JPS6388675A - Binder type electronic menu device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To save businesses by reading menu data corresponding to an operational key out of a 1st storage part, writing it in a 2nd storage part, reading menu data stored in the 2nd storage part and transmitting it to an external information processing circuit. CONSTITUTION:When keys 83 having the names of goods to be ordered on a menu display part 52 are sequentially operated, a data accumulation means 64a operates every key operation. The menu data corresponding to the operated key 83 is read out of the 1st storage part 63a, and it is written in the 2nd storage part 63b. Upon the completion of the all key operations in order to order goods, a data transmission command is transmitted to a data transmission means 64b. As a result it operates to read all menu data stored in the 2nd storage part 63b. Said data is transmitted as the order data inherent to a customer who operates an electronic menu device to the external information processing circuit. Thus business can be saved.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Industrial Application Field) The present invention relates to an automation device for restaurant operations, and in particular, allows customers to quickly place orders through their own key operations.
This invention relates to an electronic menu device that can automate a series of accounting operations from receiving an order to calculating charges.

(Prior Art) A relatively large-scale restaurant has many tables and a wide variety of menus, including, for example, several dozen items. As a device for automating accounting operations, employees operate keys on an input device equipped with a numeric keypad according to customer orders, and order data based on the key operations is sent to an external information processing circuit such as a computer via a communication line. An apparatus has been proposed that automatically calculates charges by sending order data and subjecting the order data to predetermined arithmetic processing. In this device, the employee inputs the table number while listening to the order, looks up the code number corresponding to the ordered item using a comparison table, etc., and inputs these data sequentially using keys.

However, with the above-mentioned automated equipment, even after the customer has decided on the item to order, the customer has to wait until an employee comes to take the order, and this waiting time is It could not be shortened. This problem can be solved by placing an input device at each table and leaving the operation to the customers themselves, but operations that involve inputting codes are difficult for unaccustomed customers and can cause erroneous operations and malfunctions. Also, if an input key is provided for each item, it will be easier to repeat the process, but if there are many menus, the number of input keys will increase, the area of the operation panel will increase, and the input device will become bulky. The problem of formalization arises.

In addition, by assigning an employee to perform key operations at each table, not only is there a limit to how much labor can be saved;
There was a problem in that it was extremely time-consuming for the employee to input the code number corresponding to the ordered item sequentially while placing the order. Although this problem can be solved to some extent by providing an input key for each item, the same problem as above arises in that the input device becomes larger.

(Means for Solving the Problems) The present invention speeds up order processing and saves work by configuring a book-type electronic menu device that can be easily operated by the customer. By arranging a large number of sheet-like input keys (83) for each item on each page, ease of operation and miniaturization of the device are achieved.

That is, the electronic menu device of the present invention has CP tJ, RA
A casing (41) equipped with an information processing device consisting of M, ROM, etc. is equipped with one or more thin plate-like operation boards (5).
) are attached so that they can be opened and closed.

The operation board (5) has a large number of sheet keys (83) connected to the information processing device on one or both sides, and a menu display section (52) corresponding to each key (83).
By operating the keys on the operation board (5), menu data corresponding to the ordered item is stored in the data storage section of the information processing device (to be described later).

As shown in FIG. 2, the information processing device includes a storage section (first storage section (63a)) for storing menu data to be set corresponding to each input key on the operation board (5), and a storage section (first storage section (63a)) for storing menu data to be set corresponding to each input key of the operation board (5), and a storage section (first storage section (63a)) for storing menu data to be set corresponding to each input key on the operation board (5). (83) The storage section (second storage section (83b)) in which menu data corresponding to the menu data corresponding to the operation key is to be stored (second storage section (83b)) and the menu data corresponding to the operation key are read out from the first storage section by key operations on the operation board (5). Both include a data storage means (64a) for writing the menu data into the second storage section, and a data storage means (64a) for writing the menu data stored in the second storage section based on a data transmission command issued by an operator's key operation or the like. It is provided with data sending means (64b) for reading and sending the read data to an external information processing circuit such as a host computer.

(Function) The electronic menu (4) is placed on each table, for example.
Each key (8) of the operation board (5) is stored in the first storage section in advance.
Corresponding to 3), menu data consisting of dish item names, unit prices, etc. is written.

On the other hand, the second storage section is cleared.

After sitting at a table, the customer operates an electronic menu device installed at the table to place an order. That is, the item name of the item to be ordered is written. Keys (83) corresponding to the menu display area (52)
Operate sequentially. Each time the key is operated, the data storage means operates to read the menu data corresponding to the operated key (83) from the first storage section and write it to the second storage section. , the customer's orders are accumulated as menu data.

