WO2017168239A1

WO2017168239A1 - Menu generation system, menu generation method, and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing menu generation program

Info

Publication number: WO2017168239A1
Application number: PCT/IB2017/000396
Authority: WO
Inventors: Atsushi Yamada
Original assignee: Gurunavi, Inc.
Priority date: 2016-03-29
Filing date: 2017-03-29
Publication date: 2017-10-05
Also published as: JP2017182353A; TW201734933A; JP6790413B2

Abstract

A menu generation system that generates a menu of a restaurant includes: a first storage unit that stores ingredients and seasonings in association with corresponding avoidance scores, the ingredients and the seasonings being used for meals; an input processing unit that receives selected and input ingredient and seasoning of a predetermined meal that is provided at each restaurant from among the ingredients and seasonings stored in the first storage unit; a score processing unit that extracts the avoidance score associated with each of the received ingredient and seasoning of the predetermined meal by consulting the first storage unit; and a transmission unit that transmits, to a terminal, display information based on each of the extracted avoidance scores.

Description

MENU GENERATION SYSTEM, MENU GENERATION METHOD, AND NON-TRANSITORY COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM STORING

MENU GENERATION PROGRAM

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

[0001] The invention relates to a menu generation system, a menu generation method, and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a menu generation program.

2. Description of Related Art

[0002] In recent years, there are an increasing number of opportunities for foreign tourists having specific tastes for foods due to religions (Islam, Judaism, and the like) or taboos of foods (vegetarian, and the like) to visit other countries. Such foreign tourists need to investigate the food cultures, and the like, of countries to visit before tours to see foods that the tourists are allowed to eat. However, if foods that cannot be investigated in advance are included in menus at restaurants visited by foreign tourists during tours, the foreign tourists need to check the ingredients, and the like, of the foods with the employees of the restaurants.

[0003] For example, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2005-222191 (JP 2005-222191 A) describes a shop system. The shop system registers ingredients that vegetarians are not allowed to eat and ingredients that are allergens as optional information in advance, and displays low-risk menu items for each user (customer) who utilizes a shop. With this shop system, at the time of serving a food that uses risky ingredients, such as ingredients that vegetarians are not allowed to eat and ingredients that are allergens, a warning that the risky ingredients are used in the food is informed to an employee. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] However, for example, even for believers of the same religion, ingredients to be avoided and strictness therefor vary among the individuals depending on religiousness to the religion, so it has been difficult to create menu item information suitable for all the users.

[0005] The invention provides a menu generation system, a menu generation method and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a menu generation program, which are able to provide menu item information commensurate with the degree of individual attribute that is the reason why an individual is not allowed to eat an ingredient.

[0006] A first aspect of the invention provides a menu generation system that generates a menu of a restaurant. The menu generation system includes: a first storage unit that stores ingredients and seasonings in association with corresponding avoidance scores, the ingredients and the seasonings being used for meals; an input processing unit that receives selected and input ingredient and seasoning of a predetermined meal that is provided at each restaurant from among the ingredients and seasonings stored in the first storage unit; a score processing unit that extracts the avoidance score associated with each of the received ingredient and seasoning of the predetermined meal by consulting the first storage unit; and a transmission unit that transmits, to a terminal, display information based on each of the extracted avoidance scores.

[0007] In the menu generation system according to the above aspect, the score processing unit may calculate a total score that is a total of the extracted avoidance scores, and the transmission unit may transmit display information based on the total score.

[0008] In the menu generation system according to the above aspect, the first storage unit may store the avoidance score in association with each of the ingredients and the seasonings for each avoidance category, the score processing unit may calculate a total score of the predetermined meal for each avoidance category, and the transmission unit may transmit, to the terminal, display information commensurate with the total score of the predetermined meal, the total score corresponding to the avoidance category received from the terminal.

[0009] In the menu generation system according to the above aspect, the ingredient and seasoning of the predetermined meal, received by the input processing unit, may be pieces of text information in a first language, the menu generation system may further include: a second storage unit that stores text information of each ingredient in the first language and text information of the ingredient in a second language in association with each other and that stores text information of each seasoning in the first language and text information of the seasoning in the second language in association with each other; and a conversion processing unit that converts the pieces of text information of the received ingredient and seasoning of the predetermined meal in the first language to pieces of text information of the ingredient and seasoning of the predetermined meal in the second language on the basis of the correspondence relation stored in the second storage unit, and the transmission unit transmits, to the terminal, the converted pieces of text information of the ingredient and seasoning of the predetermined meal in the second language together with a graph based on the avoidance scores of the predetermined meal.

[0010] The menu generation system according to the above aspect may further include: a third storage unit that stores menu item information regarding a meal that is provided at each restaurant; and a storage processing unit that stores the converted pieces of text information of the ingredient and seasoning of the predetermined meal in the second language and the avoidance scores of the predetermined meal in the third storage unit in association with each other as the menu item information.

[0011] In the menu generation system according to the above aspect, the first storage unit may further store cooking styles of meals and kitchen conditions in which the meals are cooked, in association with the corresponding avoidance scores, the input processing unit may further receive selected and input cooking style and kitchen condition of the predetermined meal that is provided at each restaurant from among the cooking styles and kitchen conditions stored in the first storage unit, and the score processing unit may extract the avoidance score associated with each of the received cooking style and kitchen condition of the predetermined meal. [0012] A second aspect of the invention provides a menu generation method that is executed by a computer that generates a menu of a restaurant. The menu generation method includes: storing ingredients and seasonings in a first storage unit in association with corresponding avoidance scores, the ingredients and the seasonings being used for meals; receiving selected and input ingredient and seasoning of a predetermined meal that is provided at each restaurant from among the ingredients and seasonings stored in the first storage unit; extracting the avoidance score associated with each of the received ingredient and seasoning of the predetermined meal by consulting the first storage unit; and transmitting, to a terminal, display information based on each of the extracted avoidance scores.

[0013] A third aspect of the invention provides a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a menu generation program. The menu generation program causes a computer that generates a menu of a restaurant to execute instructions for: storing ingredients and seasonings in a first storage unit in association with corresponding avoidance scores, the ingredients and the seasonings being used for meals; receiving selected and input ingredient and seasoning of a predetermined meal that is provided at each restaurant from among the ingredients and seasonings stored in the first storage unit; extracting the avoidance score associated with each of the received ingredient and seasoning of the predetermined meal by consulting the first storage unit; and transmitting, to a terminal, display information based on each of the extracted avoidance scores.

[0014] With the menu generation system, the menu generation method and the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing the menu generation program according to the aspects of the invention, it is possible to provide menu item information commensurate with the degree of individual attribute that is the reason why an individual is not allowed to eat an ingredient.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Features, advantages, and technical and industrial significance of exemplary embodiments of the invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals denote like elements, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a view that shows an example of the schematic configuration of a menu generation system;

FIG. 2 is a view that shows an example of the schematic configuration of a server;

FIG 3A to FIG. 3C are views that show examples of the data structures of some of various tables;

FIG 4A and FIG 4B are views that show examples of the data structures of some of the various tables;

FIG 5A to FIG 5C are views that show examples of the data structures of some of the various tables;

FIG 6 is a view that shows an example of the data structure of one of the various tables;

FIG 7 is a view that shows an example of the schematic configuration of each shop terminal;

FIG 8 is a view that shows an example of a registration page that is displayed on the shop terminal;

FIG. 9A to FIG 9C are schematic views for illustrating an example of an operation method for a category selection drop-down list;

FIG. 10 is a view that shows an example of a detailed explanation edit page that is displayed on each shop terminal;

FIG 11 is a view that shows an example of the schematic configuration of each mobile terminal;

FIG 12 is a view that shows an example of a menu item information display page that is displayed on each mobile terminal;

FIG 13 is a view that shows an example of the operation sequence of the menu generation system;

FIG 14 is a view that shows an example of the operation flowchart of a menu item information registration process; and FIG. 15 is a view that shows an example of the operation sequence of the menu generation system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0016] Hereinafter, various embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the technical scope of the invention is not limited to those embodiments, and the technical scope encompasses the inventions recited in the appended claims and equivalents thereof.

Outline of Menu Generation System 1

[0017] A menu generation system 1 has the function of generating a menu of a restaurant. The menu contains risk information commensurate with the degree of individual attribute that is the reason why an individual is not allowed to eat an ingredient. The individual attribute that is the reason why an individual is not allowed to eat an ingredient includes religions (Islam, Judaism, and the like), taboos of foods (vegetarian, and the like), and the like. The risk information is display information that indicates the possibility that an individual is not allowed to eat a meal for each of avoidance categories including religion, taboo and taste. The risk information is, for example, numeric information, or graph information such as a gauge. The menu of a restaurant contains the name, category, price, photo image, menu item property, risk information, and the like, of each meal that is provided at the restaurant. The menu item properties are the ingredient, seasoning, cooking style, kitchen condition, and the like, of each meal.

