JP2021163408A - Vacant seat management system, information processing apparatus, and information processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a vacant seat management system that can appropriately manage vacant seat information on a store while suppressing cost with a simple configuration.SOLUTION: A vacant seat management system 10 comprises: a store terminal 100 that has a first button which can be switched between ON and OFF, and a communication instrument; and a vacant seat management server 200 that manages vacant seat information on a store corresponding to the store terminal 100 on the basis of data transmitted from the store terminal 100. When the first button is depressed, the communication instrument transmits button depression data indicating that the first button is depressed and identification information on the store terminal 100 to the vacant seat management server 200. The vacant seat management server 200 comprises: storage means that stores vacant seat information for each store; reception means that receives the button depression data and the identification information on the store terminal 100 from the store terminal 100; update means that updates the storage means on the basis of the button depression data and the identification information; and output means that outputs the vacant seat information on the store according to the vacant seat information managed by the storage means.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a technique for managing vacant seat information in a store.

A technique for allowing a user to check vacant seat information of a store online is used to provide vacant seat information of, for example, a restaurant. Techniques for acquiring vacant seat information include, for example, installing a motion sensor on a table and detecting a person in an image of the inside of a store.

The following Patent Document 1 describes a technique for managing vacant seats in a store. The document states, "It makes it easier for users looking for a store to choose a store. "The table information providing system detects the storage means for setting and storing the attribute information about the table of the store for each table of the store and the availability information about the availability of the table of the store." The detection means is provided, and the providing means for providing the user with a state regarding the availability of the store based on the attribute information and the vacancy information. 』Disclosures the technology (see summary).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2019-159953

In Patent Document 1, a camera (0018 of the same document) and an infrared sensor (0019 of the same document) are mentioned as an example of the vacant information detection unit 32 that detects the vacant seat state of a store. However, when the vacant seat information is detected by such a detection device, the detection result may not match the actual condition of the vacant seat state of the store due to the detection accuracy or the like. In addition, it may not be desirable from the viewpoint of cost and time to construct a detection system having enough accuracy and number to accurately detect store congestion information.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a vacant seat management system capable of appropriately managing vacant seat information of a store while suppressing costs by a simple configuration. And.

In the vacant seat management system according to the present invention, when the first button provided in the store terminal is pressed, data indicating that fact and store identification information are transmitted from the store terminal to the information processing device, and the information processing device causes the information processing device. The vacant seat information is updated on the database based on the data.

According to the vacant seat management system according to the present invention, since the store terminal transmits vacant seat information to the information processing device by pressing a button, it is possible to appropriately manage the vacant seat information of the store while suppressing the cost by a simple configuration. can.

It is a block diagram of the vacant seat management system 10 which concerns on Embodiment 1. It is a perspective view which shows the appearance of the store terminal 100. It is an external perspective view which shows another configuration example of a store terminal 100. It is a circuit block diagram provided in the store terminal 100. It is a hardware configuration diagram of the vacant seat management server 200. It is a functional block diagram of the vacant seat management server 200. It is a figure which shows the structure of the database 241 and the data example. It is a hardware block diagram of the user terminal 300. It is a flowchart explaining the procedure which the vacancy management server 200 updates a database 241. It is a flowchart explaining the operation procedure when the vacant seat management server 200 receives an inquiry about a vacant seat state from a user terminal 300. This is an example of a screen in which the display device 320 of the user terminal 300 displays a response to a vacancy status inquiry request. This is an example of the store management screen 260 provided by the vacant seat management server 200. It is a configuration example of the database 241 in the second embodiment. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation procedure when the vacant seat management server 200 receives an inquiry about a vacant seat state from a user terminal 300 in the second embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The same configuration will be described with the same reference numerals. It should be noted that the following embodiments do not limit the present invention, and not all combinations of features described in the present embodiment are essential for the means for solving the present invention.

<Embodiment 1>
In the first embodiment, seats and tables are installed in a store where food and drink are provided, and a vacant seat state indicating whether or not there are vacant seats (or vacant tables) available to new users in the store is set in the store. The vacant seat management system delivered through the installed equipment will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a vacant seat management system 10 according to the first embodiment. The vacant seat management system 10 is a system that manages vacant seat information of a store. The vacant seat management system 10 includes a store terminal 100 and a vacant seat management server 200 (information processing device). The store terminal 100 is installed in the store 400. The vacant seat management server 200 is installed outside the store. The store terminal 100 and the vacant seat management server 200 are interconnected via a network such as the Internet.

