Reservation support device, method for supporting reservation, and program

Abstract

To accept more reservations.SOLUTION: A reservation support device 1 includes: an acquisition unit 21 for storing situation data 12 showing whether it is possible to accept a reservation from a customer at each unit time and acquiring a requested starting time and a requested ending time of the customer; and a proposition unit 22 for outputting a proposition to change the requested starting time to an ending time in a time when a reservation cannot be accepted immediately before the requested starting time to the customer if the situation data 12 shows that the interval between the requested starting time to the requested ending time is a time when a reservation can be accepted and the differential time between the requested starting time and the ending time in the time when a reservation cannot be accepted immediately before the requested starting time is at least a unit time and is smaller than a predetermined time.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a reservation support device, a reservation support method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] There is a device that optimizes reservation schedules in salons with multiple seats, such as beauty salons, massage parlors, and nail salons (see Patent Document 1). Patent Document 1 groups reservations with similar reservation times and rearranges the reservations within the group. Patent Document 1 optimizes reservations, making it possible to receive more reservations. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2007-156831 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the method of Patent Document 1, there are gaps during which new reservations cannot be accepted. By reducing the gaps, it becomes possible to accept more reservations.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a technique that enables a larger number of reservations to be accepted. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A reservation support device of one embodiment of the present invention includes a storage device that stores status data indicating whether a reservation from a customer can be accepted for each unit time, an acquisition unit that acquires a desired start time and desired end time of a reservation desired by the customer, and a proposal unit that, by referring to the status data, if a reservation can be accepted between the desired start time and the desired end time and the difference in time between the desired start time and the end time of the time period immediately preceding the desired start time that cannot be accepted is equal to or greater than the unit time and less than a predetermined time, outputs a proposal to the customer to change the desired start time to the end time of the time period immediately preceding the desired start time that cannot be accepted.

[0007] A reservation support device of one embodiment of the present invention includes a storage device that stores status data indicating whether or not a reservation from a customer can be accepted for each unit time, and a suggestion unit that refers to the status data and suggests changing the first time or the second time if the difference in time between a first time when a reservation cannot be accepted and a second time immediately following the first time when the reservation cannot be accepted is equal to or greater than a unit time and less than a predetermined time.

[0008] A reservation support device of one embodiment of the present invention includes a storage device that stores status data indicating whether a reservation from a customer can be accepted for each unit time, an acquisition unit that acquires a desired reservation time desired by the customer, an identification unit that refers to the status data and identifies, from among the candidate start times for which reservations for the desired time can be accepted, a candidate start time for which the difference in time between the candidate start time and the end time of the time that cannot be accepted immediately before the candidate start time is zero or a predetermined time or more, or between the time that is the desired time after the candidate start time and the start time of the time that cannot be accepted immediately after the candidate start time is zero or a predetermined time or more, and a display unit that displays the candidate start times identified by the identification unit to the customer.

[0009] In one aspect of the reservation support method of the present invention, a computer stores status data indicating whether or not a reservation from a customer can be accepted for each unit time, the computer obtains a desired start time and desired end time for the reservation desired by the customer, and the computer refers to the status data and, if a reservation can be accepted between the desired start time and the desired end time and the difference in time between the desired start time and the end time of the time period immediately preceding the desired start time when the reservation cannot be accepted is equal to or greater than the unit time and less than a predetermined time, outputs a proposal to change the desired start time to the end time of the time period immediately preceding the desired start time when the reservation cannot be accepted.

[0010] In one embodiment of the reservation support method of the present invention, a computer stores status data indicating whether or not a reservation from a customer can be accepted for each unit time, and the computer refers to the status data and suggests changing the first time or the second time if the difference in time between a first time when a reservation cannot be accepted and a second time immediately following the first time when the reservation cannot be accepted is equal to or greater than a unit time and less than a predetermined time.

[0011] In one aspect of the reservation support method of the present invention, a computer stores status data indicating whether or not a reservation from a customer can be accepted for each unit time, the computer obtains the customer's desired reservation time, and by referring to the status data, identifies, from among the candidate start times for which reservations for the desired time can be accepted, a candidate start time for which the difference in time between the candidate start time and the end time of the time that is immediately before the candidate start time that cannot be accepted is zero or a predetermined time or more, and also the difference in time between the time that is the desired time from the candidate start time and the start time of the time that is immediately after the candidate start time that cannot be accepted is zero or a predetermined time or more, and the computer displays the candidate start time identified by the identification unit to the customer.

[0012] One aspect of the present invention is a program for causing a computer to function as the reservation support device. Effect of the Invention

[0013] According to the present invention, a technique that enables a larger number of reservations to be accepted can be provided. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the system configuration of a processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention and functional blocks of a reservation support device. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an example of a status display screen displayed by the reservation support device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is an example of a proposal screen displayed by the reservation support device. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the data structure and data of the situation data. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is an example of a setting screen for specifying information contained in the setting data. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an example of the data structure of reservation data and the data. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of the data structure and data of staff data. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating the process performed by the reservation support device. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a proposal process by the proposal unit according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a system configuration of a processing system according to a first modified example and functional blocks of a reservation support device. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a proposal process by the proposal unit according to the first modified example. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a system configuration of a processing system according to the second modified example and functional blocks of a reservation support device. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 shows an example of a selection screen displayed by a proposing unit according to the second modified example. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a proposal process by the proposal unit according to the second modified example. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 shows an example of a screen for a customer to input settings regarding permission for reservation changes in the third modified example. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 shows an example of a screen for displaying or hiding the sub start time candidates in the fourth modified example. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a flowchart (part 1) illustrating the process of the reservation support device in the fourth modified example. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a flowchart (part 2) illustrating the process of the reservation support device in the fourth modified example. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a diagram for explaining the hardware configuration of a computer used in the reservation assistance device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same parts are given the same reference numerals and the description will be omitted.

[0016] In the embodiment of the present invention, a reservation is a promise of service provision from the reservation start time to the desired end time agreed upon between a customer and a staff member. A reservation is made by reserving space or resources such as staff for a customer at a store such as a beauty salon, nail salon, massage parlor, dental clinic, restaurant, karaoke booth, bowling alley, etc. In the embodiment of the present invention, the place where the reservation is made is called a store, but is not limited to a store. The reservation support device 1 may be used for a general business of receiving reservations, such as a business of visiting a customer to provide repair services, online business such as language lessons using the Internet, or telephone answering, without being limited to a store.

[0017] In an embodiment of the present invention, the reservation start time and reservation end time are the reservation start time and end time agreed upon between the customer and the staff. The reservation time is the length of time from the reservation start time to the reservation end time, during which the customer receives services from the staff. The reservation start time, reservation end time and reservation time may differ from the desired start time, desired end time and desired time input by the customer when making the reservation, depending on a proposal by the reservation support device 1 and the customer's acceptance of that proposal. The unit time is the smallest unit for specifying each time, such as the reservation start time, reservation end time, reservation time, desired start time, desired end time and desired time, in the reservation support device 1.

[0018] In an embodiment of the present invention, when the difference in time between a first time when reservations cannot be accepted for a specific reservation target such as a staff member or a room and a second time when reservations cannot be accepted immediately after the first time is equal to or greater than a unit time and less than a specific time, the difference in time is referred to as gap time. The unit time is the minimum gap time. The specific time may be the minimum reservation time or may be a time set in advance by a staff member or the like. The minimum reservation time is the minimum time secured at the time of reservation and may be determined, for example, from the shortest time of the menu offered at the store. In an embodiment of the present invention, a case will be described in which the unit time is 15 minutes and the specific time (minimum reservation time) is 1 hour.

[0019] (Processing System) The processing system 5 makes it possible to accept many reservations by suggesting to customers to change the desired start time or desired end time of the reservation at the time of reservation and eliminating gap time. The processing system 5 comprises a reservation support device 1, a customer terminal 2, and a staff terminal 3. The reservation support device 1 is capable of mutual communication with each of the customer terminal 2 and the staff terminal 3.

[0020] The reservation support device 1, customer terminal 2, and staff terminal 3 are implemented by a general computer executing a program that performs predetermined processing. The customer terminal 2 is used by the customer who made the reservation. The staff terminal 3 is used by the staff who provides the service based on the reservation. The reservation support device 1 checks the desired reservation data 11 entered by the customer terminal 2, and suggests to the customer terminal 2 to change the reservation so that there is no gap time.

