JP2012079114A - Order system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an order system capable of reducing costs needed for food providing facilities.SOLUTION: An order system 1 includes a ticket vending machine 2, a conveyance lane 10 provided to circulate between a kitchen and a plurality of seats (table seats G and counter seats H), a display 20 and a bar code reader 21 which are provided in the kitchen, and a tray 12 which moves on the conveyance lane 10 with food thereon. The display 20 displays contents of a meal ticket 9 vended by the ticket vending machine 2. When the customer places the meal ticket 9 on the tray 12 at a seat, the tray collects and carries the meal ticket 9 to the kitchen. The bar code reader 21 determines an order for the contents of the meal ticket 9 displayed on the display 20 based upon the meal ticket 9 carried by the tray 12. Therefore, a waitress or a waiter need to neither serve food nor collect the meal ticket 9, and it is not necessary to arrange the bar code reader 21 at each seat.

Description

  The present invention relates to an order system for receiving an order from a customer in a dish providing facility.

  As an ordering system, the following Patent Document 1 proposes a food and beverage supply system introduced into a restaurant. This food and beverage supply system is transported on a food ticket automatic ticket vending machine, a food ticket reading device arranged in each food and beverage seat, an automatic cooking device, a transport path connecting the cooking place and each food and beverage seat, and a transport path. And a display panel disposed at a position where a kitchen staff can visually recognize the container.

  When a customer purchases a meal ticket at an automatic ticket vending machine, a cooking start signal for the dish of the meal ticket is sent to the automatic cooking apparatus, and cooking is started by the automatic cooking apparatus. A customer who purchases a meal ticket arrives at a favorite restaurant and has the reader arranged in the restaurant seat read the contents of the meal ticket. Then, the food on the meal ticket is associated with the seat number of the ordering customer's eating and drinking seat, and the contents indicating which dish is ordered at the seat and seat of which seat number are displayed on the display panel, and the order of the customer is confirmed. Thereby, it is possible to save the trouble of going to the restaurant staff to check the contents of the meal ticket to the restaurant seat.

  When cooking by the automatic cooking apparatus is completed, the serving person accommodates the completed dish in the transport container. Based on the display on the display panel, the clerk confirms the seat number of the restaurant serving as the delivery destination of the dish, and operates the operation unit provided in the transport container, thereby determining the restaurant seat serving as the delivery destination of the dish. specify. Thereby, the conveyance container which accommodated the dish is conveyed on a conveyance path toward the designated restaurant seat. When the transport container arrives at the designated restaurant, the customer takes out the food from the transport container. This completes the provision of the ordered dish to the customer.

JP 2001-340201 A

When the order system of Patent Document 1 is introduced into a restaurant, a reading device for reading the contents of a meal ticket and confirming the order must be provided at each restaurant seat, so an increase in the cost required for facilities is inevitable. is there.
The present invention has been made in view of such a background, and an object thereof is to provide an ordering system capable of reducing the cost required for a dish providing facility.

  The invention according to claim 1 is an order system for a food providing facility having a meal ticket vending machine and a transportation lane provided so as to be able to circulate between the kitchen and a plurality of food receiving positions, and is provided in the kitchen. , Display means for displaying the contents of the food ticket sold by the food ticket vending machine, and transport means provided so as to be movable in the transport lane, and when the food ticket is placed at the dish receiving position, And an order confirmation means for confirming the order of the contents of the food ticket displayed on the display means, based on the food ticket provided in the kitchen and carried to the kitchen by the transportation means, It is an order system.

The invention according to claim 2 is arranged at the dish receiving position and operated to call the transport means, and the call operation operated according to the operation of the call operation unit. The order system according to claim 1, further comprising movement control means for moving the transport means to the dish receiving position corresponding to a portion.
The invention according to claim 3 is characterized in that the movement control means moves the conveyance means to the kitchen in response to an operation of the call operation unit at the dish receiving position where the conveyance means arrives. The order system according to claim 2.

  The invention according to claim 4 has link means for associating the food specified by the food ticket with the food receiving position where the transport means has moved and stopped, and the movement control means is a food specified by the food ticket in the kitchen. 4. The order system according to claim 3, wherein when the dish is placed and the dish is placed on the transporting means, the transporting means is moved to the dish receiving position associated by the link means.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the ordering system includes a food ticket vending machine and a transport lane provided so as to be able to travel between the kitchen and a plurality of dish receiving positions. In the order system, the display means provided in the kitchen displays the contents of the meal ticket sold by the meal ticket vending machine. Thereby, since the staff in the kitchen can start the cooking of the food on the meal ticket before confirming the order by looking at the display on the display means, the food can be quickly provided to the customer.

In the order system, the transport means is provided so as to be movable in the transport lane. The transporting means can transport the dish to the dish receiving position by moving the transport lane with the dish. Therefore, it is not necessary for the attendant to serve the dish to the dish receiving position.
This transporting means transports the loaded food ticket to the kitchen when the customer places the food ticket at the dish receiving position. For this reason, it is possible to save the staff from going to the trouble of collecting the meal ticket to the dish receiving position.

