Schedule adjustment apparatus, schedule adjustment system, schedule adjustment method, and program

Abstract

To reduce time required for scheduling.SOLUTION: A schedule adjustment apparatus according to the present invention has a search unit, a schedule acquiring unit, a date and time extracting unit, and an output unit. The search unit searches for a schedule of a participant candidate from a participant candidate information database storing public information of an organization to which participant candidates for an event belongs. The schedule acquiring unit acquires a search result of the search unit as the schedule information of the participant candidate. The date and time extracting unit uses the schedule information to extract, as candidate time and date for the event, the date and time on which the participant candidate has no schedule among the desired date and time for the event designated by a host of the event. The output unit outputs information including the candidate date and time for the event.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a schedule adjustment device, a schedule adjustment system, a schedule adjustment method, and a program for adjusting the date and time of an event such as a conference of experts. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technology for adjusting the date and time of an event. The meeting schedule adjustment system described in Patent Document 1 includes an attendance answer request notifying means and an attendance answering means. The attendance answer request notifying means performs a process of notifying the person who requested attendance of a response request regarding attendance for a candidate date. The attendance answering means performs a process of registering the response regarding attendance for the candidate date in a database. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2007-65827 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The schedule of an event is generally adjusted by requesting attendees to respond as to whether or not they will attend, and adjusting the date and time of the event based on the responses, as disclosed in Patent Document 1. However, with the above method, it takes time for potential attendees to confirm whether or not they will attend the proposed date and time of the event, and to respond as to whether or not they will attend.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a schedule adjustment device, a schedule adjustment system, a schedule adjustment method, and a program that reduce the time required for schedule adjustment. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A schedule adjustment device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a search means for searching for the schedules of potential participants from a potential participant information database that stores public information of organizations to which the potential participants belong, a schedule acquisition means for acquiring the search results of the search means as schedule information of the potential participants, a date and time extraction means for using the schedule information to extract, as candidate event dates and times, dates and times on which no potential participants have plans from among desired event dates and times specified by the event organizer, and an output means for outputting information including the candidate event dates and times.

[0007] A schedule adjustment method of one embodiment of the present disclosure searches for the schedules of potential participants from a potential participant information database that stores public information of organizations to which the potential participants belong, obtains the search results as schedule information of the potential participants, and uses the schedule information to extract, from among desired dates and times specified by the event organizer, dates and times on which no potential participants have plans as potential event dates and times, and outputs information including the potential event dates and times.

[0008] A program according to one embodiment of the present disclosure causes a computer to execute the following processes: searching for schedules of potential participants from a potential participant information database that stores public information about organizations to which the potential participants belong; acquiring the search results as schedule information of the potential participants; using the schedule information to extract, from among desired dates and times designated by the organizer of the event, dates and times on which no potential participants have plans, as potential event dates and times; and outputting information including the potential event dates and times. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to adjust the date and time of an event by shortening the time required for schedule adjustment. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a first schedule adjustment system according to the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] 1 is a block diagram for explaining an example of the configuration of a first schedule adjustment system according to the present disclosure. [Diagram 3]1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a first schedule adjustment device according to the present disclosure. [Figure 4] 11 is a diagram for explaining a procedure in which a date and time extraction unit extracts candidate dates and times for an event. FIG. [Diagram 5] 11 is a diagram for explaining a procedure in which a date and time extraction unit extracts candidate dates and times for an event. FIG. [Figure 6] 11 is a diagram for explaining a procedure in which a date and time extraction unit extracts candidate dates and times for an event. FIG. [Figure 7] 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the first schedule adjustment device according to the present disclosure. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining an example of the configuration of a second schedule adjustment system according to the present disclosure. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a desired event date and time input screen. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a response request transmission screen. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a participation / non-participation input screen. [Figure 12] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation related to a first pre-processing of a second schedule adjustment device according to the present disclosure. [Figure 13] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation related to a second pre-processing of a second schedule adjustment device according to the present disclosure. [Figure 14] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of a second schedule adjustment device according to the present disclosure. [Figure 15] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration for executing control and processing according to each embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The embodiments described below are limited in a manner that is technically preferable for implementing the present disclosure, but the scope of the invention is not limited to the following. In all drawings used to explain the following embodiments, the same reference numerals are used for similar parts unless otherwise specified. In the following embodiments, repeated explanations of similar configurations and operations may be omitted.

[0012] In the following embodiment, potential participants of an event are also simply referred to as "potential participants." Potential participants are determined in advance by the organizer of the event. The organizer of the event is also simply referred to as "organizer."

