JP4266147B2 - Audience monitoring device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a seat management apparatus for managing presence / absence of a plurality of seats in a restaurant or the like.

  In recent years, order management systems using wireless handy terminals have been used in large-scale restaurants such as family restaurants. This system includes a plurality of wireless handy terminals having an order data input processing function, a controller that receives and manages order data transmitted wirelessly from each handy terminal, a kitchen terminal that instructs cooking of ordered products, and the like. A vending machine that prints and issues an order voucher and a POS (Point Of Sales) terminal that performs an accounting process. The kitchen terminal, slip issuing machine, and POS terminal are connected to the controller via a LAN (Local Area Network) or the like.

  In the order management system having such a configuration, each handy terminal is carried by a customer clerk called waiter or waitress. When the customer visits the store clerk, the store clerk guides the customer to an empty seat in the cafeteria. When an order for a menu item is received from a customer, the order data is input to the handy terminal together with the table number of the customer seat where the customer is seated. Then, data input to the handy terminal is wirelessly transmitted to the controller, and stored and managed for each table number. In addition, the controller instructs the cooking of the ordered product from the kitchen terminal, and issues an order slip from the slip issuing machine. Thereby, cooking of an order item is performed in a kitchen. When cooking is complete, the store clerk carries it to the audience and serves it to the table. Also, place an order slip on the table.

  On the other hand, customers who have finished eating and drinking go to the accounting place (cash register) with the order slip and give the order slip to the store clerk. The store clerk inputs the table number recorded in the order slip into the POS terminal. Then, an inquiry about the table number is made from the POS terminal to the controller, and the corresponding order data is called out from the order data stored and managed for each table number and returned to the POS terminal. And since it is displayed on the display of the POS terminal, the store clerk confirms the contents against the order slip. If there is no mistake, the customer receives a payment and performs a registration closing process. As a result, a receipt is issued and handed over to the customer. The above is a series of flows of salesclerks at restaurants that have introduced this kind of order management system.

  For this reason, in a large-scale restaurant where a large number of seats are provided, it is necessary to manage the use situation of each seat in real time so that the store clerk can promptly guide the customers to a vacant seat. Therefore, conventionally, when an order is input at the handy terminal, the electronic cash register side that wirelessly receives the order stores the identification code indicating that the passenger seat has been used in the table management file, and is set in advance. Search for a table management file and create empty table information by hourly or according to the request from each handy terminal, wirelessly transmit this empty table information to each handy terminal, and send the empty table information to the display of each handy terminal. There was something to be displayed. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

In addition, a touch panel is installed in the store, and a layout screen of the cafeteria where each table is arranged is displayed. Then, on this screen, the current usage status is displayed as an image for each table, and when a table image with an empty table display on the screen is touch-operated, the table is switched to the presence state display. There was also what was made into (for example, refer patent document 2).
JP-A-6-259664 JP 2000-194781 A

  However, in the conventional technique in which empty table information is displayed on the handy terminal, the corresponding passenger seat cannot be used as a user desk unless an order is input at the handy terminal. For this reason, many customers arrive at the audience seats and decide the order by looking at the menu, so during that time it is treated as a vacant table, and there is a possibility that another clerk will guide the customer thinking that it is vacant. It was.

In addition, in the other conventional technology in which the layout screen of the cafeteria is displayed on the touch panel, there is a trouble in touching the seat image on the screen where the customer is to be guided or the table of the customer seat that is guiding the customer. there were.

  The present invention has been made on the basis of such circumstances, and the purpose of the present invention is to accurately manage the real-time usage of each passenger seat provided in the store, and without requiring any special trouble, It is intended to provide a passenger seat management device that can reduce the burden on the customer.

The present invention is, customers who visit the place wear the slippers at inlet and outlet part, provided in a store through a passage checkout counter is installed Ru is guided to a plurality of store areas seats are arranged form the store area Is a passenger seat management device for managing a plurality of seats in each of the above , provided with a wireless tag that stores a unique identification code in each of the upper shoes, and corresponding to each of the passenger seats, There is provided a first wireless tag reader for reading an identification code from a worn-on wireless tag. In addition, a second wireless tag reader is provided at the boundary between the passage and the in-store area to read an identification code from a wireless tag worn by a customer who passes through the boundary. Further, a storage unit is provided for storing the identification code of the wireless tag read by the first wireless tag reader in association with the identification number of the passenger seat where the first wireless tag reader is provided. Then, when the first wireless tag reader can read the identification code of the wireless tag, the passenger seat provided with the first wireless tag reader is managed as being present . When the first wireless tag reader can no longer read the identification code of the wireless tag, the passenger seat provided with the first wireless tag reader is managed as being away. The identification code of the wireless tag read by the second wireless tag reader is already stored in the storage unit, and the passenger seat specified by the identification number associated with the identification code is managed as the absence by the away management means. When you are away, you are informed that you are leaving for accounting.

