JPH04222052A - Dish ordering system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To display dish menus, dish images or the like on a display screen arranged on a customer table and to display the contents of an order on a display device arranged on a counter or a kitchen based upon required operation. CONSTITUTION:Data such as a dish menu read out from a storage part 1 are transferred and stored to/in a memory part 10 through an information signal transmission line 7 or the like and displayed on the screen of a display part 14 arranged on a customer's table. When a menu is selected by operating an operation part 11, the menu number or the like of the selected menu is discriminated by a discrimination part 12 and the image data of the dish concerned are retrieved and read out from an image storage part 2 based upon a discrimination signal. The read image data are transferred and stored to/in an image memory part 13 and displayed on the screen of the display part 14. When ordering operation is executed by the operation part 11, the ordered dish, the number of dishes, etc., are displayed in the customer column of the customer concerned on a display part 4 arranged on the counter or the kitchen.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a food ordering system, and more particularly, to a system that displays a food menu or images of food at the customer's seats to enable the selection and ordering of food.

0002

[Background Art] To eat or drink at a restaurant, etc., you look at the menu, select a dish, call a wait staff, and place your order.
The food arrives, the person eats and drinks, and then pays. Nowadays, in order to quickly deliver food to customers' seats, for example, a wait staff carries a wireless terminal device, listens to the order, presses a button, and the order is immediately transmitted to the kitchen, where they can start cooking. There are some methods that can shorten the time taken and improve the service, but there are cases where the customer service staff do not come right away during busy hours, especially on weekends, which can cause customers to become irritated. arise. In addition, if the food is listed on the menu but cannot be prepared due to time constraints, or if the food takes a long time to prepare, it is difficult to quickly convey this information to the audience. .

0003

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned points, and includes a system in which a monitor is installed at the audience seats to display a food menu, and an image of the food selected by a required key operation, etc. Then, if you operate the order, this order will be displayed on the display of the central device along with the audience seat number, etc.
In addition, when using a magnetic card, we provide a system that allows the card reader at the audience seat to read the data stored on the magnetic card by performing the necessary operations, and perform payment processing such as withdrawing the price via a central device. be.

0004

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a storage section for storing food menus, price data, etc., an image storage section for storing a plurality of images of dishes, etc., and a menu for the customer seats. a selection section that selects an image of a dish corresponding to the selection from the image storage section; a first display section that displays a display based on the order from the audience; the storage section, the image storage section, the selection section, and the first display section. a central unit consisting of a first control unit that controls a first control unit; a memory unit that stores data such as a cooking menu transferred from the central unit; an operation unit that performs operations such as selecting a dish; an image memory section that temporarily stores images of dishes, etc. transferred from the central device based on the discrimination of the discrimination section; a second display section that displays a cooking menu or a food image read out from an image memory section; and a second control section that controls the memory section, the discrimination section, the image memory section, and the second display section. and constructing an information signal transmission path between the central device and each passenger seat device,
The present invention provides a food ordering system that mutually transmits information signals and the like.

[0005]

[Function] As configured as above, in the food ordering system according to the present invention, a storage device for storing food menus, food images, etc. is provided in the central device of a restaurant, etc. The device sends a cooking menu signal to each guest seat, and the cooking menu is displayed on the screen of the display section provided at the guest seat. Then, when a food menu is selected through the necessary operations, image data of the selected food is sent from the central device to the audience seats and displayed on the screen of the display section. When a dish is selected in this manner and the required ordering operation is performed, the number of the ordered dish and the like are displayed on the display section of the central device along with the customer seat number and the like.

[0006]

Embodiments Hereinafter, embodiments of the food ordering system according to the present invention will be described in detail based on the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of essential parts of an embodiment of the food ordering system according to the present invention. In the figure, (A) is the central device, and (B) is the passenger seat device. First, in the central device (A), numeral 1 is a storage section that stores data such as food menus and prices. Reference numeral 2 denotes an image storage unit that stores a plurality of still image data of cooking images on an image recording medium such as an optical disk, for example. Reference numeral 3 denotes a selection section which selects from the image storage section 2 an image of a dish corresponding to the cooking menu selected at the customer's seat. Reference numeral 4 denotes a display section that displays the customer seat number, the number of the ordered dish, the price, etc. based on the order operation from the customer's seat. Reference numeral 5 denotes a card payment section, which performs payment operations for dishes, etc. based on required magnetic recording card data inputted from the passenger seat device (B) via the information signal transmission line 7. 6 is a control unit, which is a central device (A
). The information signal transmission path 7 is connected to the central device (A
) and each passenger seat device (B), and transmits the various information signals.

