JP7235354B2 - Return location management device, return location management system, return location management method, and return location management program - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to a return location management device, a return location management system, a return location management method, and a return location management program.

Systems have been proposed to support operations in stores such as restaurants or fast food outlets. For example, in Patent Document 1, a return shelf monitoring device of a restaurant support system acquires the tray ID of a tray placed on a return shelf, and when the number of trays exceeds a predetermined number, a cleaning notification is sent to the system management server. stated to be sent.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-039748

However, in the restaurant support system described in Patent Document 1, in order for the return shelf monitoring device to acquire the tray ID, it is necessary to provide an ID transmitter such as an RFID (Radio Frequency Identifier) in advance on the tray that is the returned item. There was a problem.

In view of the above problems, the object of the present disclosure is to provide a return location management device, a return location management system, a return location management method, and a return location management program capable of managing the occupancy status of a return location without providing an ID transmission device for a return item. is to provide

A return place management device according to an aspect of the present disclosure manages the occupancy status of a return place where a customer places returned items after eating and drinking. The return location management device includes an order information acquisition unit that acquires order information related to a customer's order; An occupancy situation prediction unit that predicts an occupancy situation, and a transmission unit that transmits information related to the occupancy situation to the business terminal.

A return location management system according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a return location management device that manages the occupancy status of a return location where a customer places returned items after eating and drinking, and a business terminal. The return location management device includes an order information acquisition unit that acquires order information related to a customer's order; and an occupancy prediction unit that predicts the occupancy state of the terminal, and a transmission unit that transmits information related to the occupancy state to the business terminal.

A return location management method according to an aspect of the present disclosure is a return location management method that manages the occupancy status of a return location where a customer places returned items after eating and drinking. The return place management method includes obtaining order information related to a customer's order; and transmitting information related to the occupancy situation to the business terminal.

A return location management program according to an aspect of the present disclosure is a return location management program for managing the occupancy status of a return location where a customer places returned items after eating and drinking. The return location management program acquires order information related to the customer's order, and based on the order information and the predicted eating end time calculated based on the order information, determines the occupancy status of the return location. and executing a process of transmitting the information related to the occupancy status to the business terminal.

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a return location management device, a return location management system, a return location management method, and a return location management program that can manage the occupancy status of a return location without providing an ID transmission device for a return item.

1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a return location management device according to Embodiment 1; FIG. FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a return location management system according to a second embodiment; FIG. FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a return location management device according to a second embodiment; FIG. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of a product related table according to the second embodiment; FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of eating information generated by an occupation situation prediction unit according to the second embodiment; FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of a correction coefficient table according to the second embodiment; FIG. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining an example of a first return location management process of the return location management device according to the second embodiment; 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a second return location management process of the return location management device according to the second embodiment; FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a return location management device according to a third embodiment; FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a computer according to Embodiments 1 to 3; FIG.

Hereinafter, the present disclosure will be described through embodiments, but the disclosure according to the scope of claims is not limited to the following embodiments. Moreover, not all the configurations described in the embodiments are essential as means for solving the problems. In each drawing, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted as necessary.

<Embodiment 1>
First, Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the return location management device 10 according to the first embodiment. The return location management device 10 is a computer that manages the occupancy of the return location where the customer places the return items after eating and drinking.
The return location management device 10 includes an order information acquisition unit 11 , an occupation situation prediction unit 13 and a transmission unit 14 .
The order information acquisition unit 11 acquires order information related to customer orders.
The occupancy prediction unit 13 predicts the occupancy of the return location based on the order information acquired by the order information acquisition unit 11 and the predicted eating end time calculated based on the order information.
The transmission unit 14 transmits information related to the predicted occupancy status to the business terminal.

Here, the return location management device 10 executes processing related to the return location management method including the following steps. First, the order information acquisition unit 11 of the return location management device 10 acquires order information related to the customer's order. Next, the occupancy prediction unit 13 predicts the occupancy of the return location based on the acquired order information and predicted eating end time. Next, the transmission unit 14 transmits information related to the predicted occupancy status to the business terminal.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, the return place management device 10 predicts the occupancy situation at the return place based on the order information and the predicted eating end time. You can manage the occupancy of the place.

<Embodiment 2>
Next, Embodiment 2 of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 8. FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the return location management system 1 according to the second embodiment. The return place management system 1 is a computer system for operating and managing a system for collecting returned articles at a return place. A return location management system 1 provides an order from a store user (customer) on a tray or using tableware such as a cup, and the customer returns the tray or cup to the return location after eating and drinking. It is installed in a store of business type. For example, the return location management system 1 is installed in a restaurant, fast food restaurant, coffee shop, or the like. The return location management system 1 includes a return shelf 2, a POS (Point of Sales) terminal 3, an access point 4, clerk terminals 5-1 to 5-10, and a return location management device 10a.
In the following, when the salesclerk terminals 5-1 to 5-10 are not distinguished, the salesclerk terminals 5-1 to 5-10 may be simply referred to as the salesclerk terminal 5. FIG.

