JP3836672B2 - Vacant seat information display system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a vacant seat information display system capable of quickly and accurately grasping vacant seats in a restaurant having a large number of passenger seats.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, with the increase in size of restaurants, the number of seats that one restaurant has has increased.
[0003]
In these restaurants, it is necessary to quickly replace the restaurant in order to operate the store more efficiently, so it is necessary to quickly grasp these empty seats. As described above, it has become very difficult to grasp the entire seats of a store with an increase in the size of the store, and there has been a problem that the labor required to grasp these vacant seats is increased.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Therefore, the present invention has been made paying attention to the above-mentioned problems, and even in a large-scale restaurant with a large number of seats, vacant seat information display can quickly and easily grasp the seat availability of seats. The purpose is to provide a system.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problem, the vacant seat information display system according to the present invention is provided in the vicinity of the seat corresponding to each seat in the restaurant, and the store staff can identify the seat by performing an input operation. A vacant seat input device that outputs a signal, and a display device that displays, based on the predetermined signal output from the vacant seat input device, such that the passenger seat specified by the predetermined signal is vacant. The passenger seat is provided along a circulation type conveyance path capable of providing a food and drink container on which food and drink are placed to an eating and drinking person through an endless circulation conveyance path, and the circulation type conveyance path includes a small zone and The display device displays a plan layout of the circulation type conveyance path and displays whether the large or small zone is in operation. Large and small corresponding to large and small zones Only when either the large or small zone is in operation, the vacant seat display of the passenger seats in the zone can be performed, and either the large or small zone switch When a selection operation is performed, the display of the vacant seat state before the selection operation is automatically updated as the passenger seat state of the selected zone as it is.
According to this feature, when the clerk operates the vacant seat input device when the occupant seat becomes a vacant seat that can accept a new restaurant, the display device displays that the occupant seat is vacant. Therefore, even in a large restaurant with a large number of seats, it is possible to grasp the vacancy status of the seats quickly and with low labor, and input from each seat can be performed quickly. Can be done reliably. In addition, in the circulation type transport path that is divided and transported into a small zone and a large zone including this small zone, it is possible to display the vacant seat status only in the active zone, so incorrect vacant seat display in the non-operating zone Is never made. Then, for example, when switching from using the large zone to using the small zone, the portion corresponding to the small zone in the display of the vacant seat status in the large zone can be updated as it is as the small zone passenger seat status (conversely from using the small zone to the large zone). The same is true when switching to zone use).
[0006]
The vacant seat information display system of the present invention preferably cancels the vacant seat display when the predetermined signal is output from the vacant seat input device corresponding to the vacant seat displayed.
In this way, when a new restaurant is guided to the passenger seat, the clerk operates the vacant seat input device again so that the vacant seat display of the passenger seat is surely canceled. Can be avoided as much as possible as well as accidentally canceling the vacant seat display of different passenger seats.
[0007]
In the vacant seat information display system according to the present invention, when a new vacant seat display is performed, the display state of the new vacant seat display is preferably blinked over a predetermined period.
In this way, it is possible to instantly identify which passenger seat is the new vacant seat.
[0008]
The vacant seat information display system of the present invention preferably includes a sound notification device that notifies the occurrence of a vacant seat by sound when a new vacant seat display is performed.
In this way, it is possible to recognize the occurrence of a vacant seat by sound even when the display device is not constantly viewed.
[0009]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[0010]
(Example)
FIG. 1 is a plan view of a restaurant to which the vacant seat information display system of the present embodiment is applied, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the vacant seat information display system used in the present embodiment, and FIG. It is a figure which shows the passenger seat periphery of the restaurant provided with the food-drink circulation conveyance path of a present Example, and FIG. 4 comprises the vacant seat information display system of a present Example, and displays the vacant seat condition and the operating condition of a zone. It is a figure which shows a display apparatus.
