Order terminal and ID

Abstract

To provide an ordering terminal and a program that can enhance operability.SOLUTION: An ordering terminal according to the embodiment includes: acquisition means for acquiring customer identification information for identifying a customer; input means through which article identification information for identifying an article ordered by the customer is input; output means for outputting order information corresponding to the customer identification information acquired by the acquisition means and the article identification information which is input through the input means; and display control means for changing an operation screen displayed on a display unit according to the customer identification information acquired by the acquisition means.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 14

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to an order terminal and a program.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, in restaurants and the like, the number of stores adopting order terminals installed at customer seats has been increasing. This type of order terminal is a device that allows customers to place orders by themselves without the intervention of store staff, thus contributing to the solution of the labor shortage problem in stores.

[0003] Conventionally, an order receiving device has been proposed that manages settlement information by associating customer face image data and order information (for example, Patent Document 1). This order receiving device can manage orders for each customer in order to associate customer face image data and order information, and can receive orders from a plurality of customers with a single device.

[0004] However, in the above conventional technology, when a plurality of customers use an order terminal, it is difficult for the customer to know whether the input order information is recognized as their own order or as the order of another customer. Therefore, the above conventional order receiving device has a problem that the operability is not good.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an order terminal and a program capable of improving operability.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The order terminal according to the embodiment is The customer identification information consists of the customer's facial image data captured by the imaging unit and a customer code that uniquely identifies the customer throughout the entire store and is associated with the facial image data.The system comprises an acquisition means for acquiring information, an input means for inputting product identification information that identifies the customer's ordered products, an output means for outputting order information that associates the customer identification information acquired by the acquisition means with the product identification information input to the input means, and a display control means for changing the operation screen displayed on the display unit according to the customer identification information acquired by the acquisition means. Furthermore, the output means outputs order information that associates the customer code acquired by the acquisition means with the product identification information entered into the input means, and the display control means changes the operation screen displayed on the display unit according to the customer's facial image data acquired by the acquisition means. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating the schematic of an order management system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows a table seating area where the order terminal of the embodiment is located. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the main hardware configuration of the server device in the embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows the data structure of the menu master stored in the storage unit of the server device of the embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 shows the data structure of the customer management file stored in the storage unit of the server device according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] Figure 6 shows the data structure of the order management file stored in the storage unit of the server device according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a block diagram showing the main functional configuration of the control unit of the server device according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a block diagram showing the main hardware configuration of the order terminal in the embodiment. [Figure 9] Figure 9 shows the data structure of the customer information management table stored in the storage unit of the order terminal according to the embodiment. [Figure 10] Figure 10 shows the data structure of the order information management table stored in the memory unit of the order terminal according to the embodiment. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is a block diagram showing the main functional configuration of the control unit of the order terminal according to the embodiment. [Figure 12]Figure 12 is a sequence chart illustrating the operation of the order management system according to the embodiment. [Figure 13] Figure 13 is a flowchart showing the flow of customer information registration processing by the control unit of the order terminal in the embodiment. [Figure 14] Figure 14 is a flowchart showing the flow of display processing by the control unit of the order terminal in the embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] The following describes the order terminal and program of the embodiment with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below. For example, the embodiment described below describes an example where the order terminal is installed at a table in a restaurant, but the order terminal may also be installed at a counter. In this case, one order terminal is assigned to multiple counter seats.

[0009] Furthermore, in the embodiments described below, the order terminal displays different operation screens with different backgrounds depending on the customer operating the order terminal by varying the color of the outer periphery of the operation screen. However, it is not limited to this. The order terminal may also display different operation screens with different backgrounds depending on the customer operating the order terminal by varying the patterns, numbers, symbols, etc., displayed on the operation screen. Here, the background screen is defined as the screen including the background and outer periphery of the operation screen on which text and various controls are displayed.

[0010] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the order management system 1. The order management system 1 is used in restaurants and other establishments. The order management system 1 consists of a server device 2, employee terminals 3 carried by employees, and order terminals 4 installed at table seats T. Multiple employee terminals 3 and order terminals 4 are provided. The server device 2, employee terminals 3, and order terminals 4 are connected to each other via a wired or wireless LAN (Local Area Network) or other network, enabling them to communicate with one another.

[0011] Figure 2 shows a table seating area T on which an order terminal 4 is located. The table seating area T is equipped with a table TA and several chairs TB. The order terminal 4 is placed on top of the table TA. The order terminal 4 is a device for customers to place orders and is operated by customers using the table seating area T.

[0012] The order terminal 4 can treat orders from multiple customers using table seats T as a single transaction. For example, when a group such as a family uses table seats T, the order terminal 4 can treat the information identifying the entered order (hereinafter also referred to as "order information") as order information for a single transaction.

