Kitchen lane system, control device, method for controlling the kitchen lane system, and store system

Abstract

To provide a kitchen lane system capable of continuously and accurately delivering even a plurality of commodities to an order lane.SOLUTION: A kitchen lane system includes a circulation lane, a delivery device for delivering a commodity conveyed on the circulation lane to a corresponding order lane, and a control device for controlling the delivery device. In the circulation lane, a plurality of partitioned regions partitioned along the conveyance path are defined, and at least one product is conveyed in a state of being arranged in any of the plurality of partitioned regions. The control device recognizes positions of the plurality of section areas and at least one commodity arranged in any of the plurality of section areas, and controls the delivery device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a kitchen lane system, a control device, a control method for a kitchen lane system, and a store system.

Background Art

[0002] In the kitchens of restaurants such as conveyor belt sushi restaurants, there is a known circulation lane that circulates the ordered products and delivers them to the order lane at a predetermined timing (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In a restaurant provided with such a circulation lane, the products can be circulated on the circulation lane according to the usage status of the order lane. For example, when the order lane to which the product is to be delivered is in use, the employee can circulate the cooked product on the circulation lane and cook other products, thereby achieving efficient operation.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Here, in the circulation lane system of Patent Document 1, identifiers such as IC tags are provided on all the dishes on which the products are placed to manage the positions of the products. However, in the configuration where the identifier is provided on the dish, there is a problem that the identifier is likely to deteriorate by washing the dish. In addition, since the identifier provided for each dish is recognized, it is difficult to accurately grasp the relative positional relationship with the circulation lane. Therefore, the arrangement status (usage status) of the dishes in the circulation lane cannot be recognized in detail, and a plurality of dishes cannot be continuously and accurately delivered to the order lane.

[0005] A typical object of the present disclosure is to continuously and accurately deliver to the order lane even a plurality of products. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A typical embodiment of the kitchen lane system provided in this disclosure is a kitchen lane system installed in the kitchen of a restaurant, comprising: a circulating lane laid in the kitchen and circulating along a predetermined transport path to transport goods; a delivery device provided corresponding to each of a plurality of order lanes laid in the restaurant, which delivers the goods transported in the circulating lane to the corresponding order lane; and a control device that controls the delivery device, wherein the circulating lane is divided into a plurality of partitioned areas along the transport path, and transports the goods with at least one of the goods placed in one of the plurality of partitioned areas, and the control device recognizes the location of the plurality of partitioned areas and the at least one goods placed in one of the plurality of partitioned areas, and controls the delivery device so that the goods are delivered to the order lane corresponding to the customer who ordered the at least one goods.

[0007] A typical embodiment of the present disclosure provides a control device for a kitchen lane system that circulates goods placed on a circulation lane laid in the kitchen of a restaurant along a predetermined transport path and delivers the goods to the order lane corresponding to the customer who ordered the goods from among a plurality of order lanes laid in the restaurant, comprising at least one processor and at least one memory storing computer program code, wherein the processor, by executing the computer program code, recognizes the locations of a plurality of partitioned areas defined by partitioning the circulation lane along the transport path and at least one goods placed in one of the plurality of partitioned areas, and, based on the recognized locations of the plurality of partitioned areas and the at least one goods, controls a delivery device provided corresponding to each of the plurality of order lanes to deliver the goods to the order lane corresponding to the customer who ordered the at least one goods.

[0008] A control method for a kitchen lane system provided by a typical embodiment of this disclosure is a method for controlling a kitchen lane system that circulates products placed on a circulation lane laid in the kitchen of a restaurant along a predetermined transport path and delivers the products to an order lane corresponding to a customer who ordered the products from among a plurality of order lanes laid in the restaurant, the method for controlling a kitchen lane system that circulates products placed on a circulation lane laid in a restaurant kitchen along a predetermined transport path and delivers the products to the order lane corresponding to the customer who ordered the products, by recognizing the positions of a plurality of partitioned areas defined by partitioning the circulation lane along the transport path and at least one product placed in any of the plurality of partitioned areas, and by controlling a delivery device provided corresponding to each of the plurality of order lanes based on the recognized positions of the plurality of partitioned areas and the at least one product, thereby delivering the products to the order lane corresponding to the customer who ordered the at least one product.

[0009] A typical embodiment of the store system provided in this disclosure is a store system installed in a sushi restaurant that delivers sushi prepared in the kitchen of the store to customers who have ordered the sushi, comprising: a plurality of plates on which the sushi is placed; a circulation lane laid in the kitchen that circulates along a predetermined transport path to transport the plates; a plurality of order lanes branching off from the circulation lane and laid within the sushi restaurant towards the customer's dining area, which transport the plates received from the circulation lane; and a system provided corresponding to each of the plurality of order lanes that circulates The store system comprises a transfer device that transfers plates being transported on a lane to a corresponding order lane, and a control device that controls the store system, wherein the circulation lane is defined as having a plurality of partitioned areas partitioned along the transport path, and transports plates with at least one plate placed in one of the plurality of partitioned areas, and includes a first transport area that transports plates in a first direction, and a second transport area that is located further apart from the plurality of order lanes than the first transport area and transports plates in a second direction different from the first direction, and the store system further comprises a transfer device that transfers plates between one of the plurality of partitioned areas located in the first transport area and one of the plurality of partitioned areas located in the second transport area, and the transfer device is spanned between the first transport area and the second transport area, and includes a transfer conveyor that transfers plates from a source partitioned area, which is a partitioned area located in one of the source transport areas of the first transport area and the second transport area, to a destination partitioned area, which is a partitioned area located in the other destination transport area, and the source transport The system includes a transfer start guide that guides the plate from the transfer source area towards the transfer conveyor by moving from a non-interference position outside the transfer path of the area to an interference position within the transfer path, and a transfer end guide that guides the plate from the transfer conveyor towards the transfer destination area towards the transfer destination area by moving from a non-interference position outside the transfer path of the transfer destination area to an interference position within the transfer path, wherein once a specific transfer source area in the transfer source area is determined, after the specific transfer source area reaches the transfer device,When the transfer time has elapsed for the plate to be transferred from the source transfer area to the destination transfer area by the transfer conveyor, the partition area in the destination transfer area that reaches the transfer device corresponds one-to-one with the specific source partition area to the destination partition area to which the plate is transferred by the transfer device, and the control device, if another plate is already placed in the destination partition area corresponding to the source partition area, skips the transfer of the plate by the transfer device, and if no other plate is placed in the destination partition area corresponding to the source partition area, maintains the transfer end guide in the non-interference position when the transfer end guide reaches the transfer device, and opens the transfer The system moves the start guide from the non-interference position into the interference position, and then, upon arrival at the transfer device in the destination section corresponding to the source section, moves the transfer end guide from the non-interference position into the interference position, thereby transferring the plate from the source section to the destination section that corresponds one-to-one with the source section, adjusting the timing of the plate's arrival at the corresponding order lane. The system recognizes the positions of the multiple section areas and at least one plate located in any of the multiple section areas, and controls the transfer device so that the at least one plate is delivered to the order lane corresponding to the customer who ordered the sushi placed on the plate. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is a floor plan showing a general overview of the entire restaurant premises. [Figure 2] This is a diagram showing a magnified view of a portion of the circulation lane. [Figure 3] This is a conceptual diagram showing the first and second transport areas of the circulation lane. [Figure 4] This is a magnified view of the transfer device. [Figure 5] This is a diagram showing a magnified view of the feeding device. [Figure 6] This is a diagram showing the order image displayed on the kitchen terminal device. [Figure 7]It is a diagram showing the partition area information at a certain time. [Figure 8] It is a block diagram showing the device configuration of the kitchen lane system. [Figure 9] It is a flowchart showing the input process. [Figure 10] It is a flowchart showing the delivery process. [Figure 11] It is a flowchart showing the shortcut process. [Figure 12] It is a diagram showing the conveyance status of goods when explaining the shortcut process. [Figure 13] It is a flowchart showing the input process. [Figure 14] It is a diagram showing the conveyance status of goods when explaining the bypass process. [Figure 15] It is a plan view schematically showing the entire store of a restaurant according to Modification Example 1. [Figure 16] It is a diagram showing a part of the kitchen lane system according to Modification Example 1 in an enlarged manner. [Figure 17] It is a flowchart showing the shortcut process of Modification Example 1. [Figure 18] It is a diagram showing the order image shown on the kitchen terminal device according to Modification Example 2. [Figure 19] It is a diagram showing the partition area information according to Modification Example 3. [Figure 20] It is a plan view schematically showing the entire store of a restaurant according to Modification Example 4. [Figure 21] It is a perspective view showing the outline of the transfer device 30 according to Modification Example 4. [Figure 22] It is a bottom view of a part of a plurality of plates 170 constituting the circulation lane 28 according to Modification Example 4. [Figure 23] It is a schematic diagram showing a plurality of partition areas 40 provided in the circulation lane 28 according to Modification Example 4. [Figure 24] It is a diagram showing an example of the transfer source - transfer destination correspondence table according to Modification Example 4. [Figure 25] It is a flowchart showing the transfer process of Modification Example 4. [Figure 26] This is a plan view of the vicinity of the transfer device 30, in a state where neither the source area 40K nor the destination area 40D has reached the transfer device 30. [Figure 27] This is a plan view of the transfer device 30 after the state shown in Figure 26, when the transfer source area 40K has reached the transfer device 30. [Figure 28] This is a plan view of the transfer device 30 after the state shown in Figure 27, when the destination area 40D has reached the transfer device 30. [Figure 29] This is a plan view of the transfer device 30 after the state shown in Figure 28, when the transfer source area 40K passes through the transfer device 30. [Figure 30] This is a plan view of the transfer device 30 after the state shown in Figure 29, when the destination area 40D passes through the transfer device 30. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] <Overview> The kitchen lane system illustrated in this disclosure is installed in the kitchen of a restaurant. The circulating lane is laid out in the kitchen and transports goods in a circulating manner along a predetermined transport route. A delivery device is provided corresponding to each of the multiple order lanes laid out in the restaurant and delivers goods transported on the circulating lane to the corresponding order lane. A control device controls the delivery device. The circulating lane is defined as having multiple partitioned areas along the transport route, and transports goods with at least one item placed in one of the multiple partitioned areas. The control device recognizes the location of the multiple partitioned areas and the at least one item placed in one of the multiple partitioned areas, and controls the delivery device so that the item is delivered to the order lane corresponding to the customer who ordered that at least one item.

[0012] Thus, the circulation lane is defined with multiple compartmental areas along the transport path, and ordered products are transported while placed in one of these compartmental areas. The control device recognizes the position of each compartmental area and the products placed in it, and controls the delivery device based on this recognized information. Therefore, products can be efficiently delivered to the desired order lane for each compartmental area, depending on the situation in the order lane and the kitchen. Alternatively, the kitchen lane system may manage products in units of compartmental areas where multiple products can be placed, and transport products accordingly. Therefore, multiple products can be continuously delivered to the order lane, and transport in the order lane can be made more efficient. As a result, customer service can be improved, and product transport within the kitchen can be optimized. Furthermore, by managing multiple products placed in each compartmental area on a compartmental area basis, the positional relationship of a group of products relative to the circulation lane can be accurately grasped. Therefore, the delivery of products to the order lane can be made accurately.

[0013] Here, the circulation lane comprises a first transport area for transporting goods in a first direction, and a second transport area located further apart from the first transport area relative to the multiple order lanes, and transporting goods in a second direction different from the first direction. It further comprises a transfer device for moving goods between one of a plurality of partitioned areas located in the first transport area and one of a plurality of partitioned areas located in the second transport area. The control device controls the transfer device to transfer at least one of the partitioned areas located in the first transport area to one of a plurality of partitioned areas located in the second transport area, or to transfer at least one of the partitioned areas located in the second transport area to one of a plurality of partitioned areas located in the first transport area, thereby adjusting the timing at which the at least one of the goods arrives at the corresponding order lane.

[0014] Thus, the kitchen lane system includes a first transport area close to the order lane and a second transport area further away from the order lane, and is equipped with a transport device that moves goods between these two areas. The control device can adjust the timing of goods arriving at the desired order lane by controlling the transport device according to the conditions of the order lane and the kitchen. Moreover, since the kitchen lane system transports goods in each partitioned area, it can transport multiple goods continuously and efficiently.

[0015] Here, the circulating lane includes a detectable object located in at least one of a plurality of partitioned areas, and a detection unit for detecting the detectable object is provided in the circulating lane. Based on the detectable object detected by the detection unit, the control device recognizes the location of the plurality of partitioned areas.

[0016] In this system, a target object is placed in at least one of several partitioned areas, and a detection unit for detecting the target object is provided in the circulation lane. The control device then recognizes the position of each partitioned area based on the target object detected by the detection unit. This allows for accurate determination of the positions of all partitioned areas in the entire circulation lane. Therefore, the positional information of the partitioned areas can be used to accurately optimize the transport of goods in the kitchen lane system. Furthermore, since the target object is located in the circulation lane, it does not need to be washed as frequently as plates on which goods are placed, making it less prone to deterioration.

[0017] IC tags and the like can be used as the objects to be detected. Alternatively, for example, the plates can be colored differently for each partitioned area, or identification numbers can be directly written on the plates, and these can be detected by a camera to recognize the partitioned areas. In this case, the plate color and identification numbers correspond to identifiers. In this disclosure, an example is given in which an object to be detected, including a material such as metal or a magnet, is provided at the connecting portion that connects two adjacent plates. In this case, the connecting portion also serves as the object to be detected, which makes it easier to simplify the system configuration.

[0018] The kitchen lane system may further include a rotary drive unit that circulates the circulating lane. The control device may recognize the current position of each partitioned area based on the timing at which the object to be detected is detected by the detection unit and the amount of drive of the rotary drive unit.

[0019] In this case, even if the object to be detected is not always detected by the detection unit, the current position of each partitioned area is appropriately recognized by using the timing at which the object to be detected is detected by the detection unit and the amount of drive of the rotary drive unit. Therefore, the system operates more appropriately while suppressing complexity of the configuration.

[0020] Furthermore, the circulation lane is a chain conveyor in which multiple plates are connected in the direction of transport, and each partitioned area is defined by a predetermined number of plates. The object to be detected is attached to the plate located at the front of at least one of the partitioned areas.

[0021] In this way, by configuring the circulating lane with a chain conveyor and providing the object to be detected on the leading plate of at least one of the partitioned areas, the partitioned area can be reliably detected when it arrives at the detection unit. As a result, the control device can accurately recognize the position of the partitioned area.

[0022] The transfer device may include a transfer conveyor, a transfer start guide, and a transfer end guide. The transfer conveyor is stretched between a first transport area and a second transport area, and transfers goods from one of the source transport areas (the first or second transport area) to the other destination transport area. The transfer start guide guides the goods from the source transport area toward the transfer conveyor. The transfer end guide guides the goods from the transfer conveyor toward the destination transport area. The control device may control the transfer device to transfer at least one goods located in a specific source partition area among a plurality of partition areas located in the source transport area to a destination partition area which is one of a plurality of partition areas located in the destination transport area.

[0023] In this case, the timing of bringing the goods to the desired order lane is appropriately adjusted for each section area by the transfer conveyor, transfer start guide, and transfer end guide of the transfer device.

[0024] The transport device may include a shortcut device comprising: a shortcut conveyor, which is a transport conveyor that spans between a first transport area and a second transport area and transports goods from the second transport area, which is the source transport area, to the first transport area, which is the destination transport area; a first guide, which is a transport end guide provided in the first transport area and guides goods from the shortcut conveyor toward the first transport area; and a second guide, which is a transport start guide provided in the second transport area and guides goods from the second transport area toward the shortcut conveyor. The control device may control the shortcut device to transport at least one goods located in a specific transport source partition area among a plurality of partition areas located in the two transport areas to a transport destination partition area which is one of a plurality of partition areas located in the first transport area, thereby accelerating the arrival of said at least one goods in the corresponding order lane.

[0025] The transport device includes a shortcut device comprising first and second guides and a shortcut conveyor that transports goods from the second transport area to the first transport area. The control device controls the shortcut device, allowing goods to be transported via a shortcut from the second transport area to the first transport area. This allows goods to arrive at the desired order lane faster than when transported along the transport path of the circulation lane, enabling the rapid delivery of ordered goods to customers. Moreover, since goods can be transported via shortcuts in units of partitioned areas, multiple goods can be transported efficiently.

[0026] Furthermore, the transfer device includes a bypass conveyor, which is a transfer conveyor that is stretched between the first and second transfer areas and transfers goods from the first transfer area, which is the source transfer area, to the second transfer area, which is the destination transfer area; a third guide, which is a transfer start guide that is provided in the first transfer area and guides goods from the first transfer area to the bypass conveyor; and a fourth guide, which is a transfer end guide that is provided in the second transfer area and guides goods from the bypass conveyor to the second transfer area.The control device controls the bypass device and transfers at least one goods located in a specific transfer source partition area among a plurality of partition areas located in the first transfer area to a destination partition area which is one of a plurality of partition areas located in the second transfer area, thereby delaying the arrival of said at least one goods in the corresponding order lane.

[0027] Thus, the transport device has a bypass device that includes third and fourth guides and a bypass conveyor that redirects goods from the first transport area to the second transport area. The control device controls the bypass device, thereby redirecting the goods from the first transport area to the second transport area. This delays the timing at which the goods arrive at the desired order lane. In other words, there are cases where goods cannot be handed over even when they reach the order lane because the destination order lane is in use. Depending on the usage status of the order lane, by redirecting the goods from the destination order lane and circulating them on the circulation lane, it is possible to buy time until the order lane becomes available.

[0028] Furthermore, the transfer start guide and transfer end guide may be configured to be displaceable by a control device to a non-interference position, which is outside the transport path of the circulation lane so as not to interfere with the goods, and an interference position, which is inside the transport path of the circulation lane so as to interfere with the goods.

[0029] Since the transfer start guide and transfer end guide are configured to be displaceable between a non-interference position and an interference position, respectively, goods can be properly transferred from the transfer source area to the transfer destination area.

[0030] A specific source partition area located within the source transport area may correspond one-to-one with a destination partition area located within the destination transport area, to which the goods are transferred by the transport device. When the source partition area to which the goods are transferred by the transport device is determined, the corresponding destination partition area may also be determined. In this case, since the destination partition area is automatically determined once the source partition area is determined, the goods are transported appropriately by the transport device.

[0031] For example, after the reference position at the beginning of the source area reaches the transfer device, the area within the destination transfer area where the reference position at the beginning reaches the transfer device may be determined as the destination area. In this case, the goods in the source area are appropriately transferred to the destination area according to the transfer speed of the transfer conveyor.