[0011]
First, a restaurant to which the vacant seat information display system of this embodiment is applied is a relatively large restaurant with a large number of seats as shown in FIG. 1, and in this store, mainly food and drink such as sushi. A passenger seat comprising a table seat 7 and a counter seat 3 is provided along two endless circulation-type conveyance paths 2 that circulate and convey food, and a restaurant is located in the upper part of the figure while being in the customer seat. The food and drink conveyed on the circulation type conveyance path 2 can be taken out together with the food and drink container and eaten.
[0012]
Further, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the circulation type conveyance path 2 has a comb shape in a top view having island portions which are a plurality of protruding portions provided with passenger seats 3 or 7 on both sides thereof. The route change device 30 is provided at the approximate center position of each island part, and the food and drink conveyed toward the tip of the island part by operating this route change device 30 It is folded and transported at the center of the island, and food and drink are not transported to the path to the tip of the island.
[0013]
The island part has a large zone of A to D as a whole, and the part located on the base side of the island with respect to the route change device 30 provided in each of the island parts A to D. The portion located on the front end side is divided into two zones, and thus the large zone includes two small zones. In this embodiment, eight small zones a to h are provided. In the display panel 8 to be described later, operation display can be performed corresponding to each large zone and each small zone.
[0014]
As shown in FIG. 5, the route changing device 30 used in the present embodiment changes the traveling direction of the food conveyor and the roller conveyer 31 as a bypass path in which drive rollers that can rotate in a predetermined direction are arranged at predetermined intervals. The route changing device 32 is provided and a side plate 33 provided to prevent the food container from falling from the route changing device 30, and the route changing device 30 is configured to convey food and drink. If the route direction change plate 32 is projected so as to be placed on the conveyance path as shown in FIG. 5 (b), the food / drink container conveyed on the conveyance path 2 is moved to the direction change plate. 32, the direction of the route is changed, the roller conveyor 31 being driven is moved and returned to the conveying path 2 in the opposite direction, and the route direction changing plate 32 is also shown in FIG. as in a) Sending passage and is capable of performing conveyance to the island tip portion by 2 does not protrude upward. Therefore, in the embodiment of FIG. 1, there is no single operation of the zones b, d, f, and h.
[0015]
In addition, in the said Example, although the route change apparatus 30 is changing a path | route using the apparatus comprised from the roller conveyor 31, the course direction change board 32, and the side plate 33, this invention is limited to this. Instead of a roller conveyor, a belt conveyor or the like may be used, and any apparatus that can change the path may be used.
[0016]
Further, as described above, in the present embodiment, the route changing device 30 is provided at a substantially central position of the island portion. However, the position and the number of the route changing devices installed on the conveyance path may be appropriately selected. For example, a route change device is also provided on the most base side of the island, and the number of the route change devices is plural, or conversely, the entire island is always used without providing a route change device at all on the island. You may make it do.
[0017]
As shown in FIG. 2, the configuration of the vacant seat information providing system according to the present embodiment has a display panel 8 as a display device for displaying the vacant seat status shown in FIG. 8, a control board for controlling the display of the vacant seat status, etc. is stored, and a main body box 1 that can be attached to the wall near the entrance of the store, such as a cashier counter, and 1 for each table 4 and counter seat 3 as shown in FIG. The vacant seat button 20 as a vacant seat input device provided corresponding to the pair 1 is mainly configured, and each vacant seat button 20 is connected to the control board inside the main body box 1 by a connection cable. .