[0013] [First embodiment]

[0014] (Configuration of schedule adjustment system 1) In this embodiment, the event will be described as an expert meeting. The event is not limited to an expert meeting as long as it is an event in which the date and time of the event is decided by coordinating the schedules of multiple people. For example, the event may be a group event such as a gathering, conference, meeting, or New Year's party. In addition, the participant candidates in this embodiment are experts. Experts are generally selected from representatives of groups closely related to the event, such as university professors or company employees.

[0015] The schedule adjustment system 1 in the present disclosure is for adjusting the date and time of an event. Specifically, the schedule adjustment system 1 determines, as a candidate date and time, a date and time on which no potential participants are scheduled among the desired dates and times of an event designated by the event organizer. The desired date and time is a date and time on which the event organizer wishes to hold the event. The desired date and time includes multiple dates. The desired date and time may be multiple consecutive dates, i.e., a period, or multiple non-consecutive dates. Furthermore, the desired date and time may include information regarding the time of the event. The desired date and time is designated in advance by the organizer. First, the schedule adjustment system 1 of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the schedule adjustment system 1 according to the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining an example of the configuration of the schedule adjustment system 1 according to the present disclosure.

[0016] The schedule adjustment system 1 comprises a schedule adjustment device 10 and a host terminal 40. The schedule adjustment device 10, the participant candidate terminal 30, the host terminal 40, and the participant candidate information database 50 are each connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other. In Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the participant candidate terminal 30 and the host terminal 40 are each shown as being singular, but this is just an example. The participant candidate terminal 30 and the host terminal 40 may be singular or plural.

[0017] The schedule adjustment device 10 is a device that adjusts the schedule of a meeting. The schedule adjustment device 10 is realized, for example, by a server device. The schedule adjustment device 10 is realized, for example, by a server device that employs cloud computing to provide services to users via a network.

[0018] The participant candidate terminal 30 is a terminal device operated by a participant candidate of the event. The participant candidate terminal 30 is realized, for example, by a PC (Personal Computer), a tablet terminal, or a smartphone. For example, a dedicated application or a general-purpose web browser is pre-installed on the participant candidate terminal 30. The participant candidate, who is the operator of the participant candidate terminal 30, accesses the schedule adjustment device 10 and uses functions related to schedule adjustment.

[0019] The participant candidate terminal 30 receives the candidate event dates and times output by the schedule adjustment device 10. The participant candidate terminal 30 displays the received candidate event dates and times on a display unit (not shown) such as a display.

[0020] The organizer terminal 40 is a terminal device operated by the organizer of the event. The organizer terminal 40 is realized, for example, by a PC (Personal Computer), a tablet terminal, or a smartphone. For example, a dedicated application or a general-purpose web browser is pre-installed on the organizer terminal 40. The organizer, who is the operator of the organizer terminal 40, accesses the schedule adjustment device 10 and uses functions related to schedule adjustment.

[0021] The organizer terminal 40 receives the candidate event dates and times output by the schedule adjustment device 10. The organizer terminal 40 displays the received candidate event dates and times on a display unit (not shown), such as a display. The organizer terminal 40 may use the received candidate event dates and times to generate an email message notifying the holding of the event.

[0022] The organizer terminal 40 includes an input unit (not shown) such as a keyboard. The organizer inputs the identification information of the potential participants and the desired date and time of the event via the input unit. The identification information of the potential participants refers to information that can identify the potential participants. For example, the identification information of the potential participants is associated with information such as the potential participants' name, gender, age, email address, and affiliation information. The affiliation information of the potential participants is information about the organization to which the potential participants belong. If the potential participants are university professors, the affiliation information is information about the university name and major. If the potential participants are company employees, the affiliation information is information about the company name, department, and position. The desired date and time is the date and time at which the event organizer wishes to hold the event, as described above. The information input via the input unit is transmitted to the schedule adjustment device by the transmission unit 41.

[0023] The participant candidate information database 50 is a database that stores public information of the organizations to which the participant candidates belong. There may be a single participant candidate information database 50, or it may be composed of multiple databases 50-1 to 50-n (n is a natural number) as shown in Fig. 1. In the following description, when there is no need to distinguish between the individual databases, they will be referred to as the participant candidate information database 50.

[0024] The information stored in the participant candidate information database 50 is obtained in advance from a database managed by an external organization via a communication line, and stored. The participant candidate information database 50 may be the database itself managed by the external organization. The public information of the participant candidate's organization is information that is made public to the public by the participant candidate's organization. For example, the public information is a university syllabus, a university timetable, and a program such as a lecture to be held at an academic conference. The public information includes information about the participant candidate's schedule. For example, if the public information is a university syllabus, the public information includes at least the identification information of the participant candidate and information for specifying the date and time of the lecture to be given by the participant candidate. The information for specifying the date and time of the lecture includes, for example, information on the day of the week on which the lecture is held and the time of the lecture. The information for specifying the date and time of the lecture may be the date and time itself. For example, if the public information is a program of an academic conference, the public information includes at least the identification information of the participant candidate and information on the date and time of the lecture to be held by the participant candidate.

