JP6885387B2 - Server control methods, servers, and server control programs - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a server control method, a server, and a server control program.

There is known a vacant seat information server that provides information on a store having vacant seats in response to a vacant seat information inquiry received from a user based on the vacant seat information updated by a notification from the store.

In Patent Document 1, the input of vacant seat information from the facility terminal is received and stored in the facility information storage unit, and the search result of the facility matching the request information received from the portable communication terminal used by the user is stored in the portable communication terminal. The reservation support system to be sent to is described.

JP-A-2015-153403

When updating vacant seat information by notification from the store, it may take time to be notified of the update of vacant seat information after the vacant seat status fluctuates due to the concentration of customer service operations at the store. If it takes time to update the vacant seat information, the reliability of the information provided to the user in response to the vacant seat information inquiry is lowered. For example, if there are no vacant seats in the store notified that "there are vacant seats", the user cannot enter the store. As described above, in order to provide the user with appropriate vacant seat information, it is important to ensure the reliability of the vacant seat information.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a server control method, a server, and a server control program that can provide appropriate vacant seat information to the user.

The server control method according to the present invention is a control method for a server that can be connected to a storage unit, a store terminal, and a user terminal, and the storage unit includes vacant seats including the number of vacant seats that can be provided for each of a plurality of stores. The vacant seat information table that associates the information with the update time, which is the time when the vacant seat information was last updated, is stored, and the server requests the update of the vacant seat information of the store from the store terminal associated with the store. Receives the information update request, updates the vacant seat information and update time of the store in the vacant seat information table based on the received vacant seat information update request, and receives the vacant seat inquiry inquiring about the store with vacant seats from the user terminal. , The store with vacant seats is identified from the stores where the difference between the update time and the inquiry time, which is the time when the vacant seat inquiry is received, is smaller than the search allowable time difference, and the information of the specified store is transmitted to the user terminal. , Including that.

Further, in the control method according to the present invention, when the number of stores with vacant seats is less than a predetermined number, it is preferable to increase the search allowable time difference.

Further, in the control method according to the present invention, the vacant seat information table is associated with the maximum number of people in the group that can be accepted for each of a plurality of stores, and the vacant seat inquiry includes the number of people in the group. In the above, it is preferable that the larger the number of people in the group included in the vacant seat inquiry, the larger the search allowable time difference.

Further, in the control method according to the present invention, the vacant seat information table is further associated with the location information of each store for each of a plurality of stores, the vacant seat inquiry further includes the location information, and the server specifies the vacant seat inquiry. It is preferable to identify a store associated with the location information contained in the above and the location information satisfying a predetermined relationship.

Further, in the control method according to the present invention, the server monitors the presence or absence of an operation on the store terminal, and in specifying, the server determines a store having a vacant seat corresponding to the store terminal operated within a predetermined time from the inquiry time. , It is preferable to identify the store as having vacant seats regardless of the update time.

Further, in the control method according to the present invention, the server monitors the presence or absence of an operation on the store terminal, and when the latest operation time of the store terminal is closer to the current time than the update time, the latest operation time is set as the update time. It is preferable to do so.

Further, in the control method according to the present invention, it is preferable to transmit screen information for displaying a screen for displaying the update time together with a store having vacant seats to the user terminal in the transmission.

Further, in the control method according to the present invention, it is preferable that the screen is configured so that the store whose update time is closer to the inquiry time is more conspicuous in transmission.

Further, in the control method according to the present invention, when the store selection information for selecting an arbitrary store from the vacant stores is received from the user terminal, the difference between the update time and the inquiry time of the selected store is increased. When it is smaller than the search permissible time difference and larger than the reservation permissible time difference, which is a time difference smaller than the search permissible time difference, it is preferable to transmit the reservation confirmation information indicating that the reservation should be confirmed in advance to the user terminal.

The server according to the present invention is a server that can be connected to a storage unit, a store terminal, and a user terminal, and the storage unit contains vacant seat information including the number of vacant seats that can be provided and vacant seat information for each of a plurality of stores. The vacant seat information table associated with the last updated time is stored, and the vacant seat information update request for updating the vacant seat information of the store is received from the store terminal associated with the store. The vacant seat information update unit that updates the vacant seat information and the update time of the store in the vacant seat information table based on the request receiving unit and the received vacant seat information update request, and the vacant seat inquiry that inquires the store having the vacant seat from the user terminal. The difference between the update time and the inquiry time, which is the time when the vacant seat inquiry is received, is smaller than the search allowable time difference. It is provided with a store information transmission unit that transmits the store information to the user terminal.

