JP6326543B1 - Information management apparatus, information management method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

An information management apparatus, an information management method, and a program for improving convenience on the store side that accepts a waiting order are provided. A storage unit 107 of an information management apparatus 10 stores setting information related to a store. The management part 104 receives the inquiry regarding a store from the said user terminal according to a user's operation with respect to a user terminal. When the inquiry is received, the management unit 104 determines whether it is possible to accept the waiting for the store based on the setting information stored in the storage unit 107 and the inquiry time. If it is determined that waiting for a turn can be accepted, the second registration unit 103 registers turn waiting information indicating the turn waiting. [Selection] Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to an information management apparatus, an information management method, and a program.

  In general, a user who uses a store such as a restaurant needs to wait until the store becomes available when the store is full when the store visits the store.

  In recent years, a system for managing such a waiting queue (hereinafter referred to as an information management system) has been developed, and in the information management system, it is possible to improve the convenience of a user waiting for a turn. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

JP 2017-142616 A

  However, in the above-described information management system, it is necessary to improve convenience on the store side, for example, in response to a request from a store that accepts waiting for the user.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention relates to an information management apparatus, an information management method, and a program that can improve convenience on the store side that accepts a waiting order.

According to one aspect of the present invention, an information management device is provided that is communicably connected to a user terminal of a user who uses a store. The information management apparatus includes storage means, reception means, determination means, and registration means. The storage means stores setting information regarding the store. The receiving means receives an inquiry about the store from the user terminal in response to a user operation on the user terminal. When the inquiry is received, the determination unit determines whether it is possible to accept the waiting for the store based on the setting information stored in the storage unit and the time of the inquiry. If it is determined that the turn waiting can be accepted, turn waiting information indicating the turn waiting is registered. The setting information includes business hours of the store and acceptable time for waiting for a turn. The determination means determines that waiting for an order for the store can be accepted when the time of the inquiry is within the acceptable time for waiting for the turn even before the business hours of the store.

  The present invention makes it possible to improve convenience on the side of a store that receives a waiting order.

The figure which shows an example of a structure of an information management system provided with the information management apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of an information management apparatus. The block diagram which shows an example of a function structure of an information management apparatus. The figure which shows an example of the data structure of setting information. The sequence chart which shows an example of the process sequence of the information management system at the time of registering the turn waiting information which shows the turn waiting from a 1st store terminal. The sequence chart which shows an example of the process sequence of the information management system at the time of registering the turn waiting information which shows the turn waiting from a user terminal. The figure which shows an example of the data structure of the turn waiting information registered into the storage part. The sequence chart which shows an example of the process sequence of the information management system at the time of displaying turn waiting information on a 2nd store terminal. The figure which shows an example of the staff screen displayed on the 2nd shop terminal. The flowchart which shows an example of the process sequence of a reception determination process. The figure for demonstrating the example in which the turn waiting with respect to a store is received. The figure for demonstrating the 1st example which cannot wait for the turn with respect to a store. The figure for demonstrating the 2nd example in which the turn waiting with respect to a store is not received. The figure for demonstrating the example which receives turn waiting before business hours start.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows a configuration of an information management system (network system) including an information management apparatus according to the present embodiment. The information management system is a system for managing waiting orders of users in various stores (facility). In this embodiment, the store includes, for example, a restaurant, a pharmacy, a hospital, a beauty salon, a travel agency, a shop where a smartphone or a mobile phone can be purchased and contracted, an amusement facility, and the like. That is, the store in the present embodiment may be a store that can wait in order for the user to use the store.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the information management system includes an information management device 10, a first store terminal 20, a second store terminal 30, and a user terminal 40. The information management apparatus 10 is connected to the first store terminal 20, the second store terminal 30, and the user terminal 40 through a network 50 such as the Internet so that they can communicate with each other.

  The information management apparatus 10 is a server apparatus having a function for managing waiting for users in a store. The functional configuration of the information management apparatus 10 will be described later.

  The 1st store terminal 20 and the 2nd store terminal 30 are provided in the store in which turn waiting is possible. The first store terminal 20 is installed, for example, in the vicinity of a store entrance (that is, storefront), and is mainly used by users (customers) who visit the store. For example, when the store is full when the user visits the store, the user can wait for the turn at the store by operating the first store terminal 20.

  The second store terminal 30 is installed, for example, near the cash register of the store, and is mainly used by store staff (employees, etc.). The staff of the store can check the waiting status at the second store terminal 30.

  In the present embodiment, the first store terminal 20 and the second store terminal 30 will be described as different terminals. However, the first store terminal 20 and the second store terminal 30 may be configured integrally.

  The user terminal 40 is a terminal used by a user who uses a store, for example. The user terminal 40 includes, for example, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a personal computer (PC), and the like. The user terminal 40 is used, for example, to wait for a turn from a place other than the store.

  In FIG. 1, one first store terminal 20, two second store terminals 30, and one user terminal 40 are shown for convenience, but the information management apparatus 10 includes a plurality of first store terminals 20. And the 2nd shop terminal 30 may be connected and the some user terminal 40 may be connected.

  FIG. 2 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the information management apparatus 10 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, in the information management apparatus 10, a nonvolatile memory 12, a CPU 13, a main memory 14, a communication unit 15, and the like are connected to a bus 11. Note that the nonvolatile memory 12 and the main memory 14 constitute a storage device of the information management apparatus 10.

  The non-volatile memory 12 stores various programs including, for example, an operating system (OS) and a program (hereinafter referred to as an order management program) for managing the waiting order in the store.

  The CPU 13 is a processor that executes various programs stored in the nonvolatile memory 12, for example. Note that the CPU 13 controls the entire information management apparatus 10.

  The main memory 14 is used as, for example, a work area required when the CPU 13 executes various programs.

