JP7629587B2 - Information processing device, program, and information processing method - Google Patents

Description

Article 30, paragraph 2 of the Patent Act applies. Posting address: https://vacan.com/ Published date: August 11, 2020

The present invention relates to an information processing device, a program, and an information processing method.

Systems that partially automate reservations for establishments such as restaurants are known. An example of such a system is described in Patent Document 1.

JP 2015-210726 A

However, with the conventional technology, it is difficult to enforce the validity period of a reservation.
If a user does not arrive at the store at the reserved time, it is disadvantageous for the store to hold the reserved seat for an excessively long time, so it is necessary to set an expiration date for the reservation. However, in conventional technologies, it is not possible to notify the user of the expiration date, or the user cannot recognize the expiration date clearly enough, so the effectiveness of the expiration date is low.

The present invention has been made to solve these problems, and proposes an information processing device, program, and information processing method that can increase the effectiveness of expiration dates when making reservations for stores.

An example of an information processing device according to the present invention includes a receiving means for receiving seat reservation request information for a facility from a user terminal, a calling means for calling a telephone terminal managed by the facility and using a message corresponding to the seat reservation request information, an acquiring means for acquiring response information to the seat reservation request information via the telephone terminal, a determining means for determining an expiration date for the seat reservation based on the time when the response information was acquired if the response information indicates that the seat reservation request indicated by the seat reservation request information is accepted, and a transmitting means for transmitting seat reservation information including the expiration date and indicating that the seat reservation request has been accepted to the user terminal.

Further features related to the present disclosure will become apparent from the description of the present specification and the accompanying drawings. The description of the present specification is merely exemplary and is not intended to limit the scope or application of the present disclosure in any way.

The information processing device, program, and information processing method according to the present invention can increase the effectiveness of the expiration date when reserving a seat at a store. A

1 is a configuration example of a seat reservation management system according to a first embodiment. 2 is a configuration example of a management server. 2 is an example of a store management database. 2 is a configuration example of a store management terminal. 1 is an example of a seat reservation management database. 2 is a configuration example of a user terminal. 13 is a flowchart showing a part of an example of a processing procedure related to a seat reservation process. 13 is a flowchart showing a part of an example of a processing procedure related to a seat reservation process. 13 is a flowchart showing a part of an example of a processing procedure related to a seat reservation process. 13 is an example of a store display image. This is an example of a tutorial image. 1 is an example of a login image. 13 is an example of a number of people input image. 13 is an example of a standby image. 13 is an example of a seat reservation management image. 13 is an example of a seat reservation display image. 13 is an example of a check-in confirmation image. 13 is an example of an invalid seat reservation image. This is an example of an image showing that seats are not available. 13 is a modified example of a store display image. 13 is an example of a management screen for setting a seat reservation function.

The present embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. Identical configurations may be described with the same reference numerals. Note that the following embodiment does not limit the technology of the present disclosure, and not all of the combinations of features described in the present embodiment are necessarily essential to solving the above problem.

[First embodiment]
<Example of seat reservation management system configuration>
In the first embodiment, a system for managing a service for reserving a seat for a predetermined time from the time a request from a user is received (hereinafter referred to as "seat reservation") will be described. Seat reservation can also be considered as a type of reservation that guarantees that use will begin within a predetermined time from now. FIG. 1 shows an example of the configuration of a seat reservation management system 1. The seat reservation management system 1 is a system for managing seat reservation for one or more stores. Stores include, for example, food and beverage establishments such as restaurants (cafes and restaurants).
1, the seat reservation management system 1 includes a management server 10, a store management terminal 20, a telephone terminal 30, and a user terminal 40. The management server 10, the store management terminal 20, and the user terminal 40 are connected to each other via a communication network 60 (e.g., the Internet) so that they can communicate with each other. The management server 10 and the telephone terminal 30 are connected to each other via the communication network 60 so that voice calls can be made. The store management terminal 20 and the telephone terminal 30 are provided for each store 50, for example.

An example of the operation of the seat reservation management system 1 is outlined below. When a user performs an operation to search for a store on the user terminal 40, the management server 10 acquires information on the stores 50 around the user terminal 40 and transmits it to the user terminal 40. When the user selects one of the stores 50, the user terminal 40 transmits a seat reservation request to the management server 10. The management server 10 calls the telephone terminal 30 of the store 50 and confirms whether a seat can be reserved for 10 minutes. If a seat can be reserved and the request is accepted, the management server 10 determines a reception number and notifies the store management terminal 20 and the user terminal 40 of the reception number. The user terminal 40 displays the notified reception number, etc. After arriving at the store 50, the user presents the reception number displayed on the user terminal 40 to the staff of the store 50. The staff of the store 50 (employees, managers, etc.) checks the presented reception number against the reception number stored in the store management terminal 20 and allows the user to enter the store.

<Configuration example of management server 10>
FIG. 2 shows an example of the configuration of the management server 10. The management server 10 is an information processing device, and can be configured using, for example, a known computer. The management server 10 includes a calculation device 11, a storage device 12, and a communication device 13. The calculation device 11 includes a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The storage device 12 includes storage media such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and a HDD (Hard Disk Drive). A part or all of the storage media may be non-transitory storage media. The communication device 13 includes, for example, a network interface. The communication device 13 may also include a telephone line interface.

The storage device 12 stores, for example, a store management database D1. The storage device 12 may further store a program (not shown). In this embodiment, the computing device 11 executes this program, causing the management server 10 to function as the information processing device described in this specification. Furthermore, the management server 10 or the computing device 11 can be interpreted as having a means for executing each operation described in this specification.

