Travel route providing apparatus and travel route providing program

Abstract

To provide a travel route providing apparatus and a travel route providing program for providing travel routes in consideration of locations of accommodations.SOLUTION: In an information processing system 1, a server device 2 and a user terminal 3 communicate with each other over a network N. The user terminal 3 serving as a travel route providing apparatus includes: means for acquiring accommodation information reserved by a user; and means for creating a travel route based on a plurality of spots including an accommodation corresponding to the acquired accommodation information. The means for creating a travel route includes setting the accommodation corresponding to the acquired accommodation information to at least one of a departure place and an arrival place of the travel route.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a travel route providing device and a travel route providing program. [Background technology]

[0002] The following Patent Document 1 discloses a travel tour information system that provides a user who has signed up for a virtual trip with information (images and sounds of scenery, tourist spots, inside transportation, etc.) at various points (tourist spots and inside transportation) within the real travel course, in sequence according to the actual travel schedule. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2001-344500 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The system of Patent Document 1 provides a service that enables a user to virtually travel along a real travel course. With this service, since there is no actual accommodation during the trip, there is no need to reserve and secure accommodation. However, when actually traveling, accommodation needs to be reserved in advance. Therefore, for example, if a planned accommodation cannot be reserved, the travel route will be changed depending on the location of the accommodation that has actually been reserved, which is a factor that reduces convenience for the user.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and one of its objects is to provide a travel route providing device and a travel route providing program that can provide travel routes that take into account the locations of accommodation facilities. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A travel route providing device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a means for acquiring information about accommodations reserved by a user, and a means for creating a travel route based on a plurality of spots including accommodations corresponding to the acquired accommodation information.

[0007] A travel route providing program according to another aspect of the present invention causes a computer to function as a means for acquiring accommodation information reserved by a user, and a means for creating a travel route based on a plurality of spots including accommodation facilities corresponding to the acquired accommodation information. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a travel route providing device and a travel route providing program that are capable of providing a travel route that takes into account the locations of accommodations. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an information processing system including a travel route providing device according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a server device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a user terminal. [Figure 4] 13 is an example of a screen displayed on a user terminal. [Diagram 5] 13 is an example of a screen displayed on a user terminal. [Figure 6] 13 is an example of a screen displayed on a user terminal. [Figure 7] 13 is an example of a screen displayed on a user terminal. [Figure 8] 13 is an example of a screen displayed on a user terminal. [Figure 9] 13 is an example of a screen displayed on a user terminal. [Figure 10] 13 is an example of a screen displayed on a user terminal. [Figure 11] 13 is an example of a screen displayed on a user terminal. [Figure 12]13 is an example of a screen displayed on a user terminal. [Figure 13] 13 is an example of a screen displayed on a user terminal. [Figure 14] 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure performed in a user terminal. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the same elements are given the same reference numerals and duplicated explanations will be omitted.

[0011] [Outline of information processing system] An information processing system according to an embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. The information processing system 1 includes, for example, a server device (travel route providing device) 2 and a user terminal (travel route providing device) 3.

[0012] The information processing system 1 according to the embodiment is a system that realizes a service (hereinafter, referred to as a "travel route providing service") that presents recommended spots to a user and provides the user with a travel route that goes around spots selected from the recommended spots. The spots include general facilities that a user can stop by, such as accommodation facilities, leisure facilities, play experience facilities, tourist facilities, and eating and drinking facilities.

[0013] The server device 2 is, for example, a computer device that executes various processes for providing the travel route providing service. The user terminal 3 is, for example, a computer device used by a user who enjoys the services provided by the travel route providing service.

[0014] The user terminal 3 may be, for example, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a notebook PC (Personal Computer), a PC terminal, or other terminal device.

[0015] The user terminal 3 may or may not have installed thereon an application (hereinafter, also referred to as an "app") for the travel route providing service.

[0016] When an app for the travel route providing service is installed on the user terminal 3, it is preferable to exchange data between the user terminal 3 and the server device 2, for example, using a screen displayed on the user terminal 3 by executing the installed app.

[0017] On the other hand, if an app for the travel route providing service is not installed on the user terminal 3, it is preferable to exchange data between the user terminal 3 and the server device 2, for example, by using a screen displayed on the user terminal 3 when the user terminal 3 connects to a specific site on the server device 2.