When all key operations for the item to be ordered are completed, a data transmission command is sent to the data transmission means. The data transmission command may be sent, for example, to a device connected to an information processing device (
Q. When the order key is operated, the data sending means is activated and all the menu data stored in the second storage section is read out, and the data specific to the customer operating the electronic menu device is read out. With the order data of 17,
Sent to external information processing circuit.

The external information processing circuit is composed of, for example, a post computer or an accounting computer, and performs various arithmetic operations necessary for accounting, such as totalization, on the menu reader, outputs the results to, for example, a printer, and prints them on the cash register. Create etc.

(Effects of the Invention) In the electronic menu device according to the present invention, the operation board (5) is bound like a book, and input keys for each item are provided over a plurality of pages. By providing a large number of keys (5) on the operation board (5), it is possible to accommodate an increase in the number of input keys, that is, the number of menus, while maintaining the area of the operation board at an appropriate size.
83) is formed into a sea 1-shape by equipment such as the N-sea 1 (80), so the entire device does not become thick.

Furthermore, according to the present invention (according to the electronic menu device), customers themselves can place orders by operating the operation board (5), so there is no waiting time between arriving at the table and ordering. , When placing an order, the customer must press the menu display section (5).
2), select the item you want to order, and then press the key corresponding to the desired item, so the operation is much easier than the conventional code entry method, and there is almost no risk of incorrect operation. do not have.

Furthermore, there is no need to deploy employees to take orders.
Significant labor savings can be achieved.

(Embodiment) FIGS. 1 and 3 show an example of an electronic menu device according to the present invention configured by an electronic menu (4) and an ID card (7), and FIG. This is an example of a business automation system for a restaurant chain.

As shown in Figure 4, the automated system consists of a dining space (]) where multiple tables (13) are arranged, a business space (11) where employees in charge of accounting are located, and a kitchen where cooks prepare food. It is equipped across the space 12).

An electronic menu (4) and a menu reader (3) for reading order data from the electronic menu (4) are arranged on each table (13) in the dining room (2).

Note that each menu reader (3) is connected to a post computer (2), which will be described later, via a communication line.

The business space (11) is equipped with a host computer computer (2) that performs system control and an accounting computer (20) that performs fee calculations, etc., and each computer is equipped with input devices such as a CRT and a keyboard. (21) (23) and output devices such as printers (22) (24).

In addition, printers (25) are installed in each part of the T-cell space (12) that is divided according to the content of cooking.
It is connected to the communication line installed on the rack and is driven by the host computer (2).

The customer ID card (7) is handed to each paying customer at the entrance to the store.
As will be described later, a customer identification number is written in the signal recording section, and by loading it into the electronic menu (.1), it is used as a key to enable key operations on the electronic menu (4). When a customer visits, the ID card (7) is first loaded into the accounting computer (20) in order to register the time of entry, number of customers, etc., and is also loaded into the electronic menu (4) when ordering food, and then loaded into the accounting computer (20) when ordering food. computer (2
0) and will be collected when the toll is finally collected.

In addition, the electronic menu (4) and the menu reader (3) are formed separately as described below, and communication with each other is possible by attaching the electronic menu (4) to the menu reader (3) as necessary. becomes.

The electronic menu (4) is equipped with a flat-structured casing (41) as shown in Figure 1, and is equipped with a microcomputer, etc. inside the casing! The casing (41) is equipped with an information processing device made of
A plurality of thin plate-like operation boards (5) are attached in a book-like manner, and the cover (46) that serves as the cover covers the TI production board (5) and the front panel (47) to be described later. It is formed to a size that can be used.

The circuit configuration of the information processing device is not shown in FIG.

8BI・SO1-(:I)U(6) has an ID card)
A card reader (61) that reads the customer identification number from the computer, a liquid crystal display (62) that displays menu data, etc., and a 32KB RAM (RAM) that serves as the first and second data storage sections.
63), 32 in which Bu I7 Grano, which will be described later, is written.
KB capacity ROM (64), buzzer (65) that operates in the event of an erroneous operation, infrared transmitter/receiver (66) that performs two-way asynchronous communication with the menu seeder, encodes key signals based on the operation of the key sheet described later. Menu interface (67) for the menu interface (67)
connector (80)
69), and four types of function keys (68) for issuing data transmission commands etc. are linked. In addition, the above connector
69) can connect four key sheets each having 60@ keys, making it possible to process up to 240 types of menus.