An example of the store management database D1 is shown in Figure 3. The store management database D1 associates information about each store 50 with that store. Each store 50 is represented by a store ID. The information about the store includes the name, genre, facility ID, floor ID, availability information, latitude and longitude, store introduction, address, and telephone number. Since the store management database D1 stores availability information for each store, it can also be said to be an availability information management database.
The store ID is an ID for identifying each store in the store management database D1. The facility ID is an ID for identifying the facility (e.g., a building, a commercial facility, a station, etc.) in which the store is located. The floor ID is an ID for identifying the floor on which the store is located in the facility in which the store is located.
The vacancy information includes an expression that indicates the vacancy status of the store. Examples of the vacancy status include whether the store is full, whether it is crowded but has some vacant seats (or vacant tables; the same applies below), or whether there are many vacant seats. The vacancy information is expressed by text data such as "vacant,""crowded,""full," etc.
The vacancy information is transmitted, for example, from each store management terminal 20 and updated to indicate the real-time availability status. The availability status indicates, for example, how available the store is, how busy the store is, how many vacant seats there are in the store, how many seats are occupied (used or reserved) in the store, etc.
The latitude and longitude are an example of location information (store location information) that indicates the location of a store, and include latitude and longitude. Even if multiple stores exist on the same floor of the same facility, the latitude and longitude values may be different if the stores are located at different locations.
The address is information indicating the address of the store or the address of the facility in which the store is located.
The telephone number is a telephone number corresponding to the telephone terminal 30 installed in the store. That is, the store management database D1 associates the store (or the store ID) with the telephone terminal 30.

<Configuration example of store management terminal 20>
FIG. 4 shows an example of the configuration of the store management terminal 20. The store management terminal 20 is an information processing device, and can be configured using, for example, a known computer. The store management terminal 20 includes a calculation device 21, a storage device 22, a communication device 23, a display device 24, and an input device 25. The calculation device 21 includes, for example, a processor such as a CPU. The storage device 22 includes, for example, a storage medium such as a ROM, a RAM, and a HDD. A part or all of the storage medium may be a non-transient storage medium. The communication device 23 includes, for example, a network interface. The display device 24 includes, for example, a liquid crystal display. The input device 25 includes, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, and the like. The display device 24 and the input device 25 may be configured as one unit.
The storage device 22 may store a program (not shown). In this embodiment, the calculation device 21 executes this program, causing the store management terminal 20 to function as an information processing device described in this specification. The store management terminal 20 or the calculation device 21 can also be interpreted as having means for executing each operation described in this specification.

The storage device 22 stores, for example, a seat reservation management database D2. The storage device 22 may further store a program (not shown). In this embodiment, the computing device 21 executes this program, causing the store management terminal 20 to function as the information processing device described in this specification. In addition, the store management terminal 20 or the computing device 21 can be interpreted as having a means for executing each operation described in this specification.

5 shows an example of the seat reservation management database D2. For each seat reservation for a store 50 related to the store management terminal 20, the seat reservation management database D2 associates information related to the seat reservation with a seat reservation reception number (seat reservation identification information) that identifies the seat reservation. The information related to the seat reservation includes the number of people, contact information, and expiration date information. The number of people indicates the number of customers related to the seat reservation. The contact information indicates the contact information of the user related to the seat reservation, and in this example includes an email address and/or a phone number. The expiration date information indicates the expiration date of the seat reservation.
The meaning of the expiration date can be interpreted appropriately in relation to the seat reservation management system 1, but for example, a rule can be established that the store is obligated to reserve an empty seat for the seat reservation until the expiration date has passed, but that if the user does not arrive at the store after the expiration date has passed, that obligation is lifted.
In the example of Fig. 5, the expiration date includes a reference time and a remaining time. The reference time indicates the time when the reservation is accepted. The expiration date is determined based on the reference time, and for example, the expiration date is a predetermined time (e.g., 10 minutes) after the reference time. The remaining time indicates the time from the current time until the expiration date.

<Configuration example of telephone terminal 30>
Although the internal structure of the telephone terminal 30 is not particularly shown, the telephone terminal 30 is, for example, a telephone with a wired or wireless connection, and includes a landline telephone, a mobile phone, and a smartphone. The telephone terminal 30 is capable of making voice calls and sending push-tones.

<Configuration Example of User Terminal 40>
FIG. 6 shows an example of the configuration of the user terminal 40. The user terminal 40 is an information processing device, and can be configured using, for example, a known computer (a smartphone as a specific example). The user terminal 40 includes a calculation device 41, a storage device 42, a communication device 43, a display device 44, and an input device 45. The calculation device 41 includes, for example, a processor such as a CPU. The storage device 42 includes, for example, a storage medium such as a ROM or a RAM. A part or all of the storage medium may be a non-transient storage medium. The communication device 43 includes, for example, an antenna. The display device 44 includes, for example, a liquid crystal display. The input device 45 includes, for example, a touch panel. The display device 44 and the input device 45 may be configured integrally.
The storage device 42 may store a program (not shown). In this embodiment, the calculation device 41 executes the program, so that the user terminal 40 functions as an information processing device described in this specification. In addition, the user terminal 40 or the calculation device 41 can be interpreted as having a means for executing each operation described in this specification.

The operation of the seat reservation management system 1 configured as above will be described below.
<Processing for generating store management database D1>
The management server 10 generates a store management database D1 (excluding vacancy information). The information contained in the store management database D1 can be information entered by an administrator of the management server 10 or information transmitted from the store management terminal 20.

