JP2008065636A - Self order system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a self order system simplifying operation in payment and having simple configuration. <P>SOLUTION: When a customer operates an order input terminal 200, the order of a menu and are instructed. When a code reader in the order input terminal 200 reads a check-out command code in payment, check-out processing is started. The read check-out command code is transmitted to a host server 100 together with a table number code. In the host server 100, order data when ordered are stored and managed for each customer (for each table number code), and when the table number code is sent to the host server 100 in payment, the order data corresponding to the customer are accessed, check-out information is sent to a POS terminal 400 and displayed or printed out. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a self-order system in which a customer himself / herself operates a terminal to input an order in a restaurant or the like.

At restaurants such as restaurants and taverns, the customer himself / herself operates a portable order entry terminal to enter the menu order, and the entered order data is wirelessly transmitted to the store management device, and the order contents are A self-order system that is instructed by a kitchen cooking worker has been widely introduced (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2005-4317 A

  Usually, in such a self-order system, order data such as the type and quantity of the ordered menu is recorded and held for each customer (order input terminal) in the management device, and this order data is called and paid at the time of accounting. It is used to calculate the amount of money and create a receipt. At that time, it is necessary to input the terminal number of the order input terminal used at the time of ordering in order to specify the order data corresponding to the customer under accounting.

In order to complete the accounting for the ordered menu at the table where the customer is sitting, the customer must provide a new key on the order input terminal to enter the terminal number and request the accounting procedure. As a result, the size of the terminal increases, resulting in problems such as an increase in terminal cost and poor usability for customers.
In addition, when a customer goes to an accounting cash register for accounting, the above-mentioned necessary input can be made using an accounting cash register instead of an order entry terminal, but the accounting cash register key can be used. It is necessary to perform an input operation or to read the barcode of the above terminal number pasted on the order input terminal with a barcode reader attached to the accounting register, resulting in complicated operation and complicated system configuration. There is a problem that it ends up.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a self-order system that is simple in operation and simple in configuration.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and is a machine-readable device for instructing accounting of an order in a self-order system in which a customer himself / herself operates an order input terminal to input a menu for ordering. An order input terminal that includes a reading unit that reads an accounting command code, and a communication unit that transmits information on the input menu, the read accounting command code, and customer identification information for identifying a customer to the management device; A management device that collects order data from the order input terminal and manages each customer, and when the accounting command code and the customer identification information are transmitted from the order input terminal, the corresponding order data is transmitted to the management device. The accounting information such as the payment amount is printed or displayed on the screen by an output device.

In this invention, when a customer operates the order input terminal to order a menu and performs its accounting, the accounting process is started by reading the accounting command code with the reading unit of the order input terminal. The read accounting command code is transmitted to the management device together with the customer identification information. In the management device, order data at the time of ordering is stored and managed for each customer. When the customer identification information is sent at the time of accounting, the order data corresponding to the customer is called, and the accounting information is output to the output device. Is printed.
Thus, according to the present invention, at the time of accounting, it is only necessary to read the accounting command code by the reading unit of the order input terminal, and this reading unit is used for inputting the menu at the time of ordering (reading the bar code of the menu). Therefore, there is no need to provide a special key for starting the accounting process, the configuration of the order input terminal can be simplified, and the operation for accounting is simplified. Since no special key or the like is necessary, the order input terminal can be made small and suitable for carrying. Therefore, it is possible to realize a self-order system in which a customer can input an order and provide an accounting instruction using a portable order input terminal, and can execute processing from order to accounting with a simple operation. Can do. In addition, since an order input terminal is required at the time of accounting, it is possible to improve the collection rate of the order input terminal delivered to the customer when visiting the store.

  According to the present invention, in the self-order system, a menu book on which a machine-readable item code corresponding to each menu is printed is used to input a menu by reading the item code by the reading unit. The accounting command code is provided in the menu book.

