JP7804115B2 - Reception terminal, order processing method and order processing system - Google Patents

Description

This invention relates to a reception terminal, an order processing method, and an order processing system.

Patent Document 1 below discloses a ticket vending machine installed in a restaurant. A customer touches the display and operation unit of the ticket vending machine to select a menu item and pays for that menu item, and the ticket vending machine then issues a meal ticket. The customer then exchanges the meal ticket for the food from the selected menu item at the restaurant's pick-up counter.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-79138

In restaurants and other establishments where the ticket vending machine described in Patent Document 1 is installed, in addition to the usual transaction in which a customer enters the establishment and places a new order using the ticket vending machine, there is also a transaction in which a customer places an order in advance by telephone or internet, and then the customer or a delivery company visits the establishment as a customer placing a pre-order for takeout or other purposes.

One embodiment of the present invention aims to provide a reception terminal, an order processing method, and an order processing system that improve the convenience of advance orders.

The present invention provides a reception terminal, an order processing method, and an order processing system. The reception terminal is connected to a storage means for storing order information for advance orders and specific information, including a telephone number or customer name, for identifying the advance orders.

The reception terminal is equipped with an input means for inputting the specific information through operation by the customer, a control means for retrieving from the storage means the order information corresponding to the specific information input to the input means and displaying the retrieved order information, and a payment means for paying for the order based on the order information.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the input means includes an input screen for the customer to input specific information.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the input means includes a reading device that reads a code containing the specific information.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the input means includes a reading device that reads the specific information stored in a portable terminal carried by the customer through short-range wireless communication with the portable terminal.
The control means may acquire the order information from the storage means when the order information corresponding to the specific information input to the input means is already stored in the storage means.

In addition, one embodiment of the present invention provides an order processing method using a reception terminal connected to a storage means that stores order information for advance orders and specific information for identifying the advance orders, the order processing method comprising the steps of: inputting the specific information through a customer's operation; retrieving the order information corresponding to the input specific information from the storage means and displaying the retrieved order information; and settling the order contents based on the order information.
The step of displaying the order information may include a step of retrieving the order information from the storage means if the order information corresponding to the input specific information is already stored in the storage means.

In addition, one embodiment of the present invention provides an order processing system comprising: a storage means for storing order information for advance orders and specific information including a telephone number or customer name for identifying the advance orders; an input means for inputting the specific information through operation by the customer; a control means for acquiring from the storage means the order information corresponding to the specific information input to the input means and displaying the acquired order information; and a payment means for paying for the order contents based on the order information.
The control means may acquire the order information from the storage means when the order information corresponding to the specific information input to the input means is already stored in the storage means.

In addition, one embodiment of the present invention provides a reception terminal connected to a storage means for storing order information for advance orders and specific information including a telephone number or a customer's name for identifying the advance orders, the reception terminal comprising: an input means for inputting the specific information through operation by the customer; a control means for obtaining from the storage means an amount included in the order information corresponding to the specific information input to the input means and displaying the obtained amount; and a payment means for making payment according to the amount.
The control means may acquire the order information from the storage means when the order information corresponding to the specific information input to the input means is already stored in the storage means.
In addition, one embodiment of the present invention provides an order processing system comprising: a storage means for storing order information for a pre-order and specific information including a telephone number or a customer's name for identifying the pre-order; an input means for inputting the specific information through operation by the customer; a control means for obtaining from the storage means an amount included in the order information corresponding to the specific information input to the input means and displaying the obtained amount; and a payment means for making payment according to the amount.
The control means may acquire the order information from the storage means when the order information corresponding to the specific information input to the input means is already stored in the storage means.
In addition, one embodiment of the present invention provides an order processing method using a reception terminal connected to a storage means that stores order information for advance orders and specific information for identifying the advance orders, the order processing method comprising the steps of: inputting the specific information into an input screen by a customer's operation; if the order information corresponding to the input specific information is already stored in the storage means, obtaining the amount included in the order information from the storage means and displaying the obtained amount; and making a payment according to the amount.

One embodiment of the present invention can improve the convenience of advance ordering.

1 is a schematic diagram showing an overview of a store visit notification system according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the store visit notification system. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an advance order table stored in a storage unit of a management device constituting the store visit notification system. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the display content on the display operation unit of a ticket vending machine that constitutes the store visit notification system. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the display content on the display operation unit of a ticket vending machine. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the procedure of a process executed in the ticket vending machine. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the display content on the display operation unit of a ticket vending machine. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the display content on the display operation unit of a ticket vending machine. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the display content on the display unit of a store terminal that constitutes the store visit notification system. FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of display content on a display unit of a store terminal. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a first ticket issued from a ticket vending machine. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a second ticket issued from a ticket vending machine. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a sales management table stored in a storage unit of the management device.

