Order management system, program, method, and device

Abstract

The present invention selects and moves an optional serving robot among a plurality of types of serving robots. An order management system according to the present disclosure comprises: a terminal device to which menu data and order data are inputted; an order management device capable of communicating with the terminal device; a cooking chamber device capable of performing cooking of a dish and communicating with the order management device; and a plurality of types of serving devices capable of serving the cooked dish and communicating with the order management device. The order management device includes: an order entry unit that transmits order data received from the terminal device to the cooking chamber device; and a movement control unit that, upon receiving from the cooking chamber device that cooking of a dish corresponding to the menu data included in the order data has been completed, transmits movement indication data generated in accordance with serving destination data corresponding to the menu data to the serving device selected from the plurality of types of serving devices.

Description

Order management system, program, method, and device

[0001] The present disclosure relates to order management systems, programs, methods, and devices.

[0002] In recent years, there has been a demand for improved operation on the floors of restaurants. Technologies for serving and clearing dishes using food serving robots have been developed. For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses a technology for serving and clearing dishes using food serving robots.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-143951

[0004] To further improve operations, it is conceivable to operate multiple models of food delivery robots within a store. The aforementioned Patent Document 1 discloses a technology for transmitting movement commands to food delivery robots from a kitchen controller and a handheld terminal. However, the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 transmits movement commands to a single model of food delivery robot. This makes it difficult to select and move an arbitrary food delivery robot from among multiple models of food delivery robots.

[0005] In view of the above-mentioned problems, an object of the present disclosure is to provide an order management system, program, method, and device that selects and moves any of a plurality of models of food delivery robots.

[0006] The order management system according to the present disclosure comprises a terminal device to which order data including menu data and serving destination data corresponding to the menu data is input, an order management device capable of communicating with the terminal device, a kitchen device that cooks dishes and is capable of communicating with the order management device, and multiple types of serving devices that each serve the cooked dishes and are each capable of communicating with the order management device, wherein the order management device comprises an order entry unit that transmits the order data received from the terminal device to the kitchen device, and a movement control unit that, when it receives from the kitchen device a notification that cooking of the dish corresponding to the menu data included in the order data has been completed, transmits movement instruction data generated in accordance with the serving destination data corresponding to the menu data to a serving device selected from the multiple types of serving devices.

[0007] The order management system according to the present disclosure comprises a terminal device to which order data including menu data and destination data corresponding to the menu data is input, and to which a movement request for a food serving device including destination data for the food serving device is input, an order management device capable of communicating with the terminal device, a kitchen device that cooks food and is capable of communicating with the order management device, and multiple types of food serving devices that each serve the cooked food and are each capable of communicating with the order management device, wherein the order management device has a movement control unit that transmits movement instruction data generated including the destination data to a food serving device selected from the multiple types of food serving devices based on the movement request received from the terminal device.

[0008] The order management program according to the present disclosure includes a terminal device to which order data including menu data and serving destination data corresponding to the menu data is input, an order management device capable of communicating with the terminal device, a kitchen device that cooks food and is capable of communicating with the order management device, and multiple types of serving devices that respectively serve the cooked food, and the order management program for the order management device capable of communicating with each other, and causes the order management device to receive from the kitchen device a notification that cooking of the food corresponding to the menu data included in the order data has been completed, and to transmit movement instruction data generated in accordance with the serving destination data corresponding to the menu data to a serving device selected from the multiple types of serving devices.

[0009] The order management method according to the present disclosure includes a terminal device to which order data including menu data and serving destination data corresponding to the menu data is input, an order management device capable of communicating with the terminal device, a kitchen device that cooks food and is capable of communicating with the order management device, and multiple types of serving devices that respectively serve the cooked food, wherein the order management device receives from the kitchen device a notification that cooking of the food corresponding to the menu data included in the order data has been completed, and transmits movement instruction data generated in accordance with the serving destination data corresponding to the menu data to a serving device selected from the multiple types of serving devices.

[0010] The order management device according to the present disclosure is capable of communicating with a terminal device to which order data including menu data and serving destination data corresponding to the menu data is input, an order management device capable of communicating with the terminal device, a kitchen device that cooks dishes and is capable of communicating with the order management device, and multiple types of serving devices that serve the cooked dishes, and the order management device comprises: an order entry unit that transmits the order data received from the terminal device to the kitchen device; and a movement control unit that, when it receives from the kitchen device a notification that cooking of the dish corresponding to the menu data included in the order data has been completed, transmits movement instruction data generated in accordance with the serving destination data corresponding to the menu data to a serving device selected from the multiple types of serving devices.

[0011] The order management system according to the present disclosure comprises a terminal device to which order data including menu data and serving destination data corresponding to the menu data is input, an order management device capable of communicating with the terminal device, a kitchen device that cooks food and is capable of communicating with the order management device, multiple types of serving devices that serve the cooked food, multiple control devices that control each of the multiple types of serving devices, and a relay device that is capable of communicating with the order management device and the multiple control devices; the order management device comprises an order entry unit that sends the order data received from the terminal device to the kitchen device; and a movement control unit that, when receiving from the kitchen device a notification that cooking of a food corresponding to menu data included in the order data has been completed, generates serving destination data corresponding to the menu data and selection data for selecting a serving device that will serve the cooked food, and sends these to the relay device; and the relay device comprises a data generation unit that generates movement instruction data according to the communication method of the serving device that corresponds to the selection data, and sends the movement instruction data to a control device among the multiple control devices that controls a serving device that corresponds to the generated selection data.

[0012] The present disclosure provides an order management system, program, method, and device that selects and moves any one of multiple models of food delivery robots.

[0013] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an order management system according to the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of an order management method according to the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an order management system according to the present disclosure. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a customer terminal provided in the order management system according to the present disclosure. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a staff terminal provided in the order management system according to the present disclosure. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a food service robot provided in the order management system according to the present disclosure. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a kitchen device provided in the order management system according to the present disclosure. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the order management device from a menu order to the completion of food service in the order management method according to the present disclosure. FIG. 9 is a sequence chart showing an example of the flow of a status update process for a food service robot in the order management system according to the present disclosure. FIG. 10 is a sequence chart showing an example of the process flow from a menu order to the completion of food service in the order management method according to the present disclosure. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the order data display screen in the order management system according to the present disclosure. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a food service notification screen in the order management system according to the present disclosure. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a food service instruction screen in the order management system according to the present disclosure. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the order management device from payment to the completion of food clearing in the order management method according to the present disclosure. FIG. 15 is a sequence chart showing an example of the process flow from payment to the completion of food clearing in the order management method according to the present disclosure. 1 is a sequence chart showing an example of the processing flow from accounting to completion of clearing of dishes when all food service robots are in operation in the order management method according to the present disclosure. FIG. 1 is a sequence chart showing an example of the processing flow from accounting to completion of clearing of dishes when the food service robot moves to the next clearing destination after clearing the dishes in the order management method according to the present disclosure. FIG. 1 is a sequence chart showing an example of the processing flow when a food service robot movement request is input from a staff terminal in the order management method according to the present disclosure. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a staff terminal in the order management system according to the present disclosure. FIG. 1 is an example of a food service robot selection screen in the order management system according to the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is an example of a food service robot movement request screen in the order management system according to the present disclosure.FIG. 1 is an example of a display screen of a customer terminal in an order management system according to the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is an example of a waiter call screen in the order management system according to the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is a sequence chart showing an example of a processing flow when a request to cancel an instruction to move a food service robot is input in the order management method according to the present disclosure. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an order management system according to the present disclosure. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a customer terminal provided in the order management system according to the present disclosure. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of an order management device from payment to completion of clearing of dishes in the order management method according to the present disclosure. FIG. 7 is a sequence chart showing an example of a processing flow from payment to completion of clearing of dishes in the order management method according to the present disclosure. FIG. 8 is a sequence chart showing an example of a processing flow from completion of cooking to completion of serving of dishes in the order management method according to the present disclosure. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an order management system according to the present disclosure. FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a computer.

[0014] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same or corresponding elements are designated by the same reference numerals, and for clarity of explanation, duplicate explanations will be omitted as necessary.

[0015] First Embodiment Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an order management system 100 according to the present disclosure. The order management system 100 includes an order input terminal 110, a food delivery robot 120, a kitchen device 130, and an order management device 140. There may be multiple food delivery robots 120. The multiple food delivery robots 120 may be two or more models of food delivery robots. There may also be multiple order input terminals 110. The order input terminals 110, the food delivery robots 120, the kitchen device 130, and the order management device 140 are communicatively connected via a network 500. Here, the network 500 is a wired or wireless communication line and may include the Internet.

[0016] The order management system 100 is an information system that manages the cooking status and accounting of dishes ordered on the floors of a restaurant. Hereinafter, the dishes that are ordered and prepared may be referred to as a "menu." The order input terminal 110 is a terminal that allows customers or floor staff to input menu orders and is operated by the customers or floor staff. The order input terminal 110 is an example of a terminal device. Floor staff are staff who perform tasks such as serving customers on the floors of a restaurant. The food delivery robot 120 is a robot that can move around the floors of a restaurant and delivers food items that have been cooked. Note that the food delivery robot does not need to be in the form of a robot and may be a food delivery device. In other words, the food delivery robot 300 is an example of a food delivery device. The kitchen device 130 is an information terminal installed in the kitchen of a restaurant and can be operated by the kitchen staff. The kitchen device 130 displays the ordered menu items, prints receipts, and registers the completion of cooking. The kitchen staff checks the order data from the kitchen device 130 and prepares the menu items.

[0017] The order management device 140 is an information processing device that stores ordered menu items, controls food delivery, accounting, and table clearing, and is, for example, a server device implemented by a computer. The order management device 140 includes an order entry unit 141, an order data storage unit 142, and a movement control unit 143. When order data is input from the order input terminal 110, the order entry unit 141 transmits the order data to the kitchen device 130. The order data includes menu data and food delivery destination data. The menu data is data on the menu ordered by a customer. The food delivery destination data is data identifying the seat where the customer who ordered the menu is seated. The order data storage unit 142 stores the order data. In other words, the order data storage unit 142 stores the menu data by linking it to the food delivery destination data.

[0018] The movement control unit 143 transmits movement instruction data to any one of the multiple models of food delivery robots 120. The movement instruction data is data instructing the movement of the food delivery robot 300 and includes movement destination data. The movement destination data is data identifying the movement destination of the food delivery robot 120. Specifically, the movement destination data is data on the food delivery destination of the food delivery robot 300. For example, upon receiving notification from the kitchen device 130 that the preparation of a menu item has been completed, the movement control unit 143 generates movement instruction data including the food delivery destination data for the menu item and transmits the movement instruction data to any one of the multiple models of food delivery robots 120. The movement control unit 143 may also generate movement instruction data based on a food delivery robot movement request received from the order input terminal 110 and transmit the movement instruction data to any one of the multiple models of food delivery robots 120. The multiple models of food delivery robots 120 may each communicate with the order management device 140 using a different communication method. The movement control unit 143 is configured to generate and transmit movement instruction data according to the selected communication method of the food delivery robot 120 .

[0019] 2 is a flowchart showing the flow of the order management method according to the present disclosure. First, when order data including menu data and serving destination data is input, the order entry unit 141 transmits the order data to the kitchen device 130 (step S101). Next, the order data storage unit 142 stores the order data input in step S101 (step S102). When the preparation of the menu item is completed, the movement control unit 143 generates movement instruction data including the menu serving destination data and transmits the movement instruction data to an arbitrary serving robot 120 selected from the multiple models of serving robots 120 (step S103).

