JP6862227B2 - Information processing equipment and programs for information processing equipment - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an information processing device driven by using a battery, and a program for an information processing device that can be used in the information processing device. In particular, the present invention relates to an information processing device and a program for an information processing device that can order food and drink (goods) by the customer's own operation in a restaurant such as a restaurant.

Conventionally, in restaurants such as restaurants and pubs, paper-based menus have been used in order to allow customers to select foods and drinks as products. The customer verbally informs the employee of the food and drink listed on the menu to carry out the product.

Currently, with the increasing functionality of various mobile information terminals such as tablet terminals, mobile information terminals are being used as food and drink ordering terminals to reduce the work burden on employees and reduce costs. In particular, by taking advantage of the high image quality and touch panel function of mobile information terminals, it is possible to easily place orders in the same way as conventional paper menus. A customer who visits a restaurant can order food and drink by operating the food and drink ordering terminal by himself, so-called self-operation, without going through an employee. In addition, the food and drink order terminal can simplify accounting by linking with a POS or the like that has been conventionally used in restaurants.

Patent Document 1 discloses a food and drink ordering terminal used in a restaurant. By installing this food and drink order terminal on the charging stand, the internal battery is charged. The food and drink order terminal can be charged at a table where customers eat and drink, but it can also be charged at a backyard or the like and installed on the table. Since the Rime Dictionary ordering terminal using a battery does not require a cable for power supply, the degree of freedom of handling is high and the customer can easily place an order.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2014-153996

By the way, since the food and drink order terminal used in such a restaurant is driven by a battery, it cannot be driven when the battery runs out. Therefore, by installing a charging stand on the table where the user eats and drinks, it is conceivable to eliminate the battery exhaustion when using the table. However, when charging at the table, the customer, who is a user, needs to remove it from the charging stand when using it and return it to the charging stand at the end of use. Therefore, although there is a degree of freedom without a cable, the customer is forced to perform complicated work such as removal from the charging stand and installation. In addition, if the battery is not properly installed on the charging stand, it will not be charged, and the battery will not always last until the store is closed.

On the other hand, when charging the food and drink order terminal in the backyard, it is not possible to determine whether or not the battery lasts during the business hours until the store closes. Therefore, in order to maintain the battery for a sufficient period of time, it is an effective means to prevent the battery from running out when the battery is fully charged and installed on the table when using the food and drink ordering terminal at the table. It was.

In view of such a situation, the present invention sets a usage end time such as a closing time for a food and drink ordering terminal (information processing device) used in a restaurant, and the battery lasts until the usage end time. The main purpose is to be able to notify whether or not.

Therefore, the information processing device according to the present invention is
An information processing device that has a display unit and a control unit and is driven by a battery.
The control unit makes it possible to execute prediction processing, judgment processing, and notification processing.
Prediction processing calculates the sustainable time of the battery and
The judgment process determines the context between the sustainable time calculated by the prediction process and the preset usage end time.
Notification process, have line a notification based on the context of the determination and sustainable time and use end time in the determination process,
The notification process is a charge-time notification process executed when the information processing device is in a charged state, and when the determination process determines that the sustainable time is later than the usage end time, it notifies that the information processing device can be used until the usage end time. It is characterized by doing.
Further, the information processing device according to the present invention is
An information processing device that has a display unit and a control unit and is driven by a battery.
The control unit makes it possible to execute prediction processing, judgment processing, and notification processing.
Prediction processing calculates the sustainable time of the battery and
The judgment process determines the context between the sustainable time calculated by the prediction process and the preset usage end time.
The notification process performs notification based on the context of the sustainable time determined by the determination process and the end time of use.
The notification process is characterized in that when it is determined in the determination process that the sustainable time is earlier than the end time of use and the battery is fully charged, a notification is given.
In this specification, an embodiment using a time related to the business of a store such as a restaurant, specifically, a closing time or an order ending time (order stop time) as the usage end time will be described.

Further, in the information processing apparatus according to the present invention,
The notification process is a non-charged notification process executed when the information processing device is in a non-charged state, and when the determination process determines that the sustainable time is earlier than the usage end time, the brightness of the display unit is the lowest. If it is, it is characterized by notifying that it cannot be used until the end time of use.

Further, in the information processing apparatus according to the present invention,
The prediction process is characterized in that the sustainable time of the battery is calculated using the set usage start time.

Further, in the information processing apparatus according to the present invention,
The control unit is characterized in that it can execute an automatic start process for transitioning the information processing apparatus to a usable state on condition that the use start time has been set in advance.

Further, the information processing device according to the present invention is
When it is determined in the determination process that the sustainable time is earlier than the end time of use, the luminance control process for lowering the luminance of the display unit is executed.

Further, in the information processing apparatus according to the present invention,
The luminance control process is characterized in that when it is determined in the determination process that the sustainable time is later than the end time of use, the luminance of the display unit is increased.

The information processing device according to the present invention is
An information processing device that has a display unit and a control unit and is driven by a battery.
The control unit makes it possible to execute the prediction process, the determination process, and the brightness control process.
Prediction processing calculates the sustainable time of the battery and
The judgment process determines the context between the sustainable time calculated by the prediction process and the preset usage end time.
The luminance control process is characterized in that when it is determined in the determination process that the sustainable time is earlier than the end time of use, the luminance of the display unit is lowered.

