Information input device and program

Abstract

To provide an information input device and a program which facilitate confirmation of options required to be selected when an order for an object with attendant options is inputted.SOLUTION: An order input device 20 is the information input device for inputting information about an order and comprises: a list generation unit which reads out a plurality of selection items and a plurality of options corresponding to an ordered object from a menu storage unit in which a plurality of selection items and options for the plurality of selection items are stored for each of predetermined objects with attendant options, to generate a list image in which the plurality of selection items and the plurality of options are displayed as a list, wherein the plurality of selection items include essential items required to be selected and unessential optional items; and a display control unit which displays only options corresponding to the essential items out of the selection items included in the generated list image.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information input device and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] The restaurant industry has traditionally introduced order management systems that use portable order input devices, such as handheld terminals. In these order management systems, each waiter carries an order input device, and when an order is received from a customer, they operate the order input device to input information about the ordered menu items. The order input information entered from the order input device is transmitted via wireless communication to an order management device, where it is stored and managed. This order input information is then used to issue cooking instructions to the kitchen and process the bill for food and drink.

[0003] In the restaurant industry, for example, in establishments such as family restaurants, in addition to main menu items as single items, they often offer selectable menus that allow customers to choose from several options for salads, drinks, etc. Below, the options available for main menu items such as salads and drinks will be referred to as "select groups," and the options included in each selection item will be referred to as "select members." In addition, select groups can be divided into those for which the selection of select members is mandatory and those for which selection is optional.

[0004] As a method of inputting such a menu with selections, a technology has been proposed in which, when a main menu is selected, a list of selection groups associated with the main menu is displayed, and further, by selecting a selection group from the list of selection groups, its selection members are displayed, making it possible to select the selection members (Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-182270 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In the technology of Patent Document 1, when the main menu is selected, a list of select groups is displayed, and by selecting a select group, select members are displayed and can be selected. However, there is no distinction between required and optional select members, which can lead to customers not selecting required select members or having to take the time to confirm whether required select members have been selected, which can result in incorrect ordering.

[0007] Therefore, the present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and aims to provide an information input device and program that make it easy to check which options must be selected when entering an order for an item that has accompanying options. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The first aspect is an information input device for inputting information related to an order, and includes a list generation unit that reads out multiple selection items and multiple options corresponding to the ordered object from a memory unit that stores multiple selection items and options for each predetermined object having associated options for the multiple selection items, and generates an image of a list that lists the multiple selection items and multiple options; and a display control unit that displays only the options corresponding to the required items among the selection items included in the generated image of the list, where the multiple selection items include required items that must be selected and optional items that are not required.

[0009] According to the information input device of the first aspect, it is possible to provide an information input device that makes it easy to check options that must be selected when inputting an order for a target that has accompanying options.

[0010] In a second aspect, the display control unit displays the option corresponding to the optional item when a selection of the optional item is received from the user.

[0011] According to the information input device of the second aspect, options corresponding to optional items are displayed only when necessary, thereby making it possible to draw the user's attention to options for required items.

[0012] In a third aspect, when the selection of the option for the required item is completed, the display control unit terminates the display of the option corresponding to the required item.

[0013] According to the information input device of the third aspect, by displaying only the options for required items for which no options have been selected, it is possible to draw the user's attention to the options that have not yet been selected.

[0014] In a fourth aspect, the selection of the options is determined to be completed when the number of the options selected matches a predetermined number.

[0015] According to the information input device of the fourth aspect, it is possible to determine that the selection of options has been completed without requiring the user to perform any operation to indicate that the selection of options has been completed.

[0016] In a fifth aspect, the display control unit displays, among the plurality of selection items in the list, images of the required items in a color different from the color of images of the optional items.

[0017] According to the information input device of the fifth aspect, it is possible for the user to easily distinguish between required items and optional items.

[0018] In a sixth aspect, the display control unit displays the image of the selection item for which selection of the option of the required item has been completed in a color different from the color of the image of the selection item for which selection has not been completed.

[0019] According to the information input device of the sixth aspect, it is possible to draw the user's attention to an option that has not yet been selected.

[0020] In a seventh aspect, the display control unit displays an image of the list in a predetermined display area of ​​a selection screen for selecting the option, so that the image can be scrolled across the display area.

[0021] According to the information input device of the seventh aspect, when selecting an option for another selection item, it is possible to select the option without switching to another screen.

[0022] In an eighth aspect, the display control unit displays an index of the selection item in a display area different from a display area displaying an image of the list on the selection screen for selecting the option.