[0018] The menu generation system 1 stores avoidance scores in association with an ingredient and a seasoning that are used for a meal, a cooking style of the meal, and a kitchen condition in which the meal is cooked, respectively. The kitchen condition is information about another ingredient and another seasoning, which are cooked at a kitchen, another cooking style, and the like. The kitchen condition is, for example, information that indicates that a meal that uses a specific ingredient (pork, chicken, or the like) as an ingredient is cooked at the kitchen. The avoidance score is a numeric value that indicates the possibility that an individual is not allowed to eat each ingredient or each seasoning, the possibility that an individual is not allowed to eat a meal cooked through each cooking style under each kitchen condition, and the like, for each avoidance category (religion, taboo, taste, or the like).

[0019] Hereinafter, a menu item information registration process that is executed by the menu generation system 1 will be described. In the menu generation system 1, menu item properties that are used for processing are all or at least part of the ingredient, seasoning, cooking style, kitchen condition, and the like, of a meal.

[0020] Initially, the menu generation system 1 receives selected and input text information of the menu item properties (ingredient, seasoning, cooking style and kitchen condition) of a predetermined meal, which is provided at each restaurant, from among stored menu item properties. The process of receiving selected and input text information of a menu item property is, for example, the process of showing pieces of text information of menu item properties to a person concerned with each restaurant (owner, employee, or the like) such that the pieces of text information of the menu item properties are allowed to be selected and then receiving the text information of the menu item properties selected by the person concerned.

[0021] Subsequently, the menu generation system 1 extracts an avoidance score associated with each of the received pieces of text information of the menu item properties (ingredient, seasoning, cooking style and kitchen condition) of the predetermined meal.

[0022] The menu generation system 1 outputs risk information based on each of the avoidance scores extracted for the predetermined meal. The risk information to be output is graph information, or the like, based on each extracted avoidance score. The process of outputting risk information includes the process of displaying display information, such as risk information, on a display device of the menu generation system 1, the process of outputting a sound of risk information to a speaker of the menu generation system 1, the process of transmitting data of risk information to a terminal, and the like. The terminal is a mobile terminal that is owned by a user (customer) at each restaurant, one of a plurality of menu terminals that are installed at each restaurant and with which users at each restaurant order menu items, or the like. [0023] In this way, the menu generation system 1 is able to output display information, such as graph information, based on each of the avoidance scores respectively association with the menu item properties, such as the ingredient, seasoning, cooking style and kitchen condition of each meal. For example, even Muslims include not only religious Muslims who are not allowed to eat a meal cooked by a seasoning that uses pork as a raw material but also Muslims who are allowed to eat a meal that uses a stock made from pork as a raw material. With the above-described menu generation system 1, it is possible to show risk information indicating the possibility that an individual is allowed to eat each meal for each avoidance category, so it is possible to provide menu item information commensurate with the degree of individual attribute that is the reason why an individual is not allowed to eat an ingredient.

Configuration of Menu Generation System 1

[0024] FIG 1 is a view that shows an example of the schematic configuration of the menu generation system 1.

[0025] The menu generation system 1 includes a server 2, one or plurality of shop terminals 3, and a plurality of mobile terminals 4. The server 2 and each shop terminal 3 are connected to each other via a communication network, and are, for example, connected to each other via the Internet 8. The server 2 and each mobile terminal 4 are connected to each other via a communication network, and are, for example, connected to each other via a base station 5, a mobile communication network 6, a gateway 7 and the Internet 8. Each shop terminal 3 is a meal provider terminal of a person concerned with a restaurant that provides a meal, and is, for example, installed at a shop of a restaurant, or the like. Each of the mobile terminals 4 is a user terminal of a user who utilizes the menu generation system 1 (a user (customer) of each restaurant, a person concerned with the restaurant, or the like).

[0026] A program (for example, a conversion program) that is executed by the server 2 and a program (for example, a browsing program) that is executed by each shop terminal 3 or each mobile terminal 4 carry out communication with each other by using a communication protocol, such as a hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP). Schematic Configuration of Server 2

[0027] FIG 2 is a view that shows an example of the schematic configuration of the server 2.

[0028] The server 2 stores avoidance scores in association with an ingredient and a seasoning that are used for a meal, a cooking style of the meal, and a kitchen condition in which the meal is cooked, respectively. The server 2 receives selected and input pieces of text information of menu item properties (ingredient, seasoning, cooking style and kitchen condition) of a predetermined meal, which is provided at each restaurant, from among the stored menu item properties. The server 2 extracts the avoidance score associated with each of the received pieces of text information (ingredient, seasoning, cooking style and kitchen condition) of the menu item properties of the predetermined meal, and outputs risk information based on each of the extracted avoidance scores for the predetermined meal. In order to implement the above-described functions, the server 2 includes a server communication unit 21, a server storage unit 22, a first storage unit 23, a second storage unit 24, a third storage unit 25, and a server processing unit 26.

[0029] The server communication unit 21 includes a communication interface circuit for connecting the server 2 to the Internet 8. The server communication unit 21 supplies data, received from each shop terminal 3, each mobile terminal 4, and the like, to the server processing unit 26. The server communication unit 21 transmits data, supplied from the server processing unit 26, to each shop terminal 3, each mobile terminal 4, and the like.

[0030] The server storage unit 22, for example, includes at least one of a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk drive and an optical disk drive. The server storage unit 22 stores a driver program, an operating system program, an application program, data, and the like, that are used for processing in the server processing unit 26. For example, the server storage unit 22 stores a communication device driver program that controls the server communication unit 21, and the like, as the driver program. Each of the various programs may be installed from a computer-readable portable storage medium, such as a CD-ROM and a DVD-ROM, into the server storage unit 22 with the use of a known setup program, or the like.

[0031] The first storage unit 23, for example, includes at least one of a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk drive and an optical disk drive. The first storage unit 23 stores a category table, an ingredient table, a seasoning table, a cooking style table, a kitchen condition table, a restaurant table, and the like (described later), as the data.

[0032] The second storage unit 24, for example, includes at least one of a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk drive and an optical disk drive. The second storage unit 24 stores a term dictionary table, a detailed explanation dictionary table, and the like (described later), as the data.

[0033] The third storage unit 25, for example, includes at least one of a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk drive and an optical disk drive. The third storage unit 25 stores a menu item information table, and the like (described later), as the data.

[0034] Each table in the present embodiment is an example of the type of database, and may be of a type in which data are pooled inside the server 2.

[0035] The server processing unit 26 includes one or plurality of processors and their peripheral circuit. The server processing unit 26 is to generally control the overall operations of the server 2. The server processing unit 26 is, for example, a CPU. The server processing unit 26 controls the operations of the server communication unit 21, and the like, such that the server 2 executes various processing in an appropriate procedure on the basis of the programs, and the like, that are stored in the server storage unit 22. The server processing unit 26 executes processing on the basis of the programs (the operating system program, the driver program, the application program, and the like) that are stored in the server storage unit 22. The server processing unit 26 is able to execute a plurality of programs (application programs, or the like) in parallel.

[0036] The server processing unit 26 includes a page creating unit 261, an input processing unit 262, a conversion processing unit 263, a storage processing unit 264, a score processing unit 265 and a server transmission unit 266. These units of the server processing unit 26 are functional modules that are implemented by programs that are executed by the processor(s) of the server processing unit 26. Alternatively, these units of the server processing unit 26 may be implemented in the server 2 as an independent integrated circuit, a microprocessor or firmware.

Data Structures of Various Tables

[0037] FIG 3A to FIG 6 are views that show examples of the data structures of various tables. The first storage unit 23, the second storage unit 24 and the third storage unit 25 may store none of the various tables that will be described below. Another device (database device, or the like) different from the server 2 may store these various tables. In this case, at the time when the server 2 uses information stored in these various tables, the server 2 accesses another device that stores the tables and acquires information stored in the tables. Pieces of information, contained in each table, may be stored in a form other than table form or may be, for example, stored independently.

[0038] FIG. 3A shows the category table. A category ID (identification), a category large classification, a category middle classification, a category small classification, a detailed explanation, corresponding menu item properties, and the like, are stored in the category table in association with one another for each category. The category ID is identification information for identifying each category.

[0039] The category large classification is text information of a classification item for classifying each meal, and includes, for example, "Japanese food", "grilled meat", "Italian food", and the like. The category middle classification is text information of a classification item for further classifying each classification item contained in the category large classification. For example, the pieces of text information of classification items of the category middle classification are "Japanese cuisine", "kappo", "udon/soba", and the like. The category small classification is text information of a classification item for further classifying each classification item contained in the category middle classification. For example, the pieces of text information of classification items of the category small classification, contained in "udon/soba", are "soba", "udon", "Sanuki udon", and the like. The category large classification, the category middle classification and the category small classification are examples of a category. The pieces of text information of the classification items in each of the category large classification, the category middle classification and the category small classification are examples of text information of a category. For example, when the pieces of text information of the classification items of the category large classification, category middle classification and category small classification are stored in association with one another, the pieces of text information of the classification items of the category small classification are used as categories. When the pieces of text information of the classification items of the category large classification and category middle classification are stored in association with one another (when the pieces of text information of the classification items of the category small classification are not stored), the pieces of text information of the classification items of the category middle classification are used as categories. When only the pieces of text information of the classification items of the category large classification are stored (when the pieces of text information of the classification items of the category middle classification and category small classification are not stored), the pieces of text information of the classification items of the category large classification are used as categories.