The program for the information processing device according to the present invention is
A program for an information processing device that has a control unit and is executed by an information processing device that is driven by a battery.
The control unit makes it possible to execute prediction processing, judgment processing, and notification processing.
Prediction processing calculates the sustainable time of the battery and
The judgment process determines the context between the sustainable time calculated by the prediction process and the preset usage end time.
Notification process, have line a notification based on the context of the determination and sustainable time and use end time in the determination process,
The notification process is a charge-time notification process executed when the information processing device is in a charged state, and when the determination process determines that the sustainable time is later than the usage end time, it notifies that the information processing device can be used until the usage end time. It is characterized by doing.
The program for the information processing device according to the present invention is
A program for an information processing device that has a control unit and is executed by an information processing device that is driven by a battery.
The control unit makes it possible to execute prediction processing, judgment processing, and notification processing.
Prediction processing calculates the sustainable time of the battery and
The judgment process determines the context between the sustainable time calculated by the prediction process and the preset usage end time.
The notification process performs notification based on the context of the sustainable time determined by the determination process and the end time of use.
The notification process is characterized in that when it is determined in the determination process that the sustainable time is earlier than the end time of use and the battery is fully charged, a notification is given.

The program for the information processing device according to the present invention is
A program for an information processing device that has a control unit and is executed by an information processing device that is driven by a battery.
The control unit makes it possible to execute the prediction process, the determination process, and the brightness control process.
Prediction processing calculates the sustainable time of the battery and
The judgment process determines the context between the sustainable time calculated by the prediction process and the preset usage end time.
The luminance control process is characterized in that when it is determined in the determination process that the sustainable time is earlier than the end time of use, the luminance of the display unit is lowered.

According to the information processing device and the program for the information processing device according to the present invention, it is possible to notify the context of the set usage end time and the sustainable time of the battery, particularly during the use of the information processing device. , It is possible to notify that the sustainable time of the battery is earlier than the end time of use, that is, the battery does not last until the end time of use. In addition, while the information processing device is being charged, it is possible to notify that the sustainable time of the battery has reached or is delayed, that is, the battery has become sustainable until the end of use. It becomes.

Further, according to the information processing device and the program for the information processing device according to the present invention, when it is determined that the sustainable time is later than the usage end time when the battery is charged, a notification that the battery can be used until the usage end time is notified. I'm supposed to do it. For information processing devices such as order terminals used in restaurants, it is important that the battery lasts until the end of use. In such a configuration, it is notified that the information processing device can be used until the end time of use during charging, so that the person who manages the information processing device, such as an employee, can use which information processing device is being charged until the end time of use. It becomes possible to know whether it has become available. In addition, it is not always necessary to wait until the battery is fully charged, and the battery can be used with an appropriate charging time that allows it to be used until the end time of use.

Further, according to the information processing device and the program for the information processing device according to the present invention, the sustainable time of the battery is calculated by using the preset use start time. It is possible that the attenuation rate of the battery differs before and after the start time of use. By setting the usage start time of the information processing device in this way, it is possible to calculate a more accurate battery sustainability time.

Further, according to the information processing device and the program for the information processing device according to the present invention, the information processing device is changed to the usable state on condition that the use start time is reached, so that the information processing device can be used in a store or the like. Appropriate power saving can be performed.

Further, according to the information processing device and the program for the information processing device according to the present invention, when it is determined that the sustainable time is earlier than the usage end time and the battery is fully charged, a notification is given. It is supposed to be. According to such a configuration, it is possible to notify in advance that the battery will not last until the end time of use even in the fully charged state, and to take appropriate measures such as replacing the battery.

Further, according to the information processing device and the program for the information processing device according to the present invention, when it is determined that the sustainable time of the battery is earlier than the end time of use, the brightness of the display unit is lowered to reduce the degree of deterioration of the battery. It is possible to keep the battery sustainable until the end of use as much as possible.

Further, according to the information processing device and the information processing device program according to the present invention, when it is determined that the sustainable time of the battery is later than the usage end time, the brightness of the display unit is increased to minimize the usage end time. The battery can be sustained up to the time, and the display unit can be displayed with appropriate brightness.

Further, according to the information processing device and the program for the information processing device according to the present invention, when it is determined that the sustainable time of the battery is earlier than the end time of use, the brightness of the display unit is the lowest. Will notify you that it cannot be used until the end of use. In such a configuration, when the information processing device is being used, even if the degree of battery attenuation due to the brightness control process is reduced, if the battery does not last until the end time of use, the employee or the like is notified by giving an unusable notification. It is possible to take measures before the battery runs out, such as collecting the information processing device in which the information processing has been performed.

The figure which shows the structure of the food and drink order system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. Perspective view showing the appearance of the order terminal and charging stand A block diagram showing a configuration of an ordering terminal and a charging stand according to an embodiment of the present invention. A block diagram showing a configuration of a management server device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The flow chart which shows the main processing of the food and drink order system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The flow chart which shows the battery condition monitoring process which concerns on embodiment of this invention. A flow chart showing an in-use monitoring process according to an embodiment of the present invention. Diagram for explaining the state of the battery during the in-use monitoring process The flow chart which shows the monitoring process during charging which concerns on embodiment of this invention. Diagram for explaining the state of the battery during the monitoring process during charging Table for explaining the notification form of the order terminal The figure explaining the state of the battery at the time of the monitoring process during charging about another embodiment.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a food and drink ordering system according to an embodiment of the present invention. This figure is a diagram schematically showing the inside of a restaurant. Eating and drinking establishments are roughly divided into a floor, which is a place to provide food and drink to customers, and a kitchen (kitchen), which is a place to cook food and drink.