[0021] A reservation is specified by, for example, a reservation start time, a reservation end time, and a reservation time from the reservation start time to the reservation end time, which are agreed upon with a customer. Each staff member generally receives multiple reservations in a day. If there is a gap between reservations, the number of reservations that can be received in a day may be limited compared to when there is no gap. Therefore, when receiving a reservation, the reservation support device 1 suggests to the customer to change the reservation, thereby reducing the gap time and supporting the efficiency of work.

[0022] With reference to FIG. 2, the gap time will be described. FIG. 2 shows a status display screen V1 that displays the reservation status and work status of staff member K at a beauty salon in a timeline. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the unit time is 15 minutes, and the reservation start time, reservation end time, and reservation duration are specified in 15-minute increments. In FIG. 2, staff member K has reservation P101 from 9:30 to 10:30, and reservation P103 from 16:00 to 18:30, and is scheduled to take a break P102 from 13:00 to 14:00. In the example of FIG. 2, the time when reservations cannot be accepted is specified by reservations P101 and P103, and break P102.

[0023] In this situation, assume that a new reservation P104 for one hour from 14:30 is made at the request of the customer. If reservation P104 is accepted as per the customer's request, the time slots will be 30 minutes from 14:00 to 14:30 and from 15:30 to 16:00. If there is no treatment menu available in 30 minutes, the time slots will be 14:00 to 14:30 and from 15:30 to 16:00, respectively, which are gap times during which new reservations cannot be accepted.

[0024] Therefore, the reservation support device 1 displays a proposal screen V2 shown in Fig. 3 on the customer terminal 2 of a customer who is trying to make a new reservation for one hour starting at 14:30. The proposal screen V2 is a screen for proposing a change to the reservation, and includes a change button B201 for changing the reservation start time from 14:30 to 14:00, a change button B202 for changing the reservation start time from 14:30 to 15:00, and a button B203 for leaving the reservation start time at 14:30. The customer selects the change button B201, B202 or the no change button B203 on the screen shown in Fig. 3 according to their own convenience.

[0025] When the customer accepts the change of the reservation start time to 14:00 and the change button B201 is selected on the customer terminal 2, the reservation support device 1 changes the reservation start time from 14:30 to 14:00. In this case, the period from 15:00 to 16:00 becomes an available time with no reservations, and one hour of available time to accept new reservations is created. Similarly, when the customer accepts the change of the reservation start time to 15:00 and the change button B202 is selected on the customer terminal 2, the reservation support device 1 sets the reservation start time from 14:30 to 15:00. In this case, the period from 14:00 to 15:00 becomes an available time with no reservations, and one hour of available time to accept new reservations is created.

[0026] The reservation support device 1 can help increase profits by eliminating gap times, creating continuous free time available for new reservations, and proposing additional treatments. In addition, in response to such changes in reservations, the reservation support device 1 can suggest discounts such as coupons to customers, making them more likely to accept the suggestions, providing benefits to both the customer and the store.

[0027] 1, the reservation support device 1 includes each data of desired reservation data 11, status data 12, setting data 13, new reservation data 14, reservation data 15, and staff data 16, and each function of an acquisition unit 21, a proposal unit 22, and an update unit 23. Each data is stored in a storage device such as a memory 902 or a storage 903. Each function is implemented in a CPU 901. The flowcharts explaining the data structure of each data and the processing of each function according to the embodiment of the present invention are merely examples, and are not limiting.

[0028] The desired reservation data 11 is data for specifying a reservation desired by a customer, which is input from the customer terminal 2. The desired reservation data 11 includes the customer name, the desired start time, the desired end time, and the desired duration of the reservation.

[0029] The status data 12 is data indicating whether or not a reservation from a customer can be accepted for each unit time. As shown in Fig. 4, the status data 12 includes information regarding the acceptability of reservations for each unit time during which the acceptability of reservations continues, such as outside business hours, reservations agreed upon with customers, and staff breaks.

[0030] The situation data 12 is generated by, for example, specifying whether or not reservations can be accepted for each unit of time from reservation data 15 that specifies reservations agreed upon with each customer, and staff data 16 that specifies staff schedules such as the working hours (shifts) and break times of each staff member, etc. The situation data 12 may also be generated by specifying whether or not reservations can be accepted for each unit of time from the usage status of resources secured for service provision, such as rooms, seats, tables, and equipment, and the number of customers that a staff member can treat at the same time, etc. The situation data 12 shown in Fig. 4 is data related to staff member K, but it may also be generated for each reservation target of a customer, such as for each table or room, in addition to for each staff member.

[0031] In the embodiment of the present invention, the reservation support device 1 generates the status data 12 in advance, but the present invention is not limited to this. The status data 12 may be data dynamically specifying whether or not a new reservation can be accepted per unit time from the reservation data 15 and staff data 16 when the reservation support device 1 refers to the status data 12.

[0032] The setting data 13 includes a judgment condition that the reservation support device 1 refers to in order to judge the gap time, and a proposal message that is referred to when proposing a change in the reservation time to the customer terminal 2. The setting data 13 may be set as a default, or may be generated according to information set by a store manager or the like on the setting screen V3 shown in FIG.

[0033] The setting screen V3 includes an exclusion control section P301, a gap time definition section P302, a title setting section P303, and a message setting section P304. In the exclusion control section P301 and the gap time definition section P302, the conditions with the check boxes checked are regarded as valid conditions, and the reservation support device 1 refers to them when determining the gap time.

[0034] The exclusion control unit P301 sets time periods that are not subject to determination as gap time. The exclusion control unit P301 in Fig. 5 sets that a time period less than 60 minutes from the shift start time is not determined as gap time.

[0035] The gap time definition section P302 sets the upper limit of the time that constitutes gap time. The gap time definition section P302 in FIG. 5 explains a case where a time without reservations that is equal to or greater than a unit time and less than 60 minutes is set as gap time. The gap time definition section P302 in FIG. 5 has a checkbox for "Do not display reservation free times that result in gap time." When this checkbox is checked, only times that do not result in gap time are displayed as candidate reservation start times to be presented to the customer, as will be shown in the second modified example described below.

[0036] The title setting section P303 and the message setting section P304 set a template for a proposed message that proposes a change to the reservation time from the reservation support device 1 to the customer terminal 2. The information set in the title setting section P303 and the message setting section P304 is displayed on the proposal screen V2, as shown in FIG.

[0037] Although the setting data 13 is generated from the input information on the setting screen V3, this is not limiting. For example, the upper limit of the gap time that can be set in the gap time definition section P302 may be set to the minimum service provision time provided by the store, or may be set to a default value. Each piece of information in the title setting section P303 and the message setting section P304 may be set to a default value. Also, settings other than those shown in FIG. 5 may be set in the setting data 13.

[0038] The new reservation data 14 is data that identifies a reservation agreed upon with a customer. In the embodiment of the present invention, the new reservation data 14 is generated by the suggestion unit 22. The new reservation data 14 includes a customer name, a reservation start time, a reservation end time, and a reservation duration.

[0039] The reservation data 15 is data that specifies the start time and end time of a reservation accepted from a customer. As shown in Fig. 6, the reservation data 15 stores the reservation time, the name of the staff member in charge of the reservation, the name of the customer who made the reservation, and the reserved treatment details in association with each other. The reservation data 15 may further specify a method of contacting the customer, such as the customer's email address.

[0040] Staff data 16 is data identifying the shift and break times for each staff member. Staff data 16 may also identify how to contact the staff member, such as an email address for the staff member.

[0041] The acquisition unit 21 acquires the desired start time, desired end time, and desired duration of the reservation desired by the customer. When acquiring the desired start time of the reservation and the desired treatment content from the customer, the acquisition unit 21 may specify the desired time from the treatment content, and specify the desired end time from the desired start time and desired duration. The acquisition unit 21 outputs desired reservation data 11 including the desired start time, desired end time, and desired duration.

