JP7649535B2 - Order system and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an ordering system and a program.

Conventionally, for example, a customer (operator) would operate a ticket vending machine to purchase a meal ticket, but for various reasons (such as being unable to find a seat due to congestion or a long wait), the customer may wish to cancel the meal ticket, and the process (cancellation process, etc.) in such cases was cumbersome.

Patent No. 4700767

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned points, and an object of the present invention is to provide an order system and a program capable of smoothly carrying out product transaction processing.

The present invention relates to an ordering system including a ticket vending machine that issues tickets and a mobile terminal of a customer, wherein the ticket vending machine is equipped with a registration means for the customer to register products, a ticket issuing means for printing tickets based on the registered information, and a display means for displaying at least one of waiting information of the number of people waiting or the waiting time when used, and the display means displays the waiting information before the ticket issuing means issues a ticket, and the mobile terminal is equipped with a reading means for reading identification information output from the ticket vending machine to obtain the waiting information, an acquisition means for acquiring the waiting information and transaction information based on the read identification information, and a payment means for performing a payment process based on the acquired transaction information .

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an order system 1-1. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a ticket vending machine 10. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a product file. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a mobile terminal 100. 4 is an operational flow diagram showing an example of a ticket selling process executed by the ticket vending machine 10. FIG. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a first product selection screen G1-1 (G1). A figure showing a second product selection screen G1-2 (G1). FIG. 13 shows a payment screen (settlement screen) G2. FIG. 13 shows a payment screen (settlement screen) G3. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an identification information display screen G4. FIG. 11(a) is a diagram showing an order confirmation screen G5, and FIG. 11(b) is a diagram showing a payment screen G6. 10 is an operational flow diagram showing an example of a ticket selling process executed by the mobile terminal 100. FIG. FIG. 13(a) is a diagram showing the order number screen G7, and FIG. 13(b) is a diagram showing the order number screen G8. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a usage status display screen G9. 4 is an operational flow diagram showing an example of a ticket selling process executed by the ticket vending machine 10. FIG.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
First Embodiment
1 is a diagram showing an example of an ordering system 1-1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, this ordering system 1-1 is configured by connecting multiple ticket vending machines 10, a ticket vending machine management device (management device) 50, a member management server 80, and multiple mobile terminals 100 for customers via a communication line 140 so that they can communicate with each other.

The ticket vending machine (order receiving device, vending machine, product sales data processing device) 10 is installed, for example, in a restaurant so that a customer (operator) can purchase a meal ticket (ticket) corresponding to a product (cooking menu). In addition to the case where one (or multiple) machines are installed in one store (restaurant) S1, S2, one (or multiple) machines may be installed for multiple stores (restaurants) S3-1 to 5. In addition, kitchen terminals such as kitchen printers and kitchen monitors may be installed in each of the restaurants S1 to S3. On the kitchen terminal, when the payment process for the ordered product described below is completed, instructions to cook the ordered product are displayed or printed.

Figure 2 is a diagram showing an example of the system configuration of the ticket vending machine 10. As shown in the figure, the ticket vending machine 10 is configured by connecting a CPU 11, a flash memory 13, a RAM 15, a touch panel 17, a communication unit 19, an issuing unit (ticket issuing means) 21, a scanner unit 23, a banknote processing unit 25, a coin processing unit 27, and a non-cash payment processing unit 29 via a communication means 31 so that they can communicate data with each other.

The CPU 11 is a control means that controls the overall processing operations of the ticket vending machine 10. The RAM 15 corresponds to a main memory device and is used as a working area when the CPU 11 executes calculation processes. Product files are stored in the RAM 15. Figure 3 shows an example of a product file stored in the RAM 15. As shown in the figure, the product file consists of various product information such as the product code (product identification information), product name, and price of each product.

The flash memory 13 corresponds to an auxiliary storage device, and stores not only the programs executed by the CPU 11, but also various setting data used by the CPU 11 during calculation processing. Note that instead of the flash memory 13, other storage devices such as a hard disk may be used as the auxiliary storage device.

The touch panel 17 is a display means, such as a liquid crystal panel, that displays various images under the control of the CPU 11, and is also an operation means (selection means) that causes the CPU 11 to execute a predetermined control process based on an operation signal output in response to an operation performed on the touch panel 17 (such as an operation to select a product to be issued). The communication unit 19 is a transmission/reception means that executes communication with the outside, such as the ticket machine management device 50, the member management server 80, or the mobile terminal 100, via the communication circuit 140, etc. This can be wired or wireless.

The issuing unit 21 is a ticket issuing means that includes a mechanism for controlling the issuing of meal tickets for products for which registration and payment have been completed using the touch panel 17 or the like, printing necessary information about the product on ticket paper, and discharging the printed meal ticket (ticket) from an issuing port. The scanner unit 23 is a reading means that reads, for example, a two-dimensional code displayed on the touch panel 107 of the mobile terminal 100 described below.

The banknote processing unit 25 performs general banknote processing. Specifically, the banknote processing unit 25 performs operations such as determining the type of banknote inserted from the banknote insertion slot, counting the number of inserted banknotes, and selecting the required denomination of banknotes from the banknotes stored in the banknote storage installed inside the ticket vending machine 10 when returning change and discharging the required number of coins from the banknote discharge slot. The coin processing unit 27 performs general coin processing. Specifically, like the banknote processing unit 25, the coin processing unit 27 performs operations such as coin authentication, counting the number of coins by denomination, selecting the required denomination of coins from the coins stored inside the ticket vending machine 10 and discharging the required number of coins from the coin discharge slot. The non-cash payment processing unit 29 performs general non-cash payment processing (such as electronic money payment and credit card payment).

