Ordering terminals, ordering systems and programs

Abstract

To provide an order terminal, an order system, and a program that allow a customer to play the game of obtaining a food material and order a dish using the obtained food material.SOLUTION: An order terminal is to receive input of order information and output the input order information to an order receiving device, and comprises: a game execution unit that allows a customer to play the game of obtaining a food material related to an order menu; an order receiving unit that receives order information based on a result of the game or order information based on a result of selection of the order menu; and an order information output unit that outputs the order information to the order receiving device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to an ordering terminal, an ordering system, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a system has been proposed in which restaurants have customers play a game to acquire ingredients, and serve dishes using the ingredients acquired through the game (for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] The system disclosed in Patent Document 1 focused on winning products by taking advantage of the entertainment value of games, but did not anticipate linking the results of the games to actual orders. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] To provide an ordering terminal, an ordering system and a program that allow customers to play a game to acquire ingredients and order dishes using the acquired ingredients. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The ordering terminal of the embodiment receives input of order information and outputs the input order information to the order receiving device, and includes a game execution unit, an order receiving unit, and an order information output unit. The game execution unit causes a game to be played in which ingredients related to the ordered menu are acquired. The order receiving unit The icon of the ingredient acquired in the The order information output unit receives order information or order information based on the selection result of the order menu, and outputs the order information to the order receiving device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of an ordering system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a hardware block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the order terminal according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a hardware block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the order receiving device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the data configuration of the product master. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the data configuration of the ingredient master. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the data structure of the order data. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the ordering system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a menu selection method designation screen displayed on the ordering terminal. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a first diagram showing an example of a game screen displayed on the order terminal. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a second diagram showing an example of a game screen displayed on the order terminal. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a third diagram showing an example of a game screen displayed on the order terminal. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a menu selection screen to which the game screen is transitioned. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an order screen to which the user transitions from the menu selection screen. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of an order completion screen displayed on the ordering terminal when an order is completed. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a first diagram showing an example of a menu selection screen displayed on the ordering terminal when placing an order from the menu display. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a second diagram showing an example of the menu selection screen displayed on the ordering terminal when placing an order from the menu display. [Figure 17]FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of order processing executed by the order system. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a modified example of the first embodiment. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of an ordering system according to the second embodiment. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of a process in which a user who visits a store uses his / her user terminal to associate his / her table with an order receiving device in the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] (First embodiment) A first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiment described below.

[0008] (Ordering system configuration) The system configuration of the ordering system 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the schematic configuration of the ordering system according to the first embodiment.

[0009] 1, the ordering system 1 includes, for example, a plurality of ordering terminals 10 provided at customer seats in a restaurant, and an order receiving device 20. The ordering terminals 10 and the order receiving device 20 are connected to a network N such as a wireless LAN (Local Area network) so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0010] The ordering terminal 10 is a terminal device through which a customer places an order for a menu item. There is no restriction on the number of ordering terminals 10 connected to the ordering system 1. The ordering terminal 10 is, for example, a tablet terminal.

[0011] The order receiving device 20 receives orders from the order terminal 10. The order receiving device 20 acquires, from the order terminal 10, a table number or seat number that identifies a customer's seat and is associated with the order terminal 10, as well as order information. The order information includes at least the product code and quantity of the product (food) being ordered.

[0012] (Ordering terminal hardware configuration) The hardware configuration of the order terminal 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a hardware block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the order terminal according to the first embodiment.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 2, the order terminal 10 includes a CPU 121, a ROM 122, and a RAM 123.

[0014] The CPU 121 is an example of a processor, and performs overall control of each unit of the order terminal 10. The ROM 122 stores various programs. The RAM 123 is a workspace for developing programs and various data.

[0015] The CPU 121, ROM 122, and RAM 123 are connected via a bus or the like to constitute a computer-configured control unit 12. In the control unit 12, the CPU 121 operates in accordance with a program stored in the ROM 122 or the storage unit 13 and loaded into the RAM 123, thereby executing various processes.

[0016] The order terminal 10 also includes a storage unit 13, a display unit 14, an operation unit 15, a communication unit 16, and the like.

[0017] The storage unit 13 has a storage medium such as a HDD or flash memory, and maintains its stored contents even when the power is turned off. The storage unit 13 stores programs that can be executed by the CPU 121 and various setting information. The storage unit 13 also stores various data acquired from the order receiving device 20.

[0018] The display unit 14 has a display device such as an LCD. The display unit 14 displays various information under the control of the CPU 121. The operation unit 15 has input devices such as a keyboard and a pointing device. The operation unit 15 outputs operation contents input via the input devices to the CPU 121. The operation unit 15 may be a touch panel laminated on the display surface of the display unit 14.

