System, program, and off-site reservation acceptance method
The order management system addresses the challenge of handling reservations from outside the store by incorporating reservation control and notification features, ensuring seamless order processing even in unforeseen circumstances.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- TERAOKA SEIKO CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2021-11-29
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-04
Smart Images
Figure 0007869999000001 
Figure 0007869999000002 
Figure 0007869999000003
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a system, a program, and an off-site reservation acceptance method that are suitable for use when accepting reservation orders from outside the store etc.
Background Art
[0002] Conventionally, reservation orders from outside the store have been accepted by a customer's mobile terminal, a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as "PC"), etc.
Prior Art Documents
Patent Documents
[0003]
Patent Document 1
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0004] However, due to various events such as congestion in the store, absence of store clerks, etc., there were cases where it became impossible to handle the reservation orders from outside the store.
[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object thereof is to provide a system, a program, and an off-site reservation acceptance method that can smoothly handle reservation orders from outside the store.
Means for Solving the Problems
[0006] The present invention is A store-specific order management system is configured by connecting a terminal for taking orders, a terminal for processing payments, and a terminal for displaying cooking instructions within the store in a communicative manner, and the system also accepts reservations from outside the store, wherein the store-specific order management system is off-site reservation acceptance means for accepting an off-site reservation regarding a product or service received at a store, and by the off-site reservation acceptance means From outside the storeThe system comprises a means for prohibiting the acceptance of reservations, a means for lifting the prohibition on accepting off-site reservations imposed by the means for prohibiting the acceptance of reservations, and an opening acceptance means for accepting processing related to opening the store, wherein the means for lifting the prohibition on accepting off-site reservations lifts the prohibition on accepting off-site reservations when an acceptance is made by the opening acceptance means. Furthermore, the store-specific order management system includes a display means that displays an operator indicating the prohibition of accepting reservations from outside the store using the aforementioned reservation prohibition means. It's in the system. [Brief explanation of the drawing]
[0007] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram showing one example configuration of System (Order Management System) 1. [Figure 2] This diagram shows an example of a functional block for the in-store server 10. [Figure 3] This figure shows an example of a functional block of the POS device 20. [Figure 4] This figure shows an example of the functional blocks of the portable device 100 (130). [Figure 5] This is a schematic flowchart illustrating the process when a customer makes an order reservation outside the store using a customer-accessible device 100 (or a personal computer 150). [Figure 6] This is a diagram of the store selection screen G1. [Figure 7] This is a diagram showing the menu selection screen G3. [Figure 8] This figure shows screen G4 after selecting a menu item. [Figure 9] This is a diagram of the menu selection screen G3'. [Figure 10] This is a flowchart illustrating the operation for setting up an emergency store closure to prohibit online reservations. [Figure 11] This is a diagram showing the management system screen H1. [Figure 12] This is a diagram of the order quantity editing screen (H3). [Figure 13] This diagram shows the H4 screen for managing store menus. [Modes for carrying out the invention]
[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing one example configuration of System 1 to which the present invention is applied. This System 1 is a system for accepting reservation orders from outside the store, and in this embodiment, it will be referred to as the Order Management System 1. As shown in the figure, the Order Management System 1 is configured by connecting multiple store-specific management systems 1A, 1B, and 1C, a customer portable device (reservation request terminal) 100 for outside the store, a customer personal computer (reservation request terminal) 150 for outside the store, and a cloud server 170 via a network 160 such as the Internet. In this embodiment, the number of stores is △△ store, □□ store, and ○○ store, which is 3 stores.
[0009] Each store-specific management system 1A, 1B, 1C, etc., has the same configuration, so let me explain store-specific management system 1A. Store-specific management system 1A is equipped with an in-store server (management device, store controller) 10, a POS device 20, a self-order terminal 40, a kitchen device 50, a reception terminal 70, an access point 80, a customer portable device (in-store) 100, and a staff portable device 130, and each device is connected to communicate via LAN 140. This order management system 1 is installed, for example, in a restaurant.
[0010] The customer mobile devices 100 used inside the store and the customer mobile devices 100 used outside the store have the same configuration and are both reservation request terminals. These customer mobile devices 100 include mobile phones, smartphones, and tablet PCs owned by customers. When receiving services such as the cloud server 170 and the in-store server 10, customers use methods such as downloading a dedicated application in advance, using a web browser, or using mobile ordering (a system for ordering and paying from a smartphone). The customer personal computer 150 is a personal computer owned by the customer and is a reservation request terminal. When the customer personal computer 150 receives services such as the cloud server 170 and the in-store server 10, customers use methods similar to those for the customer mobile devices 100, such as downloading a dedicated application in advance or using a web browser.
[0011] Alternatively, a cloud service (external server) may be used instead of the in-store server 10. In this case, the external server will act as the management device. The LAN 140 connection can be either wired or wireless. The access point 80 is connected to the customer mobile device (in-store) 100 and the employee mobile device 130 via wireless LAN.
