JP4330124B2 - Ordering system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an ordering system, and more particularly to an ordering system including a battery-powered input terminal.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In restaurants and the like, ordering systems that collectively manage product order information and the like are used.
[0003]
A conventional ordering system includes a self-order terminal that is arranged on each table and is directly operated by a customer, a handy terminal that is carried and operated by a store clerk, a kitchen printer that is arranged in a kitchen, and a POS terminal that is arranged at a cash register. And an ordering controller for controlling them (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
[0004]
In this type of ordering system, a battery-operated self-order terminal may be employed for the self-order terminal arranged on each table in consideration of the ease of installation and maintenance, cost, and the like. In such a case, it is desirable to appropriately manage the battery state of the self-order terminal so that the customer will not run out of battery when using or using the battery.
[0005]
However, an ordering system that can prevent the battery from running out while using the self-order terminal is not yet known.
[0006]
On the other hand, in the field of personal computers, there is already a technique for detecting the battery voltage of a battery-driven wireless keyboard and displaying the battery status on the indicator of the relay box based on the voltage (see, for example, Patent Document 2). .)
[0007]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2001-357463 A (summary)
[0008]
[Patent Document 2]
JP 10-27058 A (summary)
[0009]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, an ordering system that can prevent battery exhaustion during use of a battery-powered self-order terminal is not yet known.
[0010]
In addition, the technology adopted for the wireless keyboard of the personal computer is to inform the operator who operates the wireless keyboard of the battery voltage drop, and to the ordering system that wants to manage the battery without knowing it to the user. It cannot be adopted as it is.
[0011]
Furthermore, the technology adopted for the wireless keyboard is configured to detect the battery voltage each time a key press is detected, and can be used as it is for managing the battery of self-order terminals with completely different usage patterns and usage frequencies. It is not a thing.
[0012]
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an ordering system that can prevent a battery from running out during use of a self-order terminal.
[0013]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to the present invention, a self-order terminal driven by a battery detects a decrease in the remaining amount of the battery, and a self-order terminal number unique to the self-order terminal and a table unique to the table in which the self-order terminal is arranged Notifying the ordering controller by transmitting battery exchange data including a table number, and causing the ordering controller to notify another device of a decrease in the remaining battery level of the self-order terminal, and the ordering controller , A handy terminal table that associates each self-order terminal number with one of the handy terminal numbers, or a handy terminal table that indicates the handy terminal number in operation, and is specified based on the handy terminal table as the other device Specific handy termina Ordering system is obtained which is characterized in that so as to notify the.
[0014]
In this ordering system, the notification by the other device is continued until the battery of the self-order terminal is replaced.
[0015]
Then, when the self-order terminal detects the replacement of the battery and notifies the ordering controller, and the ordering controller notifies the other device of the battery replacement of the self-order terminal, the notification ends.
[0016]
As said another apparatus, a kitchen display or a handy terminal is used.
[0017]
If the notification is not continued, a kitchen printer can be used.
[0018]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0019]
FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of an ordering system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. This ordering system is used, for example, for notifying a kitchen or the like of order information from a customer at a restaurant.
[0020]
The illustrated ordering system includes a plurality of handy terminals 11, a plurality of self-order terminals 12, one or more wireless communication controllers 13 for wirelessly communicating with the handy terminals 11 and the self-order terminals 12, and a wireless communication control. An ordering controller 14 to which the device 13 is connected, a kitchen display 15 and a kitchen printer 16 connected to the ordering controller 14, and a POS (Point-of-Sale) terminal 17 also connected to the ordering controller 14. Yes.
[0021]
Each handy terminal 11 is an input terminal that is carried by a store clerk and used mainly for inputting customer order details. Each handy terminal 11 uses a battery as a drive source.
[0022]
Each self-order terminal 12 is arranged on a table or the like, and is an input terminal for a customer to directly input order contents. Each self-order terminal 12 uses a battery as a drive source. Each self-order terminal 12 includes an internal memory (not shown) and stores a table as shown in FIG.
[0023]
The table of FIG. 2 includes four items of a battery remaining capacity lower limit value, a self-order terminal number, a table number, and a battery remaining amount notification flag. The lower limit value of the remaining battery level is a voltage serving as a reference for battery replacement determination. The self-order terminal number is a number unique to each self-order terminal 12. The table number is a number unique to the table on which each self-order terminal 12 is installed. The battery remaining amount notification flag is a value determined according to the state of each self-order terminal as will be described later. The values of these items (numerical values, numbers, symbols, etc.) are set when this system is introduced, but can be changed at any time thereafter.
[0024]
The number and arrangement of the wireless communication controllers 13 are determined so that wireless communication with all the handy terminals 11 and the self-order terminals 12 is possible. The wireless communication control device 13 receives the order content data transmitted from the handy terminal 11 and the self-order terminal 12 and sends it to the ordering controller 14.