The ticket vending machine management device 50 is connected to each ticket vending machine 10 and mobile terminal 100 via a communication line 140, and is a management device that transmits and receives various information between each of these devices and manages the information. For example, when the ticket vending machine management device 50 is notified by the mobile terminal 100 that the mobile terminal 100 has input the identification information G42 displayed on the ticket vending machine 10, as described below, the ticket vending machine management device 50 outputs information indicating that the information has been input to the ticket vending machine 10.

The member management server 80 is, for example, a device that manages customers who have registered as members at multiple stores S1 to S3 (or just one store). Customers have a dedicated application installed on their mobile terminal 100 to become members of the store. If the application is not installed, the customer may be directed to a download site when reading the identification information (two-dimensional code) G42 displayed on the ticket vending machine 10 described below, and the application may be downloaded.

The mobile terminal 100 is a mobile terminal, such as a smartphone (multifunction phone), held by each customer who uses the ticket vending machine 10, and exchanges various information between the ticket vending machine 10, the ticket vending machine management device 50, and the member management server 80. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the system configuration of the mobile terminal 100. As shown in the figure, the mobile terminal 100 is configured by connecting a CPU 101, a ROM 103, a RAM 105, a touch panel (touch panel/display unit, input/display unit) 107, a communication unit 109, and a scanner unit (reading means) 110 via a communication line 111. The CPU 101 controls the operation of the mobile terminal 100 by executing a control program stored in the ROM 103. The ROM 103 stores various information such as the control program and image data (image format information) displayed on the touch panel 107. The RAM 105 temporarily stores various information. The touch panel 107 is a device that combines a display device that displays various images, such as a liquid crystal panel, with a position input device, such as a touchpad, and displays information to a customer (mobile terminal holder) who operates the mobile terminal 100, and inputs information by pressing (tapping, dragging, flicking, etc.) the display on the screen. The communication unit 109 is a communication interface for communicating with various external devices, and communicates with external devices (such as the ticket vending machine management device 50 and the ticket vending machine 10) via the communication line 140. The scanner unit 110 is a reading means that reads, for example, identification information G42 displayed on the touch panel 17 of the ticket vending machine 10 described below.

The communication line 140 is a concept that includes various lines, such as a network such as the Internet, a dedicated line, or a telephone line, and can be either wired or wireless. In short, any circuit is acceptable as long as the devices that make up this order system 1-1 can be connected to a line that allows data to be sent and received.

Figure 5 is an operational flow diagram showing an example of a ticket selling process executed by the ticket vending machine 10. The process shown in this diagram is realized by the CPU 11 executing a program stored in the flash memory 13.

First, when a new customer stands in front of the ticket vending machine 10, the initial first product selection screen G1-1 (G1) as shown in FIG. 6 is displayed (step 1-1). As shown in the figure, the first product selection screen G1-1 displays classified product group buttons G11, 12, 13, and 14. In this example, if the product group button G12 is pressed as the desired product group button, the second product selection screen G1-2 (G1) as shown in FIG. 7 is displayed. Then, since various selectable products are displayed on this second product selection screen G1-2, the desired product is selected from these products (step 1-2). To select, it is sufficient to press the part displaying the desired product. Product selection can be repeated multiple times until the checkout button G16 is pressed ("N" in step 1-3). The selected product is displayed in the selected product display field G15 at the bottom of the second product selection screen G1-2, and the number of items ordered and the total amount are also displayed in the selected product display field G15. The CPU 11 and touch panel 17, which display the first and second product selection screens G1 (G1-1, G1-2) using steps 1-1 to 1-3 to select and register products, are registration means by which the customer registers products. The first and second product selection screens G1 (G1-1, G1-2) are also transaction start screens. Once the customer has completed selecting the products, he or she presses the checkout button G16 on the second product selection screen G1-2 ("Y" in step 1-3).

When the checkout button G16 is pressed, the ticket vending machine 10 checks information about the store's usage status (step 1-4). The store's usage status refers to the current congestion status of the store, including whether there are any seats available, the number of people waiting if the store is full, and the current waiting time forecast. This usage status is waiting information. Information about the store's usage status is obtained, for example, by inputting it from a mobile terminal carried by the hall staff, but it may also be obtained using various other methods, such as image recognition by a camera installed in the store. The usage status of each seat can be changed from the hall staff's mobile terminal. For example, when a customer is guided to a table, an operation is performed on the table number to change the status from "unused" to "in use". Similarly, when the customer at the table has completed payment or left the seat, or the hall staff has cleaned the table and is ready to serve the next customer, the mobile terminal can be operated to change the status from "in use" to "unused". The status is not limited to two types, and there may be a status such as "reserved". In the case of a status of "reserved", the staff can be aware of the status and prevent guiding customers to the wrong seat. Seats such as tables and counters can be identified by selecting from options displayed on the mobile terminal screen of the hall staff, or by reading a barcode, two-dimensional code, IC tag, etc. that is pre-installed on each seat to switch between "in use" and "unused". In an operation to notify the congestion status, it is important to obtain the seat usage status appropriately and easily. Also, in an operation to identify tables using the ticket vending machine 10, when the table number is uniquely identified from the ticket vending machine 10, the table is set to "in use", and when the hall staff has completed cleaning, the status can be changed to "unused" from the mobile terminal, just like in the case of a mobile terminal.

