Pet animal matching system and pet animal matching method

Abstract

To provide a pet animal matching system and a pet animal matching method in a simple manner.SOLUTION: A pet animal matching system for realizing smooth pet animal matching is provided, comprising browsing means for allowing a transferee to browse a pet animal via the Internet, booking means for allowing the transferee to book a handover location, date, and time, and transportation adjustment means for arranging transportation of the pet animal to the delivery location,.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a pet matching system and a pet matching method. More specifically, the present invention relates to a pet matching system and a pet matching method including a browsing means capable of checking the state of a pet via the Internet, a reservation means for a transferee to specify a delivery location and time, and a transportation adjustment means for arranging transportation to the pet delivery location.

Background Art

[0002] Pets such as dogs, cats, and rabbits are invaluable to humans, and various pet services have become widespread and developed.

[0003] To breed pets in a good environment, a vast site and a natural environment with little noise are required, and generally, a breeding farm is provided at a location far from human settlements.

[0004] On the other hand, many potential pet owners (referred to as "transferees" in the present invention) live in urban areas or residential areas and are far from pet breeding grounds.

[0005] Therefore, how to smoothly transfer pets has become an issue.

[0006] Patent Document 1 discloses a pet sales system using an Internet line network, but only discloses a method for making pets viewable on the Internet and does not disclose a specific delivery method.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0007]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

[0008] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a pet matching system or pet matching method in a simple manner. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] As a result of diligent research to solve the above problems, the inventors of this invention have found that by combining a means for viewing pet animals with a means for reserving delivery and a means for coordinating transportation, it is possible to smoothly match recipients with pet animals, and have completed the present invention.

[0010] In other words, the present invention is as follows [1] to [8]. [1] A means for the recipient to view pet animals via the internet, A reservation method for the transferee to reserve the handover location and date, A means of coordinating transportation to arrange the transport of pet animals to the handover location. A pet matching system characterized by having the following features. [2] A pet matching system further comprising a health check coordination mechanism for arranging a health check for the pet based on the handover location and date and time specified by the recipient.[1] [3] A companion animal matching system in which the health examination is either a home visit by a veterinarian or a health examination at an animal hospital [2]. [4] A companion animal matching system in which the health examination is either a home visit by a veterinarian working at a facility within a 10km radius of the handover location, or a health examination at an animal hospital located within a 10km radius of the handover location [2]. [5] A pet matching system, further comprising a food suggestion means that suggests suitable food for a pet based on one or more pieces of information selected from a group consisting of the breed, age and the results of the aforementioned health examination of the pet. [1] to [4] [6] The pet matching system according to any one of [1] to [5], further comprising insurance proposal means for proposing insurance suitable for the pet based on one or more pieces of information selected from the group consisting of the breed, age, and the health diagnosis result of the pet. [7] A step in which the transferee browses the pet via the Internet, A step in which the transferee reserves the delivery location and time, And a step of arranging transportation to the delivery location of the pet A pet matching method characterized by comprising the above. [8] The pet matching method according to [7], further comprising a step of arranging a health diagnosis of the pet based on the delivery location and time designated by the transferee.

Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to the present invention, it becomes possible to provide a pet matching system and a pet matching method in a simple manner.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012] [Figure 1] It is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the pet matching system of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the pet matching device of the present invention. [Figure 3] It is a flowchart diagram showing an example of the reservation flow by the pet matching system of the present invention. [Figure 4] It is a flowchart diagram showing an example of the delivery flow by the pet matching system of the present invention.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] <Pet Matching System> The pet matching system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a browsing means for a transferee (including an agent commissioned by the transferee) to browse pets via the Internet, a reservation means for the transferee to reserve a delivery location and date, and a transportation coordination means for arranging transportation to the pet delivery location. These comprehensive or specific aspects may be implemented by a system, device, method, integrated circuit, computer program, or recording medium, or may be implemented by any combination of a system, device, method, integrated circuit, computer program, and recording medium.

[0014] [Browsing means] The browsing means provides the transferee with images of pets provided by breeders (including agents commissioned by breeders and pet sellers who have purchased pets from breeders). The browsing means has both a function of acquiring images of pets provided by breeders and others and a function of providing the images to the transferee. Examples of the method of acquiring and providing images include a method of capturing an image transmitted from a breeder into the system and providing the image to the transferee, and a method of guiding the breeder to a website or SNS where the pet is publicly available. However, it is preferable to capture the image into the system because the page transition is faster. As a function for the browsing means to provide images to the transferee, in addition to the method of guiding the breeder to a website or SNS where the pet is publicly available, known functions such as a function of distributing images to the transferee and a function of displaying images when the transferee accesses can be mentioned. The format of the images is not particularly limited and may be a still image or a moving image. Also, the images may be in black and white, grayscale, or color. The images may be normalized or have a unified resolution.