The store terminal 100 is operated by, for example, a clerk at the store 400. The store terminal 100 transmits data indicating the vacant seat status of the store 400 to the vacant seat management server 200 according to the operation. The vacant seat management server 200 holds a database that manages the vacant seat status of the store 400. The vacant seat management server 200 manages the vacant seat state of the store 400 on the database by updating the database according to the data received from the store terminal 100.

A user who is going to visit the store 400 can request the vacant seat management server 200 to introduce the vacant seat state of the store 400 via the user terminal 300. The vacant seat management server 200 acquires the vacant seat status by searching the record related to the store 400 in the database in response to the request. The vacant seat management server 200 returns the acquired vacant seat status to the user terminal 300 as a response to the inquiry.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view showing the appearance of the store terminal 100 according to the present embodiment. The store terminal 100 includes a first button 111, a second button 112, a first LED (Light Emitting Diode) 121, a second LED 122, and a USB (Universal Social Bus) terminal 130.

When the user presses the first button 111, the first button 111 is turned on and the first LED 121 is turned on. When the user presses the second button 112, the second button 112 is turned on and the second LED 122 lights up. The first button 111 and the second button 112 are configured so as not to be turned on at the same time. That is, the states of each button are as follows: (a) the first button 111 is ON, the second button 112 is OFF, (b) the first button 111 is OFF, the second button 112 is ON, and (c) the first button 111 and the first. Both the 2 buttons 112 are unoperated. Since each LED turns off when the corresponding button is turned off, the LED of the store terminal can indicate which of the states (a), (b), and (c) is in. Note that each LED does not necessarily have to be arranged integrally with the button.

The USB terminal 130 is connected to the USB terminal of another device (eg, a personal computer) via a USB cable. The USB terminal 130 has a role of receiving electric power from another connected device via a USB connection and supplying the electric power to the store terminal 100.

FIG. 2B is an external perspective view showing another configuration example of the store terminal 100. The store terminal 100 may include a third button 113 in addition to the two buttons described with reference to FIG. 2A. A third LED 123 is arranged on the third button 113. The first button 111, the second button 112, and the third button 113 are configured so that only one of them is fixed in the ON state. That is, the states of each button are as follows: (a) the first button 111 is ON, the second button 112 and the third button 113 are OFF, (b) the first button 111 and the third button 113 are OFF, and the second button 112 is ON. , (C) The first button 111 and the second button 112 are OFF, the third button 113 is ON, and (d) all three buttons are not operated.

FIG. 2C is a circuit block diagram included in the store terminal 100. Here, a configuration example in which two buttons are provided as shown in FIG. 2A is shown. The store terminal 100 further includes a control circuit 140, a power supply circuit 150, a communication module 160 (communication device), and a storage unit 70 in addition to the configuration described in FIG. 2A (or FIG. 2B). The control circuit 140 and other parts can be interconnected, for example, by general purpose input / output (GPIO) or wiring.

The control circuit 140 controls each part included in the store terminal 100. The power supply circuit 150 receives electric power from another device via the USB connection and the USB terminal 130, and supplies the electric power to the control circuit 140. The power supply circuit 150 can be configured by, for example, a UART-USB mutual conversion circuit or the like. The communication module 160 is a circuit device that communicates with another device outside the store terminal 100 by wireless communication. The communication module 160 can be configured by, for example, an LTE (Long Term Evolution) communication module or the like.

When the store terminal 100 is first activated, each button is unoperated and each LED is OFF. When the first button 111 is pressed, the control circuit 140 receives a signal to that effect from the first button 111. When the control circuit 140 receives the signal, it transmits data indicating that there are vacant seats in the store 400 (for example, the numerical value "0") to the vacant seat management server 200 via the communication module 160. Further, the control circuit 140 turns on the first LED 121 and turns off the second LED 122. Similarly, when the second button 112 is pressed, the control circuit 140 transmits data indicating that the store 400 is congested (for example, the numerical value "1") to the vacant seat management server 200, and turns off the first LED 121. Then, the second LED 122 is turned on. The network address, TCP port number, etc. of the vacant seat management server 200 are stored in advance in the storage unit 170. In the present embodiment, the store terminal 100 transmits the same data again when the ON button is pressed again, but the present invention is not limited to this. for example. If you don't need to send the same data, you don't have to resend it.

When the third button 113 as shown in FIG. 2B is also provided, the control circuit 140 provides data (for example, numerical value “2”) indicating that the store 400 is full when the third button 113 is pressed. , Sent to the vacant seat management server 200. The control circuit 140 further turns on the third LED 123 and turns off the other LEDs.