The ticket vending machine 10 uses the information about the store usage status to determine whether there are currently any seats available for seating without waiting, and if there are any seats available for seating without waiting, it does not display the usage status in step 1-5 ("N" in step 1-5), and proceeds to step 1-10, displaying a payment screen (settlement screen) G2 as shown in FIG. 8 on the touch panel 17 of the ticket vending machine 10. In addition to a product total field G21 and a receipt required field G23, the payment screen G2 displays an available payment selection field G25. The available payment selection field G25 displays various payment methods that can be used with this ticket vending machine 1, such as a cash payment selection button G251, a credit card payment selection button G253, an electronic money payment selection button G255, and a mobile terminal payment selection button G257.

Next, the customer selects a payment method by pressing one of the buttons in the available payment selection field G25, and a payment screen G3 corresponding to the payment method is displayed, as shown in FIG. 9. The example shown in FIG. 9 shows an example of the screen when a payment method using electronic money is selected. The customer then performs the payment process (settlement process) by following the instructions displayed on the settlement screen G3 (step 1-11).

As a result, the meal ticket printed by the issuing unit 21 of the ticket vending machine 10 is issued from the issuing port of the ticket vending machine 10 (step 1-12). At the same time, the order information for the product for which payment has been made is sent to a kitchen terminal (not shown) (a kitchen printer or kitchen monitor, the same applies below), and cooking of the product is instructed.

Instead of a meal ticket, information regarding the transaction may be sent to the mobile terminal 100 of the customer, to which application software has been downloaded in advance, using short-range communication or the like, and exchanged for a product according to the display on the mobile terminal 100. Also, instead of a meal ticket, data may be sent to a pager terminal, and the pager terminal may be used to call the customer when the meal is served. In this case, the device would be a product sales data processing device (order receiving device, vending machine) other than the ticket vending machine 10.

On the other hand, if there is no seat available without waiting time in step 1-5, it is determined that the usage status needs to be displayed in step 1-5 ("Y" in step 1-5), and the process proceeds to step 1-6, where the CPU 11 generates identification information. The identification information is, for example, information including a transaction number related to the selected and registered product, and this identification information is displayed as a two-dimensional code. Note that the means for displaying the identification information may be a barcode or a predetermined transaction number instead of a two-dimensional code. Note that detailed information related to the registered product including the transaction number may be separately transmitted from the ticket vending machine 10 to the ticket vending machine management device 50, and when an inquiry is made from the mobile terminal 100 to the ticket vending machine management device 50, the detailed information may be transmitted to the mobile terminal 100, and the mobile terminal 100 may be able to settle the account. In short, the identification information may be information necessary for the mobile terminal 100 to continue the transaction by the ticket vending machine 10 by importing it into the mobile terminal 100.

Then, the ticket vending machine 10 displays the identification information display screen G4 shown in FIG. 10 on its touch panel 17. The identification information display screen G4 displays a usage status explanation field G41, identification information G42, and a cancel button G43. The usage status explanation field G41 lists the number of people currently waiting and the subsequent operation method if one waits without canceling. The CPU 11 and touch panel 17 that display the usage status explanation field G41 (as well as the usage status explanation field G91 described below) using steps 1-7 are notification means that notify information related to the usage status.

In the above example, the usage status explanation field G41 and the identification information G42 are output at the same time. However, the identification information G42 may be printed on a ticket medium or receipt that is output after the usage status explanation field G41 is displayed and payment is made. In this case, the usage status explanation field G41 may display, for example, "Sorry. There are currently two people waiting. If you can wait, please proceed to payment." In this case, the identification information G42 is displayed on the screen after payment is made. Furthermore, even before payment, a ticket or receipt may be printed with the aim of handing over the identification information G42, regardless of whether payment is made or not. In this example, the waiting information is displayed in the usage status explanation field G41, and the waiting information itself or information that can obtain the waiting information is also stored in the identification information G42.

The usage status, i.e., waiting information, is calculated, for example, from the total number of seats in the store, the number of seats in use (the number of vacant seats), and the number of reserved seats. For example, if the total number of seats in the store is 15, the number of seats in use is 15, and the number of reserved seats is 2, then immediate entry to the store is not possible, and the usage status explanation field G41 is displayed in the manner shown in FIG. 10.

In addition, if the store usage time per person (for example, 10 minutes/person) is preset, the expected waiting time can be set to the number of reserved seats (2 people) (= 20 minutes) + the number of people wishing to use (yourself) (1 person) (= 10 minutes) = a total of 30 minutes. In this case, the expected waiting time may be displayed, for example, in the usage status explanation field G41 in FIG. 10.

If the number of seats in use is less than the total number of seats in the store, entry is possible, so the waiting information as shown in FIG. 10 is not displayed as described above, and the process moves directly from step 1-5 to step 10, where the payment screens G2 and G3 are displayed.

Then, after reading the description in the usage status explanation field G41, if the customer wishes to cancel the transaction at the ticket vending machine 10, he or she presses the cancel button G43. This causes the process to move from "Y" in step 1-8 to step 1-1, and the ticket vending machine 10 displays a new product selection screen G1-1 (see Figure 6) for the next customer. The CPU 11 or touch panel 17 that displays and allows the user to select the cancel button G43 using steps 1-7 and 1-8 is the cancel means for canceling the transaction.

On the other hand, if the customer does not cancel ("N" in step 1-8) and reads and inputs the identification information G42 into his/her mobile terminal 100, this input operation is regarded as an indication of the customer's intention to make a reservation for use of the store.

Then, the ticket vending machine 10 is notified from the mobile terminal 100 via the ticket vending machine management device 50 that the identification information G43 has been entered into the mobile terminal 100. If the notification is confirmed, the process moves from "Y" in step 1-9 to step 1-1, and the ticket vending machine 10 displays a new product selection screen (transaction start screen) G1-1 (see Figure 6) for the next customer.