[0040] A detailed explanation ID that is stored in the detailed explanation dictionary table (described later) is stored in the column of the detailed explanation. Thus, each category is associated with text information of the detailed explanation for explaining the category. For example, when categories are the classification items of the category small classification, the detailed explanation IDs of detailed explanations that explain the classification items of the category small classification are stored in the column of the detailed explanation. When categories are the classification items of the category middle classification, the detailed explanation IDs of detailed explanations that explain the classification items of the category middle classification are stored in the column of the detailed explanation. When categories are the classification items of the category large classification, the detailed explanation IDs of detailed explanations that explain the classification items of the category large classification are stored in the column of the detailed explanation.

[0041] A corresponding ingredient ID, a corresponding seasoning ID and a corresponding cooking style ID are stored in the column of the corresponding menu item property in association with one another. The corresponding ingredient ID is the ingredient ID of an ingredient that is used for each meal corresponding to a category among the ingredient IDs stored in the ingredient table (described later). The corresponding seasoning ID is the seasoning ID of a seasoning that is used for each meal corresponding to a category among the seasoning IDs stored in the seasoning table (described later). The corresponding cooking style ID is the cooking style ID of a cooking style that is used for each meal corresponding to a category among the cooking style IDs stored in the cooking style table (described later).

[0042] FIG 3B shows the ingredient table. An ingredient ID, an ingredient name, an avoidance score, and the like, are stored in the ingredient table for each ingredient in association with each other. The ingredient ID is identification information for identifying each ingredient. The ingredient name is text information of the name of each ingredient in the first language (Japanese). The avoidance score is a numeric value that indicates the possibility that an individual is not allowed to eat each ingredient and that is set for each avoidance category. For example, for the ingredient "pork", a numeric value of "10" is set for vegetarians (vegetarians are not allowed to eat), and a numeric value of "10" is set for Muslims (Muslims are not allowed to eat). For example, for the ingredient "chicken", a numeric value of "10" is set for vegetarians (vegetarians are not allowed to eat), and a numeric value of "6" is set for Muslims (some Muslims are allowed to eat a meal that uses chicken as a raw material).

[0043] FIG. 3C shows the seasoning table. A seasoning ID, a seasoning name, an avoidance score, and the like, are stored in the seasoning table in association with each other for each seasoning. The seasoning ID is identification information for identifying each seasoning. The seasoning name is text information of the name of each seasoning in the first language (Japanese). The avoidance score is a numeric value that indicates the possibility that an individual is not allowed to eat each seasoning and that is set for each avoidance category. For example, for the seasoning "salt", a numeric value of "0" is set for vegetarians (vegetarians are allowed to eat), and a numeric value of "0" is set for Muslims (Muslims are allowed to eat). For example, for the seasoning "soy sauce", a numeric value of "0" is set for vegetarians (vegetarians are allowed to eat), and a numeric value of "8" is set for Muslims (some Muslims are not allowed to eat soy sauce that contains alcohol as a raw material).

[0044] FIG 4A shows the cooking style table. A cooking style ID, a cooking style name, an avoidance score, and the like, are stored in the cooking style table in association with each other for each cooking style. The cooking style ID is identification information for identifying each cooking style. The cooking style name is text information of the name of each cooking style in the first language (Japanese). The avoidance score is a numeric value that indicates the possibility that an individual is not allowed to eat a meal cooked through each cooking style and that is set for each avoidance category. For example, for the cooking style "raw meal", a numeric value of "0" is set for vegetarians (vegetarians are allowed to eat), and a numeric value of "0" is set for Muslims (Muslims are allowed to eat). For example, for the cooking style "grilled", a numeric value of "0" is set for vegetarians (vegetarians are allowed to eat), and a numeric value of "0" is set for Muslims (Muslims are allowed to eat).

[0045] FIG 4B shows the kitchen condition table. A kitchen condition ID, a kitchen condition, an avoidance score, and the like, are stored in the kitchen condition table for each kitchen condition in association with each other. The kitchen condition ID is identification information for identifying each kitchen condition. The kitchen condition is text information that shows the content of each kitchen condition in the first language (Japanese). The avoidance score is a numeric value that indicates the possibility that an individual is not allowed to eat a meal cooked under each kitchen condition and that is set for each avoidance category. For example, for the kitchen condition "kitchen at which a meal that uses pork as an ingredient is cooked", a numeric value of "3" is set for vegetarians (some vegetarians are not allowed to eat), and a numeric value of "8" is set for Muslims (some Muslims are not allowed to eat). For example, for the kitchen condition "kitchen at which a meal that uses wheat as an ingredient is cooked", a numeric value of "0" is set for vegetarians (vegetarians are allowed to eat), and a numeric value of "0" is set for Muslims (Muslims are allowed to eat).

[0046] FIG 5A shows the restaurant table. A restaurant ID, a name, an address, a nearest station, and the like, are stored in the restaurant table in association with one another for each restaurant. The restaurant ID is an example of restaurant identification information for identifying each restaurant. Text information of the name of a restaurant in the first language (Japanese), text information of the name of the restaurant in the second language (English), and the like, are stored in the column of the name in association with one another. Text information of the address of a restaurant in the first language (Japanese), text information of the address of the restaurant in the second language (English), and the like, are stored in the column of the address in association with one another. Text information of the nearest station of a restaurant in the first language (Japanese), text information of the nearest station of the restaurant in the second language (English), and the like, are stored in the column of the nearest station in association with one another.

[0047] The pieces of text information of the name, address and nearest station in three or more languages (the first language (Japanese), the second language (English), the third language (Chinese (Simplified)), the fourth language (Korean), ...) may be stored in the restaurant table in association with one another. The data stored in the restaurant table are registered by persons concerned with restaurants, or the like, in advance.

[0048] FIG 5B shows the term dictionary table. A text ID, text in the first language (Japanese), text in the second language (English), text in the third language (Chinese (Simplified)), text in the fourth language (Korean), and the like, are stored in the term dictionary table in association with one another for each of pieces of text information of the category and menu item property. The text ID is identification information for identifying each piece of text information.

[0049] The pieces of text information of categories and menu item properties in the first language (Japanese) are contained in the column of the text in the first language (Japanese). The pieces of text information of categories and menu item properties in the second language (English) are contained in the column of the text in the second language (English). The pieces of text information of categories and menu item properties in the third language (Chinese (Simplified)) are contained in the column of the text in the third language (Chinese (Simplified)). The pieces of text information of categories and menu item properties in the fourth language (Korean) are contained in the column of the text in the fourth language (Korean). Text in five or more languages may be stored in the term dictionary table in association with one another for each piece of text information.

[0050] FIG. 5C shows the detailed explanation dictionary table. A detailed explanation ID, text in the first language (Japanese), text in the second language (English), text in the third language (Chinese (Simplified)), text in the fourth language (Korean), and the like, are stored in the detailed explanation dictionary table in association with one another for each detailed explanation. The detailed explanation ID is identification information for identifying each detailed explanation.

[0051] A detailed explanation in the first language (Japanese) is contained in the column of the text in the first language (Japanese). A detailed explanation in the second language (English) is contained in the column of the text in the second language (English). A detailed explanation in the third language (Chinese (Simplified)) is contained in the column of the text in the third language (Chinese (Simplified)). A detailed explanation in the fourth language (Korean) is contained in the column of the text in the fourth language (Korean). Text in five or more languages may be stored in the detailed explanation dictionary table in association with one another for each detailed explanation.

[0052] FIG 6 shows the menu item information table. A meal ID, a meal name, a service restaurant ID, meal information, a total score, and the like, are stored in the menu item information table in association with one another for each meal. The menu item information contains the meal name of each meal, information about a restaurant that provides the meal, meal information, a total score, and the like.

[0053] The meal ID is identification information for identifying each meal. The meal name is text information of the name of each meal in multiple languages, input in text by a user (a person concerned with a restaurant, or the like) who operates the shop terminal 3. A meal name in the first language, a meal name in the second language, and the like, are stored in the column of the meal name. Instead, pieces of text information of meal name in three or more languages (the first language (Japanese), the second language (English), the third language (Chinese (Simplified)), the fourth language (Korean), ,..) may be stored in the column of the meal name.

[0054] The service restaurant ID is the restaurant ID of a restaurant that provides each meal, and is the restaurant ID that is stored in the restaurant table. A service restaurant ID is associated with each meal, so each meal and information about a restaurant that provides the meal are associated with each other.

[0055] The meal information is information for introducing each meal to a user (customer), or the like, of a restaurant. The category, menu item properties (ingredient, seasoning, cooking style, kitchen condition) and detailed explanation of the meal in the first language (Japanese), the category, menu item properties (ingredient, seasoning, cooking style, kitchen condition) and detailed explanation of the meal in the second language (English), and the like, are stored in the column of the meal information.