The display device (62) and the function keys (68) are arranged on the front panel (4) provided on the upper part of the casing (41) of the electronic menu (4), as shown in FIG. still,
The function keys (68) include a confirmation key (68a) for confirming order details during order processing, an order key (68b) for issuing a data transmission command, a cancellation key (68c) for canceling an order operation, It also includes a make-order key (68d) for inquiring about the total charges for all items ordered after entering the store.

An ID card (7) is provided at the upper end of the casing (41).
) is opened, and at the back of the insertion slot (44) there is a card reader (44) consisting of an infrared transmitter (81b> and a receiver (61a) as shown in FIG. 5). 61) is provided.In addition, a card insertion slot (44) is provided.
) is formed with a slope (45) on a part of the casing (41), thereby forming a card insertion slot (44) at the end of the casing (41).
This makes it easy to confirm the location.

Further, at the lower end of the casing (41), a first r"il
As shown in FIG. 1, an infrared transmitting/receiving section (66) for communicating with the menu reader (3) is provided.

Each operation board (5) includes an inner case (56) and a pair of outer cases (57) (5), as shown in FIGS. 13 to 15.
7), the inner case (56) is equipped with a double-sided sheet key device (described later).
8), and the outer case (57) (57) has a menu display sheet (51) (51) on which the menu of the day is displayed.
) is inserted. The menu display sheet <51
), there is a menu display section with the name of the dish, for example.
2) and a numerical display section <53) for indicating quantity and unit price. Note that the inner case (56) is opaque, but the outer cases (57) (57) are semitransparent, and the characters of the menu display sheet 1-(51) can be read from the outside of the case.

As shown in Fig. 6, the ID card (7) is made by pasting and fixing vinyl chloride covering sheets (72a) (72b) on both sides of a polyester visual signal recording sheet (71). The store number and customer identification number are encoded and recorded in an infrared transparent part and a non-transparent part, and a numeric display (71a) is provided for visually confirming the customer identification number. Covering sheet (72a)
On the inner surface of the signal recording sheet (72b), a paint that is transparent to infrared rays but non-transparent to visible light is applied to cover the signal recording area.
) cannot be observed from the outside.

Therefore, even if a malicious customer attempts to modify the recorded signal,
There is no possibility of coloring the surface of the covering sheet (72). In addition, one of the covering sheets (72a) has
An arrow is attached to indicate the direction of insertion.

As shown in FIG. 17, the menu reader (3) consists of a menu mounting part (3a) and a base (3b).
In a), an insertion slot (3c) for the electronic menu (4) is opened, and at the back of the insertion slot (3c), there is a bidirectional asynchronous communication with the infrared transmitting/receiving unit (66) of the electronic menu (4). An infrared transmitting/receiving section (37) for performing this is provided, and a menu detection switch (36) for detecting loading of the electronic menu (4>) is provided.

Further, the base (3b) has a built-in information processing device shown in FIGS. 1-8. The 8-bit CPU (30) includes an RS 422 communication interface (31) that performs signal conversion for bidirectional communication with the host computer (2).
), host 1 - connector (39) for connecting to the line to the computer, 3 for temporarily storing menu data
2KB capacity R, AM (32), 32KB capacity ROM (33) in which a program for controlling communication between the host computer and the electronic menu is written, and a ROM for displaying messages such as "Communication in progress". A 16-digit x 2-line liquid crystal display (34), a function switch for manual operation in case of emergency (35), the menu detection switch (36), the infrared transmitter/receiver (37), and a 7-segment panel that lights up in the event of a malfunction. LED warning indicator consisting of I-
38) are connected. Incidentally, FIG. 17 shows the arrangement positions of each of the above-mentioned parts.

ROM (6) that constitutes the electronic menu information processing device
4) includes the menu load program shown in FIG. 7, the order and cancellation program shown in FIG. 8', the make-up program shown in FIG. Various computer programs are written therein, such as the Order N32 program.

The menu load program (Fig. 7) is executed by the employee inserting his or her loading ID card into the card slot of the electronic menu at the start of work, reads all menu data for the day from the host computer, This is written to the first storage section set in the RAM (63) to initialize the electronic menu to a usable state.

In other words, confirm that the loading ID card is set (
9) Then, when the electronic menu is set in the menu league a, the menu data for that day is read from the menu reader (91). Reading of data is performed by once writing data supplied from the host computer into the RAM of the menu league, and then reading it from the RAM.

Note that a data format l- file as shown in FIG. 19 is set in the first storage section, and the menu data representing the unit price and product name is assigned to the key number <
They are written in the order of key N03).

The order program (FIG. 8) is executed when a customer places his or her ID card on the electronic menu and operates the operation board to order a desired item.