  According to the present invention in which such measures are taken, since the seats that the customers have arrived at are automatically managed as seats at that time, it is possible to accurately manage the real-time usage status of each seat, and to perform special operations, etc. Since it does not require time and effort, it is possible to provide a seat management device that can reduce the burden on the store clerk.

The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
First, the first embodiment will be described. The first embodiment is a case where the present invention is applied to a restaurant such as a family restaurant in which an order management system using a wireless handy terminal is constructed in such a form that a customer who visits the store changes into his / her tops.

  FIG. 1 is a plan view schematically showing a main part of a restaurant 1 in the present embodiment. In this restaurant 1, the customer is guided to one of the customer seats 12 </ b> A to 12 </ b> I arranged in the cafeteria 11 after changing into the slippers 3 which are the outerwear at the entrance / exit 2. The number of seats is not limited to nine seats A to I.

  An accounting counter 5 is installed in the passage 4 connecting the entrance / exit 2 and the restaurant 11, and a POS terminal 6 having an accounting processing function for customers who have finished eating and drinking is placed on the accounting counter 5. A vacant seat indicator 8 is attached to the side of the wall 7 that partitions the passage 4 and the dining room 11, and an accounting alarm 9 is attached to the dining room 11 side of the wall 7. The vacant seat display 8 displays the usage status of each passenger seat 12. The accounting alerting device 9 notifies the store clerk in the cafeteria 11 that there is a customer who performs accounting by notifying means such as display and voice.

  Now, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the wireless tags 10 are respectively embedded in the back surfaces of the pair of left and right slippers 3. Then, as the wireless tag reader 14 capable of wirelessly reading the memory information of the wireless tag 10 provided in the slipper 3, first and second wireless tag readers 14-1 and 14-2 are provided at important points in the store. ing.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the first wireless tag reader 14-1 is provided on the floor of the table 13 of each of the customer seats 12 </ b> A to 12 </ b> I, and is worn by customers seated in the corresponding customer seats 12 </ b> A to 12 </ b> I. The memory information of the wireless tag 10 is read from the slipper 3 provided. As shown in FIG. 1, the second wireless tag reader 14-2 is provided on the floor which is the boundary between the passage 4 and the dining room 11. The memory information of the wireless tag 10 is read from the slipper 3 worn by the customer who goes out.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the main configuration of the wireless tag reader 14 (14-1, 14-2) and the wireless tag 10. As shown in FIG. The wireless tag reader 14 includes an interface unit 21 with a host device, a nonvolatile memory unit 22, a control unit 23, a modulation unit 24 that modulates data provided from the control unit 23 into a modulation signal suitable for wireless communication, A transmission amplifier 25 that amplifies the modulated signal and radiates it as an inquiry radio wave from the antenna 26, a reception amplifier 27 that amplifies the radio signal received by the antenna 26, and demodulates data from the amplified radio signal and gives it to the control unit 23 And a demodulator 28. The memory unit 22 stores in advance tag reader IDs, which are identification codes set differently for each wireless tag reader 14. The control unit 23 is configured to periodically send predetermined data to the modulation unit 24 when activation is commanded from the host device via the interface unit 21, and when the data demodulated by the demodulation unit 28 is taken in, A function of sending data together with the tag reader ID to the host device via the interface unit 21.

  The wireless tag 10 includes a power generation unit 32 that supplies power to each unit by rectifying and stabilizing the modulated radio wave received by the antenna 31, and a demodulator 33 that demodulates the modulated radio wave and sends it to the control unit 35. Modulation unit 34 that modulates data sent from control unit 35 and sends the data to antenna 31; writing data demodulated by demodulation unit 33 into memory unit 36; and reading and modulating transmission data from memory unit 36 It comprises a control unit 35 for sending to the unit 34 and a non-volatile memory unit 36. The memory unit 36 stores an RFID (wireless ID) that is a unique identification code assigned and set by the manufacturer at the manufacturing stage of the wireless tag 10.

  FIG. 5 is an overall configuration diagram of the order management system constructed in the restaurant 1 of the present embodiment. This system has an input processing function for order data and the like, and is provided on a plurality of wireless handy terminals 41 used by customer service staff called waiters and waitresses, and on the ceiling of the cafeteria 11, etc. A wireless unit 42 having a wireless communication function with the wireless handy terminal 41, a controller 43 serving as the center of the system, a slip issuing machine 44 having a function of printing and issuing an order slip, and receiving an order A kitchen terminal 45 having a cooking instruction function for a menu item (dishes), the POS terminal 6, a vacant seat display device 8 and an accounting notification device 9, and the first and second wireless tag readers 14-1 to 14-14. It consists of -2.