  In the present invention, the item code of each menu and the above-mentioned accounting command code are printed in a menu book so as to be machine-readable. Menu input and accounting instructions are performed using this menu book. The menu book is provided for each table, for example, or is handed to the customer when guiding the customer to the table. Therefore, according to the present invention, while the customer is at the table, it is possible to give not only menu orders but also accounting instructions from the order input terminal. Also, since the menu item code and accounting command code are printed together in the menu book, the item code and accounting command code are prepared on the store side compared to the case where the item code and accounting command code are printed on separate media (printed matter). The production cost of the medium can be reduced. Further, since the code necessary for ordering and accounting is included in the menu book for the customer, there is no troublesome operation.

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that in the self-order system, the accounting command code is provided at or near an accounting terminal for performing a payment procedure.

  In this invention, when a customer performs an accounting procedure by bringing an order input terminal to an accounting terminal (accounting cash register), an accounting command code provided in the accounting terminal or in the vicinity thereof is used. Read by the reading unit and start accounting. That is, even when accounting is performed at the accounting terminal, accounting processing can be started using the order input terminal without providing a special key or accounting command code reader on the accounting terminal.

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that in the self-order system, a table number code readable by a machine is provided for each table on which a customer sits, and the table number code is read by the reading unit to obtain the customer identification information. .

  In this invention, customer identification information is provided in each table so as to be machine-readable as a table number code, and at the time of accounting, this table number code is read together with the accounting command code by the reading unit of the order input terminal, The customer is identified by the read table number code. Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to input customer identification information necessary for specifying a customer at the time of payment without providing a special key for inputting customer identification information on the order input terminal. In addition, since no special key is required, the order input terminal can be made small and inexpensive.

  In the self-ordering system according to the present invention, the customer service code is printed on the printed matter carried by the customer service of the store so as to be machine-readable, and the customer service code read by the reading unit corresponds to the customer identification information. And storing it in the management device.

  According to the present invention, the customer service code is read by the order input terminal and stored in correspondence with the customer identification information. For example, the customer service who receives the order handles the customer's accounting procedure. Is possible. In addition, since no special key or the like is required for inputting the customer service code, the order input terminal can be made small and inexpensive.

  According to the present invention, in a self-order system in which a customer operates an order input terminal to input an order, an operation at the time of accounting can be simplified and a simple self-order system with a configuration can be realized.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a self-order system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The system includes a host server (management device) 100, a plurality of order input terminals 200, a wireless transceiver 300, a POS terminal (accounting terminal) 400 that performs payment, a kitchen printer 500, a USB hub 600, It is composed of a plurality of cradle 700 and a wired LAN 800.

  The host server 100 collects order data indicating the menu ordered by the customer from the order input terminal 200, manages it as an order data file (FIG. 9) for each customer, and transmits the contents of the order to the cooking operator. 500 is a computer that sends order data to 500 and prints a cooking instruction slip, and is installed, for example, in an office in a restaurant. The host server 100 has a communication function using a wired LAN (Local Area Network), and the host server 100 can communicate with the wireless transceiver 300, the POS terminal 400, and the kitchen printer 500 via the wired LAN 800 installed in the restaurant. It is connected to the. For example, TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol) is used as the communication method of the wired LAN 800, and communication between devices can be performed at a data transfer rate of several tens to 100 Mbps. The host server 100 can also communicate with an external network 900 such as the Internet. For example, a data management server (not shown) installed at the headquarters of a restaurant chain can connect to all stores from the host server 100 of each store via the external network 900. The sales information may be collected and managed.

  The order input terminal 200 is a portable terminal device that inputs a menu to be ordered by a customer and transmits it to the host server 100 as order data, and has a pen-shaped appearance as shown in FIG. Yes. At the tip of the pen type, a reader (reading unit) that reads a code written in a menu code book (FIG. 3) is provided. The menu is input by causing the reader to read the code on the menu code book. The order data input and transmitted by the order input terminal 200 is received by the wireless transceiver 300 and transmitted to the host server 100 through the wired LAN 800.

