JP7764752B2 - Reservation update management system, reservation update management device, reservation update management method and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a reservation update management system, a reservation update management device, a reservation update management method, and a program.

When reserving seats for use on public transportation and other vehicles, services are provided that allow users to select seats. With this service, if a user attempts to reserve a desired seat, and the desired seat is not available, the user must reserve a seat other than the desired seat. However, sometimes the reserved desired seat is canceled without the user's knowledge, making the desired seat available for reservation. However, because the user is unaware that the desired seat has been canceled, the desired seat cannot be reserved at the appropriate time.

To improve this situation, a technology is known that allows passengers to register their desired seat for the purpose of reserving a seat, and if a cancellation occurs for the desired seat, the reservation for the desired seat is confirmed and the seat that was in use before the cancellation is cancelled (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

However, with conventional technology, when attempting to reserve a reservation object, including a seat, and other reservations already exist, reservation management is not performed according to the type of other reserved reservation object. As a result, when other reserved reservation objects exist, a user attempting to reserve a new reservation object has to separately consider whether or not to cancel the other reserved reservation object in addition to the new reservation object they wish to reserve, which poses a problem.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention of claim 1 is a reservation update management system including a user terminal used when reserving a reservation object, and a reservation update management device that updates and manages the usage status of a predetermined reservation object that has been reserved by the user terminal, comprising: reservation processing means for reserving the predetermined reservation object that has been reserved by the user; display control means for, when reserving the predetermined reservation object based on the reservation operation by the user, if there is a reserved reservation object associated with the user in addition to the predetermined reservation object, causing a display means to display a screen including at least one of information related to the reservation of the predetermined reservation object and information related to the cancellation of the reserved reservation object, depending on the type of the predetermined reservation object and the type of the reserved reservation object; wherein the predetermined reservation object or the reserved reservation object includes a seat, a conference room, a reception room, and equipment, and the reservation processing means, when the predetermined reservation object or the reserved reservation object is a seat and if a seat has been reserved before reserving the seat, reserves the seat and cancels the reservation of the reserved seat, and when the predetermined reservation object or the reserved reservation object is a conference room, a reception room, or equipment and if a conference room, reception room, or equipment has been reserved before reserving any of the conference room, reception room, or equipment, reserves any of the conference room, reception room, or equipment and makes an inquiry as to whether or not the reservation of any of the reserved conference room, reception room, or equipment needs to be canceled .

As explained above, the present invention has the advantage that, even if there are other reservations already made, a user attempting to make a new reservation does not need to separately consider whether or not to cancel the other reservations.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of a communication system. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of a reservation update management device and a reservation management server. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a user terminal. FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a functional configuration of a communication system. FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of a login information management table. FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of a reservation target management table. FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of a reservation target management table. FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of a reservation information management table. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a periodic execution process. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a login authentication process. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a reservation availability determination process and a reservation result display process. 10 is an example of a display screen when code information is acquired on a user terminal. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of details of a reservation availability determination process for a reservation target. 10 is a flowchart showing another example of details of the reservation availability determination process for a reservation target. 10 is an example of a display screen on a user terminal when a seat cannot be reserved. 10 is an example of a display screen on a user terminal when a reservation for a seat involving the cancellation of another seat is completed. 10 is an example of a display screen on a user terminal when a seat reservation is completed. 10 is an example of a display screen on a user terminal when a reservation is not possible for a reservation target other than a seat. 10 is an example of a display screen on a user terminal when a reservation for a reception room is completed, along with whether or not other reserved reservations need to be canceled. 10 is an example of a display screen on a user terminal when a reservation for a reservation object other than a seat is completed. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of processing for a reserved reservation target.

The following describes the embodiments of the invention using the drawings. Note that identical elements in the description of the drawings are given the same reference numerals, and any overlapping parts will be omitted.

[Embodiment]
[Overall configuration of communication system]
Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a communication system. As shown in Fig. 1, the communication system 1 has various devices and terminals, including a reservation update management device 3, a user terminal 5, and a reservation management server 7. The communication system 1 also has a reservation update management system 2, which includes the reservation update management device 3 and the user terminal 5. Furthermore, in the communication system 1, the reservation update management device 3, the user terminal 5, and the reservation management server 7 are connected to each other via a communication network 100.

The communication network 100 is a communication network over which an unspecified number of communications take place, and is constructed using the Internet, an intranet, a LAN (Local Area Network), etc. The communication network 100 may include not only wired communication, but also wireless communication networks such as 4G (4th Generation), 5G (5th Generation), WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access), and LTE (Long Term Evolution). The reservation update management device 3 and the user terminal 5 may be connected to each other via a dedicated local area network, or may be connected to each other inside the communication network 100 via a firewall.

<Reservation update management device>
The reservation update management device 3 is realized by one or more information processing devices (computer systems) equipped with a general server OS or the like, and is one of the components that make up the communication system 1 and the reservation update management system 2. The reservation update management device 3 also stores in storage a communication app for communicating with other devices and communication terminals. In the reservation update management system 2, the reservation update management device 3 updates and manages the usage status of specific reservation targets that have been reserved by user terminals 5.

The reservation update management device 3 may be a communications terminal with communications capabilities, such as a commonly used PC (Personal Computer), portable notebook PC, mobile phone, smartphone, or tablet device. The reservation update management device 3 may also be a communications device or communications terminal capable of running software such as browser software.

The reservation update management device 3 may also notify (send) data (information) to the user terminal 5 by push notification (transmission). In this case, the reservation update management device 3 can achieve this by sending a push notification using, for example, FCM (Firebase Cloud Messaging), which is an example of a push notification server.

<User terminal>
The user terminal 5 is realized by an information processing device (computer system) for communication equipped with a general OS or the like, and is one of the components that make up the communication system 1 and the reservation update management system 2. The user terminal 5 also stores in its storage means a communication application for communicating with other devices and communication terminals. The user terminal 5 is further used when reserving a reservation object, accepts reservation operations for a specific reservation object by the user, and displays the reservation results.

The user terminal 5 may be a communication terminal with communication functions, such as a commonly used PC (Personal Computer), portable notebook PC, mobile phone, smartphone, tablet terminal, or wearable terminal (sunglasses-type, wristwatch-type, etc.). The user terminal 5 may also be a communication device or communication terminal capable of running browser software and various application software (natural language search applications, etc.).

<Reservation management server>
The reservation management server 7 is realized by one or more information processing devices (computer systems) equipped with a general server OS, etc. The reservation management server 7 also stores in a storage means a communication application for communicating with other devices and communication terminals.

The reservation management server 7 may be constructed as a single computer such as a commonly used PC (Personal Computer) or a portable laptop PC, or may be constructed as multiple computers to which each section (function or means) such as storage is divided and arbitrarily assigned. All or part of the functions of the reservation management server 7 may be performed by a server computer in a cloud environment or a server computer in an on-premise environment. The reservation management server 7 may also use a communications device or communications terminal capable of running software such as browser software.

Note that the reservation management server 7 can be, for example, a commonly used calendar service. Therefore, its hardware specifications are not limited to the configuration described above, and may be based on the specifications of the provider of the reservation management server 7. In this embodiment, the reservation management server 7 is described as being an externally provided reservation management server, but is not limited to this.

In this way, when a user makes a reservation for a reservation target, even if there are other reservations already made, the reservation update management system 2 eliminates the need for the user to separately consider whether or not to cancel the other reservations already made, and provides a system that allows the user to focus on processing the reservation for the new reservation they wish to make.

●About terminology●
In this embodiment, reservation targets are examples of resources, including seats, conference rooms, reception rooms, and equipment. These resources include resources owned, leased, or managed by a company, organization, or other entity, in addition to resources such as specific data. As described above, resources include locations and spaces such as seats, conference rooms, reception rooms, free spaces with free addresses (hereinafter referred to as "free spaces"), booths, rental offices, seats, rental studios, hotels and other accommodations, and event venues. These resources are difficult to move and are also referred to as equipment. Furthermore, resources can also include various types of equipment, various electronic devices, desks, chairs, lockers, company cars, rental cars (shared cars), parking lots, rental bicycles, bicycle parking areas, remote conferencing systems, printing services and systems, and people (reception teams).

