Program, search control method, and information processing device

Abstract

To enable provision of information on stores in line with wishes of a user without requiring the user to go through complicated operations.SOLUTION: A user terminal 10 used by a user to search and book a restaurant has a store search application AP installed thereon. Running the store search application AP causes the user terminal 10 to function as a display control unit for displaying, on a display unit, a search result based on an entered search condition, where the display control unit displays a selection operator for selecting a usage scene of a search target on a screen of the display unit displaying the search result.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a program, a search control method, and an information processing device. [Background technology]

[0002] When making a reservation for a restaurant or other eating establishment, the user accesses a reservation system via the Internet or the like and inputs reservation conditions (search conditions) such as area, type of food, etc. When this operation is performed, the reservation system provides information on restaurants that correspond to the search conditions, and once personal information required for the reservation is entered, the reservation can be made (for example, see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2009-116424 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in order to use the above reservation system to search for and reserve a desired restaurant, users had to use free-word search to input detailed search criteria such as area and type of cuisine one by one, which was a cumbersome process.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-described circumstances, and has as its object to provide a user with store information that meets their desires without forcing them to perform complicated operations. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The gist of one aspect of the present invention is that the program causes a computer to function as a reception unit that receives input of free words related to a search, and a display control unit that displays, on a display device, information including usage scenarios for the search target as selection candidates corresponding to the input free words. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide store information that meets the user's desires without forcing the user to perform complicated operations. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a search and reservation system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing functional modules of a user terminal. [Diagram 3] 13 is a screen transition diagram of a search input screen or a search result list screen for restaurants. FIG. [Figure 4] 13 is a screen transition diagram of a search input screen or a search result list screen for restaurants. FIG. [Diagram 5] 13 is a screen transition diagram of a search input screen or a search result list screen for restaurants. FIG. [Figure 6] 13 is a flowchart showing a main operation of the user terminal when searching for a restaurant. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to a search and reservation system for searching restaurants. Note that the same elements are given the same reference numerals and duplicated explanations will be omitted.

[0010] A. This embodiment (1) Configuration of the embodiment FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a search and reservation system 1 according to this embodiment. The search and reservation system 1 comprises a user terminal 10 operated by a user who searches for and reserves restaurants, and a management server 20 which manages the search and reservation of restaurants, provides information about restaurants desired by the user, and accepts reservations for restaurants.

[0011] The user terminals 10 and the management server 20 are connected via a communication network N. The number of user terminals 10 can be set arbitrarily depending on the number of users who use the present system 1, etc.

[0012] The communication network N includes a communication network capable of transmitting and receiving information between the user terminal 10 and the management server 20. The communication network N may be, for example, the Internet, a LAN, a dedicated line, a telephone line, an in-house network, a mobile communication network, Bluetooth (registered trademark), WiFi (Wireless Fidelity), other communication lines, or a combination thereof, regardless of whether it is wired or wireless.

[0013] The user terminal (computer) 10 is a terminal that a user uses to search for and reserve restaurants, and is configured, for example, by a smartphone, a mobile phone, a wearable device, a tablet device, a personal computer (PC), a notebook PC, a handheld computer device, etc. The user terminal 10 manages a user ID for identifying the user by location within the system 1.

[0014] The user terminal 10 includes, as hardware, a control device such as a CPU, a storage device such as a ROM or RAM, an input device such as a touch panel, a display device such as a liquid crystal panel, an input interface, an output interface, a communication interface, and a bus connecting these. A store search app AP is installed in the storage device of the user terminal 10. The store search app is an application program provided to users for searching for and reserving a desired store (here, a restaurant). The store search app AP may be configured to be installed in the user terminal 10, or may be configured such that some or all of the functions of the store search app AP are provided from a management server 20 or the like via a communication network N (such as so-called SaaS (Software as a Service)).

[0015] The management server (information processing device) 20 is a general-purpose computer, and may be composed of one computer, or may be composed of multiple computers distributed over a communication network N. The management server 20 includes a control device 21 and a storage device 22. The control device 21 includes, as hardware, a CPU, memories such as ROM and RAM, an input interface, an output interface, a communication interface, and buses connecting these, etc.

