JP2017142727A - Seat management device, seat management method, and computer program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a seat management device, a seat management method, and a computer program which can improve user-friendliness and increase a seat use rate simultaneously.SOLUTION: The seat management device according to an embodiment has a seat assigning unit and a seat releasing unit. The seat assigning unit selects a seat satisfying a prescribed assignment condition designated by a user, from among seats not assigned by any user out of seats as management objects and assigns the seat to the user. The seat releasing unit transmits, to a terminal of a user satisfying a prescribed condition out of users to whom seats are assigned by the seat assigning unit, a seat release request for releasing a seat assigned to the user, and releases the seat if information indicative of approval of the user to the seat release request is received from the terminal. The seat assigning unit notifies the terminal of the user that a seat satisfying the assignment condition can be reserved, at timing when the seat becomes selectable.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to a seat management apparatus, a seat management method, and a computer program.

  In recent years, in many large commercial facilities, food courts have attracted attention as important facilities that contribute to increasing users. For this reason, each large commercial facility has succeeded in increasing the food court seat utilization rate by taking measures to increase the food court's ability to attract customers. However, a high seat utilization rate may cause the following dissatisfaction for food court users.

  For example, one of the dissatisfactions that users have is that it is difficult to find a vacant seat. Even if a vacant seat is found, it may be secured by another person while leaving the seat for an order. In order to prevent other people from securing the seat, it may be possible to leave the seat with an indication that the seat is in use. Another complaint is that when the end of the meal is approaching, people who try to secure seats around gather, and cannot eat slowly.

  In order to solve such problems, several techniques for supporting the optimum operation of the food court have been proposed. However, in the prior art, there is a possibility that a long line is formed in the management system installed at the entrance of the food court. The stagnation of users at the entrance of the food court tends to be a bottleneck for increasing the seat utilization rate, and can be a hindrance to the original purpose of increasing the number of users of commercial facilities using the food court. As described above, in the conventional technology, there is a possibility that it is impossible to improve both user convenience and increase the seat utilization rate.

JP2015-111323A JP 2014-170383 A

Wisdom blog, for those who want to create tomorrow's business, Asunaro editor's face, "Innovative food court", http: // blog. blwisdom. com / staff / 201003 / article_111. html

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a seat management apparatus, a seat management method, and a computer program capable of improving both user convenience and increasing the seat utilization rate. .

  The seat management apparatus according to the embodiment includes a seat assignment unit and a seat opening unit. The seat allocation unit selects a seat that satisfies a predetermined allocation condition designated by the user from among the seats that are not allocated to any user among the seats to be managed, and allocates the seat to the user. The seat opening unit transmits a seat opening request for requesting opening of the seat to a user terminal satisfying a predetermined condition among the users assigned seats by the seat assignment unit, and the seat from the terminal The seat is opened when information indicating the user's consent to the opening request is received. The seat allocation unit notifies the user terminal that the seat can be secured at a timing when a seat satisfying the allocation condition can be selected.

The figure which shows the outline of the food court 200 by which a seat is managed by the seat management system of 1st Embodiment. The figure which shows the specific example of the system configuration | structure of the seat management system 100 of 1st Embodiment. The block diagram which shows the specific example of a function structure of the seat management apparatus 1 in 1st Embodiment. The figure which shows the specific example of request information. The figure which shows the specific example of status information. The block diagram which shows the specific example of a function structure of the user terminal 4 in 1st Embodiment. The figure which shows the specific example of the user interface with which the seat management apparatus 1 is provided. The block diagram which shows the specific example of a function structure of the user detection apparatus 3 in 1st Embodiment. The sequence diagram which shows the flow of the process in which the seat management apparatus 1 receives the input of a seat allocation request in the seat management system of 1st Embodiment. The sequence diagram which shows the flow of the process of seat reservation in the seat management system of 1st Embodiment. The figure which shows the specific example of an allocation notification screen. The sequence diagram which shows the flow of the 1st seat opening process in the seat management system of 1st Embodiment. The sequence diagram which shows the flow of the 2nd seat opening process in the seat management system of 1st Embodiment. The sequence diagram which shows the flow of the 3rd seat opening process in the seat management system of 1st Embodiment. The figure which shows the specific example of the system configuration | structure of the seat management system 100a of 2nd Embodiment. The block diagram which shows the specific example of a function structure of the seat management apparatus 1a in 2nd Embodiment. The block diagram which shows the specific example of a function structure of the user terminal 4a in 2nd Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, a seat management device, a seat management method, and a computer program according to embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an outline of a food court 200 in which seats are managed by the seat management system according to the first embodiment. The food court 200 is a space composed of stores 20-1 to 20-6 that sell meals to users, and an eating and drinking space 300 equipped with seats for users to eat and drink purchased meals. In each of the stores 20-1 to 20-6, cash registers 30-1 to 30-6 for collecting charges from users are installed. The user arranges before the cash register at each store and pays the charges in order.

  In the eating and drinking space 300, a plurality of tables 311, 312, 313, and 314 having different numbers of users and different usage forms are installed. The table 311 is a table that assumes use by four people, and the table 312 is a table that assumes use by two people. Tables 313 and 314 are tables that are assumed to be for personal use at a common table. A circle 320 in the eating and drinking space 300 represents a seat arranged on each table.

