JP5600853B2 - Ordering system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an ordering system used when ordering goods and a control method thereof.

  Conventionally, in a restaurant or the like, an employee such as a waitress carries an order terminal for transmitting to a controller device, and inputs an order interviewed by a customer to the order terminal to take an order for a product. Such an ordering system having an order terminal and a controller device includes a printer that prints out order information, a relay device that relays radio signals from the order terminal, and a kitchen that receives order information via the controller device in the kitchen. Side devices (printers and displays) and the like, which are connected via a communication network. Further, in these connection devices, a duplex system has been devised to prevent the system from being stopped by duplicating controller devices and data. Patent Document 1 discloses a technique of an ordering system (product order management system) in which a plurality of such devices are connected via a communication network.

JP 2000-113061 A

  By the way, in the ordering system as described above, since each device constituting the system is connected by a wired or wireless communication network, if a communication failure occurs in the communication network itself, the duplex system does not function, In addition, there is a problem that it is difficult to output order information input from the order terminal to a printer or display in the kitchen. For this reason, even if a failure occurs in the communication network, it is desired that the order information once input to the order terminal is transmitted to the kitchen without omission.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an ordering system that can improve the no-down function.

  To achieve the above object, the present invention provides an order terminal and a controller device connected via wireless communication, and the controller device receives order information comprising a combination of an order product and its quantity from the order terminal. An ordering system comprising: information receiving means for receiving via the wireless communication; order information storage means for storing the order information; and printing means for printing the order information stored integrally in its own apparatus. The controller device has a switch for switching to any one of the main function and the sub-function, the main function enabling all functions to be operated by the switch, and another controller device operating by the main function. It is configured to be able to switch to one of the sub-functions that receive order information from and back up It is an ordering system that.

  Further, the present invention includes at least a first controller device that operates with a main function and a second controller device that operates with a sub function in the ordering system described above, wherein the first controller device includes the order device. A backup request means for transmitting a backup request including information to the second controller device is provided.

  Further, according to the present invention, in the above-described ordering system, the sub-function further includes a print function for printing the order information included in the backup request, and the second controller device includes the first controller device. When the backup request is received, the order information included in the backup request is stored, and the order information is printed.

  Further, the present invention provides the above-described ordering system, wherein when the first controller device cannot receive a response from the second controller device to the backup request, A detour printing determination unit that instructs detour printing of the order information scheduled to be printed by the second controller device is provided.

  Further, the present invention is directed to the above-described ordering system, wherein when the order information cannot be printed by the printing unit of the self-device, the first controller device can The first controller device prints order information scheduled to be printed.

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that in the above-described ordering system, the communication antenna of the controller device is detachable.

  According to the present invention, even if a failure occurs in the communication network connecting the controller devices, the order information received from the order terminal can be printed by the print function integrated with the main controller device, In addition, the order information that should be printed from the sub controller device can be bypassed from the main controller device, so even if a communication network failure occurs, the order information can be transmitted to the kitchen. is there.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of an ordering system. It is a functional block diagram of a controller apparatus. It is a 1st figure which shows the processing flow of an ordering system. It is a 2nd figure which shows the processing flow of an ordering system. It is a 3rd figure which shows the processing flow of an ordering system. It is a 3rd figure which shows the processing flow of an ordering system.

  Hereinafter, an ordering system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an ordering system according to the embodiment. In this figure, reference numeral 1 is a main controller device, 2 is a sub controller device, and 3 is an order terminal. The order terminal 3 can be connected to the main controller device 1 or the sub controller device 2 by wireless communication, and is connected to the main controller device 1 via the sub controller device 2 communication network. One or a plurality of sub controller devices 2 may be used.

  FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the controller device. As shown in FIG. 2, the main controller device 1 includes a wireless communication unit 11 that transmits / receives information to / from the order terminal 3 wirelessly, a network communication unit 12 that transmits / receives information to / from the sub controller device 2 via a communication network, and an order terminal 3. An order control unit 13 (detour printing determination unit) that performs various control of the order based on the order information received from the printer, a printing unit 14 (printing unit) that prints the order information, and an order information storage unit 15 (order) that stores the order information. Information storage means) and a backup processing section 16 (backup request means) for performing backup processing of order information.