[0013] As described later, the order management system 1 in this embodiment manages information related to a single transaction (hereinafter also referred to as "transaction information") corresponding to the facial image data of the customer who inputs order information into the order terminal 4. Therefore, if a group of customers wants to account for all the order information they input into the order terminal 4 as a single transaction, one customer can input all the order information, thereby including all of that order information in the transaction information, and thus treating all of that order information as order information related to a single transaction. The order terminal 4 may also be equipped with an operator that specifies that all the input order information should be treated as a single transaction. In this case, by operating the operator, even if different customers input order information into the order terminal 4, all the input order information can be treated as a single transaction.

[0014] Furthermore, the order terminal 4 can treat order information entered by multiple customers using table seating T as separate order information for different transactions. For example, if customers who are not related to each other are seated together, or if customers in a group want to pay separately, each customer can operate the order terminal 4 to enter their order information, and this order information can be treated as separate order information for different transactions.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 2, the order terminal 4 includes a display unit 42 composed of, for example, a liquid crystal panel, and an operation unit 43 composed of a touch panel provided on the surface of the display unit 42. The display unit 42 displays an operation screen 421. The outer peripheral portion 422 of the operation screen 421 is displayed in different colors according to the customer who inputs order information. The color of the outer peripheral portion 422 set for each customer is assigned to the customer when the customer registers a face image. By confirming that the outer peripheral portion 422 has the color corresponding to himself / herself, the customer can recognize that the order terminal 4 functions as a device for inputting his / her own information.

[0016] Next, each device constituting the order management system 1 will be described in detail. First, the server device 2 will be described. FIG. 3 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 each other via a bus 25 or the like.

[0017] The control unit 20 has a computer configuration 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 the bus 25.

[0018] The CPU 201 controls the overall operation of the server device 2. The ROM 202 stores various programs such as programs used to drive the CPU 201 and various data. The RAM 203 is used as a work area for the CPU 201 and develops various programs and various 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 operating according to the control program stored in the ROM 202 and the storage unit 21 and developed in the RAM 203.

[0019] The storage unit 21 is composed of a storage medium such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or flash memory, and retains its contents even when the power is cut off. The storage unit 21 stores the control program 211, the menu master 212, the customer management file 213, and the order management file 214.

[0020] The control program 211 is a program that implements functions such as sending and receiving various information with the order terminal 4 and the staff terminal 3, setting customer codes and screen information in association with the feature quantities of customer facial image data received from the order terminal 4, managing the set customer information, and managing order information based on the information received from the order terminal 4 and the staff terminal 3.

[0021] The menu master 212 is a master file that manages the products that a store offers to its customers. When the store's product menu is added or changed, and the stored contents of the menu master 212 are updated, the changes are transmitted to each order terminal 4. Figure 4 shows the data structure of the menu master 212. The menu master 212 stores product codes, product names, prices, and product images in association with each other.

[0022] The product code is information that identifies a product. The product code is an example of product identification information that identifies a customer's ordered items. 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 image is image data of the product's appearance.

[0023] The customer management file 213 is a file that manages information about customers who visit the store. When the server device 2 receives a registration request from the order terminal 4, it registers the new customer information in the customer management file 213. Here, the registration request is a request to register customer information, and includes the table number of the table where the customer was seated and the feature quantities of the customer's facial image data. Figure 5 is a diagram showing the data structure of the customer management file 213. The customer management file 213 stores the table number, facial feature quantities, customer code, and screen information in association with each other.

[0024] The table number is information that identifies the table the customer was seated at. The facial features are the features of the customer's facial image data extracted from the image data of the customer. Facial features are information used in known facial recognition technologies that identify individuals from facial images. The table number and facial features are data included in the registration request received by the server device 2 from the order terminal 4.

[0025] The customer code is information that identifies the customer and is set by the server device 2. The screen information is information that indicates the characteristics of the operation screen displayed by the order terminal 4 in relation to the customer and is set by the server device 2. For example, the screen information is information that indicates the color of the outer edge 422 of the operation screen 421 of the order terminal 4. When the server device 2 receives a registration request from the order terminal 4, the customer code and screen information are assigned and registered by the server device 2. A different customer code is assigned to each customer who visits the store. Different data is assigned to each table number in the screen information. In other words, the same data may be assigned to one table number and another table number in the screen information. The customer code and facial features are examples of customer identification information that identifies a customer. Facial image data may also be used as customer identification information.