[0020] As described above, in the order management method according to the first embodiment, the order management device 140 generates movement instruction data according to the communication methods used by the multiple models of food delivery robots 120, and therefore can instruct movement to any food delivery robot 120 selected from the multiple models of food delivery robots 120. This allows multiple models of food delivery robots 120 to be used on the same floor of a restaurant, thereby improving operations on the floor of the restaurant.

[0021] The order management device 140 includes a processor, memory, and storage device (not shown). The storage device stores a computer program that implements the processing of the order management method according to this embodiment. The processor then loads the computer program from the storage device into the memory and executes the computer program. This allows the processor to implement the functions of the order entry unit 141, order data storage unit 142, and movement control unit 143.

[0022] Alternatively, each component of the order management device 140 may be realized by dedicated hardware. Furthermore, some or all of the components of each device may be realized by general-purpose or dedicated circuits, processors, etc., or a combination of these. These may be configured by a single chip, or by multiple chips connected via a bus. Some or all of the components of each device may be realized by a combination of the above-mentioned circuits, etc., and programs. Furthermore, processors that can be used include central processing units (CPUs), graphics processing units (GPUs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), quantum processors (quantum computer control chips), etc.

[0023] Furthermore, when some or all of the components of the order management device 140 are realized by multiple information processing devices, circuits, etc., the multiple information processing devices, circuits, etc. may be centrally or decentralized. For example, the information processing devices, circuits, etc. may be realized as a client-server system, a cloud computing system, or the like, in a form in which each is connected via a communication network. Furthermore, the functions of the order management device 140 may be provided in the form of SaaS (Software as a Service).

[0024] Second Embodiment FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an order management system 800 according to the present disclosure. The order management system 800 is an information system that manages the cooking status and accounting of menu items ordered on floor 10 of a restaurant. The order management system 800 includes a customer terminal 210, a staff terminal 220, food delivery robots 300 (300a, 300b), a kitchen device 400, and an order management device 700. Note that there may be multiple customer terminals 210 and multiple staff terminals 220. The customer terminals 210, the staff terminals 220, the food delivery robots 300, the kitchen device 400, and the order management device 700 are communicatively connected via a network 500. The customer terminals 210 and the staff terminals 220 are examples of the order input terminals 110 described above. In this embodiment, a case where a menu item is ordered using the staff terminal 220 will be described.

[0025] The restaurant has a floor 10 and a kitchen 20. Customer seats are provided on the floor 10. There are usually multiple customer seats on the floor 10. A customer seat may seat multiple people, or may seat only one person. A customer seat that can seat multiple people is, for example, a table seat. A customer seat that can seat only one person is, for example, a counter seat. Customers sit at the customer seats provided on the floor 10, order a menu at their seat, receive the menu once it has been cooked, and eat. The kitchen 20 is a space where the ordered menu is prepared.

[0026] The customer terminal 210 is a communication terminal installed at a customer seat and can be operated by a customer seated at the customer seat. If multiple customer seats are provided on the floor 10, a customer terminal 210 is installed at each customer seat. The customer terminal 210 is an information processing device with wireless communication capabilities, such as a mobile phone, smartphone, or tablet terminal. The customer terminal 210 transmits a table clearing request to the order management device 700. In addition, the customer terminal 210 displays a table serving notification when the menu item is completely prepared.

[0027] The staff terminal 220 is a communication terminal carried by a floor staff member. The floor staff member is a member of the floor 10 who performs duties such as guiding customers to their seats, taking orders, and handling payments. When there are multiple floor staff members, each floor staff member carries a staff terminal 220. The staff terminal 220 is an information processing device with wireless communication capabilities, such as a handheld terminal or a smartphone. In the second embodiment, the floor staff member asks customers what menu items they would like to order and inputs the order data into the staff terminal 220. The order data includes menu data and serving destination data. The menu data is data on the menu items ordered by the customers. The serving destination data is data identifying the seat where the customer is seated. The staff terminal 220 transmits the input menu items to the order management device 700 and registers them.

[0028] The food delivery robot 300 is a robot capable of moving within the floor 10. When a cooked menu item is placed on the food delivery robot 300, the food delivery robot 300 moves to a customer's seat on the floor 10 according to food delivery instruction data received from the order management device 700. The food delivery robot 300 also moves to a customer's seat according to table clearing instruction data received from the order management device 700, and moves to a dish return location after table clearing is complete. In this embodiment, multiple food delivery robots 300 are deployed on the floor 10. The multiple food delivery robots 300 may be of different models. The communication method between the food delivery robots 300 and the order management device 700 is not particularly limited. For example, the multiple food delivery robots 300 may communicate with the order management device 700 using different communication protocols depending on the model. Examples of communication protocols include MQTT (Message Queuing Telemetry Transport) and HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol). In the example shown in FIG. 3, the order management system 800 includes two food delivery robots 300a and 300b. The delivery robots 300a and 300b are different models of delivery robots. Hereinafter, the communication method between the delivery robot 300 and the order management device 700 may be referred to as the "communication method of the delivery robot 300."

[0029] The kitchen device 400 is an information terminal installed in the kitchen 20 and can be operated by the kitchen staff. The kitchen device 400 displays ordered menu items, prints receipts, and registers the completion of cooking. The kitchen device 400 includes a kitchen display 410 and a kitchen printer 420. The kitchen display 410 receives and displays order data and cooking status from the order management device 700. The cooking status is the cooking status of each menu item included in the order data. The kitchen printer 420 prints receipts for the menu data included in the order data received from the order management device 700. The kitchen staff are staff in the kitchen 20 who perform tasks such as cooking the menu items. The kitchen staff prepares the menu items according to the menu data displayed on the kitchen display 410. When the kitchen staff completes the preparation of the menu items, they place the completed menu items and the printed receipt on the food delivery robot 300 and issue a menu preparation completion registration request via the kitchen display 410 or the kitchen printer 420. The cooking completion registration request includes the menu data and serving destination data of the menu item for which cooking has been completed.

[0030] The order management device 700 is an example of the order management device 140 described above. The order management device 700 is an information processing device that stores ordered menu items, controls food distribution, accounting, and table clearing, and is, for example, a server device implemented by a computer. The order management device 700 may be redundantly configured with multiple servers, and each functional block may be implemented by multiple computers. The order management device 700 includes an order entry unit 710, an order data storage unit 720, a movement control unit 730, an accounting unit 740, a food distribution notification unit 760, a food distribution robot status assessment unit 770, an accounting input unit 780, and a receipt output unit 790.

[0031] When the order entry unit 710 receives order data from the staff terminal 220, it transmits the received order data to the kitchen apparatus 400. When the order data storage unit 720 receives order data from the staff terminal 220, it stores the received order data. The order data storage unit 720 stores destination data 721, menu data 722, and cooking status 723 in association with the destination data 721. The destination data 721 is data for identifying customer seats on floor 10. For example, the destination data 721 is a customer seat number assigned to each customer seat. Hereinafter, the destination data may be referred to as a customer seat number. The destination data 721 is usually stored in advance in the order data storage unit 720. The menu data 722 is data on the menu ordered at each customer seat. The cooking status 723 is the cooking status of each ordered menu item.

[0032] The food delivery robot status ascertaining unit 770 ascertains and stores the status of the food delivery robot 300. The food delivery robot status ascertaining unit 770 is configured to be able to ascertain the status of each of multiple food delivery robots 300a, 300b, which are of different models. The food delivery robot status ascertaining unit 770 may constantly obtain the status of the food delivery robot 300 by receiving status data periodically transmitted by the food delivery robot 300. Alternatively, the food delivery robot status ascertaining unit 770 may change the status of the food delivery robot 300 each time the status of the food delivery robot 300 changes. For example, when the movement control unit 730 transmits movement instruction data to the food delivery robot 300a, the food delivery robot status ascertaining unit 770 may change the status of the food delivery robot 300a to which the movement instruction data was transmitted to "in operation." Alternatively, when the food delivery robot status ascertaining unit 770 receives a food delivery completion registration request from the food delivery robot 300a, the status of the food delivery robot 300a that transmitted the food delivery completion registration request may change to "standby." In addition, the food delivery robot status grasping unit 770 may transmit status data of the food delivery robot 300 to at least one of the customer terminal 210, the staff terminal 220, the kitchen display 410, and the kitchen printer 420.

[0033] The movement control unit 730 generates movement instruction data when it receives a request to move a food delivery robot from the customer terminal 210 or the staff terminal 220, when it receives a cooking completion registration request from the kitchen apparatus 400, or when the accounting unit 740 completes the transaction. The movement instruction data includes destination data for the food delivery robot 300. The movement control unit 730 may refer to the status of each food delivery robot 300 stored in the food delivery robot status understanding unit 770, select an arbitrary food delivery robot 300 from among the food delivery robots 300 whose status is standby, and transmit the movement instruction data to the selected food delivery robot 300. Furthermore, when the food delivery robot movement request or cooking completion registration request includes destination data, the movement control unit 730 may transmit the movement instruction data to the food delivery robot 300 corresponding to the destination data. The movement control unit 730 is configured to generate movement instruction data according to the communication method of the food delivery robot 300 to which the movement instruction data is to be transmitted.

[0034] When the food delivery notification unit 760 receives a menu cooking completion registration request from the kitchen display 410 or the kitchen printer 420, it sends a food delivery notification to the customer terminal 210. If there are multiple customer seats on floor 10, the cooking completion registration request includes food delivery destination data, and the food delivery notification unit 760 sends a food delivery notification to the customer terminal 210 installed at the customer seat corresponding to the food delivery destination data. For example, the food delivery notification includes wording such as "Your order will arrive shortly" to inform the customer that the ordered menu will soon be served.

[0035] For example, when status data of the delivery robots 300 is transmitted to the kitchen display 410 or the kitchen printer 420, the kitchen staff may refer to the transmitted status data and select one of the delivery robots 300 whose status is standby. When the kitchen staff completes the preparation of a menu item, they place the completed menu item and the printed receipt on the delivery robot 300 selected by referring to the status data, and issue a menu preparation completion registration request via the kitchen display 410 or the kitchen printer 420. In this case, the cooking completion registration request includes the delivery robot data of the delivery robot 300 on which the menu item and receipt are placed and the delivery destination data of the customer who ordered the menu item. The delivery robot data is data for identifying each delivery robot 300. When the movement control unit 730 receives the menu preparation completion registration request from the kitchen display 410 or the kitchen printer 420, it generates movement instruction data. The movement control unit 730 then transmits the movement instruction data to the delivery robot 300 corresponding to the delivery robot data included in the cooking completion registration request. In this case, the movement instruction data includes the serving destination data included in the cooking completion registration request.

[0036] In the second embodiment, when a customer informs a floor staff member that they would like to pay, the floor staff operates the order management device 700 to process the payment. Upon hearing the customer's request, the floor staff operates the payment input unit 780. The payment input unit 780 causes the payment unit 740 to process the payment in accordance with the floor staff's operation. For example, when the floor staff inputs a customer seat number (service destination data) into the payment input unit 780, the payment input unit 780 requests the payment unit 740 to process the payment for the customer seat corresponding to the seat number. The payment unit 740 retrieves menu data linked to the service destination data from the order data storage unit 720, calculates the payment amount, and executes the payment. The payment method used by the payment unit 740 is not particularly limited, and may be cash, or electronic payment using a credit card, debit card, prepaid card, electronic money, QR code (registered trademark), or the like. When the payment is completed by the payment unit 740, the receipt output unit 790 outputs a receipt or invoice. The receipt or invoice contains the menu data, the price of each menu item, the amount paid, and other accounting details.

