JP5232817B2 - Business support device and control program thereof - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a business support apparatus and a control program for supporting a business such as an order reception business performed by a store clerk at a restaurant or the like.

  Various business support devices are used in the distribution and restaurant industries, such as POS (Point Of Sales) terminals used for accounting operations in various stores and order terminals used for order entry in restaurants. ing. In many cases, a system that efficiently supports various kinds of work is constructed by connecting and cooperating these work support apparatuses and external devices such as server apparatuses via a network.

  In the business support apparatus as described above, a GUI (Graphical User Interface) is generally used for inputting an instruction by a user. In the display image (GUI image) in this GUI, a plurality of display parts for inputting a user instruction are arranged, and the user inputs a desired instruction by operating the display part using a pointing device or the like. be able to.

  When doing business using the business support device, write down notes on sticky notes etc. and paste them on the frame of the business support device so that you do not forget the work you should do or convey some information to other users May be attached. However, since sticky notes and the like may be peeled off, there is a portion that lacks certainty of information transmission. In order to solve such a problem, there is also known an apparatus in which a GUI image displayed on a display unit is provided with a region where memo information can be described (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  As described above, even if a sticky note is pasted on a frame or memo information is displayed in a predetermined area provided in a GUI image displayed on the display unit, it is in a state where it can be browsed at all times. The user gets used to it. If it does so, a user may not confirm a memo and there exists a possibility that the original role of a memo may not be played. Furthermore, it may lead to serious mistakes, such as forgetting to do business described as a memo.

  In addition, if a memo area is always displayed on a GUI image for performing a main job, the display area of other display components may be reduced, making each display component difficult to view and difficult to operate.

  The present invention has been made based on the above situation, and its purpose is to provide a reliable information transmission means using the image without impairing the operability of the GUI image displayed on the business support apparatus. And helping to prevent business mistakes.

The business support apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes a message input unit that inputs an arbitrary message, a storage unit that stores a message input by the message input unit, and a display time limit of the message stored in the storage unit. A display deadline designating unit to be designated, an erasing unit for erasing a message stored in the storage unit in response to the arrival of the display deadline designated by the display deadline designating unit, and a message stored in the storage unit When there is not, a first graphical user interface image including an operation area formed by arranging a plurality of display components each associated with a business instruction is displayed, and when a message is stored in the storage unit, The first graphical user interface by downsizing the display component Display means for reducing the area occupied by the operation area in the image, and displaying a second graphical user interface image including a message area representing a message stored in the storage means in a free area generated thereby; and the display Operation input means for inputting a user operation for designating one of the plurality of display components included in the first graphical user interface image or the second graphical user interface image displayed by the means; And processing means for executing support processing for supporting the work in accordance with an instruction associated with the display component designated by the operation input by the operation input means.

  According to the present invention in which such a measure is taken, it is possible to provide a reliable information transmission means using the image without impairing the operability of the GUI image displayed on the work support apparatus, and to prevent a business error. Can contribute.

The block diagram of the customer service assistance system in one Embodiment of this invention. The block diagram which shows the control structure of the information terminal which the system has. The figure which shows the structure of the department file memorize | stored in HDD of the same information terminal. The figure which shows the structure of the PLU file memorize | stored in HDD of the same information terminal. The figure which shows the structure of the tag data file memorize | stored in HDD of the same information terminal. The figure which shows an example of the dialog box displayed on LCD of the information terminal. The flowchart of the process which CPU of the same information terminal performs. The figure which shows an example of the order input screen displayed on LCD of the information terminal. The figure which shows the state in which the tag area was displayed on the order input screen. The figure which shows the state by which the tag was pop-up displayed on the order input screen.

Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
In addition, in this embodiment, the customer service support system used for order input, accounting, etc. in a restaurant is illustrated.

[System configuration]
First, the overall configuration of the customer service support system will be described.
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a customer service support system according to the present embodiment. The customer service support system is configured by connecting three information terminals 1 (business support devices), a kitchen printer 2 and a station 3 to a local area network (LAN) 4 respectively. However, the information terminal 1 may include only one device, or may include two devices or four or more devices. The kitchen printer 2 may include two or more.