[0042] The proposal unit 22 refers to the situation data 12 and confirms that reservations can be accepted between the desired start time and the desired end time. If the situation data 12 includes a time period between the desired start time and the desired end time during which reservations cannot be accepted, the proposal unit 22 replies that the reservation cannot be accepted. If reservations can be accepted between the desired start time and the start and end times and there is a gap time, the proposal unit 22 outputs a proposal to eliminate the gap time. Here, if a time period that is not subject to determination as a gap time is set by the exclusion control unit P301 in FIG. 5 or the like, the proposal unit 22 determines whether or not there is a gap time within the time period that is subject to determination as a gap time.

[0043] First, a case where there is a gap time before the desired start time will be described. When a gap time occurs before the desired start time, the proposal unit 22 proposes moving the desired start time forward.

[0044] If the difference in time between the desired start time and the end time of the unacceptable time immediately before the desired start time is equal to or greater than the unit time and less than a predetermined time, the proposal unit 22 determines that there is a gap time before the desired start time. In this case, the proposal unit 22 outputs a proposal to the customer to change the desired start time to the end time of the unacceptable time immediately before the desired start time.

[0045] The following will be explained with reference to Fig. 2. In the situation data 12, reservation P101, reservation P103, and staff break P102 are set as times when reservations cannot be accepted, and a customer wishes to make a new reservation P104. The desired start time for the new reservation P104 is 2:30 p.m., the desired end time is 3:30 p.m., and the desired duration is one hour. The unit time is 15 minutes. The minimum time (predetermined time) for the time when no reservations are made and for which reservations can be made is one hour, and the gap time is less than one hour (predetermined time).

[0046] 2, the proposal unit 22 determines that the gap time is from 14:00, which is the end time of the unacceptable time immediately before the desired start time, to 14:30, which is the desired start time. The proposal unit 22 displays a proposal screen on the customer terminal 2 proposing to change the desired start time from 14:30 to 14:00. When an instruction to accept the proposal is input from the customer terminal 2, the proposal unit 22 generates new reservation data 14 in which the reservation start time is moved forward from the desired start time to 14:00. This makes it possible to eliminate the gap time before the desired start time.

[0047] Here, the suggestion unit 22 sets the reservation end time of the new reservation data 14 to a time when the desired time has elapsed from the reservation start time. Specifically, the suggestion unit 22 sets the reservation end time to 15:00, which is one hour after the reservation start time of 14:00.

[0048] Alternatively, the suggestion unit 22 may suggest to the customer terminal 2 that the desired time be extended without changing the desired end time. When an instruction to accept the suggestion is input from the customer terminal 2, the suggestion unit 22 may set the reservation end time of the new reservation data 14 as the desired end time, and set the scheduled time to the desired time plus the difference between the desired start time and the reservation start time (the time moved forward). For example, when the scheduled time of the reservation is determined by the treatment content of a beauty salon, the suggestion unit 22 suggests an additional treatment such as a treatment as an extension of the desired time without changing the desired end time. When an instruction to accept the suggestion is input from the customer terminal 2, the suggestion unit 22 sets the reservation end time of the new reservation data 14 to the desired end time, and sets the scheduled time to one and a half hours, which is one hour of the desired time plus 30 minutes of the time moved forward, to generate new reservation data 14. This allows the reservation support device 1 to eliminate the gap time before the desired start time, and further accept reservations for additional treatments.

[0049] Next, a case where there is a gap time after the desired end time will be described. When a gap time occurs after the desired end time, the proposal unit 22 proposes moving the desired end time forward.

[0050] When the difference in time between the desired end time and the start time of the unacceptable time immediately following the desired end time is equal to or greater than the unit time and less than the predetermined time, the proposal unit 22 determines that there is a gap time after the desired end time. In this case, the proposal unit 22 outputs a proposal to change the desired end time to the start time of the unacceptable time immediately following the desired end time.

[0051] 2, the proposal unit 22 determines that the gap time is from 3:30 p.m., which is the desired end time, to 4:00 p.m., which is the start time of the unacceptable time immediately following the desired end time. The proposal unit 22 displays a proposal screen on the customer terminal 2 proposing to change the desired end time from 3:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. When an instruction to accept the proposal is input from the customer terminal 2, the proposal unit 22 generates new reservation data 14 that sets the reservation end time to 4:00 p.m., which is later than the desired end time. This makes it possible to eliminate the gap time after the desired end time.

[0052] Here, the suggestion unit 22 sets the reservation start time of the new reservation data 14 to a time that is an hour earlier than the desired reservation end time. Specifically, the suggestion unit 22 sets the reservation start time from 4:00 PM, which is the reservation end time, to 3:00 PM, which is one hour earlier than the desired time.

[0053] Alternatively, the suggestion unit 22 may suggest to the customer terminal 2 that the desired time be extended without changing the desired start time. When an instruction to accept the suggestion is input from the customer terminal 2, the suggestion unit 22 may set the reservation start time of the new reservation data 14 to the desired start time, and set the scheduled time to the desired time plus the difference between the desired end time and the reservation end time (the delayed time). For example, when the scheduled time of the reservation is determined by the treatment content of a beauty salon, the suggestion unit 22 suggests an additional treatment such as a treatment as an extension of the desired time without changing the desired start time. When an instruction to accept the suggestion is input from the customer terminal 2, the suggestion unit 22 sets the reservation start time of the new reservation data 14 to the desired start time, and sets the scheduled time to one and a half hours, which is one hour of the desired time plus 30 minutes of the delayed time, to generate new reservation data 14. This allows the reservation support device 1 to eliminate the gap time after the desired end time and to accept reservations for additional treatments.

[0054] When the proposal unit 22 determines that there is gap time both before the desired start time and after the desired end time of the desired reservation data 11, the proposal unit 22 may present to the customer a proposal to advance the desired start time and a proposal to delay the desired end time, as shown in Fig. 3. Furthermore, the proposal unit 22 may present to the customer a proposal to extend the desired time in addition to the proposals shown in Fig. 3.

[0055] Although the proposing unit 22 has been described as displaying the proposed screen V2 for selecting the start time of the reservation so as to eliminate the gap time, options for the start time of the reservation that can reduce the gap time may also be displayed. For example, in the example shown in Fig. 3, options for changing the start time to 14:15 or 14:45, which are shifted by a unit time within the time in which the gap time occurs, may be displayed. Although it is not possible to eliminate the gap time, it may be possible to reduce it, and it may become possible to accept a new reservation.

[0056] When the suggestion unit 22 generates new reservation data 14 in accordance with the customer's reply, it inputs the generated new reservation data 14 to the update unit 23. The update unit 23 updates the reservation data 15 and the situation data 12 in accordance with the new reservation data 14.

[0057] (Reservation support method) With reference to FIG. 8, a reservation support method according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0058] In step S1, the reservation support device 1 acquires desired reservation data 11 that specifies the reservation contents desired by the customer. The desired reservation data 11 specifies the desired start time and desired end time of the reservation, as well as the desired time, which is the difference between the desired start time and the desired end time.

[0059] In step S2, the reservation support device 1 performs a proposal process by the proposal unit 22 on the desired reservation data 11 acquired in step S1, and acquires new reservation data 14.

[0060] In step S3, the reservation support device 1 updates the reservation data 15 in accordance with the new reservation data 14 acquired in step S2, and further updates the situation data 12.

[0061] The proposal process in step S2 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0062] In step S101, the reservation support device 1 checks whether the reservation is available between the desired start time and the desired end time by referring to the situation data 12. If the unavailable time is included between the desired start time and the desired end time, the reservation support device 1 requests the customer terminal 2 to change the reservation details.

[0063] In step S102, the reservation support device 1 determines whether there is gap time before the desired start time. If there is no gap time, the process proceeds to step S104. If there is gap time, in step S103, the reservation support device 1 sets the end time of the unavailable time immediately before the desired start time as a candidate start time, and proceeds to step S104. In the example shown in Figure 2, the reservation support device 1 sets the end time of the unavailable time immediately before the desired start time of 14:30, 14:00, as a candidate start time.

[0064] In step S104, the reservation support device 1 determines whether there is gap time after the desired end time. If there is no gap time, the process proceeds to step S106. If there is gap time, in step S105, the reservation support device 1 sets a time from the start time of the non-reception time immediately after the desired end time to before the scheduled time as a candidate start time, and proceeds to step S106. In the example shown in Fig. 2, the reservation support device 1 sets a time from 16:00, the start time of the non-reception time immediately after the desired end time of 15:30, to 15:00, one hour before the scheduled time, as a candidate start time.