The control circuit 140 transmits data for identifying the store terminal 100 together with data indicating the state of each button. Here, the MAC (Media Access Control) address of the communication module 160 is used as an identifier of the store terminal 100, but the present invention is not limited to this, and any data may be used as long as the store terminal 100 can be identified.

Further, when the store terminal 100 is restarted by connecting or disconnecting the USB cable from the USB terminal 130, the control circuit 140 stores the state of each button at that time and restores it after the restart. In this case, each time the button is operated, the control circuit 140 stores button state data indicating the state of each button in the storage unit 170, and reads the data at startup. The communication module 160 transmits the contents of the button state data as the current state of the button after the store terminal 100 is restarted and before any button is operated. When the store terminal 100 is restarted, it may be initialized so that none of the buttons is pressed.

The control circuit 140 is data indicating the current button state (which button is ON, that is, the last button turned ON) at predetermined intervals (for example, 5 minutes) in addition to when the button is operated. Is transmitted to the vacant seat management server 200. This data is the same as that transmitted when each button is turned on. In addition to this, the control circuit 140 shall transmit data indicating the current button state to the vacant seat management server 200 even when the store terminal 100 is restarted. Alternatively, when the server is started, the latest status held by the vacant seat management server 200 may be read and reflected in the button state.

In the present embodiment, after any button of the store terminal 100 is pressed for the first time, in principle, any button is always pressed. That is, in principle, the storage unit 170 always holds the button state data indicating that any button is pressed after the first button is pressed. If it is desirable to reset the button state periodically, for example, the button state data may be initialized (deleted, etc.) when the control circuit 140 reaches a predetermined time every day.

FIG. 3A is a hardware configuration diagram of the vacant seat management server 200. The vacant seat management server 200 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 210, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 220, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 230, a storage unit 240, and a communication unit 250. The CPU 210 realizes the function provided by the vacant seat management server 200 by executing a program described later. The ROM 220 and the RAM 230 hold the data used by the CPU 210. The storage unit 240 stores a program described later. The communication unit 250 communicates with the store terminal 100 via the network.

FIG. 3B is a functional block diagram of the vacant seat management server 200. The vacant seat management server 200 includes a receiving unit 211, an updating unit 212, and an output unit 213 as software modules executed by the CPU 210. In the following, for convenience of description, these modules may be described as the operating subject, but it is the CPU 210 that actually executes these modules. The storage unit 240 stores the database 241. The database 241 manages the vacancy status of the store 400. The configuration of the database 241 will be described later.

The receiving unit 211 receives data indicating the vacant seat state of the store 400 (data indicating the state of each button included in the store terminal 100) from the store terminal 100 via the communication unit 250. The update unit 212 updates the database 241 according to the data received by the reception unit 211. The output unit 213 reads the vacant seat information of the store 400 stored in the database 241 and outputs the vacant seat information. For example, the output unit 213 reads the vacant seat information from the database 241 in response to the request from the user terminal 300, and returns the vacant seat information to the user terminal 300 via the communication unit 250.

FIG. 3C is a diagram showing a configuration of the database 241 and an example of data. The database 241 can be configured by storing, for example, data describing the contents of a record in the storage unit 240. The database 241 has a store attribute table (upper row in FIG. 3C) and a vacant seat management table (lower row in FIG. 3C).

The store attribute table is a data table that manages attribute information used when a user searches for a store, and has, for example, store ID 2411, name 2412, genre 2413, store introduction 2414, contact information 2415, and the like as data fields. The contact information 2415 describes a store address, a telephone number, and the like. It is also possible to describe the coordinates of the store used in S602, which will be described later.

The vacant seat management table is a data table that manages the vacant seat status for each store, and has, for example, a store ID 2416, a terminal identifier 2417, a vacant seat information 2418, and the like as data fields. One record in the vacancy management table manages the vacancy status of one store.

The store IDs 2411 and 2416 are IDs for identifying each store in the database 241. The terminal identifier 2417 is an identifier that identifies the store terminal 100, and for example, the MAC address of the communication module 160 can be used. The vacant seat information 2418 indicates the vacant seat state of the store corresponding to the store ID 2416. For example, the first record corresponds to the store 400 in FIG. The second and subsequent records manage the availability of other stores. In the following, for convenience of description, only the records for the store 400 and the store terminal 100 will be described.