The server control program according to the present invention is a server control program that can be connected to a storage unit, a store terminal, and a user terminal, and the storage unit includes vacant seats including the number of vacant seats that can be provided for each of a plurality of stores. The vacant seat information table that associates the information with the update time, which is the time when the vacant seat information was last updated, is stored, and the server requests the update of the vacant seat information of the store from the store terminal associated with the store. Receives an information update request, updates the vacant seat information and update time of the store in the vacant seat information table based on the received vacant seat information update request, and receives a vacant seat inquiry inquiring about the store having vacant seats from the user terminal. , Identify the store with vacant seats from the stores where the difference between the update time and the inquiry time, which is the time when the vacant seat inquiry is received, is smaller than the search allowable time difference, and send the information of the specified store to the user terminal. To execute.

According to the present invention, the server can be controlled to provide appropriate vacancy information to the user.

It is a schematic diagram which shows the operation outline of the information providing system 1. It is a schematic diagram which shows the schematic structure of the information provision system 1. It is a schematic diagram which shows the schematic structure of the server 2. It is a schematic diagram which shows the schematic structure of the storage device 3. It is a figure which shows the example of the vacancy information table. It is a schematic diagram which shows the schematic structure of the store terminal 4. It is a schematic diagram which shows the schematic structure of the user terminal 5. It is a schematic diagram which shows the example of the vacant seat information update request screen. It is a figure which shows the example of the vacancy inquiry screen. It is a figure which shows the example of the store information screen. It is an operation sequence diagram of the information provision system 1.

Hereinafter, the server control method, the server, and the server control program will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the drawings or embodiments described below.

In the information providing system of the present disclosure, the store terminal specifies the vacant seat information of the store and requests the server to update the vacant seat information. The server that receives the vacant seat information update request updates the vacant seat information for each store and stores the update time of the vacant seat information. The user terminal sends an inquiry of a store with vacant seats to the server. The server identifies a store with vacant seats from the stores where the difference between the update time of the vacant seat information and the time when the vacant seat inquiry is received is smaller than the search allowable time difference, and transmits the information of the store to the user terminal. Thereby, the information providing system of the present disclosure can provide the user with appropriate vacant seat information.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an outline of operation of the information providing system 1.

The information providing system 1 includes a server 2, a storage device 3, a store terminal 4, a user terminal 5, and a network 6. In the information providing system 1, the server 2 is connected to the storage device 3 and is connected to the store terminal 4 and the user terminal 5 via the network 6.

The storage device 3 connected to the server 2 stores a vacant seat information table that associates vacant seat information including the number of vacant seats that can be provided with the update time, which is the time when the vacant seat information was last updated, for each of a plurality of stores. Has been done.

The store terminal 4 is an information processing device corresponding to each store. The store terminal 4 transmits a vacant seat information update request including the number of vacant seats that the store can provide to the server 2 in response to a predetermined operation of the store clerk on the vacant seat information update request screen 441. The example of FIG. 1 shows that the server 2 received a vacant seat information update request indicating that the number of vacant seats is 4 from the store terminal 4 corresponding to the store C at 21:00.

The server 2 that receives the vacant seat information update request from the store terminal 4 corresponding to the store C updates the vacant seat information associated with the store C in the vacant seat information table and the update time which is the time when the vacant seat information was last updated. To do.

The user terminal 5 transmits a vacant seat inquiry inquiring about a store with vacant seats in response to a predetermined operation of the user on the vacant seat inquiry screen 541. The example of FIG. 1 shows that the server 2 received a vacancy inquiry at 21:05, which included information indicating that the number of people in the group was six.

The server 2 that receives the vacant seat inquiry from the user terminal identifies a store that matches the vacant seat inquiry from the user. Specifically, the server 2 refers to the vacant seat information table and identifies a store in which the difference between the update time of the vacant seat information and the time when the vacant seat inquiry is received is smaller than the search allowable time difference. In the example of FIG. 1, the search allowable time difference is 15 minutes, and stores A, C, and D are specified by this condition.

In the example of FIG. 1, the server 2 further identifies a store in which the number of vacant seats stored in the vacant seat information table is equal to or greater than the number of groups included in the vacant seat inquiry. In the example of FIG. 1, stores A, B, and D are specified by this condition.

The server 2 identifies the stores A and D that satisfy both of the above two conditions, and transmits the information of the specified stores A and D to the user terminal 5.

As described above, in the information providing system 1 according to the present embodiment, the server 2 updates the vacant seat information table in response to the vacant seat information update request from the store terminal 4. Then, the server 2 transmits the store information to the user terminal 5 in which the difference between the time when the vacant seat inquiry is received from the user terminal 5 and the update time of the vacant seat information is smaller than the search allowable time difference. As a result, the information providing system 1 can provide appropriate vacant seat information to the user.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of the information providing system 1.