[0032] In other words, the speed of the circulation lane and the speed of the conveyor belt may be set such that the time from when the reference position at the beginning of the source area reaches the transfer device until the reference position at the beginning of the destination area reaches the transfer device matches the time it takes for the object to be transferred from the source area to the destination area by the conveyor belt. In this case as well, the goods in the source area will be appropriately transferred to the destination area according to the transfer speed of the conveyor belt.

[0033] The control device may bypass the transfer of goods by the transfer device if other goods are already placed in the destination area corresponding to the source area to which the goods are transferred by the transfer device.

[0034] In this case, even though other items are already placed in the destination area, the problem of multiple items interfering with each other within the same destination area is prevented. Therefore, items are transported more appropriately by the transport device.

[0035] A specific source partition area among the plurality of partition areas located in the source transport area may correspond one-to-one with a destination partition area among the plurality of partition areas located in the destination transport area, to which the goods are transported by the transport device from that specific source partition area. The destination partition area corresponding to the source partition area may reach the transport device after the source partition area has reached the transport device. The control device may, based on the timing when the source partition area reaches the transport device, move the transport start guide from a non-interference position to an interference position, and then, based on the timing when the destination partition area corresponding to the source partition area reaches the transport device, move the transport end guide from a non-interference position to an interference position.

[0036] In this case, the transfer start guide and transfer end guide move from a non-interference position to an interference position, depending on when the source and destination partition areas reach the transfer device. Therefore, malfunctions such as the transfer start guide and transfer end guide interfering with goods in partition areas other than the source and destination partition areas are appropriately suppressed. As a result, goods are more easily and efficiently transferred by the transfer device.

[0037] The control device may, based on the timing when the source area passes the transfer device, move the transfer start guide from the interference position to the non-interference position, and then, based on the timing when the destination area corresponding to the source area passes the transfer device, move the transfer end guide from the interference position to the non-interference position.

[0038] In this case, the transfer start guide and transfer end guide move from their interfering positions to non-interfering positions depending on the timing at which the source and destination partition areas pass through the transfer device. Therefore, malfunctions such as the transfer start guide and transfer end guide interfering with goods in partition areas other than the source and destination partition areas are appropriately suppressed. As a result, goods are more easily and efficiently transferred by the transfer device. In addition, regardless of the number of goods placed in a partition area, all goods are properly transferred from the source partition area to the destination partition area.

[0039] The control device may control the transfer start guide and transfer end guide at the timing when all of the maximum number of items that can be placed in a single partition area are transferred to the destination partition area, regardless of the number of items placed in the source partition area.

[0040] In this case, by applying the same control to the transfer start guide and transfer end guide regardless of the number of items placed in the partitioned area, all items are properly transferred from the transfer source partitioned area to the transfer destination partitioned area. Therefore, control becomes easier. Furthermore, even if the product transfer speed by a circulating lane or the like is increased, one or more items placed in the transfer source partitioned area will be smoothly transferred to the transfer destination partitioned area. In addition, it becomes possible to omit configurations (e.g., sensors) for confirming the completion of product transfer by the transfer device, thus making it easier to suppress the complexity of the configuration.

[0041] Furthermore, the product transport speed on the circulating lane may be 150 mm / second, more preferably 200 mm / second, and even more preferably 240 mm / second. As mentioned above, by using the transport device of this disclosure, even if the product transport speed on the circulating lane is increased, the transport device will appropriately transport the product from the source area to the destination area. As an example, the product transport speed on the circulating lane in this disclosure is approximately 247 mm / second. It is also possible to increase the transport speed up to approximately 297 mm / second. For reference, the typical transport speed of the transport path in a conveyor system for conveyor belt sushi restaurants (for example, the transport path of a conveyor belt on a rotating lane) is around 80 to 100 mm / second. Therefore, according to the technology of this disclosure, products can be transported at a speed greater than the transport speed of a typical conveyor belt sushi restaurant.

[0042] The details of the configuration of the transfer start guide and transfer end guide (hereinafter sometimes collectively referred to as "guides") can be selected as appropriate. Here, the plate on which the product (e.g., sushi, etc.) is placed may have a plate on which the product is placed and a cylindrical base that protrudes downward from slightly inside the outer edge of the lower surface of the plate. For example, the height of the upper end of the part of the guide that contacts the plate on which the product is placed may be set to a height below the upper end of the base of the plate. In this case, the direction of movement of the plate is guided by the guide contacting the base rather than the plate. Therefore, the direction of movement of various plates is appropriately guided regardless of the size and shape of the plate.

[0043] Furthermore, the shape of the part of the guide that contacts the plate may be formed in a curved shape, such as a partial arc, when viewed from above. Unlike the case where the shape of the part of the guide that contacts the plate is straight when viewed from above, forming the shape in a curved shape allows the direction of movement of the plate guided by the guide to change smoothly. Therefore, the possibility of the plate detaching from the path is appropriately reduced.

[0044] At least the portion of the guide that contacts the plate may be part of a plate-shaped member. The plate-shaped member of the guide may have ribs formed on it to reinforce its strength. In this case, various problems caused by deformation of the plate-shaped member (for example, problems such as the plate-shaped member coming into contact with other members located above or below it) are appropriately suppressed. Furthermore, if various sensors (for example, optical sensors) are installed near the guide, the ribs of the guide may have openings or notches formed on them to allow light or electromagnetic waves detected by the sensors to pass through. In this case, the possibility of detection by the sensor being obstructed by the ribs is appropriately reduced.

[0045] The transfer device may be installed so as to be located between the order lanes in the direction in which the order lanes are aligned.

[0046] Thus, the transport device is positioned between multiple order lanes. Therefore, for example, if goods are sent via a shortcut from the second transport area to the first transport area, the goods can be moved to the upstream side of the order lane. Also, if other goods are already present in the order lane to which the goods are being transported, the goods can be appropriately rerouted by transporting them from the first transport area to the second transport area.

[0047] Furthermore, the system may include an input transport path for transporting at least one product prepared in accordance with a customer order and loading it into the circulation lane. The control device then controls the input transport path to position at least one product in a specific area within a plurality of partitioned areas.

[0048] In this way, by providing a conveying path for input and having a control device control the conveying path, ordered products can be placed into a specific partitioned area. Therefore, products can be placed into the optimal partitioned area depending on the situation in the kitchen or order lane.

[0049] Furthermore, a terminal device may be provided that displays the products ordered by the customer and the order lane corresponding to the customer who placed the order, and also accepts input indicating that the products prepared in accordance with the order have been set on the input conveyor path. The control device then recognizes the products set on the input conveyor path and controls the input conveyor path based on the information input to the terminal device.

[0050] In this way, the control device can recognize, via the terminal device, that the prepared products have been set on the input transport path. As a result, the control device can decide which section area to input the products into, taking into account the order lane and kitchen conditions.

[0051] Furthermore, multiple input transport routes may be provided in the kitchen. Terminal devices may also be provided in the kitchen corresponding to each input transport route. The control device may also identify the input transport route to which the product is placed based on information input to the terminal device corresponding to the input transport route in which the product is placed.

[0052] Thus, even when there are multiple input transport routes, the control device can identify which input transport route the product is placed in based on the information input via the terminal device. Therefore, the control device can appropriately decide which section of the circulation lane to input the product into based on this information. Furthermore, since the terminal devices are installed in the kitchen corresponding to the input transport routes, employees input the input transport route in which they have placed the product into the corresponding terminal device. Therefore, the control device can accurately recognize the input transport route in which the product is placed.

[0053] Furthermore, the terminal device does not necessarily have to be installed in the kitchen. For example, a portable terminal carried by an employee could be used as the terminal device.

[0054] Multiple tables may be arranged along the order lane. The kitchen lane system may further include branching lanes that divert the products transported by the order lane to one of the multiple tables.

[0055] In this case, products are not only transferred from the circulation lane to a specific order lane, but are also branched off from the order lane and transported to specific tables. Therefore, products are more likely to be delivered to customers at the appropriate tables.

[0056] One aspect of the store system described herein is installed in a sushi restaurant and transports sushi prepared in the restaurant's kitchen to customers who have ordered sushi. The store system comprises multiple plates, a circulation lane, multiple order lanes, a delivery device, and a control device. Each of the multiple plates is placed on a plate. The circulation lane is laid in the kitchen and transports plates in a circulating manner along a predetermined transport route. Each of the multiple order lanes branches off from the circulation lane and is laid within the sushi restaurant towards the customer dining area, transporting plates received from the circulation lane. A delivery device is provided corresponding to each of the multiple order lanes and delivers plates transported on the circulation lane to the corresponding order lane. The control device controls the store system. A circulating lane is defined by a plurality of partitioned areas along the transport path. The circulating lane transports at least one plate positioned in one of the plurality of partitioned areas and comprises a first transport area and a second transport area. The first transport area transports plates in a first direction. The second transport area is located further apart from the first transport area relative to the plurality of order lanes and transports plates in a second direction, which is different from the first direction. The store system further comprises a transport device that transports plates between one of the plurality of partitioned areas located in the first transport area and one of the plurality of partitioned areas located in the second transport area. The transport device comprises a transport conveyor, a transport start guide, and a transport end guide. The transport conveyor is stretched between the first transport area and the second transport area and transports plates from a transport source partitioned area, which is a partitioned area located in one of the transport source transport areas of the first and second transport areas, to a transport destination partitioned area, which is a partitioned area located in the other transport destination transport area. The transfer start guide guides the tray from the source area to the transfer conveyor by moving from a non-interference position outside the transport path in the source transport area to an interference position within the transport path. The transfer end guide guides the tray from the transfer conveyor to the destination area to the destination area by moving from a non-interference position outside the transport path in the destination transport area to an interference position within the transport path. Once a specific source area is determined in the source transport area, after the specific source area reaches the transfer device and the transfer time has elapsed for the tray to be transferred from the source area to the destination transport area by the transfer conveyor, the area in the destination transport area that reaches the transfer device corresponds one-to-one with the specific source area as the destination area to which the tray is transferred by the transfer device.

[0057] The control device bypasses the transfer of plates by the transfer device if other plates are already placed in the destination area corresponding to the source area. If no other plates are placed in the destination area corresponding to the source area, the control device maintains the transfer end guide in a non-interference position when the source area reaches the transfer device, moves the transfer start guide from the non-interference position to the interference position, and then moves the transfer end guide from the non-interference position to the interference position when the destination area corresponding to the source area reaches the transfer device, thereby transferring the plates in the source area that correspond one-to-one with the source area to the destination area and adjusting the timing of the plates arriving in the corresponding order lane. The control device recognizes the positions of multiple area divisions and at least one plate placed in any of the multiple area divisions, and controls the delivery device so that the at least one plate is delivered to the order lane corresponding to the customer who ordered the sushi on the plate.

[0058] According to one embodiment of the store system of this disclosure, plates on which sushi is placed can be delivered to the order lane of customers who have ordered sushi, using multiple partitioned areas provided on the circulating lane as units. Each partitioned area can contain one plate or multiple plates. Therefore, plates can be efficiently delivered to customers using the partitioned areas as units.

[0059] Furthermore, it is desirable to deliver the prepared sushi to the customer as quickly as possible. If the time the plates spend being transported on the circulating lane can be reduced, the time it takes to deliver the sushi to the customer can be reduced. The store system of this disclosure includes a transport device that moves plates between a first transport area and a second transport area on the circulating lane. By adjusting the timing of the arrival of plates in the corresponding order lane using the transport device, the transport time of the plates can be reduced.

[0060] Here, a one-to-one correspondence exists between the source area and the destination area to which the plates are transferred by the transfer device. The transfer start guide and transfer end guide of the transfer device are driven according to the timing at which each of the source and destination areas arrive at the transfer device, based on the one-to-one correspondence between the source and destination areas. As a result, the transfer start guide and transfer end guide adjust the timing at which the plates arrive in the corresponding order lane, while appropriately suppressing malfunctions that could cause problems with products in areas other than the source and destination areas.

[0061] On the other hand, if a plate is moved to the destination area by the transfer device even though other plates are already placed in that area, multiple plates will interfere with each other within the same area. In contrast, in one embodiment of the store system of this disclosure, the control device bypasses the transfer device if other plates are already placed in the destination area. Therefore, store operations are made even smoother.

[0062] The transport device may include a shortcut device and a bypass device. The shortcut device accelerates the timing of when a plate reaches its corresponding order lane by transporting it from a second transport area to a first transport area. The bypass device delays the arrival of a plate at its corresponding order lane by transporting it from the first transport area to a second transport area.

[0063] In this case, the shortcut device allows plates to be routed from the second transport area to the first transport area, thereby appropriately reducing the transport time for the plates. Furthermore, if other plates are already present in the order lane where the plates are to be transported, the detour device allows the plates to be moved from the first transport area to the second transport area, appropriately rerouting the plates and avoiding the problem of multiple plates interfering with each other on the order lane. Therefore, the store can be operated more efficiently.

[0064] Furthermore, multiple shortcut devices may be provided along the circulation lane. In this case, the plate transport time can be further reduced.

[0065] The store system may further include an input transport path. The input transport path transports plates with sushi prepared according to customer orders and places them into the circulation lane. The control device may control the input transport path to place the plates into specific compartments within a plurality of compartment areas. The input transport path may be connected to at least the second of the first and second transport areas.

[0066] In this system, sushi ordered by customers is delivered to specific compartments via a designated delivery path. Therefore, the sushi (plates) are delivered to appropriate compartments depending on the kitchen and order lane conditions. Furthermore, the delivery path is connected to at least a second delivery area. Consequently, the store system can also use a shortcut device to transfer plates delivered to the second delivery area back to the first compartment. This allows for a more efficient reduction in plate delivery time.

[0067] The transfer device of the kitchen lane system (store system) disclosed herein transfers goods from a source area to a destination area using a transfer conveyor, a transfer start guide, and a transfer end guide. In addition, in the kitchen lane system disclosed herein, multiple partitioned areas are defined in the circulation lane, and the transfer device transfers goods from the source partitioned area to the corresponding destination partitioned area. Based on the above configuration, the kitchen lane system disclosed herein prevents the problem of multiple goods interfering with each other in the destination area by bypassing the transfer of goods by the transfer device when other goods are already placed in the destination area corresponding to the source area. However, the technology of bypassing the transfer of goods by the transfer device when other goods are already placed in the destination area corresponding to the source area can also be adopted in the kitchen lane system without combining it with at least one of the technologies using a transfer conveyor, a transfer start guide, and a transfer end guide, and the technology of defining multiple partitioned areas in the circulation lane. For example, instead of the transfer device described herein, it is possible to transfer goods by pushing them from the source transfer area to the destination transfer area, and to combine this with a technology to prevent problems such as multiple goods interfering with each other in the destination area. Furthermore, it is possible to detect the presence or absence of goods in the destination area corresponding to the source area transferred by the transfer device using sensors or the like, without defining multiple partitioned areas in the circulation lane.

[0068] The above configuration can also be expressed as follows: A kitchen lane system installed in the kitchen of a restaurant, comprising: a circulating lane laid in the kitchen that circulates and transports goods along a predetermined transport path; a transport device that transports goods from a source area in the circulating lane to a destination area corresponding to the source area; a product presence / absence detection unit that detects the presence or absence of goods in the destination area; and a control device that controls the circulating lane system, wherein the control device bypasses the transport of goods by the transport device if the product presence / absence detection unit detects that other goods are already placed in the destination area corresponding to the source area.

[0069] The kitchen lane system (store system) of this disclosure comprises a branching lane, a branching switching unit (e.g., a branching guide), and an individual detection unit (e.g., an individual sensor). The branching lane branches products that are received from the circulation lane and transported by the order lane to one of several tables arranged along the order lane. The branching switching unit switches whether or not to branch products being transported by the order lane from the order lane to the branching lane. The individual detection unit detects the presence or absence of products on each branching lane. If the individual detection unit detects that a product is already placed on the branching lane to which the product is to be transported (i.e., "in use"), the control device allows the product to pass through without transferring it from the circulation lane to the order lane by the transfer device. In other words, if the branching lane to which the product is to be transported is "in use", the kitchen lane system of this disclosure has the product wait on the circulation lane before being transferred to the order lane, rather than having the product wait on the order lane immediately before being branched to the branching lane. During this time, the order lane is available for use, so other products can be transported to other branching lanes via the order lane. Therefore, the reduction in product transport efficiency is suppressed, and products can be kept waiting until other products are picked up from the branching lane they are being transported.

[0070] The technique of having products wait on the circulation lane when the branch lane to be transported is "in use" can be adopted in a kitchen lane system separately from other techniques exemplified in this disclosure (for example, techniques for providing multiple compartmentalized areas in the circulation lane, and techniques for transporting products within the circulation lane using transport guides, etc.). This technique can also be expressed as follows.

[0071] A kitchen lane system installed in the kitchen of a restaurant, comprising: a circulating lane laid in the kitchen that circulates and transports goods along a predetermined transport path; a transfer device provided in correspondence with one or more order lanes laid in the restaurant that transfers the goods transported in the circulating lane to the corresponding order lane; a branching lane that branches and transports the goods transported by the order lane to one of a plurality of tables arranged along the order lane; a branching switching unit that switches whether or not to branch the goods being transported by the order lane from the order lane to the branching lane; an individual detection unit that detects the presence or absence of goods on each of the branching lanes; and a control device that controls the kitchen lane system, wherein the control device, when the individual detection unit detects that other goods are already placed on the branching lane to which the goods are to be transported, will allow the goods to pass through without transferring them from the circulating lane to the order lane by the transfer device.

[0072] <Embodiment> Next, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described.

[0073] (Overall structure) Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the entire restaurant premises, including the kitchen 14 where the kitchen lane system (store system) 10 according to this embodiment is installed. In this embodiment, a sushi restaurant (more specifically, a so-called conveyor belt sushi restaurant) will be used as an example of the restaurant. As shown in Figure 1, the restaurant is broadly divided into the dining area 12 where customers eat and drink, and the kitchen 14 where food and beverages (sushi, etc., in this embodiment) are cooked and prepared. Note that the restaurant using this kitchen lane system 10 may be a restaurant of any other type or industry. Also, the goods 5 provided to customers may be paid for or free of charge.

[0074] In this embodiment, product 5 refers to food and beverages such as sushi. For example, it may be dishes such as nigiri sushi or hand-rolled sushi, or other dishes. Food and beverages may also include beverages, sweets, containerized food, or packaged food. Furthermore, product 5 may include valuable items other than food and beverages. The kitchen lane system (store system) 10 of this embodiment is equipped with multiple plates, and food and beverages such as sushi are provided to customers on these plates.