In the example shown in FIG. 3C, the update unit 212 stores the data indicating the vacant seat status of the store 400 received from the store terminal 100 as the vacant seat information 2418 of the first record. Therefore, the store where the vacant seat information 2418 is "0" has vacant seats, and the store where the vacant seat information 2418 is "1" is crowded. When none of the buttons of the store terminal 100 is pressed, the vacant seat information 2418 is a value indicating that fact (for example, blank, NULL, etc.).

FIG. 4 is a hardware configuration diagram of the user terminal 300. The user terminal 300 includes a CPU 310, a display unit 320, an input unit 330, and a communication unit 340. The CPU 310 controls each part of the user terminal 300. The communication unit 340 communicates with the vacant seat management server 200 via the network and receives the vacant seat information of the store 400. The display unit 320 displays the vacant seat information received from the vacant seat management server 200 on the screen. The input unit 330 is an interface used by the user to input an operation instruction to the user terminal 300. For example, the display unit 320 and the input unit 330 can be integrally configured by a touch panel or the like.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure in which the vacant seat management server 200 updates the database 241. When the communication unit 250 (that is, the reception unit 211) receives the data about the vacant seat state from the store terminal 100, the CPU 210 starts this flowchart. Each step of FIG. 5 will be described below. In the following description, each process will be referred to as "S".

In S501, the update unit 212 acquires the data (hereinafter referred to as “store data”) indicating the vacant seat state of the store 400 received by the reception unit 211 from the store terminal 100. When there are a plurality of data received by the receiving unit 211, the updating unit 212 selects one of them.

In S502, the update unit 212 acquires the terminal identifier (MAC address) of the store terminal 100 from the store data. Further, in S503, the update unit 212 acquires vacant seat information of the store 400 (data indicating an ON state of any of the first button 111 to the third button 113) from the store data.

In S504, the update unit 212 identifies which store the vacant seat state is indicated by the store data by inquiring the vacant seat management table using the terminal identifier. In this example, the store 400 is specified by the terminal identifier of the store terminal 100. Next, in S505, the update unit 212 updates the vacant seat information 2418 corresponding to the specified store according to the received store data. In S506, the update unit 212 returns to S501 when there is unselected store data in S501, performs the same processing on the unselected store data, and ends this flowchart if all the store data has been selected. ..

If the terminal identifier acquired from the reception unit 211 is not recorded as the terminal identifier 2417 in any record of the vacant seat management table, the update unit 212 considers that the store data is invalid and performs the subsequent processing. You may cancel. That is, the terminal identifier can also be used as information for the update unit 212 to authenticate the store terminal 100.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation procedure when the vacant seat management server 200 receives an inquiry about the vacant seat state from the user terminal 300. The user transmits a request for inquiring about the vacant seat status of nearby stores to the vacant seat management server 200 via the user terminal 300. When the communication unit 250 (that is, the reception unit 211) receives the request, the CPU 210 starts this flowchart. Each step of FIG. 6 will be described below.

In S601, the output unit 213 acquires the position information of the user terminal 300. For the position information, for example, the user terminal 300 may be provided with a position detection system such as GPS (Global Positioning System), and the position information acquired from the user terminal 300 may be transmitted to the vacancy management server 200 together with the vacancy status inquiry. The output unit 213 acquires the position information from the user terminal 300.

In S602, the output unit 213 specifies the store group existing around the position information acquired in S601 according to the contact information 2415 in the store attribute table. For example, a store within a predetermined distance (eg, within 500 m) from the user terminal 300 is specified according to the contact information 2415. This store group corresponds to a store group that should be displayed on the screen on which the user terminal 300 displays a reply to the vacancy status inquiry request. That is, the user terminal 300 displays the vacant seat status of the store group existing around the user terminal 300. A display example will be described later.

In S603, the output unit 213 acquires each attribute (store name, etc.) of the store group specified in S602 from the store attribute table. Further, in S604, the output unit 213 acquires the vacant seat information 2418 of the store group specified in S602 from the vacant seat management table. In S605, the output unit 213 creates a map as a display image displaying the store group and each vacant seat information specified in S602. FIG. 7A is an example of a display image displayed on the display unit 320 of the user terminal 300 as a response to the vacant seat status inquiry request. The output unit 213 puts an appropriate mark (FIG. 7) on the stores around the current position of the user terminal 300 indicated by the position information acquired in S601 (the group of stores included in the response from the vacant seat management server 200). In the above, balloon marks) are placed based on the location of each store. In the map display shown in FIG. 7A, the position of the mark corresponds to the store position. At this time, the output unit 213 changes the mark of each store to a mark corresponding to the vacant seat information of each store. When the vacant seat information is "vacant", a mark including the text of "vacant" is placed, and when the information is "crowded", a mark including the text of "crowded" is placed. When none of the buttons of the store terminal 100 is pressed, only the mark is displayed without the vacant seat information. As described above, the output unit 213 generates a display image by arranging a mark corresponding to the vacant seat information 2418 at the position of each store in the store group acquired in S604 on the map. In S606, the output unit 213 transmits the generated map to the user terminal 300 as a reply to the inquiry request.

