JP7370589B2 - Information processing device, screen display control method, management server, and reservation application processing method - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to an information processing device, a screen display control method, a management server, and a reservation application processing method.

Many cafes and restaurants do not set limits on the usage time for each user. Therefore, once a user starts using the cafe, it is possible for each user to continue using the cafe for many hours by ordering just one drink (such as coffee). In fact, there are cases where many students and working adults use cafes and the like for long periods of time (several hours) for purposes such as studying.

However, if customers order a small number of products and use the service for a long time, the customer turnover rate at a cafe or the like will decrease. This is an unfavorable situation for cafes and the like. In order to improve this situation, it is possible to have cafe staff monitor the usage time of each seat and ask customers to leave after a certain period of time (for example, one hour), but this would place an excessive burden on cafe staff. As a customer, it doesn't feel good to be directly asked to leave by a cafe employee. Therefore, there is a need for a system that reduces the burden on cafe staff and allows cafe users to leave their seats in a manner that satisfies their needs.
In view of this situation, the present disclosure proposes a technology that suppresses long-term use of stores without offending users and improves customer turnover.

In order to solve the above problems, the present disclosure provides an information processing device that is installed in a seat in a store, and includes a display unit that displays a user interface screen, and an input to start using the seat through the user interface screen. and an input unit for inputting termination of use, and a control unit for changing information on the usage status of the seat and changing a user interface screen according to the input to the input unit, the control unit Before the start of use, the display unit displays information including a first predetermined time that is the time when the seat can be used after the start of use, so that the seat cannot be used even after the first predetermined time has elapsed since the start of use of the seat . The present invention proposes an information processing device that displays information on a display unit that prompts the seat user to leave the seat if the seat user continues to leave the seat.

Further features related to the present disclosure will become apparent from the description herein and the accompanying drawings. Aspects of the present disclosure may also be realized and realized by means of the elements and combinations of various elements and aspects of the following detailed description and appended claims. It should be understood that the description herein is merely a typical example and does not limit the scope of the claims or applications of the present disclosure in any way.

According to the technology of the present disclosure, it is possible to suppress long-term use of a store without offending users and improve customer turnover.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a vacant seat management system 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. It is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a vacant seat management server 200 according to the present embodiment. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of a vacant seat management server 200. FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a seat usage status management table 2410 that manages the usage status of each seat in each store 400. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a user terminal 300. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of a user terminal 300. FIG. It is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a tablet terminal 401-k (k=an integer from 1 to n) arranged at each seat in each store 400. It is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a tablet terminal 401-k (k=an integer from 1 to n). 3 is a flowchart for explaining a seat reservation process executed between a vacant seat management server 200 and a user terminal 300. It is a flowchart for explaining seat management processing executed by each tablet terminal 401-k according to the first embodiment. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a UI screen configuration displayed on the screen of the user terminal 300 when the user reserves a seat at the store 400. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of a display screen structure of the tablet terminal 401-k by seat usage state. It is a flowchart for explaining seat management processing performed by each tablet terminal 401-k according to the second embodiment. It is a figure showing an example of composition of reminder display screen 1101 by a 2nd embodiment.

This embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. Identical configurations will be described using the same reference numerals. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the technology of the present disclosure, and not all combinations of features described in the present embodiments are essential for solving the above problems.

(1) First Embodiment The first embodiment discloses, regarding the use of seats in a store, a message prompting the user to leave after a predetermined period of time is displayed on a tablet terminal installed at the seat.
<Configuration example of vacancy management system 10>
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a vacant seat management system 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The vacant seat management system 10 is a system that manages vacant seat information at stores such as cafes and cafe restaurants, and includes a vacant seat management server 200 (information processing device) and a plurality of tablet terminals (also referred to as information processing devices or seat terminal devices). 401-1 to 401-n and at least one user terminal 300. A plurality of tablet terminals (401-1 to 401-n are installed on a table installed with a seat for each unit in which a user uses a seat in the store 400. Specifically, a plurality of tablet terminals (401-1 to 401-n are installed at each table seat or at each counter seat if a counter seat is installed, and notify the availability status of each table seat to the vacant seat management server 200 and notify store users. It informs you of the current usage time, etc.It should be noted that multiple tablet terminals (401-1 to 401-n are also referred to as information processing devices or seat terminal devices.In addition, in FIG. 1, only one store 400 is shown. , there are usually a plurality of stores 400, and each tablet terminal in each store is configured to be able to communicate with the vacant seat management server 200.

The vacant seat management server 200 is installed outside the store 400, and receives information on usage status (vacant seats, in use) from each tablet terminal 401-1 to 401-n of the store 400, and This is a server that manages the usage status of seats. The user terminal 300 is, for example, a device such as a smartphone, and is a terminal of a user who uses the service provided by the vacant seat management system 10. The tablet terminals 401-1 to 401-n, the vacant seat management server 200, and the user terminals 300 of each store 400 as described above are interconnected via a network such as the Internet, for example. However, the user terminal 300 is configured such that it cannot directly access each of the tablet terminals 401-1 to 401-n of each store 400.