In other words, if there are no seats available without a wait, the customer is asked to decide whether or not to cancel the transaction, and whether or not the transaction is cancelled, operation on the ticket vending machine 10 is terminated and the product selection screen G1-1 for the next customer is displayed. If the transaction is not cancelled, the customer continues operation on their own mobile terminal 100, which will be described below. This shortens the amount of time each person occupies the ticket vending machine 10 when the store is crowded, improving usage efficiency.

Figure 12 is an operational flow diagram showing an example of a ticket selling process executed by a customer's mobile terminal 100. The process shown in this diagram is realized by the CPU 101 executing a program stored in the ROM 103.

When the mobile terminal 100 reads and inputs the identification information G42 displayed on the touch panel 17 of the ticket vending machine 10 (step 2-1), it associates information about the customer who owns the mobile terminal 100 (for example, the customer's ID number) with the identification information (step 2-2). The CPU 101 or the like that performs the process of step 2-2 of associating this identification information with information about the customer (hereinafter referred to as "ID information") is called the association means. In addition, based on the read identification information G42, waiting information and transaction information such as a transaction number are obtained. This waiting information and transaction information may be information contained in the identification information G42, or may be information obtained from the ticket vending machine management device 50 or the like using the information contained in the identification information G42.

Then, the mobile terminal 100 transmits a notification to the ticket vending machine 10 via, for example, the ticket vending machine management device 50, indicating that the identification information has been entered (that the identification information has been associated with the ID information) (step 2-3). After this, the identification information and the ID information are linked in the order system 1-1, and the customer can proceed with his or her transaction on the mobile terminal 100.

Then, as a result of this notification, as described above, the ticket vending machine 10 returns from step 1-9 to step 1-1 and displays the product selection screen G1-1 for the next customer (i.e., displays the registration means on the display means).

Next, a reservation information input screen (not shown) is displayed on the touch panel 107 of the mobile terminal 100, and reservation information is input (step 2-4). Reservation information includes, for example, seat designation and the number of people using the facility, and inputting this information is called a reservation means. In other words, the reservation means is a means for making a reservation for use of the facility based on the notification in the usage status explanation field G41.

Then, using the transaction information and waiting information obtained based on the read identification information G42, the touch panel 107 of the mobile terminal 100 displays an order confirmation screen G5, for example, as shown in FIG. 11(a) (step 2-5). The order confirmation screen G5 displays the selected product list G51 selected in the ticket vending machine 10, the accounting content display field G53, the usage status display field G55, the order button G57, and the like. In addition to the product name G511, the selected product list G51 displays the price G513 of each product and an individual delete button G515. The usage status display field G55 displays the number of people waiting, but instead, the expected waiting time, etc. may be displayed. In addition, it is preferable to change the display of the number of people waiting and the expected waiting time displayed in the usage status display field G55 according to the passage of time (changes in the usage status) in order to check the ever-changing usage status. In addition, a cancel button (not shown) may be displayed in the reservation information input screen (not shown) or the order confirmation screen G5, so that the transaction can be canceled even at these stages.

When the order button G57 is pressed, a payment screen G6 as shown in FIG. 11(b) is displayed (step 2-6). The order button G57 may be pressed when there are still people waiting or the waiting time is still long, or when the number of people waiting or the waiting time has reached zero. The payment screen G6 shows the screen that appears when the customer has selected credit card payment as the payment method in advance when registering as a member on the customer's mobile terminal 100. Therefore, if another payment method has been selected, the screen for that payment method is displayed. Also, before displaying this payment screen G6, a payment method selection screen may be displayed that shows which payment method to select.

The payment screen G6 also displays a credit card payment selection button G61 and a ticket machine payment selection button G65. Generally, when the credit card payment selection button G61 is selected ("Y" in step 2-7) and the payment button G63 is pressed, the payment process is completed (step 2-8). The CPU 101 and other components that perform steps 2-6 to 2-8 are a payment means that performs payment processing based on the transaction information acquired based on the read identification information G42.

Instead of pressing the order button G57, a payment screen G6 as shown in FIG. 11(b) may be displayed (step 2-6) when the number of people waiting or the expected waiting time becomes zero, that is, when the store becomes available, and the customer is asked whether or not they really intend to place an order. In this case, the display of the order button G57 on the order confirmation screen G5 may be omitted. In this case, the customer is automatically moved to the payment screen G6, so it is preferable to display, for example, a cancel button on the payment screen G6, so that the customer has no intention of placing an order and can cancel the transaction at this stage.

Next, when the payment process is completed on the payment screen G6, it is determined that the customer definitely intends to make a transaction such as a meal, and the reservation is confirmed (step 2-9). With this reservation confirmation, the order number screen G7 as shown in FIG. 13(a) is displayed on the touch panel 107 (step 2-10). The order number screen G7 displays the confirmed order number G71, seat number G72, order details G73, payment status display G75, and store name G77. This order number screen G7 may also display waiting information such as "X number of people left" or "X minutes left". Furthermore, with the reservation confirmation, product information is sent to a kitchen terminal (not shown). The customer moves to the seat with the seat number G72 and waits for the order number G71 to be displayed in the store or to be called by a store clerk. Depending on the store's system and the products handled, it may be configured to display only the order number G71 or only the seat number G72.

On the other hand, if the ticket vending machine payment selection button G65 is selected in step 2-7 ("N" in step 2-7), the confirmation button G67 shown in dotted line in FIG. 11(b) is displayed in solid line. When this confirmation button G67 is pressed, the order number screen G8 as shown in FIG. 13(b) is displayed (step 2-11). In addition to the order number G81, seat number G82, order details G83, payment status display G85, and store name G87, the order number screen G8 displays the payment device reading identification information G89. The payment device reading identification information G89 shows a two-dimensional code, but may also be a barcode, symbol, number, or the like. The payment device that reads this payment device reading identification information G89 may be the ticket vending machine 10, a separately installed self-payment device (not shown), or a payment device where a store clerk settles the bill.