Instead of creating and transmitting the map, the output unit 213 has the identifier of each store acquired in S602 to S604 / the attribute information of each store (store name, etc.) / the coordinates of each store / the vacant seat state of each store. A list describing only may be returned to the user terminal 300. In this case, the user terminal 300 creates a map or the like, and displays it on the screen together with the response transmitted by the output unit 213.

In the above, the method of displaying the vacant seat information in the map format has been described. Further, the attribute information (store name, etc.) of the store may be displayed together with the store mark. In addition to the map display, for example, as shown in FIG. 7B, a display image showing vacant seat information of each store in a list format may be used. The display unit 320 of the user terminal 300 displays the display image shown in FIG. 7 as a response to the vacant seat status inquiry request. The CPU 310 displays the response received from the vacant seat management server 200 on the display unit 320 on the screen. In each display format, vacant seat information of each store existing around the user terminal 300 is displayed. In the list display, the CPU 310 displays the store group included in the response received from the vacant seat management server 200 in a list format. Store attribute information (store name, etc.) may also be displayed. The distance between each store and the user terminal 300 may be displayed together, or the distance may be converted into travel time and displayed. In FIG. 7B, an example converted into walking travel time is shown. The calculation of the distance and the travel time may be performed by the output unit 213 and returned, or may be calculated by the CPU 310. Further, when the store attribute table holds an image of each store, the image may be displayed together.

The screen display shown in FIG. 7 can be created by the output unit 213 and transmitted to the user terminal 300, the output unit 213 transmits only the list described in S605 to S606, and the CPU 310 transmits the list in FIG. 7. The screen may be displayed in the following format. Further, the user terminal 300 or the output unit 213 may be able to switch between the map display and the list display.

The CPU 310 may reissue the same inquiry request to the vacant seat management server 200 when a predetermined time (for example, 5 minutes) has elapsed while the screen of FIG. 7 is displayed. Alternatively, the same inquiry request may be reissued to the vacant seat management server 200 every time the position of the user terminal 300 changes by a predetermined threshold value (for example, 100 m). This makes it possible to constantly update the latest vacancy status of nearby stores.

<Embodiment 1: Summary>
In the vacant seat management system 10 according to the present embodiment, the store terminal 100 includes only operation buttons such as the first button 111 as an operation interface, and the user can operate the store terminal 100 using only the operation buttons. As a result, the operation load can be reduced and the store terminal 100 can be produced at low cost.

In the vacant seat management system 10 according to the present embodiment, the store terminal 100 does not have a power supply terminal, and instead supplies power to the control circuit 140 by the USB terminal 130 and the power supply circuit 150. As a result, the user can start the store terminal 100 simply by connecting the USB cable to the USB terminal 130, so that the operation load can be reduced. Furthermore, since a dedicated power supply circuit and power supply terminal are not required, the store terminal 100 can be produced at low cost.

In the vacant seat management system 10 according to the present embodiment, the communication module 160 is a wireless module such as an LTE module, and the store terminal 100 does not have a wired network terminal. As a result, the user does not need to perform any special operation to connect the store terminal 100 to the vacant seat management server 200, and it is sufficient to simply start the store terminal 100, so that the operation load can be reduced. Further, since the wireless module is often supplied with power from the control circuit 140 (microcomputer or the like), it is sufficient to supply power to the control circuit 140, and an individual power source such as a battery is not required. Therefore, the store terminal 100 can be produced at low cost.

In the vacant seat management system 10 according to the present embodiment, the store terminal 100 is configured as a simple terminal that transmits a vacant seat state by an operation button such as the first button 111. Therefore, the clerk of the store 400 does not need to operate a general-purpose terminal such as a tablet terminal or a smartphone when changing the vacant seat state. By simplifying the operation interface, in addition to being able to suppress operation mistakes, even if a store clerk sees a store clerk operating the store terminal 100, the store clerk neglects to do business. There is almost no risk of giving the impression that you are operating a personal terminal. That is, it can be said that the configuration of the store terminal 100 also takes into consideration the impression given to the customers of the store 400.