  The information terminal 1 is installed on, for example, a customer service floor or a checkout counter, and performs processing for supporting various operations such as guidance operations for customers, order receiving operations, serving (delivery) operations, and accounting operations. In particular, in the information terminal 1 installed on the customer service floor, processing for supporting the guidance work, the order receiving work, and the serving (distribution) work is mainly used. Further, in the information terminal 1 installed in the checkout counter, processing for further supporting accounting work is used. In addition, the information terminal 1 is good also as what was specialized for a use by performing the process which supports only a part of said operation | work. That is, the information terminal 1 has a function as a business support device for supporting business in a store.

  The kitchen printer 2 is installed in a kitchen, for example, and prints a cooking instruction slip based on the order information transmitted from the information terminal 1 for the cook.

  The station 3 is installed, for example, in the back yard, and aggregates various types of information transmitted from the information terminal 1 to support management work related to restaurant business. In addition, the station 3 may perform management processing of information used in common by the plurality of information terminals 1.

[Information terminal]
Next, the control configuration of the information terminal 1 will be described.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the information terminal 1. The information terminal 1 includes a liquid crystal display (LCD) 10, a display controller 11, a touch panel 12, a touch panel controller 13, a peripheral device interface (peripheral device I / F) 14, a communication interface (communication I / F) 15, and a ROM (read-only). a random access memory (RAM) 16, a timer 18, a hard disk drive (HDD) 19, and a central processing unit (CPU) 20. Among these, the display controller 11, the touch panel controller 13, the peripheral device interface 14, the communication interface 15, the ROM 16, the RAM 17, the timer 18, the HDD 19, and the CPU 20 are connected to the bus line 21. The LCD 10 and the touch panel 12 are connected to the display controller 11 and the touch panel controller 13, respectively.

  The LCD 10 functions as display means in the present embodiment, and is driven by the display controller 11 to display a GUI image or the like. The display controller 11 controls the LCD 10 so that an image corresponding to the image data transferred from the RAM 17 is displayed under the control of the CPU 20.

  The touch panel 12 functions as an operation input unit in the present embodiment, and is laminated on the display surface of the LCD 10. When the user touches the display screen of the LCD 10, the touch panel 12 outputs a detection signal corresponding to the touch position. The touch panel controller 13 obtains coordinate information representing the touch position based on the detection signal output from the touch panel 12 and sends the coordinate information to the CPU 20.

  Peripheral devices such as the printer 5 and the customer display device 6 are connected to the peripheral device interface 14 as necessary. The peripheral device interface 14 communicates with connected peripheral devices. The printer 5 is used for printing an order slip, a receipt slip or various journals. The customer surface display device 6 is used to display an image that presents a result of a transaction, advertisement information, or the like to a customer. At least one of the printer 5 and the customer display device 6 may be incorporated in the information terminal 1.

  The communication interface 15 communicates with the kitchen printer 2 and the station 3 via the LAN 4. As the communication interface 15, an interface circuit compliant with a general-purpose standard such as Ethernet (registered trademark) can be used.

  The ROM 16 stores a program describing a processing procedure of the CPU 20, data necessary for the CPU 20 to execute various processes, and the like.

  The RAM 17 stores data necessary for the CPU 20 to execute various processes as necessary. For example, the RAM 17 stores image information representing an image displayed on the LCD 10. The RAM 17 is also used as a work area when the CPU 20 performs various processes.

  The timer 18 measures the system date and time of the information terminal 1. The system date and time is information including, for example, year, month, day, hour, minute, and second.

  The HDD 19 stores a program describing a processing procedure of the CPU 20, data necessary for the CPU 20 to execute various processes, and the like. The data stored in the HDD 19 includes a department file F1, a price look-up (PLU) file F2, and a tag data file F3, which will be described later. The data stored in the HDD 19 includes data representing display components that are materials for generating various images. This display component also includes a button component arranged on the GUI image.

  The CPU 20 executes processes for supporting the various operations described above in accordance with programs stored in the ROM 16 and the HDD 19.