Further, in the order system, the order confirmation means provided in the kitchen confirms the order for the contents of the food ticket displayed on the display means based on the food ticket carried to the kitchen by the transport means.
In other words, using the transportation lane and the transportation means, not only can the dishes be served, but the meal tickets can be collected from the customers. Further, since the order is confirmed by the order confirmation means in the kitchen based on the meal ticket collected up to the kitchen, it is not necessary to arrange the order confirmation means at each dish receiving position.

As a result, it is possible to reduce the cost required for the dish providing facility.
According to the second aspect of the invention, when the call operation unit arranged at the dish receiving position is operated, the movement control means corresponds to the call operation unit (the operated call operation unit is arranged). Move the vehicle to the position. Therefore, if the customer at the food receiving position wants to collect the meal ticket, the user can call the transportation means while operating at the food receiving position by operating the call operation unit, which is convenient. At the same time, it is possible to save the staff from going to the trouble of collecting the meal ticket to the dish receiving position.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the movement control means moves the conveyance means to the kitchen in response to the operation of the call operation portion at the dish receiving position where the conveyance means arrives. Therefore, a customer who calls the transport means by operating the call operation section can operate the call operation section again to direct the transport means carrying the food ticket to the kitchen and collect the food ticket unattended to the kitchen. Therefore, it is easy to use, and it is possible to save the staff from having to carry the meal ticket from the dish receiving position to the kitchen.

  According to the invention of claim 4, in the order system, the link means includes the dish specified by the food ticket and the food receiving position where the transport means has stopped moving (that is, the dish of the customer who put the food ticket on the transport means). (Receiving position). When the food specified by the meal ticket is made in the kitchen and placed on the transport means, the movement control means moves the transport means on which the food is placed to the dish receiving position associated with the link means. Thereby, while the dish which a meal ticket specifies can be delivered to an ordering customer correctly, the effort which an attendant distributes a dish can be saved.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an order system 1 provided in a restaurant. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an overall electrical configuration of the ordering system 1. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing performed in the ticket vending machine 2. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of processes performed in the transport device 3. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of processing performed in the reception device 4. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an operation image of the order system 1. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of processes performed in the transport device 3.

Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an order system 1 provided in a restaurant.
Referring to FIG. 1, an order system 1 according to the present invention is installed in a dish providing facility. In this embodiment, a restaurant that provides so-called fast food such as beef bowl and curry is assumed as an example of a dish providing facility.

The inside of the restaurant is partitioned into a dining area and a cooking area (kitchen) by a partition A indicated by a broken line. A plurality of tables B and counters C are provided in the eating and drinking area.
Specifically, in this embodiment, the plate D having an elliptical loop shape in plan view is arranged in the eating and drinking area so that a part thereof protrudes to the kitchen. Each table B is provided so as to protrude from a linear portion of the plate D in the eating and drinking area. A curved portion of the plate D is a counter C in the eating and drinking area.

Sofa E is arranged in the eating and drinking area so as to sandwich each table B. In the eating and drinking area, a plurality of chairs F are arranged along the counter C.
An area in which one table B and two sofas E arranged so as to sandwich the table B from both sides is defined as a table seat G. In FIG. 1, two table seats G, table seats G1 and G2, are provided. The numbers at the end of the symbols of the table seats G1 and G2 are seat numbers assigned to the respective table seats G. That is, the table seat G has seat numbers “1” and “2”. Each table seat G is provided along the plate D.

  An area where one chair F and a portion corresponding to the chair F in the counter C exist is referred to as a counter seat H. In FIG. 1, there are three counter seats H, counter seats H3, H4, and H5. The numbers at the end of the symbols of the counter seats H3, H4, and H5 are seat numbers assigned to the respective counter seats H. That is, the counter seat H has seat numbers “3”, “4”, and “5”. Each counter seat H is provided along the plate D.

  The table seat G and the counter seat H may be collectively referred to as “seats”. Each seat is a seating place for customers and a food receiving position. Each table seat G corresponds to a single customer or a group of multiple customers. Each counter seat H corresponds to one customer. In the eating and drinking area, a parlor seat may be provided at a position along the elliptical loop-shaped plate D other than the table seat G and the counter seat H. Here, it is assumed that the table seat is included in the table seat G.

The ordering system 1 includes a ticket vending machine 2 (food ticket vending machine), a transport device 3, and a reception device 4.
The ticket vending machine 2 is installed near the entrance of a restaurant in a restaurant area. Although one ticket vending machine 2 is illustrated in FIG. 1, the ordering system 1 may include not only one ticket vending machine 2 but also a plurality of ticket vending machines 2. Here, it is assumed that there are a plurality of ticket machines 2.

The ticket vending machine 2 has, for example, a vertically long box shape, and is provided with a selection button 5, a coin slot 6, a bill slot 7, and a slot 8 on the front surface.
A plurality of selection buttons 5 are provided according to the number of menus handled at the restaurant. A customer who enters the restaurant inserts cash into the coin slot 6 or the bill slot 7 and presses a selection button 5 of a desired menu. Then, the meal ticket 9 for the menu is thrown out to the outlet 8. Change and returned cash are also thrown into the outlet 8.