The return shelf 2 is a shelf for returning items after the customer has finished eating and drinking. The return shelf 2 is an example of a return place, and a return box or the like may be used instead of the return shelf. In Embodiment 2, the return shelf 2 has three shelves. However, instead of this, the number of shelf stages of the return shelf 2 may be four or more, or may be less than three.

The POS terminal 3 is a computer that performs settlement processing for products in the store for customers. In Embodiment 2, the POS terminal 3 is communicably connected to the return location management device 10a by wire. Alternatively, however, the POS terminal 3 may be wirelessly connected to the return location management device 10a. The POS terminal 3 acquires the order information based on the input from the clerk. The order information is information related to the customer's order, and includes identification information of the ordered product.

The access point 4 is an access point that relays communication to a wireless terminal such as a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) router.

The store clerk terminal 5 is a computer, mobile phone, smart phone, tablet or other wireless communication terminal carried by a store clerk or installed at various locations in the store. The clerk terminal 5 may be a POS terminal capable of wireless communication. The store clerk terminal 5 is sometimes called a business terminal. The clerk terminal 5 is connected to the return location management device 10a via the access point 4 so as to be communicable. When the clerk terminal 5 receives the information related to the occupied status of the return shelf 2 from the return location management device 10a, the clerk is notified of the occupied status of the return shelf 2. - 特許庁As a result, the clerk notices that it is necessary to collect the return item from the return shelf 2 and clean the return shelf 2 . The information related to the occupancy status includes occupancy ratio information indicating the occupied area of the return items with respect to the mountable area of the return shelf 2 .

In the second embodiment, the store clerk terminal 5 performs wireless communication, but instead of this, it may be connected by wire to a network (not shown) to which the return location management device 10a is connected. In the second embodiment, the number of store clerk terminals 5 is set to 10, but the number may be less than 10 or 10 or more.

The return location management device 10a is a computer that manages the occupancy status of the return shelf 2. FIG. The return location management device 10 a predicts the occupancy status of the return shelf 2 and transmits information related to the predicted occupancy status to the clerk terminal 5 .

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the return location management device 10a according to the second embodiment. The return location management device 10a has a transmission/reception section 14a, an occupation state prediction section 13, and a storage section 15. FIG.
The transmitting/receiving unit 14a communicates with the POS terminal 3 and the store clerk terminal 5 to transmit/receive various data. For example, the transmission/reception unit 14a receives and acquires order information from the POS terminal 3. FIG. Here, the order information includes product identification information. The order information additionally includes at least one of customer classification information, occurrence time zone information, and occurrence day of the week information.

The transmitting/receiving unit 14 a also transmits information related to the occupancy status to the store clerk terminal 5 . Here, in the second embodiment, when it is determined that the occupation ratio is equal to or higher than the predetermined threshold, the transmission/reception unit 14a outputs information related to the occupation state that the occupation ratio is equal to or higher than the threshold. The clerk terminal 5 is notified of the message and the information indicating the occupancy rate.

Thus, the transmission/reception unit 14a functions as the order information acquisition unit 11 and the transmission unit 14 of the first embodiment.

Then, the transmitting/receiving unit 14 a receives a notification indicating that the return item on the return shelf 2 has been collected from the clerk terminal 5 and supplies the contents of the notification to the occupancy situation prediction unit 13 .

Based on the order information supplied from the transmission/reception unit 14a, the occupancy prediction unit 13 calculates the predicted eating end time for the order. Specifically, the occupancy prediction unit 13 uses the order information and the product-related table 16 in the storage unit 15 to calculate the predicted eating end time. At this time, the occupancy prediction unit 13 may use the correction coefficient table 17 in the storage unit 15 to correct the predicted eating end time. Then, the occupancy prediction unit 13 generates eating information including the order information and the predicted eating end time. Next, the occupancy situation prediction unit 13 predicts the expected return time and the occupancy rate, which are indicators of the occupancy situation, based on the eating information. Then, the occupancy state prediction unit 13 registers the information on the expected return time and the occupancy rate in the return prediction database 18 of the storage unit 15 as a record.

Here, the occupancy prediction unit 13 determines whether or not the occupancy rate is equal to or greater than the threshold, and if the occupancy rate is equal to or greater than the threshold, supplies information indicating the determination result and the occupancy rate to the transmitter/receiver 14a.

Note that the occupancy state prediction unit 13 updates the occupancy rate table 20 contained in the return prediction database 18 of the storage unit 15 in response to receiving a notification from the store clerk terminal 5 indicating that the return item on the return shelf 2 has been collected. Update.

The storage unit 15 is a storage medium that stores various types of information necessary for a series of return location management processes. The storage unit 15 includes a product related table 16, a correction coefficient table 17, and a return prediction database 18.

The product related table 16 is a table that associates product identification information included in order information with estimated time required to eat the product.

The correction coefficient table 17 is a table showing correction coefficients corresponding to information included in order information. In Embodiment 2, the correction coefficient table 17 includes a plurality of correction coefficient tables 17 that differ for each type of information included in order information.