[0065] In step S106, the reservation support device 1 determines whether or not a candidate start time has been set in step S103 or step S105. If a candidate start time has not been set, the process proceeds to step S110. If a candidate start time has been set, in step S107, the reservation support device 1 outputs a proposal to change the candidate start time to the customer terminal 2. If multiple times have been set as candidate start times, the reservation support device 1 transmits each of the multiple times set as candidate start times to the customer terminal 2.

[0066] If a response to change the desired start time is received from the customer terminal 2 in step S108, the process proceeds to step S109. If a response to not change the desired start time is received, the process proceeds to step S110.

[0067] In step S109, the reservation support device 1 generates new reservation data 14 with the candidate start time set as the scheduled start time. If there are multiple candidate start times, the reservation support device 1 sets the candidate start time selected on the customer terminal as the reservation start time.

[0068] In step S110, the reservation support device 1 generates new reservation data 14 with the desired start time set as the scheduled start time.

[0069] When the new reservation data 14 is generated in step S109 or step S110, the reservation support device 1 ends the process.

[0070] When there is gap time before or after the customer's desired start time, or after the customer's desired end time, the reservation support device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention proposes to the customer a reservation start time or a change to the reservation start time so as to eliminate the gap time. When an instruction to accept the proposal is input from the customer terminal 2, the reservation support device 1 generates new reservation data 14 in which the reservation start time is set so as to eliminate the gap time, and accepts the reservation. This eliminates the gap time and makes it possible to accept more reservations.

[0071] (First Modification) The reservation support device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention has been described as proposing changes to a reservation to eliminate gap time when accepting a reservation from a customer. In contrast, the reservation support device 1a according to the first modified example searches for the presence or absence of gap time at any timing after accepting a reservation, and if there is gap time, proposes changes to the schedule before and after the gap time. The reservation support device 1a according to the first modified example may be combined with the reservation support device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention to eliminate gap time at the time of reservation and at any timing, or may eliminate gap time only at any timing without being combined with the reservation support device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0072] A reservation support device 1a according to a first modified example will be described with reference to Fig. 10. The reservation support device 1a shown in Fig. 10 differs from the reservation support device 1 shown in Fig. 1 in that it does not include an acquisition unit 21 and includes notification data 17 instead of new reservation data 14.

[0073] The suggestion unit 22a refers to the situation data 12 and suggests changing the first time or the second time when the difference in time between a first time when a reservation cannot be accepted and a second time immediately after the first time when a reservation cannot be accepted is equal to or greater than a unit time and less than a predetermined time.

[0074] For example, in the status display screen V1 shown in FIG. 2, it is assumed that the reservation P104 is confirmed. In this case, the staff break P102 is the first time, and the reservation P104 is the second time. The suggestion unit 22a judges whether the difference time between the first time and the second time is equal to or greater than the unit time and less than the predetermined time. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the difference time is 30 minutes, which is the difference between 14:00, which is the end time of the first time, and 14:30, which is the start time of the second time. The difference time of 30 minutes is equal to or greater than 15 minutes, which is the unit time, and less than 1 hour, which is the predetermined time. Therefore, the suggestion unit 22 judges that there is a gap time between the break P102, which is the first time, and the reservation P104, which is the second time, and proposes a change to the first time or the second time to the terminal of a person who has the authority to change each time.

[0075] When the first time period is the change target and cannot be accepted due to a customer reservation, the suggestion unit 22 outputs a proposal to the customer terminal 2 of the customer who reserved the first time period to change the reservation end time to the start time of the second time period. When an instruction to accept the proposal is input from the customer terminal 2, the suggestion unit 22a generates notification data 17 to change the reservation end time of the first time period to the start time of the second time period, and inputs it to the update unit 23.

[0076] When a first time period is to be changed and the first time period is unavailable due to a staff member's break, a proposal to change the end time of the break to the start time of the second time period is output to the staff terminal 3 of this staff member. When an instruction to accept the proposal is input from the staff terminal 3, the proposal unit 22a generates notification data 17 to change the end time of the break of the first time period to the start time of the second time period, and inputs it to the update unit 23. Here, the case where the proposal is output to the staff terminal 3 has been described, but it is sufficient to output the proposal to an output device that can be viewed by the staff member, such as the output device 906 of the reservation support device 1a.

[0077] Although the case where the first time is delayed so that no gap time occurs between the first time and the second time has been described, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when there is a gap time between the first time and the time immediately before the first time when a reservation cannot be accepted, the suggestion unit 22 may suggest changing the start time of the first time to the end time of the time immediately before the first time when a reservation cannot be accepted. When an instruction to accept the suggestion is input from the customer terminal 2 or the staff terminal 3, the suggestion unit 22a generates notification data 17 for changing the start time of the first time to the end time of the time immediately before the first time when a reservation cannot be accepted, and inputs the notification data 17 to the update unit 23.

[0078] When the second time period is the change target and cannot be accepted due to a customer reservation, the suggestion unit 22 outputs a proposal to the customer terminal 2 of the customer who reserved the second time period to change the reservation start time to the end time of the first time period. When an instruction to accept the proposal is input from the customer terminal 2, the suggestion unit 22a generates notification data 17 to change the reservation start time of the second time period to the end time of the first time period, and inputs it to the update unit 23.

[0079] When the second time period is the change target and the second time period is unavailable due to a staff member's break, a proposal to change the break start time to the end time of the first time period is output to the staff member's staff terminal 3. When an instruction to accept the proposal is input from the staff terminal 3, the proposal unit 22a generates notification data 17 to change the break start time of the second time period to the end time of the first time period, and inputs it to the update unit 23.

[0080] Although the case where the second time is brought forward so that no gap time occurs between the first time and the second time has been described, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when there is a gap time between the second time and the time immediately following the second time when a reservation cannot be accepted, the suggestion unit 22a may suggest changing the end time of the second time to the start time of the time immediately following the second time when a reservation cannot be accepted. When an instruction to accept the suggestion is input from the customer terminal 2 or the staff terminal 3, the suggestion unit 22a generates notification data 17 for changing the end time of the second time to the start time of the time immediately following the second time when a reservation cannot be accepted, and inputs the notification data 17 to the update unit 23. The update unit 23 updates the reservation data 15, the staff data 16, and the situation data 12 according to the notification data 17.

[0081] Here, the suggestion unit 22a may suggest changes to the schedule or breaks for the first time period and the second time period in a predetermined order.

[0082] For example, if one of the first or second times is a staff break time and the other is a customer reservation time, a suggestion may first be made to change the staff break time, and if the suggestion is not accepted, a suggestion may be made to change the customer reservation.

[0083] The proposal unit 22a may determine the proposal recipient so as not to make further proposals to customers who have made proposals in the past or customers who have not accepted proposals. The proposal unit 22a holds, for each customer, the number of times proposals have been made in the past, the number of times proposals have not been accepted, the number of times proposals have been accepted, etc., in the reservation data 15 or the situation data 12.

[0084] For example, when the proposal unit 22a has made a predetermined number of proposals to a customer who made a reservation at the first time, the proposal unit 22a does not make a proposal to the customer at the first time, and proposes a change to the second time. Also, when the first time and the second time are reservations made by different customers, the proposal to change the reservation may be given priority to customers selected according to a predetermined criterion, such as a customer who has made a few proposals in the past, a customer who has rejected past proposals few times, or a customer who has accepted past proposals many times.

[0085] In addition, when the suggestion unit 22a finds multiple gap times by referring to the situation data 12 for one day, it may identify times when reservations cannot be accepted that can efficiently eliminate the gap times, and suggest changing the times when reservations cannot be accepted.