[0023] According to the information input device of the eighth aspect, when selecting an option for another selection item, it is possible to make it easier to display the option for the other selection item than if the user had to search for the other selection item.

[0024] In a ninth aspect, the target is a menu item offered at a restaurant.

[0025] According to the information input device of the ninth aspect, it is possible to provide an information input device that allows easy confirmation of the select members that must be selected when inputting an order for a menu with select items.

[0026] A tenth aspect is a program for inputting an order, which causes a computer to function as: a list generation unit that reads out a plurality of selection items and a plurality of options corresponding to the ordered object from a memory unit that stores a plurality of selection items and options for each predetermined object having associated options for the plurality of selection items, and generates an image of a list that lists the plurality of selection items and the plurality of options; and a display control unit that displays only the options corresponding to the required items among the selection items included in the generated image of the list, where the plurality of selection items include required items that must be selected and optional items that are not required.

[0027] According to the program of the tenth aspect, it is possible to provide a program that makes it easy to confirm options that must be selected when entering an order for an item that has accompanying options. [Effects of the Invention]

[0028] According to the present invention, when entering an order for a target having accompanying options, it is possible to easily confirm the options that must be selected. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0029] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing an example of a menu structure of a menu with a selector according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of an order management system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an electrical configuration of an order input device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a storage unit of the order input device shown in FIG. 3. FIG. [Figure 5] 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an electrical configuration of an order management device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 4 is a functional block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the order input device shown in FIG. 3. FIG. [Figure 7] 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a list displaying a list of select groups and select members according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 8] 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a display form of a list displaying a list of select groups and select members according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 9] 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of an order input process according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating screen transitions in an order input process according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11-1] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a change in the display mode of a list on a selection screen according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11-2] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a change in the display mode of a list on a selection screen according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a select selection screen according to a second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0030] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0031] First Embodiment In family restaurants and the like, menu items include single-item main menus and menu items with select options, which are main menus with select options. In menus with select options, multiple select groups are prepared in addition to the main dish, and multiple select members are prepared for each select group. In this embodiment, a predetermined object with associated options will be described using a menu offered at a restaurant as an example. In addition, in this embodiment, an information input device for inputting information about an order will be described using an order input device 20 used by a waiter at a restaurant to input an order.

[0032] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the menu structure of a menu with selectors. In this example, the menu item is a "steak set." For the steak set, "meat cooking method," "type of salad," "rice portion," and "drink" are prepared as select groups 73. There are three types of meat cooking method (rare, medium, well done), five types of salad (Caesar salad, green salad, tuna salad, seafood salad, chicken salad), two types of rice portion (large portion, small portion), and eleven types of drinks (coffee, iced coffee, black tea, iced tea, herbal tea, cola, ginger ale, lemon squash, orange juice, apple juice, grape juice) for each select member 76.

[0033] The select group 73 includes select groups 74 in which the selection of a select member 76 is mandatory, and select groups 75 in which the selection of a select member 76 is optional. In this example, "How to cook meat," "Type of salad," and "Drink," which have "○ (circle)" in the "Required" field shown in FIG. 1, belong to select group 74 in which the selection of a select member 76 is mandatory, while "Rice portion," which has no "○ (circle)" in the "Required" field, belongs to select group 75 in which the selection of a select member 76 is optional. In other words, the waiter must select a select member 76 for "How to cook meat," "Type of salad," and "Drink," but does not necessarily select a select member 76 for "Rice portion." If the customer does not request a "large" or "small" portion, the waiter may not select a select member 76. In this case, the order for rice portion will be a regular portion, neither a large nor a small portion. Whether the selection of a select member 76 is mandatory or optional is preset for each select group 73. Here, an example of a required item is a select group 74 in which the selection of a select member 76 is required, and an example of an optional item is a select group 75 in which the selection of a select member 76 is optional.

[0034] When the above-mentioned menu with selectable items is ordered, the server asks the customer who ordered the menu with selectable items which select member 76 to select for each select group 73. The customer selects one select member 76 from the multiple select members 76 for each select group 73. The server associates the selected select member 76 with a menu item such as a steak set and inputs it into the order input device 20. Then, when serving the food, the server provides the customer with the select member 76 associated with the main menu item, such as providing a customer who ordered a steak set with "a medium steak, green salad, rice, and tea."

[0035] Furthermore, some menus with select items allow input of multiple types of select members 76. For example, the select group 73 (74) "type of salad" can accept two inputs for one menu with select items.

[0036] This embodiment relates to an order input device configured using a terminal device capable of scrolling, such as a smartphone, which, when inputting an order for the above-mentioned menu with selection, allows the selection of a select member 76 without transitioning from the selection screen of the select group 73 to the selection screen of the select member 76, and a program for causing the terminal device capable of scrolling to function as such an order input device.

