JP2016110463A - Selling machine and selling method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a selling machine and a selling method, capable of easily associating a menu selected by a customer, and information of each seat used by each customer, and reducing an amount of association work of a menu and a seat of a clerk.SOLUTION: A ticket selling machine (selling machine) comprises: display means (ST1) for displaying menus which are provided in a store, and a seat state in the store; menu selection means (ST9-11) for selecting a menu from the menus displayed by the display means; seat designation means (ST5-7) for designating a seat from the seat state in the store displayed by the display means; customer information creation means (ST14) for combining the menu information of the menu selected by the menu selection means, and the seat information of the seat designated by the seat designation means, for creating customer information; account settlement means (ST15) for performing account settlement processing based on the customer information; ticket issuance means (ST16) for issuing a ticket based on the customer information; and output means (ST17) for outputting the customer information to a kitchen terminal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

  The present invention relates to a vending machine that sells gift certificates desired by customers in restaurants and the like, and a sales method.

  Traditionally, in restaurants, etc., by installing ticket vending machines (customers), customers can order products and process their own accounts, and work to reduce the number of salesclerks (staff) involved in order acceptance and accounting. Yes.

Japanese Patent No. 42227848

  However, even in the operation using the ticket vending machine (the vending machine), the staff confirms that the customer has purchased the ticket, and associates (memorizes or notes) the ticket (menu) purchased by the customer with the table number. This is not only a great burden for the store clerk, but also may cause omissions and incorrect pegs, and a large reduction in business has not necessarily been achieved.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and its purpose is to easily associate the menu (product) selected by the customer and the information of each seat used by the customer, It is an object of the present invention to provide a vending machine and a sales method that can reduce the tying operation between a menu and a seat by a store clerk, and that do not cause a tie-up omission or a tying error by the store clerk.

A vending machine according to the present invention includes a menu provided in a store and a display means for displaying a seat state in the store, a menu selection means for selecting a menu desired by a customer from the menu displayed by the display means, Seat designation means for designating a seat to be used by a customer from the seat state in the store displayed by the display means, menu information of the menu selected by the menu selection means, and seat information of the seat designated by the seat designation means It is characterized by comprising customer information generating means for generating customer information in combination and output means for outputting the customer information.
Either the menu selection by the menu selection means or the seat specification by the seat specification means may be first, but as a general rule, after both have been prepared (except when the takeout declaration means described below is selected), the subsequent processing It is preferable to perform (settlement / ticketing, etc.). The output destination includes not only a terminal device such as a kitchen terminal but also an external device such as a management device.
As described above, according to the present invention, the menu (product) and the seat state are displayed on the display means, and the customer himself selects the menu and designates the seat. These are used as menu information and seat information, and customer information in which these two pieces of information are linked is generated. Using this customer information, the store clerk can easily and reliably carry the product selected by the customer to the seat of the customer who selected the product.
In other words, according to the present invention, the menu selected by the customer and the seat used by the customer are linked at the time of ticketing operation by a vending machine (for example, a ticket vending machine). It can be unnecessary. This not only saves the clerk's labor, but also prevents the clerk from losing tying and tying mistakes.

In the present invention, it is preferable that the output means transmits the customer information to a clerk terminal.
As a result, the customer information is transmitted to a clerk terminal comprising a kitchen printer or kitchen monitor installed in the kitchen, and cooking or the like is performed based on this information. The cooked product is distributed to the seat in the customer information.

  In addition, the present invention includes a settlement unit that enables settlement after the customer information generation unit generates the customer information, and a ticket issuing unit that issues a ticket based on at least the customer information after the settlement is completed. preferable. The printed contents at the time of ticketing may be contents based only on the customer information, or may be contents obtained by adding settlement information (amount) to the customer information.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the present invention includes a prohibiting unit that prohibits ticketing by the ticketing unit when the customer information is not generated. As a result, the ticket can be issued only when both the menu information and the seat information are provided.

According to the present invention, when a take-out declaration displayed by the display means is selected, the customer information generation means generates the customer information from the menu information or information indicating take-out, and takes-out declaration means that enables output It is preferable to provide.
Only the takeout declaration displayed on the display means is selected, and no seat is designated. Since seat designation is not necessary, customer information is generated from menu information or information indicating take-out, and ticket issuing means can output a ticket. When a take-out number is displayed when issuing a ticket or the like, it is possible to reliably prevent mistaking of products to be taken out.