[0026] The order management file 214 is a file that manages order information for each customer. The order management file 214 is updated each time the server device 2 receives order information from the order terminal 4. Figure 6 shows the data structure of the order management file 214. The order management file 214 stores the customer code, order code, product code, and delivered flag in association with each other.

[0027] As mentioned above, the customer code is information that identifies a customer. The order code is a code that identifies a single order. If a customer places multiple orders, multiple order codes will be registered for one customer code. As mentioned above, the product code is information that identifies a product. If multiple products are specified in a single order, multiple product codes will be registered for one order code.

[0028] The delivered flag indicates whether or not an ordered item has been delivered to the customer. If the ordered item has not been delivered to the customer, the delivered flag is set to "0". If the ordered item has been delivered to the customer, the delivered flag is set to "1". The delivered flag is registered for each product code.

[0029] Returning to Figure 3, let's describe the hardware configuration of server device 2.

[0030] The display unit 22 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal panel and displays various information. The display unit 22 displays information stored in, for example, the menu master 212, customer management file 213, and order management file 214 as needed.

[0031] The operation unit 23 is for inputting information to the control unit 20 and consists of a keyboard, touch panel, mouse, etc.

[0032] The communication unit 24 is an interface for communicating with external devices such as the employee terminal 3 and the order terminal 4. The control unit 20 is connected to the external devices via the communication unit 24, enabling it to send and receive information (data) with those external devices.

[0033] Next, the functional configuration of the server device 2 will be described. Figure 7 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 transmission / reception means 2001, a setting means 2002, and an information management means 2003, with the CPU 201 operating according to the control program stored in the ROM 202 and the storage unit 21. Note that each of these functions may be configured with hardware such as dedicated circuits.

[0034] The transmitting / receiving means 2001 transmits and receives various information between the employee terminal 3 and the order terminal 4. For example, the transmitting / receiving means 2001 receives a registration request from the order terminal 4 and transmits customer information to the order terminal 4 in response to the registration request. The customer information includes the customer code and screen information set by the setting means 2002. The transmitting / receiving means 2001 also receives order information from the order terminal 4. In the following description, the order information will be assumed to include the customer code. That is, the order information will include the customer code that identifies the customer and the product code of the product that the customer is ordering.

[0035] The transmitting / receiving means 2001 transmits serving information to the employee terminal 3. The serving information is information for the employee to serve the cooked food to the customer, and includes order information, table number, and screen information received from the order terminal 4. The table number and screen information are read from the customer management file 213 based on the customer code included in the order information received from the order terminal 4. The transmitting / receiving means 2001 also receives served information from the employee terminal 3. The served information is information indicating that the ordered food has been served to the customer, and includes order information, table number, and screen information.

[0036] The setting means 2002 sets the customer code and screen information in response to a registration request from the order terminal 4. Specifically, the setting means 2002 assigns the customer code and screen information in association with the table number and facial feature quantity included in the registration request. The setting means 2002 also sets the order code in response to the order information from the order terminal 4. Specifically, the setting means 2002 assigns the order code in association with the customer code included in the order information.

[0037] The information management means 2003 manages various types of information, such as information received by the transmitting / receiving means 2001 and information set by the setting means 2002. Here, managing information means writing or reading various types of information (data) to or from the storage unit 21.

[0038] For example, the information management means 2003 registers various information in the customer management file 213 based on the registration request received by the transmission / reception means 2001 from the order terminal 4. Specifically, the information management means 2003 registers the table number and facial feature quantity included in the registration request in the customer management file 213, and also registers the customer code and screen information set by the setting means 2002 in the customer management file 213.

[0039] Furthermore, the information management means 2003 registers various information in the order management file 214 based on the order information received from the order terminal 4. Specifically, the information management means 2003 registers the order code set by the setting means 2002 in the order management file 214, corresponding to the customer code included in the order information. Then, the information management means 2003 registers the product code included in the order information in the order management file 214, corresponding to the order code.

[0040] The information management means 2003 reads the serving information that the transmitting / receiving means 2001 transmits to the employee terminal 3 from the customer management file 213 and the order management file 214. Specifically, the information management means 2003 reads the product code corresponding to the order code set by the setting means 2002 from the order management file 214, and also reads the table number and screen information associated with the customer code corresponding to the order code from the customer management file 213.

[0041] Next, the employee terminal 3 will be described. The employee terminal 3 is operated by an employee and is either a portable device carried by the employee or a stationary device installed in the store. Based on the serving information received from the server device 2, the employee terminal 3 displays the customer's ordered items, table number, screen information, etc. The employee confirms the displayed information and provides the ordered items to the customer. Once the employee has finished providing the items to the customer, they input information indicating that the items have been served into the employee terminal 3. The employee terminal 3 sends the served information to the server device 2, indicating that the items have been served. The server device 2 updates the order management file 214 based on the received served information.