[0019] The communication unit 16 is a wireless communication interface that can be connected to the network N. The communication unit 16 communicates with the order receiving device 20 via the network N.

[0020] (Hardware configuration of the order reception device) The hardware configuration of the order receiving device 20 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a hardware block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the order receiving device according to the first embodiment.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 3, the order receiving device 20 includes a CPU 221, a ROM 222, and a RAM 223.

[0022] The CPU 221 is an example of a processor, and performs overall control of each unit of the order receiving device 20. The ROM 222 stores various programs. The RAM 223 is a workspace for developing programs and various data.

[0023] The CPU 221, the ROM 222, and the RAM 223 are connected via a bus or the like to form a computer-configured control unit 22. In the control unit 22, the CPU 221 operates in accordance with a program stored in the ROM 222 or the storage unit 23 and loaded into the RAM 223, thereby executing various processes.

[0024] The order receiving device 20 also includes a storage unit 23, a communication unit 24, and the like.

[0025] The storage unit 23 has a storage medium such as an HDD or flash memory, and maintains the stored contents even when the power is cut off. The storage unit 23 stores programs that can be executed by the CPU 221 and various setting information.

[0026] The storage unit 23 also stores a product master 231, a foodstuff master 232, and order data 233.

[0027] The product master 231 is a master data table for storing and managing information about products (food) sold in a store.

[0028] Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the data configuration of a product master. As shown in Fig. 4, the product master 231 stores product information such as product name (dish name), price, product image, additional information, and ingredient code in association with a product code that uniquely identifies the product (dish). Here, the product code is an identifier that can uniquely identify the product.

[0029] The product name field stores the name of the product corresponding to the product code. The price field stores the price of the product (dish) corresponding to the product code. The product image field stores a photo or illustration that shows the appearance of the dish. The additional information field stores additional information about the dish corresponding to the product code. For example, the additional information field stores the category of the dish, as well as promotional and sale information for the dish. The ingredient code field stores an identifier assigned to the ingredient that can uniquely identify the ingredient used in the dish.

[0030] The ingredient master 232 is a master data table for storing and managing information related to ingredients used in products (dishes) sold in stores.

[0031] Figure 5 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of the ingredient master. As shown in Figure 5, ingredient master 232 stores ingredient information such as ingredient name, ingredient image, and stock amount in association with an ingredient code that uniquely identifies an ingredient. Here, the ingredient code is an identifier that can uniquely identify an ingredient.

[0032] The ingredient name field stores the name of the ingredient corresponding to the ingredient code. The ingredient image field stores a photo or illustration showing the appearance of the ingredient before cooking. The ingredient image represents the representative form of the ingredient. The inventory field stores the inventory amount of the ingredient. The inventory amount of the ingredient is updated as needed by the store staff who checks the inventory amount. The inventory amount of the ingredient may also be updated automatically according to the number of dishes sold.

[0033] The order data 233 is a data table that stores and manages order data from customers.

[0034] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of order data. As shown in Fig. 6, order data 233 stores order information such as product code, price, quantity, order format, order time, and served flag in association with a table number or customer seat number. Here, the table number is an identifier that can uniquely identify the table at which the order was placed. Note that instead of the table number, a customer seat number that uniquely identifies the position of a counter seat, for example, may be stored.

[0035] The product code field stores an identifier that can uniquely identify a product (dish). The price field stores the price of the dish. The quantity field stores the number of dishes ordered. The order type field stores the type in which the dish was ordered. Specifically, the order type field stores information indicating whether a normal order was made by selecting from a menu or whether an order was made through a game. The order time field stores the time when the dish was ordered. The served flag field stores information indicating whether the ordered dish has already been served or has not yet been served. Note that the order data 233 may further store the time when the dish was served, etc.

[0036] (Functional configuration of the ordering system) The functional configuration of the ordering system 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the ordering system according to the first embodiment.

[0037] (Functional configuration of the order receiving device) The control unit 22 of the order receiving device 20 functions as an inventory management unit 2201 and an order information management unit 2202 by the CPU 221 operating in accordance with programs stored in the ROM 222 or the storage unit 23. Note that some or all of these functions may be realized by hardware such as a dedicated circuit.

[0038] The inventory quantity management unit 2201 acquires inventory information of ingredients from the ingredient master 232. Furthermore, upon receiving a request from the order terminal 10 to output the inventory information of ingredients, the inventory quantity management unit 2201 outputs the inventory information of ingredients to the order terminal 10.