In the passenger seat system (B), 8 is an input/output section which inputs and outputs signals to and from the central system (A) via the information signal transmission line 7. Reference numeral 9 denotes a control unit that controls each part of the passenger seat equipment. 10 is a memory unit, which is connected to the central device (A
) Stores data such as cooking menu data read out from the storage unit 1. Reference numeral 11 denotes an operation unit for performing operations such as selecting a cooking menu and ordering. 12 is a discrimination section, and an operation section 11
The signal based on the operation is compared with the data read from the memory unit 10 to determine if they match. Reference numeral 13 denotes an image memory section, which uses the image storage section 2 of the central device (A) based on the judgment made by the judgment section 12.
The image data of the food read out is temporarily stored. 1
4 is a display section, which includes a memory section 10 or an image memory section 13;
The display is based on data from A card reading unit 15 reads data magnetically recorded on a credit card or the like using a card reader or the like.

Next, the operation of the food ordering system according to the present invention will be explained. Data such as cooking menus read out from the storage unit 1 via the control unit 6 of the central unit (A) are sent to each passenger seat unit (B) via the information signal transmission path 7, and then sent to the control unit via the input/output unit 8. 4 is written into the data storage area of the memory unit 10. The data such as the food menu stored in the storage unit 1 is, for example, data that has been stored in advance through a necessary operation so that it will be delivered to the customer's seat within 30 minutes after ordering, and may be stored at any time depending on the availability of ingredients, the congestion status of the restaurant, etc. The data is updated and automatically read out via the control unit 6 each time the data is updated. The data stored in the memory section 10 is sequentially read out for each food category such as "drinks" or "Italian food" by operating the "menu" key of the operation section 11, for example, and the data is read out sequentially by the control section 9. The price is displayed on the screen of the intermediate display section 14 together with the price. This cooking classification changes each time the "menu" key is pressed. At this time, on the screen of the display unit 14, for example, a message such as "I will introduce the dishes with photos. Please specify the number" is displayed. Therefore, for example, if the number of the dish is number 10, press the numeric key "1" on the operation panel 11.
, press "0". "1", "0" by operating the operation unit 11
” is discriminated by the discriminating unit 12 via the control unit 9, and the discriminating signal is sent to the central device (A) via the input/output unit 8 and the information signal transmission line 7. 3
search the number of the dish from the image storage unit 2,
The image data of the relevant dish is read out and transmitted via the control section 6 and the information signal transmission path 7 to the guest seat apparatus (B).

The transmitted image data of the dish number 10 is inputted to the image memory section 13 via the control section 9 of the audience seat apparatus (B), read out at the same time as recording or after the recording is completed, and displayed on the display section 14. entered and displayed on the screen. If the displayed dish is not liked, the user presses the "cancel" key or the like on the operation unit 11 and performs the selection operation again in the same manner as described above using the dish menu displayed on the screen of the display unit 14. Once the selection is determined, the "select" key on the operation unit 11 is pressed. As a result, a message such as "Please specify the order quantity" is displayed on the screen of the display unit 14. If the user inputs "2" or the like by operating the numeric key, "No. 10, 2 pieces" or the like is displayed in the selected item display field on the screen of the display unit 14. If you would like to order the next dish, click on the "Menu"
Press the key again and repeat the same operation as above. Data such as the number, quantity, and price of the dish displayed on the display section 14 are temporarily recorded in the data storage area of the memory section 10. Once you have finished selecting the food, press “Order” on the operation panel 11.
Press the key. By this operation, the data recorded in the memory unit 10 via the control unit 9 is read out together with the pre-stored data of the passenger seat number, and sent from the input/output unit 8 to the central unit (A) via the information signal transmission line 7. Sent out. Then, the information is input via the control unit 6 to a display unit 4 installed in a kitchen or the like, and the customer seat number, dish number, quantity, etc. are displayed. These data are simultaneously recorded in the storage unit 1, read out by a required operation at the counter at the time of payment, etc., and printed on a receipt or the like.