<Vacancy information update process>
The store management terminal 20 obtains the vacancy information and sends it to the management server 10. The management server 10 receives the vacancy information and stores it as vacancy information in the store management database D1, thereby updating the store management database D1.
The process by which the store management terminal 20 acquires vacancy information can be designed arbitrarily and may differ for each store management terminal 20. For example, the vacancy information may be input to the store management terminal 20 by a store staff member evaluating the vacancy situation in the store and inputting appropriate text data according to the vacancy situation, or by selecting appropriate text data from a plurality of preset text data.
Alternatively, the store management terminal 20 may be equipped with an availability detection device (such as a camera or a human sensor). In that case, the availability detection device may detect the number of customers inside the store or the number of people waiting in line outside the store, and the store management terminal 20 may automatically determine availability information based on the detection results.

<Seat reservation processing for stores>
7 to 9 are flowcharts showing an example of a processing procedure for seat reservation processing for the store 50 by the seat reservation management system 1.
Fig. 7 corresponds to the part of the seat reservation process up to the point where it is determined whether the seat reservation has been concluded, i.e., whether the user's request to reserve a seat has been officially accepted as a reserved seat. Fig. 8 corresponds to the part of the seat reservation process after the user's request to reserve a seat has been officially accepted as a reserved seat. Fig. 9 corresponds to the part of the seat reservation process when the user's request to reserve a seat has not been accepted.
The management server 10 and the user terminal 40 execute the process steps shown in Figures 7 to 9, thereby executing the information processing method according to this embodiment. In this embodiment, the management server 10 in particular operates as the main information processing device.
Execution of the processes in FIGS. 7 to 9 may be started in response to the launching of a web browser or a specific application on the user terminal 40.

(Step S1)
The user terminal 40 acquires information (reference position information) that indicates a position (reference position) that is a reference for the search. The reference position is, for example, the position of the user terminal 40, and in this case, the reference position information is, for example, GPS data. Alternatively, the reference position may indicate a position that the user can arbitrarily specify (for example, the position of a specific station, etc.). The reference position information may also include information that indicates the magnification rate of the map.
(Step S2)
The user terminal 40 transmits the reference position information to the management server 10 via the communication network 60. The management server 10 receives this reference position information via the communication network 60. In this manner, the management server 10 acquires the reference position information. This process corresponds to the transmission and reception of a search request.

(Step S3)
The management server 10 acquires data representing a map (map data) according to the reference position information (and in some cases the magnification of the map). The map data is, for example, an image (map image).
(Step S4)
The management server 10 acquires a store group consisting of one or more stores based on the reference position information. For example, the management server 10 refers to the latitude and longitude in the store management database D1, determines stores that exist within a predetermined distance range (for example, a radius of 5 km or less) from the reference position, and acquires a store group including these stores.
(Step S5)
The management server 10 acquires information (store information) of each store included in the store group. The store information includes, for example, each piece of information included in the store management database D1. If the latitude and longitude of each store have not been acquired in step S4, the latitude and longitude are acquired. In this way, the management server 10 acquires store information for the store group corresponding to the reference position information.
(Step S6)
The management server 10 transmits the store information to the user terminal 40 via the communication network 60. The user terminal 40 receives the store information via the communication network 60. Note that the store information transmitted and received here does not need to include all items in the store management database D1, and only information that is explicitly used in the following processing may be transmitted and received.

(Step S7)
The user terminal 40 generates a store display image based on the received store information and displays it on the display device 44. FIG. 10 is an example of the store display image I1. In the store display image I1, store identification information I12 (in this example, a character string of the name "Restaurant A") for the user to identify the store is displayed in association with a seat reservation request operation section I13. In addition, icons indicating vacancy information of multiple stores are displayed as store information on the map. The display of the store display image I1 may be performed using an appropriate UI (user interface) on the user terminal 40. The same applies to the display of other images described below.
In the example of FIG. 10, detailed information including the store identification information I12 and the seat reservation request operation section I13 is displayed only for a single store. The method of determining which store to display detailed information about can be designed as appropriate, and may be determined by the management server 10, or may be determined or changed by the user terminal 40. In addition, as a determination criterion, for example, the store closest to the reference position I11 may be selected, or the most vacant store may be selected when vacancy information of each store is available. In addition, the store identification information I12 and the seat reservation request operation section I13 may be displayed for multiple stores. In this embodiment, detailed information of the store closest to the reference position is displayed, and the icon of the store for which detailed information is displayed is displayed larger than the icons corresponding to other stores. Here, the seat reservation request operation section I13 is displayed or actively displayed (tappable) only when the vacancy information of the store is not "full".

The computing device 41 of the user terminal 40 identifies the store closest to the reference position among the acquired store information, and refers to the availability information of the identified store. An icon corresponding to the availability information of the identified store is generated, and is placed at a position corresponding to the latitude and longitude of the store, and an image for displaying detailed information of the store is generated. At this time, if the availability information of the identified store is full, the seat reservation request operation unit I13 is generated in an inactive state (drawn in a lighter color of "keep for 10 minutes" compared to when it is active, and does not respond to tapping by the user). Also, if the availability information of the identified store is "crowded" or "available", the seat reservation request operation unit I13 is generated in an active state. The computing device 41 generates an image (including details such as store photos) including the seat reservation request operation unit I13 generated in this way and the store identification information I12. Also, the computing device 41 generates an icon corresponding to the availability information of each store other than the identified store, and places it at the latitude and longitude of each store. Furthermore, the store display image I1 is generated by superimposing detailed information of the store on the map. Finally, the calculation device 41 displays the generated store display image I1 on the display device 44.