[0037] The movement control unit 730 generates movement instruction data when the transaction is completed by the accounting unit 740. The movement control unit 730 then references the status of each food delivery robot 300 stored in the food delivery robot status understanding unit 770, selects an arbitrary food delivery robot 300 from among the food delivery robots 300 whose status is standby, and transmits movement instruction data to that food delivery robot 300. In this case, the movement instruction data includes the customer seat number (food delivery destination data) corresponding to the customer seat where the transaction has been completed.

[0038] The order management device 700 includes components (not shown) such as a processor, memory, storage device, communication interface, and communication circuit. The storage device stores a program that implements the processing of the order management device 700. The program implements the processing of the order entry unit 710, order data storage unit 720, movement control unit 730, accounting unit 740, food delivery notification unit 760, food delivery robot status assessment unit 770, accounting input unit 780, and receipt output unit 790 described above. The processor loads the program from the storage device into memory and executes the program. As a result, the processor realizes the functions of the order entry unit 710, order data storage unit 720, movement control unit 730, accounting unit 740, food delivery notification unit 760, food delivery robot status assessment unit 770, accounting input unit 780, and receipt output unit 790 described above. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the order management device 700 is illustrated as a device installed on floor 10 of the restaurant. However, some or all of the functions of the order management device 700 may be realized by a computer installed in a location other than the floor 10 .

[0039] Next, the configuration of the customer terminal 210 will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 4. The customer terminal 210 includes, as its hardware configuration, an input device, a display device, and a computer. Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the customer terminal 210 included in the order management system according to the present disclosure. The customer terminal 210 includes a control unit 211, an input unit 212, a communication unit 213, a display unit 214, and a memory unit 215.

[0040] The control unit 211 controls the hardware included in the customer terminal 210. The control unit 211 also includes a tray clearing request unit 216. The tray clearing request unit 216 sends a tray clearing request to the order management device 700. The tray clearing request includes the customer seat number (destination data) of the seat where the customer terminal 210 that made the request is located. When the movement control unit 730 included in the order management device 700 receives a tray clearing request from the customer terminal 210, it generates movement instruction data and sends it to the serving robot 300. The movement instruction data includes the destination data included in the tray clearing request.

[0041] The input unit 212 is an input device through which customers input instructions to cause the customer terminal 210 to execute various processes. The communication unit 213 is a communication interface with the network 500. The display unit 214 is a display device that displays food delivery notifications and the like to customers. The memory unit 215 is a storage device that stores programs for realizing each function of the customer terminal 210.

[0042] Next, the configuration of the staff terminal 220 will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 5. The staff terminal 220 includes, as its hardware configuration, an input device, a display device, and a computer. Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the staff terminal 220 included in the order management system according to the present disclosure. The staff terminal 220 includes a control unit 221, an input unit 222, a communication unit 223, a display unit 224, and a storage unit 225.

[0043] The control unit 221 controls the hardware included in the staff terminal 220. The control unit 221 includes a tray clearing request unit 226 and an order data registration request unit 227. The tray clearing request unit 226 sends a tray clearing request to the order management device 700. The tray clearing request includes the seat number (destination data) of the customer seat for which the tray is to be cleared. When the movement control unit 730 included in the order management device 700 receives a tray clearing request from the staff terminal 220, it generates movement instruction data and sends it to the food serving robot 300.

[0044] The order data registration request unit 227 requests the order management device 700 to register order data. The order data registration request includes order data. The order data includes menu data desired by the customer and serving destination data identifying the seat at which the customer ordering the menu is seated. When the order entry unit 710 included in the order management device 700 receives the order data registration request, it transmits the order data included in the order data registration request to the kitchen device 400. The order data storage unit 720 also compares the serving destination data 721 stored in the order data storage unit 720 with the serving destination data included in the order data registration request, and stores the menu data in association with the matching serving destination data 721. The order data storage unit 720 also stores the cooking status of the menu data stored in association with the serving destination data 721 as "cooking."

[0045] The input unit 222 is an input device through which customers input instructions to cause the staff terminal 220 to execute various processes. The communication unit 223 is a communication interface with the network 500. The display unit 224 is a display device that displays table clearing requests and the like to floor staff. The memory unit 225 is a memory device that stores programs for realizing each function of the staff terminal 220.

[0046] Next, the configuration of the food delivery robot 300 will be described in detail with reference to Figure 6. The food delivery robot 300 includes, as its hardware configuration, a movement device, a menu placement device, an input device, a display device, and a computer. Figure 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the food delivery robot 300 included in the order management system according to the present disclosure. The food delivery robot 300 includes a control unit 310, a tray detection unit 320, an input unit 330, a communication unit 340, a display unit 350, and a memory unit 360.

[0047] The control unit 310 controls the hardware included in the food delivery robot 300. The control unit 310 particularly controls the movement device included in the food delivery robot 300. When the control unit 310 receives movement instruction data, it moves the food delivery robot 300 to the customer seat based on the food delivery destination data included in the received data.

[0048] The menu placement device provided in the food delivery robot 300 has a tray on which cooked menu items can be placed. The tray detection unit 320 detects the menu items placed on the tray. The tray detection unit 320 is, for example, a weight sensor that detects the weight of the tray to determine whether a menu item is placed on it. The tray detection unit 320 may also capture images of the inside of the tray and determine whether a menu item is placed on it from the captured images. When the tray detection unit 320 detects that the menu items on the tray have been removed, i.e., that a customer has received the items, the control unit 310 determines that food delivery is complete and sends a food delivery completion registration request to the order management device 700. The order data storage unit 720 changes the cooking status of the menu data served by the food delivery robot 300 that requested food delivery completion registration to "food delivery completed."

[0049] The input unit 330 is an input device through which the kitchen staff or floor staff input instructions to cause the food delivery robot 300 to perform various processes. The communication unit 340 is a communication interface with the network 500. The display unit 350 is a display device that displays a food delivery instruction screen and the like to customers. The memory unit 360 is a storage device that stores programs for realizing each function of the food delivery robot 300.

[0050] A plurality of food delivery robots 300 are deployed within the restaurant. Each of the plurality of food delivery robots 300 is assigned food delivery robot data. The food delivery robot data is data for identifying each food delivery robot 300. The food delivery robot data is, for example, a number assigned to each food delivery robot 300. The food delivery robot data may include model data of each food delivery robot 300. The model data may include information used when communicating with the food delivery robot 300, such as communication method information.

[0051] Furthermore, the food delivery robot 300 may be equipped with multiple trays. When the food delivery robot 300 is equipped with multiple trays, each tray is equipped with a tray detection unit 320. When the food delivery robot 300 is equipped with multiple trays, each tray is assigned tray data. The tray data is data for identifying each tray. The tray data is, for example, a name indicating the positional relationship of each tray within the food delivery robot 300, specifically, the upper, middle, lower, etc.

[0052] Next, the configuration of the cooking chamber apparatus 400 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the cooking chamber apparatus 400 included in the order management system according to the present disclosure. The cooking chamber apparatus 400 includes a cooking chamber display 410 and a cooking chamber printer 420. The cooking chamber display 410 includes a cooking completion registration request unit 411, a communication unit 412, a display unit 413, and a memory unit 414. The cooking chamber printer 420 includes a cooking completion registration request unit 421, a receipt output unit 422, a communication unit 423, and a memory unit 424. The cooking chamber display 410 includes, as its hardware configuration, an input device, a display device, and a computer. The cooking chamber printer 420 includes, as its hardware configuration, an input device, a receipt output device, and a computer.

[0053] The cooking chamber display 410 is a device that displays the ordered menu to the cooking staff and allows the cooking staff to input the completion of cooking, such as a dishwasher display. The cooking completion registration request unit 411 is an input device through which the cooking staff inputs the completion of cooking. The cooking completion registration request unit 411 sends a cooking completion registration request to the order management device 700 based on the completion of cooking input by the cooking staff. The cooking completion registration request includes menu data for which cooking has been completed and serving destination data for the menu. Upon receiving the cooking completion registration request, the order data storage unit 720 changes the cooking status of the menu data included in the cooking completion registration request to "cooked completed." The communication unit 412 is a communication interface with the network 500. The display unit 413 is a display device that displays the ordered menu to the cooking staff. The storage unit 414 is a storage device that stores programs for implementing each function of the cooking chamber display 410.

[0054] The kitchen printer 420 is a device that outputs a receipt for the ordered menu and allows the cooking staff to input information about the completion of cooking. The cooking completion registration request unit 421 is an input device that allows the cooking staff to input information about the completion of cooking. The cooking completion registration request unit 421 has the same functions as the cooking completion registration request unit 411, so a description thereof will be omitted. The receipt output unit 422 is a receipt output device that prints a receipt for the ordered menu. The receipt contains menu data, serving destination data, etc. The communication unit 423 is a communication interface with the network 500. The memory unit 424 is a memory device that stores programs for realizing each function of the kitchen printer 420.

[0055] Next, an example of the operation of the order management device 700 from ordering a menu to completing serving will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the order management device 700 from ordering a menu to completing serving in the order management method according to the present disclosure.

[0056] In the order management method according to the second embodiment, a floor staff member inputs order data from the staff terminal 220. Upon receiving the order data from the staff terminal 220 (step S201), the order entry unit 710 transmits the received order data to the kitchen display 410 and the kitchen printer 420 (step S202). Next, the order data storage unit 720 sets the cooking status of the menu data included in the received order data to "cooking," and stores the menu data and cooking status in association with the serving destination data (step S203). Note that step S203 may be performed before step S202 or in parallel with step S202.

[0057] Upon receiving a cooking completion registration request from the kitchen display 410 or the kitchen printer 420 (step S204), the order data storage unit 720 changes the cooking status of the menu data included in the cooking completion registration request to "cooked complete" (step S205). The movement control unit 730 then generates movement instruction data including the serving destination data included in the cooking completion registration request. The movement control unit 730 then transmits the movement instruction data to the serving robot 300 corresponding to the serving robot data included in the cooking completion registration request (step S206). The serving robot status assessment unit 770 then changes the status of the serving robot 300 to which the serving instruction data was transmitted to "in operation" (step S207). The serving notification unit 760 then transmits a serving notification to the customer terminal 210 installed at the customer seat corresponding to the serving destination data included in the cooking completion registration request (step S208). The order of steps S205, S206, S207, and S208 is not particularly limited, and each step may be performed in parallel.

[0058] Upon receiving a food delivery completion registration request from the food delivery robot 300 (step S209), the order data storage unit 720 changes the cooking status of the menu data delivered by the food delivery robot 300 to "food delivery completed" (step S210). The food delivery robot status understanding unit 770 also changes the status of the food delivery robot 300 that sent the food delivery completion registration request to "standby" (step S211). The movement control unit 730 also transmits a message to the kitchen display 410 indicating that the menu has been delivered (step S212). The order in which steps S210, S211, and S212 are performed is not particularly limited, and the steps may be performed in parallel.

[0059] Next, an example of the operation of the order management system 800 when the status of the food delivery robots 300 is constantly acquired will be described with reference to Figure 9. Figure 9 is a sequence chart showing an example of the flow of a food delivery robot status update process in the order management system according to the present disclosure. Each food delivery robot 300 periodically transmits its status data to the order management device 700 (step S301). Upon receiving the status data of the food delivery robot 300, the food delivery robot status ascertaining unit 770 included in the order management device 700 updates the status of the food delivery robot 300 (step S302).