In this embodiment, the term "user" refers to any of the following: For example, users include a reserving party who reserves (has reserved) the resource to be reserved, a user who uses (utilizes) the reserved resource, a participant who takes part in an event that is executed (carried out) using the reserved resource, and a guest participant who is invited by any of the above parties to participate. In this embodiment, the term "user" is used for the sake of convenience.

[Hardware configuration]
Next, the hardware configuration of the device or terminal constituting the communication system according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 2 and 3. Note that components may be added or deleted from the hardware configuration of the device or terminal shown in Figures 2 and 3 as needed.

<Hardware configuration of reservation update management device and reservation management server>
2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a reservation update management device and a reservation management server. As shown in Fig. 2, the reservation update management device 3 is constructed, for example, by a computer and includes a CPU 301, ROM 302, RAM 303, EEPROM 304, HD 305, HDD (Hard Disk Drive) controller 306, display 307, near-field communication I/F 308, CMOS sensor 309, and image sensor I/F 310. The reservation update management device 3 further includes a network I/F 311, keyboard 312, pointing device 313, media I/F 315, external device connection I/F 316, audio input/output I/F 317, microphone 318, speaker 319, and bus line 320.

Of these, CPU 301 controls the overall operation of the reservation update management device 3. ROM 302 stores programs used to drive CPU 301. RAM 303 is used as a work area for CPU 301. EEPROM 304 reads or writes various data such as apps under the control of CPU 301. HD 305 stores various data such as programs. HDD controller 306 controls the reading or writing of various data from HD 305 under the control of CPU 301. Here, the reservation update management device 3 may have a hardware configuration equipped with an SSD (Solid State Drive) instead of HD 305 and HDD controller 306. Display 307 displays various information such as a cursor, menus, windows, text, or images. In this embodiment, display 307 functions as an example of a display means. The short-range communication I/F 308 is a communication circuit for communicating data with a communication device or communication terminal equipped with a wireless communication interface such as NFC (Near Field Communication), Bluetooth (registered trademark, omitted below), or Wi-Fi (registered trademark, omitted below). The CMOS sensor 309 is a type of built-in imaging means that captures an image of a subject under the control of the CPU 301 to obtain image data or video data. Note that the imaging means may not be a CMOS sensor, but may instead be an imaging means configured with a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) sensor or the like. The image sensor I/F 310 is a circuit that controls the driving of the CMOS sensor 309.

The network I/F 311 is an interface for data communication using the communication network 100. The keyboard 312 is a type of input means equipped with multiple keys for inputting characters, numbers, various instructions, etc. The pointing device 313 is a type of input means for selecting and executing various instructions, selecting processing targets, moving the cursor, etc. The media I/F 315 controls the reading and writing (storage) of data from the recording medium 314, such as a flash memory. The external device connection I/F 216 is an interface for connecting various external devices. In this case, the external device is, for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory. The sound input/output I/F 317 is a circuit that processes the input and output of sound signals between the microphone 318 and speaker 319 under the control of the CPU 301. The microphone 318 is a built-in circuit that converts sound into an electrical signal, capturing voices and sound waves emitted from an external speaker, etc., and acquiring information using the electrical signal. The speaker 319 is a built-in circuit that converts electrical signals into physical vibrations to produce sounds such as music and voice. The bus line 320 is an address bus, data bus, etc. that electrically connects the CPU 301 and other components.

The reservation management server 7 is constructed, for example, by a computer, and includes a CPU 701, ROM 702, RAM 703, EEPROM 704, HD 705, HDD (Hard Disk Drive) controller 706, display 707, near-field communication I/F 708, CMOS sensor 709, image sensor I/F 710, network I/F 711, keyboard 712, pointing device 713, media I/F 715, external device connection I/F 716, sound input/output I/F 717, microphone 718, speaker 719, and bus line 720. These hardware resources are similar to the respective hardware resources of the reservation update management device 3, including the CPU 301, ROM 302, RAM 303, EEPROM 304, HD 305, HDD controller 306, display 307, short-range communication I/F 308, CMOS sensor 309, image sensor I/F 310, network I/F 311, keyboard 312, pointing device 313, media I/F 315, external device connection I/F 316, sound input/output I/F 317, microphone 318, speaker 319, and bus line 320, and therefore will not be described further.

<Hardware configuration of user terminal>
3 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a user terminal 5. As shown in Fig. 3, the user terminal 5 is constructed, for example, by a computer and includes a CPU 501, a ROM 502, a RAM 503, an EEPROM 504, a display 507, a short-range communication I/F 508, a CMOS sensor 509, an image sensor I/F 510, a network I/F 511, a touch panel 512, a pointing device 513, a media I/F 515, an external device connection I/F 518, an audio input/output I/F 519, a microphone 520, a speaker 521, and a bus line 530. These hardware resources are similar to the respective hardware resources of the reservation update management device 3, namely, the CPU 301, ROM 302, RAM 303, EEPROM 304, display 307, near-field communication I/F 308, CMOS sensor 309, image sensor I/F 310, network I/F 311, pointing device 313, media I/F 315, external device connection I/F 316, sound input/output I/F 317, microphone 318, speaker 319, and bus line 320, and therefore description thereof will be omitted. In this embodiment, the display 707 functions as an example of a display unit. The touch panel 512 is a type of input unit that allows a user to operate the user terminal 5 by pressing, clicking, tapping, or the like on predetermined buttons, icons, etc. arranged on the display 307.

The above program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium as an installable or executable file, or may be distributed by downloading via a network. Examples of recording media include CD-Rs (Compact Disc Recordables), DVDs (Digital Versatile Disks), Blu-ray Discs (Blu-ray is a registered trademark; omitted below), SD cards, and USB memory. Recording media may also be provided domestically or internationally as a program product. For example, the reservation update management device 3 executes the program according to the present invention to realize the reservation update management method according to the present invention.

[Functional configuration of communication system]
Next, the functional configuration of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 4 to 8. Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a communication system. Note that Figure 4 shows devices or terminals shown in Figure 1 that are related to the processing or operation described below.

<Functional configuration of reservation update management device>
First, the functional configuration of the reservation update management device 3 will be described using Fig. 4. As shown in Fig. 4, the reservation update management device 3 has a transmission/reception unit 31, a display control unit 34, a determination unit 35, a generation unit 37, a reservation processing unit 38, and a storage/readout unit 39. Each of these functional units is a function or means realized when any of the hardware resources shown in Fig. 2 operates in response to commands from the CPU 301 in accordance with a program for the reservation update management device 3 that is loaded from at least one of the ROM 302, EEPROM 304, and HD 305 into the RAM 303. The reservation update management device 3 also has a storage unit 3000 constructed from at least one of the ROM 302, EEPROM 304, and HD 305 shown in Fig. 2. Furthermore, the memory unit 3000 stores a communication program (communication application) for communicating with each device and each terminal via the communication network 100, a browser application, a reservation result viewing application for viewing reservation results obtained based on processing related to making a reservation or canceling a reservation for the reservation target, and the like.

<<Functional configuration of the reservation update management device>>
Next, a detailed description will be given of each functional configuration of the reservation update management device 3. The transmission/reception unit 31 of the reservation update management device 3 shown in Fig. 4 is mainly realized by processing of the CPU 301 on the network I/F 311 and the short-range communication I/F 308, and transmits and receives various data (or information) between each terminal and each device via the communication network 100. In this embodiment, the transmission/reception unit 31 functions as an example of at least one of a transmitting means and a receiving means.