  In the main controller device 1, order information including at least a combination of the order product and its quantity is received from the order terminal 3 via wireless communication, and the order information is recorded in the order information storage unit 15. Then, the order information is printed by the printing unit stored in the apparatus in an integrated manner. Further, as described above, the main controller device 1 may be connected to the sub controller device 2 including the printing unit 14 for printing the order information, and the main controller device 1 makes a backup request for the order information. Is transmitted to the sub controller device 2. Note that the main controller device 1 and the sub controller device 2 are provided with a wireless antenna for wireless communication with the order terminal 1, and the wireless antenna is detachably attached.

  The main controller device 1 and the sub controller device 2 can switch between a main function that directly transmits and receives order information to and from the order terminal 3 and a sub function that backs up the order information. This is performed by a main / sub switch provided in the controller devices 1 and 2.

  When the sub is designated by the changeover switch, the controller device operates only the backup function and the print function.

  Next, a processing flow during normal processing in the ordering system will be described. FIG. 3 is a first diagram illustrating a processing flow of the ordering system.

  As shown in FIG. 3, when an order is first input to the order terminal 3 (step S301), the order terminal 3 transmits order information to the main controller device 1 (step S302). Then, the wireless communication unit 11 of the main controller device 1 receives the order information and transfers it to the order control unit 13. The order control unit 13 registers the order information in the order information storage unit 15 (step S303), and transmits a backup request storing the order information to the backup processing unit 16. Further, the order control unit 13 generates a slip number for the received order information (step S304), and transmits the slip number to the order terminal 3 via the wireless communication unit 11 (step S305). Further, when receiving the backup request from the order control unit 13, the backup processing unit 16 transmits a backup request storing the order information to the sub controller device 2 via the communication unit 12 (step S306). Each processing unit of the sub controller device 2 has the same processing unit as each processing unit described with reference to FIG.

  In the main controller device 1, when a backup request is transmitted, the order control unit 13 transfers the print request storing the order information to the printing unit 14. When the printing unit 14 receives the print request, it reads the order information stored in the print request, and orders the product name, the order quantity, the order table number, and the total price of the ordered product indicated by the order information. From the above, slip data that must be printed by the main controller device 1 is created (step S307). Then, the printing unit 14 prints out the slip data (step S308).

  On the other hand, in the sub controller device 2, the communication unit 12 receives a backup request from the main controller device 1. Then, the order control unit 13 of the sub controller apparatus 2 reads the order information stored in the backup request and registers it in the order information storage unit 15 (step S309). Then, the order information control unit 13 transfers the print request storing the order information to the printing unit 14. When the printing unit 14 receives the print request, it reads the order information stored in the print request, and orders the product name, the order quantity, the order table number, and the total price of the ordered product indicated by the order information. From the above, slip data that must be printed by the sub controller device 2 is created (step S310). Then, the printing unit 14 prints out the slip data (step S311). As a result, the slip data created based on the order information is printed out also in the sub controller device 2 and the order information is registered in the order information storage unit 15, so that the order received from the order terminal in the main controller device 1. Even if the information is discarded for some reason, the information can be backed up.

  Next, a processing flow when a communication failure between the main controller device 1 and the sub controller device 2 or a device failure occurs in the sub controller device 2 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 4 is a second diagram showing a processing flow of the ordering system.

  Similar to the processing of FIG. 3, when an order is input to the order terminal 3 (step S401), the order terminal 3 transmits the order information to the main controller device 1 (step S402). Then, the wireless communication unit 11 of the main controller device 1 receives the order information and transfers it to the order control unit 13. The order control unit 13 registers the order information in the order information storage unit 15 (step S403), and transmits a backup request storing the order information to the backup processing unit 16. Further, the order control unit 13 generates a slip number for the received order information (step S404), and transmits the slip number to the order terminal 3 via the wireless communication unit 11 (step S405). Next, when receiving a backup request from the order control unit 13, the backup processing unit 16 transmits a backup request storing the order information to the sub controller device 2 via the communication unit 12 (step S406).