In the vacant seat management system 10 according to the present embodiment, the store terminal 100 stores the button state data indicating the ON / OFF state of the button in the storage unit 170, and when the store terminal 100 is restarted, the button state data. Sends the contents of as the current state of the button. As a result, even if the USB cable is accidentally disconnected from the USB terminal 130 and the store terminal 100 is restarted, the previous button state can be quickly restored. For example, even if the store terminal 100 is installed in a relatively busy place such as a restaurant and the USB cable tends to be easily disconnected, the conventional button state can be obtained simply by reconnecting the USB cable. Is restored. This operation has the advantage of reducing the burden on the clerk.

In the vacant seat management system 10 according to the present embodiment, in principle, the store terminal 100 is always in a state of being pressed after any of the buttons is pressed for the first time. In order to effectively utilize the vacant seat management system 10, it is desirable that the store terminal 100 is constantly operated. This is because if the store terminal 100 remains unoperated in all stores, the vacant seat status of all stores remains undecided, and the significance of the vacant seat management system 10 is lost. By always pressing one of the buttons, such an unused state can be avoided, which is desirable for the operator of the vacant seat management system 10.

<Embodiment 2>
In the first embodiment, an example assuming that a clerk of the store 400 operates each button of the store terminal 100 has been described. However, when the store 400 is crowded, the clerk may forget to operate the button. Therefore, in the second embodiment, a configuration example will be described in which the vacant seat information specified in advance is transmitted to the user terminal 300 regardless of the button operation in the preset time zone (period). Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an example of the store management screen 260 provided by the vacant seat management server 200. The store management screen 260 is a screen used by the operator to give an instruction to the vacant seat management server 200, and can be provided in the form of, for example, a Web application. The web application can be used by, for example, a store PC (not shown). The store management screen 260 may be directly operated by the clerk of the store 400, or may be operated only by the administrator of the vacant seat management server 200. In the following, it will be described as being directly operated by a clerk.

The clerk inputs the time zone for fixing the vacant seat information in the time zone input field 261 on the store management screen 260 regardless of the button state of the store terminal 100. The clerk further selects the vacant seat status to be fixed during that time period from the selection box 262. "Normal" corresponds to the fact that none of the buttons on the store terminal 100 are pressed. "Vacant seats" and "crowded" correspond to the first button 111 and the second button 112, respectively.

FIG. 9 is a configuration example of the database 241 according to the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, the store management table has a fixed time zone 261a and a fixed vacant seat state 262a in addition to the configuration described in the first embodiment. The update unit 212 reflects the contents input by the operator in the time zone input field 261 and the selection box 262 on the store management screen 260 in these data fields.

In FIG. 8, there may be no selection box 262 and only the time zone input field 261. In this case, the update unit 212 sets the fixed vacant seat state 262a as a value corresponding to "normal". That is, none of the buttons of the store terminal 100 is pressed. The reason for this will be described later.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation procedure when the vacant seat management server 200 receives an inquiry about the vacant seat state from the user terminal 300 in the second embodiment. In addition to the flowchart described with reference to FIG. 6, S1001 and S1002 are added between S604 and S605. Other steps are the same as in FIG. Only these steps will be described below.

In S1011, the output unit 213 determines whether the current time matches the fixed time zone 261a of each store specified in S602. If they match (S1001: Y), the process proceeds to S1002. In S1002, the output unit 213 acquires the content of the fixed vacant seat state 262a instead of the vacant seat information 2418 for the store where the fixed time zone 261a matches the current time, regardless of the value of the vacant seat information 2418. As a result, in the time zone, the state selected by the selection box 262 as the vacant seat state is returned to the user terminal 300. When they do not match (S1001: N), the same as in FIG.

In S1001, the update unit 212 determines the vacant seat information 2418 to the content other than the vacant seat (crowded or full or normal) during the fixed time zone 261a in this step regardless of whether the store terminal 100 is operated or not. It may be fixed continuously for an hour or longer (for example, 15 minutes or longer). In this case, even if the update unit 212 receives the button state from the store terminal 100, the vacant seat information 2418 is maintained in the content other than the vacant seat regardless of the button state. The output unit 213 also outputs the vacant seat information 2418. The fixed vacant seat state 262a can be used to specify a vacant seat state that is continuously fixed for a predetermined time or longer.