[0025] The participant candidate information database 50 may be configured to have a database 50-n for each organization, as shown in Fig. 1. In the example of Fig. 1, database 50-1 stores the curriculum of University A. Database 50-2 stores the curriculum of University B. Database 50-3 stores the academic conference program of Society C.

[0026] (Configuration of schedule adjustment device 10) Next, a description will be given of the configuration of the schedule adjustment device 10. As shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, the schedule adjustment device 10 includes a search unit 11, a schedule acquisition unit 12, a date and time extraction unit 13, and an output unit 14.

[0027] The search unit 11 is an example of a search means that searches for schedules of potential participants from a potential participant information database that stores public information of organizations to which potential participants belong. The search unit 11 searches for schedule information from the potential participant information database 50 using, for example, the name of a potential participant as a search query. The name of a potential participant is obtained from the organizer terminal 40. The search query is not limited to a name, and may be identification information or information associated with identification information.

[0028] The schedule acquisition unit 12 is an example of a schedule acquisition means that acquires the search results of the search unit 11 as schedule information of potential participants. The schedule acquisition unit 12 creates schedule information by integrating multiple search results. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of schedule information acquired by the schedule acquisition unit 12. The schedule information includes at least identification information of the potential participants and the date and time (scheduled date and time) when the potential participants have a schedule that is the search result of the search unit 11. In the example of FIG. 4, the identification information of the potential participants is their name. The schedule information may include information for identifying the database from which the search results were obtained, as shown in FIG. 4.

[0029] The date and time extraction unit 13 is an example of a date and time extraction means that extracts, as candidate event date and time, a date and time on which no potential participants have plans among desired event date and time specified by the event organizer, using the schedule information acquired by the schedule acquisition unit 12. The date and time extraction unit 13 obtains the desired event date and time from the organizer terminal 40. The date and time extraction unit 13 extracts, as candidate event date and time, a date and time on which no potential participants have plans among the desired event date and time, excluding the scheduled date and time, i.e., a date and time on which no potential participants have plans among the desired event date and time.

[0030] The date and time extraction unit 13 may extract a date and time when each of the potential participants does not have a schedule as a candidate event date and time. In this case, the candidate event date and time differs depending on the potential participant. Alternatively, the date and time extraction unit 13 may extract a date and time when all of the potential participant does not have a schedule as a candidate event date and time. In this case, the candidate event date and time is uniquely determined.

[0031] An example of the date and time extraction unit 13 extracting a date and time when the candidate participants do not have any plans as a candidate event date and time will be described with reference to FIG. 4 to FIG. 6. For example, the desired event date and time is assumed to be a period from June 5, 2023 to June 9, 2023. The date and time extraction unit 13 obtains the information shown in FIG. 4 as the plan information. In this case, the date and time extraction unit 13 extracts plan information within the period of the desired event date and time as shown in FIG. 5. Next, the date and time extraction unit 13 extracts a date and time within the period of the desired event date and time excluding the date and time shown in FIG. 5, that is, a date and time when the candidate participants do not have any plans as a candidate event date and time. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the extracted candidate event date and time. In this description, the desired event date and time is assumed to be a period, so a step of extracting plan information within the period of the desired event date and time is included, but this step can be omitted.

[0032] The output unit 14 is an example of an output means for outputting information including the candidate event date and time. When the candidate event date and time is uniquely determined, the output unit 14 outputs the candidate event date and time extracted by the date and time extraction unit 13. When the candidate event date and time differs depending on the participant candidate, the output unit 14 generates information that associates the determined candidate event date and time with the identification information of the participant candidate. The output unit 14 outputs the generated information. The output unit 14 outputs the candidate event date and time or the generated information to at least the organizer terminal 40 out of the participant candidate terminal 30 and the organizer terminal 40. The organizer terminal 40 receives the information including the candidate event date and time.

[0033] (Operation of schedule adjustment device 10) Next, an example of the operation of the schedule adjustment device 10 in this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the schedule adjustment device 10 according to this embodiment. The schedule adjustment device 10 in this embodiment starts processing by, for example, accepting input of a desired date and time of the event and identification information of potential participants from the organizer terminal 40.

[0034] First, the search unit 11 searches for the schedule of the potential participants from a potential participant information database that stores public information of organizations to which the potential participants belong (step S11). For example, the search unit 11 searches the potential participant information database 50 using information such as the name associated with the potential participant's identification information as a search query.