[0086] For example, in the example shown in FIG. 2, when reservation P104 is confirmed, there is a gap between break P102 and P104, and between reservation P104 and reservation P103. In this case, the two gaps can be eliminated by (i) changing the time of break P102 and reservation P103, or (ii) changing the time of reservation P104. In (i), the gap before and after reservation P104 can be made zero by delaying break P102 by 30 minutes and moving reservation P103 forward by 30 minutes. Alternatively, one hour of free time can be created before and after reservation P104 by moving break P102 forward by 30 minutes and moving reservation P103 forward by 30 minutes. In (ii), the gap before reservation P104 can be made zero by moving reservation P104 forward by 30 minutes, and one hour of free time can be created after reservation P104. Alternatively, by delaying reservation P104 by 30 minutes, the gap time after reservation P104 can be made zero, and one hour of free time can be created before reservation P104.

[0087] Here, in plan (i), the gap time cannot be eliminated unless changes are accepted for both break P102 and reservation P103, whereas in plan (ii), the gap time can be eliminated by only changing reservation P104. Therefore, the proposing unit 22a may propose a change to the reservation according to plan (ii), which has fewer proposed destinations for the change.

[0088] A proposal process by the proposal unit 22a according to the first modified example will be described with reference to Fig. 11. In the example of Fig. 11, a case will be described in which a change in a time when reservations cannot be accepted due to staff issues is proposed with priority.

[0089] In step S201, the proposal unit 22a refers to the situation data 12 to identify a first time during which reservations cannot be accepted and a second time immediately following the first time during which reservations cannot be accepted. In step S202, the proposal unit 22a determines whether or not the difference between the first time and the second time identified in step S201 is a gap time. If it is not a gap time, the proposal unit 22a ends the process.

[0090] If it is a gap time, in step S203, the suggestion unit 22a judges whether or not there is a reservation unavailable time caused by a staff member in the first time and the second time. If there is no reservation unavailable time caused by a staff member, the process proceeds to step S206. If there is a reservation unavailable time caused by a staff member, in step S204, the suggestion unit 22a outputs a proposal to change the reservation unavailable time caused by a staff member to the staff terminal 3. If an instruction not to change is input from the staff terminal 3, the process proceeds to step S206, and if an instruction to change is input, the process proceeds to step S209.

[0091] In step S206, the suggestion unit 22a outputs a suggestion to change the reservation unavailable time to either the customers in the first time or the second time, or to each customer's customer terminal 2. If an instruction to change is input, the process proceeds to step S209, and if an instruction not to change is input from the staff terminal 3, the process ends.

[0092] In step S209, the suggestion unit 22a generates notification data 17 for changing the unavailable time of the reservation for which the staff member or customer has accepted the change proposal. The suggestion unit 22a inputs the notification data 17 to the update unit 23 and ends the process.

[0093] The reservation support device 1a according to the first modification searches for gap time at any timing even after a customer has made a reservation, and proposes changing the customer's reservation or staff's schedule so as to eliminate the gap time. This makes it possible to eliminate gap time and receive more reservations. Also, in the embodiment of the present invention, even if the customer does not accept a change to the reservation at the time of reservation, it is possible to change the reservation that has already been made, so it is possible to eliminate gap time more efficiently.

[0094] In the first modified example, when the reservation support device 1a proposes a change to a reservation, it may propose a change to the reservation start time so that there is no gap time either before or after the reservation. Alternatively, the reservation support device 1a may propose a change to the reservation start time so that there is no gap time or the gap time is reduced at least one of before and after the reservation. "No gap time occurs" means that if there is a gap time of 30 minutes before the reservation start time, the reservation start time is brought forward by 30 minutes to make the gap time zero, or the reservation start time is brought back by 30 minutes or more to create an empty time of one hour or more. "Reducing the gap time" means that if there is a gap time of 30 minutes before the reservation start time, the reservation start time is brought forward by 15 minutes to reduce the gap time from 30 minutes to 15 minutes.

[0095] (Second Modification) In the embodiment and the first modified example of the present invention, a case where a reservation is changed when a gap time occurs at or after the reservation is accepted has been described. In contrast, the reservation support device 1b according to the second modified example controls the reservation so that a gap time does not occur by not including a time when a gap time occurs in the candidates for the start time when the customer specifies the start time of the reservation.

[0096] A reservation support device 1b according to the second modification will be described with reference to FIG. 12. The reservation support device 1b according to the second modification has different contents of the acquisition unit 21 and the desired reservation data 11 compared to the reservation support device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, and includes candidate start time data 18, a specification unit 24, and a display unit 25 instead of the new reservation data 14 and the proposal unit 22. The situation data 12 and the setting data 13 in FIG. 12 are as described in the embodiment of the present invention. Although omitted in the example shown in FIG. 12, the reservation support device 1b according to the second modification may also include the reservation data 15, staff data 16, and update unit 23 shown in FIG. 1, like the reservation support device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0097] The acquisition unit 21 acquires the desired reservation time desired by the customer. The acquisition unit 21 acquires the desired reservation time itself from the customer terminal 2. Alternatively, the acquisition unit 21 acquires the desired service menu from the customer terminal 2, and acquires the desired reservation time from the provision time of the service menu. The acquisition unit 21 may acquire the desired date for the reservation in addition to the desired time.

[0098] The identifying unit 24 identifies a candidate start time for a reservation that can accept a reservation during the desired reservation time and that does not have a gap time before or after the reservation. In other words, the identifying unit 24 identifies the candidate start time for a reservation by excluding a candidate start time for a reservation that has a gap time before or after the reservation from the candidate start times for a reservation that can accept a reservation during the desired reservation time. If the acquiring unit 21 also acquires a desired date, the identifying unit 24 identifies a candidate start time within the desired date. In the second modified example, a case will be described where a candidate start time for a reservation that does not have a gap time at least either before or after the reservation is identified, but a candidate start time for a reservation that does not have a gap time both before and after the reservation may be identified.

[0099] The identification unit 24 refers to the situation data 12 and identifies, among the candidate start times for which a reservation for the desired time can be accepted, a candidate start time for which the difference in time between the candidate start time and the end time of the time that cannot be accepted immediately before the candidate start time is zero or a predetermined time or more, or between the time that is the desired time after the candidate start time and the start time of the time that cannot be accepted immediately after this time is zero or a predetermined time or more.

[0100] The display unit 25 displays the candidate start times identified by the identification unit 24 on the customer terminal 2. The reservation support device 1b receives the start time specified by the customer from the candidate start times from the customer terminal 2, sets the start time specified by the customer as the reservation start time, sets a time a desired time after the start time specified by the customer as the reservation end time, and generates new reservation data 14 in which the desired time is set as the reservation time. The reservation support device 1b updates the situation data 12 and reservation data 15 in accordance with the new reservation data 14.

[0101] Here, a process will be described for the case where, in the second modified example, the identifying unit 24 identifies candidate start times for a reservation by excluding candidate start times for a reservation that have a gap time before or after the reservation. The identifying unit 24 identifies candidate start times for a reservation by allowing cases where there is no gap time before or after the reservation, cases where there is a gap time before the reservation but no gap time after the reservation, and cases where there is a gap time after the reservation but no gap time before the reservation.

[0102] In the example shown in FIG. 2, a process of the specification unit 24 will be described in the case where a reservation P101, a break P102, and a reservation P103 have been decided, and the customer has designated one hour as the desired time.

[0103] In the example shown in FIG. 2, the candidate starting times at which a one-hour reservation can be made for the customer's desired time are 10:30, 10:45, 11:00, 11:15, 11:30, 11:45, 12:00, 14:00, 14:15, 14:30, 14:45, and 15:00.

[0104] If the candidate start time is 10:30, the difference between the candidate start time 10:30 and the end time 10:30 of the time immediately preceding the candidate start time that cannot be accepted is zero, and no gap time occurs. If the candidate start time is 10:45, the difference between the candidate start time 10:45 and the end time 10:30 of the time immediately preceding the candidate start time that cannot be accepted is 15 minutes, and a gap time occurs. On the other hand, the difference between the time 11:45, which is one hour after the candidate start time 10:45 and the start time 13:00 of the time immediately following the candidate start time 11:45, is more than one hour, and no gap time occurs. Similarly, if the candidate start time is 11:00, 11:30, 11:45, 12:00, 14:00, or 15:00, no gap time occurs at least either before the candidate start time or after the time one hour after the candidate start time that cannot be accepted. Therefore, the candidate start times are 10:30, 10:45, 11:00, 11:30, 11:45, 12:00, 14:00 and 15:00.