  The seat management device 1 is a device that manages assignment and release of seats in the eating and drinking space 300 to users. In the example of FIG. 1, a total of three seat management apparatuses 1 are installed at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the table 313 and one end in the longitudinal direction of the table 314. 1 may be different. Specifically, the seat management apparatus 1 accepts an input of a seat assignment request by a user. The seat management apparatus 1 selects a seat satisfying the requested condition from unassigned seats (hereinafter referred to as “vacant seat”) and notifies the user.

  The seat terminal 2 is a terminal installed for each seat or table of the food court 200, and has a function of authenticating the seat user (hereinafter referred to as “authentication function”) and a function of notifying the state of the seat (hereinafter referred to as “the seat function”). And “notification function”). For example, the seat terminal 2 stores information (hereinafter referred to as “seat information”) indicating the state of a seat (hereinafter referred to as “corresponding seat”) associated with the own device, and the seat is transmitted and received by the seat information. The state of the corresponding seat is shared with the management device 1. For example, the seat terminal 2 updates the seat information in response to an input regarding the use of the corresponding seat (for example, an input for starting or ending use). The seat terminal 2 performs a user authentication process in response to an input related to the use of the seat, and updates the seat information when the user is recognized as valid in the authentication process. This authentication process is performed based on reception information to be described later. The reception information is transmitted from the seat management apparatus 1 in advance when a seat is allocated to a user. The seat terminal 2 acquires the reception information from the user's terminal in the authentication process, and authenticates the user as a valid user when the acquired reception information matches the reception information acquired in advance. . In addition, the seat terminal 2 includes an information output unit that outputs information such as images and sounds, and notifies the state of the seat by sound output and image display. The seat terminal 2 is an apparatus provided to prevent the seat from being secured or used by an unauthorized user by providing such an authentication function and a notification function.

  The geofence 40 is a virtual boundary line provided for detecting a user near the food court 200. The position information of the geofence 40 is set in the user detection device 3 described later. The geofence 40 is used for user detection by the user detection device 3 together with position information transmitted from the user terminal.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of the system configuration of the seat management system 100 according to the first embodiment. The seat management system 100 includes a seat management device 1, a seat terminal 2, and a user detection device 3. The seat management device 1, the seat terminal 2, and the user detection device 3 can communicate with each other via a network 50 such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or a WAN (Wide Area Network). The user terminal 4 is a terminal used for a user to secure a seat of the food court 200 using the seat management system 100. The user terminal 4 can communicate with the seat management device 1, the seat terminal 2, and the user detection device 3 by wireless communication.

  The seat management apparatus 1 transmits reception information, a seat assignment notification, and a seat opening request to the user terminal 4. The reception information is information for identifying each user's seat assignment request input to the seat management apparatus 1. When a seat assignment request is input by the user, the seat management apparatus 1 generates reception information for the input seat assignment request, and stores the requested seat assignment condition and the reception information in association with each other. The seat management apparatus 1 transmits the generated reception information to the user terminal 4 of the user who has input the seat assignment request. The seat allocation notification is a notification for notifying the user that a seat satisfying the conditions indicated by the seat allocation request can be secured. The seat opening request is a notification that prompts the seat user who has been secured continuously for a predetermined time or longer to open the seat.

  The seat management apparatus 1 transmits and receives seat information to and from each seat terminal 2 installed in the food court 200. The seat management apparatus 1 notifies the seat terminal 2 that a seat has been secured or opened by transmitting seat information. Further, the seat terminal 2 transmits to the seat management apparatus 1 that the use of the seat has been started or ended by transmitting seat information.

  The user detection device 3 transmits detection information to the seat management device 1. The detection information is information indicating the food court 200 and seat applicants present in the vicinity thereof. The seat applicant is a user who inputs a seat assignment request to the seat management apparatus 1 (hereinafter referred to as “seat applicant”). Specifically, the user detection device 3 uses the position information of the user terminal 4 of the seat requester and the position information of the geofence 40 based on the position information of the user terminal 4 of the seat requester. Is generated as detection information.

  The user terminal 4 transmits the reception information acquired from the seat management device 1 to the seat terminal 2 in response to a user's operation for starting or ending use of the seat. The seat terminal 2 authenticates the user of the seat associated with the own device based on the reception information transmitted from the user terminal 4. Further, the user terminal 4 starts transmitting the position information of the own device to the user detection device 3 in response to the reception information acquired from the seat management device 1.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a specific example of a functional configuration of the seat management apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment. The seat management apparatus 1 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a memory, an auxiliary storage device, and the like connected by a bus, and executes a seat management program. The seat management apparatus 1 includes a first communication unit 11, a second communication unit 12, a third communication unit 13, a storage unit 14, a request reception unit 15, a seat allocation unit 16, a state management unit 17, and a seat by executing a seat management program. It functions as a device including the opening 18. All or some of the functions of the seat management apparatus 1 may be realized by using hardware such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (PLD), or a field programmable gate array (FPGA). . The seat management program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. The computer-readable recording medium is, for example, a portable medium such as a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, a ROM, a CD-ROM, or a storage device such as a hard disk built in the computer system. The seat management program may be transmitted via a telecommunication line.