  The wireless unit 42 and the first and second wireless tag readers 14-1 to 14-2 are connected to the controller 43 through dedicated communication cables, respectively, so that data signals can be transmitted and received between them. . Here, the controller 43 functions as a host device of each of the wireless tag readers 14-1 to 14-2. Further, the controller 43 is connected to the slip issuing machine 44, the kitchen terminal 45, the POS terminal 6, the vacant seat display device 8 and the accounting notification device 9 through a wired or wireless LAN (Local Area Network), and the operation of each device. To control.

  In particular, the controller 43 includes various data files such as a menu file 51, an order file 52, and a reader file 53. Menu information such as menu codes, items, and prices of various menu products provided by the restaurant 1 is set in the menu file 51 in advance. Information about the first and second wireless tag readers 14-1 to 14-2 is preset in the reader file 53. The order file 52 stores order data of customers seated in each customer seat 12.

  FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of a record for one seat stored in the order file 52. As shown in the figure, in the order file 52, table status information, number information, order data, and the like are stored as one record corresponding to a unique table number assigned to each table 13 of each passenger seat 12. The table status information indicates whether the corresponding seat number 12 is vacant (= 0), whether the customer is seated (= 1), or when the customer leaves the seat. This is information for identifying (= 2). The number-of-persons information is information indicating the number m of customers who are seated in the corresponding seat number of the customer seat 12. The order data includes the menu code, the number of orders, and the like of the menu item ordered by the customer who is seated in the customer seat 12 of the corresponding desk number.

  FIG. 7 is an example of data set in the reader file 53. As shown in the figure, in the reader file 53, for each tag reader ID, a location code (location where the first wireless tag reader 14-1 is attached) that identifies the location where the wireless tag reader 14 identified by the ID is attached. The code P1 and the location code P2) where the second wireless tag reader 14-2 is attached are set. In addition, when the mounting location is the floor of each passenger seat 12, the table number of the corresponding table 13 is set.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of the controller 43. The controller 43 includes a CPU 61, a ROM 62, a RAM 63, a clock unit 64, a LAN interface 65, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) device 66 for storing various data files such as the menu file 51, and the wireless tag readers 14-1. To 14-2, an I / O port 67 for transmitting and receiving data signals, a wireless unit interface 68 to which the wireless unit 42 is connected, and the like. The CPU 61, the ROM 62, the RAM 63, the clock unit 64, the LAN interface 65, the HDD device 66, the I / O port 67, and the wireless unit interface 68 are connected by a bus line 69 such as an address bus or a data bus. Incidentally, the HDD device 66 may be built in the controller 43 or may be externally attached.

  In the RAM 63, as shown in FIG. 9 in particular, a pair counter memory 71 and a tag memory 72 in use are formed. The paired counter memory 71 forms an area for counting the number of times the wireless tag 10 is detected by the first wireless tag reader 14-1 provided under the table 13 of the table number for each table number. The in-use tag memory 72 is an area for storing RFID, which is memory information of the wireless tag 10 detected by the first wireless tag reader 14-1, and constitutes tag information registration means. The wireless tag 10 detected by the first wireless tag reader 14-1 is the wireless tag 10 provided in the slipper 3 that the customer who has visited the store changed. That is, since the wireless tag 10 is a tag provided in the slipper 3 in use, the wireless tag 10 is referred to as a busy tag.

  Therefore, the CPU 61 of the controller 43 executes various processes specifically shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 10 to 13 as the seat management process related to the present invention within the time when the restaurant 1 is open. It has become.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart specifically showing the desk lower reader detection process. This process is executed each time the first wireless tag reader 14-1 detects the wireless tag 10 provided in the slipper 3 of the customer who has arrived at the corresponding passenger seat 12.

  The CPU 61 searches the reader file 53 with the tag reader ID of the wireless tag reader 14 that has detected the wireless tag 10, and starts the table reader detection process when the location code corresponding to the tag reader ID is the code P1 indicating the table lower. To do. First, the CPU 61 searches the in-use tag memory 72 with the RFID which is the memory information of the wireless tag 10 detected by the first wireless tag reader 14-1 as ST1, and whether or not the same memory information has already been registered. Judging.

  Here, if the same RFID is not registered in the in-use tag memory 72, the CPU 61 is set in correspondence with the tag reader ID of the first wireless tag reader 14-1 from the reader file 53 as ST2. Get a table number. Then, the order file 52 is searched as ST3, and the table status information of the record of the table number is checked.

  If the table status information is “0” in ST4, the first new customer is seated in the vacant seat 12 and the CPU 61 sets the table number in the counter memory 71 in ST5. The corresponding count value k is reset to “0”, and at step ST6, the table number information of the record in the order file 52 is updated to “1” indicating presence (attended management means). In ST7, the number m of the record is initialized to “0”.