[0039] The order information management unit 2202 updates the order data 233 based on the order information acquired from the ordering terminal 10 and the serving status of the ordered dishes.

[0040] (Functional configuration of the ordering terminal) The control unit 12 of the order terminal 10 functions as an order format setting unit 1201, an inventory quantity acquisition unit 1202, an order information acquisition unit 1203, a game execution unit 1204, an order information output unit 1205, a display control unit 1206, and an operation reception unit 1207, as a result of the CPU 121 operating in accordance with the programs stored in the ROM 122 or the storage unit 13. Note that some or all of these functions may be realized by hardware such as a dedicated circuit.

[0041] The order format setting unit 1201 receives a selection operation from the customer and sets the food order format to either a regular order by selecting an order menu or an order by game.

[0042] The stock quantity acquisition unit 1202 acquires the stock quantity of ingredients related to the menu from the order receiving device 20.

[0043] The order information acquisition unit 1203 receives order information related to ingredients acquired in the game or order information based on the selection result of the ordered menu. The order information acquisition unit 1203 is an example of an order reception unit in the present disclosure.

[0044] The game execution unit 1204 causes a game to be played in which ingredients related to the ordered menu are acquired.

[0045] The order information output unit 1205 outputs the order information to the order receiving device 20.

[0046] The display control unit 1206 generates a screen to be displayed on the display unit 14 of the order terminal 10. The display control unit 1206 also controls the screen to be displayed on the display unit 14 of the order terminal 10.

[0047] The operation reception unit 1207 receives operation information for the operation unit 15 of the order terminal 10. The operation reception unit 1207 also outputs the received operation information to the control unit 12.

[0048] (How to select an order format) A method for selecting an order format on the ordering terminal 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a menu selection method designation screen displayed on the ordering terminal.

[0049] When "Menu selection method setting" is selected from the main menu screen (not shown) on the ordering terminal 10, the display control unit 1206 causes the display unit 14 to display the menu selection method designation screen Aa shown in FIG.

[0050] The menu selection method specification screen Aa displays a regular order button Aaa, an order with games button Aab, and a games only button Aac.

[0051] The regular order button Aaa is a button for transitioning to a mode for accepting regular orders.

[0052] The game order button Aab is a button for transitioning to a mode in which orders are accepted according to the results of the game.

[0053] The Game Only button Aac is a button that runs only the game.

[0054] (Game screen) 9 to 14, the following describes the processing performed by the ordering terminal 10 in a situation where the ordering system 1 is applied to ordering a menu item at a sushi restaurant, where a customer plays a game on the ordering terminal 10 and orders a dish according to the outcome of the game.

[0055] When the game order button Aab is pressed on the menu selection method specification screen Aa of FIG. 8, the display control unit 1206 causes the display unit 14 to display a game screen Ab shown in FIG.

[0056] The game screen Ab resembles an aquarium, with a mode change button Aba displayed in the upper left corner and a name display button Abb displayed in the upper right corner. Additionally, the game screen Ab displays multiple seafood icons Abe, which are examples of ingredients, and a reserved area Abc.

[0057] The mode change button Aba is an operator for transitioning from the game screen Ab to the menu selection method designation screen Aa. When the operation acceptance unit 1207 detects that the mode change button Aba has been pressed, the display control unit 1206 causes the display unit 14 to display the menu selection method designation screen Aa.

[0058] The name display button Abb is an operator that causes the name of the seafood to be displayed on the seafood icon abe displayed on the game screen Ab. When the operation reception unit 1207 detects that the name display button Abb has been pressed, the display control unit 1206 causes the display unit 14 to display the name of the seafood near the seafood icon Abe. FIG. 10 shows an example in which the name Abf of the seafood is displayed near the seafood icon Abe. The name of the seafood is made to match the ingredient name stored in the ingredient master 232.

[0059] The secured area Abc is the so-called goal point for acquiring ingredients, where the customer has acquired the seafood corresponding to the seafood icon Abe when the customer touches the seafood icon Abe with their finger and slides it across the game screen Ab to bring it into the secured area Abc.

[0060] The seafood icon Abe represents the shape of the seafood that will be used as sushi toppings. Multiple types of seafood icon Abe are displayed on the game screen Ab. Each seafood icon Abe changes position over time at a speed that corresponds to its type. The seafood icon Abe is displayed in a predetermined representative shape so that the customer can learn its representative shape. The seafood icon Abe is stored in the ingredient image column of the ingredient master 232 described above.