  The first communication unit 11 includes a communication interface that connects its own device to the network 50. The first communication unit 11 communicates with the seat terminal 2 and the user detection device 3 via the network 50.

  The 2nd communication part 12 and the 3rd communication part 13 are provided with the communication interface for an own apparatus to communicate with the user terminal 4. FIG. For example, the second communication unit 12 includes a communication interface capable of wireless communication according to a near field communication standard such as NFC (Near Field Communication). For example, the 3rd communication part 13 is provided with the communication interface which can be wirelessly communicated by communication standards, such as wireless LAN and a mobile communication network.

  In FIG. 3, the solid line connecting the first communication unit 11, the seat terminal 2, and the user detection device 3 indicates that the communication between the first communication unit 11, the seat terminal 2, and the user detection device 3 is wired communication. It represents that. Moreover, the broken line which connects the 2nd communication part 12 and the 3rd communication part 13, and the user terminal 4 is that the communication between the 2nd communication part 12, the 3rd communication part 13, and the user terminal 4 is wireless communication. Represents that. In addition, when it is connectable via the network 50 to a network to which the user terminal 4 such as the Internet or a wireless LAN can be connected, the first communication unit 11 and the third communication unit 13 may be integrated into one communication unit. Good. Moreover, the communication between the 1st communication part 11, the seat terminal 2, and the user detection apparatus 3 may be implement | achieved by radio | wireless communication.

  The storage unit 14 is configured using a storage device such as a magnetic hard disk device or a semiconductor storage device. The storage unit 14 stores request information and state information. The request information is information relating to a seat assignment request of each seat applicant. The state information is information indicating the states of all seats to be managed by the seat management apparatus 1.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of request information. For example, the request information is stored in the storage unit 14 as a request information table 141 shown in FIG. The request information table 141 has a request information record for each reception ID. The request information record has values of reception ID, allocation condition, and registration time. The reception ID is identification information of a seat assignment request received by the own device. The assignment condition represents a condition related to seat assignment specified by a seat assignment request indicated by the reception ID. For example, in the example of FIG. 4, the number of seats requested to be assigned to the seat management apparatus 1 is specified as the assignment condition. The registration time represents the time when the seat assignment request indicated by the reception ID is received. The request information table 141 is updated by the request receiving unit 15.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of the state information. For example, the state information is stored in the storage unit 14 as the state information table 142 illustrated in FIG. The state information table 142 has a state information record for each seat ID. The state information record has values of a seat ID, a table ID, a reception ID, a seat reservation time, and a use start time. The seat ID is identification information of seats to be managed by the seat management apparatus 1 (for example, all seats of the food court 200). The table ID is identification information of a table in which the seat indicated by the seat ID is installed. The reception ID is identification information of a seat assignment request to which the seat indicated by the seat ID is assigned. The seat reservation time represents the time at which the seat indicated by the seat ID is assigned to the seat assignment request indicated by the reception ID. The use start time represents the time when the use of the seat indicated by the seat ID is started by the user assigned the seat. The state information table 142 is updated by the seat assignment unit 16, the state management unit 17, and the seat opening unit 18.

  Returning to the description of FIG. The request receiving unit 15 receives an input of a seat assignment request for the own device. The request receiving unit 15 stores the contents of the seat assignment request input to the own device as request information.

  The seat assignment unit 16 assigns a seat to a seat applicant based on the seat information and the reception information. Specifically, the seat allocation unit 16 selects a desired number of seats indicated by the reception information from the vacant seats according to the availability of the seats indicated by the seat information. The seat assignment unit 16 notifies the user terminal 4 of the selected seat. Hereinafter, this notification is referred to as seat assignment notification.

  Note that the criteria for the seat allocation unit 16 to select the desired number of seats from the available seats may be any criteria. Any existing method may be used as a method by which the seat allocation unit 16 selects a desired number of seats from the vacant seats. Hereinafter, an example of a seat selection criterion and a selection method performed by the seat assignment unit 16 will be described.

  For example, as one of seat selection methods by the seat allocation unit 16, there is a method of applying a dynamic memory allocation algorithm in information engineering. In this case, for example, the seat allocation unit 16 manages the seats to be managed with a binary tree based on the proximity of each seat, so that the desired number of seats can be selected from the empty seats. The closest seat may be selected.

  Further, for example, when the seat assignment request includes information indicating the desired seat position, the seat assignment unit 16 may be configured not to select a seat that does not meet the request. Thereby, for example, the user can secure a seat near the desired store.

  Based on the seat information transmitted from the seat terminal 2, the state management unit 17 manages the state of the seats for all seats to be managed. Specifically, the state management unit 17 updates the state information stored in the storage unit 14 based on the seat information.

  The seat opening unit 18 transmits a seat opening request to a user who satisfies a predetermined condition among the users who have secured the seat. The predetermined condition related to the user to be notified may be arbitrarily set. For example, the seat opening unit 18 may be configured to transmit a seat opening request to the user terminal 4 corresponding to a seat for which a predetermined time has elapsed since the assignment was performed. In addition, for example, the seat opening unit 18 may be configured to transmit a seat opening request to the user terminal 4 corresponding to a seat that has not been used within a predetermined time after assignment. Further, for example, the seat opening unit 18 may be configured to transmit a seat opening request to the user terminal 4 corresponding to a seat whose usage time exceeds a predetermined time.

  In addition, the seat opening unit 18 opens the seat in accordance with the user selection information returned from the user terminal 4 in response to the seat opening request. Specifically, the seat opening unit 18 updates the seat information stored in the storage unit 14 in accordance with user selection information. When the seat is opened, the seat opening unit 18 transmits an opening notification to the seat terminal 2 of the seat.

  In the transmission of the reception information or the seat opening request, address information on the network is required for the user terminal 4 that is the transmission destination. The address information of the user terminal 4 may be address information based on any communication protocol as long as the information can be transmitted to the user terminal 4. For example, the address information may be an e-mail address or an IP (Internet Protocol) address. The address information may be registered in advance in the seat management apparatus 1 or may be input to the seat management apparatus 1 as part of a seat assignment request. The address information may be notified to the seat management apparatus 1 by the user terminal 4 that has received the reception information.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a specific example of a functional configuration of the user terminal 4 according to the first embodiment. The user terminal 4 includes a CPU, a memory, an auxiliary storage device, and the like connected by a bus, and executes a user terminal program. By executing the user terminal program, the user terminal 4 includes a first communication unit 401, a second communication unit 402, a display unit 403, an input unit 404, a storage unit 405, a reception information acquisition unit 406, a start / end unit 407, and a notification reception unit 408. And it functions as an apparatus provided with the positional information transmission part 409. All or some of the functions of the user terminal 4 may be realized using hardware such as ASIC, PLD, or FPGA. The user terminal program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. The computer-readable recording medium is, for example, a portable medium such as a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, a ROM, a CD-ROM, or a storage device such as a hard disk built in the computer system. The user terminal program may be transmitted via a telecommunication line.

The first communication unit 401 includes a communication interface for the user terminal 4 to communicate with the second communication unit 12 and the seat terminal 2 of the seat management device 1.
The second communication unit 402 includes a communication interface for the user terminal 4 to communicate with the third communication unit 13 of the seat management device 1.

The display unit 403 is configured using a display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display.
The input unit 404 is configured using an input device such as a button or a touch panel.

  The storage unit 405 is configured using a storage device such as a magnetic hard disk device or a semiconductor storage device. The storage unit 405 stores reception information transmitted from the seat management device 1.

  The reception information acquisition unit 406 acquires reception information from the seat management device 1 through communication with the seat management device 1 via the first communication unit 401. The reception information acquisition unit 406 causes the storage unit 405 to store the acquired reception information.

  The start / end unit 407 notifies the seat terminal 2 that the user of the own device starts or ends the use of the corresponding seat. Specifically, the start / end unit 407 transmits reception information to the seat terminal 2.

  In response to receiving various notifications transmitted from the seat management apparatus 1, the notification reception unit 408 transmits response information indicating the user's intention to the notifications to the seat management apparatus 1.

  The position information transmission unit 409 can acquire the position information of the own device. For example, the position information transmission unit 409 includes a communication interface that communicates with a positioning system such as GPS (Global Positioning System). The position information transmission unit 409 starts acquiring position information in response to reception of reception information by the reception information acquisition unit 406. The position information transmission unit 409 transmits the acquired position information of the own device to the user detection device 3.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of a user interface provided in the seat management apparatus 1. For example, the seat management apparatus 1 includes a display unit 110, an input unit 120, and a terminal authentication unit 130. The display unit 110 is configured using a display device such as a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) display, a liquid crystal display, or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display. The display unit 110 displays an operation screen related to input of a seat assignment request. The input unit 120 is configured using an input device such as a mouse, a keyboard, or a touch panel. For example, the seat management apparatus 1 in the example of FIG. 7 includes a numeric keypad as the input unit 120. The user inputs seat assignment conditions to the seat management apparatus 1 by operating the input unit 120 in accordance with the operation menu displayed on the display unit 110. The input seat assignment request is output to the request receiving unit 15. The terminal authentication unit 130 is an area where the user holds the user terminal 4 over the seat management apparatus 1 in order to communicate with the seat management apparatus 1. Specifically, the terminal authentication unit 130 includes the second communication unit 12. The request reception unit 15 transmits reception information to the user terminal 4 held over the terminal authentication unit 130 via the second communication unit 12.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a specific example of a functional configuration of the user detection device 3 according to the first embodiment. The user detection device 3 includes a CPU, a memory, an auxiliary storage device, and the like connected by a bus, and executes a user detection program. The user detection device 3 functions as a device including the communication unit 31, the storage unit 32, the position information acquisition unit 33, and the user detection unit 34 by executing the user detection program. Note that all or part of the functions of the user detection device 3 may be realized using hardware such as an ASIC, PLD, or FPGA. The user detection program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. The computer-readable recording medium is, for example, a portable medium such as a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, a ROM, a CD-ROM, or a storage device such as a hard disk built in the computer system. The user detection program may be transmitted via a telecommunication line.

  The communication unit 31 includes a communication interface for the user detection device 3 to communicate with the user terminal 4.

  The storage unit 32 is configured using a storage device such as a magnetic hard disk device or a semiconductor storage device. The storage unit 32 stores detection range information. The detection range information is information indicating a range in which a user is detected (hereinafter referred to as “detection range”). For example, the detection range is an area indicated by the geofence 40.

  The position information acquisition unit 33 acquires the position information of the user terminal 4 from the user terminal 4. The position information acquisition unit 33 outputs the position information acquired from the user terminal 4 to the user detection unit 34.

  The user detection unit 34 detects a seat applicant who is located near the food court 200. Specifically, the user detection unit 34 detects the user terminal 4 located within the detection range indicated by the detection range information based on the position information of the user terminal 4 and the detection range information. The user detection unit 34 transmits information indicating the user terminal 4 detected within the detection range to the seat management apparatus 1 as detection information.

  FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram illustrating a flow of processing in which the seat management apparatus 1 receives an input of a seat assignment request in the seat management system according to the first embodiment. First, the input unit 120 of the seat management apparatus 1 receives an input of a seat assignment request for the own apparatus (step S101). The input unit 120 outputs the input seat assignment request to the request reception unit 15. The request reception unit 15 generates reception information for the seat assignment request output from the input unit 120 (step S102). The request reception unit 15 registers the generated reception information in the request information of its own device in association with the input seat assignment request (step S103).

  When the seat assignment request is registered, the request reception unit 15 causes the display unit 110 to display a display prompting the user to hold the user terminal 4 over the terminal authentication unit 130. Here, the user holds the user terminal 4 over the terminal authentication unit 130 in accordance with the display on the display unit 110. The request reception unit 15 transmits the generated reception information to the user terminal 4 via the second communication unit 12 (Step S104).

  The reception information acquisition unit 406 of the user terminal 4 receives the reception information transmitted from the seat management apparatus 1 (step S105). The reception information acquisition unit 406 stores the received reception information in the storage unit 405 (step S106).

  FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating a flow of seat securing processing in the seat management system according to the first embodiment. First, the seat assignment unit 16 of the seat management apparatus 1 selects the seat assignment request with the highest priority from the seat assignment requests registered in the request information (step S201). For example, when the request information in the example of FIG. 4 is registered, the seat assignment unit 16 selects the seat assignment request with the earliest registration time, with the early registration time as the priority. The seat allocation unit 16 determines whether there is a seat that satisfies the allocation condition specified by the selected seat allocation request among the vacant seats (step S202).

  When there is no seat satisfying the allocation condition in the vacant seat (step S202—NO), the seat allocation unit 16 selects the next highest priority seat allocation request (step S203), and repeats the process of step S202. On the other hand, when there is a seat satisfying the allocation condition in the vacant seat (step S202—YES), the seat allocation unit 16 notifies the user terminal 4 of the assignable seats by transmitting a seat allocation notification to the user terminal 4. (Step S204).

  The notification receiving unit 408 of the user terminal 4 receives the seat assignment notification transmitted from the seat management apparatus 1 (step S205). The notification receiving unit 408 notifies the user of reception of the seat assignment notification and prompts the user to select whether or not to secure the seat indicated by the seat assignment notification (hereinafter referred to as “assignment notification screen”). Is displayed on the display unit 403.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of an assignment notification screen. The assignment notification screen 500 includes a seat display area 510 indicating the position of the notified seat, and a selection input area 520. The seat display area 510 is an area in which the position of the seat notified by the seat assignment notification is displayed. In the example of FIG. 11, a seat surrounded by a broken line represents a seat selected by the seat management apparatus 1. The selection input area 520 is an area where a display prompting the user to input whether or not to approve the reservation of the seat displayed in the seat display area 510 is made. The input unit 404 receives a selection input by the user (step S206), and outputs the input information to the notification receiving unit 408. The notification receiving unit 408 generates selection information indicating the user's selection based on the input information, and transmits the selection information to the seat management apparatus 1 (step S207).

  The seat assignment unit 16 of the seat management apparatus 1 receives the selection information transmitted from the user terminal 4 (step S208). The seat assignment unit 16 determines whether seat assignment has been approved by the user based on the received selection information (step S209). If the seat assignment is not accepted (step S209—NO), the seat assignment unit 16 returns the process to step S203, and selects and processes the next highest priority seat assignment request.

  On the other hand, when the seat assignment is accepted (step S209—YES), the seat assignment unit 16 assigns the selected seat to the user (step S210). Specifically, the seat assignment unit 16 refers to the state information table 142 and selects a state information record corresponding to the selected seat. The seat allocation unit 16 registers the reception ID of the seat allocation request being processed in the reception ID of the selected state information record. The seat assignment unit 16 deletes the seat assignment request for which seat assignment has been completed from the request information (step S211). The seat allocation unit 16 determines whether there is another seat allocation request in the request information (step S212). When there is no other seat assignment request in the request information (step S212—NO), the seat assignment unit 16 ends the seat assignment process. On the other hand, when there is another seat assignment request in the request information (step S212—YES), the seat assignment unit 16 returns the process to step S201 and executes the seat assignment process for the other seat assignment request.

  FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram illustrating a flow of the first seat opening process in the seat management system according to the first embodiment. First, the seat opening unit 18 of the seat management apparatus 1 determines whether or not there is a seat assigned to the user (hereinafter referred to as “a reserved seat”) based on the state information (step S301). . If there is no reserved seat (step S301-NO), the seat opening unit 18 ends the seat opening process. On the other hand, if there is a reserved seat (YES in step S301), the seat opening unit 18 determines whether the reserved seat is in use (step S302). If the reserved seat is in use (step S302—YES), the seat opening unit 18 ends the seat opening process.

  On the other hand, when the reserved seat is not in use (step S302-NO), the seat opening unit 18 determines whether or not the elapsed time from the reservation of the reserved seat to the present is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value. (Step S303). If the elapsed time from when the reserved seat is secured to the current time is shorter than the predetermined threshold (step S303—NO), the seat opening unit 18 ends the seat opening process. On the other hand, if the elapsed time from the reservation of the reserved seat to the present is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold (step S303—YES), the seat opening unit 18 opens the seat to the user terminal 4 corresponding to the reserved seat. A request is transmitted (step S304).

  The notification receiving unit 408 of the user terminal 4 receives the seat opening request transmitted from the seat management apparatus 1 (step S305). The notification receiving unit 408 notifies the user of reception of the seat opening request and displays a screen (hereinafter referred to as “opening request screen”) that prompts the user to select whether or not to open the reserved seat. This is displayed on the part 403. For example, the release request screen is the same as the assignment notification screen 500 illustrated in FIG. 11, and the language displayed in the selection input area 520 is replaced with a language that prompts the user to select whether or not to accept the seat opening. It may be a screen. The input unit 404 receives an input of selection by the user (step S306), and outputs the input information to the notification receiving unit 408. The notification receiving unit 408 generates selection information indicating the user's selection based on the input information, and transmits the selection information to the seat management apparatus 1 (step S307).

  The seat opening unit 18 of the seat management apparatus 1 receives the selection information transmitted from the user terminal 4 (step S308). The seat opening unit 18 determines whether or not the user has accepted the opening of the seat based on the received selection information (step S309). When the opening of the seat is not approved (step S309-NO), the seat opening unit 18 ends the seat opening process. On the other hand, when the opening of the seat is accepted (step S309—YES), the seat opening unit 18 opens the reserved seat as an empty seat (step S310). Specifically, the seat opening unit 18 refers to the state information table 142 and selects a state information record corresponding to the reserved seat. The seat opening unit 18 deletes the value of the reception ID of the selected state information record, and updates the state information with the reserved seat as an empty seat.

  FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram illustrating a flow of the second seat opening process in the seat management system according to the first embodiment. In addition, about the process similar to the 1st seat opening process in a 2nd seat opening process, description is abbreviate | omitted by attaching | subjecting the same code | symbol as FIG. In the second seat opening process, when the reserved seat is in use (YES in step S302), the seat opening unit 18 determines whether the elapsed time from the start of use of the reserved seat to the present is a predetermined threshold value. It is determined whether or not this is the case (step S401). On the other hand, when the reserved seat is not in use (step S302—NO), the seat opening unit 18 ends the seat opening process.

  When the elapsed time from the start of use of the reserved seat to the present is shorter than a predetermined threshold (step S401—NO), the seat opening unit 18 ends the seat opening process. On the other hand, when the elapsed time from the start of use of the reserved seat to the present is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold (step S401—YES), the seat opening unit 18 opens the seat to the user terminal 4 corresponding to the reserved seat. Send a request.

  FIG. 14 is a sequence diagram illustrating a flow of a third seat opening process in the seat management system according to the first embodiment. In addition, about the process similar to the 1st seat opening process in a 3rd seat opening process, description is abbreviate | omitted by attaching | subjecting the same code | symbol as FIG. In the third seat opening process, the seat opening unit 18 determines that the user terminal 4 corresponding to the reserved seat is located within the range of the geofence 40 when the reserved seat is not in use (step S302—NO). It is determined whether or not there is (step S501). On the other hand, when the reserved seat is in use (step S302—YES), the seat opening unit 18 ends the seat opening process.

  When the user terminal 4 corresponding to the reserved seat is located within the range of the geofence 40 (step S501—YES), the seat opening unit 18 ends the seat opening process. On the other hand, if the user terminal 4 corresponding to the reserved seat is not located within the range of the geofence 40 (step S501-NO), the seat opening unit 18 requests the user terminal 4 corresponding to the reserved seat to open the seat. Send.

  In the seat management system 100 according to the first embodiment configured as described above, the seat management device 1 receives a request for seat assignment by a user, and at a timing when a seat satisfying the requested condition can be selected. Notify the user that the seat can be secured. Therefore, the seat management system 100 of 1st Embodiment can suppress generation | occurrence | production of the queue in the seat management apparatus 1, and can improve a user's convenience.

  In the seat management system 100 of the first embodiment, the seat management apparatus 1 is operated by a seat that has been secured for a predetermined time or more, a seat that has been used for a predetermined time or more, or a user who does not exist near the food court 200. For the reserved seat, the user is notified of the seat opening request. Therefore, the seat management system 100 according to the first embodiment can effectively open a seat that is unlikely to be used, and can increase the seat utilization rate. That is, the seat management system 100 according to the first embodiment can achieve both improvement in user convenience and increase in the seat utilization rate.

  Hereinafter, modifications of the seat management system 100 of the first embodiment will be described.

  In the above embodiment, the aspect in which the user inputs the seat assignment request to the seat management system 100 by operating the seat management system 100 has been described. However, the seat assignment request is realized by communication with the user terminal 4. Also good. For example, in this case, an application for using the seat management system 100 (hereinafter referred to as “seat securing application”) may be installed in the user terminal 4 in advance. For example, the user terminal 4 displays the operation screen similar to that shown in FIG. 7 by executing the seat securing application, and transmits a seat assignment condition input to the operation screen, thereby making a seat assignment request to the seat management apparatus 1. You may enter.

  In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the user existing near the food court 200 is detected based on the position information transmitted from the user terminal 4 is described. However, the user is detected by any other method. May be. For example, the user may be detected using a sensor such as an image sensor or an infrared sensor. Further, when the user terminal 4 includes a wireless communication interface such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark) or BLE (Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy), the user terminal 4 is detected by detecting the user terminal 4 capable of wireless communication. May be detected.

  The seat management apparatus 1 may be configured to transmit a seat opening request based on not only the current position information of the user terminal 4 but also a history of position information of the user terminal 4. For example, the seat management apparatus 1 may transmit a seat opening request when a user who has entered the food court 200 has left the food court 200.

  The seat allocation condition may include conditions other than the number of seats to be secured. For example, the seat assignment condition may include a condition related to a time when the user desires to secure a seat. In this case, the seat assignment unit 16 manages the assignment of seats to the user in the time zone, and updates the seat reservation status as time passes. Note that the seat reservation status can be managed, for example, by adding information indicating the reservation time zone of each seat to the status information record of the status information table 142. When the seat allocation unit 16 performs the seat allocation process, an unoccupied seat that is not reserved at that time and an unoccupied seat that is reserved in a time zone that does not overlap with the time zone specified in the allocation condition Select the number of seats specified in the assignment conditions from among them.

  In the first embodiment, the aspect in which the use start / end management (hereinafter referred to as “use management”) by the user is realized by using the seat terminal 2 has been described, but the use management of the seat is realized. The mode to perform is not limited to the mode using the seat terminal 2. The use management of the seat may be realized in any other manner as long as the use start or end of the user can be detected. For example, the seat usage management may be performed by the user detection device 3. In this case, the user detection device 3 acquires the information of the user who secured the seat from the seat management device 1 and detects that the user who secured the seat has entered the geofence 40. It may be determined that use of the seat by the person has started. Further, the user detecting device 3 may determine that the use of the seat by the user is terminated when it is detected that the user who has secured the seat has left the geofence 40. As described above, when the seat use management is realized without using the seat terminal 2, the seat management system 100 may not include the seat terminal 2.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of the system configuration of the seat management system 100a according to the second embodiment. The seat management system 100a is different from the seat management system 100 of the first embodiment in that a seat management apparatus 1a is provided instead of the seat management apparatus 1. The user terminal 4a in the second embodiment transmits a seat assignment request to the seat management apparatus 1a via the Internet 60. About another structure, it is the same as that of the seat management system 100 of 1st Embodiment. Therefore, about the structure similar to the seat management system 100, description is abbreviate | omitted by attaching | subjecting the same code | symbol as FIG.

  FIG. 16 is a block diagram illustrating a specific example of a functional configuration of the seat management apparatus 1a according to the second embodiment. The seat management device 1a is different from the seat management device 1 of the first embodiment in that the second communication unit 12 is not provided and a request reception unit 15a is provided instead of the request reception unit 15. The request receiving unit 15 a has a function of receiving a seat assignment request via the Internet 60. For example, the request receiving unit 15a has a function of an HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer) server. The request reception unit 15a displays a reception screen for allowing the user to input a seat assignment request to the user terminal 4 connected to the request reception unit 15a. For example, the user terminal 4 displays a reception screen similar to the operation screen illustrated in FIG. The request reception unit 15a acquires information input on the reception screen as a seat assignment request. The request reception unit 15a generates and stores reception information for the acquired seat assignment request and transmits the reception information to the user terminal 4a.

  FIG. 17 is a block diagram illustrating a specific example of a functional configuration of the user terminal 4a according to the second embodiment. The user terminal 4a differs from the user terminal 4 of the first embodiment in that a request transmission unit 410 is provided instead of the reception information acquisition unit 406. The request transmission unit 410 displays the reception screen on the display unit 403 by connecting to the request reception unit 15a of the seat management apparatus 1a. The request transmission unit 410 acquires input information for the reception screen from the input unit 404, and transmits the acquired input information to the request reception unit 15a as a seat assignment request. The request transmission unit 410 receives the reception information transmitted from the seat management apparatus 1a in response to the seat assignment request and stores the reception information in the storage unit 405.

  In the seat management system 100a of the second embodiment configured as described above, the user can secure the seat of the food court 200 without directly operating the seat management device 1a. Thus, in the seat management system 100a of the second embodiment, the user does not have to go to the seat management device 1a, so the convenience for the user is further improved.

  Hereinafter, modifications of the seat management system 100a of the second embodiment will be described.

  The request reception unit 15a may be configured to display the reception screen only for the user terminal 4a located within a predetermined range. For example, in this case, the request reception unit 15a acquires position information from the user terminal 4a connected to itself, and transmits the acquired position information to the user detection device 3. The user detection device 3 stores in advance position information of a second geofence different from the geofence 40. In response to the transmission of the position information from the seat management apparatus 1a, the user detection apparatus 3 determines whether the position information is a position within the range of the second geofence and responds to the seat management apparatus 1a. To do. The request reception unit 15a displays a reception screen on the user terminal 4a when it is determined that the user terminal 4a connected to the user detection device 3 is located within the range of the second geofence. . By providing such a configuration, the request receiving unit 15a can secure a seat for a user who exists within a limited range from the food court 200 to a certain extent, and can further increase the seat utilization rate. It becomes possible. For example, by setting the range of the second geofence to the range of the shopping mall site including the food court 200, it is possible to assign seats to users of the shopping mall.

  According to at least one embodiment described above, a seat that satisfies a predetermined allocation condition designated by a user is selected from seats that are not allocated to any user among seats to be managed. A seat assignment unit to be assigned to a user, and a seat release unit to send a seat release request for requesting the seat release to a user terminal satisfying a predetermined condition among the users to which seats are assigned by the seat assignment unit; Therefore, it is possible to improve both user convenience and increase the seat utilization rate.

  Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are also included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100,100a ... Seat management system, 200 ... Food court, 20-1-20-6 ... Store, 30-1-30-6 ... Cash register, 40 ... Geofence, 50 ... Network, 60 ... Internet, 300 ... Dining space , 311 to 314 ... table, 320 ... seat, 1, 1a ... seat management device, 11 ... first communication unit, 12 ... second communication unit, 13 ... third communication unit, 14 ... storage unit, 141 ... request information table , 142 ... status information table, 15, 15 a ... request accepting unit, 16 ... seat allocation unit, 17 ... state management unit, 18 ... seat opening unit, 110 ... display unit, 120 ... input unit, 130 ... terminal authentication unit, 2 ... seat terminal, 3 ... user detection device, 31 ... communication unit, 32 ... storage unit, 33 ... location information acquisition unit, 34 ... user detection unit, 4 ... user terminal, 4a ... user terminal, 401 ... first communication Part 402 ... second communication unit, 403 ... display unit, 404 ... input unit, 405 ... storage unit, 406 ... accepted information acquisition unit, 407 ... start end unit, 408 ... notification receiving unit, 409 ... position information transmitting unit, 410 ... Request transmission unit, 500 ... notification screen, 510 ... seat display area, 520 ... selection input area

Claims (8)

A seat allocation unit that selects a seat that satisfies a predetermined allocation condition designated by a user from among seats that are not allocated to any user among the seats to be managed;
A seat opening request for requesting opening of the seat is transmitted to a terminal of a user who satisfies a predetermined condition among users assigned seats by the seat assigning unit, and the user responding to the seat opening request from the terminal A seat opening section that opens the seat when information indicating acceptance of
With
The seat allocation unit notifies the user terminal that the seat can be secured at a timing when a seat satisfying the allocation condition can be selected.
Seat management device. The seat opening unit transmits the seat opening request to the terminal of the user when there are seats continuously assigned to the same user for a predetermined time or more.
The seat management apparatus according to claim 1. The seat opening unit, when the use of the seat allocated by the seat allocation unit is not started within a predetermined time from the timing at which the seat is allocated, to the user terminal to which the seat is allocated Send a seat opening request,
The seat management apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. The seat opening unit opens the seat at the terminal of the user to which the seat is assigned when there is a seat that has not been finished within a predetermined time from the start of use among seats that have been used by the user. Send a request,
The seat management apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The seat opening unit transmits the seat opening request to the terminal of the user when a user to whom a seat is assigned leaves a predetermined area including the seat to be managed.
The seat management apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4. A request receiving unit that receives a seat assignment request from a user terminal located within a predetermined area including the seat to be managed;
The seat management apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5. A seat assignment step of selecting a seat satisfying a predetermined assignment condition designated by the user from seats not assigned to any user among the seats to be managed, and assigning the seat to the user;
A seat opening request for requesting the opening of the seat is transmitted to a terminal of a user who satisfies a predetermined condition among the users who have been assigned a seat in the seat assignment step, and the user responds to the seat opening request from the terminal. A seat opening step for opening the seat when information indicating acceptance of
Have
In the seat assignment step, the user's terminal is notified that the seat can be secured at a timing when a seat satisfying the assignment condition can be selected.
Seat management method. A step of selecting a seat satisfying a predetermined allocation condition designated by the user from seats not allocated to any user among the seats to be managed, and assigning the seat to the user;
A seat opening request for requesting opening of the seat is transmitted to a terminal of a user who satisfies a predetermined condition among the users assigned seats in the step, and the user's consent to the seat opening request from the terminal Opening the seat when information indicating is received; and
Notifying the user terminal that the seat can be secured at a timing when a seat satisfying the allocation condition can be selected;
A computer program for causing a computer to execute.

Images