[0035] Next, the schedule acquisition unit 12 acquires the search results of the search unit 11 as schedule information of potential participants (step S12). The schedule acquisition unit 12 creates schedule information by integrating a plurality of search results.

[0036] Next, the date and time extraction unit 13 uses the schedule information acquired by the schedule acquisition unit 12 to extract, as candidate event dates and times, dates and times among the desired event dates and times for which no potential participants have plans (step S13).

[0037] Next, the output unit 14 outputs information associating the potential event dates and times with the identification information of the potential participants (step S14). After completing the process of step S14, the schedule adjustment device 10 ends the process.

[0038] (effect) The schedule adjustment device of this embodiment is configured as described above. Next, the effects of the schedule adjustment device of this embodiment will be described.

[0039] The schedule adjustment device of this embodiment includes a search unit, a schedule acquisition unit, a date and time extraction unit, and an output unit. The search unit searches for the schedule of the candidate from a candidate participant information database that stores public information of the organization to which the candidate participant belongs. The schedule acquisition unit acquires the search result of the search unit as the schedule information of the candidate participant. The date and time extraction unit uses the acquired schedule information to extract, as a candidate date and time, a date and time that the candidate participant does not have a schedule among the desired dates and times specified by the organizer of the event. The output unit outputs information including the candidate date and time. The schedule adjustment device of this embodiment searches for the schedule of the candidate participant from public information made public to the public by the organization to which the candidate participant belongs. The public information includes at least one of a university syllabus or a program of a lecture of an academic society. The schedule adjustment device does not include, among the desired dates and times specified by the organizer, a date and time that is known in advance to have a schedule based on the public information, in the candidate date and time of the event. With the above configuration, the number of candidate dates and times can be reduced compared to when the desired date and time is set as the candidate date and time. Therefore, the time required for the candidate participant to check the schedule for the candidate date and time and to respond whether or not to participate can be shortened. In other words, the schedule adjustment device of this embodiment can reduce the time required for schedule adjustment.

[0040] [Second embodiment] Next, a schedule adjustment system 2 and a schedule adjustment device 20 according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts as those in the first embodiment will not be described. In this embodiment, the event will be described as a conference of experts.

[0041] (Configuration of schedule adjustment device 20) 8 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a schedule adjustment system 2 according to the present disclosure. Similar to schedule adjustment system 1, schedule adjustment system 2 includes a schedule adjustment device 20 and a host terminal 40. The host terminal 40 includes a transmission unit 41 that transmits input information regarding the desired date and time of the event and an instruction to send a response request to the schedule adjustment device 20. The host terminal 40 inputs the candidate date and time of the event, identification information of the potential participants, the quorum of participants, and the category of the potential participants via an input unit such as a keyboard. The category of the potential participants is information indicating whether the potential participants are required candidates or optional candidates.

[0042] The schedule adjustment device 20 obtains the desired date and time of the event by displaying a desired date and time input screen as shown in FIG. 9 on the organizer terminal 40. In the example of FIG. 9, the desired date and time of the event includes a plurality of dates (D6) on which the organizer wishes to hold the event, and a plurality of time periods (D7) during which the organizer wishes to hold the event. The desired date and time of the event input screen may be provided in any format, such as a dedicated application screen or a web page by the schedule adjustment device 20. As shown in FIG. 9, the desired date and time of the event input screen may be one that allows multiple desired dates and times of the event to be input. After inputting the desired date and time of the event, the organizer presses button B7. When the organizer presses button B7, the desired date and time of the event is transmitted to the schedule adjustment device 20.

[0043] The schedule adjustment device 20 includes a search unit 21, a schedule acquisition unit 22, a date and time extraction unit 23, an output unit 24, a memory unit 25, an update unit 26, a potential event date and time confirmation unit 27, and a response request generation unit 28. As in the first embodiment, when acquiring schedule information of potential participants from the potential participant information database 50, the schedule adjustment device 20 does not need to include the memory unit 25 and the update unit 26.

[0044] The memory unit 25 is an example of a storage means for storing schedule information of potential participants acquired by the schedule acquisition unit 22. The schedule adjustment device 20 requires a process for storing schedule information of potential participants in the memory unit 25 as advance preparation. The procedure for advance preparation will be described below. If schedule information is not stored in the memory unit 25, the search unit 21 searches for the schedule of the potential participants from the potential participant information database 50. The schedule acquisition unit 22 acquires the search results of the search means as schedule information of the potential participants. The memory unit 25 stores the schedule information of the potential participants acquired by the schedule acquisition unit 22.