[File structure]
Next, the file structure of the department file F1, the PLU file F2, and the tag data file F3 will be described.
FIG. 3 shows the file structure of the department file F1.
The department file F1 is composed of a set of a plurality of data records each including information fields of department number, department name, tag position, and remarks. In these data records, information on individual departments is described. Specifically, a number assigned to each of a plurality of departments determined to classify the menu items is described in the department number information field. In the department name information field, a name for identifying each of the departments is described. In the tag position information field, an arrangement position of a button part in an order input GUI image to be described later is described. In the remarks information field, other remark information is described as necessary. In FIG. 3, remark information is not described in any data record.

  In the example of FIG. 3, nine categories of “drink”, “dessert”, “Japanese candy”, “Japanese and Western food”, “boiled food”, “nabe stuff”, “udon & soba”, “one dish”, and “kenna and salad” are defined. It is described in the department file that department numbers “01” to “09” are assigned to these departments. For example, it is described in the department file that the arrangement position of the button component corresponding to the department “drink” is “2 rows and 5 columns”.

FIG. 4 shows the file structure of the PLU file F2.
The PLU file F2 is composed of a set of a plurality of data records each including information fields of code, department, assignment, image, menu name, unit price, take-out, service charge object, and button color. In these data records, information about individual menu items is described. In the code information field, a code assigned to each menu item is described. In the department information field, the department number of the department to which each menu item belongs is described. In the allocation information field, an arrangement position of the button component in the order input GUI image is described. In the image information field, an image to be superimposed and displayed on the button component is described. In the menu name information field, names of individual menu items are described. The unit price of each menu item is described in the unit price information field. In the take-out information field, whether or not each menu item can be taken home is described. In the information field of the service fee target, it is described whether each menu item is subject to service fee collection. The button color information field describes the color of the button component.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the file structure of the tag data file F3.
The tag data file F3 functions as storage means in the present embodiment, and consists of a set of five data records each including color, alert, mode, time limit, and message. In these records, information on sticky note images T1 to T5 displayed on an order input screen described later is described. In the color information field, a color for displaying the sticky note image is described. In the alert information field, an alert time for highlighting the tag image is described so that the user can reliably recognize the message described in the tag image. In the mode information field, an alert mode for designating a mode for highlighting the tag image is described. Specifically, either a flashing mode in which the tag image blinks at the time described in the alert information field or a pop-up mode in which the tag image is enlarged and displayed by pop-up is described. In the time limit information field, a display time limit for treating the information described in each record as valid is described in units of year, month, day, hour, minute, for example. When this display deadline arrives, the information described in the record relating to the tag image is deleted. The message to be displayed on the sticky note image is described in the message information field.

A method for editing the tag data file F3 will be described.
Each record of the tag data file F3 can be edited via a dialog box 100 displayed on the LCD 10 at a predetermined timing. An example of the dialog box 100 is shown in FIG.

  This dialog box 100 includes an area 100A (message input means) for creating a message to be described in the tag image to be edited, an area 100B for designating conditions regarding the color and alert of the tag image, the tag Cancel button 101 for canceling image creation and closing dialog box 100, Delete button 102 for deleting information described in the record of the sticky note image and closing dialog box 100, contents specified in areas 100A and 100B Is displayed on the record relating to the tag image and a display part such as a close button 103 for closing the dialog box is provided. Each display component included in the dialog box 100 can be operated by touching the display position.

An area 100A includes a display area 110 for displaying a message being edited, a button group 111 for inputting a message to the display area 110, a button group 112 for moving the caret displayed in the display area 110 up and down, left and right, and a display area 110. A conversion button 113 for converting the input character string between different character strings such as hiragana, katakana, kanji, alphabet, etc., a clear button 114 for deleting the character displayed on the left side of the caret, and a character displayed in the display area 110 A confirmation button 115 for confirming the column as a message to be displayed on the sticky note image, and an enlarged image 116 for displaying the character string confirmed by the confirmation button 115 are provided.
The enlarged image 116 includes a header 116a and a display area 116b that displays a message confirmed by the confirm button 115. When each button constituting the button group 111 is continuously operated, the input candidate character is displayed at a position indicated by the caret in the display area 110 while changing, for example, “Aiueo”. And the character currently displayed on the display area 110 is determined as input object at the timing when the other button was operated.