  Thereafter, the CPU 61 additionally registers the RFID of the wireless tag 10 detected by the first wireless tag reader 14-1 and the table number in the in-use tag memory 72 as ST8. In ST9, the count value k corresponding to the table number in the counter memory 71 is incremented by “1”. Then, the CPU 61 determines whether or not the count value k is an odd number in ST10. If it is an odd number, the number m of the order file record of the table number is added by “1” in ST11. (Attendance counting means). If it is an even number, the process of ST11 is not performed.

  If the table status information of the order file record of the table number is not “0” in ST4 but “1” in ST12, the second and subsequent new customers are seated in the seat 12 corresponding to the table number. Therefore, the CPU 61 executes the processes from ST8 to ST11 described above again. That is, the RFID of the wireless tag 10 detected by the first wireless tag reader 14-1 and the table number are additionally registered in the in-use tag memory 72. In addition, the count value k corresponding to the table number in the counter memory 71 is incremented by “1”. Then, it is determined whether or not the count value k is an odd number. If the count value k is an odd number, the number m of the order file record of the table number is incremented by “1” (attended number counting means).

  On the other hand, when the same RFID is registered in the in-use tag memory 72 in ST1, the RFID of the wireless tag 10 managed as the in-use tag is detected again by the first wireless tag reader 14-1. The CPU 61 acquires the table number set in correspondence with the tag reader ID of the first wireless tag reader 14-1 from the reader file 53 in ST13. Then, the order file 52 is searched as ST14, and the table status information of the record of the table number is checked. If the table status information is “2” in ST15, the customer who has left the seat returns to the original state, so the CPU 61 returns the table status information of the record to “1” in ST16. If the table status information is other than “2”, the process of ST16 is not performed.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart specifically showing the desk lower reader non-detecting process. This process is executed each time an interrupt signal generated at a predetermined interval is input to the CPU 61.

  When the interrupt signal is input, the CPU 61 starts the desk lower reader non-detection process. First, in ST21, the tag detection output of each first wireless tag reader 14-1 is checked. Then, every time the first wireless tag reader 14-1 that has not detected the wireless tag 10 is detected as ST22, the CPU 61 executes the following processing. That is, the reader file 53 is searched with the tag reader ID of the corresponding first wireless tag reader 14-1 as ST23, and the table number set corresponding to the tag reader ID is acquired. Then, in ST24, the order file 52 is searched to check the table status information of the record of the table number. Here, when the table status information is “1” at ST25, that is, the presence is present, since all the customers who have arrived at the customer seat 12 of the table number have left their seats, the CPU 61 determines the table of the record as ST26. The status information is updated to “2” indicating the absence (seating management means). If the table status information is other than “1”, the process of ST26 is not executed.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart specifically showing the passage leader detection process. This process is executed each time the second wireless tag reader 14-2 provided at the boundary between the passage 4 and the cafeteria 11 detects the wireless tag 10 provided in the slipper 3.

  The CPU 61 searches the reader file 53 with the tag reader ID of the wireless tag reader 14 that has detected the wireless tag 10, and when the location code corresponding to the tag reader ID is the code P2 indicating the boundary between the passage 4 and the cafeteria 11, this passage The reader detection process is started. First, in ST31, the in-use tag memory 72 is searched with the RFID of the wireless tag 10 detected by the second wireless tag reader 14-2, and it is determined whether or not the same RFID is already registered. Here, when the same RFID is not yet registered in the in-use tag memory 72, the wireless tag 10 of the slipper 3 worn by a new customer trying to enter the cafeteria 11 through the passage 4 is detected. The following processing is not executed.

  On the other hand, when the same RFID is registered in the tag memory 72 in use, the wireless tag 10 of the slipper 3 worn by the customer who is going out to the passage 4 with the accounting counter 5 from the cafeteria 11 is detected. Therefore, the CPU 61 acquires the table number stored in correspondence with the RFID from the in-use tag memory 72 as ST32. In ST33, the order file 52 is searched to check the table status information of the record corresponding to the table number. Here, when the table status information is “2” in ST34, that is, the absence of the seat, since the customer who had arrived at the customer seat 12 to which the table number was set stood for accounting, the CPU 61 In ST35, an activation command is output to the accounting notifier 9 via the LAN, and the accounting notifier 9 is activated. As a result, the accounting alarm 9 is turned on or blinking, or a predetermined music is played, so that the store clerk is informed that there is a customer who performs accounting (seating notification means). If the table status information is other than “2”, the process of ST35 is not performed.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart specifically showing the accounting response process. This processing is executed every time a POS terminal 6 receives a table number inquiry command transmitted from the POS terminal 6 to the controller 43 in response to a table number input by a key operation.

  When receiving the table number inquiry command, the CPU 61 obtains the table number inquired from the command as ST41. Then, in ST42, the order file 52 is searched to check the table status information of the record of the table number. Here, if the table status information is other than “2” in ST43, the table number of the vacant seat 12 in the vacant seat or the seated state has been input, and therefore the CPU 61 sends a response message indicating that accounting is not possible in POS. It transmits to the terminal 6 via LAN.