[0042] Next, the order terminal 4 will be described. Figure 8 is a block diagram showing the main hardware configuration of the order terminal 4. The order terminal 4 comprises a control unit 40, a storage unit 41, a display unit 42, an operation unit 43, an imaging unit 44, and a communication unit 45. The control unit 40, storage unit 41, display unit 42, operation unit 43, imaging unit 44, and communication unit 45 are connected to each other via a bus 46, etc.

[0043] The control unit 40 has a computer configuration comprising a CPU 401, ROM 402, and RAM 403. The CPU 401, ROM 402, and RAM 403 are connected to each other via a bus 46.

[0044] The CPU 401 controls the overall operation of the order terminal 4. The ROM 402 stores various programs and data, such as the program used to drive the CPU 401. The RAM 403 is used as the work area for the CPU 401 and loads the various programs and data stored in the ROM 402 and the memory unit 41. The control unit 40 executes various control processes for the order terminal 4 by having the CPU 401 operate according to the control programs stored in the ROM 402 and the memory unit 41 and loaded into the RAM 403.

[0045] The storage unit 41 is composed of a storage medium such as an HDD or flash memory, and retains its contents even when the power is cut off. The storage unit 41 stores the control program 411, table No. 412, menu master 413, customer information management table 414, and order information management table 415.

[0046] The control program 411 is a program that implements functions such as acquiring face image data captured by the imaging unit 44, sending and receiving various information with the server device 2, accepting input of product codes for ordered products, and controlling the display of the display unit 42.

[0047] The table number is the table number of the table where the order terminal 4 is installed. If the order terminal 4 is installed at a counter seat, the storage unit 41 stores the number of the counter seat where the order terminal 4 is available instead of the table number.

[0048] Menu Master 413 is a master file that manages the products that a store offers to customers, and is obtained from Server Device 2. The data structure of Menu Master 413 is the same as that of Menu Master 212 stored in Server Device 2, so redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0049] The customer information management table 414 is a data table that manages information about customers using the order terminal 4. The order terminal 4 registers customer information received from the server device 2 in the customer information management table 414. Figure 9 shows the data structure of the customer information management table 414. The customer information management table 414 stores facial features, customer codes, and screen information in association with each other.

[0050] Facial features, customer codes, and screen information are described above in the explanation of the customer management file 213 of server device 2, so redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0051] The order information management table 415 is a data table that manages order information for each customer using the order terminal 4. The order terminal 4 is updated based on order information entered from the operation unit 43. Figure 10 shows the data structure of the order information management table 415. The order information management table 415 stores customer code, order code, sent flag, and product code in association with each other.

[0052] The customer code, order code, and product code are described above in the description of the order management file 214 of server device 2, so redundant explanations will be omitted. The sent flag indicates whether or not the order information identified by the corresponding order code has been sent to server device 2. If the order information entered by the customer has not been sent to server device 2, for example, if the customer entered the order information but did not perform the operation to send the order information, the sent flag will be set to "0". When the order information entered by the customer has been sent to server device 2, the sent flag will be set to "1".

[0053] If a single customer places multiple orders, multiple order codes will be registered under the same customer code. Similarly, if multiple items are specified in a single order, multiple item codes will be registered under the same order code.

[0054] Returning to Figure 8, we will now explain the hardware configuration of order terminal 4.

[0055] The display unit 42 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal panel and displays various information. The display unit 42 displays, for example, a registration screen for registering facial features, and an order screen for entering order information, which displays product information stored in the menu master 413.

[0056] The operation unit 43 is for inputting information to the control unit 40 and consists of a touch panel or the like provided on the surface of the display unit 42. For example, the operation unit 43 inputs the product code of the ordered product selected by the customer to the control unit 40.

[0057] The imaging unit 44 captures the face of the customer operating the order terminal 4. For example, the imaging unit 44 captures the face of the customer operating the order terminal 4 from an imaging window (not shown) located above the display unit 42 in Figure 2. The imaging unit 44 may start capturing images when a sensor (not shown) detects that the customer is holding the order terminal 4, or it may capture images continuously.

[0058] The control unit 40 associates information based on data captured by the imaging unit 44 at the time the order terminal 4 is operated with the information entered by that operation. For example, when a customer operates the operation unit 43 to enter order information, the control unit 40 associates the customer code corresponding to the facial features extracted from the facial image data captured at that time with the order information and registers it in the order information management table 415.

[0059] The communication unit 45 is an interface for communicating with external devices such as the server device 2. The control unit 40 is connected to the external device via the communication unit 45, enabling it to send and receive information (data) with the external device.