  Here, when a communication network failure between the main controller device 1 and the sub controller device 2 or a device failure of the sub controller device 2 has occurred, the communication unit 12 of the main controller device 1 A response to transmission (for example, an Ack signal in the case of TCP communication) cannot be received. If a response to the backup request cannot be received after the predetermined time, the backup processing unit 16 notifies the order control unit 13 of the occurrence of a failure.

  Next, after transmitting the backup request, the order control unit 13 determines whether or not there is a failure occurrence notification from the backup processing unit 16 (step S407). It detects that it has occurred, stores the order information, and further transfers a print request storing information indicating duplicate printing of information to be printed by the sub controller device 2 to the printing unit 14 (step S408). If there is no notification of the occurrence of a failure during a predetermined time, a print request storing only normal order information is transferred to the printing unit 14 as in the process shown in FIG. 3 (step S409). .

  Next, when the print unit 14 receives the print request, it reads the order information stored in the print request, and orders the product name, the order quantity, the order table number, and the ordered product indicated by the order information. The slip data including the total amount of money is created (step S410). Then, it is determined whether or not information indicating duplicate printing is stored in the print request. If stored, the slip data for the sub controller device 2 is printed out (step S411).

  When the slip data for the sub controller device 2 is printed out, the slip data for the own device, that is, the main controller device 1 is printed out (step S412). That is, in the main controller device 1, when a communication network failure between the sub controller devices 2 or a device failure of the sub controller device 2 occurs, the slip data for the sub controller device 2 is printed out (ordered). Therefore, it is possible to supplement the slip printing process of the order information on the sub controller device 2 side. The slip for the sub controller device 2 is handed over to an employee (such as a kitchen cook) who works using the sub controller device 2.

  Next, a processing flow when a communication failure between the main controller device 1 and the order terminal 3 or a device failure of the main controller device 1 has occurred will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 5 is a third diagram showing a processing flow of the ordering system.

  First, when an order is input to the order terminal 3 (step S501), the order terminal 3 transmits order information to the main controller device 1 (step S502). Here, when a device failure has occurred in the main controller device 1, the controller device 1 does not print slip data based on the order information. Therefore, the user switches the changeover switch of the sub controller device 2 from the sub function to the main function (step S503). Further, the switch of the controller device 1 that was originally the main device is switched from the main function to the sub function (step S504). As a result, the functions of the main controller device 1 and the sub controller device 2 are switched, so that reference numeral 2 becomes the main controller device and reference character 1 becomes the sub controller device.

  Depending on the failure status of the main controller device 1, the main controller device 1 may be turned off.

  The order terminal 3 continues to transmit the order information until a response to the transmission of the order information (for example, an Ack signal in the case of TCP communication) is received. Then, when receiving the order information, the order control unit 13 of the controller apparatus 2 that becomes the new main registers the order information in the order information storage unit 15 (step S505), and makes a backup request storing the order information. The data is transmitted to the backup processing unit 16. Further, the order control unit 13 of the main controller device 2 generates a slip number for the received order information (step S506), and transmits the slip number to the order terminal 3 via the wireless communication unit 11 ( Step S507). Next, when the backup processing unit 16 of the newly main controller device 2 receives the backup request, it sends the backup request storing the order information to the newly subordinate controller device via the communication unit 12. 1 (step S508).

  Here, when the communication failure between the new main controller device 2 and the new sub controller device 1 or the recovery of the device failure of the new sub controller device 1 is not completed, the new main controller device The second wired communication unit 12 cannot receive a response to the transmission of the backup request (for example, an Ack signal in the case of TCP communication). After waiting for a predetermined time, it is determined whether or not a response to the backup request can be received (step S509). If it is determined that a response to the backup request cannot be received, the backup processing unit 16 detects the occurrence of a failure ( In step S510), the order control unit 13 is notified.

  Next, after transmitting the backup request, the order control unit 13 of the controller device 2 that becomes the new main, it is determined whether there is a notification of the occurrence of a failure from the backup processing unit 16, and during a predetermined time, If there is a notification of the occurrence of a failure, the order information is stored, and a print request storing information indicating duplicate printing is transferred to the printing unit 14 (step S511). Note that the processing when there is no failure notification during a predetermined time will be described with reference to FIG.

