JP6920820B2 - Seat status display system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a seat status display system that provides a customer with a vacant seat / seat status in a restaurant or the like.

In stores such as restaurants, we want to reduce the vacancy rate and increase sales as much as possible, and while suppressing labor costs, we can reduce chance loss by accurately grasping the vacancy / seating situation and notifying customers. Is requested.

As a conventional seat status display system, for example, there is a "reservation management system via a three-dimensional panoramic image" disclosed in Patent Document 1 below. This creates 3D panoramic image data by editing image data taken from multiple directions in the store, detects the movement of the human body with the distance sensor at the bottom of the table and the weight sensor at the bottom of the seat, and converts it into data, POS. In cooperation with the input information, analysis data such as arrival / departure time by seat, staying time, utilization rate by seat, order by time zone, etc. are collected.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2011-221975

However, with such background technology, it is not possible to grasp the number of visitors waiting to enter the store outside the store, even if the availability of seats inside the store is aside. In addition, although seating and vacant seats are detected using a distance sensor and a weight sensor, there are cases where a person will eat from now on, and there is a high possibility that he / she has already finished eating and will leave the seat. The store wants to improve the availability of seats and secure as many customers as possible.

On the other hand, on the customer side, it is not possible to spend time eating, such as at lunchtime, so it is necessary to find a vacant store immediately. In addition, there are times when you want to find a store that can accommodate a few people, and there are also requests that you do not want to be tied to reservations.

The present invention focuses on the above points, and by accurately grasping the seating / vacant situation in the store and notifying the user, the vacant seat rate is reduced and various requests from the customer side are met. That is the purpose.

The present invention is a seat status display system that detects and displays the vacant / seated status in a store, and is a seating sensor for detecting whether or not a customer is seated in the seat in the store, and detection of each seating sensor. A calculation means that counts the time from the start of seating based on a signal and obtains seat status data according to the seating time division based on a preset determination value. Seating time based on the seat status data. It is characterized by including a display means for displaying the number of seats according to the classification of.

According to one of the main forms, the seating time division is characterized by a plurality of time zones set according to the length of the seating time of the customer. One of the other forms is characterized in that the seating sensor is also provided in a plurality of seats waiting for entry outside the store. According to still another form, the seating time division includes a division of the number of seats of a plurality of seats for waiting for entry. In still another form, the display means is either the entrance of the store, the entrance of the building where the store is located, or an information terminal owned by the customer. Alternatively, the display means displays the seat status of a plurality of stores. The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be clarified from the following detailed description and accompanying drawings.

According to the present invention, the time from the seating start time is counted based on the detection signal of the seating sensor, and the seating status is displayed according to the seating time classification based on the preset determination value. It is possible to accurately grasp the situation of seating and vacancy in the store and notify the user, reduce the vacancy rate, and respond to various requests from the customer side.

It is a block diagram which shows the whole structure of Example 1 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the seat management apparatus of the said Example. It is a flowchart which shows the determination procedure of a seating / vacant seat in the said Example. It is a figure which shows the display example in the said Example. It is a block diagram which shows the main structure of Example 2 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the main part and the display example of the operation of Example 3 of this invention.

Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail based on examples.

First, Example 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4 (A). FIG. 1A shows the overall configuration of this embodiment. In the figure, in the store 100 such as a restaurant, a counter 20 is provided so as to surround the kitchen (kitchen) 10, and a plurality of tables 20 are further provided. Seats 22 and 32 are arranged on the counter 20 and the table 30. In addition, a plurality of seats 42 for customers waiting to enter the store are also provided outside the store. The display of the seat 42 for customers waiting to enter the store will be described later.

The seats 22, 32, and 42 are provided with a sensor (hereinafter, simply referred to as a “seating sensor”) 50 for detecting whether or not a customer is sitting (whether or not the seat is vacant). In the example shown in FIG. 6B, the seating sensor 50 is attached to the backrest side of the seats 22, 32, and 42. The seating sensor 50 may be any type as long as it can detect whether or not the customer is sitting, such as a pressure sensor, a gravity sensor, and an infrared sensor. Further, an optical sensor or an ultrasonic sensor may be provided on the counter 20 or the table 30 side to detect whether or not a customer is sitting from the degree of reflection of the output light or ultrasonic wave.