The following describes in detail an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an overview of a restaurant visit notification system 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the restaurant visit notification system 100 is applied to a restaurant, but it is not limited to restaurants; it can also be applied to various types of stores where customers must visit the store to pick up products, etc. Products handled in stores are not limited to items prepared in the store and provided to customers, such as food, but may also be items returned to customers, such as clothing at a dry cleaner's. The restaurant visit notification system 100 is also a vending system that includes at least a ticket vending machine (reception means, reception terminal) 1 for meal tickets installed inside or in front of the restaurant, a management device 2 located at an arbitrary location inside or outside the restaurant, and a store terminal 3 located inside the restaurant. The restaurant visit notification system 100 may further include a telephone 4 located inside the restaurant. Although only one ticket vending machine 1 is shown in FIG. 1, multiple ticket vending machines 1 may be present.

The ticket vending machine 1 is an example of a vending device and has, for example, a vertically long box shape. The upper area of its front is provided with a display/operation unit 10, which is an example of a reception means. The display/operation unit 10 is, for example, a liquid crystal touch panel formed in a rectangular shape extending in the width direction of the ticket vending machine 1 (the left-right direction in Figure 1). The display/operation unit 10 may have a color screen or a monochrome screen. The display/operation unit 10 functions as both a display unit that displays various information and an operation unit that is operated by customers or other users to select menu items, etc. The display unit and operation unit may exist separately rather than being combined into the display/operation unit 10. The same applies to the other display/operation units described below.

In the area below the display and operation unit 10 on the front of the ticket vending machine 1, there are arranged in an easily accessible layout: a detection unit 11 that detects approaching people, a coin slot 12, a bill deposit slot 13, a ticket take-out port 14 for food tickets and other tickets, a bill withdrawal slot 15, a change return slot 16, and a reading unit 17, which is an example of a reception means.

A customer who wishes to purchase a meal ticket from ticket vending machine 1 first accesses ticket vending machine 1 from the front side (the front side of the paper in Figure 1). Detection unit 11 then detects the customer's approach. In response to the detection by detection unit 11, ticket vending machine 1, which was previously in sleep mode, starts up and enters standby mode, and standby screen 10A (see Figure 4) or standby screen 10B (see Figure 5), described below, is displayed on display operation unit 10. When the customer touches standby screen 10A, a sales screen (not shown) displaying information about multiple menu items available at the restaurant is displayed on display operation unit 10. Standby screen 10B is itself a sales screen. Standby screen 10A and standby screen 10B will be described in more detail later. After viewing the sales screen, the customer touches display operation unit 10 to select the desired menu item and deposits cash as the price for that menu item into at least one of coin slot 12 and bill slot 13 to pay for that menu item. As will be described later, the ticket vending machine 1 also allows payment methods other than cash.

After payment, a meal ticket with the name of the menu item selected by the customer printed on it is issued at the outlet 14. This completes the transaction between the customer who selected the menu and the ticket vending machine 1. If change is due, the bills are returned to the customer through the bill outlet 15, and the coins are returned to the customer through the return outlet 16. The customer then takes the meal ticket they removed from the outlet 14 to a pick-up counter (not shown) inside the restaurant, where they exchange the meal ticket for the food they selected. The customer can take the food they received and eat it in the restaurant, or eat it there.

The management device 2 is a so-called server or personal computer. In this embodiment, the management device 2 includes a display unit 20 configured with a monitor or the like, and an operation unit 21 configured with a keyboard or the like. The display unit 20 and operation unit 21 may be integrated into a display operation unit configured with an LCD touch panel or the like. The management device 2 is connected to a public line X such as the Internet or a telephone line.

Examples of store terminals 3 include kitchen displays 3A placed in the store's kitchen and mobile terminals 3B such as tablet terminals carried by store staff. The ticket vending machines 1, management device 2, and each store terminal 3 can communicate via a network N configured with wired or wireless communication lines. At least a portion of the network N may be configured with a public line X.

Telephone 4 is a landline or mobile phone connected to public line X. Telephone 4 and mobile terminal 3B may be a common smartphone. The customer's communication terminal 5 is a mobile terminal 5A or a personal computer 5B connected to public line X. An example of a mobile terminal 5A is a smartphone.

Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the store visit notification system 100. Each ticket vending machine 1 further includes a control unit 30, and a valuable medium processing unit 31, issuing unit 32, communication unit 33, and memory unit 34, which are electrically connected to the control unit 30. The control unit 30 is composed of a microcomputer including a CPU, ROM, etc. The same applies to the other control units described below. The display/operation unit 10, detection unit 11, and reading unit 17 mentioned above are electrically connected to the control unit 30. The control unit 30 controls the display on the display/operation unit 10 and accepts operations on the display/operation unit 10 by customers or store clerks. The detection results by the detection unit 11 are input to the control unit 30. Information read by the reading unit 17 is input to the control unit 30.

The valuable medium processing unit 31 includes components for taking cash inserted into the coin slot 12 or the banknote deposit slot 13 (see Figure 1) into the ticket vending machine 1, for identifying the denomination and authenticity of the taken cash, and for discharging cash for return, such as change, into the banknote withdrawal slot 15 or the return slot 16 (see Figure 1). The control unit 30 performs cash payment for the menu selected by the customer by deducting the price of the menu item from the inserted cash. Therefore, the control unit 30 and the valuable medium processing unit 31 are an example of a payment method. With regard to payment, the customer may deposit money before or after selecting a menu item.