[0060] Next, an example of the operation of the order management system 800 from ordering a menu to completing serving will be described with reference to Figures 10 to 13. Figure 10 is a sequence chart showing an example of the processing flow from ordering a menu to completing serving in the order management method according to the present disclosure.

[0061] The floor staff inputs the menu data that the customer wishes to order and the seat number where the customer is seated (destination data) into the input unit 222 of the staff terminal 220 (step S401). When the menu data and destination data are input, the order data registration request unit 227 of the staff terminal 220 sends an order data registration request to the order management device 700 (step S402). The order data registration request includes the menu data and destination data.

[0062] When the order management device 700 receives the order data registration request, it transmits the order data included in the order data registration request to the cooking chamber display 410 and the cooking chamber printer 420 (steps S403 and S404). Note that step S404 may be performed before step S403 or in parallel with step S403.

[0063] Upon receiving the order data, the receipt output unit 422 of the kitchen printer 420 outputs a receipt containing the order data (step S405). Upon receiving the order data, the display unit 413 of the kitchen display 410 displays the menu data and cooking status (step S406). The kitchen staff prepares the menu based on the displayed menu data. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of an order data display screen displayed on the kitchen display 410. The display unit 413 displays, for example, the order data display screen shown in FIG. 11. In addition to the menu data and serving destination data, the order data may also include data such as the number of customers seated at each table and the time the order was entered. In the example shown in FIG. 11, the menu items ordered at each table are displayed in association with the cooking status of each menu item, and the number of customers seated at each table and the elapsed time since the order was placed are also displayed. By displaying the elapsed time since the order was placed on the order data display screen, the kitchen staff can identify tables for which serving has not yet been completed and for which a long time has elapsed.

[0064] Continuing the explanation, returning to Figure 10, when the cooking staff member completes the preparation of the menu item, they operate the kitchen room display 410 and input a command to check the status of each delivery robot 300. When the command to check the status of each delivery robot 300 is input, the kitchen room display 410 transmits a status data request to the order management device 700 (step S407). Upon receiving the status data request, the order management device 700 transmits the status data of each delivery robot 300 stored in the delivery robot status understanding unit 770 to the kitchen room display 410 (step S408).

[0065] The cooking staff member refers to the transmitted status data and selects one of the delivery robots 300 whose status is "standby." At this time, the cooking staff member, for example, looks at a list of delivery robots 300 and their statuses displayed on the kitchen display 410 and selects one of the delivery robots 300 by pressing the button for that delivery robot 300 from the list. In other words, regardless of which of multiple delivery robots 300 a cooking staff member selects, the cooking staff member can select the delivery robot 300 using the same operation. After selecting a delivery robot 300, the cooking staff member places the completed menu item, along with the receipt output in step S405, on the tray of the selected delivery robot 300 by referring to the status data. The cooking staff member then inputs information indicating that the menu item has been cooked into the cooking completion registration request unit 421 of the kitchen printer 420 (step S409). When the cooking staff inputs the cooked menu item into the cooking completion registration request unit 421, they input the serving robot number of the serving robot 300 on which the menu item is placed. If the serving robot 300 is equipped with multiple trays, when the cooking staff inputs the cooked menu item into the cooking completion registration request unit 421, they input the tray data of the tray on which the menu item is placed.

[0066] The cooking completion registration request unit 421 sends a cooking completion registration request to the order management device 700 based on the information entered by the cooking staff (Step S410). The cooking completion registration request includes at least the menu data and serving destination data of the menu item for which cooking has been completed, and the serving robot data of the serving robot 300 on which the menu item is placed, and may also include tray data.

[0067] Upon receiving the cooking completion registration request, the food delivery notification unit 760 of the order management device 700 sends a food delivery notification to the customer terminal 210 installed at the customer seat corresponding to the food delivery destination data included in the cooking completion registration request (step S411). The food delivery notification includes a message informing the customer that the cooked menu item will soon be delivered. The food delivery notification may further include menu data for the cooked menu item and a photo of the menu item. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a food delivery notification screen displayed on the customer terminal 210. As shown in FIG. 12, by displaying the food delivery notification screen including the menu item name and photo of the menu item to be delivered on the customer terminal 210, customers can see which menu item will soon be delivered.

[0068] Fig. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a food serving instruction screen displayed on the customer terminal 210. After displaying the food serving notification screen as shown in Fig. 12, the customer terminal 210 may display a food serving instruction screen as shown in Fig. 13. The food serving instruction screen is a screen including text urging the customer to receive the menu. When the food serving robot 300 is equipped with multiple trays, it is preferable that the customer terminal 210 display a food serving instruction screen including text instructing the customer from which tray to receive the menu, as shown in Fig. 13.

[0069] If the food delivery robot 300 is equipped with multiple trays, in step S411, the food delivery notification unit 760 sends a food delivery notification including tray data of the tray on which the menu is placed to the customer terminal 210. Based on the received food delivery notification, the customer terminal 210 displays a food delivery instruction screen including text instructing the customer from which tray to receive the menu. By checking the food delivery instruction screen including text instructing the customer from which tray to receive the menu, the customer can determine which tray contains the menu item they ordered. In addition, the food delivery notification screen and the food delivery instruction screen may display a "Clear notification" button, as shown in FIG. 13. If the customer does not need the notification, they can close the food delivery notification screen and the food delivery instruction screen by operating the "Clear notification" button.

[0070] Returning to Figure 10, the explanation continues. Upon receiving the cooking completion registration request, the movement control unit 730 included in the order management device 700 generates movement instruction data including the serving destination data included in the cooking completion registration request. At this time, the movement control unit 730 generates movement instruction data according to the communication method of the food serving robot data included in the cooking completion registration request. The movement control unit 730 then transmits the generated movement instruction data to the food serving robot 300 corresponding to the food serving robot data included in the cooking completion registration request (step S412).

[0071] Upon receiving the movement instruction data, the delivery robot 300 moves to the customer seat corresponding to the delivery destination data included in the movement instruction data (step S413). The customer receives the menu according to the delivery instruction screen described above. When the tray detection unit 320 detects that the customer has received the menu based on a change in the weight of the tray, the control unit 310 determines that delivery is complete (step S414) and sends a delivery completion registration request to the order management device 700 (step S415). The delivery completion registration request includes delivery robot data corresponding to the delivery robot 300 that delivered the food. Upon receiving the delivery completion registration request, the order entry unit 710 transmits a notification to the kitchen display 410 that delivery to the customer seat has been completed (step S416). In this way, in the method using the order management system 800, the kitchen staff performs the same operations regardless of which delivery robot 300 is selected, but the order management device 700 generates and transmits movement instruction data corresponding to the communication method of each delivery robot 300. Therefore, any one of the multiple models of food delivery robots 300 can be selected and moved around the store.

[0072] When the movement to the customer's seat is completed in step S413, the food delivery robot 300 may transmit an arrival notification to the order management device 700. If a predetermined time has elapsed since the movement instruction data was transmitted to the food delivery robot 300 and an arrival notification has not been received from the food delivery robot 300, the movement control unit 730 may determine that an error has occurred in the food delivery robot 300. If an error has occurred, the movement control unit 730 may notify the staff terminal 220 or the like of the error. The order management device 700 may also store the history of arrival notifications and the like as a movement log of the food delivery robot 300 for a predetermined period of time. In this case, the order management device 700 deletes the movement log after the predetermined period has elapsed.

[0073] While Fig. 10 illustrates a case in which status data is checked from the kitchen display 410, the kitchen staff may also check the status data from the kitchen printer 420. Furthermore, Fig. 10 illustrates a case in which status data is sent from the order management device 700 in response to a request from the kitchen staff, but the status data of the delivery robots 300 may be constantly sent to the kitchen display 410 or the kitchen printer 420. Furthermore, Fig. 10 illustrates a case in which the kitchen staff checks the status of the delivery robots 300 by checking the status data, but the kitchen staff may also visually check which delivery robots 300 are on standby. In this case, each delivery robot 300 may be configured to move near the kitchen 20 when its status is on standby.

[0074] While Fig. 10 illustrates a case in which a kitchen staff member inputs a cooking completion registration from the kitchen printer 420, the kitchen staff member may also input the cooking completion registration from the kitchen display 410. Furthermore, Fig. 9 illustrates a case in which a kitchen staff member moves the food delivery robot 300 based on the food delivery robot number input into the kitchen printer 420, but the food delivery robot 300 may move to a customer's seat based on the food delivery destination data input to the food delivery robot 300. In this case, the kitchen staff inputs the food delivery destination data for the menu item placed on the food delivery robot 300 from the input unit 330 provided in the food delivery robot 300. The food delivery robot 300 moves to a customer's seat based on the input food delivery destination data.

[0075] Furthermore, if the tray detection unit 320 included in the food delivery robot 300 photographs the inside of the tray and determines whether a menu item is placed thereon through image recognition, the food delivery robot 300 may acquire the food delivery destination data through image recognition. For example, the tray detection unit 320 may photograph the menu and receipt placed on the tray and acquire the food delivery destination data printed on the receipt through image recognition. If the food delivery robot 300 acquires the food delivery destination data through image recognition, the kitchen staff does not need to input the food delivery destination data in order to move the food delivery robot 300 to the customer's seat.

[0076] Furthermore, the tray detection unit 320 may photograph the menu and receipt placed on the tray and acquire the menu data printed on the receipt through image recognition. In this case, the food delivery robot 300 may transmit the menu data and delivery destination data acquired by the tray detection unit 320 to the order management device 700 as a cooking completion registration request. When the food delivery robot 300 acquires the menu data and delivery destination data through image recognition and sends the cooking completion registration request, the cooking staff does not need to manually input the cooking completion registration.

[0077] 10 illustrates a case where a serving instruction screen is displayed on the customer terminal 210, but a serving instruction screen such as that shown in FIG. 13 may be displayed on the display unit 350 of the serving robot 300. The display unit 350 displays the serving instruction screen when the serving robot 300 arrives at a customer's seat. The serving instruction screen includes a message urging the customer to pick up their menu. When the serving robot 300 is equipped with multiple trays, it is preferable that the display unit 350 display a serving instruction screen including a message instructing the customer from which tray to pick up their menu, as shown in FIG. 13.

[0078] Furthermore, the tray detection unit 320 may notify the order management device 700 of an abnormality if a menu item has been placed on the tray for a predetermined time or longer. When the order management device 700 is notified of the abnormality, it transmits a notification of the abnormality to the staff terminal 220. By transmitting the notification of the abnormality to the staff terminal 220, the floor staff can know that the distribution of the menu items has not been completed.

[0079] Next, an example of the operation of the order management device 700 from payment to completion of table clearing will be described with reference to Fig. 14. Fig. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the order management device from payment to completion of table clearing in the order management method according to the present disclosure.

[0080] In the order management method according to the second embodiment, after a customer has finished their meal, a floor staff member operates the order management device 700 to process the payment. After finishing their meal, the customer informs the floor staff member that they would like to process the payment. When the floor staff member inputs the customer's seat number (destination data) into the payment input unit 780, the payment unit 740 processes the payment based on the input destination data (step S501). When the payment unit 740 completes the payment, the receipt output unit 790 outputs a receipt or invoice (step S502). When the payment unit 740 completes the payment, the movement control unit 730 references the status of the food delivery robots 300 stored in the food delivery robot status determination unit 770 and selects one of the waiting food delivery robots 300. The movement control unit 730 then generates movement instruction data according to the communication method of the selected food delivery robot 300 and transmits the movement instruction data (step S503). When the movement instruction data is transmitted to the selected food delivery robot 300, the food delivery robot status ascertaining unit 770 changes the status of the food delivery robot 300 to which the movement instruction data was transmitted to "in operation" (step S504). Note that the order in which steps S502, S503, and S504 are performed is not particularly limited, and each step may be performed in parallel.