(Step S8)
The user terminal 40 acquires seat reservation request information. The seat reservation request information is information indicating a seat reservation request for a specific store. The seat reservation request information is information indicating, for example, that the user of the user terminal 40 wishes to reserve a seat at a store (for example, to reserve a seat to use a seat or table) on the premise that the user will arrive at the store within a predetermined time from the current time. The user can start inputting a seat reservation request for the corresponding store by operating the seat reservation request operation unit I13 displayed in an active state. As described above, the store identification information I12 and the seat reservation request operation unit I13 are associated in the store display image I1, and the store to be reserved for seat reservation is determined according to the operated seat reservation request operation unit I13.

Below, an example of the operation for acquiring seat reservation request information in step S8 will be described. The user operates the seat reservation request operation section I13 of the store display image I1. In response to the operation of the seat reservation request operation section I13, the user terminal 40 displays a tutorial image.

Figure 11 is an example of tutorial image I2. Tutorial image I2 includes a message I21 indicating that a seat can be reserved. Message I21 may include a numerical value ("10 minutes") indicating the validity period for seat reservation. Tutorial image I2 may also include a message I22 indicating the distance range within which a seat can be reserved. Tutorial image I2 includes a proceed button I23, and when the user operates proceed button I23, user terminal 40 accordingly displays a login image.

12 is an example of a login image I3. A user registered in the management server 10 can execute a login process by inputting an email address and a password in this login image I3 and operating a login button I31. The login process may be executed by referring to a separately prepared user management database (not shown). Furthermore, a user not registered in the management server 10 can start a predetermined registration procedure by operating a registration button I32 in this login image I3.
When a login operation is performed, the user terminal 40 accordingly displays an image for inputting the number of people.

13 is an example of a number-of-persons input image I4. The user can select or input the number of people (e.g., the number of users including the user) for which seats are to be reserved in the number-of-persons input field I41 of this number-of-persons input image I4, and then operate the seat reservation request confirmation section I42 to confirm the seat reservation request. Thus, in this embodiment, the seat reservation request information includes information indicating the number of people.
In this embodiment, it is assumed that the user will use the store immediately (will be heading to the store immediately or will already be on the way there), and since an expiration date is set for the seat reservation, there is no need to determine and input the date of use and arrival time.
In this manner, the user terminal 40 acquires the seat reservation request information.

(Step S9)
The user terminal 40 transmits the seat reservation request information to the management server 10 via the communication network 60. The management server 10 receives the seat reservation request information via the communication network 60 to obtain it.
(Step S10)
The user terminal 40 displays a standby image.
FIG. 14 is an example of the standby image I5. The standby image I5 includes, for example, a message I51 indicating that the seat reservation request information has been sent, and a message I52 indicating that it is undecided whether the seat reservation request will be accepted by the store. The data representing the standby image I5 is generated by the management server 10 or the user terminal 40 in response to the seat reservation request information. The user terminal 40 displays the standby image until answer information is obtained. In this embodiment, the management server 10 calls the store that is the subject of the seat reservation request, and accepts the seat reservation when a reply indicating that the request will be accepted is received from the store. Therefore, in this service, it takes time from when the user sends the seat reservation request until it is determined whether the seat reservation will be accepted. Therefore, the user terminal 40 displays, as a standby image on the display device 44, a map on which a "requesting" icon indicating that the request has not yet been confirmed is placed at the position of the store that is the subject of the seat reservation request. At this time, it is considered that the user no longer needs vacancy information of other stores, and store information other than the store that is the subject of the seat reservation request is not displayed on the map. Also, not displaying vacancy information for other stores during a request means that a seat reservation request cannot be sent to other stores at the same time, which can prevent a user from sending a seat reservation request to multiple stores for purposes unintended by the store, such as pranks.
As described above, the waiting screen informs the user that a request to reserve a seat is in progress (not yet confirmed), and by reducing unnecessary information, the user is made aware in an easy-to-understand manner that they are waiting.
(Step S11)
The management server 10 calls the telephone terminal 30 associated with the store for which a seat reservation has been requested. The telephone number at this time can be obtained by, for example, referring to the store management database D1. An employee of the store operates the telephone terminal 30 to make a call available. When the telephone terminal 30 is available for a call, the management server 10 outputs a voice message indicating the request to reserve a seat. Depending on the number of people, the voice message can be something like, "This is a request to reserve a seat from the management server. There is a request for XX people to come to the store in 10 minutes. If we can accommodate you, please press push button 1, if not, please press 3."
The telephone terminal 30 reproduces this voice message to the staff member. In response to this voice message, the staff member considers the congestion status of the store and the like and decides whether or not to accept the seat reservation request as a seat reservation.
(Step S12)
The staff operates push button 1 or 3 to input the decision to the telephone terminal 30. In response to the operation of the push button, the telephone terminal 30 outputs a push tone corresponding to push button 1 or 3 in the voice call. This push tone is response information indicating whether or not the seat reservation request has been accepted as a seat reservation. For example, a push tone corresponding to push button 1 indicates that the seat reservation request has been accepted, and a push tone corresponding to push button 3 indicates that the seat reservation request has not been accepted (i.e., the seat reservation request has been rejected). The management server 10 obtains the response information from the telephone terminal 30 via the voice call.
(Step S13)
The management server 10 judges whether the seat reservation request has been accepted as a seat reservation based on the response information. For example, if the response information is a push tone corresponding to push button 1, it judges that the seat reservation request has been accepted, and if the response information is a push tone corresponding to push button 3, it judges that the seat reservation request has not been accepted.