[0045] The update unit 26 is an example of an update means for performing an update process of the schedule information stored in the storage unit 25. The schedule adjustment device 20 requires an update process of the information stored in the storage unit 25 at the timing when the information registered in the participant candidate information database 50 is updated. The procedure of the update process will be described below. When the information registered in the participant candidate information database 50 is updated, the search unit 21 first searches the schedule of the participant candidate from the participant candidate information database 50. The schedule acquisition unit 22 acquires the search result of the search means as the schedule information of the participant candidate. The update unit 26 compares the schedule information stored in the storage unit 25 with the schedule information acquired by the schedule acquisition unit 22. If the comparison result shows that the two are the same, the update unit 26 does not perform an update process of the schedule information. If the comparison result shows that the two are different, the update unit 26 performs an update process of the information stored in the storage unit 25 by replacing the stored information in the storage unit 25 with the schedule information acquired by the schedule acquisition unit 22.

[0046] In the case of pre-processing, the schedule acquisition unit 22 acquires the search result of the search unit 21 as the schedule information of the potential participants. In other cases, the schedule acquisition unit 22 acquires the schedule information from the storage unit 25.

[0047] The date and time extraction unit 23 extracts, as candidate event dates and times, dates and times on which no potential participant has a scheduled event among the desired event dates and times designated by the event organizer, using the schedule information acquired by the schedule acquisition unit 22. The date and time extraction unit 23 extracts, as candidate event dates and times, dates and times on which no potential participant has a scheduled event. In this case, the candidate event dates and times differ depending on the potential participant.

[0048] The candidate date and time confirmation unit 27 is an example of a candidate date and time confirmation means for confirming whether the candidate date and time extracted by the date and time extraction unit 23 is appropriate. Specifically, the candidate date and time confirmation unit 27 confirms whether the candidate date and time is appropriate in the following procedure. First, the candidate date and time confirmation unit 27 judges whether the mandatory participant candidate is included in the candidate participants for which the date and time extraction unit 23 did not extract a date and time with no schedule. If the mandatory participant candidate is included in the candidate participants for which the date and time with no schedule was extracted, the candidate date and time confirmation unit 27 judges that the extracted candidate date and time is not appropriate. If the mandatory participant is not included in the candidate participants for which the date and time with no schedule was extracted, the candidate date and time confirmation unit 27 judges whether the candidate participants who can participate in the candidate date and time meet the quorum. If the number of the candidate participants who can participate in the candidate date and time meets the quorum, the candidate date and time confirmation unit 27 judges that the candidate date and time is appropriate. On the other hand, if the candidate participants who can participate in the candidate date and time do not meet the quorum, the candidate date and time confirmation unit 27 judges that the candidate date and time is not appropriate. If the candidate event date and time confirmation unit 27 determines that the candidate event date and time is not appropriate, the schedule adjustment device 20 changes the desired event date and time and adjusts the schedule again. For example, the candidate event date and time confirmation unit 27 obtains the new desired event date and time by displaying a screen on the organizer terminal 40 that accepts re-input of the desired event date and time. The re-input screen for the desired event date and time may be provided in any format, such as a dedicated application screen or a web page by the schedule adjustment device 20. The schedule adjustment device 20 performs the processing of the date and time extraction unit 23 again using the desired event date and time received from the organizer terminal 40.

[0049] The output unit 24 outputs the candidate event dates and times to the organizer terminal 40. The output unit 24 outputs the candidate event dates and times that are determined to be appropriate by the candidate event date and time confirmation unit 27 to the organizer terminal 40.

[0050] The answer request generating unit 28 is an example of an answer request generating means that, upon receiving an instruction to send an answer request from the transmitting unit 41 of the organizer terminal 40, generates an answer request including information that prompts the potential participant to input whether or not they will attend the candidate event date and time. The answer request generating unit 28 generates an answer request to be sent to the potential participant terminal 30. The answer request generating unit 28 sends the generated answer request to the potential participant terminal 30. The answer request is sent, for example, by an email message or a message function of a dedicated application.

[0051] When the answer request generating unit 28 receives an instruction to send an answer request from the transmitting unit 41 of the organizer terminal 40, it causes the organizer terminal 40 to display an answer request sending screen such as that shown in FIG. 10. The answer request sending screen may be provided in any format, such as a dedicated application screen or a web page by the schedule adjustment device 20. The answer request sending screen includes destination information (D1) and answer request message information (D2) to be sent. The organizer checks the destination and the contents of the answer request displayed on the answer request sending screen. If the organizer wants to change the destination or the contents of the answer request, he presses button B1 to edit the contents. When the organizer presses button B2, the answer request is sent to the specified destination.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 10, the response request message information (D2) includes URL information of a web page that allows the participant candidates to input whether they can attend the candidate event for the candidate event date and time. FIG. 11 shows an example of a participation input screen that allows the participant candidates to input whether they can attend. The participation input screen is displayed on the participant candidate terminal 30. The participant candidates input whether they can attend via an input unit (not shown) of the participant candidate terminal 30. The participation input screen includes the participant candidate's identification information (D3), a list of candidate event date and time (D4), and whether they can attend for each candidate event date and time (D5). The participant candidate presses button B3, button B4, or button B5 to input whether they can attend. When the participant candidate has finished inputting whether they can attend for all candidate event dates and times, he or she presses button B6. As a result, the participation input via the participant candidate terminal 30 is transmitted to the schedule adjustment device 20 or the organizer terminal 40.