  On the other hand, if the table status information is “2” indicating absence, the CPU 61 stops the reporting operation of the accounting reporter 9 as ST45, and then based on the order data of the record as ST46. Accounting data is created, and a response message including this accounting data is transmitted to the POS terminal 6 via the LAN. Thereafter, the CPU 61 searches the in-use tag memory 72 as ST47 and extracts the RFID in which the table number for which an inquiry has been made from the POS terminal 6 is set. In step ST48, the RFID and the corresponding table number data are cleared from the in-use tag memory 72. Thereafter, the CPU 61 updates the table status information of the order file record of the table number to “0” indicating a vacant seat.

  The POS terminal 6 that has transmitted the table number inquiry command waits for a response from the controller 43. When a response message including the accounting data is received, the accounting data is displayed on the operator display and the customer display, and the store clerk and the customer are confirmed. After that, when the closing key is operated and the registration closing of one transaction is declared, the receipt / journal printer is driven to print and issue the receipt.

  Further, the CPU 61 of the controller 43 performs display control of the vacant seat display 8 according to the flowchart of FIG. That is, the CPU 61 resets the table status information corresponding to each table number of the order file 52 to “0” as an initialization process at the time of start-up, and displays a screen indicating that all the customer seats 12 are vacant. (ST51) The current time measured by the clock unit 64 reaches a preset opening time (it does not have to coincide with the actual opening time of the store, and may be a time earlier than that). (ST52). If the current time reaches the opening time, the CPU 61 monitors the table status information of each record stored in the order file 52 (ST53).

  Each time the record of the order file 52 in which the table status information has changed is detected (ST54), the display on the screen of the seat 12 corresponding to the table number of the record is changed to a display corresponding to the changed table status information. Switch. That is, if the table status information after the change is information “1” indicating presence, the display is switched to display that the passenger seat 12 is present, and if the information “2” indicating absence is present, 12 is switched to a display indicating that it is being prepared, and if the information is “0” indicating vacant seats, the display is switched to a display indicating that the passenger seat 12 is vacant.

  The CPU 61 repeatedly executes the processing of ST53 to ST57 until the current time reaches the closing time (it does not have to coincide with the actual closing time of the store and may be a later time). If the current time reaches the closing time (ST58), the CPU 61 erases the display of the vacant seat display 8 (ST59).

The operation of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described on the assumption that a customer of a group of four has visited the store.
First, the store clerk asks the slipper 3 to change clothes at the entrance / exit 2 when the customer visits the store. Meanwhile, the clerk checks the vacant seat indicator 8 to find a vacant seat, and if found, guides the customer to the passenger seat 12. In the process, the RFID of the wireless tag 10 provided in the slipper 3 worn by the customer is detected by the second wireless tag reader 14-2, but the RFID is ignored because it is not registered in the tag memory 72 in use. Is done.

  When the customer arrives at the passenger seat 12, the wireless tag 10 of the slipper 3 worn by each person is detected by the first wireless tag reader 14-1 provided on the floor of the passenger seat 12. For example, the wireless tag 10 of one slipper 3 worn by the first customer is detected at time t1, and the wireless tag 10 of the other slipper 3 worn by the first customer is detected at the next time t2. The wireless tag 10 of one slipper 3 that is detected and is worn by the second customer at the next time t3 is detected, and the wireless tag of one slipper 3 that is worn by the third customer at the next time t4 10 is detected, the wireless tag 10 of the other slipper 3 worn by the second customer is detected at the next time t5, and the slipper 3 of the one slipper 3 worn by the fourth customer is detected at the next time t6. The wireless tag 10 is detected, the wireless tag 10 of the other slipper 3 worn by the third customer at the next time t7 is detected, and the other slipper worn by the fourth customer at the next time t8. Suppose that three wireless tags 10 are detected.

  In this case, at the time t1, the count value k corresponding to the table number of the counter memory 71 is incremented to “1”, and the number data m of the order file record corresponding to the table number is “1”. . Since the count value k is “2” at time t2, the number of people data m does not change. Since the count value k is “3” at time t3, the number of people data m is “2”. Since the count value k becomes “4” at time t4, the number of people data m does not change. Thereafter, similarly, since the count value becomes odd at time t5 and time t7, the number of people data m is incremented by one. As a result, “4” is stored as the number data m in the order file record corresponding to the table number. Further, the RFID tags of the eight wireless tags 10 provided in the four-leg slippers 3 worn by each customer are registered in the in-use tag memory 72 in association with the table numbers.

  Further, at the time t1, the table status information of the order file record corresponding to the table number is changed to “1”. Thereby, the screen of the vacant seat indicator 8 is updated so that the passenger seat 12 of the table number is displayed in the presence.

