Information processing device and program

Abstract

To provide an information processing device capable of improving the sales of a shop by urging customers being in the shop to place an order in the case that the shop is deserted, and a program.SOLUTION: According to an information processing device includes congestion information acquisition means for acquiring congestion information in a shop, first determination means for determining a quiet state in which congestion in the shop is a first setting value or less on the basis of the congestion information acquired by the congestion information acquisition means, provision information acquisition means for acquiring provision information showing that an ordered product ordered by a customer in the shop is provided to the customer, second determination means for determining a provided state in which all ordered products of one customer have been already provided on the basis of the provision information acquired by the provision information acquisition means, and output means for outputting first privilege notification showing that a privilege is given to a customer who has already placed his / her order on condition that an additional order is placed in a state in which the first determination means is in a quiet state and that the second determination means is in a provided state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 13

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to an information processing device and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, systems for increasing sales at restaurants and other establishments have been introduced. One such system has been proposed, which transmits special benefit information to user terminals located around a store according to the store's product availability, thereby increasing the effectiveness of attracting customers (for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] The conventional system transmits special offer information to user terminals located near a store when the store is quiet and ready to provide products to customers. The conventional system aims to increase customer attraction by encouraging users outside the store to visit the store when the store is quiet.

[0004] However, the timing when the store is quiet is unrelated to the timing when users outside the store want to eat or drink. For this reason, the conventional system described above is not necessarily effective in attracting customers, and there is room for improvement in terms of increasing store sales. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an information processing device and a program that can increase sales at a store by encouraging customers inside the store to place orders when the store is quiet. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An information processing device according to an embodiment includes a congestion information acquisition means for acquiring congestion information about the store, a first determination means for determining, based on the congestion information acquired by the congestion information acquisition means, that the store is in an unoccupied state where the degree of congestion in the store is equal to or less than a first set value, a provided information acquisition means for acquiring provided information indicating that items ordered by a customer in the store have been provided to the customer, a second determination means for determining, based on the provided information acquired by the provided information acquisition means, that all of the items ordered by a customer have been provided, and an output means for outputting, when the first determination means determines that the store is in an unoccupied state and the second determination means determines that the items have been provided, a first benefit notification indicating that a benefit will be granted to a customer in the provided state, on the condition that they place an additional order. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an outline of a store system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a main hardware configuration of the server device according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a data configuration of the product master stored in the storage unit of the server device according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a data configuration of a congestion level determination table stored in the storage unit of the server device according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a data configuration of a store entry waiting management table stored in the storage unit of the server device according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a data configuration of a seat management table stored in the storage unit of the server device of the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a data configuration of a coupon setting table stored in the storage unit of the server device according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a data configuration of an order information management table stored in the storage unit of the server device according to the embodiment. [Figure 9]FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a data configuration of the prohibition information setting table stored in the storage unit of the server device according to the embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the data configuration of the accounting management table stored in the storage unit of the server device of the embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a main functional configuration of a control unit of a server device according to an embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a sequence chart showing the flow of operations of the store system according to the embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the flow of a coupon issuing process performed by the control unit of the server device according to the embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the flow of transaction processing by the control unit of the server device according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] An information processing device and a program according to an embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below. For example, in the embodiments described below, an example will be described in which an information terminal installed at a seat in a store is used as the ordering terminal, but this is not limiting. The ordering terminal may also be a customer terminal owned by the customer, such as a smartphone or tablet terminal on which an ordering application program is installed.

[0009] In the following embodiment, the server device outputs the benefit notification to the ordering terminal, but the present invention is not limited to this. The server device may output the benefit notification to a display device separately installed in the restaurant. In this case, it is desirable that the display device display the content of the benefit notification and customer identification information (such as a table number) that identifies the customer who is eligible for the benefit. In other words, the means for notifying customers of benefit information is not limited to using an ordering terminal installed at their seats.

[0010] Furthermore, in the embodiment described below, a coupon that is granted to a customer on the condition that the customer declares that they will use the coupon, in other words, that the customer requests the store to use the coupon, is considered a benefit notification, but this is not limited to this. The benefit notification may simply be a notification indicating the content of the benefit. In this case, for example, the customer does not need to enter information indicating that they will use the coupon, and the benefit is automatically granted to the customer when they make a payment, etc.

[0011] An information processing device and a program according to an embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of a store system including a server device, which is an example of an information processing device. The store system 1 of this embodiment is applied to, for example, a restaurant with multiple table seats.

[0012] The store system 1 has a server device 2, an order terminal 3 installed at each table seat, a staff member terminal 4 carried by a store employee, an entrance reception device 5, and an accounting device 6. The server device 2, order terminal 3, staff member terminal 4, entrance reception device 5, and accounting device 6 are connected to each other so that they can communicate with each other via a network N such as a wireless LAN (Local Area Network). Note that the number of each of the above devices included in the store system 1 is not limited to the example shown in the figure.

[0013] The server device 2 manages various store information. For example, the server device 2 manages order information, transaction information, congestion information, and the like based on information received from the order terminal 3, the staff terminal 4, the store entry reception device 5, and the accounting device 6. The server device 2 also manages a product master that stores product information for products sold by the store. When there is a change in the store's menu, the server device 2 updates the product master as appropriate and sends it to the order terminal 3 and the staff terminal 4. The server device 2 may be configured with multiple computers. In other words, the functions of the server device 2 may be distributed across multiple computers. The functions of the server device 2 may also be implemented using cloud computing.

[0014] When the store is quiet and there are few customers, the server device 2 notifies a customer who has received all of their ordered items from the store of special offer information. In this embodiment, the server device 2 notifies the customer of the special offer information by sending a first coupon to the ordering terminal 3 installed at the table seat of the customer. The first coupon sent by the server device 2 is, for example, a discount coupon for subsequent additional orders. This allows the store to expect additional orders from customers who are in the store when the store is quiet.