The information providing system 1 includes a server 2, a storage device 3, a store terminal 4, a user terminal 5, and a network 6. In the information providing system 1, the server 2 is connected to the storage device 3 and is connected to the store terminal 4 and the user terminal 5 via the network 6.

The network 6 connects the server 2, the store terminal 4, and the user terminal 5 in a communicable manner. The network 6 is, for example, the Internet on which communication by TCP / IP (Transport Control Protocol / Internet Protocol) is performed. The devices communicating by the network 6 are connected by wire or wirelessly. The wireless connection may be, for example, a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) connection such as IEEE (The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.11ac. Further, the wireless connection may be a wireless WAN (Wide Area Network) connection such as a 4G (4th Generation) line.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of the server 2.

The server 2 connects to the storage device 3, the store terminal 4, and the user terminal 5, updates the vacant seat information table based on the vacant seat information update request received from the store terminal 4, and responds to the vacant seat inquiry received from the user terminal 5. The store information is transmitted to the user terminal 5. Therefore, the server 2 includes a server communication unit 21, a server storage unit 22, and a server processing unit 23.

The server communication unit 21 has a communication interface circuit for connecting the server 2 to the network 6. The server communication unit 21 supplies the data received from the store terminal 4 and the user terminal 5 to the server processing unit 23. Further, the server communication unit 21 transmits the data supplied from the server processing unit 23 to the store terminal 4 and the user terminal 5.

The server storage unit 22 has, for example, at least one of a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk device, and an optical disk device. The server storage unit 22 stores driver programs, operating system programs, application programs, data, and the like used for processing by the server processing unit 23. For example, the server storage unit 22 stores a communication device driver program or the like that controls the server communication unit 21 as a driver program. Various programs are stored in a server storage unit using a known setup program or the like from a computer-readable portable recording medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read-Only Memory) or a DVD-ROM (DVD Read-Only Memory). It may be installed on 22.

The server processing unit 23 includes one or more processors and peripheral circuits thereof. The server processing unit 23 controls the overall operation of the server 2 in an integrated manner, and is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The server processing unit 23 controls the operation of the server communication unit 21 and the like so that various processes of the server 2 are executed by appropriate means based on the program and the like stored in the server storage unit 22. The server processing unit 23 executes processing based on a program (operating system program, driver program, application program, etc.) stored in the server storage unit 22. Further, the server processing unit 23 can execute a plurality of programs (application programs and the like) in parallel.

The server processing unit 23 includes a vacant seat information update request receiving unit 231, a vacant seat information updating unit 232, a vacant seat inquiry receiving unit 233, a store identification unit 234, and a store information transmitting unit 235. Each of these units included in the server processing unit 23 is a functional module implemented by a program executed on the processor included in the server processing unit 23. Alternatively, each of these units included in the server processing unit 23 may be mounted on the server 2 as an independent integrated circuit, microprocessor, or firmware.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of the storage device 3.

The storage device 3 is an example of a storage unit. The storage device 3 stores the input data and outputs the stored data as requested. Therefore, the storage device 3 includes a storage communication unit 31, a storage storage unit 32, and a storage processing unit 33.

The storage communication unit 31 has a communication interface circuit for connecting the storage device 3 to the server 2. The storage communication unit 31 supplies the data received from the server 2 to the storage processing unit 33. Further, the storage communication unit 31 transmits the data supplied from the storage processing unit 33 to the server 2.

The storage storage unit 32 has, for example, at least one of a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk device, and an optical disk device. The storage storage unit 32 stores data and the like received from the server 2.

The storage processing unit 33 includes one or more processors and peripheral circuits thereof. The storage processing unit 33 comprehensively controls the overall operation of the storage device 3, and is, for example, a CPU. The storage processing unit 33 controls the operations of the storage communication unit 31 and the storage storage unit 32.

The storage device 3 does not have to have the storage communication unit 31 and the storage processing unit 33. In this case, the storage storage unit 32 of the storage device 3 is directly connected to the server 2, and the storage storage unit 32 is controlled by the server processing unit 23 of the server 2.

The storage device 3 stores the target information table and the keyword table in the storage storage unit 32.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a vacant seat information table.

The vacant seat information table 321 is a table in which vacant seat information including the number of vacant seats that can be provided and an update time, which is the time when the vacant seat information was last updated, are associated with each store.

The vacant seat information table 321 shown in FIG. 5 shows, for example, that the vacant seat information was updated at 20:50 in the store A, and the number of vacant seats at that time was 16.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of the store terminal 4.