[0012] The in-store server 10 is a computer that controls the store-specific order management system 1A and manages various information such as the menu master file (product master file). The menu master file is updated as needed. The in-store server 10 periodically transmits the latest menu master file as a menu file (product file) to the POS device 20, self-order terminal 40, and portable devices 100, 130, etc.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the functional blocks of the in-store server 10. As shown in the figure, the in-store server 10 includes a CPU 11, a ROM 12, a RAM 13, a display unit 14, a hard disk 15, an operation unit 16, and a communication unit 17, and these components are connected to each other via a communication line 18. The CPU 11 controls the operation of the in-store server 10 by executing the control program stored in the ROM 12. The ROM 12 stores various information such as the control program. The RAM 13 temporarily stores various information. The display unit 14 is, for example, a liquid crystal display, and displays information to the store clerk who operates the in-store server 10. The hard disk 15 is a storage means for storing various files (for example, menu files, instruction files, print format files, order data files, accounting files, etc.) and various settlement information. The operation unit 16 has various keys and the like for receiving various instructions from the store clerk who operates the in-store server 10. The communication unit 17 is a communication interface for communicating with various external devices via the LAN 140. Also, for example, the in-store server 10 includes a totaling unit, and generates totaling information (for example, sales performance information such as a daily report) based on the information stored in the storage unit such as the RAM 13 and the hard disk 15 in response to an instruction from the store clerk or at a predetermined time.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the functional blocks of the POS device 20. The POS device 20 is used when a customer who dines or takes out food in the store settles the bill. As shown in the figure, the POS device 20 includes a CPU 21 that controls the operation of this POS device 20, a hard disk 22 that stores customer purchase information, etc., a ROM 23 that stores programs executed by the CPU 21, a RAM 24 that temporarily stores various information (e.g., menu files obtained from the in-store server 10), a scanner unit 25 that optically reads barcodes, etc., attached to products, etc., a display unit 26 that displays the names and prices of menu items, etc., a receipt printing unit 28, a drawer unit 29 that stores cash, gift vouchers, etc., a communication unit 30 that communicates with external devices such as the in-store server 10 via the LAN 140, and an operation unit 31 that includes various operation buttons for operating the POS device 20. Each component is connected to each other via a communication line 32. The POS device 20 may be a POS device (settlement device) for store clerks or a POS device (self / semi-self settlement device) for customers.
[0015] In this example, the kitchen device 50 is a kitchen monitor that displays cooking instruction data for the ordered dishes (products) on the screen and is generally installed near the kitchen (cooking area). The store clerk who cooks in the kitchen cooks according to the cooking instruction content displayed on the kitchen device 50. The kitchen device 50 receives a cooking instruction command transmitted when receiving an order for a dish from the mobile devices 100, 130, etc., and displays the cooking instruction content. Instead of the kitchen monitor, the kitchen device 50 may be a kitchen printer that prints out the cooking instruction content on a receipt, or both may be installed. The receipt to be printed out is a cooking instruction ticket, a serving receipt, etc.
[0016] The reception terminal 70 is installed, for example, near the entrance of the store and is a device for a store clerk or a customer to input a desired table or seat. Information such as the number of people and the type of seat (counter / table) is input to the reception terminal 70. When linked with a seat reservation system, it may be a terminal for managing the entry of customers with seat reservations and receiving seat requests from customers without seat reservations.
[0017] Customer mobile devices 100 are generally mobile devices such as smartphones owned by customers, and employee mobile devices 130 are specially designed mobile devices for store use or mobile devices such as smartphones, but all mobile devices have a similar configuration. Customer mobile devices 100 also include mobile devices such as tablet PCs that are provided separately to customers within the store. Both mobile devices 100 and 130 have touch panels 107 and 137 on their surfaces, as shown in Figure 1. Specially designed mobile devices for store use may be used by employees to take additional orders even if the customer does not possess a smartphone or has placed an order in advance using a smartphone. Since the functional block configurations of customer mobile devices 100 used inside the store, customer mobile terminals 100 used outside the store, and employee mobile devices 130 are almost identical, they will be described together below.
[0018] Figure 4 shows an example of the functional blocks of the portable device 100(130). As shown in the figure, the portable device 100(130) is configured by interconnecting a CPU 101(131), a ROM 103(133), a RAM 105(135), a touch panel (display and operation unit) 107(137), a communication unit 109(139), an operation button unit 111(141), and an imaging unit 113(143) via a communication line 115(145). The CPU 101(131) executes various programs. The ROM 103(133) stores, for example, various programs executed by the CPU 101(131) and image data displayed on the touch panel 107(137). The RAM 105(135) temporarily stores, for example, various files received from the in-store server 10 (for example, menu files) and data generated by the CPU 101(131). The touch panel 107 (137) is a device that combines a display device that displays various images, such as an LCD panel, with a position input device, such as a touchpad, and serves as a selection means (input device) for selecting a predetermined service by pressing (touching) the display on the screen. The communication unit 109 (139) is a transmission and reception means that transmits and receives information with other external devices via the access point 80 (or network 160 in the case of a customer's portable device 100 outside the store). The operation button unit 111 (141) consists of, for example, a power switch button and operation buttons, and accepts input operations from the customer or store clerk who is the operator. The imaging unit 113 (143) takes photographs and is also a scanner unit that has a function to photograph authentication information, such as a 2D code, and extract the information contained in the authentication information, i.e., a scanning function.
[0019] In the store using the store-specific order management system 1A configured as described above, customers and staff place orders using in-store customer-use devices 100 and staff-use mobile terminals 130. Outside the store, customers place reservations by specifying the store they wish to use using customer-use devices 100 or customer-use personal computers 150.
[0020] However, in the case of a store that accepts the above-mentioned pre-orders, if an unexpected event occurs, such as the store becoming too crowded to process orders, an employee who was supposed to be working suddenly being absent or suddenly quitting, the store experiencing a power outage, the store's cooking equipment (e.g., an electric fryer) malfunctioning, or running out of ingredients for preparing the products (in the case of ingredients, the importance of the ingredients may be weighted when deciding whether or not to close the store in an emergency as described below), the store will be unable to accept the pre-orders.
[0021] In such situations, when a customer in the store places an order, they can easily become aware of the prohibition status and its lifting by having the customer carry a portable device 100, having a store employee explain it directly to the customer, or by displaying the prohibition status in the store.