[0018]
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the main body box 1 includes a main switch 10 for turning on / off the system, and a reset switch 11 for returning all current system setting conditions and display states to the initial state. A buzzer 13 as a sound notification device for notifying when a new vacant seat is generated, and large and small zone switches 12a to 12h for designating a zone which is a currently operating conveyance path, A lighting control circuit 16 that controls the lighting state of each lamp that indicates whether the display panel 8 is vacant or the zone being used is turned on or off, and is provided for each passenger seat / table in the store floor plan drawn on the display panel 8. news and the audience lamp 5 is, that the size, the zones are illuminated when the small zone switch 12a~12h is turned oN is in a working state When the zone lamps 21a to 21h and the vacant seat switch 20 are connected and a signal is input based on the operation of the vacant seat switch 20, a control microcomputer (MPU) 15 to be described later gives a predetermined signal that can identify the vacant seat switch 20 And an I / O gate circuit 14 for outputting to each of these parts, and a control microcomputer (MPU) 15 connected to each of these parts as shown in FIG. 2 and performing control of each operation based on a predetermined processing program, each vacant switch 20 and large, when the switch 12a~12h the small zone is operated, the seats lamp 5 and zone lamp 21a~21h is to show the operating status of the lighting or extinction has been seat availability and zones It has become.
[0019]
Next, each seat of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 3. The seats of the restaurant in the present embodiment are mainly located in the periphery of the circulation type conveyance path 2 as shown in FIG. 3a, and a plurality of table seats corresponding to a group of restaurants such as families as shown in FIG. 3 (b). In the case of counter seats, a counter 6 is installed along the circulation type conveyance path 2, and counter seats 3 are arranged in parallel at regular intervals in the vicinity of the counter 6. The push button type vacant seat switch 20 is provided at a portion of the side plate of the circulation type conveyance path 2 which is the front position of each passenger seat.
[0020]
In the case of the table seat of FIG. 3B, a plurality of tables 4 are arranged in a comb-like shape at regular intervals along the circulation type conveyance path 2 in the same manner as the counter seat. In the direction, there are six table seats 7 facing each other. In this embodiment, three table seats 7 are arranged in total. In the table seat 7, one vacant seat switch 20 is provided for each table 4 in the circulation type transport. The side plate of the path 2 is provided at a portion located substantially in the center of the table 4.
[0021]
Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, and 4. First, the store clerk starts up the system by turning on the main switch 10 provided in the main body box 1 before opening the store.
[0022]
Next, select the zone to be used for sales, press the large, switch 12a~12h for the small of the zone corresponding to the zone, are adapted to the corresponding zone lamp 21a~21h is turned on, for example used in operating select the entire at a zone a of the island portion mentioned above as a line that, when operating the large zone switch 12b corresponding to the zone a, zone lamp 21a of the selected zone, 21b lights, seats lamp 5 zones a There has become all lights (audience lamp 5 of ● state), the zone which is located at the base side of the island portion, for example, select the zone a, and operates the corresponding small zone switch 12a, the zone Only the lamp 21a is lit, and the passenger seat lamp 5 for only the selected zone is lit. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, since the zone A and the zone B are selected, the operation of the transport path 2 in that portion can be confirmed.
[0023]
The small zone switches corresponding to the small zone included in the large zone switch and the large zone corresponding to the large zone is in so as not be selected operated simultaneously, for example, select the zone A is a large zone , when operating the corresponding large zone switch 12b is small zone switch 12a of the zone a is a small zone included in the zone a is the so can not be selected simultaneously operate. And since so as to be automatically updated as previous seats use state of each zone is the audience use state display zone corresponding to the input operation, for each time carrying it released earlier switching zone It is convenient without any hassle.
[0024]
The lighting / extinguishing control based on the operation of the vacant seat switch 20 is effective only in the zone where the zone lamps 21a to 21h are lit, and in the zone where the zone lamps 21a to 21h are lit. The lighting / extinguishing control is not performed even when the vacant seat switch 20 is operated. Therefore, an erroneous vacant seat display is not performed in a zone that is not in operation.
[0025]
In this state, when the restaurant visits the store, the store clerk guides the restaurant to the vacant seat displayed, and when the restaurant is seated, presses the vacant seat switch 20 provided corresponding to the seat.
[0026]
When the vacant seat switch 20 is pressed, the passenger seat lamp 5 corresponding to the passenger seat is turned off (the passenger seat lamp 5 is in a state of ◯), indicating that the restaurant is present.