  For communication between the order input terminal 200 and the wireless transceiver 300, a wireless communication method such as ZigBee is used. Here, ZigBee is one of the short-range wireless communication standards, and is a communication standard characterized by low data transfer speed and short transmission distance, but low power consumption and easy communication device cost reduction. It is known as Since the order data of restaurants has a small capacity, there is an advantage that the wireless device of the system can be configured at low cost by using ZigBee.

  Further, the order input terminal 200 holds voice data for notifying the menu information describing the menu name of each menu, the cooking method and ingredients related to the menu by voice. When a menu is input to the order input terminal 200, the corresponding menu name and menu information are notified by voice.

  When not in use, the order input terminal 200 is attached to the cradle 700. The cradle 700 connects the attached order input terminal 200 to the kitchen printer 500 via USB (Universal Serial Bus) so as to be communicable, and the audio data in the attached order input terminal 200 is transferred from the host server 100 to the kitchen printer. 500 is a connection device that can be updated via 500. The cradle 700 is provided with a total of 30 mounting openings for mounting the order input terminal 200, for example, 3 columns in the vertical direction and 10 columns in the horizontal direction. A USB connector and a charging terminal are provided at the back of each mounting opening. The cradle 700 is also provided with a USB terminal for connecting to the kitchen printer 500, and the USB terminal and each of the USB connectors are branched and connected by a built-in USB hub. Further, the cradle 700 has an AC cable, and this AC cable is connected to an external AC power supply so that the order input terminal 200 can be charged from the charging terminal by a charging circuit built in the cradle 700. .

  The kitchen printer 500 is a printer that is installed in or near a restaurant kitchen and prints the ordered menu contents as a cooking instruction slip. Order data indicating the ordered menu is transmitted from the order input terminal 200 to the host server 100 for processing, and is transmitted from the host server 100 to the kitchen printer 500 through the wired LAN 800. The printed cooking instruction slip is handed to the kitchen cooking worker, and the ordered menu dish is cooked.

  The kitchen printer 500 is provided with a USB port for performing USB communication, and the USB port and the USB terminal of the cradle 700 can be connected with a USB cable. The kitchen printer 500 has a function of mutually converting data communicated via the LAN and data communicated via the USB, whereby the host server 100 and the order input terminal 200 attached to the cradle 700 are connected. It is possible to communicate with. In FIG. 1, a USB hub 600 is further provided between the kitchen printer 500 and the cradle 700 so that a large number of order input terminals 200 can be used. That is, for example, in the case where 10 cradle 700 is connected to the USB hub 600, 30 order input terminals 200 can be attached to one cradle (there are 30 attachment ports). A total of 300 order input terminals 200 are used.

  The kitchen printer 500 is provided with an operation unit (not shown) so that the cooking server can notify the host server 100 of a menu that is out of stock by operating the operation unit. Upon receiving this notification, the host server 100 updates the menu file (FIG. 4) storing, for example, a menu list provided at the store. Accordingly, a new order is not accepted from the order input terminal 200 for the notified menu.

  The POS terminal 400 is a terminal device that is installed near the entrance of a restaurant and used for customer payment. Accounting information such as the payment amount and the items to be written on the receipt (name of the food / drink menu, its quantity, date, etc.) required for the settlement of the payment is hosted when the order input terminal 200 instructs the accounting. The data is transmitted from the server 100 to the POS terminal 400 through the wired LAN 800. The POS terminal 400 outputs the sent accounting information as a screen display or prints it out as a receipt from an output device such as a display for display or a printer.