[0022] On the other hand, if a customer is outside the store and places a reservation order, accepting the reservation regardless of the store's situation (for the reasons mentioned above) could lead to a problem where the customer is unable to pick up their reserved item when they visit the store. Therefore, if the store is unable to handle such reservations, the reservation system must be set to not accept reservations. The following describes the operation of order management system 1 when a customer is outside the store and places a reservation order, including both cases where the reservation is prohibited and when the prohibition has been lifted.
[0023] Figure 5 is a schematic workflow diagram for when a customer makes an order reservation outside the store using a customer-carrying device 100 (or a personal computer 150). As shown in the figure, the customer first launches a dedicated application and sends and receives data to receive the service from the cloud server 170 or the in-store server 10. At this time, if there are no stores that do not accept reservations (hereinafter also referred to as "stores that have closed due to emergency"), the process moves from "N" in step 1-1 to step 1-2, and for example, the store selection screen G1 shown in Figure 6 is displayed on the touch panel 107 of the customer-carrying device 100. Note that the store selection button G19 on the store selection screen G1 at this time differs from the display shown in Figure 6, and is displayed with the words "○○ Restaurant □□ Branch" enclosed in a solid rectangular frame.
[0024] The store selection screen G1 displays a store image display area G11, a store selection area G13, and a store login area G15. The store selection area G13 displays three store selection buttons G17, G19, and G21. The store login area G15 displays a new customer registration button G23 and a login button G25. The user then selects a store by pressing one of the store selection buttons G17, G19, or G21 (Step 1-4). If the number of selectable stores cannot be displayed on the screen of the store selection area G13, this can be addressed by providing page switching buttons or scroll buttons.
[0025] On the other hand, if there is a store that does not allow reservations in step 1-1 (in this example, store □□), the process moves from "Y" in step 1-1 to step 1-3, and a display modified as shown in Figure 6 is shown on the touch panel 107 of the customer's portable device 100, for example, by changing the display of the store selection button G19.
[0026] In other words, the store selection screen G1 displays the same store image display field G11, store selection field G13, and store login field G15 as described above. However, in this case, the store selection button G19, which is used to select "□□ store" among the three store selection buttons G17, G19, and G21, is displayed differently from the other store selection buttons G17 and G21. In this example, it is displayed darker (grayed out) than the other store selection buttons G17 and G21, and displays the message "Currently unavailable." Furthermore, pressing the store selection button G19 does not allow selection (it does not respond). In other words, the touch panel 107, which is the display means, displays the information to be selected for reservation in a different manner depending on the content of the reservation prohibition, as shown in the store selection screen G1. The display manner to be changed may be either graying out or displaying the message, or it may be a different display manner. Then, press either the selectable store selection button G17 or G21 to select a store, and then press the login button G25 to complete the store selection (Step 1-4).
[0027] Once the store selection is complete, the customer confirms the pickup date and available pickup time (the pickup time is specified after ordering), and then a menu selection screen G3, as shown in Figure 7, is displayed on the touch panel 107 (Step 1-5). The menu selection screen G3 displays the menu selection fields G31 and the selection status confirmation button G33.
[0028] At this point, since you haven't selected a menu item yet, proceed from "N" in step 1-6 to step 1-9, and select and enter your order data by clicking on the display area of one of the menu items in menu selection field G31 (in this example, "Ginger Pork Set Meal").
[0029] This will display the menu selection screen G4, as shown in Figure 8 (Step 1-10). The menu selection screen G4 displays an image field G41 for the selected product, an option selection field G43, a quantity change button G45, and a selection confirmation button G47. After selecting the amount of rice in the option selection field G43 and the quantity of the product using the quantity change button G45, pressing the selection confirmation button G47 will return you to the menu selection screen G3' shown in Figure 9 (Step 1-5). If you want to select more menu items, you can repeat the process as described above, by pressing any menu item displayed in the menu selection field G31 on the menu selection screen G3' to enter the order data and display the menu selection screen G4 again as shown in Figure 8.
[0030] Note that option selection field G43 is not limited to rice type; it can display and allow selection of toppings and other various optional information.
[0031] In this example, assuming that only the aforementioned single menu item (ginger pork set meal) is selected, the selection status confirmation button G33 on the menu selection screen G3' shown in Figure 9 is pressed ("Y" in step 1-6), then the order details confirmation screen (not shown) is displayed to confirm the order details, and then the pickup time selection screen (not shown) is displayed to select the pickup time for the product. This pickup time selection screen displays a pickup time specification button to specify the time and minute of pickup, and an immediate pickup button (the button displays "Pick up as soon as possible") for immediate pickup. After selecting the pickup time, a login screen (not shown) is displayed, so the user logs in, transitions to a payment screen (not shown), and the payment process, such as credit card payment, is executed, and the selected order data is sent to the store-specific management system 1A via the cloud server 170 or directly (step 1-7). The customer's portable device 100 that sent the order data receives information that the order has been accepted, either directly from the store-specific management system 1A or via the cloud server 170, and displays a message on its touch panel 107 indicating that the order has been confirmed (step 1-8). This completes the series of pre-orders placed using the customer's portable device 100 located outside the store.
[0032] Next, we will explain the process of prohibiting online reservations via the in-store server 10 (or cloud server 170, if applicable) of the store-specific management system 1A.