[0105] On the other hand, if the candidate start time is 11:15, the difference between 11:15 before the candidate start time and 10:30, the end time of the unacceptable time immediately before the candidate start time, is 45 minutes, resulting in a gap time. Also, the difference between 12:15, one hour after the candidate start time 11:15, and 13:00, the start time of the unacceptable time immediately after this time 12:15, is 45 minutes, resulting in a gap time. If the candidate start time is 11:15, a gap time will occur both before the candidate start time and after the time one hour after the candidate start time. Similarly, if the candidate start time is 14:15, 14:30, or 14:45, a gap time will occur both before the candidate start time and after the time one hour after the candidate start time. Therefore, 11:15, 14:15, 14:30, and 14:45 are excluded from the candidate start times.

[0106] Therefore, in the example shown in FIG. 2, of the start times 10:30, 10:45, 11:00, 11:15, 11:30, 11:45, 12:00, 14:00, 14:15, 14:30, 14:45, and 15:00 at which a reservation for the customer's desired one hour can be made, the identification unit 24 identifies 10:30, 10:45, 11:00, 11:30, 11:45, 12:00, 14:00, and 15:00 as candidate start times that do not create a gap time at least either before the start time or after the end time.

[0107] As shown in FIG. 13, the display unit 25 displays on the customer terminal 2 a selection screen V4 on which any one of the candidate start times identified by the identification unit 24 can be selected, and allows the customer to select one of the candidate start times.

[0108] The process of the determination unit 24 is an example and is not limited thereto. For example, when the number of reservations per day exceeds a predetermined number, or when the number of days between the current date and the reservation date is close to each other, under a predetermined condition, if only reservations that do not have a gap time only before or after the reservation time are accepted, the reservation itself may not be accepted. Therefore, when a predetermined condition that allows a gap time is satisfied, the determination unit 24 may change the method of determining the candidate start time so that more candidate start times are identified. For example, the determination unit 24 may determine, as the candidate start time, not only start times that do not have a gap time either before or after the reservation time, but also start times that have a gap time both before and after the reservation time.

[0109] Also, only reservations that do not have gap time both before and after the reservation time may be accepted under a predetermined condition, such as when the number of days between the current date and the reservation date is far apart. When a predetermined condition that does not allow gap time is met, the identifying unit 24 may identify a candidate start time that does not have gap time both before and after the reservation time.

[0110] A case will be described where only reservations that do not have gaps both before and after the reservation time are accepted. Here, the specification unit 24 specifies as a candidate reservation time only those times when there is no gap both before and after the reservation. When there is a gap before the reservation but no gap after the reservation, and when there is a gap after the reservation but no gap before the reservation, these are excluded from the candidate start times.

[0111] In the example shown in FIG. 2, the candidate start times at which a reservation for one hour of the customer's desired time can be made are 10:30, 10:45, 11:00, 11:15, 11:30, 11:45, 12:00, 14:00, 14:15, 14:30, 14:45, and 15:00. If 10:45 and 11:00 are selected as the candidate start times, respectively, there will be no gap time after one hour from the candidate start time to the desired time, but there will be a gap time before the candidate start time. If 11:30 and 11:45 are selected as the candidate start times, respectively, there will be no gap time before the candidate start time, but there will be a gap time after one hour from the candidate start time to the desired time. If 11:15, 14:15, 14:30, and 14:45 are selected as the candidate start times, respectively, there will be a gap time both before the candidate start time and after one hour from the candidate start time to the desired time.

[0112] Therefore, in a case where only reservations that do not have gaps either before or after the reservation time are accepted, the identifying unit 24 identifies 10:30, 12:00, 14:00, and 15:00 as the candidate start times.

[0113] The process of the reservation support device 1b according to the second modified example will be described with reference to Fig. 14. Here, the process will be described for identifying candidate start times for a reservation by excluding candidate start times for a reservation that have a gap time before or after the reservation.

[0114] In step S51, the reservation support device 1b acquires the desired time and date for which the customer wishes to make a reservation.

[0115] The reservation support device 1b performs the processes of steps S52 to S56 for each target time on the desired date. Here, the target time is set for each unit time.

[0116] In step S52, the reservation support device 1b refers to the situation data 12 and judges whether or not the reservation can be accepted from the target time to the desired time. If the reservation cannot be accepted during the period, the process proceeds to step S56. If the reservation can be accepted, the process proceeds to step S53.

[0117] In step S53, the reservation support device 1b judges whether or not a gap time occurs before the target time. If a gap time does not occur, the process proceeds to step S55. On the other hand, if a gap time occurs before the target time, the process proceeds to step S54.

[0118] In step S54, the reservation support device 1b judges whether or not there is a gap time after the desired time of the target time. If there is a gap time, the process proceeds to step S56. If there is no gap time, the process proceeds to step S55.

[0119] In step S55, the reservation support device 1b sets the target time as a candidate start time. On the other hand, in step S56, the reservation support device 1b excludes the target time from the candidate start times.

[0120] When the processing of steps S52 to S56 is completed for each target time, the process proceeds to step S57. In step S57, the reservation support device 1b displays each of the candidate start times set in step S55 on the customer terminal 2. The reservation support device 1b generates new reservation data 14 with the candidate start time selected on the customer terminal 2 as the reservation start time.

[0121] The reservation support device 1b according to the second modification displays only the candidate start times of reservations that do not have a gap time at least on either side of the reservation on the customer terminal 2, and allows the customer to select the desired start time from the candidate start times. This allows the reservation support device 1b to support the efficiency of operations.

[0122] According to the second modification, the start time of the reservation is specified from among the candidate start times of the reservation that do not have a gap time at least on either side of the reservation, and then the reservation or the unacceptable time before or after the reservation may be shifted as described in the first modification. This enables the reservation support device 1b to reduce the gap time.

[0123] (Third Modification) In an embodiment of the present invention, when a customer makes a reservation, there may be cases where no gap time occurs before the reservation start time or after the reservation end time. However, there may be cases where a gap time occurs later, such as when another customer makes a reservation after the customer makes a reservation. The third modified example makes it possible to reduce the gap time even when the gap time occurs later.

[0124] In the third modification, the reservation support device 1 inquires whether the reservation can be changed afterwards if there is no gap time before the reservation start time or after the reservation end time when the customer makes a reservation. If the customer answers that the reservation can be changed, the reservation support device 1 sets this fact in the new reservation data 14 and reflects it in the reservation data 15.

[0125] For example, before executing step S3 in FIG. 8, if there is no gap time before the reservation start time and after the reservation end time desired by the customer, the reservation support device 1 displays the selection screen V5 shown in FIG. 15, and inquires whether the reservation can be changed afterwards. Alternatively, before executing the process of step S110 in FIG. 9, if the customer does not agree to any change of the start time candidates presented by the reservation support device 1, the reservation support device 1 may display the selection screen V5 shown in FIG. 15, and inquires whether the reservation can be changed afterwards. In this case, the inquiry in step S107 in FIG. 9 and the inquiry in the selection screen V5 may be realized on one screen. The selection screen V5 prompts the customer to input whether the start time can be advanced or delayed, and if the change is possible, the time by which the customer can accept the change. In step S110, the reservation support device 1 sets the answer entered on the selection screen V5 in the new reservation data 14 and reflects it in the reservation data 15.

[0126] In the third modified example, the reservation support device 1 refers to the situation data 12 at a predetermined timing, and suggests changing the first time or the second time if the difference in time between a first time when reservations cannot be accepted and a second time when reservations immediately following the first time when reservations cannot be accepted is equal to or greater than a unit time and less than a predetermined time. This timing is, for example, a timing when reservation changes do not occur, such as after the end of a period for accepting reservation changes or cancellations. Alternatively, this timing is a timing when reservation changes are unlikely to occur, such as after business hours on the day before the reservation date. This timing is also a timing when it is determined that a gap time will occur due to the receipt of a new reservation.

[0127] In this case, if the customer who made the reservation for the first time responded that the time can be changed when making the reservation, the reservation support device 1 outputs to the customer a proposal to change the reservation end time to the start time of the second time. If the customer who made the reservation for the second time responded that the time can be changed when making the reservation, the reservation support device 1 outputs to the customer a proposal to change the reservation start time to the end time of the first time. This proposal is notified to the customer by email, SMS (Short Message Service), an application, SNS (Social Networking Service), or the like. The customer's reply to the proposal may be made by the means proposed by the reservation support device 1, or may be made on a website directed from a URL described in the notification content. As long as the proposal is received from the reservation support device 1 to the customer and the customer's reply to the proposal is received by the reservation support device 1, the proposal and reply may be made by any means.