  Although only the nonvolatile memory 12 and the main memory 14 are shown in FIG. 2, the information management apparatus 10 may include other storage devices such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) and an SSD (Solid State Drive). Good.

  The communication unit 15 has a function of controlling communication with external devices such as the first store terminal 20, the second store terminal 30, and the user terminal 40, for example. Note that the communication unit 15 can implement a wireless communication function such as a wireless LAN and WiFi (registered trademark), for example.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the information management apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the information management apparatus 10 includes a reception unit 101, a first registration unit 102, a second registration unit 103, a management unit 104, a display processing unit 105, a setting unit 106, a storage unit 107, and the like.

  In the present embodiment, the units 101 to 106 execute, for example, the order management program stored in the nonvolatile memory 12 (that is, software) by the CPU 13 (that is, the computer of the information management apparatus 10) illustrated in FIG. It shall be realized. The order management program can be stored in advance in a computer-readable storage medium and distributed. Further, this program may be downloaded to the information management apparatus 10 via a network, for example.

  Here, although each part 101-106 demonstrated as what is implement | achieved by software, the said each part 101-106 may be implement | achieved by hardware, and may be implement | achieved by software and hardware.

  In the present embodiment, the storage unit 107 is stored in, for example, the nonvolatile memory shown in FIG. 2 or another storage device.

  The accepting unit 101 accepts a waiting order for a store from the first store terminal 20 based on, for example, each operation of a plurality of users on the first store terminal 20. In addition, the reception unit 101 receives a waiting order for the store from the user terminal 40 based on a user operation on the user terminal 40. Furthermore, the reception unit 101 can also receive a turn waiting for the store from the second store terminal 30. In the following description, for example, a restaurant is assumed as a store where the user waits in turn.

  The first registration unit 102 registers (stores) the order waiting information indicating the order waiting in the storage unit 107 when the receiving unit 101 receives the order waiting from the first store terminal 20. In addition, when the reception unit 101 receives a turn waiting from the second store terminal 30, the first registration unit 102 registers turn waiting information indicating the turn waiting in the storage unit 107.

  The second registration unit 103 registers (stores) the order waiting information indicating the order waiting in the storage unit 107 when the receiving unit 101 receives the order waiting from the user terminal 40.

  Note that the turn waiting information is stored in the storage unit 107 in the order in which the turn waiting indicated by the turn waiting information is accepted.

  For example, in response to a request from the second store terminal 30, the management unit 104 displays a screen (hereinafter, referred to as a staff screen) for displaying the turn waiting information stored in the storage unit 107 on the second store terminal 30. Generate.

  In addition, in the staff screen, turn waiting information (store turn waiting information) indicating turn waiting from the first store terminal 20 (or second store terminal 20) and turn waiting information (Web waiting order) from the user terminal 40 (Web) (Waiting information) is displayed in the order in which the waiting is accepted.

  The display processing unit 105 transmits the staff screen (data) generated by the management unit 104 to the second store terminal 30 and causes the second store terminal 30 to display the staff screen.

  The setting unit 106 performs various settings in the information management system (information management apparatus 10). The content (setting information indicating) set by the setting unit 106 is registered (stored) in the storage unit 107.

  Here, FIG. 4 shows an example of the data structure of the setting information described above. The setting information includes, for example, information related to the store where the information management system is installed (waiting for the order). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the setting information includes business hours and acceptable times in association with store IDs.

  The store ID is identification information for identifying a store in which the information management system is introduced (that is, a store that can wait for a turn using the information management system). The business hours indicate the time (zone) in which the store identified by the associated store ID is open. The acceptable time indicates a time (band) during which it is possible to accept waiting for an order from, for example, the user terminal 40 for the store identified by the associated store ID.

  The business hours and the acceptable time are set (designated) by, for example, an administrator of the information management system when the store introduces the information management system.

  In the example shown in FIG. 4, setting information 106a and 106b is shown as setting information. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the setting information 106 a includes, for example, business hours “15:00:00 to 21:00” and reception time “15:00 to 21:00” in association with the store ID “1”. ing. According to this setting information 106a, the business hours of the store identified by the store ID “1” are from 15:00 to 21:00, and the waiting time for the store from the user terminal 40 is from 15:00 to 21:00. Is shown to be acceptable. As shown in the setting information 106a, the business hours and the acceptable time may be in the same time zone.

  The setting information 106b includes, for example, business hours “17:00 to 23:00” and acceptable time “18:00 to 23:00” in association with the store ID “2”. According to this setting information 106b, the business hours of the store identified by the store ID “2” are from 17:00 to 23:00, and the waiting time from the user terminal 40 for the store is from 18:00 to 23:00 It is shown that it can be accepted. As shown in the setting information 106b, the business hours and the acceptable time may be different time zones.

  Here, only the setting information 106a and 106b (that is, the stores identified by the store IDs “1” and “2”) have been described. However, the business hours and available reception times of other stores where the information management system is introduced The setting information that is included is similarly set. That is, in the present embodiment, the setting information is set for each store where the information management system is introduced.

  The setting information set by the setting unit 106 (store opening hours and acceptable hours) is used when determining whether or not it is possible to wait for a turn from the user terminal 40, as will be described later. It is done.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the information management apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment will be described. First, with reference to the sequence chart of FIG. 5, the process procedure of the information management system at the time of registering the turn waiting information (store turn waiting information) which shows the turn waiting from the 1st store terminal 20 is demonstrated. Here, a user who waits in turn from the first store terminal 20 is referred to as a target user.

  First, it is assumed that the target user visits a store where the first store terminal 20 (and the second store terminal 30) is provided. In this case, the first store terminal 20 displays a reception screen for receiving a turn waiting for the target user to the store (step S1). In addition, this reception screen is displayed via the browser which operate | moves on the 1st shop terminal 20, for example.