[0015] Furthermore, when the store is crowded with many customers, the server device 2 notifies a customer who has received all of the ordered items from the store of special benefit information. The server device 2 notifies the customer of the special benefit information by sending a second coupon to the ordering terminal 3 installed at the customer's table, just as it does when the store is quiet. The second coupon sent by the server device 2 is, for example, a discount coupon that is applied on the condition that the customer leaves the store within 15 minutes. This allows the store to expect an increase in customer turnover by encouraging customers who are in the store to leave earlier when the store is crowded.

[0016] The first coupon sent when the terminal is quiet is an example of a first benefit notification output by the server device 2. The second coupon sent when the terminal is busy is an example of a second benefit notification output by the server device 2.

[0017] The server device 2 prohibits the transmission of the second coupon when predetermined prohibition information is input. The prohibition information can be set arbitrarily by the store. For example, the store can set the order information of products for which the store allows customers to stay for a predetermined time, such as all-you-can-drink or course meals, as the prohibition information. The store can prevent customers who order such products from feeling uncomfortable by receiving a second coupon encouraging them to leave the store early within the predetermined time.

[0018] The store can also set the table number received from the staff member terminal 4 as prohibited information. The table number is information that can identify a customer and is an example of customer identification information. The store can prohibit the sending of the second coupon to a customer who has been selected by the staff member who will guide the customer in the store. The store can prohibit the sending of the second coupon to a customer who is determined by the staff member to be likely to find the second coupon unpleasant.

[0019] If the store deems it inconvenient, it may prohibit the transmission of the first coupon as necessary. In this case, the store may set the prohibition information for prohibiting the transmission of the first coupon at its discretion.

[0020] An ordering terminal 3 is installed at each table seat located inside the store. The ordering terminal 3 is equipped with a monitor (not shown) that displays various information. The monitor displays a product menu sold by the store, a product order input screen, coupons received from the server device 2, and a coupon usage request input screen for declaring the use of the coupon. The ordering terminal 3 transmits the information input on the various input screens to the server device 2.

[0021] The staff member terminal 4 is an information device called a handheld terminal, and is carried by an employee (hereinafter also referred to as "staff member") who assists customers on a floor where table seats are arranged. The staff member terminal 4 transmits various information to the server device 2. For example, the staff member terminal 4 transmits order information indicating a product order entered by the staff member to the server device 2. When the staff member receives an order verbally from a customer, the staff member inputs the order information into the staff member terminal 4.

[0022] The staff member terminal 4 transmits the guidance information input by the staff member to the server device 2. The guidance information is information indicating that the customer has been guided to a table seat, and includes the table number of the table seat. The staff member terminal 4 also transmits the prohibition information input by the staff member to the server device 2. The prohibition information is information indicating that there is a customer to whom the staff member has determined that the second coupon should not be sent, and includes the table number of the table seat at which the customer will be seated.

[0023] The entrance reception device 5 is installed, for example, near the entrance of the store, and is operated by customers who visit the store or by a staff member. The number of customers who wish to enter the store is input into the entrance reception device 5. The entrance reception device 5 issues an entrance waiting number in association with the input number of customers. The entrance reception device 5 transmits entrance waiting information to the server device 2, in which the issued entrance waiting number is associated with the number of customers.

[0024] The checkout device 6 is, for example, a self-service checkout device where the customer pays for the item themselves. The checkout device 6 transmits the entered checkout code to the server device 2 and receives payment information corresponding to the checkout code from the server device 2. The payment information is information necessary for the customer to make a payment, and includes product information for the item to be paid for (product name, price, quantity, etc.) and the payment amount (total price of the item to be paid for).

[0025] The accounting device 6 reads the accounting code, for example, using a scanner provided on the device itself. The accounting device 6 reads the accounting code printed on the accounting slip that the customer receives from the clerk. If the customer terminal is used as an order terminal, the accounting device 6 reads the accounting code displayed on the customer terminal. The accounting code may also be entered into the accounting device 6 manually. The accounting device 6 may also be an accounting device operated by an employee such as a clerk.

[0026] Next, the server device 2 will be described in detail. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the main hardware configuration of the server device 2. The server device 2 includes a control unit 20, a storage unit 21, a display unit 22, an operation unit 23, and a communication unit 24. The control unit 20, the storage unit 21, the display unit 22, the operation unit 23, and the communication unit 24 are connected to one another via a bus 25 or the like.

[0027] The control unit 20 is configured as a computer including a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 201, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 202, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 203. The CPU 201, the ROM 202, and the RAM 203 are connected to each other via a bus 25.

[0028] The CPU 201 controls the overall operation of the server device 2. The ROM 202 stores various programs, such as a program used to drive the CPU 201, and various data. The RAM 203 is used as a work area for the CPU 201, and loads various programs and data stored in the ROM 202 and the storage unit 21. The control unit 20 executes various control processes of the server device 2 by the CPU 201 operating in accordance with the control programs stored in the ROM 202 and the storage unit 21 and loaded in the RAM 203.

[0029] The memory unit 21 is configured with a storage medium such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or flash memory, and maintains its stored contents even when power is cut off. The memory unit 21 stores a control program 211, a product master 212, a congestion level determination table 213, a waiting list management table 214, a seat management table 215, a coupon setting table 216, an order information management table 217, a prohibition information setting table 218, and an accounting management table 219.

[0030] The control program 211 is a program for realizing functions such as sending and receiving various information between the order terminal 3, the staff terminal 4, the entrance reception device 5, and the accounting device 6, calculating the degree of congestion, and sending coupons based on the calculated degree of congestion and the provision information of the ordered items to the customer.

[0031] The product master 212 is a master file that manages product information for products sold in a store. The product master 212 can be said to be a file that manages the menu of products that the store offers to customers. Figure 3 is a diagram showing the data structure of the product master 212. The product master 212 stores product names and prices in association with product codes.