First, a case where the seat reservation request is accepted in step S13 (that is, the response information indicates that the seat reservation request has been accepted) will be described with reference to FIG.
(Step S21)
The management server 10 generates a reception number. The reception number is an example of information for identifying the seat reservation (seat reservation identification information). The reception number is represented by, for example, a three-digit number. The specific method for generating the reception number can be designed arbitrarily, and for example, the reception number can be generated randomly. (Step S22)
The management server 10 outputs a voice message indicating the reception number in a voice call with the telephone terminal 30. The telephone terminal 30 plays this voice message to the staff. For example, the voice message can be, "Your visit has been accepted. The reception number is XX. When the customer arrives at the store, please check the customer's mobile terminal and guide them." The staff may record the reception number in response to this voice message. After that, the staff may operate the telephone terminal 30 to end the call.
(Step S23)
The management server 10 transmits the reception number to the store management terminal 20 via the communications network 60. The store management terminal 20 receives the reception number from the management server 10 via the communications network 60 to obtain it.
(Step S24)
The store management terminal 20 updates the seat reservation management database D2 (FIG. 5) and displays the seat reservation management information. For example, in the seat reservation management database D2, a new row is generated for the received reception number, and the reception number is associated with predetermined information and stored. The number of people, contact information, and reference time can be transmitted from the management server 10 to the store management terminal 20 in association with the reception number, for example, in step S23.
Here, the contact information can be acquired by the management server 10 from a user management database (not shown) that is prepared separately. The reference time indicates, for example, the time when the answer information (push tone in this embodiment) is acquired by the management server 10. That is, in this example, the management server 10 determines the expiration date based on the time when the answer information is acquired. The remaining time can be calculated by subtracting the current time from the expiration date.

Figure 15 is an example of a seat reservation management image I6 that displays seat reservation management information in step S24. The reception number, remaining time, number of people, approval time, and account information of the seat reservation management image I6 correspond to the reception number, remaining time, number of people, reference time, and contact information in the seat reservation management database D2, respectively. In this way, the store management terminal 20 displays information related to seat reservation, allowing store staff to understand the seat reservation status. Also, if necessary, they can contact the user by referring to the contact information. The seat reservation management image I6 also includes a delete button I61 for each seat reservation. In response to the operation of the delete button I61, the store management terminal 20 may delete the information related to the corresponding seat reservation from the seat reservation management database D2.

(Step S25)
The management server 10 generates image data based on the information regarding seat reservation received from the user terminal 40. The image data is data representing an image to be displayed on the user terminal 40. The image data generated in step S25 includes data representing a seat reservation display image I7, data representing a check-in confirmation image I8, and data representing a seat reservation invalid image I9, which will be described later. Details of these images will be described later.
(Step S26)
The management server 10 transmits the image data to the user terminal 40 via the communication network 60. The user terminal 40 receives the image data from the management server 10 via the communication network 60 to obtain the image data.
(Step S27)
The user terminal 40 displays a seat reservation display image I7 based on the image data acquired in step S26.

16 is an example of a seat reservation display image I7. The seat reservation display image I7 includes a message I71 indicating that the seat reservation request has been accepted.
The seat reservation display image I7 includes information indicating the expiration date of the seat reservation. In the example of Fig. 16, this information is represented by a message I72 indicating the expiration date of the seat reservation and the remaining time I73 until the expiration date of the seat reservation. As described above, the management server 10 can calculate the expiration date of the seat reservation by adding a predetermined validity period (e.g., 10 minutes) to a reference time. Also, the management server 10 can calculate the remaining time by subtracting the current time from the expiration date. By calculating and displaying such information, the management server 10 can allow the user to clearly recognize the expiration date, and the effectiveness of the expiration date is increased.
The seat reservation display image I7 includes a message I74 indicating the estimated travel time from the current location of the user terminal 40 to the store for which the seat reservation is made, and a message I75 indicating what should be done if the seat reservation expiration date has passed.
The seat reservation display image I7 includes a check-in process start button I76. The check-in process start button I76 is used in the check-in process (step S29) described below. In this embodiment, the check-in process start button I76 is assumed to be operated by store staff, not by a user, and is displayed together with a message indicating that it should be operated by store staff (for example, "Staff Only Button").
The user terminal 40 may continue to display the seat reservation display image I7 until step S28 or S30 is executed. In this way, the user can always be aware of the expiration date, further increasing the effectiveness of the expiration date.

(Step S28)
The user terminal 40 determines whether the current time is within the validity period of the seat reservation. If it is within the validity period, the process proceeds to step S29. If it is not within the validity period, the process proceeds to step S30.
(Step S29)
The user terminal 40 determines whether a predetermined check-in process has been completed. The check-in process is a process for confirming that the user has arrived at the store related to the seat reservation. In the check-in process, the user presents the user terminal 40, on which the seat reservation display image I7 is displayed, to a store employee, and the employee operates the check-in process start button I76.

