JP7356850B2 - Self order processing system - Google Patents

Description

Embodiments of the present invention relate to self-order processing systems.

Restaurants and other eateries are being asked to reduce personnel expenses. In order to reduce the burden on store staff, self-order terminals (tablet terminals) have been developed that are installed at each table and allow customers to place orders themselves.

The self-order terminal allows menu layout settings (changes) to be made depending on the occasion, such as lunch or dinner courses. This layout setting is determined based on the subjective feeling of the store owner or the like. For example, settings are made such as arranging recommended items in the most conspicuous area of the first page.
However, customer tastes are becoming increasingly diverse, and it is impossible to optimize the menu layout based solely on the subjective feelings of store owners and the like. The optimal menu layout also differs depending on the store situation.

JP2007-287082A

The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a self-order processing system that can present information to assist in setting the menu layout when setting the menu layout.

The self-order processing system of the embodiment includes: a menu server that aggregates food and beverage item information; a self-order terminal that displays an order menu based on the item information on a display and accepts display touch input from a user; A self-order processing system comprising: an aggregation server that processes input information received from an order terminal; and a terminal setting computer that sets the layout of an order menu to be displayed on a display of the self-order terminal, the terminal setting computer comprising: , presents information to assist in setting the layout of an order menu to be displayed on the self-order terminal, based on the input information accumulated in the aggregation server.

In the self-order processing system of the embodiment, the terminal setting computer presents item information classified by number of orders or sales amount based on order information included in the input information.

In the self-order processing system of the embodiment, the terminal setting computer presents a message recommending a change in the layout of the order menu based on the order information included in the input information.

In the self-order processing system of the embodiment, the terminal setting computer presents display area information with high order frequency based on operation information included in the input information.

In the self-order processing system of the embodiment, the terminal setting computer presents a message recommending a change in the layout of the order menu based on the operation information included in the input information.

1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of a self-order processing system 1 according to an embodiment. 1 is a diagram showing the main hardware configuration of a self-order processing system 1. FIG. It is a figure showing a data table, and is (a) item information, (b) customer information, (c) order information, and (d) operation information. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the order menu layout setting screen D displayed on the control station 4, (a) before the layout change, and (b) after the layout change. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the order menu screen E displayed on the self-order terminal 12, (a) before the layout change, and (b) after the layout change. 3 is a flowchart showing a method for changing the layout of an order menu. It is a figure which shows the example of a layout change of an order menu, Comprising: (a) Tile display format and (b) Menu book format.

A self-order processing system 1 according to an embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. In each figure, the same components are given the same reference numerals.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of a self-order processing system 1 according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the main hardware configuration of the self-order processing system 1.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a data table, which includes (a) item information, (b) customer information, (c) order information, and (d) operation information.

The self-order processing system 1 is a part of an order accounting system used for ordering and paying for food and drinks at a pub, for example.
The self-order processing system 1 is configured as shown in FIG. That is, the self-order processing system 1 includes a menu server 2, a tally server 3, a control station 4, a kitchen printer 5, a POS register 6, and a wireless communication unit 7, which are connected via a communication line 8 such as a wired LAN. Ru.

The menu server 2 is a computer server that aggregates item information of menus provided at the store. The menu server 2 includes an arithmetic processing section 121, a memory 122, a hard disk 123, a communication section 124, and the like. The hard disk 123 has a menu database that aggregates item information. The item information includes a menu code, item, price, thumbnail image, etc. (see FIG. 3(a)).

The aggregation server 3 is a computer server that aggregates information (input information) input into a self-order terminal 12 (described later) and provides order information to the kitchen printer 5 and the POS register 6.
The aggregation server 3 includes an arithmetic processing section 131, a memory 132, a hard disk 133, a communication section 134, and the like. The hard disk 133 collects and holds input information.

A control station (terminal setting computer) 4 is an order management computer that controls the entire system. The control station 4 is also a computer that sets the layout of an order menu to be displayed on the display of a self-order terminal 12, which will be described later.
The control station 4 includes an arithmetic processing section 141, a memory 142, an operation section 143 (keyboard, mouse), a display section 144, a communication section 145, and the like.
The arithmetic processing unit 141 executes various application software, performs data analysis, and the like.
The memory 142 stores an application (order menu layout setting application) for setting the order menu layout of the self-order terminal 12.
An order menu layout setting screen D is displayed on the display unit (display) 144 (see FIG. 4).
By operating this order menu layout setting screen D, the item (menu) to be displayed on the self-order terminal 12 can be selected from the items registered in the menu database (hard disk 123).