[0075] In this embodiment, the restaurant is designed so that each customer can order product 5 at their table. The restaurant also has multiple order lanes (registered trademark of Kura Sushi Co., Ltd.) 16 that deliver product 5 to the customers' tables according to their orders.

[0076] Here, "seat" refers to a seat or table 18 used by a customer to whom product 5 is provided. A single seat corresponds, for example, to a group of one or more customers (a customer group may include one or more customers, or it may be just one customer) purchasing product 5. For example, if a group of customers consisting of several customers visit a restaurant and is guided to a table 18 in the restaurant, that table 18 corresponds to a seat. Also, for example, if a single customer visits a restaurant and is guided to a counter seat in the restaurant, that counter seat corresponds to a seat. It should be noted that "seat" is not limited to an actual seat or table 18. A seat may also be something else that corresponds to a group of one or more customers, indicating the purchaser, orderer, or recipient of product 5 by that group. Such seats may be real or virtual. In other words, a seat is a concept that indicates the unit to which product 5 is provided and to which payment for product 5 is charged. In the following explanation, the seats corresponding to such customers (or groups of customers) may simply be referred to as "customers" or "tables." That is, when product 5 is served to the seats corresponding to customers (or groups of customers), it may simply be expressed as "product 5 is served to the customers or table."

[0077] A restaurant includes, for example, a dining area 12 where customers eat and drink, and a kitchen 14 where food 5 is prepared and cooked. In the dining area 12, for example, tables 18 and seats are provided for customers to eat and drink. The tables 18 may be counter tables where customers can sit in a row and eat and drink.

[0078] (Regarding item 12 in the store) The in-store terminal devices 20 installed in the store 12 are, for example, reception terminals provided for each seat. One in-store terminal device 20 may be shared by two or more seats. Alternatively, two or more in-store terminal devices 20 may be used in conjunction with a single seat.

[0079] In this embodiment, a group of customers can order products 5 using an in-store terminal device 20 having a screen such as a touch panel, which is installed to correspond to the seats they are using.

[0080] In the diagram, a tablet-type information terminal is shown as the in-store terminal device 20, but a portable information terminal device or a personal computer (PC) may also be used as the in-store terminal device 20.

[0081] In the restaurant of this embodiment, customers at corresponding seats can order items 5 using a so-called electronic menu displayed on the in-store terminal device 20. For example, based on the customer's order operation on the in-store terminal device 20 corresponding to each seat, the main control device 24, described later, receives the order from each seat. The main control device 24 then transmits the order details to the kitchen terminal device (described later) 22 located in the kitchen 14, enabling the preparation and provision of items 5 according to the order.

[0082] In this embodiment, devices capable of communicating with each other can communicate via a network such as a local area network or the internet, but are not limited to this.

[0083] In this embodiment, there is an order lane 16 that transports ordered items 5 to a specific seat / table 18, and a normal lane (not shown) that transports the items 5 in a circulating manner. The order lane 16 is located above the normal lane. However, the positional relationship between the order lane 16 and the normal lane is not limited to this. The order lane 16 may be located below the normal lane. Alternatively, a pair of order lanes 16 may be arranged running parallel to each other vertically. Therefore, even if the order lane 16 is located below the normal lane, the kitchen lane system 10 of this disclosure can be applied. Furthermore, even if two order lanes 16 are arranged vertically, the kitchen lane system 10 of this disclosure can be applied.

[0084] The regular conveyor belt is always operational, continuously transporting plates of sushi and other items. On the other hand, the order conveyor belt 16 is designed to operate only when delivering ordered items 5 to a specific table or seat 18.

[0085] Plates containing items 5 such as sushi can be placed on the order lane 16. Multiple order lanes 16 are laid out in the store 12 so that plates are transported near each table 18 (three in this embodiment). The order lane 16 is configured, for example, using a belt on which plates can be placed, but it may also be configured so that a platform on which plates can be placed moves in the transport direction.

[0086] The order lane 16 is designed to transport plates in a predetermined direction, delivering the products 5 to each seat or table 18 in the store 12. The order lane 16 is arranged to pass between seats that are arranged so as to sandwich the order lane 16 from each other in a plan view, but is not limited to this arrangement. Multiple order lanes 16, each consisting of a set of transport paths, may be provided. One end of each order lane 16 is located in the kitchen 14.

[0087] The order lane 16 is driven by the main control device 24. Specifically, the main control device 24 controls a drive source (not shown), such as a motor, for driving the order lane 16.

[0088] The order lane 16 is driven by the main control device 24 to transport plates of products 5, such as sushi, from the kitchen 14 to the store 12. In other words, the order lane 16 transports plates of products 5, such as sushi, from upstream to downstream. The order lane 16 may extend in a straight line or in a curved line.

[0089] In this embodiment, the delivery of the product 5 by the order lane 16 can be performed by specifying the table or seat 18 to which the product will be delivered. That is, the order lane 16 is configured to deliver the product 5 to the specified destination. When the order lane 16 delivers the product 5 to the destination, it is controlled to deliver the product 5 from upstream towards the destination, and to stop delivery when the product 5 arrives at the destination. As a result, the customer can reach out from their seat at the destination and receive the product 5 that is stopped on the order lane 16.

[0090] Furthermore, it is desirable that the products 5 be provided via the order lane 16 as quickly as possible, and the transport speed of the order lane 16 is higher than that of the normal lane. For example, the products 5 provided via the order lane 16 may be provided mainly in response to orders from customers at each seat. On the other hand, the products 5 may be provided via the normal lane regardless of customer orders. This allows customers to purchase products 5 that are transported via the normal lane and pass near their seats at any time, and also to place an order for a specific product 5 that they wish to purchase, which will then be transported via the order lane 16.

[0091] In this embodiment, the restaurant is equipped with multiple monitoring devices 26 inside the store 12. These monitoring devices 26 are, for example, sensors such as cameras, and are installed in multiple locations along the order lane 16. These monitoring devices 26 monitor whether the product 5 transported by the order lane 16 has been removed from the order lane 16. That is, even if the ordered product 5 has been transported by the order lane 16 to the destination table / seat 18, the customer may not immediately take the product 5. In such cases, even if it is necessary to provide the next product 5, the same order lane 16 cannot be operated. Therefore, the monitoring devices 26 monitor whether the product 5 has been removed from the order lane 16 and determine whether the order lane 16 is in use or not. If the product 5 has been removed from the order lane 16 and is ready to be used for the next transport, the monitoring devices 26 determine that the order lane 16 is "stopped". On the other hand, if order lane 16 is in transit, or if product 5 has reached its destination but is still on order lane 16, the monitoring device 26 determines that order lane 16 is "in use". The monitoring device 26 transmits these determination results to the main control device 24 as needed.

[0092] (Regarding kitchen 14) As shown in Figure 1, the kitchen 14 of the restaurant is a long space along the direction in which multiple order lanes 16 are lined up, and the kitchen lane system 10 is installed within this kitchen 14. In this kitchen 14, multiple employees (two in this embodiment) are each assigned a station to prepare products 5 according to customer orders. The kitchen lane system 10 according to this embodiment includes a circulation lane 28, a transfer device 30, a input device 32, a delivery device 34, and a main control device 24. The main control device 24 controls the entire kitchen lane system (store system) 10, as well as the aforementioned order lanes 16, etc. The kitchen lane system 10 also includes multiple kitchen terminal devices 22 installed within the kitchen 14.

[0093] In the following explanation, for convenience, the three order lanes 16 in Figure 1 may be referred to as the 1st to 3rd order lanes 16 from left to right. Similarly, the transfer devices 34 provided in relation to each order lane 16 may be referred to as the 1st to 3rd transfer devices 34 from left to right in Figure 1. Furthermore, two employees may be referred to as employee A and employee B, with the input device 32 used by employee A designated as the 1st input device 32A and its components designated with "A," and the input device 32 used by employee B designated as the 2nd input device 32B and its components designated with "B" to distinguish them from each other. Additionally, the transfer device 30 located on the left side of Figure 1 may be referred to as the 1st transfer device 30A, and the transfer device 30 located on the right side as the 2nd transfer device 30B, with their components designated with "A" and "B" respectively to distinguish them.

[0094] (Regarding Circulation Lane 28) The circulating lane 28 is laid in a long, ring-shaped configuration within the kitchen 14 of the restaurant, along the direction in which multiple order lanes 16 are lined up (hereinafter referred to as the longitudinal direction). The circulating lane 28 is connected to the upstream ends of the multiple order lanes 16 via a transfer device 34. The circulating lane 28 then transports the prepared goods 5 according to customer orders to the corresponding order lane 16. The circulating lane 28 operates in a constant circulating manner, and its transport speed is constant. Furthermore, for example, if the order lane 16 that is transporting the ordered goods 5 is in operation (e.g., transporting other goods 5), the circulating lane 28 can circulate the goods 5 within the kitchen 14, allowing it to wait until the order lane 16 becomes available. In this embodiment, the transport direction of the circulating lane 28 is counterclockwise, but it may also circulate in a clockwise direction. In the following description, the path along which the circulating lane 28 extends is referred to as the transport path.

[0095] As shown in Figure 2, the circulating lane 28 is composed of, for example, a crescent chain conveyor, formed by a series of plates 36 arranged along a transport path. The circulating lane 28 has multiple compartmentalized areas 40 defined along the transport path. More specifically, one compartmentalized area 40 is defined by a predetermined number of plates 36 (for example, 8 plates 36). Therefore, for example, if the circulating lane 28 is composed of 80 plates 36, 10 compartmentalized areas 40 are defined. Each compartmentalized area 40 is provided with an identifier (an example of a detectable object) 42 for identifying the compartmentalized area 40. For example, an IC tag can be used as this identifier 42, but other identifiers 42 may also be used. For example, a two-dimensional code such as a QR code (registered trademark) can be used as the identifier 42. Identification information of the compartmentalized area 40 is recorded in the identifier 42. The identifier 42 is attached to the plate 36 located at the front of each compartmentalized area 40 (the upstreammost in the transport direction). In this embodiment, an identifier 42 is provided on the upper surface of the plate 36 located at the front of the partitioned area 40, in the center of the width direction of the plate 36 (the direction perpendicular to the transport direction). However, as shown in Figure 2, an identifier 42a may be provided on the lower surface of the plate 36, or an identifier 42b may be provided on the side of the plate 36. When an identifier 42a is provided on the lower surface of the plate 36, the reader 44 for identifier 42a, which will be described later, is provided below the circulation lane 28. On the other hand, when an identifier 42b is provided on the side of the plate 36, the reader 44 is provided to the side of the circulation lane 28. By providing identifiers 42a and 42b on the lower surface or side of the plate 36, the reader becomes less susceptible to the influence of the products 5 (plates) placed on the plate 36, and the reader 44 can reliably recognize identifiers 42a and 42b.

[0096] Furthermore, the circulation lane 28 is equipped with a reader (detection unit) 44 that reads an identifier 42 and obtains identification information for the partitioned area 40. For example, an RFID reader that reads information from an IC tag is used as this reader 44. However, other devices that can read the identification information recorded in the identifier 42 may be used. As shown in Figure 1, multiple readers 44 are installed along the transport path of the circulation lane 28. The detailed installation locations of the readers 44 will be described later. In addition, the identification information for each partitioned area 40 read by the reader 44 is transmitted to the main control unit 24 each time.

[0097] Here, as shown in Figure 3, the circulation lane 28 according to this embodiment has a roughly parallelogram shape, consisting of two parallel regions extending linearly along its longitudinal direction and two parallel regions connecting these two regions. Of these two regions along the longitudinal direction, the side closer to the multiple order lanes 16 is defined as the first transport area 46. The side further away from the multiple order lanes 16 is defined as the second transport area 48. In the first transport area 46 and the second transport area 48, the circulation lane 28 transports the goods 5 in opposite directions. In the following description, the transport direction of the circulation lane 28 in the first transport area 46 (the direction from right to left in Figure 3) will be referred to as the first direction, and the transport direction of the circulation lane 28 in the second transport area 48 (the direction from left to right in Figure 3) will be referred to as the second direction.

[0098] (Regarding the transfer device 30) A transport device 30 is provided in the circulation lane 28 so as to span between the first transport area 46 and the second transport area 48. In this embodiment, two transport devices 30 (first transport device 30A and second transport device 30B) are provided spaced apart in the longitudinal direction. As shown in Figure 4, each transport device 30 consists of a shortcut device 50 that transports (shortcuts) goods 5 being transported in the second transport area 48 to the first transport area 46, and a detour device 52 that transports (detours) goods 5 being transported in the first transport area 46 to the second transport area 48.

[0099] As shown in Figure 4, the shortcut device 50 comprises a shortcut conveyor 50a, a first guide 50b, and a second guide 50c. The shortcut conveyor 50a is installed in the circulation lane 28 so as to span between the first transport area 46 and the second transport area 48. In this embodiment, the shortcut conveyor 50a transports the goods 5 from the second transport area 48 to the first transport area 46. As the shortcut conveyor 50a, any device capable of transporting the goods 5 can be used, such as a belt conveyor or a roller conveyor. The shortcut conveyor 50a is driven by a drive source such as a motor (not shown). The drive source is operated under the control of the main control device 24 and is normally in a stopped state. When the drive source is driven by the main control device 24 at a predetermined timing, the shortcut conveyor 50a transports the goods 5 from the second transport area 48 to the first transport area 46. In other words, the shortcut conveyor 50a has the function of moving the product 5 in the second transport area 48 to the first transport area 46 (by shortcutting), thereby accelerating the timing of the product 5's arrival at the order lane 16.

[0100] The first guide 50b and the second guide 50c are both rod-shaped guide walls, and are installed in the circulation lane 28 so as to be rotatable around their shafts. The first guide 50b and the second guide 50c are driven by a drive source such as a motor (not shown) to allow them to rotate. The drive sources for the first guide 50b and the second guide 50c are each controlled by the main control device 24. The second guide 50c is installed in the second transport area 48 of the circulation lane 28 at a position spaced apart from the multiple order lanes 16. The second guide 50c is always located in a non-interference position, extending downstream from the shaft parallel to the transport direction of the circulation lane 28. The second guide 50c, located in a non-interference position, deviates outside the transport path so as not to interfere with the goods 5 on the circulation lane 28. Then, when the main control device 24 drives the drive source at a predetermined timing, the second guide 50c is displaced (rotated) to an interference position where it has entered the transport path of the circulation lane 28. When the second guide 50c is in the interference position, it is positioned in the second transport area 48, diagonally crossing the circulation lane 28 from the shaft downstream. When the product 5 reaches the second guide 50c at the interference position, the second guide 50c guides the product 5 toward the shortcut conveyor 50a. When all the products 5 in the partitioned area 40 have been transferred from the second transport area 48 to the shortcut conveyor 50a, the second guide 50c returns to the non-interference position.

[0101] The first guide 50b is installed in the first transport area 46 of the circulation lane 28, in a position close to multiple order lanes 16. The first guide 50b is always located in a non-interference position, extending from the shaft portion upstream of the first transport area 46 parallel to the transport direction of the circulation lane 28. That is, the first guide 50b, located in the non-interference position, deviates outside the transport path so as not to interfere with the goods 5 on the circulation lane 28. When the main control device 24 drives the drive source at a predetermined timing, the first guide 50b is displaced (rotated) to an interference position that enters the transport path of the circulation lane 28. When the first guide 50b is located in the interference position, the first guide 50b is in a state where it diagonally crosses the circulation lane 28 from the shaft portion upstream in the first transport area 46 of the circulation lane 28. Then, the goods 5 transported by the shortcut conveyor 50a are guided by the first guide 50b, which is in an interference position, and transported into a single compartment area 40 located in the first transport area 46 of the circulation lane 28. When all the goods 5 in the single compartment area 40 in the second transport area 48 have moved into the single compartment area 40 in the first transport area 46, the first guide 50b returns to its non-interference position.

[0102] The detour device 52 has a structure substantially similar to that of the shortcut device 50, but has the opposite function to that of the shortcut device 50 (i.e., the function of diverting the goods 5 away from the order lane 16). The detour device 52 comprises a detour conveyor 52a, a third guide 52b, and a fourth guide 52c. The detour conveyor 52a is placed in the circulation lane 28 between the first transport area 46 and the second transport area 48, and transports the goods 5 from the first transport area 46 to the second transport area 48. Similar to the shortcut conveyor 50a, any type of detour conveyor capable of transporting goods 5 can be used, such as a belt conveyor or a roller conveyor. The detour conveyor 52a is driven by a drive source such as a motor (not shown). The operation of the drive source is controlled by the main control device 24 and is always in a stopped state. Then, when the drive source is activated by the main control device 24 at a predetermined timing, the bypass conveyor 52a moves the product 5 from the first transport area 46 to the second transport area 48. In other words, the bypass conveyor 52a has the function of moving (bypassing) the product 5 in the first transport area 46 to the second transport area 48, thereby delaying the timing of its arrival at the order lane 16.

[0103] The third guide 52b and the fourth guide 52c have basically the same configuration as the first guide 50b and the second guide 50c. Therefore, in the following description, only the differences from the first guide 50b and the second guide 50c will be described, and the same configuration will be omitted. The third guide 52b is installed in the first transport area 46 of the circulation lane 28, in a position close to multiple order lanes 16. The third guide 52b is always located in a non-interference position, extending downstream from the shaft parallel to the transport direction of the circulation lane 28. That is, the third guide 52b, in the non-interference position, deviates outside the transport path so as not to interfere with the goods 5 on the circulation lane 28. When the main control device 24 drives the drive source at a predetermined timing, the third guide 52b is displaced (rotated) to an interference position that enters the transport path of the circulation lane 28. When the third guide 52b is positioned at the interference location, it diagonally crosses the circulation lane 28 downstream from the shaft in the first transport area 46. When a product 5 reaches the third guide 52b at the interference location, the third guide 52b guides the product 5 toward the bypass conveyor 52a. Once all the products 5 within a certain section area 40 have moved from the first transport area 46 toward the bypass conveyor 52a, the third guide 52b returns to the non-interference position.

[0104] The fourth guide 52c is installed in the second transport area 48 of the circulation lane 28, at a position spaced apart from the multiple order lanes 16. The fourth guide 52c is always located in a non-interference position, extending parallel to the transport direction of the circulation lane 28 from the shaft to the upstream side of the second transport area 48. That is, the fourth guide 52c, in the non-interference position, deviates outside the transport path so as not to interfere with the goods 5 on the circulation lane 28. When the main control device 24 drives the drive source at a predetermined timing, the fourth guide 52c is displaced (rotated) to an interference position that enters the transport path of the circulation lane 28. When the fourth guide 52c is in the interference position, it is in a state where it diagonally crosses the circulation lane 28 from the shaft to the upstream side in the second transport area 48. Then, the goods 5 transported by the bypass conveyor 52a are guided by the fourth guide 52c, which is in the interference position, and transported into a single compartment area 40 located in the second transport area 48 of the circulation lane 28. When all the goods 5 in a specific compartment area 40 in the first transport area 46 have been transported into a single compartment area 40 located in the second transport area 48, the fourth guide 52c returns to the non-interference position.