The display control unit 34 is mainly realized by the CPU 301's processing of the display 307, and controls the display of various screens and information (data) in the reservation update management device 3. The display control unit 34 also uses, for example, a browser to display a display screen created using HTML or the like on the display 307 (hereinafter simply referred to as display 307) of the reservation update management device 3 or the display 507 of the user terminal 5. When reserving a specific reservation target based on a user's reservation operation, the display control unit 34 executes the following processing if there is a reserved reservation target associated with the user in addition to the specific reservation target. Specifically, the display control unit 34 displays a screen on the display 307 or the display 507 of the user terminal 5 that includes at least one of information related to the reservation of the specific reservation target and information related to the cancellation of the reserved reservation target, depending on the type of the specific reservation target and the type of the reserved reservation target. The display control unit 34 also displays, on the display 307 or the display 507 of the user terminal 5, information related to the reservation processing of the reservation target, indicating that the reservation target cannot be reserved or that the reservation target has been reserved. The display control unit 34 also displays, on the display 307 or the display 507 of the user terminal 5, information related to the cancellation of the reserved reservation target, indicating that the reservation of the reserved reservation target has been canceled or prompting the user to select whether to cancel the reservation of the reserved reservation target. Furthermore, when a reserved conference room, reception room, or equipment exists before making a reservation for a conference room, reception room, or equipment, the display control unit 34 displays, on the display 307 or the display 507 of the user terminal 5, information indicating that a reservation for the conference room, reception room, or equipment has been made, and a cancellation selection section for selecting whether to cancel the reservation of the reserved conference room, reception room, or equipment. In this embodiment, the display control unit 34 functions as an example of display control means.

The judgment unit 35 is mainly realized by the processing of the CPU 301, and makes various judgments in the reservation update management device 3. The judgment unit 35 further makes judgments regarding the type of a specific reservation target, whether a specific reservation target can be reserved, and whether the specific reservation target has already been reserved, based on reservation information obtained from the reservation target name contained in code information such as a QR code (registered trademark; hereinafter omitted) provided for the reservation target, and reservation target identification information that identifies the reservation target. The reservation information includes the reservation target identification information for the specific reservation target, the reservation target name, user identification information, user name, reservation start date and time information, reservation end date and time information, information regarding the usage status of the usage target, etc. In this embodiment, the judgment unit 35 functions as an example of judgment means.

The generation unit 37 is mainly realized by the processing of the CPU 301, and generates screen data relating to various reservation processing results to be displayed on the user terminal 5 based on the judgment results regarding the specified reservation target and other reserved reservation targets made by the judgment unit 35. In this embodiment, the generation unit 37 functions as an example of a generation means.

The reservation processing unit 38 is primarily realized by the processing of the CPU 301, and cancels or maintains reservations for specific reservation targets operated by the user, as well as reservations for other reserved reservation targets. Furthermore, if the specific reservation target or reserved reservation target is a seat and a seat has been reserved before the seat is reserved, the reservation processing unit 38 reserves the seat and cancels the reserved seat reservation. If the specific reservation target or reserved reservation target is a conference room, reception room, or equipment and a conference room, reception room, or equipment has been reserved before the conference room, reception room, or equipment reservation is made, the reservation processing unit 38 reserves the conference room, reception room, or equipment and inquires as to whether the reserved conference room, reception room, or equipment reservation should be canceled. Furthermore, if the cancellation selection unit selects not to cancel a reserved conference room, reception room, or equipment reservation, the reservation processing unit 38 reserves the conference room, reception room, or equipment and maintains the reserved conference room, reception room, or equipment reservation. The reservation processing unit 38 further acquires code information provided for a specific reservation target, and thereby performs at least one of reservation processing for the specific reservation target and cancellation processing for an already reserved reservation target. In this embodiment, the reservation processing unit 38 functions as an example of a reservation processing means. In this embodiment, the reservation processing unit 38 functions as an example of a reservation processing means.

The memory/read unit 39 is mainly realized by the processing of the CPU 301 on at least one of the ROM 302, EEPROM 304, and HD 305, and stores various data (or information) in the memory unit 3000 and reads various data (or information) from the memory unit 3000. In this embodiment, the memory/read unit 39 functions as an example of a memory/reading means.

●Login information management table●
Fig. 5 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a login information management table. A login information management DB 3001 configured by a login information management table such as that shown in Fig. 5 is constructed in the storage unit 3000. In the login information management table, user identification information, a password, and a reservation update management device URL are associated with each tenant identification information, and are stored and managed. Of these, tenant identification information is identification information associated with a tenant such as a company, and is given, for example, as "T0001,""T0002," etc.

User identification information stores and manages the email address and other information of each user managed by the tenant identification information. For example, when a user successfully authenticates with the reservation update management device 3, the reservation update management device 3 considers the entered user identification information to be correct. This user identification information indicates the same account as the person who made the reservation for the reservation target or the participant of various events held at the reservation target. Therefore, the reservation update management device 3 can use the entered user identification information to identify reservation information for which the user who entered the user identification information is the reservation or participant.

The login password is identification information associated with the user identification information used when logging in to use the communication system 1 including the reservation update management system 2, and is set by the user when the system is first started up (logged in), etc. The reservation update management device URL is a URL assigned to each tenant in the reservation update management device 3. Note that the reservation update management device URL may be common to multiple customers.

In this embodiment, the login information management table (login information management DB3001) functions as an example of a login information management means.

●Reservation Management Table●
FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a reservation object management table. A reservation object management DB 3002 configured with the reservation object management table shown in FIG. 6 is constructed in the storage unit 3000. In the reservation object management table, for example, for each user identification information, the user name, reservation object identification information, reservation object name, reservation start date and time, reservation end date and time, and usage status are associated and stored and managed. Of these, the user name is the name of the user who owns the user identification information. The reservation object identification information is identification information that identifies the reservation object (resource) such as a seat or conference room, and is given, for example, as "R0101" or "R0105." The reservation object name indicates the type of resource being reserved; for example, if the resource being reserved is a desk (seat), it is given as "Seat S01."

The reservation start date and time indicates the date and time when the use of the reservation object will begin (or has begun), and is given as, for example, "2021/11/18 10:00". The reservation end date and time indicates the date and time when the use of the reservation object will end (or has ended), and is given as, for example, "2021/11/18 10:45". Note that although the reservation information management table separates the reservation start date and time into two items, the reservation end date and time, the reservation start date and time and reservation end date and time may also be managed together as a single reservation date and time.

The usage status indicates the usage status of the reservation target, and is updated to "In Use" if the reservation is currently in use, or "Cancelled" if the reservation has been canceled. Note that the reservation target management table shown in Figure 6 shows the status for "2021/11/24 12:30pm," for example.

<Functional configuration of user terminal>
Next, the functional configuration of the user terminal 5 will be described using FIG. 4. As shown in FIG. 4, the user terminal 5 includes a transmission/reception unit 51, an operation reception unit 52, an image capture acquisition unit 53, a display control unit 54, a determination unit 55, a generation unit 57, a reservation processing unit 58, and a storage/readout unit 59. Each of these functional units is a function or means realized when any of the hardware resources shown in FIG. 3 operates in response to commands from the CPU 501 in accordance with a program for the user terminal 5 that is loaded from at least one of the ROM 502, EEPROM 504, and recording medium 514 to the RAM 503. The user terminal 5 also includes a storage unit 5000 constructed using at least one of the ROM 502, EEPROM 504, and recording medium 514 shown in FIG. 3. The storage unit 5000 further stores a communication program (communication application) for communicating with each device and each terminal via the communication network 100, a reservation application for making reservations for reservation targets, and the like. The reservation result viewing application stored in the reservation update management device 3 may be a part of the functions included in the reservation application, or may be a separate application attached to the reservation application.

<<Functional configuration of user terminals>>
Next, a detailed description will be given of each functional configuration of the user terminal 5. The transmission/reception unit 51 of the user terminal 5 shown in Fig. 4 is mainly realized by processing of the CPU 501 on the network I/F 511 and the short-range communication I/F 508, and transmits and receives various data (or information) between each terminal and each device via the communication network 100. In this embodiment, the transmission/reception unit 51 functions as an example of at least one of a transmitting means and a receiving means.

The operation reception unit 52 is realized mainly by the CPU 501 processing signals generated by various operations received by the touch panel 512 or pointing device 513. Note that the operation reception unit 52 may use an input means such as a keyboard instead of the touch panel 512 or pointing device 513. In this embodiment, the operation reception unit 52 functions as an example of a reception means.

The imaging acquisition unit 53 is mainly realized by the processing of the CPU 501 on the CMOS sensor 509 and the image sensor I/F 510. The imaging acquisition unit 53 captures code information such as a QR code provided on the reservation target, and acquires various information such as reservation target identification information associated with the captured reservation target. In this embodiment, the imaging acquisition unit 53 functions as an example of an acquisition means.