In addition, the present invention preferably includes a co-seat guiding means for guiding the next passenger to the same seat or a nearby seat designated by the previous customer.
For the passenger who wants to be seated after the customer who first specified the seat for multiple persons, the seat guidance button for guiding the same seat is displayed, so that the same number of persons as the seat for multiple persons specified immediately before is displayed. It is possible to easily and reliably designate the seat for use.
The seat guidance button may be turned off when the number of seats that can be used for the designated seat for a plurality of people is designated, or may be turned off after a predetermined time has elapsed.
Even when a seat for multiple persons is not designated, a seat near the first customer can be designated by the next customer following the customer who first designated the seat pressing the seat guidance button.

In the present invention, it is preferable that the seat state is information indicating at least whether each seat is vacant, in use, or in preparation based on a seat type or a seat layout in the store.
Here, the seat type is, for example, a counter seat provided in the store, a seat for multiple persons (two seats, four seats, etc.), a smoking seat, a non-smoking seat, a reserved seat, a window seat, a seat near the entrance, etc. This is a list of seat features. The seat layout is a layout diagram (overhead view) of seats in the store. Based on any of the above information, at least one of vacant seats, in use, and in preparation is expressed, and information necessary for the passenger's seat designation is presented. It is not necessary to express all vacant seats, in use, and in preparation. For example, expressions in preparation may be omitted.
Thus, the customer can easily recognize the current seat state and can easily specify a desired seat.

The ticketing system according to the present invention includes a vending machine that displays at least a menu provided in a store and a seat state in the store, and a menu that selects a menu desired by a customer from the menu displayed by the display means. Selection means, seat designation means for designating a seat to be used by a customer from the seat state in the store displayed by the display means, menu information of the menu selected by the menu selection means, and a seat designated by the seat designation means Customer information generating means for generating customer information by combining the seat information and output means for outputting the customer information.
For example, the vending machine may be used as an interface between a customer and a store to display and input various screens, and other configurations may be provided in a higher-level model (for example, a management device) or other devices. For example, data storage and calculation processing may be performed by a management apparatus connected to a network, and ticketing and settlement may be performed by a ticketing apparatus such as a printer and a settlement apparatus provided separately.

  The sales method according to the present invention includes a display step for displaying a menu provided in a store and a seating state in the store, a menu selection step for selecting a menu desired by a customer from the displayed menu, and the menu selection. Before or after the step, the seat designation step for designating the seat to be used by the customer from the displayed seat state in the store, the menu information of the menu selected in the menu selection step, and the designation in the seat designation step And an output step of outputting customer information generated by combining the seat information of the seat.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to easily associate the menu selected by the customer with the information of each seat used by the customer, thereby reducing the work of associating the menu with the seat by the store clerk, and the store clerk. No pegging leaks or pegging mistakes will occur.

1 is a perspective view of a ticket vending machine 1. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the ticket vending machine. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a ticket sales system 100 including a ticket vending machine 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of a goods file. It is a flowchart which shows an example of a ticketing process. It is a figure which shows an example of the initial screen G1. It is a figure which shows an example of the seat designation | designated screen G2 (the 1). It is a figure which shows an example of the seat designation | designated screen G2 (the 2). It is a figure which shows an example of a seat layout screen (seat designation | designated screen) G3. It is a figure which shows an example of a seat information file. It is a figure which shows an example of the menu selection screen G4. It is a figure which shows an example of a menu information file. It is a figure which shows an example of a customer information file. It is a figure which shows an example of the meal ticket. It is a figure which shows an example of a seat layout screen (seat designation | designated screen) G3-2. It is a figure which shows an example of the seat designation | designated screen G2-2 (the 2). It is a figure which shows an example of the seat designation | designated screen G2-3 (the 2).

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a ticket vending machine (vending machine) 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The ticket vending machine 1 is installed for a customer to purchase a food ticket corresponding to a product (menu) at a restaurant, for example. As shown in the figure, an operation display unit (touch panel) 11 that displays a menu and the like and serves as a key operation unit for input is installed on the front upper portion of the ticket vending machine 1. The operation display unit 11 displays a screen for a customer to perform a predetermined operation including product purchase.

  Below the operation display unit 11 in front of the ticket vending machine 1, a bill insertion slot 13, a bill return slot 15, a coin slot 17, a coin return slot 19, a food ticket outlet 21, a change return lever 23, a call button 25, and the like. Is provided.