The return prediction database 18 is a database that manages information that serves as an indicator of the occupancy status. The return prediction database 18 includes a return prediction timetable 19 and an occupation rate table 20. FIG.
The expected return timetable 19 is a timetable for managing expected return times for each order.
The occupancy rate table 20 stores information on the occupied area of the return items on the return shelf 2 and information on the occupancy rate.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of the product related table 16 according to the second embodiment. As an example, the product-related table 16 associates product codes and product names as product identification information, the time required to eat the product, and the occupied area of tableware that is lent along with the provision of the product.

In addition to the product code and product name, the time required for eating and the area occupied by tableware are determined in advance and registered in the record of the product. The time required for eating may be determined by considering at least one of the type of product, the size of the product, and the measured statistical value of the time required for eating.

The area occupied by tableware is not registered in the record of food, for example, because food is provided on a uniform tray (30 cm×40 cm=700 cm ² ). Beverages are served in cups or cup tableware when ordered as a single item. For example, coffee is served in a cup with a diameter of 10 cm, but its occupied area is registered as 10 cm x 10 cm = 100 cm ² . Orange juice or cola is served in an 8 cm diameter cup, but its footprint is registered as 8 cm x 8 cm = 64 cm ² . For other drinks, the occupied area of tableware used is similarly registered in the record.

The occupancy prediction unit 13 uses the product-related table 16 to calculate the predicted eating end time and the predicted return time, so that these times can be calculated immediately and uniquely.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of eating information generated by the occupation situation prediction unit 13 according to the second embodiment.

Eating information includes "order number", "customer type", "product code", "product name", "time required for eating", "total time required for eating", "occupied area of returned items", "eating start time”, “predicted eating end time”, and “presence/absence of registration” in the occupancy rate table 20.

The POS terminal 3 transmits order information to the return location management device 10a when the ordered product (also referred to as the ordered product) is provided to the customer. Specifically, the POS terminal 3 transmits order information when a key for providing an ordered item is pressed. In the case of a type of business in which the ordered item is provided at the end of the payment for the ordered item, the POS terminal 3 transmits the order information after the settlement is completed. The POS terminal 3 displays "time required for eating", "total time required for eating", "occupied area of returned items", "predicted time to finish eating", and "presence/absence of registration" for each product in the order information shown in the figure. Information other than the above is transmitted to the return location management device 10a as order information. In this example, the POS terminal 3 transmits information of "order number", "customer type", "product code" and "product name" to the return location management device 10a as order information.

"Customer type" indicates the customer's type such as gender and age group, and is an example of customer classification information. The "customer type" is input to the POS terminal 3 by a store clerk during settlement processing. The "eating start time" includes day-of-the-week information in addition to time information, and is an example of occurrence time zone information and occurrence day-of-the-week information. The "drinking start time" is the time when the return place management device 10a receives the order information from the POS terminal 3, and is automatically given. However, instead of this, the "eating start time" may be the time when the POS terminal 3 receives the input from the clerk or the time when the POS terminal 3 transmits the order information. In this case, the order information includes information on "eating start time".

The "total time required for eating", "occupied area of returned items", "predicted eating end time", and "presence/absence of registration" are calculated or determined by the occupation state prediction unit 13 of the return location management device 10a. will be described later.

Note that the POS terminal 3 may store in advance the "time required for eating" for each product or the occupied area of the return items for each product. In this case, the POS terminal 3, in addition to the "order number", "customer type", "product code" and "product name", "time required for eating", "total time required for eating" and "possession of returned items". area” may be transmitted to the return location management device 10a as order information.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of the correction coefficient table 17 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 6(a) shows a customer type correction coefficient table. FIG. 6(b) shows a time zone correction coefficient table. And FIG.6(c) shows a day-of-the-week correction coefficient table.

The customer type correction coefficient table indicates customer type correction coefficients that are correction coefficients corresponding to customer types. In FIG. 6A, the customer types are classified according to the customer's sex (male/female) and age group (under 20, 20 to 50, 50 and over). In addition to this, the customer type may be classified according to the type of visit, such as whether one person visited the store, multiple people visited the store, and if multiple people came to the store, whether the customer was a couple or a family. .

The time zone correction coefficient table shows time zone correction coefficients, which are correction coefficients corresponding to occurrence time zones based on the information of "eating start time" shown in FIG. In FIG. 6B, the occurrence time zones are classified into 8:00-10:00, 10:01-15:00, 15:01-18:00, and 18:01-20:00.

The day-of-the-week correction coefficient table shows day-of-the-week correction coefficients that are correction coefficients corresponding to the day of the week on the basis of the information on the "eating start time" shown in FIG. In FIG. 6C, the days of occurrence are classified into weekdays, Saturdays, and Sundays/holidays.

Note that each correction coefficient may be determined based on past sales history.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining an example of the first return location management process of the return location management device 10a according to the second embodiment. The first return location management process is executed when the POS terminal 3 receives an order.