The meal ticket 9 has, for example, a substantially rectangular card shape. The food ticket 9 may be made of paper or resin. On the surface of the meal ticket 9, a menu (name of the dish) corresponding to (specify) the meal ticket 9 and its price are displayed side by side, and a bar code indicating the menu is displayed below them. The meal ticket 9 illustrated in FIG. 1 is a udon meal ticket 9 of 380 yen.
The conveying device 3 is provided on the plate D described above. The conveyance device 3 mainly includes a conveyance lane 10 that forms a main body portion, a conveyor 11, a tray 12 (conveying means), and a button 13 (calling operation unit).

  The conveyance lane 10 has an elliptical loop shape that is similar to the plate D in plan view, and has a predetermined thickness in the height direction. In plan view, the transport lane 10 is provided along the inner periphery of the plate D. The top surface of the transfer lane 10 is substantially flat. Since each seat is provided along a plate D partially disposed in the kitchen, the transport lane 10 on the inner peripheral edge of the plate D is provided so as to be able to circulate between the kitchen and a plurality of seats. . Conversely, each seat is provided along the transport lane 10.

  The conveyor 11 is disposed on the top surface of the transport lane 10. The conveyor 11 has an elliptical loop shape that coincides with the conveyance lane 10 in plan view. The conveyor 11 is configured by connecting flat plate-like connecting bodies 14 in a loop shape along the top surface of the transport lane 10. Instead of this configuration, the conveyor 11 may be an endless belt that is flat along the top surface of the transport lane 10. The conveyor 11 can move around on the top surface of the transport lane 10. The circular trajectory of the conveyor 11 has an elliptical loop shape corresponding to each of the transport lane 10 and the conveyor 11 in plan view.

  The tray 12 carries dishes and meal tickets 9 as will be described later. The tray 12 is provided with at least a placement unit 15 on which a dish or a meal ticket 9 can be placed. The placement unit 15 is a flat surface extending in the horizontal direction or a recess recessed downward. The tray 12 is placed on the conveyor 11 and can move around the transport lane 10 together with the conveyor 11.

  One button 13 is provided at a position facing each seat on the outer peripheral surface of the transport lane 10. In other words, the button 13 is disposed at each seat. As described above, since a seat number is assigned to each seat, each button 13 is also assigned a corresponding seat number. The seat number corresponding to the button 13 is shown in parentheses at the end of the code of the button 13. For example, the button 13 (2) is the button 13 for the seat of seat number 2. The button 13 is pressed by the customer to call the tray 12 to the seat (details will be described later).

The receiving device 4 is installed in the kitchen. The accepting device 4 includes a display 20 (display means) and a barcode reader 21 (order confirmation means).
The display 20 is installed in a kitchen at a position where a person in charge of cooking can easily see. In the following description, it is assumed that a staff member is a staff member in charge of cooking unless otherwise described. The display 20 is provided with a display unit 22 having a predetermined size, for example, having a horizontally long rectangular shape. The display unit 22 is, for example, a liquid crystal display with a touch panel. Necessary information is displayed on the display unit 22 so as to be visible. In the display unit 22, the right half area is the purchase menu column X and the left half area is the confirmation menu column Y. On the display unit 22, a menu of the meal ticket 9 sold at the ticket vending machine 2 is displayed. Detailed display contents of the display unit 22 will be described later.

The bar code reader 21 is for reading the bar code of the meal ticket 9 sold by the ticket vending machine 2. The barcode reader 21 reads the content of the meal ticket 9 (here, the menu of the meal ticket 9) by reading the barcode.
The barcode reader 21 includes a handy type barcode reader 21A and a stationary type barcode reader 21B depending on the structure. The barcode reader 21 </ b> A has a grip shape that can be gripped, and has a barcode reading unit 23 for reading the barcode of the meal ticket 9 at the tip thereof. The barcode reader 21B has a box shape, and an entrance / exit 24 for the meal ticket 9 is formed on one side thereof. A barcode reader 23 is built in the barcode reader 21B.

  Each of the barcode reader 21 </ b> A and the barcode reader 21 </ b> B is connected to the display 20 through a cable 25. In FIG. 1, both the barcode reader 21A and the barcode reader 21B are illustrated, but either one may be provided. In the following description, the bar code reader 21 refers to both the handy type bar code reader 21A and the stationary type bar code reader 21B.

  The barcode reader 21 can read the barcode (menu) of the meal ticket 9 in the barcode reader 23. In the case of the barcode reader 21 </ b> A, a staff member puts the barcode reading unit 23 of the barcode reader 21 </ b> A on the collected barcode of the meal ticket 9. Thereby, the barcode of the meal ticket 9 is read by the barcode reader 23 at the tip of the barcode reader 21A. In the case of the barcode reader 21B, the attendant inserts the collected meal ticket 9 into the entrance / exit 24 of the barcode reader 21B. Thereby, the barcode of the meal ticket 9 inserted in the entrance / exit 24 is read by the barcode reading part 23 in the barcode reader 21B.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an overall electrical configuration of the ordering system 1.
Referring to FIG. 2, in order system 1, each of conveyance device 3 and ticket vending machine 2 is connected to reception device 4. Here, each of the conveyance device 3 and the ticket vending machine 2 and the reception device 4 do not necessarily have to be connected by a signal line such as an electric cable as long as communication is possible. Therefore, each of the conveyance device 3 and the ticket vending machine 2 and the reception device 4 may be configured to perform wireless communication.