The store terminal 4 connects to the server 2 via the network 6 and communicates with the server 2. In addition, the store terminal 4 accepts input such as the number of vacant seats according to the input operation of the user. Therefore, the store terminal 4 includes a store communication unit 41, a store storage unit 42, a store operation unit 43, a store display unit 44, and a store processing unit 45.

In the present embodiment, a personal computer (PC) is assumed as the store terminal 4, but the embodiment is not limited to this. The store terminal 4 includes, for example, a multifunctional mobile phone (so-called “smartphone”), a mobile phone (so-called “feature phone”), a mobile information terminal (Personal Digital Assistant, PDA), a portable game machine, a portable music player, a tablet terminal, and the like. It may be an information processing device such as a tablet PC or a notebook PC.

The store communication unit 41 includes a communication interface circuit and connects the store terminal 4 to the network 6. The store communication unit 41 transmits the data supplied from the store processing unit 45 to the server 2 or the like via the network 6. Further, the store communication unit 41 supplies the data received from the server 2 or the like to the store processing unit 45 via the network 6.

The store storage unit 42 includes, for example, a semiconductor memory device. The store storage unit 42 stores an operating system program, a driver program, an application program, data, and the like used for processing in the store processing unit 45. For example, the store storage unit 42 stores, as a driver program, an input device driver program that controls the store operation unit 43, an output device driver program that controls the store display unit 44, and the like. Further, the store storage unit 42 stores, as an application program, a screen display program for displaying a vacant seat information update request screen for the store staff to request the store operation unit 43 to update the vacant seat information. In addition, the store storage unit 42 may temporarily store temporary data related to a predetermined process.

The store operation unit 43 may be any device as long as the store terminal 4 can be operated, such as a touch panel or key buttons. The store clerk can input characters, numbers, symbols, etc. using the store operation unit 43. When the store operation unit 43 is operated by the store staff, it generates a signal corresponding to the operation. Then, the generated signal is supplied to the store processing unit 45 as an instruction from the store staff.

The store display unit 44 may be any device as long as it can display images, images, and the like, and is, for example, a liquid crystal display, an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display, or the like. The store display unit 44 displays a video corresponding to the video data supplied from the store processing unit 45, an image corresponding to the image data, and the like.

The store processing unit 45 includes one or more processors and peripheral circuits thereof. The store processing unit 45 comprehensively controls the overall operation of the store terminal 4, and is, for example, a CPU. The store processing unit 45 can execute various processes of the store terminal 4 by appropriate means based on a program stored in the store storage unit 42, an operation on the store operation unit 43, or the like. Controls the operation of the store display unit 44 and the like. The store processing unit 45 executes processing based on a program (operating system program, driver program, application program, etc.) stored in the store storage unit 42. In addition, the store processing unit 45 can execute a plurality of programs (application programs and the like) in parallel.

The store processing unit 45 includes at least a browsing execution unit 451 and a data request unit 452. Each of these units is a functional module realized by a program executed by a processor included in the store processing unit 45. Alternatively, each of these parts may be mounted on the store terminal 4 as firmware.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of the user terminal 5.

The user terminal 5 connects to the server 2 via the network 6 and communicates with the server 2. Further, the user terminal 5 accepts the input of the information request according to the input operation of the user. Therefore, the user terminal 5 includes a user communication unit 51, a user storage unit 52, a user operation unit 53, a user display unit 54, and a user processing unit 55.

In the present embodiment, a multifunctional mobile phone is assumed as the user terminal 5, but the embodiment is not limited to this. The user terminal 5 may be, for example, an information processing device such as a personal computer, a mobile phone, a mobile information terminal, a portable game machine, a portable music player, a tablet terminal, a tablet PC, or a notebook PC.

The user communication unit 51 includes a communication interface circuit and connects the user terminal 5 to the network 6. The user communication unit 51 transmits the data supplied from the user processing unit 55 to the server 2 or the like via the network 6. Further, the user communication unit 51 supplies the data received from the server 2 or the like via the network 6 to the user processing unit 55.

The user storage unit 52 includes, for example, a semiconductor memory device. The user storage unit 52 stores operating system programs, driver programs, application programs, data, and the like used for processing by the user processing unit 55. For example, the user storage unit 52 stores, as a driver program, an input device driver program that controls the user operation unit 53, an output device driver program that controls the user display unit 54, and the like. Further, the user storage unit 52 stores, as an application program, a screen display program or the like that displays a vacant seat inquiry screen for the user to inquire about vacant seats. Further, the user storage unit 52 may temporarily store temporary data related to a predetermined process.