First, the POS terminal 3 receives and registers the order A, and transmits the order information related to the order A to the return location management device 10a (step S10).

When the transmitting/receiving unit 14a of the return location management device 10a receives the order information regarding the order A, the occupation state prediction unit 13 of the return location management device 10a generates eating information (step S11).
Specifically, the occupancy prediction unit 13 acquires from the product relation table 16 the information on the “time required for eating” corresponding to each “product code” or each “product name” included in the order information, Calculate the total time required for For example, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, when a customer whose "customer type" is a male between the ages of 20 and 50 purchases a sandwich and coffee at 9:14 on Monday, the "total time required for eating" is (8+6)×1×0.8×1=11.2 (minutes).

Then, the occupancy prediction unit 13 acquires various correction coefficients from the correction coefficient table 17 using the "customer type" included in the order information and the occurrence time zone and day of the week to which the "eating start time" corresponds. Then, the occupancy prediction unit 13 multiplies the calculated "total time required for eating" by the acquired customer type correction coefficient, time period correction coefficient, and day of the week correction coefficient to correct the "total time required for eating". The occupancy prediction unit 13 adds the "total time required for eating" to the "eating start time" to calculate the "predicted eating end time". Therefore, it can be said that the occupancy prediction unit 13 corrects the "predicted eating end time" based on the three correction coefficients, that is, based on the three pieces of information included in the order information. The occupancy prediction unit 13 may correct the "predicted eating end time" based on at least one correction coefficient, that is, based on at least one piece of information included in the order information.

Further, the occupancy prediction unit 13 acquires the information of the "tableware occupied area" corresponding to each "product code" or each "product name" included in the order information from the product related table 16, ” is calculated. Here, the occupancy prediction unit 13 predicts the "occupied area of returned items" when there are multiple ordered items, or when the "occupied area of returned items" is not stored even if the item is a single item. Calculate as the area of the tray (700 cm ² ). Note that when a drink is ordered as a single item, the occupancy prediction unit 13 sets the "occupied area of the tableware" of the product as the "occupied area of the returned item".

Then, the occupancy situation prediction unit 13 generates the eating information for the order A while leaving the "presence/absence of registration" in the occupancy rate table 20 blank.

Next, the occupancy state prediction unit 13 of the return place management device 10a sets the "estimated eating end time" included in the eating information for the order A as the "estimated return time" of the return item related to the order A, and the estimated return time table 19 (step S12). Alternatively, the occupancy prediction unit 13 may calculate the "predicted return time" based on the "predicted eating end time". For example, the occupancy prediction unit 13 may calculate the "predicted return time" by adding the time required to move the distance from the eating space to the return shelf 2 to the "predicted eating end time".

Note that the occupancy state prediction unit 13 of the return place management device 10a registers the "occupied area of the return items" in the occupancy rate table 20 after the "predicted return time" for the order A has passed, and the occupancy rate table 20 is updated (step S13). At this time, the occupancy prediction unit 13 may add the "occupied area of the returned item" to the occupied area included in the occupied ratio table 20 and update the occupied ratio according to the occupied area. Then, the occupancy prediction unit 13 sets the “presence/absence of registration” of the eating information to “completed”.

In this example, as the processing for order B, the same processing as steps S10-12 is executed (steps S14-16). Also, as processing for order C, processing similar to steps S10-12 is executed (steps S17-19). In this example, the "estimated return time" of order B is later than the "estimated return time" of order C. Therefore, the occupancy prediction unit 13 updates the occupancy rate table 20 when the "estimated return time" of the order C has passed (step S20), and then when the "estimated return time" of the order B has passed. Accordingly, the occupancy rate table 20 is updated (step S21).

Note that the occupation ratio table 20 may indicate the predicted occupation area and occupation ratio in time series. In this case, instead of steps S13, 20 and 21, the occupancy prediction unit 13 may update the occupancy rate table 20 in accordance with the generation of eating information for each order.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the second return place management process of the return place management device 10a according to the second embodiment. The second return location management process may be executed in parallel with the first return location management process.

First, in step S31, the occupancy state prediction unit 13 of the return location management device 10a starts counting with a timer. Then, the occupancy prediction unit 13 advances the process to step S32.

Next, in step S32, the occupancy prediction unit 13 determines whether or not a predetermined time has passed. The predetermined time here is, for example, 3 minutes. If the occupancy prediction unit 13 determines that the period has elapsed (YES in step S32), the process proceeds to step S33. Otherwise (NO in step S32), the process shown in step S32 is repeated.

In step S33, the occupancy state prediction unit 13 receives a notification from one of the store clerk terminals 5 from the transmission/reception unit 14a of the return place management device 10a indicating that the work of collecting the returned item from the return shelf 2 has been completed (collection completion notification). ) is received. In response to determining that the collection completion notification has been received (YES in step S33), the occupancy prediction unit 13 advances the process to step S34, otherwise (NO in step S33), advances the process to step S35. .