[0010] When paying for food and drinks using a magnetic recording card or the like, for example, a ``card payment'' key on the operation unit 11 is pressed. The signal generated by the operation of the operating section 11 is sent to the discriminating section 12.
The information is determined by the control unit 9, and sent to the central device (A) via the input/output unit 8, the information signal transmission path 7, etc. As a result, the corresponding passenger seat number and card payment display are lit on the display section 4 of the central device (A) provided at the counter or the like. When the required operation is performed in the card payment section 5, a signal based on this operation is transmitted to the passenger seat device (B) via the information signal transmission path 7.
The control unit 9 switches the card reading unit 15 to read data from the magnetic recording card, and at the same time displays a message such as “Please insert the card” on the display unit 14. Data read by the card reading section 15 by the card insertion operation is transmitted to the central device (A) via the control section 9 and the information signal transmission path 7, and the card number etc. are displayed on the display section 4. After confirming the card number as necessary, if the card payment unit 5 performs the required card payment operation, the data such as food and drink charges recorded in the storage unit 1 will be read out and recorded on the card usage slip, etc. The information will be recorded, and slips will be issued for delivery to the customer and for copies. Alternatively, if the magnetic recording card is a prepaid card set to be accepted at a specified store, etc., the card payment section 5 records the amount data in the storage section 1 based on the amount data read through the card reading section 15. Subtraction processing is performed on the food and drink price data,
It is recorded on slips for customer delivery and copying, and the data on the prepaid card inserted in the card reading section 15 is rewritten with the arithmetic-processed data.

[0011] Note that a recording device for an optical disk serving as the image recording medium of the image storage section 2 may be provided so that, for example, the image can be rewritten with the latest image captured by a television camera according to the change of seasons; , an appropriate explanation of the restaurant's specialty dishes, such as a comment on the restaurant's signature dish, is added to the data stored in the storage unit 1, and this comment is displayed on the display unit 14 at the audience seats to promote the signature dish, or It is also possible to output the information in audio form and provide audio guidance from speakers installed in the audience seats.

Furthermore, modular jacks for telephones connected to the information signal transmission line 7 are arranged in the audience seats, and a central equipment (A
), if you enable exchange connection to the telephone line via
Customer service staff can also make calls from the customer's seat by simply bringing a telephone to the customer's seat and connecting it to a modular jack.

[0013]

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, in the food ordering system according to the present invention, the food menu is displayed on the display section of each customer seat, and when the menu number etc. is input, an image of that food is displayed. The order is transmitted to the counter, kitchen, etc. by the required order operation. These cooking menus and food images are stored in the storage device of the central device, so if there is a change in the cooking menu, etc., the menu can be updated simply by rewriting the data in the central device, There is no need to print a revised version of the menu each time. Furthermore, since customers can place orders without having to call a customer service staff, this system is appreciated by customers in a hurry, and also has the advantage that restaurants can reduce their customer service factor.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of essential parts of an embodiment of a food ordering system according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1. Storage section 2 Image storage unit 3 Selection section 4 Display section 10 Memory section 12 Discrimination section 13 Image memory section 14 Display section

Claims (2)

[Claims] Claim 1: A storage unit that stores food menus, price data, etc., an image storage unit that stores a plurality of images of dishes, etc., and an image of the dish that corresponds to the menu selection at the audience seat is selected from the image storage unit. a central device comprising a selection section, a first display section that performs display based on orders from the audience seats, and a first control section that controls the storage section, the image storage section, the selection section and the first display section; A memory section that stores data such as cooking menus transferred from the central device, an operation section that performs operations such as selecting dishes, and a discrimination section that determines the menu selected by the operation section from the data read from the memory section. a determination unit; an image memory unit that temporarily stores images of dishes and the like transferred from the central device based on the determination by the determination unit;
a second display section that displays a cooking menu from the memory section or a cooking image read out from the image memory section; and a second control section that controls the memory section, the discrimination section, the image memory section, and the second display section. What is claimed is: 1. A food ordering system comprising: a customer seat device; an information signal transmission path is laid between the central device and each customer seat device, so that information signals and the like are mutually transmitted; [Claim 2] The passenger seat device is provided with a card reading section that reads data on the magnetic recording card, the central device is provided with a card payment section that makes monetary payments based on the data on the magnetic recording card, and information signals are transmitted by required operations. 2. The food ordering system according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic data input through the card reader is identified and payment for the food is made.