[0025]
The ordering controller 14 is arranged in an office, for example, and stores the order content data sent from the wireless communication controller 13 in the internal memory and transfers it to the kitchen display 15 and / or the kitchen printer 16. The ordering controller 14 stores various information transmitted from the POS terminal and provides order information data stored in the internal memory in response to a request from the POS terminal.
[0026]
The kitchen display 15 and the kitchen printer 16 are arranged in a kitchen or the like, and display the order contents on the screen based on the order information data sent from the ordering controller 14 and print it out. In addition, the kitchen display 15 and the kitchen printer 16 do not necessarily need to be provided with both, and may be provided with either one.
[0027]
The POS terminal 17 is arranged at a cash register or the like, and sends information related to money and other information input to the input unit to the ordering controller 14. Further, the contents indicated by the data sent from the ordering controller 14 are displayed on the display unit.
[0028]
Next, the operation of the ordering system in FIG. 1 will be described. Here, first, the operation of the self-order terminal 12 will be described with reference to FIG. 3, and then the operation of the entire system will be described.
[0029]
When the power is turned on, the self-order terminal 12 checks the remaining battery level (step S201). Specifically, the battery voltage is detected, and the battery remaining capacity lower limit value (see FIG. 2) stored in the internal memory is read and compared.
[0030]
The battery remaining capacity lower limit value is set to a voltage at which at least the battery remaining amount notification data described later can be transmitted when the power is turned on next, and when there is an order operation, the order information data can be transmitted. The lower limit value of the remaining battery level may be set arbitrarily, but it is preferable to prepare several voltage values in advance and select them based on the usage environment, usage frequency, etc. of the self-order terminal. .
[0031]
In step S201, when the detected battery voltage exceeds the battery remaining capacity lower limit value (YES in step S201), the self-order terminal 12 sets the battery remaining amount notification flag in the internal memory to “1” (not notified). Setting is performed (step S202).
[0032]
On the other hand, when the battery voltage detected in step S201 is equal to or lower than the battery remaining capacity lower limit value (NO in step S201), the self-order terminal 12 checks the battery remaining amount notification flag in the internal memory (step S203).
[0033]
In step S203, when the battery remaining amount notification flag is “1” (YES in step S203), the self-order terminal 12 transmits battery replacement notification data to the ordering controller 14 via the wireless communication controller 13 (step S204). ). As shown in FIG. 4, the battery replacement notification data includes at least a self-order terminal number unique to the self-order terminal and a table number unique to the table in which the self-order terminal is arranged.
[0034]
Subsequently, the self-order terminal 12 sets the battery remaining amount notification flag in the internal memory to “2” (notified) (step S205), normal operation, that is, display of menus, order reception (input), Various processes such as transmission of order contents data to the ordering controller 14 are performed (step S206).
[0035]
On the other hand, when the battery remaining amount notification flag is “2” in step S203 (NO in step S203), the self-order terminal 12 immediately starts a normal operation.
[0036]
With the above operation, the self-order terminal 12 transmits the battery replacement notification data only once when detecting that the remaining battery level is equal to or less than the predetermined value. Once the battery replacement notification data is transmitted, the self-order terminal is turned off / on until the remaining amount of the battery exceeds a predetermined value, that is, until the battery is replaced (or charged). However, the battery replacement notification data is not transmitted.
[0037]
The above is the operation of the self-order terminal 12.
[0038]
Next, the operation of the entire ordering system will be described. However, since the part directly related to the present invention is a part related to step S204 in FIG. 3, only that part will be described.
[0039]
As described above, the cell order terminal 12 checks the remaining amount of the battery when the power is turned on, and transmits battery replacement notification data when it detects an insufficient remaining amount.
[0040]
The wireless communication controller 13 receives the battery replacement notification data from the cell order terminal 12 and sends it to the ordering controller 14.
[0041]
When the ordering controller 14 recognizes that the data sent from the wireless communication controller 13 is battery replacement notification data, the ordering controller 14 transfers the received battery replacement notification data to the kitchen display 15 and the kitchen printer 16.
[0042]
When the kitchen display 15 receives the battery replacement notification data from the ordering controller 14, the kitchen display 15 displays a message for prompting battery replacement on the display screen based on the self-order terminal number and the table number included therein. Similarly, the kitchen printer 16 prints out a message prompting battery replacement based on the received battery replacement notification data. The display screen of the kitchen display 15 is, for example, as shown in FIG. Moreover, the printing result of the kitchen printer 16 is as shown in FIG. 6, for example.
[0043]
Thereafter, the store clerk who sees the display on the kitchen display 15 or the print output of the kitchen printer 16 replaces the battery of the self-order terminal that has transmitted the battery replacement notification data. Then, when the power of the self-order terminal is turned on next time, the remaining battery level notification flag is rewritten to “1”. As a result, when the remaining battery level subsequently decreases, the battery replacement notification data is transmitted again.