[0033] Figure 10 is an operation flow diagram for setting up an emergency closure to prohibit online orders from outside the store. For example, if store □□ becomes unable to accept online orders from outside the store due to an unexpected event (e.g., store congestion, employee absence / resignation, power outage, partial equipment failure, ingredient inventory status), a login screen (not shown) will be displayed on the display unit 14 of the in-store server 10 of the store-specific management system 1A. The user will log in by entering their user ID and password, and then proceed to the store management screen, which will display the store management system screen H1 shown in Figure 11 (Step 2-1). Note that the "Emergency Closure Cancellation" button in the Emergency Closure Setting / Cancellation Button H23 on the management system screen H1 will be displayed as the "Emergency Closure" button.
[0034] The upper section of the management system screen H1 displays the store search field H11. In the diagram, no store is selected to manage, so the lower section, the store display field H13, displays a list of information for all stores handled by the company (△△ store, □□ store, ○○ store). Specifically, the store display field H13 displays the store code H15, store name H17, business hours H19, reservation availability H21, etc. for each store, and also displays the emergency closing setting / cancellation button H23, the detailed display button H25, the edit button H27, the order quantity edit button H29, and the menu edit button H30. In addition, the program version of the management system, "Ver:10.xxx~", is displayed in the lower left of the management system screen H1. This program version is also displayed in the order quantity editing screen H3 in Figure 12 and the store menu management screen H4 in Figure 13 below.
[0035] The Emergency Closing Setting / Release Button H23 is a button that specifies whether to prohibit or unprohibit off-site pre-orders related to the present invention. The Detailed Display Button H25 is a button that instructs the display of other information that cannot be fully displayed in the Store Display Field H13, such as the store's address, business hours, and telephone number. The Edit Button H27 is a button that displays a screen for editing the store details. The Order Quantity Edit Button H29 is a button that displays the Order Quantity Edit Screen H3, described below, which sets the upper limit of the number of pre-orders for each time period (for example, every 15 minutes). The Menu Edit Button H30 is a button that displays the Store Menu Management Screen H4, described below, which allows editing the products handled by the store.
[0036] In this example, the management system screen H1 is shown when an employee with operator privileges to operate all stores logs in, so the store display field H13 shows all stores as operable. However, depending on the operator privileges, the management system screen H1 may display a store display field H13 that allows operation of only a limited number of stores. To explain operator privileges in more detail, for example, a part-time employee may be able to perform various editing operations described later, but not the emergency closure setting / cancellation operation. A store manager may be able to perform both various editing operations and emergency closure setting / cancellation operations for the store in question. An area manager or other person with the authority to manage multiple stores may be able to perform various editing operations and emergency closure setting / cancellation operations for multiple stores under their responsibility. In other words, this order management system 1 has a determination means that determines which stores can be operated using the emergency closure setting / cancellation button (reservation acceptance prohibition means) H23 based on the operator privileges.
[0037] Then, when the emergency closure setting / cancel button H23 (which functions as an emergency closure setting button in this case) for the store where the sudden event occurred is pressed ("Y" in step 2-2), the information that the store will be closed urgently is stored in the hard disk 15 or RAM 13 of the in-store server 10, or in the storage means of the cloud server 170 (step 2-3), and the display of the emergency closure setting / cancel button H23 is changed from "Emergency Closure" to "Emergency Closure Cancelled" as shown in Figure 11 (step 2-4). Alternatively, when the above emergency closure setting / cancel button H23 is pressed ("Y" in step 2-2), a confirmation screen (not shown) may be displayed as a pop-up screen, displaying a message such as "Orders from the store list on the customer screen will be unavailable for the target store. Do you want to close the store urgently?", and when the "OK button" on the confirmation screen is pressed, the system may proceed to step 2-3.
[0038] As a result, as described above, it becomes impossible to place a reservation order for store □□ from the customer's portable device 100 outside the store. That is, at this time, the customer's portable device 100 displays a store where reservations are prohibited (store □□), as shown in the store selection screen G2 in Figure 6. If this state is maintained, the system proceeds to "N" in step 2-5, "N" in step 2-8, and "N" in step 2-11, and this state is retained.
[0039] Furthermore, when the Emergency Closure Setting / Cancellation button H23 is pressed as described above (and after confirmation on the confirmation screen above), a pop-up screen for inputting the reason for prohibition (additional means) may be displayed, for example, with text such as "Please enter the reason for prohibition" along with options for the reason for prohibition, such as "1. Store congestion, 2. Staff absence, 3. Equipment failure, 4...." and the user can select one of them. By providing an additional means for adding the reason for prohibition when prohibition is carried out by pressing the Emergency Closure Setting / Cancellation button H23, it becomes possible to link and store the emergency closure and its reason, analyze the cause of the emergency closure, analyze countermeasures, and provide feedback to reduce its frequency. In addition, if the time when the Emergency Closure Setting / Cancellation button H23 was pressed is also stored, the period and number of times emergency closures were implemented can also be compiled, which can be used for more accurate analysis of store operations.
[0040] On the other hand, if the sudden incident at store □□ is resolved, pressing the emergency closure setting / cancel button H23 (which functions as an emergency closure cancel button in this case) on the management system screen H2 shown in Figure 11 again ("Y" in step 2-5) will store information that the store has been released from emergency closure in the hard disk 15 or RAM 13 of the in-store server 10, or in the storage means of the cloud server 170 (step 2-6). Then, the display of the emergency closure setting / cancel button H23 will be changed from "Release Emergency Closure" as shown in Figure 11 to "Emergency Closure" (step 2-7). When the emergency closure setting / cancel button H23 is pressed, a confirmation screen (not shown) may be displayed as a pop-up screen, displaying a message such as "Orders for the target store will be possible from the store list on the customer screen. Do you want to cancel the emergency closure?", and when the "OK button" on the confirmation screen is pressed, the system may proceed to step 2-6.