  For example, when the target user visits the store and the store is full, the target user performs an operation on the reception screen displayed on the first store terminal 20. Note that, for example, in order to grasp the number of users of a store, the user may be allowed to perform an operation on the reception screen even when the store is not full.

  The first store terminal 20 includes a touch panel, for example, and the target user can input (designate) the number of people entering the store on the reception screen via the touch panel.

  The reception screen in this embodiment may be anything that can input at least the number of people, but the reception screen can input, for example, the name of the target user, a telephone number, or a request for a store. It may be something like this. When the store is a restaurant or the like, as a request for the store, for example, a table seat, a counter seat, a parlor, or the like can be selected as the type of seat used by the target user. Moreover, you may enable it to select a non-smoking seat or a smoking seat.

  In addition, on the reception screen, in the same manner as the staff screen displayed on the second store terminal 30 to be described later, a waiting state (list of waiting information) may be displayed.

  In addition, as described above, the number of persons can be input on the reception screen. However, in order to prevent an erroneous operation on the first store terminal 20, for example, when a “reception” button provided on the reception screen is pressed. You may enable it to input the number of people.

  As described above, when the target user inputs the number of persons on the reception screen, the first store terminal 20 acquires the number of persons input by the target user (step S2).

  The 1st store terminal 20 transmits the waiting-for-waiting reception request containing the acquired number of people to information management device 10 via network 50 (Step S3).

  The receiving unit 101 included in the information management apparatus 10 receives the waiting-for-waiting reception request transmitted by the first store terminal 20. Thereby, the reception unit 101 receives the turn waiting for the store in which the first store terminal 20 is provided.

  Next, the first registration unit 102 generates turn waiting information indicating the turn waiting in order to register the turn waiting received by the reception unit 101 (step S4).

  Here, the process of step S4 will be described. First, when waiting for a turn is received by the receiving unit 101, the first registration unit 102 issues a reception number for the turn waiting. This reception number is issued as a serial number each time an order waiting is received from the start of business at a store, for example. The reception number is reset when, for example, the business day changes.

  The first registration unit 102 acquires the current time as the registration time, for example. The registration time is used as the time when the waiting information is registered. The registration time (current time) is acquired from, for example, a clock in the information management apparatus 10.

  In addition, the first registration unit 102 acquires information on a route waiting for the turn. In this route, there is a “store” indicating that the order is waiting from the first store terminal 20 (store order waiting information) and a wait from the user terminal 40 (web order waiting information indicating). “Web” is included. Here, since the acceptance request is received from the first store terminal 20, the first registration unit 102 acquires “store” as the route.

  Thereby, in addition to the number of persons included in the reception request received by the reception unit 101, the first registration unit 102 generates turn waiting information including the above-described reception number, registration time, and route.

  As described above, the order waiting information generated in step S4 is registered in the storage unit 107 by the first registration unit 102 (step S5).

  In this embodiment, the route (information) included in the waiting information is described as “store” and “Web” for the sake of convenience, but the route was used for waiting for the waiting. It may be the type of device (for example, store terminal, feature phone, smartphone, tablet terminal, PC, etc.). Note that the turn waiting information in which the device type is a store terminal is store turn waiting information, and the turn waiting information in which the device type is other than the store terminal is Web turn waiting information. When the information on the type of the device is included in the waiting information, the information on the type of the device can be used, for example, for analysis of a user tendency or the like.

  When the waiting information is registered in step S5, a notification that the registration is completed (hereinafter referred to as registration completion notification) is transmitted from the information management device 10 to the first store terminal 20 (step S6). The registration completion notification includes a receipt number included in the registered turn waiting information.

  Here, it is assumed that the first store terminal 20 includes a printing device. Thereby, in the 1st store terminal 20, the registration completion notification (included in the reception number) transmitted from the information management device 10 is received, and the waiting card on which the reception number is printed is issued by the printing device. (Step S7). The registration completion notification may include information such as registration time in addition to the reception number.

  The target user can enter the store by being called by the store staff based on the reception number printed on the issued turn waiting card.

  Here, although the case where the turn waiting is received from the first store terminal 20 has been described, for example, when the turn waiting is received by a phone call from the user to the store, the information management apparatus 10 and the second store terminal 30 are connected. By executing the same process as the process shown in FIG. 5, it is possible to accept a waiting order from the second store terminal 30 (register the waiting order information). In this case, operations on the second store terminal 30 are performed by store staff.

  Next, a processing procedure of the information management system when registering turn waiting information (Web turn waiting information) indicating turn waiting from the user terminal 40 will be described with reference to the sequence chart of FIG. Here, a user who waits in turn from the user terminal 40 is referred to as a target user.

  First, when a target user waits in turn from the user terminal 40, the target user is assigned a login ID and password (hereinafter, target user) assigned to the target user on a predetermined Web page (site). Are entered into the information management system (information management apparatus 10) (step S11).

  Note that the login ID and password of the target user are set when the target user performs member registration, for example. It is assumed that the login ID and password of the target user are managed by the information management apparatus 10. Accordingly, although not shown in FIG. 6, the login ID and password input at the user terminal 40 are transmitted from the user terminal 40 to the information management apparatus 10, and the login ID and password are transmitted to the information management apparatus 10. The target user can log in when the login ID and password of the target user managed in the above match.

  Here, it is assumed that the information management system is installed in many stores. In this case, as described above, the target user may log in to the information management system in step S11 and then specify a store (hereinafter referred to as a target store) that waits for a turn by operating the user terminal 40. it can. The target store may be selected from a list of stores that have introduced the information management system, or may be searched from the store name or location.

  When the target store is designated, the user terminal 40 transmits an inquiry (information) regarding the target store (waiting for the order) to the information management apparatus 10 (step S12). The inquiry transmitted from the user terminal 40 to the information management apparatus 10 includes a store ID for identifying the target store.