  A banknote is inserted into the banknote insertion slot 13 when depositing, and a banknote in a withdrawal such as change or refund is discharged from the banknote return slot 15. Coins are inserted into the coin insertion slot 17 when depositing, and the coins out of the withdrawal are discharged from the coin return slot 19. A food ticket, a receipt, etc. are discharged from the food ticket outlet 21. The change return lever 23 is a lever operated to instruct return of change. The call button 25 is a button operated by a customer to call a store clerk when a trouble occurs in the operation of the ticket vending machine 1, for example.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the ticket vending machine 1. The ticket vending machine 1 includes a CPU 35, a RAM (storage means) 37, a ROM 39, a communication unit 41, a currency identification unit 43, a coin insertion port 17, a banknote insertion port 13, a money dispensing unit 45, and a coin return. The mouth 19, the bill return port 15, the food ticket printing and issuing unit 47, the food ticket taking out port 21, the operation display unit 11, the voice synthesis unit 49, the speaker 51, and the time measuring circuit 53 are configured. Yes.

  The CPU 35 is a control unit that controls the entire processing operation of the ticket vending machine 1. The RAM 37 corresponds to a main storage device and is used as a work area when the CPU 35 executes arithmetic processing. In the RAM 37, a temporary storage area for storing data such as a deposit amount corresponding to one deposit and a current balance is set. The RAM 37 stores a product file, a screen file, a menu information file, a seat information file described below, a current seat state, and the like. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a product file stored in the RAM 37. As shown in the figure, the product file includes various product information such as a product code (product identification information), a product name, and a price of each product. The ROM 39 stores various kinds of setting data used by the CPU 35 for arithmetic processing, in addition to programs executed by the CPU 35.

  The communication unit 41 is a transmission unit (transmission / reception unit) that performs communication with the outside, and has a function of performing communication with an external device. Whether wired or wireless. The currency identification unit 43 identifies the type of banknote or coin inserted by the customer (user) from the banknote insertion slot 13 and the coin insertion slot 17. The money dispensing unit 45 pays out money to the banknote return port 15 or the coin return port 19 as change or a refund.

  The food ticket printing and issuing unit 47 prints and cuts the name of a dish on a roll-shaped sheet, issues it as a food ticket, and discharges it to the food ticket outlet 21. The meal ticket printing / issuing unit 47 may be configured to print a single sheet and issue it as a meal ticket.

  The operation display unit 11 is configured using a touch panel, and displays screens such as a product menu and a seat state described below. The customer presses (touches) the desired product in the displayed product menu to input the selected product, and the customer selects the desired product in the displayed seat state. A seat is entered. That is, the operation display unit 11 is a display unit that displays a menu provided in a store and a seat state in the store, and is an operation unit that selects a menu and designates a seat.

  The voice synthesizer 49 creates a combination of voices to be output using a voice master and a voice setting file stored in the RAM 37, and outputs the combined voice from the speaker 51. The clock circuit 53 is a clock circuit that clocks the current date, day, and time.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a ticket selling system 100 including the ticket vending machine 1. As shown in the figure, a ticket selling system 100 connects a ticket vending machine 1, a kitchen terminal 101, a store management device 103, and an access point 102 via a LAN 105, and connects the portable terminal 104 via the access point 102 to a LAN 105. The ticket vending machine 1 and the store management apparatus 103 are connected to the head office management apparatus 109 via the network 107. The head office management device 109 and the store management device 103 communicate with the ticket vending machine 1 to manage the operation of the ticket vending machine 1 and manage information in the ticket vending machine 1. Further, sales result data is collected from the ticket issuing machine 1, and an order for a product based on the management and sales information is given. In this example, the kitchen terminal 101 is a kitchen printer that prints a cooking instruction for a product, and is generally installed in the kitchen (cooking area) or in the vicinity thereof. A clerk who cooks in the kitchen cooks according to a cooking instruction printed out from the kitchen terminal 101. The kitchen terminal 101 receives a cooking instruction command transmitted when a ticket is issued by the ticket vending machine 1, and prints the cooking instruction. The kitchen terminal 101 may be a device (kitchen monitor) that gives a cooking instruction with an image without printing instead of a kitchen printer. The portable terminal 104 is possessed by, for example, a store clerk, and is used, for example, to confirm the association between the menu and the seat described below, or to input that the seat has become empty after use. It goes without saying that the ticket vending machine 1, the kitchen terminal 101, and the mobile terminal 104 may be plural.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of ticket issuing processing executed by the ticket vending machine 1. The processing shown in this figure is realized by the CPU 35 executing a program stored in the ROM 39. Hereinafter, a case where a seat is first designated, a case where a product is first selected, and a case where take-out is performed will be described.