[0037] (Order management system) Next, the general configuration of the order management system will be described. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the schematic configuration of an order management system. As shown in Fig. 2, the order management system 10 includes multiple order input devices 20, an order management device 22, a printing device 24, a cooking management device 26, a food distribution management device 28, and an accounting device 30. Each device is connected to a network N via an in-store router using a wireless communication method such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark) or Bluetooth (registered trademark). The network N may also be connected via the Internet or the like using wireless communication such as LTE.

[0038] The order input device 20 according to this embodiment is a terminal device equipped with a touch panel that allows scrolling, such as a smartphone, and is used by a user (i.e., a customer service representative) to input an order. The order input device 20 transmits the order input information input by the customer service representative to the order management device 22 via network N. Note that the order input device 20 is not limited to a terminal device used by a customer service representative, and may also be a terminal device such as a smartphone owned by a customer.

[0039] The order management device 22 is connected to the order input device 20 via a network N. The order management device 22 is also connected to a printing device 24, a cooking management device 26, a food distribution management device 28, and an accounting device 30. As a premise, the store order management process managed by the order management device 22 is roughly divided into three processes: ordering, cooking, and serving, and an order is completed when the ordered product is cooked and served.

[0040] The order management device 22 receives and manages input information from each device. The printing device 24 prints slips according to the customer's order information. The cooking management device 26 displays the order details indicated by the customer's order information, indicating the ordered items and quantities. The cooking management device 26 also displays the order status of the store. The cooking management device 26 accepts an operation to complete the cooking of items and sends cooking completion information to the order management device 22. The food delivery management device 28 displays the order status of the store. The food delivery management device 28 accepts an operation to complete food delivery by an employee and sends food delivery completion information to the order management device 22. The accounting device 30 performs accounting processing based on the slip information generated for each customer.

[0041] (Order entry device) First, the electrical configuration of the order input device 20 will be described. Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the electrical configuration of the order input device 20 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the storage unit 46 shown in Fig. 3.

[0042] 3, the order input device 20 according to this embodiment is a terminal device such as a smartphone, and includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 32, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 34, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 36, a touch panel input display device 38, a communication unit 44, and a storage unit 46. The touch panel input display device 38 includes a display unit 40 and an input unit 42. The CPU 32, ROM 34, RAM 36, display unit 40, input unit 42, communication unit 44, and storage unit 46 are connected to one another via a bus 48.

[0043] The CPU 32 reads out programs stored in the ROM 34 or the storage unit 46, and executes the programs using the RAM 36 as a work area. The storage unit 46 may be, for example, a solid state drive (SSD) or flash memory. As shown in FIG. 4, the storage unit 46 stores an order input program 50 for executing the order input process according to this embodiment, a menu structure table 52, and standard screen information 54 such as a header information input screen, which will be described later. The storage unit 46 also stores order input information 56 entered by a customer service representative.

[0044] 1 is also a diagram showing an example of the menu structure table 52. As shown in Fig. 1, the menu structure table 52 stores, in a table format, information on whether selection of a select member 76 is required for each main menu item corresponding to a menu with select items, a plurality of select groups 73, and a plurality of select members 76 belonging to each select group 73.

[0045] The order input program 50 may be stored in another storage device such as the ROM 34. The order input program 50 may also be provided by being stored in a computer-readable medium such as a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM (Compact Disk Read Only Memory), or a USB memory, or may be provided via a network.

[0046] The display unit 40 of the touch panel input display device 38 is, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD) or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display. The display unit 40 is equipped with a touch panel for operating the order input device 20. The input unit 42 detects the position coordinates where the touch panel is operated and acquires input information.

[0047] In this embodiment, the order input device 20 has a rectangular shape in plan view, with the vertical length longer than the horizontal length. The order input device 20 is used in portrait orientation, with the length oriented vertically. Therefore, the various screens displayed on the display unit 40 are also rectangular, with the vertical length longer than the horizontal length.

[0048] The communication unit 44 is an interface for communicating with an external device via a wired or wireless communication line. In this embodiment, the communication unit 44 is connected to a network N and communicates with the order management device 22 via the network N. In this embodiment, the communication unit 44 and the network N are connected via wireless communication.

[0049] (Order management device) Next, the electrical configuration of the order management device 22 will be described. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the electrical configuration of the order management device 22 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0050] 5, the order management device 22 according to this embodiment includes a CPU 80, a ROM 81, a RAM 82, an input unit 83, a display unit 84, a communication unit 85, and a storage unit 86. The CPU 80, the ROM 81, the RAM 82, the input unit 83, the display unit 84, the communication unit 85, and the storage unit 86 are connected to one another via a bus 87.