  Thereafter, when all the four customers in the customer seat 12 leave the seat for accounting, the table status information of the order file record corresponding to the table number is changed to “2”. As a result, the screen of the vacant seat display 8 is updated so that the passenger seat 12 of the table number is displayed in preparation.

  When the first customer out of the seat approaches the place where the second wireless tag reader 14-2 is installed, the RFID of the wireless tag 10 provided on the slipper 3 worn by the customer is the second. It is detected by the wireless tag reader 14-2. As a result, the accounting alarm 9 is activated to perform an alarm operation. Thus, the store clerk in the cafeteria 11 can know that the customer making the transaction is heading for the transaction counter 5.

  Then, the clerk who is free goes to the accounting counter 5 and receives the order slip from the customer. Since the table number of the customer seat 12 where the customer was seated is recorded in the order slip, the POS terminal 6 is operated to input the table number. Then, the inquiry command of this table number is given to the controller 43, and the controller 43 executes transaction response processing. Thereby, the alerting | reporting operation | movement of the accounting alerting device 9 stops. The accounting data is responded to the POS terminal 6 and displayed on the operator display and the customer display. Therefore, the store clerk confirms the contents of the accounting data and, if there is no mistake, charges the customer for the order. Then, the store clerk who received the payment inputs the payment data to the POS terminal 6 and performs a tightening operation. Then, the POS terminal 6 registers the order price as sales and issues a receipt, so the receipt is given to the customer. The customer who paid the price and received the receipt changes his / her shoes at the entrance / exit 2 and then leaves the store. The above is a series of flows in this type of restaurant 1.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the wireless tags 10 are provided in the slippers 3 to be changed by customers who come to the store, and the first wireless tag readers 14-1 are respectively provided under the tables of the customer seats 12 arranged in the dining room 11. Is provided. When the wireless tag 10 of the slipper 3 is detected by the first wireless tag reader 14-1, the customer seat 12 provided with the first wireless tag reader 14-1 is managed as a seat. . Therefore, the customer seat 12 can be automatically managed as being present when the customer arrives at each customer seat 12 without bothering the staff.

  In the present embodiment, the number of customers who arrive at the customer seat 12 where the wireless tag reader 14-1 is provided is automatically determined based on the number of wireless tags 10 detected by the first wireless tag reader 14-1. Calculated and stored and managed for each passenger seat 12. Therefore, in the conventional order management system of this type, the store clerk inputs the number of customers to the handy terminal 41 when receiving an order from the customer.

  Here, in the present embodiment, when the count value k of the pair counter memory 71 that counts up every time the first wireless tag reader 14-1 detects the wireless tag 10, the customer number data m is increased by one person. I try to let them. Therefore, for example, two customers came to the store, but one of them was injured on one leg and could only wear one of the slippers, or one of the wireless tags 10 was broken, Even if the RFID cannot be detected by the wireless tag reader 14-1, the number of persons can be accurately counted and managed.

  In the present embodiment, when the wireless tag 10 of the slipper 3 is no longer detected by the first wireless tag reader 14-1, the passenger seat 12 provided with the first wireless tag reader 14-1 is released. It is managed as a seat. In the present embodiment, when the second wireless tag reader 14-2 detects the wireless tag 10 provided in the slipper 3 of the customer who has arrived at the customer seat 12 that is managed as being away, the accounting alarm 9 is informed. This notification operation is continued until the accounting process is started at the POS terminal 6. Therefore, since it is possible to inform the store clerk that the customer who is going to pay is heading for the payment counter 5, it is possible to prevent a problem that makes the customer wait for a long time in front of the payment counter 5.

  In the present embodiment, when the wireless tag 10 provided on the slipper 3 of the customer who has arrived at the customer seat 12 managed as the away seat is detected by the second wireless tag reader 14-2, the accounting annunciator 9 is configured to perform the notification operation, but when the wireless tag 10 of the slipper 3 is not detected at all by the first wireless tag reader 14-1, the accounting notification device 9 is operated to perform the notification operation, You may make it notify a salesclerk that it is heading for the accounting counter 5. FIG. That is, as shown in FIG. 15, after updating the table status information to “2” in ST26 of the desk lower reader non-detection process, an activation command is given to the accounting notifier 9 in ST27 to notify the accounting notifier 9 You may comprise. By adopting such a configuration, the second wireless tag reader 14-2 can be omitted, and the system cost can be reduced.

In the following, a description will be given of a second embodiment. In the second embodiment, the present invention is also applied to restaurants such as family restaurants where an order management system using the wireless handy terminal 41 is constructed in such a manner that the customer who visits the store is guided to the customer seat by the store clerk. It is a case where it applies, and the description about the overlapping part is abbreviate | omitted.

  The configuration of the restaurant 1 in the present embodiment is substantially the same as that shown in FIG. 1, and the difference is the place where the wireless tag 10 and the wireless tag reader 14 are attached. As shown in FIG. 16, in the present embodiment, the wireless tag 10 is provided in the slip holder 15. The first wireless tag reader 14-1 provided on the floor of each passenger seat 12 is provided in the storage box 16 of the slip holder 15 attached to the table 13. The second wireless tag reader 14-2 is not necessary.