[0041] This enables customers to place reservations for store □□ from their mobile device 100 outside the store. Specifically, at this time, the customer mobile device 100 displays the store selection screen G1 shown in Figure 6 as having no stores where reservations are prohibited. If this state is maintained, the system proceeds to "N" in step 2-8 and "N" in step 2-11, and this state is retained.
[0042] Next, when the order quantity editing button H29 is pressed on the management system screen H1 shown in Figure 11 ("Y" in Step 2-8), the order quantity editing screen H3 shown in Figure 12 is displayed. The order quantity editing screen H3 displays the time-based reservation quantity editing field H31. The time-based reservation quantity editing field H31 displays a list of the maximum number of items that can be reserved at predetermined time intervals within the reservation period, and can be edited according to the store's circumstances. In this example, the maximum number of reserved orders is displayed at 15-minute intervals between 7:00 and 22:00, which is the reservation period. This maximum number of reserved orders is edited by operating the order quantity editing screen H3 (Step 2-10).
[0043] Furthermore, when customers place an order using a portable device 100 from outside the store, if the number of reserved orders for the selected store and the selected pickup time has reached the maximum number of reserved orders, the system can be configured to prohibit reserved orders for that product. In addition, if the number of reserved orders for a product reaches the maximum number, the store may be closed immediately. If an emergency closure is implemented, the store may be automatically disabled (without having to press the emergency closure setting / cancel button H23 on the management system screen H1 shown in Figure 11), for example, as shown by the store selection button G19 in the store selection field G13 on the store selection screen G1 in Figure 6.
[0044] Next, when the menu editing button H30 is pressed on the management system screen H1 shown in Figure 11 ("Y" in Step 2-11), the store menu management screen H4 shown in Figure 13 is displayed. The store menu management screen H4 displays the target store information field H41, the search information field H43, and the product-specific information field H45. The target store information field H41 displays the target stores. The search information field H43 is for searching for target stores. The product-specific information field H45 displays detailed information such as the product name and unit price of each product handled at the target store. On this store menu management screen H4, the service details of the products for each store are edited as needed (Step 2-13).
[0045] Incidentally, regarding in-store orders, staff and customers inside the store can easily recognize the level of congestion, making it easy and smooth to prohibit or lift restrictions on those orders. However, with off-site reservations, there was a risk that staff might forget to prohibit or lift restrictions if they weren't consciously aware of them. Therefore, instead of manually pressing the emergency closing setting / release button H23 as in the above embodiment, or in conjunction with manual operation, it may be configured to perform this automatically.
[0046] The following are examples of situations in which an automatic emergency store closure will occur: (1) to (3) below. In such cases, the in-store server 10, POS device 20, cloud server 170, etc., will receive the relevant information and automatically close the store in question. (1) When the number of pre-orders placed outside the store (and in some cases both inside and outside the store) reaches a predetermined upper limit (linked to the number of orders), as described above. (2) When the person in charge receives notification that the staff member who was supposed to be in charge has suddenly taken leave, they register the staff member's absence in the in-store server 10, POS device 20, or cloud server 170 (linked to staff attendance). (3) When a sensor detects an abnormality in the condition of equipment within the store, or when an employee inputs this information by operating the in-store server 10, POS device 20, kitchen equipment 50, etc. (linked to the condition of the store equipment).
[0047] The following are examples of cases in which an emergency closure will be automatically lifted: (1) to (6) below. In such cases, the in-store server 10, POS device 20, cloud server 170, etc., will receive the relevant information and automatically lift the emergency closure for the store in question. (1) If a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the store was closed for an emergency (linked to the elapsed time). (2) When the number of pre-orders placed outside the store (and in some cases both inside and outside the store) (including the total quantity of all products and the quantity of individual products) falls below a predetermined upper limit by a predetermined number, and pre-orders can be accepted (linked to the number of orders). (3) When the person in charge receives notification that a replacement has been found for an absent staff member, they register the replacement of the staff member in the in-store server 10, POS device 20, or cloud server 170 (linked to staff attendance). (4) When the status of the equipment in the store has returned to normal due to repair or inspection, the sensor detects this, or when a store employee inputs this information by operating the in-store server 10, POS device 20, kitchen equipment 50, etc. (linked to the status of the store equipment). (5) The system will automatically deactivate at a pre-set time (linked to the scheduled time). For example, if you know the peak hours, you can pre-set a time after those peak hours. Alternatively, you can deactivate the emergency closing at the closing time to avoid disruption to the next business day. (6) When a predetermined daily operation is received, the emergency closure is automatically canceled (linked to daily operations). Daily operations include, for example, closing procedures performed when the store closes. Terminals installed in the store and used for settlement, such as POS terminals and ticket vending machines, may hold cash, and there are tasks such as collecting sales proceeds and setting aside cash for the next business day. In addition, the emergency closure can be automatically canceled in conjunction with the aggregation of daily sales data, journal printing, and communication of sales data with the server or cloud. This ensures that there are no disruptions on the next business day. Daily operations also include opening procedures, and in this case as well, the emergency closure executed on the previous business day may be automatically canceled in conjunction with tasks and operations performed when the store is opening, such as inserting cash into POS terminals and ticket vending machines and setting receipts. The means for receiving such opening or closing procedures may be called the opening / closing acceptance means, and the system may be configured so that the prohibition on accepting off-site reservations is lifted when an acceptance is made by the opening / closing acceptance means. In any of the above automatic deactivation methods, the fact that the deactivation has occurred will be notified to the store staff through one of the several notification methods described below.
[0048] Alternatively, instead of automatically closing or reopening the store upon meeting the conditions for emergency closure or reopening as described above, the system could be configured to notify employees when the conditions for emergency closure or reopening are met, with the actual emergency closure or reopening being performed manually by the employees.