  The transfer device 3 includes a transfer control unit 30 (movement control means) configured by a microcomputer or the like. The conveyance control unit 30 includes a CPU, a memory (ROM, RAM), and the like. The conveyance control unit 30 is for controlling the operation of the conveyance device 3. The above-described buttons 13 (each of the buttons 13 (1) to (5)) and the conveyor 11 are electrically connected to the transport control unit 30. Strictly speaking, in the conveyor 11, a driving device (not shown) for rotating the conveyor 11 is connected to the conveyance control unit 30. The conveyance control unit 30 can freely rotate the conveyor 11 by controlling the driving of the driving device (not shown). Further, the transport device 3 is provided with an I / F unit (not shown), and the transport control unit 30 can communicate with the accepting device 4 via the I / F unit.

In the receiving device 4, the display 20 is provided with a display control unit 31 (link means) composed of a microcomputer or the like. The display control unit 31 includes a CPU, a memory (ROM, RAM), and the like. The display control unit 31 is for controlling not only the display 20 but also the operation of the receiving device 4 as a whole.
Each of the bar code reader 21 and the display unit 22 described above is electrically connected to the display control unit 31. The display unit 22 includes touch keys 32. The touch key 32 is displayed on the display unit 22 and is operated by a staff member when changing the setting of the display 20 or the like. Further, the display 20 is provided with an I / F unit (not shown), and the display control unit 31 can communicate with each ticket vending machine 2 and the transport device 3 via the I / F unit.

  Each ticket vending machine 2 is provided with a ticket vending machine control unit 33 constituted by a microcomputer or the like. The ticket vending machine control unit 33 includes a CPU, a memory (ROM, RAM), and the like. The ticket vending machine control unit 33 is for controlling the operation of the ticket vending machine 2. The ticket vending machine control unit 33 is electrically connected to the selection button 5, the cash processing unit 34, the ticket issuing unit 35, and the storage unit 36 described above.

The cash processing unit 34 counts the cash inserted into the above-described coin insertion slot 6 and bill insertion slot 7 (see FIG. 1), settles the menu for which the selection button 5 is pressed, and calculates change. The cash or change to be returned is thrown into the outlet 8 (see FIG. 1).
The ticket issuing unit 35 issues the above-described meal ticket 9 (see FIG. 1) by printing the settled menu, its price, and a bar code for the menu on a piece of paper or the like.

The memory | storage part 36 has memorize | stored the menu handled at a restaurant, its price, etc.
Each ticket vending machine 2 is provided with an I / F unit (not shown), and the ticket vending machine control unit 33 of each ticket vending machine 2 can communicate with the accepting device 4 via the I / F unit. it can.
Next, processing performed in each ticket vending machine 2, the transport device 3, and the receiving device 4 will be described individually.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing performed in the ticket vending machine 2.
With reference to FIG. 3, the process implemented in the ticket vending machine 2 is demonstrated.
In the ticket vending machine 2, in the standby state, the ticket vending machine control unit 33 (see FIG. 2) monitors whether or not the customer has selected a menu by pressing the selection button 5 (see FIG. 1) (step). S1). When there is a menu selection (YES in step S1), the ticket vending machine control unit 33 confirms whether or not there is a cash insertion (payment) in either the coin insertion slot 6 or the bill insertion slot 7 (see FIG. 1) ( Step S2). Here, the ticket vending machine control part 33 confirms whether there was payment by confirming whether the cash process part 34 (refer FIG. 2) counted cash. That is, if there is a deposit, the cash processing unit 34 counts the cash, and if there is no deposit, the cash processing unit 34 does not count the cash. The cash counting result by the cash processing unit 34 is the deposit amount.

  If there is a deposit (YES in step S2), the ticket vending machine control unit 33 checks whether or not the deposit amount is equal to or greater than the purchase amount (step S3). The purchase amount is the price of the menu when the customer presses one selection button 5 and selects one menu. When the customer presses a plurality of selection buttons 5 and selects a plurality of menus, The total price of the selected menu.

  If the deposit amount is less than the purchase amount (NO in step S3), the ticket vending machine control unit 33 checks whether or not there is an additional deposit (step S4). If the cash processing unit 34 counts cash again, it means that there was an additional deposit. If the deposit amount is less than the purchase amount and there is no additional deposit even after a predetermined time has elapsed (NO in step S4), it is considered that the customer has no intention to purchase, and the ticket vending machine control unit 33 The cash processing unit 34 is caused to return the inserted cash from the outlet 8 (see FIG. 1) (step S5).

  If the deposit amount is equal to or greater than the purchase amount (YES in step S3), the ticket vending machine control unit 33 causes the cash processing unit 34 to execute settlement for the selected menu, and issues the ticket issuing unit 35 (FIG. 2). (See FIG. 1), the dinner ticket 9 (see FIG. 1) with the settled menu is issued to the outlet 8 (step S6). At this time, if there is a change, the ticket vending machine control unit 33 causes the cash processing unit 34 to throw the change into the outlet 8.