FIG. 2 is an electric block diagram showing the internal configuration of the order input terminal 200.
The CPU 201 is a central processing unit that controls each unit of the order input terminal 200 and loads and executes a predetermined program from the ROM 202. The ROM 202 is a storage unit (read only memory) that stores various programs executed by the CPU 201. The RAM 203 is a storage unit (random access memory) having a file storage area for storing the aforementioned menu file, audio data, and the like, and a temporary storage area for temporarily storing data to be called and used by the CPU 201 during operation. . In the temporary storage area, the unique ID number of the order input terminal 200, the menu code (item code) read by the code reader 204, the order number of the menu, the accounting command code, the table number code, the person in charge (customer service) code Etc. are memorized.

  The code reader (reading unit) 204 reads various codes such as menu codes, function keys, and accounting command codes that are printed so as not to be seen at first glance on the character display portion of the menu code book (FIG. 3) using infrared rays. It is an infrared reader and is provided at the tip of the pen of the order input terminal 200. When the code reader 204 is applied to a predetermined location in the menu code book or the predetermined location is traced, the code printed at that location is input (read).

  The voice synthesis circuit 205 is a digital circuit that synthesizes a voice waveform from voice data read from the RAM 203 and outputs the voice waveform to the speaker 206. Audio data relating to the menu input from the code reader 204 is output as audio by the audio synthesis circuit 205, and audio is generated as menu guidance information from the speaker 206.

The wireless communication unit 207 is a ZigBee communication device that performs wireless communication of order data with the wireless transceiver 300.
The USB-I / F 208 is a communication interface that is connected to a USB connector at the back of the mounting opening when mounted on the cradle 700 and performs communication for updating audio data in the RAM 203.

  The battery 209 is a rechargeable built-in battery that supplies power to each part of the order input terminal 200 and is charged when the cradle 700 is mounted. The battery remaining amount of the battery 209 is displayed on the LED indicator 210.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of a menu code book in which a list of menus is described and used when a customer selects a menu. In the menu code book, the name and price of various menus are listed in the menu area, and depending on the menu, the cooking method (for example, for steaks, whether it is rare, medium or welded) can be selected. Cooking instruction information such as a side dish (for example, baked potatoes, French fries, hot vegetables, etc.) and the timing of providing a drink (before or after a meal) are also described. And the code | cord | chord which can be read with infrared rays which coded the said description content by the predetermined | prescribed system is printed on the part of the menu name and cooking instruction information. When the pen tip (code reader 204) of the order input terminal 200 is brought into contact with a menu name or cooking instruction information, the code is read and input to the order input terminal 200 as order contents.

  In the menu code book, the function key area has a number of 1 to 10 and various function keys such as “confirm”, “cancel”, “repeat”, “send”, “accounting”, “call staff”, etc. The above-described infrared readable codes are also printed on these function key portions. When inputting a menu with the code reader 204 of the order input terminal 200, an order is input in combination with a function key reading input. When calling a customer service representative after eating or drinking and requesting accounting, the code reader 204 is caused to read the function key of “accounting”, that is, the accounting command code.

  FIG. 4 is an example of the menu file, and the same contents are stored in the host server 100 and the order input terminal 200. The menu file includes an item code, which is an identification number for identifying the menu, a menu name, a price, a voice code for name, a voice code for explanation, a sold-out flag indicating whether the menu is in stock, etc. It is recorded every time. The sold-out flag is set to “1” when the menu is sold out, and is set to “0” when the menu is not sold out. The name audio code is an identification number for specifying audio data for outputting the name of the menu from the speaker 206 of the order input terminal 200, and the explanation audio code is also a detailed description of the menu (cooking method and This is an identification number for identifying voice data such as a description of a food material. Instead of the name voice code and the explanation voice code, the file name of the corresponding voice data (for example, “xxxx.wav”) may be directly recorded.

  FIG. 5 shows the data structure of the order data transmission text transmitted from the order input terminal 200 to the host server 100 when the menu is ordered. In the order data transmission text, the terminal ID (ID number of the order input terminal 200), the table number, and the person-in-charge code are arranged from the top, and then the menu data to be ordered is arranged. The menu data to be ordered includes an item code, a cooking instruction information code, and the number of orders. When a plurality of menus are ordered, the data are sequentially arranged.