The display control unit 54 is primarily realized by the CPU 501's processing of the display 507, and controls the display of various screens and information (data) on the user terminal 5. The display control unit 54 also uses, for example, a browser to display a display screen created using HTML or the like on the display 507. The display control unit 54 may also have various functions of the display control unit 34 of the reservation update management device 3 described above. In this case, in the reservation update management system 2, various display controls are performed by the display control unit 54 of the user terminal 5, instead of the various display controls performed by the display control unit 34 of the reservation update management device 3. In particular, when reserving a specific reservation target based on a reservation operation by a user, if there is a reserved reservation target associated with the user in addition to the specific reservation target, the display control unit 54 executes the following processing. Specifically, the display control unit 54 displays on the display 507 a screen including at least one of information related to the reservation of the specific reservation target and information related to the cancellation of the reserved reservation target, depending on the type of the specific reservation target and the type of the reserved reservation target. In this embodiment, the display control unit 54 functions as an example of a display control means.

The judgment unit 55 is mainly realized by the processing of the CPU 501, and makes various judgments on the user terminal 5. The judgment unit 55 may also have various functions of the judgment unit 35 of the reservation update management device 3 described above. In that case, in the reservation update management system 2, various judgment processes are performed by the judgment unit 55 of the user terminal 5 instead of the various judgment processes performed by the judgment unit 35 of the reservation update management device 3. In this embodiment, the judgment unit 55 functions as an example of judgment means.

The generation unit 57 is mainly realized by the processing of the CPU 501, and generates screen data related to various reservation processing results to be displayed on the display 507 based on the judgment results made by the judgment unit 55 regarding the specified reservation target and other reserved reservation targets. The generation unit 57 may also have the functions of the generation unit 37 of the reservation update management device 3 described above. In that case, in the reservation update management system 2, processing is performed by the generation unit 57 of the user terminal 5 instead of the processing by the generation unit 37 of the reservation update management device 3. In this embodiment, the generation unit 57 functions as an example of generation means.

The reservation processing unit 58 is mainly realized by the processing of the CPU 501, and cancels or maintains reservations for specific reservation targets operated by users, as well as reservations for other reserved reservation targets. The reservation processing unit 58 may also have the functions of the reservation processing unit 38 of the reservation update management device 3 described above. In that case, in the reservation update management system 2, processing is performed by the reservation processing unit 58 of the user terminal 5 instead of processing by the reservation processing unit 38 of the reservation update management device 3. In this embodiment, the reservation processing unit 58 functions as an example of a reservation processing means.

The memory/read unit 59 is mainly realized by the processing of the CPU 501 on at least one of the ROM 502, EEPROM 504, and recording media 514, and stores various data (or information) in the memory unit 5000 and reads various data (or information) from the memory unit 5000. The memory/read unit 59 also stores and registers authentication information sent by the reservation update management device 3 in a specified area of the memory unit 5000. In this embodiment, the memory/read unit 59 functions as an example of a memory/reading means.

●Reservation Management Table●
Fig. 7 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a reservation target management table. A reservation target management DB 5001 configured with a reservation target management table such as that shown in Fig. 7 is constructed in the storage unit 5000. Note that the reservation target management DB 5001 manages table information of the same content as the reservation target management DB 3002 shown in Fig. 6, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

<Functional configuration of reservation management server>
Next, the functional configuration of the reservation management server 7 will be described using FIG. 4. As shown in FIG. 4, the reservation management server 7 has a transmission/reception unit 71, an acquisition unit 73, a registration unit 78, and a storage/readout unit 79. Each of these functional units is a function or means realized when any of the hardware resources shown in FIG. 2 operates in response to commands from the CPU 701 in accordance with a program for the reservation management server 7 that is loaded from at least one of the ROM 702, EEPROM 704, and HD 705 to the RAM 703. The reservation management server 7 also has a memory unit 7000 constructed from at least one of the ROM 702, EEPROM 704, and HD 705 shown in FIG. 2. Furthermore, the memory unit 7000 stores communication programs (communication applications) and the like for communicating with each device and each terminal via the communication network 100.

<<Functional configuration of the reservation management server>>
Next, a detailed description will be given of each functional configuration of the reservation management server 7. The transmission/reception unit 71 of the reservation management server 7 shown in Fig. 4 is mainly realized by processing of the CPU 701 on the network I/F 711 and the short-range communication I/F 708, and transmits and receives various data (or information) between each terminal and each device via the communication network 100. In this embodiment, the transmission/reception unit 71 functions as an example of at least one of a transmitting means and a receiving means.

The acquisition unit 73 is mainly realized by the processing of the CPU 701, and acquires various reservation information from the reservation information management DB managed by the reservation management server 7 based on a request to acquire reservation information related to the reservation target sent by the reservation update management device 3. In this embodiment, the acquisition unit 73 functions as an example of an acquisition means.

The registration unit 78 is mainly realized by the processing of the CPU 701, and registers reservation information relating to various reservation targets input in advance by the user in the reservation information management DB managed by the reservation management server 7. The registration unit 78 also registers the results of updates to the reservation information relating to the reservation targets sent by the reservation update management device 3, in synchronization with the various reservation information in the reservation information management DB managed by the reservation management server 7. In this embodiment, the registration unit 78 functions as an example of registration means.

The memory/read unit 79 is mainly realized by the CPU 701 processing at least one of the ROM 702, EEPROM 704, and HD 705, and stores various data (or information) in the memory unit 7000 and reads various data (or information) from the memory unit 7000. In this embodiment, the memory/read unit 79 functions as an example of a memory/reading means. Note that the functional units possessed by the reservation management server 7 are not limited to those described above, and the functional configuration may be changed as appropriate depending on the hardware specifications of the reservation management server 7, etc.

●Reservation information management table●
FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of a reservation information management table. A reservation information management DB 7001 configured with the reservation information management table shown in FIG. 8 is constructed in the storage unit 7000. In the reservation information management table, the reservation name, reservation target identification information, reservation target name, user identification information, reservation start date and time, and reservation end date and time are associated with and stored and managed for each reservation identification information, which is divided into tabs based on tenant identification information. Of these, the reservation identification information is identification information for identifying the reservation target and is given, for example, "E0001" or "E0002." The reservation name represents the event in the reservation and is given, for example, "business,""conference," or "lunch meeting." The other items are the same as the contents managed in the reservation target management table described above. Therefore, the contents of the reservation information management table managed by the reservation management server 7 are periodically synchronized with the reservation target management table held by the reservation update management device 3, and both are updated to the latest contents.

[Processing or Operation of the Embodiment]
Next, each process or operation in the communication system according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

<Regular execution process>
First, we will explain the periodic execution process for synchronizing reservation information between the reservation update management device 3 and the reservation management server 7. Fig. 9 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the periodic execution process. As shown in Fig. 9, the storage/reading unit 39 of the reservation update management device 3 reads out user identification information managed in the reservation target management DB 3002 (see Fig. 6) (step S11).

Next, the transmission/reception unit 31 sends a request to acquire reservation information to the reservation management server 7 (step S12). As a result, the transmission/reception unit 71 of the reservation management server 7 receives the request to acquire reservation information sent by the reservation update management device 3. At this time, the request to acquire reservation information includes tenant identification information and current date and time information managed by the reservation update management device 3. Note that the user identification information read in step S11 may be added to the request to acquire reservation information instead of or in addition to the tenant identification information.

Next, the storage and reading unit 79 of the reservation management server 7 reads the reservation management information (step S13). Specifically, the storage and reading unit 79 reads all reservation management information from the current date and time onwards from the table information managed with the tenant identification information received in step S12 as tabs. The reservation management information read at this time includes reservation identification information, reservation name, reservation target identification information, reservation target name, user identification information, reservation start date and time information, and reservation end date and time information.

Next, the transmitter/receiver 71 transmits a reservation information acquisition response in response to the reservation information acquisition request received in step S12 (step S14). As a result, the transmitter/receiver 31 of the reservation update management device 3 receives the reservation information acquisition response transmitted by the reservation management server 7. At this time, the reservation information acquisition response includes the user identification information, reservation target identification information, reservation start date and time information, and reservation end date and time information from the reservation management information read in step S13. Note that in addition to the above-mentioned information, the reservation information acquisition response may also include all of the table information (reservation management information) managed by the specified tenant identification information read in step S13.