Each of the tablet terminals 401-1 to 401-n is installed, for example, at each table seat or each counter seat in the store 400. Further, each of the tablet terminals 401-1 to 401-n displays the usage status of the corresponding seat (vacant, reserved, or in use) on the display screen. Note that if the usage status of the corresponding seat is vacant, it can be said that anyone can use the seat. When each tablet terminal 401-1 to 401-n is notified from the vacant seat management server 200 that the seat has been reserved from the user terminal 300 (receives the seat reservation notification), the tablet terminals 401-1 to 401-n change the usage status display to " Change from "vacant" to "reserved". In addition, when a user who has reserved a seat comes to the store 400 and takes the corresponding seat, the user enters the reservation number (described later) in the reservation number input field on the display screen of the tablet terminal 401-k (the terminal placed at the reserved seat). When you enter the (PIN), the seat usage status will change from "reserved" to "currently in use." Furthermore, a user without a reservation comes to the store 400, takes a seat whose usage status is vacant (a seat that is neither reserved nor in use), and uses the tablet terminal 401-k (any seat (in this case, the usage status is vacant). When the user presses the seat button on the display screen of the terminal placed at the seat (k = an integer from 1 to n), the usage status of the seat changes from "vacant" to "in use." In addition, when the user presses the exit button on the display screen (for example, leaves the store 400 after that), each tablet terminal 401-1 to 401-n changes the display screen from "in use" to "vacant seat". Change to Furthermore, each tablet terminal 401-1 to 401-n changes the usage status of the seat from "reserved" or "vacant" to "in use" and from "in use" to "vacant" (by leaving the seat, ”), the availability status will be changed to ``Reserved'' → ``In use'', ``Vacant'' → ``In use'', ``In use'' → ``Vacant''). Notify the server 200.

The vacant seat management server 200 stores (updates) data indicating the usage status of each seat in each store 400, which is received from each tablet terminal 401-1 to 401-n in each store 400, in the database 241 (see FIG. 2B). The usage status of each store 400 is managed on the database.

A user who is about to visit any of the stores 400 can inquire about the usage status of each seat in each store 400 to the vacant seat management server 200 via the user terminal 300. In response to the inquiry, the seat availability management server 200 searches a predetermined distance range from the location of the user terminal 300 or the location specified by the user on the map (for example, the location tapped on the map displayed on the display screen of the user terminal 300). Information (crowding information) indicating the store groups included in the store group and their vacant seat states is acquired from the database 241. The vacant seat management server 200 returns the acquired store group information and congestion information to the user terminal 300 as a response to the inquiry. The user terminal 300 displays the store groups and their congestion information received from the seat availability management server 200 on a map (for example, by displaying a list or displaying pins). Note that, for example, if there is even one vacant seat in the store 400, the vacant seat management server 200 transmits congestion information indicating "vacant seat" to the user terminal 300, and if all seats in the store 400 are reserved, "congested seat" is sent to the user terminal 300. ” is transmitted to the user terminal 300, and if all seats in the store 400 are “in use”, congestion information indicating “full” is transmitted to the user terminal 300.

The congestion status of each store 400 sent from the vacancy management server 200 in response to the inquiry is displayed on the display screen of the user terminal 300, and when the user selects one of the stores 400, the congestion state of the user terminal 300 is displayed. Each seat of the selected store 400 and its usage status are displayed on the display screen. For example, the interior layout of the target store may be displayed. Then, when the user selects a seat whose usage status is "vacant", the user terminal 300 transmits the selected seat to the vacant seat management server 200 as selection information. The vacant seat management server 200, which has received the selection information, changes the status of the information in the database 241 from "vacant" to "reserved" and indicates that the seat has been reserved on the tablet terminal 401 installed at the seat. -Notify k. After receiving the notification, the tablet terminal 401-k changes the pre-occupation status displayed on the screen from "vacant" to "reserved."

<Example of hardware configuration of vacancy management server 200>
FIG. 2A is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the vacant seat management server 200. The vacant seat management server 200 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 210, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 220, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 230, a storage device 240, and a communication device 250. The CPU 210 implements the functions provided by the vacant seat management server 200 by executing programs to be described later. ROM220 and RAM230 hold data used by CPU210. The storage device 240 stores a database and programs described below. The communication device 250 communicates with the user terminal 300 and the tablet terminal 401-k (k=an integer from 1 to n) of the store 400 via the network.

<Example of functional configuration of vacancy management server 200>
FIG. 2B is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the vacant seat management server 200. The vacant seat management server 200 includes a reception section 211, a vacant seat management section 212, and a notification section 213 as software modules executed by the CPU 210 (functions configured by loading various programs into the internal memory of the CPU 210). In the following, for convenience of description, these modules may be described as the operating entity, but since it is the CPU 210 that actually executes these modules, the CPU 210 may also be the operating entity. The storage device 240 stores a database 241. The database 241 stores information on the usage status (vacant status, crowded status) of each seat in each store 400. A configuration example of the seat usage status management table included in the database 241 will be described later.

The receiving unit 211 directly receives data indicating the usage status of each seat in the store 400 from each of the tablet terminals 401-1 to 401-n in each store 400 via the communication device 250. From the tablet terminals 401-1 to 401-n, information corresponding to input on the display screen of the tablet terminal 401-k by the user visiting the store (pressing the seat button or leave button on the screen, inputting the reservation number) is provided. (Information of "in use" or "leaving") is received.

The vacant seat management unit 212 identifies the store and seat based on the ID (store identification information) and seat ID (seat identification information) of each store 400 included in the information received by the receiving unit 211, and identifies the seat usage status in the database 241. The usage status data in the management table 2410 is updated.

When the receiving unit 211 receives a request from the user terminal 300 to confirm the congestion status of a specific store or stores in the area surrounding the user terminal 300, the notification unit 214 targets the latest status of the congestion status of each store in a predetermined range. to the user terminal 300 of. The user terminal 300 that has received these data constructs a display UI (for example, pin display on a map; UI: User Interface), and displays (pin display) the congestion information on the map there. Further, when the receiving unit 211 receives a reservation for a specific seat in a specific store 400 from the user terminal 300, the notification unit 214 transmits the reservation to the tablet terminal 401-k placed at the specific seat.

<Example of configuration of seat usage status management table 2410>
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a seat usage status management table 2410 that manages the usage status of each seat in each store 400. The seat usage status management table 2410 can be constructed by storing data describing the contents of records in the storage device 240, for example. Although the database 241 is expressed in a table format in this embodiment, it is not limited to this format, and may be constructed in any format as long as each piece of data is linked. Therefore, it can also be simply referred to as seat usage status data or seat usage status management information.