<Embodiment 2: Summary>
In the vacant seat management system 10 according to the second embodiment, when only the time zone input field 261 is input, the update unit 212 sets the fixed vacant seat state 262a to "normal". The time zone input field 261 is typically set to a busy time zone in which the clerk cannot afford to operate the store terminal 100. As for the store 400, there is a possibility that the number of visitors will decrease if the store is always in the "crowded" state, so there may be a desire not to display the "crowded" as much as possible. Therefore, even in the fixed time zone, we decided to avoid the "crowded" display and display it as "normal". As a result, it is possible to balance the operation burden of the store clerk with the wishes of the store 400. On the other hand, if you want to display the accurate vacancy status, you can select from the selection box 262. Therefore, if the store 400 does not want to display "crowded" as much as possible, or (b) wants to display the accurate vacant seat status, it can be dealt with in either case.

In the vacant seat management system 10 according to the second embodiment, the update unit 212 may fix the vacant seat information 2418 to a content other than the vacant seat while the fixed time zone 261a is met. As a result, even if the clerk of the store 400 does not operate the store terminal 100 one by one during that time zone, the fact that the store 400 is not vacant is displayed on the user terminal 300. Therefore, for example, by setting the busy time zone as the fixed time zone 261a, the burden on the store clerk to operate the store terminal 100 can be reduced.

<About modification>
In the above embodiment, the example in which the store terminal 100 includes two or three buttons has been described, but the same operation can be performed even if there is only one button. For example, each time the button is pressed, the vacant seat / congestion may be switched. In this case, for example, the control circuit 140 holds data (for example, a numerical value "0") indicating that there are vacant seats in the store 400 when the (a) button is not pressed, and holds data (for example, the numerical value "0") in the storage unit 170, and after (b). Each time the button is pressed, data indicating that the store 400 is congested and data indicating that there are vacant seats in the store 400 are alternately stored in the storage unit 170. Further, in order to ensure the operability of the store terminal 100, it is desirable that the size of the store terminal 100 is such that it is suitable for operation by the first button 111 or the like. For example, it is desirable that the entire store terminal 100 fits in a size such that the palm is spread out.

In the above embodiment, the method of acquiring the position of the user terminal as the position information and specifying the store group based on the position of the user terminal has been described, but the position information is not limited to this. For example, when the display unit 320 of the user terminal is a touch panel display and also functions as the input unit 330, the user can specify the position information by tapping the position on the map displayed on the display unit 320. The specified location information may be transmitted to the vacant seat management server. In this case, the vacant seat management server 200 identifies the store group according to the designated location information.

In the above embodiment, the control circuit 140 can be configured by an arithmetic circuit such as a microcomputer. Alternatively or in combination with this, an arithmetic unit such as a CPU may execute software to perform an operation equivalent to that of the control circuit 140. Further, in the above embodiment, the example in which the user terminal 300 displays the vacant seat status of the surrounding stores on the screen has been described, but instead, only the vacant seat status of the specific store is always inquired to the vacant seat management server 200. May be good. Further, the user terminal 300 may specify a store attribute (eg, store category information such as genre 2413) for inquiring about the vacancy status. In this case, the output unit 213 returns only the vacant seat information of the store that matches the designated attribute to the user terminal 300.

In the above embodiment, the user terminal 300 does not necessarily have to be a terminal carried by the user. For example, a communication device such as a computer installed at a specific place may be used as the user terminal 300. For example, a digital signage terminal fixedly installed in a place with a lot of traffic may be configured as a user terminal 300. In this case, it is not always necessary to display the vacant seat information about the stores around the digital signage terminal, and the vacant seat information about the store at the place desired by the terminal installer can also be displayed.

As described above, the present invention supplies a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiment to a system or device via a network or storage medium, and one or more processors in the computer of the system or device. It can be realized by the process of reading and operating the program. Further, it may be realized by a circuit that realizes one or more functions.

10: Vacancy management system 100: Store terminal 111: 1st button 112: 2nd button 113: 3rd button 130: USB terminal 140: Control circuit 150: Power supply circuit 160: Communication module 170: Storage unit 200: Vacancy management server 211 : Reception unit 212: Update unit 213: Output unit 241: Database 300: User terminal

Claims (13)