On the floor, there is a management server device 1 that manages and manages the food and drink order system, order terminals 3a to 3d operated by customers at each table, and various information such as order processing or order status that employees carry. Handy terminals 9a and 9b are installed to confirm the above. In addition, a waiting terminal 6 is installed to notify the customer who has entered the store of a reservation or waiting time for entering the store.

The ordering terminals 3a to 3d are charged by the charging stand 4 and arranged on the tables a to d. The charging stand 4 is provided in an area managed by an employee, and the ordering terminals 3a to 3d are arranged on the tables a to d in a state of being charged by the charging stand 4. It is possible to provide the charging stands 4 on the tables a to d and use the ordering terminals 3a to 3d while charging them, but since the customers who come to the store need to install the charging stands 4 on the charging stands 4, the ordering terminals 3a to 3d If it becomes difficult to use, or if it is not properly installed on the charging stand 4, it is possible that the battery will run out and it will not be usable. By arranging the appropriately charged ordering terminals 3a to 3d on the tables a to d as in the present embodiment, it is possible to eliminate the above-mentioned inconvenience and inconvenience.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the order terminal 3 and the charging stand 4. This figure shows an ordering terminal 3 mounted on a charging stand 4 and is being charged. The ordering terminal 3 has a touch panel monitor 32 as a user interface on the front surface. Further, in the present embodiment, an LED 36a for displaying the status of various order terminals 3 is provided. The charging stand 4 of the present embodiment is configured to mount and charge the ordering terminal 3 of 1, but the charging stand 4 may be configured to mount and charge a plurality of ordering terminals 3. Further, charging of the order terminal 3 is not limited to the form of mounting on the charging stand 4 and charging, but also various forms such as connecting the cable of the AC adapter to the order terminal 3 to charge the order terminal 3 can be adopted. It is possible.

In the kitchen (kitchen), a kitchen terminal device 5 and a kitchen printer 51 that notify the cook of the order status and the like are installed. The order information received by the order terminal 3 is output to the kitchen terminal device 5 and the kitchen printer 51, and the cook can confirm the ordered product.

Various terminals and devices installed in these stores are connected to the network by LAN2 or access point 22 by wire or wirelessly. In this example, the management server device 1, the kitchen terminal device 5, and the kitchen printer 51 are connected to the network by wire. Further, the order terminal 3, the handy terminal 9, and the waiting terminal 6 are wirelessly connected to the network via the access point 22.

Further, the network in the store is connected to the Internet via the router 21, and is capable of communicating with various server devices on the Internet. Various devices and terminals installed in the store can communicate with various server devices on the Internet via the router 21 and exchange various information.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an ordering terminal 3 and a charging stand 4 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The ordering terminal 3 has a CPU 34a, a ROM 34b, a RAM 34c, an image processing unit 34d, and a voice processing unit 34e that function as control units. The CPU 34a controls the entire processing of the order terminal 3 based on a program stored in a storage means such as a ROM 34b or an SSD 35 (Solid State Drive). At that time, the temporarily generated data or the like is stored in the RAM 34c.

The image processing unit 34d converts the data generated by the CPU 34a into an image and displays and outputs it to the display unit 32a. The voice processing unit 34e converts the data generated by the CPU 34a into voice and outputs the voice to the speaker.

In the present embodiment, the touch panel monitor 32 is composed of the display unit 32a and the touch panel 32b. The touch panel 32b functions as an input means for receiving input from the user in response to various objects such as icons and switches displayed on the display unit 32a. In addition to the touch panel 32b, the order terminal 3 may be provided with an input means such as a mechanical switch. The input information from the touch panel 32b is transmitted to the CPU 34a via the interface 37b.

The SSD 35 functions as a storage means for the order terminal 3. The SSD 35 stores various program information necessary for operating the order terminal 3, various contents such as images (still images, moving images), and sounds. As the storage means, a hard disk or the like can be used in addition to the SSD (Solid State Drive).

The ordering terminal 3 includes an LED 36a as a means for transmitting a state to the outside. The LED 36a can convey the state of the order terminal 3 to the outside in a color, a blinking state, or a color and a blinking state. In this embodiment, one LED 36a is used, but a plurality of LEDs 36a may be provided. The illuminance sensor 36b is a sensor used for adjusting the brightness of the display unit 32a. By adjusting the brightness of the display unit 32a based on the brightness of the surroundings read by the illuminance sensor 36b, it is possible to display an easy-to-see screen according to the surrounding environment.

The ordering terminal 3 of the present embodiment further has a wireless communication unit 38. The wireless communication unit 38 is provided with an antenna 38a and enables wireless communication according to the wireless LAN standard. The order terminal 3 can participate in the network configured by LAN 2 by wirelessly connecting to the access point 22 shown in FIG. 1, and is connected to various devices such as the management server device 1 and the kitchen terminal device 5, and terminals. Alternatively, it enables an Internet connection via the router 21.

The ordering terminal 3 is provided with a battery 39 and can be used independently without being connected to an external power source. The battery 39 is connected to the charging terminal 33 by a power supply line Lp, and can be charged by a power supply supplied from the outside. The CPU 34a can monitor the remaining amount of the battery 39, the charging status, and the like. The charging terminal 33 can charge the battery 19 by electrically connecting to the power supply terminal 42 on the charging stand 4 (cradle) side.