The seat usage status management table 2410 is a data table that manages the attribute information and the latest congestion status for each store used when the user searches for a store. The configuration items include a telephone number 2414, a table/seat ID 2415, a table/seat attribute 2416, and a usage status 2417 of the corresponding seat.

Store ID 2411 is an ID for identifying each store within database 241. The first record shows the usage status of a table or seat ID=A001 with store ID=001, and the second record shows the usage status of a different table or seat (ID=A002) in the same store.
The name 2412 is information indicating the name of each store 400. The location 2413 is information representing the location of each store 400 in latitude and longitude. The telephone number 2414 is information indicating the contact information of each store 400. Although the phone number is used here, other contact information may be managed.
The table/seat ID 2415 is an ID for uniquely identifying each table or each seat within the same store 400. The table/seat attribute 2416 is information indicating the type of table, etc., and for example, "1" may represent a 4-person table, "2" may represent a 2-person table, and "3" may represent a counter seat. can.
The usage status 2417 is information indicating the usage status of the corresponding seat. For example, "0" indicates the seat is vacant, "1" indicates the seat is reserved, and "2" indicates the seat is in use. The usage status 2417 is information that changes between "0", "1", and "2" depending on the information received from each tablet terminal 401-1 to 401-n of each store 400.

<Example of hardware configuration of user terminal 300>
FIG. 4A is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the user terminal 300. User terminal 300 includes a CPU 310, a display section 320, an input section 330, a communication section 340, and a memory 350. CPU 310 controls the operation of each section included in user terminal 300. The communication unit 340 communicates with the vacant seat management server 200 via the network, and receives usage status information of each seat in the store 400. The display unit 320 displays the usage status information received from the seat availability management server 200 on a screen. The input unit 330 is an interface used by the user to input operation instructions for the user terminal 300. For example, the display section 320 and the input section 330 can be integrally configured using a touch panel or the like.

<Example of functional configuration of user terminal 300>
FIG. 4B is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the user terminal 300. The user terminal 300 includes a generation unit 3101, a display control unit 3102, a communication control unit 3103, and a storage control unit 3104 as software modules executed by the CPU 310 (a function configured by expanding various programs to the internal memory of the CPU 310). . In the following, for convenience of description, these modules may be described as the operating entity, but since it is the CPU 310 that actually executes these modules, the CPU 310 may also be the operating entity.

The generation unit 3101 generates UI data (store display UI data) corresponding to the congestion information of each store 400 received from the vacancy management server 200. Examples of display UI data include a list of store names and congestion information displayed in text format, text data corresponding to congestion information, or mark data (text/mark corresponding to vacant seat "0", crowded seat "1", etc.). The text/mark corresponding to ``2'', the text/mark corresponding to full ``2'') can be read from the memory 350 and displayed in a superimposed manner on the map. The generation unit 3101 also generates UI data (seat display UI data) indicating the usage status of each seat in the selected store 400 in response to the user's store selection input. UI data for displaying seats displays a list of seat attributes (2-person seats, 4-person seats, counter seats, etc.) as well as text data corresponding to the usage status (``vacant'', ``reserved'', and ``currently in use''). The usage status of each seat can be displayed in accordance with the layout of the selected store.

The display control unit 3102 controls data display operations by the display unit 320. For example, the display control unit 3102 displays the display UI data generated by the generation unit 3101 on a map displayed on the screen of the display unit 320 or displays a list.

The communication control unit 3103 controls communication operations performed by the communication unit 340 (for example, communication with the vacant seat management server 200). For example, when a user instructs the communication control unit 3103 to send a request to inquire the availability management server 200 about the congestion state of the store 400, the communication control unit 3103 acquires the current position (latitude and longitude information) of the user terminal 300 and The communication unit 340 is controlled to send a request with current location information to the management server 200. The communication control unit 3103 also controls the communication unit 340 to transmit a reservation request for a desired seat at a desired store, and when the reservation is completed, the communication control unit 3103 sends the reservation number and reservation confirmation information (reservation completion display data , reservation completion confirmation email, etc.).

The storage control unit 3104 controls data reading operations from the memory 350 and data writing operations to the memory 350. For example, the storage control unit 3104 receives the reservation number and reservation confirmation information received by the communication unit 340 from the seat availability management server 200, and writes them into the memory 350. Further, for example, in response to a command from the generation unit 3101, the storage control unit 3104 reads store congestion information and seat usage state information of the store from the memory 350, and passes the information to the generation unit 3101.

<Example of hardware configuration of tablet terminal 401-k>
FIG. 5A is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a tablet terminal 401-k (k=an integer from 1 to n) placed at each seat in each store 400. The tablet terminal 401-k includes a CPU 4011, a display section 4012, an input section 4013, a communication section 4014, and a memory 4015. The CPU 4011 controls the operation of each part included in the tablet terminal 401-k. The communication unit 4014 receives information on reservation applications for each seat from the vacancy management server 200 via the network, and transmits information on starting to use and leaving each seat in the store 400 to the vacancy management server 200.

The display unit 320 displays the reservation application information received from the seat availability management server 200 on the tablet display screen (display of "reservation in progress"). The display unit 320 of the tablet terminal 401-k placed at the seat being reserved displays information on the tablet display screen indicating that the seat is in a reserved state (for example, "This table is reserved" as described later). The message “In progress” is displayed. Further, the display unit 320 of the tablet terminal 401-k placed at the vacant seat displays information indicating that the seat is vacant (for example, a "seat button" as described later) on the tablet display screen. .

The input unit 330 is an interface used by a user who visits and takes a seat at the store 400 or a store employee of the store 400 to input operation instructions to the tablet terminal 401-k. For example, the display section 320 and the input section 330 can be integrally configured using a touch panel or the like.