[0105] As described above, the transport device 30 of this embodiment includes a shortcut device 50 and a detour device 52. The shortcut device 50 transports (shortcuts) the goods 5 being transported in the second transport area 48 to the first transport area 46. The detour device 52 transports (detours) the goods 5 being transported in the first transport area 46 to the second transport area 48. The transport device 30 (in this embodiment, the shortcut device 50 and the detour device 52) adjusts the timing of the goods 5 arriving at the corresponding order lane 16. The transport device 30 of this embodiment includes a transport conveyor, a transport start guide, and a transport end guide.

[0106] The transfer conveyor is placed between the first transport area 46 and the second transport area 48, and transfers the product 5 (for example, a plate on which sushi is placed) from one of the source transport areas, the first transport area 46 or the second transport area 48, to the other destination transport area. The shortcut conveyor 50a of the shortcut device 50 is an example of a transfer conveyor, and transfers the product 5 from the second transport area 48, which is the source transport area, to the first transport area 46, which is the destination transport area. Similarly, the bypass conveyor 52a of the bypass device 52 is also an example of a transfer conveyor, and transfers the product 5 from the first transport area 46, which is the source transport area, to the second transport area 48, which is the destination transport area.

[0107] The transfer start guide directs the product 5 from the source transport area towards the transport conveyor. The second guide 50c of the shortcut device 50 is an example of a transfer start guide, and directs the product 5 from the second transport area 48, which is the source transport area, towards the shortcut conveyor 50a, which is the transport conveyor. Similarly, the third guide 52b of the bypass device 52 is also an example of a transfer start guide, and directs the product 5 from the first transport area 46, which is the source transport area, towards the bypass conveyor 52a, which is the transport conveyor.

[0108] The transfer completion guide guides the product 5 from the transfer conveyor towards the destination transport area. The first guide 50b of the shortcut device 50 is an example of a transfer completion guide, guiding the product 5 from the shortcut conveyor 50a, which is a transfer conveyor, towards the first transport area 46, which is the destination transport area. Similarly, the fourth guide 52c of the bypass device 52 is also an example of a transfer completion guide, guiding the product from the bypass conveyor 52a, which is a transfer conveyor, towards the second transport area 48, which is the destination transport area. As a result, the product 5 is properly transported by the transfer conveyor, transfer start guide, and transfer completion guide of the transfer device. Note that when the transfer device is installed in the kitchen lane system 10, only one of the shortcut device 50 or the bypass device 52 may be used.

[0109] (Regarding the transfer device 34) The transfer device 34 transfers goods 5 from the circulation lane 28 to the order lane 16, and one is provided for each of the multiple order lanes 16. The transfer device 34 is a rod-shaped guide wall, similar to the first to fourth guides 50b, 50c, 52b, and 52c described above. As shown in Figure 5, each transfer device 34 is rotatably mounted via a shaft at the linkage between the circulation lane 28 and the order lane 16. Each transfer device 34 is driven by a drive source such as a motor (not shown). The drive source is operated under the control of the main control device 24 and is normally stopped. When the drive source is driven by the main control device 24 at a predetermined timing, the transfer device 34 transfers goods 5 from the circulation lane 28 to the corresponding order lane 16.

[0110] More specifically, the transfer device 34 is pivotally supported in the first transport area 46 at a position spaced apart from the order lane 16 of the circulation lane 28. Normally, it is positioned in a non-interference position, extending parallel to the transport path of the circulation lane 28 downstream from the pivot point in the first transport area 46. That is, the transfer device 34, in its non-interference position, deviates outside the transport path to avoid interfering with the goods 5 on the circulation lane 28. When the main control device 24 drives the drive source at a predetermined timing, the transfer device 34 is displaced (rotates) into an interference position within the transport path of the circulation lane 28. When the transfer device 34 is in the interference position, it diagonally crosses the transport path of the circulation lane 28 in the first transport area 46, from its pivot point towards the corresponding order lane 16. As a result, goods 5 that reach the transfer device 34 are guided by the transfer device 34 and transferred to the corresponding order lane 16. Then, once all the products 5 within the partitioned area 40 have been transferred from the circulation lane 28 to the corresponding order lane 16, the transfer device 34 returns to its non-interference position.

[0111] (Regarding the feeding device 32) Next, the input device 32 will be described. As mentioned above, there are multiple input devices 32, corresponding to each of the multiple employees (in this embodiment, there are two: the first input device 32A and the second input device 32B). Each input device 32 is equipped with a first input transport path 60 for inputting the product 5 into the first transport area 46 of the circulation lane 28, and a second input transport path 62 for inputting the product 5 into the second transport area 48. In this embodiment, both the first input transport path 60 and the second input transport path 62 are provided in the circulation lane 28 between the first transport area 46 and the second transport area 48.

[0112] The first input conveying path 60 includes an input conveyor 60a that transports the goods 5 parallel to the first direction of the first transport area 46, a guide section 63, and an input opening 64. The input conveyor 60a is designed to transport multiple goods 5 (for example, 6) at once. Similar to the shortcut conveyor 50a and bypass conveyor 52a described above, a belt conveyor or roller conveyor is used for the input conveyor 60a. The input conveyor 60a is driven by a drive source such as a motor (not shown). The drive of this drive source is controlled by the main control device 24. The input conveyor 60a is normally in a stopped state. When the main control device 24 drives the drive source at a predetermined timing, the input conveyor 60a starts to operate.

[0113] The guide section 63 is a guide wall that extends in a direction intersecting the transport direction of the input conveyor 60a toward the first transport area 46, and guides the goods 5 being transported by the input conveyor 60a toward the first transport area 46. The input opening 64 is located at the downstream end of the guide section 63 and opens toward the first transport area 46, and the goods 5 guided by the guide section 63 are fed into the first transport area 46 from the input opening 64.

[0114] The second input transport path 62 has basically the same configuration as the first input transport path 60. Therefore, in the following description, only the differences between the second input transport path 62 and the first input transport path 60 will be described, and the identical configurations will be omitted. The second input transport path 62 includes an input conveyor 62a, a guide section 63, and an input opening 64. The input conveyor 62a of the second input transport path 62 transports the goods 5 parallel to the second direction of the second transport area 48. The second input transport path 62 also includes a guide section 63 and an input opening 64. The guide section 63 of the second input transport path 62 is a guide wall that extends in a direction intersecting the transport direction of the input conveyor 62a toward the second transport area 48. It then guides the goods 5 transported by the input conveyor 60a toward the second transport area 48. The input port 64 of the second input transport path 62 opens towards the second transport area 48 at the downstream end of the guide section 63. The goods 5 guided by the guide section 63 are fed into the second transport area 48 from the input port 64.

[0115] Here, both the first input conveying path 60 and the second input conveying path 62 are provided so as not to interfere with the goods 5 being transported in the circulation lane 28. That is, the first input conveying path 60 and the second input conveying path 62 are provided between the first transport area 46 and the second transport area 48, and each input conveyor 60a extends between the two transport areas. The input openings 64, 64 of each input conveying path 60, 62 open toward the transport path from a position deviating from the transport path of the circulation lane 28. Therefore, the goods 5 being transported in the first transport area 46 and the second transport area 48 are designed not to come into contact with the first input conveying path 60 and the second input conveying path 62. Moreover, both the first input conveying path 60 and the second input conveying path 62 are provided between the first transport area 46 and the second transport area 48. Therefore, by effectively utilizing the 28 available spaces in the circulation lane, it is possible to secure a larger workspace for employees.

[0116] As shown in Figure 1, two input devices 32 (first input device 32A and second input device 32B) are positioned between the three order lanes 16. Two transfer devices 30 (first transfer device 30A and second transfer device 30B) are also located between the three order lanes 16. The first input transport path 60A of the first input device 32A, located between the first and second order lanes 16, is provided close to the first order lane 16. Similarly, the first input transport path 60B of the second input device 32B, located between the second and third order lanes 16, is provided close to the second order lane 16. The input port 64 of the first input transport path 60A is located near the upstream side of the first order lane 16, and the input port 64 of the first input transport path 60B is located near the upstream side of the second order lane 16. Furthermore, the input port 64 of the first input transport path 60A is located downstream of the shortcut device 50A, and the input port 64 of the first input transport path 60B is located downstream of the shortcut device 50B. In other words, the input port 64 of the first input transport path 60A is located downstream of the shortcut device 50A and upstream of the first transfer device 34. Also, the input port 64 of the first input transport path 60B is located downstream of the shortcut device 50B and near the upstream side of the second transfer device 34.

[0117] (Regarding kitchen terminal device 22) Multiple kitchen terminal devices 22 are provided in the kitchen 14 of the restaurant. These kitchen terminal devices 22 are provided in correspondence with the first input transport path 60 and the second input transport path 62 of each input device 32. In other words, in this embodiment, four kitchen terminal devices 22 are installed. For the sake of explanation, the four kitchen terminal devices 22 shown in Figure 1 may be referred to as the 1st to 4th kitchen terminal devices 22, from left to right. The 1st and 2nd kitchen terminal devices 22 correspond to the first and 2nd input transport paths 60A and 62A of the 1st input device 32A, respectively, and the 3rd and 4th kitchen terminal devices 22 correspond to the first and 2nd input transport paths 60B and 62B of the 2nd input device 32B, respectively. The 1st and 2nd kitchen terminal devices 22 are mainly used by employee A, who is in charge of the 1st input device 32A. On the other hand, the third and fourth kitchen terminal devices 22 are mainly used by employee B, who is in charge of the second input device 32B.

[0118] Each kitchen terminal device 22 is, for example, a tablet-type display terminal with a touch-panel display screen. Alternatively, a personal computer such as a laptop computer may be used as the kitchen terminal device 22. Each kitchen terminal device 22 is connected to the main control unit 24 for communication, and orders for goods 5 entered via the in-store terminal device 20 are transmitted from the main control unit 24 to each kitchen terminal device 22. At this time, the main control unit 24 transmits at least the contents and quantity of the ordered goods 5, along with identification information of the order lane 16 corresponding to the customer who placed the order. When the kitchen terminal device 22 receives this information (hereinafter referred to as order output information) from the main control unit 24, it displays an image (hereinafter referred to as order image 66) corresponding to the order output information on its display screen.

[0119] Figure 6 shows an example of an order image 66 displayed on the display screen of the kitchen terminal device 22. In this embodiment, all kitchen terminal devices 22 are configured to display the same content on their display screens. In the example in Figure 6, an order image 66 related to the second order lane 16 and an order image 66 related to the first order lane 16 are displayed. That is, in the example in Figure 6, an order related to the second order lane 16 is placed first (Order No. 1), and then an order related to the first order lane 16 is placed (Order No. 2). The order image 66 for Order No. 1 displays the ordered item (tuna), quantity (3 plates), and the corresponding order lane 16 (second lane). The order image 66 for No. 2 displays the ordered item (shrimp), quantity (2 plates), and the corresponding order lane 16 (first lane). Note that a single order may include multiple types of items 5 (for example, squid, shrimp, quantity 5 plates).

[0120] Furthermore, the order image 66 displays a placement completion button 68, which is operated by the employee when they have placed the prepared product 5 into the input transport paths 60 and 62. For example, let's assume that employee B has placed the prepared product for order No. 1 (tuna: 3 plates) into the first input transport path 60B corresponding to the third kitchen terminal device 22. In this case, employee B operates (touches) the placement completion button 68 displayed on the order image 66 for order No. 1 on the display screen of the third kitchen terminal device 22. As a result, the third kitchen terminal device 22 transmits information (placement completion information) to the main control device 24 indicating that the product 5 for order No. 1 has been placed into the corresponding first input transport path 60. Based on the received placement completion information, the main control device 24 can decide which section area 40 of the circulation lane 28 to place the placed product 5 into.

[0121] In the example described above, the order image 66 was displayed similarly on all kitchen terminal devices 22. However, the order image 66 displayed on each kitchen terminal device 22 may be displayed in a different manner and with different content. For example, the order image 66 displayed on the kitchen terminal device 22 may differ depending on the order lane 16 corresponding to the ordered product 5. Specifically, for example, the order image 66 for orders from the first order lane 16 (left side of Figure 1) may be displayed only on the first kitchen terminal device 22 and the second kitchen terminal device 22 (the two on the left side of Figure 1). On the other hand, the order image 66 for orders from the third order lane 16 (right side of Figure 1) may be displayed only on the third kitchen terminal device 22 and the fourth kitchen terminal device 22 (the two on the right side of Figure 1).

[0122] Furthermore, the manner in which the order image 66 is displayed on the kitchen terminal device 22 may be varied depending on the order lane 16 corresponding to the ordered product 5. Specifically, consider a case where there are two orders, one for the first order lane 16 and one for the third order lane 16. In this case, the order image 66 for all orders is displayed on each kitchen terminal device 22, while the order image 66 for the order from the first order lane 16 may be highlighted on the first and second kitchen terminal devices 22. On the other hand, the order image 66 for the order from the third order lane 16 may be highlighted on the third and fourth kitchen terminal devices 22. Examples of highlighting include flashing or enlarging the order image 66.

[0123] (Regarding the installation location of reader 44) Next, the installation locations of the readers (detection units) 44 will be explained. As shown in Figures 1, 4, and 5, multiple readers 44 are installed along the transport path of the circulation lane 28. At least the following locations have been set as installation locations for the readers 44: (1) near the upstream side of the input port 64 of each input device 32 (see Figure 5), (2) near the upstream side of the second guide 50c of the shortcut device 50 (see Figure 4), (3) near the upstream side of the third guide 52b of the bypass device 52 (see Figure 4), and (4) near the upstream side of the transfer device 34 (see Figure 1). However, in addition to these installation locations, readers 44 may also be installed, for example, near the downstream side of the first guide 50b of the shortcut device 50 or near the downstream side of the fourth guide 52c of the bypass device 52.

[0124] In this way, by providing multiple readers 44, the identifier (detected object) 42 provided on the plate 36 can be identified at different locations. That is, the partitioned area 40 of the circulation lane 28 can be grasped at multiple locations, so the location of the partitioned area 40 can be accurately recognized. Moreover, by providing a reader 44 near the upstream side of the input port 64 of the input device 32, it is possible to detect whether or not the partitioned area 40 into which the product 5 set in the input device 32 is to be input (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the input destination partitioned area 40) has arrived at the input port 64. Furthermore, by installing a reader 44 near the upstream side of the second guide 50c, it is possible to detect whether or not the partitioned area 40 in which the product 5 to be shortcutted is located (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the transfer source partitioned area 40) has arrived at the second guide 50c. Furthermore, by installing a reader 44 near the upstream side of the third guide 52b, it is possible to detect whether or not the partitioned area 40 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the partitioned area 40 of the detour source or transfer source) containing the product 5 to be diverted has arrived at the third guide 52b. Then, by installing a reader 44 near the upstream side of the delivery device 34, it is possible to detect when the predetermined partitioned area 40 (i.e., the product 5) has arrived at the destination order lane 16 (delivery device 34).

[0125] As described above, in this embodiment, the location of multiple partitioned areas 40 is determined by installing multiple readers 44 in various locations. However, the number and location of the readers 44 are not limited to the example described above. For example, one reader (detection unit) 44 may be installed in one of the circulation lanes 28, and this reader 44 may be used to read the identifier (detected object) 42 of each partitioned area 40. In this way, even if only one reader 44 is installed, the main control device 24 can estimate the location of all partitioned areas 40. That is, since the length and transport speed of the circulation lane 28 are constant, the main control device 24 can estimate the location of all partitioned areas 40 from the detection signals of the partitioned areas 40 detected by a single reader 44.

[0126] (Regarding the main control device 24) Next, the main control unit 24 will be described. As shown in Figure 8, the main control unit 24 is connected to each device on the store side 12 and the kitchen side 14 so as to be able to communicate with them, and controls these devices comprehensively. The main control unit 24 can be implemented as a computer equipped with a processor 70, memory 72, etc. The processing procedures of the main control unit 24 are usually implemented in software (computer program code), and this software is recorded on a recording medium such as ROM. However, some or all of the processing may be implemented in hardware (dedicated circuitry).

[0127] Herein, in this disclosure, the term “processor” means one or more hardware processors configured to execute program code contained in a program (i.e., one or more instructions that make up a program). In other words, “processor 70” is a hardware device capable of executing one or more programmed processes. For example, “processor” may be a general-purpose or application-specific processor and may be, but is not limited to, a CPU, microprocessor, GPU, and DFP (Data Flow Processor).

[0128] In this disclosure, the term “memory” refers to one or more hardware memories that are non-transitional tangible recording media configured to record computer program code and / or data in a manner accessible from the processor 70. “Memory” can be implemented by memory technology such as SRAM, SDRAM, non-volatile flash memory, or other types of memory. The computer program code that constitutes the program is recorded in memory and executed by the processor, thereby enabling the main control unit 24 to implement various functions.

[0129] As shown in Figure 8, the main control unit 24 is communicatively connected to the store-side equipment 12, namely the store terminal device 20, the order lane 16 (drive unit), and the monitoring device 26. The main control unit 24 is also communicatively connected to the kitchen-side equipment 14, namely the input device 32, the reader 44, the transfer device 30, the delivery device 34, and the kitchen terminal device 22. The main control unit 24 is connected to these devices via wired or wireless communication lines.

[0130] The main control unit 24 receives information regarding orders for product 5 (hereinafter referred to as order input information) from the in-store terminal device 20. The order input information includes the type and quantity of product 5, as well as identification information for the ordered table / seat 18, and identification information for the order lane 16 corresponding to that table / seat 18. Upon receiving the order input information, the main control unit 24 assigns an order number to the order and transmits it to each kitchen terminal device 22 as the order output information described above. The main control unit 24 also receives the placement completion information described above from each kitchen terminal device 22. As a result, the main control unit 24 recognizes which order number of product 5 has been set in which input transport path 60, 62.

[0131] Furthermore, the main control unit 24 is configured to receive identification information for each section area 40 detected by the reader 44, along with the identification information of the reader 44, as it is transmitted to it. The main control unit 24 stores the installation positions of all readers 44 in advance. As a result, the main control unit 24 can constantly know the position of all section areas 40 in the circulation lane 28 based on the information from the readers 44. In this way, by constantly knowing the position of each section area 40, the main control unit 24 can accurately predict the timing when a section area 40 will reach the order lane 16. As the position of a section area 40, for example, a predetermined position in the circulation lane 28 can be used as the reference position, and the value of the distance along the transport direction from the reference position to the leading plate 36 of the section area 40 can be used.