[0053] (Operation of schedule adjustment device 20) Next, an example of the operation of the schedule adjustment device 20 in this embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 12 to 14. As described above, the schedule adjustment device 20 requires, as pre-processing, a process of storing schedule information of participant candidates in the storage unit 25 and a process of updating the information stored in the storage unit 25. Fig. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of the process of storing schedule information of participant candidates in the storage unit 25. Fig. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the process of updating information stored in the storage unit 25. Fig. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of the process of the schedule adjustment device 20 after the pre-processing is completed.

[0054] <First pre-processing: Processing for storing schedule information of potential participants in the storage unit 25> First, the process of storing schedule information of potential participants in the storage unit 25 will be described with reference to Fig. 12. In the following description, the series of processes shown in Fig. 12 will also be referred to as a first pre-processing. The schedule adjustment device 20 starts the first pre-processing by receiving a command to start the process from the organizer terminal 40, for example.

[0055] First, the search unit 21 checks whether or not the schedule information is stored in the storage unit 25 (step S2001). If the schedule information is stored in the storage unit 25 (Yes in step S2001), the schedule adjustment device 20 ends the process without performing the first pre-processing.

[0056] If the schedule information is not stored in the memory unit 25 (No in step S2001), the search unit 21 searches the schedule of the potential participant from the potential participant information database (step S2002). Specifically, the search unit 21 searches the potential participant information database 50 using the identification information of the potential participant as a search query. The identification information of the potential participant is obtained from the organizer terminal 40.

[0057] Next, the schedule obtaining unit 22 obtains the search result of the searching unit 21 as schedule information of the potential participants (step S2003).

[0058] Next, the storage unit 25 stores the schedule information of the potential participants acquired by the schedule acquisition unit 22 (step S2004). After completing the process of step S2004, the schedule adjustment device 20 ends the series of processes related to the first pre-processing.

[0059] <Second pre-processing: Processing for updating information stored in the storage unit 25> Next, the process of updating the information stored in the storage unit 25 will be described with reference to Fig. 13. In the following description, the series of processes shown in Fig. 13 will also be referred to as the second pre-processing. The schedule adjustment device 20 starts the second pre-processing when, for example, the information registered in the participant candidate information database 50 is updated.

[0060] First, the search unit 21 searches the schedule of the potential participants from the potential participant information database 50 (step S2011). Specifically, the search unit 21 uses the identification information of the potential participants as a search query to search the potential participant information database 50. The identification information of the potential participants is obtained from the organizer terminal 40.

[0061] Next, the schedule obtaining unit 22 obtains the search result of the search unit 21 as schedule information of the potential participants (step S2012).

[0062] Next, the update unit 26 compares the schedule information acquired in step S2012 with the schedule information stored in the storage unit 25 (step S2013). If the comparison results in a match (Yes in step S2014), the schedule adjustment device 20 ends the second pre-processing.

[0063] If the comparison result shows no match (No in step S2014), the update unit 26 updates the schedule information stored in the storage unit 25 to the schedule information acquired in step S2012 (step S2015). After completing the process of step S2015, the schedule adjustment device 20 ends the series of processes related to the second pre-processing.

[0064] <Main Operation of the Schedule Adjustment Device 20> Next, the main operation of the schedule adjustment device 20 will be described with reference to Fig. 14. Upon completing the first pre-processing, the schedule adjustment device 20 starts a series of processes related to Fig. 14.

[0065] First, the schedule acquisition unit 22 acquires schedule information of potential participants from the storage unit 25 (step S201).

[0066] Next, using the schedule information acquired in step S201, dates and times designated by the event organizer that have no schedules of potential participants are extracted as potential event dates and times (step S202).