The reading unit 17 may be configured as a contactless IC card unit. In that case, the control unit 30 can use the reading unit 17 to communicate contactlessly with an IC card with electronic money functionality held by the customer, and make payments using the electronic money associated with the IC card. If the reading unit 17 has the ability to read credit cards, credit card payments are also possible. In this way, the reading unit 17 is also an example of a payment method.

The issuing unit 32 is an example of an issuing means, and includes a configuration that prints necessary information about the menu item purchased by the customer on the meal ticket upon completion of payment, and issues the meal ticket to the outlet 14 (see Figure 1). The communication unit 33 is an interface that allows the control unit 30 to communicate with the management device 2 and the store terminal 3, and is connected to the network N. The memory unit 34 stores various information such as the menu items available at the restaurant, as well as identification information assigned to each ticket vending machine 1.

The management device 2 further includes a control unit 40, and a first communication unit 41, a second communication unit 42, and a memory unit 43, which are electrically connected to the control unit 40. The display unit 20 and operation unit 21 mentioned above are also electrically connected to the control unit 40. The control unit 40 controls the display on the display unit 20 and accepts operations on the operation unit 21 by store clerks and others. The first communication unit 41 is an interface that enables the control unit 40 to communicate with the ticket vending machine 1 and store terminal 3, and is connected to the network N. The second communication unit 42 is an interface that enables the management device 2 to communicate with the communication terminal 5, and is connected to the public line X. The memory unit 43 stores various information.

Each store terminal 3 includes a control unit 45, and a display unit 46 and communication unit 47 electrically connected to the control unit 45. Of the store terminals 3, the display unit 46 of the kitchen display 3A is configured as a relatively large monitor, while the display unit 46 of the mobile terminal 3B is configured as a relatively small display operation unit such as a touch panel (see Figure 1). The display unit 46 of the kitchen display 3A may also be configured as a display operation unit. The control unit 45 has at least the function of controlling the display on the display unit 46. The control unit 45 of the mobile terminal 3B may be able to accept operations on the display unit 46 by a store clerk. The communication unit 47 is an interface that enables the control unit 45 to communicate with the ticket vending machine 1 and management device 2, and is connected to the network N.

Each communication terminal 5 includes a control unit 50, a display unit 51, an operation unit 52, a communication unit 53, and a memory unit 54, all of which are electrically connected to the control unit 50. In the case of a mobile terminal 5A, the display unit 51 and operation unit 52 may be integrated into a display/operation unit 55 such as a touch panel (see Figure 1). In the case of a personal computer 5B, the display unit 51 may be configured as a monitor or the like, and the operation unit 52 may be configured as a keyboard or the like. The control unit 50 controls the display on the display unit 51 and accepts operations on the operation unit 52 by the customer. The communication unit 53 is an interface connected to the public line X. The memory unit 54 stores various information.

The following describes a restaurant visit notification method using the restaurant visit notification system 100. Customers can pre-order menu items from the restaurant via the Internet or telephone. When pre-ordering via the Internet, the customer first operates the operation unit 52 of the communication terminal 5 to launch a pre-order application downloaded to the communication terminal 5 or access a pre-order website. The control unit 50 of the communication terminal 5 then displays a pre-order screen (not shown) on the display unit 51. Upon viewing the pre-order screen, the customer operates the operation unit 52 to select the desired menu item and enter their own information, such as orderer information. Examples of orderer information include the customer's name and telephone number. Note that if the customer has already registered their orderer information by registering as a member, entering orderer information when placing a pre-order is not required. The customer confirms their menu selection and the input of orderer information by operating the operation unit 52.

In response to the customer's confirmation of their selection and input, the control unit 50 of the communication terminal 5 sends order information for this advance order to the management device 2. The order information includes the name and quantity of the menu item selected by the customer, orderer information, and the planned date and time when the customer or delivery person will arrive at the restaurant to pick up the food from that menu. The order information may also include the price of the menu item selected by the customer. Upon receiving the order information, the control unit 40 of the management device 2 assigns an individual order number to the order information and returns confirmation information including at least this order number to the communication terminal 5 that sent it.

The control unit 50 of the communication terminal 5 that receives the confirmation information displays a confirmation screen (not shown) on the display unit 51. The confirmation screen displays the order number and order information in the confirmation information. The order information may include the price of the menu item pre-ordered this time. The confirmation information is temporarily stored in the memory unit 54 of the communication terminal 5 at least until the customer has completed receiving the food. Therefore, by activating the communication terminal 5, the customer can view the confirmation screen and confirm the order number.

