JP2020009161A - Information processing device, method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To guide users of a store by dispersing them in the store.SOLUTION: An information processing device 100 has a storage unit 18 and a control unit (CPU 11). The storage unit 18 stores arrangement information regarding arrangement of respective tables in the store. The CPU 11 selects a table for which the total of distance from the respective tables of other user groups becomes equal to or more than a predetermined threshold or the maximum for a new user group on the basis of the arrangement information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, a method, and a program, and more particularly, to a technical field of automatic seat allocation in which a user of a store is automatically assigned to a seat or table of the store by information processing.

  Patent Literature 1 discloses a technique aimed at providing a user with a seat at a better position when making a reservation inquiry for a seat. In the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, each time a seat is selected, priority information corresponding to each seat is constructed in accordance with past selection order information of each seat. Since the seat is determined according to the priority information, a seat at a better position is provided to the user from the remaining vacant seats.

JP-T-2018-504696

  There is a need among customers of a restaurant to want to enjoy a meal without hesitation even when another customer is at the store, and to do so, to arrange a seat at a place distant from the other customers to some extent. In the technical field of automatic seat allocation, for example, there is a technique as disclosed in Patent Document 1. However, in Patent Literature 1, careful construction of the selection order information is required in advance, and the cost increases. Also, Patent Document 1 is not a technology that is aimed at distributing and allocating customers.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide an information processing apparatus, a method, and a program capable of distributing and guiding customers in a store.

An information processing device according to one embodiment of the present invention that achieves the above object includes a storage unit, a reception unit, and a control unit.
The storage unit stores arrangement information relating to the arrangement of each table in a store.
The receiving unit receives request information requesting use of the store from a new customer group.
The control unit determines a distance between a table used by each of the plurality of other user groups and a table candidate for the new user group for each table of the other user group based on the arrangement information. The table candidate in which the total of the calculated distances is equal to or larger than a predetermined threshold value or the maximum is selected for the new customer group.

  According to the information processing device, the table in which the total distance between the tables used by the other customer groups and the table candidates is the largest or the table in which the total is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold is selected for the new customer group. Therefore, distribution of the selected table in the store is realized. Here, the purpose of table selection may be the start of use of the store, reservation of use, or any other purpose.

  In the information processing apparatus, the control unit may correct the distance such that the distance between the table of the group and the table candidate becomes shorter as the number of the other user groups increases. .

  According to the above configuration, the distance between tables is corrected to be shorter in accordance with the number of users in the group, so that a table candidate close to the group with the larger number of users is less likely to be selected for the new user group. For this reason, the distance between the other user and the new user is appropriately maintained, the store can be used without hesitation, and customer satisfaction can be obtained from both users.

  In the information processing device, the storage unit stores a scheduled use time zone of the store by the other user group, and the control unit determines the scheduled use time zone and the store by the new customer group. May be configured to calculate an overlap time in which the scheduled use time period of the other user group overlaps, and to correct the distance between the table of the other customer group and the table candidate based on the overlap time.

  According to the above configuration, based on the overlap time between the new customer group and the use time zone of the other customer group, the distance between the table used by the other customer group having a longer overlap time and the table between the table candidates is longer. As a result, the table candidate close to the table used by another customer group having a long overlapping time is less likely to be selected for the new customer group. For this reason, the distance between the other user and the new user is appropriately maintained, the store can be used without hesitation, and customer satisfaction can be obtained from both users.

  In the information processing device, the control unit may calculate the sum of the distances except for a distance between the table of the other user group and the table candidate in which the overlap time is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold time. It may be.

  According to the above configuration, the distance between the table of another customer group and the table of the table candidate that has an overlap time equal to or less than the predetermined threshold is not added to the total distance between tables. The use of the table is made more efficient by not taking into account other customers whose usage times overlap for a short time.

  In the information processing device, the control unit corrects a distance between the table of the other user group and the table candidate according to the overlap time of the corresponding table, and corrects the corrected distance. May be configured to select the table of the new customer based on the sum of

  According to the above configuration, based on the overlap time between the new customer group and the use time zone of the other customer group, the distance between the table used by the other customer group having a longer overlap time and the table between the table candidates is longer. As a result, the table candidate close to the table used by another customer group having a long overlapping time is less likely to be selected for the new customer group. Both other customers and new customers can be kept at an appropriate distance from each other, can use the store without hesitation, and can obtain customer satisfaction from both users.