For example, if a ticket vending machine 10 (not necessarily the ticket vending machine 10 used for product registration) is used as the settlement device, the settlement device reading identification information G89 is read by the scanner unit 23 of the ticket vending machine 10. As a result, a settlement screen (settlement screen) G2 equivalent to that shown in FIG. 8 above is displayed on the touch panel 17 of the ticket vending machine 10, and when a payment method is selected by pressing one of the buttons in the available payment selection field G25, a payment screen G3 corresponding to the payment method, equivalent to that shown in FIG. 9 above, is displayed (equivalent to step 1-10). The customer then performs the payment process (settlement process) by following the instructions displayed on the settlement screen G3 (equivalent to step 1-11).

This confirms the reservation (this step is not shown in FIG. 5), and then the meal ticket printed by the issuing unit 21 of the ticket vending machine 10 is issued from the issuing port of the ticket vending machine 10 (equivalent to step 1-12). As above, instead of the meal ticket, information may be sent to the customer's mobile terminal 100, or data may be sent to a pager terminal. At the same time, order information for the paid item is sent to a kitchen terminal (not shown), and cooking of the item is instructed. The customer moves to the designated seat and waits for the order number to be displayed in the store or called by a store clerk, etc.

In the first embodiment, the operations up to product registration are performed by the ticket vending machine 10, and payment processing is left to the customer's mobile terminal 100. The reason for not using the mobile terminal 100 from the beginning of product registration is as follows. That is, to accommodate customers who come to the store thinking that they can "eat right away" without worrying about usage status, the ticket vending machine 10 can first accept product registration, allowing for comfortable and smooth product selection. Also, the ticket vending machine 10 has a larger screen than the mobile terminal 100, making it easier to operate, and toppings, various special offers, coupons, etc. can be easily displayed, making it easy to select, which is convenient for customers and also increases their desire to purchase. On the other hand, in order to increase the efficiency of use of the ticket vending machine 10, payment processing is performed using the customer's mobile terminal 100.

Second Embodiment
The ordering system according to the second embodiment of the present invention is an ordering system configured using only the ticket vending machine 10, without the customer using a mobile terminal 100. The configuration of this ordering system is a system that does not require the mobile terminal 100 as a constituent element in the ordering system 1-1 shown in Figure 1, and other configurations are the same as those of the ordering system 1-1, so a description of each component device will be omitted. In other words, this ordering system is configured by connecting multiple ticket vending machines 10, a ticket vending machine management device 50, and a member management server 80 so that they can communicate with each other via a communication line 140.

Figure 15 is an operational flow diagram showing an example of the ticket selling process executed by the ticket vending machine 10. Note that in the following explanation, explanations of parts that overlap with the contents explained in the first embodiment above will be omitted.

First, when a new customer stands in front of the ticket vending machine 10, the initial first product selection screen G1-1 (G1) as shown in FIG. 6, similar to the first embodiment, is displayed (step 3-1). In this example, if the product group button G12 is pressed as the desired product group button, the second product selection screen G1-2 (G1) as shown in FIG. 7 is displayed. The desired product is then selected from the products displayed on the second product selection screen G1-2 (step 3-2). Product selection can be repeated multiple times until the checkout button G16 is pressed ("N" in step 3-3). When the above product selection is completed, the customer presses the checkout button G16 in the second product selection screen G1-2 ("Y" in step 3-3). When the checkout button G16 is pressed, the ticket vending machine 10 checks information about the store usage situation (step 3-4).

The ticket vending machine 10 uses the information about the store usage status confirmed above to determine whether there are currently any seats available for seating without waiting, and if there are any seats available for seating without waiting, it does not display the usage status ("N" in step 3-5), and proceeds to step 3-9, where it displays a payment screen (settlement screen) G2 as shown in Figure 8 on the touch panel 17 of the ticket vending machine 10.

Next, the customer selects a payment method by pressing one of the buttons in the available payment selection field G25, and a payment screen G3 corresponding to the payment method is displayed, as shown in FIG. 9. The example shown in FIG. 9 shows an example of the screen when a payment method using electronic money is selected. The customer then performs the payment process (settlement process) by following the instructions displayed on the settlement screen G3 (step 3-10).

In this case, since no reservation is made, step 3-11 is skipped and the process proceeds to step 3-12, where the meal ticket printed by the issuing unit 21 of the ticket vending machine 10 is issued from the issuing port of the ticket vending machine 10. At the same time, order information for the paid item is sent to a kitchen terminal (not shown), and cooking of the item is instructed. Instead of a meal ticket, information may be sent to the mobile terminal 100 of the customer, or data may be sent to a pager terminal.

On the other hand, if there are no seats available without waiting time in step 3-5, it is determined that the occupancy status needs to be displayed ("Y" in step 3-5), and the process moves to step 3-6.

Then, the ticket vending machine 10 displays the usage status display screen G9 shown in FIG. 14 on its touch panel 17. The usage status display screen G9 displays a usage status explanation field G91, a reservation button G93, and a cancel button G95. The usage status explanation field G91 displays the number of people currently waiting and an explanation of how to make a reservation or not.

Then, after reading the description in the usage status explanation field G91, if the customer wishes to cancel the transaction at the ticket vending machine 10, he or she presses the cancel button G95. This causes the process to move from "Y" in step 3-7 to step 3-1, and the ticket vending machine 10 displays a new product selection screen G1-1 (see Figure 6) for the next customer.