In step S <b> 6, the ticket vending machine control unit 33 transmits a signal indicating the contents of the food ticket 9 sold this time to the reception device 4. This signal includes the contents of the meal ticket 9, that is, the menu of the meal ticket 9.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of processes performed in the transport device 3.
With reference to FIG. 4, the process implemented in the conveying apparatus 3 is demonstrated. Here, the standby position of the tray 12 on the conveyor 11 is near the receiving device 4 in the kitchen (see FIG. 1).

In the transport device 3, in the standby state, the transport control unit 30 (see FIG. 2) monitors whether any button 13 (see FIG. 1) is pressed (step S11).
A customer who purchases the meal ticket 9 at the ticket vending machine 2 takes the meal ticket 9 and arrives at one of the seats (table seat G or counter seat H) in the eating and drinking area (see FIG. 1). And this customer pushes button 13 (refer FIG. 1) of the seat which he arrived in order to collect the purchased meal ticket 9 in the shop side.

  When the button 13 is pressed (YES in step S11), the conveyance control unit 30 moves the conveyor 11 around, thereby conveying the tray 12 on the conveyor 11 to the seat of the pressed button 13 (step S12). ). That is, the conveyance control unit 30 moves the tray 12 to the seat corresponding to the operated button 13 in response to the operation of the button 13. Thus, the tray 12 is called up to the seat of the customer who pressed the button 13 (see FIG. 1). Therefore, if the customer in the seat wants to collect the meal ticket 9, the user can call the tray 12 while operating in the seat by operating the button 13, which is convenient. In addition, the conveyance control part 30 grasps | ascertains how much the conveyor 11 should be moved from a standby position to each seat (movement amount of the conveyor 11) for every seat (every seat number). Therefore, according to the seat number of the pressed button 13, the transport control unit 30 moves the conveyor 11 by a moving amount corresponding to the seat number, and accurately moves the tray 12 to the seat of the seat number. Can do.

Then, the customer who has pressed the button 13 puts the previously purchased meal ticket 9 on the placement unit 15 (see FIG. 1) of the called tray 12.
The conveyance control unit 30 starts timing after conveying the tray 12 to the seat of the pressed button 13 and monitors whether or not the same button 13 is pressed again (step S13).

  If the same button 13 is pressed until a predetermined T seconds have elapsed since the start of timing (YES in step S13), the transport control unit 30 moves the tray 12 on which the meal ticket 9 is placed to the reception device 4. It is conveyed and returned to the kitchen (step S14). That is, the conveyance control unit 30 moves the tray 12 to the kitchen in response to pressing of the button 13 at the seat where the tray 12 arrived. Focusing on the tray 12, when the food ticket 9 is put on the seat, the tray 12 conveys the food ticket 9 on the tray to the kitchen. Therefore, it is possible to save labor for the staff to go to the seat to collect the food ticket 9 and to carry the food ticket 9 from the seat to the kitchen. In addition, the customer who operates the button 13 to call the tray 12 can operate the button 13 again so that the tray 12 on which the food ticket 9 is placed is directed to the kitchen and the food ticket 9 can be unmannedly collected to the kitchen. So it is easy to use.

In step S <b> 14, the conveyance control unit 30 transmits a signal including the seat number of the button 13 pressed this time to the reception device 4.
On the other hand, when the same button 13 is not pressed after starting the time measurement (NO in step S13), if T seconds have elapsed since the time measurement started (YES in step S15), the transport control unit 30 The tray 12 is conveyed to the receiving device 4 and returned to the kitchen (step S16). As a situation like this, the customer accidentally pressed the button 13 and called the tray 12 but left it without doing anything, or forgot to press the button 13 again when the customer put the food ticket 9 on the tray 12 Situation.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of processing performed in the reception device 4. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an operation image of the order system 1.
With reference to FIG. 5, the process performed in the reception apparatus 4 is demonstrated. At this time, FIG. 6 is also referred to.
In the reception device 4, in the standby state, the display control unit 31 (see FIG. 2) monitors whether a signal is received from the ticket vending machine 2 (step S21). As described above, when the meal ticket 9 is purchased at the ticket vending machine 2, a signal including the menu of the meal ticket 9 is transmitted from the ticket vending machine 2 to the reception device 4 (see step S6 in FIG. 3).

  When the display control unit 31 receives a signal from the ticket vending machine 2 (YES in step S21), the display control unit 31 displays the signal menu (the menu of the meal ticket 9 sold at the ticket vending machine 2) on the right half of the display unit 22 of the display 20. It is displayed in the purchase menu column X (see FIG. 1) (step S22). Specifically, referring to FIG. 6A, display control unit 31 displays an icon indicating this menu (purchase menu icon 40) in purchase menu column X from above. In FIG. 6A, in response to the purchase of the udon meal ticket 9, a signal of the menu is transmitted from the ticket vending machine 2 to the reception device 4, and the udon purchase menu icon is displayed in the purchase menu column X of the display 20. 40 is displayed. Thus, since the menu which is the content of the meal ticket 9 sold with the ticket vending machine 2 is displayed on the display 20 as the purchase menu icon 40, the person in charge of the kitchen looks at the purchase menu icon 40 to determine which menu. It is possible to grasp in real time whether the meal ticket 9 has been purchased. Therefore, it can be said that the purchase menu icon 40 is purchase information of the meal ticket 9 that is notified to the staff in the kitchen.