  Next, when the print unit 14 receives the print request, it reads the order information stored in the print request, and orders the product name, the order quantity, the order table number, and the ordered product indicated by the order information. The slip data of the information to be printed by the new sub controller apparatus 1 is created from the total amount of money (step S512). Then, the printing unit 14 prints out the slip data for the new sub controller device 1 (step S513). Next, the slip of information to be printed for the own device, that is, the main controller device 2 is used. Data is printed out (step S514).

  If the main controller device 1 cannot receive the order information from the order terminal 3 by the above processing, it switches to the sub controller device 2 and prints out the slip data based on the order information. Cannot be performed by the original main controller device 1, the new main controller device 2 stores the slip data for the original main controller device indicated by reference numeral 1, that is, the new sub controller device. Since the printout is performed, it is possible to reduce the omission of printing of the slip based on the order information and to supplement the backup process of the order information.

  Next, a processing flow when the failure of the controller device 1 switched from the main function to the sub function is recovered will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 6 is a fourth diagram showing the processing flow of the ordering system.

  When the failure of the controller device indicated by reference numeral 1 switched between the main function and the sub-function by the changeover switch and switched to the sub-controller device is recovered, the new main controller device 2 in step S509 It is determined that a response to the backup request has been received. In such a case, the order control unit 13 of the controller device 2 serving as the main device transfers a print request storing only normal order information to the printing unit 14 (step S601). Next, when the print unit 14 receives the print request, it reads the order information stored in the print request, and orders the product name, the order quantity, the order table number, and the ordered product indicated by the order information. Slip data consisting of the total amount of money is created (step S602). Then, the printing unit 14 prints out the slip data for the main controller device 2 (step S603).

  On the other hand, in the restored sub controller device 1, the communication unit 12 receives a backup request from the main controller device 2. Then, the order control unit 13 of the restored sub controller apparatus 1 reads and registers the order information stored in the backup request in the order information storage unit 15 (step S604). Then, the order information control unit 13 transfers the print request storing the order information to the printing unit 14. When the printing unit 14 receives the print request, it reads the order information stored in the print request, and orders the product name, the order quantity, the order table number, and the total price of the ordered product indicated by the order information. The slip data consisting of the above is created (step S605).

  Then, the printing unit 14 prints out the slip data for the sub controller device 1 (step S606). In other words, even if the failure of the controller device 1 that newly becomes the sub is restored after the main function and the sub function are switched, the controller device 1 continues to be used as the sub controller device. Thereby, the switching time for switching the main controller device 2 and the sub controller device 1 again becomes unnecessary, and the time during which order transfer cannot be performed can be eliminated.

  Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, according to the above-described processing, the slip data created by the order information is printed out also in the sub controller device 2, and the order information is stored in the order information storage unit 15. Since it is registered, even if the order information received from the order terminal in the main controller device 1 is discarded for some reason, the information can be backed up.

  Further, in the main controller device 1, when a communication network failure between the sub controller devices 2 or a device failure of the sub controller device 2 occurs, the slip data for the sub controller device 2 is printed out. Thus, the order information printing process on the sub controller device 2 side can be supplemented.

  If the main controller device 1 cannot receive the order information from the order terminal, it switches to the sub controller device 2 and prints out the slip data based on the order information. If the controller device 1 cannot perform this, the slip data for the original main controller device 1, that is, the new sub controller device 1, is printed out by the new main controller device 2, so that It is possible to eliminate omissions in printing slips based on the order information and to continue storing the order information.

  Further, the controller devices 1 and 2 in the above-described ordering system include a printing unit that is integrally stored in the own device, and prints a slip based on the order information by the printing unit. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a printer device separately. If a set of a controller device and an order terminal having one printing function is provided in this manner, a simple and inexpensive ordering system can be provided. In addition, there is no need to install a wireless repeater or to install a printer device and a controller device separately, so there is no need for wasted installation space, and the wireless repeater etc. can be seen by customers who visit the store. The effect of not destroying the atmosphere of a store without being installed in a place is obtained.