In step S<b>34 , the occupancy prediction unit 13 updates the occupancy rate table 20 by setting the occupied area of the occupancy rate table 20 to “0”. The occupancy prediction unit 13 advances the process to step S35.

In step S<b>35 , the occupancy prediction unit 13 determines whether or not there is eating information for which the predicted return time has passed and the “occupied area of returned items” is not registered in the occupation ratio table 20 . If the occupancy prediction unit 13 determines that there is (YES in step S35), the process proceeds to step S36; otherwise (NO in step S35), the process proceeds to step S37.

In step S<b>36 , the occupancy prediction unit 13 updates the occupancy rate table 20 by adding the “return item occupied area” of the eating information corresponding to the occupied area of the occupancy rate table 20 . Then, the occupancy prediction unit 13 sets the "presence/absence of registration" of the added eating information to "completed". This step corresponds to steps S13, 20 and 21 shown in FIG.

Then, in step S37, the occupancy prediction unit 13 determines whether or not the occupancy rate of the return items included in the occupancy rate table 20 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. Here, whether or not the occupancy rate of the returned items is equal to or greater than the threshold is determined as follows. The occupancy prediction unit 13 calculates the ratio of the occupied area of the returned items from the following formula, and determines whether or not it is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value (eg, 60%).
(Occupancy ratio of returned items) (%)=(occupied area included in occupation ratio table 20)/(placeable area of return shelf 2)×100
Note that the possible mounting area of the return shelf 2 is stored in advance in the return location management device 10a. If the occupancy prediction unit 13 determines that it is equal to or greater than the threshold (YES in step S37), the process proceeds to step S38, otherwise (NO in step S37), the process returns to step S31.

In step S38, the transmitting/receiving unit 14a notifies all the store clerk terminals 5 of a message to the effect that it is necessary to collect the return item from the return shelf 2 together with the information of the occupancy rate. At this time, the transmitting/receiving unit 14a may send the same notification to the POS terminal 3 as well. Upon receiving the notification, the store clerk terminal 5 causes the display device to display the message and the occupancy rate, and notifies the store clerk. In place of or in addition to the display, the store clerk terminal 5 may notify the store clerk by other notification means such as voice, lighting, or vibration.

Note that the notification to the clerk terminal 5 shown in step S38 is such that the return location management device 10a repeats the processing shown in step S38 if the return item has not been collected from the return shelf 2. FIG. Since the occupancy ratio of the returned items is displayed on the clerk terminal 5, the clerk can determine whether or not urgent action is required based on the size of the ratio.

In step S39, the occupancy prediction unit 13 determines whether or not to end the series of processes. Ending a series of processes is, for example, when the system is stopped, or when the process is terminated by an operator's operation. If the occupancy prediction unit 13 determines to end the process (YES in step S39), it ends the process, otherwise (NO in step S39), the process returns to step S31.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, the occupancy state prediction unit 13 of the return place management device 10a predicts the predicted return time and the occupancy ratio of the return shelf 2 based on the order information and the predicted eating end time. Therefore, the return place management device 10a can manage the occupancy status of the return shelf 2 without providing an ID transmission device for the returned item.

The return place management device 10a acquires the order information from the POS terminal 3, but the order information is the information that is diverted from the information that is input as a normal business at the time of payment settlement processing, and does not increase the work load of the store clerk. .

In addition, since the return location management device 10a notifies the store clerk terminal 5 when the occupancy rate exceeds the threshold, the store clerk can efficiently and systematically collect and clean returned items on the return shelf 2. can be done.

In the second embodiment, the return location management device 10a notifies the clerk terminal 5 only when the occupancy ratio is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold. Information on the occupancy rate may be transmitted each time it is updated. As a result, the store clerk can always grasp the occupancy status of the return shelf 2.例文帳に追加The information on the occupancy rate transmitted by the return location management device 10a may be time-series information on the predicted occupancy rate. As a result, the clerk can more systematically collect and clean the returned items on the return shelf 2 .

In addition, the return location management device 10a uses the correction coefficient table 17 to correct the eating time in consideration of matters that affect the eating time. Therefore, it is possible to improve the prediction accuracy of the predicted eating end time. Customer classification information and information on the time period and day of the week are used as items that affect the eating time. Moreover, since the latter is automatically performed, it does not increase the work load.

In addition, since the return place management device 10a automatically updates the occupancy ratio in response to the collection completion notification, the burden of managing the occupancy ratio is reduced.

<Embodiment 3>
Next, Embodiment 3 of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIG. Embodiment 3 is characterized in that the return location management device is built into the POS terminal. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the return location management device 10b according to the third embodiment. A return location management device 10b shown in FIG. 9 is a POS terminal used for settlement of charges at a store.

The return location management device 10b is a computer having basically the same configuration and functions as the return location management device 10a according to the second embodiment. However, the return location management device 10b differs from the return location management device 10a in that it has an order information acquisition unit 11, a transmission/reception unit 14b, and a settlement processing unit 21 instead of the transmission/reception unit 14a.