[0032] The product code is information that identifies a product and is an example of product identification information. The product name is information that indicates the name of the product. The price is information that indicates the price of the product. The product master 212 may also store other product information such as product images.

[0033] The congestion level determination table 213 is a data table for determining whether the congestion level in a store is quiet or crowded. The congestion level determination table 213 can be updated by the store as appropriate. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing the data configuration of the congestion level determination table 213. The congestion level determination table 213 stores the congestion level and the congestion level in association with each other.

[0034] The congestion status is information indicating the congestion status of a store, including information indicating an unoccupied state and information indicating a crowded state. The congestion level is information indicating the congestion level calculated using a set calculation method. In this embodiment, the congestion status is set so that a store is determined to be unoccupied when the congestion level is equal to or less than a first set value of 0.3, and is determined to be crowded when the congestion level is equal to or greater than a second set value of 0.8. When the congestion level is greater than 0.3 but less than 0.8, the congestion status is determined to be normal. The congestion level value (threshold value) can be set arbitrarily by the store.

[0035] An example of a method for calculating the congestion degree will now be described. In this embodiment, the congestion degree is calculated as follows. Congestion level = (Number of tables in use + Number of tables scheduled for use by customers waiting to enter) / Number of tables in the store

[0036] The number of occupied tables is the number of tables being used by customers. The number of tables scheduled to be used by customers waiting to enter is the number of tables estimated to be used by customers waiting to enter if they do enter. For example, if there are five groups of customers waiting to enter and all of the customers are within the capacity of one table, the number of tables scheduled to be used by customers waiting to enter is five. If there are five groups of customers waiting to enter, one of which requires two tables, and the other customers are within the capacity of one table, the number of tables scheduled to be used by customers waiting to enter is six. The number of in-store tables is the number of tables installed in the store. The number of in-use tables, the number of tables scheduled to be used by customers waiting to enter, the number of in-store tables, and the information used to calculate these, which are all examples of congestion information, are required to calculate the congestion level.

[0037] For example, if there are 10 table seats in a store, 2 table seats in use, and 0 table seats scheduled for use by customers waiting to enter, the congestion level will be 0.2. Therefore, the congestion situation will be determined to be "quiet." If there are 10 table seats in a store, 8 table seats in use, and 5 table seats scheduled for use by customers waiting to enter (2 table seats are being cleared), the congestion level will be 1.3. Therefore, the congestion situation will be determined to be "crowded." The method for calculating the congestion level will be set appropriately depending on the actual situation of each store, such as the arrangement of table seats and counter seats.

[0038] The waiting list management table 214 is a data table that manages the status of customers waiting to enter the store. The waiting list management table 214 is updated as appropriate based on information from the staff terminal 4 and the entrance reception device 5. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing the data configuration of the waiting list management table 214. The waiting list management table 214 stores the waiting number, number of people, input date and time, and guide flag in association with each other.

[0039] The waiting number is information that identifies customers waiting to enter the store. The number of people is information that indicates the number of customers. The input date and time is information that indicates the date and time when information was input to the store entry reception device 5. Information received from the store entry reception device 5 is registered as the waiting number, number of people, and input date and time. The guide flag is information that indicates whether or not a customer waiting to enter the store has been guided to a table seat. If a customer with the corresponding waiting number is waiting to enter the store, the guide flag is registered as "0". When a customer with the corresponding waiting number is guided to a table seat by a staff member, the guide flag is registered as "1". The guide flag is rewritten to "1" based on information from the staff member terminal 4.

[0040] The seating management table 215 is a data table that manages the usage status of table seats in the store. The seating management table 215 is updated as appropriate based on information from the staff terminal 4. Figure 6 is a diagram showing the data configuration of the seating management table 215. The seating management table 215 stores table numbers, available numbers of people, usage status, and seating dates and times in association with each other.

[0041] The table number is information that identifies the table seat. The available number of people is information that indicates the number of people that can be seated at the table seat with the corresponding table number. The table number and available number of people are registered in advance by the store. The usage status is information that indicates whether the table seat is in use, being cleared away, or vacant. Note that the usage status may also be information that only indicates whether the table seat is available for use. The seating date and time is information that indicates the date and time when a customer sat at the table seat. The usage status and seating date and time are updated as appropriate based on information from the staff terminal 4.

[0042] The coupon setting table 216 is a data table for setting coupons to be sent to the ordering terminal 3, in other words, coupons to be sent to customers seated at tables. The coupon setting table 216 can be updated by the store as needed. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing the data structure of the coupon setting table 216. The coupon setting table 216 stores the congestion status, type, coupon ID, and coupon content in association with each other.

[0043] As described above, the congestion status is information indicating the congestion status of the store. The type is information indicating whether it is a first coupon sent when the store is quiet or a second coupon sent when the store is busy. The coupon ID is information that identifies the coupon. The coupon content is information indicating the content of the benefit that can be obtained with the coupon.

[0044] The contents of the coupon can be set by the store as desired. Benefits obtained with the first coupon include, for example, a discount on additional ordered items or a discount on a specific item already ordered. Benefits obtained with the second coupon include a discount on the total amount or a free coupon for a specific item that can be used next time.

[0045] The order information management table 217 is a data table that manages order information received by the store from customers. The order information management table 217 is updated based on information from the order terminal 3 and the staff terminal 4. Figure 8 is a diagram showing the data configuration of the order information management table 217. The order information management table 217 stores, in association with each other, the table number, accounting code, coupon transmission time, coupon used, order ID, reception date and time, completion date and time, product code, and delivery flag.

[0046] As described above, the table number is information that identifies a table seat. The accounting code is information that identifies the payment details of the customer at the corresponding table number. When the server device 2 receives an accounting instruction from the ordering terminal 3, it issues and registers an accounting code. The server device 2 may also issue an accounting code when it receives the first order from the ordering terminal 3. When a customer at a table seat leaves the restaurant and the next customer uses that same table seat, multiple accounting codes will be associated with the table number.