[0015] [Reservation means] The reservation method is a way to reserve the location and time for handing over the pet, according to the recipient's specifications. If there is a prior booking or if it is not possible to arrange the transportation of the pet, alternative dates and locations for handover will be recommended. For example, if there is a prior booking for the location and time specified by the recipient, an available nearby handover location at the date and time indicated by the recipient, or an available date and time at the handover location specified by the recipient, will be recommended. Furthermore, the reservation of the handover date and time may be structured so that candidate dates are suggested based on a schedule entered in advance by the breeder, and the recipient selects the desired date and time from the suggested candidate dates. For example, the breeder's schedule could be displayed on the screen viewed by the recipient as follows: "February 1st 10am-12pm (○), 1pm-3pm (×), 3pm-5pm (○), February 3rd 10am-12pm (×), ...", and the reservation would be completed when the recipient selects a date and time marked with "○". It is preferable to have a configuration that notifies the breeder when a reservation is completed. Methods of notification include email, messenger, and displaying a reservation completion notification on the screen shown when the breeder accesses the device or system of the present invention. The reservation means may also recommend the nearest handover location if the recipient's place of residence and range of activity are pre-stored. Whether a handover location is the nearest may be determined by physical distance or time distance. Time distance is an index that expresses the distance between two points as the time required for a person or object to travel. In urban areas, time distance is generally given more weight. Furthermore, the reservation of a handover location may be configured to suggest candidate locations based on available handover locations pre-entered by the recipient, and the recipient may select their preferred location from the suggested candidate locations. For example, potential locations may include the breeder's residence, the nearest train station to the breeder's residence, the recipient's residence, the nearest train station to the recipient's residence, a terminal station near the recipient's residence, an airport near the recipient's residence, or a location suggested by the breeder. The recipient then selects their preferred location from among these options. As another example, the reservation method may include a configuration that allows breeders and recipients to communicate directly about the date, time, and location via text or other means, such as chat. For example, when a recipient selects a pet they wish to acquire, they are moved to a chat room where they can communicate with the breeder of that animal, and there they can negotiate and communicate about the location and date of the handover. If a chat room is used, it is preferable that the chat room cannot be viewed by anyone other than the breeder and recipient negotiating. Once an agreement is reached regarding the handover location and date via chat, the reservation can be completed when the recipient enters the details of the agreement.

[0016] [Transportation adjustment means] The transportation coordination service arranges the transport of pet animals to the handover location. Since pet breeding facilities and human residences are often located far apart, limiting transportation options, a transportation coordination service is necessary for the smooth handover of pet animals. This service coordinates not only the arrangement of transportation equipment such as trucks, trains, ships, and airplanes, but also events carried out before the handover, such as preparation for transport, genetic testing, health checkups, and grooming. For example, if the handover location is booked as the train station closest to the recipient's residence, and the date and time are set for 2 PM to 3 PM one month later, the transportation coordination service would access publicly available route search apps or websites, or use route search software built into the server, to search for a route from the breeder's residence or other location where the pet animal currently exists to the handover location. For instance, it might search for a route involving travel by car from the pet animal's location to the nearest station, followed by a train to the nearest station to the recipient's residence, along with the time, timetables, and schedules for each mode of transport. Route determination may be configured so that the transferee selects the route they prefer from the searched route candidates, or it may be configured so that the route with the shortest time or lowest cost is automatically selected. Furthermore, for events such as genetic testing and health checkups, the optimal date and time for these will be set by working backward from the handover date. This optimal date and time can be determined based on industry and academic knowledge regarding how far in advance genetic testing and health checkups should be conducted before the handover date to the owner. If the selected route includes public transportation such as airplanes or trains, it is also preferable to have a configuration that allows users to access the website of the public transportation provider from the transportation coordination device and reserve tickets for that transportation.

[0017] If it is not possible to arrange the transportation of the pet to the designated location and time specified by the recipient, the result will be fed back to the reservation system, which will then propose an alternative date and location to the recipient. Therefore, the transportation arrangement system is also necessary to ensure smooth reservations.