[0081] Upon receiving a tray clearing completion registration request from the serving robot 300, the order data storage unit 720 changes the cooking status of the menu data ordered at the customer's seat where the serving robot 300 cleared the tray to "Tray Cleared" (step S505). Furthermore, upon receiving a tray clearing completion registration request from the serving robot 300, the serving robot status grasp unit 770 changes the status of the serving robot 300 that sent the tray clearing completion registration request to "Waiting" (step S506). Furthermore, the order entry unit 710 transmits a message to the kitchen display 410 indicating that the tray has been cleared at the customer's seat (step S507). The order of steps S505, S506, and S507 is not particularly limited, and each step may be performed in parallel.

[0082] Next, an example of the operation of the order management system 800 from payment to completion of table clearing will be described with reference to Fig. 15. Fig. 15 is a sequence chart showing an example of the processing flow from payment to completion of table clearing in the order management method according to the present disclosure.

[0083] When a floor staff member inputs the seat number (destination data) of the seat where the customer wishing to pay is seated into the payment input unit 780 of the order management device 700, the payment unit 740 processes the payment based on the destination data (step S601). Once the payment is completed, the movement control unit 730 references the status of the food delivery robots 300 stored in the food delivery robot status determination unit 770 and selects one of the food delivery robots 300 whose status is standby. The movement control unit 730 then generates movement instruction data according to the communication method of the selected food delivery robot 300 and transmits the movement instruction data (step S602). The food delivery robot 300 moves to the seat corresponding to the destination data included in the movement instruction data, i.e., the destination for clearing the table (step S603). At the destination for clearing the table, the floor staff member places tableware and other items on a tray provided by the food delivery robot 300 and inputs information indicating that the clearing of the table is complete via the input unit 330 (step S604). When the completion of table clearing is input, the control unit 310 transmits a table clearing completion registration request to the order management device 700 (step S605).

[0084] When the order management device 700 receives the tray clearing completion registration request, it transmits a message to the kitchen display 410 indicating that the tray has been cleared at the customer's seat (step S606). When the tray clearing completion message is input, the serving robot 300 moves to the dish return location (step S607). Note that step S607 may be performed before step S605, or may be performed in parallel with step S605.

[0085] If all of the food service robots 300 are in operation when a tray clearing instruction is issued, the instruction may be given to a floor staff member instead of the food service robots 300. The operation of the order management system 800 when all of the food service robots 300 are in operation when a tray clearing instruction is issued will be described with reference to Fig. 16. Fig. 16 is a sequence chart showing an example of the processing flow from accounting to completion of tray clearing when all of the food service robots are in operation in the order management method according to the present disclosure.

[0086] When the accounting unit 740 completes the transaction (step S701), the movement control unit 730 checks the status of the food service robots 300 by referencing the food service robot status determination unit 770 (step S702). If the status of all food service robots 300 is in operation, the movement control unit 730 sends movement instruction data to the staff terminal 220 (step S703). The floor staff clears the tables at the customer's seat in accordance with the movement instruction. When the table clearing is complete, the floor staff inputs information indicating that the table clearing is complete using the input unit 222 of the staff terminal 220 (step S704). When the information indicating that the table clearing is complete is input, the control unit 221 sends a table clearing completion registration request to the order management device 700 (step S705). Upon receiving the table clearing completion registration request, the order management device 700 transmits information indicating that the table clearing is complete at the customer's seat to the kitchen display 410 (step S706).

[0087] In this way, the order management method according to the second embodiment links the order entry system and the accounting system, and can automatically instruct the food service robot 300 to clear the table after the transaction, thereby improving operations on the floor 10.

[0088] The serving robot 300 may move to another destination after clearing the dishes before moving to the dish return location. The operation of the order management system 800 when the serving robot 300 is moved to the next destination after clearing the dishes will be described with reference to Fig. 17. Fig. 17 is a sequence chart showing an example of the processing flow from accounting to the completion of clearing the dishes when the serving robot moves to the next destination after clearing the dishes in the order management method according to the present disclosure.

[0089] When the accounting unit 740 completes the transaction (step S801), the movement control unit 730 references the status of the food delivery robots 300 stored in the food delivery robot status determination unit 770 and selects one of the food delivery robots 300 whose status is standby. The movement control unit 730 then generates movement instruction data according to the communication method of the selected food delivery robot 300 and transmits the movement instruction data (step S802). The food delivery robot 300 moves to the customer seat corresponding to the food delivery destination data included in the movement instruction data, i.e., the destination for clearing the table (step S803). At the destination for clearing the table, the floor staff places tableware and other items on a tray provided by the food delivery robot 300 and inputs information indicating that clearing the table is complete via the input unit 330 (step S804). When the control unit 310 receives information indicating that clearing the table is complete, it transmits a request to register clearing completion to the order management device 700 (step S805).

[0090] When the order management device 700 receives the tray clearing completion registration request, it transmits a message to the kitchen display 410 indicating that the tray has been cleared at the customer's seat (step S806). Furthermore, when the order management device 700 receives the tray clearing completion registration request, it transmits the next movement instruction data to the serving robot 300 (step S807). Upon receiving the next movement instruction data, the serving robot 300 moves to the next tray clearing destination (step S808). Note that step S807 may be performed before step S806, or may be performed in parallel with step S806.

[0091] It may be desirable to clear the tableware while a customer is eating, such as when ordering an additional dessert. The order management system according to the second embodiment allows a request for table clearing to be made during a meal from the customer terminal 210 or the staff terminal 220. First, with reference to FIGS. 18 to 21 , a case in which table clearing is requested from the staff terminal 220 will be described. FIG. 18 is a sequence chart showing an example of the processing flow when a request for moving a food delivery robot is input from a staff terminal in the order management method according to the present disclosure. FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of a staff terminal in the order management system according to the present disclosure. FIG. 20 is an example of a food delivery robot selection screen in the order management system according to the present disclosure. FIG. 21 is an example of a food delivery robot movement request screen in the order management system according to the present disclosure.

[0092] 19 shows an example of a handheld terminal used as the staff terminal 220. As shown in FIG. 19, the staff terminal 220 has a "robot" button. When a floor staff member selects the "robot" button, the staff terminal 220 opens a food delivery robot selection screen (step S901) and requests status data of the food delivery robot 300 from the order management device 700 (step S902). Next, the order management device 700 transmits the status data of the food delivery robot 300 stored in the food delivery robot status understanding unit 770 to the staff terminal 220 (step S903).

[0093] When the status data of the food delivery robot 300 is received, a food delivery robot selection screen such as that shown in Fig. 20 is displayed on the display unit 224 of the staff terminal 220. The food delivery robot selection screen is a screen on which the floor staff can select a food delivery robot 300 that can be instructed to move, i.e., a food delivery robot 300 whose status is standby. The food delivery robot selection screen displays the status of each food delivery robot 300. On the food delivery robot selection screen, the floor staff can select only food delivery robots 300 whose status is standby (step S904).

[0094] When selecting a food delivery robot 300 on the food delivery robot selection screen, the floor staff selects a customer seat number on the food delivery robot selection screen. After the floor staff selects a food delivery robot 300 and a customer seat number on the food delivery robot selection screen, a food delivery robot movement request screen such as that shown in FIG. 21 appears on the display unit 224 of the staff terminal 220. The food delivery robot movement request screen is used to confirm which food delivery robot 300 should be moved to which customer seat and to issue a movement request. The floor staff confirms the movement request details on the food delivery robot movement request screen such as that shown in FIG. 21 and selects the "OK" button. When the floor staff selects the "OK" button on the food delivery robot movement request screen, the tray clearing request unit 226 included in the staff terminal 220 sends a food delivery robot movement request to the order management device 700 (step S905). Upon receiving the food delivery robot movement request, the movement control unit 730 included in the order management device 700 generates movement instruction data including the movement destination data included in the food delivery robot movement request (step S906). The movement control unit 730 then transmits the generated movement instruction data to the food delivery robot 300 corresponding to the food delivery robot data included in the food delivery robot movement request (step S907).

[0095] 18 illustrates the example in which a floor staff member selects a food delivery robot 300, but the order management device 700 may also select the food delivery robot 300. In this case, the staff terminal 220 does not request status data of the food delivery robot 300 from the order management device 700 when opening the food delivery robot selection screen. Furthermore, the floor staff member only inputs the customer seat number to which the food delivery robot is to be moved on the food delivery robot selection screen. Then, upon receiving a food delivery robot movement request, the order management device 700 references the status of the food delivery robots 300 stored in the food delivery robot status understanding unit 770, selects a food delivery robot 300 whose status is standby, and transmits movement instruction data.

[0096] Next, a case where a table is requested to be cleared from the customer terminal 210 will be described with reference to Figures 22 and 23. Figure 222 is an example of a display screen of the customer terminal in the order management system according to the present disclosure. Figure 23 is an example of a waiter call screen in the order management system according to the present disclosure.

[0097] FIG. 22 is an example of a display screen displayed on the display unit 214 of the customer terminal 210. As shown in FIG. 22, the display screen of the customer terminal 210 includes a "Call Staff" button. When a customer selects the "Call Staff" button, a staff call screen such as that shown in FIG. 23 is displayed on the display unit 214 of the customer terminal 210. The staff call screen is a screen for requesting the calling of a staff member in response to a customer's request. When a customer wants to clear their dishes, they select the "Clear Dishes" button displayed on the staff call screen. When the customer selects the "Clear Dishes" button, the table clearing request unit 216 included in the customer terminal 210 sends a request to move the food delivery robot to the order management device 700. When the order management device 700 receives the request to move the food delivery robot, it references the status of the food delivery robots 300 stored in the food delivery robot status understanding unit 770, selects a food delivery robot 300 whose status is standby, and sends movement instruction data to the selected food delivery robot. When a customer requests clearing of the table from the customer terminal 210, the serving robot 300 may be selected from the customer terminal 210, as in the case described with reference to Fig. 18. In this case, the operation of the order management system 800 is the same as the flow described with reference to Fig. 18, and therefore will not be described here.

[0098] It may be preferable to cancel the movement of the food delivery robot 300, for example, when clearing the table becomes unnecessary while the customer is eating. The order management system according to the second embodiment allows a customer terminal 210 or a staff terminal 220 to cancel a movement instruction for the food delivery robot 300. A request to cancel a movement instruction for the food delivery robot is made, for example, from the terminal that sent the food delivery robot movement request. FIG. 24 is a sequence chart showing an example of the processing flow when a movement instruction cancellation request is input in the order management method according to the present disclosure. The example shown in FIG. 24 describes a case where a food delivery robot movement instruction is canceled after a food delivery robot movement request is sent from the staff terminal 220.

[0099] When a floor staff member selects the "Robot" button after a request to move the food delivery robot is sent from the staff terminal 220, the staff terminal 220 launches a movement instruction cancellation request screen (step S1001). The floor staff member confirms the cancellation request content on the movement instruction cancellation request screen and selects the "OK" button. When the floor staff member selects the "OK" button on the movement instruction cancellation request screen, the tray clearing request unit 226 included in the staff terminal 220 sends a request to cancel the food delivery robot movement instruction to the order management device 700 (step S1002). Upon receiving the request to cancel the food delivery robot movement instruction, the movement control unit 730 included in the order management device 700 generates movement instruction cancellation data according to the communication method of the food delivery robot data included in the food delivery robot movement request sent by the staff terminal 220 that sent the request to cancel the food delivery robot movement instruction. The movement control unit 730 then transmits the generated movement instruction cancellation data to the food delivery robot 300 corresponding to the food delivery robot data included in the food delivery robot movement instruction cancellation request (step S1003).