[0047] The coupon transmission time is information that indicates the date and time when a coupon was sent to a customer with the corresponding accounting code. If a coupon has not been sent to the customer, the coupon transmission time is not registered. The coupon transmission time is information used to determine whether the customer meets the terms of use when using a coupon.

[0048] The coupon to be used is information that identifies the coupon that the customer intends to use, such as a coupon ID. When a customer inputs a coupon use request into the order terminal 3, the coupon ID specified in the coupon use request is registered as the coupon to be used. In this embodiment, one coupon to be used is associated with one accounting code, but multiple coupons to be used may also be associated with one accounting code. In other words, one customer may be able to use multiple coupons.

[0049] An order ID is information that identifies a single order. When multiple orders are placed by one customer, multiple order IDs are associated with one accounting code. The server device 2 issues an order ID when it accepts an order. The acceptance date and time is information indicating the date and time when the order was accepted. The completion date and time is information indicating the date and time when all ordered items were provided to the customer. The acceptance date and time and the completion date and time are associated with the order ID.

[0050] The product code is information that identifies the ordered product. When multiple products are ordered in one order, multiple product codes are associated with the order ID that identifies the order. The delivery flag is information that indicates whether the product with the corresponding product code has been delivered to the customer. If the product with the corresponding product code has not been delivered to the customer, "0" is registered in the delivery flag. If the product with the corresponding product code has been delivered to the customer, "1" is registered in the delivery flag. The delivery flag is rewritten to "1" based on information from the staff terminal 4.

[0051] The prohibition information setting table 218 is a data table that sets prohibition information, which is a condition for prohibiting the transmission of a second coupon. The prohibition information setting table 218 can be updated by the store as needed. Figure 9 is a diagram showing the data structure of the prohibition information setting table 218. The prohibition information setting table 218 stores items and prohibition information in association with each other.

[0052] The item is information indicating the item of the prohibited information. In this embodiment, the item is set to be a product code and a table number. The prohibited information is information that identifies one of the corresponding items. For example, if "A" is registered in the prohibited information corresponding to a product code, when a customer orders a product with product code "A," the server device 2 will not send a second coupon to the customer even if the conditions for sending the second coupon are met. The prohibited information corresponding to a product code is set in advance by the store.

[0053] Furthermore, if "1" is registered in the prohibition information corresponding to the table number, the server device 2 will not send the second coupon to the customer at table No. 1 even if the conditions for sending the second coupon are met. The prohibition information corresponding to the table number is registered based on information from the staff member terminal 4. In other words, the prohibition information corresponding to the table number is registered at the discretion of the staff member. The prohibition information corresponding to the table number is erased when the customer at the registered table number has completed payment.

[0054] Note that other items such as the number of people may be set in the prohibition information setting table 218. When the number of people is set as an item, for example, if one customer has a set number of people or more, the sending of the second coupon to that customer can be prohibited.

[0055] The accounting management table 219 is a data table that manages the accounting status of customers. The accounting management table 219 is updated based on information from the order terminal 3 and the accounting device 6. Figure 10 shows the data structure of the accounting management table 219. The accounting management table 219 stores table numbers, accounting codes, and settlement flags in association with each other.

[0056] As mentioned above, the table number is information that identifies the seat at the table, and the accounting code is information that identifies the customer's payment details. The payment flag is information that indicates whether payment for the corresponding accounting code has been made. If payment has not been made, a "0" is registered in the payment flag, and if payment has been made, a "1" is registered in the payment flag. The payment flag is rewritten to "1" based on information from the accounting device 6.

[0057] 2, the hardware of the server device 2 will be described. The display unit 22 is configured, for example, with a liquid crystal panel, and displays various information. For example, the display unit 22 displays an input screen for inputting information into the product master 212, the congestion level determination table 213, the coupon setting table 216, the prohibition information setting table 218, etc.

[0058] The operation unit 23 is used to input information to the control unit 20, and is composed of a keyboard, a touch panel provided on the surface of the display unit 22, etc. The operation unit 43 is operated by an employee to input data to the control unit 20, for example, to be registered in the product master 212, the congestion level determination table 213, the coupon setting table 216, the prohibition information setting table 218, etc.

[0059] The communication unit 24 is an interface for communicating with external devices such as the order terminal 3, the staff terminal 4, the entrance reception device 5, and the accounting device 6. By connecting the control unit 20 to the external devices via the communication unit 24, the control unit 20 can send and receive information (data) with the external devices.

[0060] Next, the functional configuration of the control unit 20 of the server device 2 will be described. Fig. 11 is a block diagram showing the main functional configuration of the control unit 20 of the server device 2. The control unit 20 functions as a transmitting / receiving means 2001, an information management means 2002, a first determination means 2003, a second determination means 2004, a prohibition means 2005, a setting means 2006, and an accounting means 2007, as a result of the CPU 201 operating in accordance with a control program stored in the ROM 202 or the storage unit 21. Note that each of these functions may be configured using hardware such as a dedicated circuit.

[0061] The transmission / reception means 2001 transmits and receives various information between the order terminal 3, the staff terminal 4, the entrance reception device 5, and the accounting device 6. For example, the transmission / reception means 2001 receives order information from the order terminal 3. The order information includes a table number and the product code of the ordered item. The transmission / reception means 2001 outputs an order completion notification to the order terminal 3 indicating that the order information has been received. The order completion notification includes the product code of the ordered item.

[0062] The transmitting and receiving means 2001 transmits a first coupon to the ordering terminal 3. The first coupon is transmitted to the ordering terminal 3 at the table seat of a customer when the store is quiet and all of the ordered items have been served. The transmitting and receiving means 2001 also transmits a second coupon to the ordering terminal 3. The second coupon is transmitted to the ordering terminal 3 at the table seat of a customer when the store is busy and all of the ordered items have been served. The transmitting and receiving means 2001 functions as an output means for outputting the first benefit notification and the second benefit notification.