[When first specifying a seat]
That is, first, an initial screen G1 as shown in FIG. 6 is displayed on the operation display unit 11 of the ticket vending machine 1 (step ST1). As shown in the figure, a menu selection button g11, a seat designation button g12, and a takeout button g13 are displayed on the initial screen G1. When the seat designation button g12 is pressed on the initial screen G1, the process proceeds to step ST5 via steps ST2, ST3, ST4, and the seat designation screen G2 (part 1) shown in FIG. The

  The seat designation screen G2 (part 1) is a number input screen, which is a screen for inputting the number of people to be used. That is, on this screen, the number of people is displayed in the number of people column g22 by touching any of the displayed numbers g21. In this example, four people are selected. When the next button g23 is pressed after the number of people is input, the processing proceeds to the seat designation screen G2 (part 2) shown in FIG. The seat designation screen G2 (part 1) displays a seat guidance button g24 that allows customers in the same group to select the same seat.

  The seat designation screen G2 (No. 2) is a seat type selection screen. In this example, since four people are selected, it can be used together with the seat type (for "four people", "for six people"). The seat type is displayed. That is, on this seat designation screen G2 (part 2), the type of seat displayed as “Select” (that is, for 4 persons) is the type of available seat (vacant seat), and the seat displayed as “Full”. The type (that is, for 6 persons) is the type of seat that is not available (in use). The number of available tables is displayed at the same time for available seat types. Furthermore, a seat layout button g27 for displaying the entire seat layout is displayed on the seat designation screen G2 (part 2).

  For example, when the select button g25 for four persons is pressed on the seat designation screen G2 (part 2), a seat layout screen (seat designation screen) G3 shown in FIG. 9 is displayed. This seat layout screen G3 is displayed so that the seat layout of the entire store and the seats for four people (shaded lines) that can be currently selected can be seen. Seats other than for 4 people are painted black so that they cannot be selected. If a seat is designated by pressing any one of the hatched seats g31 (step ST6), the CPU 35 generates seat information using the seat number and the newly generated food ticket number, 10 is recorded in the RAM 37 as a seat information file shown in FIG. 10 (step 7). That is, the CPU 35 or the like that executes Steps 5, 6, and 7 is a seat designation unit that designates the seat used by the customer from the seat state in the store. In the seat information file shown in FIG. 10, the food ticket number “Y005” and the corresponding seat number “0123” are stored in association with each other.

  In the above example, the seat designation screen G2 (part 1) → the seat designation screen G2 (part 2) → the seat layout screen G3 is displayed in order to designate the seat. However, the seat designation screen G2 is described. (No. 1) → You may be configured to specify a seat only on the seat layout screen G3, only the seat designation screen G2 (No. 1), only the seat designation screen G2 (No. 2), or only the seat layout screen G3. .

  Next, when the seat layout button g27 is pressed on the seat designation screen G2 (No. 2) in FIG. 8, a seat layout screen (seat designation screen) G3-2 as shown in FIG. 15 is displayed. In the case of this seat layout screen G3-2, it is displayed so that the seat layout of the entire store and all seats that can be selected at present (there are hatched seats, 2 seats and 4 seats). Therefore, from the seat layout screen G3-2, a seat can be selected from all seats that are vacant. Since the operation after selecting the seat is the same as in the above example, the description thereof is omitted.