<Example of functional configuration of tablet terminal 401-k>
FIG. 5B is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the tablet terminal 401-k (k=an integer from 1 to n). The tablet terminal 401-k includes a UI data generation section 40111, a display control section 40112, a communication control section 40113, and a storage control section as software modules (functions configured by expanding various programs to the internal memory of the CPU 4011) executed by the CPU 4011. 40114. For convenience of description, these modules may be described below as the operating entity, but since it is the CPU 4011 that actually executes these modules, the CPU 4011 may also be the operating entity.

The UI data generation unit 40111 reads UI data corresponding to the usage status of the seat (vacant, reserved, in use) from the memory 4015, and passes the UI data to the display control unit 40112. Specifically, when the seat where the tablet terminal 401-k is placed becomes "vacant", the UI data generation unit 40111 reads the vacant seat UI data from the memory 4015 and passes it to the display control unit 40112. . In addition, if the seat where the tablet terminal 401-k is placed becomes "reserved" (for example, when the vacant seat management server 200 notifies that the seat is reserved), the UI data generation unit 40111 reads reserved seat UI data from the memory 4015 and passes it to the display control unit 40112. Furthermore, if the seat where the tablet terminal 401-k is placed becomes "in use" (for example, when a user who had made a reservation comes to the store and changes from "reservation in progress" to "in use", or When a user comes to the store, takes a seat, and becomes "in use"), the UI data generation unit 40111 reads the in-use UI data from the memory 4015 and passes it to the display control unit 40112.

The display control unit 40112 controls the data display operation by the display unit 4012. For example, the display control unit 40112 generates a display screen from various UI data received from the UI data generation unit 40111 and displays it on the screen of the display unit 4012.

The communication control unit 40113 controls communication operations performed by the communication unit 4014 (for example, communication with the vacant seat management server 200). For example, when a user visits the store 400, takes a seat, and presses the seat button on the UI display of the tablet terminal 401-k, the UI display of the seat is changed to "in use", and at this time, the communication control unit 40113 , controls the communication unit 4014 to notify the vacant seat management server 200 that the seat in question has become "in use." When the user leaves a seat that is "in use" (the user presses the leave button), the communication control unit 40113 causes the communication unit to notify the vacant seat management server 200 that the seat has become "vacant". 4014. When a user with a reservation arrives at a "reserved" seat (enters the reservation number in the reservation number input field on the screen (UI display) of the tablet terminal 401-k), the communication control unit 40113 determines that the seat is "reserved". The communication unit 4014 is controlled to notify the vacant seat management server 200 that the status has changed from "reserved" to "in use."

The storage control unit 40114 controls data read operations from the memory 4015 and data write operations to the memory 4015. For example, the storage control unit 40114 receives seat reservation information (information indicating that a specific seat has been reserved by a user) received by the communication unit 4014 from the seat availability management server 200, and writes it into the memory 4015. Further, for example, in response to a UI data read command from the UI data generation unit 40111, the storage control unit 40114 may output corresponding UI data (vacant seat UI data, reserved seat UI data, in-use UI data) from the memory 4015. ) is read out and passed to the UI data generation unit 40111.

<Details of seat reservation processing>
FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the seat reservation process executed between the vacant seat management server 200 and the user terminal 300. Note that hereinafter, a process (step) in a flowchart will be expressed as "S".

(i) S601
The user terminal 300 (communication unit 340) generates a store search (cafe search) request and transmits it to the vacant seat management server 200. The store search request includes current location information of the user terminal 300 (for example, latitude and longitude information obtained from GPS). Store search requests include, in addition to search requests based on the current location of the user terminal 300, search requests for stores located in a specific designated location (for example, the user is currently around Tokyo Station, but around Ginza Station), and requests for specific stores. The search request may be in the form of a search request specifying a store (in this case, the user wants to know information on crowding at a particular store).

(ii) S602
When the vacancy management unit 212 determines whether the receiving unit 211 has received a store search request from the user terminal 300, the vacant seat management unit 212 receives information on the store group corresponding to the store search request (each store name, location, etc.) and congestion information corresponding to each store. (Whether each store has vacant seats, whether each store is crowded or full) is returned to the user terminal 300 that sent the store search request.

(iii) S603
When the communication unit 340 receives the search results (store group information and their congestion information) from the vacancy management server 200, the generation unit 3101 of the user terminal 300 generates a store group for displaying the store group and congestion information on the screen. Generate a display UI. The store group display UI can be a map display UI that displays store groups and congestion information on a map, or a text display UI that displays a list of store groups and congestion information.
Then, the display control unit 3102 displays the created store group display UI on the display unit 320 (display screen).

(iv)S604
When the user selects a store from the group of stores displayed on the screen via the input unit 330 (key input, tablet input, etc.) (accepts store designation input), the generation unit 3101 generates a store name or store ID that includes the store name or store ID. Selection information is generated and passed to the communication control unit 3103. Then, the communication control unit 3103 uses the communication unit 340 to transmit the selection information to the vacant seat management server 200.

(v)S605
When the reception unit 211 of the vacant seat management server 200 receives the selection information from the user terminal 300, the vacant seat management unit 212 receives the seat information (text information of the seat, seat layout information in the store, etc.) corresponding to the store included in the selection information. Information on the usage status of each seat (vacant, reserved, currently in use) is acquired from the storage device 240 and passed to the notification unit 213. The notification unit 213 uses the communication device 250 to transmit the seat information to the user terminal 300.

(vi) S606
When the communication unit 340 receives seat information from the vacant seat management server 200, the generation unit 3101 of the user terminal 300 generates seat display UI data for displaying the seat information on the display unit 320, and sends the seat information to the display control unit 3102. Hand over. The seat display UI data is data for constructing a UI for notifying the user of information for identifying a seat and the usage status of the seat. Then, the display control unit 3102 displays the received seat display UI data on the display unit 320.