The order information acquisition unit 11 receives an input from a store clerk at the time of payment and acquires order information. That is, the order information acquisition unit 11 functions as the order information acquisition unit 11 of the first embodiment. The order information acquisition unit 11 supplies the acquired order information to the occupancy situation prediction unit 13 and the settlement processing unit 21 .

The transmitting/receiving section 14b has basically the same functions as the transmitting/receiving section 14a of the second embodiment, but differs in that the function of receiving order information from the POS terminal 3 is omitted.

The settlement processing unit 21 performs settlement processing of the price at the POS terminal based on the acquired order information.

As described above, according to the third embodiment, since the return place management device 10b is incorporated in the POS terminal, the information necessary for the payment processing can be directly used as the order information. Then, the information regarding the settlement of the price and the information of the return prediction database 18 can be collectively managed.

In Embodiments 2 and 3, the occupancy situation prediction unit 13 of the return place management device 10a, 10b responds to receiving the collection completion notification or unregistered eating information whose return prediction time has passed, It is assumed that the occupancy rate table 20 is to be updated. However, in addition to this, the occupancy prediction unit 13 may update the occupancy ratio table 20 based on the image of the return shelf 2 at any time. In this case, a monitoring camera may be installed on the return shelf 2, and the transmitting/receiving units 14a and 14b of the return location management devices 10a and 10b receive image data captured by the monitoring camera at regular intervals or irregularly. good. The return location management devices 10a and 10b may further have an image processing section (not shown), and the image processing section may calculate the occupied area based on the image data. Then, if there is an error of a predetermined threshold or more between the occupied area calculated by the image processing unit and the current occupied area of the occupied ratio table 20, the occupied state prediction unit 13 calculates the occupied area of the occupied ratio table 20 by image processing. may be modified based on the occupied area calculated by the Department. As a result, the return location management devices 10a and 10b can grasp more accurate occupancy ratios and notify the clerk terminal 5 of more accurate information.

Although the present disclosure has been described as a hardware configuration in the above-described embodiments, the present disclosure is not limited to this. The present disclosure can also implement arbitrary processing by causing a processor to execute a computer program.

In the above-described embodiments, the computer is composed of a computer system including a personal computer, a word processor, and the like. However, the computer is not limited to this, and can be configured by a LAN (local area network) server, a computer (personal computer) communication host, a computer system connected to the Internet, or the like. It is also possible to distribute the functions to each device on the network and configure the computer over the entire network.

FIG. 10 is a schematic configuration diagram of a computer 1900 according to Embodiments 1-3. As shown in this figure, a computer 1900 has a control section 1000 for controlling the entire system. An input device 1050, a storage device 1200, a communication control device 1400, and an input/output I/F 1500 are connected to the control unit 1000 via a bus line such as a data bus.

The control unit 1000 has a processor 1010 , a ROM 1020 and a RAM 1030 .
The processor 1010 performs various information processing and controls according to programs stored in various storage units such as the ROM 1020 and the storage device 1200 . As the processor 1010, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), DSP (Digital Signal Processor), ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), or the like may be used. Also, a plurality of them may be used in parallel.
The ROM 1020 is a read-only memory in which various programs and data for the processor 1010 to perform various controls and calculations are stored in advance.

RAM 1030 is random access memory used as working memory for processor 1010 . In this RAM 1030, various areas for performing various processes according to the first to third embodiments can be secured.

The input device 1050 is an input device such as a keyboard, mouse, touch panel, or the like that receives input from the user. For example, the keyboard has various keys such as numeric keys, function keys for executing various functions, and cursor keys. The mouse is a pointing device and an input device for designating a corresponding function by clicking a key, icon, or the like displayed on the display device 1100 . The touch panel is an input device arranged on the surface of the display device 1100. The touch panel identifies a user's touch position corresponding to various operation keys displayed on the screen of the display device 1100, and displays an operation corresponding to the touch position. Accept key input.

A CRT, a liquid crystal display, or the like, for example, is used as the display device 1100 . The display device displays input results from the keyboard and mouse, and finally retrieved image information. Further, the display device 1100 displays images of operation keys for performing various necessary operations from the touch panel according to various functions of the computer 1900 .

The storage device 1200 is composed of a readable and writable storage medium and a drive device for reading and writing various information such as programs and data in the storage medium.
The storage device 1200 has a data storage unit 1210, a program storage unit 1220, and the like. The program storage unit 1220 stores programs for realizing various processes in the first to third embodiments. The data storage unit 1210 stores various data of various databases according to the first to third embodiments.
A storage medium used in the storage device 1200 may be a non-transitory computer readable medium. Non-transitory computer-readable media include various types of tangible storage media. Examples of non-transitory computer-readable media include magnetic recording media (eg, flexible discs, magnetic tapes, hard disk drives), magneto-optical recording media (eg, magneto-optical discs), CD-ROMs (Read Only Memory), CD-Rs, CD-R/W, DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), BD (Blu-ray (registered trademark) Disc), semiconductor memory (eg, mask ROM, PROM (Programmable ROM), EPROM (Erasable PROM), flash ROM, RAM ( Random Access Memory)). Also, the storage medium used in storage device 1200 may be various types of transitory computer readable medium. Examples of transitory computer-readable media include electrical signals, optical signals, and electromagnetic waves. The temporary computer-readable medium can supply various programs to the computer via wired communication channels such as electric wires and optical fibers, or wireless communication channels.