[0061] The stock quantity acquisition unit 1202 acquires the stock quantity of seafood used as ingredients from the ingredient master 232, and when there is a seafood that is low in stock, it reduces the number of seafood icons Abe for the seafood that are low in stock that are displayed on the game screen Ab. Alternatively, it does not display seafood icons Abe for seafood that are low in stock on the game screen Ab. Furthermore, the seafood icons Abe for seafood that are low in stock may be made more difficult to catch by, for example, increasing the movement speed or reducing the size of the seafood icons Abe.

[0062] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a state in which a customer slides a seafood icon Abe, which the customer has touched with his / her finger F, along the arrow H to move it to the secured area Abc. A marker Abd is displayed at the touched position on the game screen Ab. This visualizes the position touched by the customer's finger F. The color and shape of the marker Abd do not matter. The time between when the finger F touches the game screen Ab and when the marker Abd is displayed is adjusted to an appropriate time. If the marker Abd is displayed immediately when the finger F touches the game screen Ab, it becomes easier to capture the seafood icon Abe (the difficulty of the game becomes lower). On the other hand, the longer the time between when the finger F touches the game screen Ab and when the marker Abd is displayed, the more difficult it becomes to capture the seafood icon Abe (the difficulty of the game becomes higher).

[0063] The game execution unit 1204 stops the movement of the seafood icon Abe when the seafood icon Abe and the marker Abd overlap. Then, the game execution unit 1204 draws the seafood icon Abe at a position corresponding to the movement of the marker Abd. As a result, the seafood icon Abe moves to a position corresponding to the sliding of the finger F. Note that if the seafood name Abf is displayed, the seafood icon Abe and the name Abf move together.

[0064] The game execution unit 1204 may, for example, change the color of the seafood icon Abe on the condition that the seafood icon Abe has moved into the secured area Abc. This allows the customer to recognize that he or she has acquired the seafood icon Abe and know when to remove his or her finger F from the game screen Ab.

[0065] 8, when the game only button Aac is pressed, the game execution unit 1204 displays the game screen Ab on the display unit 14 and executes the game. In this case, however, even if a seafood icon Abe is acquired, the game execution unit 1204 does not transition to a menu selection screen Ac (see FIG. 12) described later, but instead repeatedly executes only the game until the mode change button Aba is pressed.

[0066] (Menu selection screen transitioning from the game screen) If the seafood icon Abe is successfully acquired, the order information acquisition unit 1203 causes the display unit 14 to display the menu selection screen Ac shown in FIG.

[0067] The menu selection screen Ac displays a menu selection window Aca that allows the player to select a menu item to order from a plurality of ingredients that correspond to seafood icons Abe, which are ingredients acquired in the game.

[0068] The menu selection window Aca displays ingredient icons Acb, which represent ingredients acquired in the game, and multiple menu icons Acd, Ace, Acf, and Acg, which use those ingredients. The number of menu icons is not important. If there are too many related menus to fit in the menu selection window Aca, you can turn pages within the menu selection window Aca.

[0069] The customer selects the menu item to order from the menu icons displayed in the menu selection window Aca. For example, when the menu icon Acf is selected, the order information acquisition unit 1203 causes the display unit 14 to display the order screen Ad shown in FIG.

[0070] The order screen Ad displays an order window Ada, and a back button Adh, a cancel button Adi, a return to game button Adj, and an order button Adk, all of which are controls.

[0071] The order window Ada displays ingredient icons Adb indicating the ingredients of the selected menu, the name of the selected dish Adc, the order quantity Add, an order quantity increase button Ade, an order quantity decrease button Adf, and the price Adg.

[0072] The ingredient icon Adb is a photograph or illustration of the seafood that will be used as an ingredient in the dish. The ingredient icon Adb is information stored in the ingredient image column of the ingredient master 232, for example.

[0073] The dish name Adc is information indicating the name of the dish, and is information stored in the product name column of the product master 231, for example.

[0074] The order quantity Add indicates the number of dishes to be ordered. The order quantity Add is set by the customer by operating the order quantity increase button Ade and the order quantity decrease button Adf. Pressing the order quantity increase button Ade once increases the order quantity by 1. Pressing the order quantity decrease button Adf once decreases the order quantity by 1. In other words, the customer can display the required order quantity in the order quantity Add by pressing the order quantity increase button Ade the number of times corresponding to the order quantity. If the order quantity is too large, the order quantity Add can be decreased by pressing the order quantity decrease button Adf.

[0075] The price Adg may be the unit price of the dish, or the total price according to the set order quantity Add. Preferably, both are displayed.

[0076] The back button Adh is an operator that returns the order screen Ad to the menu selection screen Ac. If the customer wants to change the menu item to be ordered, the customer presses the back button Adh and selects a menu item again on the menu selection screen Ac that is displayed.