The area 100B includes a color selection box 120 for selecting the color of the sticky note image, a check box 121 for selecting whether the alert function is enabled / disabled, a combo box 121a for specifying the alert time, and setting the alert mode to either the flashing mode or the pop-up mode. It has display parts such as a radio button 121b for selecting whether to perform, a check box 122 for selecting validity / invalidity of the display time limit function of the tag image, and combo boxes 122a, 122b, 122c, 122d for specifying the display time limit.
The color selection box 120 functions as a color designation unit in the present embodiment, and is a component for selecting one color from among boxes arranged in, for example, red, blue, yellow, green, purple, and so on. . When any color is selected in the color selection box 120, the enlarged image 116 is switched to the selected color accordingly. However, the color of the display area 116b is displayed lighter than the color of the header 116a so that the visibility of the message displayed in the display area 116b is not impaired. The combo box 121a functions as alert time designation means in the present embodiment, and displays a list in which times are arranged at predetermined intervals in response to operation of a check button provided at the right end. Displays the time selected from the inside. The combo boxes 122a to 122d function as display time limit designating means in the present embodiment, and respectively change the year, month, day, and time at predetermined intervals according to the operation of the check button provided at the right end. The arranged list is displayed, and the year, month, day, and time selected from the list are displayed.

  When the close button 103 is operated, among the records of the tag data file F3, the record related to the tag image that has been edited by the dialog box 100 is updated. That is, the color information field of the record is updated to the color selected in the color selection box 120, and when the check box 121 is checked, the alert information field is updated at the alert time displayed in the combo box 121a. The mode information field is updated in the alert mode selected by the radio button 121b, the time limit information field is updated with the time limit displayed in the combo boxes 121a to 121d, and the message information field is displayed in the enlarged image 116. Updated with the message displayed in area 116b.

[Operation]
Next, operation of the customer service support system will be described.
When the order information about the customer's order is input to the information terminal 1 by the store clerk, the input order information is transmitted to the station 3 via the LAN 4. The station 3 manages the incoming order information for accounting processing, totalization processing, and the like. Further, the station 3 transmits the order information to the kitchen printer 2 via the LAN 4. The kitchen printer 2 prints a cooking instruction slip having contents corresponding to the incoming order information.

  Now, the information terminal 1 used for inputting the order information as described above is set to the order input mode by a store clerk, for example. When the order input mode is set, the CPU 20 executes the control program stored in the ROM 16 to realize processing according to the flowchart shown in FIG. However, FIG. 7 shows only a part of the characteristic processing of the present embodiment.

  In this process, first, the CPU 20 generates image data of an order input GUI image in a work area provided in the RAM 17 (step S1). Specifically, the CPU 20 generates image data indicating an order input screen 70 (first graphical user interface image) having a layout as shown in FIG.

  The order input screen 70 has an operation area 71 having a height H (H> 0) and a width W (W> 0). The operation area 71 is an area formed by arranging a plurality of display components each associated with an instruction related to an order input operation, and includes areas 71a, 71b, and 71c. The order input result is displayed in the area 71a. A plurality of button parts for designating menu items are arranged in the area 71b. In the area 71c, a plurality of button parts for designating additional functions related to the order input operation are arranged. The button parts arranged in the area 71c include a sticky note button 72 for declaring generation of sticky note data.

  The button parts arranged in the area 71b include a plurality of button parts each associated with a department and a plurality of button parts each associated with a menu item. An area in which a plurality of button parts each associated with a department are arranged and an area in which a plurality of button parts each associated with a menu item are individually defined in advance, and the CPU 20 The position of each button component in the area is determined based on information described in the department file F1 and the PLU file F2. Then, the CPU 20 acquires information on the button parts to be arranged in the areas 71b and 71c from the HDD 19, and expands the information in the RAM 17 according to the arrangement position.

  In addition, in order to make it easy to understand the function of the area 71a, the area 71a in FIG. 8 shows a state after an order is input. However, the image data generated by the process of step S1 at the beginning when the CPU 20 starts the process according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 7 does not yet include information indicating a specific order input result.

  If the image data of the order input screen 70 having such a configuration is generated, the CPU 20 determines whether information is described in each record of the tag data file F3 (step S2). At this time, if information is not described in all the records of the tag data file F3 (No in step S2), the CPU 20 outputs the image data generated in the process of step S1 to the display controller 11 and sends it to the LCD 10. Is displayed (step S3). In response to this, the display controller 11 drives the LCD 10 to display the order input screen 70.