[0067] Next, the candidate date and time confirmation unit 27 checks whether the candidate date and time extracted by the date and time extraction unit 23 is appropriate (step S203). Specifically, the candidate date and time confirmation unit 27 judges whether the mandatory participant candidate is included in the candidate participants for which the date and time extraction unit 23 did not extract a date and time without a schedule. If the mandatory participant candidate is included in the candidate participants for which the date and time without a schedule was not extracted, the candidate date and time confirmation unit 27 judges that the extracted candidate date and time is not appropriate (step S203 No). If the mandatory participant is not included in the candidate participants for which the date and time without a schedule was not extracted, the candidate date and time confirmation unit 27 judges whether the candidate participants who can participate at the candidate date and time meet the quorum. If the candidate participants who can participate at the candidate date and time meet the quorum, the candidate date and time confirmation unit 27 judges that the candidate date and time is appropriate (step S203 Yes). On the other hand, if the candidate participants who can participate at the candidate date and time do not meet the quorum, the candidate date and time confirmation unit 27 judges that the candidate date and time is not appropriate (step S203 No). If it is determined that the event date and time is appropriate (step S203 Yes), the process proceeds to step S204. If it is determined that the event date and time is not appropriate (step S203 No), the candidate event date and time confirmation unit 27 receives input of the desired event date and time again from the organizer terminal 40, and then returns to the process of step S202. In step S202, candidate event dates and times are extracted using the re-input desired event date and time.

[0068] Next, the output unit 24 outputs the candidate event dates and times determined to be appropriate by the candidate event date and time confirmation unit 27 to the organizer terminal 40 (step S204).

[0069] Next, when the answer request generating unit 28 receives an answer request sending instruction from the host terminal (step S205 Yes), it generates an answer request message (step S206). If the answer request generating unit 28 does not receive an answer request sending instruction (step S205 No), it may end the process. The answer request generating unit 28 transmits the generated answer request message to the participant candidate terminal 30 (step S207). When the schedule adjustment device 20 finishes the process of step S207, it ends the series of processes described above.

[0070] (effect) The schedule adjustment device of this embodiment is configured as described above. In addition to the effects obtained from the schedule adjustment device of the first embodiment, the schedule adjustment device of this embodiment provides the following effects.

[0071] The schedule adjustment device of this embodiment further includes a candidate date and time confirmation unit. The candidate date and time confirmation unit confirms whether the candidate date and time extracted by the date and time extraction unit is appropriate. When a mandatory participant candidate is included in the candidate participants for which no scheduled date and time was extracted by the date and time extraction unit, the candidate date and time confirmation unit determines that the extracted candidate date and time is not appropriate. When a mandatory participant is not included in the candidate participants for which no scheduled date and time was extracted, the candidate date and time confirmation unit determines whether the candidate participants who can participate at the candidate date and time meet a quorum. When the candidate participants who can participate at the candidate date and time meet a quorum, the candidate date and time confirmation unit determines that the candidate date and time is appropriate. On the other hand, when the candidate participants who can participate at the candidate date and time do not meet a quorum, the candidate date and time confirmation unit determines that the candidate date and time is not appropriate. When the candidate date and time confirmation unit determines that the candidate date and time is not appropriate, the schedule adjustment device of this embodiment changes the desired date and time and adjusts the schedule again. Candidate participants in an expert conference are generally classified into mandatory participants and optional participants. Furthermore, in an expert conference, a quorum of participants may be determined in advance. The schedule adjustment device of this embodiment includes a candidate event date and time confirmation unit, and is therefore able to determine, as a candidate event date and time, dates and times that satisfy conditions previously set by the organizer.

[0072] The schedule adjustment device of this embodiment further includes a response request generation unit. When the response request generation unit receives a response request transmission instruction from the transmission unit of the organizer terminal, it generates a response request including information that requests the potential participants to input whether or not they will attend the candidate event date and time. The response request is for a response regarding whether or not they will attend the candidate event date and time. In other words, the response request generation unit of this embodiment makes it possible to request responses regarding whether or not they will attend only for dates and times when the potential participants have no plans. In other words, the schedule adjustment device of this embodiment can adjust the date and time of an event by shortening the time required for schedule adjustment.

[0073] [Computer hardware configuration] The functions of each of the components in each of the embodiments of the present disclosure described above can be realized not only by hardware but also by a computer device and firmware based on program control.

[0074] Fig. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration in which a schedule adjustment device in the present disclosure is realized by a computer device 90 including a processor. The schedule adjustment device in each embodiment is realized by the computer device 90. As shown in Fig. 15, the computer device 90 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 91, a memory 92, a storage device 93 such as a hard disk for storing programs, an input / output interface 94 for connecting input devices and output devices, and a communication interface 95 for connecting to a network.

[0075] The CPU 91 runs an operating system to control the schedule adjustment device of the present disclosure. For example, the CPU 91 reads out programs and data from a storage medium mounted in a drive device or the like into the memory 92. The CPU 91 also functions as, for example, a part of the search unit 11, schedule acquisition unit 12, date and time extraction unit 13, or output unit 14 in the schedule adjustment device 10 of the present disclosure, and executes processes or commands based on the programs.