  The management unit 104 included in the information management apparatus 10 receives an inquiry transmitted by the user terminal 40. The management unit 104 executes an acceptance determination process in response to the received inquiry (step S13). The reception determination process is a process for determining whether or not it is possible to receive a waiting order for the target store identified by the store ID included in the inquiry (waiting for the turn from the user terminal 40). Details of the acceptance determination process will be described later.

  When it is determined in step S13 that the turn waiting for the target store can be accepted, the management unit 104 indicates that the turn waiting for the target store can be accepted as a response to the inquiry transmitted in step S12. 40 (step S14).

  In this case, the user terminal 40 displays a screen (hereinafter referred to as the number of people input screen) on which the number of people entering the target store can be input. The target user operates the user terminal 40 to input the number of persons on this number input screen.

  Similar to the above reception screen, the number of people input screen displayed on the user terminal 40 may be, for example, a name, a telephone number, or a request for a store of the target user. Good.

  As described above, when the target user inputs the number of persons on the number input screen, the user terminal 40 acquires the number of persons input by the target user (step S15).

  When the process of step S15 is executed, the user terminal 40 transmits an order reception request including the number of persons acquired in step S15 to the information management apparatus 10 via the network 50 (step S16).

  The accepting unit 101 included in the information management apparatus 10 receives the order waiting acceptance request transmitted by the user terminal 40. Thereby, the reception unit 101 receives a waiting order for the target store.

  Next, the second registration unit 103 generates turn waiting information indicating the turn waiting in order to register the turn waiting received by the receiving unit 101 (step S17).

  In this case, the second registration unit 103 issues a reception number for the turn waiting received by the reception unit 101, similarly to the turn waiting from the first store terminal 20.

  Further, the second registration unit 103 acquires, for example, the current time as the registration time. Furthermore, the second registration unit 103 acquires information on the above-described waiting route. Here, since the acceptance request is received from the user terminal 40, the second registration unit 103 acquires “Web” as the route.

  When waiting for a turn from the user terminal 40, the second registration unit 103 acquires the name (member name) of the target user. It is assumed that the name of the target user is stored (registered) in the information management apparatus 10 at the time of member registration. The name of the target user is associated with the login ID and password of the target user, and is determined (acquired) when the process of step S11 is executed.

  Thereby, in addition to the number of persons included in the reception request received by the reception unit 101, the second registration unit 103 generates turn waiting information including the above-described reception number, registration time, route, and name.

  As described above, the turn waiting information generated in step S17 is registered in the storage unit 107 by the second registration unit 103 (step S18).

  When the waiting information is registered in step S18, a notification that the registration is completed (registration completion notification) is transmitted from the information management apparatus 10 to the user terminal 40 (step S19). This registration completion notice includes the reception number and registration time included in the registered waiting information, and may be sent by e-mail using the e-mail address of the target user registered at the time of member registration, for example. .

  In this case, the user terminal 40 can receive the registration completion notification (email) transmitted from the information management apparatus 10 and display the reception number included in the registration completion notification (step S20). The registration completion notification may be displayed (notified) on the user terminal 40 by a Push notification in an application that operates on the user terminal 40 (for example, a smartphone).

  The reception number displayed on the user terminal 40 has the same role as the reception number printed on the turn waiting card in the turn waiting from the first store terminal 20 described above.

  When the user terminal 40 is used in this manner, the target user can start waiting without visiting the store. In this case, the target user can be equated with the state in which the target user is arranged at the end of the waiting list. Therefore, the target user visits the store after the waiting order from the user terminal 40 (indicating waiting information) is registered, and is called by the store staff based on the reception number displayed on the user terminal 40. It is possible to enter the store.

  Here, FIG. 7 shows an example of the data structure of the turn waiting information (the turn waiting information indicating the turn waiting for the target store) registered in the storage unit 107 by executing the processing shown in FIGS. Indicates.

  In the example illustrated in FIG. 7, the waiting information 107 a to 107 e is stored (registered) in the storage unit 107. As shown in FIG. 7, the turn waiting information 107a to 107e includes a reception number, the number of people, a registration time, a route, and a name. Since the reception number, number of persons, registration time, route, and name included in the waiting information are as described above, detailed description thereof is omitted here.

  The order wait information 107a to 107e is stored in the order in which the order wait is accepted by the information management apparatus 10 (reception unit 101) (that is, in order of registration time).

  Of the turn waiting information 107a to 107e, turn waiting information 107a, 107b, 107d and 107e including the route “store” is turn waiting information (store turn waiting information) indicating turn waiting from the first store terminal 20. The store turn waiting information includes the reception number, the number of people, and the route (information) as described above.

  Further, among the turn waiting information 107 a to 107 e, turn waiting information 107 c including the route “Web” is turn waiting information (Web turn waiting information) indicating turn waiting from the user terminal 40. As described above, the Web turn waiting information includes the receipt number, the number of people, the route, and the name (information).

  Here, in the order management system, the staff of the store needs to call the user in order to guide the user waiting for the turn to the store. For this reason, the staff screen referred when the staff of a store calls a user is displayed on the 2nd store terminal 30. FIG. The staff screen displays a list of waiting information (status of waiting).

  Hereinafter, the processing procedure of the information management system when displaying the waiting information (staff screen) on the second store terminal 30 will be described with reference to the sequence chart of FIG. 8.

  When displaying waiting information on the second store terminal 30, the second store terminal 30 requests the information management apparatus 10 to display (or update) the above waiting list screen (step S21). The process of step S21 is executed, for example, when an operation on the second store terminal 30 by a store staff is performed or when an operation on the second store terminal 30 is not performed for a predetermined period.