  Next, when the seat guidance button g24 is pressed on the seat designation screen G2 (part 1), the seat designated immediately before is selected without displaying the seat layout screens G3 and G3-2. Since the operation after the seat is selected is the same as in the above example, the description thereof is omitted. In other words, the seat guidance button g24 is a seat guidance means for guiding the same seat as the seat designated immediately before. By selecting the seat guidance button g24, the seat guidance button g24 is easily guided to the same seat as the seat designated immediately before. It becomes possible to do. For example, customers who come to the store with multiple (four people) want to eat at the same seat. Therefore, the customer who bought the meal ticket (first person) first selects the seat for multiple people (four person seats) When the ticketing is completed, it is possible to designate the same seat by successively pressing three successive seat guidance buttons g24. As a result, customers who are present can check out the products they order. The seat guidance button g24 may be turned off when the seats are designated by four people. For example, the non-operation time from the end of the operation of the third of the consecutive three people to the start of the fourth operation exceeds a predetermined time. It may be deleted when it is determined that it has occurred. In addition, even when a customer who has purchased a meal ticket at the beginning of a plurality of customers selects a seat for one person, the seat guidance button g24 is displayed, and the next customer presses the seat guidance button g24, A seat near the first customer may be designated.

  Returning to FIG. 5, after the seat information is generated, the process proceeds to step ST8. At this time, the menu information has not yet been generated, and thus the process proceeds to step ST9. In step ST9, for example, a menu selection screen G4 as shown in FIG. 11 is displayed. On the menu selection screen G4, a product display part g41 that displays various products that can be provided at this store, a purchase schedule detail part g42 that displays a menu being selected, a ticketing button g43, a redo button g45, and a receipt button g47. In addition, an accounting display part g49 and the like are displayed. And one or more are selected by pressing down various goods displayed on goods display part g41. Then, after confirming the selected contents in the purchase schedule detail part g42 and the transaction display part g49, the menu is selected by pressing the ticket issuing button g43 (step ST10).

  Thereby, the CPU 35 generates menu information from the selected menu (including the quantity) and the food ticket number, and records it in the RAM 37 as a menu information file shown in FIG. 12 (step ST11). In the menu information file shown in FIG. 12, the food ticket number “Y005” and the corresponding product name, quantity, and price (unit price) are stored in association with the type of product. That is, the CPU 35 or the like that executes Steps 9, 10, and 11 is menu selection means for selecting a menu desired by the customer from the menu. In this example, until one ticketing process is completed (until the process from step ST1 to step ST17 is completed), the food ticket number is the same for a plurality of products, but is different for each product. You may comprise so that it may become a number.

  In step ST12, since no take-out is selected on the initial screen G1, the process proceeds to step ST13. Since seat information has already been generated, the process proceeds to step ST14. In step ST14, customer information is generated by combining the seat information and menu information, and is recorded in the RAM 37 as a customer information file as shown in FIG. In the customer information file shown in FIG. 13, the customer information of the latest food ticket number is described at the top. That is, the CPU 35 or the like that executes step 14 is a customer information generation unit that generates customer information by combining menu information and seat information. In this customer information file, the food ticket number “Y005”, the product name and quantity, the price (unit price), and the seat number corresponding to this are stored in association with each other. Further, the ticket purchase time and the terminal number of the ticket vending machine 1 that issued the ticket may be linked together and stored.

  The seat information file and the menu information file may be used as a customer information file. In this case, the contents of the seat information file and the menu information file are directly recorded in the customer information file.

  Next, the customer inserts money from the bill insertion slot 13 and the coin insertion slot 17 (the insertion of money may be performed at an earlier stage), and presses the ticket issuing button g43 on the menu selection screen G4. As a result, the amount of the product selected by the checkout process is subtracted from the inserted amount, and the change is paid out from the banknote return slot 15 and the coin return slot 19 (step ST15). The meal ticket is printed and discharged from the meal ticket outlet 21 (step ST16). When a plurality of types of products are selected, a plurality of meal tickets are discharged. That is, the CPU 35 or the like that executes step 15 is a settlement unit that performs a settlement process based on customer information, and the CPU 35 or the like that executes step 16 is a ticket issuing unit that issues a ticket based on the customer information and the settlement process.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of the meal ticket 120. As shown in the figure, on the meal ticket 120, a store name 121, an issue date and time 123, a seat number 125, a product name 127, a quantity 129, and a barcode 131 are printed. By confirming the seat number 125 displayed on the meal ticket 120, the customer can definitely sit in the seat selected by the customer.

  Note that the CPU 35 or the like that executes the above-described steps ST8 and ST13 is a prohibiting unit that prohibits ticketing by the ticketing unit when customer information is not generated.