(vii) S607
When the user selects an empty seat from the seat group displayed on the screen via the input unit 330 (seat designation), the generation unit 3101 generates reservation information (identifying the store and seat) regarding the designated seat. information (including store ID and seat ID, for example)) and passes it to the communication control unit 3103.
(viii) S608
The communication control unit 3103 uses the communication unit 340 to transmit reservation information to the seat availability management server 200.

(ix)S609
When the reception unit 211 of the vacancy management server 200 receives reservation information from the user terminal 300, the vacancy management unit 212 assigns a password (reservation number) to the reservation and passes this to the notification unit 213. The notification unit 213 uses the communication device 250 to transmit the password to the user terminal 300 that has made the reservation. The notification unit 213 also transmits reservation information (reservation information, reservation time, and reservation number) to the tablet terminal 401-k placed at the seat of the store 400 for which the reservation is made.
(x)S610
The vacant seat management unit 212 changes the usage status 2417 of the seat to which the password has been assigned from "vacant (0)" to "reserved (1)" in the seat usage status management database 2410.

(xi)S611
When the communication unit 340 of the user terminal 300 receives the PIN (reservation number) from the seat availability management server 200, the display control unit 3102 receives the PIN from the communication control unit 3103, and displays the reservation information (store name and reservation number) on the display unit 320. (seat information) and PIN number. This allows the user to know that the reservation has been completed. Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the reservation is completed, the reservation service is such that the user must go to the target store within a predetermined time (for example, within 15 minutes). Therefore, a display may be displayed on the display unit 320 of the user terminal 300 to alert the user that the reservation is valid for only 15 minutes. If the customer cannot come to the store within 15 minutes, the reservation will be canceled as described below.

<Details of seat management processing>
FIG. 7 is a flowchart of seat management processing executed by each tablet terminal 401-k according to the first embodiment. The seat management process is a process for managing the usage status (vacant, reserved, currently in use) of the seat where the tablet terminal 401-k is placed. In the flowchart of FIG. 6, it is assumed that the seat management process is started when the usage status of the target seat is "vacant". For example, since each seat is empty when the store 400 opens, each tablet terminal 401-1 to 401-n is turned on before the store opens, and then the tablet terminals 401-1 to 401-n are displayed when the store opens. 7 is started. Note that in the following description, the UI data generation unit 40111 is mainly responsible for the operation, but for each process, a different processing unit may be newly set to be the main operation unit. Further, since the UI data generation unit 40111 and the newly set processing unit are realized by the CPU 4011, the main body of operation of each step can be read as the CPU 4011.

(i) S701
If the seat is vacant, the display control unit 40112 generates vacant seat display data from the vacant seat GUI data and displays it on the display screen of the display unit 4012. Note that the vacant seat GUI data is read out from the memory 4015 by the UI data generation unit 40111 and passed to the display control unit 40112.

(ii) S702
The UI data generation unit 40111 determines whether reservation information for the seat in question (information indicating that it has been reserved by a specific user) has been received from the seat availability management server 200. If the reservation information has not been received (if the reservation has not been accepted: NO in S702), the process moves to S703. When the reservation information is received (when the reservation is accepted: YES in S702), the process moves to S704.

(iii) S703
The UI data generation unit 40111 determines whether or not the seat is ready for use. For example, if a user without a seat reservation comes to a store and presses the seat button on the UI screen of the tablet terminal 401-k placed in an "vacant" seat, the usage status of the seat changes from "vacant" to "vacant". "In use" changes.
If the seat is ready for use (if the seat has been accepted for use: YES in S703), the process moves to S704. On the other hand, if the seat is not ready for use (if the seat has not been accepted for use: NO in S703), the process returns to S701. At this time, the screen display of the tablet terminal 401-k remains empty seat display.

(iv)S704
The UI data generation unit 40111 reads the reserved seat UI data from the memory 4015 and passes it to the display control unit 40112. Then, the display control unit 40112 generates a reserved seat display screen based on the reserved seat UI data, and displays it on the display unit 4012 (the screen display of the tablet terminal 401-k does not display "Reserved"). The reservation number (password) sent from the seat availability management server 200 is stored in the memory 4015.

(v)S705
The UI data generation unit 40111 determines whether a user who has made a reservation has checked in for a seat within the available time for reservation. To determine whether or not there has been a check-in to a seat, a user with a seat reservation who visits the store enters the reservation number (PIN code) given by the vacant seat management server 200 in the reservation number (PIN code) input field on the reserved seat display screen. This is done depending on whether or not is input. If it is determined that there has been a check-in (YES in S705), the process moves to S707. If it is determined that there has been no check-in (NO in S705), the process moves to S706.
Note that if the user who made the reservation has not yet checked in, but it is still within the time when the reservation can be secured, the reservation status continues to be displayed.

(vi)S706
The UI data generation unit 40111 changes the reserved seat display screen to the vacant seat display screen. Then, the communication control unit 40113 uses the communication unit 4014 to notify the vacant seat management server 200 that the reservation has been canceled (the reservation has been canceled because the user with the reservation did not come to the store within the available reservation time).
The vacant seat management server 200 that receives the reservation cancellation changes the usage status 2417 of the seat in the seat usage status management database 2410 from "reserved (1)" to "vacant seat (0)." In addition, the vacant seat management server 200 notifies the user terminal 300 of the user of the cancellation of the reservation.

(vii) S707
The UI data generation unit 40111 compares the reservation number (PIN code) input by the user who has visited the store with the reservation number for the seat stored in the memory 4015 (the number notified from the seat availability management server 200). Note that, as a result of the verification, if the input reservation number is appropriate, the process moves to S708. If the entered reservation number is incorrect, a message will be displayed prompting the user to re-enter the reservation number.For example, if verification fails five times, check-in may be disabled and the user may be prevented from using the seat. A warning is issued to prompt the store staff to respond (for example, a store terminal (not shown) is notified of the reservation number verification failure and a warning notification (message) is issued to prompt the store staff to immediately head to the relevant seat). Good too. Then, for example, the clerk waits until the reservation is canceled and the usage status of the seat becomes "vacant," and then presses the seat button on the vacant seat display screen to allow the user to use the seat.

(viii) S708
The UI data generation unit 40111 changes the UI display of the tablet terminal 401-k from the reserved seat display to the in-use display screen.
(ix)S709
When the reservation number verification is successful, the UI data generation unit 40111 activates a timer (not shown) to count the time.
(x)S710
The UI data generation unit 40111 determines whether a predetermined time A (for example, 60 minutes) has elapsed since the timer was activated. If the predetermined time A has not yet elapsed (NO in S710), the process returns to S709, and the timer continues counting the time. On the other hand, if the predetermined time A has elapsed (YES in S710), the process moves to S711.

(xi)S711
The UI data generation unit 40111 transmits a request to the vacant seat management server 200 to check whether there are other vacant seats in the store 400. In response to the request, the vacant seat management server 200 checks whether there are vacant seats in the store 400 from the seat usage state management database 2410, and transmits the result of the confirmation to the tablet terminal 401-k that sent the request.

(xii) S712
When the communication unit 4014 receives the confirmation result as to whether there is a vacant seat from the vacant seat management server 200, the UI data generation unit 40111 determines whether there are other vacant seats in the store 400 based on the confirmation result. If there are no vacant seats (NO in S712), the process moves to S713. If there is a vacant seat (YES in S712), the process moves to S714.
(xiii) S713
The UI data generation unit 40111, for example, reads the UI data for promoting leaving from the memory 4015, and displays the UI for promoting leaving in a superimposed manner on the display screen for use.

(xiv)S714
The UI data generation unit 40111 determines whether the user has pressed the leave button displayed on the in-use display screen. If the exit button has not been pressed yet (NO in S714), the process moves to S715. If the leave button is pressed (YES in S714), the process moves to S716.

(xv)S715
The UI data generation unit 40111 activates the timer (not shown) again, starts counting time, and determines whether a predetermined time B (for example, 5 minutes) has elapsed. If the predetermined time B has not yet elapsed (NO in S715), the process returns to S714. In this case, the timer count continues. On the other hand, if the predetermined time B has elapsed (YES in S715), the process moves to S711.
(xvi) S716
The UI data generation unit 40111 changes the display screen of the tablet terminal 401-k from the occupied display screen to the vacant seat display screen. Furthermore, the communication control unit 40113 uses the communication unit 4014 to notify the vacant seat management server 200 that the usage status of the seat has changed from "in use" to "vacant". The process then moves to S701.
The vacant seat management server 200 that has received the notification changes the usage status 2417 of the target seat in the seat usage status management database 2410 from "in use (2)" to "vacant (0)".

<Example of screen configuration when reserving seats on user terminal 300>
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a UI screen configuration displayed on the screen of the user terminal 300 when the user reserves a seat at the store 400.
FIG. 8A is a diagram showing a configuration example of a store selection UI screen 801 that displays a group of stores corresponding to a store search request sent to the vacant seat management server 200 and their congestion information. Although FIG. 8A shows a list display configuration, each store may be displayed as a pin on the map. The store selection UI screen 801 shown in FIG. 8A is composed of a list of store information 8011-1 to 8011-n. Each store information 8011-k (k = an integer from 1 to n) includes the store name (Cafe A, etc.), the distance from the current location of the user terminal 300 (location at the time of request transmission), and the required time. There is. The distance and required time are calculated by the vacant seat management server 200 based on the location information of the user terminal 300 (information included in the store search request) and the location information of the store. When a user selects one store from the store selection UI screen 801, the information of the selected store is sent to the vacancy management server 200, and the seat information of the selected store and the information on their usage status are displayed as vacancies. It is sent from the management server 200 (FIG. 8(b)).

FIG. 8(b) is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a seat selection UI screen 802 that displays seat information for a store selected by the user. The seat selection UI screen 802 shown in FIG. 8(b) includes seat information 8021-1 to 8021-n and a warning display 8022. Each seat information 8021-k (k = integer from 1 to n) includes seat attributes (counter seats, table seats, non-smoking seats, smoking seats, etc.) and incidental equipment information (presence or absence of power supply, presence or absence of wireless LAN). ) and usage status information (vacant, reserved, in use). When the user selects one available seat from the seat selection UI screen 802, information on the selected seat is sent to the availability management server 200, and a reservation number (PIN) is assigned to the reservation. , the reservation is confirmed. Then, a reservation completion notification including the reservation number is transmitted from the vacant seat management server 200 to the user terminal 300.

FIG. 8C is a diagram showing a configuration example of a reservation completion notification 803 displayed on the display screen of the user terminal 300. The reservation completion notification 803 includes reserved seat information 8031, reservation rule information 8032, and a cancel button for canceling the reservation. Seat information 8031 includes seat attributes, seat/table numbers, usage numbers (reservation numbers), and remaining reservation time (for example, from 15 minutes to Countdown). In addition, rule information 8032 regarding reservations states that if you do not come to the store within a predetermined time (15 minutes) after completing the reservation, the reservation will be canceled, the usage time is 60 minutes, and the tablet terminal at the seat (table) after arriving at the store. You will be prompted to enter your 401-k usage number.

<Example of display screen configuration of tablet terminal 401-k in store 400>
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of the display screen configuration of the tablet terminal 401-k for each seat usage state. FIG. 9A is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a display screen 901 when a seat is vacant. The display screen 901 when a seat is vacant includes a table number 9011, a seat button 9012, and a usage rule display 9013. A user who comes to the store without a reservation can use the seat by pressing the seat button 9012 on the screen if there is a vacant seat. When the seat button 9012 is pressed, the screen of the tablet terminal 401-k changes to the currently used display screen 903 (FIG. 9(c)).