[0132] The main control unit 24 receives information regarding the status of the order lane 16 from the monitoring device 26 as it occurs. Specifically, the main control unit 24 receives information from the monitoring device 26 indicating the usage status of the order lane 16 (information indicating whether the order lane 16 is in use or stopped). This allows the main control unit 24 to constantly monitor the status of the order lane 16 at the destination.

[0133] In this way, the main control device 24 understands the location of all partition areas 40 in the circulation lane 28 and the contents of the goods 5 placed in each partition area 40. Furthermore, the main control device 24 understands the usage status of the order lane 16. This information (hereinafter referred to as partition area information) is stored in the partition area information storage unit 72a of the memory 72. Figure 7 shows the partition area information stored in the partition area information storage unit at a certain time. In the example in Figure 7, the partition area information stored includes identification information of the partition area 40 (for example, if there are 10 partition areas 40, identification numbers from 1 to 10), the location of the partition area 40 (distance from the reference position), the presence or absence of goods 5, the order number, the contents of the goods 5 (type, number of plates), the destination order lane 16 (identification number of the order lane 16), the usage status of the destination order lane 16 (in use or stopped), and the estimated arrival time to the destination order lane 16 (seconds). This partition area information is updated as needed based on information from the reader 44. Furthermore, the partition area information is updated when (1) product 5 is newly placed into the circulation lane 28, (2) product 5 is handed over to the order lane 16, (3) product 5 is given a shortcut, and (4) product 5 is rerouted.

[0134] Next, the various control processes performed by the main control unit 24 will be described. The main control unit 24 reads the various control programs stored in the memory 72 from the processor 70 and then executes the following input process, transfer process, shortcut process, and bypass process.

[0135] (Regarding the input process) Next, the input process performed by the main control device 24 will be explained with reference to the flowchart in Figure 9. The input process begins when an employee sets product 5 on one of the input transport paths and operates the placement completion button 68 displayed on the corresponding kitchen terminal device 22. In the following explanation, it is assumed that product 5 for order No. 2 (product 5: shrimp, quantity: 2 plates) is set on the first input transport path 60A corresponding to the first kitchen terminal device 22. When the input process begins, placement completion information is received from the first kitchen terminal device 22 (step S10). From the placement completion information, the main control device 24 recognizes that product 5 for order No. 2 has been set on the first input transport path 60A corresponding to the first kitchen terminal device 22.

[0136] Upon receiving information that placement is complete, the main control unit 24 accesses the partition area information storage unit 72a and refers to the partition area information (step S12). Based on the partition area information, the main control unit 24 determines the partition area 40 where the product 5 will be placed, taking into account the usage status of the circulation lane 28 and the destination order lane 16 (step S14). In this way, the main control unit 24 can grasp the usage status of the circulation lane 28 and the order lane 16 based on the partition area information that is updated as needed. Therefore, it can select the optimal partition area 40 according to the usage status of the circulation lane 28 and the order lane 16.

[0137] For example, if product 5 is not placed in the partition area 40 closest to the first input transport path 60A where product 5 is set, the main control device 24 can determine that partition area 40 as the partition area 40 into which product 5 should be input. On the other hand, if product 5 is placed in the partition area 40 closest to the first input transport path 60A, and product 5 is not placed in the next partition area 40, the main control device 24 can determine that the next partition area 40 as the partition area 40 into which product 5 should be input. In the following explanation, it is assumed that partition area 40 with identification number 8 has been determined to be the input partition area.

[0138] Next, the main control device 24 determines whether the reader 44 (see Figure 5), located near the first input transport path 60A, has detected the input destination area 40 (i.e., the area 40 with identification number 8) (step S16). If the reader 44 detects the input destination area 40 (step S16: YES), the main control device 24 drives the first input transport path 60A (step S18). As a result, the product 5 set in the first input transport path 60A is transported by the input conveyor 60a and guided toward the circulation lane 28 by the guide unit 63. The product 5 is then input into the input destination area 40 via the input opening 64.

[0139] Next, the main control device 24 determines whether the reader 44 has detected the next section area 40 (i.e., section area 40 with identification number 9) after the section area 40 to which the goods are to be inserted (step S20). When the reader 44 detects the next section area 40, the main control device 24 stops driving the first input transport path 60A. In this embodiment, multiple section areas 40 where multiple goods 5 can be placed are defined in the circulation lane 28, and the multiple goods 5 inserted into each section area 40 are managed on a section area 40 basis. This makes it possible to accurately grasp multiple goods 5 within a section area 40 and to realize appropriate transport and delivery of goods 5 according to the usage status of the circulation lane 28 and the order lane 16. In addition, the first input transport path 60 is driven from the time the reader 44 detects the section area 40 to which the goods are to be inserted until the next section area 40 is detected. That is, the first input transport path 60 is driven from the time the section area 40 to which the goods are to be inserted arrives until it passes through. Therefore, even if multiple items 5 are set in the first input conveyor path 60, all items 5 can be reliably fed into the designated input area 40. The time for driving the input conveyor paths 60 and 62 is not limited to that described above. For example, since the main control device 24 knows the quantity of items 5 that have been set, it may drive the input conveyor paths 60 and 62 for a time corresponding to the quantity of items 5. Alternatively, for example, the main control device 24 may store in advance the time required to feed all of the maximum quantity (e.g., 6) of items 5 that can be set in the input conveyor paths 60 and 62. The input conveyor paths 60 and 62 (input conveyors 60a and 62a) may be driven only for the time stored in advance.

[0140] When the main control device 24 stops driving the first input transport path 60 (step S22), it updates the partition area information (step S24). That is, it updates the information regarding the partition area 40 to which the input is made. In this example, since product No. 2 was input into partition area 40 with identification number 8, the information regarding partition area 40 with identification number 8 is updated as shown in Figure 7. Then, the main control device 24 terminates the input process.

[0141] Here, the input device 32 is installed between the first transport area 46 and the second transport area 48, and is configured not to interfere with the goods 5 being transported in the circulation lane 28. In particular, the input port 64 of the first input transport path 60 is located near the upstream side of the first order lane 16 and the second order lane 16. Therefore, when an order for goods 5 is placed for the first order lane 16, setting the goods 5 in the first input transport path 60A, which is close to the first order lane 16, allows the goods 5 to be quickly transported to the first order lane 16A. In this way, by setting the goods 5 in the first input transport path 60, which is close to the destination order lane 16, employees can intuitively determine which input transport path to set the goods 5 in. Therefore, even inexperienced employees can easily determine which input transport paths 60 and 62 to load the goods 5 into.

[0142] Furthermore, in this embodiment, in addition to the first input transport path 60, a second input transport path 62 is used. Therefore, for example, an employee can, in light of the usage status of the circulation lane 28 and the order lane 16, intentionally have the product 5 placed in the second transport area 48, which is away from the order lane 16. Also, as shown in Figure 1, in the restaurant of this embodiment, by using the second input transport path 62B, it is possible to have the product 5 reach the order lane 16 on the far right as quickly as possible. In this way, by providing input transport paths 60 and 62 in the first transport area 46 and the second transport area 48, respectively, it is possible to flexibly input the product 5 according to the specifications of the restaurant.

[0143] Furthermore, the input port 64 of the first input transport path 60 is located downstream of the shortcut device 50 and upstream of the order lane 16. By positioning the input port 64 in this way, even if the shortcut device 50 is in use, the goods 5 can still be loaded using the first input transport path 60. In other words, while the shortcut device 50 is in use, the transport path of the circulation lane 28 is blocked by the first and second guides 50b and 50c, but by providing the input port 64 downstream of these guides, it is possible to load the goods 5 even when the shortcut device 50 is in use.

[0144] (Regarding the handover process) Next, the transfer process will be explained with reference to the flowchart in Figure 10. The transfer process will be explained using the scenario assumed in the input process described above, but after the input process has been completed. That is, assume that product 5 has been placed from the first input transport path 60A into the partitioned area 40 with identification number 8.

[0145] When product 5 is loaded, the main control device 24 determines whether the reader 44, which is provided in correspondence with the first order lane 16, has detected the partitioned area 40 where product 5 is placed (hereinafter referred to as the delivery source partitioned area 40) (step S100). If the reader 44 has not detected the delivery source partitioned area 40 (step S100: NO), the main control device 24 repeats the step. On the other hand, if the reader 44 has detected the delivery source partitioned area 40 (step S100: YES), the main control device 24 determines the usage status of the destination order lane 16 (in this case, the first order lane 16) (step S102). That is, the main control device 24 accesses the partitioned area information storage unit 72a and grasps the usage status of the first order lane 16 from the partitioned area information. Then, if the first order lane 16 is "stopped" (step S102: YES), the main control device 24 drives the first delivery device 34, which is provided in conjunction with the first order lane 16 (step S104).

[0146] In other words, the main control device 24 drives the first delivery device 34 to displace it from a non-interference position to an interference position. As a result, the first delivery device 34 crosses over the circulation lane 28. The goods 5 that arrive at the first delivery device 34 are guided by the first delivery device 34 and delivered to the first order lane 16. Next, the main control device 24 determines whether the reader 44 provided in correspondence with the first order lane 16 has detected the next partition area 40 after the partition area 40 of the delivery source (i.e., the partition area 40 of identification number 9) (step S106). If the reader 44 detects the next partition area 40 (step S106: YES), the main control device 24 returns the first delivery device 34 from the interference position to a non-interference position (step S108). In this way, the main control device 24 holds the first delivery device 34 in the interference position while the partition area 40 of the delivery source passes through. Therefore, even if multiple items 5 are placed in the delivery area 40, all items 5 can be reliably delivered to the first order lane 16.

[0147] On the other hand, in step S102, if the first order lane 16 is "in use" (step S102: NO), the main control device 24 allows the product 5 to pass through the first order lane 16 without driving the first delivery device 34. Therefore, the product 5, which is located in the delivery source area 40, will circulate through the circulation lane 28 without being delivered to the first order lane 16. In this way, if the delivery destination order lane 16 is in use, the product 5 can be circulated through the circulation lane 28 to buy time until delivery to the order lane 16 becomes possible. The main control device 24 then repeats step S102.

[0148] Meanwhile, when the handover of product 5 to the order lane 16 is complete, the main control unit 24 updates the partition area information with respect to the partition area 40 from which the handover originated (step S110). In this example, since product 5, which was placed in partition area 40 with identification number 8, has been handed over, the information with respect to partition area 40 with identification number 8 is updated. Then, the main control unit 24 terminates the handover process.

[0149] (Regarding shortcut processing) Next, the shortcut process will be explained below with reference to Figure 11. In the following explanation, we will assume that, as shown in Figure 12, in the situation assumed in the above-described handover process, product 5 passes through the first order lane 16 without being handed over to the first order lane 16. Therefore, at the time the shortcut process is executed, the first order lane 16 is considered "in use".

[0150] In the shortcut process, the main control unit 24 periodically refers to the partition area information and determines whether it is possible to shorten the time it arrives at the destination order lane 16 by shortening the transported product 5 (step S200). In the example in Figure 12, the main control unit 24 can shorten the time it arrives at the first order lane 16 by shortening the product 5 using the shortcut device 50A. Therefore, in this case, the main control unit 24 proceeds to step S202.

[0151] On the other hand, consider the case where product 5 is in the position shown in Figure 12, and the destination order lane 16 is the second order lane 16. In this case, if product 5 is sent via a shortcut using the shortcut device 50A, the timing of its arrival at the second order lane 16 will actually be delayed. Therefore, in such a case, the main control device 24 repeats the determination in step S200 without proceeding to step S202.

[0152] In step S202, the main control device 24 determines whether the reader 44, located upstream of the second guide 50c (see Figure 12) of the shortcut device 50A, has detected the partitioned area 40 where the product 5 to be shortcutted is located (i.e., the partitioned area 40 of the transport source). If the reader 44 detects the partitioned area 40 of the transport source (step S202: YES), the main control device 24 refers to the partitioned area information and determines whether the product 5 is already located in the destination partitioned area 40 that will arrive at the shortcut device 50A in the first transport area 46 (S203). If the product 5 is already located in the destination partitioned area 40 (S203: YES), a shortcut is not possible at this time, so the product passes through the partitioned area 40 of the transport source to the shortcut device 50A. The main control device 24 then returns to step S200 and determines again whether a shortcut is necessary.

[0153] On the other hand, if, in step S203, the product 5 is not located in the destination area 40 (S203: NO), the main control device 24 drives the first guide 50b and the second guide 50c, and also drives the shortcut conveyor 50a (S204). That is, the first guide 50b and the second guide 50c are displaced from non-interference positions to interfering positions, and the shortcut conveyor 50a is driven. As a result, the product 5 that has arrived at the second guide 50c is guided by the second guide 50c toward the shortcut conveyor 50a. The product 5 is then transported toward the first transport area 46 by the shortcut conveyor 50a and is transported to the first transport area 46 via the first guide 50b. In this way, by using the shortcut device 50, the product 5 can be transported by shortcut from the second transport area 48 to the first transport area 46. Therefore, the timing of the arrival of product 5 at the destination order lane 16 (in this case, the first order lane 16) can be accelerated. Moreover, the main control device 24 can determine whether or not product 5 is already placed in the destination partition area 40 by referring to the partition area information. Therefore, it is possible to avoid situations where a shortcut is executed even though product 5 is already placed in the destination partition area 40.

[0154] Next, the main control device 24 determines whether the reader 44, installed near the second guide 50c, has detected the next section area 40 after the section area 40 of the transport source (step S206). If the reader 44 detects the next section area 40 (step S206: YES), the first guide 50b and the second guide 50c are returned from the interference position to the non-interference position. In this way, the main control device 24 holds the first and second guides 50b and 50c in the interference position while the section area 40 of the transport source passes through. Therefore, even if multiple items 5 are placed in the section area 40 of the transport source, all items 5 can be reliably short-circuited.

[0155] When the shortcut is completed, the main control unit 24 updates the partition area information with respect to the partition area 40 of the source of transport and the partition area 40 in the first transport area 46 to which the product 5 was transported (i.e., the partition area 40 to which the product 5 was transported) (step S208). In this example, for example, if the partition area 40 to which the product 5 was transported is partition area 40 with identification number 2, the partition area information is updated with respect to partition area 40 with identification number 8 and partition area 40 with identification number 2. The main control unit 24 can determine (estimate) the partition area 40 to which the product 5 was transported by the shortcut from the position of each partition area 40 at the time the shortcut was executed. Alternatively, a reader 44 may be installed upstream of the first guide 50b, and the destination partition area 40 may be recognized from the detection information of the reader 44. After updating the partition area information in step, the main control unit 24 terminates the shortcut process.

[0156] (Detour process) Next, the detour process will be explained with reference to the flowchart in Figure 13. The detour process will be explained in the case where, as shown in Figure 14, product 5 is transported to the second order lane 16, and product 5 is located upstream of the third order lane 16.

[0157] In the detour process, the main control unit 24 refers to the partition area information as needed and determines whether it is necessary to delay the arrival of the transported product 5 at the destination order lane 16 by detouring it (step S300). In the example in Figure 14, for example, if the destination second order lane 16 is in use, it can be said that it is necessary to delay the arrival of product 5 at the second order lane 16. Also, for example, even if the second order lane 16 is stopped, if there is also product 5 to be transported to the second order lane 16 in a downstream partition area 40 adjacent to the partition area 40 where product 5 is located (hereinafter referred to as the detouring source partition area 40), it can be said that it is necessary to detoure the product 5 in the detouring source partition area 40. In such cases, the main control unit 24 determines that detouring is necessary (S300: YES) and proceeds to step S302. If step S300 is determined to be negative, the main control unit 24 repeats step S300.

[0158] In step S302, the main control device 24 determines whether the reader 44, located upstream of the third guide B, has detected the partitioned area 40 where the product 5 to be diverted is located (i.e., the partitioned area 40 from which the divergence should be made). If the partitioned area 40 from which the divergence should be made is detected (step S302: YES), the main control device 24 refers to the partitioned area information and determines whether the product 5 is already located in the partitioned area 40 to which the divergence should be made, which will arrive at the divergence device 52A in the second transport area 48 (S303). If the product 5 is already located in the partitioned area 40 to which the divergence should be made (S303: YES), the divergence cannot be made at this time, so the partitioned area 40 from which the divergence should be made passes through the divergence device 52A. The main control device 24 then returns to step S300 and determines again whether the divergence is necessary.

[0159] On the other hand, if no product 5 is located in the detour area 40 in step S303 (S303: NO), the main control device 24 proceeds to step S304 and drives the detour device 52. That is, as shown in Figure 4, the main control device 24 drives the third guide 52b and the fourth guide 52c of the detour device 52B, and also drives the detour conveyor 52a. That is, the third and fourth guides 52c are displaced from non-interference positions to interfering positions, respectively, and the detour conveyor 52a is driven. As a result, the product 5 that has arrived at the third guide 52b is guided to the detour conveyor 52a by the third guide 52b. The product 5 is then transported by the detour conveyor 52a toward the second transport area 48 and then transported to the second transport area 48 via the fourth guide 52c. In this way, by using the detour device 52, the product 5 can be detoured from the first transport area 46 to the second transport area 48. Therefore, the timing of the product 5's arrival at the destination order lane 16 (in this case, the second order lane 16) can be delayed. This allows the product 5 to be detoured until the second order lane 16, which is currently in use, stops, thus saving time.

[0160] Next, the main control device 24 determines whether the reader 44 installed near the third guide 52b has detected the next section area 40 after the section area 40 from which the bypass originates (step S306). If the reader 44 detects the next section area 40 (step S306: YES), the main control device 24 returns the third and fourth guides 52a and 52c from the interference position to the non-interference position (step S308). In this way, the main control device 24 holds the third and fourth guides 52b and 52c in the interference position while the section area 40 from which the bypass originates passes. Therefore, even if multiple products 5 are placed in the section area 40 from which the bypass originates, all products 5 can be reliably bypassed.

[0161] When the main control unit 24 completes the detour of the product 5, it updates the partition area information with respect to the partition area 40 of the detour source and the partition area 40 in the second transport area 48 to which the product 5 was transported (hereinafter referred to as the detour destination partition area 40) (step S310). The main control unit 24 can also determine the detour destination partition area 40 from the position of each partition area 40 at the time the detour was executed. Alternatively, a reader 44 may be installed upstream of the fourth guide 52c, and the detour destination partition area 40 may be recognized from the detection information of the reader 44. After updating the partition area information in step S310, the main control unit 24 terminates the detour process.