The charging stand 4 for charging the order terminal 3 has a DC conversion unit 41. The DC conversion unit 41 converts the AC power supplied from the power supply line 43 into a DC power supply having a set voltage, and supplies the AC power supply to the charging terminal 33 via the power supply line Lp.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the management server device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The management server device 1 is a device installed in a restaurant and used by an administrator. In this embodiment, in addition to managing the food and drink order system in a centralized manner, it also functions as a POS terminal that aggregates sales results and an accounting terminal that issues accounting and receipts. The management server device 1 can be configured by an ordinary personal computer. The management server device 1 has a CPU 11a, a ROM 11b, a RAM 11c, an image processing unit 11d, and a voice processing unit 11e as control units. The image processing unit 11d displays and outputs the data processed by the CPU 11a to the display unit 17a. Further, the voice processing unit 51e outputs the data processed by the CPU 11a to the speaker as voice.

Further, the management server device 1 has an HDD 12 (hard disk) as a storage means. As the storage means, various forms such as SSD (Solid State Drive) can be adopted in addition to the HDD 12. The HDD 12 stores programs and data necessary for executing various processes of the management server device 1.

The communication unit 13 makes it possible for the management server device 1 to participate in the network by connecting the management server device 1 to the LAN 2 by wire. The management server device 1 can communicate with the order terminal 3, the kitchen terminal device 5, the kitchen printer 51, the waiting terminal 6, and the handy terminal 9 in the system via the communication unit 13. It is also possible to perform various communications with the Internet via the router 21.

An input means such as a keyboard or a mouse can be connected to the interface 14. The administrator operates the management server device 1 via this input means. Further, a touch panel 17b is connected to the interface 14 of the present embodiment as an input means, and the touch panel monitor 17 is configured together with the display unit 17a. The administrator can perform touch input by the touch panel monitor 17 as in the order terminal 3.

Further, a receipt printer 16 is connected to the interface 14, and it is possible to print out the information processed by the management server device 1. When the management server device 1 performs the accounting function, the receipt printer 16 can print the receipt and hand it to the customer.

Then, various processes executed in such a food and drink order system will be described. FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing the main processing executed by the food and drink order system. This main process shows a series of processes performed for one customer or one customer group (table). First, when a customer or a customer group is guided to a vacant table, the employee inputs information about the customer to the handy terminal 9 or the management server device 1. The seating determination in S101 is executed based on the information input regarding the customer, and the order terminal 3 installed on the guided table starts the processing after S200.

In the present embodiment, after the seating of the customer who has entered the store is determined (S101: Yes), the order process (S200) for accepting the order of the product from the customer on the order terminal 3 is started. The order processing (S200) may be executed by a program stored in the storage means (SSD35 or the like) of the order terminal 3, or may be stored in the storage means (HDD12 or the like) of the management server device 1. It may be executed by the program to be executed. Alternatively, the program stored on the order terminal 3 side and the program stored on the management server device 1 side may be executed in cooperation with each other. The user (customer) seated on the tables a to d can order the product to be eaten or drink by referring to the product menu displayed on the order terminal 3 in the order processing (S200).

When the customer instructs to leave the store, the accounting process S102 is executed. The instruction to leave the store may be input by the customer himself / herself to the order terminal 3, or the employee may be informed that the store will be closed and the employee inputs the instruction to the handy terminal 9 or the management server device 1. It may be that. In this accounting process, the total amount of the products ordered in the order process S200 is calculated, payment by the customer, and printing of the receipt (receipt) by the receipt printer 16 are executed. After this accounting process S102, the table used by the customer goes into a bashing wait (cleaning wait) (S103). When the cleaning of the table by the employee is completed and the table can accept the next customer, the handy terminal 9 or the management server device 1 is input to the effect that bashing is completed, and the next customer (customer). The processing for the group) is started again.

In the food and drink ordering system described above, the ordering terminals 3a to 3d installed on the tables a to d are used in a non-charged state during business hours as described above. Therefore, it is desirable that the batteries of the ordering terminals 3a to 3d do not run out during the business hours of the store. The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to maintain the ordering terminals 3a to 3d at least during business hours. In the following description, since the configurations of the ordering terminals 3a to 3d are the same, the alphabet of the reference numerals will be omitted.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing a battery status monitoring process according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the sustainability during business hours is determined by monitoring the battery status of the order terminal 3. The battery monitoring process differs depending on two states, that is, whether or not the ordering terminal 3 is being charged. The battery monitoring process is a process executed while the order terminal 3 is running, and determines whether or not the order terminal 3 is charging (S301). If it is determined that the ordering terminal 3 is not charging (S301: No), the in-use monitoring process (S310) is executed. On the other hand, when it is determined that the order terminal 3 is not charging (S301: Yes), the charging monitoring process (S330) is executed.

The in-use monitoring process (S310) and the charging monitoring process (S330) are processes for determining whether or not the battery 39 of the order terminal 3 can be sustained until the end of use time, for example, the closing time of the store. The usage end time is a time related to the business of a store such as a restaurant, and the order end time (order stop time) may be used other than the closing time. It is also possible to set a margin (margin) with respect to the actual closing time and order ending time at the usage end time.