FIG. 9(b) is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the display screen 902 during reservation. The display screen 902 during reservation includes a table number 9021, a start usage button 9022, a reservation display 9023, and a usage number (reservation number) input field 9024. Users with reservations who come to the store within the above-mentioned reserved time (15 minutes) must enter the usage number input field 9024 on the screen of the tablet terminal 401-k placed at the seat/table that they have reserved, and send it to the vacant seat management server 200 at the time of reservation. Enter the usage number (reservation number) given to you by . Then, when the use start button is pressed, the screen of the tablet terminal 401-k changes to a display screen 903 (FIG. 9(c)) showing the current use.

FIG. 9C is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the display screen 903 in use. The display screen 903 in use includes a table number 9031, a leave button 9032, and a current usage time display 9033. When the user currently using the seat presses the leave button 9032 when leaving the seat, the screen changes to a display screen 901 (FIG. 9(a)) when the seat is vacant. Furthermore, when the usage time display 9033 has elapsed for a predetermined period of time (60 minutes), a reminder screen is displayed (FIG. 9(d)).

FIG. 9(d) is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a reminder screen display 904 that prompts the user to leave the seat when the predetermined time (60 minutes) determined by the rules has elapsed. The reminder screen display 904 includes a table number 9041, a leave button 9042, a use time display 9043 indicating that the use time has exceeded 60 minutes, and a reminder message (message promoting leaving) 9044. When the user presses the leave button 9042 in response to the reminder message, the screen changes to an empty seat display screen 901 (FIG. 9(a)).
As described above, when there is a change in the seat usage status on each tablet terminal 401-k of each seat, the screen display changes. , in use→vacant) is transmitted to the vacant seat management server 200, and the usage status 2417 of the seat usage status management database 2410 is updated.

<Summary of the first embodiment>
In the first embodiment, the tablet terminal 401-k installed at each seat in the store 400 is used for a predetermined period of time (60 minutes), display information on the UI screen of the tablet terminal to prompt the user to leave. Further, the user recognizes (accepts) the use within the 60 minute time limit before using the seat. Therefore, even if the user sees a message urging him to leave (a message encouraging him to leave), he will not be offended. In addition, the clerk will no longer have to bear the mental burden of asking the customer to leave. As a result, the customer turnover rate at the store can be improved. Further, when the usage status of a seat changes (vacant seat → in use, in use → vacant seat, reserved → vacant seat due to cancellation of reservation), the tablet terminal 401 - k notifies the availability status management server 200 of the change in the usage status. The vacant seat management server 200 updates the usage status 2417 in the seat usage status management database 2410. By doing so, the vacant seat management server 200 can recognize the latest seat usage status, and can provide accurate seat information to the user. Furthermore, on the tablet terminal 401-k, if the user who made the reservation does not come to the store within a predetermined time (for example, 15 minutes) from the time of receiving notification from the vacant seat management server 200 that a seat has been reserved, The reservation is canceled when the reservation number (PIN code) is input into the tablet terminal 401-k of the seat. By doing so, it is possible to efficiently secure vacant seats, thereby improving the customer turnover rate. Note that the message urging the user to leave may be displayed when there are no other vacant seats. This is because the customer turnover rate will not be affected if there are other vacant seats, and this is done in consideration of ensuring user comfort.

(2) Second Embodiment The second embodiment is about a process that allows extended use of the seat by purchasing additional products (for example, drinks and food) when the seat has not been used for a predetermined time (60 minutes). explain.

<Details of seat management processing>
FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining seat management processing executed by each tablet terminal 401-k according to the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, processes S1001 and S1002 are added to the seat management process according to the first embodiment. Therefore, since the processes from S701 to S716 are the same as those in the first embodiment, only the different processes will be described below.

(i) S1001
When it is determined in S710 that the predetermined time A (for example, 60 minutes) has elapsed, the UI data generation unit 40111 reads the reminder UI data from the memory 4015 and includes a message on the screen of the tablet terminal 401-k as to whether or not an extension is necessary. Display the reminder display screen.
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a reminder display screen 1101 according to the second embodiment. The reminder display screen 1101 includes a table number 11011, a leave button 11012, a usage time display 11013 indicating that 60 minutes have passed, an extension necessity message 11014, and an extension button 11015. For example, the extension necessity message 11014 may read, "60 minutes have passed since you started using the seat. If you purchase an additional drink or food, you can use this seat for an additional 60 minutes." can.

(ii) S1002
The UI data generation unit 40111 determines whether the user presses the extension button 11015 within a predetermined time (for example, 5 minutes) after displaying the reminder display screen 1101 and makes an additional purchase of the product. When the user presses the extension button 11015, the UI data generation unit 40111, for example, displays a menu on the screen of the tablet terminal 401-k, accepts additional orders from the user, and makes payment (order/payment at seat (QR)). payment, etc.). When the payment is completed, the UI data generation unit 40111 sends a product offer message (for example, a message such as "Please continue to use this seat. Please come to the product pick-up counter in 5 minutes") via the display control unit 40112. is displayed on the screen of the tablet terminal 401-k. After the product offer message is displayed on the screen, a normal usage display screen 903 (FIG. 9(c)) is displayed on the screen of the tablet terminal 401-k. Note that if the user cannot perform QR payment, the user may be able to select payment by cash on the screen of the tablet terminal 401-k. If payment by cash is selected, a message such as ``If paying by cash, please write down the table number and come to the cash register'' is displayed on the screen.

