparation area 12, and tables 13 are arranged, but the configuration of restaurant 10 is not limited to this, and for example, cooking area 11 may include serving preparation area 12.

[0073] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the cooked food and drink is provided to table 13 by wait staff, but for example, in a food court or the like, the cooked food and drink set on a tray may be carried to table 13 by a customer (orderer). In this case, instead of table 13, the customer (orderer) who receives the tray on which the cooked food and drink is set may be stored as information about the recipient, and the time of receipt may be stored as the time of completion of provision. Here, the information about the customer (orderer) stored as the recipient may be the number at the time of ordering or the number of the table used by the customer (orderer), etc.

[0074] Furthermore, instead of the wait staff, a delivery robot may deliver the cooked food and drink to the table 13. In this case, the provider stores information about which delivery robot delivered the food and drink.

[0075] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the customer (orderer) eats and drinks at the restaurant 10, but this is not limited to this, and the present invention can also be applied to a business model in which food and drinks are taken out.

[0076] For example, the conveying means shown in Fig. 3 may be a take-out box or bag having first identification information, or a disposable take-out plate, bowl, or cup having second identification information. That is, cooked food or drink is placed in a disposable take-out container, and then photographed by a camera while it is set in the take-out box or bag (conveying means). In this way, when the take-out box or bag containing cooked food or drink prepared for take-out is provided to a customer (orderer), information about the customer (orderer) as the recipient and the time the food is provided may be stored.

[0077] In addition, when food and drink are delivered or distributed to the home, when the person delivering or distributing the food receives a takeout box or bag (transport means) containing cooked food and drink prepared for takeout, the information of the person delivering or distributing the food as the recipient and the time of completion of delivery may be stored.

[0078] It is not necessary to attach RFID tags to all takeout boxes and bags, and disposable takeout plates, bowls, or cups. For example, the second identification information can be temporarily attached to the takeout disposable plates, bowls, or cups by placing them on a plastic container with RFID tags or a barcode attached, and similarly, the first identification information can be temporarily attached to the takeout boxes and bags by placing them on a tray with RFID tags or a barcode attached. Images can then be acquired to link the various pieces of information. This achieves the same effect, and because the plastic containers and trays with RFID tags or barcodes attached can be reused, it is possible to reduce costs by not attaching RFID tags to all takeout boxes and bags, and disposable takeout plates, bowls, or cups.

[0079] <Example> For example, when the food and beverage provision information management system 100 is introduced into a restaurant, identification information such as RFID, QR code or barcode is assigned to new and existing trays (transport means) and containers such as plates, bowls and cups, and identification information is also assigned to tables 13 using QR codes or barcodes, and a barcode reader that reads this identification information is carried by wait staff or the like.

[0080] A camera is installed in the serving preparation area 12 to photograph the cooked food and drink set on the tray.

[0081] Then, a memory is installed to store each piece of identification information read by a hall staff member using a barcode reader and images taken by a camera, etc., in association with each other, as well as a monitor to display each piece of information stored in the memory and a printer to print it out.

[0082] In this way, food and drink provision information management system 100 can be introduced relatively easily to new and existing restaurants without requiring large-scale equipment or imposing complicated operations on the wait staff working at the restaurant. Wait staff, for example, use a barcode reader to scan a tray (first identification information) for transporting cooked food and drink and then scan the information (barcode) of table 13 where the food is to be served, or scan the tray (first identification information), then scan their own ID card, and then scan the information (barcode) of table 13 where the food is to be served. Since the work flow (scanning order) follows the work process, it can be said that the operation is easy to remember and readily accepted by both beginners and experts.

[0083] If the food and beverage provision information management system 100 is introduced into a restaurant, for example, if a customer (orderer) complains after cooked food and beverages have been served that there were no toppings or that there was a foreign object mixed in, the cause can be determined from the tray or container provided to the customer (orderer).

[0084] As shown in Figure 3, the process of the ordered food and drink being provided to the orderer is confirmed based on the order, transportation means, container, image, image acquisition time, provider, confirmation time, delivery destination, and delivery completion time stored in memory means 140.

[0085] For example, the image can be checked and the customer (orderer) can be objectively informed whether the cooked food or drink was appropriate at the time the image was taken. Also, whether the cooked food or drink placed on the tray prepared in the serving preparation area 12 was appropriate can be checked with the wait staff (servee) who checked it before delivering it to the table 13.

[0086] Furthermore, since the responsible person is now clearly identified, the wait staff (providers) can be made more aware of their responsibilities and work more carefully from the pre-delivery check to the serving of the food. As a result, mistakes such as forgetting to add toppings can be reduced, and the occurrence of foreign objects such as hair being mixed in can be reduced. If a mistake or foreign object is found, it is possible to properly understand at what stage and how it occurred, and take measures to prevent recurrence.