For the order terminal 3, a setting process for setting a usage end time according to each store is required. This setting process may be performed for each ordering terminal 3 at the end of use, but it is preferable that a plurality of ordering terminals 3 can be set at once in order to reduce the complexity of setting and setting mistakes. .. For example, it is conceivable that the end-of-use time set for one ordering terminal 3 using a user interface such as a touch panel monitor 32 is automatically set for another ordering terminal 3 in the same network. Alternatively, an external information processing device such as the management server device 1 may be used to collectively set the usage end times of the plurality of order terminals 3. For example, it is conceivable to input the end time of use by using the input means 15 of the management server device 1 or the touch panel monitor 17, and transmit and set it to each order terminal 3 via the network.

In addition, it is possible that business days, non-business days, and business hours differ depending on the day of the week at the store. In view of such circumstances, the usage end time may be set for each day or for each day of the week. In such a form, by using the usage end time according to each set day or day of the week, it is possible to execute appropriate processing according to each day or day of the week.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing an in-use monitoring process (S310) according to an embodiment of the present invention. The in-use monitoring process is a process performed when the order terminal 3 is not charged, that is, in a state where it is used in the tables a to d. In the in-use monitoring process (S310), first, the battery life is predicted (S311). Battery life predictions are made using the current state of charge of the battery 39, eg, the charge rate, and the current decay rate of the battery 39 per unit time. Battery life can be calculated (predicted) by dividing the charge rate by the decay rate. In the present embodiment, the linear prediction is used as described above, but a non-linear prediction in which the attenuation rate differs depending on the charge rate of the battery 39 may be used. Further, the attenuation rate used for the prediction may differ depending on the deterioration over time or the usage status in the store (for example, a store with a high order frequency, a store with a low order frequency, etc.). Therefore, the attenuation rate of the battery 39 may be measured during the use of the order terminal 3 and used for the in-use monitoring process (S310).

In the present embodiment, the current attenuation rate of the battery 39 acquired in S311 is used for updating the attenuation rate history for the charging monitoring process described later (S311'). As the attenuation rate history, various forms such as the average of the attenuation rate at the time of this use and the change over time of the attenuation rate at the time of this use can be adopted.

Next, the usage end time is acquired. In the present embodiment, the usage end time set (stored) in advance in the order terminal 3 is acquired (S312). The context of the battery life prediction (S311) and the acquisition of the usage end time (S312) may be either. Further, the acquisition of the usage end time (S312) is not only stored in the order terminal 3, but the usage end time stored in the management server device 1 may be acquired via the network. Next, the ordering terminal 3 determines whether or not the power of the ordering terminal 3 is sufficient until the end time of use based on the predicted battery life and the current time (S313).

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the state of the battery during the in-use monitoring process. The horizontal axis represents time, and the number shown on the horizontal axis is the number of times S313 is determined in the in-use monitoring process. For example, in the first determination, the time from the current time to the end time of use is the battery required time T1 required to drive the order terminal 3 until the end time of use (for example, 23:00). On the other hand, the battery sustainability is determined using the attenuation factor up to the first determination. In the present embodiment, the battery sustainability time is defined as the time until the attenuation rate up to the first determination is crossed with the charge rate of 0% when attenuated. As can be seen from the figure, the first determination result shows that the battery life is less than the battery required time T1. When the power of the ordering terminal 3 is insufficient until the end of use time (S313: No), the brightness of the ordering terminal 3 is lowered in the present embodiment to compensate for the power shortage until the end of use time. In the order terminal 3, the electric power used for displaying the display unit 32a occupies a large proportion. In the present embodiment, the order terminal 3 can be operated until the end time of use by saving the brightness of the display unit 32a. In the present embodiment, the time from the current time to the end time of use is used as the required battery time, but the time obtained by adding a predetermined spare time to the time from the current time to the end time of use is used as the battery. It may be the required time. Even if the driving status of the ordering terminal 3 changes by allowing a margin in the amount of electric power of the battery 39, the ordering terminal can be operated until the end time of use.

In the above-described form, the relative value (charge rate, attenuation rate, etc.) related to battery storage is used for battery management, but the absolute value (charging rate) related to battery storage such as mAh (milliampere hour) is used. Amount, attenuation, etc.) may be used.

When it is determined that the power of the order terminal 3 is insufficient (S313: No), first, it is determined whether or not the current brightness of the display unit 32a is the lowest (S317). When the brightness is not the lowest (S317: No), the brightness of the display unit 32a is lowered by a predetermined level (S318). By repeatedly executing the in-use monitoring process (S310), it is possible to control the battery sustainability time so as to continue until the end time of use. In the present embodiment, the brightness level is lowered by a predetermined level, but the amount of the brightness level to be lowered may be changed according to the amount of power shortage by the end time of use. Specifically, when the amount of power shortage by the end time of use is large, the amount of the brightness level to be lowered is increased, and the battery sustainability time is controlled so as to continue until the end time of use.

On the other hand, when the brightness of the display unit 32a is already the lowest (S317: Yes), the brightness cannot be further reduced to save power, and the power of the battery 39 cannot be maintained until the end of use. The ordering terminal 3 executes a power shortage notification for the purpose of notifying the employee that the power of the battery 39 cannot be sustained until the end time of use (S318). In the present embodiment, the notification is performed using the LED 36a of the order terminal 3.