[0063] The transmitting / receiving means 2001 receives a coupon use request from the order terminal 3. The coupon use request is information declaring that the customer will use a coupon, and includes the table number and the coupon ID of the coupon to be used.

[0064] The transmission / reception means 2001 receives order information from the staff terminal 4. The order information received from the staff terminal 4 relates to an order that the staff member verbally accepted from the customer. The transmission / reception means 2001 also receives guidance information from the staff terminal 4. The guidance information is information indicating that a customer who has entered the restaurant has been guided to a table seat, and includes the table number of the table seat to which the customer has been guided.

[0065] The transmitting / receiving means 2001 receives the provided information from the staff member terminal 4. The provided information is information indicating that the customer's ordered product has been provided to the customer, and includes the customer's table number and the product code of the provided ordered product.

[0066] The sending and receiving means 2001 receives prohibition information from the staff terminal 4. The prohibition information is information for prohibiting the sending of coupons to a specific customer, and includes the table number of that customer. The order information received by the sending and receiving means 2001 from the order terminal 3 or staff terminal 4 may include a product code set in the prohibition information. The sending and receiving means 2001 functions as an input means for inputting the prohibition information.

[0067] The transmitting / receiving means 2001 receives waiting information from the entrance reception device 5. The waiting information includes the number of customers entered into the entrance reception device 5 and the waiting number issued to the customer.

[0068] The transmission / reception means 2001 receives a payment information request from the checkout device 6 and sends payment information to the checkout device 6 in response. The payment information includes information for the checkout device 6 to print on a receipt, specifically, product information for the product to be paid and the payment amount. The transmission / reception means 2001 receives a payment completion notice from the checkout device 6. The payment completion notice is information indicating that a payment specified by an accounting code has been completed, and includes the accounting code.

[0069] The information management means 2002 manages various types of information stored in the storage unit 21. Here, managing information means writing or reading various types of information (data) to or from the storage unit 21.

[0070] For example, the information management means 2002 updates the waiting list management table 214 based on the waiting list information and guidance information received by the transmitting / receiving means 2001. Specifically, the information management means 2002 registers the waiting number, number of people, and input date and time included in the waiting list information in the waiting list management table 214. At this time, the information management means 2002 registers "0" in the guidance flag. Then, when the transmitting / receiving means 2001 receives the guidance information, the information management means 2002 rewrites the guidance flag to "1".

[0071] The information management means 2002 updates the seat management table 215 based on the guidance information received by the transmission / reception means 2001. Specifically, when the transmission / reception means 2001 receives guidance information, the information management means 2002 rewrites the usage status corresponding to the table number included in the guidance information in the seat management table 215 to "in use" and registers the seating date and time.

[0072] The information management means 2002 updates the order information management table 217 based on the order information, coupon usage request, and provision information received by the transmission / reception means 2001. Specifically, when the transmission / reception means 2001 receives order information, the information management means 2002 issues an order ID and registers it in association with the table number included in the order information. The information management means 2002 then registers the product code included in the order information in association with the issued order ID, and also registers the date and time of receipt. At this time, the information management means 2002 registers "0" in the provision flag.

[0073] The information management means 2002 registers the date and time when the transmitting and receiving means 2001 transmitted the first coupon or the second coupon. Furthermore, when the transmitting and receiving means 2001 receives a coupon use request, the information management means 2002 registers the coupon ID included in the coupon use request as a used coupon associated with the table number included in the coupon use request. Furthermore, when the transmitting and receiving means 2001 receives provided information, the information management means 2002 rewrites the provided flags corresponding to the table number and product code included in the provided information to "1". The information management means 2002 registers the date and time when all the provided flags corresponding to the order ID were rewritten to "1" as the completion date and time.

[0074] The information management means 2002 updates the accounting management table 219 based on the payment completion notice received by the transmission / reception means 2001. Specifically, when the transmission / reception means 2001 receives the payment completion notice, the information management means 2002 rewrites the settlement flag corresponding to the accounting code included in the payment completion notice to "1."

[0075] The information management means 2002 periodically reads out congestion information required for calculating the congestion degree from the waiting list management table 214 and the seat management table 215 at a predetermined timing (for example, every 1 to 5 minutes). Specifically, the information management means 2002 reads out the number of customers and the number of people waiting to enter the restaurant from the waiting list management table 214. The information management means 2002 also reads out the number of vacant table seats from the seat management table 215. The information management means 2002 functions as congestion information acquisition means for acquiring congestion information indicating the congestion status inside the restaurant.

[0076] At the set timing described above, the information management means 2002 reads out from the order information management table 217 a product code that corresponds to a table number for which no accounting code is registered and whose delivery flag is set to "1." The information management means 2002 functions as a delivery information acquisition means that acquires delivery information indicating that an ordered product ordered by a customer in the store has been delivered to that customer.

[0077] The provided information acquisition means may acquire an image of the table seat as the provided information from a camera that captures images of the inside of the store. In this case, the control unit 20 determines from the image of the table seat whether the ordered product of the customer at the table seat has been provided.

[0078] The first determination means 2003 calculates the congestion degree based on the congestion information read by the information management means 2002, and determines the congestion state of the store from the congestion degree. The first determination means 2003 calculates the congestion degree using the calculation method described above. Then, the first determination means 2003 refers to the congestion degree determination table 213, and determines that the congestion state is quiet if the calculated congestion degree is equal to or less than the first set value of 0.3.

[0079] Furthermore, the first determination means 2003 refers to the congestion level determination table 213, and determines that the congestion situation is congested if the calculated congestion level is equal to or greater than 0.8, which is the second set value. The first determination means 2003 determines that the congestion situation is normal if the calculated congestion level is greater than 0.3 and less than 0.8.