[0051] The CPU 80 reads out programs stored in the ROM 81 or the storage unit 86, and executes the programs using the RAM 82 as a work area. The storage unit 86 may be, for example, an SSD or flash memory. Although not shown, the storage unit 86 stores an order input program for executing the order input process according to this embodiment, order input information input by a customer service representative via the order input device 20, and the like.

[0052] The order input program may be stored in another storage device such as the ROM 81. The order input program may also be provided by being stored in a computer-readable medium such as a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, or a USB memory, or may be provided via a network.

[0053] The input unit 83 includes a pointing device such as a mouse and a keyboard, and is used to input various types of information.

[0054] The display unit 84 is, for example, a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, etc. The display unit 84 may also function as the input unit 83 by employing a touch panel system.

[0055] The communication unit 85 is an interface for communicating with an external device via a wired or wireless communication line. In this embodiment, the communication unit 85 is connected to a network N and communicates with the order input device 20 via the network N. In this embodiment, the communication unit 85 and the network N are connected via wireless communication.

[0056] The printing device 24, cooking management device 26, food distribution management device 28, and accounting device 30 each have the same electrical configuration as the order management device 22, so a description thereof will be omitted here.

[0057] Next, the functional configuration of the order input device will be described. Figure 6 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the order input device 20 shown in Figure 3. As shown in Figure 6, the order input device 20 includes a menu input receiving unit 60, a list generating unit 62, a display control unit 64, a selection receiving unit 65, an order content output unit 66, a menu structure storage unit 68 that stores the menu structure table 52, and an order input storage unit 70 that stores the order input information. When the CPU 32 of the order input device 20 executes the order input program 50, the order input device 20 functions as each unit shown in Figure 6 (see Figures 3 and 4).

[0058] The menu input receiving unit 60 receives input of menu items from a waiter. If the input menu item is a menu with a selection, the menu input receiving unit 60 passes the menu item information to the list generating unit 62. If the input menu item is a single item menu, the menu item information is passed to the order content output unit 66.

[0059] The list generating unit 62 reads out the menu structure table 52 corresponding to the input menu item from the menu structure storage unit 68. The list generating unit 62 extracts the select groups 73 and select members 76 included in the menu structure table 52, and generates an image of the list 72 that displays the select groups 73 and select members 76 in a list.

[0060] The display control unit 64 displays a portion of the image of the list 72 in a scroll display area 306 of the selection selection screen 300, which will be described later, and scrolls the image of the list 72 in response to an operation by the customer service representative to display another portion of the image of the list 72. Furthermore, the display control unit 64, which will be described later, displays only the select members 76 of the select groups 74, among the select groups 73 included in the image of the list 72 generated by the list generation unit 62, for which selection of a select member 76 is mandatory.

[0061] The selection receiving unit 65 receives a selection input of the select members 76 for each select group 73 from the customer service staff.

[0062] The order detail output unit 66 generates a confirmation screen that displays the input details and displays it on the display unit 40. The order detail output unit 66 associates the selected select member 76 with the menu item and stores it as order input information in the order input storage unit 70. In addition, the order detail output unit 66 transmits the order input information to the order management device 22 in response to a transmission instruction from the customer service staff.

[0063] The image of the list 72 will now be described with reference to FIGS. The list image includes a rectangular image of a select group 73 containing the group name, and a rectangular image of a select member 76 containing the select member name. The group name and the select member name are written horizontally along the length of the rectangular image. The image of the select member 76 functions as a selection button for selecting the select member 76. Note that the select group 73 is an example of a "selection item" in the present invention, and the select member 76 is an example of an "option" in the present invention.

[0064] The image of the list 72 is elongated. The images of the multiple select groups 73 are aligned so that the length of the image coincides with the width of the image of the list 72, and are arranged along the length of the image of the list 72. Below the image of each select group 73, images of the multiple select members 76 belonging to that select group 73 are arranged along the length of the image of the list 72.

[0065] Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an image of list 72. In the image of list 72 shown in Fig. 7, images of multiple select groups 73 are arranged along the length direction of the image of list 72. Below the images of select groups 73, images of multiple select members 76 are arranged in two rows along the length direction of the image of list 72. Note that the images of select members 76 are not limited to being arranged in two rows, and may also be arranged in a single row, for example.