The seating sensor 50 is connected to the seat management device 200, and the detection signal of the seating sensor 50 is integrated in the seat management device 200. The seat management device 200 is composed of a computer such as a personal computer, and may be installed in the store 100, or may be installed in an office operating the store 100, a franchise headquarters, or the like. When the seating sensor 32 is installed at a position away from the store 100, the seating sensor 32 and the seat management device 200 are connected by using a dedicated line or the Internet.

The seat management device 200 includes a reception unit (reception interface) 202, a seat status calculation unit 204, a timer 206, a transmission unit (transmission interface) 208, a data memory 220, and a program memory 230. In addition, input devices such as keyboards and output devices such as monitors and printers are connected as needed.

The detection signal of the seating sensor 32 described above is received by the seat management device 200 via the receiving unit 202, and is stored in the data memory 220 as the sensor detection data 222. The seat status calculation program 232 is stored in the program memory 230, and the seat status is calculated by executing this in the seat status calculation unit 204, and the result is stored in the data memory 220 as the seat status data 224. It has become like. The data memory 220 also stores the calculation setting data 226. The calculation setting data 226 is data that is referred to when the seat status is calculated.

The timer 206 is for measuring the time from the start of seating, and is referred to when the seat status calculation program 232 is executed. The seat status data 224, which is the calculation result of the seat status calculation program 232, is output and displayed on the guidance display 40 installed at the entrance of the store 10, and is provided to the user terminal 240 via the Internet 212. It has become like.

As the user terminal 240, various information terminals such as smartphones, mobile phones, tablets, and notebook computers can be applied. The seat status data 224 provided to the user terminal 240 may be displayed by a Web browser or the like, or may be displayed by a dedicated application.

Next, the overall operation of the above embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4A. Note that FIG. 4 shows the difference in color with different hatching. In the seat management device 200, the seat status calculation unit 204 executes the seat status calculation program 232 of the program memory 230, and the operation shown in FIG. 3 is performed. That is, the detection result by the seating sensor 50 provided on the seats 22, 32, and 42 is received by the receiving unit 202 (step SA). Then, when the detection signal indicating that the customer is seated is not received (No in step SB), it is determined that the seat is vacant (step SC). The determination result is stored in the data memory 220 as seat status data 224, and is provided to the guidance display 40 and the user terminal 240, and the number of vacant seats is displayed by, for example, a white circle (step SC).

In the vacant seat determination in steps SB and SC, if the detection signal cannot be received even after the determination value (for example, 3 to 5 minutes) or more set in the calculation setting data 226 has elapsed, the vacant seat may be determined. This is because there may be some customers, but for some reason they may be away from their seats.

Next, when the detection signal is received (Yes in step SB), the timer 206 is referred to and the time from the seating time (the time when the detection signal is received and disclosed) is counted (step SD). Then, when the count time is equal to or longer than the determination value (for example, 40 minutes) set in the calculation setting data 226 (Yes in step SE), it is determined that there is a high possibility that the customer will leave the seat and become vacant. For example, the number of seats is displayed by a green circle (step SF).

If the count time is less than 40 minutes (No in step SE) and is greater than or equal to the judgment value (for example, 20 minutes) set in the calculation setting data 226 (Yes in step SG), by the time the seat becomes vacant. Judging that it will take some time, for example, the number of seats is displayed with a yellow circle (step SH). On the other hand, when the count time is less than 20 minutes (No of step SG), it is judged that the seat has just been seated and it will take a considerable amount of time to become vacant. Display (step SI).

FIG. 4A shows an example of displaying the vacant seat status on the guidance display 40 and the information terminal 240. In this example, the division of the seating time, that is, a plurality of time zones set according to the length of the seating time of the customer is set.
It is divided into four categories: a, vacant seat b, less than 20 minutes after sitting c, more than 20 minutes after sitting and less than 40 minutes d, more than 40 minutes after sitting and less than 60 minutes. The number of seats is displayed for each category. There are 4 seats that take a considerable amount of time to leave "less than 20 minutes", 4 seats that take some time to leave "20 minutes or more and less than 40 minutes", and "40 minutes or more and less than 60 minutes" There are 3 seats that are about to leave and 3 seats that are "vacant". A customer who is planning to visit the store can refer to such a display at the entrance of the store 100 or an information terminal 240 such as a smartphone owned by the customer to determine whether or not to enter the store.