[0128] Here, the reservation support device 1 may propose a time change when the difference between the first time and the second time is reduced due to the time change content previously permitted by the customer. For example, if the customer is a person who makes a reservation for the first time, and the reservation is set to be able to be advanced by 30 minutes, and the difference between the first time and the second time is 45 minutes, the difference between the first time and the second time is reduced from 45 minutes to 15 minutes due to the customer's advancement of the reservation. The reservation support device 1 proposes to the customer to advance the reservation by 30 minutes. If the difference between the first time and the second time is a predetermined time or more due to the time change content previously permitted by the customer, the reservation support device 1 may propose a time change. For example, if the customer is a person who makes a reservation for the first time, and the reservation is set to be able to be advanced by 30 minutes, and the difference between the first time and the second time is 45 minutes, the difference between the first time and the second time is reduced from 45 minutes to 1 hour and 15 minutes due to the customer's advancement of the reservation, and it becomes possible to accept a new reservation. The reservation support device 1 may propose a time change if the difference in time between the first time and the second time becomes zero due to the time change content previously permitted by the customer.

[0129] In the third modified example, the case where the customer sets whether or not the time can be changed at the time of reservation has been described, but this is not limited to the case. If the customer answers that the time can be changed in advance, such as when making a reservation by setting it as a default, before making a reservation, or even after making a reservation by the customer before it is determined that there is a gap before or after the reservation, the reservation support device 1 will suggest a change to the time to the customer.

[0130] By accepting the suggestion made by the reservation support device 1, the customer can reduce the downtime. This allows the customer to serve new customers and secure a chunk of work time. This allows the store to use working hours more effectively and increase sales.

[0131] (Fourth Modification) The reservation support device 1 according to the fourth modification will explain a case where, when a customer specifies a start time for a reservation, it is difficult to select a time that will cause a gap time as a candidate start time, thereby making it difficult for a gap time to occur.Compared to the second modification, in the fourth modification, the reservation support device 1 allows the customer to select a time that will cause a gap time, but displays candidate start times so that it is easier to select a time that will not cause a gap time.

[0132] Specifically, the display unit 25 of the reservation support device 1 displays a selection screen V6 shown in Fig. 16(a) on the customer terminal 2 in order to select a reservation start time. The selection screen V6 displays in a list box candidate start times that do not have a gap time at least either before or after the reservation time, among the candidate start times at which reservations for the desired time specified by the customer can be accepted. Specifically, a candidate start time that does not have a gap time before or after the reservation time is one in which the difference in time between the candidate start time and the end time of the time that is not acceptable immediately before the candidate start time is zero or a predetermined time or more, or the difference in time between the time that is the desired time after the candidate start time and the start time of the time that is not acceptable immediately after that time is zero or a predetermined time or more.

[0133] 16(a), the display unit 25 displays candidate start times that do not have any gap time before or after the reservation time in a list box of the selection screen V6 for selecting the reservation start time. The candidate start times that do not have any gap time at least either before or after the reservation time are 10:30, 10:45, 11:00, 11:30, 11:45, 12:00, 14:00, and 15:00, as described in the second modified example.

[0134] The identifying unit 24 of the reservation support device 1 identifies not only candidate start times that do not have gap times at least either before or after the reservation time, but also sub candidate start times that have gap times both before and after the reservation time. A sub candidate start time is a candidate start time among candidate start times at which a reservation for the desired time specified by the customer can be accepted, where the difference in time between the candidate start time and the end time of the time that cannot be accepted immediately before the candidate start time is less than a predetermined time, and where the difference in time between the time that is the desired time after the candidate start time and the start time of the time that cannot be accepted immediately after the candidate start time is less than a predetermined time.

[0135] As shown in Fig. 16(b), in response to a customer's instruction, the display unit 25 displays in the list box of the selection screen V6a not only candidate start times that do not have gap times before or after the reservation time, but also sub-candidate start times on the selection screen V6a shown in Fig. 16(b) when the expansion instruction section 501 provided between 11:00 and 11:30 on the selection screen V6 of Fig. 16(a) is selected. Fig. 16(b) displays 11:15 as a sub-candidate start time between the candidate start times 11:00 and 11:30. This allows the customer to select not only candidate start times that do not have gap times, but also sub-candidate start times that do have gap times.

[0136] Specifically, when there is a sub start candidate time between two adjacent start candidate times among the start candidate times, the display unit 25 displays an expansion instruction section in the list box corresponding to the two adjacent start times. When the expansion instruction section is selected, the display unit 25 displays the sub start candidate time between the two adjacent start candidate times in the list box.

[0137] 16(a), an expansion instruction section P501 is displayed between the candidate start times 11:00 and 11:30. An expansion instruction section P502 is displayed between the candidate start times 12:00 and 14:00. An expansion instruction section P502 is displayed between the candidate start times 14:00 and 15:00.

[0138] Here, when the expansion instruction portion P501 is clicked by the customer, the display portion 25 displays 11:15 as the sub-start candidate time corresponding to the expansion instruction portion 501, as shown in FIG. 16(b).

[0139] Similarly, when the expansion instruction section P502 is clicked, the display section 25 displays each time from 12:15 to 13:45 in unit time increments as the sub start time candidates corresponding to the expansion instruction section P502. When the expansion instruction section P503 is clicked, the display section 25 displays each time from 14:15 to 14:45 in unit time increments as the sub start time candidates corresponding to the expansion instruction section P503. Note that in this disclosure, the unit time is 15 minutes.

[0140] In addition, in the selection screen V6a of Fig. 16(b), folding instruction sections P501a and P501b are displayed corresponding to the portion where the sub start candidate times are displayed. When the folding instruction section P501a or P501b is selected, the display section 25 displays the selection screen V6 shown in Fig. 16(a). In the selection screen V6, the display section 25 cancels the display of the sub start candidate times and the folding instruction sections P501a and P501b, and displays the unfolding instruction section P501.

[0141] In Fig. 16, the unfold instruction section P501 etc. is an icon with an up arrow and a down arrow arranged vertically, but is not limited to this. The folding instruction section P501a is an icon including a down arrow, and the folding instruction section P501b is an icon including an up arrow, and a case will be described in which these icons are displayed above and below the display section of the sub start candidate time, respectively, but is not limited to this. Also, in Fig. 16, a case has been described in which the start candidate time and the sub start candidate time are displayed in a list box, but is not limited to this. If only the start candidate time or the start candidate time and the sub start candidate time are displayed according to the customer's instruction, and further, any time is specified as the reservation start time, any display may be used.

[0142] The process of the reservation support device 1 according to the fourth modified example will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0143] In step S71, the reservation support device 1b acquires the desired time and date for which the customer wishes to make a reservation.

[0144] The reservation support device 1b performs the processes of steps S72 to S76 for each target time on the desired date. Here, the target time is set for each unit time.

[0145] In step S72, the reservation support device 1b refers to the situation data 12 and determines whether or not a reservation can be accepted from the target time to the desired time. If the time includes a period during which reservations cannot be accepted, the process of step S72 is performed for the next target time. If reservations can be accepted, the process proceeds to step S73.

[0146] In step S73, the reservation support device 1 determines whether or not a gap time occurs before the target time. If a gap time occurs, the process proceeds to step S74. On the other hand, if a gap time does not occur before the target time, the process proceeds to step S75.

[0147] In step S74, the reservation support device 1 determines whether or not there is a gap time after the desired time of the target time. If there is no gap time, the process proceeds to step S75. If there is a gap time, the process proceeds to step S76.

[0148] In step S75, the reservation support device 1 determines that there is no gap time either before or after the target time, and sets the target time as a candidate start time. On the other hand, in step S76, the reservation support device 1 determines that there is gap time both before and after the target time, and sets the target time as a sub-candidate start time.

[0149] When the processes from step S72 to step S76 are completed for each target time, the process proceeds to step S81. If a reservation cannot be accepted for any of the target times, the reservation support device 1 displays a message to that effect on the customer terminal 2.