[0016] The storage device 22 of the management server 20 stores a control program PG for controlling each user terminal 10, and also stores a user database (DB) 221, a restaurant database (DB) 222, and the like.

[0017] The user DB 221 has registered therein various information related to each user who uses the present system 1. For example, the user DB 221 has registered therein authentication information (e.g., user ID and password) for the user to log in to the present system 1, basic user information including contact information and address, and user operation information related to the use of the present system 1. The operation information includes, for example, restaurant browsing history information indicating the history of restaurants viewed by the user, and restaurant reservation history information indicating the history of restaurants reserved by the user. In addition, the information includes information indicating various operation histories of the user, such as review history information indicating the history of when the user evaluated (reviewed) restaurants.

[0018] Various information (i.e., detailed store information) related to each restaurant is registered in the restaurant DB222. The detailed store information includes information such as an identification ID, restaurant name, location area, address, telephone number, image data related to the restaurant, menu information, business hours, and website URL. In addition, category information (tags) that classify the restaurant's usage scenarios are attached to the detailed information of each restaurant. Possible tags for classifying usage scenarios include, for example, "with friends / acquaintances," "with family / children," "date," "alone," "birthday / celebration," "company party," "entertainment / dinner," "large-group party," "group date (drinking party to deepen friendship)," etc., but the content of the usage scenarios to be set is arbitrary (details will be described later).

[0019] 2 is a block diagram showing functional modules realized by executing a store search application AP stored in a storage device by a control device of the user terminal 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the functional modules include an account management unit 111, an input acceptance unit 112, a receiving unit 113, and a display control unit 114.

[0020] The account management unit 111 manages accounts used by users (for example, personal information including IDs and passwords) and accepts logins from each account.

[0021] The input receiving unit 112 receives various operations related to searching and reserving restaurants input by the user. The receiving unit 113 receives various information related to the search and reservation of restaurants transmitted from the management server 20 (for example, a search result list screen, a reservation completion screen, etc.).

[0022] The display control unit 114 displays a restaurant search input screen, a search list screen, a reservation screen, and the like on a display device such as a liquid crystal panel in response to an input operation by the user.

[0023] 3 to 5 are screen transition diagrams of a search input screen for restaurants or a search result list screen displayed on the display device of the user terminal 10. FIG. First, the user launches the store search app AP installed in the user terminal 10 and then performs a predetermined input operation. When such an operation is performed, a search input screen P1 for searching for a restaurant desired by the user is displayed on the user terminal 10 (see A in FIG. 3). The upper section of the search input screen P1 displays a search window including a keyword window W1 and an area window W2, the middle section displays the user's current location and search history, and the lower section displays a virtual keyboard VK for inputting search conditions. Various free words related to the search are input into the search window.

[0024] The user inputs a search area into the area window W2. For example, the user may input the desired search area using the virtual keyboard VK, select the desired search area from a plurality of areas displayed in the search history, or select the current location as the desired search area.

[0025] When a search area (here, "Station A" is assumed) is input, a search input screen P1 as shown in FIG. 3B is displayed on the user terminal 10. More specifically, the input search area is displayed in the area window W2 shown in the upper part of the search input screen P1, and a plurality of selection candidates AC corresponding to the input search area are displayed in the selection candidate field CC shown in the middle part of the search input screen P1. Each selection candidate AC is composed of a combination of the input search area and a restaurant use scene. In the example shown in FIG. 3B, "with friends / acquaintances," "with family / children," "date," "alone," "anniversary / celebration / surprise," "entertainment / dinner," "large banquet," etc. are displayed as restaurant use scenes. In this embodiment, a predetermined number of restaurant use scenes (for example, nine) are prepared in advance, and it is assumed that these use scenes are included in the selection candidates AC and displayed, but the number and contents of the use scenes, the order of the use scenes, etc. can be set and changed as desired.

[0026] After that, the user starts inputting a search keyword into the keyword window W1 using the virtual keyboard VK. There is no particular limit to the search keyword, but examples of the search keyword include the genre of food, the name of the food, and a usage scene.