[0060] Next, the functional configuration of the order terminal 4 will be described. Figure 11 is a block diagram showing the main functional configuration of the control unit 40 of the order terminal 4. The control unit 40 functions as a transmitting / receiving means 4001, an image acquisition means 4002, an image processing means 4003, an input means 4004, an information management means 4005, and a display control means 4006, with the CPU 401 operating according to the control program stored in the ROM 402 and the memory unit 41. Note that each of these functions may be configured with hardware such as dedicated circuits.

[0061] The transmitting / receiving means 4001 transmits and receives various information with the server device 2. For example, the transmitting / receiving means 4001 sends a registration request to the server device 2 and receives registered customer information as a response. The received customer information includes a customer code that identifies the customer. The transmitting / receiving means 4001 also functions as a second acquisition means for obtaining the customer code.

[0062] The transmitting / receiving means 4001 transmits order information, which associates the product code of the ordered product with the customer code entered by the operation unit 43, to the server device 2. The transmitting / receiving means 4001 also functions as an output means for outputting order information.

[0063] The image acquisition means 4002 acquires customer face image data captured by the imaging unit 44. The image acquisition means 4002 functions as a first acquisition means for acquiring customer face image data captured by the imaging unit 44. The acquisition means 4010 is composed of the first acquisition means, the image acquisition means 4002, and the second acquisition means, the transmitting and receiving means 4001.

[0064] The image processing means 4003 extracts facial features that can identify a customer from the customer's facial image data acquired by the image acquisition means 4002. The extraction of facial features is performed using known facial recognition techniques for identifying individuals.

[0065] Alternatively, the order terminal 4 may not be equipped with the image processing means 4003, and the server device 2 may be equipped with the image processing means 4003. In this case, the order terminal 4 transmits the customer's face image data acquired by the image acquisition means 4002 to the server device 2, and the server device 2 extracts face features from the face image data.

[0066] Various information is input to the input means 4004 from the operation unit 43. For example, facial image registration information instructing the registration of a customer's facial image is input to the input means 4004. In addition, the product code of the ordered product and order confirmation information to confirm the order with the entered product code are also input to the input means 4004.

[0067] The information management means 4005 manages information received by the transmitting / receiving means 4001, facial feature quantities extracted by the image processing means 4003, and various types of information input to the input means 4004. Here, managing information means writing or reading various types of information (data) to or from the storage unit 41.

[0068] For example, the information management means 4005 registers customer information received by the transmitting / receiving means 4001 in the customer information management table 414. The information management means 4005 also registers the product code of the ordered product entered into the input means 4004 in the order information management table 415. More specifically, the information management means 4005 reads the customer code corresponding to the feature quantities of the facial image data captured when the product code is entered into the input means 4004 from the customer information management table 414. Then, the information management means 4005 updates the order information management table 415 by writing (registering) the product code of the ordered product entered into the input means 4004 to the product code corresponding to the read customer code. The information management means 4005 functions as a memory control means.

[0069] When order confirmation information is entered into the input means 4004, the information management means 4005 reads the order information from the order information management table 415. More specifically, when order confirmation information is entered into the input means 4004, the information management means 4005 reads the customer code corresponding to the feature quantities of the facial image data captured from the customer information management table 414. Then, the information management means 4005 reads the product code corresponding to the unsent order code that corresponds to the read customer code. The order information includes the customer code, order code, and product code.

[0070] The display control means 4006 causes the display unit 42 to display various operation screens. These operation screens accept customer input. For example, the display control means 4006 causes the display unit 42 to display an initial screen (standby screen) that is shown first to a customer seated at a table T. The display control means 4006 also causes the display unit 42 to display operation screens such as a registration screen and an order screen, which are displayed after transitioning from the initial screen. The registration screen is an operation screen for registering a face image, and the order screen is an operation screen for entering the product code of the product to be ordered.

[0071] The display control means 4006 changes the operation screen displayed on the display unit 42 according to the customer identification information acquired by the acquisition means 4010. Specifically, the display control means 4006 changes the background of the operation screen displayed on the display unit 42 according to the customer's face image data acquired by the image acquisition means 4002. For example, the display control means 4006 displays the operation screen with a different color on the outer edge 422 (see Figure 2) according to the customer's face image data acquired by the image acquisition means 4002.

[0072] The operation of the order management system 1 with the above configuration will be explained below. Figure 12 is a sequence chart illustrating the operation of the order management system 1. This sequence chart shows the flow of actions when a customer places a single order upon entering the store.