On the other hand, if the customer does not wish to cancel, he or she presses the reservation button G93 ("N" in step 3-7). This causes a reservation information input screen (not shown) to be displayed on the touch panel 17 of the ticket vending machine 10, and reservation information is input (step 3-8). The act of inputting reservation information is called the reservation means.

After the reservation information is input, a payment screen (settlement screen) G2 similar to that shown in FIG. 8 above is displayed on the touch panel 17 of the ticket vending machine 10. When a payment method is selected by pressing one of the buttons in the available payment selection field G25, a payment screen G3 corresponding to the selected payment method similar to that shown in FIG. 9 above is displayed (step 3-9). The customer then performs the payment process (settlement process) by following the instructions displayed on the payment screen G3 (step 3-10).

Next, since a reservation has been made in this case, the reservation is confirmed (step 3-11). Then, the process proceeds to step 3-12, where the meal ticket printed by the issuing unit 21 of the ticket vending machine 10 is issued from the issuing port of the ticket vending machine 10. At the same time, order information for the paid item is sent to a kitchen terminal (not shown), and cooking of the item is instructed. As above, instead of the meal ticket, information may be sent to the customer's mobile terminal 100, or data may be sent to a pager terminal. The customer moves to the designated seat and waits for the order number shown on the meal ticket (or mobile terminal 100, etc.) to be displayed in the store or called by a store clerk, etc.

It is preferable to display identification information such as the identification information G42 shown in FIG. 10 on any screens after step 3-6, such as the reservation information input screen (not shown) and the payment screen (settlement screen) G2 and payment screen G3 that are displayed thereafter. With this configuration, the customer can check the latest waiting information on their own mobile terminal 100 by acquiring the identification information at any time. Furthermore, if the identification information is configured to be printed on the ticket or receipt issued in step 3-12, the latest waiting information can be notified to the customer's own mobile terminal 100, as described above.

In other words, even in this embodiment, if there are no seats available without waiting, the customer is asked to decide whether or not to cancel the transaction, and if they do, operation on the ticket vending machine 10 is terminated and the product selection screen G1-1 for the next customer is displayed. This shortens the amount of time each person occupies the ticket vending machine 10 when the store is crowded, improving utilization efficiency.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims and the technical ideas described in the specification and drawings. Furthermore, any configuration not directly described in the specification and drawings is within the scope of the technical ideas of the present invention as long as it achieves the functions and effects of the present invention.

For example, in each of the above embodiments, when a reservation is required, the customer is given the choice of making the reservation and waiting, or canceling the transaction. However, as an additional option when making a reservation, the customer may also be given the choice of moving to another store in the same chain.

In addition, in each of the above embodiments, the notification means (such as the CPU 11 that executes steps 1-7 and 3-6) that notifies information regarding the usage status is provided on the ticket vending machine 10 side, but this function may be provided on the mobile terminal 100 side. In this case, for example, only the identification information G42 is displayed on the identification information display screen G4 shown in FIG. 10 above, and the information is read by the mobile terminal 100, and then a field corresponding to the usage status explanation field G41 and a button corresponding to the cancel button G43 shown in FIG. 10 are displayed on the touch panel 107 of the mobile terminal 100.

In the above embodiment, the canceling means for canceling the transaction (such as the CPU 11 that executes steps 1-8 and 3-7) is provided on the ticket vending machine 10 side, but this function may be provided on the mobile terminal 100 side. In this case, for example, the cancel button G43 shown in FIG. 10 is not displayed, and instead, a cancel button is displayed on the touch panel 107 of the mobile terminal 100, for example, on the order details confirmation screen G5 shown in FIG. 11(a) or on the reservation information input screen (not shown) described above.

In the above embodiment, the reservation is confirmed after the payment is completed using the payment method, but in some cases, the reservation may be confirmed after the payment is completed using the payment method.

In the above embodiment, the ticket vending machine 10 displays identification information having a transaction number, which is then read by the mobile terminal 100, thereby associating the identification information with the ID information. However, conversely, the touch panel 107 of the mobile terminal 100 may display ID information for identifying the user, and the scanner unit 23 of the ticket vending machine 10 may read this ID information, thereby associating the identification information generated by the ticket vending machine 10 with the ID information read in. In this case, for example, the ticket vending machine 10 may transmit the associated identification information and ID information to the ticket vending machine management device 50, and the ticket vending machine management device 50 may transmit information required for settlement, such as product information linked to the transaction number included in the identification information, to the mobile terminal 100, thereby allowing the mobile terminal 100 to perform the settlement process.

In the above embodiment, the identification information display screen G4 shown in FIG. 10 is displayed when the display of the usage status is required and the checkout button G16 in the product selection screen G1 (second product selection screen G1-2) shown in FIG. 7 is pressed. However, if the display of the usage status is required, the identification information display screen G4 may be displayed during the display of the first product selection screen G1-1 or the second product selection screen G1-2 before the checkout button G16 is pressed to inform the user that a seat cannot be provided, and the display timing can be freely set. In this case, various display methods are possible, such as displaying the identification information display screen G4 as two screens in parallel with the first product selection screen G1-1 or the second product selection screen G1-2, or displaying it small within the first product selection screen G1-1 or the second product selection screen G1-2. Since the product selection has not yet been completed on the identification information display screen G4 at that time, the identification information G42 does not need to be displayed. This allows customers to cancel before or during product selection, further saving time for both customers and stores.