  The management unit 104 acquires the waiting information stored (registered) in the storage unit 107 in response to a request from the second store terminal 30 (step S22). In step S22, among the waiting information stored in the storage unit 107, the waiting information indicating the waiting time of the user who has not been guided to the store yet (hereinafter referred to as unguided waiting information). Is acquired. That is, the turn waiting information indicating the turn waiting of the user already guided to the store (hereinafter referred to as guided turn waiting information) does not need to be displayed (presented), and thus is not acquired in step S22. Although omitted in the data structure of the turn waiting information shown in FIG. 7, information indicating whether it is unguided turn waiting information or guided turn waiting information (that is, turn waiting status) is: It is assumed that it is included in each turn waiting information.

  Next, the management part 104 produces | generates the staff screen for displaying the order waiting information acquired in step S22 (step S23).

  In the staff screen generated in step S23, the order waiting information acquired in step S22 is sorted and displayed in the order of registration times included in the order waiting information.

  The display processing unit 105 transmits screen data for displaying the staff screen generated in step S23 on the second store terminal 30 to the second store terminal 30 (step S24).

  The second store terminal 30 receives the screen data transmitted by the display processing unit 105. Thereby, the staff screen is displayed on the second store terminal 30 (step S25). In addition, this staff screen is displayed via the browser which operate | moves on the 2nd shop terminal 30, for example.

  Here, FIG. 9 shows an example of the staff screen displayed on the second store terminal 30. FIG. 9 shows the staff screen 200 on which the order waiting information 107a to 107e stored in the storage unit 107 shown in FIG. 7 is displayed.

  According to the example of the staff screen 200 shown in FIG. 9, the staff of the store calls the user in the order of the waiting information 107a to 107e and enters the store.

  In the staff screen 200, the waiting time in turn waiting indicated by each of the turn waiting information 107a to 107e is displayed. This waiting time is calculated by using the number of the waiting information stored (registered) in the storage unit 107 (the waiting information acquired in step S22 shown in FIG. 8).

  Here, for example, a calculation process of a waiting time in the order waiting indicated by the order waiting information 107d shown in FIG. 9 (hereinafter referred to as a waiting time of the order waiting information 107d) will be specifically described. The waiting time calculation process is executed by the management unit 104 when generating the staff screen.

  In this case, the management unit 104 has the number of pieces of order waiting information whose registration time is earlier than the order waiting information 107d among the order waiting information 107a to 107e stored in the storage unit 107 (that is, indicated by the order waiting information 107d. The number of groups waiting for the turn indicated by the turn waiting information 107d (ie, 1). Count the number of waiting groups that are added. In the example shown in FIG. 9, the order waiting information whose registration time is earlier than the order waiting information 107d is the order waiting information 107a to 107c, so the number of waiting groups to be counted is 3 + 1 = 4.

  In the present embodiment, a time (hereinafter referred to as a unit waiting time) until a set of users who are waiting in order can enter the store is set in advance. According to this, the management unit 104 can calculate the waiting time by multiplying the preset unit time by the counted number of waiting groups.

  Here, assuming that the unit waiting time is 7 minutes, 28 minutes can be calculated as the waiting time of the turn waiting information 107d by multiplying the 7 minutes by 4 of the number of waiting groups. The waiting time of the turn waiting information 107d is displayed in association with the turn waiting information 107d on the staff screen 200 shown in FIG.

  The unit waiting time described above may be set for each store on the information management apparatus 10 (information management system) side. The unit waiting time is set in accordance with, for example, the number of customers and the turnover rate according to the business type and business type of the store. However, depending on the situation of the store, the unit waiting time may be corrected on the store side. In this case, the unit waiting time may be configured such that it can be temporarily corrected according to an operation on the second store terminal 30 by a store staff. Further, the unit waiting time may not be set on the information management device 10 side, but may be set in the second store terminal 30 provided in each store.

  Although the waiting time of the turn waiting information 107d has been described here, the waiting time of other turn waiting information is calculated and displayed in the same manner.

  In addition, although the example which displays waiting time is shown in FIG. 9, it is good also as a structure which is not displayed on a staff screen about the said waiting time.

  The store staff refers to the staff screen 200 when another user who has used the store finishes using the store and a user waiting for the turn can enter the store. Thus, by calling the reception number included in the turn waiting information displayed on the staff screen 200 in order from the top, the user who has the turn waiting card on which the reception number is printed or the reception number is displayed. A user having the user terminal 40 can enter the store.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the staff screen 200 is provided with (displayed) a “guidance” button 201 and an “absent” button 202 in association with each turn waiting information.

  Here, for example, when the turn waiting information 107 a to 107 e is displayed on the staff screen 200 as shown in FIG. 9, the store staff is included in the turn waiting information 107 a displayed at the top of the staff screen 200. Assume that the receipt number “1” is called.

  When a user who has an order card printed with the reception number “1” is waiting in the vicinity and guides the user to the store (enters the store), the store staff displays the staff screen 200. The “Guidance” button 201 displayed in correspondence with the waiting information 107a is pressed. According to this, since the user who has been waiting for the turn indicated by the turn waiting information 107a has been guided (entered) to the store, the turn waiting information 107a becomes the above-described guided turn waiting information, It is not displayed on the staff screen 200.

  On the other hand, if the user holding the turn waiting card printed with the receipt number “1” is not waiting in the vicinity and cannot guide the user to the store, the store staff displays the staff screen. In 200, an “absent” button 202 displayed in correspondence with the turn waiting information 107a is pressed. In this case, the store staff calls the reception number “2” included in the turn waiting information 107b displayed next to the turn waiting information 107a.

  It should be noted that the user waiting for the turn indicated by the turn waiting information 107a when the “absent” button 202 is pressed can enter (inform) if he / she visits the store again within a predetermined period. For example, when a predetermined period has elapsed, the waiting for the turn is treated as canceled. In this case, the turn waiting information indicating the canceled turn waiting is not displayed on the staff screen 200.