[0073] When a customer enters the store and takes a seat at table T, they follow the guidance on the initial screen displayed by the order terminal 4 to switch to the registration screen and operate the registration screen to input facial image registration information (step S1). Upon receiving the facial image registration input, the order terminal 4 captures an image of the customer's face (step S2).

[0074] The order terminal 4 extracts the customer's facial features from the captured facial image data (step S3). The order terminal 4 sends a registration request to the server device 2 (step S4). The registration request includes the table number where the order terminal 4 is installed and the extracted facial features.

[0075] Server device 2 sets the customer code and screen information (step S5). Server device 2 assigns the customer code and screen information in association with the table number and facial image feature quantities included in the registration request. The screen information is, for example, information indicating the color of the outer edge. Server device 2 registers the customer information, which is the table number, facial image feature quantities, customer code, and screen information, in the customer management file 213 (step S6). Server device 2 sends the registered customer information to the order terminal 4, which is the source of the registration request (step S7).

[0076] The order terminal 4 registers the received customer information in the customer information management table 414 (step S8). Based on the customer's operation, or automatically after receiving the customer information, the order terminal 4 displays the order screen and accepts input of the product codes of the ordered items (step S9). The order terminal 4 registers the entered product codes in the order information management table 415 (step S10).

[0077] When a customer places an order for a product with a product code entered by the customer, order confirmation information is entered into the order terminal 4 (step S11). The order terminal 4 reads unsent order information corresponding to the customer code of the customer operating the order terminal 4 from the order information management table 415 and sends it to the server device 2 (step S12).

[0078] Server device 2 updates the order management file 214 by registering the received order information (step S13). Server device 2 sends serving information to the employee terminal 3 (step S14). The serving information includes the order information received from the order terminal 4, the table number, and screen information.

[0079] The staff member provides the customer with the prepared food based on the serving information. The staff member carries the food to table T, which is identified by the table number included in the serving information, and identifies the customer who ordered the food by having the customer confirm the screen information (e.g., "red"). If there are no multiple customers seated at table T, the customer who ordered the food can be identified by the table number alone, so the staff member does not need to have the customer confirm the screen information. Once the staff member has provided the food to the customer, the staff member's operation results in a "served" input on the staff member terminal 3 (step S15). The staff member terminal 3 transmits the served information to the server device 2 (step S16). The served information includes order information, table number, and screen information.

[0080] Server device 2 updates the order information based on the received delivery information (step S17). Specifically, server device 2 rewrites the delivered flag in the order management file 214 to "1" for the items that have been delivered to the customer.

[0081] Through the above operation, the order management system 1 can manage order information for each customer, even when multiple customers operate the same order terminal 4.

[0082] Next, we will explain the customer information registration process performed by the order terminal 4. The customer information registration process is performed before the customer enters their order information. Figure 13 is a flowchart showing the flow of the customer information registration process by the control unit 40 of the order terminal 4.

[0083] The control unit 40 determines whether or not face image registration information has been input to the input means 4004 (step S21). If it has not been input (N in step S21), it returns to the process in step S21 and waits. When face image registration information is input to the input means 4004 (Y in step S21), the image acquisition means 4002 acquires imaging data, i.e., customer face image data, from the imaging unit 44 (step S22).

[0084] The image processing means 4003 extracts feature quantities of the customer's face image from the image data acquired by the image acquisition means 4002 (step S23). Steps S22 and S23 are repeated until the feature quantities of the customer's face image have been extracted. The transmitting / receiving means 4001 sends a registration request containing the extracted feature quantities to the server device 2 (step S24).

[0085] The control unit 40 determines whether the transmitting / receiving means 4001 has received customer information in response to the registration request (step S25). If it has not received the information (N in step S25), it returns to the process in step S25 and waits. When the transmitting / receiving means 4001 receives customer information (Y in step S25), the information management means 4005 registers the customer information in the customer information management table 414 (step S26). The control unit 40 then terminates the customer information registration process.

[0086] Through the customer information registration process described above, the feature quantities of the facial image data and the customer code are registered as customer identification information to identify the customer. As a result, the order management system 1 can manage order information using the registered customer identification information. In this embodiment, in order to suppress the decrease in data communication speed between each device, the order management system 1 includes the customer code set by the server device 2 as the customer identification information in the order information, but is not limited to this. The order management system 1 can also use the facial image data of the customer captured by the imaging unit 44 as customer identification information.

[0087] Next, we will explain the display processing performed by the order terminal 4. The display processing is performed after customer information has been registered through the customer information registration process. Figure 14 is a flowchart showing the flow of the display processing performed by the control unit 40 of the order terminal 4.