  In the information processing apparatus, the control unit may extract a plurality of tables as table candidates for the new customer group and randomly select one table from the selected plurality of table candidates. You may.

  According to the above configuration, since the table for the new customer group is randomly selected from the empty tables whose total distance is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold, compared with the case where the table with the maximum total distance is selected. , The table to be selected becomes diverse.

  In the information processing device, the control unit may be configured to weight a total of distances of the table from the other users of the table based on comfort information of an environment around the table. You may.

  According to the above configuration, by correcting the distance between the table having the low degree of comfort of the environment around the table and the table of the table candidate so as to be short, for such a new user group, such a surrounding area can be obtained. The likelihood of a table having a lower degree of environmental comfort being selected is reduced. Therefore, the customer satisfaction of the new user group can be kept high.

  Another embodiment of the present invention that achieves the above object stores arrangement information regarding the arrangement of each table in a store, receives request information that desires to use the store from a new customer, and, based on the arrangement information, An information processing method for selecting, for the new customer, a table in which the sum of the distances to the tables of other customers is equal to or larger than a predetermined threshold value or the maximum.

  Another aspect of the present invention that achieves the above object includes, in a computer, storing arrangement information relating to arrangement of each table in a store, and receiving request information requesting use of the store from a new customer. A program for executing, based on the arrangement information, a step of selecting, for the new user, a table in which the sum of distances between the respective tables of other users is equal to or greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold. It is.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, it becomes possible to distribute and guide the user of a store in a store.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a storage unit according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure showing an example of arrangement information of a table of a store in an embodiment of the present invention. 5 is a flowchart of information processing according to the first embodiment. It is a flowchart of the information processing in the modification of 1st Embodiment. It is a flow chart of information processing in a 2nd embodiment. It is a figure which illustrates the scheduled use time zone in 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure which illustrates the overlap time of the scheduled use time zone in 3rd Embodiment. It is a flow chart of information processing in a 3rd embodiment.

[First Embodiment]
Hereinafter, a first embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[Information processing system]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an information processing system (store operation support system 1) according to the present embodiment. The store management support system 1 includes an information processing device 100, a reservation reception server 150, and a store terminal 200. The reservation receiving server 150 receives a use reservation of the store transmitted from the customer terminal 300 by the reservation customer.

  The information processing device 100 and the reservation receiving server 150 are configured by a general-purpose computer or the like. The information processing device 100 and the reservation receiving server 150 are installed in a so-called cloud. The store terminal 200 and the customer terminal 300 are configured by a general-purpose computer, a smartphone, or the like.

  When a reservation for use of a store is entered in the reservation reception server 150, the information processing apparatus 100 secures a table of reserved customers who have made the reservation from among vacant seats in the store, and notifies the store terminal 200 of the secured table. The store in the present embodiment is a restaurant such as a restaurant as an example, but is not limited to this.

[Information processing device]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the information processing apparatus 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, an input / output interface 15, and a bus connecting these to each other. 14 is provided.

  The CPU 11 appropriately accesses the RAM 13 and the like as necessary, and performs overall control of each block while performing various arithmetic processes. The ROM 12 is a non-volatile memory in which an OS (Operating System) executed by the CPU 11 and firmware such as programs and various parameters are fixedly stored. The RAM 13 is used as a work area for the CPU 11 and temporarily stores an OS, various applications being executed, and various data being processed.

  The input / output interface 15 is connected to a display unit 16, an operation receiving unit 17, a storage unit 18, a communication unit 19, and the like. The display unit 16 is a display device using, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), an OELD (Organic Electro-Luminescence Display), a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), or the like. The operation receiving unit 17 is, for example, a pointing device such as a mouse, a keyboard, and other input devices. Note that the display unit 16 and the operation receiving unit 17 may be integrated into one by a liquid crystal touch panel.

  The storage unit 18 is a nonvolatile memory such as a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), and other solid-state memories. The storage unit 18 stores the OS, various applications, and various data.

  The communication unit 19 is, for example, various modules for wireless communication such as an NIC (Network Interface Card) and a wireless LAN. The information processing device 100 can transmit and receive data to and from another device (for example, the store terminal 200) by the communication unit 19.

  The CPU 11 functions as a control unit of the present invention by loading a software program stored in the ROM 12. The storage unit 18 functions as a storage unit of the present invention. The input / output interface 15 functions as a receiving unit of the present invention. The reservation receiving server 150, the shop terminal 200, and the customer terminal 300 also have the same hardware configuration as the information processing apparatus 100.