[0087] In this way, food and drink provision information, including objective images, is properly managed until the ordered food and drink is served to the customer, and the hall staff (servers) work with a sense of responsibility, which provides a sense of security to customers (those who order), leading to high ratings for the restaurant.

[0088] Furthermore, a camera installed inside the restaurant (e.g., on the ceiling) may be used to monitor the transportation of cooked food and beverages from the time a server (such as a hall staff member or a delivery robot) delivers the cooked food and beverages set on trays to the destination (a table, the orderer (customer), or the delivery or home delivery person). By storing images monitored by the camera in this way, it is possible to manage the period from the time an image of the cooked food and beverages set on trays prepared in the food preparation area 12 is acquired until the food is delivered to the destination (e.g., during transportation). As a result, if a customer (orderer) makes a complaint, the transportation process can be objectively shown, and if a mistake or contamination occurs, it is possible to properly understand in more detail the stage and how it occurred. This is expected to not only enable measures to prevent recurrence to be taken, but also encourage hall staff (servers) to transport cooked food and beverages more carefully and responsibly.

[0089] Furthermore, the storage means 140 may store tracking data for each tray (first identification information) using a camera installed inside the restaurant (for example, on the ceiling) to record the state of the food being transported, and the data may be included in the food and drink provision information and appropriately managed. In this way, if a customer (orderer) complains, the state of the food being transported can be immediately confirmed by presenting images.

[0090] The above-described embodiments are intended to facilitate understanding of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. The elements of the embodiments, as well as their arrangement, materials, conditions, shapes, sizes, etc., are not limited to those illustrated and can be modified as appropriate. Furthermore, configurations shown in different embodiments can be partially substituted or combined with each other. [Explanation of symbols]

[0091] 10...restaurant, 11...cooking area, 12...service preparation area, 13, 13-1 to 13-4...tables, 100...food and drink provision information management system, 110...order acceptance means, 120...image acquisition means, 130...service destination information acquisition means, 140...storage means, 150...provider information acquisition means, 160...provision availability determination means, M100...food and drink provision information management method, S101 to S113...each step of food and drink provision information management method M100

Claims

1. an order receiving means for receiving food and drink orders; an image capturing means for capturing an image including the food and drink cooked based on the order, placed in a container set on a transport means having first identification information; a destination information acquisition means for acquiring information about a destination to which the food and drink has been provided using the transport means; a storage means for storing the first identification information, the image, and the information on the provision destination as food and drink provision information in association with each other, Food and beverage provision information management system.

2. the container has second identification information; The storage means stores the first identification information and the second identification information in association with each other. The food and drink provision information management system according to claim 1 .

3. A plurality of the containers are set on the conveying means, The first identification information is linked to a plurality of pieces of the second identification information. The food and drink provision information management system according to claim 2 .

4. The food and drink provision information includes time information when the image was acquired. The food and drink provision information management system according to claim 1 .

5. The food and drink provision information includes time information when the food and drink was provided to the provision destination. The food and drink provision information management system according to claim 1 .

6. further comprising provider information acquisition means for acquiring information on a provider that provides the food and drink using the transport means; the storage means further links the first identification information, the image, and the information on the provision destination with information on the provider and stores the linked information as food and drink provision information. The food and drink provision information management system according to claim 1 .

7. Further comprising a serving possibility determination means for determining whether or not the food or drink contained in the container can be served based on the image acquired by the image acquisition means, the serving availability determining means determines that the food or drink contained in the container cannot be served if it is determined that the food or drink included in the image is not the food or drink ordered by the order receiving means; The food and drink provision information management system according to claim 1 .

8. Further comprising a serving possibility determination means for determining whether or not the food or drink contained in the container can be served based on the image acquired by the image acquisition means, the serving possibility determination means determines that the food or drink contained in the container cannot be served if it is determined that a foreign object has been mixed in the food or drink included in the image; The food and drink provision information management system according to claim 1 .

9. the serving availability determination means uses artificial intelligence to analyze the food and drink included in the image and determines whether the food and drink contained in the container can be served. The food and drink provision information management system according to claim 7 or 8.

10. an order receiving means for receiving food and drink orders; an image acquisition means for acquiring an image including the food and drink cooked based on the order and placed in a container having first identification information by photographing the food and drink placed in the container before it is delivered to a destination; a destination information acquisition means for acquiring information about a destination to which the food or drink contained in the container has been provided; a storage means for storing the first identification information, the image, and the information on the provision destination as food and drink provision information in association with each other, Food and beverage provision information management system.

Images