17 is an example of a check-in confirmation image I8 related to the check-in process. The user terminal 40 displays the check-in confirmation image I8 in response to the operation of the check-in process start button I76. The check-in confirmation image I8 may be displayed superimposed on the seat reservation display image I7.
The check-in confirmation image I8 includes a reception number I81, a message I82 prompting the user to confirm the check-in, a confirmation button I83, and a cancel button I84. The management server 10 generates the check-in confirmation image I8 based on the issued reception number.
Here, the store staff member determines whether the reception number displayed in the check-in confirmation image I8 matches any of the reception numbers displayed in the seat reservation management image I6. If a match is found, the staff member operates the confirmation button I83 in the check-in confirmation image I8. In response to the operation of the confirmation button I83, the user terminal 40 completes the check-in process. At this time, the user terminal 40 may display a message such as "Completed" indicating that the check-in process has been completed. Furthermore, the staff member may operate the delete button I61 corresponding to the seat reservation in the seat reservation management image I6 of the store management terminal 20.
It should be noted that any response can be designed in the event that the reception numbers do not match; for example, the staff member may operate the cancel button I84 and explain to the user that the store in question is not the store responsible for reserving a seat for the user.
If the above check-in process is not completed, the process returns to step S28, whereas if the check-in process is completed, the process of FIG.

(Step S30)
In step S28, if the current time is not within the validity period of the seat reservation, the user terminal 40 displays a seat reservation invalid image based on the image data acquired in step S26.

Figure 18 is an example of the seat reservation invalid image I9. The seat reservation invalid image I9 includes a message I91 indicating that the seat reservation has become invalid because the expiration date has passed, a message I92 indicating the reception number, and a message I93 indicating that re-reservation of a seat for the same store will not be accepted until a specified time. That is, the management server 10 adds a predetermined time (e.g., two hours) set in advance to the reference time to calculate the time when re-requests cannot be made. The management server 10 generates the seat reservation invalid image I9 based on the issued reception number, store information, the time when re-requests cannot be made, and seat reservation request information. The seat reservation invalid image I9 may also include the above-mentioned check-in process start button I76 (the same as the check-in process start button I76 of the seat reservation display image I7) as shown in the figure.

The processing after step S30 can be designed as appropriate by a person skilled in the art. Note that if the check-in process start button I76 is displayed in the seat reservation invalid image I9 as shown in FIG. 18, a check-in process similar to step S29 may be executed.

The above explanation is for the case where the seat reservation request is accepted in step S13 in Fig. 7. Below, a description will be given of the case where the seat reservation request is not accepted in step S13 with reference to Fig. 9.
(Step S41)
The management server 10 outputs a voice message to the telephone terminal 30 during a voice call to confirm that the seat reservation has been rejected. The telephone terminal 30 plays this voice message to the employee. The voice message can be, for example, "Your visit has been rejected. Thank you for your patronage."
(Step S42)
The management server 10 generates the seat unreservable image data. The seat unreservable image data is data representing an image to be displayed on the user terminal 40.

Figure 19 is an example of a seat reservation unavailable image I10 (note that this image is actually displayed in step S44 described below). The seat reservation unavailable image I10 includes a message I101 indicating that the seat reservation request has not been accepted, and a button I102 that instructs the user to search for a store.

(Step S43)
The management server 10 transmits the seat unreservable image data to the user terminal 40 via the communication network 60. The user terminal 40 receives and acquires the seat unreservable image data from the management server 10 via the communication network 60.
(Step S44)
The user terminal 40 displays the seat unreservable image I10 based on the seat unreservable image data. In response to the operation of the button I102, the user terminal 40 may start executing the process of FIG.

Summary of the First Embodiment
A user can search for a store 50 via the user terminal 40 and the management server 10, and send a seat reservation request to a specific store that has vacancies (seats available and not full). While displaying a waiting screen on the user terminal 40, the management server 10 inquires whether the seat reservation request is accepted via the telephone terminal 30 in response to the seat reservation request inquiry, and branches the process according to the answer information to generate data representing an image (i.e., a seat reservation display image I7 or a seat reservation unavailable image I10) to be displayed on the user terminal 40. This image allows the user to understand that his or her seat reservation request is waiting and whether the seat reservation request has been accepted. In addition, since this image includes the expiration date of the seat reservation, the user can be urged to arrive at the store by the expiration date, which makes the expiration date more effective. In addition, each store can encourage users to use seats that are not reserved for future seat reservations and are available.

[Second embodiment]
In the first embodiment, it is assumed that the user will use the store immediately, and there is no need to determine the date of use and the desired time to start use (hereinafter simply referred to as the start time of use). The second embodiment is a modification of the first embodiment in which the date of use and the start time of use are used. The second embodiment will be described below, but descriptions of parts common to the first embodiment may be omitted.

The seat reservation request information acquired in step S8 further includes information regarding the date of use and the start time of use. For example, the number of people input image I4 in FIG. 13 further includes input fields for the date of use and the start time of use, and the user terminal 40 can acquire the date of use and the start time of use. The voice message played in step S11 may also include information indicating the date of use and the start time of use. Note that the information regarding the start time of use may represent the time period of use, which is input together with information indicating the end time of use. For example, if the time period of use is from 17:00 to 19:00, the start time of use will be 17:00.

In this embodiment, the user is further requested to input information on the expiration date display start time from the user terminal 40 as the seat reservation request information. The expiration date display start time is information indicating how long before the use start time the display of the seat reservation expiration date (e.g., countdown) will start, and is selected or input, for example, as "30 minutes before,""20 minutes before,""10 minutes before," etc. The management server 10 executes step S26 at the time obtained by subtracting the countdown start time from the seat reservation expiration date. The image data can be transmitted, for example, by using a push notification. When a specific application program (e.g., one related to the process of FIG. 8) is executed in the user terminal 40 in response to this push notification, the user terminal 40 executes steps S27 and onward.
According to such a configuration, the user can start displaying the expiration date at an appropriate time, taking into consideration travel time and the like, thereby making the expiration date more effective.