  Here, it is assumed that the above-described waiting status is included (registered) in the waiting information. The status of waiting for the order includes, for example, “unguided” indicating that the user has not been guided to the store (unguided waiting information), and the user has been guided to the store (guided waiting information) "Guided" indicating that the user has been absent at the time of calling, "Cancel" indicating that the waiting for the turn has been canceled, and the like. As a result, on the staff screen 200 shown in FIG. 9, for example, turn-waiting information other than “Guided” and “Cancel” can be displayed. Note that for the turn waiting information whose turn waiting status is “absent”, the turn waiting status described above may be displayed on the staff screen 200 together with turn waiting information other than “Guided” and “Cancel”. It may be displayed on a screen different from the staff screen 200.

  Here, in this embodiment, it is possible to wait for the order from the user terminal 40 as well as from the first store terminal 20 provided in the store as described above. According to the turn waiting from the user terminal 40, the user can wait for the turn without visiting the store, which is highly convenient for the user.

  On the other hand, if it is possible to wait without any restriction from the user terminal 40, for example, it may be inconvenient for the store side. Therefore, in the present embodiment, in the above-described reception determination process in step S13 illustrated in FIG. 6, for example, the setting information set by the setting unit 106 as to whether or not to wait for a turn from the user terminal 40 is received. It shall be determined based on (setting information regarding the waiting order of stores). It is assumed that the setting information is stored in the storage unit 107, for example.

  Hereinafter, the procedure of the reception determination process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. This acceptance determination process is executed by the management unit 104 included in the information management apparatus 10 when the inquiry transmitted from the user terminal 40 in step S12 shown in FIG. 6 is received by the information management apparatus 10. The

  In the following description, the user terminal 40 that transmitted the inquiry is referred to as a target user terminal 40, and a user who uses the target user terminal 40 is referred to as a target user. Further, as described above, the inquiry transmitted from the target user terminal 40 includes the store ID, but the store identified by the store ID is referred to as the target store.

  First, the management unit 104 acquires the current time (step S31). This current time is used as a time when an inquiry about waiting for a turn of the target store is made (hereinafter referred to as inquiry time), and can be obtained from, for example, a clock built in the information management apparatus 10. The inquiry time may be, for example, the time when the target store is designated on the target user terminal 40. In this case, the inquiry time may be acquired from the target user terminal 40.

  Next, the management unit 104 acquires setting information regarding the target store from the storage unit 107 (step S32). Specifically, the management unit 104 acquires setting information including the store ID included in the inquiry from the target user terminal 40 among the setting information stored in the storage unit 107.

  Based on the setting information acquired in step S32, the management unit 104 determines whether or not the current time (that is, the inquiry time) acquired in step S31 satisfies the first condition (step S33).

  Here, as described above with reference to FIG. 4, the setting information acquired in step S <b> 32 includes the business hours and the acceptable time of the target store. In this case, the first condition includes that the inquiry time is within the business hours of the target store and within the acceptable time period.

  When it is determined that the first condition is satisfied (YES in step S33), the management unit 104 is configured to start waiting for the target store based on the number of waiting information stored in the storage unit 107. A process of calculating the scheduled entry time of the target user is executed.

  Specifically, the management unit 104 sets the target user (group) to the number of turn-waiting information stored in the storage unit 107 (that is, the number of sets of users who are waiting in turn at the present time). The number of waiting groups added is counted (step S34). Note that the turn waiting information stored in the storage unit 107 counted in step S34 is turn waiting information other than the “waiting” and “cancel” (and “absent”) statuses, for example.

  The management unit 104 calculates the waiting time by multiplying the unit waiting time set in advance by the number of waiting groups counted in step S34 (step S35). Note that the waiting time calculated in step S35 is that the target user enters the target store when the target user starts waiting in the current waiting state of the target store (that is, the store is This is the time that is assumed to be required before it can be used.

  Next, the management unit 104 calculates the estimated store entry time by adding the waiting time calculated in step S35 to the current time acquired in step S31 (step S36). The planned store entry time calculated in step S36 corresponds to the time when the target user is predicted to be able to enter the target store when the waiting for the target store is started at the present time.

  When the process of step S36 is executed, the management unit 104 determines whether or not the scheduled entrance time calculated in step S36 satisfies the second condition (step S37).

  Here, in a store, it is normal to refuse entry for a user who has visited after the end of business hours, but it is necessary to avoid waiting for a turn that is expected to enter after the end of the business hours. Therefore, the second condition includes that the scheduled store entry time calculated in step S36 described above is within the business hours of the target store.

  When it is determined that the second condition is satisfied (YES in step S37), the management unit 104 determines that it is possible to accept the waiting for the target store from the target user terminal 40, and generates the above-described number input screen. (Step S38).

  The screen data for displaying the number input screen generated in step S38 is transmitted to the target user terminal 40 by the display processing unit 105 as a response to the inquiry from the target user terminal 40 in step S14 shown in FIG. Is done. In this case, the process after step S15 shown in FIG. 6 is performed.

  When it is determined in step S33 that the first condition is not satisfied (NO in step S33), the management unit 104 determines that it is not possible to accept the waiting for the target store from the target user terminal 40, for example, A screen (hereinafter referred to as a message screen) including a message indicating that it is not possible to accept a waiting order is generated (step S39). If the current time acquired in step S31 is outside business hours, the message screen includes, for example, a message such as “Now business hours are out”. In addition, when the current time (inquiry time) acquired in step S31 is within business hours but outside the acceptable hours, for example, “Currently, we are not accepting from the site.” A message screen including such a message may be generated.

  If it is determined in step S37 that the second condition is not satisfied (NO in step S37), the process in step S39 is executed. When it is determined that the second condition is not satisfied, in step S39, a message screen including a message such as “Currently not accepting from the site” is generated.