[0018] [Methods for adjusting health checkups] The health check arrangement service arranges a health check for the pet based on the handover location and date specified by the recipient. In pet transactions, it is necessary to hand over the pet in a healthy condition, and it is preferable to conduct a health check before handover. A health check generally involves checking weight, diseases, and injuries, and, if necessary, conducting genetic testing, intestinal flora testing, etc. By arranging the health check simultaneously with the reservation and transportation arrangements, a smooth handover can be achieved.

[0019] Health checkups should preferably be conducted by a veterinarian during a home visit or at an animal hospital. Arranging for health checkups by specialists can help prevent problems such as pets becoming ill immediately after being handed over.

[0020] It is preferable that the health checkup be conducted by a veterinarian working at a facility within a 10km radius of the handover location, or by a veterinary hospital located within a 10km radius of the handover location. By coordinating the health checkup with a veterinarian working near the handover location or a nearby veterinary hospital, it becomes easier for the recipient to receive regular health checkups and vaccinations after the handover at the same veterinary hospital as the initial health checkup, thus reducing the burden on the recipient.

[0021] [Food Proposal Methods] The food suggestion method proposes food suitable for a pet based on one or more pieces of information selected from a group consisting of the pet's breed, age, and health check results. By proposing food suitable for a pet based on one or more pieces of information selected from a group consisting of the pet's breed, age, and health check results, it is possible to contribute to maintaining the pet's health and reduce the burden on the recipient. It is preferable to propose food suitable for a pet based on the pet's breed, age, and health check results.

[0022] Here, "breed" refers to a unit of biological population below the species level. For example, in the case of dogs, dog breeds are also called dog breeds, and specific examples include Toy Poodle, Chihuahua, Miniature Dachshund, Shiba Inu, Pomeranian, Yorkshire Terrier, Miniature Schnauzer, Shih Tzu, French Bulldog, Papillon, Maltese, Labrador, Dalmatian, Chow Chow, etc. In the case of cats, cat breeds are also called cat breeds, and examples include Scottish Fold, American Shorthair, Norwegian Forest Cat, Russian Blue, British Shorthair, Ragdoll, Maine Coon, Persian, etc. In the case of rabbits, examples include Netherland Dwarf, Holland Lop, Lop-eared, Mini Rex, Dwarf Lop, American Fuzzy Lop, etc.

[0023] To obtain breed information used by the food suggestion system, a trained model for breed determination may be used to determine the breed of a pet animal from an image of the animal.

[0024] A pre-trained model for breed determination is a pre-trained model that has learned the relationship between an image of an animal and the breed of that animal. Preferably, it includes a pre-trained model that is trained using an image of an animal and its breed as training data, and takes an image of an animal as input and determines the breed of that animal as output.

[0025] The format of animal images used as training data is not particularly limited. Still images or videos are acceptable. The parts of the animal shown in the image are not particularly limited, but images that make it easy to identify the animal breed are preferred, such as images showing the face or tail, or images showing the whole body. Images may be black and white, grayscale, or color. Images whose shape has been edited with image editing software, images showing multiple animals, images where the eyes or ears are too small to be distinguished, or images that are blurry are undesirable. Images that have been normalized or have a uniform resolution are preferred. It is even more preferable that the resolution of the images used as training data and the images received for breed determination are the same.

[0026] Artificial intelligence (AI) is preferred as the trained model. Artificial intelligence (AI) is software or a system that imitates the intelligent tasks performed by the human brain. Specifically, it refers to computer programs that understand natural language used by humans, perform logical reasoning, and learn from experience. The AI ​​can be either general-purpose or specialized, and specifically, it can be any of the well-known ones such as logistic regression, decision trees, k-means algorithms, multilayer perceptrons, recurrent neural networks, deep neural networks, and convolutional neural networks, and publicly available software can be used.

[0027] To generate a trained model, artificial intelligence is trained. While either machine learning or deep learning can be used for training, deep learning is preferred. Deep learning is an evolution of machine learning and is characterized by its ability to automatically identify features.

[0028] There are no particular restrictions on the training method used to generate a pre-trained model; publicly available software and libraries can be used. Transfer learning is also acceptable as the training method. For example, NVIDIA's DIGITS (the Deep Learning GPU Training System) can be used. Alternatively, for example, a pre-trained model can be generated using transfer learning with artificial intelligence (neural networks) such as ResNet, MobileNet, or EfficientNet, and a machine learning library (Deep Learning library) such as PyTorch. Furthermore, For example, you may use a publicly available support vector machine, such as one published in "Introduction to Support Vector Machines" (Kyoritsu Shuppan).