[0018] In this embodiment, a case will be described in which the user terminal 3 is a smartphone and an app for a travel route providing service is installed on the user terminal 3, for example.

[0019] The server device 2 and the user terminal 3 are configured to be able to communicate with each other via a network N. The 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), any other communication line, or a combination thereof, and may be either wired or wireless.

[0020] [Server device configuration] As shown in FIG. 2, the server device 2 includes, as its physical configuration, a processor 21, a communication interface 22, and a storage device 23, for example.

[0021] The processor 21 is, for example, a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (Micro Processing Unit). The processor 21 functions as a control unit 211 that realizes various functions of the server device 2 by executing a program 231 stored in the storage device 23.

[0022] The control unit 211 realizes, for example, a function of displaying various screens on the user terminal 3 in response to a request received from the user terminal 3, a function of receiving contents input to various screens from the user terminal 3, a function of executing a predetermined process based on information received from the user terminal 3, and a function of transmitting the process result to the user terminal 3. The various screens will be described later.

[0023] The communication interface 22 is connected to the network N and functions as a communication unit that communicates with other devices and terminals on the network N.

[0024] The storage device 23 is, for example, a computer-readable recording medium such as a disk drive or a semiconductor memory. The storage device 23 functions as a storage unit that stores a program 231 for implementing various functions of the server device 2 and various data 232 used by the program 231.

[0025] The various data 232 includes, for example, data constituting spot information related to spots, travel route information related to travel routes, transportation means information related to transportation means, reservation information related to reservation of spots, user information related to users, and the like.

[0026] [User terminal configuration] As shown in FIG. 3, the user terminal 3 includes, as its physical components, a processor 31, a communication interface 32, a storage device 33, an input device 34, and a display device 35, for example.

[0027] The processor 31 is, for example, a processor such as a CPU, an MPU, etc. The processor 31 executes a program 331 stored in the storage device 33, thereby functioning as a control unit 311 that realizes various functions of the user terminal 3.

[0028] The control unit 311 realizes, for example, a function of transmitting various requests to the server device 2 according to operational instructions of the user who operates the user terminal 3 and displaying various screens on the display device 35, a function of transmitting contents inputted into various screens to the server device 2 according to operational instructions of the user, a function of executing a predetermined process based on information inputted into various screens and displaying the process results on the display device 35, etc. The various screens will be described later.

[0029] The communication interface 32 is connected to the network N and functions as a communication unit that communicates with other terminals and devices on the network N.

[0030] The storage device 33 is, for example, a computer-readable recording medium such as a disk drive or a semiconductor memory. The storage device 33 functions as a storage unit that stores a program 331 for implementing various functions of the user terminal 3 and various data used by the program 331.

[0031] The input device 34 functions as an input unit that accepts input from a user. As the input device 34, for example, a touch panel, a pen tablet, a keyboard, a mouse, a microphone, etc. can be used.

[0032] The display device 35 functions as a display unit that displays images, screens, etc. As the display device 35, for example, an organic EL display, a liquid crystal display, etc. can be used.

[0033] [Function to create travel routes] A description will now be given of a function for creating a travel route, which is included in the functions of the information processing system 1. The function for creating a travel route is provided, for example, using various screens displayed on a user terminal 3 that has launched an application for a travel route providing service. The various screens will now be described in order.

[0034] 4 is an example of a screen 4a that allows the user to select travel conditions required to create a travel route. This screen 4a is provided with, for example, a field 4b for selecting a travel schedule, a field 4c for selecting a travel destination area, and a field 4d for selecting a means of transportation at the travel destination. For example, prefectures, cities, wards, towns, and villages may be selected as the travel destination area. For example, public transportation such as trains, buses, taxis, ships, and airplanes, and individual transportation such as private cars, motorcycles, and bicycles may be selected as the means of transportation.

[0035] When the desired option is selected in each of the fields 4b, 4c, and 4d and the "Start Creation" button 4e is pressed (including tapped or clicked), the screen shown in FIG. 5 is displayed.

[0036] Fig. 5 is an example of a screen 5a for narrowing down the spots that match the travel conditions selected on the screen 4a in Fig. 4. This screen 5a is provided with, for example, a field 5b for selecting a theme of the spot, a field 5c for selecting a genre of the spot, a field 5d for displaying the searched spots, and a field 5e for inputting keywords for free word search. The theme, genre, keywords, etc. are conditions for narrowing down the spots.