[0080] The second determination means 2004 determines whether all of the ordered items for a customer have been provided, based on the provided information acquired by the information management means 2002. Specifically, the second determination means 2004 determines whether or not there is provided order information in the order information management table 217 for which an accounting code is not registered and all of the delivery flags have been rewritten to "1". If there is provided order information, the second determination means 2004 determines that the customer with the table number corresponding to the provided order information has been provided.

[0081] When prohibition information is input to the transmission / reception means 2001, the prohibition means 2005 prohibits the transmission / reception means 2001 from outputting a second benefit notification. Specifically, the prohibition means 2005 prohibits the transmission of a second coupon to a customer who has ordered a product having a product code registered as prohibited information in the prohibited information setting table 218. The prohibition means 2005 also prohibits the transmission of a second coupon to a customer having a table number registered as prohibited information in the prohibited information setting table 218.

[0082] The setting unit 2006 sets the prohibition information. Specifically, the setting unit 2006 sets the prohibition information in the prohibition information setting table 218 based on information input to the operation unit 23, for example.

[0083] The accounting means 2007 performs accounting processing to enable the customer to make payment at the accounting device 6. For example, when the sending and receiving means 2001 receives an accounting instruction from the order terminal 3, the accounting means 2007 reads the outstanding order information corresponding to the table number included in the accounting instruction from the order information management table 217. The accounting means 2007 then calculates the payment amount based on the read order information. The accounting means 2007 issues an accounting code and registers the accounting code in the accounting management table 219, correlating it with the table number included in the accounting instruction.

[0084] Next, we will explain the outline of the operation of the store system 1. Figure 12 is a sequence chart showing the flow of operations of the server device 2, order terminal 3, and accounting device 6. This sequence chart shows the operations after a customer is shown to a table seat, and shows the operations when a coupon is issued while the customer is eating and drinking and the coupon is used.

[0085] First, when a customer decides on an item to order, the customer operates the ordering terminal 3 to input the order (step S1). The ordering terminal 3 transmits the input order information to the server device 2 (step S2).

[0086] The server device 2 registers the received order information in the order information management table 217 (step S3). The server device 2 transmits an order completion notification to the ordering terminal 3 (step S4). The ordering terminal 3 displays the information included in the order completion notification on its own monitor (step S5).

[0087] Thereafter, the customer inputs an order into the ordering terminal 3 as necessary. Each time an order is input into the ordering terminal 3, the processing of steps S1 to S5 is repeated. The server device 2 constantly executes coupon issuing processing (step S6). The coupon issuing processing will be described in detail later. If the conditions for coupon transmission are met, a coupon is issued by the coupon issuing processing. The server device 2 transmits the issued coupon to the ordering terminal 3 (step S7). At this time, the server device 2 registers the coupon transmission date and time in the order information management table 217.

[0088] The ordering terminal 3 displays the received coupon on its monitor (step S8). If the customer checks the coupon displayed on the monitor of the ordering terminal 3 and wishes to use the coupon, a coupon use input is made into the ordering terminal 3 (step S9). The ordering terminal 3 transmits a coupon use request to the server device 2 (step S10).

[0089] The server device 2 performs coupon usage registration in response to the coupon usage request (step S11). Specifically, the server device 2 registers the coupon ID corresponding to the table number included in the coupon usage request as the coupon to be used in the order information management table 217. Thereafter, the processes of steps S1 to S5 are repeated every time an order is input to the ordering terminal 3.

[0090] When a customer leaves the store, the billing information is entered into the ordering terminal 3 (step S12). The ordering terminal 3 sends a billing instruction to the server device 2 (step S13). Upon receiving the billing instruction, the server device 2 executes billing processing (step S14). Details of the billing processing will be described later. The server device 2 issues a billing code as a result of the billing processing.

[0091] In this embodiment, the server device 2 sends an accounting code to a printer (not shown) to print an accounting slip. For example, a code symbol indicating the accounting code is printed on the accounting slip. The staff member hands the printed accounting slip to the customer. Note that a printer may also be installed at each table, in which case the customer can obtain the accounting slip without the intervention of the staff member. The server device 2 may also send the issued accounting code to the customer's smartphone. In this case, the accounting slip is not printed.

[0092] The customer who has obtained the accounting slip has the scanner installed in the accounting device 6 read the code symbol printed on the accounting slip, thereby entering the accounting code into the accounting device 6 (step S15). The accounting device 6 then sends a payment information request to the server device 2 (step S16).

[0093] The server device 2 extracts payment information corresponding to the payment information request (step S17). Specifically, the server device 2 reads the order information corresponding to the accounting code included in the payment information request from the order information management table and calculates the payment amount for the order information. The server device 2 sends the payment information including the calculated payment amount to the accounting device 6 (step S18).

[0094] The checkout device 6 executes the payment process (step S19). For example, the checkout device 6 accepts cash inserted by the customer and dispenses change as necessary. In this way, the checkout device 6 completes the customer's cash payment. Alternatively, the checkout device 6 communicates with the payment service provider's payment server to complete the customer's cashless payment. The checkout device 6 sends a payment completion notification to the server device 2 (step S20).

[0095] The server device 2 registers the payment in response to the payment completion notice (step S21). Specifically, the server device 2 updates the accounting management table 219 by rewriting the settlement flag corresponding to the accounting code included in the transaction completion notice to "1."

[0096] Through the above operations, the store system 1 can receive order information from the customer, send coupons to the customer, and complete the customer's payment.

[0097] Next, a description will be given of the coupon issuing process executed by the control unit 20 of the server device 2. The coupon issuing process is a process for sending a first coupon or a second coupon to a customer when the conditions for sending the coupon are met. Fig. 13 is a flowchart showing the flow of the coupon issuing process executed by the control unit 20 of the server device 2.

[0098] The control unit 20 determines whether a preset timing has arrived (step S31), and if not (N in step S31), returns to the process of step S31 and waits. When the preset timing arrives (Y in step S31), the information management means 2002 refers to the seat management table 215 to extract the number of occupied table seats (step S32). Next, the information management means 2002 refers to the waiting list management table 214 to extract the number of customers waiting to enter (step S33).