[0066] Among the multiple select members 76 belonging to the select group 73, the image of the select member 76 located at the last row may have a different shape from the images of the other select members 76. In the example shown, the image of the select member 76 located at the last row has rounded corners at the bottom of its rectangular shape. This allows you to see at a glance whether it is the last option in the select group 73, eliminating the need for unnecessary scrolling.

[0067] Furthermore, the color of the image of a select group 74 that requires input (e.g., "How do you want the meat cooked?"), i.e., the background color of the group name, may be displayed in a different color from the color of the image of a select group 75 that requires input (e.g., "Pile of rice?"). Furthermore, the color of the image of a select group 73, i.e., the background color of the group name, may be a different color from the color of the image of a select member 76, so that the select group 73 can be distinguished from the select member 76 at a glance.

[0068] 8, of the select groups 73 included in the image of the list 72, only the select members 76 of the select group 74 for which the selection of the select member 76 is optional are displayed, and the select members 76 of the select group 75 for which the selection of the select member 76 is optional are not displayed. That is, in the initial state, the select members 76 of the select group 74 for which the selection of the select member 76 is mandatory are displayed, but the select members 76 of the select group 75 for which the selection of the select member 76 is optional are displayed when the selection of the select group 75 by the customer service representative is accepted, that is, when the rectangular image "Rice on the plate?" of the select group 75 including the group name is selected. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, the select members 76 are displayed for "How do you want to grill the meat?", "Type of salad?", and "What do you want to drink?", which are select groups 74 for which the selection of the select member 76 is mandatory, but the select members 76 are not displayed for "Rice on the plate?", which is select group 75 for which the selection of the select member 76 is optional.

[0069] Additionally, an input number count area 78 is provided corresponding to the select group 74 of the list. The input number count area 78 displays, for example, the value of the input quantity as the numerator and the value of the required input quantity as the denominator. For example, when the required input quantity is one and one select member 76 is selected for the select group 74, the input quantity increases by one, and the display in the input number count area 78 is rewritten, for example, from "0 / 1" to "1 / 1."

[0070] In the illustrated example, the shapes of the images of the select group 73 and the select members 76 are elongated rectangles, but the shapes of the images are not limited to this. As long as the select group 73 and the select members 76 can be displayed in a list, the shapes of these images may be circles, ovals, ellipses, or other polygons.

[0071] Furthermore, in the following, when it is clear what is meant, an image of a list will simply be referred to as a "list," an image of a select group will simply be referred to as a "select group," and an image of a select member will simply be referred to as a "select member."

[0072] (Order entry program) Next, an order entry program for executing the order entry process will be described. Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of "order input processing" according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 10 is a schematic diagram showing screen transitions in the order input processing.

[0073] The order input program is executed by the CPU 32 (see FIG. 3) of the order input device 20. The order input program is started when an order entry start command is given by the customer service staff from an initial screen (not shown).

[0074] First, in step 100, the CPU 32 displays a header information input screen 100 shown in Fig. 10 and accepts input of header information such as the table number and number of people. After the customer service staff has finished inputting the header information, they operate a button 102 on the header information input screen 100. When the button 102 is operated, the CPU 32 transitions to a menu list display screen 200 shown in Fig. 10. Then, the process proceeds to the next step 102.

[0075] Next, in step 102, CPU 32 accepts input of menu items from menu list display screen 200. Menu list display screen 200 hierarchically displays selection buttons for multiple menu items. The waiter takes the customer's order, operates the selection button for the ordered menu item, and inputs the menu item. Then, the process proceeds to next step 106.

[0076] Next, in step 106, the CPU 32 determines whether the input menu item is a menu with a selectable item. If the input menu item is a menu with a selectable item, the process proceeds to step 108. If the input menu item is not a menu with a selectable item, i.e., if it is a single item menu, the process proceeds to step 120.

[0077] Next, in step 108, the CPU 32 reads out the menu structure table corresponding to the menu item from the storage unit 46 (see FIG. 3), extracts the select group 73 and the select member 76 included in the menu structure table, and obtains information on the select group 73 and the select member 76 corresponding to the menu item. Then, the process proceeds to the next step 110.

[0078] Next, in step 110, the CPU 32 generates a list 72 that displays a list of select groups 73 and select members 76 corresponding to the menu items (see FIG. 7), and then proceeds to the next step 112.