FIG. 11 shows a table for explaining the notification form of the ordering terminal 3. In the table of FIG. 11, the notification form of the LED 36a in the power shortage notification (S318) in the in-use monitoring process corresponds to the non-charging time and the battery shortage time. When the battery 39 has sufficient power when not charged (when the battery is full), the LED 36a is off, while when the battery is insufficient, the LED 36a is blinked at a low speed (blinking interval of 3 seconds). It is said. The display color of the LED 36a is changed according to the battery charge rate. When the battery charge rate is 10% or less, in addition to blinking the LED 36a, a message indicating that the battery power is insufficient is displayed on the display unit 32a. The reason why the LED 36a blinks at a low speed is to notify the employee of the battery shortage without giving the customer who is using the order terminal 3 a sense of discomfort as much as possible.

When it is determined that the power of the order terminal 3 is sufficient (S313: Yes), it is determined whether or not the power of the battery 39 is sufficient by the threshold value or more (S314). This determination can be made, for example, on the condition that the battery duration is longer than the threshold value with respect to the battery required time T1.

For example, in the second determination shown in FIG. 8, the time from the current time to the end time of use is the battery required time T2 required to drive the order terminal 3 until the end time of use (for example, 23:00). On the other hand, the battery sustainability is determined using the attenuation factors from the first to the second determination. In the present embodiment, the decay rate from the first to the second determination is defined as the battery sustainability time until it intersects with the charge rate of 0% when attenuated. As can be seen from the figure, the second determination result shows that the battery life is sufficiently longer than the battery required time T2.

In this way, when it is determined that the power of the battery 39 is sufficient by the threshold value or more (S314: Yes), then it is determined whether or not the current brightness of the display unit 32a is the highest (S315). .. When the brightness of the display unit 32a is not the maximum (S315: No), that is, when there is still room for increasing the brightness of the display unit 32a, the brightness of the display unit 32a is increased by a predetermined level (S316). As described above, in the present embodiment, when the power status of the battery 39 is sufficiently sustainable until the end time of use, the brightness of the display unit 32a is increased to provide the customer with an easily recognizable display image. I'm supposed to do it.

In the present embodiment, the maximum brightness is used for the determination of S315, and when the power of the battery 39 is sufficient, the display is performed at the maximum brightness. However, displaying at the maximum brightness means the external brightness. It is conceivable to unnecessarily brighten the display screen. For example, when using the automatic brightness adjustment using the illuminance sensor 36b mounted on the order terminal 3, in the determination of S315, instead of using the maximum brightness, the brightness by the automatic brightness adjustment is used. May be good. In this case, when the power of the battery 39 is sufficient, the displayed image is displayed with the brightness suitable for the external brightness adjusted by the automatic brightness adjustment.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the power of the battery 39 is not sufficient by the threshold value or more (S314: No), or when the brightness of the display unit 32a is not the maximum (S315: No), the brightness of the display unit 32a Does not change, and the process ends while maintaining the current brightness.

As described above, when the order terminal 3 is not being charged, that is, when it is in use, the battery 39 can be maintained until the end time of use by repeatedly executing the in-use monitoring process (S310). As described above, the brightness of the display unit 32a is appropriately controlled. In the present embodiment, when the electric power is sufficient until the end time of use (S314: Yes), the process of increasing the brightness (S316) is executed, but the battery 39 is maintained until the end time of use. From the point of view, this process of increasing the brightness is not always essential.

Next, the charging monitoring process executed when the ordering terminal 3 is charging will be described. FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing a charging monitoring process according to the embodiment of the present invention. When the ordering terminal 3 is being charged, the ordering terminal 3 activates the power save function to suppress the power consumption (S331). This power save function is a process that promotes the battery 39 to be charged faster by suppressing the power consumption of the order terminal 3, such as lowering the display unit 32a to the lowest brightness and lowering the usage rate of the CPU 34a.

Next, the battery life is predicted (S332) as in the case of the in-use monitoring process (S310). The prediction of the battery life can be made by using the current charge rate of the battery 39, the attenuation rate history of the battery 39 recorded at the time of the previous use, and the like. In the present embodiment, the average attenuation rate at the time of the previous use or the change over time of the attenuation rate is used as the attenuation rate history, but the information at the time of the past several times of use is used for the attenuation rate history. You may. By using the information of the past several times of use, it is possible to alleviate the error due to the change of the usage state. In this embodiment, relative values (charge rate, attenuation rate, etc.) related to battery storage are used, but absolute values (charge amount, attenuation amount, etc.) related to battery storage such as mAh (milliampere hour) are used. ) May be used. When a relative value is used, the charge amount and the attenuation rate change as the battery deteriorates. Therefore, as described with reference to FIG. 7, the attenuation rate history is updated while the order terminal 3 is in use. (S311'), but when an absolute value is used, the deterioration of the battery is reflected in the amount of charge, so it is not always necessary to acquire the attenuation rate history.

Next, the usage end time is acquired (S333). As the usage end time, in addition to the value set (stored) in advance in the order terminal 3, the value stored in the external terminal such as the management server device 1 may be acquired via the network.