  As described above, when it is determined that the turn waiting for the target store cannot be accepted, a message (including a message screen) according to the condition determined not to be satisfied in the process illustrated in FIG. Can be displayed.

  The screen data for displaying the message screen generated in step S39 is transmitted to the target user terminal 40 by the display processing unit 105 as a response to the inquiry from the target user terminal 40. In this case, since it is not possible to accept waiting for the target store, a message screen is displayed on the target user terminal 40, and the process shown in FIG.

  According to the processing shown in FIG. 10, the inquiry time concerning the waiting order of the target store is within the business hours and the acceptable time of the target store, and the planned entry time of the target user is within the business hours of the target store. If it is, it is determined that the turn waiting for the target store can be accepted, and the target user can register the turn waiting information. On the other hand, if the time of the inquiry about the waiting order of the target store is not within the business hours or the reception time of the target store, or the target user's scheduled entry time is not within the business hours of the target store, the target It can be determined that it is not possible to accept the waiting for the store, and the waiting information can not be registered.

  Hereinafter, the case where the turn waiting for the target store is accepted and the case where the turn waiting for the target store is not accepted will be specifically described.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining an example in which a turn waiting for the target store is accepted. In FIG. 11, it is assumed that the business hours of the target store are from 15:00 to 21:00, and the acceptable time is from 15:00 to 21:00. That is, in FIG. 11, it is assumed that the business hours of the target store and the acceptable time are the same.

  In the example shown in FIG. 11, it is assumed that the inquiry time related to waiting for the target store is 16:00. In this case, since the inquiry time is within the business hours of the target store and within the acceptable time, the waiting for the turn to the target store is accepted.

  Although not shown in the figure, if the inquiry time is outside the time zone from 15:00 to 21:00 in the example shown in FIG.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram for describing a first example in which waiting for an order for a target store is not accepted. In FIG. 12, it is assumed that the business hours of the target store are from 15:00 to 21:00, and the acceptable time is from 16:00 to 21:00. That is, in FIG. 12, it is assumed that the business hours of the target store and the acceptable time do not match.

  In the example shown in FIG. 12, it is assumed that the inquiry time related to the waiting order of the target stores is 15:30. In this case, the inquiry time is within the business hours of the target store, but is not within the acceptable time, so waiting for a turn to the target store is not accepted.

  In the example shown in FIG. 12, if the inquiry time is a time zone from 16:00 to 21:00, the waiting for the target store is accepted.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram for describing a second example in which the turn waiting for the target store is not accepted. In FIG. 13, as in the example shown in FIG. 11, it is assumed that both the business hours and the acceptable hours of the target store are from 15:00 to 21:00.

  In the example shown in FIG. 13, it is assumed that the inquiry time related to the waiting order of the target stores is 20:30. The inquiry time in this case is within the business hours of the target store and within the acceptable time.

  On the other hand, it is assumed that the scheduled store entry time is 21: 5 when the waiting for the target store is started at 20:30. In this case, since the scheduled entry time is outside the business hours (exceeding the end time of the business hours), the waiting for the target store cannot be accepted.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, an inquiry about a store is received from the user terminal 40 in response to a user's operation on the user terminal 40, and a waiting order for the store can be accepted based on setting information about the store. If it is determined that the order is waiting, the turn waiting information indicating the turn waiting is registered.

  Specifically, the setting information related to the store includes the business hours and the acceptable hours of the store, and when the inquiry time is within the business hours of the store and within the acceptable time, the turn waiting for the store is awaited. Is determined to be acceptable.

  In the present embodiment, the convenience of the store can be improved by such a configuration. Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 11, when business hours and acceptable hours are set, turn waiting is accepted outside the business hours (and acceptable time) (order wait information is registered). It is possible to avoid inconveniences.

  In addition, for example, there may be a request on the store side to give priority to a user who actually visits the store and waits in turn for a certain period from the start of business. In such a case, as shown in FIG. 12, by setting the start of the acceptable time to be later than the business hours, it is possible to realize a turn waiting that reflects the demands of the store.

  In the present embodiment, it has been described that the turn waiting can be accepted when the inquiry time is within the business hours and the reception time. However, for example, the turn waiting is accepted when the inquiry time is within the business hours. It is good also as a structure which enables. According to such a configuration, it is not necessary to set the acceptable time separately.

  On the other hand, even if the inquiry time is outside business hours, if the inquiry time is within the acceptable time, it may be configured to be able to accept the waiting order. As shown in FIG. 12, the acceptable time is set, for example, to limit the time period during which the waiting time from the user terminal 40 during business hours can be accepted, but if the inquiry time is within the acceptable time According to the configuration in which the waiting for the turn can be accepted, for example, as shown in FIG. 14, it is possible to accept the waiting for the turn from the user terminal 40 before the business hours start. For example, in a store that starts waiting for a turn at the store before business hours, a configuration may be adopted in which waiting for a turn from the user terminal 40 is received before the business hours. Note that the business hours may not be set when it is possible to accept the waiting if the inquiry time is within the acceptable time.

  Here, in the case of a configuration in which waiting for a turn is accepted within business hours, depending on the time at which the turn is accepted and the situation of the turn waiting, a situation may occur in which the user visits the store after the business hours. In addition, in order to avoid such a situation, it is possible to adjust the acceptable time (setting) so that the acceptable time ends before the end of business hours, for example, Such adjustment is difficult because it varies from day to day.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the scheduled entry time of the user is calculated based on the number of turn waiting information registered in the storage unit 107, and the scheduled entry time is within the business hours of the store. Considering the situation of waiting for the order at the time of inquiry, the waiting time for the user will not be accepted if the scheduled entry time is not within business hours, due to the configuration that allows the user to wait for the turn in some cases. It is possible to improve convenience on the store side.