[0029] [Insurance proposal methods] The insurance proposal method suggests suitable insurance for pets based on one or more pieces of information selected from a group consisting of the pet's breed, age, and health check results. By obtaining the necessary information for insurance enrollment through a matching system, insurance providers can suggest suitable insurance for pets without requiring the recipient to input information about the pet.

[0030] <Embodiment> An embodiment of the pet matching system of the present invention will be described below.

[0031] Figure 1 shows an example of the matching system 1 of the present invention. In the matching system 1, the matching device 10 is connected via a network to a breeder terminal 2, a user terminal 3, a veterinarian terminal 4-1, an animal hospital terminal 4-2, a food vendor terminal 5, and an insurance vendor terminal 6.

[0032] In Figure 1, breeder terminal 2 is a terminal used by breeders who wish to use the matching device. Examples of terminal 2 include personal computers, smartphones, and tablet devices. Terminal 2 consists of a processing unit such as a CPU, a memory / storage unit such as a hard disk, ROM or RAM, a display unit such as an LCD panel, an input unit such as a mouse, keyboard, or touch panel, and a communication unit such as a network adapter. The breeder can access device 10 through terminal 2 to upload images of their pets to device 10, or specify that it be directed to websites or social media where the breeder has posted pictures of their pets.

[0033] User terminal 3 is used by recipients who wish to use the matching device 10. From terminal 3, recipients access device 10 via the network and view pet animals. If a recipient wishes to take possession of a pet, they reserve the location and date / time for the pet's handover through terminal 3.

[0034] The matching system 1 of the present invention includes a veterinarian terminal 4-1 used by a veterinarian and an animal hospital terminal 4-2 installed in an animal hospital (hereinafter collectively referred to as terminal 4). Terminal 4 is connected to device 10 via a network. When the handover location and date of a pet are reserved and a health check is arranged, this information is notified to the veterinarian or animal hospital via terminal 4. In addition, the veterinarian or animal hospital can upload the results of the health check via terminal 4.

[0035] The matching system 1 of the present invention may include a food vendor terminal 5. Terminal 5 is connected to device 10 via a network. A food vendor is a business that proposes suitable food for pets to buyers based on one or more pieces of information selected from a group consisting of the breed, age, and health check results of the pets. The food vendor receives the breed, age, and health check results of the pets through terminal 5 and uploads food suggestions based on this information to device 10.

[0036] The matching system 1 of the present invention may include an insurance salesperson terminal 6. The terminal 6 is connected to the device 10 via a network. An insurance salesperson is a business that proposes suitable insurance for a pet to a buyer based on one or more pieces of information selected from a group consisting of the breed, age, and health examination results of the pet. The insurance salesperson receives the breed, age, and health examination results of the pet through the terminal 6 and uploads insurance proposals based on this information to the device 10. Insurance solicitation is defined as including the act of soliciting insurance.

[0037] Note that in Figure 1, breeders, veterinarians and animal hospitals, food vendors, and insurance vendors are shown separately, but these may be combined into one entity.

[0038] Figure 2 shows an example of the matching device 10 of the present invention. In this embodiment, the device 10 is configured by a computer, but any device may be used as long as it has the functions according to the present invention. The storage unit consists of, for example, ROM, RAM, or a hard disk. The storage unit stores information processing programs for operating each part of the matching system and apparatus of the present invention, and in particular, programs / software for the browsing means 11, the reservation means 12, and the transport adjustment means 13. The processing unit (CPU) 20 executes programs / software to function as a browsing means 11, a reservation means 12, and a transportation adjustment means 13.

[0039] The interface unit (communication unit) 30 includes a receiving means 31 and an output means 32. The receiving means 31 receives images of pet animals, reservation instruction information, etc., from the breeder terminal 2 and the user terminal 3. Meanwhile, the output means 32 outputs and transmits the reservation results, etc.

[0040] The viewing method 11 records images uploaded by the breeder through terminal 2 and URLs of websites and social media where the breeder displays pet animals, and also discloses images and URLs of pet animals to recipients who access them through terminal 3.

[0041] The reservation means 12 determines whether the delivery location and date / time specified by the transferee are available for reservation and displays the result on the terminal 3. If there is another reservation recorded in the reservation means 12, or if the transportation adjustment means 13 provides feedback that transportation cannot be arranged, it proposes an alternative date / time and location according to the transferee's place of residence and preferences. If the transferee confirms the reservation, the result is notified to the breeder via the terminal 2. Preferably, the reservation determination and the proposal of new reservations are performed automatically by the processing calculation unit 20, but some operations may be performed by an operator as needed.