The user operation unit 53 may be any device as long as the user terminal 5 can be operated, such as a touch panel or key buttons. The user can input characters, numbers, symbols, etc. using the user operation unit 53. When the user operation unit 53 is operated by the user, the user operation unit 53 generates a signal corresponding to the operation. Then, the generated signal is supplied to the user processing unit 55 as a user's instruction.

The user display unit 54 may be any device as long as it can display an image, an image, or the like, and is, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display. The user display unit 54 displays a video corresponding to the video data supplied from the user processing unit 55, an image corresponding to the image data, and the like.

The user processing unit 55 includes one or more processors and peripheral circuits thereof. The user processing unit 55 comprehensively controls the overall operation of the user terminal 5, and is, for example, a CPU. The user processing unit 55 can execute various processes of the user terminal 5 by appropriate means based on a program stored in the user storage unit 52, an operation on the user operation unit 53, or the like. Controls the operation of the user display unit 54 and the like. The user processing unit 55 executes processing based on a program (operating system program, driver program, application program, etc.) stored in the user storage unit 52. Further, the user processing unit 55 can execute a plurality of programs (application programs and the like) in parallel.

The user processing unit 55 includes at least a browsing execution unit 551, a data request unit 552, and the like. Each of these units is a functional module realized by a program executed by the processor included in the user processing unit 55. Alternatively, each of these parts may be mounted on the user terminal 5 as firmware.

By adopting the above-mentioned hardware configuration, the information providing system 1 of the present disclosure provides store information in which the difference between the update time of the vacant seat information and the time when the vacant seat inquiry is received from the user terminal 5 is smaller than the search allowable time difference. The server 2 is controlled so as to transmit to the user terminal 5. According to the information providing system 1 of the present disclosure, the server 2 can provide appropriate vacant seat information to the user. That is, according to the information providing system 1 of the present disclosure, it is possible to reduce the number of vacant seat inquiries requested by the user in order to obtain desired vacant seat information and shorten the processing time of the server 2, so that efficient information processing can be performed. Is possible.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a vacant seat information update request screen.

The store terminal 4 displays the vacant seat information update request screen 441 shown in FIG. 8 on the store display unit 44 based on the vacant seat information update request screen display data transmitted by the server 2. The store clerk refers to the vacant seat information update request screen 441, inputs the current number of vacant seats, and transmits the vacant seat information update request to the server 2.

The vacant seat information update request screen 441 includes a vacant seat information input field 4411 and a vacant seat information update request instruction button 4412.

The vacant seat information input field 4411 is a field for inputting the number of vacant seats in the store. In the example of FIG. 8, the store clerk can select the number of vacant seats from the drop-down menu. Further, the vacant seat information input field 4411 may accept direct numerical input by the store staff.

The vacant seat information update request instruction button 4412 is a button for instructing the transmission of the vacant seat information update request including the vacant seat information input in the vacant seat information input field 4411 to the server 2. When the store operation unit 43 detects a predetermined operation (for example, tapping on the touch panel) of the store person in charge of the vacant seat information update request instruction button 4412, the store terminal 4 enters the vacant seat information input field 4411 via the store communication unit 41. A vacant seat information update request including the input vacant seat information is transmitted to the server 2.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a vacant seat inquiry screen.

The user terminal 5 displays the vacant seat inquiry screen 541 shown in FIG. 9 on the user display unit 54 based on the vacant seat inquiry screen display data transmitted by the server 2. The user of the user terminal 5 refers to the vacant seat inquiry screen 541, inputs the number of people in the group, and instructs the server 2 to send the vacant seat inquiry.

The vacant seat inquiry screen 541 includes a group number input field 5411 and a vacant seat inquiry instruction button 5412.

The group number input field 5411 is a field for inputting the number of groups included in the vacant seat inquiry transmitted to the server 2. In the example of FIG. 9, the user can select the number of people in the group from the drop-down menu. In addition, the group number input field 5411 may accept direct numerical input by the user.

The vacant seat inquiry instruction button 5412 is a button for instructing the transmission of the vacant seat inquiry to the server 2 including the group number of people entered in the group number input field 5411. When the user operation unit 53 detects a predetermined operation (for example, tapping on the touch panel) of the user with respect to the vacant seat inquiry instruction button 5412, the user terminal 5 uses the user communication unit 51 to enter the group entered in the group number input field 5411. A vacancy inquiry including the number of people is transmitted to the server 2.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a store information screen.