[0079] Next, in step 112, the CPU 32 transitions to a selection selection screen 300 shown in Fig. 10. The selection selection screen 300 includes a header information display section 302 that displays header information, a menu item display section 304 that displays menu items, a scroll display area 306 that scrolls and displays the list, a back button 308 (see Fig. 11), and a confirmation button 310 (see Fig. 11). The CPU 32 then displays a portion of the list 72 (i.e., some of the select groups 73 and their select members 76) in the scroll display area 306. As shown in Fig. 8, the list 72 displays the name of the select group 74 and the select members 76 for the required select group 74, and displays only the name of the select group 75 for the optional select group 75, without displaying the select members 76. The process then proceeds to the next step 114.

[0080] Next, in step 114, the CPU 32 scrolls the list 72 in response to the operation of the customer service representative to display another part of the list 72 (i.e., another part of the select groups 73 and their select members 76), and accepts the selection input of the select member 76. The customer service representative takes the order from the customer and operates the image of the ordered select member 76 as a selection button to input the select member 76. Then, the CPU 32 determines whether or not the select member 76 has been selected. If it is determined that the select member 76 has been selected, the process proceeds to the next step 116.

[0081] In step 116, the select member 76 selected in step 114 is terminated and not displayed. Also, the color of the image of the select group 75 for which the selection of the select member 76 has been completed is changed from the color of the image of the select group 75 for which the selection has not been completed. Then, the process proceeds to the next step 118.

[0082] In step 118, it is determined whether the selection of required select members 76 is complete. The selection of required select members 76 is determined to be complete when the predetermined required input quantity matches the quantity of the selected options. That is, the selection of select members 76 is determined to be complete when the predetermined quantity of select members 76 for each select group 74, e.g., "1," matches the selected quantity of select members 76, e.g., "1." Furthermore, in a menu where multiple types of select members 76 can be input, for example, in the select group 74 "Types of Salad," two entries can be accepted, the predetermined quantity of select members 76 is "2." When the quantity of the selected select members 76 becomes "2," the selection of select members 76 is determined to be complete. If it is determined that the selection of required select members 76 is complete, the process proceeds to step 120. On the other hand, if it is not determined that the selection of required select members 76 is complete, the process returns to step 114.

[0083] Next, in step 120, CPU 32 determines whether or not confirmation button 310 on selection selection screen 300 has been operated. After inputting selection members 76, the customer service representative operates confirmation button 310 if the customer wishes to proceed to the confirmation screen. If confirmation button 310 has been operated, the process proceeds to step 122. On the other hand, if the customer wishes to return to menu list display screen 200, the customer service representative operates back button 308. If back button 308 has been operated, the process returns to step 102, and the next menu item entry is initiated by accepting the entry of a menu item.

[0084] Next, in step 122, the CPU 32 transitions to a confirmation screen 400 shown in Fig. 10. The confirmation screen 400 includes a header information display section 402, an input content display section 404 that displays the input content, a back button 406, and a send button 408. Then, the process proceeds to the next step 124.

[0085] Next, in step 124, the CPU 32 determines whether the send button 408 on the confirmation screen 400 has been operated. The customer service representative checks the input contents displayed in the input content display area 404, and if there are no problems with the input contents, operates the send button 408. If the send button 408 has been operated, the CPU 32 transmits the input order information to the order management device 22 and stores the input order information in the storage unit 46 (FIG. 3), and ends the processing. In the case of a menu with selections, the selected selection member 76 is stored in association with the main menu item, such as "steak set, meat cooking method: medium, type of salad: green salad, rice portion: large, drink: black tea."

[0086] On the other hand, if there is a problem with the input contents, the customer service representative operates the back button 406 to return to the previous screen, rather than the send button 408. If the back button 406 is operated, the process returns to step 102 and starts again from accepting the input of the menu items.

[0087] Furthermore, if it is not determined in step 114 that a select member 76 has been selected, the process proceeds to step 130, where the CPU 32 determines whether or not a select group 75 in which a select member 76 has been selected has been selected. That is, the process determines whether or not the customer service representative has performed an operation to select a select member 76 of a select group 75 in which a select member 76 has been selected has been selected. If it is determined that a select group 75 in which a select member 76 has been selected has been selected, the process proceeds to the next step 132. If it is not determined that a select group 75 in which a select member 76 has been selected has been selected, the process returns to step 114.

[0088] Next, in step 132, the CPU 32 displays the select members 76 of the arbitrary select group 75 selected in step 130. Then, the process returns to step 114 described above.

[0089] 11 (FIGS. 11-1 and 11-2), an example of a change in the display mode of the list 72 on the selection selection screen 300 will be described. Also, an example in which only one select member 76 of each select group 73 can be selected will be described.