[0042] The transportation coordination means 13 arranges transportation equipment and adjusts the schedule and location of events to be held before the handover, according to the handover location and date and time specified by the transferee provided by the reservation means 12. If transportation adjustment is not possible, the result is fed back to the reservation means 12. If the transferee's designation changes, transportation adjustment is made again. Preferably, transportation adjustment is performed automatically by the processing calculation unit 20, but some operations may be performed by an operator as needed.

[0043] The memory unit may store programs / software for the health check adjustment means 14, the food suggestion means 15, and the insurance suggestion means 16.

[0044] The health checkup adjustment means 14 adjusts the date and location of the health checkup according to the handover location and date and time specified by the transferee, as provided by the reservation means 12. If the health checkup cannot be adjusted, the result is fed back to the reservation means 12. If the transferee's designation changes, the health checkup is adjusted again. The health checkup adjustment means 14 may also be executed as a function of the transportation adjustment means 13. Furthermore, while it is preferable that the health checkup adjustment is performed automatically by the processing calculation unit 20, some tasks may be performed by an operator as needed.

[0045] The food suggestion means 15 selects food suitable for a pet based on one or more pieces of information selected from a group consisting of the pet's breed, age, and health check results. The selection results may be disclosed to the recipient via terminal 3, or the results may be disclosed to the breeder in advance via terminal 2 and then transmitted from the breeder to the recipient. The food suggestion content may be automatically generated by the processing calculation unit 20, or it may be created by a specialist such as a veterinarian.

[0046] The insurance proposal means 16 selects insurance suitable for a pet based on one or more pieces of information chosen from a group consisting of the pet's breed, age, and health check results. The selection results may be disclosed to the recipient via terminal 3, or the results may be disclosed to the breeder in advance via terminal 2 and then transmitted from the breeder to the recipient. The insurance proposal content may be automatically generated by the processing calculation unit 20, or it may be created by an insurance agent or other expert.

[0047] Figure 3 shows a reservation flowchart based on one embodiment of the pet matching system of the present invention. When a recipient enters basic information such as the species, breed, age, and sex of the pet they wish to view into the viewing means, images uploaded by the breeder and URLs of websites and social media where the breeder has published pets are disclosed (Step S1). If the recipient wishes to receive the pet, they reserve the delivery location and date and time through the reservation means (Step S2). The server's processing unit arranges transportation using the transportation coordination means. If transportation cannot be arranged, it requests a modification of the reservation (Step S3). Furthermore, if necessary, it arranges a health check for the pet (Step S4).

[0048] Figure 4 shows a flowchart of the pet transfer process based on one embodiment of the pet matching system of the present invention. Based on step S4, if a health check has been arranged, a home visit by a veterinarian or a health check at an animal hospital is conducted (step S11). The recipient accepts the pet after considering the results of the health check, etc. (step S12). Once the acceptance is decided, the information of the recipient and the pet is transmitted to the matching device via a terminal (including terminals other than those listed in Figure 1) (step S13). The server's processing unit generates information on suitable food and insurance for the pet based on the information of the recipient and the pet, etc., and proposes it to the recipient (steps S14, 15).

Claims

1. a viewing means for the transferee to view the pet animal via the Internet; A reservation means for the transferee to reserve a delivery location (excluding animal hospitals and locations where a veterinarian is present) and a date and time; a transportation coordination means for arranging transportation of the pet to the delivery location; The pet matching system includes a health check-up arrangement means for arranging a health check-up of the pet before delivery by a veterinarian working near the delivery location or a nearby animal hospital, based on the delivery location and date and time reserved by the transferee.

2. 2. The pet matching system of claim 1, wherein the health check is a home visit by a veterinarian working at a facility within a 10 km radius of the delivery location, or a health check at a veterinary clinic located within a 10 km radius of the delivery location.

3. A pet matching system as described in claim 1, further comprising a food suggestion means for suggesting food suitable for the pet based on one or more pieces of information selected from the group consisting of the breed, age, and health check results of the pet.

4. A pet matching system as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising an insurance proposal means for proposing insurance suitable for the pet based on one or more pieces of information selected from the group consisting of the breed, age, and health check results of the pet.

5. A step in which the computer accepts a reservation from the transferee for the location and date and time of delivery of the pet; A step in which the computer arranges transportation of the pet to a pet delivery location based on the pet delivery location and date and time reserved by the transferee; A step in which the computer arranges for a pre-delivery health examination of the pet animal by a veterinarian working near the delivery location or a nearby animal hospital based on the delivery location and date and time reserved by the recipient; A pet matching method comprising:

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