[0088] The control unit 40 determines whether the image acquisition means 4002 has acquired face image data (step S31). In other words, the control unit 40 determines whether the image acquisition means 4002 has acquired face image data captured by the imaging unit 44 when a customer who has registered their face image is holding the order terminal 4.

[0089] If the image acquisition means 4002 does not acquire face image data (N in step S31), the control unit 40 returns to the processing in step S31 and waits. In other words, the control unit 40 waits because it has determined that the order terminal 4 is not in a state to be operated by the customer. When the image acquisition means 4002 acquires face image data (Y in step S31), the image processing means 4003 extracts the feature quantities of the customer's face image from the face image data acquired by the image acquisition means 4002 (step S32).

[0090] The information management means 4005 reads the customer code and screen information corresponding to the feature quantities extracted by the image processing means 4003 from the customer information management table 414 (step S33). The control unit 40 determines whether the screen information read by the information management means 4005 is the same as the screen information of the currently displayed operation screen (step S34). The screen information of the currently displayed operation screen is stored, for example, in RAM 403 when switching to that operation screen. The control unit 40 performs the process in step S34 by comparing the screen information read by the information management means 4005 with the screen information stored in RAM 403.

[0091] If the screen information read by the information management means 4005 is the same as the screen information of the currently displayed operation screen (Y in step S34), the display control means 4006 causes the display unit 42 to display information corresponding to the operation performed by the customer on the currently displayed operation screen (step S35).

[0092] For example, if the currently displayed screen is an order screen, the display control means 4006 will display detailed information about the product on the display unit 42 when an operation to specify a product is performed. Alternatively, if the currently displayed screen is an order confirmation screen, the display control means 4006 will display information indicating that the order has been completed on the display unit 42 when an operation to confirm the entered order information is performed. Here, the order confirmation screen is an operation screen for instructing the server device 2 to send the entered order information, and is a screen that displays, for example, the entered order information, an order confirmation button (an operation that instructs the server device 2 to send the entered order information), a cancel button (an operation that instructs the cancellation of the entered order information), etc. Then, the control unit 40 returns to the processing of step S31.

[0093] In step S34, if the screen information read by the information management means 4005 is not the same as the screen information of the currently displayed operation screen (N in step S34), the control unit 40 refers to the order information management table 415. The control unit 40 then determines whether or not there is unsent order information corresponding to the customer code read in step S33 (step S36). In other words, the control unit 40 determines whether or not there is unsent order information entered by the customer with the order terminal 4.

[0094] If there is unsent order information (Y in step S36), the display control means 4006 displays an order confirmation screen showing the unsent order information on the display unit 42. This allows the customer to confirm the order information entered in the previous operation and to send the order information to the server device 2 and place an order by operating the order confirmation button. The customer can also cancel the order information entered in the previous operation by operating the cancel button. Then, the control unit 40 proceeds to the processing in step S35.

[0095] If there is no unsent order information (N in step S36), the display control means 4006 displays the order screen on the display unit 42. This allows customers who have not entered order information in the previous operation to immediately view the order screen. Then, the control unit 40 proceeds to the processing in step S35. In the display of the order confirmation screen in step S37 and the order screen in step S38, the display control means 4006 changes the color of the outer edge 422 of the operation screen based on the screen information read in step S33. The display control means 4006 may also display other operation screens on the display unit 42 during the processing in steps S37 and S38.

[0096] Through the above display processing, the order terminal 4 can display an operation screen on the display unit 42 that corresponds to the customer who has the device, that is, the customer who intends to operate the device. For example, the order terminal 4 changes the color of its outer perimeter 422 according to the customer who has the device. This allows the customer operating the order terminal 4 to easily recognize whether or not the order terminal 4 is functioning as a device to accept their order.

[0097] As described above, the order terminal 4 of the embodiment includes an acquisition means 4010 for acquiring customer identification information to identify a customer, an input means 4004 into which product identification information to identify the customer's ordered products is input, a transmitting and receiving means 4001 for outputting order information that associates the customer identification information acquired by the acquisition means 4010 with the product identification information input to the input means 4004, and a display control means 4006 for changing the operation screen displayed on the display unit 42 according to the customer identification information acquired by the acquisition means 4010.

[0098] This allows the order terminal 4 to recognize whether or not the order terminal 4 is functioning as a device to accept their order. As a result, the order terminal 4 can not only manage orders from multiple customers, but also improve usability.

[0099] Furthermore, in the order terminal 4 of the embodiment, the acquisition means 4010 includes an image acquisition means 4002 that acquires customer face image data captured by the imaging unit 44, and a transmitting and receiving means 4001 that acquires a customer code associated with the face image data acquired by the image acquisition means 4002. The transmitting and receiving means 4001 outputs order information that associates the acquired customer code with product identification information entered into the input means 4004, and the display control means 4006 changes the operation screen displayed on the display unit 42 according to the customer face image data acquired by the image acquisition means 4002.

[0100] As a result, the order terminal 4 can use the acquired customer code as customer identification information to include in the order information, instead of the facial image data captured by the imaging unit 44. Therefore, the order terminal 4 can suppress a decrease in data communication speed with external devices.

[0101] Furthermore, in the order terminal 4 of the embodiment, the display control means 4006 displays an operation screen with a different background screen on the display unit 42 according to the customer identification information acquired by the acquisition means 4010.

[0102] This allows the order terminal 4 to easily recognize whether or not the order terminal 4 is functioning as a device to accept their order.

[0103] In addition, in the order terminal 4 of the embodiment, when the acquisition means 4010 acquires customer identification information that is different from the customer identification information corresponding to the operation screen displayed on the display unit 42, the display control means 4006 causes the display unit 42 to display an order screen that displays product information.

[0104] As a result, if the order terminal 4 is operated by a customer different from the one whose operation screen is currently displayed, it can switch the previously displayed operation screen and display an order screen showing product information on the display unit 42. Therefore, the customer operating the order terminal 4 can immediately view the product information.

[0105] Furthermore, the order terminal 4 of the embodiment includes an information management means 4005 that stores in a storage unit 21 unsent order information that has been linked to product identification information and customer identification information entered into the input means 4004 and has not been output by the transmitting / receiving means 4001. The display control means 4006 displays the unsent order information corresponding to the different customer identification information on the display unit 42 when the acquisition means 4010 acquires customer identification information that is different from the customer identification information that is displayed on the operation screen on the display unit 42.

[0106] As a result, when the order terminal 4 is operated by a customer who has entered unsent order information, that unsent order information can be displayed. Therefore, customers can easily check the order information they entered in their previous operation.

[0107] In the above embodiment, the control programs executed by the server device 2, the employee terminal 3, and the order terminal 4 may be provided by recording them on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM. Alternatively, the control programs executed by each device in the above embodiment may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by downloading them via the network, or they may be provided via a network such as the Internet.

[0108] Although 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. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0109] 1. Order Management System 4. Order terminal 42 Display section 4001 Transmission and reception means (second acquisition means, output means) 4002 Image acquisition means (first acquisition means) 4004 Input means 4005 Information management means (memory control means) 4006 Display control means 4010 Acquisition method [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0110] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2016-181101

Claims

1. Acquisition means for acquiring customer identification information, which includes customer face image data captured by the imaging unit and a customer code that can uniquely identify the customer throughout the entire store and is associated with the face image data. An input means into which product identification information that identifies the customer's ordered product is entered, An output means that outputs order information which associates the customer identification information acquired by the acquisition means with the product identification information input into the input means, A display control means that changes the operation screen displayed on the display unit according to the customer identification information acquired by the acquisition means, Equipped with, The output means outputs order information that associates the customer code acquired by the acquisition means with the product identification information entered into the input means. The display control means is an order terminal that changes the operation screen displayed on the display unit according to the customer's facial image data acquired by the acquisition means.

2. The display control means causes the display unit to display an operation screen with a different background screen according to the customer identification information acquired by the acquisition means. The order terminal according to claim 1.

3. When the acquisition means acquires customer identification information that is different from the customer identification information corresponding to the operation screen displayed on the display unit, the display control means causes the display unit to display an order screen that displays product information. The order terminal according to claim 1.

4. The system further includes a storage control means that stores in a storage unit information that associates product identification information input to the input means with customer identification information, and which is unsent order information that has not been output by the output means. When the acquisition means acquires customer identification information different from the customer identification information corresponding to the operation screen displayed on the display unit, the display control means causes the unsent order information corresponding to the different customer identification information to be displayed on the display unit. The order terminal according to claim 1.

5. A program for controlling an order terminal with a computer, The aforementioned computer, Acquisition means for acquiring customer identification information, which includes customer face image data captured by the imaging unit and a customer code that uniquely identifies the customer throughout the entire store and is associated with the face image data. An input means into which product identification information that identifies the customer's ordered product is entered, An output means that outputs order information which associates the customer identification information acquired by the acquisition means with the product identification information input into the input means, A display control means that changes the operation screen displayed on the display unit according to the customer identification information acquired by the acquisition means, and make it work The output means outputs order information that associates the customer code acquired by the acquisition means with the product identification information entered into the input means. The display control means is a program that changes the operation screen displayed on the display unit according to the customer's facial image data acquired by the acquisition means.

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