  The voucher holder 15 holds an order voucher issued to a customer who has arrived at the customer seat 12, and the restaurant 1 has at least the voucher holders 15 equal to or more than the number of the customer seats 12 and is unique to each. The wireless tag 10 storing the RFID is attached or embedded. When the slip holder 15 is stored in the storage box 16, the RFID of the wireless tag 10 provided in the slip holder 15 is detected by the first wireless tag reader 14-1.

  Since the hardware configuration of the order management system in the present embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted with reference to FIGS. Further, the transaction response process executed by the CPU 61 of the controller 43 and the display control process of the vacant seat display device 8 are also the same as those in the first embodiment, so that the description thereof will be omitted using FIG.

  In the present embodiment, the CPU 61 of the controller 43 executes a tag reader monitoring process specifically shown in FIG. 17 instead of the table lower reader detection process and the table lower reader non-detection process of the first embodiment. The program is structured as follows. This tag reader monitoring process is started when the current time counted by the clock unit 64 reaches a preset opening time, and each process of ST61 to ST72 described later is repeatedly executed until the closing time is reached.

  That is, the CPU 61 checks the tag detection output of the first wireless tag reader 14-1 provided in the storage box 16 of each desk 13 as ST61. As a result, when detecting the first wireless tag reader 14-1 that has changed from the state in which the wireless tag 10 is not detected in ST62 to the detected state, the CPU 61 detects the tag reader of the corresponding first wireless tag reader 14-1 in ST63. The reader file 53 is searched by ID, and a table number set corresponding to the tag reader ID is acquired. Then, in ST64, the order file 52 is searched to check the table status information of the record of the table number. Here, if the table status information is “0” in ST65, that is, indicates a vacant seat, the customer has arrived at the customer seat 12 of the table number, and the slip holder 15 is stored in the storage box 16 of the table 13, so the CPU 61 In ST66, the table status information of the record is updated to “1” indicating presence (attended management means). If the table status information is other than “0”, the process of ST66 is not executed.

  Further, when detecting the first wireless tag reader 14-1 that has changed from the state in which the wireless tag 10 was detected in ST67 to the state in which it is no longer detected, the CPU 61 detects the first wireless tag reader 14-1 corresponding to ST68. The reader file 53 is searched with the tag reader ID, and the table number set corresponding to the tag reader ID is acquired. Then, in ST69, the order file 52 is searched to check the table status information of the record of the table number. Here, when the table status information is “1” in ST70, that is, the presence is present, the slip that the customer who had arrived at the customer seat 12 of the table number stood and stored in the storage box 16 for accounting purposes. Since the holder 15 has been taken out, the CPU 61 updates the table status information of the record to “2” indicating absence (STEP leaving means) in ST71. Also, in ST72, an activation command is given to the accounting notification device 9 to cause the accounting notification device 9 to perform a notification operation (seating notification means). If the table status information is other than “1”, the processing of ST71 and ST72 is not executed.

  Also in this embodiment configured as described above, the store clerk carries the slip holder 15 when guiding a visitor to the vacant seat 12, and the storage provided on the table 13 of the guided seat 12. By making the operation into the box 16 thorough, it becomes possible to automatically manage the customer seat 12 as being present when the customer arrives at each customer seat 12. Incidentally, the work of inserting the slip holder 15 into the storage box 16 of the passenger seat 12 when visiting the store is a normal operation generally performed in the restaurant 1 in which this kind of order management system is introduced. It's not just a special task, so it doesn't increase the burden on the store clerk.

  In addition, since it is a normal procedure in this type of restaurant 1 to bring the voucher holder 15 to the accounting counter 5 when the customer stands for accounting, it is easy to leave the customer at each customer seat 12. Can be managed. Then, since the accounting notification device 9 performs a notification operation in response to the detection of the absence state, it is possible to prevent a problem that the customer is kept waiting in front of the accounting counter 5 for a long time.

  In the present embodiment, the wireless tag 10 is provided in the slip holder 15 and the first wireless tag reader 14-1 is provided in the storage box 16 attached to the table 13 of each passenger seat 12. However, water, tea, etc. The wireless tag 10 is provided on the tableware to be inserted, and the first wireless tag reader 14-1 is provided on the table 13 of each passenger seat 12, and the wireless tag reader 14-1 detects the wireless tag 10 provided on the tableware. The presence of the customer may be detected. In the restaurant 1, since water or tea is generally served as soon as a guest is guided to a vacant seat, even if the above configuration is adopted, the presence of the customer can be managed substantially in real time. Further, if the restaurant 1 is operated so that the menu is also placed on the table 13 when the customer is guided to the customer seat 12, the menu is provided with the wireless tag 10, and the wireless tag reader 14-1 of the table 13 uses the wireless tag of the menu. It is also possible to detect the presence of the customer by detecting 10.