[When selecting products for the first time]
In this case, first, in step ST1 shown in FIG. 5, the initial screen G1 shown in FIG. 6 is displayed, and the menu selection button g11 in the initial screen G1 is pressed. Accordingly, the process proceeds to step ST9 via steps ST2 and ST3, and the menu selection screen G4 is displayed. Then, after generating menu information by performing the same operation as described above in steps ST10 and ST11, the process reaches steps ST12 and ST13. In this case, seat selection has not yet been performed. G2 is displayed and seat information is generated by proceeding to steps ST6 and ST7 in the same manner as described above. At this time, since menu information has already been generated, the process proceeds from step ST8 to step ST14. Customer information is generated by combining with the menu information, and recorded in the RAM 37 as a customer information file as shown in FIG. Then, a settlement process is performed (step ST15), and a meal ticket is printed and issued (step ST16).

[For takeout]
In this case, first, in step ST1 shown in FIG. 5, the initial screen G1 shown in FIG. 6 is displayed, and the takeout button g13 in the initial screen G1 is pressed. Accordingly, the process proceeds to step ST9 via step ST2, and the menu selection screen G4 is displayed. In step ST10 and ST11, the same operation as described above is performed to generate menu information, and then the process proceeds to step ST12. In this case, a takeout declaration is made, so the process proceeds to step ST14 (that is, seat designation is performed). Not), customer information is generated by the menu information, and recorded in the RAM 37 as a customer information file. The customer information file at this time is in a state where the seat number is blank from the customer information file shown in FIG. That is, in the case of take-out, when the take-out button (take-out declaration) g13 displayed on the operation display unit 11 is selected, the customer information generating means generates customer information using only menu information. Then, a settlement process is performed (step ST15), and a meal ticket is printed and issued (step ST16). Instead of the seat number 125, a take-out number or the like may be printed on the food ticket in the case of take-out. Above, description to step ST1-ST16 is complete | finished.

  And the customer information produced | generated by the above steps ST1-ST16 is transmitted to the kitchen terminal (external device, terminal device) 101 in the store which installed this ticket vending machine 1 in step 17, and is used as a cooking instruction of goods. It is output and printed or displayed on the screen. That is, the CPU 35 and the communication unit 41 that output customer information to an external device are output means. In this cooking instruction, at least the product name and seat number in the customer information are displayed, and the product can be cooked by the product name, and the finished product can be confirmed by checking the seat number, Can be transported to the correct seat as ordered. Each seat has a seat number. The notation method may be indicated on the table or the number tag may be hung from the ceiling, and the seat is specified by the NFC (Near Field Communication) built into the pager terminal and table described below. Such a mechanism may be used. In the case of take-out, when customer information is output to the kitchen terminal 101, if the take-out number is also output, the cooked product is more reliably confirmed by the customer who ordered it by matching the take-out number printed on the meal ticket. Can be handed over.

  When a meal is completed at a seat carrying all of the ordered products and the seat becomes vacant, the store clerk confirms that the seat has become vacant from the portable terminal 104 owned by the store, for example, the ticket vending machine 1 or the store. To the management apparatus 103 or the like. As a result, the seat state stored in the RAM 37 in the ticket vending machine 1 is updated. Thus, a series of meal ticket issuing processes is completed.

  16 and 17 are diagrams showing examples of other seat designation screens G2-2 (part 2) and G2-3 (part 2). In the case of the seat designation screen G2-2 (No. 2), in addition to the type of seat ("for 4 people", "for 6 people"), the non-smoking area and the smoking area are displayed separately. Increased freedom of choice. Furthermore, in the case of the seat designation screen G2-3 (No. 2), the table attributes (box seats, private rooms, etc. in addition to the normal seats) are also displayed separately, increasing the degree of freedom of customer selection. Yes. The reserved seat button g29 displayed on the seat designation screen G2-3 (No. 2) is a button for reserving to use later (desired time). That is, after pressing the reserved seat button g29, the reservation of the seat and the product can be performed by specifying the reservation time, the seat, the product, and the like.