[0056] The total score is a total value of the avoidance scores of the menu item properties (ingredient, seasoning, cooking style, kitchen condition) of each meal, calculated for each avoidance category. Instead of the total score, the avoidance scores of the menu item properties may be stored.

[0057] The category and menu item properties of the meal in the first language (Japanese) are the pieces of text information of category and menu item properties selected and input by the user. The category and menu item properties of the meal in the second language (English) are the pieces of text information of the selected and input category and menu item properties of the meal in the second language (English), converted from the pieces of text information of the selected and input category and menu item properties of the meal in the first language (Japanese). The detailed explanation of the meal in the first language (Japanese) is the detailed explanation associated with the input category of the meal in the first language (Japanese) in the category table. The detailed explanation of the meal in the second language (English) is text information of the detailed explanation in the second language (English), converted from the text information of the detailed explanation in the first language (Japanese), in the detailed explanation dictionary table.

[0058] Meal information in three or more languages (the first language (Japanese), the second language (English), the third language (Chinese (Simplified)), the fourth language (Korean), ...) may be stored in the menu item information table. A registration date and time at which the meal name, meal information, and the like, of each meal have been received by the input processing unit 262 may be stored in the menu item information table in association with the meal.

Schematic Configuration of Shop Terminal 3

[0059] FIG 7 is a view that shows an example of the schematic configuration of each shop terminal 3.

[0060] Each shop terminal 3 is connected to the server 2 via the Internet 8 (FIG. 1), and carries out communication with the server 2. Each shop terminal 3 receives input of a menu item property, or the like, in response to input operation of a person concerned with a corresponding restaurant. For the purpose of this, each shop terminal 3 includes a shop terminal communication unit 31, a shop terminal storage unit 32, a shop terminal operation unit 33, a shop terminal display unit 34 and a shop terminal processing unit 35. Hereinafter, the person concerned with the restaurant, who operates the shop terminal 3, may be simply referred to as user.

[0061] In the present embodiment, a personal computer (PC) is assumed as each shop terminal 3; however, the invention is not limited to employing a personal computer (PC) as each shop terminal 3. Each shop terminal 3 may be any device as long as the invention is applicable. For example, each shop terminal 3 may be an information processing device, such as a multifunctional mobile phone (so-called smartphone), a mobile phone (so-called feature phone), a mobile information terminal (personal digital assistant (PDA)), a portable game machine, a portable audio player, a tablet terminal, a tablet PC and a notebook PC. Each shop terminal 3 may be a menu item terminal, or the like, that is installed at a restaurant and that a person concerned with the restaurant, or the like, uses.

[0062] The shop terminal communication unit 31 includes a communication interface circuit. The shop terminal communication unit 31 connects the corresponding shop terminal 3 to the Internet 8 (FIG 1). The shop terminal communication unit 31 transmits data, supplied from the shop terminal processing unit 35, to the server 2, or the like, via the network. The shop terminal communication unit 31 supplies data, received from the server 2, or the like, to the shop terminal processing unit 35 via the network.

[0063] The shop terminal storage unit 32 includes, for example, a semiconductor memory device. The shop terminal storage unit 32 stores an operating system program, a driver program, an application program, data, and the like, that are used for processing in the shop terminal processing unit 35. For example, the shop terminal storage unit 32 stores an input device driver program that controls the shop terminal operation unit 33, an output device driver program that controls the shop terminal display unit 34, and the like, as the driver program. The shop terminal storage unit 32 stores a browsing program, or the like, for displaying a registration page for registering menu item properties, and the like, input through user's operation on the shop terminal operation unit 33, into the server 2 as the application program. The shop terminal storage unit 32 stores the input menu item properties, and the like. Furthermore, the shop terminal storage unit 32 may temporarily store temporary data associated with predetermined processing.

[0064] The shop terminal operation unit 33 may be any device as long as the shop terminal 3 is operable by using the shop terminal operation unit 33, and is, for example, a touch panel, a key button, or the like. The user is allowed to input characters, numerics, symbols, and the like, with the use of the shop terminal operation unit 33. As the shop terminal operation unit 33 is operated by the user, the shop terminal operation unit 33 generates a signal corresponding to the operation. The generated signal is supplied to the shop terminal processing unit 35 as a command from the user.

[0065] The shop terminal display unit 34 may also be any device as long as the shop terminal display unit 34 is able to display video, an image, and the like. The shop terminal display unit 34 may be, for example, a liquid crystal display, an organic electro-luminescence (EL) display, or the like. The shop terminal display unit 34 displays video based on video data, an image based on image data, or the like, supplied from the shop terminal processing unit 35.

[0066] The shop terminal processing unit 35 includes one or plurality of processors and their peripheral circuit. The shop terminal processing unit 35 is to generally control the overall operations of the corresponding shop terminal 3. The shop terminal processing unit 35 is, for example, a central processing unit (CPU). The shop terminal processing unit 35 controls the operations of the shop terminal communication unit 31, shop terminal display unit 34, and the like, such that the corresponding shop terminal 3 executes various processing in an appropriate procedure on the basis of the programs that are stored in the shop terminal storage unit 32, an operation on the shop terminal operation unit 33, and the like. The shop terminal processing unit 35 executes processing on the basis of the programs (the operating system program, the driver program, the application program, and the like) that are stored in the shop terminal storage unit 32. The shop terminal processing unit 35 is able to execute a plurality of programs (application programs, or the like) in parallel.

[0067] The shop terminal processing unit 35 includes at least a browsing execution unit 351, a terminal transmission unit 352, and the like. These units are functional modules that are implemented by programs that are executed by the processors) of the shop terminal processing unit 35. Alternatively, these units may be implemented in each shop terminal 3 as firmware.

Functions of Shop Terminal 3

[0068] FIG 8 to FIG. 10 are views that show examples of display pages that are displayed by the display function of each shop terminal 3. Display pages for registering menu item information are displayed by the display function of each shop terminal 3.

[0069] FIG 8 is a view that shows an example of a registration page 800 that is displayed by the display function of each shop terminal 3.

[0070] The registration page 800 is a page that is displayed when a request to display the registration page 800 has been issued from a person concerned with a restaurant. Meal name input boxes 801, category selection drop-down lists 802, a detailed explanation display box 803, a detailed explanation change button 804, an ingredient selection drop-down list 805, a seasoning selection drop-down list 806, a cooking style selection drop-down list 807, a kitchen condition selection drop-down list 808, a registration button 809, and the like, are displayed on the registration page 800.

[0071] The meal name input boxes 801 are boxes for allowing a person concerned with a restaurant that provides each meal to input information about the name of a predetermined meal in text. The plurality of meal name input boxes 801 are provided in correspondence with multiple languages.

[0072] Each of the category selection drop-down lists 802 is a drop-down list for allowing a person concerned with a restaurant that provides the predetermined meal to select and input the category of the predetermined meal. By employing selection input with the use of the drop-down lists 802, it is possible to reduce the number of items that are displayed on the page as compared to text input. Hereinafter, an example of a method of operating the category selection drop-down lists 802 will be described with reference to FIG 9A to FIG 9C.

[0073] FIG. 9 A to FIG 9C are schematic views for illustrating an example of a method of operating the category selection drop-down lists 802. A category large classification selection drop-down list 900, a category middle classification selection drop-down list 903, a category small classification selection drop-down list 906, and the like, are displayed as the category selection drop-down lists 802.

[0074] FIG 9A is a schematic view for illustrating an example of a method of operating the category large classification selection drop-down list 900.

[0075] As the category large classification selection drop-down list 900 is specified by a person concerned with a restaurant that provides each meal, a category large classification list 901 containing the pieces of text information of the classification items of the category large classification ("Japanese food", "grilled meat", "Italian food", and the like) is displayed.

[0076] As any one of the pieces of text information of the classification items that are displayed in the category large classification list 901 is selected by the person concerned with the restaurant that provides each meal, a category large classification cursor 902 indicates the text information (for example, "Japanese food") of the selected classification item. The text information (for example, "Japanese food") of the classification item is displayed in the category large classification selection drop-down list 900, and the category large classification list 901 disappears.

[0077] FIG 9B is a schematic view for illustrating an example of a method of operating the category middle classification selection drop-down list 903.

[0078] As the category middle classification selection drop-down list 903 is specified by the person concerned with the restaurant that provides each meal, a category middle classification list 904 containing the pieces of text information ("Japanese cuisine", "kappo", "udon/soba", and the like) of the classification items of the category middle classification contained in the text information (for example, "Japanese food") of the classification item of the category large classification, indicated by the category large classification cursor 902, is displayed. When no classification item of the category middle classification is contained in the classification item of the category large classification, indicated by the category large classification cursor 902, the category middle classification selection drop-down list 903 and the category small classification selection drop-down list 906 are controlled such that selection operation is disabled.