  The configuration example and the hardware configuration example of the information system described above are merely examples. Other configurations, for example, a configuration in which the information processing device 100 and the store terminal 200 are the same device may be used. However, by employing the above-described hardware configuration, the information processing apparatus 100 can centrally execute the information processing relating to the automatic table reservation (seat allocation) service for a plurality of stores.

[Data in storage unit]
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of various data stored in the storage unit 18. Among various data stored in the storage unit 18, data related to the configuration and operation of the present embodiment will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the storage unit 18 includes a table arrangement information database 181 and a use reservation information database 182. In the present embodiment, the databases are associated with each other and configured to be a single relational database as a whole, but this is only an example. In other embodiments, each database may be a simple structured storage table.

  The table arrangement information database 181 stores table arrangement information of each store. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the arrangement information. As shown in FIG. 4, the arrangement information is information in which a store layout diagram is placed on a two-dimensional coordinate system. In the arrangement information, each table has xy coordinates of the arrangement position. The distance between the two tables is calculated based on the xy coordinates of each table.

  The usage reservation information database 182 stores, for each reservation customer, the time reserved by the reservation customer, the name of the store that reserved the use, the table number of the allocated table, the time to start use, the time to end use, and the like. . When there are a plurality of reserved customers, the above information is stored for each group formed by the plurality of reserved customers.

(Information processing)
FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the information processing of the present embodiment. As described above, when a reservation for use of a store is entered in the reservation reception server 150, the information processing apparatus 100 secures a table of reserved customers who have made the reservation from among vacant seats in the store. The information processing for automatically executing the vacant seat reservation is hereinafter referred to as “automatic seat allocation processing”. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the automatic seat allocation process. Each step shown in FIG. 5 is executed by the CPU 11.

  The CPU 11 determines whether a new reservation has been received from the reservation reception server 150 (step 11). If no reservation has been received, the CPU 11 waits (step 11, No).

  On the other hand, when the reservation is accepted, the CPU 11 determines the table number of the table used by the other customers from the use reservation information database 182 at the time when the reservation customer (new customer) starts using the store. Obtain (step 12). When the usage reservation information database 182 receives an inquiry from the CPU 11 about the time to start using the parameter, the usage reservation information database 182 returns the table number of the table used by another customer to the CPU 11 at the time to start the use.

  Subsequently, the CPU 11 calculates the total distance from the table of another user specified by the acquired table number to the vacant seat for all vacant seats (step 13). Since the sum of the distances is calculated for all vacant seats, a plurality of sums are calculated.

  For example, suppose that the CPU 11 has acquired the table numbers s01, s10, and s16 in step 12. In this case, the CPU 11 sums the distance between any vacant seat and the table s01, the distance between the vacant seat and the table s10, and the distance between the vacant seat and the table s16. Assuming that the distance between a certain seat sn and another certain seat sm is expressed as “D (sn, sm)”, the CPU 11 calculates ΣD (sn, sm) in step 13.

  Subsequently, the CPU 11 selects the largest vacant seat among the total of the plurality of distances calculated in step 13 for the reserved customer (step 14). For example, when the CPU 11 acquires the table numbers s01, s10, and s16 in step 12, the table s04 is likely to be selected.

  The CPU 11 secures the selected vacant seat as a table for guiding the reserved customers there. When a plurality of vacant seats are selected, the CPU 11 randomly selects one table from the plurality of vacant seats.

  According to the automatic seat allocation process, the table selected for a new customer is the table with the largest total distance from each table. For this reason, new customers are seated on the table at the end as much as possible, so that distributed seating is possible as a whole. If the position of the table (coordinates in the store) is known, the CPU 11 can perform the distributed seating, and the automatic seating processing is highly versatile.

  In other words, when the tables guided to the new customer groups are dispersed in the store and the store is not crowded, each customer group can maintain an appropriate distance from each other group, and customer satisfaction is Can be given to groups.

[Modification of First Embodiment]
The processing of step 13 by the CPU 11 in the first embodiment can be modified as follows. FIG. 6 is a detailed flowchart of the process of step 13 in the present modification. In other words, FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the total processing of the distance to the vacant seat.

  The CPU 11 selects one vacant seat that has not been subjected to the total processing yet (step 131). Subsequently, the CPU 11 calculates the distance to the vacant seat selected in step 131 from the table of one other customer (step 132). The calculation is performed from the xy coordinates as described in FIG.