[0150] In step S81, the reservation support device 1 first displays the start time candidates identified in step S75 on the customer terminal 2. In step S82, the reservation support device 1 determines whether or not there is a sub-start time candidate identified in step S76 between adjacent start time candidates. If there is a sub-start time candidate, in step S83, the reservation support device 1 displays an expansion instruction section on the customer terminal 2 in association with the adjacent start time candidate.

[0151] In step S84, if the instruction input from the customer terminal 2 is to select an expansion instruction section, the process proceeds to step S85. In step S85, the reservation support device 1 displays, on the customer terminal 2, sub-start candidate times between the two start time candidates corresponding to the selected expansion instruction section, and a foldable display section for hiding the sub-start candidate times.

[0152] In step S84, if the instruction input from the customer terminal 2 is to select the folding instruction section, the process proceeds to step S86. In step S86, the reservation support device 1 hides the sub start candidate time corresponding to the selected folding instruction section and displays the expansion instruction section.

[0153] In step S84, if the instruction input from the customer terminal 2 is to select a time, the process proceeds to step S87. In step S87, the reservation support device 1 generates new reservation data 14 with the selected time as the reservation start time.

[0154] In the fourth modified example, the reservation support device 1 first displays, on the customer terminal 2, as available reservation times, candidate start times that do not have gap time on at least one side, and also displays an icon for displaying sub candidate start times that have gap time on either side. Furthermore, by selecting this icon, the reservation support device 1 displays sub candidate start times in addition to candidate start times.

[0155] The reservation support device 1 displays the sub candidate start times only after an action by the customer has been taken. The reservation support device 1 can prompt the customer to easily select the first candidate start time displayed. The reservation support device 1 can control the start time of the reservation so that no gap time occurs.

[0156] The reservation support device 1 (including reservation support devices 1a and 1b) of this embodiment described above uses, for example, a general-purpose computer system including a CPU (Central Processing Unit, processor) 901, a memory 902, a storage 903 (HDD: Hard Disk Drive, SSD: Solid State Drive), a communication device 904, an input device 905, and an output device 906. In this computer system, the CPU 901 executes a program loaded on the memory 902, thereby realizing each function of the reservation support device 1.

[0157] The reservation support device 1 may be implemented in one computer, or in multiple computers, or may be a virtual machine implemented in a computer.

[0158] The program of the reservation support device 1 can be stored in a computer-readable recording medium such as a HDD, SSD, USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, CD (Compact Disc), DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), or can be distributed via a network. The computer-readable recording medium is, for example, a non-transitory recording medium.

[0159] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0160] 1 Reservation support device 2. Customer terminal 3 Staff terminal 5 Processing System 11 Desired reservation data 12 Situational Data 13 Setting data 14 New reservation data 15 Reservation Data 16 Staff Data 17 Notification Data 18 Candidate start time data 21 Acquisition Department 22 Proposal Department 23 Update section 24 Specific part 25 Display section 901 CPU 902 Memory 903 Storage 904 Communication equipment 905 Input Device 906 Output Device

Claims

1. a storage device for storing status data indicating whether or not a reservation from a customer can be accepted for each unit time; An acquisition unit for acquiring a desired start time and a desired end time of a reservation desired by a customer; a proposal section that refers to the situation data, and when a reservation is acceptable between the desired start time and the desired end time, and a difference in time between the desired start time and the end time of the unavailable time immediately before the desired start time is equal to or greater than a unit time and less than a predetermined time, outputs to the customer a proposal to change the desired start time to the end time of the unavailable time immediately before the desired start time. A reservation support device comprising:

2. When a difference in time between the desired end time and a start time of an unacceptable time immediately following the desired end time is equal to or greater than a unit time and less than a predetermined time, the suggestion unit outputs a suggestion to change the desired end time to the start time of an unacceptable time immediately following the desired end time.

2. The reservation support device according to claim 1.

3. a storage device for storing status data indicating whether or not a reservation from a customer can be accepted for each unit time; a suggestion unit that refers to the situation data and, when a difference time between a first time when a reservation cannot be accepted and a second time when the reservation cannot be accepted immediately after the first time is equal to or greater than a unit time and less than a predetermined time, suggests changing the first time or the second time. A reservation support device comprising:

4. The suggestion unit outputs a suggestion to a customer to change the end time of the reservation to the start time of the second time when the first time period cannot be accepted due to a reservation made by the customer.

4. The reservation support device according to claim 3.

5. The suggestion unit outputs a suggestion to a staff member to change an end time of the break to a start time of the second time when the first time period is unavailable due to the staff member's break.

4. The reservation support device according to claim 3.

6. The suggestion unit suggests a change to the second time when the suggestion unit has made a predetermined number of suggestions to a customer who has made a reservation at the first time.

4. The reservation support device according to claim 3.

7. The customer is a customer who has previously responded that they are willing to change the time 5. The reservation support device according to claim 4.

8. The suggestion unit makes a suggestion when the difference time becomes smaller or becomes equal to or larger than a predetermined time due to the time change content previously permitted by the customer. The reservation support device according to claim 7.

9. a storage device for storing status data indicating whether or not a reservation from a customer can be accepted for each unit time; An acquisition unit that acquires a desired reservation time desired by a customer; a specification unit that refers to the situation data and specifies, from among the candidate start times for which a reservation for the desired time is acceptable, a candidate start time for which a difference in time between the candidate start time and an end time of a time period immediately preceding the candidate start time that cannot be accepted is zero or a predetermined time or more, or a difference in time between a time that is a time period elapsed from the candidate start time to the desired time and a start time of a time period immediately preceding the candidate start time that cannot be accepted is zero or a predetermined time or more; a display unit that displays the candidate start time identified by the identification unit to the customer; A reservation support device comprising:

10. the specifying unit further specifies, from among the start candidate times at which a reservation for the desired time is acceptable, a start candidate time at which a difference in time between the start candidate time and an end time of a time immediately preceding the start candidate time at which a reservation for the desired time is acceptable is less than a predetermined time, and a difference in time between a time that is a lapse of the desired time from the start candidate time and a start time of a time immediately preceding the start candidate time at which a reservation for the desired time is acceptable is less than a predetermined time, as a sub start candidate time; The display unit further displays the sub-start candidate time according to an instruction from the customer. The reservation support device according to claim 9.

11. When a sub start candidate time exists between two adjacent start candidate times among the start candidate times, the display unit displays an expansion instruction unit corresponding to the two adjacent start times; When the expansion instruction section is selected, a sub-start candidate time between the two adjacent start candidate times is displayed. The reservation support device according to claim 10.

12. The computer stores status data indicating whether or not a reservation from a customer can be accepted for each unit time, The computer acquires the customer's desired start time and end time for the reservation, The computer refers to the situation data, and when a reservation can be accepted between the desired start time and the desired end time, and the difference in time between the desired start time and the end time of the time period immediately preceding the desired start time when the reservation cannot be accepted is equal to or greater than a unit time and less than a predetermined time, outputs a proposal to change the desired start time to the end time of the time period immediately preceding the desired start time when the reservation cannot be accepted. How to assist with reservations.

13. The computer stores status data indicating whether or not a reservation from a customer can be accepted for each unit time, The computer refers to the situation data, and when a difference in time between a first time when a reservation cannot be accepted and a second time when the reservation cannot be accepted immediately after the first time is equal to or greater than a unit time and less than a predetermined time, proposes a change to the first time or the second time. How to assist with reservations.

14. The computer stores status data indicating whether or not a reservation from a customer can be accepted for each unit time, The computer obtains the customer's desired reservation time, the computer refers to the situation data and identifies, from among the candidate start times for which a reservation for the desired time can be accepted, a candidate start time for which a difference in time between the candidate start time and the end time of the time immediately preceding the candidate start time for which a reservation for the desired time cannot be accepted is zero or a predetermined time or more, and a difference in time between a time that is a lapse of the desired time from the candidate start time and the start time of the time immediately following the candidate start time for which a reservation for the desired time cannot be accepted is zero or a predetermined time or more; The computer displays the identified candidate start times to the customer. How to assist with reservations.

15. A program for causing a computer to function as the reservation support device according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

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