[0079] As any one of the pieces of text information of the classification items displayed in the category middle classification list 904 is selected by the person concerned with the restaurant that provides each meal, a category middle classification cursor 905 indicates the text information (for example, "udon/soba") of the selected classification item. The text information (for example, "udon/soba") of the classification item is displayed in the category middle classification selection drop-down list 903, and the category middle classification list 904 disappears.

[0080] FIG 9C is a schematic view for illustrating an example of a method of operating the category small classification selection drop-down list 906.

[0081] As the category small classification selection drop-down list 906 is specified by the person concerned with the restaurant that provides each meal, a category small classification list 907 containing pieces of text information ("soba", "udon", "Sanuki udon", and the like) of the classification items of the category small classification, indicated by the category middle classification cursor 905, is displayed. When no classification item of the category small classification is contained in the classification item of the category middle classification, indicated by the category middle classification cursor 905, the category small classification selection drop-down list 906 is controlled such that selection operation is disabled.

[0082] As any one of the pieces of text information of the classification items that are displayed in the category small classification list 907 is selected by the person concerned with the restaurant that provides each meal, a category small classification cursor 908 indicates the text information (for example, "soba") of the selected classification item. The text information (for example, "soba") of the classification item is displayed in the category small classification selection drop-down list 906, and the category small classification list 907 disappears.

[0083] In this way, the text information of the classification item of any one of the category large classification, the category middle classification and the category small classification is selected through selection input with the use of the category selection drop-down lists 802. By employing selection input with the use of a drop-down list, it is possible to reduce the number of items that are displayed on the page as compared to text input.

[0084] Referring back to FIG 8, the detailed explanation display box 803 is a text box for displaying a detailed explanation corresponding to a category selected and input through the category selection drop-down lists 802. That is, when a category is selected and input through the category selection drop-down lists 802, the identification information of the selected category is transmitted to the server 2. Subsequently, in the server 2, the detailed explanation associated with the category identified on the basis of the transmitted identification information is extracted from the detailed explanation dictionary table. The extracted detailed explanation is transmitted from the server 2 to the intended shop terminal 3, and the received detailed explanation is displayed in the detailed explanation display box 803. [0085] The detailed explanation change button 804 is a button for displaying a detailed explanation edit page 1000 for editing the detailed explanation displayed in the detailed explanation display box 803. The detailed explanation displayed in the detailed explanation display box 803 is general category explanatory text stored in the detailed explanation dictionary table in advance. The detailed explanation change button 804 is selected (depressed) by a person concerned with a restaurant when the person concerned with the restaurant intends to change the expression or content of the detailed explanation. As the detailed explanation change button 804 is selected (depressed), a request to display the detailed explanation edit page is transmitted to the server 2, and the detailed explanation edit page 1000 is displayed on the basis of page display data transmitted from the server 2. Thus, the general category explanatory text is allowed to be changed.

[0086] FIG 10 is a view that shows an example of the detailed explanation edit page 1000 that is displayed on each shop terminal 3.

[0087] The detailed explanation edit page 1000 is a page that is displayed on the basis of image display data transmitted from the server 2 when the detailed explanation change button 804 displayed on the registration page 800 has been selected (depressed) by a person concerned with a restaurant. Detailed explanation edit boxes 1001, an edit box addition button 1002, an edit box deletion button 1003, an edit completion button 1004, and the like, are displayed on the detailed explanation edit page 1000.

[0088] The detailed explanation edit boxes 1001 are text input boxes for editing the text information of the detailed explanation displayed in the detailed explanation display box 803. The detailed explanation edit boxes 1001 are displayed in correspondence with the detailed explanation in the first language and the detailed explanation in the second language. At the time when the detailed explanation edit page 1000 is displayed, the text information of the detailed explanation displayed in the detailed explanation display box 803 is displayed in the detailed explanation edit box 1001 corresponding to the detailed explanation in the first language. The person concerned with the restaurant is allowed to edit the text information of the detailed explanation displayed in the detailed explanation edit boxes 1001 by operating the shop terminal operation unit 33. The text information that the detailed explanation displayed in the detailed explanation display box 803 is written in the second language is displayed on the basis of the detailed explanation dictionary table in the detailed explanation edit box 1001 corresponding to the detailed explanation in the second language.

[0089] The edit box addition button 1002 is an input button for adding a detailed explanation edit box 1001 for editing the text information of a detailed explanation in another language. As the edit box addition button 1002 is selected (depressed) by the person concerned with the restaurant, an editing language is selected by the person concerned with the restaurant from among multiple languages through a language selection page (not shown), and the detailed explanation edit box 1001 for editing the text information of the detailed explanation in the selected language is displayed.

[0090] The edit box deletion button 1003 is an input button for deleting the displayed detailed explanation edit box 1001 for each language. The edit box deletion button 1003 corresponding to each language is displayed near the detailed explanation edit box 1001 corresponding to the detailed explanation in the language. As the edit box deletion button 1003 is selected (depressed) by the person concerned with the restaurant, the detailed explanation edit box 1001 corresponding to the selected edit box deletion button 1003 is deleted.

[0091] As the edit completion button 1004 is selected (depressed), the detailed explanation edit page 1000 disappears, and the detailed explanation in the first language, provided in the detailed explanation edit box 1001, is displayed in the detailed explanation display box 803 on the registration page 800. The detailed explanation in a language other than the first language, provided in the detailed explanation edit box 1001, is temporarily stored in the shop terminal storage unit 32.

[0092] Referring back to FIG 8, the ingredient selection drop-down list 805 is a drop-down list for selecting and inputting an ingredient that is used for the predetermined meal. By employing selection input with the use of the drop-down list 805, it is possible to reduce the number of items that are displayed on the page as compared to text input. As the ingredient selection drop-down list 805 is specified by the person concerned with the restaurant, an ingredient list (not shown) containing pieces of text information of ingredient names stored in the ingredient table is displayed. As any one of the pieces of text information of the ingredient names displayed in the ingredient list is selected, the text information of the selected ingredient name is displayed in the ingredient selection drop-down list 805, and the ingredient list disappears.

[0093] The seasoning selection drop-down list 806 is a drop-down list for selecting and inputting a seasoning that is used for the predetermined meal. By employing selection input with the use of the drop-down list 806, it is possible to reduce the number of items that are displayed on the page as compared to text input. As the seasoning selection drop-down list 806 is specified by the person concerned with the restaurant, a seasoning list (not shown) containing pieces of text information of seasoning names stored in the seasoning table is displayed. As any one of the pieces of text information of the seasoning names displayed in the seasoning list is selected, the text information of the selected seasoning name is displayed in the seasoning selection drop-down list 806, and the seasoning list disappears.

[0094] The cooking style selection drop-down list 807 is a drop-down list for selecting and inputting a cooking style that is used for the predetermined meal. By employing selection input with the use of the drop-down list 807, it is possible to reduce the number of items that are displayed on the page as compared to text input. As the cooking style selection drop-down list 807 is specified by the person concerned with the restaurant, a cooking style list (not shown) containing pieces of text information of cooking style names stored in the cooking style table is displayed. As any one of the pieces of text information of the cooking style names displayed in the cooking style list is selected, the text information of the selected cooking style name is displayed in the cooking style selection drop-down list 807, and the cooking style list disappears.

[0095] The kitchen condition selection drop-down list 808 is a drop-down list for selecting and inputting a kitchen condition that is used for the predetermined meal. By employing selection input with the use of the drop-down list 808, it is possible to reduce the number of items that are displayed on the page as compared to text input. As the kitchen condition selection drop-down list 808 is specified by the person concerned with the restaurant, a kitchen condition list (not shown) containing pieces of text information of kitchen conditions stored in the kitchen condition table is displayed. As any one of the pieces of text information of the kitchen conditions displayed in the kitchen condition list is selected, the text information of the selected kitchen condition is displayed in the kitchen condition selection drop-down list 808, and the kitchen condition list disappears.

[0096] As the registration button 809 is depressed (selected) by the user, a registration request is transmitted to the server 2. The registration request contains information input to the meal name input boxes 801 in text, pieces of information respectively input to the category selection drop-down lists 802, the detailed explanation display box 803, the ingredient selection drop-down list 805, the seasoning selection drop-down list 806, the cooking style selection drop-down list 807 and the kitchen condition selection drop-down list 808 for the predetermined meal, and the restaurant ID of the restaurant that provides the predetermined meal. The server 2 stores various pieces of information contained in the received registration request as menu item information. When a detailed explanation in a language other than the first language is temporarily stored in the shop terminal storage unit 32, the detailed explanation in the language other than the first language is contained in the registration request.

Schematic Configuration of Mobile Terminal 4

[0097] FIG 11 is a view that shows an example of the schematic configuration of each mobile terminal 4.