[0077] The cancel button Adi is an operator used to cancel the ordering of the selected dish. When the cancel button Adi is pressed, the screen displayed on the display unit 14 transitions to, for example, a main menu screen (not shown) or a menu selection method specification screen Aa.

[0078] The "Back to Game" button Adj is an operator used to cancel the ordering of the selected dish and play the game again. When the "Back to Game" button Adj is pressed, the screen displayed on the display unit 14 transitions to the game screen Ab.

[0079] The order button Adk is an operator used when ordering the quantity of food set in the order window Ada. When the order button Adk is pressed, the order information output unit 1205 outputs order information relating to the quantity of food set in the order window Ada to the order receiving device 20.

[0080] After outputting the order information to the order receiving device 20, the order information output unit 1205 causes the display control unit 1206 to display an order completion screen Ae shown in Fig. 14 on the display unit 14. As shown in Fig. 14, the order completion screen Ae displays a message indicating that the order has been received with the details ordered on the order screen Ad.

[0081] (Menu selection order screen) Next, a method for ordering food by normal menu selection will be explained using Figures 15 and 16. Figure 15 is a first diagram showing an example of a menu selection screen displayed on an ordering terminal when placing an order from a menu display. Figure 16 is a second diagram showing an example of a menu selection screen displayed on an ordering terminal when placing an order from a menu display.

[0082] When the regular order button Aaa is pressed on the menu selection method specification screen Aa (see FIG. 8), the order information acquisition unit 1203 causes the display unit 14 to display the menu selection screen Ba shown in FIG.

[0083] The menu selection screen Ba displays a menu selection window Baa, a back button Bag, and an order list Bah, all of which are controls.

[0084] The menu selection window Baa displays a category name Bab indicating the menu category, a dish name Bac, a dish icon Bad indicating the appearance of the dish, a price Bae, and a page forward button Baf.

[0085] The category name Bab indicates the name of the category when the menu contents are classified by type. The category name Bab indicates the name of the group when the menus are grouped based on the type of food or the type of ingredients, etc., so that the desired menu can be quickly accessed when there are a large number of menu items. The category name Bab is, for example, information stored in the additional information column of the product master 231.

[0086] The dish name Bac indicates the name of the dish. The dish name Bac is, for example, information stored in the product name column of the product master 231.

[0087] The "Bad" food icon is a photo or illustration showing the appearance of the food. The "Bad" food icon is information stored in the "product image" field of the product master 231, for example.

[0088] The price Bae is the price of the dish. The price Bae is information stored in the price column of the product master 231, for example.

[0089] The page forward button Baf is an operator for forwarding the page of the menu selection window Baa. Although not shown, a page back button may also be provided.

[0090] The back button Bag is an operator for returning the menu selection screen Ba to the main menu screen (not shown) or the menu selection method specification screen Aa.

[0091] Order List Bah is an operator that displays a list of the dishes that have been ordered at that time. When Order List Bah is pressed, an order list screen Bb shown in FIG.

[0092] When the order list Bah is pressed on the menu selection screen Ba, the order list screen Bb shown in FIG.

[0093] The order list screen Bb displays an order list Bba, a back button Bbh, and an order button Bbi, both of which are operators.

[0094] The order list Bba displays the dish name Bbb, price Bbc, order quantity Bbd, order quantity increase button Bbe, order quantity decrease button Bbf, and total price Bbg.

[0095] The dish name Bbb is information indicating the name of the dish. The dish name Bbb is information stored in the product name column of the product master 231, for example.

[0096] The price Bbc indicates the price of the dish name Bbb. The price Bbc is information stored in the price column of the product master 231, for example.

[0097] The order quantity Bbd indicates the number of dishes to be ordered. The order quantity Bbd is set by the customer operating the order quantity increase button Bbe and the order quantity decrease button Bbf. Pressing the order quantity increase button Bbe once increases the order quantity by 1. Pressing the order quantity decrease button Bbf once decreases the order quantity by 1. In other words, the customer presses the order quantity increase button Bbe the number of times corresponding to the number of orders to display the required number of orders in the order quantity Bbd. If the number of orders is too high, the order quantity Bbd can be decreased by pressing the order quantity decrease button Bbf.

[0098] The total amount Bbg is information indicating the total amount of the order.

[0099] The back button Bbh is an operator that returns the order list screen Bb to the menu selection screen Ba. If the customer wants to change the menu item they are ordering, they press the back button Bbh and make a new menu selection on the menu selection screen Ba that is displayed.