[0027]
When a restaurant finishes eating and drinking and stands up and the seat becomes vacant, the store clerk cleans the seat, but when the cleaning is finished and the seat is able to guide the restaurant again, the store clerk takes the seat. By pressing a vacant seat switch 20 provided in the display, the corresponding passenger seat lamp 5 of the display panel 8 is controlled to be turned on again. In this case, in order to notify the store clerk (food and drink guide) that a new vacant seat has occurred, a predetermined sound is output from the buzzer 13 and the newly lit passenger seat lamp 5 is Flashing control is performed like the passenger seat lamp 5a for a certain time from the lighting, for example, for 5 seconds.
[0028]
As described above, when a new vacant seat is generated, the buzzer 13 can notify the user of the occurrence of a vacant seat by sound without constantly looking at the display panel 8. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It is not limited.
[0029]
Further, in the present embodiment, as described above, when a new vacant seat is generated, the lighting of the passenger seat lamp 5a corresponding to the vacant seat is controlled to blink. This is newly generated. However, the present invention is not limited to this, because the position of the vacant seat can be easily specified from among a large number of passenger seat displays on the display panel 8.
[0030]
The store clerk who confirmed the newly generated vacant seat (the restaurant guide) can select the restaurant corresponding to the seat and guide it to the seat, and quickly and accurately replace the restaurant. Be able to.
[0031]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the clerk operates the vacant seat switch 20 when the occupant seat becomes a vacant seat state that can accept a food and drink customer, so that the occupant seat is displayed as a vacant seat on the display panel 8. Since it is displayed, even in a large restaurant with a large number of seats, it becomes possible to quickly grasp the seat availability of the seats with low labor.
[0032]
Although the present invention has been described with reference to the drawings, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and it goes without saying that modifications and additions within the scope of the present invention are included in the present invention. .
[0033]
For example, in the present embodiment, a new vacant seat is notified by blinking of the passenger seat lamp 5 and a buzzer sound from the buzzer 13. Each notification time is 5 after the vacant seat switch is pressed. It blinks for 2 seconds and the buzzer sounds for 2 seconds. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is possible to arbitrarily set the time for blinking and ringing, or a blinking pattern. It is optional to change the sound pattern of sound and ring for each zone or seat type (counter seat or table seat) so that it is easy to determine which zone or which kind of vacant seat has occurred.
[0034]
In addition, in the case of a store where the circulation type conveyance path 2 is installed as in the present embodiment, it is preferable because the circulation type conveyance path 2 blocks the line of sight and makes it difficult to grasp empty seats. The invention is not limited to this, and it goes without saying that the invention can be applied to restaurants such as ordinary restaurants, stores operating using private rooms, and the like.
[0035]
Moreover, in the said Example, although the vacant seat switch 20 is used in order to alert | report a passenger seat state, this invention is not limited to this, As long as an attendant can be operated, arbitrary things will be used. It may be used, and the form of installation may be provided in association with a calling device, an ordering device, a checkout device, or the like, instead of alone.
[0036]
In the embodiment, the vacant seat switch 20 and the main body box 1 are connected by a connection cable. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the vacant seat switch 20 and the main body box 1 are wirelessly communicated. It is also possible to improve the installation of the system by eliminating the labor required for wiring by connecting by a non-contact communication method such as infrared communication.
[0037]
Further, in the above embodiment, the installation position of the vacant seat switch 20 is provided on the side plate of the circulation conveyance path 2, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the vacant seat switch 20 is difficult to be seen by a restaurant, For example, you may install in the back surface etc. of a table.
[0038]
Moreover, in the said Example, although the buzzer 13 was provided in the main body box 1, this invention is not limited to this, It provides as a separate body so that a notification sound can be heard in a wide area. Also good.
[0039]
Although not implemented in the above embodiment, sensors for detecting the driving status of the circulating transport path 2 and the transporting status of food and drink are installed, and these sensors are connected to the main body box 1 to drive the driving status and the food and drink. The operation zone may be automatically displayed based on the conveyance status.