  Subsequently, the CPU 11 corrects the distance calculated in step 132 according to the number of groups formed by other customers (step 133). In the present modified example, the CPU 11 corrects so that the greater the number of people in the group, the shorter the distance calculated in step 132.

  For example, the CPU 11 sets a coefficient such as 0.9 for a group of two, 0.8 for a group of four, and 0.5 for a group of six, and multiplies the distance by the coefficient. To correct the distance.

  Subsequently, the CPU 11 adds the distance from the table of the other customer corrected in step 133 to the vacant seat to the total value (step 134).

  Subsequently, the CPU 11 determines whether the distances to the tables of all other customers have been calculated (step 135). If the distances to the tables of all the other passengers have not been calculated (step 135, No), the CPU 11 calculates the distances to the vacant seats from the table of the next other passengers (return to step 132). Further, the CPU 11 performs the processing of FIG. 6 for all vacant seats.

  According to the information processing of the above-described modification, the distance is corrected according to the number of groups of users, so that a table close to a group with a large number of users is less likely to be selected for a new user. For this reason, the distance between the other user and the new user is appropriately maintained, the store can be used without hesitation, and customer satisfaction can be obtained from both users.

[Second embodiment]
Hereinafter, a second embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Illustration and description of the same configuration and processing as those of the first embodiment may be omitted.

  The configurations of the information processing system, the device, and the storage unit according to the present embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the automatic seat allocation processing of the present embodiment. As shown, steps 11 to 13 are the same as in the first embodiment.

  In the present embodiment, the CPU 11 extracts, as a table candidate for a reserved customer (new customer), a vacant seat having a total equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value among the total of the plurality of distances calculated in step 13 (step 14a). ). Although not limited, it is preferable that a predetermined threshold is set so that a plurality of table candidates are extracted.

  Subsequently, the CPU 11 selects one table from the vacant seats extracted as table candidates (step 15). There is a random (random extraction) as a selection method of step 15.

  According to the second embodiment, a table for a new user is randomly selected from vacancies whose total distance is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. In comparison, the selected table is not monotonous, and various tables are used.

[Third embodiment]
Hereinafter, a third embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Illustrations and descriptions of configurations and processes equivalent to those of the first and second embodiments may be omitted.

  The configurations of the information processing system, the device, and the storage unit according to the present embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment. In the automatic seat allocation processing in the present embodiment, the CPU 11 calculates an overlap time in which the scheduled use time of the table by another customer and the scheduled use time of the table by a new customer overlap, and based on this overlap time. And select a new customer table.

  The scheduled use time period in the present embodiment is a time period stored in the use reservation information database 182 from the time when the customer starts using the table to the time when the use ends. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a scheduled use time zone in the present embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of the overlapping time of the scheduled use time zone in the present embodiment.

  FIG. 8 illustrates a scheduled use time zone of the customer u01 using the table number s01 and a scheduled use time zone of the customer u02 using the table number s02. The display of the reservation ledger displayed on the shop terminal 200 is configured as shown in FIG.

  In the state where the use schedule is stored in the use reservation information database 182 as shown in FIG. 8, it is considered that a new user u03 is reserved for use in the table of table number s03. In this case, the scheduled time zone of the table number s03 of the new customer u03, the scheduled time zone of the table number s01, and the scheduled time zone of the table number s02 are shown in FIG. Will be That is, the overlap time is a difference from the time at which the new customer starts using the table (the store if the table is undecided) to the time at which the use of the table of another customer ends.

  The automatic seat allocation processing of this embodiment is equivalent to the first or second embodiment. In the present embodiment, the CPU 11 uses the overlapping time in the total processing of the distance to the vacant seat.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the sum total processing of the distance to the vacant seat according to the present embodiment. As shown, steps 131 to 132 are equivalent to the modification of the first embodiment. Also, steps 134 to 135 are equivalent to the modification of the first embodiment.

  In the present embodiment, after calculating the distance from the table of another customer to the vacant seat, the CPU 11 calculates the scheduled use time of the table of the other customer and the usage when a new customer is allocated to the vacant seat. The overlap time with the scheduled time zone is calculated (step 133a).

  Subsequently, the CPU 11 determines whether the calculated overlap time is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold (step 133b). If the calculated overlap time is equal to or less than the predetermined threshold value (step 133b, Yes), the CPU 11 does not add the distance from the table of the other customer to the vacant seat to the total (skip to step 135).