  When information is described in at least one of the records of the tag data file F3 in the process of step S2 (Yes in step S2), the CPU 20 generates the image data of the order input screen 70 generated in the process of step S1. The image data with the display area of the tag image added thereto is generated in the work area provided in the RAM 17 (step S4), and the contents of the tag data file F3 are reflected in the display area of the tag image (step S5). Specifically, the CPU 20 generates image data indicating an order input screen 80 (second graphical user interface image) having a layout as shown in FIG.

  The order input screen 80 is made by downsizing button parts, images, characters, etc. included in the operation area 71 of the order input screen 70 shown in FIG. The width is reduced to W1 (0 <W1 <W) and right-justified so that a sticky note area 81 (message area) having a height H and a width W2 (= W−W1) is displayed in the empty area. .

The sticky note area 81 has five sticky note images T1 to T5 arranged in a vertical line. The tag images T1 to T5 are displayed in the colors described in the color information field of the tag data file F3. Further, in the tag images T1 to T5, messages described in the message information field of the tag data file F3 are displayed. In the example shown in FIG. 9, sticky note images T1 to T5 corresponding to the respective records of the sticky note data file F3 shown in FIG. 5 are displayed. That is, the sticky note image T1 is red and a message “[Attention!] Draft beer ...” is displayed, and the sticky note image T2 is red and a message “10/1 to autumn ...” is displayed. The sticky note image T3 is red and a message “not in menu” is displayed, and the sticky note image T4 is blue and a message “Do not forget ...” is displayed. Here, no information is described in the record of the tag image T5. As described above, a sticky note image in which no information is described in the record is displayed in a semi-transparent state with an inconspicuous default color such as white or gray.
When the image data of the order input screen 80 having the sticky note area 81 as described above is generated in the processes of steps S4 and S5, the CPU 20 outputs the image data to the display controller 11 and instructs the display on the LCD 10 (steps). S3). In response to this, the display controller 11 drives the LCD 10 to display the order input screen 80.

  In a state where the order input screen 70 or the order input screen 80 is displayed on the LCD 10, the CPU 20 waits for a GUI operation on the displayed order input screen (step S6). In the present embodiment, the GUI operation is performed when the user touches the display screen of the LCD 10 with a finger or the like. Therefore, the CPU 20 monitors the output from the touch panel controller 13 and determines that a GUI operation by the user has been performed if a detection signal is output from the touch panel controller 13.

  When it is determined that the GUI operation has been performed (Yes in Step S6), the CPU 20 determines the content of the instruction by the GUI operation (Step S7). Specifically, the touch position is identified based on the detection signal output from the touch panel controller 13, and it is determined what the instruction associated with the GUI component displayed at the touch position is. For example, if the user touches the display screen so as to touch the button part associated with the menu item, it is determined that the instruction by the GUI operation is an order input of the menu item associated with the corresponding button part. .

  If a function other than the tag image editing is designated ("other" in step S7), the CPU 20 proceeds to a process (not shown) according to the designation and executes the process. For example, if department switching is specified by touching a button part associated with a department, the CPU 20 arranges button parts of menu items belonging to the department associated with the touched button part. The area 71b is updated. If the order information is input by touching the button part associated with the menu item, the CPU 20 transmits the order information regarding the menu item associated with the touched button part to the station 3 and The display content of the area 71a is updated so as to represent the result of order entry. Note that the CPU 20 performs step S6 after the completion of the process according to the operation, except when a request that matches the process end condition of FIG. 7 is made, such as when the process other than the order input mode is started or when the order input mode is stopped. Return to the standby state.