First, it is confirmed that the customer ID card has been inserted into the electronic menu (92). If a card other than the customer FFD card is inserted, the warning buzzer is sounded as necessary, and the system waits for the customer ID card to be inserted. Therefore, even if a child or the like who does not have an ID card operates the production board or loads a forged ID card, these operations will be invalid.

When the customer ID card is loaded, menu data is read from the first storage section and written to the second storage section based on key operations on the operation board, and the product name, quantity, unit price, and total amount are displayed on the display (62). Display order manual processing (93
) is carried out. In this process, the quantity of each item can be set by repeatedly operating the input key on the menu display part the number of times corresponding to the quantity, or by pressing the numeric keypad with a numeric display part after operating the menu display part. This can be done through manipulation. Incidentally, FIG. 20 shows the data structure of the second storage section, and each time a key is operated, the key number 1, unit price, and quantity of the operated key are written. The data storage means (64a) is constituted by this program.

Next, the system waits for the order key to be operated, and when the key is operated, it is confirmed that the electronic menu has been placed in the menu league (94), and then order processing (95) is executed.

The order processing involves reading out all the menu data stored in the second storage section, and combining this data with the customer's I/O.
This is done by linking the customer identification number read from the D card to create order data and sending it to the menu reader. SX
, customer identification number IDN0. , key number, unit price, quantity, end flag EX, and data communication error detection code BCC
The data sending means (64b) is constituted by nine or more bumgrams including the following.

Finally, it is determined whether a communication error has occurred between the menu reader and the menu reader based on the error detection code BCC,
If an error has occurred, the process returns to the order processing (93). If there are no errors, the procedure ends.

The cancellation program (FIG. 8) first confirms that the employee's cassell ID card has been inserted (96), and then executes the same procedure as the order program. However, in this case, a data deletion procedure is performed instead of the data registration procedure, thereby erasing the order data sent to the host computer.

The make-up program (Fig. 9) first determines whether the customer ID card has been set or not (98), and then waits for the inquiry key to be operated and the electronic menu to be set in the menu reader. After these operations are completed, a predetermined timing process (99) is executed. This processing is performed, for example, by reading order data sent to a host computer and outputting it to a predetermined printer.

Double-sided sheet key device (8) installed on the operation board F (5)
) is shown in FIGS. 10 to 1-2.

In this device, keys 1 (80) (80) in which a large number of keys (83) are arranged in a matrix shape are attached to both sides of an acrylic reinforcing plate (87) with a thickness of about 11 mm. It is fixed.

Each of the keys 1 to (80) has a double 111 structure by folding back the key matrix-forming sheet 1-(81), in which strip-shaped conductors are repeatedly formed on the inner surface, and a substantially circular hole is opened at the location where the key contact will be made. Place the spacer (82) on the sheet (
81), and basically has the same structure as the well-known seat switch, but as described later, it has a bending mechanism to support the main body of the key seat device so that it can be opened like a bound book. The feature that conventional seal switches do not have is that a portion (84) is formed.

That is, the folded key matrix formation sheet) (8
1) with the spacer (82) and reinforcing plate (87)
) is expanded by approximately 3 cm from the edge thereof, and the expanded portion is used as a bent portion (84). The main body of the key sheet on which the key (83) is arranged cannot be bent because the reinforcing plate <87) is fixed, but the bent part (84) is formed by the flexibility of the two key matrix-forming CSOs. It can be easily deformed. Screw holes (86) are provided in the center and both ends of the bent portion (84).

In the center of the bent part (84), there is a strip-shaped terminal part (85) (8
5) is provided protrudingly.

The double-sided sheet key device (8) is connected to the sheet case (5) shown in FIG. 13 together with the menu display sheet (51).
4), and the operation board (5) shown in FIG. 15 is constructed. As a result, an input key (83) corresponding to the displayed item is located on the back of each menu display section (52).
By pressing the menu display section (52) with your finger, the key (
83) closes and the menu interface (
67).

In addition, the outer case (57) (57) of the seat case (54)
A folded portion (58) for preventing the menu display sheet (51) from coming off is formed on each of the sides. In addition, the inner case (5
6) has a screw hole (8) of the double-sided sheet key device (8).
Three screw holes (55) are opened at positions corresponding to 6).

As shown in FIG. 1-6, a predetermined number of bent portions (84) and inner portions of the operation board (5) are attached to the casing between the end of the half body (41a) and the band-like support piece (42). Stitch the case <56) and insert the fixing screw (43) into the screw hole (55).
(88) and screw it onto the nut plate (43a), and tighten the support piece (42> toward the nut plate (43a). As a result, each operation board (5)
The bent part (84) and the inner case (56) are the support piece (42)
and the casing upper half (41a), and is reliably supported by the clamping force. Therefore, when opening and closing the machining board (5), the screw holes (55) (
86) The force is not concentrated around the periphery.