[0162] As described above, in the kitchen lane system 10 according to this embodiment, multiple compartments are defined along the transport path in the circulation lane 28, and one or more products 5 are placed in each compartment. The main control device 24 can understand the location of all compartments and the contents of the products 5, and can perform appropriate control according to the usage status of the circulation lane 28 and the order lane 16. Moreover, since the main control device 24 manages the products 5 on a compartment-by-compartment basis, it can appropriately control the circulation lane 28 system even when multiple products 5 are placed. Furthermore, each compartment area 40 is designed so that multiple products 5 can be arranged side by side along the transport direction. Therefore, a group of products 5 placed in each compartment area 40 can be appropriately managed on a compartment area 40 basis. As a result, the positional relationship of the products 5 with respect to the circulation lane 28 can be accurately understood, and products can be reliably delivered to the order lane.

[0163] Next, examples of modifications of this disclosure are described below. In the following description, only the differences from the embodiments described above will be mentioned, and elements having the same effects as those in the embodiments will be denoted by the same reference numerals and their descriptions will be omitted.

[0164] (Example of transformation 1) Figure 15 is a schematic diagram showing the entire restaurant premises where the kitchen lane system (store system) 100 according to Transformation Example 1 is installed. In the embodiment described above, three order lanes 16 were provided, one in each island of the store premises 12. On the other hand, in the restaurant premises according to Transformation Example 1, two order lanes 16 are provided in parallel in the central island of the store premises 12. In addition, in the embodiment, monitoring devices 26 such as cameras that recognize the usage status of the order lanes 16 were provided at each table / seat 18. In contrast, in Transformation Example 1, an object detection sensor 84 is provided at each order lane 16, and the object detection sensor 84 is configured to detect the presence or absence of products 5 on the corresponding order lane 16. As the object detection sensor 84, an optical sensor that irradiates light such as visible light or infrared light toward a light receiving part, a photoelectric sensor, etc. are used.

[0165] The object detection sensor 84 is connected to the main control unit 24 in a communication manner. The object detection sensor 84 sends a detection signal 84 to the main control unit 24 as it occurs. When the main control unit 24 receives a signal from the object detection sensor 84 indicating that product 5 has been detected, it determines that the corresponding order lane 16 is "in use". On the other hand, when the main control unit 24 receives a signal from the object detection sensor 84 indicating that product 5 has not been detected, it determines that the corresponding order lane 16 is "stopped".

[0166] In the embodiment described above, the first and second input transporters 60 and 62 were both located between the first transport area 46 and the second transport area 48 in the circulation lane 28. On the other hand, in the kitchen lane system 100 according to modification example 1, the second input transporter 62 is located on the opposite side of the order lane 16 from the second transport area 48. That is, in modification example 1, the second input transporter 62 is located on the side of the employee workspace in the kitchen 14 relative to the second transport area 48. Thus, the first input transporter 60 is located between the first and second transport areas 46 and 48 (i.e., close to the first transport area 46), while the second input transporter 62 is located on the side closer to the employees (i.e., close to the second transport area 48). Therefore, employees can intuitively select the input transport paths 60 and 62 according to the area into which the product is input, thereby suppressing errors such as inputting the product 5 to the wrong destination.

[0167] Here, Figure 16 is an enlarged view of a part of the kitchen lane system 10a according to modification example 1. As shown in Figure 16, the input transport paths 60 and 62 of modification example 1 are equipped with input product sensors 80 that can detect products 5 set in the input transport paths 60 and 62. Similar to the object detection sensor 84, the input product sensor 80 uses, for example, an optical sensor or a photoelectric sensor to detect the presence or absence of products 5 placed in the input transport paths 60 and 62. Note that the input product sensor 80 can also be a weight sensor or the like, as long as it can detect products 5. The input product sensor 80 is communicably connected to the main control device 24, and detection signals from the input product sensor 80 are transmitted to the main control device 24 as needed. The main control device 24 can then determine whether or not products 5 are actually set in the input transport paths 60 and 62 based on the detection signals from the input product sensor 80. For example, if an employee presses the placement completion button 68 on the corresponding kitchen terminal device 22 before placing the product 5 in the input transport path 60, the main control device 24 can recognize, based on the detection signal from the input product sensor 80, that the product 5 is not actually placed in the input transport path 60. As a result, even if the main control device 24 receives placement completion information from the kitchen terminal device 22, it can display an error message indicating that the product 5 is not placed in the kitchen terminal device 22 without executing the input process.

[0168] In the embodiment described above, the destination area 40 for shortcuts and detours is estimated by the main control device 24 based on area information. On the other hand, in the modified example 1, the reader 44a is also provided downstream of the shortcut device 50 and the detour device 52, so that the destination area 40 for shortcuts and detours can be directly recognized. That is, in the kitchen lane system 100 according to modified example 1, in addition to the reader 44 provided upstream of the shortcut device 50 in the second transport area 48, a reader 44a is also provided downstream of the shortcut device 50 in the first transport area 46. More specifically, in the first transport area 46, a reader 44a is provided near the upstream side of the shortcut conveyor 50a. By providing the reader 44a upstream of the shortcut conveyor 50a, the destination area 40 to which the shortcutted goods 5 are transported can be recognized by the reader 44a.

[0169] Similarly, in addition to the reader 44 installed upstream of the bypass device 52 in the first transport area 46, a reader 44a is also installed downstream of the bypass device 52 in the second transport area 48. More specifically, a reader 44a is installed near the upstream side of the bypass conveyor 52a in the second transport area 48. By installing the reader 44a upstream of the bypass conveyor 52a, the reader 44a can recognize the detour area 40 where the bypassed goods 5 are placed.

[0170] In the kitchen lane system 100 according to modification example 1, multiple product detection sensors 82 are provided in the circulation lane 28. Product detection sensors 82 are also provided in the order lane 16. Similar to the object detection sensors 84 described above, these product detection sensors 82 use photoelectric sensors such as optical sensors. In this modification example 1, product detection sensors 82 are provided in the following locations: (1) near the input ports 64 of each input transport path 60, 62 in the circulation lane 28, (2) downstream of the first guide 50b of the shortcut device 50 in the circulation lane 28, (3) downstream of the fourth guide 52c of the bypass device 52 in the circulation lane 28, and (4) near the delivery devices 34 in each order lane 16. These product detection sensors 82 are connected to the main control device 24 so as to be communicative, and detection signals from the product detection sensors 82 are transmitted to the main control device 24 as needed.

[0171] In this way, by providing product detection sensors 82 near the input openings 64 of each input transport path 60, 62, it is possible to determine whether or not products 5 have been input from the input transport paths 60, 62 into the desired partitioned area 40. Therefore, for example, if products 5 remain on the input conveyors 60a, 62a for some reason and cannot be input into the circulation lane 28, the main control device 24 can recognize that products 5 were not input. Furthermore, based on the detection signal from the product detection sensor 82, the main control device 24 can recognize the number of products 5 that have been input, and can also determine whether or not the correct number of products 5 have been input from the input transport paths 60, 62.

[0172] Furthermore, by providing a product detection sensor 82 downstream of the first guide 50b of the shortcut device 50, the main control device 24 can determine whether or not the product 5 has been transported to the destination partitioned area 40. In addition, based on the detection signal from the product detection sensor 82, the main control device 24 can also determine the number of products 5, and therefore can determine whether or not all products 5 to be transported have been transported to the destination partitioned area 40.

[0173] Similarly, by providing a product detection sensor 82 downstream of the fourth guide 52c of the detour device 52, the main control device 24 can determine whether or not the product 5 is located in the detour area 40. Furthermore, based on the detection signal from the product detection sensor 82, the main control device 24 can also determine the number of products 5, and therefore can determine whether or not all of the products 5 that should be detoured are located in the detour area 40.

[0174] Furthermore, by providing product detection sensors 82 near the upstream end of each order lane 16, the main control unit 24 can determine whether or not a product 5 has been delivered to the order lane 16. Moreover, based on the detection signals from the product detection sensors 82, the main control unit 24 can also determine the number of products 5, and therefore can determine whether or not the correct number of products 5 according to the order has been delivered to the order lane 16.

[0175] Next, referring to the flowchart in Figure 17, the shortcut processing of the kitchen lane system 100 according to modification example 1 will be explained. In the explanation of Figure 17, only steps that differ from the embodiment described above will be explained, and the same reference numerals will be used for processes that are the same as in the embodiment, and their explanation will be omitted.

[0176] In the shortcut process related to transformation example 1, if it is determined that no goods are placed in the destination partition area 40 by referring to the partition area information (step S203: NO), it is determined whether or not the reader 44a, which is located upstream of the first guide 50b in the first transport area 46, has detected the destination partition area 40 (step 400). If the reader 44a has detected the destination partition area 40 (step 400: YES), the shortcut is executed (step S204).

[0177] In step S208, when the shortcut device 50 is stopped, the main control unit 24 determines whether or not the product 5 is present in the destination partition area 40 based on the detection signal from the product detection sensor 82 located downstream of the first guide 50b in the first transport area 46. At this time, the main control unit 24 recognizes the number of products 5 that have been transported from the detection signal of the product detection sensor 82 and also determines whether or not all of the products 5 that should be transported have been transported to the destination partition area 40 (step S402). If all of the products 5 have been transported to the destination partition area 40 (step S402: YES), the partition area information is updated (step S210) and the shortcut process is terminated. On the other hand, if for some reason all of the products 5 have not been transported to the destination partition area 40 (step S402: NO), the main control unit 24 determines that an error has occurred (step S404). The main control unit 24 then executes error processing (step S406) and terminates the shortcut process. In addition, as an error handling procedure to be performed in step S406, for example, a message indicating that an error occurred during shortcut execution may be displayed on all kitchen terminal devices 22. Alternatively, or in conjunction with this, the main control device 24 may stop or slow down the circulation lane 28.

[0178] Thus, according to the kitchen lane system 100 of modification example 1, the second input conveying path 62 is located on the work space side of the second conveying area 48 in the kitchen 14. On the other hand, the first input conveying path 60 is located between the first and second conveying areas 46 and 48. Therefore, when an employee wants to input product 5 into the second conveying area 48, they will intuitively use the second input conveying path 62, which is located close to the second conveying area 48. As a result, the occurrence of errors such as inputting product 5 into the wrong conveying area can be suppressed.

[0179] Furthermore, the input transport paths 60 and 62 in the modified example 1 are equipped with input product sensors 80. Based on the detection signal from the input product sensors 80, the main control device 24 can determine whether or not the product 5 has actually been set in the input transport paths 60 and 62. Therefore, even if the product 5 has not been set in the input transport paths 60 and 62, but an employee presses the placement completion button 68, the main control device 24 can detect this as an error. Moreover, in modified example 1, readers 44a are also provided downstream of the shortcut device 50 and the detour device 52. Therefore, the readers 44a can detect the destination area 40 to which the product 5 is to be transported, and the detour area 40 to which it is to be detoured, enabling accurate shortcuts and detours for the product 5.

[0180] Furthermore, the kitchen lane system 100 according to modification example 1 is equipped with product detection sensors 82 capable of detecting products 5 that have been moved to the input area 40, the transfer area 40, the detour area 40, and the delivery order lane 16. Therefore, based on the detection signals from these product detection sensors 82, it is possible to determine whether or not the products 5 have actually been moved to the input area 40, etc. Moreover, since the main control device 24 can grasp the quantity of products 5 based on the detection signals from the product detection sensors 82, it is also possible to determine whether or not the exact number of products 5 have been moved to the input area 40, etc.

[0181] The installation locations and number of product detection sensors 82 described in the above-mentioned modification example 1 can be changed as appropriate. For example, in modification example 1, product detection sensors 82 are installed downstream of the shortcut device 50 and the bypass device 52 so that it is possible to determine whether or not a product 5 is placed in the destination or bypass area 40. However, for example, light from the product detection sensors 82 may be shone along the transport direction of the shortcut conveyor 50a so that products 5 on the shortcut conveyor 50a can be detected.

[0182] Furthermore, in modification example 1, a product detection sensor 82 was provided at the upstream end of the order lane 16, but the object detection sensor 84 may also serve as the sensor for determining whether or not an item has been handed over to the order lane 16.

[0183] In the above-described embodiment and modification example 1, a second input transport path 62 for loading the product 5 into the second transport area 48 was shown, but it is not necessarily required to use the second input transport path 62. That is, only the first input transport path 60 for loading the product 5 into the first transport area 46 may be provided, and the second input transport path 62 may not be used.

[0184] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, when an employee presses the placement completion button 68, the main control device 24 recognizes that the product 5 has been set in the input transport paths 60 and 62. In addition, in the modified example 1, an input product sensor 80 is provided to confirm that the product 5 has actually been set in the input transport paths 60 and 62. However, without using the placement completion button 68 of the kitchen terminal device 22, the main control device 24 may automatically recognize that the product 5 set in the input transport paths 60 and 62 has been set by detecting the product 5 with various sensors. In this case, the main control device 24 may automatically load the product into the circulation lane 28 without waiting for instructions from an employee.

[0185] (Example of transformation 2) Next, the kitchen lane system according to Modification Example 2 will be described below. In Modification Example 2, the order image 86 displayed on the kitchen terminal device 22 differs from that of the embodiment described above. In the embodiment, an order image 66 was displayed on the kitchen terminal device 22 for each order in response to a customer order (see Figure 6). When the preparation of the product 5 for each order was complete, the placement completion information was sent to the main control device 24 by pressing the placement completion button 68 displayed on the corresponding order image 66. In contrast, in Modification Example 2, as shown in Figure 18, an order image 86 is displayed for each type of product 5 ordered. In the example in Figure 18, it is assumed that order No. 3 is ordered as squid (3 plates) and shrimp (2 plates). In this case, the kitchen terminal device 22 displays an order image 86 for squid (3 plates) and an order image 86 for shrimp (2 plates). In addition, a preparation completion button 69 is displayed on each order image 86. This ready button 69 is pressed by an employee when the product 5 corresponding to the order image 86 is ready and placed on the input transport path 60, 62. In variation example 2, a single placement complete button 68 is displayed.

[0186] For example, when an employee prepares the squid (3 plates) for order No. 3 and sets it on the input transport paths 60 and 62, they touch the ready button 69 on the corresponding order image 86 (center in Figure 18). When the ready button 69 is touched, a message is sent to the main control unit 24 indicating that the preparation of the squid (3 plates) product 5 is complete. Next, when the employee prepares the shrimp (2 plates) for order No. 3 and sets it on the input transport paths 60 and 62, they touch the ready button 69 on the corresponding order image 86 (right side in Figure 18). In this case as well, a message is sent to the main control unit 24 indicating that the preparation of the shrimp (2 plates) is complete. Finally, since the preparation of all types of products 5 for order No. 3 is complete, the employee presses the placement complete button 68, which sends a message to the main control unit 24 indicating that the products 5 for order No. 3 have been set on the input transport paths 60 and 62 (i.e., placement complete information).

[0187] When the main control unit 24 receives information indicating that the placement is complete, it refers to the partition area information to confirm the breakdown of the items 5 for order No. 3. In this example, the main control unit 24 has received information that the preparation of squid (3 plates) and shrimp (2 plates) is complete, so it determines that all types of items 5 for order No. 3 are prepared and places these items 5 into the circulation lane 28. On the other hand, if the breakdown of items 5 for order No. 3 in the partition area information differs from the types of items 5 that are said to be ready, the main control unit 24 does not place the items 5. In this case, the main control unit 24 may, for example, display on the kitchen terminal device 22 that items 5 of a different type than those in the order have been set.

[0188] In this way, by displaying an order image 86 for each type of ordered product 5, even if an order includes multiple types of product 5, employees can reliably process the order while checking the order image 86. Furthermore, since a "Ready" button 69 is provided for each order image 86, even if an order includes multiple types of product 5, the product 5 can be reliably prepared, thus reducing the likelihood of order errors.

[0189] (Example of transformation 3) Next, the kitchen lane system according to Modification Example 3 will be described below. In Modification Example 3, the partition area information stored in the partition area information storage unit by the main control device 24 differs from that of the embodiment described above. That is, as shown in Figure 19, in Modification Example 3, in addition to the partition area information described in the embodiment, the waiting time of the product 5 is also stored. The waiting time of the product 5 indicates the elapsed time after the product 5 is placed in the circulation lane 28 and transported along the circulation lane 28. This waiting time is measured in units of partition areas 40. That is, since all products 5 placed in a predetermined partition area 40 are transported along the circulation lane 28 for approximately the same amount of time, the main control device 24 measures the waiting time of the product 5 in units of partition areas 40.

[0190] Specifically, the main control device 24 activates the input transport paths 60 and 62 and starts measuring the waiting time when the product 5 is placed into the input area 40. The measurement of the waiting time ends when the product 5 is handed over to the order lane 16. By measuring the waiting time of the product 5 in the area 40 in this way, the main control device 24 can, for example, prioritize shortcutting for product 5 that has been waiting for a longer time. The main control device 24 can also prioritize handing over product 5 that has been waiting for a longer time to the order lane 16, while allowing product 5 that has been waiting for a shorter time to pass through the order lane 16.

[0191] (Example of transformation 4) Next, the kitchen lane system 200 related to Modification Example 4 will be described below. At least a part of the configuration and processing of the kitchen lane system (store system) 200 related to Modification Example 4 can adopt the configuration and processing of the embodiments and modifications 1 to 3 described above. Therefore, the explanation of the parts of the configuration and processing of Modification Example 4 that can adopt the configuration and processing of the embodiments and modifications 1 to 3 described above will be omitted or simplified.

[0192] (Branching lane) As shown in Figure 20, in the kitchen lane system 200 of Transformation Example 4, similar to Transformation Example 1 (see Figure 15), two order lanes 16 are arranged parallel to each other on the central island of the store 12. In reality, two order lanes 16 are often also arranged on the left island and the right island of the store 12. However, in Figure 20, for the sake of simplicity, an example is shown where one order lane 16 is provided on each of the left and right islands. Along each order lane 16, several tables 18 (three in the example shown in Figure 20) are arranged. In the kitchen lane system 200 of Transformation Example 4, a branching lane 90 is provided for each of the several order lanes 16 (four in the example shown in Figure 20). The branching lane 90 branches the goods 5, which are received from the circulation lane 28 and transported by the order lane 16, to one of the several tables 18 arranged along the order lane 16. As a result, product 5 is not only transferred from the circulation lane 28 to a specific order lane 16, but is also branched off from the order lane 16 to a specific table 18 (i.e., the table of the customer who ordered the product) and transported there. Therefore, product 5 is more likely to be delivered to the customer at table 18.

[0193] In detail, each of the branching lanes 90 in this embodiment is provided with an individual sensor 92 and a branching guide 94. The branching guide 94 switches whether or not to branch the goods 5 being transported by the order lane 16 from the order lane 16 to the branching lane 90. The individual sensor 92 detects the presence or absence of goods 5 on the branching lane 90. The individual sensor 92 can be at least one of the following: an optical sensor that emits light such as visible light or infrared light towards a light receiving unit, a photoelectric sensor, or a camera. The individual sensor 92 is communicated with the main control unit 24. Detection signals from the individual sensor 92 are sent to the main control unit 24 as needed. When the main control unit 24 receives a signal from the individual sensor 92 indicating that goods 5 have been detected, it determines that the corresponding branching lane 90 is "in use". On the other hand, when the main control unit 24 receives a signal from the individual sensor 92 indicating that goods 5 have not been detected, it determines that the corresponding branching lane 90 is "stopped". Information indicating the usage status of each branch lane 90 (i.e., whether it is "in use" or "stopped") is stored in the partition area information storage unit 72a.

[0194] The branching guide 94 is rotatably mounted on a vertically extending rotation axis at the linkage between the order lane 16 and the branching lane 90. The branching guide 94 is driven by a drive source such as a motor (not shown). The drive source is controlled by the main control device 24. Specifically, in this modified example, the branching guide 94 is pivotally supported at a position off the transport path of the order lane 16. When the product 5 is not branched to the branching lane 90, the branching guide 94 is positioned in a non-interference position that does not come into contact with the product 5 on the order lane 16. That is, the branching guide 94 in the non-interference position deviates outside the transport path so as not to interfere with the product 5 on the order lane 16. When the main control device 24 drives the drive source at a predetermined timing, the branching guide 94 is displaced (rotates) to an interference position that enters the transport path of the order lane 16. As a result, the branching guide 94 is positioned diagonally across the transport path of the order lane 16 from the rotation axis toward the branching lane 90. As a result, the products 5 that reach the branching guide 94 are guided by the branching guide 94 and branched to the corresponding branching lane 90. Once all the products 5 have been passed to the branching lane 90, the branching guide 94 returns to its non-interfering position.

[0195] In step S102 of the aforementioned handover process (see Figure 10), the main control device 24 determines the usage status of the branch lane 90 (hereinafter referred to as "the branch lane 90 to be transported") corresponding to the table 18 of the customer who ordered product 5. That is, the main control device 24 accesses the partition area information storage unit 72a, and if the branch lane 90 to be transported is "in use", it does not transfer product 5 from the circulation lane 28 to the order lane 16 by the handover device 34, but instead lets product 5 pass through. In other words, in the kitchen lane system 200 of modification example 4, if the branch lane 90 to be transported is "in use", product 5 is not made to wait on the order lane 16 immediately before being branched to the branch lane 90, but rather made to wait on the circulation lane 28 before being transferred to the order lane 16. During that time, the order lane 16 becomes available for use, so other products 5 can be transported to other branch lanes 90 via the order lane 16. Therefore, the reduction in the transport efficiency of product 5 is suppressed, and product 5 can be kept waiting until the branch lane 90 to be transported becomes "stopped". On the other hand, if the branch lane 90 to be transported is "stopped", the main control device 24 drives the transfer device 34 to transfer product 5 from the circulation lane 28 to the order lane 16.

[0196] Next, the main control device 24 rotates the branch guide 94 to an interference position before one or more items 5, which have been transferred to the order lane 16 by the transfer device 34, reach the branch lane 90 to be transported. As a result, the items 5 branch off from the order lane 16 to the branch lane 90 to be transported. Subsequently, the main control device 24 retracts the branch guide 94 to a non-interference position after all of the one or more items 5 that were being transported by the order lane 16 have branched off to the branch lane 90 to be transported.

[0197] As shown in Figure 20, in the kitchen lane system 200 according to Transformation Example 4, the second input transport path 62 (62a, 62b) is located on the opposite side of the order lane 16 from the second transport area 48, similar to Transformation Example 1 (see Figure 15). In other words, in Transformation Example 4, the second input transport path 62 is located on the side of the employee workspace in the kitchen 14 relative to the second transport area 48. Thus, the first input transport path 60 (60a, 60b) is located between the first and second transport areas 46 and 48 (i.e., close to the first transport area 46), while the second input transport path 62 is located on the side closer to the employee (i.e., close to the second transport area 48). Therefore, employees can intuitively select the input transport path 60 or 62 according to the area to which they are inputting, thereby suppressing errors such as inputting the wrong product 5.

[0198] (transfer device) The transfer device 30 of the modified example 4 will now be described. Similar to the embodiment described above, the transfer device 30 (shortcut device 50 and bypass device 52, respectively) adjusts the timing of when the product 5 arrives at the corresponding order lane 16. In the example shown in Figure 20, the first transfer device 30 includes a first shortcut device 50A and a first bypass device 52A. The second transfer device 30B includes a second shortcut device 50B and a second bypass device 52B.

[0199] As shown in Figure 21, each transfer device 30 transfers goods 5 from one of the two source transfer areas, the first transfer area 46 (see Figure 20) and the second transfer area 48 (see Figure 20), to the other destination transfer area. Each transfer device 30 is equipped with a transfer conveyor 151, a transfer start guide 152, and a transfer end guide 153. In modification example 4, the shortcut conveyor 50a of the shortcut device 50 (see Figure 4) and the bypass conveyor 52a of the bypass device 52 (see Figure 4) become the transfer conveyor 151. The transfer start guide 152 guides the goods 5 from the source transfer area toward the transfer conveyor 151. In modification example 4, the second guide 50c of the shortcut device 50 and the third guide 52b of the bypass device 52 become the transfer start guide 152. The transfer end guide 153 also guides the goods 5 from the transfer conveyor 151 toward the destination transfer area. In transformation example 4, the first guide 50b of the shortcut device 50 and the fourth guide 52c of the bypass device 52 become the transport start guide 152.

[0200] Here, as shown in Figure 21, the plate 95 on which the sushi or other product 5 is placed comprises a plate 96 and a base 97. The plate 96 is a roughly plate-shaped (roughly disc-shaped in this disclosure) member on which the product 5 is placed. The product 5 is placed on the upper surface of the plate 96. The base 97 is a cylindrical member that protrudes downward from slightly inward from the outer circumference of the lower surface of the plate 96. The base 97 supports the plate 96 above the mounting surface on which the plate 95 is placed.

[0201] As shown in Figure 21, each of the transfer start guide 152 and the transfer end guide 153 comprises a base portion 161, a pivot portion 162, a contact guide portion 163, a reinforcing rib 164, and a sensor opening 165. The base portion 161 is a plate-shaped member that serves as the base for the transfer start guide 152. The base portion 161 is supported by the pivot portion 162 so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis that extends vertically. The contact guide portion 163 contacts the plate 95 on which the product 5 is placed, thereby guiding the direction of movement of the plate 95 as it moves by the circulation lane 28 and the transfer conveyor 151, etc. In the example shown in Figure 21, the contact guide portion 163 is part of the edge of the base portion 161, which is formed from a plate-shaped member. The height of the upper end of the part of the contact guide portion 163 that contacts the plate 95 is set to a height below the upper end of the raised base 97 of the plate 95. As a result, the contact guide portion 163 contacts the base 97 rather than the plate 96, guiding the direction of movement of the plate 95. Therefore, regardless of the size and shape of the plate 96, the direction of movement of various plates 95 is appropriately guided.

[0202] Furthermore, the shape of the contact guide portion 163 is formed in a curved shape, such as a partial arc, when viewed from above. Therefore, unlike when the shape of the part that contacts the plate 95 (more specifically the base 97) is straight when viewed from above, the direction of movement of the plate 95 guided by the contact guide portion 163 changes smoothly. Thus, the possibility of the plate 95 detaching from the path is appropriately reduced.

[0203] The reinforcing rib 164 is formed on at least a portion of the plate-shaped base portion 161 (in the example shown in Figure 21, on the end opposite to the contact guide portion 163). As an example, in this disclosure, the base portion 161 with the reinforcing rib 164 is manufactured by bending a portion of the end of a cut plate-shaped metal member upward. By forming the reinforcing rib 164 on the base portion 161, various problems caused by deformation of the plate-shaped base portion 161 (for example, problems such as the base portion 161 coming into contact with other members located above or below it (for example, the upper surface of the transfer conveyor 151)) are appropriately suppressed.

[0204] The sensor opening 165 is an opening formed in a part of the reinforcing rib 164. The sensor opening 165 allows light or electromagnetic waves detected by various sensors to pass through. Therefore, the possibility that sensor detection may be obstructed by the reinforcing rib 164 is appropriately reduced by the sensor opening 165. Note that a notch or the like may be formed instead of the sensor opening 165.

[0205] In modification example 4, the branching lane 90 (see Figure 20) and the transfer device 34 (see Figure 20) also have the same configuration as the base portion 161, pivot portion 162, contact guide portion 163, and reinforcing rib 164 of the transfer start guide 152 and the transfer end guide 153. Therefore, the direction of movement of the product 5 (plate 95) is guided more appropriately by the branching lane 90 and the transfer device 34. In addition, sensor openings or notches may be formed in the reinforcing ribs of the branching lane 90 and the transfer device 34.

[0206] (Recognition of the current location within the partitioned area) Referring to Figures 20 and 22, the method for recognizing the current position of the partitioned area 40 in the kitchen lane system (store system) 200 of modification example 4 will be explained. In the embodiment described above, an identifier 42 is provided on a plate 36 located at the front of each partitioned area. Furthermore, the current position of each partitioned area 40 is recognized when a reader (detection unit) 44 installed in the circulation lane 28 reads the identifier 42. In contrast, in the kitchen lane system 200 of modification example 4, a detectable object 142 different from the identifier 44 is provided in the circulation lane 28.

[0207] Figure 22 is a bottom view of a portion of the multiple plates 170 that constitute the circulation lane 28 of transformation example 4. In the circulation lane 28 of transformation example 4, a connecting portion 171 is provided that connects a pair of adjacent plates 170 so that they can rotate around a rotation axis that extends in the vertical direction. In transformation example 4, a detectable object 142 made of a material such as metal or magnet is provided on at least one of the multiple connecting portions 171 (for example, one of the multiple connecting portions 171). In other words, at least one of the multiple connecting portions 171 also serves as a detectable object 142 for recognizing the current position of the partitioned area, which makes it easier to simplify the system configuration.

[0208] As shown in Figure 20, a detection unit 144 is provided at a predetermined location along the path of the circulation lane 28 to detect the passage of the object to be detected 142. Furthermore, the kitchen lane system 200 of modification example 4 includes a rotary drive unit (e.g., a stepper motor) 29 that moves the circulation lane 28 in a circulating motion along the path. The main control device 24 recognizes the current position of each of the multiple partitioned areas 40 provided in the circulation lane 28 based on the position and timing information of the object to be detected 142 as it circulates with the circulation lane 28 and detected by the detection unit 144, and the drive amount information of the rotary drive unit 29 (e.g., the rotational speed of the gears in the rotary drive unit 29, or the number of steps of the stepper motor). Therefore, even if the object to be detected 142 is not always detected by the detection unit 144, the current position of each partitioned area 40 is appropriately recognized by using the position and timing of the object to be detected 142 as detected by the detection unit 144 and the drive amount of the rotary drive unit 29. Thus, the system operates more appropriately while suppressing complexity of the configuration.

[0209] In fact, in modification example 4, the object to be detected 142 is provided at only one predetermined location in the circulating lane 28. Similarly, the detection unit 144 is provided at only one predetermined location along the path of the circulating lane 28 (specifically, a plate 170 located at the beginning of a particular compartment 40 among the multiple compartment areas 40). However, since the position of each compartment area 40 relative to the position of the object to be detected 142 in the circulating lane 28 is known, the current position of each compartment area 40 can be appropriately determined with a simple configuration. However, the object to be detected 142 may be provided at two or more predetermined locations in the circulating lane 28, or the detection unit 144 may be provided at two or more predetermined locations along the path of the circulating lane 28. In these cases, the current position of each compartment area 40 can be recognized with higher accuracy.

[0210] (Correspondence between source partition area and destination partition area) Referring to Figures 23 and 24, the correspondence between the source area and the destination area in transformation example 4 will be explained. As mentioned above, the transfer device 30 transfers the product 5 (dish 95) from one of the source areas, the first transfer area 46 and the second transfer area 48, to the other destination transfer area. In this disclosure, among the multiple area divisions 40 located in the source transfer area, the specific source area to which the product 5 is transferred by the transfer device 30 is referred to as the source area division. Furthermore, the specific destination area to which the product 5 is transferred from the source area by the transfer device 30 is referred to as the destination area division.

[0211] In the example shown in Figure 23, twelve partitioned areas 40 (40A to 40L) are provided within the circulation lane 28. The length of each partitioned area 40 is equal in the direction along the direction of movement of the circulation lane 28. Also, as shown in Figure 20, a first shortcut device 50A, a first bypass device 52A, a second shortcut device 50B, and a second bypass device 52B are used as the transport devices 30. In transformation example 4, for each of the four transport devices 30, there is a one-to-one correspondence between the source partitioned area to which the goods 5 are transported by the transport device 30 and the destination partitioned area. When the source partitioned area to which the goods are transported by a particular transport device 30 is determined, the destination partitioned area corresponding to the source partitioned area is determined, so that the goods 5 are transported appropriately by the transport device 30.

[0212] As an example, in transformation example 4, information indicating the correspondence between the source partition area and the destination partition area is stored in memory 72. However, the correspondence between the source partition area and the destination partition area may be defined in advance by the program.

[0213] Figure 24 shows an example of a source / destination correspondence table stored in memory 72. The source / destination correspondence table illustrated in Figure 24 defines the correspondence between the source partition area and the destination partition area when product 5 is transported from the source transport area (second transport area 48) to the destination transport area (first transport area 46) by the first shortcut device 50A shown in Figure 23. For example, if partition area 40K is the source partition area, the corresponding destination partition area (i.e., the partition area 40 to which product 5 is transported by the first shortcut device 50A) is partition area 40D. Also, if partition area 40A is the source partition area, the corresponding destination partition area is partition area 40F. As described above, in transformation example 4, for each of the four transport devices 30, there is a one-to-one correspondence between the source partition area to which product 5 is transported by the transport device 30 and the destination partition area.

[0214] In transformation example 4, after the reference position at the beginning of the source compartment area reaches the transfer device 30, at the timing when the product 5 is moved from the source transport area to the destination transport area by the transfer conveyor 151, the compartment area 40 in the destination transport area whose reference position at the beginning reaches the same transfer device 30 is designated as the destination compartment area, corresponding one-to-one with the source compartment area. In other words, once a specific source compartment area in the source transport area is determined, after the transfer time has elapsed for the product 5 to be transferred from the source transport area to the destination transport area by the transfer conveyor 151 after the source compartment area reaches the transfer device 30, the compartment area 40 in the destination transport area that reaches the same transfer device 30 is designated as the destination compartment area. Therefore, the product in the source compartment area is appropriately transferred to the destination compartment area according to the transfer speed of the transfer conveyor 151.

[0215] Furthermore, the speed of the circulation lane 28 and the speed of the transfer conveyor 151 may be set such that the time from when the reference position at the beginning of the source area reaches the transfer device 30 until the reference position at the beginning of the destination area reaches the same transfer device 30 coincides with the time it takes for the goods 5 to be transferred from the source area to the destination area by the transfer conveyor 151. In this case as well, the goods 5 in the source area will be appropriately transferred to the destination area according to the transfer speed of the transfer conveyor 151.

[0216] (Transfer process) Referring to Figures 25 to 30, the transfer process performed by the kitchen lane system (store system) 200 of transformation example 4 will be explained. The transfer process shown in Figure 25 is a process for transferring goods 5 (plates 95) from the source area to the destination area using the transfer device 30. The transfer process shown in Figure 25 can be used for both a shortcut process, in which the goods 5 are transferred from the second transport area 48 to the first transport area 46 using the shortcut device 50, and a detour process, in which the goods 5 are transferred from the first transport area 46 to the second transport area 48 using the detour device 52.

[0217] The following explanation illustrates the case in which three products 5 are transferred from a source partition area 40K located in the second transport area 48 (source transport area) to a destination partition area 40D located in the first transport area 46 (destination transport area) using the first shortcut device 50A (see Figures 20 and 23). As mentioned above, when the first shortcut device 50A transfers products 5 from the source partition area 40K, the destination partition area is pre-associated as partition area 40D (see Figure 24).

[0218] First, the main control unit 24 refers to the partition area information to determine whether or not it is necessary to transport the product 5 being transported by the transport device 30 (whether or not it is possible to speed up the arrival of the product 5 at the destination order lane 16) (S501). If it is determined that transport is unnecessary (S501: NO), the process in S501 is repeated and the system enters a standby state. In the example in Figure 26, the main control unit 24 can speed up the arrival of the product 5 at the destination order lane 16 by having the product 5 in partition area 40K take a shortcut using the transport device 30 (the first shortcut device 50A in Figure 26). Therefore, in the case shown in Figure 26, the main control unit 24 determines that transport is necessary (S501: YES), and the process proceeds to S502.

[0219] Next, the main control unit 24 determines whether product 5 is already placed in the destination area 40D, which corresponds one-to-one with the source area 40K (S502). If product 5 is already placed in the destination area 40D (S203: YES), transporting product 5 by the transport device 30 would cause a problem where multiple products 5 interfere with each other within the same destination area 40D. Therefore, the transport of product 5 by the transport device 30 is skipped, and the process returns to S501. As a result, the problem of multiple products 5 interfering with each other within the destination area 40D is appropriately suppressed.

[0220] As shown in Figure 26, if product 5 is not located in the destination area 40D (S502: NO), the main control device 24 determines whether the source area 40K has reached the transfer device 30 (S503). As described above, in transformation example 4, the main control device 24 recognizes the current position of each of the multiple area 40 provided in the circulation lane 28 based on the position and timing information of the detected object 142 that circulates with the circulation lane 28 and detected by the detection unit 144, and the drive amount information of the rotary drive unit 29. The main control device 24 also recognizes the position of the transfer device 30.

[0221] As shown in Figure 27, when the source area 40K reaches the transfer device 30 (S503:YES), the main control device 24 starts driving the transfer conveyor 151 and moves the transfer start guide 152 to the interference position while keeping the transfer end guide 153 in the non-interference position (S504). As a result, the product 5 located in the source area 40K is guided to the transfer conveyor 151 by the transfer start guide 152 and moved to the destination transport area by the transfer conveyor 151.

[0222] Furthermore, the timing at which it is determined that the source area 40K has reached the transfer device 30 is not limited to the exact moment when the leading edge of the source area 40K reaches the transfer device 30. Specifically, the timing at which it is determined that the source area 40K has reached the transfer device 30 is when the transfer start guide 152 of the transfer device 30 is moved to the interference position, and the transfer start guide 152 does not interfere with the goods 5 in the adjacent area 40J upstream of the source area 40K, and when all the goods 5 in the source area 40K can be guided to the transfer conveyor 151 by the transfer start guide 152.

[0223] Next, the main control device 24 determines whether the destination area 40D has reached the transfer device 30 (S505). As shown in Figure 28, when the destination area 40D reaches the transfer device 30 (S505: YES), the main control device 24 moves the transfer termination guide 153 from the interference position to the non-interference position (S506). As a result, the goods 5 that have been moved to the destination transport area by the transfer conveyor 151 are guided to the destination transport area 40D by the transfer termination guide 153.

[0224] Furthermore, the timing at which it is determined that the destination area 40D has reached the transfer device 30 is not limited to the moment when the leading edge of the destination area 40D reaches the transfer device 30. Specifically, the timing at which it is determined that the destination area 40D has reached the transfer device 30 is when the transfer termination guide 153 is moved to the interference position, the transfer termination guide 153 does not interfere with the goods 5 in the adjacent area 40C upstream of the destination area 40D, and all goods 5 moved by the transfer conveyor 151 can be guided to the destination area 40D by the transfer termination guide 153.

[0225] Next, the main control device 24 determines whether the source area 40K has passed through the transfer device 30 (S507). As shown in Figure 29, if the source area 40K has passed through the transfer device 30 (S507: YES), the main control device 24 moves the transfer start guide 152 from the interference position to the non-interference position (S508). As a result, the problem of the transfer start guide 152 interfering with the goods 5 in the area downstream of the source area 40K (for example, area 40L, etc.) is prevented.

[0226] Furthermore, the timing at which it is determined that the source area 40K has passed the transfer device 30 is not limited to the moment when the rear end of the source area 40K passes the transfer device 30. Specifically, the timing at which it is determined that the source area 40K has passed the transfer device 30 is after the timing at which all the goods 5 located in the source area 40K can be guided to the transfer conveyor 151 by the transfer start guide 152, and before the timing at which the transfer start guide 152 interferes with the goods 5 in the adjacent area 40L downstream of the source area 40K.

[0227] Next, the main control unit 24 determines whether the destination partition area 40D has added a transfer device 30 (S509). As shown in Figure 30, when the destination partition area 40D passes the transfer device 30 (S509: YES), the main control unit 24 moves the transfer termination guide 153 from the interference position to the non-interference position (S510). As a result, the problem of the transfer termination guide 152 interfering with the product 5 in a partition area downstream of the destination partition area 40D (for example, partition area 40E, etc.) is prevented. Next, the main control unit 24 updates the partition area information (S511), and the process ends.

[0228] Furthermore, the timing at which it is determined that the destination area 40D has passed the transfer device 30 is not limited to the moment when the rear end of the destination area 40D passes the transfer device 30. Specifically, the timing at which it is determined that the destination area 40D has passed the transfer device 30 is after the timing at which all the goods 5 being moved by the transfer conveyor 151 can be guided to the destination area 40D by the transfer end guide 152, and before the timing at which the transfer end guide 153 interferes with the goods 5 in the adjacent area 40E downstream of the destination area 40D.

[0229] As explained above, in transformation example 4, the main control device 24 moves the transfer start guide 152 from a non-interference position to an interference position based on the timing when the source partition area 40K reaches the transfer device 30. Subsequently, the main control device 24 moves the transfer end guide 153 from a non-interference position to an interference position based on the timing when the destination partition area 40D, which corresponds to the source partition area 40K, reaches the transfer device 30. In other words, the transfer start guide 152 and the transfer end guide 153 move from a non-interference position to an interference position, respectively, depending on the timing when the source partition area 40K and the destination partition area 40D each reach the transfer device 30. Therefore, malfunctions such as the transfer start guide 152 and the transfer end guide 153 interfering with the goods 5 in partition areas 40 other than the source partition area 40K and the destination partition area 40D are appropriately suppressed. As a result, the goods 5 are more easily and appropriately transported by the transfer device 30.

[0230] Furthermore, in transformation example 4, the main control device 24 retracts the transfer start guide 152 from the interference position to the non-interference position based on the timing when the source partition area 40K passes the transfer device 30. Subsequently, the main control device 24 retracts the transfer end guide 153 from the interference position to the non-interference position based on the timing when the destination partition area 40D, which corresponds to the source partition area 40K, passes the transfer device 30. In other words, the transfer start guide 152 and the transfer end guide 153 each retract from the interference position to the non-interference position according to the timing when the source partition area 40K and the destination partition area 40D each pass the transfer device 30. Consequently, malfunctions such as the transfer start guide 152 and the transfer end guide 153 becoming obstacles to the goods 5 in partition areas 40 other than the source partition area 40K and the destination partition area 40D are appropriately suppressed. As a result, the goods 5 are more easily and appropriately transported by the transfer device 30. Furthermore, regardless of the number of items 5 located within the source partition area 40K, all items 5 are properly transferred from the source partition area 40K to the destination partition area 40D.

[0231] In other words, in transformation example 4, the main control device 24 controls the transfer start guide 152 and the transfer end guide 153 at the timing to transfer all of the maximum number of items 5 that can be placed in one section area 40 to the transfer destination section area 40D, regardless of the number of items 5 placed in the transfer source section area 40K. That is, by performing the same control on the transfer start guide 152 and the transfer end guide 153 regardless of the number of items 5 placed in the section area 40, all items 5 are properly transferred from the transfer source section area 40K to the transfer destination section area 40D. Thus, control becomes easier. In addition, even if the transport speed of items 5 by the circulation lane 28, etc. is increased, one or more items 5 placed in the transfer source section area 40K are smoothly transferred to the transfer destination section area 40D. As a result, items 5 can be quickly provided to customers who have ordered them, thereby increasing customer satisfaction, and deterioration of items 5 over time (e.g., drying of the items) is also appropriately suppressed. Furthermore, since a configuration (such as a sensor) to confirm the completion of the transfer of the product 5 by the transfer device 30 is not necessarily required, it becomes easier to suppress the complexity of the configuration.

[0232] The transport speed of the goods 5 on the circulating lane 28 is set to 150 mm / second, more preferably 200 mm / second, and even more preferably 240 mm / second. As mentioned above, by using the transfer device 30 of modification example 4, even if the transport speed of the goods 5 on the circulating lane 28 is increased, the transfer device 30 will appropriately transport the goods 5 from the source area 40K to the destination area 40D. As an example, the transport speed of the goods 5 on the circulating lane 28 in modification example 4 is set to approximately 247 mm / second. It is also possible to increase the transport speed to approximately 297 mm / second. The typical transport speed of the transport path in a conveying system for conveying sushi (for example, the transport path of a conveying lane using a chain conveyor) is about 80 to 100 mm / second. Therefore, according to the technology of this disclosure, goods can be transported at a speed greater than the transport speed of a typical conveying sushi restaurant.

[0233] The technologies disclosed in the above embodiments and modifications are merely examples. Therefore, it is possible to modify the technologies exemplified in the above embodiments and modifications. For example, it is possible to implement only a part of the technologies exemplified in the above embodiments and modifications. It is also possible to adopt the technologies exemplified in the above embodiments in other configurations.

[0234] For example, the transfer device 30 (at least one of the shortcut device 50 and the bypass device 52) exemplified in the above embodiment and modification examples can also be used in a circulation lane that is not connected to the order lane 16. In this case, the circulation lane may include a first and second customer-only return transport path and a second customer-only return transport path that transport goods back and forth between the customer-only area and the kitchen, and a kitchen transport path connected to each of the first and second customer-only return transport paths and transporting goods within the kitchen. In this case, for example, by placing the transfer device 30 between a pair of kitchen transport paths that transport goods in different directions, it becomes possible to shorten the transport time until goods are transported to a specific customer-only return transport path among multiple customer-only return transport paths.

[0235] Furthermore, the technology of handling products 5 for each of the multiple compartment areas 40 can also be applied to circulation lanes that are not connected to order lanes 16. In this case, for example, by transporting the desired products to a specific compartment area 40, it is possible to place the desired products in the appropriate positions on the circulation lane. [Explanation of symbols]

[0236] 5 products 10,100,200 Kitchen Lane System (Store System) 14 Kitchen 16 Order Lane 22 Terminal devices (kitchen terminal devices) 24 Control device (main control device) 28 Circulation Lane 29 Rotary drive unit 30 Transfer device 32 Feeding device 34 Transfer device 36 plates 40 plots 42 Identifiers 44. Reader (detection unit) 46. ​​First transport area 48 Second transport area 50 Shortcut Devices 50a Shortcut Conveyor 50b Guide 1 50c Second Guide 52a Bypass conveyor 52b The Third Guide 52c Guide 4 60 First input transport path 62 Second input transport path 60a Input conveyor 64 Inlet 62 Guide section 90 branching lanes 95 plates 142 Detected object 144 Detection Unit 151 Transfer conveyor 152 Transfer Initiation Guide 153 Transfer Completion Guide

Claims

1. A kitchen lane system installed in the kitchen of a restaurant, A circulation lane is installed in the kitchen and transports goods in a circular manner along a predetermined transport route, A delivery device is provided in each of the multiple order lanes laid out inside the restaurant, which transfers the goods transported on the circulation lane to the corresponding order lane. The device comprises a control device for controlling the transfer device, The aforementioned circulation lane is defined as having a plurality of partitioned areas along the transport path, and transports the product with at least one of the aforementioned products placed in one of the plurality of partitioned areas. A kitchen lane system in which the control device recognizes the location of the plurality of partitioned areas and the at least one product placed in any of the plurality of partitioned areas, and controls the delivery device so that the product is delivered to the order lane corresponding to the customer who ordered the at least one product.

2. The circulation lane comprises a first transport area for transporting the goods in a first direction, and a second transport area located further apart from the first transport area relative to the plurality of order lanes and transporting the goods in a second direction different from the first direction. The system further includes a transport device for transporting the goods between one of the plurality of partitioned areas located in the first transport area and one of the plurality of partitioned areas located in the second transport area. The kitchen lane system according to claim 1, wherein the control device controls the transport device to transport at least one product located in any one of the plurality of partitioned areas located in the first transport area to any one of the plurality of partitioned areas located in the second transport area, or to transport at least one product located in any one of the plurality of partitioned areas located in the second transport area to any one of the plurality of partitioned areas located in the first transport area, thereby adjusting the timing at which the at least one product arrives at the corresponding order lane.

3. The circulation lane includes a detectable object provided in at least one of the plurality of partitioned areas, and a detection unit for detecting the detectable object is provided in the circulation lane. The kitchen lane system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control device recognizes the position of the plurality of partitioned areas based on the detected object detected by the detection unit.

4. The aforementioned circulation lane is a chain conveyor in which a plurality of plates are connected in the direction of transport, and each partitioned area is defined by a predetermined number of plates. The kitchen lane system according to claim 3, wherein the detected object is attached to the plate located at the front of at least one of the partitioned areas.

5. The transfer device is A transport conveyor is provided, which is stretched between the first transport area and the second transport area, and transports the goods from one of the transport source transport areas, the first transport area or the second transport area, to the other transport destination transport area. A transfer start guide that guides the aforementioned product from the transfer source transfer area toward the transfer conveyor, A transfer completion guide that guides the aforementioned product from the transfer conveyor toward the transfer destination transfer area, Equipped with, The kitchen lane system according to claim 2, wherein the control device controls the transfer device to transfer at least one product located in a specific source partition area among the plurality of partition areas located in the source transfer area to a destination partition area which is one of the plurality of partition areas located in the destination transfer area.

6. The transfer device is A shortcut conveyor is a transport conveyor that is stretched between the first transport area and the second transport area, and transports the goods from the second transport area, which is the source transport area, to the first transport area, which is the destination transport area. A first guide, which is a transfer completion guide, is provided in the first transport area and guides the product from the shortcut conveyor toward the first transport area, A second guide, which is a transport start guide, is provided in the second transport area and guides the product from the second transport area toward the shortcut conveyor, It has a shortcut device equipped with The kitchen lane system according to claim 5, wherein the control device controls the shortcut device and moves at least one product located in a specific source partition area among the plurality of partition areas located in the second transport area to the destination partition area which is any one of the plurality of partition areas located in the first transport area, thereby accelerating the timing at which the at least one product arrives at the corresponding order lane.

7. The transfer device is A bypass conveyor is a transport conveyor that is stretched between the first transport area and the second transport area, and transports the goods from the first transport area, which is the source transport area, to the second transport area, which is the destination transport area. A third guide, which is a transport start guide, is provided in the first transport area and guides the product from the first transport area toward the bypass conveyor, A fourth guide, which is a transfer completion guide, is provided in the second transport area and guides the product from the bypass conveyor toward the second transport area. Equipped with a bypass device, The kitchen lane system according to claim 5, wherein the control device controls the bypass device and moves at least one product located in a specific source partition area among the plurality of partition areas located in the first transport area to the destination partition area which is any one of the plurality of partition areas located in the second transport area, thereby delaying the arrival of the at least one product in the corresponding order lane.

8. The kitchen lane system according to claim 5, wherein the transfer start guide and the transfer end guide are each configured to be displaceable by the control device to a non-interference position where they deviate outside the transport path of the circulation lane so as not to interfere with the product, and an interference position where they enter the transport path of the circulation lane so as to interfere with the product.

9. The kitchen lane system according to claim 2, wherein the transfer device is provided so as to be located between the order lanes in the direction in which the order lanes are arranged.

10. The system further includes an input transport path for transporting at least one product prepared in accordance with a customer order and loading it into the circulation lane, The kitchen lane system according to claim 1, wherein the control device controls the input transport path to input at least one product into a specific partition area in the plurality of partition areas.

11. The system further includes a terminal device that displays the products ordered by the customer and the order lane corresponding to the customer who placed the order, and that receives input indicating that the products prepared in accordance with the order have been set on the input transport path. The kitchen lane system according to claim 10, wherein the control device recognizes the goods set in the input transport path and controls the input transport path based on the information input to the terminal device.

12. Multiple input transport paths are provided in the kitchen. The terminal devices are provided in the kitchen, corresponding to each input transport path. The kitchen lane system according to claim 11, further comprising: the control device further identifying the input transport path on which the product is set, based on information input to the terminal device corresponding to the input transport path on which the product is set.

13. A control device for a kitchen lane system that circulates products placed on a circulation lane installed in the kitchen of a restaurant along a predetermined transport route, and delivers the products to the order lane corresponding to the customer who ordered the product, among multiple order lanes installed in the restaurant. At least one processor, A device comprising at least one memory that stores computer program code, The processor executes the computer program code to the control device, The location of a plurality of partitioned areas defined by dividing the circulation lane along the transport path, and at least one product located in one of the plurality of partitioned areas are recognized. A control device that, based on the recognized locations of the plurality of partitioned areas and the at least one product, controls a delivery device provided in each of the plurality of order lanes to deliver the product to the order lane corresponding to the customer who ordered the at least one product.

14. A control method for a kitchen lane system that circulates products placed on a circulation lane installed in the kitchen of a restaurant along a predetermined transport route, and delivers the products to the order lane corresponding to the customer who ordered the product, among multiple order lanes installed in the restaurant. The location of a plurality of partitioned areas defined by dividing the circulation lane along the transport path and the recognition of at least one product located in any of the plurality of partitioned areas, A method for controlling a kitchen lane system, which involves controlling a delivery device provided in each of the multiple order lanes based on the recognized location of the multiple partitioned areas and the at least one product, thereby delivering the at least one product to the order lane corresponding to the customer who ordered it.

15. A store system installed in a sushi restaurant that delivers sushi prepared in the kitchen of the store to customers who have ordered the sushi, Multiple plates on which the sushi is placed, A circulation lane is installed in the kitchen and transports dishes by circulating along a predetermined transport route, Branching off from the aforementioned circulating lane, multiple order lanes are laid out within the sushi restaurant towards the customer's dining area, and transport plates handed over from the aforementioned circulating lane. A transfer device is provided corresponding to each of the aforementioned plurality of order lanes, which transfers plates being transported in the circulation lane to the corresponding order lane. A control device for controlling the aforementioned store system, Equipped with, The aforementioned circulation lane is, Multiple partitioned areas are defined along the transport path, and at least one plate is transported with one of the multiple partitioned areas placed in it. The system comprises a first transport area for transporting plates in a first direction, and a second transport area located further apart from the first transport area relative to the plurality of order lanes, and for transporting plates in a second direction different from the first direction. The aforementioned store system is The system further includes a transfer device for transferring a plate between one of the plurality of partitioned areas located in the first transfer area and one of the plurality of partitioned areas located in the second transfer area. The transfer device is A transport conveyor is provided, which is stretched between the first transport area and the second transport area, and transports a plate from a transport source area located in one of the first or second transport areas to a transport destination area located in the other transport destination area. A transfer start guide guides the plate from the transfer source partition area of ​​the transfer source area toward the transfer conveyor by moving from a non-interference position that deviates outside the transfer path of the transfer source area to an interference position within the transfer path, A transfer completion guide guides the tray from the transfer conveyor toward the transfer destination area of ​​the transfer destination region by moving from a non-interference position that deviates outside the transfer path of the transfer destination area to an interference position within the transfer path, Equipped with, Once a specific source area is determined within the source area, after the specific source area reaches the transfer device, and after the transfer time has elapsed for the plate to be transferred from the source area to the destination area by the transfer conveyor, the area in the destination area that reaches the transfer device corresponds one-to-one with the specific source area as the destination area to which the plate is transferred by the transfer device. The control device is If another dish is already placed in the destination area corresponding to the source area, the transfer of the dish by the transfer device is bypassed. If no other trays are placed in the destination tray area corresponding to the source tray area, when the source tray area reaches the transfer device, the transfer start guide is moved from the non-interference position to the interference position while the transfer end guide is maintained in the non-interference position, and then, when the destination tray area corresponding to the source tray area reaches the transfer device, the transfer end guide is moved from the non-interference position to the interference position, thereby transferring the trays from the source tray area to the destination tray area which corresponds one-to-one with the source tray area, and adjusting the timing of the trays' arrival in the corresponding order lane. A store system that recognizes the location of the plurality of partitioned areas and at least one plate placed in any of the plurality of partitioned areas, and controls the delivery device so that the at least one plate is delivered to the order lane corresponding to the customer who ordered the sushi placed on the plate.

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