The kitchen printer 5 is a printing device that prints and issues a cooking instruction slip that instructs a cook in the kitchen about item information ordered by a customer. The kitchen printer 5 receives order information from the tabulation server 3 and prints and issues a cooking instruction slip.

The POS register 6 is an accounting device installed at a checkout counter.
The POS register 6 includes an arithmetic processing section 161, a memory 162, an operation section 163, a display section 164, a printing section 165, a cash drawer 166, a communication section 167, and the like.
The POS register 6 receives order information from the tally server 3 and performs accounting processing.

The wireless communication unit 7 is installed on the ceiling of the store, and performs wireless communication between the handy terminal 11 and the self-order terminal 12.

The handy terminals 11 are a plurality of small terminal devices that are individually carried by store employees. The handy terminal 11 includes an arithmetic processing section 151, a memory 152, an operation section 153, a display section 154, a communication section 155, and the like.
Customer information is input into the handy terminal 11. The customer information includes the slip number, number of people, customer demographic, store entry time, store exit time, etc. (see FIG. 3(b)).
A first order may be input into the handy terminal 11 from a customer. Information input into the handy terminal 11 is transmitted to the aggregation server 3.

The self-order terminal 12 is a tablet-type terminal device that is placed at each table in the store and allows customers (users) to input orders themselves. The self-order terminal 12 includes a calculation processing section 171, a memory 172, an operation section 173, a display section 174, a communication section 175, and the like.
A touch display capable of touch input is used as the operation section 173 and display section 174 of the self-order terminal 12.
On this display section (display) 174, some of the items registered in the menu database are displayed as an order menu (order menu screen E). This order menu is created by an operator such as a store owner operating the order menu layout setting application of the control station 4 and selecting an arbitrary item from the items registered in the menu database.
Customers can select and order their favorite items using display touch input. Information entered into the self-order terminal 12 is transmitted to the tally server 3.

The number of kitchen printers 5, wireless communication units 7, handy terminals 11, and self-order terminals 12 is arbitrary.

FIG. 4A is a diagram showing an example (before change) of an order menu layout setting application displayed on the control station 4.
FIG. 5A is a diagram showing an example of an order menu (before change) displayed on the self-order terminal 12.

As described above, the control station 4 can set the layout of the order menu of the self-order terminal 12. Specifically, the order menu layout setting screen D (order menu layout setting application) displayed on the display unit 144 is operated to rearrange or replace the menu list D11 of the menu list D1.
The menu list D11 is created by the arithmetic processing unit 141 based on the items registered in the menu database (hard disk 123), and is stored in the memory 142.
As a result, the layout of the order menu displayed on the self-order terminal 12 is set or changed.

The display unit 174 of the self-order terminal 12 displays an order menu screen E in which thumbnail images of order menus (items) are arranged in tile format.
A plurality of tabs E1 are displayed at the top of the order menu screen E, and by selecting the plurality of tabs E1, categories such as food and drinks can be switched.

As shown in FIG. 4(a), a menu list D1 is displayed on the left side of the order menu layout setting screen D. Further, button assignment D2 is displayed on the right side of the screen. At the center of the screen, an add button D3, an insert button D4, and a delete button D5 are displayed. A message field D6 and a layout change button D7 are displayed at the bottom of the screen.

For example, click (select) AAA from menu list D11 of menu list D1. AAA in the menu list D11 is displayed in color (gray color in FIG. 4A) or inverted. Then, by operating the add button D3 or the insert button D4, AAA is displayed in the layout list D21 of the button assignment D2. Furthermore, AAA of the layout list D21 is dragged and dropped to be placed at the top (uppermost) position of the layout list D21 of the button assignment D2.
Then, as shown in FIG. 5A, on the order menu screen E of the self-order terminal 12, a thumbnail image of AAA is displayed in the leftmost area E21 of the menu area E2 of the order menu screen E.
The size of the thumbnail image of each menu (item) displayed in the menu area E2 of the order menu screen E can be arbitrarily changed by operating the size column D22 of the layout list D21 of the button assignment D2.
Layouts can be set and changed for multiple categories such as food and drinks. Note that each category is selected by operating the category selection fields D23 and D24 of the button layout D2.