[0100] The order button Bbi is an operator used when ordering the dishes displayed in the order list Bba. When the order button Bbi is pressed, the order information output unit 1205 outputs order information relating to the contents and quantity of the dishes displayed in the order list Bba to the order receiving device 20.

[0101] (Processing flow of the order system) The flow of processing performed by the ordering system 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 17. Fig. 17 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of order processing executed by the ordering system.

[0102] (Processing flow performed by the ordering terminal) First, the flow of processing performed by the order terminal 10 will be explained. The order format setting unit 1201 determines whether a regular order has been set (step S11). If it is determined that a regular order has been set (step S11: Yes), the process proceeds to step S12. On the other hand, if it is determined that a regular order has not been set (step S11: No), that is, if it is determined that a game order has been set, the process proceeds to step S16.

[0103] If it is determined in step S11 that a regular order has been set, the order information acquiring unit 1203 causes the display unit 14 to display a menu selection screen Ba (step S12).

[0104] The order information acquisition unit 1203 acquires the menu selection information selected from the menu selection screen Ba (step S13).

[0105] The order information acquisition unit 1203 determines whether the menu selection is complete (step S14). The order information acquisition unit 1203 determines that the menu selection is complete by detecting that the order button Bbi has been pressed. If it is determined that the menu selection is complete (step S14: Yes), the process proceeds to step S15. On the other hand, if it is not determined that the menu selection is complete (step S14: No), the process returns to step S13.

[0106] When it is determined in step S14 that the menu selection is complete, the order information output unit 1205 outputs the order information relating to the content and quantity of the dishes displayed in the order list Bba to the order receiving device 20 (step S15). After that, the ordering terminal 10 ends the processing of FIG.

[0107] Returning to step S11, if it is determined in step S11 that a regular order has not been set, i.e., that a game order has been set, the inventory acquisition unit 1202 requests the order receiving device 20 to output inventory information for ingredients related to the menu (step S16).

[0108] Next, the stock quantity obtaining unit 1202 obtains stock information of ingredients related to the menu from the order receiving device 20 (step S17).

[0109] The game executing unit 1204 executes a game for acquiring ingredients related to the ordered menu (step S18). At this time, the game executing unit 1204 adjusts the types and number of seafood icons Abe displayed on the game screen Ab according to the stock amount of ingredients.

[0110] The game execution unit 1204 determines whether acquisition of an ingredient through the game has been detected (step S19). If it is determined that acquisition of an ingredient has been detected (step S19: Yes), the process proceeds to step S20. On the other hand, if it is not determined that acquisition of an ingredient has been detected (step S19: No), the process repeats the determination in step S19.

[0111] If it is determined in step S19 that the acquisition of ingredients has been detected, the order information acquiring unit 1203 causes the display unit 14 to display the menu selection screen Ac (step S20).

[0112] The order information acquisition unit 1203 acquires the menu selection information selected from the menu selection screen Ac (step S21).

[0113] The order information acquisition unit 1203 determines whether the menu selection is complete (step S22). The order information acquisition unit 1203 determines that the menu selection is complete by detecting that the order button Adk has been pressed. If it is determined that the menu selection is complete (step S22: Yes), the process proceeds to step S15 described above. On the other hand, if it is not determined that the menu selection is complete (step S22: No), the process returns to step S21.

[0114] (Processing flow performed by the order receiving device) Next, the flow of processing performed by the order receiving device 20 will be explained. The inventory quantity management unit 2201 determines whether there is a request from the order terminal 10 to output ingredient inventory information (step S31). If it is determined that there is a request to output ingredient inventory information (step S31: Yes), the process proceeds to step S32. On the other hand, if it is determined that there is no request to output ingredient inventory information (step S31: No), the process proceeds to step S33.

[0115] If it is determined in step S31 that there is a request to output ingredient stock information, the stock quantity management unit 2201 outputs the ingredient stock information to the order terminal 10 (step S32).

[0116] If it is determined in step S31 that there is no request to output ingredient inventory information, or following step S32, the order information management unit 2202 determines whether order information has been acquired from the order terminal 10 (step S33). If it is determined that order information has been acquired (step S33: Yes), the process proceeds to step S34. On the other hand, if it is not determined that order information has been acquired (step S33: No), the process repeats the determination in step S33.

[0117] If it is determined in step S33 that the order information has been acquired, the order information management unit 2202 updates the order data 233. After that, the order receiving device 20 ends the processing of FIG.

[0118] (Modification of the first embodiment) A modified example of the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 18. Fig. 18 is a diagram showing a modified example of the first embodiment.