  When the purchase menu icon 40 is displayed in the purchase menu column X, the staff in the kitchen may start preparation for cooking (preparation of tableware, etc.) for the menu of the purchase menu icon 40. Thereby, since the staff in the kitchen can start the cooking of the dish of the purchase menu icon 40 before confirming the order by looking at the display of the purchase menu icon 40 on the display 20, the food can be quickly provided to the customer. it can.

  Then, referring to FIG. 5, display control unit 31 confirms whether or not a seat number signal has been received from transport device 3 (step S <b> 23). Referring to FIG. 1, as described above, a customer who has purchased a meal ticket 9 at a ticket vending machine 2 arrives at a desired seat and uses the seat button 13 (here, button 13 (2) with seat number 2). .)Press. Then, since the tray 12 is transported to the seat of seat number 2 (here, the table seat G2), the customer of the table seat G2 puts the meal ticket 9 on the tray 12 and presses the same button 13 (2) again. Then, the tray 12 on which the meal ticket 9 is placed moves on the transport lane 10 and is transported to the reception device 4 in the kitchen. As the same button 13 (2) is pressed, a signal of the seat number (here, seat number 2) of the button 13 (2) is transmitted from the transport device 3 to the reception device 4 (step S14 in FIG. 4). ). Rather than calling the tray 12 for the customer to collect the meal ticket 9, the kitchen clerk specifies the corresponding seat number (in this case, seat number 2) on the kitchen side, The tray 12 may be transported to the seat.

  When receiving the seat number signal (YES in step S23), the display control unit 31 confirms whether or not the menu of the food ticket 9 conveyed to the accepting device 4 by the tray 12 (arrived at the kitchen) has been read ( Step S24). Referring to FIG. 6B, the kitchen staff takes out the meal ticket 9 transported to the reception device 4 from the tray 12 and causes the barcode reader 21 to read the barcode of the meal ticket 9. When the barcode reader 21 reads the barcode of the meal ticket 9, the display control unit 31 grasps the content of the barcode (menu of the meal ticket 9). As a result, the menu of the meal ticket 9 has been read.

  Referring to FIG. 5, when the menu of the delivered meal ticket 9 is read (YES in step S24), the display control unit 31 displays the same menu as the menu read by the barcode reader 21 (strictly, the same menu is displayed). It is confirmed whether or not the purchase menu icon 40) shown is in the purchase menu column X (step S25). Specifically, referring to FIG. 6 (b), when the menu (udon) of the udon meal ticket 9 conveyed to the kitchen by the tray 12 is read by the barcode reader 21, the display control unit 31 It is confirmed whether or not the purchase menu icon 40 is in the purchase menu column X.

  Referring to FIG. 5, if the same menu as the read menu (purchase menu icon 40 of the same menu) is in purchase menu column X (YES in step S25), display control unit 31 displays the purchase menu icon 40 as Delete from the purchase menu column X (step S26). At the same time, the display control unit 31 displays an icon indicating the same menu (confirmed menu icon 41) and an icon indicating the seat number of the signal received in step S23 (seat number icon 42), in the confirmed menu column Y (see FIG. 1). ).

  Specifically, referring to FIG. 6 (b), display control unit 31 receives the signal of seat number 2 from transport device 3 (YES in step S23 of FIG. 5), and then reads the udon that has been read. If the purchase menu icon 40 of the meal ticket 9 is in the purchase menu column X (YES in step S25), the purchase menu icon 40 (see FIG. 6A) is deleted from the purchase menu column X. Simultaneously with the deletion, the display control unit 31 causes the confirmation menu icon 41 of the udon to be displayed in the confirmation menu field Y, and in the confirmation menu field Y, the seat is located near the confirmation menu icon 41 (here, on the left side). A seat number icon 42 indicating number 2 is displayed. Also, if there are a plurality of meal tickets 9 other than the udon meal tickets 9, the bar code reader 21 reads the barcode of the remaining meal tickets 9 so that the menu of the remaining meal tickets 9 (here, ramen and yakisoba) can be obtained. The display is changed from the purchase menu icon 40 to the confirmation menu icon 41 (the confirmation menu icon 41 for ramen or yakisoba is not shown). Continuous reading of barcodes from the plurality of meal tickets 9 is possible until the button 12 is pressed and the tray 12 is called.

  In this way, in step S26 (see FIG. 5), the display control unit 31 moves the corresponding menu from the purchase menu column X to the confirmed menu column Y and displays it, and associates the seat number with the menu in the confirmed menu column. Y is displayed. In other words, the display control unit 31 displays the menu (purchase menu icon 40) displayed on the display 20 on the order confirmation menu (confirmation menu icon 41) based on the menu read by the barcode reader 21. change. It should be noted that the seat number for the button 13 that was previously pressed to call the tray 12 is stored in the tray 12 or the receiving device 4, and the menu of the meal ticket 9 carried to the kitchen by the tray 12 is stored. Is read by the barcode reader 21, the seat number stored in the tray 12 or the reception device 4 may be associated with the read menu.

  Here, paying attention to the barcode reader 21, the barcode reader 21 reads the barcode (menu) of the food ticket 9 carried to the kitchen by the tray 12 (YES in step S 24), and based on this food ticket 9. Thus, it can be seen that the order is confirmed for the contents of the meal ticket 9 displayed on the display 20 (the menu indicated by the purchase menu icon 40).