If there is an additional purchase of the product within the predetermined time (YES in S1002), the process moves to S709. If there is no additional purchase of the product within the predetermined time (NO in S1002), the process moves to S711. Note that if there is no additional purchase of a product within a predetermined period of time, the screen display of the tablet terminal 401-k may remain as the reminder display screen 1101 to prompt the user to purchase an additional product.

<Variations regarding additional purchases>
(i) Since the user may have already purchased multiple products before the usage time limit (60 minutes) has elapsed, it is possible to extend the usage by checking with the past order trail of the second and subsequent products. You can also do this. Specifically, when the user presses the extension button 10015 after a predetermined period of time (60 minutes) has elapsed, an extension procedure display (for example, the message "Order at your seat" and the "Payment screen or receipt within 15 minutes from now") will be displayed. ” message + read button) is displayed on the screen. When the user presses the read button, the tablet terminal 401-k displays a square frame on the screen, activates a camera (not shown), and reads the purchase trail (receipt). If the tablet terminal 401-k confirms from the scanned image that it is a trail of product purchase after a predetermined period of time (for example, 45 minutes) has passed since the first use, it will display a message "Please continue to use the product". displayed on the screen to extend available time.

(ii) If the extension procedure is not completed within 5 minutes after displaying the reminder display screen 1101 on the screen of the tablet terminal 401-k, the display returns to the screen 904 (FIG. 9(d)) prompting the user to leave again. Good too.

<Summary of the second embodiment>
In the second embodiment, even if a predetermined period of time (for example, 60 minutes) has passed since the user started using the service, if the user purchases an additional product, a message asking the user to leave is not displayed on the UI screen, Automatically extend seat availability (eg, automatically allow additional 60 minutes). Since the user uses the seat after recognizing in advance that the usage time is limited to 60 minutes, the user feels less resistance to the condition that additional purchases are required to use more seats. In addition, as a store, if additional products are purchased, whether it is an existing user or a new user, the goal of improving the customer turnover rate can be achieved, so there is no hurdle to extended use. In this way, the system of notifying the usage time in advance and purchasing additional items for extended usage is a win-win system for the users and the store, which leads to the realization of a comfortable use and operation of the store (cafe). It is.

(3) Modifications applicable to the first and second embodiments (i) In the first and second embodiments, as a display according to the congestion situation, whether or not to prompt people to leave depending on whether there are vacant seats is displayed. Although this has been determined (S712 to S713), the presence or absence of vacant seats may be further distinguished based on whether the seats are at a table or at a counter. For example, the tablet terminal 401-k at a table seat does not display a UI display screen prompting you to leave if there is an empty seat at the same table, and conversely, if there is an empty seat at the counter but the table seat is full, leave the table. You may also display a UI display screen that prompts you to do so.
(ii) As a simple method, a UI screen may be displayed that always prompts the user to leave the seat after a predetermined time (60 minutes) has elapsed since the user started using the seat. In this case, on the "No reservation + start use" screen and the "Reservation + enter PIN + start use" screen, a message will appear saying "This seat can be used for 60 minutes. Your time has come. You may also display a message saying, ``Please pass the item on to the next customer.''

(4) Others As described above, the technology of the present disclosure provides a program that implements one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and a computer of the system or device This can be realized by one or more processors reading and operating a program. Further, it may be realized by a circuit that realizes one or more functions.

10 Vacant seat management system 200 Vacant seat management server 210 CPU (processor)
220 ROM
230 RAM
240 Storage device 250 Communication device 300 User terminal 310 CPU (processor)
320 Display section (display device)
330 Input unit 340 Communication unit 350 Memory 400 Store 401-k (k=1 to n) Tablet terminal 4011 CPU (processor)
4012 Display section 4013 Input section 4014 Communication section 4015 Memory

Claims (8)

An information processing device installed in a store seat,
a display unit that displays a user interface screen;
an input unit for inputting the start of use of the seat and the end of use of the seat via the user interface screen;
a control unit that changes information on the usage status of the seat and changes the user interface screen according to an input to the input unit,
The control unit includes:
Before starting to use the seat, display information including a first predetermined time that is the available time after starting to use the seat, on the display section,
The information processing device causes the display unit to display information prompting a user of the seat to leave the seat if the seat continues to be used even after the first predetermined time period has elapsed from the start of use of the seat. In claim 1,
In response to the input to start use, the control unit determines whether the seat is in use from a user interface screen indicating that the seat is vacant or a user interface screen indicating that the seat is reserved. An information processing device that changes a user interface screen to indicate a certain thing. In claim 1 or 2,
The control unit includes:
An information processing device configured to transmit information on the changed usage status to a management server that manages the usage status of each seat in a plurality of stores, when the usage status of the seat is changed by input from the input unit. In claim 3,
When the control unit is notified by the management server that the seat is reserved, the control unit changes the usage status of the seat from vacant to reserved, and displays a user interface screen indicating that the seat is reserved. and cancels the reservation if the user who made the reservation does not come to the store within a second predetermined time. In any one of claims 1 to 4,
The control unit is an information processing device , in which the control unit displays a leave button for inputting an end of use, along with the information prompting the user to leave the seat . In any one of claims 1 to 5 ,
The control unit is an information processing device that displays a message indicating that the first predetermined time has elapsed since the start of use, along with the information prompting the user to leave the seat . A screen display control method for an information processing terminal installed at a seat in a store, the method comprising:
a step in which a control unit of the information processing terminal detects an input to start using the seat or an input to end use of the seat, which is input via a user interface screen displayed on a display unit;
the control unit changing information on the usage status of the seat in response to an input to the user interface screen, and changing the user interface screen;
Before the start of use of the seat, the control unit causes the display unit to display information including a first predetermined time that is the available time after the start of use,
displaying a screen displaying a step of displaying information on the display section to prompt a user of the seat to leave the seat if the seat continues to be used even after the first predetermined time period has elapsed since the start of use of the seat; Control method. A program for causing a computer to function as the information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 7..

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