[0119] In the example shown in FIG. 18, the ordering system 1 is configured using an order table 11 instead of the ordering terminal 10.

[0120] Ordering table 11 is a table where a meal is served, with a large LCD display or organic EL display embedded in the top. Ordering table 11 may also be a table that projects images onto the top using a projector installed below the table.

[0121] In addition, a touch panel is built into the top of the ordering table 11. Customers can play games or order menu items using the images and videos displayed on the ordering table 11 in the same way as they would with the ordering terminal 10 described above.

[0122] 18 shows an example in which the above-mentioned game screen Ab is displayed on the top panel of the ordering table 11. Customers can play the above-mentioned ingredient acquisition game on the large screen of the ordering table 11.

[0123] (Operation and effect of the first embodiment) As described above, the ordering terminal 10 of the first embodiment receives input of order information and outputs the input order information to the order receiving device 20, and includes a game execution unit 1204 that plays a game to acquire ingredients related to an ordered menu, an order information acquisition unit 1203 (order receiving unit) that accepts order information based on the result of the game or the result of selecting an ordered menu, and an order information output unit 1205 that outputs order information to the order receiving device 20. Therefore, customers can play a game to acquire ingredients and order a dish using the acquired ingredients. Furthermore, customers can recognize the shapes of ingredients while playing the game, and therefore can gain knowledge about ingredients.

[0124] The ordering terminal 10 of the embodiment further includes an order type setting unit 1201 that sets whether to enable a first order type that accepts order information based on the selection operation of an order menu, or a second order type that accepts order information related to ingredients acquired in a game played by the game execution unit 1204. Therefore, it is possible to freely set the order type between a normal order and an order based on the game result.

[0125] The ordering terminal 10 of the embodiment further includes an inventory acquisition unit 1202 that acquires the inventory of ingredients related to the menu, and the game execution unit 1204 makes it difficult to acquire ingredients with low inventory. Therefore, the format of the game can be changed depending on the inventory of ingredients at that time.

[0126] Furthermore, in the ordering terminal 10 of this embodiment, the game execution unit 1204 causes the display unit 14 of the ordering terminal 10 to display the names of ingredients attached to the representative shapes of ingredients. This allows customers to learn the shapes and names of ingredients. This improves customers' knowledge of ingredients.

[0127] (Second embodiment) An ordering system 2 according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Fig. 19 and Fig. 20. Fig. 19 is a block diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of the ordering system according to the second embodiment. Fig. 20 is a flowchart showing an example of a process flow in which a user who visits a store uses his / her user terminal to associate his / her table with an order receiving device in the second embodiment.

[0128] 19, the ordering system 2 includes, for example, a user terminal 30 carried by a customer visiting a restaurant, and an order receiving device 20. The ordering terminal 10 and the order receiving device 20 are connected to a network N such as a wireless LAN so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0129] The user terminal 30 is, for example, a mobile terminal such as a smartphone carried by a customer. There is no restriction on the number of user terminals 30 connected to the ordering system 2. It is assumed that an application for placing an order at a store is installed in advance on the user terminal 30.

[0130] A customer reads the code symbol placed at the table where he or she is seated using the user terminal 30. Information that uniquely identifies the table is registered in the code symbol. The user terminal 30 outputs the table number registered in the read code symbol to the order receiving device 20. This enables the order receiving device 20 to recognize that the order from the user terminal 30 is an order from the corresponding table number.

[0131] If multiple customers sit at the same table and each customer reads the table number with their own user terminal 30, the order receiving device 20 associates each user terminal 30 with the same table number. Therefore, it is possible that multiple user terminals 30 are associated with one table. With this configuration, when a group of multiple customers dine together, each customer can easily pay for the meal they ordered.

[0132] The hardware configuration of the user terminal 30 differs from the hardware configuration of the ordering terminal 10 described above in that it includes a camera that reads a code symbol placed on a table.

[0133] Also, the functional configuration of the user terminal 30 differs from that of the order terminal 10 in that it includes a code symbol reading unit (not shown) in addition to the functional configuration of the order terminal 10.

[0134] The order receiving device 20 receives an order from a user terminal 30. The order receiving device 20 acquires, from the user terminal 30, a table number and a seat number associated with the user terminal 30, and order information. The order information includes at least the product code and quantity of the ordered product (food).

[0135] As explained in the first embodiment, the customer can place a regular order and a game order on the user terminal 30. The information displayed on the screen of the user terminal 30 is the same as that in the first embodiment, so a repeated explanation will be omitted.