[0100] In the example shown in Figure 24, we have explained the case where a movement instruction for the food delivery robot 300 is canceled from the staff terminal 220, but when a movement instruction for the food delivery robot 300 is canceled from the customer terminal 210, the movement instruction for the food delivery robot 300 can also be canceled using the same operations as those described in Figure 24.

[0101] Furthermore, in the order management system according to the second embodiment, the food service robot 300 may carry serving dishes, take-out containers, and the like. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 23 , a "Request for serving dishes" button and a "Request for take-out containers" button are displayed on the waiter call screen. For example, when a customer selects the "Request for serving dishes" button, the control unit 211 sends a request for serving dishes to the order management device 700. The request for serving dishes includes the seat number (destination data) of the customer seat requesting the serving dishes. When the order management device 700 receives the request for serving dishes, it sends the request to the kitchen display 410 and the kitchen printer 420.

[0102] Upon receiving a request for serving dishes, the kitchen display 410 displays a message indicating that serving dishes are being requested and the seat number of the customer requesting the serving dishes. The kitchen printer 420 outputs a slip stating the serving dish request. The kitchen staff prepares serving dishes in accordance with the serving dish request displayed on the kitchen display 410 and places them along with the slip on the serving robot 300 whose status is standby. The kitchen staff then inputs a completion signal to the kitchen display 410 or kitchen printer 420 indicating that the serving dishes have been placed. When the kitchen staff inputs a completion signal, the kitchen display 410 or kitchen printer 420 sends a notification to the order management device 700 indicating that the serving dishes have been placed.

[0103] Upon receiving notification that the serving dishes have been placed, the movement control unit 730 included in the order management device 700 generates movement instruction data and transmits it to the serving robot 300. The serving robot 300 moves to the customer's seat based on the movement instruction data. In this way, the serving robot 300 can deliver serving dishes to the customer's seat in response to the customer's request. Note that the serving robot 300 can also deliver takeout containers in the same manner as the serving dishes, so a description of what happens when a customer requests takeout containers will be omitted.

[0104] <Embodiment 3> Embodiment 3 is a modification of the above-described embodiment 2. In embodiment 3, menu orders and payments are made from a customer terminal. The order management system according to embodiment 3 will be described below, omitting explanations that overlap with embodiment 2 and the like as appropriate.

[0105] Fig. 25 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an order management system according to the present disclosure. As shown in Fig. 25, an order management system 1000 includes an order management device 900 instead of the order management device 700 shown in Fig. 3, and includes a customer terminal 230 instead of the customer terminal 210 shown in Fig. 3. The customer terminal 230 is an example of the order input terminal described above.

[0106] The order management device 900 includes a billing request receiving unit 980 instead of the billing input unit 780 shown in Fig. 3. In the third embodiment, after finishing their meal, customers operate the customer terminal 230 to make a payment. When the billing request receiving unit 980 receives a billing request from the customer terminal 230, it requests the billing unit 740 to make a payment. The order management device 900 includes a receipt sending unit 990 instead of the receipt output unit 790 shown in Fig. 3. When the billing is completed by the billing unit 740, the receipt sending unit 990 sends a receipt or invoice to the customer terminal 230.

[0107] Figure 26 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a customer terminal provided in an order management system according to the present disclosure. The customer terminal 230 includes a control unit 217 instead of the control unit 211 shown in Figure 4. The control unit 217 includes an order data registration request unit 218 and an accounting request unit 219 in addition to the table clearing request unit 216 shown in Figure 4. The order data registration request unit 218 sends an order data registration request to the order management device 700. The accounting request unit 219 sends an accounting request to the order management device 700. The accounting request includes the seat number (catering destination data) of the customer seat requesting accounting. When the accounting request receiving unit 980 provided in the order management device 900 receives an accounting request from the customer terminal 230, it requests the accounting unit 740 to account for the customer seat corresponding to the table serving data included in the accounting request.

[0108] Next, an example of the operation of the order management device 900 from payment to completion of table clearing will be described with reference to Fig. 27. Fig. 27 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the order management device from payment to completion of table clearing in the order management method according to the present disclosure.

[0109] When the billing request receiving unit 980 receives a billing request from the customer terminal 230 (step S1101), it requests the billing unit 740 to bill the customer seat corresponding to the delivery destination data included in the billing request. The billing unit 740 then performs the billing based on the delivery destination data included in the billing request (step S1102). When the billing is completed by the billing unit 740, the receipt sending unit 990 sends a receipt or invoice to the customer terminal 230 (step S1103). Furthermore, when the billing is completed by the billing unit 740, the movement control unit 730 references the status of the food delivery robots 300 stored in the food delivery robot status grasping unit 770 and selects one of the food delivery robots 300 whose status is standby. The movement control unit 730 then generates movement instruction data according to the communication method of the selected food delivery robot 300 and sends the movement instruction data (step S1104).

[0110] Furthermore, when the accounting unit 740 completes the transaction, the food service robot status ascertainment unit 770 changes the status of the food service robot 300 to which the tray clearing instruction data was sent to "in operation" (step S1105). Note that the order in which steps S1103, S1104, and S1105 are performed is not particularly limited, and each step may be performed in parallel. Steps S1106 to S1108 are similar to steps S505 to S507 described above, and therefore will not be described here.

[0111] In the order management system according to the third embodiment, a customer may request clearing of the table from the customer terminal 230 or the staff terminal 220. For example, a customer may select the "Clear dishes" button displayed on the display unit 214 of the customer terminal 230 before paying. When the customer selects the "Clear dishes" button, the table clearing request unit 216 included in the customer terminal 230 sends a request to move the table service robot to the order management device 900. When the movement control unit 730 included in the order management device 900 receives the request to move the table service robot from the customer terminal 230 or the staff terminal 220, it sends movement instruction data to the table service robot 300 whose status is standby. The table service robot 300 moves to the customer's seat in accordance with the movement instruction data.

[0112] Next, an example of the operation of the order management system 1000 from payment to completion of table clearing will be described with reference to Fig. 28. Fig. 28 is a sequence chart showing an example of the processing flow from payment to completion of table clearing in the order management method according to the present disclosure.

[0113] In the order management method according to the third embodiment, a "Checkout" button is displayed on the display unit 214 of the customer terminal 230. After finishing their meal, the customer selects the "Checkout" button displayed on the customer terminal 230. When the customer selects the "Checkout" button, the checkout request unit 219 sends a checkout request, including the seat number of the seat where the customer terminal 230 is located, to the order management device 900 (step S1201). The order management device 900 performs checkout in response to the checkout request (step S1202) and sends a receipt or invoice to the customer terminal 230 (step S1203). The display unit 214 of the customer terminal 230 outputs the received receipt or invoice by displaying it (step S1204). Steps S1205 to S1210 are similar to steps S602 to S607 described above, and therefore will not be described further.

[0114] In this way, in the order management method according to the third embodiment, customers themselves use the customer terminal 230 to order menu items and pay. This reduces contact between floor staff and customers. Furthermore, the reduction in the workload of floor staff further improves operations on the floor 10.

[0115] In the third embodiment, the case where both the menu order and the payment are made from the customer terminal 230 has been described, but only one of the menu order and the payment may be made from the customer terminal 230. For example, the menu order may be made from the customer terminal 230, and the payment may be made from the order management device 900.

[0116] <Fourth Embodiment> The fourth embodiment is a modification of the second embodiment described above. In the fourth embodiment, the food delivery robot 300 delivers menu items to multiple delivery destinations in a predetermined order. The order management system according to the fourth embodiment will be described below, omitting explanations that overlap with those of the second embodiment, etc., as appropriate. The order management system according to the fourth embodiment has the same configuration as the order management system 800 described in the second embodiment.

[0117] FIG. 29 is a sequence chart showing an example of the processing flow from completion of cooking to completion of serving in the order management method according to the present disclosure. In embodiment 4, the cooking staff places the cooked menu items along with receipts on each of multiple trays provided by the serving robot 300. Note that the menu items placed on one tray are for the same serving destination. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 29 , the cooking staff places the menu items to be served to customer seat 1 on the upper tray, the menu items to be served to customer seat 2 on the middle tray, and the menu items to be served to customer seat 3 on the lower tray. Note that customer terminals a1 to a3 shown in FIG. 29 are customer terminals 210 installed at customer seats 1 to 3.

[0118] The cooking staff member refers to the status data of the food delivery robots 300 or visually checks the food delivery robots 300 and selects one of the food delivery robots 300 whose status is standby. After placing menu items and receipts on the trays of the selected food delivery robot 300, the cooking staff member inputs information indicating that the cooking of each menu item has been completed into the cooking completion registration request unit 421 of the kitchen room printer 420 (step S1201). In step S1201, the cooking staff member inputs tray data for the trays on which each menu item has been placed. The cooking completion registration request unit 421 sends a cooking completion registration request to the order management device 700 based on the information input by the cooking staff member (step S1202). Upon receiving the cooking completion registration request, the food delivery notification unit 760 of the order management device 700 sends food delivery notifications to the customer terminals 210 installed at the customer seats corresponding to the food delivery destination data included in the cooking completion registration request (steps S1203 to S1205).

[0119] Upon receiving the cooking completion registration request, the movement control unit 730 included in the order management device 700 generates movement instruction data including the multiple serving destination data included in the cooking completion registration request and transmits the movement instruction data to the food delivery robot 300 (step S1206). The movement instruction data transmitted in step S1206 includes data on a predetermined order in which the food delivery robot 300 will move to multiple customer seats. Here, the predetermined order is not particularly limited. For example, the food delivery robot 300 moves to the destination of the menu item placed on the top tier of the tray, then the destination of the menu item placed on the middle tier of the tray, and then the destination of the menu item placed on the top tier of the tray. Alternatively, the food delivery robot 300 may move to each serving destination in order of the earliest order time, for example.

[0120] Upon receiving the food delivery instruction data, the food delivery robot 300 moves to customer seat 1 based on the delivery destination data included in the movement instruction data and completes delivery (step S1207). Upon completing delivery, the food delivery robot 300 sends a food delivery completion registration request, including the customer seat number (delivery destination data) of customer seat 1, to the order management device 900 (step S1208). The order entry unit 710 sends a notification to the kitchen display 410 that delivery to customer seat 1 has been completed (step S1209).

[0121] Next, the food delivery robot 300 moves to customer seat 2 and completes food delivery (step S1210). Upon completing food delivery, the food delivery robot 300 sends a food delivery completion registration request, including the seat number (food delivery destination data) of customer seat 2, to the order management device 900 (step S1211). The order entry unit 710 sends a notification to the kitchen display 410 that food delivery to customer seat 2 has been completed (step S1212).

[0122] Next, the food delivery robot 300 moves to customer seat 3 and completes food delivery (step S1213). Upon completing food delivery, the food delivery robot 300 sends a food delivery completion registration request, including the seat number (food delivery destination data) of customer seat 3, to the order management device 900 (step S1214). The order entry unit 710 sends a notification to the kitchen display 410 that food delivery to customer seat 3 has been completed (step S1215).