[0090] First, as shown in FIG. 11-1(A), in the initial display mode of the selection selection screen 300, the select members 76 of the select group 74 for which selection of the select member 76 is mandatory are displayed, but the select members 76 of the select group 75 for which selection of the select member 76 is optional are not displayed. In other words, the select member 76 of the select group 75 "More rice?" for which selection of the select member 76 is optional is not displayed. Furthermore, the color of the image of the select group 74 for which selection of the select member 76 is mandatory is displayed in a different color from the color of the image of the optional select group 75.

[0091] Next, as shown in FIG. 11-1(B), when the customer service representative selects a select member 76 of the select group 74 "How do you want your meat cooked?", for example, "rare," the display of the select member 76 of the select group 74 "How do you want your meat cooked?" is terminated. Furthermore, the color of the image of the select group 74 for which the selection of the select member 76 has been completed is displayed in a different color from the image of the select group 74 for which the selection of the select member 76 has not yet been completed. Here, when the predetermined required input quantity matches the quantity of the selected option, it is determined that the selection of the select member 76 has been completed, and the display of the select member 76 is terminated. That is, when the quantity "1" of the select member 76 predetermined for each select group 74 matches the quantity "1" of the selected select member 76, it is determined that the selection of the select member 76 has been completed, and the display of the select member 76 is terminated.

[0092] Next, as shown in Fig. 11-1(C), when the customer service representative selects a select member 76 of the select group 74 "Type of Salad," for example, "Green Salad," the display of the select members 76 of the select group 74 "Type of Salad" is terminated. Also, the color of the image of the select group 74 for which the selection of the select member 76 has been completed is displayed in a different color from the color of the image of the select group 74 for which the selection of the select member 76 has not been completed.

[0093] Next, as shown in Figure 11-1(D), if the customer service representative selects "More rice?", which is a select group 75 in which the selection member 76 is optional, the select member 76 of the select group 75 "More rice?" is displayed.

[0094] Next, as shown in FIG. 11-2(E), when the customer service representative selects the select member 76 "large portion" of the select group 75 "large portion?", "1" is input as the number of "large portions."

[0095] Next, as shown in FIG. 11-2(F), when the customer service representative selects "More Rice?", which is a select group 75 in which the selection of select member 76 is optional, the display of the select members 76 of the select group 75 "More Rice?" is terminated. Here, the select group 75 in which the selection of select member 76 is optional does not have a predetermined required input quantity, unlike the required select group 74. Therefore, the CPU 32 does not determine that the selection of select members 76 is complete, and when the customer service representative selects a rectangular image of the select group 75 that includes the group name, the display of the select members 76 is terminated.

[0096] Next, as shown in FIG. 11-2(G), when the customer service representative selects a select member 76 of the select group 74 "What to drink?", for example, "coffee," the display of the select members 76 of the select group 74 "What to drink?" is terminated. Also, the color of the image of the select group 74 for which selection of select members 76 has been completed is displayed in a different color from the color of the image of the select group 74 for which selection of all select members 76 is required. In this way, when the display of the select members 76 of the select group 74 for which selection of all select members 76 is required has been completed, the confirmation button 310 becomes operable.

[0097] According to the first embodiment, select members 76 of select groups 75 for which selection of select members 76 is optional are not displayed. As a result, only select members 76 of select groups 75 for which selection is mandatory are displayed, making it easier for the customer service representative to select a select member 76. Furthermore, by not displaying select members 76 of select groups 75 for which selection of select members 76 is optional and terminating the display of select members 76 for which selection has been completed, fewer select members 76 are displayed on the display unit 40 of the order input device 20, reducing the amount of scrolling required by the customer service representative to search for a select member 76. Furthermore, by changing the color of select groups 75 for which selection has been completed from the color of select groups 75 for which selection has not been completed, it is easier for the customer service representative to determine whether a selection has been made or not.

[0098] <Second embodiment> The second embodiment is the same as the first embodiment except for the layout of the select selection screen and the method of displaying the list. Therefore, a description of the same configuration as the first embodiment will be omitted, and only the differences will be described.

[0099] (Selection screen) 12 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the configuration of a select selection screen according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Components similar to those in the select selection screen of the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals and will not be described again.

[0100] The selection selection screen 300 according to the second embodiment includes a header information display section 302, a menu item display section 304, a scroll display area 306, a back button 308, and a confirmation button 310, as well as an index button 312 for selecting a selection group 73. In the illustrated example, the selection selection screen 300 includes a plurality of index buttons 312 corresponding to four selection groups 73: "How to cook meat," "Type of salad," "Rice portion," and "Drinks." When the customer operates an index button 312, the corresponding selection group 73 is displayed at the top of the scroll display area 306. This allows the selection group 73 to be displayed more quickly and reliably, particularly when a customer orders a selection group 73 that is listed at the bottom of the list and not displayed in the scroll display area 306, compared to when the customer operates the scroll to display the selection group 73 ordered by the customer. For example, if an order is placed from select group 73 "Drinks," the waiter must scroll to select group 73 for "Drinks" to display select group 73 "Drinks." However, according to this embodiment, by selecting the index for "Drinks," it is possible to display select group 73 "Drinks" and the select members 76 for that "Drinks."