When the computer 1900 executes various processes, the corresponding program is read from the storage device 1200 into the RAM 1030 and executed. However, the computer 1900 can also read the program directly from an external storage medium into the RAM 1030 and execute it. Further, depending on the computer, various programs may be stored in the ROM 1020 in advance and the processor 1010 may execute them. Furthermore, the computer 1900 may download various programs and data from another storage medium via the communication control device 1400 and execute them.

The communication control device 1400 is a control device for network connection between the computer 1900 and various external electronic devices such as other personal computers and word processors. The communication control device 1400 enables access to the computer 1900 from these various external electronic devices.

The input/output I/F 1500 is an interface for connecting various input/output devices via parallel ports, serial ports, keyboard ports, mouse ports, and the like.

The execution order of each process in the system and method shown in the claims, specification, and drawings is not specified as "prior to" or "prior to". As long as the outputs are not used in later processing, they can be implemented in any order. Regarding the operation flow in the claims, the specification and the drawings, even if the description is made using "first", "next", etc. for convenience, it means that it is essential to carry out in this order. isn't it.

It should be noted that the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments, and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure.

Some or all of the above-described embodiments can also be described in the following supplementary remarks, but are not limited to the following.
(Appendix 1)
A return place management device that manages the occupancy status of a return place where a customer places returned items after eating and drinking,
an order information acquisition unit that acquires order information related to a customer's order;
an occupancy situation prediction unit that predicts the occupancy situation of the return location;
a transmitting unit configured to transmit information related to the occupancy status to a business terminal;
The occupation situation prediction unit
Predicting a first occupied area of the return item at the return location based on the order information and the predicted eating end time calculated based on the order information;
calculating a second occupied area of the return item at the return location based on the captured image of the return location;
A return place management apparatus for predicting the occupied state by using a value obtained by correcting the first occupied area based on the second occupied area as the occupied area of the returned article.
(Appendix 2)
The occupation situation prediction unit
When the difference between the first occupied area and the second occupied area is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the value obtained by correcting the first occupied area based on the second occupied area , as the occupied area of the returned item, and predicts the occupancy situation.
(Appendix 3)
The occupancy prediction unit determines whether or not an occupancy ratio indicating the occupied area of the return item with respect to the mountable area of the return location is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold,
The transmission unit according to appendix 1 or 2, in response to the determination that the occupation ratio is equal to or higher than the threshold, notifies the business terminal of a message indicating that the occupation ratio is equal to or higher than the threshold. Return location management device.
(Appendix 4)
Further comprising a storage unit that stores information on the occupied area of the return item at the return location,
The occupancy prediction unit updates the information on the occupied area in response to receiving from the business terminal a notification indicating that the return item at the return location has been collected. The return location management device described in .
(Appendix 5)
5. The return location management device according to any one of appendices 1 to 4, wherein the order information acquisition unit acquires the order information from a POS (Point of Sales) terminal.
(Appendix 6)
The occupancy prediction unit calculates the predicted eating end time using a product related table that associates product identification information included in the order information with the time required to eat the product. The return location management device according to any one of 1.
(Appendix 7)
The order information includes at least one of customer classification information, occurrence time zone information and occurrence day information,
7. The return place management device according to any one of appendices 1 to 6, wherein the occupation state prediction unit corrects the predicted eating end time based on the at least one piece of information.
(Appendix 8)
a return location management device that manages the occupancy status of a return location where a customer places returned items after eating and drinking;
Equipped with a business terminal and
The return location management device
an order information acquisition unit that acquires order information related to a customer's order;
an occupancy situation prediction unit that predicts the occupancy situation of the return location;
a transmission unit configured to transmit information related to the occupancy status to the business terminal;
The occupation situation prediction unit
Predicting a first occupied area of the return item at the return location based on the order information and the predicted eating end time calculated based on the order information;
calculating a second occupied area of the return item at the return location based on the captured image of the return location;
A return place management system for predicting the occupied state by using a value obtained by correcting the first occupied area based on the second occupied area as the occupied area of the returned article.
(Appendix 9)
A return place management method in which a computer manages the occupancy status of a return place where a customer places returned items after eating and drinking,
the computer obtaining order information associated with a customer's order;
a step in which the computer predicts a first occupied area of the return item at the return location based on the order information and an estimated eating end time calculated based on the order information;
a step in which the computer calculates a second occupied area of the return item at the return location based on the captured image of the return location;
a step in which the computer predicts the occupancy status of the return location by using the value obtained by correcting the first occupied area based on the second occupied area as the occupied area of the return item;
A return location management method comprising: sending information related to the occupancy status to a service terminal by the computer.
(Appendix 10)
A return place management program for managing the occupancy status of a return place where a customer places returned items after eating and drinking,
obtaining order information associated with a customer's order;
Predicting a first occupied area of the return item at the return location based on the order information and an estimated eating end time calculated based on the order information;
calculating a second occupied area of the return item at the return location based on the captured image of the return location;
Predicting the occupancy status of the return location by using the value obtained by correcting the first occupied area based on the second occupied area as the occupied area of the return item;
A return location management program for causing a computer to execute a process of transmitting information related to the occupancy status to a business terminal.