[0076] The storage device 93 is, for example, an optical disk, a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, an external hard disk, or a semiconductor memory. A part of the storage device is a storage medium that is a non-volatile storage device, and the program is recorded therein. The program may also be downloaded from an external computer (not shown) connected to a communication network.

[0077] The input device connected to the input / output interface 94 is realized by, for example, a mouse, a keyboard, etc., and is used for input operations. Similarly, the output device connected to the input / output interface 94 is realized by, for example, a display, etc., and is used for displaying and checking output results.

[0078] Although the present disclosure has been described above with reference to each embodiment, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiment. Various changes that a person skilled in the art can understand within the scope of the present disclosure can be made to the configuration and details of the present disclosure. For example, although multiple operations are described in order in the form of a flowchart, the order of description does not limit the order in which the multiple operations are performed. Therefore, when implementing each embodiment, the order of the multiple operations can be changed to the extent that the content is not affected. [Explanation of symbols]

[0079] 1, 2 Scheduling system 10, 20 schedule adjustment device 11, 21 Search Section 12, 22 Scheduled Acquisition Section 13, 23 Date and time extraction part 14, 24 Output section 25 Memory section 26 Update section 27 Event Candidate Date and Time Confirmation Section 28 Answer Request Generation Unit 30 Participant terminal 40 Host terminal 41 Transmitter 50 Participant Candidate Information Database 90 Computer Equipment 91 CPU(Central Processing Unit) 92 Memory 93 Storage device 94 Input / Output Interface 95 Communication Interface

Claims

1. A search means for searching a schedule of a potential participant from a potential participant information database that stores public information of organizations to which the potential participant belongs; a schedule acquisition means for acquiring a search result of the search means as schedule information of the potential participants; a date and time extraction means for extracting, from among desired dates and times designated by a host of the event, dates and times on which the potential participants do not have any plans, as potential event dates and times; an output means for outputting information including the candidate event date and time; A schedule adjustment device comprising:

2. The schedule adjustment device according to claim 1 , wherein the event is a conference of experts.

3. A candidate date and time confirmation means for determining whether the candidate date and time extracted by the date and time extraction means is an appropriate date and time that satisfies conditions previously designated by the organizer. The schedule adjustment device according to claim 2 , further comprising:

4. A plurality of potential participants are set as potential participants for the event, The plurality of potential participants are divided into mandatory potential participants and optional potential participants, The candidate event date and time confirmation means If the required candidate participants are not included in the candidate participants for which no scheduled date and time has been extracted by the date and time extraction means, and the number of candidate participants who can attend the candidate date and time satisfies a quorum, the candidate date and time is determined to be appropriate; If the required participant candidates are included in the participant candidates for which no scheduled date and time has been extracted by the date and time extraction means, the candidate date and time for the event is determined to be inappropriate; 4. The schedule adjustment device according to claim 3, wherein if the candidate participants for whom no scheduled dates and times are extracted by the date and time extraction means do not include any required candidate participants, and if the number of candidate participants who can attend the candidate date and time does not meet a quorum, the candidate date and time is determined to be inappropriate.

5. 3. The schedule adjustment device according to claim 2, wherein the public information includes at least one of a university syllabus and a program of a lecture at an academic conference.

6. A schedule adjustment device according to any one of claims 1 to 5; a host terminal that receives information including the candidate dates and times output from the schedule adjustment device; A schedule adjustment system.

7. the organizer terminal includes a transmission means for transmitting input information regarding the desired date and time of the event and an instruction to transmit a response request to the schedule adjustment device; 7. The schedule adjustment system according to claim 6, further comprising: a response request generating unit configured to generate a response request including information requesting the potential participants to input whether or not they can attend the candidate event date and time when the schedule adjustment device receives the response request transmission instruction.

8. The scheduler is Searching for the schedule of the potential participant from a potential participant information database that stores public information of organizations to which the potential participant belongs; The results of the search are acquired as schedule information of the potential participants; Using the schedule information, extracting, as a candidate event date and time, a date and time on which the potential participants do not have plans among desired event dates and times designated by a sponsor of the event; The schedule adjustment method outputs information including the candidate dates and times for the event.

9. On the computer, A process of searching for schedules of potential participants from a potential participant information database that stores public information of organizations to which potential participants belong; A process of acquiring the results of the search as schedule information of the potential participants; A process of extracting, from among desired dates and times designated by a host of the event, dates and times on which the potential participants do not have any plans, as potential event dates and times, using the schedule information; A process of outputting information including the candidate event date and time; A program to execute.

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