As described above, according to this embodiment, there are the following effects.
a, Not only detecting the presence or absence of seating, but also classifying by the elapsed time after sitting, such as the time zone when you have just been seated, the time zone when you think that you are about to leave your seat, and the time zone in between. Since the number of seats is displayed, it is possible to predict not only the current state of vacant seats but also the future situation, reduce the vacant seat rate, and respond to various requests from customers.
b. It is possible to check the availability of seats in real time not only in front of the store but also at home, at work, and on the go.
c. Since a pressure sensor or the like is used as the seating sensor 50, it is possible to detect whether or not the customer is seated regardless of the height and weight of the customer. Further, even if the number of seats is increased or decreased, the seating sensor 50 can be easily attached and detached. It is also possible to flexibly respond to changes in the in-store layout.

Next, Example 2 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 (B) to 4 (C) and FIG. In FIG. 5A, a plurality of stores 100A, 100B, 100C, ... Are occupying the complex building 500, and seat management devices 200A, 200B, 200C, ... Are provided for each store. .. Then, the seating sensor 50 output of each seat installed in the stores 100A, 100B, 100C, ... Is transmitted to the seat management devices 200A, 200B, 200C, ... For each store, respectively, and described above. The seat status is calculated. The processing result is output and displayed on a large guidance display 502 installed at the entrance of the complex building 500. An example of the display is shown in FIG. 4 (B). FIG. 3C is a display example on the information terminal 240, and the seat status of each store 100A, 100B, 100C, ... Is displayed by scrolling the screen.

In FIG. 5B, the seating sensor 50 output of each seat installed in the stores 100A, 100B, 100C, ... Is transmitted to the seat management device 200H commonly provided for each store, and is described above. The seat status is calculated.

According to this embodiment, the vacancy status of the stores in the building is collectively displayed on the guidance display 502 installed at the entrance of the complex building 500. Therefore, it is not necessary to go to the store entrance in the building, which is very convenient.

The stores 100A, 100B, 100C, ... Shown in FIG. 5 may be chain stores in different areas. FIG. 4 (D) shows a display example of the seat status in that case.
When you select the desired store from the store list, the seat status of the store is displayed.

Next, the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. This embodiment is an example of displaying the status of the seat 42 for customers waiting to enter the store, and the seat status calculation unit 204 of the seat management device 200 also performs the calculation of FIG. 6 (A) in addition to FIG. That is, the detection signal by the seating sensor 50 of the seat 42 for the customer waiting to enter the store is received (step SN1), and the detected number of seats is displayed as the number of people waiting to enter the store (step SN2). A display example is shown in FIG. 6 (B). Compared with the example of FIG. 4 (A) described above, there are no vacant seats, and the number of people waiting to enter the store "5" indicated by "△" is displayed. There is.
According to this embodiment, the seating time division includes the number of seats for a plurality of seats waiting to enter the store, so that the user can know the number of people waiting to enter the store. It is possible to grasp the congestion situation more accurately. The number of people waiting to enter the store may also be divided and displayed by counting the waiting time.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, the following are also included.
(1) The calculation setting data 226 shown in the above embodiment may be appropriately changed according to, for example, the type of business, place or region, season, day of the week, time zone, and the like. For example, in a restaurant or the like, it is considered that the average staying time of customers differs between lunch and dinner, so it is convenient to change the value of the above-mentioned calculation setting data 226 according to the staying time. For example, the above-mentioned determination values "40 minutes" and "20 minutes" are set to "60 minutes" and "40 minutes" at dinner. In a stand-up restaurant, it is considered that the staying time does not differ depending on the time zone, and the staying time is considered to be short. Therefore, the above-mentioned judgment values are set to "20 minutes" and "10 minutes". And. At the hairdressing shop, it is considered that the staying time does not change throughout the day, so the above-mentioned judgment values are set to "60 minutes" and "30 minutes". At chain stores, etc., the length of stay may differ between the city center and the suburbs, so take that into consideration.
(2) In the above embodiment, the seat status is divided into four types of "white, green, yellow, and red" according to the judgment values "40 minutes" and "20 minutes", but the number of divisions is required. It may be increased or decreased according to. Further, the symbol to be displayed can be appropriately set such as symbol display and character display. Further, the seat 22 of the counter 20, the seat 32 of the table 30, and the seat 42 waiting to enter the store can be distinguished and displayed with different symbols. In this case, the table 30 may be displayed by performing a determination based on the determination values "40 minutes" and "20 minutes" for each table. Specifically, when the table 30 has seats 32 for four people, the average of the count times from those seats is calculated and compared with the above-mentioned determination value, or the count of the seat with the latest seating time is counted. A method of comparing the time with the above-mentioned determination value can be considered.
(3) If the average period from seating to leaving is calculated by the seat status calculation program 232, it can be displayed on the guidance display 40 or the information terminal 240 as the average staying time at the store 100. For example, in the example of FIG. 4A, if the average stay time is 40 minutes, there are three seats that are seated for 40 minutes or more, so it is highly likely that these seats will be vacant soon. be able to.
(4) In addition to the seating status, the features of the store 100, service contents, charges, access methods and maps, URLs and barcodes of reservation screens, etc. may be displayed on the guidance display 40 or the information terminal 240. good. By displaying these, it is possible to encourage customers to come to the store. In addition, when the reservation screen is displayed on the information terminal 240 and a reservation is made from the URL or barcode of the reservation screen, the individual page of each user is displayed by inputting the individual ID of the user given in advance. It is also possible to provide services such as recording the visit history of the user and giving a coupon, which can be expected to have the effect of guiding customers to the store 100.