[0049] That is, for example, instead of automatically canceling the emergency closure after a predetermined time has elapsed since the emergency closure, either manually or automatically, the system may be configured to provide a notification means that displays a pop-up screen on the display unit 14 of the in-store server 10 or the touch panel 137 of the employee's portable device 130, for example, an announcement such as "XX minutes have passed since the emergency closure. Please consider canceling it," once or multiple times after the predetermined time has elapsed. The notification method may also be other means such as sound or vibration.
[0050] Alternatively, a combination of manual and automatic methods could be used, where emergency closures are handled manually, while easily forgotten emergency closure cancellations are automated.
[0051] Alternatively, instead of automatically lifting the emergency closure (or in conjunction with it), the system may be configured to continuously display a message such as "□□ Store is currently closed due to emergency" on one of the display screens of the in-store server 10, POS device 20, kitchen equipment 50, or employee handheld device 130 when the store is closed due to emergency. Furthermore, if a kitchen printer is used as the kitchen equipment 50 of a store that is closed due to emergency, the kitchen printer may print a message at predetermined intervals indicating that the store is currently closed due to emergency. Any of these devices that provide such notifications constitute a notification means.
[0052] Furthermore, the display of emergency closure and the lifting of emergency closure (and changes to the display method) may be displayed not only on customer portable devices 100 and customer personal computers 150 outside the store, but also on the various devices within the store-specific management system 1A, such as the self-order terminal 40, the reception terminal 70, and the customer portable device 100. In addition, although not shown in the diagram, the display of emergency closure and its lifting (and changes to the display method) may also be displayed on ticket vending machines and table tablets used by customers to place orders, which can be installed within the store-specific management system 1A.
[0053] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims, specification, and drawings. Furthermore, any configuration not directly described in the specification and drawings is within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention as long as it achieves the function and effect of the present invention. For example, although the above-described order management system 1 was explained as an order management system 1 for a restaurant that accepts reservations for menu items (products) from outside the store, it may also target products other than restaurant menus, or it can be used as an order management system for various services other than products (for example, reservations for seats in restaurants, or reservations for various services such as barber shops, beauty salons, hospitals, and chiropractic clinics).
[0054] Furthermore, while the above description of the embodiment shows an example of making an order reservation from outside the store using a customer's portable device 100 while outside the store, the reservation order may also be made from a customer's personal computer 150, or from various other reservation request terminals not shown. These customer portable devices 100 and customer personal computers 150 are means for receiving reservations outside the store, but the concept of means for receiving reservations outside the store is broad and includes not only screen input via a mobile application (reception on the application screen side), but also reception of entered reservation data (reception means for store-specific management systems 1A to 1C and cloud server 170).
[0055] As described above, the order management system 1 includes customer-use portable devices 100 and customer-use personal computers 150 that accept reservations from outside the store for goods or services to be picked up at the store, as well as in-store servers 10, POS devices 20, and cloud servers 170 that accept reservations from outside the store from these devices; reservation prohibition means such as an emergency closing setting button H23 that prohibits the acceptance of reservations by the said off-store reservation acceptance means; and reservation prohibition release means such as an emergency closing release button H23 that releases the prohibition on accepting off-store reservations by the said off-store reservation prohibition means. This enables the order management system 1 to respond appropriately to reservations made from outside the store.
[0056] Furthermore, the order management system 1 has reservation request terminals such as a customer portable device 100 or a customer personal computer 150 that can request a reservation from outside the store. The reservation request terminal is equipped with a display means such as a touch panel 107 that displays information to be selected for the reservation. The display means changes the format of the information to be selected for the reservation on the store selection screen G1, G2, etc. of the touch panel 107 according to the content of the prohibition by the reservation prohibition means, so that the state of prohibition on accepting reservations from outside the store can be easily recognized.
[0057] Furthermore, the above-mentioned order management system 1 includes an opening / closing reception means for accepting processing related to opening or closing the store, and the reception prohibition release means releases the prohibition on accepting off-site reservations when an order is received by the opening / closing reception means. Therefore, the emergency closure can be automatically and reliably released when opening or closing the store, without forgetting to release the emergency closure.
[0058] Furthermore, the order management system 1 is equipped with a notification mechanism that notifies the status of the order acceptance prohibition mechanism, for example, when a predetermined time has elapsed since the store has closed for an emergency, thus preventing the system from leaving the state of prohibiting the acceptance of off-site reservations unattended.
[0059] Furthermore, the order management system 1 is equipped with a storage means (such as an in-store server 10, a cloud server 170, or a POS device 20) that stores the reason for prohibiting a reservation when the reservation is prohibited by the aforementioned reservation prohibition means. By aggregating this data, it becomes possible to analyze the causes and countermeasures for reservation prohibitions, thereby reducing the frequency of reservation prohibitions.
[0060] Summary of Embodiments [Technical field] The present invention relates to a system, program, and method for accepting reservations from outside the store, which are suitable for use in situations such as accepting reservations from outside the store. [Background technology] Traditionally, reservations and orders placed outside the store have been accepted via customers' mobile devices or personal computers (hereinafter referred to as "PCs"). [Prior art document] [Patent] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2015-191574 [Overview of the prefecture] [Problems the invention aims to solve] However, due to various factors such as store congestion or staff absences, there were times when it became impossible to fulfill the aforementioned pre-orders placed outside the store. This invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned points, and its purpose is to provide a system, program, and method for accepting reservations from outside the store that can handle reservations from outside the store smoothly.