In addition, when the meal ticket 9 is purchased by the ticket vending machine 2 and the menu of the meal ticket 9 is read by the barcode reader 21, the menu of the meal ticket 9 is displayed on the display 20 with the purchase menu icon 40 ( 6) and a confirmation menu icon 41 (see FIG. 6B) are displayed in two stages.
The kitchen clerk sees that the menu displayed on the display 20 has been changed to the order confirmation menu (the confirmation menu icon 41 is displayed in the confirmation menu field Y). It is possible to grasp that the purchased customer has arrived at the seat. In other words, it can be understood that the order of this menu is confirmed and cooking of this menu may be started. Then, after the display is changed, the cooking of the menu of the confirmation menu icon 41 (order confirmation menu) is started, so that freshly prepared dishes can be provided to the customer. That is, the order system 1 can provide food to customers at an appropriate timing. The confirmation menu icon 41 functions to notify the kitchen staff that the receipt of the order for the meal ticket 9 has been confirmed (order reception information).

Then, the kitchen clerk confirms that the menu has been changed to the order confirmation menu by seeing that the menu has moved from the purchase menu field X to the confirmation menu field Y as described above. I can grasp it.
Moreover, even if there is an erroneous purchase of the meal ticket 9, until the customer changes the meal ticket 9 to the correct one and the bar code reader 21 reads the contents of the changed meal ticket 9, the menu of the changed meal ticket 9 Since the confirmation menu icon 41 is not displayed, cooking for the menu of the customer is not started. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate the waste of cooking the menu of the mis-purchased meal ticket 9. That is, the order system 1 can cope with an erroneous purchase of the meal ticket 9.

Thus, this order system 1 can provide efficient cooking. In addition, it is possible to omit the work of the attendant going to each seat, confirming the contents of the meal ticket 9, and sending the order to the kitchen. Therefore, it is possible to improve the work efficiency in the restaurant.
The confirmation menu icon 41 displayed in the confirmation menu column Y is the touch key 32 (see FIG. 2) described above. When cooking is completed, the clerk presses the confirmed menu icon 41 for the menu after cooking. Then, referring to FIG. 5, display control unit 31 determines that the menu in confirmed menu column Y has been selected (YES in step S <b> 27). Accordingly, the display control unit 31 displays the delivery key 43 (operation unit) in the confirmation menu column Y (step S28). The delivery key 43 is also the touch key 32 described above.

  Specifically, with reference to FIG. 6C, regarding the udon noodle menu icon 41 in the noodle menu column Y, the clerk presses the noodle menu icon 41 after cooking the noodles. Then, the display form of the pressed confirmation menu icon 41 and the display form of the seat number icon 42 of the seat number 2 displayed in association with the confirmation menu icon 41 are changed. Here, in order to show the display form after the change, the pressed confirmation menu icon 41 and the corresponding seat number icon 42 are hatched. The delivery key 43 is displayed at the lower end of the confirmation menu column Y at the same time as the confirmation menu icon 41 is pressed.

Referring to FIG. 5, display control unit 31 monitors whether or not displayed delivery key 43 has been pressed (step S29). The person in charge of cooking presses the delivery key 43 when the dishes on the menu after cooking are placed on the tray 12 at the standby position.
When the delivery key 43 is pressed (YES in step S29), the display control unit 31 displays the pressed confirmed menu icon 41 (the confirmed menu icon 41 hatched in FIG. 6C) in the confirmed menu field. Delete from Y (step S30). That is, the display control unit 31 deletes the corresponding menu in the confirmed menu column Y. Further, the display control unit 31 deletes the seat number icon 42 and the delivery key 43 that are displayed in association with the confirmed menu icon 41 together with the confirmed menu icon 41 from the display unit 22. As a result, it is possible to eliminate the waste of erroneously cooking the menu of the confirmation menu icon 41 (that is, the dish of the completed order confirmation menu) again.

  When the delivery key 43 is pressed (YES in step S29), the display control unit 31 transmits an instruction (distribution instruction) to transport the tray 12 to the seat number of the seat number icon 42 deleted this time to the transport device 3. (Step S30). That is, the display control unit 31 selects the dish specified by the meal ticket 9 whose barcode is read by the barcode reader 21 and the seat where the tray 12 has moved and stopped to collect the meal ticket 9 (purchase this meal ticket 9). And the serving instruction including the correspondence between the dish and the seat is transmitted to the transport device 3.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of processes performed in the transport device 3.
With reference to FIG. 7, the process implemented in the conveying apparatus 3 is demonstrated.
In the transport device 3, in the standby state, the transport control unit 30 (see FIG. 2) monitors whether or not a serving instruction has been received (step S31).
When receiving the serving instruction (YES in step S31), the transport control unit 30 moves the conveyor 11 around and conveys the tray 12 on which the dish is placed to the seat of the seat number designated by the serving instruction (step S32). ). That is, when the dish specified by the meal ticket 9 purchased by the customer at this seat is made in the kitchen and the dish is put on the tray 12, the transport control unit 30 moves the tray 12 to the display control unit 31. Move to the seat associated with the dish. Thereby, while being able to deliver the dish of the meal ticket 9 to an ordering customer correctly, the effort which an attendant distributes a dish to a seat can be saved.