Note that the terminal portion (85) of the operation board (5) is bent in an appropriate direction as necessary and connected to a connector (69) provided on the circuit board (48) within the casing (41).

The operation board (5) can be opened freely by bending the bending part (84) and the seat case (54).

Also, a pair of key sheets (8) of the double-sided sheet key device (8)
0) Since a reinforcing plate (87) is interposed between (80), when one key sheet (80) is pressed, the operating force will not be applied to the other key sheet (80). .

The operation board (5) has a thickness of approximately 2ml due to the above configuration, and has an electronic menu (4) as shown in Figure 1.
Even if multiple operation boards (5) are installed in the electronic menu (4), the electronic menu (4) will not become thick.If the menu contents change, the menu will simply be displayed in the sheet case (54). This can be done by simply replacing the sheet (51).

The host computer (2) in Figure 4 is a 16-bit CP
U, 1. It is composed of a MB capacity RAM, a magnetic disk device, etc., and temporarily stores order data sent from the menu reader (3) through a communication line in the RAM.
A designated printer (25) installed in the kitchen space (12)
) to display the order menu. The cook only has to cook according to the ordered menu. or,
The host computer (2) is an accounting computer (2).
0) in response to a request from the Combiv,
- the data is sent to the data (20).

The accounting computer (20) includes a card reader that reads the customer identification number written on the ID card (7),
At the time of payment, the customer loads the ID card (7) in his/her possession into a card reader, runs the program for accounting calculations, and obtains the same customer identification number as the customer identification number read from the ID card (7). from the host computer (2), performs all calculations necessary for accounting, such as cost estimation and tax calculation, on these menu data, and displays the calculation results on the output device (24). At the same time, create a receipt.

According to the above automation system, it is possible to almost completely automate a series of operations from customer ordering to receipt creation and cooking instructions to the kitchen, resulting in significant labor savings.

In addition, when different customers sit at the same table or when multiple customers share the payment, it was necessary to recalculate the fee with the conventional device, but with the electronic menu device of the present invention, it is necessary to recalculate the fee. According to the above, since charges are calculated for each customer identification number, there is no need to recalculate charges, and flexible accounting processing is possible.

Furthermore, by increasing the number of ID cards (7), it is possible to expand the processing capacity almost without limit, regardless of the number of visitors.

It should be noted that the configuration of each part of the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made within the technical scope of the claims.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway perspective view of an electronic menu device according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the main functions of an information processing device installed in the electronic menu device, and FIG. 3 is a detailed diagram of the electronic menu. 4 is a block diagram of the business automation system, FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing the structure of the card insertion slot, FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the ID card, and FIGS. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the electronic menu device, FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the double-sided sheet key device, FIG. 11 is a plan view, FIG. 12 is a sectional view, and FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the seat case. Figure 14 is a sectional view, Figure 15 is a plan view of the operation board, Figure 16 is a sectional view showing the support structure of the operation board, Figure 17 is a perspective view of the electronic menu and menu reader, and Figure 18 is a diagram of the menu reader. FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing the circuit configuration, FIG. 19 is a format diagram of menu data in the first storage section, FIG. 20 is a data structure diagram of the second storage section, and FIG. 21 is a format diagram of order data. (4)...Electronic menu (41>...Casing (5)...Operation board (7)...
ID card (8)...Double-sided sheet key device (80)
...Key sheet (83) ...Key
(84)...Bending portion Fig. 5 3θ Fig. Z Fig. 73 Fig. 14 Fig. 75

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] [1] A casing (41) equipped with an information processing device has a thin plate-like operation board (5) bound together in an openable and closable manner, and the operation board (5) has a casing (41) equipped with an information processing device. , a large number of sheet-like input keys (83) connected to the information processing device are provided, and a menu display section (52) representing cooking items is provided corresponding to each key (83), and the information processing device , a storage section (first storage section) for menu data to be set corresponding to each key (83) of the operation board (5), and a storage section for storing menu data corresponding to the operated key (83). section (second storage section) and operation board (5)
data storage means for reading out menu data corresponding to an operation key from the first storage section and writing it into the second storage section in response to a key operation; A book-type electronic menu device comprising data sending means for reading and sending data to an external information processing circuit. [2] The operation board (5) has many sheet-like input keys (
The key sheet (80) on which the key sheet (83) is arranged is attached to the reinforcing plate (8
The electronic menu device according to claim 1, further comprising a double-sided sheet key device (8) fixed to both sides of the electronic menu device (7).