  In FIG. 5, the item code is data read by the code reader 204 from the menu code book. Each table on which a customer sits is affixed with a printed matter (FIG. 7) printed with a table number code obtained by encoding a table number unique to the table in the same manner as the menu code book. What has been read is the table number. The customer service staff wears a name tag (FIG. 8) in which individual person-in-charge codes are encoded and printed in the same manner as the menu code book, and the code reader 204 reads the name tag. It becomes a code.

  FIG. 6 shows the data structure of an accounting command code transmission text transmitted from the order input terminal 200 to the host server 100 at the time of accounting request. In the accounting command code transmission text, a terminal ID, a table number, a person-in-charge code, and an accounting command code are sequentially arranged from the top. The terminal ID, table number, and person-in-charge code are the same as the order data transmission text in FIG. The accounting command code is data read by the code reader 204 from the menu code book. When the customer asks the customer service for accounting, the code reader 204 reads the “accounting” function key (accounting command code) on the menu code book, and the accounting command code transmission text in FIG. It is transmitted to the host server 100.

  FIG. 9 is an example of an order data file that collects order data from the order input terminal 200 and is stored and managed by the host server 100. In the order data file, an order time indicating the time when the order data is received from the order input terminal 200, a table number for identifying the table on which the customer is sitting, a person in charge of the customer service person in charge of customer service, and an order code are ordered. Each item such as an item code for specifying a menu, the number of orders in the menu, and an accounting flag indicating whether or not accounting has been completed is stored for each order (for each customer). In addition, new order data is sequentially added to the end of the order data file.

  As for the accounting flag, a value “0” indicates that accounting has not been completed, and a value “1” indicates that accounting has been completed. In the initial state (when order data is written), the accounting flag is set to “0”, and when accounting processing is performed, the accounting flag is set to “1”. FIG. 9 shows that, for example, at 11:40, two menus of item codes “5” and “23” are ordered from the table number “10”, and this order has not yet been accounted for. ing.

  Each order data stored in the above order data file is called up at the time of accounting, and is used in processing such as calculation of payment amount and generation of items to be described in receipts (names and quantities of food and drinks, dates, etc.) It is done. The order data to be called is order data in which the value of the table number matches the table number of the accounting command code transmission text (FIG. 6) sent from the order input terminal 200 and the accounting flag is “0”.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure for using the self-order system according to the present embodiment.
First, when a customer visits a restaurant, the clerk takes out one order input terminal 200 attached to the cradle 700 and guides the customer to the table (step S1). Then, the clerk reads the table number and the person-in-charge code with the code reader 204 of the order input terminal 200, and temporarily stores them in the RAM 203 of the order input terminal 200 (step S2). Here, as described above, the table number is a number for identifying the table to which the customer is guided, and is printed as an infrared readable code on a card provided in each table (FIG. 7). The person-in-charge code is a number for identifying the store clerk, and is printed as a similar infrared-readable code on the store clerk's name tag (FIG. 8). After reading the table number and the person-in-charge code, the store clerk hands the order input terminal 200 to the customer (step S3) and orders the menu.

  The customer looks at the menu code book provided in the table, selects a menu to be ordered, and inputs the code by tracing the name portion of the menu and the function key portion with the code reader 204 of the order input terminal 200. . For example, if you order medium sirloin steak and choose warm vegetables for the side dish, the name of “Sirloin steak”, “medium”, the cooking instruction information part of “warm vegetables”, and the function key area number “ Read “1” and “Confirm” in order. At this time, the order input terminal 200 calls voice data corresponding to the description of the input menu name, cooking method, and the like from the RAM 203 and outputs voice guidance from the speaker 206. The customer can change the menu with reference to the contents of the notification by voice as necessary. When all the menus to be ordered are input, the customer causes the code reader 204 to read “Send” in the function key area of the menu code book. Thereby, the order input terminal 200 generates the order data transmission text of FIG. 5 and transmits it to the host server 100 (step S4).