[0123] As described above, in the order management method according to the fourth embodiment, the food delivery robot 300 can deliver menu items to multiple destinations in a predetermined order. This allows the food delivery robot 300 to deliver many menu items at once. Note that in the order management method according to the fourth embodiment, the food delivery robot 300 may also clear the tables at multiple customer tables in a predetermined order. Also, in the order management method according to the fourth embodiment, the food delivery robot 300 may use at least one of the multiple trays for serving food while clearing the remaining trays.

[0124] <Fifth Embodiment> The fifth embodiment is a modification of the first embodiment described above. In the fifth embodiment, movement instructions are sent to each food delivery robot via a relay server and a control server. The order management system according to the fifth embodiment will be described below while omitting explanations that overlap with those of the first embodiment, etc. as appropriate. Fig. 30 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an order management system according to the present disclosure.

[0125] As shown in FIG. 30 , the order management system 1100 includes an order management device 1200 instead of the order management device 140. In addition to the components shown in FIG. 1 , the order management system 1100 also includes a relay server 1300 and control servers 1400a and 1400b. The delivery robots 120a and 120b are examples of the delivery robot 120. The delivery robots 120a and 120b are different models of delivery robots. The control server 1400a is a server device that controls the operation of the delivery robot 120a. The control server 1400b is a server device that controls the operation of the delivery robot 120b. In the example shown in FIG. 30 , the control servers 1400a and 1400b communicate with the relay server 1300 using different communication methods.

[0126] The order management device 1200 includes a robot selection data generation unit 1203 instead of the movement control unit 143. When the robot selection data generation unit 1203 receives notification from the kitchen device 130 that a menu item has been prepared, the robot selection data generation unit 1203 generates robot selection data including serving destination data for the menu item and serving robot data for the serving robot 120 that will serve the items, and sends the data to the relay server 1300. The order management device 12000 may also include an accounting unit (not shown) that processes payments based on the order data. In this case, the robot selection data generation unit 1203 generates robot selection data including serving destination data for the menu item that has been processed and serving robot data for the serving robot that will clear the dishes, and sends the data to the relay server 1300.

[0127] The relay server 1300 is a server device that relays between the order management device 1200 and the control servers 1400a and 1400b. The relay server 1300 includes a movement instruction data generator 1301. Upon receiving the robot selection data, the movement instruction data generator 1301 generates movement instruction data according to the communication method of the food delivery robot data included in the robot selection data. The movement instruction data generator 1301 then transmits the movement instruction data to the control server that controls the food delivery robot 120 corresponding to the food delivery robot data included in the robot selection data.

[0128] When using the relay server 1300 in this way, when changing the model of the food delivery robot, all that is required is to change the configuration of the relay server 1300 so that it can generate movement instruction data that corresponds to the communication method of the new model of food delivery robot. Therefore, it is possible to change the model of the food delivery robot without changing the configuration of the order management device 1200.

[0129] <Example of Hardware Configuration> Hereinafter, a case will be described in which each functional configuration of the determination device according to the present disclosure is realized by a combination of hardware and software.

[0130] FIG. 31 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a computer. The management device of the present disclosure can achieve the above-described functions by a computer 11 including the hardware configuration shown in the figure. The computer 11 may be a portable computer such as a smartphone or tablet terminal, or a stationary computer such as a PC. The computer 11 may be a dedicated computer designed to realize each device, or may be a general-purpose computer. The computer 11 can achieve desired functions by installing a specific program.

[0131] The computer 11 has a bus 21, a processor 30, a memory 40, a storage device 50, an input / output interface 60 (an interface is also called an I / F (Interface)), and a network interface 70. The bus 21 is a data transmission path through which the processor 30, the memory 40, the storage device 50, the input / output interface 60, and the network interface 70 transmit and receive data to and from each other. However, the method of connecting the processor 30 and the like to each other is not limited to bus connection.

[0132] The processor 30 is a processor such as a CPU, a GPU, an FPGA, etc. The memory 40 is a main storage device realized using a RAM (Random Access Memory) or the like.

[0133] The storage device 50 is an auxiliary storage device realized using a hard disk, SSD, memory card, ROM (Read Only Memory), etc. The storage device 50 stores programs for realizing desired functions. The processor 30 reads these programs into the memory 40 and executes them to realize the various functional components of each device.

[0134] The input / output interface 60 is an interface for connecting the computer 11 with input / output devices. For example, the input / output interface 60 is connected to an input device such as a keyboard and an output device such as a display device.

[0135] The network interface 70 is an interface for connecting the computer 11 to a network.

[0136] Although an example of a hardware configuration for the present disclosure has been described above, the above-described embodiment is not limited to this. Any processing in the present disclosure can also be realized by causing a processor to execute a computer program.

[0137] In the above examples, the program includes instructions (or software code) that, when loaded into a computer, cause the computer to perform one or more functions described in the embodiments. The program may be stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium or a tangible storage medium. By way of example and not limitation, computer-readable medium or tangible storage medium includes random-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, solid-state drive (SSD) or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disc (DVD), Blu-ray disc or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassette, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage device. The program may also be transmitted on a transitory computer-readable medium or communication medium. By way of example and not limitation, transitory computer-readable medium or communication medium includes electrical, optical, acoustic, or other forms of propagated signals.

[0138] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above. Furthermore, the present disclosure may be implemented by appropriately combining the respective embodiments. Various modifications that can be understood by a person skilled in the art can be made to the configuration and details of the present invention within the scope of the invention.

[0139] Some or all of the above embodiments can be described as, but are not limited to, the following supplementary notes.

[0140] (Appendix A1) An order management system comprising: an order input terminal for inputting order data including menu data and serving destination data; an order management device capable of communicating with said order input terminal; multiple models of serving robots that carry fully cooked menu items and are capable of communicating with said order management device; and a kitchen device that is capable of communicating with said order management device, wherein the order management device comprises: order entry means that, upon receiving the order data from the order input terminal, sends the order data to the kitchen device; order data storage means that stores the order data; and movement control means that, upon receiving from the kitchen device that cooking of the menu item is complete, generates movement instruction data including the serving destination data for the menu item, and sends the movement instruction data to any of the food serving robots selected from said multiple models of food serving robots.

[0141] (Appendix A2) The order management system described in Appendix A1, wherein the order management device further includes an accounting means for performing accounting based on the order data, and the movement control means generates movement instruction data including the delivery destination data where the accounting has been performed, and transmits the movement instruction data to an arbitrary delivery robot selected from the plurality of models of delivery robots.

[0142] (Appendix A3) The order management system according to appendix A1 or A2, wherein the movement control means selects an arbitrary food service robot from among the plurality of models of food service robots that are on standby, and transmits the movement instruction data to the arbitrary food service robot.

[0143] (Appendix A4) The order management system according to any one of Appendices A1 to A3, wherein the movement control means transmits next movement instruction data to the food delivery robot that has moved to the food delivery destination based on the movement instruction data.

[0144] (Appendix A5) The order management system according to any one of Appendices A1 to A4, wherein the movement control means generates movement instruction data based on a request to move the food service robot received from the order input terminal, selects an arbitrary food service robot from among the plurality of models of food service robots, and transmits the movement instruction data.

[0145] (Appendix B1) An order management system comprising: an order input terminal for inputting order data including menu data and serving destination data, and inputting a food delivery robot movement request including destination data; an order management device capable of communicating with said order input terminal; and multiple models of food delivery robots that are movable within a store and capable of communicating with said order management device, wherein said order management device comprises movement control means for generating movement instruction data including destination data based on the food delivery robot movement request received from said order input terminal, and for transmitting said movement instruction data to any food delivery robot selected from said multiple models of food delivery robots.

[0146] (Appendix B2) The order management system described in Appendix B1, wherein the order input terminal is capable of inputting a cancellation request to cancel the food delivery robot movement request after inputting the request, and the movement control means generates cancellation instruction data based on the cancellation request received from the order input terminal and transmits the cancellation instruction data to the food delivery robot that transmitted the movement instruction data.

[0147] (Appendix B3) The order management system according to appendix B1 or B2, wherein the order management device includes a food service robot status ascertaining means for acquiring the status of each of the plurality of models of food service robots and transmitting status data of each food service robot to the order input terminal.

[0148] (Appendix C1) An order management program that causes a computer to execute the following processes: a transmission process that, when order data including menu data and serving destination data is input, transmits the order data to a kitchen device; a storage process that stores the order data; and a transmission process that, when cooking of a menu item is completed, generates movement instruction data including the serving destination data for the menu item and transmits the movement instruction data to any serving robot selected from the multiple models of serving robots.

[0149] (Appendix D1) An order management program that causes a computer to execute the following steps: when a food delivery robot movement request including destination data is input, generate movement instruction data including the destination data based on the food delivery robot movement request, and send the movement instruction data to any food delivery robot selected from multiple models of food delivery robots that can move within the store.

[0150] (Appendix E1) An order management method in which a computer, upon input of order data including menu data and serving destination data, transmits the order data to a kitchen device, stores the order data, and, upon completion of cooking the menu, generates movement instruction data including the serving destination data for the menu, and transmits the movement instruction data to any serving robot selected from the plurality of models of serving robots.

[0151] (Appendix F1) An order management method in which a computer, upon receiving a food delivery robot movement request including destination data, generates movement instruction data including the destination data based on the food delivery robot movement request, and sends the movement instruction data to an arbitrary food delivery robot selected from multiple models of food delivery robots that can move within the store.

[0152] (Appendix G1) An order management device comprising: an order entry means for, when order data including menu data and serving destination data is input, sending the order data to a kitchen device; an order data storage means for storing the order data; and a movement control means for, when cooking of a menu item is completed, generating movement instruction data including the serving destination data for the menu item, and sending the movement instruction data to any serving robot selected from the plurality of models of serving robots.

[0153] (Appendix G2) The order management device described in Appendix G1 further comprises an accounting means for performing accounting based on the order data, wherein the movement control means generates movement instruction data including the delivery destination data where the accounting has been performed, and transmits the movement instruction data to an arbitrary delivery robot selected from the plurality of models of delivery robots.

[0154] (Appendix H1) An order management device comprising: a movement control means that, when a food delivery robot movement request including destination data is input, generates movement instruction data including the destination data based on the food delivery robot movement request, and transmits the movement instruction data to an arbitrary food delivery robot selected from multiple models of food delivery robots that are movable within the store.

[0155] (Appendix H2) The order management device according to Appendix H1, wherein when a cancellation request to cancel the food service robot movement request is input, the movement control means generates cancellation instruction data based on the cancellation request and transmits the cancellation instruction data to the food service robot that transmitted the movement instruction data.

[0156] (Appendix I1) An order management system comprising: an order input terminal for inputting order data including menu data and serving destination data; an order management device capable of communicating with said order input terminal; a kitchen device capable of communicating with said order management device; multiple models of serving robots that carry cooked menu items; multiple control servers that control each of said multiple models of serving robots; and a relay server that can communicate with said multiple control servers and said order management device, wherein said order management device comprises: order entry means for, upon receiving the order data from said order input terminal, sending the order data to the kitchen device; order data storage means for storing the order data; robot selection data generation means for, upon receiving from the kitchen device that cooking of the menu item is complete, generating robot selection data including serving destination data for the menu item and serving robot data for the serving robot that will serve the menu item, and sending the data to said relay server, and wherein the relay server comprises: movement instruction data generation means for generating movement instruction data in accordance with a communication method for the serving robot data included in the robot selection data, and sending the movement instruction data to the control server that controls the serving robot data.