Next, the ordering terminal 3 determines whether or not the power of the ordering terminal 3 is sufficient until the end time of use based on the predicted battery life and the current time (S334). FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the state of the battery during the monitoring process during charging. The vertical axis shows the charge rate of the battery 39, and the horizontal axis shows the time. During the charging monitoring process, the ordering terminal 3 is charging, that is, the charging rate is increasing, but the battery duration is when the ordering terminal 3 is in use at the current charging rate, that is, It is predicted that the order terminal 3 is removed from the charging stand 4 and is in a used state on the tables a to d and the like. In this embodiment, the attenuation rate at the time of use is the attenuation rate history at the time of the previous use, and the average (constant value) of the attenuation rates acquired a plurality of times at the time of the previous use is used.

For example, in the case of the charge rate B, when the battery life from the present is predicted under a predetermined attenuation rate, it can be seen that the battery does not last until the end time of use (for example, 23:00). On the other hand, in the case of the charge rate A, it can be seen that it continues beyond the usage end time. When such a prediction method is used, it can be seen that the charge rate X is required to continue until the end time of use. Therefore, if the charging rate of the battery 39 exceeds the charging rate X during charging, the charging of the order terminal 3 is stopped and the battery 39 is maintained until the usage end time. In the present embodiment, during charging of the order terminal 3, it is notified that the charging rate X has been exceeded, that is, the battery 39 has become sustainable until the end time of use. By adding the scheduled spare time to the usage end time or adding the preliminary charging rate to the charging rate X, the user may be able to use the service with a margin until the usage ending time.

In the charging monitoring process (S330), when it is determined that the battery 39 is sufficient until the end time of use (S334: Yes), the power supply notification is executed (S336). In the state where the power sufficiency notification is notified, when the order terminal 3 is started to be used, the order terminal 3 can be used in a state where the battery 39 is maintained without having to charge the battery until the end time of use. Therefore, the employee who confirms the power sufficiency notification during charging can arrange the order terminal 3 on the tables a to d. In order to maintain the battery 39 until the end time of use, it is not always necessary to fully charge the battery 39. By providing the condition that the battery 39 lasts until the end time of use in this way, it is possible to eliminate the anxiety that the battery 39 becomes insufficient and to make it usable in the shortest possible charging time.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the battery 39 is sufficient until the end time of use (S334: Yes), it is determined whether or not the battery 39 is fully charged (S335). When it is determined that the battery 39 is not fully charged (S335: No), the power shortage notification (S335) is executed. In the state where the power shortage notification is notified, when the order terminal 3 is started to be used, the battery 39 may not be maintained until the end time of use. Therefore, the employee who confirms the power shortage notification during charging waits until the power shortage notification is changed to the power sufficiency notification before starting the use.

When it is determined that the battery 39 is fully charged (S335), the battery exhaustion notification (S337) is executed. For example, the form of the alternate long and short dash line drawn from the charge rate of 100 [%] corresponds to this. When the attenuation rate increases due to the deterioration of the battery 39, the battery 39 may not last until the end time of use even if the charge rate is 100 [%], as shown by the alternate long and short dash line. If the battery 39 does not last until the end time of use even in the fully charged state, it is considered that the battery cannot be used until the available time because the battery capacity is reduced due to the exhaustion of the battery 39. Be done. In such a case, it is necessary to take measures such as replacing the battery 39 of the order terminal 3. In the present embodiment, the battery exhaustion notification (S337) is sent to notify the employees and the like to that effect.

FIG. 11 shows a table for explaining various notification forms of the order terminal 3. In the table of FIG. 11, the notification form of the LED 36a in the power shortage notification (S336) in the charging monitoring process corresponds to the charging time and the battery shortage time. When the power of the battery 39 is sufficient at the time of charging (when the battery is full), the LED 36a is lit as a power full notification (S338). On the other hand, when the battery is insufficient, the power shortage notification (S336) is given by blinking the LED 36a at a high speed (blinking interval of 1 second). Since charging of the order terminal 3 is performed in a place that is difficult for customers to see, such as the backyard of a store, a person who manages the charge of the order terminal 3, such as an employee, by blinking the LED 36a at high speed in this way. On the other hand, the charging status of the battery 39 is easily noticeable.

When the battery 39 is fully charged (100%) and the battery is insufficient (when the battery 39 does not last until the end time of use), the battery exhaustion notification (S337) will be executed. In the form, in addition to blinking the LED 36a, the battery 39 is exhausted, the battery 39 replacement time has come, or the battery is used until the end time of use so that the person who manages the battery can easily understand. Various messages such as the fact that 39 is not sustained are displayed on the display unit 32a.

Further, in the present embodiment, when the battery charge rate is 10% or less, a message notifying that the battery charge rate is extremely low is displayed on the display unit 32a in addition to the notification by the LED 36a.

The in-use monitoring process (S310) and the charging monitoring process (S330) of the order terminal 3 have been described above, but in the present embodiment, whether or not the battery 39 can be sustained until the end of use time set in the store is determined. By notifying the person who manages the order terminal 3, such as an employee, the battery can be used with peace of mind so that the battery 39 does not run out until the end time of use. As described with reference to FIG. 11, in the present embodiment, the state of the battery 39 is various notifications using the LED 36a and the display unit 32a (power shortage notification (S318), power sufficiency notification (S338), power shortage notification (S336)). However, various forms of such notification can be adopted.