The control unit 40 of the management device 2 receives the order information and assigns an order number, and then newly registers the order number and order information in the advance order table T1 (see Figure 3) stored in the memory unit 43, thereby completing the acceptance of this advance order (storage step in the store visit notification method). The advance order table T1 stores the order date and time, order number, and order information for each advance order. The order date and time is the date and time when the control unit 40 returns confirmation information to the communication terminal 5 that sent it. When placing an advance order, the customer can enter whether the visitor is themselves or a delivery person, and the result may be stored in the advance order table T1 as a note on the order information (see the note for order number 0002).

The order number is an example of specific information for identifying an advance order, and the customer's phone number and name in the order information for that advance order are also examples of specific information. The memory unit 43 and the management device 2 that includes it are examples of storage means, and store order information for advance orders and specific information for identifying those advance orders in association with each other in the advance order table T1.

When ordering in advance by phone, the customer calls the restaurant using mobile terminal 5A. The restaurant staff listens to the customer's order information via telephone 4, assigns an individual order number to this order information, and communicates the order number to the customer. The staff operates the display unit 46 of mobile terminal 3B to send the order number and order information for this advance order to the management device 2. If the management device 2 is located inside the restaurant, the staff may also operate the operation unit 21 to directly input the order number and order information into the management device 2. The control unit 40 of the management device 2 to which the order number and order information have been sent or input completes the acceptance of this advance order by newly registering this order number and order information in the advance order table T1 in the memory unit 43.

The order number assigned by the store clerk when placing an advance order by telephone is determined so as not to overlap with order numbers automatically assigned by the management device 2. For example, order number T006 in Figure 3 is prefixed with the initial letter T, which stands for telephone, to indicate that it is an advance order placed by telephone. Note that instead of the store clerk assigning the order number, the control unit 40 of the management device 2 may assign an order number and notify the store clerk by displaying it on the display unit 20 or display unit 46 (see Figure 1) as the store clerk sends or inputs order information to the management device 2. The store clerk will verbally communicate the notified order number to the customer. The customer should write down the order number they receive from the store clerk so they do not forget it.

Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing the standby screen 10A displayed on the display/operation unit 10 of the ticket vending machine 1. When a customer who has placed an advance order or a delivery company requested by this customer to deliver food (hereinafter collectively referred to as "advance order customer") visits a restaurant and accesses the ticket vending machine 1, the standby screen 10A is displayed on the display/operation unit 10 of the ticket vending machine 1. The standby screen 10A displays a message 60 asking whether or not the customer has placed an advance order, a pre-order key 61 for customers who have placed an advance order, and a new order key 62 for customers who are placing a new order but have not placed an advance order. The pre-order key 61 and new order key 62 are touch keys, and all keys mentioned below are also touch keys. Note that physical mechanical buttons may be used instead of touch keys. A new order is an order made using the traditional ordering pattern in which a customer who visits the restaurant (hereinafter referred to as a "general customer" to distinguish from a customer who has placed an advance order) selects a menu item on the ticket vending machine 1. Customers placing advance orders touch the advance order key 61, while general customers touch the new order key 62.

Instead of standby screen 10A, standby screen 10B shown in FIG. 5 may be displayed on display operation unit 10. As mentioned above, standby screen 10B also serves as a sales screen for general customers. Standby screen 10B displays a guide message 65 encouraging general customers to select a menu item, and a guide message 67 encouraging customers placing an advance order to touch the advance order key 66 at the bottom of standby screen 10B. Almost the entire standby screen 10B, for example, the area between guide messages 65 and 67 and advance order key 66, displays an order field 68, which is a key part of the sales screen. In order field 68, as an example, a selection key 69, a menu selection field 70, a price field 71, and a cancel key 72 are displayed, each of which is provided for each selectable menu item or group of menu items.

When standby screen 10B is displayed, customers placing advance orders touch the advance order key 66, while general customers touch the selection key 69 corresponding to the desired menu. Note that if the selection key 69 is for selecting a menu group, when a general customer touches the selection key 69, a hierarchical display of menu selection keys may be displayed to select individual menus belonging to the group of this selection key 69.

The menu name, quantity, and price of the menu selected by a general customer are displayed in the menu selection field 70. The total price, which is the sum of the prices of the menus selected by the general customer, the cash deposit amount inserted by the general customer, and the change obtained by deducting the total amount from the deposit amount, are displayed in the amount field 71. A general customer can cancel some or all of the selected menu by touching the cancel key 72. In response to the cancellation, the control unit 30 updates the display contents of the menu selection field 70 and the amount field 71. In this way, the control unit 30 and the display/operation unit 10 function as an example of an order-receiving means for accepting new orders. Note that general customers can select a menu more quickly from standby screen 10B than from standby screen 10A.

Referring to FIG. 6, when a customer who has placed an advance order first touches the advance order key 61 on the standby screen 10A or the advance order key 66 on the standby screen 10B on the display operation unit 10 of the ticket vending machine 1 (YES in step S1), the control unit 40 of the ticket vending machine 1 switches the display operation unit 10 to display the input screen 10C shown in FIG. 7 and waits for the advance order customer to input specific information (step S2). Step S2 is the step for accepting specific information in the store visit notification method.