[0044]
As described above, in the ordering system according to the present embodiment, the battery replacement time of the self-order terminal is automatically detected, so that it is possible to save the trouble of checking the state of the battery and the battery during use. Occurrence of an insufficient situation can be prevented.
[0045]
Also, in the ordering system according to the present embodiment, when the power of the self-order terminal is turned on, the battery check is performed only once, and the transmission of the battery replacement notification data is performed only once and is not repeated. Wasteful power consumption can be suppressed.
[0046]
Note that the ordering system according to the present embodiment is based on the premise that the battery is replaced promptly after the battery replacement notification data is transmitted from the self-order terminal 12. Therefore, if the power supply of the self-order terminal 12 is turned off without battery replacement, the battery replacement notification data is not transmitted again, and there is a possibility that the remaining battery power will be insufficient during use. In order to prevent this, for example, the battery replacement notification data received by the ordering controller 14 may be stored in the internal memory, and periodically read out and displayed on the kitchen display 15. The battery replacement notification data stored in the internal memory of the ordering controller 14 may be deleted by manual operation, but may be automatically deleted by battery replacement. For example, after the self-order terminal 12 executes step S202, the ordering controller 14 is notified that the battery has been replaced, and the battery replacement notification data stored in the internal memory by the ordering controller 14 is deleted accordingly. Good.
[0047]
In the above description, only the case of managing the remaining battery level of the self-order terminal 12 has been described. However, the above technique can also be applied to the remaining battery level management of the handy terminal 11.
[0048]
Next, an ordering system according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0049]
The ordering system according to the present embodiment has the same configuration (see FIG. 1) as the ordering system according to the first embodiment. However, the operation is different from that of the ordering system according to the first embodiment. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the internal memory of the ordering controller 14 stores a handy terminal correspondence table for associating each self-order terminal number with one of the handy terminal numbers. Alternatively, instead of (or together with) the handy terminal table, a handy terminal table indicating the number of operating handy terminals as shown in FIG. 8 is stored.
[0050]
Hereinafter, the operation of the ordering system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 12 together with FIG.
[0051]
First, when the power is turned on, the self-order terminal 12 checks the remaining battery level (step S901). Then, the self-order terminal 12 confirms the battery remaining amount notification flag (see FIG. 2) in the internal memory (step S902 or S903). Note that the execution order of step S901 and steps S902 and S903 may be reversed. That is, the battery remaining amount notification flag may be confirmed first, and then the remaining battery amount may be checked.
[0052]
If the battery voltage detected in step S901 exceeds the remaining battery lower limit (YES in step S901) and the battery remaining amount notification flag in the internal memory is “1” (not notified) (YES in step S902), self The order terminal 12 shifts to a normal operation and executes various processes (step S908).
[0053]
Also in the case where the battery voltage detected in step S901 is equal to or lower than the battery remaining capacity lower limit value (NO in step S901) and the battery remaining amount notification flag in the internal memory is “2” (notified) (NO in step S903). Further, the self-order terminal 12 shifts to a normal operation and executes various processes (step S908).
[0054]
When the battery voltage detected in step S901 is equal to or lower than the battery remaining capacity lower limit value (NO in step S901) and the battery remaining amount notification flag in the internal memory is “1” (not notified) (YES in step S903), The self-order terminal 12 transmits battery replacement notification data to the ordering controller 14 (step S904). Here, the battery replacement notification data has a format as shown in FIG. 10, for example. The self-order terminal number assigned to the self-order terminal 12 and the table number of the table in which the self-order terminal 12 is arranged. , And a flag “1” indicating battery replacement notification data.
[0055]
Subsequent to step S904, the self-order terminal 12 rewrites the battery remaining amount notification flag in the internal memory to “2” (notified) (step S905), and proceeds to normal operation (step S908).
[0056]
Further, when the battery voltage detected in step S901 exceeds the remaining battery lower limit value (YES in step S901), and the battery remaining amount notification flag in the internal memory is “2” (notified) (NO in step S903). The self-order terminal 12 transmits battery replacement release data to the ordering controller 14 (step S906). The battery replacement release data has, for example, the format shown in FIG. 10 and its flag is “2”.
[0057]
After step S906, the self-order terminal 12 rewrites the battery remaining amount notification flag in the internal memory to “1” (not notified) (step S907), and shifts to normal operation (step S908).
[0058]
While the self-order terminal 12 operates as described above, the ordering controller 14 transfers the battery replacement notification data received from the self-order terminal 12 to the corresponding handy terminal 11 as shown in FIG.