The user terminal 40 or the management server 10 may determine the valid range of the expiration date display start time for each store. For example, the walking time from the nearest station to the store to the store may be acquired or calculated, and the expiration date display start time that is less than this walking time may not be specified.
Furthermore, an upper limit of the expiration date display start time may be stored for each store, and an expiration date display start time exceeding this upper limit may not be specified. It is preferable that the upper limit of the expiration date display start time be determined arbitrarily by each store. With such a configuration, it is possible to avoid customers coming to the store too early at the discretion of each store.
It is also possible to configure the expiration date display start time to always be a fixed value, so that the user and the store cannot specify it.

<Summary of the second embodiment>
When transmitting a seat reservation request, the user can specify the date of use and the arrival time. The management server 10 generates data representing a seat reservation display image I7 before the arrival time. As in the first embodiment, the seat reservation display image I7 displayed by the user terminal 40 includes the expiration date for seat reservation, so that the user can be prompted to arrive at the store before the expiration date, which increases the effectiveness of the expiration date. It can be appropriately designed how far in advance of the arrival time the seat reservation display image I7 is displayed (including whether it is fixed or can be specified).

[Third embodiment]
In the first embodiment, a system is described in which a seat reservation request can be transmitted when there are available seats in the store. In the third embodiment, a system is described in which the store can set whether or not to transmit a seat reservation request. The store 50 can set a function for transmitting a seat reservation request (hereinafter, the seat reservation function) via a management screen displayed on the store management terminal 20.
FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example of a management screen I110 for setting the seat reservation function. In the management screen, it is possible to select whether or not to use the seat reservation function (10-minute keep function). In addition, if it is used, it is possible to set the reception time period of the seat reservation function. In this embodiment, in the management screen, one of "during business hours", "specify time", and "none" can be set as the reception time period for each day of the week. The option "during business hours" is a setting that the seat reservation function is always accepted during the business hours of the store. However, even in this case, if the real-time vacancy information indicates "full", it is clear that a seat cannot be reserved, so the seat reservation function is not available. The option "specify time" sets the time period during the business hours of that day during which the seat reservation function is accepted. When an employee selects "specify time", one or more start and end times of the reception time can be input. Furthermore, the option "none" is a setting that the seat reservation function is not accepted on that day of the week.
When an employee inputs settings for the seat reservation function via the management screen and presses the save button I111, the store management terminal 20 sends the input information to the management server 10. When the management server receives the setting information for the seat reservation function, it stores the setting information in the store management database D1 or a dedicated database.
Furthermore, when the management server 10 transmits the store information in S6, it also transmits the setting information to the user terminal. In S7, the user terminal 40 generates and displays a display image including detailed store information based on the store information and the setting information. At this time, whether or not to activate the seat reservation request operation unit I13 (FIG. 10) as detailed store information or whether or not to display it is determined according to the store's vacancy information and the setting information of the seat reservation function. As a specific example, if the current time is included in the reception time period and the vacancy status is not "full," the seat reservation request operation unit I13 is activated. Otherwise, the seat reservation request operation unit I13 is deactivated.
<Summary of the Third Embodiment>
The store staff can set whether or not to allow the user terminal 40 to send the seat reservation function via the store management terminal 20. For example, depending on the store's management policy, it is possible to set it so that the seat reservation function is not accepted during lunch time, or is accepted only on weekends. This makes it possible to prevent an increase in operations that result in calls being made during times that the store does not intend.
In the above description, a method for setting the reception time period of the seat reservation function has been described as an example. However, vacancy information may be set as a condition for using the seat reservation function. For example, when one of "available", "crowded", and "full" is distributed as vacancy information, the shop may select either to accept the seat reservation function only when "available", or to accept the seat reservation function when both "available" and "crowded" are selected. In this case, the user terminal generating the display image for displaying the shop information in S7 determines from the shop information whether the conditions specified in the setting information are met, and displays the "10 minutes keep" (seat reservation request operation unit) so that it can be operated only when the conditions are met.
[Other embodiments]
In the first embodiment, the valid period for seat reservation is 10 minutes, and therefore the expiration date is 10 minutes after the reference time. This expiration date may be another value, or may be specified by the user. For example, the number of people input image I4 may further allow the user to input a desired valid period or expiration date. In that case, the seat reservation request information (steps S8 and S9) may include the valid period or expiration date, and the management server 10 may output the expiration date or expiration date as a voice message (step S11).

In the first or second embodiment, the store display image I1 (FIG. 10) may not include a map.
20 shows a modified example of the store display image that does not include a map. In this example, information is displayed in the form of a card for each store, and for example, store identification information I12 and a seat reservation request operation section I13 are displayed in association with each store.

The store display image also includes information about the availability of the store. For example, for each store, if there are many vacant seats, a character string such as "Available" is displayed, if there are few vacant seats, "Crowded" is displayed, and if there are no vacant seats, "Fully booked" is displayed. Information about the availability is sent, for example, from the management server 10 to the user terminal 40, and as in the above embodiment, if the availability is "full," the seat reservation request operation unit cannot be pressed, and only for stores that are "available" or "crowded," the seat reservation request operation unit can be pressed to transmit seat reservation request information. In this way, the user can avoid stores that are full, and it is possible to avoid a situation where a seat reservation request is not accepted because the store is full. Also, the store can reduce inquiries from users in situations where it is clear that a seat cannot be reserved.