[0027] When a user thinks of a word beginning with "ya" (such as "yakitori" or "yakiniku") and inputs "ya" into the keyword window W1, the user terminal 10 displays a combination of the input search area (here, "A Station") and a search keyword (word) beginning with "ya" that has a high degree of relevance on the search input screen P1 (see C in FIG. 3). In the example shown in C in FIG. 3, a combination of the search area ("A Station") and a search keyword beginning with "ya" that has a high degree of relevance (such as "yakiniku", "yakiniku / horumon", "beautiful night view", "yakitori / chicken dish", "yakisoba", etc.) is displayed (suggested) as a selection candidate AC. The search keywords may be suggested in order of relevance, for example, based on the contribution of search conversions (CV).

[0028] <(1) When any of the candidate ACs is selected> Thereafter, when the user taps or otherwise selects a selection candidate AC that combines, for example, the search area "Station A" and the keyword "yakiniku" (see the dashed frame shown in C of Figure 3), a search result list screen P2 such as that shown in A of Figure 4 is displayed on the user terminal 10.

[0029] At least one or more store summary information IFs of restaurants that match the input search criteria ("A Station Yakiniku" in A of FIG. 4) are displayed in the middle and lower sections of the search result list screen P2. The store summary information IFs include, for example, an identification ID, a store name, an area where the restaurant is located, an address, a telephone number, and images related to the restaurant, but are not limited to these. The store summary information IFs can be generated based on, for example, store detailed information stored in the restaurant DB222, but are not limited to this.

[0030] Meanwhile, at the top of the search screen, a usage scenario tab TB is displayed to narrow down search results by usage scenario. When the user presses the usage scene tab TB, a pull-down list (selection operator) PL for selecting individual usage scenes is displayed on the search result list screen P2 (see B in Fig. 4). B in Fig. 4 shows an example of a pull-down list PL in the form of check boxes that allows multiple usage scenes to be selected individually, but any form of pull-down list can be adopted.

[0031] The user operates the user terminal 10 to check the check box CB of the desired usage scenario (e.g., "with family and children") and then presses the search button BT (see C in FIG. 4). When this operation is performed, the search results narrowed down to the usage scenario are displayed in the middle and lower sections of the search result list screen P2 (see D in FIG. 4). In the example shown in D in FIG. 4, the user has narrowed down the usage scenario to "with family and children," so that only the store overview information IF of restaurants suitable for this usage scenario is displayed in the middle and lower sections of the search result list screen P2.

[0032] After pressing the usage scenario tab TB, the user can change or add a usage scenario that has already been selected by operating the check box CB in the pull-down list PL. For example, the currently selected usage scenario "with family / children" can be changed to "alone," or a usage scenario "anniversary / celebration / surprise" can be added. The user can then scroll through the search results with the usage scenarios narrowed down to check the restaurant summary information IF of each restaurant in turn. When the user finds a restaurant that interests them, they can make a reservation for that restaurant.

[0033] <(2) When a search keyword is entered without selecting a candidate AC> On the other hand, when a user inputs a search keyword beginning with "ya" (here, "yakiniku") into keyword window W1 by operating virtual keyboard VK, multiple combinations of the input search area, keyword, and usage scenario are displayed on search input screen P1 (see A in Fig. 5). In the example shown in A in Fig. 5, multiple search areas ("A Station"), keywords ("yakiniku"), and selectable usage scenarios ("with friends / acquaintances," "with family / children," ... "large party," etc.) are displayed (suggested) on search input screen P1 as selection candidates AC. Various display patterns of the selection candidates AC can be set, and an example is as follows. <If no space is entered after the word> For example, when a word ("yakiniku") is input without a space ("yakiniku (no space)"), a word (word) or a combination of words related to the word being input is displayed as a selection candidate AC on the search input screen P1. Specifically, when the word "yakiniku" is input without a space, "yakiniku bento", "yakiniku lunch", "yakiniku date", "yakiniku date private room", etc. are displayed as selection candidate AC on the search input screen P1. As shown in this example, a word (word) or a combination of words related to the word being input may include a usage scene (such as "date"). The order of the selection candidate ACs is determined by a comprehensive judgment, so the combination of the word and the usage scene may occupy the top position (i.e., may be displayed at the top of the screen), but may not be the case. Also, when a usage scene (such as "date") has already been input, a new usage scene is not displayed as a selection candidate AC. <If a space is entered after the word> For example, when a word ("yakiniku") is input followed by a space ("yakiniku (with space)"), as explained above with reference to B in FIG. 3, only the combination of the word and the usage scenario is displayed as the selection candidate AC on the search input screen P1. Specifically, when the word "yakiniku" is input followed by a space, "yakiniku date", "yakiniku with friends and acquaintances", and the like are displayed as the selection candidate AC on the search input screen P1. Note that when a usage scenario (such as "date") has already been input, the usage scenario is not displayed as the selection candidate AC, and combination candidates other than the usage scenario (for example, other words) are input as the selection candidate AC on the search input screen P1. For example, when the usage scenario "date" is followed by the word "yakiniku" followed by a space ("date yakiniku (space)"), "date yakiniku private room", "date yakiniku couple seat", and the like are input as the selection candidate AC on the search input screen P1. However, the display pattern of the selection candidates AC is not limited to these, and can be set and changed as appropriate according to the system design, etc.