[0061] [Means for solving the problem] The present invention relates to a system comprising: an off-site reservation acceptance means for accepting reservations from outside the store for goods or services to be picked up at the store; a reservation prohibition means for prohibiting the acceptance of reservations by the off-site reservation acceptance means; and a reservation prohibition release means for releasing the prohibition on accepting off-site reservations by the reservation prohibition means. In stores that accept pre-orders (for example, restaurants), unforeseen events (for example, store congestion, employee absence or resignation, power outage, equipment malfunction, or ingredient inventory issues) may prevent them from accepting pre-orders from outside the store. However, according to the present invention, the acceptance of pre-orders from outside the store can be prohibited by the acceptance prohibition means, and the prohibition can be lifted by the acceptance prohibition release means, making it possible to respond appropriately to pre-orders from outside the store. Examples of methods for accepting reservations outside the store include reservation request terminals (such as smartphones or personal computers) that allow customers to request reservations from outside the store, and communication units of management devices or POS systems installed inside the store that receive reservations from such terminals. The operation to prohibit the acceptance of off-site reservations using the reservation prohibition method may be manual or automatic. In the case of automatic operation, the conditions for prohibiting off-site reservations may be linked to, for example, an increase in the number of reservations, employee attendance, or the status of store equipment. The operation to lift the ban on accepting off-site reservations using the reservation ban lifting mechanism may be manual or automatic. In the case of automatic operation, the conditions for lifting the ban on accepting off-site reservations may be linked to factors such as the time elapsed since the ban was lifted, a decrease in the number of reservations, employee attendance, and the status of store equipment.
[0062] In addition to the above features, the present invention also includes a reservation request terminal that requests a reservation from outside the store, the reservation request terminal is equipped with a display means for displaying information to be selected for the reservation, and the display means is equipped with a display that changes the form of the information to be selected for the reservation according to the content of the prohibition by the acceptance prohibition means. According to the present invention, the display means of the reservation request terminal changes the form of information to be selected for the reservation according to the content of the prohibition, so that the state of prohibition on accepting off-site reservations can be easily recognized.
[0063] In addition to the above features, the present invention also includes an opening / closing reception means for receiving processing related to opening or closing a store, and the reception prohibition release means releases the prohibition on receiving off-site reservations when a reception is made by the opening / closing reception means. According to the present invention, the emergency closure can be automatically and reliably canceled at opening or closing time, without forgetting to cancel it.
[0064] In addition to the above features, the present invention is also characterized by comprising a notification means for notifying the status of the reception prohibition means. According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent leaving the store in a state where it is prohibited from accepting reservations made outside the store. Methods of notification include periodically (or continuously) displaying a pop-up screen on the management device of the order management system, the POS system, or the display screen of the in-store mobile terminal to inform customers that accepting reservations outside the store is currently prohibited.
[0065] In addition to the above features, the present invention is also characterized by comprising a storage means that, when a reservation is prohibited by the reservation prohibition means, stores the reason for the reservation prohibition in association with the content of the reservation prohibition. Reservation cancellations are rare. Therefore, if we remember the reasons for them, we can analyze the causes and countermeasures for reservation cancellations by compiling this data, and reduce the frequency of reservation cancellations.
[0066] Furthermore, in addition to the above features, it is preferable that the present invention also includes a determination means for determining which stores can be operated using the reception prohibition means based on the operator's authority. According to the present invention, proper management can be performed based on operator authority.
[0067] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a program that causes a computer, as a system for accepting reservations from outside a store, to function as an off-site reservation acceptance means for accepting off-site reservations for goods or services to be received at the store, an acceptance prohibition means for prohibiting the acceptance of reservations by the off-site reservation acceptance means, and an acceptance prohibition release means for releasing the prohibition on accepting off-site reservations by the acceptance prohibition means.
[0068] Furthermore, the present invention relates to an off-site reservation acceptance method for accepting reservations from outside the store, characterized by comprising: an off-site reservation acceptance step for accepting off-site reservations for goods or services to be received at the store; a reservation prohibition step for prohibiting the acceptance of reservations made through the off-site reservation acceptance step; and a reservation prohibition release step for releasing the prohibition on accepting off-site reservations made through the reservation prohibition step.
[0069] Furthermore, the Order Management System 1 may perform the above-mentioned processing by recording a program for realizing the functions of the Order Management System 1 (a system connecting store-specific management systems 1A, 1B, 1C, cloud server 170, customer mobile devices 100, customer PCs 150, etc., via network 160) on a computer-readable recording medium, loading the program recorded on this recording medium into the Order Management System 1 as a computer system, and executing it. Here, "loading the program recorded on the recording medium into the computer system and executing it" includes installing the program into the computer system. Here, "computer system" includes hardware such as the OS and peripheral devices. Also, "computer system" may include multiple computer devices connected via a network including communication lines such as the Internet, WAN, LAN, and dedicated lines. Also, "computer-readable recording medium" refers to portable media such as flexible disks, magneto-optical disks, ROMs, CD-ROMs, and storage devices such as hard disks built into the computer system. Thus, the recording medium storing the program may be a non-transient recording medium such as a CD-ROM. Also, the recording medium includes internal or external recording media that can be accessed from the distribution server for distributing the program. The program code stored on the distribution server's recording medium may be different from the program code in an executable format on the terminal device. In other words, as long as it can be downloaded from the distribution server and installed in an executable format on the terminal device, the format in which it is stored on the distribution server is irrelevant. Furthermore, the program may be divided into multiple parts, downloaded at different times and then combined on the terminal device, and each of the divided programs may be distributed by a different distribution server. In addition, "computer-readable recording medium" includes volatile memory (RAM) within computer systems that act as servers or clients when a program is transmitted over a network, which retains the program for a certain period of time. Moreover, the above program may be intended to implement only a part of the functions described above.Furthermore, the above-mentioned functions may be realized in combination with programs already recorded in the computer system, such as so-called differential files (differential programs).