  Further, the main controller device 1 or the sub controller device 2 and the order terminal 3 may be provided with an infrared communication unit or the like as communication means for transmitting and receiving information between the devices. As a result, even if a failure occurs in the radio antenna, order information can be transferred from the order terminal 3 to the main controller device 1 or the sub controller device 2, and in this case as well, the order using the order terminal is stopped. You can conduct sales activities without having to.

  In addition, even when the radio antenna is connected only to the main controller device 1 and the sub controller device 2 does not have a radio antenna, the radio antenna can be detached, so that a failure has occurred in the controller device 1 as the main device. In this case, by connecting a wireless antenna to the sub controller device 2 and switching the sub controller device 2 from the sub function to the main function, the order information can be received from the order terminal 3 and the ordering process can be continued. Is possible.

  Further, according to the ordering system according to the present embodiment, even when a failure occurs in the communication network line with the POS cash register, or even when the POS cash register main body fails, an accounting slip is output. Since the total amount is printed on the slip, it is possible to exchange money with the customer regardless of the obstacle.

  In addition, the order information transmitted from the order terminal is registered in the main controller device 1. After the failure is recovered, the order data in the failure is processed again at the POS register, so that the sales without omissions. Aggregation can be performed.

  The above-described order terminal and controller devices 1 and 2 have a computer system therein. Each process described above is stored in a computer-readable recording medium in the form of a program, and the above process is performed by the computer reading and executing the program. Here, the computer-readable recording medium means a magnetic disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, a semiconductor memory, or the like. Alternatively, the computer program may be distributed to the computer via a communication line, and the computer that has received the distribution may execute the program.

  The program may be for realizing a part of the functions described above. Furthermore, what can implement | achieve the function mentioned above in combination with the program already recorded on the computer system, and what is called a difference file (difference program) may be sufficient.

  As described above, according to the present invention, even if a failure occurs in the communication network that connects the controller devices, the order information received from the order terminal is obtained by the printing function integrated with the main controller device. Order information that should be printed from the sub controller device can be printed by detouring from the main controller device, so even if a communication network failure occurs, the order information can be printed Can be communicated to.

  In addition, when a failure occurs in the printing function part of the main controller device, order information that is originally printed from the main controller device from the sub controller device by transmitting backup information and failure information to the sub controller device. In this case, the order information can be transmitted.

  Furthermore, even if a failure occurs in the main controller device itself and it is no longer possible to receive orders from the order terminal, all past order information is backed up by the sub controller device. The order control function of the controller device can be activated.

  Further, by replacing the wireless antenna as necessary, it is possible to continue the order control function in the sub controller device. Further, since the past order information is also backed up in the sub controller device, in such a case, there is no problem in processing such as accounting at the POS register.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Controller apparatus 2 ... Printer apparatus 3 ... Order terminal 11 ... Wireless communication part 12 ... Network communication part 13 ... Order control part 14 ... Printing part 15 ... Order Information storage unit 16 ... backup processing unit

Claims (4)

An order terminal and a controller device are connected via wireless communication, and the controller device receives, via the wireless communication, order information comprising a combination of an order product and its quantity from the order terminal. An ordering system comprising: order information storage means for storing the order information; and printing means for printing the order information stored in an integrated manner in the apparatus itself;
The controller device has a switch for switching to one of a main function and a sub-function, and the switch enables the operation of all functions including transmission of the order information backup request , An ordering that is configured to receive a backup request from another controller device that operates with the function, perform backup, and switch to one of the sub-functions including a function to perform printing based on the order information. system. Kiko controller device before running on the main feature,
If you do not receive a response to the backup request from the previous logger controller device operating at sub-function, to said printing means of the apparatus, the order information plan Kiko controller device to print before operating at subfunction The ordering system according to claim 1 , further comprising: a detour printing determination unit that instructs detour printing. Kiko controller device before running on the main feature,
Printing may not be the order information in the printing unit of its own terminal device, to the printing means before Kiko controller device operating at sub-function, the order information will be printed before Kiko controller device operating at the main function ordering system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that to print. An ordering system, wherein the communication antenna of the controller device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 is detachable.

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