The user terminal 5 displays the store information screen 542 shown in FIG. 10 on the user display unit 54 based on the store information transmitted by the server 2. The user of the user terminal 5 can refer to the store information screen 542 to request the provision of detailed information of each store or request the reservation to each store.

The store information screen 542 includes specific store display fields 5421 and 5422 that display information for each specified store. In FIG. 10, two specified stores are displayed, but the number of displayed stores is not limited. Further, in order to appropriately display a large number of search results, the search results may be displayed by a predetermined number (for example, 10).

The specific store display field 5421 includes a store name / update time display field 5421a, a detailed information request button 5421b, and a reservation request button 5421c. In the store name / update time display field 5421a, the store name of the specified store D and the update time of the vacant seat information are displayed. The update time of the vacant seat information does not necessarily have to be displayed. The detailed information request button 5421b is a button for requesting the provision of detailed information of the store D. The reservation request button 5421c is a button for requesting a reservation for the store D. Further, the specific store display column 5421 is surrounded by a broken line.

The specific store display column 5422 for the other specified store A is the same as the specific store display column 5421, except for the stores not surrounded by a broken line.

In the example of FIG. 10, the time when the vacant seat information of the store D is updated is later than the time when the vacant seat information of the store A is updated, and is close to the time when the vacant seat inquiry is received. In this case, the store information screen 542 is configured so that the specific store display column 5421 for the store D is more prominent than the specific store display column 5422 for the store A.

In the example of FIG. 10, the specific store display column 5421 for the store D is prominently displayed above the specific store display column 5422 for the store A. Further, the specific store display column 5421 for the store D is surrounded by a broken line and is displayed prominently. In addition, by changing the display attributes such as character size, character and background color, underline, and blinking, the time when the vacant seat information is updated is closer to the time when the vacant seat inquiry is received. Can be done. Further, a character string such as "recommended" or a predetermined icon may be displayed in the vicinity of the store information in which the time when the vacant seat information is updated is closer to the time when the vacant seat inquiry is received.

FIG. 11 is an operation sequence diagram of the information providing system 1.

First, the browsing execution unit 451 of the store terminal 4 causes the store display unit 44 to display the vacant seat information update request screen 441 (step S101). The vacant seat information update request screen display data for displaying the vacant seat information update request screen 441 is a request sent by the store communication unit 41 to the server 2 in response to an operation of the store clerk input via the store operation unit 43. It is transmitted from the server 2 accordingly. The browsing execution unit 451 of the store terminal 4 receives the vacant seat information update request screen data by the store communication unit 41, and causes the store display unit 44 to display the vacant seat information update request screen 441. The store clerk refers to the vacant seat information update request screen 441 and inputs the number of vacant seats in the vacant seat information input field 4411 via the store operation unit 43.

When the data request unit 452 of the store terminal 4 receives an operation for the vacant seat information update request instruction button 4412 via the store operation unit 43, the store communication unit 41 transmits a vacant seat information update request to the server 2 (step S102). .. The vacant seat information update request includes the number of vacant seats entered in the vacant seat information input field 4411 as vacant seat information.

The vacant seat information update request receiving unit 231 of the server 2 receives the vacant seat information update request by the server communication unit 21 (step S103). Then, the vacant seat information update unit 232 of the server 2 updates the vacant seat information and the update time of the store in the vacant seat information table based on the received vacant seat information update request (step S104).

Next, the browsing execution unit 551 of the user terminal 5 causes the user display unit 54 to display the vacant seat inquiry screen 541 (step S105). The vacant seat inquiry screen display data for displaying the vacant seat inquiry screen 541 is transmitted from the server 2 in response to a request sent by the user communication unit 51 to the server 2 in response to a user operation input via the user operation unit 53. It is received from the server 2 by the user communication unit 51. The user refers to the vacant seat inquiry screen 541 and inputs the number of people in the group to the group number input field 5411 via the user operation unit 53.

When the data request unit 552 of the user terminal 5 receives an operation for the vacant seat inquiry instruction button 5412 via the user operation unit 53, the user communication unit 51 transmits a vacant seat inquiry to the server 2 (step S106). The vacant seat information update request includes the number of people in the group.

The vacant seat inquiry receiving unit 233 of the server 2 receives the vacant seat inquiry by the server communication unit 21 (step S107).

Next, the store identification unit 234 of the server 2 identifies a store with vacant seats from among the stores whose difference between the update time of the vacant seat information and the time when the vacant seat inquiry is received is smaller than the search allowable time difference (step S108).

Next, the store information transmission unit 235 of the server 2 transmits the information of the specified store to the user terminal 5 by the server communication unit 21 (step S109).