  Note that the seat layout screens G3 and G3-2 and the menu selection screen G4 (that is, the seat state and menu) displayed on the operation display unit 11 are, for example, in an event (festival etc.) performed in the time zone, season, or neighborhood. Accordingly, it is preferable to provide display changing means capable of changing at least one of them. For example, since customer segments are different between day and night, it is preferable that the display content of the operation display unit 11 can be changed accordingly. Specifically, in the daytime, for example, the menu is centered on a lunch set, and the seating is centered on a seat for one or two people. On the other hand, at night, for example, a menu mainly for cooking taking into consideration drinking, and a seating state in which seats for groups are increased by 4 to 6 people from the daytime. Also, for example, depending on the season, the menu may be a seasonal menu or a menu corresponding to an event specific to each season (festivals in summer, Christmas in winter, etc.). The change of the menu and the seat state as described above may be set in advance (for example, various image patterns are stored in the RAM 37 in advance), the setting may be changed by a store operator's direct operation, or externally. It may be based on data reception from the apparatus.

Further, for example, the following three patterns can be considered for switching between the seat designation screen and the menu selection screen.
(1) Pattern of freedom of travel For example, when selecting a menu, a button for changing to a seat designation screen (seat designation screen transition button) is displayed in the menu selection screen, while when selecting a seat, the menu is selected in the seat designation screen A button for transitioning to the screen (menu selection screen transition button) is displayed. The user can freely go back and forth between the two screens, and each transition button may simultaneously display a status indicating the selection status.
For example, on the menu selection screen, a seat designation screen transition button is displayed, and it is made possible to recognize whether a seat has been designated by characters, color, or shape in the vicinity of the button.
Then, a settlement process button for transitioning to the settlement process screen can be pressed on condition that both pieces of information have been confirmed.
(2) Serial operation pattern When either menu selection or seat designation is selected on the initial screen, the selection is advanced in order and the payment is settled (= ticketing).
For example, if menu selection is selected first, a necessary menu is selected on the menu selection screen, and a menu confirmation button is pressed at the end of the menu selection. When the button is pressed, the screen automatically changes to the seat selection screen, the seat is specified, and the seat confirmation button is pressed at the end of the seat specification. When the button is pressed, the screen automatically changes to the checkout screen.
(3) Screen division pattern This is a pattern in which the operation screen is divided into left and right or top and bottom, and menu selection and seat designation are advanced in parallel. Allow the checkout button to be pressed on condition that both screens are confirmed.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the technical idea described in the claims and the specification and drawings. Is possible. It should be noted that any configuration not directly described in the specification and drawings is within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention as long as the effects and advantages of the present invention are exhibited. For example, in the above example, when there are a plurality of products to be specified, the ticket issuing button g43 is pressed after selecting a plurality of products. However, the ticket issuing button g43 is pressed every time one product is selected. May be. In the seat layout screen G3, two distinctions are provided for each seat, that is, a vacant seat and in use, but other distinctions such as a preparation that is not currently designated may be provided.

  Moreover, although the example which applied this invention to the ticket vending machine was shown in the said example, this invention is not limited to a ticket vending machine, For example, the vending machine of the structure which transmits order data to the kitchen terminal of a kitchen, without issuing a food ticket Etc. That is, for example, the vending machine is used for an interface between a customer and a store, displays and inputs various screens, and other configurations may be provided in a higher-level model (for example, a management device) or other devices. For example, data storage and calculation processing may be performed by a management apparatus connected to a network, and ticketing and settlement may be performed by a ticketing apparatus such as a printer and a settlement apparatus provided separately.

  In the above example, what is output is a meal ticket, but it can also be output to this using a pager terminal instead. A pager terminal is a small and portable electronic terminal used in food courts and the like. As an example of the usage method, a customer places an order at a manned POS terminal, and the store clerk hands this pager terminal to the customer after payment. The pager terminal and the item ordered by the customer are linked, and when cooking of the ordered item is completed, a message to the effect of completion is transmitted wirelessly to the pager terminal. The pager terminal that has received the completion notification notifies the customer of the completion of cooking of the ordered product by performing a predetermined operation, for example, the built-in vibrator vibrates, the buzzer sounds, or the LED blinks. It is a mechanism that can.

  In addition, a function for sharing a table may be added. In other words, in a time zone when the store is crowded, some of the seats used by a plurality of people may be displayed as seats permitted for sharing. For example, when a three-person customer selects a shared seat for four people, the remaining one seat is set so that it can be selected thereafter. At that time, even if it is a shared seat, you may be configured to display on the screen a button indicating that the shared seat is not permitted after the seat is selected. Is set so that it cannot be selected thereafter.