  On the other hand, when the tag image editing is designated by the operation of the tag button 72 on the order input screen 70 or the order input screen 80, or one of the tag images T1 to T5 displayed on the order input screen 80 is touched. In this case (“sticky note edit” in step S7), the CPU 20 outputs the image data of the dialog box 100 as shown in FIG. 6 to the display controller 11 and instructs the display on the LCD 10 (step S8). In response to this, the display controller 11 drives the LCD 10 to display the dialog box 100. If the dialog box 100 is displayed by touching the tag button 72, the edit target of the dialog box 100 displayed in the process of step S8 is the data described in the record of the tag data file F3. It is the top record that is not done. If the dialog box 100 is displayed when any of the tag images T1 to T5 is touched when the order input screen 80 is displayed on the LCD, the dialog box displayed in the process of step S8. The editing target 100 is a record related to the touched tag image in the tag data file F3.

  In the process of step S8, the dialog box 100 may be displayed overlapping the order input screen 70, or the dialog box 100 may be displayed with the order input screen 70 once deleted.

  In a state where the dialog box 100 is displayed on the LCD 10, the CPU 20 receives an operation of each GUI component provided in the dialog box 100 (step S9). The CPU 20 continues the process of step S9 until the dialog box 100 is closed (No in step S10). Eventually, when any of the cancel button 101, the delete button 102, or the close button 103 of the dialog box 100 is touched to close the dialog box 100 (Yes in step S10), the CPU 20 again displays the order input screen 70. Data is generated (step S1), and it is determined whether or not information is stored in each record of the tag data file F3 (step S2). Based on the determination result, either the order input screen 70 or the order input screen 80 is displayed on the LCD 10 (step S3), and a GUI operation is awaited (step S6).

  In this way, while repeating the processing of steps S2 to S10, the CPU 20 monitors the system time counted by the timer 18, and the alert time described in the alert information field of the tag data file F3 and the deadline Waiting for the display deadline described in the information field to arrive.

  When the alert time described in the record relating to any one of the tag images T1 to T5 arrives, the CPU 20 refers to the information field of the mode of the record in which the alert time has arrived, and either the blinking mode or the pop-up mode is described. Judge whether it is. When the blink mode is described in the information field, the CPU 20 blinks the tag image related to the record displayed in the tag area 81. This blinking is continued until the tag image is touched, for example. On the other hand, when the pop-up mode is described in the information field, the CPU 20 displays a pop-up obtained by enlarging the sticky note image displayed in the sticky note area 81. An example of the pop-up displayed at this time is shown in FIG. In this example, a pop-up 90 in which the tag image T1 is enlarged is displayed on the order input screen 80. The pop-up 90 has an enlarged image 91 obtained by enlarging the sticky note image displayed in the sticky note area 81 as it is, and an OK button 92. This pop-up 90 is continuously displayed until the OK button 92 is touched.

  On the other hand, when the display time limit described in the record related to any one of the tag images T1 to T5 comes, the CPU 20 deletes information described in the record related to the tag image from the tag data file F3 (erase means). At this time, the CPU 20 deletes the message from the sticky note image displayed in the sticky note area 81 and returns the color to the default color to make it translucent.

[Action]
The effect | action by the above structures is demonstrated.
When the CPU 20 executes the process according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 7, the period during which the tag area is displayed on the order entry screen can be minimized.
For example, when the dialog box 100 is displayed with the order input screen 70 displayed on the LCD 10 (step S8), information is described in the record of the tag data file F3 and the dialog box 100 is closed (steps S8 and S9). ), It is determined that information is described in the record of the tag data file F3 in the next step S2 (Yes in step S2). Therefore, the order input screen 80 having the sticky note area 81 is displayed on the LCD 10 through the processes of steps S4 and S5 (step S3).

  On the other hand, the dialog box 100 is displayed in a state where the order input screen 80 having the sticky note area 81 is displayed on the LCD 10 (step S8), and after all the information described in the record of the sticky note data file F3 is deleted, the dialog box is displayed. When 100 is closed (steps S8 and S9), it is determined that no information is described in the record of the tag data file F3 in the next process of step S2 (No in step S2). Therefore, the order entry screen 70 without the sticky note area 81 is displayed on the LCD 10 without going through the processes of steps S4 and S5 (step S3).

  In addition, when the order input screen 80 having the sticky note area 81 is displayed on the LCD 10, the display deadline described in the record of the sticky note data file F3 has arrived, and all the information described in each record of the sticky note data file F3 is all. If deleted, it is determined in the next step S2 that no information is described in the record of the tag data file F3 (No in step S2). Therefore, the order entry screen 70 without the sticky note area 81 is displayed on the LCD 10 without going through the processes of steps S4 and S5 (step S3).