It has a store terminal having a first button that can be switched on and off and a communication device, and an information processing device that manages vacant seat information of the store corresponding to the store terminal based on data transmitted from the store terminal. It is a vacant seat management system
When the first button is pressed, the communication device transmits button pressing data indicating that the first button has been pressed and identification information of the store terminal to the information processing device.
The information processing device
A storage means for storing a database that manages vacant seat information for each store,
A receiving means for receiving the button pressing data and the identification information of the store terminal from the store terminal, and
An update means for updating the database based on the button press data and the identification information,
An output means for outputting vacant seat information of the store according to the vacant seat information managed by the database, and
A vacant seat management system characterized by being equipped with. The store terminal is installed in the store and
When the first button is turned on, the communication device transmits the button pressing data indicating that there are vacant seats in the store to the information processing device.
The updating means is characterized in that, when the button pressing data indicates that there are vacant seats in the store, the vacant seat information corresponding to the store in the database is updated to the content that there are vacant seats. The vacant seat management system according to claim 1. The communication device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the button state data indicating whether the first button is in the ON / OFF state is intermittently and repeatedly transmitted to the information processing apparatus. Described vacancy management system. The store terminal further includes a second button that can be switched on and off.
The first button and the second button are configured so as not to be fixed to the ON state at the same time.
When the first button is turned on, the communication device transmits the button pressing data indicating that there are vacant seats in the store to the information processing device.
From claim 1, the communication device transmits the button pressing data indicating that the store is congested to the information processing device when the second button is turned on. The vacant seat management system according to any one of 3. The database holds information indicating a fixed vacant seat period in which the vacant seat information of the store is fixed regardless of the ON / OFF state of the first button, and the fixed fixed vacant seat status.
The receiving means receives a request from the user terminal requesting that the contents of the database be transmitted, and receives the request.
When the receiving means receives the request during the vacant seat state fixed period, the output means outputs the fixed vacant seat state instead of the vacant seat information managed by the database as a response to the request. The vacant seat management system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, which is characterized. The database manages the location of each store.
The receiving means receives a request from the user terminal requesting the transmission of the contents of the database, and also receives the coordinates of the user terminal from the user terminal together with the request.
From claim 1, the output means reads vacant seat information about a store existing within a predetermined range from the coordinates of the user terminal from the database, and outputs the read vacant seat information as a response to the request. The vacant seat management system according to any one of 5. The output means outputs a list listing the vacant seat information read from the database and the store identification information corresponding to the vacant seat information as a response to the request.
The vacant seat management system further includes the user terminal for transmitting the request.
When the user terminal receives the response,
The list included in the response is displayed on the screen.
or,
5. The fifth aspect of the present invention is to display a map configured to display the vacant seat information included in the response at a position corresponding to the location information included in the response on the screen provided in the user terminal. Described vacancy management system. The database holds information indicating the timing for starting the vacant seat fixed period.
When the receiving means receives the button pressing data within a predetermined time set in advance from the timing of starting the vacant seat state fixed period, the output means is said to be said regardless of the content of the button pressing data. The vacant seat management system according to claim 5, wherein the vacant seat information corresponding to the store in the database is continuously fixed to the contents other than the fact that there are vacant seats for a predetermined time or longer. An information processing device that manages vacant seat information of a store corresponding to the store terminal based on data transmitted from a store terminal having a first button that can be switched on and off and a communication device.
A storage unit that stores a database that manages vacant seat information for each store,
A receiver that receives button press data indicating that the first button has been pressed and identification information of the store terminal from the store terminal.
An update unit that updates the database based on the button press data and the identification information.
An output unit that outputs vacant seat information of the store according to the vacant seat information managed by the database.
An information processing device characterized by being equipped with. The first button is configured to be fixed in the ON state when pressed in the OFF state, and fixed in the OFF state when pressed in the ON state.
The information according to claim 9, wherein the communication device further intermittently and repeatedly transmits button state data indicating whether the first button is ON or OFF to the information processing apparatus. Processing equipment. The store terminal further includes a second button that can be switched on and off and a third button that can be switched on and off.
The first button, the second button, and the third button are configured so that only one of them is fixed in the ON state.
When the first button is turned on, the communication device transmits the button pressing data indicating that there are vacant seats in the store to the information processing device.
When the second button is turned on, the button pressing data indicating that the inside of the store is congested is transmitted to the information processing device. When the third button is turned on, the inside of the store is turned on. The information processing apparatus according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the button pressing data indicating that there are no vacant seats is transmitted to the information processing apparatus. A program for operating a computer as an information processing device according to any one of claims 9 to 11. It is an information processing method that manages vacant seat information of a store corresponding to the store terminal based on data transmitted from a store terminal having a first button that can be switched on and off and a communication device.
The button pressing data indicating that the first button has been pressed and the identification information of the store terminal are received from the store terminal, and the data is received from the store terminal.
Update the database that manages vacant seat information for each store based on the button press data and the identification information.
An information processing method characterized by outputting vacant seat information of the store according to vacant seat information managed by the database.

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