[0034] Thereafter, when the user taps or otherwise selects a selection candidate AC that combines, for example, the search area “Station A,” the keyword “yakiniku,” and the usage scenario “with family and children” (see the dashed frame shown in A of FIG. 5), a search result list screen P2 as shown in B of FIG. 5 is displayed on the user terminal 10.

[0035] At least one or more restaurant overview information IF that matches the entered search criteria ("A Station Yakiniku Family / Children" in B of Fig. 5) is displayed in the middle and lower sections of the search result list screen P2. Meanwhile, a usage scenario tab TB for narrowing down the search results by usage scenario is displayed in the upper section of the search result list screen P2.

[0036] When the user presses the usage scene tab TB, a pull-down list PL for selecting individual usage scenes is displayed. The user can change or add a usage scene that has already been selected by operating a check box CB in the pull-down list PL. The operation of the user terminal 10 when the user searches for a restaurant will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0037] (2) Operation of the embodiment <Main processing flow> FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the main operation of the user terminal 10 when searching for restaurants using this system. After launching the store search app AP installed in the user terminal 10, the user performs an input operation to start searching for restaurants. When such an operation is performed, the user terminal (display control unit) 10 displays a search input screen P1 for the user to search for a desired store (step S1; see A in FIG. 3).

[0038] A user operates the user terminal 10 to input a desired search area (e.g., "Station A") in the area window W2. When the user terminal (input receiving unit, display control unit) 10 receives the input of the search area in the area window W2 (step S2), as shown in B of FIG. 3, it suggests a number of selection candidates AC corresponding to the search area in the middle of the search input screen P1 (step S3; see B of FIG. 3). As already explained, each selection candidate AC is composed of a combination of the input search area (e.g., "Station A") and a restaurant usage scene (e.g., "with friends / acquaintances").

[0039] After that, the user starts inputting a search keyword into the keyword window W1 using the virtual keyboard VK. When the user terminal 10 detects that the first character of the search keyword (e.g., "ya") has been input into the keyword window W1 (step S4), it suggests a combination of the input search area (here, "A Station") and a highly relevant search keyword (word) starting with "ya" as a selection candidate AC on the search input screen P1 (step S5; see C in FIG. 3).

[0040] Then, the user terminal 10 judges whether any of the selection candidates AC has been selected or whether a search keyword following the first character (for example, "yakiniku" starting with "ya") has been input (step S6). When the user terminal 10 judges that any of the selection candidates AC has been selected based on the user's tap operation or the like, it displays a search result list screen P2 including store overview information of restaurants that match the input search criteria (here, "A station yakiniku") (step S7; see A in FIG. 4).

[0041] As already explained, the middle and lower sections of the search result list screen P2 display multiple restaurant overviews that match the entered search criteria (in the example of A in Figure 4, "A Station Yakiniku"), and the upper section of the search screen displays a usage scenario tab TB for narrowing down the search results by usage scenario.