[0098] Each mobile terminal 4 is connected to the server 2 via the base station 5, the mobile communication network 6, the gateway 7 and the Internet 8, and carries out communication with the server 2. Each mobile terminal 4 requires the server 2 to display menu item information, or the like, in response to user's operation on a mobile terminal operation unit 43 (button, or the like). Each mobile terminal 4 receives display data regarding menu item information, or the like, from the server 2, and displays the menu item information, or the like. For this reason, each mobile terminal 4 includes a mobile terminal communication unit 41, a mobile terminal storage unit 42, the mobile terminal operation unit 43, a mobile terminal display unit 44 and a mobile terminal processing unit 45.

[0099] In the present embodiment, a multifunctional mobile phone (so-called smartphone) is assumed as each mobile terminal 4; however, the invention is not limited to employing a multifunctional mobile phone as each mobile terminal 4. Each mobile terminal 4 may be any terminal to which the invention is applicable. Each mobile terminal 4 may be, for example, a mobile phone (so-called feature phone), a mobile information terminal (personal digital assistant (PDA)), a portable game machine, a portable audio player, a tablet terminal, a tablet PC, a notebook PC, or the like. Each mobile terminal 4 may be one of a plurality of menu terminals that are installed at a restaurant and with which customers at the restaurant order menu items, or the like.

[0100] The mobile terminal communication unit 41 includes a communication interface circuit including an antenna that uses a predetermined frequency band as a sensitive band. The mobile terminal communication unit 41 connects the corresponding mobile terminal 4 to a wireless communication network. The mobile terminal communication unit 41 establishes a wireless signal line with the base station 5 via a channel allocated by the base station 5 on the basis of code division multiple access (CDMA) system, or the like, and carries out communication with the base station 5. The mobile terminal communication unit 41 transmits data, supplied from the mobile terminal processing unit 45, to the server 2, or the like. The mobile terminal communication unit 41 supplies data, received from the server 2, or the like, to the mobile terminal processing unit 45.

[0101] The mobile terminal storage unit 42 includes, for example, a semiconductor memory device. The mobile terminal storage unit 42 stores an operating system program, a driver program, an application program, data, and the like, that are used for processing in the mobile terminal processing unit 45. For example, the mobile terminal storage unit 42 stores an input device driver program that controls the mobile terminal operation unit 43, an output device driver program that controls the mobile terminal display unit 44, and the like, as the driver program. The mobile terminal storage unit 42 stores a program, or the like, that acquires and displays display data associated with menu item information, or the like, as the application program. The mobile terminal storage unit 42 may temporarily store temporary data associated with predetermined processing.

[0102] The mobile terminal operation unit 43 may be any device as long as the mobile terminal 4 is operable by using the mobile terminal operation unit 43, and is, for example, a touch panel, a key button, or the like. The user is allowed to input characters, numerics, symbols, and the like, with the mobile terminal operation unit 43. As the mobile terminal operation unit 43 is operated by the user, the mobile terminal operation unit 43 generates a signal corresponding to the operation. The generated signal is supplied to the mobile terminal processing unit 45 as a command from the user.

[0103] The mobile terminal display unit 44 may also be any device as long as the mobile terminal display unit 44 is able to display video, an image, and the like. The mobile terminal display unit 44 may be, for example, a liquid crystal display, an organic electro-luminescence (EL) display, or the like. The mobile terminal display unit 44 displays video based on video data, an image based on image data, or the like, supplied from the mobile terminal processing unit 45.

[0104] The mobile terminal processing unit 45 includes one or plurality of processors and their peripheral circuit. The mobile terminal processing unit 45 is to generally control the overall operations of the corresponding mobile terminal 4. The mobile terminal processing unit 45 is, for example, a central processing unit (CPU). The mobile terminal processing unit 45 controls the operations of the mobile terminal communication unit 41, mobile terminal display unit 44, and the like, such that the corresponding mobile terminal 4 executes various processing in an appropriate procedure on the basis of the programs that are stored in the mobile terminal storage unit 42, an operation on the mobile terminal operation unit 43, and the like. The mobile terminal processing unit 45 executes processing on the basis of the programs (the operating system program, the driver program, the application program, and the like) that are stored in the mobile terminal storage unit 42. The mobile terminal processing unit 45 is able to execute a plurality of programs (application programs, or the like) in parallel.

[0105] The mobile terminal processing unit 45 includes at least a browsing execution unit 451. The browsing execution unit 451 is a functional module that is implemented by a program that is executed by the processor(s) of the mobile terminal processing unit 45. Alternatively, the browsing execution unit 451 may be implemented in each mobile terminal 4 as firmware.

[0106] The browsing execution unit 451 acquires and displays display data associated with menu item information, or the like. That is, the browsing execution unit 451 transmits a request to display a page associated with menu item information to the server 2 via the mobile terminal communication unit 41 in response to a command from the user. The browsing execution unit 451 receives corresponding display data from the server 2 via the mobile terminal communication unit 41. The browsing execution unit 451 creates drawing data on the basis of the received display data. That is, the browsing execution unit 451 analyzes the received display data, identifies control data and content data, layouts the identified content data on the basis of the identified control data, and creates drawing data. The browsing execution unit 451 outputs the created drawing data to the mobile terminal display unit 44.

Functions of Mobile Terminal 4

[0107] FIG. 12 is a view that shows an example of a menu item information display page 1200 that is displayed by the display function of each mobile terminal 4. With the display function of each mobile terminal 4, text information in any one of multiple languages is displayed. Hereinafter, description will be made on the assumption that the mobile terminal 4 shows text information in the second language (English) different from the first language (Japanese).

[0108] The menu item information of a meal that is provided at a restaurant selected by the user is displayed on the menu item information display page 1200. The menu item information display page 1200 is, for example, a page that is transmitted from the server 2, and is a page linked with a homepage that introduces restaurants placed on a predetermined information providing site. [0109] In the example of the menu item information display page 1200 shown in FIG 12, a menu item introduction 1201, graph information 1202, and the like, are displayed. The menu item introduction contains a meal name, the category, menu item properties, detailed explanation, and the like, of the meal. The graph information 1202 is based on a total score. The menu item introduction 1201 is created by extracting a meal name and meal information, associated with a restaurant ID of a restaurant selected by the user on the predetermined information providing site, from the menu item information table. The graph information 1202 is created on the basis of a total score associated with the restaurant ID of the restaurant selected by the user on the predetermined information providing site. The graph information 1202 is not limited to gauges shown in FIG 12, and may be circle graphs, numerical indicators, icons, character indicators, or the like. The graph information 1202 may be a display color of a display area regarding the menu item introduction 1201 associated with the graph information 1202, a display color of characters of the menu item introduction 1201, or the like. The menu item information display page 1200 is displayed on the basis of page display data containing the created menu item introduction 1201 and graph information 1202.

[0110] The language to show the menu item introduction 1201 and the graph information 1202 is a language set to be displayed by the mobile terminal 4. At the time when the mobile terminal 4 requires the menu item information display page 1200 from the server 2, the mobile terminal 4 transmits language specification information to the server 2. The language specification information is information for specifying the language in which the text information is shown on the mobile terminal 4. The server 2 extracts a meal name and meal information from the menu item information table on the basis of the language specification information, and creates the menu item introduction 1201.

Example 1 of Operation Sequence of Menu Generation System 1

[0111] FIG. 13 is a view that shows an example of the operation sequence of the menu generation system 1. This operation sequence is executed by mainly the server processing unit 26 and the shop terminal processing unit 35 in cooperation with the elements of the server 2 and shop terminal 3 on the basis of programs stored in the server storage unit 22 and the shop terminal storage unit 32 in advance.

[0112] First, the terminal transmission unit 352 of the shop terminal 3 of a person concerned with a restaurant transmits a registration page request containing a restaurant ID to the server 2 via the shop terminal communication unit 31 in response to an operation on the shop terminal operation unit 33, which is carried out by the person concerned with the restaurant, or the like (step SI 01).

[0113] Subsequently, as the page creating unit 261 of the server 2 receives the registration page request from the shop terminal 3 via the server communication unit 21, the page creating unit 261 creates page display data for displaying the registration page 800 (step SI 02). Initially, the page creating unit 261 creates the category selection drop-down lists 802 on the basis of the category table. Subsequently, the page creating unit 261 creates the ingredient selection drop-down list 805 on the basis of the ingredient table. After that, the page creating unit 261 creates the seasoning selection drop-down list 806 on the basis of the seasoning table. Then, the page creating unit 261 creates the cooking style selection drop-down list 807 on the basis of the cooking style table. Subsequently, the page creating unit 261 creates the kitchen condition selection drop-down list 808 on the basis of the kitchen condition table. The page creating unit 261 creates page display data for displaying the registration page 800 containing the created category selection drop-down lists 802, ingredient selection drop-down list 805, seasoning selection drop-down list 806, cooking style selection drop-down list 807 and kitchen condition selection drop-down list 808.

[0114] Subsequently, the server transmission unit 266 of the server 2 transmits the created page display data for displaying the registration page 800 to the shop terminal 3, corresponding to the received restaurant ID, via the server communication unit 21 (step S103).