The customer searches for the menu (item) he/she wishes to order by touching or swiping the order menu screen E displayed on the order menu screen E of the self-order terminal 12. Then, in the menu area E2, when the user touches the thumbnail image of the menu (for example, AAA) that he or she wants to order, that menu is selected and the user can order.
When the customer touches the order button E3, order information is sent to the tally server 3. The details of the customer's operation on the self-order terminal 12 are also sent to the aggregation server 3 at the same time. That is, the input information (order information, operation information) of the self-order terminal 12 is transmitted to the aggregation server 3.

Order information is information regarding items ordered by a customer. The order information includes information such as a slip number, course number, page number, menu code, category number, and transmission time (see FIG. 3(c)).
This order information is linked in the tabulation server 3 to the item information registered in the menu database of the menu server 2. That is, the item ordered by the customer is identified from the menu code of the order information. Then, item information is added to the order information. Specifically, the information includes a slip number, course number, page number, menu code, category number, transmission time, menu code, item name, and price.
Note that customer information may be further linked to the order information based on the slip number.
The order information to which the item information has been added is stored in the tally server 3 (step S0), and is also transmitted to the kitchen printer 5 and the POS register 6.
Furthermore, this order information is also transmitted to the control station 4, as will be described later.

The operation information is so-called operation log information. The operation information includes a slip number, course number, page number, touch button information, coordinate information, etc. (see FIG. 3(d)).
This operation information is linked to the customer information input from the handy terminal 11 in the aggregation server 3. That is, the operation information and customer information having the same slip number are identified. Then, customer information is added to the operation information. Specifically, the information includes the slip number, course number, page number, touch button information, coordinate information, number of people, customer demographic, and store entry time.
The operation information to which the customer information has been added is then accumulated in the aggregation server 3 (step S0).
Furthermore, this operation information is transmitted to the control station 4, as will be described later.

[Order menu layout change]
FIG. 4B is a diagram showing an example (after modification) of the order menu layout setting application displayed on the control station 4.
FIG. 5(b) is a diagram showing an example (after change) of the order menu displayed on the self-order terminal 12 when the layout of the order menu is changed.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a method of changing the order menu layout.

The arithmetic processing unit 141 of the control station 4 collects input information (order information with item information added, operation information with customer information added) from the aggregation server 3 (step S1). Then, the arithmetic processing unit 141 performs data analysis (statistical processing) of the input information (step S2).
For example, the following information is statistically processed for each course. Menu type (food, drink, etc.), menu unit price, customer demographics for each table (gender, age), slip number (table number), entry time, exit time, etc. The following information is also statistically processed. The number of times the self-order terminal 12 is operated, the number of swipes, the time interval between touches, etc.
Through such data analysis, the selling items and operating trends can be determined for each course, time period, and customer group.

The control station 4 then maintains the current order menu layout until starting the order menu layout setting application (step 3: No). Further, when the control station 4 determines that the order menu layout setting application has been started (step S3: Yes), it presents information to assist in setting the order menu layout based on the data analysis described above (step S4).