[0101] <Modification> It goes without saying that the configurations of the order input device and the program described in the above embodiments are merely examples, and may be modified within the scope of the present invention.

[0102] For example, the order input device 20 in this embodiment is assumed to be a terminal device with a touch panel that allows scrolling, such as a smartphone, used by a customer service representative to input orders, but is not limited to this. Of course, the functions of this embodiment can also be installed in a terminal device (so-called tabletop order terminal device) installed in a store that customers can operate themselves to input orders, or in a terminal device such as a smartphone owned by a customer.

[0103] Furthermore, for example, in the above-described embodiment, a menu with a selection option has been described as an example of a predetermined object having associated options, but this is not limiting. For example, the predetermined object having associated options may be a product sold online, for example, via the Internet. In this case, the selection group 73 may represent the product size, packaging type, etc., and the selection members 76 may represent sizes such as S, M, and L for clothing when the selection group 73 represents the product size, and whether or not gift wrapping is required when the selection group 73 represents the packaging type. The product size may then be grouped as selection group 74, which requires selection by the selection member 76, and the packaging type may be grouped as selection group 75, which requires selection by the selection member 76. In this way, the present invention can be applied to various products other than menus served at restaurants. [Explanation of symbols]

[0104] 10. Order Management System 20 Order entry device 22 Order Management Device 24 Printing device 26 Cooking management device 28 Food distribution management device 30 Accounting Device 38 Touch panel input display device 40 Display section 42 Input section 44 Communications Department 46 Memory section 48 Bus 50 Order Entry Program 52 Menu Structure Table 54 Standard screen information 56 Order Entry Information 60 Menu input reception section 62 List Generation Unit 64 Display control unit 65 Selection Reception Department 66 Order content output section 68 Menu structure memory section 70 Order entry memory section 72 List 73 Select Group 74 Mandatory Select Groups 75 Optional Select Groups 76 Select Members 78 Input count area 100 Header information input screen 200 Menu list display screen 300 Select Selection Screen 302 Header information display section 304 Menu item display section 306 Scrolling Display Area 308 Back button 310 Confirm button 312 Index button 400 confirmation screen

Claims

1. An information input device for inputting information about an order, a list generating unit that reads out a plurality of selection items and a plurality of options corresponding to the ordered object from a storage unit that stores a plurality of selection items and options for each predetermined object having associated options, and generates an image of a list that displays a list of the plurality of selection items and the plurality of options; a display control unit that displays only options corresponding to the required items among the selection items included in the generated image of the list, and that ends the display of the options corresponding to the required items when the selection of the options for the required items is completed; and Equipped with An information input device in which the selection of options is determined to be completed when the number of selected options matches a predetermined number.

2. The display control unit 2. The information input device according to claim 1, wherein the options corresponding to the optional items are displayed when a selection of the optional item is received from the user.

3. The display control unit Among the plurality of selection items in the list, the image of the required item is displayed in a color different from the color of the image of the optional item.

3. The information input device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The display control unit An information input device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the color of the image of the selection item for which the selection of the option for the required item has been completed is displayed in a different color from the color of the image of the selection item for which the selection of the option for the required item has not been completed.

5. The display control unit 5. The information input device according to claim 1, wherein an image of the list is displayed in a predetermined display area of ​​a selection screen for selecting the option, the image being scrollable relative to the display area.

6. The display control unit An information input device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein an index of the selection items is displayed in a display area different from a display area displaying an image of the list on a selection screen for selecting the options.

7. 7. The information input device according to claim 1, wherein the target is a menu item offered at a restaurant.

8. 1. A program for entering orders, comprising: Computer, a storage unit that stores a plurality of selection items and options for each of the plurality of selection items for each predetermined object having associated options, and reads out the plurality of selection items and options corresponding to the object ordered, and generates an image of a list that displays the plurality of selection items and the plurality of options; The plurality of selection items include required items that must be selected and optional items that are not required, and only options corresponding to the required items are displayed among the selection items included in the generated image of the list; When the number of options selected for the required item matches a predetermined number, the display of the options corresponding to the required item is terminated. A program for executing a process.

Images