In the example of seat reservation display image I7 (Figure 16), the remaining time I73 is represented by a numerical value in minutes and seconds, but the information regarding the remaining time may be displayed in other ways, and the way may be changed depending on the remaining time. For example, if the remaining time is 5 minutes or more, it may be displayed in minutes only, such as "X minutes remaining," and if the remaining time is less than 5 minutes, it may be displayed in minutes and seconds, such as "X minutes and X seconds remaining." The remaining time may also be displayed using a graphic or image, etc.

Communication with the telephone terminal 30 is not limited to voice. For example, if a known computer (which may be a smartphone or tablet terminal) is used as the telephone terminal 30, the seat reservation information can be transmitted by text data, and the response information and the seat reservation reception number can be transmitted by text data or numerical data. Therefore, it is also possible to integrate the telephone terminal 30 with the store management terminal 20.

Figures 11 to 13 are examples of images that can be displayed in step S27, but the specific operations of the processing in step S8 are not limited to those described above and can be designed as appropriate by those skilled in the art. Some or all of the processing described using Figures 11 to 13 may be omitted. For example, the tutorial image in Figure 11 may be omitted and the login image in Figure 12 may be displayed. Also, for example, the login processing related to Figure 12 may be omitted. Furthermore, if the input of the number of users is not required due to the usage pattern of the store, the number of users input image I4 in Figure 13 is not necessary.

In the first embodiment, when seat reservation request information is sent in step S9, the management server 10 always calls the telephone terminal 30 in step S11, but as a variant, the management server 10 may be configured to determine whether or not to call the telephone terminal 30.
For example, when the distance between the user and the store is large, the management server 10 may notify the user terminal 40 that the seat cannot be reserved without calling the telephone terminal 30. As a specific example, the management server 10 may calculate the distance between the location of the user terminal 40 and the location of the store 50 based on the reference location information acquired in step S2 and the store location information acquired in step S5. Then, when this distance exceeds a predetermined threshold, the management server 10 may not execute steps S11 and onward, and may generate image data representing an image including information indicating that the seat reservation request is not accepted as a seat reservation, and transmit the image data to the user terminal 40. The information indicating that the seat reservation request is not accepted as a seat reservation can be configured, for example, in the same manner as the message I22 of the tutorial image I2. As a specific example of an image, an image including the message I22 instead of the message I101 in the seat reservation impossible image I10 (FIG. 19) can be used.

Either step S22 or S23 can be omitted. If step S22 is omitted, the store employee can check the seat reservation reception number using the seat reservation management image I6 or the like. If step S23 is omitted, the store employee can record the seat reservation reception number that is played back on the telephone terminal 30. In that case, the store management terminal 20 can be omitted.
It is also possible to configure the system not to use the seat reservation reception number. For example, steps S21 and S22 may be omitted, and instead of the seat reservation reception number, user identification information (user ID, name, email address, etc.) for identifying the user may be used from step S23 onwards. The user identification information may be acquired, for example, via a login process. In this case, the user presents his/her user identification information to a store employee, and the employee can make an inquiry using the user identification information stored in the seat reservation management database D2 or the like.

In the first and second embodiments, the management server 10 in particular operates as the main information processing device, but the user terminal 40 may operate as the main information processing device.
In that case, the processes executed by the management server 10 in steps S11 to S25 and S41 to S42 are configured to be executed by the user terminal 40. Also, steps S26 and S43 are omitted.
In addition, in the above-described embodiment, a restaurant is used as an example of a store, but the reservation system for reserving seats, etc. as in the above-described embodiment can be applied to facilities that require the reservation of space or personnel for use, such as local government offices, service counters, parking lots, and coworking spaces.

Each image can be combined or divided as desired. For example, the seat reservation display image I7 and the check-in confirmation image I8 can be combined into a single image.

1... Seat reservation management system 10... Management server (information processing device)
20: store management terminal 30: telephone terminal 40: user terminal (information processing device)
50: store 60: communication network D1: store management database D2: seat reservation management database I1: store display image I2: tutorial image I3: login image I4: number of people input image I5: waiting image I6: seat reservation management image I7: seat reservation display image (image displayed on user terminal)
I8: Check-in confirmation image (image displayed on user terminal)
I9... Seat reservation invalid image (image displayed on user terminal)
I10... Seats not available image

Claims (3)

When the user terminal accepts a seat reservation request for the facility through a user operation, the user terminal transmits seat reservation request information regarding the seat reservation request to the server;
The server makes a call to a telephone terminal of the facility in response to the seat reservation request information, acquires answer information from the telephone terminal as to whether the seat reservation request is accepted, and when the answer information indicates that the seat reservation request has been accepted, transmits seat reservation information indicating that the seat reservation request has been accepted to the user terminal,
the seat reservation information includes a seat reservation expiration date determined based on a time when the server received the response information,
After receiving the seat reservation request information, the user terminal displays a waiting screen including a message indicating that the user is waiting and an estimated waiting time until the seat reservation information is obtained from the server, and when the seat reservation information is received, displays information regarding the expiration date. When the response information indicates that the seat reservation request has been accepted, the server generates seat reservation identification information for identifying the seat reservation, and transmits the seat reservation identification information together with the seat reservation information to the user terminal;
The system according to claim 1 , wherein the user terminal displays the seat reservation identification information. The system according to claim 2, wherein the seat reservation identification information is a number composed of multiple digits.

Images