Specifically, an operator such as a store owner selects a course such as a lunch course or a dinner course, or a plurality of categories such as food and drinks on the order menu layout setting screen D. Selection of each category is performed by operating category selection fields D23 and D24 of button layout D2.
Then, as shown in FIG. 4A, the control station 4 sorts and displays the menu list D11 of the menu list D1, for example, in descending order of number of orders or descending order of sales (assistance information presentation). That is, each menu is classified in consideration of the number of orders and sales amount, and is displayed in the menu list D11 (assistance information presentation).
The number of orders or sales for each menu item is determined by the tabulation server 3 through statistical processing based on order information. Then, the control station 4 displays menus (item information) with a large number of orders or high sales at the top of the menu list D11.
By operating the department column D12 of the menu list D1, it is also possible to sort and display items by course, by time period, or by customer group, in descending order of number of orders or descending order of sales.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4A, the control station 4 displays locations (areas) where orders are frequently placed by coloring, inverting, etc. in the layout list D21 of the button layout D2 (assistance information presentation).
For example, the second location (area) from the top of the layout list D21 is displayed in color (in gray in FIG. 4A). That is, on the order menu layout setting screen D (menu list D11), the touch frequency of HHH placed in the second area E22 from the left of the menu area E2 of the order menu screen E (button assignment) is high, and the number of orders is high. Many things (display area information) are displayed.
The area where orders are frequently placed on the order menu screen E of the self-order terminal 12 is determined by the tabulation server 3 through data analysis (statistical processing) based on operation information.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4(b), an operator such as a store owner selects an arbitrary item from the menu list D11 of the menu list D1 on the order menu layout setting screen D, and selects this item from the button assignment D2. It is placed in the second position from the top of the layout list D21 (step S5).
Specifically, if the user wants to increase the sales of QQQ, he or she clicks (selects) QQQ on the menu list D11. QQQ in the menu list D11 is displayed in color (gray color in FIG. 4(b)). Then, by operating the add button D3 or the insert button D4, QQQ is displayed in the layout list D21. Furthermore, by dragging and dropping QQQ in the layout list D21, QQQ is placed (replaced) in the second position from the top of the layout list D21.
As a result, as shown in FIG. 5(b), in the menu area E2 of the order menu screen E, thumbnail images of QQQ are laid out in the area E22 that is touched frequently and has a large number of orders (step S6).

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of changing the layout of the order menu, in which (a) a tile display format and (b) a menu book format are shown.
The control station 4 may display a message recommending changing the layout of the order menu in the message field D6 of the order menu layout setting screen D based on the number of customers and the order ratio of food and drinks (assistance information presentation). .
The aggregation server 3 performs statistical processing based on order information and operation information to determine order trends. Then, the control station 4 determines the content of the message based on the statistical processing results. A plurality of example sentences are stored in advance in the control station 4, and a message is created by selecting and combining these example sentences.
For example, this is the case when there are many guests such as at a banquet. Characteristics include: only drinks are ordered and food is rarely ordered; additional menu items are not ordered in addition to the initially ordered set menu; the process from category selection and menu registration to completion of sending is quick; operations are frequently performed. In some cases.
In such a case, as shown in Figure 3(a), in the message field D6 of the order menu layout setting screen D, there will be a message saying ``There are many groups of people visiting the store.Create a course setting for a large number of people.''"We recommend that you do so." is displayed.

Further, a message recommending that buttons be assigned to paid drinks and free drinks by category may be displayed in the message field D6.
Furthermore, in order to improve ordering efficiency, a message recommending the tile display format may be displayed in the message field D6. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3(b), the message "It is recommended to display in tile display format" is displayed in the message field D6.
As shown in FIG. 7(a), the tile display format is such that the selection buttons (XA to XI) are displayed in tiles in the menu area E2 of the order menu screen E, without displaying thumbnail images of the free drinks (XA to XI). Display as follows.
On the other hand, for paid drinks, a large thumbnail image may be set, and a message recommending placement such as encouraging ordering with visual effects may be displayed in the message field D6.
Furthermore, a message recommending ideas for arranging food menus in lower categories, arranging advertisements for paid menus, or arranging foods in a ranking format may be displayed in the message field D6.

Furthermore, the control station 4 may display a message recommending a change in the layout of the order menu in the message column D6 based on the operation information (assistance information presentation).
For example, if there are many seniors using the service. Seniors tend to visit the store immediately after the store opens, spend a long time there, order a relatively large number of menus with images, order fewer menus that can only be registered by switching screens and swiping, and are less likely to order by touch. It is characterized by the fact that there are extremely few in number.
In such a case, you can write a message in the message field saying, ``Right after the store opens, many seniors come to the store.We recommend that you create a course setting for seniors.We recommend a menu book format.'' Display on D6.
In the menu book format, as shown in FIG. 7(b), in the menu area E2 of the order menu screen E, the thumbnail images such as YA to YF, HHH, etc. are set to a size that allows many menus to fit on one screen. indicate. This display format allows the customer to select the target menu (YA to YF, HHH) without performing a swipe operation.

As described above, the control station 4 presents information to assist in order menu layout setting in the order menu layout setting application (order menu layout setting screen D).
Thereby, on the order menu screen E of the self-order terminal 12, the menu layout can be optimized depending on the season and time of day. Therefore, the frequency of orders for recommended menu items (items) increases, contributing to increased sales. Further, since the menu layout is displayed so that it is easy for the customer to order, the customer can smoothly operate the self-order terminal 12 without feeling stressed.

For example, the control station 4 presents items with a large number of orders or items with high sales based on order information (number of orders, sales, order time, etc.), making it easier to optimize the menu layout.

For example, the control station 4 presents a message recommending changes to the order menu layout based on order information (number of customers, entry time, food and drink order ratio, etc.), making it easier to optimize the menu layout. .

For example, the control station 4 presents area information (display area information) with high order frequency on the order menu screen E based on the operation information (touch input area, etc.) of the self-order terminal 12, so the menu layout can be optimized. It becomes easier to become

For example, the control station 4 presents a message recommending changing the order menu layout based on operation information (such as the number of swipes), making it easier to optimize the menu layout.

The self-order processing system 1 is not limited to commercial transactions. The self-order processing system 1 may be used in cases where buying and selling of products is not involved. For example, it may be used in providing services such as using and lending facilities.
Furthermore, commercial transactions are not limited to eating establishments such as restaurants.

The self-order processing system 1 may be located across multiple stores. That is, a menu server 2 and a control station 4 are installed at a headquarters that oversees a plurality of stores, and a tally server 3, a self-order terminal 12, etc. are installed at each store. Then, when the layout of the order menu is changed at the headquarters, the layout of the menu screen on the self-order terminal 12 of each store is changed.

Changing the layout of the order menu does not necessarily change the layout of all the order menus of the self-order terminals 12. The layout of the order menu of a specific self-order terminal 12 may be changed. It may also be possible to select a self-order terminal 12 for changing the layout of the order menu.

The menu server 2, aggregation server 3, and control station 4 may be provided individually, or may be integrated into one or two computers.

The self-order terminal 12 is not limited to wireless communication, and may be wired communication. A case where wireless communication and wired communication coexist may be used.
The self-order terminal 12 is not limited to being stationed at a store. A dedicated application may be installed on a smartphone or tablet terminal owned by a customer (user) and used as the self-order terminal 12.

The information that assists in setting the layout of the order menu is not limited to being displayed on the display section 144 of the control station 4. For example, the assistance information may be printed on a printer attached to the control station 4. In other words, the method of presenting information to assist in layout setting is not limited to display, but may be any method that can be transmitted to the operator of the control station 4.

The embodiments of the invention are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and gist of the invention, as well as within the scope of the invention described in the claims and its equivalents.

1 Self-order processing system
2 Menu server
3 Aggregation server
4 Control station (terminal setting computer)
11 Handy terminal
12 Self-order terminal
144 Display section (display)
154 Display section (display)
D Order menu layout setting screen
E Order menu screen

Claims (7)

A menu server that aggregates food and drink item information,
a self-order terminal that displays an order menu based on the item information on a display and accepts display touch input from a user;
an aggregation server that processes input information received from the self-order terminal;
a terminal setting computer that sets the layout of an order menu to be displayed on the display of the self-order terminal;
A self-order processing system comprising:
The terminal setting computer, based on the order information included in the input information accumulated in the aggregation server, provides information based on the number of orders or sales amount as information to assist in setting the layout of the order menu to be displayed on the self-order terminal. A self-order processing system that presents categorized item information . The terminal setting computer is
presenting a screen for the layout settings;
Displaying a menu list on the screen, which is a list of names of items handled at the store, from which individual items can be selected;
Item information classified based on the number of orders or sales amount is displayed in the menu list.
The self-order processing system according to claim 1. The terminal setting computer displays a message recommending a change in the layout of the order menu on the same screen as the item information, based on the order information included in the input information.
The self-order processing system according to claim 1 or 2. The terminal setting computer generates a layout list in which a plurality of pieces of area information individually associated with the names of items displayed on the order menu are arranged in the order of display on the order menu, based on the item information. displayed on the same screen as
A self-order processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3 . The terminal setting computer presents display area information with high order frequency based on operation information included in the input information.
A self-order processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 4 . The terminal setting computer presents display area information with high order frequency based on operation information included in the input information,
As the display area information with high order frequency, area information with high order frequency among the plurality of area information is displayed in a different display form with respect to other area information in the layout list.
The self-order processing system according to claim 4. Any one of claims 1 to 6 , wherein the terminal setting computer displays a message recommending a change in the layout of the order menu on the same screen as the item information based on the operation information included in the input information. Self-order processing system as described in .

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