1 return location management system 2 return shelf 3 POS terminal 4 access point 5 clerk terminal 10, 10a, 10b return location management device 11 order information acquisition unit 13 occupancy situation prediction unit 14 transmission unit 14a, 14b transmission/reception unit 15 storage unit 16 merchandise related Table 17 Correction coefficient table 18 Return prediction database 19 Return prediction time table 20 Occupancy rate table 21 Settlement processing unit 1000 Control unit 1010 Processor 1020 ROM
1030 RAM
1050 input device 1100 display device 1200 storage device 1210 data storage unit 1220 program storage unit 1400 communication control device 1500 input/output I/F
1900 computer

Claims (10)

A return place management device that manages the occupancy status of a return place where a customer places returned items after eating and drinking,
an order information acquisition unit that acquires order information related to a customer's order;
an occupancy situation prediction unit that predicts the occupancy situation of the return location;
a transmitting unit configured to transmit information related to the occupancy status to a business terminal;
The occupation situation prediction unit
Predicting a first occupied area of the return item at the return location based on the order information and the predicted eating end time calculated based on the order information;
calculating a second occupied area of the return item at the return location based on the captured image of the return location;
A return place management apparatus for predicting the occupied state by using a value obtained by correcting the first occupied area based on the second occupied area as the occupied area of the returned article. The occupation situation prediction unit
When the difference between the first occupied area and the second occupied area is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the value obtained by correcting the first occupied area based on the second occupied area , is used as the occupied area of the returned item to predict the occupied state. The occupancy prediction unit determines whether or not an occupancy ratio indicating the occupied area of the return item with respect to the mountable area of the return location is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold,
3. The transmission unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein in response to determining that the occupation ratio is equal to or greater than the threshold, the transmission unit notifies the business terminal of a message indicating that the occupation ratio is equal to or greater than the threshold. return location management device. Further comprising a storage unit that stores information on the occupied area of the return item at the return location,
4. The occupancy prediction unit updates the information on the occupied area in response to receiving from the business terminal a notification indicating that the return item at the return location has been collected. Return location management device described in the item. The return location management device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the order information acquisition unit acquires the order information from a POS (Point of Sales) terminal. 2. From claim 1, wherein the occupancy prediction unit calculates the predicted eating end time using a product related table that associates product identification information included in the order information with the time required to eat the product. 6. The return location management device according to any one of 5. The order information includes at least one of customer classification information, occurrence time zone information and occurrence day information,
The return place management device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the occupancy prediction unit corrects the predicted eating end time based on the at least one piece of information. a return location management device that manages the occupancy status of a return location where a customer places returned items after eating and drinking;
Equipped with a business terminal and
The return location management device
an order information acquisition unit that acquires order information related to a customer's order;
an occupancy situation prediction unit that predicts the occupancy situation of the return location;
a transmission unit configured to transmit information related to the occupancy status to the business terminal;
The occupation situation prediction unit
Predicting a first occupied area of the return item at the return location based on the order information and the predicted eating end time calculated based on the order information;
calculating a second occupied area of the return item at the return location based on the captured image of the return location;
A return place management system for predicting the occupied state by using a value obtained by correcting the first occupied area based on the second occupied area as the occupied area of the returned article. A return place management method in which a computer manages the occupancy status of a return place where a customer places returned items after eating and drinking,
the computer obtaining order information associated with a customer's order;
a step in which the computer predicts a first occupied area of the return item at the return location based on the order information and an estimated eating end time calculated based on the order information;
a step in which the computer calculates a second occupied area of the return item at the return location based on the captured image of the return location;
a step in which the computer predicts the occupancy status of the return location by using the value obtained by correcting the first occupied area based on the second occupied area as the occupied area of the return item;
A return location management method comprising: sending information related to the occupancy status to a service terminal by the computer. A return place management program for managing the occupancy status of a return place where a customer places returned items after eating and drinking,
obtaining order information associated with a customer's order;
Predicting a first occupied area of the return item at the return location based on the order information and an estimated eating end time calculated based on the order information;
calculating a second occupied area of the return item at the return location based on the captured image of the return location;
Predicting the occupancy status of the return location using the value obtained by correcting the first occupied area based on the second occupied area as the occupied area of the returned item;
A return location management program for causing a computer to execute a process of transmitting information related to the occupancy status to a business terminal.

Images