  As described above, the information terminal 1 according to the present embodiment keeps the period during which the tag area 81 is displayed on the order input screen to a minimum. Therefore, even when a function for displaying the sticky note area 81 is provided, the operability of the GUI image displayed on the LCD 10 is not greatly impaired.

  In addition, the user can freely specify the color for displaying the sticky note area 81 by setting using the dialog box 100. By using this function, for example, a sticky note representing a highly important message is made conspicuous, so that the information transmission power using the sticky note area 81 can be further enhanced.

  If the alert time is described in the record of the tag data file F3, the tag indicating the message described in the record is highlighted by either blinking or pop-up enlarged display when the alert time arrives. . By using this function, the operator of the information terminal 1 can be surely recognized an important message at a desired timing.

  If a display time limit is described in the record of the tag data file F3, the information described in the record is automatically deleted when the time limit is reached. By using this function, it is not necessary for the user to delete messages that no longer need to be displayed, and unnecessary messages can be prevented from being displayed on the order input screen without being erased indefinitely.

  As described above, the information terminal 1 automatically changes the color of the specific sticky note displayed in the sticky note area 81 to the designated color, the function of highlighting the sticky note at the alert time, and automatically displays the message at the display deadline. It has a function to erase. By using each of these functions, the user can be surely recognized the message shown on the tag and can prevent the occurrence of a serious mistake such as forgetting to do business.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as it is, and can be embodied by modifying constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. Specific examples of modifications are as follows.
(1) That is, in the said embodiment, the information terminal 1 used with the customer service support system used at a restaurant etc. was demonstrated. However, it is also possible to apply the configuration disclosed in the above-described embodiment to an apparatus that supports an order receiving operation such as acceptance of an order for product purchase at a store.

(2) In the above-described embodiment, the GUI image displayed on the LCD 10 is operated by touching the touch panel 12. However, the display component arranged in the GUI image may be operated using a pointing device such as a mouse.

(3) In the above embodiment, the button parts, images, characters, etc. included in the operation area 71 are reduced in size when the sticky note area 81 is displayed on the order input screen. However, when the operation area 71 is reduced, only the button part may be reduced, and the size of the characters shown on the button part may not be changed. By doing so, the visibility of characters on the button parts is maintained, and the user can easily determine the function of each button part. In this case, if characters cannot be placed on the reduced button parts, for example, a new line is added, or the line break position is changed if it is already in a new line state. It is desirable to place it on the reduced button part.

In addition, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the embodiment. For example, you may delete some components from all the components shown by the said embodiment. Furthermore, constituent elements over different embodiments may be appropriately combined.
The invention described in the scope of claims at the beginning of the filing of the present application is appended below.
[1] A message input unit for inputting an arbitrary message, a storage unit for storing a message input by the message input unit, and an instruction regarding a business when a message is not stored in the storage unit A first graphical user interface image including an operation area formed by arranging a plurality of display components is displayed, and when the message is stored in the storage means, the first display device is reduced in size by reducing the size of the plurality of display components. Display means for reducing the area occupied by the operation area in the graphical user interface image and displaying a second graphical user interface image including a message area representing a message stored in the storage means in a free area generated thereby And displayed by the display means An operation input means for inputting a user operation for designating any one of the plurality of display components included in the first graphical user interface image or the second graphical user interface image, and the operation input means A business support apparatus, comprising: processing means for executing support processing for supporting the business in accordance with an instruction associated with a display component specified by an input operation.
[2] It further comprises color designating means for designating the color of the message area, and the display means displays the message in the color designated by the color designating means when displaying the second graphical user interface image. The business support apparatus according to [1] above, which represents a display area.
[3] Alert time designation means for designating an alert time of a message stored in the storage means, and the display means displays the alert time designation means when displaying the second graphical user interface image. The task support apparatus according to [1] or [2], wherein the message area is highlighted in response to the arrival of the alert time specified by.
[4] A display deadline designating unit for designating a display deadline for the message stored in the storage unit, and a message stored in the storage unit in response to the arrival of the display deadline designated by the display deadline designating unit. The business support apparatus according to any one of [1] to [3], further comprising: an erasing unit for erasing.
[5] The storage means has a storage area for storing a plurality of messages, and the message area is composed of a plurality of display areas representing each of the messages stored in the storage means. The business support apparatus according to any one of [1] to [4].
[6] A business support apparatus including a display unit for displaying a graphical user interface image and an operation input unit for inputting a user operation for designating a display component included in the graphical user interface image displayed on the display unit. A control program for storing a message input by a message input unit for inputting an arbitrary message in the storage unit, and a function when no message is stored in the storage unit. When the display unit displays a first graphical user interface image including an operation area formed by arranging a plurality of display components each associated with an instruction, and the message is stored in the storage unit, the plurality of displays Said first graphical user interface by miniaturizing parts A function of reducing an area occupied by the operation area in an image and displaying a second graphical user interface image including a message area indicating a message stored in the storage unit in a free area generated thereby on the display unit; , Specified by an operation input by the operation input unit among the plurality of display components included in the first graphical user interface image or the second graphical user interface image displayed on the display unit. And a function for executing support processing for supporting the work in accordance with an instruction associated with the display component.