The input screen 10C displays a guide message 75 prompting the customer placing an advance order to enter specific information such as an order number or phone number, an order number input field 76, a phone number input field 77, and an input unit 78 consisting of a keyboard or numeric keypad. The customer placing an advance order uses the input unit 78 to enter their phone number or the order number provided when placing their advance order. The entered order number is displayed in the input field 76, and the entered phone number is displayed in the input field 77. The entered order number or phone number, i.e., the specific information, is accepted by the control unit 30 of the ticket vending machine 1. The input screen 10C may also display a continue key 79 that the customer placing an advance order who has entered the specific information touches to continue the process, a cancel key 80 that the customer touches to cancel the entry of the specific information, and a switch key 81 that the customer touches to return the contents of the display operation unit 10 from the input screen 10C to the standby screen 10A or 10B.

A code such as a barcode or QR code (registered trademark) representing at least the specific information may be displayed on the display/operation unit 55 of the advance order customer's mobile terminal 5A, and the advance order customer may have this code read by the reader 17 of the ticket vending machine 1 instead of manually entering the specific information using the input unit 78. In anticipation of such operation, the control unit 30 of the ticket vending machine 1 may display input screen 10D shown in FIG. 8 on the display/operation unit 10 prior to displaying input screen 10C. Input screen 10D displays a guide 85 prompting the advance order customer to select either manually entering the specific information or having the code read, a first selection key 86 touched by an advance order customer who selects manual input of the specific information, a second selection key 87 touched by an advance order customer who selects having the code read, and the aforementioned cancel key 80 and switch key 81.

When a customer who has placed an order in advance touches the first selection key 86, the control unit 30 switches the display operation unit 10 to display the input screen 10C (see Figure 7), allowing the customer to manually enter the specific information as described above. When the customer who has placed an order in advance touches the second selection key 87 to have the reading unit 17 read the code on the mobile terminal 5A, the control unit 30 accepts the specific information contained in the code. Note that instead of using a code, the control unit 30 may accept the specific information stored in the memory unit 54 of the mobile terminal 5A through short-range communication between the mobile terminal 5A and the reading unit 17.

Referring to FIG. 6, when the control unit 30 receives the specific information entered by the advance order customer on the display operation unit 10 or reading unit 17 (YES in step S2), it queries the management device 2 to determine whether order information corresponding to this specific information exists in the advance order table T1 in the memory unit 43 (step S3). In this way, the control unit 30, display operation unit 10, and the ticket vending machine 1 equipped with them are an example of a reception means (reception terminal) that receives specific information. Note that if there are multiple ticket vending machines 1, the control unit 30 of the ticket vending machine 1 that is making the inquiry transmits identification information of the ticket vending machine 1 that is making the inquiry when inquiring about order information to the management device 2. The management device 2 can identify the ticket vending machine 1 that is making the inquiry using this identification information.

If matching order information exists (YES in step S4), this order information is sent to the ticket vending machine 1 that originated the inquiry. The control unit 30 of this ticket vending machine 1 then acquires the order information from the memory unit 43 of the management device 2 (as an example of an acquisition means), temporarily stores it in the memory unit 34, and displays it on the display operation unit 10 (step S5). Specifically, the order field 68 (see Figure 5), in which information about the pre-ordered menu items in the order information is entered in the menu selection field 70 and price field 71, is displayed on the display operation unit 10. The control unit 30 may display the price included in the acquired order information directly as the total price in the price field 71, or may calculate the total price based on the pre-ordered menu items and prices in the order information and display it in the price field 71.

A customer who has placed an advance order can change the order details by looking at the order field 68 and touching the selection key 69 or the cancel key 72 to add or delete menu items. In response to changes to the order details, the control unit 30 updates the display contents of the menu selection field 70 and price field 71. In this way, the control unit 30 and the display operation unit 10 function as an example of a change means for changing the details of an advance order identified by the specific information received by the ticket vending machine 1 in step S2. A customer who has placed an advance order can change the details of their advance order by adding or deleting them on the ticket vending machine 1, thereby improving convenience for customers who have placed an advance order.

If there are no changes to the order details (NO in step S6), the control unit 30 waits for payment equal to or greater than the total amount in the amount field 71 (step S7). If there is payment (YES in step S7), the control unit 30 executes payment as described above (step S8). That is, the control unit 30 settles the order details based on the order information acquired in step S5 (including when changes were made in step S6). This frees staff from customer service tasks such as face-to-face payment and cash register settlement, thereby improving staff convenience for advance orders. As a result, for example, kitchen staff can concentrate on their kitchen duties. Furthermore, since staff do not need to handle cash, cash-related problems (such as incorrect amounts, theft, and fraud) can be prevented and it is hygienic. Customers who preorder can prepay by credit card or electronic money when preordering. In this case, if there are no changes to the order details (NO in step S6), the payment process in step S8 and the immediately preceding step S7 are skipped.