[0037] As the theme of the spot, for example, a standard spot, a spot recommended for families, etc. may be selected. As the genre of the spot, for example, entertainment and experience, accommodation, gourmet food, sightseeing, etc. By allowing the user to select the theme or genre, it becomes possible to present recommended spots that match the theme or genre desired by the user.

[0038] In the field 5d that displays the spots, an "Add Spot" button 5da is provided for each spot. When the "Add Spot" button 5da is pressed, the display of the "Add Spot" button 5da switches to the display of the "Check on Map" button 5db in FIG. 6. When this "Check on Map" button 5db is pressed, the screen transitions to screen 7a including the map in FIG. 7. On this map, an icon corresponding to the spot for which the "Add Spot" button 5da was pressed is displayed at the position of that spot on the map.

[0039] 5 and 6 show the same screen 5a, and the screen 5a in FIG. 5 or 6 and the screen 7a in FIG. 7 may be a single vertically long screen connected vertically, or may be separate screens.

[0040] When multiple icons are displayed on the map in Fig. 7, pressing the "Create route" button 7c creates a travel route and transitions to screen 8a in Fig. 8 and Fig. 9. This screen 8a is illustrated as a vertically long screen spanning Fig. 8 and Fig. 9.

[0041] The screen 8a illustratively includes a detail display field 8b that displays the details of the travel route, and a map display field 8c that displays the travel route on a map. The detail display field 8b illustratively displays the details of the travel route that stops at three spots in sequence corresponding to the three icons displayed on the map in the map display field 8c. A specific description will be given below.

[0042] The detailed display section 8b, for example, displays a section 8d displaying spots at the XX theme park where the user will stay for three hours from 10:00 to 13:00, a section 8e displaying spots at the XX restaurant where the user will stay for one hour and a half from 13:30 to 15:00, and a section 8f displaying spots at the XX hotel where the user will stay for two hours from 16:00 to 18:00.

[0043] In addition, the detailed display field 8b displays a field 8g that displays travel information such as a 30-minute train ride from the XX theme park to the XX restaurant, and a field 8h that displays travel information such as a 2-hour train ride from the XX restaurant to the XX hotel.

[0044] The columns 8d, 8e, and 8f displaying each spot display a “Delete Spot” button 8i for deleting the spot from the travel route, and an “Edit Time” button 8j for editing the start and end times for stopping at the spot.

[0045] Among the columns 8d, 8e, and 8f that display each spot, the columns 8d and 8f that display spots that can be reserved further display "Book Now" buttons 8ka and 8kb so that reservations can be made. On the other hand, the column 8e that displays spots that cannot be reserved does not display the "Book Now" button. In the detailed display column 8b, for example, the XX theme park and XX hotel are available for reservations, while the XX restaurant is not available for reservations (does not accept reservations).

[0046] The "Book Now" button 8ka in the column 8d that displays the spots is displayed as if it can be pressed (it works), whereas the "Book Now" button 8kb in the column 8f that displays the spots is displayed as grayed out so that it cannot be pressed (it doesn't work). This indicates that the XX Theme Park has available reservations for the scheduled use time (10:00-13:00) on the travel route, and the XX Hotel has already been booked for the scheduled use time (16:00-18:00) on the travel route.

[0047] Whether or not a spot is available for reservation may be inquired to the server device 2 that manages reservation information for spots or to a server device of another system.

[0048] If the reservation is already full, for example, a "Check availability" tag 8m is further displayed in the column 8f that displays the spot. When the "Check availability" tag 8m is selected (including tapping or clicking), the user is taken to a site where they can check the availability of the XX hotel and make a reservation. This makes it possible to change the time of use of the XX hotel to a time period when reservations are available at the XX hotel and re-create the travel route.

[0049] In the fields 8d and 8f that display the spots to be reserved, an "Add to consideration list" tag (lead) 8n is further displayed. The consideration list (predetermined list) is a so-called favorites list, and is a list for registering and maintaining the spots to be reserved as favorite spots. The spots added to the consideration list can be confirmed, for example, on My Page, and the confirmed spots can also be reserved.