  The host server 100 receives the order data transmission text from the order input terminal 200, and sequentially adds and stores the order data of each menu included in the text in the order data file (FIG. 9) and stores the order data in the kitchen printer 500. Is sent to issue a cooking instruction slip (step S5). The cooking operator who has received the cooking instruction slip cooks the food and distributes it to the table (step S6).

  When the customer requests accounting after the end of eating and drinking, the customer inputs an accounting instruction by tracing the “accounting” (accounting instruction code) in the function key area of the menu code book with the code reader 204 of the order input terminal 200. The order input terminal 200 reads the accounting instruction code with the code reader 204, generates an accounting instruction code transmission text, and transmits it to the host server 100 (step S7). The host server 100 receives this accounting instruction code transmission text and causes the POS terminal 400 to print accounting information (invoice) (step S8). A table number is also printed on the invoice, and the clerk takes the invoice to the corresponding table and hands the invoice to the customer and collects the order input terminal 200 (step S9). The customer brings the bill to the POS terminal 400 and settles the price (step S10).

  On the other hand, the store clerk mounts the collected order input terminal 200 on the cradle 700. For the order input terminal 200 attached to the cradle 700, the battery 209 is charged, and the latest menu file and audio data are downloaded from the host server 100 via the USB, and these data in the RAM 203 are stored. Is updated (step S11). The order input terminal 200 that has been charged and updated is used again by the next customer.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the order input terminal 200 in the above-described use procedure of the self-order system.
The order input terminal 200 first determines whether or not the USB connection is valid by detecting whether or not the USB connection is valid (step S101). If the USB connection is invalid, it is determined that it is not attached to the cradle 700, and it is determined whether or not the table reader and the person-in-charge code are read from the code reader 204 (step S102).

  When this input is performed, a reading input of a menu code (a menu name or cooking instruction information on the menu code book) is received (step S103), the read menu is searched in the menu file in the RAM 203, and the menu is searched. The voice data corresponding to the name voice code and the explanation voice code is called from the RAM 203 and the voice output is notified from the speaker 206 (step S104). Then, it is determined whether or not the “transmission” code has been read from the menu code book (step S105). If it has not been read, the process returns to step S103 to enable input of the next menu. When the “transmission” code is read, the menu to be ordered is determined. Therefore, an order data transmission text (FIG. 5) is generated from the input code of each menu, and this is wirelessly communicated to the host server 100. The data is transmitted from the unit 207 (step S106).

  Thereafter, it is determined whether or not an input of an “accounting” code (accounting command code) has been input (step S107). If there is an input, an accounting command code transmission text is generated and transmitted to the host server 100 (step S108). . Then, the process returns to step S101.

  On the other hand, if the USB connection is valid in step S101, it is determined that the order input terminal 200 is attached to the cradle 700. Then, after erasing the data temporarily stored in the temporary storage area in the RAM 203 (such as order data used by the previous customer) (step S109), the voice data and menus managed by the host server 100 are stored. The host server 100 is inquired about the latest update date and time of each file (step S110).

  When the inquiry result is received, it is determined whether or not the update date and time of each file in the RAM 203 is the latest according to the inquiry result (step S111), and the host server 100 sends a new one to the host server 100. Send a request for the latest data. Then, update data transmitted from the host server 100 via the wired LAN 800 is received via the cradle 700, and the corresponding file in the RAM 203 is updated (step S112).

FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the host server 100 in the use procedure of the self-order system described above.
The host server 100 always checks whether there is an order data transmission or voice data update date / time inquiry from the order input terminal 200 (steps S201 and S206). When the order data is received, the order data is sequentially added to the order data file and stored (step S202). Further, the order data is transmitted to the kitchen printer 500, and the kitchen printer 500 is instructed to print the cooking instruction slip relating to the order (step S203).

  Thereafter, it is checked whether or not the accounting command code transmission text has been transmitted from the order input terminal 200 (step S204). When the accounting command code transmission text is received, the order data whose table number matches the data of “table number” included therein and whose accounting flag is “0” is called from the order data file. Then, the called order data is transmitted to the POS terminal 400, and an invoice is printed / issued (step S205). The reason why the table numbers match as described above is that the customer can be identified by the table number. After step S205, the process returns to step S201.

  On the other hand, when there is an inquiry about the update date and time of each file such as voice data and menu file from the order input terminal 200 (YES in step S206), the host server 100 sets the update date and time of each managed file to the order input terminal. 200 is returned as a response to the inquiry (step S207). When a request for the latest data is further received from the order input terminal 200 (step S208), the data related to the request is retrieved, and the obtained data is transmitted to the order input terminal 200 via the wired LAN 800. In the order input terminal 200 that has received the response to the inquiry, if each file in the RAM 203 of the order input terminal 200 is the latest file (see step S111 in FIG. 11), no data request is sent. Therefore, the process returns to step S201.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. This embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the accounting command code is provided in the POS terminal 400 instead of the menu code book. In this case, the customer goes to the POS terminal 400 with the order input terminal 200 and performs accounting.

FIG. 13 is an external configuration diagram of the POS terminal 400.
The store clerk display 401 is a device that displays transaction information including a list of menus ordered by customers, payment amounts, and the like, and includes a liquid crystal touch panel 402. The key operation unit 403 is provided with various keys such as a numeric keypad, and is used, for example, to input a payment amount received from a customer at the time of payment. A receipt on which the transaction information is printed is issued from the receipt issuing port 404. As described above, the POS terminal 400 is connected to the host server 100 via the wired LAN 800 (connection interface is not shown), and the accounting information is sent from the host server 100. .

  An accounting command code similar to the accounting command code on the menu code book in the first embodiment is printed on the accounting call seal 405. In accounting, the accounting command code on the accounting call seal 405 is read by the code reader 204 of the order input terminal 200 used and brought by the customer. The accounting call seal 405 may be provided not on the main body surface of the POS terminal 400 but in the vicinity of the POS terminal 400 such as an installation stand of the POS terminal 400.

The magnetic card reader 406 is a magnetic reader that reads a credit card used for payment, a member card issued to a member member of a restaurant, and the like.
The drawer 407 stores banknotes and coins that are paid by customers or delivered to the customers as change.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a procedure for using the self-order system according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 14, the procedure up to step S6 is the same as that of the first embodiment described above, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  In step S6, the food is served and after eating and drinking, the procedure proceeds to accounting. The customer goes to the POS terminal 400 with the order input terminal 200, and the store clerk collects the order input terminal 200 (step S12). The store clerk uses the collected order input terminal 200 to read the accounting call sticker 405 of the POS terminal 400 with the code reader 204. The order input terminal 200 generates an accounting command code transmission text from the accounting command code read from the accounting call seal 405, and transmits it to the host server 100 (step S13). The host server 100 receives the transaction instruction code transmission text and transmits the transaction information to the POS terminal 400 (step S14).

  The POS terminal 400 receives the transaction information and displays it on the clerk display 401, and issues a receipt from the receipt issuing port (step S15). This completes the payment. Thereafter, the store clerk attaches the order input terminal 200 to the cradle 700, and the order input terminal 200 is charged and data is updated (step S16).

The embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to the above-described one, and various design changes and the like can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Is possible.
For example, in the above embodiment, the table number code is used as the customer identification information for identifying the customer. However, the customer identification information only needs to be able to identify the customer. For example, the terminal ID of the order input terminal 200 (see FIG. 5) may be used as customer identification information.
In the case of using a table number code, a menu code book can be provided for each table so that it is dedicated to each table, and the table number code can be printed on this menu code book. When generalized, the table number code only needs to be provided so that the table on which the customer is sitting can be specified and the customer can be identified.

  Further, the code format applied to the menu code and the accounting command code is not particularly limited in the present invention. For example, in addition to the infrared-reading barcode as described in the above embodiment, the barcode may be printed with ultraviolet reflective ink so that it is not visible to human eyes. Further, the barcode may be a two-dimensional barcode. Also, the entire code is composed of a large number of dots, and each dot itself is invisible (for example, several tens to several hundreds of microns), and all the dots are arranged in an area of a certain size (for example, a picture of each menu or A method of distributing and arranging the “accounting” characters on the printed portion) may be applied.

  In the above embodiment, the kitchen printer 500, the USB hub 600, the cradle 700, and the order input terminal 200 communicate with each other via USB. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Wireless communication (UWB; Ultra Wide Band etc.) can also be applied. However, since the cradle 700 and the order input terminal 200 are close to each other, it is preferable to use a communication method with low power consumption.

Further, the order input terminal 200 notifies the order contents by voice output with the pen shape as an external shape, but the notification means is a display device such as a liquid crystal display within a range that does not affect the size and power consumption of the terminal. You can also.
In the first embodiment, printing of accounting information when accounting is instructed is not limited to the POS terminal 400, and may be a kitchen printer 500 or other dedicated printer.

It is a block diagram of the self-order system by one Embodiment of this invention. It is an electrical block diagram which shows the internal structure of an order input terminal. It is an example of the menu code book used when a customer selects a menu. It is an example of a menu file. It is a data structure of an order data transmission text. It is a data structure of an accounting command code transmission text. It is an example of the printed matter which printed the table number code. It is an example of the name tag which printed the person in charge code. It is an example of an order data file. It is the flowchart which showed the utilization procedure (1st Embodiment) of a self-order system. It is a flowchart explaining operation | movement of an order input terminal. It is a flowchart explaining operation | movement of a host server. It is an external appearance block diagram of a POS terminal. It is the flowchart which showed the utilization procedure (2nd Embodiment) of the self-order system.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Host server (management apparatus) 200 ... Order input terminal 201 ... CPU 202 ... ROM 203 ... RAM 204 ... Code reader 205 ... Voice synthesis circuit 206 ... Speaker 207 ... Wireless communication part 208 ... USB-I / F 209 ... Battery 210 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS ... LED indicator 300 ... Wireless transceiver 400 ... POS terminal (accounting terminal) 401 ... Display for store clerk 402 ... Liquid crystal touch panel 403 ... Key operation part 404 ... Receipt issue port 405 ... Accounting call seal 406 ... Magnetic card 407 ... Drawer 500 ... Kitchen Printer 600 ... USB hub 700 ... Cradle 800 ... Wired LAN

Claims (5)

In the self-order system where the customer himself / herself operates the order entry terminal to input the menu to order,
A reading unit for reading a machine-readable accounting command code for instructing the accounting of an order, and information on the input menu, the read accounting command code, and customer identification information for identifying a customer are transmitted to the management device. An order entry terminal equipped with a communication unit for
A management device that collects order data from the order input terminal and manages it for each customer;
When the accounting command code and the customer identification information are transmitted from the order input terminal, the corresponding order data is called from the management device, and accounting information such as a payment amount is printed or displayed on an output device. Self-order system.   A menu book on which machine-readable item codes corresponding to each menu are printed is used to input a menu by reading the item code by the reading unit, and the accounting command code is provided in the menu book. The self-order system according to claim 1, wherein   The self-order system according to claim 1, wherein the accounting command code is provided at or near an accounting terminal for performing a payment procedure.   4. A machine-readable table number code is provided for each table on which a customer sits, and the table number code is read by the reading unit and used as the customer identification information. The self-order system described in   A customer service code is printed on a printed matter carried by a customer service at a store so as to be machine-readable, and the customer service code read by the reading unit is stored in the management device in association with the customer identification information. The self-order system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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