When the browsing execution unit 451 of the user terminal 5 receives the store information specified via the user communication unit 51 from the server 2, the store information screen 542 is displayed on the user display unit 54 based on the store information ( Step S110). The user can refer to the store information screen 542 and request detailed information on the store or make a reservation to the store.

As described in detail above, the information providing system 1 causes the user terminal 5 to display store information in which the difference between the update time of the vacant seat information and the time when the vacant seat inquiry is received from the user terminal 5 is smaller than the search allowable time difference. As a result, the information providing system 1 can provide the user with appropriate vacant seat information.

When the number of stores with vacant seats is less than a predetermined number, the store identification unit 234 of the server 2 may specify the store by increasing the search allowable time difference. By doing so, the server 2 can provide the user terminal 5 with information on a sufficient number of candidate stores.

Further, the vacant seat information table 321 may be associated with the location information of each store for each of a plurality of stores. Then, the vacant seat inquiry transmitted from the user terminal 5 may further include location information. In this case, the store identification unit 234 of the server 2 identifies the store associated with the location information that satisfies the predetermined relationship with the location information included in the vacant seat inquiry. The predetermined relationship is, for example, a relationship in which the distance from the position information included in the vacant seat inquiry is less than the distance threshold value. In this way, the server 2 can eliminate the provision of store information that is unrealistic for the user to enter the store.

The user terminal 5 may further have a position information specifying unit (not shown), and may include the position information specified by the position information specifying unit in the vacant seat inquiry and transmit it. In this way, the user does not need to specify the location information, and the operation becomes easy. Further, the user terminal 5 may include the position information (for example, place name, station name, etc.) input by the user via the user operation unit 53 in the vacant seat inquiry and transmit it. In this way, even if the user plans to move from the current location, the user can acquire appropriate store information.

Further, the server 2 further has a store monitoring unit (not shown) that monitors the presence or absence of an operation on the store terminal 4, and the store identification unit 234 of the server 2 operates within a predetermined time from the time when the vacant seat inquiry is received. A store with vacant seats corresponding to the existing store terminal 4 may be specified as a store with vacant seats regardless of the update time of the vacant seat information. When the operation for the store terminal 4 is performed, it can be assumed that the store clerk does not forget to update the vacant seat information and does not update the vacant seat information because there is no change in the vacant seat status. Therefore, when operating as described above, it is possible to present to the user a store in which the vacant seat information is not updated even though there are actually vacant seats, as a store with vacant seats.

Further, the server 2 further has a store monitoring unit (not shown) that monitors the presence or absence of an operation on the store terminal 4, and the store identification unit 234 of the server 2 has the latest operation time of the store terminal as the update time of vacant seat information. If it is closer to the current time than the current time, the latest operation time may be used as the update time of the vacant seat information. By setting the latest operation time close to the current time as the update time of the vacant seat information, it is possible to provide the user with the vacant seat information at a time closer to the current time.

Further, the server 2 may further have a store selection reception unit that receives store selection information for selecting an arbitrary store from among the stores with vacant seats from the user terminal 5 that has received the store information. At this time, the store selection reception unit has a reservation allowable time difference in which the difference between the update time of the vacant seat information of the selected store and the vacant seat inquiry time is smaller than the search allowable time difference and smaller than the search allowable time difference. If it is large, the reservation confirmation information indicating that the reservation to be made to the store should be confirmed in advance is transmitted to the user terminal 5. In a store where a relatively long time has passed since the vacant seat information was updated, the vacant seat information may change with the passage of time. Therefore, in this way, more appropriate information can be provided to the user.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes, substitutions and modifications can be made to this without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

1 Information provision system 2 Server 231 Vacancy information update request reception unit 232 Vacancy information update unit 233 Vacancy inquiry reception unit 234 Store identification unit 235 Store information transmission unit 3 Storage device 4 Store terminal 5 User terminal 6 Network

Claims (9)