[0157] (Appendix I2) The order management system described in Appendix I1, wherein the order management device further includes an accounting means for performing accounting based on the order data, and the robot selection data generation means generates robot selection data including the serving destination data where the accounting was performed and serving robot data of the serving robot that will clear the table, and transmits the robot selection data to the relay server.

[0158] (Appendix J1) An order management system having a terminal device to which order data including menu data and serving destination data corresponding to the menu data is input, an order management device capable of communicating with the terminal device, a kitchen device that cooks dishes and is capable of communicating with the order management device, and a plurality of types of serving devices that each serve the cooked dishes and are each capable of communicating with the order management device, wherein the order management device has an order entry unit that sends the order data received from the terminal device to the kitchen device, and a movement control unit that, when it receives from the kitchen device that cooking of the dishes corresponding to menu data included in the order data has been completed, sends movement instruction data generated in accordance with the serving destination data corresponding to the menu data to a serving device selected from the plurality of types of serving devices.

[0159] (Appendix J2) The order management system described in Appendix J1, wherein the order management device further includes an accounting unit that executes accounting based on the order data, and the movement control unit transmits movement instruction data generated in accordance with food delivery destination data corresponding to the executed accounting to a food delivery device selected from the plurality of models of food delivery devices.

[0160] (Supplementary Note J3) The order management system according to Supplementary Note J1 or J2, wherein the movement control unit transmits the movement instruction data to a food service device selected from among the plurality of types of food service devices that are on standby.

[0161] (Supplementary Note J4) The order management system according to Supplementary Note J1 or J2, wherein the movement control unit transmits next movement instruction data to the food serving device that has moved to the food serving destination based on the movement instruction data.

[0162] (Appendix K1) An order management system having a terminal device to which order data including menu data and serving destination data corresponding to the menu data is input, and to which a movement request for a serving device including movement destination data for the serving device is input, an order management device capable of communicating with the terminal device, a kitchen device that cooks food and is capable of communicating with the order management device, and a plurality of types of serving devices that each serve the cooked food and are each capable of communicating with the order management device, wherein the order management device has a movement control unit that transmits movement instruction data that is generated including the movement destination data to a serving device selected from the plurality of types of serving devices based on the movement request received from the terminal device.

[0163] (Appendix K2) The order management system described in Appendix K1, wherein the terminal device is capable of inputting a cancellation request to cancel the movement request after inputting the movement request, and the movement control unit transmits cancellation instruction data generated based on the cancellation request received from the terminal device to the food serving device that transmitted the movement instruction data.

[0164] (Appendix K3) The order management system according to appendix K1 or K2, wherein the order management device includes a status ascertaining unit that transmits status data of each of the plurality of types of food service devices to the terminal device, the status data being acquired from the plurality of types of food service devices.

[0165] (Appendix L1) An order management program for a terminal device into which order data including menu data and serving destination data corresponding to the menu data is input, an order management device capable of communicating with the terminal device, a kitchen device that cooks dishes and is capable of communicating with the order management device, and multiple types of serving devices that respectively serve the cooked dishes, the order management program causing the order management device to receive from the kitchen device a notification that cooking of the dishes corresponding to the menu data included in the order data has been completed, and to transmit movement instruction data generated in accordance with the serving destination data corresponding to the menu data to a serving device selected from the multiple types of serving devices.

[0166] (Appendix M1) An order management method including a terminal device to which order data including menu data and serving destination data corresponding to the menu data is input, an order management device capable of communicating with the terminal device, a kitchen device that cooks dishes and is capable of communicating with the order management device, and multiple types of serving devices that respectively serve the cooked dishes, the order management method comprising: the order management device receives from the kitchen device a notification that cooking of the dishes corresponding to the menu data included in the order data has been completed, and transmits movement instruction data generated in accordance with the serving destination data corresponding to the menu data to a serving device selected from the multiple types of serving devices.

[0167] (Supplementary Note N1) An order management device capable of communicating with a terminal device to which order data including menu data and serving destination data corresponding to the menu data is input, an order management device capable of communicating with the terminal device, a kitchen device that cooks dishes and is capable of communicating with the order management device, and multiple types of serving devices that respectively serve the cooked dishes, the order management device comprising: an order entry unit that sends the order data received from the terminal device to the kitchen device, and a movement control unit that, when it receives from the kitchen device that cooking of the dishes corresponding to the menu data included in the order data has been completed, sends movement instruction data generated in accordance with the serving destination data corresponding to the menu data to a serving device selected from the multiple types of serving devices.

[0168] (Supplementary Note O1) An order management system having a terminal device to which order data including menu data and serving destination data corresponding to the menu data is input, an order management device capable of communicating with the terminal device, a kitchen device that cooks food and is capable of communicating with the order management device, multiple types of serving devices that serve the cooked food, multiple control systems that control each of the multiple types of serving devices, and a relay device that is capable of communicating with the order management device and the multiple control systems, wherein the order management device has an order entry unit that sends the order data received from the terminal device to the kitchen device, and a movement control unit that, when receiving from the kitchen device a notification that cooking of a food corresponding to menu data included in the order data has been completed, generates serving destination data corresponding to the menu data and selection data to select a serving device that will serve the cooked food, and sends these to the relay device, and the relay device has a data generation unit that generates movement instruction data in accordance with the communication method of the serving device that corresponds to the selection data, and sends the movement instruction data to a control device of the multiple control devices that controls a serving device that corresponds to the generated selection data.

[0169] This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-192388, filed November 10, 2023, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

[0170] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Floor 20 Kitchen 11 Computer 21 Bus 30 Processor 40 Memory 50 Storage device 60 Input / output interface 70 Network interface 100 Order management system 110 Order input terminal 120 Food serving robot 130 Kitchen device 140 Order management device 141 Order entry unit 142 Order data storage unit 143 Movement control unit 210 Customer terminal 211 Control unit 212 Input unit 213 Communication unit 214 Display unit 215 Storage unit 216 Table clearing request unit 217 Control unit 218 Order data registration request unit 219 Accounting request unit 220 Staff terminal 221 Control unit 222 Input unit 223 Communication unit 224 Display unit 225 Storage unit 226 Table clearing request unit 227 Order data registration request unit 230 Customer terminal 300 Food serving robot 310 Control unit 320 Tray detection unit 330 Input unit 340 Communication unit 350 Display unit 360 Memory unit 400 Cooking room device 410 Cooking room display 411 Cooking completion registration request unit 412 Communication unit 413 Display unit 414 Memory unit 420 Cooking room printer 421 Cooking completion registration request unit 422 Slip output unit 423 Communication unit 424 Memory unit 500 Network 700 Order management device 710 Order entry unit 720 Order data memory unit 721 Food serving destination data 722 Menu data 723 Cooking status 730 Movement control unit 740 Accounting unit 760 Food serving notification unit 770 Food serving robot status understanding unit 780 Accounting input unit 790 Receipt output unit 800 Order management system 900 Order management device 980 Accounting request receiving unit 990 Receipt sending unit 1000 Order management system 1200 Order management device 1203 Robot selection data generating unit 1300 Relay server Movement instruction data generating unit 1400 Control server

Claims

1. An order management system having a terminal device to which order data including menu data and serving destination data corresponding to the menu data is input, an order management device capable of communicating with the terminal device, a kitchen device which cooks food and is capable of communicating with the order management device, and multiple types of serving devices which each serve the cooked food and are each capable of communicating with the order management device, wherein the order management device has an order entry unit which transmits the order data received from the terminal device to the kitchen device, and a movement control unit which, when it receives from the kitchen device a notification that cooking of the food corresponding to the menu data included in the order data has been completed, transmits movement instruction data generated in accordance with the serving destination data corresponding to the menu data to a serving device selected from the multiple types of serving devices.

2. The order management system of claim 1, wherein the order management device further comprises an accounting unit that executes accounting based on the order data, and the movement control unit transmits movement instruction data generated in accordance with destination data corresponding to the executed accounting to a food serving device selected from the multiple models of food serving devices.

3. The order management system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the movement control unit transmits the movement instruction data to a food service device selected from among the plurality of types of food service devices that are on standby.

4. The order management system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the movement control unit transmits next movement instruction data to the food distribution device that has moved to the food distribution destination based on the movement instruction data.

5. An order management system having a terminal device to which order data including menu data and serving destination data corresponding to the menu data is input, and to which a movement request for a serving device including destination data for the serving device is input, an order management device capable of communicating with the terminal device, a kitchen device which cooks food and is capable of communicating with the order management device, and a plurality of types of serving devices which each serve the cooked food and are each capable of communicating with the order management device, wherein the order management device has a movement control unit which transmits movement instruction data generated including the destination data to a serving device selected from the plurality of types of serving devices based on the movement request received from the terminal device.

6. The order management system of claim 5, wherein the terminal device is capable of inputting a cancellation request to cancel the movement request after inputting the movement request, and the movement control unit transmits cancellation instruction data generated based on the cancellation request received from the terminal device to the food distribution device that transmitted the movement instruction data.

7. The order management system according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the order management device includes a status grasping unit that transmits status data of each food service device obtained from the plurality of types of food service devices to the terminal device.

8. An order management program for a terminal device into which order data including menu data and serving destination data corresponding to the menu data is input, an order management device capable of communicating with the terminal device, a kitchen device which cooks food and is capable of communicating with the order management device, and multiple types of serving devices which respectively serve the cooked food, the order management program causing the order management device to receive from the kitchen device a notification that cooking of the food corresponding to the menu data included in the order data has been completed, and to transmit movement instruction data generated in accordance with the serving destination data corresponding to the menu data to a serving device selected from the multiple types of serving devices.

9. An order management method including a terminal device to which order data including menu data and serving destination data corresponding to the menu data is input, an order management device capable of communicating with the terminal device, a kitchen device which cooks food and is capable of communicating with the order management device, and multiple types of serving devices which respectively serve the cooked food, the order management method comprising: the order management device receives from the kitchen device a notification that cooking of the food corresponding to the menu data included in the order data has been completed, and transmits movement instruction data generated in accordance with the serving destination data corresponding to the menu data to a serving device selected from the multiple types of serving devices.

10. An order management device capable of communicating with a terminal device to which order data including menu data and serving destination data corresponding to the menu data is input, an order management device capable of communicating with the terminal device, a kitchen device which cooks food and is capable of communicating with the order management device, and multiple types of serving devices which respectively serve the cooked food, the order management device comprising: an order entry unit which transmits the order data received from the terminal device to the kitchen device, and a movement control unit which, when it receives from the kitchen device a notification that cooking of the food corresponding to the menu data included in the order data has been completed, transmits movement instruction data generated in accordance with the serving destination data corresponding to the menu data to a serving device selected from the multiple types of serving devices.

11. An order management system having a terminal device to which order data including menu data and serving destination data corresponding to the menu data is input, an order management device capable of communicating with the terminal device, a kitchen device which cooks food and is capable of communicating with the order management device, multiple types of serving devices which serve the cooked food, multiple control devices which control each of the multiple types of serving devices, and a relay device which is capable of communicating with the order management device and the multiple control devices, wherein the order management device has an order entry unit which transmits the order data received from the terminal device to the kitchen device, and a movement control unit which, when notified by the kitchen device that cooking of a food corresponding to menu data included in the order data has been completed, generates serving destination data corresponding to the menu data and selection data for selecting a serving device that will serve the cooked food, and transmits these to the relay device, and the relay device has a data generation unit which generates movement instruction data in accordance with the communication method of the serving device corresponding to the selection data, and transmits the movement instruction data to a control device among the multiple control devices which controls a serving device corresponding to the generated selection data.

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