After executing the payment, the control unit 30 outputs a store visit notification to the management device 2 and the store terminal 3 via the communication unit 33, which serves as an example of an output unit (Step S9). The communication unit 33 is also an example of an output unit, and the ticket vending machine 1 equipped with the control unit 30 and communication unit 33 is also an example of an output unit. Furthermore, each store terminal 3 that receives the store visit notification also outputs the store visit notification, which serves as an example of an output unit. Specifically, in each of the kitchen display 3A and mobile terminal 3B in the store terminal 3, the control unit 45 displays on the display unit 46 as a store visit notification that the advance order customer has arrived at the store, the details of the advance order, and an exchange number for identifying the advance order customer within the store (see the display related to the advance order in the third row from the top in Figure 9 and Figure 10). Therefore, the control unit 45 and display unit 46 are also examples of output unit. The exchange number is automatically generated by the control unit 30 of the ticket vending machine 1 immediately before the store visit notification (Step S9).

The display unit 46 of the kitchen display 3A also displays the order details of new orders by general customers, but the order details of customers who have placed advance orders when they arrive at the restaurant are displayed in a different format from the order details of general customers so that advance orders are given priority (see message M for advance orders in Figure 9). The display details may differ between the kitchen display 3A and the mobile device 3B; the display unit 46 of the mobile device 3B, which has a smaller display area, only needs to display the arrival notification (see Figure 10).

In this way, if the specific information received by the ticket vending machine 1 is stored in the memory unit 43 of the management device 2 (YES in step S4), the ticket vending machine 1 and the store terminal 3 each output a store visit notification for the advance order identified by the specific information (step S9: output step in the store visit notification method). As a result, the store staff member to whom the store terminal 3 outputs the arrival notification can quickly prepare the advance order food and hand it over to the customer who placed the advance order.

If the food is already cooked, the waiter will quickly deliver it to the customer who ordered in advance. On the other hand, if the food requires a short cooking time, the waiter will see the arrival notification on kitchen display 3A (see Figure 9) and will prioritize cooking the pre-ordered food, and will quickly deliver it to the customer who ordered in advance, either directly or via another waiter. If a customer who ordered in advance adds a dish to a menu item using the ticket machine 1, the kitchen display 3A will display a message indicating that the additional dish will also be given priority. The waiter will also prioritize cooking the additional dish. If the pre-ordered food is not yet cooked or is currently being cooked, the pre-ordered menu item and the additional menu item will be linked and displayed on kitchen display 3A.

Also, before delivering the food, the staff may visit the customer who has placed an advance order in response to their call to verify their identity, and the customer may inform the staff member of their advance order at that time. In this case, the staff will also prioritize calls from customers who have placed an advance order over calls from general customers. The kitchen display 3A may also display in advance the name and quantity of the menu items in the order information for advance orders scheduled for collection on the day, as well as the expected date and time of arrival. In this case, the staff may prepare the food in advance for the expected date and time of arrival, and then finish and deliver the food when the customer who placed an advance order arrives.

As a result, customers who have placed an order in advance do not have to find a waiter to communicate their requirements for receiving the food, and can receive their food quickly, thereby improving convenience for customers who place an order in advance. The output of the arrival notification (step S9) may be brought forward so that it is performed immediately after the control unit 30 of the ticket vending machine 1 obtains the order information from the management device 2 (YES in step S4). In any case, after sending the arrival notification, the control unit 30, together with the issuing unit 32, functions as an example of an issuing means, and issues the first ticket 91 shown in FIG. 11 (step S10).

Furthermore, at the time of issuing the first ticket 91, or around this time, the control unit 30 deletes the current order information from the memory unit 34 and instructs the management device 2 to delete the order information from the advance order table T1. The control unit 40 of the management device 2 deletes the order information and the corresponding order number from the advance order table T1. Note that this deleted information may be managed separately as history in the ticket vending machine 1 and the management device 2.

It is possible that the order information corresponding to the specific information acquired by the control unit 30 may not exist due to a customer making an ordering error or visiting the wrong store. In this case (NO in step S4), the control unit 30 will notify the customer who placed an advance order that the current transaction is impossible by displaying a message on the display operation unit 10 (step S11) and cancel the current transaction. In this case, the customer who placed an advance order can reorder a menu item on the ticket machine 1 as a regular customer. Furthermore, if the order information exists but payment has not been made (NO in step S7), and the customer who placed an advance order cancels the current order using the cancel key 72 or the like (YES in step S12), the control unit 30 will also cancel the current transaction.

On the other hand, when a general customer selects a menu by touching the new order key 62 (see FIG. 4) on the standby screen 10A or the selection key 69 (see FIG. 5) on the standby screen 10B (NO in step S1 and YES in step S13), the control unit 30 displays information about the selected menu in the menu selection field 70 and the corresponding total amount in the amount field 71 (step S14). The control unit 30 then executes the processes from step S6 onwards, and in step S10, the issuing unit 32 issues the second ticket 92 shown in FIG. 12.