  On the other hand, if the calculated overlap time is not less than or equal to the predetermined threshold (No at Step 133b), the CPU 11 corrects the distance from the table of the other customer to the vacant seat according to the overlap time (Step 133c). .

  For example, the CPU 11 corrects the distance by a factor of 1/30 if the overlap time is 30 minutes, and a factor of 1/60 if the overlap time is 60 minutes. The CPU 11 adds the corrected distance to the total (step 134). Subsequent processing is the same as the processing described in the modification of the first embodiment.

  According to the above-described embodiment, a new customer table is selected based on not only the distance from the table of the other user but also the overlapping time with the usage time zone of the other user. A table that is far from the long other patron's table is selected for the new patron. For this reason, the distance between the other user and the new user is appropriately maintained, the store can be used without hesitation, and customer satisfaction can be obtained from both users.

  According to the above embodiment, the distance from the table that results in the overlap time equal to or less than the predetermined threshold value in step 133b is not added to the total value. The use of the table is made more efficient by not taking into account other customers whose usage times overlap for a short time.

  According to the above-described embodiment, the distance between the table of another user and the vacant seat is corrected based on the overlap time, and is added. Since the distance from the table where the overlap time is long is as long as possible, other customers and new customers can keep the distance appropriately, can use the store without hesitation each other, customer satisfaction from both customers Is obtained.

(Modification)
Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the above embodiments can be variously modified and implemented. Further, all or a part of the configuration of the above embodiment can be implemented in combination with each other.

  For example, in the automatic seating process of the first to third embodiments, the CPU 11 calculates the total distance calculated in step 13 following step 13 based on the comfort information of the environment around the table. Weighting may be used. The environment around the table, for example, a table near the kitchen or a table near the entrance is weighted so as to reduce the total distance. In this case, the possibility that the CPU 11 selects a table near the kitchen or a table near the entrance for a new user is reduced. Therefore, customer satisfaction of a new user can be kept high.

  The information processing disclosed above can be provided by a software program. Such a mode of providing the program may be provided by a recording medium irrespective of magnetic or optical, or may be provided by being downloaded through a telecommunication line.

1. Store operation support system 11: CPU
12 ... ROM
13 ... RAM
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 14 ... Bus 15 ... Input / output interface 16 ... Display part 17 ... Operation reception part 18 ... Storage part 19 ... Communication part 181 ... Table arrangement information database 182 ... Usage reservation information database 100 ... Information processing device 150 ... Reservation reception server 200 ... Store Terminal 300: Customer terminal

Claims (9)

A storage unit that stores arrangement information regarding the arrangement of each table in the store,
A receiving unit that receives request information requesting use of the store from a new customer group,
Based on the arrangement information, a distance between a table used by each of the plurality of other user groups and a table candidate for the new user group is calculated for each table of the other user groups, and calculated. An information processing apparatus comprising: a control unit that selects, for the new user group, the table candidate in which the sum of the distances is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value or is the maximum. The information processing device according to claim 1,
The information processing device, wherein the control unit corrects a distance such that as the number of the other user groups increases, the distance between the table of the group and the table candidate decreases. The information processing device according to claim 1 or 2,
The storage unit stores a scheduled use time zone of the store by the other customer group,
The control unit calculates an overlap time in which the planned use time zone and the planned use time zone of the store by the new customer group overlap, and the other user group table and the table are based on the overlap time. An information processing device that corrects the distance between candidates. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein
The information processing device, wherein the control unit calculates the sum of the distances except for the distance between the table of the other user group and the table candidate in which the overlap time is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold time. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3 or 4,
The control unit corrects the distance between the table of the other user group and the table candidate according to the overlap time of the corresponding table, and based on the total corrected distance, An information processing device that selects a customer table. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:
The information processing apparatus, wherein the control unit extracts a plurality of tables as table candidates for the new customer group, and randomly selects one table from the selected plurality of table candidates. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
The information processing device, wherein the control unit weights a sum of distances of a certain table from each of the other customers based on comfort information of an environment around the table. Memorizing the arrangement information on the arrangement of each table in the store,
Receive request information from the new customer who wants to use the store,
An information processing method for selecting, for the new customer, a table in which a total distance between the other customers and each table is equal to or more than a predetermined threshold or a maximum based on the arrangement information. On the computer,
Storing arrangement information on the arrangement of each table in the store;
Receiving request information from a new customer requesting use of the store;
A program for executing a step of selecting, for the new customer, a table in which the sum of the distances from the other users to each table is equal to or greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold, based on the arrangement information.

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