Next, the storage and reading unit 39 of the reservation update management device 3 updates the reservation information (step S15). Specifically, the storage and reading unit 39 updates the corresponding information managed in the reservation target management DB 3002 (see Figure 6) to the information included in the reservation information acquisition response received in step S14.

The reservation update management device 3 and reservation management server 7 periodically (e.g., every 10 minutes or every hour) repeat the processing of steps S12-S15 described above. This enables the reservation update management device 3 to synchronize (update) the reservation information of users belonging to a specific tenant that is managed by the reservation management server 7 provided by an external cloud service, etc.

In the reservation update management system according to this embodiment, for example, when the processing of steps S12 and S14 described above is performed, other devices may exist between the reservation update management device 3 and the reservation management server 7. In other words, the information (data) sent and received between the reservation update management device 3 and the reservation management server 7 may be configured to be sent and received once via other devices. The above-described configuration can also be applied when other processing steps exist between the reservation update management device 3 and the reservation management server 7.

<Login authentication process>
Next, the login authentication process by a user using the reservation update management system 2 will be described. Fig. 10 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the login authentication process. As shown in Fig. 10, the user uses the user terminal 5 to launch a reservation app or browser for reserving a specific reservation target and accesses a website. This causes the operation acceptance unit 52 to accept access to the website (step S31). The website in this case is a site managed in the login information management DB 3001 and indicated by the reservation update management device URL associated with the tenant identification information.

Next, the user launches the login screen. This causes the reservation processing unit 58 to execute the login process, and the display control unit 54 to display the login screen on the display 507 (step S32).

Next, the operation acceptance unit 52 accepts the user's input of authentication information (step S41). Specifically, the operation acceptance unit 52 accepts the input of user identification information and a password indicated by the email address or the like entered by the user.

Next, the transmission/reception unit 51 transmits an authentication processing request to the reservation update management device 3 (step S42). As a result, the transmission/reception unit 31 of the reservation update management device 3 receives the authentication processing request transmitted by the user terminal 5. At this time, the authentication processing request includes the user identification information and password.

Next, the determination unit 35 of the reservation update management device 3 executes authentication processing (step S43). Specifically, the determination unit 35 searches the login information management DB 3001 using the user identification information and password received in step S42, reads the corresponding user identification information and password, and determines whether they match. As a result, for example, if the user successfully authenticates the reservation update management device 3, the reservation update management device 3 considers the entered user identification information to be correct. Note that in the reservation update management device 3, the reservation processing unit 38 may execute the processing of step S43 instead of the determination unit 35.

Next, the transmission/reception unit 31 of the reservation update management device 3 transmits an authentication processing response to the user terminal 5 in response to the authentication processing request received in step S42 (step S44). As a result, the transmission/reception unit 51 of the user terminal 5 receives the authentication response transmitted by the reservation update management device 3. At this time, the authentication processing response includes session information established for the user terminal 5 and the reservation update management device 3 to communicate with each other.

Next, the storage/reading unit 59 of the user terminal 5 stores and registers the authentication information, including the session information received in step S44, in a specified area of the storage unit 5000 (step S45).

Note that the processing of steps S41-S45 described above may be limited to the initial processing when the reservation app is launched. Therefore, when communicating with other devices described below, the user terminal 5 assumes that the login authentication processing, session establishment processing, etc., according to the above-described procedures, have been successful, and that the devices are able to communicate with each other.

In the reservation update management system according to this embodiment, for example, when the processing of steps S42 and S44 described above is executed, other devices may exist between the user terminal 5 and the reservation update management device 3. In other words, each piece of information (data) sent and received between the user terminal 5 and the reservation update management device 3 may be configured to be sent and received once via another device. The above-described configuration can also be applied when other processing steps exist between the user terminal 5 and the reservation update management device 3.

<Reservation availability determination process and reservation result display process>
Next, the reservation availability determination process and reservation result display process in the reservation update management device 3 will be described. FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of the reservation availability determination process and reservation result display process. As shown in FIG. 11 , first, a user using the user terminal 5 photographs a code, such as a QR code, attached to or printed on a specific reservation target (e.g., a seat, a conference room, etc.). That is, when the user performs a code photographing operation, the display control unit 54 of the user terminal 5 displays a code photographing screen on the display 507. The user then focuses on the QR code, such as the QR code attached to or printed on the specific reservation target (e.g., a seat, a conference room, etc.), within a specific area of the code information photographing screen. The image capturing unit 53 then photographs the QR code and acquires information related to the reservation target (step S101). Note that the code information is not limited to the two-dimensional code represented by the QR code described above; it may also be one-dimensional code information represented by a barcode or three-dimensional code information represented by a PM code.

●Screen display example●
Here, an example of a display screen on the user terminal 5 will be described. FIG. 12 shows an example of a display screen when code information is acquired on the user terminal. As shown in FIG. 12, a code information capture screen 5011 is displayed on the display 507 of the user terminal 5 by the display control unit 54. When the code information capture screen 5011 is displayed on the display 507, the user can position and focus, for example, a QR code within a predetermined area on the code information capture screen 5011, so that the image capture unit 53 can capture an image of the QR code and acquire information related to the reservation object. At this time, it is assumed that code information including the reservation object name, reservation object identification information, etc. has been embedded in the QR code in advance between the reservation update management device 3 and each reservation object for which code information such as a QR code is provided.

Returning to FIG. 11, the transmission/reception unit 51 transmits a reservation request to the reservation update management device 3 (step S102). As a result, the transmission/reception unit 31 of the reservation update management device 3 receives the reservation request transmitted by the user terminal 5. At this time, the reservation request includes user identification information and reservation target identification information.

Next, the reservation update management device 3 searches the reservation target management DB 3002 (see Figure 6) using the reservation target identification information received in step S102 as a search key, thereby reading and acquiring the corresponding reservation information (step S103). At this time, the reservation information includes user identification information, user name, reservation target name, reservation start date and time information, reservation end date and time information, and usage status.

Next, the judgment unit 35 performs processing including determining whether the reservation target can be made (step S104).

<<Details of reservation availability determination process>>
Next, the details of the reservation availability determination of the reservation target, which is part of the processing executed in step S104, will be described. Fig. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the details of the reservation availability determination processing for the reservation target. As shown in Fig. 13, the determination unit 35 determines whether the reservation target associated with the user identification information and reservation target identification information in the read reservation information is a seat (step S104-1).

If the reservation target is a seat (step S104-1: YES), the determination unit 35 proceeds to processing in step S104-2. On the other hand, if the reservation target is not a seat (step S104-1: NO), that is, if the reservation target is a resource such as a conference room, reception room, or equipment, the determination unit 35 proceeds to processing in circle A. Details of processing in circle A will be explained later.

In step S104-2, the determination unit 35 further determines whether the seat whose QR code was photographed is reservable. Specifically, the determination unit 35 determines whether the seat associated with the user identification information and reservation target identification information from the read reservation information is reservable (vacant). If the seat whose QR code was photographed is reservable (step S104-2: YES), the determination unit 35 proceeds to the processing of step S104-3. On the other hand, if the reservation target is not reservable (step S104-2: NO), that is, if the seat whose QR code was photographed is not reservable, the generation unit 37 generates non-reservable screen data for the seat whose QR code was photographed and exits this flow (step S104-4). The content displayed on the screen indicated by this non-reservable screen data will be the screen displayed in the non-reservable notification 1 display field 5022, described below.

In step S104-3, the determination unit 35 further determines whether there are any other reserved seats. Specifically, the determination unit 35 determines whether there are any other reserved seats reserved by the same user in addition to the seat associated with the user identification information and reservation target identification information from the read reservation information. If there are other reserved seats reserved by the same user (step S104-3: YES), the reservation processing unit 38 reserves the seat whose QR code was photographed and cancels the reserved seat, and the generation unit 37 generates completion screen data for the reservation completion of the seat whose QR code was photographed and the cancellation of the reserved seat, and then exits this flow (step S104-5). The content displayed on the screen shown by this screen data for the reservation completion of the seat whose QR code was photographed and the cancellation of the reserved seat will be the notification content displayed in the reservation & cancellation processing result display field 5023, described below.

On the other hand, if there are no other reserved seats reserved by the same user (step S104-3: NO), the generation unit 37 generates reservation completion screen data for the seat whose QR code was photographed and exits this flow (step S104-6). The content displayed on the screen indicated by this reservation completion screen data will be the notification content displayed in the reservation processing result 1 display field 5024, which will be described later.

<<Other details of reservation availability determination process>>
Next, other details of the reservation availability determination process executed in step S104 will be described. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing another example of the details of the reservation availability determination process for a reservation target. As shown in FIG. 14, if the reservation target is a reservation target other than a seat (step S104-1: NO), that is, if the reservation target is a resource such as a conference room, reception room, or equipment, the determination unit 35 determines whether other reservation targets (e.g., reception rooms) other than the seat whose QR code was photographed are available for reservation (step S104-11), as the process indicated by circle A. Specifically, the determination unit 35 determines whether the reception room associated with the user identification information and reservation target identification information in the read reservation information is available for reservation (vacant). If the reception room whose QR code was photographed is available for reservation (step S104-11: YES), the determination unit 35 proceeds to the process of step S104-12. On the other hand, if the reservation target is not available (step S104-11: NO), that is, if the reception room whose QR code was captured is not available for reservation, the generation unit 37 generates unavailable reservation screen data for the reception room whose QR code was captured and exits this flow (step S104-13). The content displayed on the screen indicated by this unavailable reservation screen data will be the screen displayed in the unavailable reservation notification 2 display field 5025, which will be described later.

In step S104-12, the determination unit 35 further determines whether there are any other reserved reservation objects. Specifically, the determination unit 35 determines whether there are any other reserved reservation objects (conference rooms, reception rooms, equipment, etc. other than seats) reserved by the same user in addition to the reception room associated with the user identification information and reservation object identification information from the read reservation information. If there are other reserved reservation objects (hereinafter also referred to as other reserved resources) reserved by the same user (step S104-12: YES), the reservation processing unit 38 makes a reservation for the reception room whose QR code was captured, and the generation unit 37 generates screen data indicating the completion of the reservation for the conference room whose QR code was captured and whether the reserved reservation object needs to be canceled, and then exits this flow (step S104-14). The content displayed on the screen indicated by the reservation completion screen data for the reception room whose QR code was captured and whether the reserved reservation object needs to be canceled is the notification content displayed in the reservation & cancellation processing confirmation display field 5026, described below.

On the other hand, if there are no other reserved reservations made by the same user (step S104-12: NO), the generation unit 37 generates reservation completion screen data for the reception room whose QR code was photographed and exits this flow (step S104-15). The content displayed on the screen indicated by this reservation completion screen data will be the notification content displayed in the reservation processing result 2 display field 5027, which will be described later.

Returning to FIG. 11, the transmitter/receiver 31 of the reservation update management device 3 transmits a reservation response to the user terminal 5 in response to the reservation request received in step S102 (step S105). As a result, the transmitter/receiver 51 of the user terminal 5 receives the reservation response transmitted by the reservation update management device 3. At this time, the reservation response includes processing result information relating to the reservation processing result for the reservation target whose QR code was photographed. The reservation response may also include processing result information relating to other reserved reservation targets other than the reservation target, depending on the reservation status. The processing result information includes reservation target identification information associated with the reservation target whose QR code was photographed.

<Reservation result display process>
Next, the display control unit 54 of the user terminal 5 displays the processing results on the display 507 in accordance with the contents of the reservation response received in step S105 (step S106). Specifically, if there are other reserved reservation targets associated with the user in addition to the specified reservation target, the display control unit 54 displays a screen on the display 507 of the user terminal 5, including at least one of information related to the reservation of the specified reservation target and information related to the cancellation of the reserved reservation target, depending on the type of the specified reservation target and the type of the reserved reservation target. In this case, the display control unit 54 may alternately display information related to the reservation of the specified reservation target and information related to the cancellation of the reserved reservation target on the display 507 of the user terminal 5 at regular time intervals (e.g., 5-second intervals). Furthermore, the display control unit 34 of the reservation update management device 3 may execute the above-described display control process instead of the display control unit 54 of the user terminal 5. The processing results displayed in step S106 will be described in detail below with reference to the screen display examples.

●Screen display example●
Here, another example of a display screen on the user terminal 5 will be described. FIG. 15 shows an example of a display screen on the user terminal when a seat cannot be reserved. As shown in FIG. 15, a reservation processing result display screen 5021 is displayed on the display 507 of the user terminal 5 by the display control unit 54. The reservation processing result display screen 5021 includes a reservation unavailability notification 1 display field 5022 and a confirmation button 5051. In this case, the reservation unavailability notification 1 display field 5022 displays a message indicating that seat "S23," whose QR code was photographed, has already been reserved and urging the user to reserve another seat. This allows the user to visually confirm that seat "S23," which is the target of reservation, cannot be reserved, and by operating the confirmation button 5051, the user can switch to reserving another seat. Note that the content displayed on the reservation processing result display screen 5021 may also be displayed on the code information photographing screen 5011 described above.

●Screen display example●
FIG. 16 shows an example of a display screen displayed on a user terminal when a reservation for a seat is completed, along with the cancellation of another seat. As shown in FIG. 16 , a reservation processing result display screen 5021 is displayed on the display 507 of the user terminal 5 by the display control unit 54. The reservation processing result display screen 5021 includes a reservation and cancellation processing result display field 5023 and a confirmation button 5052. In this case, the reservation and cancellation processing result display field 5023 displays information indicating that seat "S23," whose QR code was photographed, has been reserved and the already reserved seat "S01" has been canceled. In other words, the content displayed in the reservation and cancellation processing result display field 5023 includes at least one of information related to the reservation of seat "S23," an example of a predetermined reservation target, and information related to the cancellation of seat "S01," an example of a reserved reservation target. This allows the user to visually confirm that seat "S23," the reservation target, has been reserved and the already reserved seat "S01" has been automatically canceled. The user can also switch to another screen by operating the confirmation button 5051. The content displayed on the reservation processing result display screen 5021 may also be displayed on the code information capture screen 5011 described above.

●Screen display example●
FIG. 17 shows an example of a display screen on a user terminal when a seat reservation is completed. As shown in FIG. 17 , a reservation processing result display screen 5021 is displayed on the display 507 of the user terminal 5 by the display control unit 54. The reservation processing result display screen 5021 includes a reservation processing result 1 display field 5024 and a confirmation button 5052. In this case, the reservation processing result 1 display field 5024 displays a message indicating that seat "S23," whose QR code was photographed, has been reserved. This is an example of a screen display when there are no other reserved reservations made by the same user who reserved seat "S23." This allows the user to visually confirm that seat "S23," the reservation target, has been reserved. The user can also switch to another screen by operating the confirmation button 5053. The content displayed on the reservation processing result display screen 5021 may also be displayed on the code information photographing screen 5011 described above.

●Screen display example●
FIG. 18 shows an example of a display screen on a user terminal when a reservation for a reservation target other than a seat is not possible. As shown in FIG. 18 , a reservation processing result display screen 5021 is displayed on the display 507 of the user terminal 5 by the display control unit 54. The reservation processing result display screen 5021 includes a reservation not possible 2 notification display field 5025 and a confirmation button 5054. In this case, the reservation not possible 2 notification display field 5025 displays a message indicating that the reception room "C01" whose QR code was photographed has already been reserved and urging the user to reserve another reception room. This allows the user to visually confirm that the reception room "C01" that is the reservation target cannot be reserved, and by operating the confirmation button 5054, the user can switch to a reservation operation for another reception room. The content displayed on the reservation processing result display screen 5021 may also be displayed on the code information photographing screen 5011 described above.

●Screen display example●
FIG. 19 shows an example of a display screen displayed on a user terminal when a reservation for a reception room is completed, along with the need to cancel other reserved reservation targets. As shown in FIG. 19 , a reservation processing result display screen 5021 is displayed on the display 507 of the user terminal 5 by the display control unit 54. The reservation processing result display screen 5021 includes a reservation and cancellation processing confirmation display field 5026. The reservation and cancellation processing confirmation display field 5026 also displays a message indicating that the reception room "C01," whose QR code was captured, has been reserved. Furthermore, since the conference room "M03" has already been reserved, the reservation and cancellation processing confirmation display field 5026 displays a message asking whether cancellation is necessary, along with a "Yes" button 5055 and a "No" button 5056 that can be operated in response to the message. In other words, the content displayed in the reservation and cancellation processing confirmation display field 5026 includes at least one of information related to the reservation of the reception room "C01," which is an example of a predetermined reservation target, and information related to the cancellation (necessity of cancellation) of the conference room "M03," which is an example of a reserved reservation target. This allows the user to visually confirm that the reception room "C01" has been reserved and further allows the user to decide whether to cancel the reserved conference room "M03." This is because, when the reservation target is a resource used by multiple people, such as a conference room or reception room, there is a high possibility that other users may be using it. Therefore, the reservation update management system 2 provides a configuration in which, for currently in-use (reserved) reservations, the reservation is not automatically canceled when a new reservation is made, but the user is asked whether to cancel the reservation. By displaying a reservation processing result display screen 5021 such as that shown in FIG. 19 , the display control unit 54 allows the user to decide whether to cancel the reserved reservation while checking the usage status of the currently in-use (reserved) reservation. The content displayed on the reservation processing result display screen 5021 may also be displayed on the code information capture screen 5011 described above.

●Screen display example●
FIG. 20 shows an example of a display screen displayed on a user terminal when a reservation for a reservation object other than a seat is completed. As shown in FIG. 20 , a reservation processing result display screen 5021 is displayed on the display 507 of the user terminal 5 by the display control unit 54. The reservation processing result display screen 5021 includes a reservation processing result 2 display field 5027 and a confirmation button 5057. In this case, the reservation processing result 2 display field 5027 displays a message indicating that the reception room "C01" whose QR code was photographed has been reserved. This is an example of a screen display when there are no other reserved objects reserved by the same user who reserved seat "S23." This allows the user to visually confirm that the reception room "C01" has been reserved. The user can also switch to another screen by operating the confirmation button 5053. The content displayed on the reservation processing result display screen 5021 may also be displayed on the code information photographing screen 5011 described above.

<Reservation cancellation or reservation maintenance processing>
<<How to cancel a reservation that has already been booked>>
Next, a description will be given of the processing corresponding to the operation of the "Yes" button 5055 or the "No" button 5056 displayed in the reservation and cancellation processing confirmation display field 5026 shown in Fig. 19. Fig. 21 is a sequence diagram showing an example of processing for a reservation target that has already been reserved. As shown in Fig. 21, the operation acceptance unit 52 of the user terminal accepts an operation of the "Yes" button 5055 or the "No" button 5056 provided in the reservation and cancellation processing confirmation display field 5026 shown in Fig. 19 (step S110).

Next, we will explain the processing that occurs when the "Yes" button is pressed when asking whether or not to cancel a reserved conference room. When the transmission/reception unit 51 of the user terminal 5 accepts operation of the "Yes" button 5056 in step S107, it transmits a request to cancel the reserved conference room to the reservation update management device 3 (step S111). As a result, the transmission/reception unit 31 of the reservation update management device 3 receives the request to cancel the reserved conference room transmitted by the user terminal 5. At this time, the request to cancel the reserved conference room includes reservation target identification information associated with the reservation target whose QR code was photographed, and button information related to the "Yes" button 5055.

Next, the reservation processing unit 38 of the reservation update management device 3 performs reservation processing for the corresponding reservation object by searching the reservation object management DB 3002 (see FIG. 6) using the reservation object identification information included in the cancellation request for the reserved conference room received in step S111 as a search key. The reservation processing unit 38 also cancels reservations for other reserved reservation objects associated with the user identification information of the user using the user terminal 5 with which the session was established. The reservation processing unit 38 further updates the usage status of the canceled reserved reservation object from "in use" to "cancelled" (step S112). At this time, the reservation processing unit 38 changes the reservation end time of the reserved reservation object (seat, etc.) managed in the reservation object management DB 3002 (see FIG. 6) to, for example, the time when the QR code was photographed. This allows the reservation processing unit 38 to cancel or change the reservation time for the reserved reservation object.

Next, the transmitter/receiver 31 transmits a cancellation response for the reserved reservation target (reserved conference room) in response to the cancellation request for the reserved reservation target received in step S111 (step S113). As a result, the transmitter/receiver 51 of the user terminal 5 receives the cancellation response for the reserved conference room transmitted by the reservation update management device 3. At this time, the cancellation response for the reserved conference room includes a message indicating the cancellation, a status flag, etc.

<<To maintain a reservation for an already reserved reservation>>
Next, a description will be given of the processing that occurs when the "No" button 5056 is operated when asked whether or not to cancel a reserved conference room. When the transmission/reception unit 51 of the user terminal 5 accepts an operation on the "No" button 5057 in step S107, it transmits a reservation maintenance request for the reserved conference room to the reservation update management device 3 (step S121). As a result, the transmission/reception unit 31 of the reservation update management device 3 receives the reservation maintenance request for the reserved conference room transmitted by the user terminal 5. At this time, the reservation maintenance request for the reserved conference room includes reservation object identification information associated with the reservation object whose QR code was photographed, and button information related to the "No" button 5056.

Next, the reservation processing unit 38 of the reservation update management device 3 performs reservation processing for the corresponding reservation target by searching the reservation target management DB 3002 (see Figure 6) using the reservation target identification information included in the reservation maintenance request for the reserved conference room received in step S121 as a search key. Furthermore, as in step S112, the reservation processing unit 38 maintains the reservations for other reserved reservation targets associated with the user identification information of the user using the user terminal 5 with which the session was established. The reservation processing unit 38 further leaves the usage status of the reserved reservation target whose reservation has been maintained as "in use" (step S122).

Next, the transmitter/receiver 31 transmits a reservation maintenance response for the reserved reservation target (reserved conference room) in response to the reservation maintenance request for the reserved reservation target received in step S111 (step S123). As a result, the transmitter/receiver 51 of the user terminal 5 receives the reservation maintenance response for the reserved conference room transmitted by the reservation update management device 3. At this time, the reservation maintenance response for the reserved conference room includes a message indicating that the reservation has been maintained, a status flag, etc.

The reservation availability determination process in the reservation update management device 3 described above may also be executed on the user terminal 5. In such a case, the reservation update management device 3 sends a reservation availability determination process request to the user terminal 5, including the reservation information acquired in step S103, for example. As a result, the user terminal 5 uses the reservation target management DB 5001 shown in FIG. 7 to process the reservation related to the reservation target, and cancel or maintain the reservation of an already reserved reservation target.

[Major Effects of the Embodiments]
As described above, according to this embodiment, when reserving a specific reservation target based on a reservation operation by a user, if there are other reserved reservation targets associated with the user in addition to the specific reservation target, the reservation update management system 2 displays a screen containing information related to the reservation of the specific reservation target and information related to the cancellation of the reserved reservation target on the display 507 of the user terminal 5, depending on the type of the specific reservation target and the type of the reserved reservation target (step S106). This has the effect of eliminating the need for a user attempting to reserve a new reservation target to separately consider whether or not to cancel the other reserved reservation targets, even if other reserved reservation targets exist.

Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the reservation update management system 2 prompts the user to decide whether or not to cancel other reserved reservations depending on the type of reservation object. This not only achieves the above-mentioned effect, but also allows overlapping reservations (double reservations) of reservation objects reserved by the same user depending on the type of reservation object. This has the effect of further improving the convenience for users when reserving reservation objects.

Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the user terminal 5 performs reservation processing for the reservation target in response to the reservation operation performed by the user, and performs cancellation processing or maintenance processing for other reserved reservation targets reserved by the same user. This has the effect of simplifying the configuration of the reservation update management system, in addition to the effect described above, because the user terminal 5 performs the above-mentioned series of processes on behalf of the reservation update management device 3.

[Supplementary explanation of the embodiment]
In the above embodiment, the reservation object is shown as a seat, a conference room, a reception room, or equipment as an example, but it is not limited to these. Anything included in the resources that can be reserved as a reservation object described in the above-mentioned ● Regarding the term ● can be a reservation object.