  A function for accepting additional orders may be added. Normally, at a store with a ticket vending machine, purchase processing is performed only at the ticket vending machine, but in order to meet the demands of customers who want to place additional orders in the store, a configuration in which additional orders can be placed from the order terminal carried by the customer service in the store. May be added. For example, at the time of addition, a slip that is issued when an order is placed at an order terminal can be settled by a separately provided POS terminal. Further, in the above system, the ticket vending machine and the additional order slip are separated, so as a method for unifying them, the bar code 131 and the food ticket number shown in FIG. You can print an identifier such as not shown) (mainly customer information), read this barcode (identifier) 131 at the order terminal (or manually enter the food ticket number), and enter the additional order to sell the ticket. It is good also as a structure which prints on the slip | settlement together with the adjustment content in a machine, and an additional content. When leaving the store, the voucher is used to pay only the additional amount at the POS terminal. It is preferable that the slip is issued in a format in which the amount purchased at the ticket machine and the added amount can be identified. Furthermore, the adjustment of the above additional order is not limited to the POS terminal, and the ticket vending machine can be adjusted by reading the identifier printed on the slip issued from the order terminal in the payment mode. good.

  In addition, the above-mentioned vending machine shows a mode in which the three operations of order reception / seat designation / checkout processing are performed at once. However, depending on the store's business condition and time zone, only order reception / checkout processing, or order reception / seat You may comprise so that modes, such as only specification or only adjustment processing, may be used properly.

1 ticket vending machine (vending machine) 11 operation display section (touch panel, display means)
13 banknote insertion slot 15 banknote return slot 17 coin insertion slot 19 coin return slot 21 food ticket outlet 23 change return lever 25 call button 35 CPU
37 RAM (storage means) 39 ROM (storage means)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 41 Communication part 43 Money identification part 45 Money dispensing part 47 Food ticket printing issue part 49 Speech synthesis part 51 Speaker 53 Timekeeping circuit 100 Ticket sales system 101 Kitchen terminal (terminal for shop assistant, external device)
102 Access Point 103 Management Device for Store 104 Mobile Terminal 105 LAN
107 network 109 head office management device G1 initial screen g11 menu selection button g12 seat designation button g13 takeout button G2 seat designation screen g21 seat guidance button g23 seat layout button g25 select button G3 seat layout screen (seat designation screen)
g31 Seat G3-2 Seat layout screen (seat designation screen)
G4 Menu selection screen g41 Product display section g42 Scheduled purchase details section g43 Ticket issue button g45 Redo button g47 Receipt button g49 Accounting display section 120 Food ticket 121 Store name 123 Issued date 125 Seat number 127 Product name 129 Quantity G2-2 Seat designation screen G2- 3 Seat selection screen g29 Reserved seat button 131 Bar code

Claims (8)

A display means for displaying a menu provided in the store and a seat state in the store;
Menu selection means for selecting a menu desired by the customer from the menu displayed by the display means;
Seat designation means for designating a seat to be used by a customer from the seat state in the store displayed by the display means;
Customer information generating means for generating customer information by combining the menu information of the menu selected by the menu selecting means and the seat information of the seat specified by the seat specifying means;
Output means for outputting the customer information;
Vending machine characterized by comprising.   The vending machine according to claim 1, wherein the output means transmits the customer information to a clerk terminal. Checkout means for enabling checkout after the customer information generation means generates the customer information;
The vending machine according to claim 1, further comprising ticket issuing means for issuing a ticket based on at least the customer information after the settlement is completed.   The ticket vending machine according to claim 3, further comprising a prohibiting unit that prohibits ticketing by the ticketing unit when the customer information is not generated.   When the take-out declaration displayed by the display means is selected, the customer information generating means includes the menu information or the take-out declaration means for generating the customer information from information indicating take-out and enabling output. The vending machine according to claim 3.   The vending machine according to claim 1, further comprising a same-seat guiding unit that guides the next seat to the same seat or a nearby seat designated by the previous customer.   The vending machine according to claim 1, wherein the seat state is information indicating whether at least each seat is vacant, in use, or in preparation based on a seat type or a seat layout in the store. A display step for displaying a menu provided in the store and a seating state in the store;
A menu selection step for selecting a menu desired by the customer from the displayed menu;
Before or after the menu selection step, and a seat designation step for designating a seat to be used by a customer from the displayed seat state in the store;
An output step of outputting customer information generated by combining the menu information of the menu selected in the menu selection step and the seat information of the seat specified in the seat specification step;
A sales method characterized by comprising:

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