[0099] The first determination means 2003 calculates the congestion degree based on the number of tables installed in the store, the number of tables in use, and the number of customers waiting to enter (step S34). The first determination means 2003 determines whether the congestion situation is quiet by referring to the congestion degree determination table 213 (step S35). Specifically, the first determination means 2003 determines whether the calculated congestion degree is 0.3 or less.

[0100] If the congestion situation is quiet (Y in step S35), the second determination means 2004 refers to the order information management table 217 to determine whether there is a table seat to which all ordered items have been served (hereinafter also referred to as a "product-served table") (step S36). In detail, the second determination means 2004 determines whether there is a table number in the order information management table 217 whose corresponding serving flags are all registered as "1".

[0101] If the product provided table does not exist (N in step S36), the control unit 20 determines that there is no customer to whom the coupon should be sent, and returns to the processing of step S31. If the product provided table exists (Y in step S36), the information management means 2002 reads the first coupon from the coupon setting table 216 (step S37).

[0102] Next, the transmitting / receiving means 2001 transmits the read coupon (first coupon) to the order terminal 3 of the provided product table (step S38). If there are multiple provided product tables, the transmitting / receiving means 2001 transmits the coupon to the order terminals 3 of all provided product tables. Then, the control unit 20 ends the coupon issuing process.

[0103] In the process of step S35, if the congestion state is not an unoccupied state (N in step S35), the first determination means 2003 determines whether the congestion state is a congested state or not by referring to the congestion degree determination table 213 (step S39). Specifically, the first determination means 2003 determines whether the calculated congestion degree is 0.8 or more.

[0104] If the congestion status is not congested but normal (N in step S39), the control unit 20 determines that there are no customers to whom coupons should be sent, and returns to the processing of step S31. If the congestion status is congested (Y in step S39), the second determination means 2004 determines whether or not there is a product provided table (step S40).

[0105] If the product provided table does not exist (N in step S40), the control unit 20 determines that there is no customer to whom the coupon should be sent, and returns to the processing of step S31. If the product provided table exists (Y in step S40), the information management means 2002 reads the second coupon from the coupon setting table 216 (step S41).

[0106] Next, the control unit 20 determines whether or not prohibited information has been input (step S42). Specifically, the control unit 20 determines whether or not the table number of the product provided table is registered as prohibited information in the prohibited information setting table 218. The control unit 20 also determines whether or not the product code registered in the order information management table 217 corresponding to the table number of the product provided table is registered as prohibited information in the prohibited information setting table 218.

[0107] The control unit 20 determines that no prohibited information has been input if the table number and product code are not registered in the prohibited information setting table 218. The determination of whether or not prohibited information has been input is performed for all of the product provided tables.

[0108] If prohibition information has been input (N in step S42), the control unit 20 returns to the process of step S31. If prohibition information has not been input (Y in step S38), the control unit 20 proceeds to the process of step S38. In this case, the coupon sent in step S38 is the second coupon.

[0109] By the coupon issuing process, the server device 2 can send the first coupon and the second coupon to the customer depending on the congestion level in the store and the customer's eating and drinking status. As a result, the store can expect additional orders from customers in the store when the store is quiet, and can expect an increase in customer turnover when the store is crowded. Therefore, the server device 2 can contribute to increasing the store's sales.

[0110] Next, a description will be given of the transaction processing executed by the control unit 20 of the server device 2. The transaction processing is a process that enables a customer to make a payment at the transaction device 6. Figure 14 is a flowchart showing the flow of the transaction processing executed by the control unit 20 of the server device 2.

[0111] The control unit 20 determines whether the sending and receiving means 2001 has received a billing instruction from the order terminal 3 (step S51), and if not (N in step S51), returns to the processing in step S51 and waits. If the sending and receiving means 2001 receives a billing instruction (Y in step S51), the information management means 2002 reads the billing information of the table number included in the billing instruction from the order information management table 217 (step S52).

[0112] The checkout means 2007 determines whether the order information it reads contains a coupon to be used (step S53). In other words, the checkout means 2007 determines whether the customer making payment is a customer who can use a coupon.

[0113] If a coupon has been registered (Y in step S53), the checkout means 2007 determines whether the customer meets the coupon usage conditions (step S54). If the coupon used by the customer is the first coupon, the checkout means 2007 determines that the coupon usage conditions are met if the customer places an additional order after the coupon is sent. Whether an additional order has been placed is determined by comparing the coupon sending date and time in the order information management table 217 with the receipt date and time corresponding to the order ID.

[0114] Furthermore, if the coupon used by the customer is the second coupon, it is determined that the coupon usage conditions are met if a billing instruction is entered into the ordering terminal 3 within a predetermined time (for example, within 15 minutes) after the coupon is sent. Whether a billing instruction is entered within the predetermined time is determined based on the date and time the server device 2 receives the billing instruction and the coupon sending date and time in the order information management table 217.

[0115] If the terms of use are met (Y in step S54), the accounting means 2007 determines whether to apply the coupon (step S55). Next, the accounting means 2007 calculates the payment amount (step S56). In this case, the accounting means 2007 calculates the payment amount after applying the coupon. The accounting means 2007 issues an accounting code and registers it in the order information management table 217 and the accounting management table 219 (step S57).

[0116] Next, the transmitting / receiving means 2001 outputs the accounting code (step S58). The transmitting / receiving means 2001 transmits an accounting slip issuance instruction including the accounting code to, for example, a printer (not shown). The control unit 20 then ends the accounting process.

[0117] In the process of step S53, if no coupon is used (N in step S53), the control unit 20 skips the processes of steps S54 and S55 and proceeds to the process of step S56. In this case, the checkout means 2007 calculates the payment amount to which the coupon is not applied.