[0040]
【The invention's effect】
The present invention has the following effects.
[0041]
(A) According to the invention of claim 1, when a clerk operates the vacant seat input device when the occupant seat becomes a vacant seat that can accept a new restaurant, the occupant seat is displayed on the display device. Since it is displayed that seats have become vacant, even in a large restaurant with a large number of seats, it is possible to grasp the seat availability of seats quickly and with low effort, and input from each seat. As a result, input operations can be performed quickly and reliably. In addition, in the circulation type transport path that is divided and transported into a small zone and a large zone including this small zone, it is possible to display the vacant seat status only in the active zone, so incorrect vacant seat display in the non-operating zone Is never made. Then, for example, when switching from using the large zone to using the small zone, the portion corresponding to the small zone in the display of the vacant seat state in the large zone can be updated as it is as the small zone passenger seat state (conversely from using the small zone to the large zone). The same is true when switching to zone use).
[0042]
(B) According to the invention of claim 2, when a new clerk is guided to the passenger seat, the clerk operates the vacant seat input device again, so that the vacant seat display of the passenger seat is reliably canceled. Therefore, it is possible to avoid as much as possible that a non-vacant seat remains in the vacant seat display, and it is possible to avoid accidentally canceling the vacant seat display of a different seat.
[0043]
(C) According to the invention of claim 3, it is possible to instantly identify which passenger seat is the new vacant seat.
[0044]
(D) According to the invention of claim 4, it is possible to recognize the occurrence of a vacant seat by sound even when the display device is not always viewed.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a sketch of a restaurant to which a vacant seat information display system of the present embodiment is applied.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a vacant seat information display system according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the vicinity of a passenger seat in a restaurant according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a display device used in the vacant seat information display system of the present embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an operation of the path changing device used in the present embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Body box 1
2 Circulation-type conveyance path 3 Counter seat 4 Table 5 Passenger seat lamp 5a Passenger seat lamp (flashing state)
6 counter 7 table seat 8 display panel 10 main switch 11 the reset switch 12a~12h large, switch the small zone 13 buzzer 14 I / O gate circuit 15 control microcomputer (MPU)
16 lighting control circuit 20 vacant seat switch (vacant seat input device)
21a to 21h Zone lamp 30 Route changing device 31 Roller conveyor 32 Path direction changing plate 33 Side plate

Claims (4)

A vacant seat input device that is provided in the vicinity of the spectator seat corresponding to each occupant seat in the restaurant and outputs a predetermined signal that can be identified by the clerk by performing an input operation, and the vacant seat input device that outputs the vacant seat input device Based on a predetermined signal, a display device for displaying that the seat specified by the predetermined signal is vacant, so that the passenger seat can endlessly have a food container on which food or drink is placed. The circulation type conveyance path is provided along a circulation type conveyance path that can be provided to eating and drinking customers, and the circulation type conveyance path is divided into a small zone and a large zone including the small zone. A plan view of the circulation type transport path is displayed, and large and small zone switches corresponding to the large and small zones are provided to indicate whether the large or small zone is in operation. , Large or small zone Only when the vacant seat status in the zone can be displayed, and when either the large or small zone switch is selected, the vacant seat of the passenger seat before the selection operation is displayed. A vacant seat information display system that automatically updates the status display as the seat status of the selected zone as it is.   2. The vacant seat information display system according to claim 1, wherein when the predetermined signal is output from the vacant seat input device corresponding to the vacant seat displayed, the vacant seat display of the occupant seat is canceled.   3. The vacant seat information display system according to claim 1, wherein when a new vacant seat display is performed, the display state of the new vacant seat display is made to blink for a predetermined period.   The vacant seat information display system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a sound notification device that notifies the occurrence of the vacant seat by sound when performing a new vacant seat display.

Images