[0136] Next, the flow of the association process for associating the user terminal 30 with a table number, which is a specific configuration of the second embodiment, will be described with reference to Figure 20. As mentioned above, it is assumed that an application for placing an order at a store is installed in advance on the user terminal 30.

[0137] (Flow of association process performed by user device) First, the code symbol reader of the user terminal 30 reads a code symbol placed on a table, in which information that uniquely identifies the table is registered (step S41).

[0138] Next, the user terminal 30 outputs information specifying the table and information specifying the user terminal 30 to the order receiving device 20, which is the communication destination included in the code symbol (step S42). This completes the process on the user terminal 30 side for associating the user terminal 30 with the order receiving device 20.

[0139] (Flow of association process performed by the order receiving device) Next, the flow of the association process performed by the order receiving device 20 will be described. First, the order receiving device 20 determines whether communication has been acquired from the user terminal 30 (step S51). If it is determined that communication has been acquired from the user terminal 30 (step S51: Yes), the process proceeds to step S52. On the other hand, if it is not determined that communication has been acquired from the user terminal 30 (step S51: No), step S51 is repeated.

[0140] When it is determined in step S51 that communication from the user terminal 30 has been acquired, the order receiving device 20 associates the table number included in the communication content acquired in step S51 with the user terminal 30 (step S52). This ends the processing on the order receiving device 20 side for associating the user terminal 30 with the order receiving device 20.

[0141] Thereafter, the order receiving device 20 receives a normal order from the user terminal 30 or an order via a game, and performs the same operations as those described in the first embodiment.

[0142] According to the ordering system 2 of the second embodiment, customers can acquire ingredients for their own user terminal 30 through the game. Therefore, for example, the customer may raise seafood acquired through the game on the user terminal 30. In this case, for example, the seafood may be raised using food according to the amount of money spent on meals at the restaurant. The raised seafood may be exchanged for points that can be used for meals at the restaurant. In addition, a service may be provided, such as providing dishes at a special price according to the growth level of the seafood.

[0143] Although the two embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above using a sushi restaurant as an example, the application of the present disclosure is not limited to sushi restaurants. For example, ordering system 1 or ordering system 2 can be similarly implemented in a steak restaurant. In that case, the ingredients acquired in the game are not seafood, but beef, pork, chicken, etc.

[0144] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. This novel embodiment 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 defined in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0145] 1,2 Ordering system 10 Ordering terminal 11 Order Table 12 Control Unit 20 Order reception device 22 Control Unit 231 Product Master 232 Ingredient Master 233 Order Data 1201 Order Format Setting Section 1202 Stock Quantity Acquisition Unit 1203 Order information acquisition unit (order reception unit) 1204 Game Execution Department 1205 Order information output section 1206 Display control unit 1207 Operation reception section 2201 Inventory Management Department 2202 Order Information Management Department Aa Menu selection method specification screen Ab game screen ABC reserved area Abd Marker Abe seafood icon Abf Name AC menu selection screen Aca Menu Selection Window Acb ingredients icon Acd, Ace, Acf, Acg menu icon Ad order screen Ada Order Window Ae Order completion screen Ba Menu selection screen Bb Order list screen [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0146] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-78476

Claims

1. An order terminal that receives input of order information and outputs the input order information to an order receiving device, a game execution unit that causes a game to be played in which ingredients related to the ordered menu are acquired; an order receiving unit that receives order information related to a dish selected from a selection of dishes using the ingredients displayed in association with the icons of the ingredients acquired in the game, or order information based on the selection result of the order menu; an order information output unit that outputs the order information to the order receiving device, Order terminal.

2. an order format setting unit that sets either an order reception mode in which order information based on a selection operation of the order menu is received or an order reception mode in which order information related to ingredients acquired in the game played by the game execution unit is received; The ordering terminal according to claim 1 .

3. The device further includes an inventory acquisition unit that acquires the inventory of ingredients related to the ordered menu, the game execution unit makes it difficult to acquire the ingredient with a low stock amount, The ordering terminal according to claim 1 .

4. The game execution unit Displaying the representative form of the ingredient with the name of the ingredient on the display unit of the ordering terminal; The ordering terminal according to claim 3.

5. An order terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 4, and an order receiving device that receives order information from the order terminal. Ordering system.

6. a computer that controls an order terminal that receives input of order information and outputs the input order information to an order receiving device; a game execution unit that causes a game to be played in which ingredients related to the ordered menu are acquired; an order receiving unit that receives order information related to a dish selected from a selection of dishes using the ingredients displayed in association with the icons of the ingredients acquired in the game, or order information based on the selection result of the order menu; an order information output unit that outputs the order information to the order receiving device; A program that makes it work.

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