According to the present invention, not only the presence or absence of seating is detected based on the detection signal of the seating sensor, but also the time from the start of seating is counted, and the seating time is classified based on a preset determination value. By displaying the seat status according to the situation, it was decided to accurately grasp the status of seating and vacancy in the store and notify the user. For this reason, it is possible to reduce the vacancy rate and respond to various requests from customers, so large office buildings and shopping malls with commercial facilities such as restaurants, multi-store development restaurant chains and franchise chains, especially large ones. Suitable for shopping centers and the like.

10: Store 20: Counter 22, 32, 42: Seat 30: Table 40: Guidance display 50: Seating sensor 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, ...: Store 200, 200A, 200B, 200C, 200H ...: Seat management device 202: Receiver 204: Seat status calculation unit 206: Timer 212: Internet 220: Data memory 222: Sensor detection data 224: Seat status data 226: Calculation setting data 230: Program memory 232: Seat status calculation program 240 : Information terminal 500: Complex building 502: Guidance display

Claims (3)

It is a seat status display system that detects and displays the vacant / seated status in a store.
A seating sensor for detecting whether or not a customer is seated in a seat in the store,
A calculation means that counts the time from the start of seating based on the detection signal of each seating sensor, and obtains seating status data according to the classification of the seating time based on a preset determination value.
A display means for displaying the number of seats according to the seating time classification based on the seat status data,
Including
The seat status display is characterized in that the calculation means determines that the seat is vacant when the detection signal of the seating sensor cannot be received even after 3 to 5 minutes or more set in the calculation setting data of the calculation means. system. It is a seat status display system that detects and displays the vacant / seated status in a store.
A seating sensor for detecting whether or not a customer is seated in a seat in the store,
A calculation means that counts the time from the start of seating based on the detection signal of each seating sensor, and obtains seating status data according to the classification of the seating time based on a preset determination value.
A display means for displaying the number of seats according to the seating time classification based on the seat status data,
Including
A seat status display system characterized in that the calculation means determines that a seat is vacant when the detection signal of the seating sensor cannot be received even after the determination value set in the calculation setting data of the calculation means has elapsed. It is a seat status display system that detects and displays the vacant / seated status in a store.
A seating sensor for detecting whether or not a customer is seated in a seat in the store and a plurality of seats waiting to enter the store outside the store.
A calculation means that counts the time from the start of seating based on the detection signal of each seating sensor, and obtains seating status data according to the classification of the seating time based on a preset determination value.
A display means for displaying the number of seats according to the seating time classification based on the seat status data,
Including
The seating time division includes a division of the number of seats of a plurality of seats for waiting for entry.
The display means includes the number of people waiting to enter the store.
A seat status display system characterized in that the calculation means determines that a seat is vacant when the detection signal of the seating sensor cannot be received even after the determination value set in the calculation setting data of the calculation means has elapsed.

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