[0118] If the conditions for use are not met in step S54 (N in step S54), the checkout unit 5004 determines that the coupon should not be applied (step S59). The control unit 20 then proceeds to step S56. In this case, the checkout unit 2007 calculates the payment amount without applying the coupon.

[0119] Through the above transaction process, the server device 2 can enable the customer to make payment at the transaction device 6. The server device 2 can also calculate the payment amount after determining whether or not to apply a coupon.

[0120] As described above, the server device 2 of the embodiment comprises a congestion information acquisition means (information management means 2002) that acquires congestion information, a first determination means 2003 that determines, based on the congestion information acquired by the congestion information acquisition means, whether the store is in an unoccupied state where the degree of congestion in the store is equal to or lower than a first set value, a provided information acquisition means (information management means 2002) that acquires provided information indicating that items ordered by customers in the store have been provided to the customers, a second determination means 2004 that determines, based on the provided information acquired by the provided information acquisition means, whether all of the items ordered by a customer have been provided, and an output means (transmission / reception means 2001) that, when the first determination means 2003 determines that the store is in an unoccupied state and the second determination means 2004 determines that the items are in a provided state, outputs a first benefit notification indicating that a benefit will be granted to a customer in a provided state, on the condition that the customer places an additional order.

[0121] This allows the server device 2 to encourage customers in the store to place additional orders when the store is quiet, thereby contributing to an increase in store sales.

[0122] In addition, in the server device 2 of the embodiment, the first determination means 2003 determines based on the congestion information that the degree of congestion in the store is equal to or greater than a second set value that is higher than the first set value, and the output means (transmission / reception means 2001) outputs a second benefit notification to a customer in the provided state when the first determination means 2003 determines that the store is in a congested state and the second determination means 2004 determines that the store is in a provided state, indicating that a benefit will be granted on the condition that the customer leaves the store within a set time.

[0123] As a result, when the store is crowded, the server device 2 can increase the customer turnover rate by encouraging customers to leave the store early, thereby contributing to an increase in store sales.

[0124] In addition, the server device 2 of the embodiment further includes an input means (transmission / reception means 2001) for inputting prohibition information, and a prohibition means 2005 for prohibiting the output of a second benefit notification by the output means (transmission / reception means 2001) when the prohibition information is input to the input means.

[0125] This allows the server 2 to not output the second benefit notification to customers who may be annoyed by the second benefit notification encouraging them to leave the store early, thereby enabling the store to prevent customers from feeling uncomfortable.

[0126] Furthermore, the server device 2 of the embodiment further includes a setting unit 2006 that can set prohibition information.

[0127] This allows the server device 2 to arbitrarily set conditions for prohibiting the output of the second benefit notification that encourages customers to leave the store early, thereby enabling stores to operate in accordance with their own circumstances.

[0128] Furthermore, the server device 2 of the embodiment uses preset product identification information for identifying a product or customer identification information for identifying a customer as the prohibition information.

[0129] This allows the server 2 to prohibit the output of the second benefit notification to customers who have ordered a preset product or customers specified by an employee, allowing stores to operate in a way that is more suited to their own circumstances.

[0130] In the above embodiment, the control program executed by the server device 2 may be provided by being recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM. Alternatively, the control program executed by the server device 2 may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by being downloaded via the network, or may be provided via a network such as the Internet.

[0131] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The above embodiments can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are also included in the inventions and their equivalents as set forth in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0132] 2. Server device (information processing device) 2001 Transmission and reception means (output means, input means) 2002 Information management method (Means for acquiring congestion information, means for acquiring provided information) 2003 First determination means 2004 Second judgment means 2005 Prohibited Means 2006 Setting Method [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0133] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-71652

Claims

1. A congestion information acquisition means for acquiring congestion information in the store; a first determination means for determining whether the store is in an unoccupied state, i.e., whether the degree of congestion in the store is equal to or less than a first set value, based on the congestion information acquired by the congestion information acquisition means; provided information acquisition means for acquiring provided information indicating that the ordered product ordered by the customer in the store has been provided to the customer; a second determination means for determining whether all of the products ordered by a customer have been provided based on the provided information acquired by the provided information acquisition means; an output means for outputting a first benefit notification to a customer in the provided state when the first determination means determines that the state is quiet and the second determination means determines that the state is provided; the first benefit notification indicating that a benefit will be provided to the customer on the condition that the customer places an additional order; An information processing device comprising:

2. The first determination means determines, based on the congestion information, that the congestion level in the store is equal to or greater than a second set value that is higher than the first set value, and When the first determination means determines that the store is in a crowded state and the second determination means determines that the store is in a served state, the output means outputs a second benefit notification to the customer in the served state, indicating that a benefit will be provided on the condition that the customer leaves the store within a set time. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

3. an input means for inputting prohibition information; a prohibition unit that prohibits the output unit from outputting the second benefit notification when the prohibition information is input to the input unit, The information processing device according to claim 2 .

4. further comprising setting means for setting the prohibition information; The information processing device according to claim 3 .

5. The prohibition information includes product identification information that identifies a predetermined product.

5. The information processing device according to claim 3.

6. the prohibition information includes customer identification information that identifies the customer; 5. The information processing device according to claim 3.

7. A program for controlling an information processing device, The information processing device A congestion information acquisition means for acquiring congestion information in the store; a first determination means for determining whether the store is in an unoccupied state, i.e., whether the degree of congestion in the store is equal to or less than a first set value, based on the congestion information acquired by the congestion information acquisition means; provided information acquisition means for acquiring provided information indicating that the ordered product ordered by the customer in the store has been provided to the customer; a second determination means for determining whether all of the products ordered by a customer have been provided based on the provided information acquired by the provided information acquisition means; an output means for outputting a first benefit notification to a customer in the provided state when the first determination means determines that the state is quiet and the second determination means determines that the state is provided; the first benefit notification indicating that a benefit will be provided to the customer on the condition that the customer places an additional order; A program that makes it work.

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