[0050] In addition, by selecting the “Add Spot” tag 8p in FIG. 8, a new spot can be added to the travel route, by pressing the “Change Schedule” button 8q in FIG. 9, the schedule of the travel route can be changed, and by pressing the “Change Route Order” button 8r in FIG. 9, the order of the spots to be visited on the travel route can be changed.

[0051] [Ability to reserve a spot] A description will be given of a function for reserving a spot, which is included in the functions of the information processing system 1. The function for reserving a spot is provided using various screens displayed on the user terminal 3 by, for example, pressing a "Book Now" button 8ka in Fig. 8. The various screens will be described in order below.

[0052] FIG. 10 shows an example of an input screen 10a for inputting reservation details, which is displayed on the user terminal 3 when the "Book Now" button 8ka in FIG. 8 is pressed.

[0053] This input screen 10a is, for example, a screen for inputting reservation details required when making a reservation for a XX theme park. The input screen 10a has, as columns for inputting reservation details, a column 10b for inputting the number of users required for calculating the usage fee, divided into elementary school children and adults, and a column 10c for inputting the name of the representative.

[0054] By inputting the number of elementary school students and the number of adults in the number of users input field 10b, the usage fee, which is the amount to be paid, is automatically calculated.

[0055] When the reservation details are entered on input screen 10a, and then payment information and the like are entered on another input screen to confirm the reservation, a reservation completion screen 11a as shown in Fig. 11 is displayed. For example, the reservation completion screen 11a displays a field 11b displaying the reservation number and reservation completion date and time, and a "Confirm reservation details" button 11c. When the "Confirm reservation details" button 11c is pressed, a screen for confirming the details of the reservation is displayed.

[0056] Next, in the case where the "Book Now" button 8kb is displayed in a pressable manner on the screen 8a in FIG. 8, a screen that is displayed on the user terminal 3 by pressing the "Book Now" button 8kb will be described.

[0057] FIG. 12 shows an example of an input screen 12a for inputting reservation details, which is displayed on the user terminal 3 when the "Book Now" button 8kb in FIG. 8 is pressed.

[0058] The input screen 12a is, for example, a screen for inputting reservation details required when making a reservation at the XX Hotel. The input screen 12a has fields for inputting accommodation details, such as a field 12b for inputting the planned check-in time, a field 12c for inputting the number of rooms and the number of guests, and a field 12d for inputting the check-in date and the number of nights.

[0059] When the reservation details are entered on input screen 12a, and then payment information and the like are entered on another input screen to confirm the reservation, a reservation completion screen 13a in Fig. 13 is displayed. On the reservation completion screen 13a, for example, fields 13b displaying the reservation application date and time, reservation number, accommodation facility, accommodation plan, accommodation date, and number of guests, and a "Confirm reservation details" tag 13c are displayed. When the "Confirm reservation details" tag 13c is selected, a screen for confirming the details of the reservation is displayed.

[0060] [What happens when you create a travel route and reserve spots] An example of a processing procedure when a user creates a travel route and reserves spots while operating the user terminal 3 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0061] First, the user operates the user terminal 3 to start an application for the travel route providing service, opens screen 4a in FIG. 4, for example, inputs travel conditions (step S101), and presses the "Start creation" button 4e.

[0062] Next, the user operates the user terminal 3 to open, for example, the screen 5a in FIG. 5, input conditions for narrowing down the spots (step S102), and executes a search.

[0063] Next, the user operates the user terminal 3 to, for example, press the “Add Spot” button 5da corresponding to a desired spot from among the spots displayed in the field 5d displaying spots in FIG. 5, thereby adding a spot to the travel route (step S103).

[0064] The user adds desired spots one by one by repeatedly executing the processes of steps S102 and S103.

[0065] Next, the user operates the user terminal 3 to, for example, press the "Create route" button 7c in FIG. 7 to instruct creation of a travel route (step S104).

[0066] Next, the user terminal 3 displays the travel route, for example, by displaying the screen 8a in Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 (step S105). When displaying the travel route, the user terminal 3 inquires of the server device 2 about the reservation status of each spot included in the travel route and acquires reservation information for each spot.

[0067] Next, the user operates the user terminal 3 to, for example, press the "Book Now" button 8ka in FIG. 8 to instruct reservation of a spot (step S106).