[0070] Furthermore, the embodiments described above and shown in the figures can be combined, provided that there is no contradiction in their purpose and structure. Also, even if only a part of the descriptions above and shown in the figures is included, each can constitute an independent embodiment, and the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to a single embodiment that combines the above descriptions and figures. [Explanation of Symbols]
[0071] 1…Order management system (system), 1A, 1B, 1C…Store-specific management system, 10…In-store server (management device, store controller), 11…CPU, 12…ROM, 13…RAM, 14…Display unit, 15…Hard disk, 16…Operation unit, 17…Communication unit, 18…Communication line, 20…POS device, 21…CPU, 22…Hard disk, 23…ROM, 24…RAM, 25…Scanner unit, 26…Display unit, 28…Receipt printing unit, 29…Cash drawer unit, 30…Communication unit, 31…Operation unit, 32…Communication Line, 40...Self-ordering terminal, 50...Kitchen equipment, 70...Reception terminal, 80...Access point, 100...Customer portable device (reservation request terminal), 130...Staff portable device, 101,131...CPU, 103,133...ROM, 105,135...RAM, 107,137...Touch panel (display and operation unit), 109,139...Communication unit, 111,141...Operation button unit, 113,143...Imaging unit, 115,145...Communication line, 140...LAN, 150...Customer PC (reservation request terminal), 160 …Network, 170…Cloud Server, G1…Store Selection Screen, G11…Store Image Display Area, G13…Store Selection Area, G15…Store Login Area, G17, G19, G21…Store Selection Button, G23…New Customer Registration Button, G25…Login Button, G2…Store Selection Screen, G3, G3'…Menu Selection Screen, G31…Menu Selection Area, G33…Selection Status Confirmation Button, G4…Screen After Menu Selection, G41…Image Area, G43…Option Selection Area, G45…Quantity Change Button, G47… H1...Selection button, H1...Management system screen, H11...Store search field, H13...Store display field, H15...Store code, H17...Store name, H19...Business hours, H21...Reservation available time, H23...Emergency closing setting / cancel button, H25...Details display button, H27...Edit button, H29...Order quantity editing button, H30...Menu editing button, H3...Order quantity editing screen, H31...Hourly reservation available quantity editing field, H4...Store menu management screen, H41...Target store information field, H43...Search information field, H45...Product-specific information field.
Claims
1. A store-specific order management system comprising a terminal for taking orders, a terminal for processing payments, and a terminal for displaying cooking instructions, all of which are connected in a communicative manner within the store, and which also accepts reservations from outside the store, The aforementioned store-specific order management system is: A means of accepting reservations from outside the store for goods or services to be picked up at the store, A means of prohibiting the acceptance of reservations from outside the store using the aforementioned off-site reservation acceptance means, A means for lifting the prohibition on accepting off-site reservations, which was implemented by the aforementioned means for prohibiting reservations, It includes a means for accepting applications related to opening the store, The means for lifting the prohibition on accepting reservations lifts the prohibition on accepting reservations made outside the store once a reservation is made by the means for accepting reservations at the store opening. Furthermore, the store-specific order management system is a system that includes a display means for displaying an operator that instructs the prohibition of accepting reservations from outside the store using at least the aforementioned reservation prohibition means.
2. Equipped with a means to accept requests for closing procedures, The system according to claim 1, characterized in that the means for lifting the prohibition on accepting reservations lifts the prohibition on accepting reservations made by the means for accepting reservations made when a reservation is made by the means for accepting reservations made when the store closes.
3. The system according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a notification means for notifying the status of the reception prohibition means.
4. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that when a reservation is prohibited by the aforementioned reservation prohibition means, it is equipped with a storage means that stores the reason for the reservation prohibition in association with the content of the reservation prohibition.
5. A computer as a system that includes a store-specific order management system configured by communicating with a terminal for taking orders, a terminal for payment, and a terminal for displaying cooking instructions within the store, and also accepts reservation orders from outside the store, A means of accepting reservations from outside the store for goods or services to be picked up at the store, A means of prohibiting the acceptance of reservations from outside the store using the aforementioned off-site reservation acceptance means, A means for lifting the prohibition on accepting off-site reservations, which was implemented by the aforementioned means for prohibiting reservations, A means of accepting applications for opening procedures, and make it work Furthermore, the means for releasing the prohibition on accepting reservations is configured to release the prohibition on accepting reservations made outside the store when a reservation is made by the store opening reservation means. Furthermore, the program is characterized by being configured to function as a display means that displays an operator that instructs the prohibition of accepting reservations from outside the store using the aforementioned reservation prohibition means.
6. A method for receiving reservations from outside a store using a computer-based information processing procedure, in which a store-specific order management system is installed, which is configured by connecting a terminal for taking orders, a terminal for processing payments, and a terminal for displaying cooking instructions within the store, An off-site reservation acceptance step for accepting reservations from outside the store for goods or services to be picked up at the store, A reservation prohibition step that prohibits accepting reservations from outside the store via the aforementioned off-site reservation acceptance step, A step to lift the ban on accepting reservations made outside the store, which was implemented in the aforementioned step of prohibiting reservations from being accepted, The opening registration step for accepting requests related to opening the store, It has, The aforementioned step of lifting the ban on accepting reservations lifts the ban on accepting reservations made outside the store once the reservation is accepted in the aforementioned opening reservation step. An off-site reservation acceptance method further comprising a display step in which an operator indicating the prohibition of accepting reservations from outside the store by the aforementioned reservation prohibition step is displayed on the display means of the store-specific order management system.