[0115] Subsequently, as the browsing execution unit 351 of the shop terminal 3 receives the page display data for displaying the registration page 800 from the server 2 via the shop terminal communication unit 31 , the browsing execution unit 351 displays the registration page 800 on the shop terminal display unit 34 on the basis of the received page display data (step SI 04).

[0116] Subsequently, the browsing execution unit 351 of the shop terminal 3 transmits a registration request to the server 2 via the shop terminal communication unit 31 (step SI 05). The registration request contains input information and the restaurant ID. The input information is input through an operation on the shop terminal operation unit 33 by the person concerned with the restaurant, or the like, on the registration page 800 displayed on the shop terminal display unit 34.

[0117] The input processing unit 262, conversion processing unit 263 and storage processing unit 264 of the server 2 execute menu item information registration process on the basis of various pieces of information contained in the registration request received via the server communication unit 21 (step SI 06). The details of the menu item information registration process will be described later.

Menu Item Information Registration Process

[0118] FIG 14 is a flowchart that shows an example of the menu item information registration process. The menu item information registration process shown in FIG 14 is executed in step SI 06 of FIG 13.

[0119] Initially, the input processing unit 262 receives a registration request from the shop terminal 3 (step S201). The registration request contains the restaurant ID, the pieces of text information of the meal name in multiple languages, input in text respectively to the meal name input boxes 801, the text information of the category, selected and input for the predetermined meal, the pieces of text information of the menu item properties, selected and input for the predetermined meal, and the text information of the detailed explanation, displayed in the detailed explanation display box 803. The menu item properties contain the text information of the ingredient, selected and input through the ingredient selection drop-down list 805, the text information of the seasoning, selected and input through the seasoning selection drop-down list 806, the text information of the cooking style, selected and input through the cooking style selection drop-down list 807, and the text information of the kitchen condition, selected and input through the kitchen condition selection drop-down list 808. When a detailed explanation in a language other than the first language is temporarily stored in the shop terminal storage unit 32 at the time of a registration request, the registration request contains the detailed explanation in the language other than the first language.

[0120] Subsequently, the conversion processing unit 263 converts the received pieces of text information of the category, menu item properties and detailed explanation to pieces of text information of the category, menu item properties and detailed explanation in another language different from the language of the text information (step S202). Initially, the conversion processing unit 263 identifies the received pieces of text information of the category, menu item properties, the received text information of the detailed explanation, and the language of the received text information. Subsequently, the conversion processing unit 263 consults the term dictionary table, and extracts pieces of text information in another language different from the identified language, associated with the identified pieces of text information of the category and menu item properties. Subsequently, the conversion processing unit 263 consults the detailed explanation dictionary table, and extracts the text information of the detailed explanation in another language different from the identified language, associated with the identified text information of the detailed explanation. When the registration request contains a detailed explanation in a language other than the first language, the conversion processing unit 263 extracts the detailed explanation contained in the registration request without consulting the detailed explanation dictionary table.

[0121] Subsequently, the score processing unit 265 executes total score calculation process (step S203). Initially, the score processing unit 265 extracts avoidance scores respectively corresponding to the pieces of text information of the menu item properties identified by the conversion processing unit 263 from the ingredient table, the seasoning table, the cooking style table and the kitchen condition table for each avoidance category. The score processing unit 265 calculates a total score that is the total of the extracted avoidance scores respectively corresponding to the pieces of text information of the menu item properties for each avoidance category.

[0122] The storage processing unit 264 stores the received text information of the meal name of the meal, the received restaurant ID, the received pieces of text information of the category and menu item properties of the meal, the received text information of the detailed explanation, the extracted text information of the category, the extracted pieces of text information of the menu item properties, and the extracted text information of the detailed explanation in the menu item information table as menu item information in association with a new meal ID (step S204), after which a series of steps ends.

Example 2 of Operation Sequence of Menu Generation System 1

[0123] FIG 15 is a view that shows an example of the operation sequence of the menu generation system 1. This operation sequence is executed by mainly the server processing unit 26 and the mobile terminal processing unit 45 in cooperation with the elements of the server 2 and mobile terminal 4 on the basis of programs stored in the server storage unit 22 and the mobile terminal storage unit 42 in advance.

[0124] The browsing execution unit 451 of the mobile terminal 4 of the user transmits a display request to the server 2 via the mobile terminal communication unit 41 in response to an operation of the user (a user (customer) of a restaurant, or the like) on the mobile terminal operation unit 43 (step S301). The display request contains a restaurant ID and language specification information. A display request is transmitted when a link (a link for displaying menu items, or the like) contained in a homepage that introduces restaurants placed on the predetermined information providing site is specified by the user.

[0125] Subsequently, as the page creating unit 261 of the server 2 receives the display request from the mobile terminal 4 via the server communication unit 21, the page creating unit 261 executes display page creating process (step S302). Initially, the page creating unit 261 identifies meal names, pieces of meal information and total scores, associated with the service restaurant ID contained in the display request. Subsequently, the page creating unit 261 extracts the meal names and the pieces of meal information, corresponding to the language specification information, from the menu item information table from among the identified meal names and the identified pieces of meal information. Subsequently, the page creating unit 261 creates the menu item introductions 1201 on the basis of the extracted information. Subsequently, the page creating unit 261 creates the pieces of graph information 1202 on the basis of the identified total scores. The page creating unit 261 creates page display data for displaying the menu item information display pages 1200 each containing the corresponding menu item introduction 1201 and the corresponding graph information 1202.

[0126] Subsequently, the server transmission unit 266 of the server 2 transmits the page display data for displaying the menu item information display pages 1200 created through the display page creating process to the mobile terminal 4 via the server communication unit 21 (step S303).

[0127] As the browsing execution unit 451 of the mobile terminal 4 receives the page display data from the server 2 via the mobile terminal communication unit 41, the browsing execution unit 451 displays the menu item information display pages 1200 on the mobile terminal display unit 44 on the basis of the received page display data (step S304).

[0128] As described in detail above, the menu generation system 1 is able to show risk information that indicates the possibility that an individual is allowed to eat each meal for each avoidance category, so it is possible to provide menu item information commensurate with the degree of individual attribute that is the reason why an individual is not allowed to eat an ingredient.

Alternative Embodiment

[0129] The shop terminal storage unit 32 of each shop terminal 3 and/or the mobile terminal storage unit 42 of each mobile terminal 4 may store all or part of the category table, the ingredient table, the seasoning table, the cooking style table, the kitchen condition table, the restaurant table, the term dictionary table, the detailed explanation dictionary table and the menu item information table. In this case, at the time when the server 2 uses pieces of information stored in these various tables, the server 2 accesses the shop terminal storage unit 32 of the shop terminal 3 and/or the mobile terminal storage unit 42 of the mobile terminal 4, acquires pieces of information stored in the tables, and executes various processing.

[0130] Persons skilled in the art understand that various modifications, replacements and changes are allowed to be added to the above-described embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

43

DRAWINGS

FIG 2

21 SERVER

21/ SERVER COMMUNICATION UNIT

22/ SERVER STORAGE UNIT

23/ FIRST STORAGE UNIT

24/ SECOND STORAGE UNIT

25/ THIRD STORAGE UNIT

26/ SERVER PROCESSING UNIT

261/ PAGE CREATING UNIT

262/ INPUT PROCESSING UNIT

263/ CONVERSION PROCESSING UNIT

264/ STORAGE PROCESSING UNIT

265/ SCORE PROCESSING UNIT

266/ SERVER TRANSMISSION UNIT

FIG 3A

1/ CATEGORY ID

21 CATEGORY LARGE CLASSIFICATION

3/ CATEGORY MIDDLE CLASSIFICATION

4/ CATEGORY SMALL CLASSIFICATION

5/ DETAILED EXPLANATION

(DETAILED EXPLANATION ID)

6/ CORRESPONDING MENU ITEM PROPERTIES

(INGREDIENT ID, SEASONING ID, COOKING STYLE ID) 11 JAPANESE FOOD

8/ JAPANESE CUISINE

91 UDON/SOBA 440/ SASHIMI

1/ SOBA IG 3B

/ INGREDIENT ID

/ INGREDIENT NAME

/ AVOIDANCE SCORE

(VEGETARIAN, MUSLIM, ...) IG 3C

/ SEASONING ID

/ SEASONING NAME

/ AVOIDANCE SCORE

(VEGETARIAN, MUSLIM, ...) IG 4A

/ COOKING STYLE ID

1 COOKING STYLE NAME

/ AVOIDANCE SCORE

(VEGETARIAN, MUSLIM, ...) IG 4B

/ KITCHEN CONDITION ID

/ KITCHEN CONDITION

/ AVOIDANCE SCORE

(VEGETARIAN, MUSLIM, ...) IG 5A

/ RESTAURANT ID 45

/ NAME

(IN FIRST LANGUAGE, IN SECOND LANGUAGE, ...)

/ ADDRESS

(IN FIRST LANGUAGE, IN SECOND LANGUAGE, ...)