[0068] Next, the user terminal 3 displays, for example, the input screen 10a of FIG. 10, and accepts the reservation application by accepting the input of reservation details, etc., and completes the reservation of the spot (step S107).

[0069] The user repeats the processes of steps S106 and S107 to sequentially reserve spots that are included in the travel route and that are available for reservation.

[0070] As described above, the user terminal 3 according to the embodiment can acquire information about accommodations reserved by the user and create a travel route based on a plurality of spots including the accommodations in the acquired accommodation information. This makes it possible to provide the user with a travel route that takes into account the locations of the accommodations reserved by the user.

[0071] Furthermore, according to the user terminal 3 according to the embodiment, the accommodation facility in the acquired accommodation information can be set as at least one of the departure point and the arrival point of the travel route. This makes it possible to provide the user with an efficient travel route that starts or ends at the accommodation facility reserved by the user.

[0072] Furthermore, according to the user terminal 3 according to the embodiment, when a travel route is displayed, reservation buttons can be displayed for spots other than the reserved accommodation facility and that have available reservations. This allows the user to efficiently reserve spots on the travel route.

[0073] [Variations] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be implemented in various other forms without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the above-described embodiment is merely an example in every respect, and should not be interpreted as being restrictive. For example, the order of each of the above-described processing steps can be arbitrarily changed or executed in parallel as long as no contradiction occurs in the processing content.

[0074] In the above-described embodiment, accommodation facilities that the user has already reserved may be included in the spots for which the travel route is to be created. This modification will be described below.

[0075] When incorporating a reserved accommodation into a travel route, it is preferable to set the accommodation as the departure point, arrival point, or stopover point of the travel route. For example, in a two-day, one-night trip, the reserved accommodation is set as the arrival point on the first day and the departure point on the second day. In a three-day, two-night trip where the user stays at the same accommodation for both nights, the reserved accommodation is set as the arrival point on the first day and the departure point on the second day, and the arrival point and the departure point on the third day. In this case, for example, if the user returns to the same accommodation during the second day and then leaves again, the reserved accommodation is also set as the stopover point on the second day.

[0076] In this modified example, for example, when travel conditions are input in step S101 of FIG. 14 and the "Start Creation" button 4e is pressed, it is preferable to inquire whether there are any accommodations that have been reserved during the input travel dates. For example, the server device 2 that manages reservation information for accommodations or a server device of another system can be used as the contact point. If the result of this inquiry shows that there are any accommodations that have been reserved, accommodation information on the reserved accommodation is obtained from the contact point. Then, it is preferable to add the reserved accommodation as one of the spots for creating the travel route.

[0077] In addition, the programs in the above-mentioned embodiments can be installed or loaded into a computer through various recording media (computer-readable recording media) such as optical disks such as CDs and DVDs, magnetic disks, and semiconductor memories, or by downloading them from a server device (medium) via a communication network, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0078] 1...information processing system, 2...server device, 3...user terminal, 21...processor, 22...communication interface, 23...storage device, 31...processor, 32...communication interface, 33...storage device, 34...input device, 35...display device, 211...control unit, 231...program, 232...data, 311...control unit, 331...program, N...network

Claims

1. A means for acquiring information on accommodations reserved by a user; A means for creating a travel route based on a plurality of spots including accommodation facilities corresponding to the acquired accommodation information; A travel route providing device comprising:

2. The means for creating the travel route sets the accommodation facility corresponding to the acquired accommodation information as at least one of a departure point and an arrival point of the travel route. The travel route providing device according to claim 1.

3. a means for displaying a reservation button for a spot other than the accommodation included in the travel route that has availability for reservation when the travel route is displayed; The travel route providing device according to claim 1.

4. The apparatus further includes a means for displaying the spots searched for based on the search conditions specified by the user as recommended spots. The travel route providing device according to claim 1.

5. and adding means for adding a spot selected by the user from the displayed recommended spots to the travel route.

5. The travel route providing device according to claim 4.

6. the means for creating the travel route creates the travel route based on accommodation facilities corresponding to the acquired accommodation information and one or more spots added to the travel route; 6. The travel route providing device according to claim 5.

7. Computer, A means for acquiring information about accommodations booked by users; A means for creating a travel route based on a plurality of spots including accommodation facilities corresponding to the acquired accommodation information; A travel route provision program that functions as a.

Images