The functions of the above-described embodiments can be realized by one or more processing circuits. Here, the term "processing circuit" as used herein includes devices programmed to perform functions by software, such as processors implemented as electronic circuits. Examples of such devices include processors, ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits) designed to perform the functions described above, DSPs (Digital Signal Processors), FPGAs (Field Programmable Gate Arrays), SOCs (Systems on a Chip), GPUs (Graphics Processing Units), and conventional circuit modules.

Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the reservation or cancellation made by the reservation processing unit 38 and judgment unit 35 of the reservation update management device 3, or the reservation or cancellation made by the reservation processing unit 58 and judgment unit 55 of the user terminal 5, may be performed using machine learning. In such cases, a system may be constructed that predicts reservation or cancellation based on the reservation trends of each user, such as the type of reservation target and reservation time slot, and notifies the user in advance of the existence of a reserved reservation target.

So far, we have described a reservation update management system, reservation update management device, reservation update management method, and program according to one embodiment of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and other modifications, such as additions, changes, or deletions, can be made within the scope of what one skilled in the art could conceive. Any modification that achieves the functions and effects of the present invention is within the scope of the present invention.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Communication system 2 Reservation update management system 3 Reservation update management device 5 User terminal 7 Reservation management server 34 Display control unit (an example of a display control means)
35 Determination unit (an example of a determination means)
38 Reservation processing unit (an example of a reservation processing means)
54 Display control unit (an example of a display control means)
55 Determination unit (an example of a determination means)
58 Reservation processing unit (an example of a reservation processing means)
507 Display (an example of a display means)

Patent Publication No. 2020-071760

Claims (10)

A reservation update management system including a user terminal used when reserving a reservation object, and a reservation update management device that updates and manages the usage status of a predetermined reservation object reserved by the user terminal,
a reservation processing means for making a reservation for the predetermined reservation object operated by a user;
a display control means for displaying on a display means a screen including at least one of information relating to the reservation of the predetermined reservation object and information relating to the cancellation of the reserved reservation object, in the case where, when reserving the predetermined reservation object based on a reservation operation by the user, there exists a reserved reservation object associated with the user in addition to the predetermined reservation object, according to the type of the predetermined reservation object and the type of the reserved reservation object;
and
The predetermined reservation object or the reserved reservation object includes a seat, a conference room, a reception room, and equipment,
The reservation processing means
If the specified reservation object or the reserved reservation object is a seat, and if a seat has already been reserved before making a seat reservation, make a reservation for the seat and cancel the reservation of the reserved seat; if the specified reservation object or the reserved reservation object is a conference room, reception room, or equipment, and if a conference room, reception room, or equipment has already been reserved before making a reservation for the conference room, reception room, or equipment, make a reservation for the conference room, reception room, or equipment and inquire about whether or not to cancel the reservation of the reserved conference room, reception room, or equipment.
A reservation update management system characterized by: The display control means
displaying on the display means, as information related to the reservation processing of the reservation target, a message indicating that the reservation target cannot be reserved or a message indicating that the reservation target has been reserved;
2. The reservation update management system according to claim 1. The display control means
displaying on the display means, as information relating to the cancellation of the reserved reservation target, either a message indicating that the reservation of the reserved reservation target has been canceled or a message prompting the user to select whether or not to cancel the reservation of the reserved reservation target;
3. The reservation update management system according to claim 1 or 2. The display control means
When a reserved conference room, reception room, or piece of equipment exists before making a reservation for the conference room, reception room, or piece of equipment, the display means displays a message indicating that the conference room, reception room, or piece of equipment has been reserved, and a cancellation selection section for selecting whether or not to cancel the reservation for the reserved conference room, reception room, or piece of equipment;
The reservation processing means
When a selection is made to the cancellation selection unit not to cancel the reservation of any of the reserved conference room, reception room, or equipment, the reservation of any of the conference room, reception room, or equipment is made, and the reservation of any of the reserved conference room, reception room, or equipment is maintained.
4. The reservation update management system according to claim 3 . The reservation processing means
By acquiring the code information provided for the predetermined reservation target, at least one of a reservation process for the predetermined reservation target and a cancellation process for the reserved reservation target is performed.
5. The reservation update management system according to claim 1, wherein the reservation update management system is a system for updating a reservation . 6. The reservation update management system according to claim 5 ,
a determining means for determining the type of the predetermined reservation object, whether the predetermined reservation object can be reserved, and whether the predetermined reservation object has already been reserved, based on reservation information obtained from reservation object identification information that identifies the reservation object included in the code information;
having
A reservation update management system characterized by: 7. The reservation update management system according to claim 5 , wherein the code information includes one-dimensional code information represented by a barcode, two-dimensional code information represented by a QR code, and three-dimensional code information represented by a PM code. A reservation update management device that updates and manages a usage status of a predetermined reservation target that has been operated for reservation by a user terminal,
a reservation processing means for making a reservation for the predetermined reservation object operated by a user;
a display control means for displaying on a display means a screen including at least one of information relating to the reservation of the predetermined reservation object and information relating to the cancellation of the reserved reservation object, in the case where, when reserving the predetermined reservation object based on a reservation operation by the user, there exists a reserved reservation object associated with the user in addition to the predetermined reservation object, according to the type of the predetermined reservation object and the type of the reserved reservation object;
and
The predetermined reservation object or the reserved reservation object includes a seat, a conference room, a reception room, and equipment,
The reservation processing means
If the specified reservation object or the reserved reservation object is a seat, and if a seat has already been reserved before making a seat reservation, make a reservation for the seat and cancel the reservation of the reserved seat; if the specified reservation object or the reserved reservation object is a conference room, reception room, or equipment, and if a conference room, reception room, or equipment has already been reserved before making a reservation for the conference room, reception room, or equipment, make a reservation for the conference room, reception room, or equipment and inquire about whether or not to cancel the reservation of the reserved conference room, reception room, or equipment.
A reservation update management device. A reservation update management method executed by a reservation update management device that updates and manages the usage status of a predetermined reservation target that has been operated for reservation by a user terminal, comprising:
a reservation processing step of making a reservation for the predetermined reservation target operated by a user;
a display control step of displaying on a display means a screen including at least one of information relating to the reservation of the predetermined reservation object and information relating to the cancellation of the reserved reservation object, in the case where there is a reserved reservation object associated with the user in addition to the predetermined reservation object when reserving the predetermined reservation object based on a reservation operation by the user; and
Perform a process including
The predetermined reservation object or the reserved reservation object includes a seat, a conference room, a reception room, and equipment,
The reservation processing step includes:
If the specified reservation object or the reserved reservation object is a seat, and if a seat has already been reserved before making a seat reservation, make a reservation for the seat and cancel the reservation of the reserved seat; if the specified reservation object or the reserved reservation object is a conference room, reception room, or equipment, and if a conference room, reception room, or equipment has already been reserved before making a reservation for the conference room, reception room, or equipment, make a reservation for the conference room, reception room, or equipment and inquire about whether or not to cancel the reservation of the reserved conference room, reception room, or equipment.
A reservation update management method. A reservation update management device that updates and manages the usage status of a predetermined reservation target that has been operated for reservation by a user terminal,
a reservation processing step of making a reservation for the predetermined reservation target operated by a user;
a display control step of displaying on a display means a screen including at least one of information relating to the reservation of the predetermined reservation object and information relating to the cancellation of the reserved reservation object, in the case where there is a reserved reservation object associated with the user in addition to the predetermined reservation object when reserving the predetermined reservation object based on a reservation operation by the user; and
Execute a process including
The predetermined reservation object or the reserved reservation object includes a seat, a conference room, a reception room, and equipment,
The reservation processing step includes:
If the specified reservation object or the reserved reservation object is a seat, and if a seat has already been reserved before making a seat reservation, make a reservation for the seat and cancel the reservation of the reserved seat; if the specified reservation object or the reserved reservation object is a conference room, reception room, or equipment, and if a conference room, reception room, or equipment has already been reserved before making a reservation for the conference room, reception room, or equipment, make a reservation for the conference room, reception room, or equipment and inquire about whether or not to cancel the reservation of the reserved conference room, reception room, or equipment.
program .