For example, various forms such as a notification form using the display unit 32a without using the notification by the LED 36a, or a notification form using voice from the speaker of the order terminal 3 instead of the display can be adopted. .. Further, the various notifications may be performed not only by the order terminal 3 but also by various devices connected to the order terminal 3 via a network, for example, the management server device 1. In such a case, the identification information indicating the order terminal 3 and the notification to the order terminal 3 are associated and executed so that the plurality of order terminals 3 in the store can be identified.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the battery life is predicted and notified using only the usage end time, but the usage start time may be used for predicting the battery life. The usage start time is, for example, the time when the store starts business. Since the usage status of the order terminal 3 changes before the usage start time and after the usage start time, it is conceivable that the attenuation rate of the battery 39 is significantly different. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a state of the battery 39 during the charging monitoring process using such a usage start time. In FIG. 10, a predetermined attenuation rate is used, but in the present embodiment, the attenuation rate of the battery 39 is different between before the start time of use and after the start time of use. In FIG. 10, since there is no customer operation on the order terminal 3 before the start time of use and the brightness of the display unit 32a is also the lowest in the sleep state, the attenuation rate of the battery 39 is set to substantially 0. On the other hand, after the usage start time, the sustainable time of the battery 39 is calculated using a predetermined attenuation factor.

In FIG. 12, it can be seen that in the case of the charge rate B, when the battery life from the present is predicted, it does not last until the end time of use (for example, 23:00). On the other hand, in the case of the charge rate A, it can be seen that it continues beyond the usage end time. When such a prediction method is used, it can be seen that the charge rate X is required to continue until the end time of use. In this way, by considering different attenuation rates before the start time of use and after the end time of use, it is possible to more accurately determine whether or not the attenuation rate continues until the end time of use.

The order terminal 3 may execute the automatic start processing using the usage start time. Since it is known in advance that the ordering terminal 3 will not be used until the usage start time has arrived, the ordering terminal 3 may be transitioned from the power saving state to the usable state on condition that the usage start time has arrived. .. By performing the automatic start processing in this way, it is possible to perform appropriate power saving according to the use of the store.

The information processing apparatus of the present invention has been described above by taking the ordering terminal 3 used in the food and drink ordering system as an example. It can be applied to the handy terminal 9 of the above, or various information processing devices used in industries in which the start time of use is fixed. Further, a program for an information processing device that is executed by the information processing device and realizes the function of the present invention also belongs to the category of the present invention.

1: Management server device 32: Touch panel monitor 3 (3a to 3d): Order terminal 32a: Display unit 4: Charging stand 32b: Touch panel 5: Kitchen terminal device 33: Charging terminal 6: Waiting terminal 34a: CPU
9 (9a, 9b): Handy terminal 34b: ROM
11a: CPU 34c: RAM
11b: ROM 34d: Image processing unit 11c: RAM 34e: Audio processing unit 11d: Image processing unit 36a: LED
11e: Audio processing unit 36b: Illumination sensor 12: HDD 37b: Interface 13: Communication unit 38: Wireless communication unit 14: Interface 38a: Antenna 15: Input means 39: Battery 16: Receipt printer 41: DC conversion unit 17: Touch panel monitor 42: Power supply terminal 17a: Display unit 43: Power supply line 17b: Touch panel 51: Kitchen printer 19: Battery 51e: Audio processing unit 21: Router Lp: Power supply line 22: Access point

Claims (5)

An information processing device that has a display unit and a control unit and is driven by a battery.
The control unit makes it possible to execute prediction processing, judgment processing, and notification processing.
Prediction processing calculates the sustainable time of the battery and
The judgment process determines the context between the sustainable time calculated by the prediction process and the preset usage end time.
The notification process performs notification based on the context of the sustainable time determined by the determination process and the end time of use.
The notification process is a charge-time notification process executed when the information processing device is in a charged state, and when the determination process determines that the sustainable time is later than the usage end time, it notifies that the information processing device can be used until the usage end time. An information processing device characterized by An information processing device that has a display unit and a control unit and is driven by a battery.
The control unit makes it possible to execute prediction processing, judgment processing, and notification processing.
Prediction processing calculates the sustainable time of the battery and
The judgment process determines the context between the sustainable time calculated by the prediction process and the preset usage end time.
The notification process performs notification based on the context of the sustainable time determined by the determination process and the end time of use.
The information processing device is an information processing device that notifies when a battery is fully charged when it is determined in the determination process that the sustainable time is earlier than the end time of use. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the prediction process calculates the sustainable time of the battery using the set usage start time. A program for an information processing device that has a control unit and is executed by an information processing device that is driven by a battery.
The control unit makes it possible to execute prediction processing, judgment processing, and notification processing.
Prediction processing calculates the sustainable time of the battery and
The judgment process determines the context between the sustainable time calculated by the prediction process and the preset usage end time.
Notification process, have line a notification based on the context of the determination and sustainable time and use end time in the determination process,
The notification process is a charge-time notification process executed when the information processing device is in a charged state, and when the determination process determines that the sustainable time is later than the usage end time, it notifies that the information processing device can be used until the usage end time. A program for an information processing device characterized by A program for an information processing device that has a control unit and is executed by an information processing device that is driven by a battery.
The control unit makes it possible to execute prediction processing, judgment processing, and notification processing.
Prediction processing calculates the sustainable time of the battery and
The judgment process determines the context between the sustainable time calculated by the prediction process and the preset usage end time.
The notification process performs notification based on the context of the sustainable time determined by the determination process and the end time of use.
The notification process is characterized in that when the sustainable time is determined to be earlier than the usage end time in the determination process and the battery is fully charged, a notification is given.
Program for information processing equipment.

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