The transport control unit 30 starts timing after transporting the tray 12 to the designated seat, and monitors whether or not the button 13 for that seat has been pressed (step S33).
When a customer takes out food from the tray 12 at the seat where the tray 12 arrives, the customer presses the button 13 of his seat.
If the button 13 is pressed until a predetermined U second has elapsed since the start of timing (YES in step S33), the transport control unit 30 transports the tray 12 to the receiving device 4 and returns it to the kitchen (step) S34).

On the other hand, when the button 13 is not pressed after starting the time measurement (NO in step S33), if U seconds have elapsed since the time measurement started (YES in step S35), the transport control unit 30 performs the tray control. 12 is conveyed to the accepting device 4 and forcibly returned to the kitchen (step S34). As such a situation, there is a situation where the customer has forgotten to press the button 13.
As described above, in the order system 1, referring to FIG. 1, not only the dishes are served using the transport lane 10 and the tray 12, but the meal tickets 9 can be collected from the customers. Furthermore, based on the meal ticket 9 collected up to the kitchen (the barcode of the meal ticket 9 is read by the barcode reader 21 of the reception device 4 of the kitchen), the order is confirmed by the barcode reader 21 of the kitchen. There is no need to arrange the barcode reader 21. In other words, if the bar code reader 21 is arranged at each seat so that the attendant does not have to go to each seat to confirm the contents of the meal ticket 9, the cost increases correspondingly, but the tray 12 moves on the transport lane 10 accordingly. If the meal ticket 9 is collected and the order is confirmed by the barcode reader 21 of the kitchen based on the meal ticket 9, it is only necessary to arrange the barcode reader 21 in the kitchen.

As a result, it is possible to reduce the cost required for the dish providing facility.
The present invention is not limited to the contents of the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims.
For example, the meal ticket 9 may include an IC chip storing a menu instead of a bar code, and the bar code reader 21 may read the menu of the IC chip and transmit it to the display 20. In this case, the barcode reader 21 may not have a function of reading a barcode.

A plurality of trays 12 may be arranged on the transport lane 10. In that case, a branch lane (not shown) branched from the transport lane 10 is connected to the transport lane 10, and while one tray 12 moves on the transport lane 10, the other trays 12 become branch lanes. And wait.
Further, the tray 12 on the conveyor 11 is moved by rotating the conveyor 11 on the transport lane 10. Instead of this, if the tray 12 has wheels, a motor for rotationally driving it, and the like, the conveyor 11 can be self-propelled, so the conveyor 11 can be omitted. In this case, the transport control unit 30 of the transport device 3 controls the movement of the tray 12.

Moreover, the conveyance lane 10 does not need to be connected in an elliptical loop shape, and may be, for example, a linear shape. In this case, one end of the transport lane 10 is located in the kitchen, and the tray 12 on the transport lane 10 reciprocates between the kitchen and each seat along the transport lane 10.
Moreover, regarding the transport lane 10, a transport lane for serving food (a transport lane for serving) and a transport lane for recovering the food ticket 9 (collection transport lane) may be provided separately. On the delivery lane, the dedicated tray 12 moves only for serving dishes. On the collection transport lane, the dedicated tray 12 moves only to collect the meal ticket 9. In this way, the food can be quickly distributed without waiting for the collection of the food ticket 9, and the food ticket 9 can be recovered quickly without waiting for the food to be distributed.

  Further, the barcode reader 21 may be installed on the tray 12 instead of the kitchen. In this case, if the customer is guided to read the meal ticket 9 by the barcode reader 21 of the tray 12, the order of the meal ticket 9 can be confirmed by reading the barcode of the meal ticket 9 on the spot.

1 Order System 2 Ticket Vending Machine 9 Food Ticket 10 Transport Lane 12 Tray 13 Button 20 Display 21 Barcode Reader 30 Transport Control Unit 31 Display Control Unit G Table Seat H Counter Seat

Claims (4)

An ordering system for a food providing facility comprising a ticket vending machine, and a transportation lane provided to be able to circulate between a kitchen and a plurality of food receiving positions,
A display means provided in the kitchen and displaying the contents of the food ticket sold by the food ticket vending machine;
The transport lane is movably provided, and when a food ticket is placed at the dish receiving position, transport means for transporting the loaded food ticket to the kitchen,
An order confirmation means for confirming the order of the contents of the food ticket displayed on the display means based on the food ticket provided in the kitchen and carried to the kitchen by the transportation means;
An order system characterized by comprising: A call operation unit disposed at the dish receiving position and operated to call the transport means;
Movement control means for moving the transport means to the dish receiving position corresponding to the operated call operation unit in response to the operation of the call operation unit;
The order system according to claim 1, comprising:   The order according to claim 2, wherein the movement control means moves the conveyance means to the kitchen in response to an operation of the calling operation unit at the dish receiving position where the conveyance means arrives. system. Link means for associating the dish specified by the meal ticket with the dish receiving position where the transport means has moved and stopped,
When the dish specified by the meal ticket is made in the kitchen and the dish is put on the transport means, the movement control means moves the transport means to the dish receiving position associated by the link means. The order system according to claim 3.

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