Overview of the embodiment
[Technical field]
The present invention relates to a ticket vending machine, an order system (sales processing system, ticket vending machine system), a ticket selling method, and a program.
[Background Art]
In the past, for example, a customer would operate a ticket vending machine to purchase a meal ticket, but for various reasons (for example, because it is crowded and the customer is unable to be seated immediately after purchasing the meal ticket, or because there is a long wait time), the process (such as cancellation processing) in such cases could be cumbersome.
[Prior Art Literature]
[Patent Documents]
[Patent Document 1] Patent No. 4700767

Summary of the Invention
[Problem to be solved by the invention]
The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned points, and its object is to provide a ticket vending machine, an ordering system, a ticket vending method, and a program that can perform smooth product transaction processing.
[Means for solving the problems]

The present invention relates to a ticket vending machine comprising a registration means for a customer to register products, a ticket issuing means for printing tickets based on the registered information, and a display means for displaying at least one of waiting information regarding the number of people waiting or the waiting time when the ticket is issued, the display means displaying the waiting information before the ticket issuing means issues the ticket.
According to the present invention, since a customer can recognize the waiting information (crowding situation) of the store etc. before the ticket issuing means issues a ticket (before completing payment), the customer can be given an opportunity to decide whether or not to continue the transaction (issuing a ticket, making a payment, etc.). This allows the customer to respond according to the waiting information (crowding situation) of the store etc., and the store side can avoid (or reduce) troublesome operations such as canceling the transaction (refund processing) after the completion of ticket issuing or payment, and allows the product transaction processing to be performed smoothly overall.
In other words, it is possible to reduce the number of customers who, after purchasing a meal ticket, find that the restaurant is crowded and request a refund for the meal ticket due to being kept waiting. This reduces the amount of work required for store staff to process refunds. Even though the ticket vending machines are installed so that store staff can focus on cooking, serving, and cleaning up, it is possible to prevent the work of store staff from becoming complicated due to refund procedures.
In addition, to prevent customers who find out that the restaurant is crowded after purchasing a meal ticket from feeling dissatisfied with having to wait, the system allows customers to wait at a location of their choice until a seat becomes available. Customers can feel at ease leaving the restaurant as the system notifies them of the usage situation (waiting information) via the network, and they can know when it is time to head to the restaurant. In addition, this system does not give customers the impression that they have to wait in a cramped restaurant or outside in a cold or hot place, which helps to maintain the restaurant's image and improves repeat visit rates.
In addition, the time that the ticket vending machine is occupied can be shortened.
In addition, even if popular restaurants have installed ticket vending machines, they still have to prepare staff to handle customers (visually judge the congestion situation and inform customers, judge and inform customers when to purchase a meal ticket, and handle long lines), and ticket vending machines do not fully function as a labor-saving measure. By showing customers the waiting information, customers can decide whether to use the machine or not, without having to prepare staff to handle customers, such as visually judging and telling customers how crowded it is, judging and telling customers when to purchase a meal ticket, and handling long lines. Furthermore, even if it is crowded, customers can leave the place after purchasing a meal ticket, so long lines will not form, and there will be no need to worry about causing trouble to neighboring residents or stores.
The timing of registration by the registration means and the timing of display by the display means do not have to be in this order. For example, the waiting information may be displayed after the product registration, or the waiting information may be displayed before the product registration.

In addition to the above-mentioned characteristics, the present invention is characterized in that it further comprises an output means for outputting identification information for acquiring the waiting information, and after output by the output means, a new transaction start screen is displayed on the display means.
In the above embodiment, the identification information for acquiring the waiting information corresponds to the identification information G42, but as described above, the output form of the identification information is not limited to a screen display, and also includes identification information printed on an issued ticket medium or receipt medium. The ticket medium or receipt medium includes not only a form in which only the identification information is printed, but also a ticket medium or receipt medium printed after the settlement is completed at the ticket vending machine. When the identification information is displayed on the screen, it is preferable that the transaction is ended by being triggered by being read by a portable terminal of a customer, etc., and when the identification information is printed, it is preferable that the transaction is ended by being triggered by detecting that the printing process has been performed or that the printed medium has been removed, and the next transaction start screen is displayed.
If there is no one waiting, it is possible to control so that no identification information is generated (so that a two-dimensional code or the like is not displayed).

The present invention also relates to an ordering system including the above-mentioned ticket vending machine and a customer's mobile terminal, wherein the mobile terminal is equipped with a reading means for reading identification information output from the ticket vending machine to obtain the waiting information, an acquisition means for acquiring the waiting information and transaction information based on the read identification information, and a payment means for performing payment processing based on the acquired transaction information.
The mobile terminal refers to, for example, a smartphone.
This ordering system may further include a management device communicatively connected to the ticket vending machine.
Some of the operations that were previously performed on ticket machines are now performed on customers' mobile devices, which reduces the number of times that their fingers touch the ticket machine's touch panel, thereby helping to prevent infection.

The present invention also provides a program that causes a computer serving as a ticket vending machine that issues tickets to function as a registration means for registering products by customers, a ticket issuing means for printing tickets based on the registered information, and a display means for displaying at least one of waiting information regarding the number of people waiting or the waiting time when using the machine, and further causes the display means to function to display the waiting information before the ticket issuing means issues the ticket.

The present invention also relates to a ticket selling method that includes a registration step in which a customer registers a product, a ticket issuing step in which a ticket is printed based on the registered information, and a display step in which waiting information, either the number of people waiting or the waiting time, is displayed before the ticket is issued by the ticket issuing means in the display step.