  F3 ... Sticky note data file, 1 ... Information terminal, 10 ... LCD, 12 ... Touch panel, 16 ... ROM, 17 ... RAM, 18 ... Timer, 19 ... HDD, 20 ... CPU, 70, 80 ... Order input screen, 81 ... Sticky note Area, 100 ... dialog box

JP 2007-164491 A

Claims (6)

Message input means for inputting an arbitrary message;
Storage means for storing a message input by the message input means;
A display deadline designating unit for designating a display deadline for the message stored in the storage unit;
Erasing means for erasing the message stored in the storage means in response to the arrival of the display deadline designated by the display deadline designation means;
When no message is stored in the storage means, a first graphical user interface image including an operation area formed by arranging a plurality of display components each associated with an instruction relating to an operation is displayed, and the message is displayed in the storage means When stored, the area occupied by the operation area in the first graphical user interface image is reduced by downsizing the plurality of display components, and the free space generated thereby is stored in the storage means. Display means for displaying a second graphical user interface image including a message area representing a message;
An operation input for inputting a user operation for designating any one of the plurality of display components included in the first graphical user interface image or the second graphical user interface image displayed by the display means. Means,
Processing means for executing support processing for supporting the work according to an instruction associated with a display component specified by the operation input by the operation input means;
A business support device characterized by comprising: A color designating unit for designating a color of the message area;
2. The business support apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the second graphical user interface image is displayed, the display unit displays the message display area in a color designated by the color designation unit. . An alert time designating unit for designating an alert time of the message stored in the storage unit;
The display means highlights the message area in response to the arrival of the alert time designated by the alert time designation means when displaying the second graphical user interface image. The work support apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. When the message in the storage unit is deleted after displaying the second graphical user interface image, the display unit deletes the message area from the second graphical user interface image and restores the operation area to the original. The business support apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first graphical user interface image returned to a size is displayed. The storage means has a storage area for storing a plurality of messages,
5. The business support apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the message area includes a plurality of display areas each representing a message stored in the storage unit. A control program for a business support apparatus, comprising: a display unit for displaying a graphical user interface image; and an operation input unit for inputting a user operation for designating a display component included in the graphical user interface image displayed on the display unit. Because
In the business support device,
A function for storing a message input by a message input unit for inputting an arbitrary message in a storage unit;
A function for designating a display time limit of the message stored in the storage unit;
A function of erasing a message stored in the storage unit in response to a specified display deadline;
When no message is stored in the storage unit, the display unit displays a first graphical user interface image including an operation area in which a plurality of display components each associated with a business instruction are associated with the storage unit. When a message is stored in the unit, the area occupied by the operation area in the first graphical user interface image is reduced by downsizing the plurality of display components, and the storage unit A function for causing the display unit to display a second graphical user interface image including a message area representing a message stored in the display;
Of the plurality of display components included in the first graphical user interface image or the second graphical user interface image displayed on the display unit, specified by an operation input by the operation input unit A function of executing a support process for supporting the task according to an instruction associated with the display component;
Control program to realize.

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