A method of controlling a server that can connect to a storage unit, a store terminal, and a user terminal.
The storage unit stores a vacant seat information table that associates vacant seat information including the number of vacant seats that can be provided with the updated time, which is the time when the vacant seat information was last updated, for each of the plurality of stores.
The server
Receives a vacant seat information update request requesting the update of the vacant seat information of the store from the store terminal associated with the store, and receives the vacant seat information update request.
Based on the received vacant seat information update request, the vacant seat information of the store in the vacant seat information table and the update time are updated.
The presence or absence of an operation on the store terminal is monitored, and the vacant seat information table is updated according to the operation on the store terminal.
Receive a vacant seat inquiry to inquire about stores with vacant seats from the user terminal,
A store with vacant seats is identified from the stores where the difference between the update time and the inquiry time, which is the time when the vacant seat inquiry is received, is smaller than the search allowable time difference.
In the above identification
If the operation time there is an operation for the shop terminal is closer to the current time than the update time, the pre-SL operation time to execute a specific store with the vacant seats as the update time of the shop corresponding to the shop terminal, Or,
Store with a vacant seat in a vacant seat information updated most recently among the shop corresponding to the shop terminal for which the operation from the query time within a predetermined time, the vacant regardless to the difference between the query time and the update time Identify as a store
Sending the identified store information to the user terminal,
How to control the server, including that. The control method according to claim 1, wherein when the number of stores with vacant seats is less than a predetermined number, the search allowable time difference is increased. The vacant seat information table is associated with the maximum number of people in an acceptable group for each of a plurality of stores.
The vacancy inquiry includes the number of people in the group.
The control method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein in the above specification, the larger the number of people in the group included in the vacant seat inquiry, the larger the search allowable time difference. The vacant seat information table is associated with the location information of each store for each of a plurality of stores.
The vacancy inquiry further includes location information and includes
The control method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the server identifies a store associated with the location information included in the vacant seat inquiry and the location information satisfying a predetermined relationship in the identification. The control method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein in the transmission, screen information for displaying a screen for displaying the update time together with the store having vacant seats is transmitted to the user terminal. The control method according to claim 5, wherein in the transmission, the screen is configured so that the store whose update time is closer to the inquiry time is more conspicuous. When the store selection information for selecting an arbitrary store from the vacant stores is received from the user terminal, the difference between the update time and the inquiry time of the selected store is larger than the search allowable time difference. Claims 1 to 6 for transmitting reservation confirmation information indicating that reservations to be made to the store should be made in advance when the time difference is smaller than the search allowable time difference and is larger than the reservation allowable time difference. The control method according to any one of the above. A server that can connect to a storage unit, a store terminal, and a user terminal.
The storage unit stores a vacant seat information table that associates vacant seat information including the number of vacant seats that can be provided with the updated time, which is the time when the vacant seat information was last updated, for each of the plurality of stores.
From the store terminal associated with the store, the vacant seat information update request receiving unit that receives the vacant seat information update request requesting the update of the vacant seat information of the store, and the vacant seat information update request receiving unit.
Based on the received vacant seat information update request, the vacant seat information of the store and the update time in the vacant seat information table are updated, the presence or absence of an operation on the store terminal is monitored, and the operation on the store terminal is performed. The vacant seat information update unit that updates the vacant seat information table,
A vacant seat inquiry receiving unit that receives a vacant seat inquiry that inquires about a store that has vacant seats from a user terminal,
And the update time and the store specific portions Ru JP Teisu store with vacant from the difference is less than the search tolerance time difference store and query time is the time that received the flight information,
A store information transmission unit that transmits the specified store information to the user terminal, and
Equipped with a,
The store identification department
When the operation time of the operation on the store terminal is closer to the current time than the update time, the store with vacant seats is specified by using the operation time as the update time of the store corresponding to the store terminal, or ,
Among the stores corresponding to the store terminal operated within the predetermined time from the inquiry time, the store with the vacant seat in the most recently updated vacant seat information is selected as the vacant seat regardless of the difference between the update time and the inquiry time. that identifies as a store, server. A server control program that can connect to storage units, store terminals, and user terminals.
The storage unit stores a vacant seat information table that associates vacant seat information including the number of vacant seats that can be provided with the updated time, which is the time when the vacant seat information was last updated, for each of the plurality of stores.
To the server
Receives a vacant seat information update request requesting the update of the vacant seat information of the store from the store terminal associated with the store, and receives the vacant seat information update request.
Based on the received vacant seat information update request, the vacant seat information of the store in the vacant seat information table and the update time are updated.
The presence or absence of an operation on the store terminal is monitored, and the vacant seat information table is updated according to the operation on the store terminal.
Receive a vacant seat inquiry to inquire about stores with vacant seats from the user terminal,
A store with vacant seats is identified from the stores where the difference between the update time and the inquiry time, which is the time when the vacant seat inquiry is received, is smaller than the search allowable time difference.
In the above identification
If the operation time there is an operation for the shop terminal is closer to the current time than the update time, the pre-SL operation time to execute a specific store with the vacant seats as the update time of the shop corresponding to the shop terminal, Or,
Store with a vacant seat in a vacant seat information updated most recently among the shop corresponding to the shop terminal for which the operation from the query time within a predetermined time, the vacant regardless to the difference between the query time and the update time Identify as a store
Sending the identified store information to the user terminal,
A server control program that lets you do things.

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