The present invention also provides a program that causes a computer as an order system including a ticket vending machine that issues tickets and a mobile terminal of a customer to function as a registration means for the customer to register products, a ticket issuing means that prints tickets based on the registered information, and a display means that displays at least one of waiting information of the number of people waiting or the waiting time when used, and further causes the display means to display the waiting information before the ticket issuing means issues a ticket, while the mobile terminal functions as a reading means that reads identification information output from the ticket vending machine to obtain the waiting information, an acquisition means that obtains the waiting information and transaction information based on the read identification information, and a payment means that performs a payment process based on the acquired transaction information.

In addition, a program for realizing the functions of the above-mentioned ticket vending machine 10 and the order system 1-1 including the ticket vending machine 10 and the mobile terminal 100 may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded on the recording medium may be read into the ticket vending machine 10 or the order system 1-1 as a computer system and executed to perform processing as the ticket vending machine 10 or the order system 1-1. Here, "reading the program recorded on the recording medium into the computer system and executing it" includes installing the program into the computer system. The "computer system" here includes hardware such as an OS and peripheral devices. In addition, the "computer system" may include multiple computer devices connected via a network including communication lines such as the Internet, WAN, LAN, and dedicated lines. In addition, the "computer-readable recording medium" refers to portable media such as flexible disks, optical magnetic disks, ROMs, and CD-ROMs, and storage devices such as hard disks built into the computer system. In this way, the recording medium storing the program may be a non-transient recording medium such as a CD-ROM. The recording medium also includes a recording medium installed inside or outside the distribution server that can be accessed in order to distribute the program. The code of the program stored in the distribution server's recording medium may be different from the code of the program in a format executable by the terminal device. In other words, the format in which the program is stored in the distribution server does not matter as long as it can be downloaded from the distribution server and installed in a format executable by the terminal device. The program may be divided into multiple parts, downloaded at different times, and then combined on the terminal device, or each of the divided programs may be distributed by a different distribution server. Furthermore, the "computer-readable recording medium" includes a storage medium that holds a program for a certain period of time, such as a volatile memory (RAM) inside a computer system that becomes a server or client when a program is transmitted over a network. The program may also be a storage medium for implementing part of the above-mentioned functions. Furthermore, the program may be a so-called difference file (difference program) that can realize the above-mentioned functions in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system.

The above description and the embodiments shown in each figure can be combined as long as there is no contradiction in the purpose and configuration. The above description and the descriptions in each figure can each be an independent embodiment, even if only partially, and the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to a single embodiment that combines the above description and each figure.

1-1...Order system, 10...Ticket vending machine, 11...CPU, 13...Flash memory, 15...RAM, 17...Touch panel, 19...Communication unit, 21...Issuing unit, 23...Scanner unit, 25...Banknote processing unit, 27...Coin processing unit, 29...Non-cash payment processing unit, 31...Communication means, 50...Ticket vending machine management device (management device), 80...Member management server, 100...Mobile terminal, 101...CPU, 103...ROM, 105...RAM, 107...Touch panel (touch panel/display unit, input/display unit), 109... Communication unit, 110...scanner unit (reading means), 111...communication line, 140...communication line, S1, S2, S3-1 to 5...store (restaurant), G1-1 (G1)...first product selection screen, G11, 12, 13, 14...product group button, G1-2 (G1)...second product selection screen, G15...selected product display field, G16...account button, G2...payment screen (settlement screen), G21...product total field, G23...receipt required field, G25...usable payment selection field, G251...cash payment selection button, G253...credit card payment selection button, G255...electronic money payment selection button, G257...mobile terminal payment selection button, G3...payment screen, G4...identification information display screen, G41...usage status explanation field, G42...identification information, G43...cancel button, G5...order details confirmation screen, G51...selected product list, G511...product name, G513...price, G515...individual deletion button, G53...accounting details display field, G55...usage status display field, G57...order button, G6...payment screen, G61...credit card payment selection button, G6 3...Payment button, G65...Ticket machine payment selection button, G67...Confirmation button, G7...Order number screen, G71...Order number, G72...Seat number, G73...Order details, G75...Payment status display, G77...Store name used, G8...Order number screen, G81...Order number, G82...Seat number, G83...Order details, G85...Payment status display, G87...Store name used, G89...Payment device reading identification information, G9...Usage status display screen, G91...Usage status explanation field, G93...Reservation button, G95...Cancel button

Claims (3)

An ordering system including a ticket vending machine that issues tickets and a mobile terminal of a customer,
The ticket vending machine is
A registration means for registering products by a customer;
a ticket issuing means for printing tickets based on the registered information;
A display means for displaying at least one of waiting information of the number of people waiting or waiting time when the user uses the facility,
The display means displays the waiting information before the ticket issuing means issues a ticket,
The mobile terminal includes:
A reading means for reading the identification information output from the ticket vending machine in order to obtain the waiting information;
An acquisition means for acquiring waiting information and transaction information based on the read identification information;
a payment means for carrying out a payment process based on the acquired transaction information;
Equipped
An ordering system characterized by the above. The ticket vending machine is
output means for outputting identification information for acquiring the waiting information;
2. The ordering system according to claim 1, wherein after the output by said output means, a new transaction start screen is displayed on said display means. A computer as an ordering system including a ticket vending machine that issues tickets and a mobile terminal of a customer,
The ticket vending machine is
A registration means for registering products by a customer;
a ticket issuing means for printing tickets based on the registered information;
functioning as a display means for displaying at least one of waiting information of the number of people waiting or the waiting time when the user uses the facility;
and causing the display means to function to display the waiting information before the ticket issuing means issues a ticket.
On the other hand, the mobile terminal
A reading means for reading the identification information output from the ticket vending machine in order to obtain the waiting information;
An acquisition means for acquiring waiting information and transaction information based on the read identification information;
A program that functions as a payment means for performing a payment process based on the acquired transaction information.

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