  That is, in the above-described embodiment, when it is determined that the turn waiting can be accepted, the turn waiting information can be registered, and it is determined that the turn waiting cannot be accepted (not accepted). In some cases, by making it impossible to register the waiting information, it is possible to avoid excessive waiting for the customer service capacity in the store or waiting for the turn that may exceed the business hours. .

  In addition, in this embodiment, although demonstrated as what determines whether it can accept about the turn waiting from the user terminal 40, is it possible to also accept the turn waiting from the 1st store terminal 20, for example? It may be determined whether or not. According to this, even when the user who visited the store waits for the turn from the first store terminal 20, for example, when the planned entry time exceeds the business hours, the turn by the user It is possible to prevent waiting.

  Further, in the present embodiment, it has been described that the waiting time is not accepted when the scheduled entry time exceeds the business hours (that is, outside the business hours), but the planned entry time is the last order. It is possible to adopt a configuration in which the waiting for the turn is not accepted when the time is exceeded. In this case, the time of the last order should just be set as setting information regarding a store.

  Further, in the present embodiment, description has been made on the assumption that the turn waiting information and the setting information are stored (registered) in the storage unit 107, but a storage unit in which the turn waiting information and the setting information are stored may be prepared. .

  In the present embodiment, the information management apparatus 10 is described as a single apparatus. However, the information management apparatus 10 may be realized by a plurality of apparatuses that can communicate via a network.

  Furthermore, at least a part of the functional configuration of the information management apparatus 10 described in FIG. 3 may be provided in the first store terminal 20 or the second store terminal 30, for example.

  Note that the method described in the above embodiment is a program that can be executed by a computer, such as a magnetic disk (floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, etc.), an optical disk (CD-ROM, DVD, etc.), a magneto-optical disk (MO). ), And can be distributed in a storage medium such as a semiconductor memory.

  In addition, as long as the storage medium can store a program and can be read by a computer, the storage format may be any form.

  In addition, an OS (operating system) operating on the computer based on an instruction of a program installed in the computer from the storage medium, MW (middleware) such as database management software, network software, and the like implement the present embodiment. A part of each process may be executed.

  Furthermore, the storage medium in the present invention is not limited to a medium independent of a computer, but also includes a storage medium in which a program transmitted via a LAN or the Internet is downloaded and stored or temporarily stored.

  Further, the number of storage media is not limited to one, and the case where the processing in the present embodiment is executed from a plurality of media is also included in the storage media in the present invention, and the media configuration may be any configuration.

  The computer according to the present invention executes each process according to the present embodiment based on a program stored in a storage medium, and includes a single device such as a personal computer or a system in which a plurality of devices are connected to a network. Any configuration may be used.

  The computer in the present invention is not limited to a personal computer, but includes a processing unit, a microcomputer, and the like included in an information processing device, and is a generic term for devices and devices that can realize the functions of the present invention by a program. .

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as it is, and can be embodied by modifying the constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. Moreover, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the embodiment. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, constituent elements over different embodiments may be appropriately combined.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Information management apparatus, 11 ... Bus, 12 ... Non-volatile memory, 13 ... CPU, 14 ... Main memory, 15 ... Communication part, 20 ... 1st shop terminal, 30 ... 2nd shop terminal, 40 ... User terminal, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 ... Reception part, 102 ... 1st registration part, 103 ... 2nd registration part, 104 ... Management part, 105 ... Display processing part, 106 ... Setting part, 107 ... Storage part.

Claims (4)

In the information management device that is communicably connected to the user terminal of the user who uses the store,
Storage means for storing setting information relating to the store;
Receiving means for receiving an inquiry about the store from the user terminal in accordance with a user operation on the user terminal;
When the inquiry is received, a determination unit that determines whether it is possible to accept waiting for the store based on the setting information stored in the storage unit and the time of the inquiry;
A registration means for registering the turn waiting information indicating the turn waiting if it is determined that the turn waiting can be accepted ;
The setting information includes the business hours of the store and the available time for waiting for a turn,
The determination means determines that waiting for an order for the store can be accepted if the time of the inquiry is within the acceptable time for waiting for the turn even before the opening time of the store.
Information management device. The registration means is capable of registering a plurality of turn waiting information indicating a turn waiting by other users,
The determination means includes
Based on the time of the inquiry and the number of registered turn waiting information, including a calculating means for calculating a scheduled entry time of the user when the user starts waiting for the turn,
The information management device according to claim 1, wherein it is determined whether or not it is possible to accept an order waiting for the store based on the setting information and the calculated estimated store entry time. An information management method that is executed by an information management device that is connected to a user terminal of a user who uses a store and that includes a storage unit that stores setting information about the store,
Receiving an inquiry about the store from the user terminal in response to a user operation on the user terminal;
When the inquiry is received, determining whether it is possible to accept waiting for the store based on the setting information stored in the storage means and the time of the inquiry;
If it is determined that the turn waiting is acceptable, registering turn waiting information indicating the turn waiting ; and
The setting information includes the business hours of the store and the available time for waiting for a turn,
The step of determining includes a step of determining that waiting for an order for the store can be accepted if the inquiry time is up to business hours of all the stores and the waiting time is acceptable.
Information management method. A program that is communicably connected to a user terminal of a user who uses a store and that is executed by a computer of an information management device that includes a storage unit that stores setting information about the store,
In the computer,
Receiving an inquiry about the store from the user terminal in response to a user operation on the user terminal;
When the inquiry is received, determining whether it is possible to accept waiting for the store based on the setting information stored in the storage means and the time of the inquiry;
If it is determined that the turn waiting can be accepted, the step of registering turn waiting information indicating the turn waiting is executed , and
The setting information includes the business hours of the store and the available time for waiting for a turn,
The determining step determines that waiting for an order for the store can be accepted if the time of the inquiry is within the acceptable time for waiting for the turn even before the store opening hours.
program.

Images