/ NEAREST STATION

(IN FIRST LANGUAGE, IN SECOND LANGUAGE, ...) IG 5B

1/ TEXT ID

1 IN FIRST LANGUAGE (JAPANESE)

/ IN SECOND LANGUAGE (ENGLISH)

/ IN THIRD LANGUAGE (CHINESE (SIMPLIFIED))

/ IN FOURTH LANGUAGE (KOREAN) IG 5C

1/ DETAILED EXPLANATION ID

1 IN FIRST LANGUAGE (JAPANESE)

3/ IN SECOND LANGUAGE (ENGLISH)

/ IN THIRD LANGUAGE (CHINESE (SIMPLIFIED))

5/ IN FOURTH LANGUAGE (KOREAN)

FIG 6

1/ MEAL ID

21 MEAL NAME

(IN FIRST LANGUAGE, IN SECOND LANGUAGE, ...)

3/ SERVICE RESTAURANT ID

4/ MEAL INFORMATION

(CATEGORY (FIRST LANGUAGE), INGREDIENT (FIRST LANGUAGE), SEASONING (FIRST LANGUAGE), COOKING STYLE (FIRST LANGUAGE), 46

KITCHEN CONDITION (FIRST LANGUAGE), DETAILED EXPLANATION (FIRST LANGUAGE)),

(CATEGORY (SECOND LANGUAGE), INGREDIENT (SECOND LANGUAGE), SEASONING (SECOND LANGUAGE), COOKING STYLE (SECOND LANGUAGE), KITCHEN CONDITION (SECOND LANGUAGE), DETAILED EXPLANATION (SECOND LANGUAGE)), ...

5/ TOTAL SCORE

(VEGETARIAN, MUSLIM, ...)

FIG 7

3/ SHOP TERMINAL

31/ SHOP TERMINAL COMMUNICATION UNIT

32/ SHOP TERMINAL STORAGE UNIT

33/ SHOP TERMINAL OPERATION UNIT

34/ SHOP TERMINAL DISPLAY UNIT

35/ SHOP TERMINAL PROCESSING UNIT

351/ BROWSING EXECUTION UNIT

352/ TERMINAL TRANSMISSION UNIT

FIG 8

1/ MENU ITEM REGISTRATION

809/ REGISTER

2/ MEAL NAME (JAPANESE)

3/ MEAL NAME (ENGLISH)

4/ MEAL NAME (CHINESE)

5/ MEAL NAME (KOREAN)

6/ MEAL CATEGORY SELECT

11 (LARGE CLASSIFICATION)

8/ (MIDDLE CLASSIFICATION) 47

91 (SMALL CLASSIFICATION)

10/ MEAL DETAILED EXPLANATION INPUT

804/ CHANGE

11/ (JAPANESE)

12/ INGREDIENT SELECT

805/ (INGREDIENT)

13/ SEASONING SELECT

806/ (SEASONING)

14/ COOKING STYLE SELECT

807/ (COOKING STYLE)

15/ KITCHEN CONDITION SELECT

808/ (KITCHEN CONDITION)

FIG 9A

1/ MEAL CATEGORY SELECT

21 JAPANESE FOOD

3/ (MIDDLE CLASSIFICATION)

4/ (SMALL CLASSIFICATION)

901/ JAPANESE FOOD

GRILLED MEAT

ITALIAN FOOD

FIG 9B

1/ MEAL CATEGORY SELECT

2/ JAPANESE FOOD

3/ UDON/SOBA

4/ (SMALL CLASSIFICATION)

904/ JAPANESE CUISINE

KAPPO 48

UDON/SOBA FIG. 9C

1/ MEAL CATEGORY SELECT

2/ JAPANESE FOOD

3/ UDON/SOBA

4/ SOBA

907/ SOBA

UDON

SANUKI UDON FIG 10

1/ MEAL DETAILED EXPLANATION USER INPUT

1004/ INPUT

21 (JAPANESE)

3/ (ENGLISH)

1002/ ADD LANGUAGE

1003/ DELETE

FIG 11

4/ MOBILE TERMINAL

41/ MOBILE TERMINAL COMMUNICATION UNIT 42/ MOBILE TERMINAL STORAGE UNIT

43/ MOBILE TERMINAL OPERATION UNIT

44/ MOBILE TERMINAL DISPLAY UNIT

45/ MOBILE TERMINAL PROCESSING UNIT

451/ BROWSING EXECUTION UNIT

FIG 13 49

3/ SHOP TERMINAL

2/ SERVER

S101/ REGISTRATION PAGE REQUEST

SI 02/ CREATE PAGE DISPLAY DATA

SI 03/ PAGE DISPLAY DATA

SI 04/ DISPLAY REGISTRATION PAGE

S I 05/ REGISTRATION REQUEST

S I 06/ MENU ITEM INFORMATION REGISTRATION PROCESS FIG 14

1/ MENU ITEM INFORMATION REGISTRATION PROCESS

2/ END

S201/ RECEIVE INPUT INFORMATION

S202/ CONVERSION PROCESS

S203/ AVOIDANCE SCORE CALCULATION PROCESS

S204/ STORE MENU ITEM INFORMATION IN MENU ITEM INFORMATION TABLE FIG 15

4/ MOBILE TERMINAL

21 SERVER

S301/ DISPLAY REQUEST

S302/ DISPLAY PAGE CREATING PROCESS

S303/ PAGE DISPLAY DATA

S304/ DISPLAY PAGE

Claims

38 CLAIMS:

1. A menu generation system (1) that generates a menu of a restaurant, characterized by comprising:

a first storage unit (23, 32, 42) that stores ingredients and seasonings in association with corresponding avoidance scores, the ingredients and the seasonings being used for meals;

an input processing unit (262) that receives selected and input ingredient and seasoning of a predetermined meal that is provided at each restaurant from among the ingredients and seasonings stored in the first storage unit;

a score processing unit (265) that extracts the avoidance scores respectively associated with the received ingredient and seasoning of the predetermined meal by consulting the first storage unit; and

a transmission unit (266) that transmits, to a terminal (3, 4), display information based on each of the extracted avoidance scores.

2. The menu generation system according to claim 1 , wherein

the score processing unit calculates a total score that is a total of the extracted avoidance scores, and

the transmission unit transmits display information based on the total score.

3. The menu generation system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein

the first storage unit stores the avoidance score in association with each of the ingredients and the seasonings for each avoidance category,

the score processing unit calculates a total score of the predetermined meal for each avoidance category, and

the transmission unit transmits, to the terminal, display information commensurate with the total score of the predetermined meal, the total score corresponding to the avoidance category received from the terminal. 39

4. The menu generation system according to claim 3, wherein

the avoidance category includes at least one of religion, taboo and taste.

5. The menu generation system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the ingredient and seasoning of the predetermined meal, received by the input processing unit, are pieces of text information in a first language,

the menu generation system further comprises:

a second storage unit (24, 32, 42) that stores text information of each ingredient in the first language and text information of the ingredient in a second language in association with each other and that stores text information of each seasoning in the first language and text information of the seasoning in the second language in association with each other; and

a conversion processing unit (263) that converts the pieces of text information of the received ingredient and seasoning of the predetermined meal in the first language to pieces of text information of the ingredient and seasoning of the predetermined meal in the second language on the basis of the correspondence relation stored in the second storage unit, and the transmission unit transmits, to the terminal, the converted pieces of text information of the ingredient and seasoning of the predetermined meal in the second language together with a graph based on the avoidance scores of the predetermined meal.

6. The menu generation system according to claim 5, further comprising:

a third storage unit (25, 32, 42) that stores menu item information regarding a meal that is provided at each restaurant; and

a storage processing unit (264) that stores the converted pieces of text information of the ingredient and seasoning of the predetermined meal in the second language and the avoidance scores of the predetermined meal in the third storage unit in association with each other as the menu item information. 40

7. The menu generation system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the first storage unit further stores cooking styles of meals and kitchen conditions in which the meals are cooked, in association with the corresponding avoidance scores,

the input processing unit further receives selected and input cooking style and kitchen condition of the predetermined meal that is provided at each restaurant from among the cooking styles and kitchen conditions stored in the first storage unit, and

the score processing unit extracts the avoidance score associated with each of the received cooking style and kitchen condition of the predetermined meal.

8. A menu generation method that is executed by a computer that generates a menu of a restaurant, characterized by comprising:

storing ingredients and seasonings in a first storage unit (23, 32, 42) in association with corresponding avoidance scores, the ingredients and the seasonings being used for meals;

receiving selected and input ingredient and seasoning of a predetermined meal that is provided at each restaurant from among the ingredients and seasonings stored in the first storage unit;

extracting the avoidance score associated with each of the received ingredient and seasoning of the predetermined meal by consulting the first storage unit; and

transmitting, to a terminal (3, 4), display information based on each of the extracted avoidance scores.

9. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a menu generation program, the menu generation program causing a computer to generate a menu of a restaurant, the menu generation program comprising instructions for:

receiving selected and input ingredient and seasoning of a predetermined meal that is 41

provided at each restaurant from among the ingredients and seasonings stored in the first storage unit;