[0042] When the user terminal 10 detects that the user has pressed the usage scene tab TB and performed a usage scene selection operation (step S8), it displays the search results with the narrowed usage scenes on the search result list screen P2 (step S9; see D in FIG. 4). The user checks the search result list screen P2 displayed on the user terminal 10 and further narrows down the restaurants and makes reservations for their favorite restaurants.

[0043] On the other hand, when the user terminal 10 detects in step S6 that a search keyword following the first character (for example, "yakiniku" starting with "ya") has been input without any of the selection candidates AC being selected, the user terminal 10 suggests a combination of the input search area (here, "Station A"), search keyword (here, "yakiniku"), and usage scene (such as "with friends and acquaintances") as a selection candidate AC on the search input screen P1 (step S10; see A in FIG. 5). Note that the details of the variations in the display patterns of the selection candidates AC have been explained above, so a description thereof will be omitted here.

[0044] Thereafter, when the user selects one of the selection candidates AC by tapping or the like, the user terminal 10 displays a search result list screen P2 including restaurant overview information of restaurants that match the input search criteria (here, "A Station Yakiniku with family and children") (step S11; see B in FIG. 5). The user checks the search result list screen P2 displayed on the user terminal 10 and further narrows down the restaurants or makes a reservation for a restaurant that the user likes.

[0045] As described above, according to this embodiment, when searching for a restaurant, the user can select the scene in which the restaurant will be used, rather than simply inputting keywords such as the area or the type of cuisine. This allows the user to obtain information on restaurants that match their preferences with a simpler operation.

[0046] B.Other The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment and modification, and can be implemented in various other forms without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the above-mentioned embodiment and modification are merely examples in all respects and should not be interpreted as being restrictive. For example, the order of each of the above-mentioned processing steps can be arbitrarily changed or executed in parallel as long as there is no contradiction in the processing content.

[0047] In addition, in this embodiment, a case where a restaurant search is performed using a user terminal 10 with the store search app AP installed has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. When using a user terminal 10 without a store app installed, a restaurant search similar to that of this embodiment may be realized by incorporating software having the same functions as the store search app AP into the control program PG of the management server 20.

[0048] That is, the management server 20 may execute the control program PG to function as an input receiving unit that receives input of free words related to a search from the user terminal 10, and as a display control unit that displays selection candidate information including the usage scene to be searched for as selection candidates corresponding to the input free words on the display device of the user terminal 10. Also, the management server 20 may execute the control program PG to function as a display control unit that displays search results on the display device of the user terminal 10 based on search conditions input to the user terminal 10, and the display control unit may display a selection operator for selecting the usage scene to be searched for on the screen of the display device displaying the search results.

[0049] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to a search and reservation system for restaurants has been described, but the present invention can also be applied to search and reservation systems for stores other than restaurants, and for various products and services. [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] 1...search and reservation system, 10...user terminal, 111...account management unit, 112...input reception unit, 113...receiving unit, 114...display control unit, AP...store search application, 20...management server, 21...control device, 22...storage device, 221...user DB, 222...restaurant DB, PG...control program, W1...keyword window, W2...area window, VK...virtual keyboard, CC...selection candidate field, AC...selection candidates, P1...search input screen, P2...search result list screen, IF...store overview information, TB...usage scene tab, PL...pull-down list, CB...check box, BT...search button

Claims

1. A program for causing a computer to function as a display control unit that displays search results on a display device based on input search conditions, The display control unit displays a selection operator for selecting a usage scene to be searched for on a screen of the display device on which the search results are displayed.

2. The search target is a store that provides a product or service, The program according to claim 1 , wherein the selection operator is capable of individually selecting a plurality of scenes for using the store.

3. The program according to claim 2 , wherein the display control unit, when a usage scene of the store is selected, displays search results on the display device based on the input search conditions and the selected usage scene.

4. 1. A computer-implemented search control method, comprising: A display control step of displaying search results on a display device based on the input search conditions, In the display control step, a selection operator for selecting a usage scene to be searched for is displayed on a screen of the display device on which the search results are displayed.

5. An information processing device including a display control unit that displays search results on a display device based on input search conditions, The display control unit displays a selection operator for selecting a usage scene that is a search target on a screen of the display device that displays the search results.

Images