[0059]
More specifically, when the battery replacement notification data is received from the self-order terminal 12, the ordering controller 14 searches the internal memory to identify the handy terminal associated with the self-order terminal 12. That is, the ordering controller 14 searches the internal memory using the self-order terminal number included in the received battery replacement notification data as a search key, and acquires the corresponding handy terminal number from the handy terminal correspondence table of FIG. If there is no corresponding handy terminal (including the case where there is no correspondence table), for example, the smallest number is acquired from the handy terminal table of FIG. The ordering controller 14 transfers the battery replacement notification data received from the self-order terminal 12 to the handy terminal 11 thus identified.
[0060]
The ordering controller 14 specifies the handy terminal 11 and transfers the battery replacement cancellation data when receiving the battery replacement cancellation data in the same manner as when the battery replacement notification data is received.
[0061]
When the battery replacement notification data is transferred from the ordering controller 14, the handy terminal 11 displays a message prompting battery replacement on the display unit. The display is, for example, as shown in FIG. Further, when the battery exchange release data is transferred from the ordering controller 14, the handy terminal 11 ends the display on the display unit. That is, when the battery capacity of the self-order terminal 12 associated in advance becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value, a message prompting the user to replace the battery of the self-order terminal 12 is displayed on the display unit of the handy terminal 11. This message display is continued until the battery of the self-order terminal 12 is replaced (until the battery replacement maritime data is transferred).
[0062]
As described above, even in the ordering system according to the present embodiment, since the battery replacement time of the self-order terminal can be automatically detected, it is possible to save the trouble of checking the state of the battery, and the battery becomes insufficient during use. The occurrence of a situation can be prevented.
[0063]
Further, in the ordering system according to the present embodiment, since the message is continuously displayed on the handy terminal until the battery of the self-order terminal is replaced, the battery replacement is not forgotten.
[0064]
In the above description, the case where the battery replacement notification data sent from the self-order terminal is transferred to only one specific handy terminal has been described. However, it is transferred to all or some (multiple) handy terminals. You can also Moreover, you may make it transfer also to a kitchen display and a kitchen printer similarly to 1st Embodiment.
[0065]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, the self-order terminal detects the low battery level and notifies the ordering controller, and the ordering controller notifies the low battery level of the self-order terminal to another display such as a kitchen display, a kitchen printer, or a handy terminal. By notifying the device, the trouble of checking the state of the battery of the self-order terminal can be saved. In addition, when the self-order terminal is used or during use, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a situation where the battery becomes insufficient.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of an ordering system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a table stored in an internal memory of a self-order terminal.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation of the self-order terminal of FIG. 1;
4 is a diagram illustrating a format example of battery replacement notification data transmitted by the self-order terminal of FIG. 1. FIG.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a message displayed on the display screen of the kitchen display of FIG.
6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a printout result of the kitchen printer in FIG. 1. FIG.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a handy terminal correspondence table stored in an internal memory of an ordering controller used in an ordering system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
8 is a diagram showing an example of a handy terminal table stored in the internal memory of the ordering controller instead of or together with the handy terminal correspondence table of FIG. 7;
FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the self-order terminal used in the ordering system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a format of battery replacement notification data (or battery replacement release data) transmitted by a self-order terminal used in the ordering system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a flow of battery replacement notification data in the ordering system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a message displayed on the handy terminal used in the ordering system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
11 Handy terminal 12 Self-order terminal 13 Wireless communication controller 14 Ordering controller 15 Kitchen display 16 Kitchen printer 17 POS terminal

Claims (7)

A battery including a self-order terminal number unique to the self-order terminal and a table number unique to a table on which the self-order terminal is located when a self-order terminal driven by a battery detects a decrease in the remaining amount of the battery Notifying the ordering controller by sending exchange data, the ordering controller notifying another device that the battery of the self-order terminal is low,
The ordering controller includes a handy terminal table that associates each self-order terminal number with any one of the handy terminal numbers, or a handy terminal table that indicates an active handy terminal number. An ordering system characterized in that a notification is made to a specific handy terminal specified on the basis of the ordering system.   2. The ordering system according to claim 1, wherein the notification by the other device is continued until the battery of the self-order terminal is replaced.   The ordering system according to claim 1, wherein the self-order terminal detects the replacement of the battery and notifies the ordering controller of the battery, and the notification until the ordering controller notifies the other device of the battery replacement of the self-order terminal. An ordering system characterized by continuing the process.   4. The ordering system according to claim 1, wherein the other device includes a display unit, and the notification is performed by displaying a message on the display unit. 5. The ordering system according to claim 4, wherein the another device includes a kitchen display and the handy terminal. 2. The ordering system according to claim 1, wherein the another device includes a kitchen printer and the handy terminal .   2. The ordering system according to claim 1, wherein the self-order terminal transmits battery replacement data only once after detecting a decrease in the remaining amount of the battery.

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