The first ticket 91 shown in FIG. 11 includes, from top to bottom, the restaurant name, a note 91A indicating that the first ticket 91 is for a pre-order, the names and quantities of all paid for menu items including pre-orders and additional orders placed at the ticket vending machine 1, the total amount, the amount deposited, the amount of change, the planned arrival date and time specified at the time of advance reservation, the delivery date and time (actual arrival date and time) which is the date and time the first ticket 91 was issued, and the exchange number. The names and quantities of paid for menu items and the planned arrival date and time are information related to the order information acquired by the control unit 30 in step S5.

The waiter who prepares the dish related to the menu item listed on the first ticket 91 identifies the customer who has placed the order in advance and to whom the dish is to be delivered using the exchange number. For example, a notification terminal (not shown) may be used to notify the restaurant that the dish corresponding to the exchange number has been prepared. The customer who has placed the order in advance and received the first ticket 91 can receive the dish from the waiter in exchange for the first ticket 91. This prevents mistakes in the delivery of food, improving convenience for both the customer who has placed the order in advance and the waiter when it comes to advance orders.

The first ticket 91 may be handed over to a waiter in exchange for the food, or may be retained by the customer who has ordered in advance as a receipt. If the first ticket 91 is handed over to a waiter in exchange for the food, a receipt may also be issued in addition to the first ticket 91 in step S10. Furthermore, instead of being handed over by a waiter, the food may be temporarily stored in a delivery device such as a warming cabinet installed in the store, and then the customer who has ordered in advance may remove it from the delivery device themselves.

The second ticket 92 shown in FIG. 12 is, for example, composed of an exchange voucher 92A and a receipt 92B. The second ticket 92 has a perforation L that runs across the exchange voucher 92A and the receipt 92B, allowing the exchange voucher 92A and the receipt 92B to be separated. Each of the exchange voucher 92A and the receipt 92B contains, for example, from top to bottom, the name of the restaurant, the type of exchange voucher 92A or receipt 92B, the name and price of the menu item paid for, and the issuance date and time of the second ticket 92. The menu item name and price are an example of information related to the new order accepted by the control unit 30 in step S13. An exchange number may also be written next to the type on the exchange voucher 92A. A customer who has placed an advance order and received the second ticket 92 can exchange the exchange voucher 92A of the second ticket 92 for a meal.

In the case of advance orders, a single first ticket 91 (see Figure 11) listing all the paid menu items is issued, whereas a second ticket 92 is issued for each paid menu item. In other words, the control unit 30 issues the second ticket 92 in a format different from the first ticket 91. Therefore, depending on the format of the ticket received from a customer who has placed an advance order, the store clerk can accurately determine whether the order related to the ticket is a new order or a advance order and can respond appropriately to each order, thereby improving convenience for the store clerk.

Figure 13 shows an example of a sales management table T2 stored in the memory unit 43 of the management device 2. The sales management table T2 stores the payment date and time, which is the issuance date and time of the first ticket 91 or the second ticket 92; the payment amount, which is the total price of the first ticket 91 or the price of the second ticket 92; the order pattern (pre-order or new order); and notes such as the breakdown of menu items that make up the payment amount and the payment method. Each time a first ticket 91 or a second ticket 92 is issued through a transaction at the ticket vending machine 1, sales information including the payment date and time, payment amount, order pattern, and notes for this transaction is sent from the ticket vending machine 1 to the management device 2. The control unit 40 of the management device 2 updates the sales management table T2 by adding the received sales information to the sales management table T2.

In this type of sales management table T2, sales information from advance orders and sales information from new orders are managed in a unified manner. Therefore, store staff who view the sales management table T2 on the display unit 20 of the management device 2 or the like can easily understand the breakdown of sales. The sales management table T2 may also be viewable on the display unit 46 of the store terminal 3. The information in the sales management table T2 may be sorted so that sales from advance orders and sales from new orders can be tallied separately for comparison. Furthermore, the sales management table T2 may also manage cash managed by the restaurant along with sales.

This invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims.

For example, in the store visit notification system 100, the ticket vending machine 1 may have the functions of the management device 2. In that case, the management device 2 is omitted, and instead the advance order table T1 and sales management table T2 are stored in the memory unit 34 of the ticket vending machine 1. In this case, order information related to advance orders is imported into the ticket vending machine 1.

Furthermore, by omitting the first ticket 91 issued to customers who have placed advance orders at the ticket vending machine 1, in step S10 described above, the first ticket 91 is not actually issued, and the contents of the first ticket 91 may be sent from the ticket vending machine 1 to the customer's mobile terminal 5A via contactless communication using the reading unit 17, etc. The customer who has placed an advance order can receive the food from the menu item they ordered by showing the contents displayed on the display operation unit 55 of their mobile terminal 5A to the store clerk.