Moreover, in the said 1st and 2nd embodiment, the accounting alerting device 9 was provided in the cafeteria 11, and it was made to alert | report accounting toward the store clerk in the cafeteria 11. However, the handy which each store clerk carries, respectively. The accounting notification signal may be wirelessly transmitted to the terminal 41, and the handy terminal 41 that receives the signal may perform the accounting notification operation by voice, display, vibration, or the like.
Moreover, in the said 1st and 2nd embodiment, although the case where this invention was applied to the restaurant 1 which changes into slippers at the time of a store visit was shown, it cannot be overemphasized that application of this invention is not limited to the restaurant 1. That is. Of course, the outerwear is not limited to the slipper 3, and the attachment portion of the wireless tag 10 to the upper footwear is also accurate by the first and second wireless tag readers 14-1 to 14-2 provided on the floor in the store. Any part that is often detected may be used. Further, the attachment portion of the second wireless tag reader 14-2 is not limited to the boundary between the passage 4 and the cafeteria 11, but may be a portion before a customer who has stood for payment reaches the checkout counter 5. .

  Of course, various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The top view which shows roughly the principal part of the restaurant which is the 1st Embodiment of this invention. The schematic diagram which shows the slipper used in the embodiment. The schematic diagram which shows the passenger seat part in the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of a wireless tag reader and a wireless tag used in the embodiment. The whole block diagram of the order management system in the embodiment. The schematic diagram which shows the record format of the order file which the controller of the order management system has. The schematic diagram which shows the data structure example of the reader file which the controller of the order management system has. The block diagram which shows the principal part structure of the controller in the order management system. The schematic diagram which shows the main memory areas formed in RAM of the controller in the order management system. The flowchart which shows concretely the desk lower leader detection process which CPU of the controller in the order management system performs. The flowchart which shows concretely the desk lower leader non-detection process which CPU of the controller in the order management system performs. The flowchart which shows concretely the passage leader detection process which CPU of the controller in the order management system performs. The flowchart which shows specifically the accounting response process which CPU of the controller in the order management system performs. The flowchart which shows concretely the vacant seat display control process which CPU of the controller in the order management system performs. The flowchart which shows the modification of the desk lower leader non-detection process which CPU of the controller in the order management system performs. The schematic diagram which shows the passenger seat part in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. The flowchart which shows concretely the tag reader monitoring process which CPU of the controller of the order management system in the 2nd Embodiment performs.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 3 ... Slipper, 6 ... POS terminal, 8 ... Empty seat indicator, 9 ... Accounting alarm device, 10 ... Wireless tag, 11 ... Dining room, 12 ... Guest seat, 13 ... Table, 14-1, 14-2 ... 1st and 1st 2 RFID tag readers, 15 ... slip holder, 16 ... storage box, 41 ... handy terminal, 43 ... controller, 51 ... menu file, 52 ... order file, 53 ... reader file, 71 ... single counter memory, 72 ... tag in use memory.

Claims (3)

Customers who visit the place to wear in slippers at the inlet and outlet part, provided in a store through a passage checkout counter has been installed Ru is guided to the store area in which a plurality of seats are arranged format, a plurality of seats in the store area In the passenger seat management device that manages
A wireless tag that stores a unique identification code provided on each of the shoes,
A first wireless tag reader that is provided corresponding to each of the passenger seats and that reads the identification code from the wireless tag of the outerwear worn by a customer who has arrived at the passenger seat;
A second wireless tag reader, which is provided at a boundary between the passage and the in-store area, and reads the identification code from the wireless tag of the outerwear worn by a customer passing through the boundary;
A storage unit that stores an identification code of the wireless tag read by the first wireless tag reader in association with an identification number of a passenger seat provided with the first wireless tag reader;
When the first wireless tag reader is able to read the identification code of the wireless tag, presence management means for managing a passenger seat provided with the first wireless tag reader as being present;
When the first wireless tag reader cannot read the identification code of the wireless tag, the away management means for managing the passenger seat provided with the first wireless tag reader as an away seat;
The identification code of the wireless tag read by the second wireless tag reader is already stored in the storage unit, and the passenger seat specified by the identification number associated with the identification code is separated by the away management means. Accounting leaving notice means for notifying that it is leaving for accounting when managed as a seat,
A passenger seat management device comprising: 2. The customer seat management according to claim 1 , wherein said account leaving notification means notifies a store clerk that there is a customer making an account by turning on or blinking an accounting alarm provided in said store area. apparatus. 2. The attendance management according to claim 1, wherein the accounting leaving notice means informs a store clerk that there is a customer who performs accounting by playing predetermined music from an accounting notice provided in the store area. apparatus.

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