In the above-described embodiment, the ticket vending machine 1 also serves as the reception means (reception terminal) that receives specific information from customers who have placed advance orders. However, a reception terminal separate from the ticket vending machine 1 may also be placed in front of the restaurant as the reception means (reception terminal). The reception terminal (separate from the ticket vending machine 1) may have the function of accepting reservations from customers who are about to enter the restaurant. Furthermore, when the ticket vending machine 1 receives specific information from a customer who has placed an advance order (YES in step S2), it may output a notification of the customer's arrival (step S9) regardless of whether or not there is corresponding order information. This allows the customer who has placed an advance order to call a store staff member quickly. The notification of the customer's arrival does not necessarily have to be displayed on the display unit 46 of the store terminal 3, but may also be output by voice. In this case, the voice may be output by an alarm device (not shown) that issues public address systems within the restaurant.

If there is a queue in front of the ticket vending machine 1 or reception terminal, it is a waste of time for customers who have made the effort to place an order in advance. Therefore, for example, an authentication code for customers who have placed an order in advance may be displayed on the display/operation unit 10 of the ticket vending machine 1. In this case, customers who have placed an order in advance can approach the ticket vending machine 1 without disturbing the queue, obtain the authentication code, and enter the authentication code and specific information into an application on their mobile terminal 5A. In this case, the management device 2, which serves as an example of a reception means and output means, may accept the authentication code and specific information and output a store arrival notification to the store terminal 3. This allows customers who have placed an order in advance to be authenticated without having to wait in line, allowing store staff to quickly recognize and respond to the arrival of customers who have placed an order in advance. It is preferable that the authentication code be changed periodically to prevent tampering, etc.

The store arrival notification system 100 may also include a camera such as a surveillance camera. The camera is positioned so that it can capture an image of the area in front of the ticket vending machine 1. The camera may be electrically connected to the control unit 30 as part of the ticket vending machine 1, or may be attached as a separate component to the ticket vending machine 1 in a location separate from the ticket vending machine 1, such as on the ceiling of the restaurant. The camera captures an image of a person accessing the ticket vending machine 1 from the front and sends the captured image data to the management device 2. If image data of a customer who has placed an advance order is included in the order information, the management device 2 may perform identity authentication based on the captured image data and the image data. If identity authentication is successful, the management device 2 may output a store arrival notification to the store terminal 3. Furthermore, if the store arrival notification system 100 can track the current location of a customer who has placed an advance order via location information from the mobile terminal 5A using a GPS function or the like, the management device 2 may output a store arrival notification to the store terminal 3, provided that the current location of the customer who has placed an advance order is near the restaurant.

The various features described above may be selected and combined as needed.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Ticket vending machine 2 Management device 3 Store terminal 10 Display operation unit 17 Reading unit 30 Control unit 31 Valuable medium processing unit 32 Issuance unit 33 Communication unit 43 Storage unit 45 Control unit 46 Display unit 91 First ticket 92 Second ticket 100 Store visit notification system

Claims (6)

a reception terminal connected to a storage means for storing order information about a pre-order and identification information including a telephone number or a customer's name for identifying the pre-order,
an input screen for inputting the specific information by operation of a customer;
a control means for, when the order information corresponding to the specific information input on the input screen has already been stored in the storage means, acquiring the order information from the storage means and displaying the acquired order information;
a payment means for making a payment for the order based on the order information;
A reception terminal comprising: 1. An order processing method using a reception terminal connected to a storage means that stores order information about a pre-order and identification information for identifying the pre-order, comprising:
a step of inputting the specific information into an input screen by an operation of a customer;
a step of acquiring the order information corresponding to the input specific information from the storage means when the order information has already been stored in the storage means, and displaying the acquired order information;
a step of settling the order based on the order information;
An order processing method comprising: a storage means for storing order information about a pre-order and identification information including a telephone number or a customer's name for identifying the pre-order;
an input screen for inputting the specific information by operation of a customer;
a control means for, when the order information corresponding to the specific information input on the input screen has already been stored in the storage means, acquiring the order information from the storage means and displaying the acquired order information;
a payment means for making a payment for the order based on the order information;
An order processing system comprising: a reception terminal connected to a storage means for storing order information about a pre-order and identification information including a telephone number or a customer's name for identifying the pre-order,
an input screen for inputting the specific information by operation of a customer;
a control means for, when the order information corresponding to the specific information input on the input screen has already been stored in the storage means, acquiring an amount included in the order information from the storage means and displaying the acquired amount;
a payment means for making a payment according to the amount;
A reception terminal comprising: a storage means for storing order information about a pre-order and identification information including a telephone number or a customer's name for identifying the pre-order;
an input screen for inputting the specific information by operation of a customer;
a control means for, when the order information corresponding to the specific information input on the input screen has already been stored in the storage means, acquiring an amount included in the order information from the storage means and displaying the acquired amount;
a payment means for making a payment according to the amount;
An order processing system comprising: 1. An order processing method using a reception terminal connected to a storage means that stores order information about a pre-order and identification information for identifying the pre-order, comprising:
a step of inputting the specific information into an input screen by an operation of a customer;
a step of acquiring an amount included in the order information from the storage means when the order information corresponding to the input specific information has already been stored in the storage means, and displaying the acquired amount;
making a payment according to the amount;
An order processing method comprising: