Information processing device, information processing system, information processing method, and program

Abstract

To appropriately assign a seat to a user who comes to a predetermined place where a plurality of seats are installed.SOLUTION: On or around each seat of a food court FC1, identification information is placed for transmitting use start information when a user U11 starts to use the seat. A server 100 includes a control unit 120 that performs control to give a right of use for using the seat to the user U11 by using an electronic apparatus MC1 carried by the user U11 who comes to the food court FC1 and to make the electronic apparatus MC1 output guide information for guiding to an available seat the user U11 to which the right of use is given, based on the management content of a seat management DB 200 for managing the availability of the plurality of seats. The control unit 120 changes, when use end information indicating that the use of the seat relating to the use start information ends is transmitted from the electronic apparatus MC1, the management content of the seat management DB 200 relating to the seat to the content indicating that the seat is available.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing device, an information processing system, an information processing method, and a program capable of allocating seats. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there are plazas where many restaurants are set up and where chairs and tables for eating are installed. In these plazas, meals are often served in a self-service format. For example, it is possible to purchase desired food at any of the restaurants and sit at an available seat to eat. However, during lunchtime and the like, since many people wish to eat, it is difficult to appropriately assign seats to each person. Thus, there is a technology that allows seats to be managed remotely by transmitting information regarding vacant or occupied seats when the information is switched by a switching means that switches the information (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-177291 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above-mentioned conventional technology, a reservation information transmitting device that transmits information on whether a seat is vacant or occupied must be installed at each seat. This increases the cost of installing the reservation information transmitting device. In recent years, many users have portable electronic devices such as smartphones. It would be convenient if these electronic devices could be used to appropriately assign seats to multiple users.

[0005] The present invention aims to appropriately allocate seats to users who come to a predetermined location where multiple seats are installed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is an information processing method, an information processing device that realizes the method, and a program that causes a computer to execute the method, the information processing method including granting a user the right to use a seat by using an electronic device carried by the user when the user arrives at a designated location where multiple seats are installed, and outputting guidance information from the electronic device to guide the user to which the right to use the seat is granted to an available seat based on the management contents of a management unit that manages whether the multiple seats are in use or not, wherein identification information is installed on or around the seat for sending start-of-use information using the electronic device when the user starts using the seat, and when start-of-use information based on the identification information is sent from the electronic device that sent the guidance information, changing the management contents of the management unit regarding the seat related to the identification information during use. One aspect of the present invention includes detecting that a user has arrived at a predetermined location where multiple seats are installed using short-range wireless communication between a communication device installed at the predetermined location and an electronic device carried by the user, granting the user whose arrival at the predetermined location was detected in the detection process a right to use the seat, determining whether there is an available seat at the predetermined location based on management contents of a management unit that manages whether the multiple seats are in use, and if it is determined in the determination process that there is an available seat, causing the electronic device to output a first guidance message to guide the user who has been granted the right to use the seat, and if it is determined in the determination process that there is no available seat, causing the electronic device to output a first guidance message to guide the user to the seat. an information processing method, an information processing device that realizes the method, and a program that causes a computer to execute the method, the information processing method further comprising: outputting a second guidance message from the electronic device to inform the user who has been granted the right to use the seat that there is no available seat at the specified location and that the user should wait until an available seat is detected, wherein identification information is installed on the seat or around it for sending start-of-use information using the electronic device when the user starts using the seat, and when start-of-use information based on the identification information is sent from the electronic device that sent the first guidance message, changing the management content of the management unit for the seat related to the identification information during use. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to appropriately allocate seats to users who arrive at a predetermined location where multiple seats are installed. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of use of an information processing system. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a top view showing a simplified example of the external configuration of a table. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a simplified diagram illustrating an example of a system configuration of an information processing system. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the seat management DB. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the electronic device management DB. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen displayed on the UI unit. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen displayed on the UI unit. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen displayed on the UI unit. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen displayed on the UI unit. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen displayed on the UI unit. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen displayed on the UI unit. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen displayed on the UI unit. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen displayed on the UI unit. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of the seat management process. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an example of the seat reservation process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0010] [Examples of using information processing systems] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of use of the information processing system 1 (see FIG. 3). FIG. 1 shows an example of use in a food court FC1 where tables T1 to T9 are provided. In the food court FC1, devices TM1 and TM2 capable of exchanging information with electronic devices MC1 and MC2 using wireless communication are provided. The information processing system 1 is a seat management system for managing at least one of seat management for managing seats and table management for managing tables. In this embodiment, an example is shown in which the right to use a seat (usage right) is managed on a table-by-table basis, but the use right may be managed on a seat-by-seat basis. The seat management system may be available only to electronic devices that have installed an application (seat management app) for using the seat management service provided by the information processing system 1, and the seat management system may be available regardless of the presence or absence of the seat management app.

[0011] Here, a food court refers to a place in or around a food court where many restaurants are located and where chairs and tables are provided for eating. In addition, in food courts, meals are often served in a self-service format, so customers can purchase the food they want at any of the restaurants and sit down in an available seat to eat.

[0012] For example, when a family of four, users U11 to U14, come to food court FC1, they can eat at available tables among tables T1 to T9. However, during lunch time or the like, it is assumed that there are no available tables because many people want to eat. Even if a table becomes available, it is assumed that it is difficult for people who arrive at food court FC1 early to secure the table. That is, it may be difficult to appropriately allocate seats to users who come to food court FC1. Therefore, in this embodiment, seats are appropriately allocated based on the order in which users arrive at food court FC1.

[0013] For example, when a family of four consisting of users U11 to U14 comes to food court FC1, a predetermined communication is performed between the device TM1 and the electronic device MC1 owned by one of the users (e.g., user U11). This allows the family of four consisting of users U11 to U14 to obtain the right (usage right) to use a table in food court FC1.

[0014] Similarly, for example, when a family of three consisting of users U21 to U23 comes to food court FC1, a predetermined communication is performed between the device TM2 and the electronic device MC2 owned by one of the users (for example, user U21). This allows the family of three consisting of users U21 to U23 to obtain the right (usage right) to use a table in food court FC1. Then, seats are appropriately assigned to each user according to the order in which the right (usage right) to use a table in food court FC1 was granted.

[0015] [Table appearance example] Fig. 2 is a top view showing a simplified example of the external configuration of table T1. Table T1 is provided with four chairs C1 to C4. The external configurations of the other tables T2 to T9 are similar, so illustration and description here will be omitted. Also, in Fig. 2, a table with four chairs is used as an example for description, but the same can be applied to tables with one to three chairs, or five or more chairs.

[0016] A start-of-use image GS1 for detecting the start of use by a user is provided on the top surface of the table T1. The start-of-use image GS1 is composed of an image that enables an electronic device to acquire at least table identification information for identifying the table T1. For example, a one-dimensional code (e.g., a barcode), a two-dimensional code (e.g., a QR code (registered trademark)), or a three-dimensional code can be used as the start-of-use image GS1. For example, a sticker on which an image (e.g., a one-dimensional code, a two-dimensional code) that enables an electronic device to acquire table identification information related to the table T1 can be printed can be affixed to the top surface of the table T1 as the start-of-use image GS1. The start-of-use image GS1 may also be directly written on the top surface of the table T1.

[0017] In addition, a table name display TN1 is provided on the top surface of the table T1 to allow the user to easily visually identify the table T1. For example, the table T1 is called table No. 1, and the tables T2 to T9 are called tables No. 2 to No. 9, respectively. In this case, the characters "table No. 1" are attached to the top surface of the table T1 as the table name display TN1. For example, a sticker on which the characters "table No. 1" are printed may be attached to the top surface of the table T1, or the characters "table No. 1" may be directly written on the top surface of the table T1 or formed in an uneven manner on the top surface of the table T1. When the right to use a seat is managed on a seat-by-seat basis, an image corresponding to the use start image GS1 and a seat name display corresponding to the table name display TN1 are provided for each seat.

[0018] [Example of information processing system configuration] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a simplified example of a system configuration of the information processing system 1. As shown in FIG.

[0019] The information processing system 1 is composed of a plurality of devices that can be connected via a network NW1. Fig. 3 shows an example in which the information processing system 1 is composed of a server 100, electronic devices MC1 and MC2, and devices TM1 and TM2. The server 100, the electronic devices MC1 and MC2, and the devices TM1 and TM2 are each connected to the network NW1 by a communication method using wired communication or wireless communication. The network NW1 is a network such as a public line network or the Internet. Note that the electronic devices MC1 and MC2 and the devices TM1 and TM2 may be connected by a direct connection using wired communication or wireless communication without going through the network NW1.

[0020] [Server configuration example] The server 100 is a server that manages at least one of the following: seat management that manages the seats installed in the food court FC1 and table management that manages the tables.

[0021] The server 100 includes a communication unit 110, a control unit 120, and a storage unit 130.

[0022] The communication unit 110, under the control of the control unit 120, exchanges various types of information with other devices using wired or wireless communication.

[0023] The control unit 120 controls each unit based on various programs stored in the storage unit 130. The control unit 120 is realized by a processing device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The CPU is an example of a central processing unit (electronic device) consisting of a control device (control circuit) and an arithmetic device (arithmetic circuit). The seat management process executed by the control unit 120 will be described in detail with reference to Figs. 6 to 15 etc.

[0024] The storage unit 130 is a storage medium that stores various types of information. For example, the storage unit 130 stores various types of information (for example, a control program, a seat management DB 200 (see FIG. 4), an electronic device management DB 210 (see FIG. 5), and map information) required for the control unit 120 to perform various processes. The storage unit 130 also stores various types of information acquired via the communication unit 110. For example, a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), an SRAM (Static Random Access Memory), an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), or a combination of these can be used as the storage unit 130.

[0025] [Examples of electronic device configurations] The electronic device MC1 includes a communication unit 171, a control unit 172, a storage unit 173, an image acquisition unit 174, a position information acquisition unit 175, and a UI (User Interface) unit 180. The configuration of the electronic device MC2 is similar to that of the electronic device MC1, and therefore a description of the electronic device MC2 will be omitted.

[0026] The communication unit 171, under the control of the control unit 172, exchanges various types of information with other devices by using wired communication or wireless communication.

[0027] The control unit 172 controls each unit based on various programs stored in the storage unit 173. The control unit 172 is realized by a processing device such as a CPU. Each process executed by the control unit 172 will be described in detail with reference to Figs. 6 to 15 and the like.

[0028] The storage unit 173 is a storage medium that stores various types of information. For example, the storage unit 173 stores various types of information (for example, a control program, a seat reservation application, and device identification information) required for the control unit 172 to perform various processes. In addition, the storage unit 173 stores various types of information acquired via the communication unit 171. For example, a ROM, a RAM, an SRAM, a HDD, an SSD, or a combination of these can be used as the storage unit 173. Note that the storage unit 173 may be a removable storage unit, or may be a storage unit built into the electronic device MC1. In addition, the electronic device MC1 may be provided with both a removable storage unit and a built-in storage unit.

[0029] The image acquisition unit 174 captures an image of a subject and generates an image (image data) based on the control of the control unit 172, and outputs the generated image to the control unit 172. The image acquisition unit 174 is configured with, for example, an imaging element (image sensor) into which light from the subject collected by a lens (not shown) is incident, and an image processing unit that performs predetermined image processing on the image data generated by the imaging element, etc. As the imaging element, for example, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) type or a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) type imaging element can be used.

[0030] The location information acquisition unit 175 acquires location information on the location where the electronic device MC1 exists, and outputs the acquired location information to the control unit 172. The location information acquisition unit 175 can be realized by, for example, a GPS receiver that receives a GPS (Global Positioning System) signal and calculates location information based on the GPS signal. The calculated location information includes data on the position such as latitude, longitude, and altitude at the time of receiving the GPS signal. A location information acquisition device that acquires location information by other location information acquisition methods may be used. For example, a location information acquisition device that derives location information using access point information by wireless LAN present in the vicinity and acquires this location information may be used. For example, a location information acquisition device that derives location information using location information of a base station used for calls and communications may be used. For example, a location information acquisition device that derives location information using a location estimation technique using a navigation function and acquires this location information may be used. For example, the location of the device itself can be estimated based on sensor information from various sensors (for example, an acceleration sensor and a gyro sensor) and map information.

[0031] The UI unit 180 includes a reception unit 181 and an output unit 182 .

[0032] The reception unit 181 receives various operations from the user U11 and outputs the received operation contents to the control unit 172. The reception unit 181 and the output unit 182 may be configured as a touch panel that allows the user to input operations by touching or approaching the display surface with their finger, or may be configured as a separate user interface. When configured as a separate user interface, various operation members such as switches, buttons, and keyboards can be used as the reception unit 181. Also, a user interface may be configured in which an image corresponding to the operation unit is projected onto a wall or the like and the image is used (for example, the user points) to perform operations. Also, a sound input unit or the like that receives various operations based on a voice uttered by the user may be used as the reception unit 181. The sound input unit acquires sounds around the electronic device MC1 and outputs sound information related to the acquired sounds to the control unit 172. For example, one or more microphones or sound acquisition sensors can be used as the sound input unit.

[0033] The output unit 182 outputs various information based on the control of the control unit 172. For example, the output unit 182 can be configured with a display unit and a sound output unit. This display unit displays various images based on instructions from the control unit 172. For example, a display panel such as an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) panel or an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) panel can be used as the display unit. The sound output unit outputs various sounds based on instructions from the control unit 172. For example, one or more speakers can be used as the sound output unit. Note that the display unit, the sound output unit, the sound input unit, and the reception unit 181 are examples of user interfaces, and some of them may be omitted, or other user interfaces may be used.

[0034] [Equipment configuration example] The device TM1 includes a communication unit 140, a control unit 150, and a storage unit 160. The configuration of the device TM2 is similar to that of the device TM1, and therefore a description of the device TM2 will be omitted.

[0035] The communication unit 140, under the control of the control unit 150, exchanges various types of information with other devices using wired or wireless communication.

[0036] The control unit 150 controls each unit based on various programs stored in the storage unit 160. The control unit 150 is realized by a processing device such as a CPU. Each process executed by the control unit 150 will be described in detail with reference to Figs. 6 to 15 and the like.

[0037] The storage unit 160 is a storage medium that stores various information. For example, the storage unit 160 stores various information (for example, a control program, installation location identification information for identifying the food court FC1) required for the control unit 150 to perform various processes. The storage unit 160 also stores various information acquired via the communication unit 140. For example, a ROM, a RAM, an SRAM, a HDD, an SSD, or a combination of these can be used as the storage unit 160. The storage unit 160 may be a removable storage unit, or may be a storage unit built into the device TM1. The device TM1 may be provided with both a removable storage unit and a built-in storage unit.

[0038] [Example of communication between devices] 3, the server 100, the electronic devices MC1 and MC2, and the devices TM1 and TM2 exchange information using predetermined communications, so an example of the communications used between the devices will be described here.

[0039] The server 100 is connected to the network NW1 by a communication method using wired communication or wireless communication.

[0040] Each of the electronic devices MC1, MC2, and the devices TM1, TM2 is connected to the network NW1 by a communication method using wired communication or wireless communication. For example, each of the electronic devices MC1, MC2, and the devices TM1, TM2 can perform at least one of wireless communication of various wireless communication standards such as wireless LAN (Local Area Network) (e.g., Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity)), Bluetooth (registered trademark) (IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.15.1), ZigBee (registered trademark) (IEEE 802.15.4), WiMax, and infrared communication as wireless communication. Each of the electronic devices MC1, MC2, and the devices TM1, TM2 may use, for example, a public network (e.g., a mobile communication system such as 3G (3rd Generation), 4G (4th Generation), 5G (5th Generation), 6G (6th Generation), and LTE (Long Term Evolution) as wireless communication. Note that these are merely examples of wireless communication, and each embodiment may be applied to wireless communication of other wireless communication standards.

[0041] Furthermore, for communication between the electronic device MC1 (or MC2) and the device TM1 (or TM2), wireless communication of each of the wireless communication standards described above can be used. Here, in this embodiment, communication between the electronic device MC1 and the device TM1 is performed, and it is detected that the user U11 carrying the electronic device MC1 has come to the food court FC1. Therefore, for communication between the electronic device MC1 (or MC2) and the device TM1 (or TM2), it is preferable to use short-range wireless communication (for example, wireless LAN, Bluetooth (registered trademark), contactless communication) in order to appropriately determine that the two devices are located relatively close to each other.

[0042] [Detection example of detecting users who come to a food court] Next, a detection method in which the server 100 detects a user who has come to the food court FC1 will be described. Here, a detection method for detecting a user who has come to the food court FC1 using mainly the electronic devices MC1 and TM1 will be described, but the same applies to the case in which the electronic devices MC2 and TM2 are used. Also, in Figs. 6 to 15, a detection method for detecting that a user U11 who possesses an electronic device MC1 has come to the food court FC1 is shown as an example, on the condition that a predetermined exchange is performed between the electronic devices MC1 and TM1 using mainly wireless communication (particularly, short-distance wireless communication) and that the electronic devices MC1 and TM1 have come close to each other is detected. In this way, when the proximity of the electronic device MC1 and the device TM1 is detected and the user U11 has come to the food court FC1, the right to use a table in the food court FC1 (usage right) is granted to the user U11 (and related parties).

[0043] [Example of user detection using short-range wireless communication] First, a detection method for detecting a user U11 who has come to the food court FC1 using short-range wireless communication (for example, non-contact communication, NFC (Near field communication)) will be described. For example, it is assumed that both the electronic device MC1 and the device TM1 are devices compatible with short-range wireless communication. In this case, when the user U11 who has the electronic device MC1 comes to the food court FC1, the electronic device MC1 held by the user U11 approaches the device TM1, and short-range wireless communication is performed between the electronic device MC1 and the device TM1. This communication enables the electronic device MC1 to acquire the installation location identification information (identification information for identifying the food court FC1) stored in the storage unit 160 of the device TM1, and enables the device TM1 to acquire the device identification information (identification information for identifying the electronic device MC1) stored in the storage unit 173 of the electronic device MC1. This enables both the electronic device MC1 and the device TM1 to acquire the installation location identification information and the device identification information as predetermined information (for example, visit information). At least one of the electronic device MC1 and the device TM1 transmits the acquired attendance information to the server 100, whereby the control unit 120 of the server 100 can detect that the user U11 has come to the food court FC1.

[0044] For example, when device TM1 and electronic device MC1 are in close proximity to each other, a predetermined exchange is performed between device TM1 and electronic device MC1 using wireless communication, and the control unit 150 of device TM1 can acquire device identification information of electronic device MC1. In this case, the control unit 150 of device TM1 can transmit to the server 100 the visitor information including the acquired device identification information of electronic device MC1 and the installation location identification information (identification information of food court FC1) stored in the storage unit 160.

[0045] Also, for example, when device TM1 and electronic device MC1 are in close proximity to each other, a predetermined exchange is performed between device TM1 and electronic device MC1 using wireless communication, and the control unit 172 of electronic device MC1 can acquire the installation location identification information (identification information of food court FC1) stored in the storage unit 160 of device TM1. In this case, the control unit 172 of electronic device MC1 can transmit to server 100 the visitor information including the acquired installation location identification information (identification information of food court FC1) and the device identification information of electronic device MC1.

[0046] Here, the visit information is information for notifying the server 100 that a user (e.g., user U11) who is to be granted the right to use a table (or a seat) has arrived at a place where seat management is performed (e.g., food court FC1). For example, the visit information includes information for identifying the place where table management is performed (e.g., food court FC1) and the electronic device (e.g., electronic device MC1) possessed by the user (e.g., user U11) who is to be granted the right to use the table.

[0047] One of device TM1 and electronic device MC1 may transmit the attendance information to the server 100, or both device TM1 and electronic device MC1 may transmit the attendance information to the server 100. When both device TM1 and electronic device MC1 transmit the attendance information to the server 100, the elements (device identification information, installation location identification information) included in the attendance information received from both devices match, so that the control unit 120 of the server 100 can more appropriately execute the registration process for the electronic device MC1.

[0048] [Example of user detection using wireless communication] Next, a detection method for detecting a user U11 who has come to the food court FC1 using wireless communication (for example, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth) other than short-distance wireless communication will be described. For example, it is assumed that both the electronic device MC1 and the device TM1 are devices that support wireless communication. In this case, when the user U11 who has the electronic device MC1 approaches the food court FC1, wireless communication is performed between the electronic device MC1 and the device TM1. This communication enables the electronic device MC1 to acquire the installation location identification information stored in the storage unit 160 of the device TM1, and the device TM1 to acquire the device identification information stored in the storage unit 173 of the electronic device MC1. This enables both the electronic device MC1 and the device TM1 to acquire predetermined information (for example, visit information). Then, by transmitting the acquired visit information to the server 100, the control unit 120 of the server 100 can detect that the user U11 has come to the food court FC1. In this case, as described above, one of the device TM1 and the electronic device MC1 may transmit the visit information to the server 100, or both the device TM1 and the electronic device MC1 may transmit the visit information to the server 100. The arrival of the user U11 at the food court FC1 may be detected on the condition that the electronic device MC1 approaches the device TM1 to within a predetermined distance (for example, several meters to several tens of meters). For example, based on the reception strength of radio waves exchanged between the electronic devices MC1 and TM1, it is possible to determine that the electronic device MC1 has approached within a predetermined range based on the device TM1. Therefore, the approach of the electronic device MC1 to the device TM1 may be detected using a determination method based on the reception strength of the radio waves.

[0049] [Example of user detection using location information] Next, a method for detecting user U11 who has come to food court FC1 using the position information of electronic device MC1 will be described. For example, the position information acquired by position information acquisition unit 175 of electronic device MC1 is transmitted to server 100 at a predetermined timing. In this case, based on the position of food court FC1 in the map information stored in storage unit 130 and the position information of electronic device MC1, control unit 120 of server 100 can detect that user U11 has come to food court FC1.

[0050] [Example of user detection using image reading] Next, a detection method for detecting a user U11 who has come to the food court FC1 using the image acquisition unit 174 of the electronic device MC1 will be described. For example, predetermined image information (e.g., one-dimensional code, two-dimensional code) is provided in the food court FC1 or at a predetermined location around it (e.g., devices TM1, TM2). This image information is information that can read identification information that can identify the food court FC1. For example, a sticker with a QR code is attached to the outside of the device TM1. Then, when the user U11 who has the electronic device MC1 comes to the food court FC1, the user U11 brings the electronic device MC1 held in his / her hand close to the device TM1 and reads the QR code written on the outside of the device TM1 using the image acquisition unit 174. This reading allows the control unit 172 of the electronic device MC1 to obtain identification information that can identify the food court FC1. Therefore, the control unit 172 of the electronic device MC1 transmits attendance information including the acquired identification information of the food court FC1 and the device identification information of the electronic device MC1 to the server 100, so that the control unit 120 of the server 100 can detect that the user U11 has arrived at the food court FC1.

[0051] [Example of user detection using manual user operations] Next, a detection method for detecting a user U11 who has come to the food court FC1 using a manual operation of the user U11 who has the electronic device MC1 will be described. For example, when the user U11 who has the electronic device MC1 comes to the food court FC1, the user U11 performs a predetermined operation using the UI unit 180 of the electronic device MC1. For example, the user U11 performs a character input operation, a selection operation, or the like, indicating that the user has come to the food court FC1. This predetermined operation allows the control unit 172 of the electronic device MC1 to obtain identification information that can identify the food court FC1. Therefore, the control unit 172 of the electronic device MC1 transmits the obtained identification information of the food court FC1 and the visit information including the device identification information of the electronic device MC1 to the server 100, so that the control unit 120 of the server 100 can detect that the user U11 has come to the food court FC1.

[0052] [Example of seat management DB configuration] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the seat management DB 200 stored in the storage unit 130. As shown in FIG.

[0053] The seat management DB 200 stores table use information 203, use start time 204, and device identification information 205 in association with food court identification information 201 and table identification information 202. The seat management DB 200 also stores image information (see FIG. 6) for displaying the arrangement of tables and seats in association with the food court identification information 201 and table identification information 202.

[0054] The food court identification information 201 is identification information for identifying the food court in which the table to be managed is installed. For ease of explanation, Fig. 4 shows an example in which the code "FC1" of the food court FC1 shown in Fig. 1 is stored in the food court identification information 201 as the identification information of the food court FC1.

[0055] The table identification information 202 is identification information for identifying each table installed in the food court. For ease of explanation, Fig. 4 shows an example in which each code of the tables T1 to T9 shown in Fig. 1 is stored in the table identification information 202 as identification information for each table.

[0056] Table usage information 203 is management information for managing whether each table installed in the food court is in use or not. For ease of explanation, Fig. 4 shows an example in which "in use" is stored for tables that are in use, and "available" is stored for tables that are available.

[0057] The use start time 204 is time information indicating the time when the use of each table installed in the food court started. For example, for a table that has started to be used, the use start time is stored, and when the use ends, the use start time is erased.

[0058] The device identification information 205 is device identification information for identifying devices owned by users who use each table installed in the food court. This device identification information is, for example, information that can uniquely identify each device (for example, terminal identification information, serial information). For example, IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) can be used as the device identification information. For ease of explanation, FIG. 4 shows an example in which the codes of the electronic devices MC1 and MC2 shown in FIG. 1 are stored in the device identification information 205 as the identification information of each electronic device.

[0059] When the right to use a seat is managed on a seat-by-seat basis, seat identification information is provided instead of the table identification information 202, and seat usage information is provided instead of the table usage information 203.

[0060] [Example of electronic device management database configuration] 5 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the electronic device management DB 210 stored in the storage unit 130. The electronic device management DB 210 manages electronic devices used by each user in one or more food courts. For example, an electronic device that has undergone a predetermined procedure for using the seat management system according to this embodiment can be stored and registered in the electronic device management DB 210. For example, an electronic device in which an application (seat management app) for using the seat management system is installed can be registered as a management target.

[0061] In the electronic device management DB 210, arrival time 212, food court identification information 213, table identification information 214, and waiting information 215 are stored in association with device identification information 211. Note that the device identification information 211, food court identification information 213, and table identification information 214 correspond to the information of the same names shown in Fig. 3, and therefore description thereof will be omitted here.

[0062] The arrival time 212 is time information indicating the time when the user arrived at the food court. For example, when the electronic device MC1 is brought close to the device TM1 installed in the food court FC1, a predetermined communication is performed between the device TM1 and the electronic device MC1, and the arrival information is transmitted to the server 100. This enables the server 100 to detect that the user U11 has arrived at the food court FC1. This detection time is stored in the arrival time 212.

[0063] The waiting information 215 is information indicating whether or not waiting information has been transmitted when a user arrives at the food court. For ease of explanation, FIG. 5 shows an example in which "transmitted" is stored in the electronic device to which the waiting information has been transmitted, and "-" is stored in the electronic device to which the waiting information has not been transmitted. For example, when a user U11 arrives at a food court FC1, if there are no vacant tables in the food court FC1, the waiting information is transmitted to the electronic device MC1 possessed by the user U11. Based on this waiting information, guidance information indicating that the electronic device is full is displayed on the UI unit 180 of the electronic device MC1. For example, the display screen 400 shown in FIG. 10 is displayed.

[0064] [Display example when there are vacant seats] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen 300 displayed on the UI unit 180 when the electronic device MC1 is brought close to the device TM1. Figs. 6 to 8 show an example in which at least some of the tables T1 to T9 installed in the food court FC1 are vacant. Note that, although an example in which the electronic device MC1 is brought close to the device TM1 is shown here, the same applies to the case in which the electronic device MC1 is brought close to the device TM2.

[0065] Display screen 300 is a display screen indicating that it has been detected that user U11 carrying electronic device MC1 has arrived at food court FC1. Display screen 300 displays a message display area 301, a table guide image display area 302, a current location indicator 303, an OK button 304, and a cancel button 305.

[0066] The message display area 301 displays a message that the user U11 who owns the electronic device MC1 has been accepted to visit the food court FC1, and that there is a vacant table.

[0067] In the table guide image display area 302, table images showing tables T1 to T9 installed in the food court FC1 are displayed according to the arrangement of the tables T1 to T9. In addition, the use status of the table is displayed in each table image. That is, "in use" is displayed for a table that is in use, and "empty" is displayed for a table that is available. In addition, other display modes that allow the used table and the available table to be distinguished from each other may be used. For example, it is possible to display the used table and the available table by changing the color (for example, displaying the used table in red and the available table in green) or by changing the size of the used table and the available table (for example, displaying the used table in a small size and the available table in a large size). In addition, it is possible to display the used table and the available table in a distinguishable manner by using various display modes such as blinking display and changing the line thickness. FIG. 6 shows an example in which the used table and the available table are displayed in a distinguishable manner by surrounding the available table with dotted frames 306 to 309 together with the character display of "in use" and "empty". This allows the user U11 to easily check the available table visually. Each of these pieces of information is displayed based on the seat management DB 200.

[0068] The current location indicator 303 displays the current location of the user U11 (electronic device MC1) in the food court FC1. For example, the server 100 acquires location information acquired by a location information acquisition unit (e.g., a GPS device) included in the electronic device MC1 using wireless communication, and the control unit 120 of the server 100 can acquire the location of the user U11 who owns the electronic device MC1. Therefore, the control unit 120 can display the current location indicator 303 based on the location information of the food court FC1 in the map information stored in the storage unit 130 and the location information of the user U11. However, it is also assumed that a GPS signal cannot be received indoors. In this case, the location of the user U11 who owns the electronic device MC1 can be acquired using a location measurement technology that utilizes the radio wave intensity related to communication between the electronic device MC1 and wireless devices (e.g., Wi-Fi devices, devices TM1, TM2, etc.) installed in or around the food court FC1. In addition, when it is detected that a user U11 carrying an electronic device MC1 has come to the food court FC1 using short-range wireless communication between the electronic device MC1 and the device TM1, the location of the user U11 at the time of detection is considered to be close to the location where the device TM1 is installed. Therefore, at the time of detection, the location of the user U11 can be estimated based on the location where the device TM1 is installed. This allows the user U11 to easily confirm his / her own location and the location of an available table.

[0069] The OK button 304 is a button that is selected when it is desired to use an available table displayed in the table guide image display area 302. An example of a display when the OK button 304 is selected is shown in FIG.

[0070] The cancel button 305 is a button that is selected when canceling the use of an available table displayed in the table guide image display area 302. For example, the cancel button 305 is selected when it is determined that a desired table cannot be reserved in the food court FC1, or when a meal at the food court FC1 is changed. In this case, the right to use the table at the food court FC1 granted to the user U11 is deleted. In this embodiment, when each piece of information is stored in the arrival time 212 and the food court identification information 213 of the electronic device management DB 210, it is said that the right to use the table at the food court FC1 is granted, and when each piece of information is deleted from the arrival time 212 and the food court identification information 213 of the electronic device management DB 210, it is said that the right to use the table at the food court FC1 is deleted.

[0071] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen 310 that is displayed on the UI unit 180 after the OK button 304 on the display screen 300 is selected.

[0072] Display screen 310 is a display screen that indicates that user U11 will move to a desired table and then transmit the identification information of that table. Display screen 310 displays a message display area 311, an image reading area 312, a read button 313, and a back button 314.

[0073] A message is displayed in the message display area 311 to inform the user U11 that after moving to a desired table, the user U11 will read the start-of-use image GS1 (see FIG. 2) attached to that table.

[0074] The image reading area 312 is an area where a captured image acquired using the image acquisition unit 174 of the electronic device MC1 is displayed. Specifically, in order to acquire the start-of-use image GS1 attached to a table desired by the user U11, the start-of-use image GS1 is displayed in the image reading area 312. For example, after the user U11 moves to the desired table, the start-of-use image GS1 can be displayed in the image reading area 312 by directing the optical axis of the lens of the electronic device MC1 to the start-of-use image GS1 (see FIG. 2) attached to the table. This allows the user U11 to check the start-of-use image GS1 displayed in the image reading area 312.

[0075] The read button 313 is a button that is selected to confirm the reading operation when the use start image GS1 is displayed in the image reading area 312. An example of the display when the read button 313 is selected is shown in FIG.

[0076] The back button 314 is a button that is selected when a user wishes to return to the previous display screen. For example, the back button 314 is selected when the user wishes to check again the positions of available tables displayed in the table guide image display area 302 (see FIG. 6).

[0077] In this example, the electronic device MC1 acquires seating information about the table (or seat) used by the user U11 based on a manual operation by the user U11, and based on the seating information, the electronic device MC1 transmits seating information indicating that the user U11 has sat down to the server 100. However, when the user U11 approaches a table (or seat), the electronic device MC1 may automatically acquire seating information about the table (or seat), and based on the seating information, the electronic device MC1 may automatically transmit seating information to the server 100. The distance between the electronic device MC1 and the table can be determined using the above-mentioned method based on position information, a method based on wireless communication, or the like.

[0078] For example, when a display screen equivalent to the display screen 310 is displayed, the control unit 172 of the electronic device MC1 can obtain identification information of the table and transmit seating information including the identification information to the server 100 on condition that the user U11 approaches an available table and is detected to be present at the table or its vicinity for a predetermined time (e.g., several minutes) or more. For example, a communication device capable of outputting a predetermined radio wave (a radio wave (e.g., a beacon) including information that can identify each table) is installed at each table, and the control unit 172 can determine the distance between each table and the electronic device MC1 based on the reception strength of the radio wave output from the communication device. Then, when the control unit 172 detects a radio wave whose reception strength is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, it transmits seating information including the identification information of the table at which the communication device that output the radio wave is installed to the server 100.

[0079] In addition, for example, a communication device capable of short-range wireless communication can be installed on each table, and based on a predetermined exchange between this communication device and the electronic device MC1, the electronic device MC1 can obtain seating information regarding the table at which the communication device is installed, and based on the seating information, the electronic device MC1 can transmit seating information to the server 100.

[0080] Also, for example, the server 100 may acquire seating information based on position information acquired by the electronic device MC1. For example, the position information acquired by the electronic device MC1 is transmitted to the server 100, and the control unit 120 of the server 100 can compare the position information with the position of the table in the map information stored in the storage unit 130 and determine the table to which the user U11 approached based on the degree of agreement. Therefore, on the condition that the user U11 approaches an available table and it is detected that the user U11 has been present at or near the table for a predetermined time (for example, several minutes) or more, the control unit 120 can acquire identification information of the table and acquire seating information based on the identification information.

[0081] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen 320 that is displayed on the UI unit 180 after the reading button 313 on the display screen 310 is selected.

[0082] The display screen 320 is a display screen that is displayed after the user U11 has finished registering the table to be used. The display screen 320 displays a message display area 321, a meal end button 322, and a cancel button 323.

[0083] A message is displayed in the message display area 321 to inform the user U11 that registration of the table to be used by the user U11 has been completed, and to advise the user to select the end button when he or she has finished using the table.

[0084] The meal end button 322 is a button that is selected when the use of the registered table is finished. An example of the display when the meal end button 322 is selected is shown in FIG.

[0085] The cancel button 323 is a button that is selected when canceling the registration of the use of a table. For example, the cancel button 323 is selected when a table is reserved for intended use and then the use of the table is no longer required. Since the display screen 320 is displayed after the user U11 has been able to reserve a table, when the display screen 320 is displayed, the right to use the table granted to the user U11 is cancelled. Therefore, if it is necessary to reserve a new table again after the cancel button 323 is selected, the user U11 will perform a new operation of coming (for example, an operation of bringing the electronic device MC1 close to the device TM1).

[0086] After the display screen 320 is displayed, information (e.g., menu information, link information) related to the restaurants installed in the food court FC1 may be displayed on the UI unit 180 of the electronic device MC1. For example, a restaurant button may be displayed on the display screen 320, and information related to the restaurants may be displayed after the restaurant button is selected. Information related to the restaurants installed in the food court FC1 may be stored in the storage unit 130 in association with the food court FC1, and the stored information may be used to display each display screen on the UI unit 180 of the electronic device MC1. This allows the user U11 to continue ordering food promptly after securing a seat. Information related to the restaurants may be provided to the user U11 in advance even if the restaurant is full. For example, a restaurant button may be displayed on the display screen 400 shown in FIG. 10, and information related to the restaurants may be displayed after the restaurant button is selected. In this case, the user U11 can order a desired meal or drink while waiting for a seat to become available.

[0087] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen 330 that is displayed on the UI section 180 after the meal end button 322 is selected on the display screen 320. As shown in FIG.

[0088] The display screen 330 is a display screen that is displayed after the user U11 performs an operation to end the use of the table. The display screen 330 displays a message display area 331 and a confirmation button 332.

[0089] A message is displayed in the message display area 331 to inform the user U11 that the end of use of the table that the user U11 has used has been registered and that the user U11 will be leaving the table.

[0090] The confirmation button 332 is a button that is selected after confirming the contents in the message display area 331. For example, when the seat management application is started and each process shown in Fig. 6 to Fig. 9 is executed, the seat management application is terminated after the confirmation button 332 is selected.

[0091] [Example of display when there are no vacant seats] Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen 400 displayed on the UI unit 180 when the electronic device MC1 is brought close to the device TM1. Figs. 10 to 12 show an example in which all of the tables T1 to T9 installed in the food court FC1 are in use. Note that the display screen 400 is a partially modified version of the display screen 300 shown in Fig. 6, and therefore common parts to the display screen 300 are given common reference numerals and some of the descriptions thereof will be omitted. Also, of the examples shown in Figs. 10 to 12, illustrations and descriptions of parts common to the examples shown in Figs. 6 to 9 will be omitted as appropriate.

[0092] The display screen 400 indicates that it has been detected that a user U11 carrying an electronic device MC1 has arrived at a food court FC1. The display screen 400 displays a message display area 401, a table guide image display area 302, a current location indicator 303, an OK button 304, and a cancel button 305.

[0093] The message display area 401 displays a message that the user U11 who owns the electronic device MC1 has visited the food court FC1 and that there are no available tables. For example, the number of people waiting for an available table, the number of groups, etc. can be displayed in the message display area 401. These numbers can be displayed based on the food court identification information 213, table identification information 214, and waiting information 215 in the electronic device management DB 210 (see FIG. 5).

[0094] The OK button 304 is a button that is selected when a user wishes to be notified of an available table after waiting under the conditions displayed in the message display area 401. An example of a display when an available table is detected after the OK button 304 is selected is shown in FIG.

[0095] The cancel button 305 is a button that is selected when canceling waiting under the conditions displayed in the message display area 401. For example, the cancel button 305 is selected when it is determined that a table cannot be secured within the desired time in food court FC1. In this case, the right to use a table in food court FC1 granted to the user U11 is cancelled.

[0096] [Example of display when free tables are found] Fig. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen 410 that is displayed on the UI unit 180 when a vacant table is detected after the OK button 304 is selected on the display screen 400. Note that since the display screen 410 is a partial modification of the display screen 300 shown in Fig. 6, parts common to the display screen 300 are given the same reference numerals and some of the descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0097] The display screen 410 is a display screen for the user U11 to guide the user to an available table. The display screen 410 displays a message display area 411, a table guide image display area 302, a current location indicator 303, a dotted frame 412, a use button 413, and a cancel button 305.

[0098] A message to inform users of the detected free table and a message to confirm whether the free table is in use or not are displayed in the message display area 411. The location of the free table can be displayed by enclosing it in a dotted frame 412.

[0099] The use button 413 is a button that is selected when it is desired to use a vacant table displayed in the message display area 411. An example of a display when the use button 413 is selected is shown in FIG.

[0100] The cancel button 305 is a button selected when canceling the use of a vacant table displayed in the message display area 411. For example, the cancel button 305 is selected when it is determined that the vacant table displayed in the message display area 411 is not a desired table, when a meal in the food court FC1 is no longer required, or the like. In this case, the right to use the table in the food court FC1 granted to the user U11 is cancelled. It is also assumed that the user U11 does not perform any operation until a predetermined time (for example, several minutes to several tens of minutes) has elapsed based on the timing when the display screen 410 is displayed. For example, it is assumed that after the right to use the table in the food court FC1 is granted, the user moves to another restaurant or runs out of time to eat. In consideration of such a case, when a predetermined time (for example, several minutes to several tens of minutes) has elapsed based on the timing when the display screen 410 is displayed, the right to use the table in the food court FC1 may be cancelled in the same way as when the cancel button 305 is selected. In this embodiment, an example is shown in which the right to use the table in food court FC1 is revoked when five minutes have elapsed from the time when display screen 410 was displayed. An example of the display in this case is shown in FIG.

[0101] Fig. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen 420 that is displayed on the UI unit 180 after a selection operation of the use button 413 is performed on the display screen 410. Note that since the display screen 420 is a partial modification of the display screen 310 shown in Fig. 7, parts common to the display screen 310 are given common reference numerals and some of the descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0102] Display screen 420 is a display screen that indicates that identification information of a table will be transmitted after moving to a vacant table displayed in message display area 411 (see FIG. 11). Display screen 420 displays message display area 421, image reading area 312, read button 313, and back button 314.

[0103] A message is displayed in the message display area 421 to the effect that the user should move to the vacant table displayed in the message display area 411 (see FIG. 11) and then read the start-of-use image GS1 (see FIG. 2) attached to that table.

[0104] The back button 314 is a button that is selected when a user wishes to return to the previous display screen. For example, the back button 314 is selected when the user wishes to check again the positions of available tables displayed in the table guide image display area 302 (see FIG. 11).

[0105] The display example after the read button 313 is selected is the same as that shown in FIG. 8 and FIG.

[0106] [Example of display when a certain amount of time has passed without any user operation] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen 430 that is displayed on the UI unit 180 after a predetermined time has elapsed without any user operation being performed on the display screen 410 (see FIG. 11).

[0107] Display screen 430 is a display screen that is displayed after a predetermined time (for example, several minutes to several tens of minutes) has elapsed from the timing when display screen 410 was displayed. Display screen 430 displays a message display area 431 and a confirmation button 432.

[0108] The message display area 431 displays a message that no user operation has been performed within a predetermined time since the vacant table was introduced to the user U11, and that the use of the introduced vacant table will be canceled.

[0109] The confirmation button 432 is a button that is selected after confirming the contents in the message display area 431. For example, when the seat management application is started and each of the above-mentioned processes is executed, the seat management application is terminated after the confirmation button 432 is selected.

[0110] In addition, in a situation where the display screen 430 is displayed, it is assumed that the user U11 does not look at the UI unit 180 of the electronic device MC1. Therefore, it is assumed that the user U11 does not perform any operation until a predetermined time (for example, several minutes to several tens of minutes) has elapsed from the timing when the display screen 430 was displayed. In consideration of such a case, when a predetermined time (for example, several minutes to several tens of minutes) has elapsed from the timing when the display screen 430 was displayed, the termination process may be executed in the same manner as when the confirmation button 432 is selected.

[0111] [Server operation example] Fig. 14 is a flow chart showing an example of seat management processing by the server 100. This seat management processing is executed by the control unit 120 (see Fig. 3) based on a program stored in the storage unit 130 (see Fig. 3). This seat management processing is also executed constantly at each control cycle. This seat reservation processing will be described with appropriate reference to Figs. 1 to 13.

[0112] First, the control unit 120 judges whether or not the attendance information has been received via the network NW1 (step S501). For example, on condition that a predetermined exchange has been performed between the electronic device MC1 and the device TM1 using wireless communication, the control unit 172 of the electronic device MC1 detects that it has come close to the device TM1 and transmits the attendance information to the server 100.

[0113] Next, the control unit 120 updates the electronic device management DB 210 based on the received visit information (step S502). For example, the control unit 120 updates each piece of information stored in the electronic device management DB 210 in association with the device identification information 211 "MC1" related to the electronic device MC1 included in the received visit information. Specifically, the control unit 120 stores the food court identification information "FC1" related to the food court FC1 included in the received visit information in the food court identification information 213 of the electronic device management DB 210, and stores the time when the server 100 received the visit information in the arrival time 212. In this way, by storing each piece of information in the arrival time 212 and the food court identification information 213 of the electronic device management DB 210, the right (use right) to use a table in the food court FC1 is granted to the user U11 who possesses the electronic device MC1 included in the received visit information. That is, step S502 is an example of an granting process that grants the use right to use a table (or a seat) to the user U11 who is detected to have come to the food court FC1.

[0114] Next, the control unit 120 judges whether or not there is a food court where a user is waiting based on the electronic device management DB 210 (see FIG. 5) (step S503). For example, when there is information in which table identification information 214 does not store table identification information among the information stored in the electronic device management DB 210 including device identification information 211, arrival time 212, and food court identification information 213, the control unit 120 judges that there is a user in a waiting state. In this case, the control unit 120 can detect a food court in which a user is waiting based on the food court identification information 213. On the other hand, when table identification information 214 stores all of the information stored in the electronic device management DB 210 including device identification information 211, arrival time 212, and food court identification information 213, the control unit 120 judges that there is no user in a waiting state. If there is a food court in which a user is waiting, the process proceeds to step S504. On the other hand, if there is no food court in which a user is waiting, the process proceeds to step S509.

[0115] Next, the control unit 120 determines whether or not there is an available table in the food court where it is determined in step S503 that there is a waiting user based on the seat management DB 200 (step S504). If there is an available table, the process proceeds to step S506. On the other hand, if there is no available table, the process proceeds to step S505.

[0116] Here, it is assumed that the location where it is determined in step S503 that a waiting user exists is food court FC1. In this case, control unit 120 determines whether or not there is information in which "available" is stored in table usage information 203 among the pieces of information associated with "FC1" in food court identification information 201 of seat management DB 200 (see FIG. 4). Then, control unit 120 determines that there is an available table in food court FC1 if there is information in which "available" is stored in table usage information 203 among the pieces of information associated with "FC1" in food court identification information 201. On the other hand, control unit 120 determines that there is no available table in food court FC1 if there is no information in which "available" is stored in table usage information 203 among the pieces of information associated with "FC1" in food court identification information 201.

[0117] It is also assumed that in step S503, it is determined that there are users waiting in multiple food courts. In such a case, the processes of steps S504 to S508 may be executed sequentially for one food court, and then the processes of steps S504 to S508 may be executed sequentially for another food court, or the processes of steps S504 to S508 may be executed sequentially in parallel for multiple food courts.

[0118] The control unit 120 transmits waiting information to the user determined to be in a waiting state in step S503 (step S505). Specifically, the control unit 120 transmits waiting information to the electronic device possessed by the user determined to be in a waiting state in step S503, based on the device identification information 211 in the electronic device management DB 210 (see FIG. 5), to inform the user that there is no usable table. For example, information for displaying the display screen 400 shown in FIG. 10 is transmitted as the waiting information. The control unit 120 also stores "sent" in the waiting information 215 of the electronic device management DB 210 in association with the electronic device that transmitted the waiting information.

[0119] The control unit 120 transmits seat guide information to the user determined to be in a waiting state in step S503 (step S506). Specifically, the control unit 120 transmits seat guide information for informing the user of the available table detected in step S504 to the electronic device held by the user determined to be in a waiting state in step S503 based on the device identification information 211 in the electronic device management DB 210 (see FIG. 5). In this case, the seat guide information is transmitted to the electronic device in which "-" is stored in the waiting information 215 of the electronic device management DB 210 before transmitting the waiting information, since the waiting information has not been transmitted to the electronic device. Therefore, display information for displaying a display screen (for example, the display screen 300 (see FIG. 6), the display screen 310 (see FIG. 7)) informing the user that a vacant table exists is transmitted as the seat guide information to the electronic device in which "-" is stored in the waiting information 215 of the electronic device management DB 210.

[0120] On the other hand, to the electronic device in which "transmission" is stored in the waiting information 215 of the electronic device management DB 210, waiting information informing that the table is full has already been transmitted, and a display screen informing that the table is full (for example, display screen 400 (see FIG. 10)) is displayed. Therefore, to the electronic device in which "transmission" is stored in the waiting information 215 of the electronic device management DB 210, display information for displaying a display screen informing that a vacant table has been detected (for example, display screen 410 (see FIG. 11), display screen 420 (see FIG. 12)) is transmitted as seat guide information. In this case, similar information may be transmitted to other users who will be dining with the user who owns the electronic device to be transmitted, to guide them to their seats. For example, the device identification information of one or more other electronic devices may be stored in association with the device identification information 211 of the electronic device management DB 210, and the right to use may be granted to the users of the electronic devices corresponding to these device identification information, and the seat guide information may be transmitted. For example, together with the electronic device MC1 owned by the user U11, three electronic devices owned by each of the users U12 to U14 are stored in association with the device identification information 211 of the electronic device management DB 210. In this case, based on the detection of the arrival of the user U11, the users U12 to U14 are also given the right to use the tables in the food court FC1. Also, in this case, even if the schedule of the user U11 is changed and the user U11 leaves the food court FC1, the tables in the food court FC1 can be used by executing each process shown in this embodiment using any of the electronic devices owned by the users U12 to U14. However, these usage rights are the right to use one table, and if it is necessary to use multiple tables, each user needs to execute a new arrival operation for the number of tables to be used.

[0121] It is also assumed that there are multiple users waiting at food court FC1. In this case, available tables are allocated in order of earliest arrival time based on the time stored in arrival time 212 of electronic device management DB 210 (see FIG. 5). For example, assume that there are three users waiting, and among the pieces of information associated with "FC1" in food court identification information 201 of seat management DB 200 (see FIG. 4), there are two pieces of information in which "available" is stored in table usage information 203. In this case, seat guide information is sent to the two users whose times stored in arrival time 212 of electronic device management DB 210 are earliest, and waiting information is sent to the user whose time is the latest.

[0122] Next, the control unit 120 judges whether or not seating information has been received from the electronic device that transmitted the seat guide information in step S506 (step S507). If seating information has been received, the process proceeds to step S508. On the other hand, if seating information has not been received, the process continues to perform reception judgment processing of incoming call information. As shown in FIG. 13, it is assumed that a predetermined time elapses without any user operation on the electronic device that transmitted the seat guide information. Therefore, if seating information is not received even after the predetermined time has elapsed in step S507, notification information for displaying a display screen (for example, display screen 430 (see FIG. 13)) for notifying cancellation of the vacant table guide may be transmitted to the electronic device to execute cancellation processing.

[0123] For example, when the OK button 304 is selected on the display screen 300 shown in FIG. 6 and then the read button 313 is selected on the display screen 310 shown in FIG. 7, seating information for the seat guide information received from the server 100 is transmitted from the electronic device MC1 to the server 100.

[0124] Also, for example, when the use button 413 is selected on the display screen 410 shown in Fig. 11 and then the read button 313 is selected on the display screen 420 shown in Fig. 12, seating information for the seat guide information received from the server 100 is transmitted from the electronic device MC1 to the server 100. This seating information includes food court identification information and table identification information acquired based on the image acquired by the image acquisition unit 174 of the electronic device MC1, and device identification information related to the electronic device MC1. Each of these pieces of information is used when transmitting leaving-seat information, and is therefore stored in the storage unit 173 of the electronic device MC1.

[0125] Next, the control unit 120 updates the seat management DB 200 (see FIG. 4) and the electronic device management DB 210 (see FIG. 5) based on the received seating information (step S508). For example, the control unit 120 stores the device identification information included in the seating information in the device identification information 205 in association with the food court identification information 201 and the table identification information 202 included in the received seating information, stores the time when the seating information was received in the use start time 204, and changes the table use information 203 from "available" to "in use". The control unit 120 also stores the table identification information included in the seating information in the table identification information 214 in association with the device identification information 211 and the food court identification information 213 included in the received seating information. In this case, if "sent" is stored in the waiting information 215 associated with the device identification information 211 and the food court identification information 213 included in the received seating information, the waiting information 215 is changed to "-".

[0126] After receiving the seating information, the control unit 120 transmits to the electronic device MC1 registration completion information for displaying the display screen 320 (see FIG. 8) indicating that the registration for use of the table has been completed (step S508).

[0127] Next, the control unit 120 judges whether or not the leaving seat information has been received (step S509). If the leaving seat information has been received, the process proceeds to step S510. On the other hand, if the leaving seat information has not been received, the operation of the seat management process ends. For example, when the meal end button 322 is selected on the display screen 320 shown in FIG. 8, the leaving seat information is transmitted from the electronic device MC1 to the server 100. This leaving seat information includes each piece of information included in the seating information (food court identification information, table identification information, and device identification information related to the electronic device MC1). As described above, each piece of information is held in the memory unit 173 of the electronic device MC1 at the timing of the seating information transmission process.

[0128] Next, the control unit 120 updates the seat management DB 200 (see FIG. 4) and the electronic device management DB 210 (see FIG. 5) based on the received absence information (step S510). For example, the control unit 120 deletes the device identification information (device identification information included in the absence information) stored in association with the food court identification information 201 and the table identification information 202 included in the received absence information from the device identification information 205 of the seat management DB 200, deletes the time associated with it from the use start time 204, and changes the table use information 203 from "in use" to "available". The control unit 120 also deletes each piece of information (arrival time 212, food court identification information 213, table identification information 214) associated with the device identification information 211 included in the received absence information.

[0129] Next, the control unit 120 transmits seat guidance end information indicating that the seat guidance process has ended to the electronic device that transmitted the absence information (step S511). This seat guidance end information is display information for displaying a display screen (for example, the display screen 330 (see FIG. 9)) indicating that the seat guidance process for providing information on an available table has ended.

[0130] [Examples of electronic device operation] Fig. 15 is a flow chart showing an example of seat reservation processing by electronic device MC1. The seat reservation processing is executed by control unit 172 (see Fig. 3) based on a program stored in storage unit 173 (see Fig. 3). This seat reservation processing is constantly executed at each control cycle. This seat reservation processing will be explained with reference to Figs. 1 to 14 as appropriate. For ease of explanation, Fig. 15 shows an example in which user U11 comes to food court FC1 (see Fig. 1). Fig. 15 also shows an example in which user U11 who comes to food court FC1 is detected using wireless communication (e.g., Wi-Fi, Bluetooth).

[0131] First, the control unit 172 judges whether or not it is approaching device TM1 or TM2 (see FIG. 3) in food court FC1 (step S521). As in the example shown in FIG. 14, the control unit 172 can detect that it is approaching device TM1 or TM2 on the condition that a predetermined exchange has been performed between electronic device MC1 and device TM1 or TM2 using wireless communication. If it is approaching device TM1 or TM2 in food court FC1, the process proceeds to step S522. On the other hand, if it is not approaching either device TM1 or TM2 in food court FC1, the operation of the seat reservation process is terminated.

[0132] Next, the control unit 172 transmits the attendance information of the food court FC1 to the server 100 (step S522). This attendance information is the same as the attendance information shown in FIG.

[0133] Next, the control unit 172 determines whether or not waiting information has been received from the server 100 (step S523). If waiting information has been received, the process proceeds to step S524. On the other hand, if waiting information has not been received, the process proceeds to step S525.

[0134] Next, the control unit 172 executes an output process to output the waiting information received from the server 100 in step S523 (step S524). For example, the control unit 172 causes the UI unit 180 to display the display screen 400 (see FIG. 10). Note that the control unit 172 may notify the user U11 of the display of the display screen 400 by outputting a predetermined sound, vibrating the electronic device MC1, or the like, before displaying the display screen 400. The control unit 172 may also cause the sound output unit of the output unit 182 to output a sound corresponding to the display contents of the display screen 400 together with the display of the display screen 400 or independently. Alternatively, the waiting information may be transferred to a predetermined device (for example, a wearable device, an electronic device owned by another user) that the user U11 has registered in advance, and output the waiting information.

[0135] Next, the control unit 172 determines whether or not seat guide information has been received from the server 100 (step S525). If seat guide information has been received, the process proceeds to step S526. On the other hand, if seat guide information has not been received, the process returns to step S523.

[0136] Next, the control unit 172 executes an output process to output the seat guide information received from the server 100 in step S525 (step S526). Here, if the waiting information is not received in step S523 and the seat guide information is received in step S525, the seat guide information is output immediately after it is detected that the user U11 has arrived at the food court FC1. For example, the control unit 172 causes the UI unit 180 to display the display screen 300 (see FIG. 6). On the other hand, if the waiting information is received in step S523 and then the seat guide information is received in step S525, the seat guide information is output after it is detected that the user U11 has arrived at the food court FC1 and then an empty table is detected. For example, the control unit 172 causes the UI unit 180 to display the display screen 410 (see FIG. 11).

[0137] It is also assumed that the display screen 410 will be displayed on the UI unit 180 after a relatively long time has passed since the user U11 arrived at the food court FC1. Therefore, the control unit 172 may notify the user U11 of the display of the display screen 410 by outputting a predetermined sound, vibrating the electronic device MC1, or the like, before displaying the display screen 410. The control unit 172 may also output a sound corresponding to the display contents of the display screen 410 from the sound output unit of the output unit 182 together with the display of the display screen 410 or independently. Alternatively, the seat guide information may be transferred to a predetermined device (for example, a wearable device, an electronic device owned by another user) that the user U11 has registered in advance, and output the seat guide information.

[0138] Next, the control unit 172 judges whether or not the seat information has been acquired based on the operation of the user U11 or automatically (step S527). If the seat information has been acquired, the process proceeds to step S528. On the other hand, if the seat information has not been acquired, the process continues with the seat information acquisition judgment process.

[0139] For example, when the read button 313 is selected using the display screen 310 displayed after the OK button 304 on the display screen 300 is selected and a two-dimensional code attached to a table guided by the seat guide information is displayed in the image reading area 312, the control unit 172 can determine that the seat information has been acquired. Similarly, when the read button 313 is selected using the display screen 420 displayed after the use button 413 on the display screen 410 is selected and a two-dimensional code attached to a table guided by the seat guide information is displayed in the image reading area 312, the control unit 172 can determine that the seat information has been acquired. The seat information includes food court identification information of the food court FC1 and table identification information for identifying the table.

[0140] Next, the control unit 172 executes a transmission process to transmit seating information to the server 100 based on the seat information acquired in step S527 (step S528). This seating information is the same as the seating information shown in Fig. 14. After transmitting the seating information to the server 100, the control unit 172 displays a display screen (for example, display screen 320 (see Fig. 8)) indicating that the table usage registration has been completed on the UI unit 180 based on the registration completion information transmitted from the server 100.

[0141] Next, the control unit 172 judges whether or not the termination information has been acquired based on the operation of the user U11 or automatically (step S529). If the termination information has been acquired, the process proceeds to step S530. On the other hand, if the termination information has not been acquired, the process continues with the acquisition judgment process of the termination information.

[0142] For example, when a selection operation is performed on meal end button 322 on display screen 320 (see FIG. 8), control unit 172 can determine that end information has been acquired.

[0143] Next, the control unit 172 executes a transmission process to transmit the absence information to the server 100 (step S530). This absence information is the same as the absence information shown in FIG.

[0144] [Examples of Effects of This Embodiment] In this way, according to this embodiment, the right to use tables in food court FC1 (usage rights) is granted in the order in which users arrive at food court FC1, and available tables can be appropriately allocated to each user according to the order in which the usage rights were granted. For example, at lunchtime, etc., there may be many people wanting to eat, so it is expected that there may be no available tables. In such a situation, if a vacant table becomes available, a person who arrives at food court FC1 early can appropriately secure the vacant table.

[0145] [Example of executing each process on other devices or systems] In the above, an example has been shown in which the user detection process, the right of use grant process, the available seat determination process, the information output process (information transmission process), etc. are executed in the server 100 (or the information processing system 1), but all or part of each of these processes may be executed in other devices. In this case, the information processing system is configured by each device that executes part of each of these processes. For example, at least part of each process can be executed using various information processing devices such as servers and various electronic devices, such as devices installed in the food court FC1, its surrounding facilities, or its related facilities, devices that can be used by users (e.g., devices TM1, TM2, electronic devices MC1, MC2, other smartphones, tablet terminals, and personal computers), and devices that can be connected via a predetermined network such as the Internet.

[0146] In addition, a part (or the whole) of the information processing system capable of executing the functions of the server 100 (or the information processing system 1) may be provided by an application that can be provided via a predetermined network such as the Internet. This application is, for example, SaaS (Software as a Service).

[0147] [Configuration Example of This Embodiment and Its Effects] The information processing method according to this embodiment detects that a user U11 has arrived at a food court FC1 (an example of a predetermined location) where multiple seats are installed, using wireless communication between devices TM1 and TM2 (an example of a communication device) and an electronic device MC1 carried by the user U11 (step S501), grants the right to use a seat (or a table) to the user U11 who has been detected to have arrived at the food court FC1 (step S502), and determines whether there is a seat (or a table) available in the food court FC1 based on the management contents of a seat management DB200 (an example of a management unit) that manages whether multiple seats (or tables) are in use or not. The program according to the present embodiment includes determining whether an available seat exists (step S504), and, if it is determined that an available seat exists, outputting from the electronic device MC1 a first guide message (for example, display screen 300 (see FIG. 6) or display screen 410 (see FIG. 11)) for guiding the user U11 who has been granted the usage right to the seat (step S506), and, if it is determined that no available seat exists, outputting from the electronic device MC1 a second guide message (for example, display screen 400 (see FIG. 10)) for informing the user U11 who has been granted the usage right that there is no available seat in the food court FC1 and that the user should wait until an available seat is detected (step S505). The program according to the present embodiment is a program for causing a computer to execute each of these processes. In other words, the program according to the present embodiment is a program for causing a computer to realize each of the functions executable by the server 100.

[0148] According to this configuration, the right to use a seat (or table) is granted in the order in which users arrive at food court FC1, and available seats (or tables) can be appropriately allocated to each user according to the order in which the right to use is granted.

[0149] The server 100 (an example of an information processing device) grants the right to use a seat (or table) by using the electronic device MC1 owned by a user U11 who has come to a food court FC1 (an example of a predetermined place) where multiple seats are installed, to the user U11, and includes a control unit 120 that executes control to cause the electronic device MC1 to output a first guide message (for example, display screen 300 (see FIG. 6) or display screen 410 (see FIG. 11)) for guiding the user U11 who has been granted the right to use an available seat based on the contents managed by a seat management DB200 (an example of a management unit) that manages whether the multiple seats (or tables) are in use or not. Note that the server 100 may be replaced by an information processing system configured of multiple devices capable of executing each process realized by the server 100.

[0150] According to this configuration, the right to use a seat (or table) is granted in the order in which users arrive at food court FC1, and available seats (or tables) can be appropriately allocated to each user according to the order in which the right to use is granted.

[0151] In this embodiment, an example is shown in which multiple combinations of one table and one or multiple seats are installed in a food court FC1 (an example of a predetermined location). Also, an example is shown in which the right to use the combination of a table and a seat is granted to a user U11. Also, an example is shown in which the first guide message is information for informing the right-granted user U11 of the available combinations of tables and seats.

[0152] According to this configuration, it is possible to grant the user U11 the right to use a combination of a table and a seat, and to guide the user U11 to available combinations of tables and seats. This allows the user U11, who has been granted the right to use, to quickly and easily use the available combination of a table and a seat.

[0153] The control unit 120 detects that a user U11 has arrived at food court FC1 by using wireless communication between electronic device MC1 and equipment TM1 or TM2 installed in or around food court FC1 (an example of a specified location).

[0154] According to this configuration, the arrival of the user U11 can be detected when the user U11 comes to the food court FC1 or nearby, so that the right of use can be granted to the user U11 at an appropriate timing.

[0155] The control unit 120 detects that a user U11 has arrived at the food court FC1 based on receiving acquired information (e.g., information acquired by reading a QR code) transmitted from an electronic device MC1 that has acquired identification information (e.g., identification information capable of identifying the food court FC1, identification information that can be acquired by reading a QR code) provided in or around the food court FC1 (an example of a specified location) or its surroundings.

[0156] According to this configuration, the arrival of the user U11 can be detected when the user U11 comes to the food court FC1 or nearby, so that the right of use can be granted to the user U11 at an appropriate timing.

[0157] When the control unit 120 detects that the user U11 has arrived at food court FC1 (an example of a predetermined location), and if there is an available seat (or table) in the food court FC1, it controls the electronic device MC1 to output a first guide message (for example, display screen 300 (see FIG. 6)) for guiding the user to the seat. Furthermore, when the control unit 120 detects that the user U11 has arrived at the food court FC1, and if there is no available seat in the food court FC1, it controls the electronic device MC1 to output a second guide message (for example, display screen 400 (see FIG. 10)) for guiding the user U11, who has been granted the right to use the food court FC1, to that effect, and when a new available seat in the food court FC1 is detected after the output of the second guide message, it controls the electronic device MC1 to output a first guide message (display screen 410 (see FIG. 11)) for guiding the user to the newly detected seat.

[0158] According to this configuration, it is possible to appropriately allocate available seats (or tables) to each user according to the order in which the right to use the seats (or tables) was granted.

[0159] In this embodiment, identification information (e.g., a start-of-use image GS1, a table name display TN1) is provided on or around the seat, for transmitting start-of-use information using the electronic device MC1 when the user U11 starts using the seat. When start-of-use information based on the identification information is transmitted from the electronic device MC1 that transmitted the type-1 guide notification, the control unit 120 changes the table usage information 203 (an example of management content) in the seat management DB 200 (an example of a management unit) for the seat associated with that identification information from "available" to "in use."

[0160] According to this configuration, a user U11 using a seat can transmit start-of-use information using identification information (e.g., start-of-use image GS1, table name display TN1) installed on the seat or around it, so that the operation of transmitting the start-of-use information is easy. Also, by changing the table use information 203 related to the seat from "available" to "in use," the use status of the seat can be quickly changed.

[0161] When end-of-use information indicating that the use of the seat related to the start-of-use information is to be ended is sent from the electronic device MC1 that sent the start-of-use information, the control unit 120 changes the table usage information 203 (an example of management content) related to that seat in the seat management DB 200 (an example of a management unit) from "in use" to "available."

[0162] According to this configuration, when end-of-use information is sent from the electronic device MC1 of a user U11 who has finished using a seat, the table usage information 203 for that seat is changed from "in use" to "available," making it possible to quickly introduce the seat to the next user who will be using it.

[0163] The control unit 120 displays image information (e.g., image information in the table guide image display area 302) indicating the positions of multiple seats in a food court FC1 (an example of a specified location) on the UI unit 180 (an example of a display unit) of the electronic device MC1.

[0164] This configuration allows the user U11 to easily visually grasp the positions of multiple seats in the food court FC1 (an example of a predetermined location). This allows the user U11 to quickly move to a desired seat.

[0165] The information processing system 1 is an information processing system capable of allocating multiple seats to a user U11 using devices TM1 and TM2 (examples of communication devices) installed in a food court FC1 (an example of a specified location) where multiple seats are installed, an electronic device MC1 possessed by the user U11, and a server 100 (an example of an information processing device) that manages whether the multiple seats are in use or not. The server 100 detects that the user U11 has arrived at the food court FC1 by using wireless communication between the device TM1 or TM2 and the electronic device MC1, grants the user U11 who has been detected as having arrived at the food court FC1 a right to use a seat, and determines whether there is an available seat in the food court FC1 based on the management contents of the seat management DB 200 (an example of a management unit) that manages whether a plurality of seats are in use or not. If it is determined that there is an available seat, the server 100 causes the electronic device MC1 to output a first guide message (for example, display screen 300 (see FIG. 6), display screen 410 (see FIG. 11)) for guiding the user U11 who has been granted the right to use the seat to that seat. On the other hand, if it is determined that there is no available seat, the server 100 causes the electronic device MC1 to output a second guide message (for example, display screen 400 (see FIG. 10)) for guiding the user U11 who has been granted the right to use the seat to wait until an available seat is detected because there is no available seat in the food court FC1. The program according to this embodiment is a program that causes a computer to execute each of these processes. In other words, the program according to this embodiment is a program that causes a computer to realize each function that the server 100 can execute.

[0166] According to this configuration, the right to use a seat (or table) is granted in the order in which users arrive at food court FC1, and available seats (or tables) can be appropriately allocated to each user according to the order in which the right to use is granted.

[0167] Note that each processing procedure shown in this embodiment is an example for realizing this embodiment, and the order of some of the processing procedures may be changed within the scope that allows the realization of this embodiment, and some of the processing procedures may be omitted or other processing procedures may be added.

[0168] Each process in this embodiment is executed based on a program for causing a computer to execute various processing procedures. This embodiment can also be understood as an embodiment of a program for implementing the function of executing each process, and a recording medium for storing the program. For example, the program can be stored in each storage device of each device by an update process for adding a new function to an information processing device, electronic device, etc. This makes it possible to cause each updated device to execute each process shown in this embodiment.

[0169] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the above-mentioned embodiments merely show some of the application examples of the present invention, and it is not intended that the technical scope of the present invention be limited to the specific configurations of the above-mentioned embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0170] 1. Information Processing Systems 100 Servers 110, 140, 171 Communications Department 120, 150, 172 Control unit 130, 160, 173 storage section 174 Image Acquisition Unit 175 Location information acquisition unit 180 UI section 181 Reception 182 Output section MC1, MC2 Electronic equipment TM1, TM2 equipment NW1 Network

Claims

1. granting a right of use to a user who has come to a predetermined location where a plurality of seats are installed, to use the seat by utilizing an electronic device possessed by the user; and outputting guidance information from the electronic device for guiding the user, to whom the right of use has been granted, to available seats based on management contents of a management unit that manages whether the plurality of seats are in use or not; Identification information is provided on the seat or around the seat for transmitting start-of-use information using the electronic device when the user starts using the seat; When use end information indicating that the use of the seat related to the use start information is to be ended is transmitted from the electronic device that transmitted the use start information based on the identification information after receiving the guidance information, the management content of the management unit related to the seat is changed to enable use. Information processing methods.

2. granting a right of use to a user who has come to a predetermined location where a plurality of seats are installed, to use the seat by utilizing an electronic device carried by the user; a control unit that controls the electronic device to output a type-1 guide notification to inform the user, who has been granted the right to use, of available seats, based on information managed by a management unit that manages whether the plurality of seats are in use; Identification information is provided on the seat or around the seat for transmitting start-of-use information using the electronic device when the user starts using the seat; When use end information indicating that the use of the seat related to the use start information is to be ended is transmitted from the electronic device that transmitted use start information based on the identification information after receiving the first guide message, the control unit changes the management content of the management unit related to the seat to one that can be used. Information processing device.

3. A plurality of combinations of one table and one or more seats are installed in the predetermined location, the right to use is a right to use a combination of the table and the seat, The first guide message is information for informing the user to whom the usage right has been granted of available combinations of the table and the seat. The information processing device according to claim 2 .

4. The control unit detects that the user has come to the predetermined location by utilizing wireless communication performed between a device installed at or near the predetermined location and the electronic device. The information processing device according to claim 2 .

5. The control unit detects that the user has come to the predetermined location based on receiving acquired information transmitted from the electronic device that has acquired identification information provided at or around the predetermined location. The information processing device according to claim 2 .

6. The control unit is when it is detected that the user has arrived at the predetermined location, if there is an available seat at the predetermined location, outputting the first guide information from the electronic device for providing guidance to the available seat; when it is detected that the user has arrived at the predetermined location and there is no available seat at the predetermined location, outputting a type-2 guide message from the electronic device to inform the user who has been granted the right of use of that fact; When a new available seat is detected at the predetermined location after the second guide information is output, control is executed to cause the electronic device to output the first guide information for providing information about the newly detected seat.

6. The information processing device according to claim 4 or 5.

7. When use start information based on the identification information is transmitted from the electronic device that transmitted the first guide notification, the control unit changes the management content of the management unit for the seat related to the identification information while it is in use. The information processing device according to claim 2 .

8. The control unit causes a display unit of the electronic device to display image information indicating positions of the plurality of seats in the predetermined location. The information processing device according to claim 2 .

9. An information processing system capable of allocating a plurality of seats to users using a communication device provided in a predetermined location where a plurality of seats are provided, an electronic device carried by a user, and an information processing device that manages whether the plurality of seats are in use, the information processing system comprising: The information processing device includes: Detecting that the user has arrived at the predetermined location by utilizing wireless communication between the communication device and the electronic device; granting a right to use the seat to the user who has been detected as having arrived at the predetermined location; determining whether there is a seat available in the predetermined location based on the management contents of a management unit that manages whether the plurality of seats are in use; if it is determined that there is an available seat, cause the electronic device to output a first guide message informing the user to whom the right of use is granted to find the seat; and if it is determined that there is no available seat, cause the electronic device to output a second guide message informing the user to whom the right of use is granted that there is no available seat at the specified location and that the user should wait until an available seat is detected; Identification information is provided on the seat or around the seat for transmitting start-of-use information using the electronic device when the user starts using the seat; When use end information indicating that the use of the seat related to the use start information is to be ended is transmitted from the electronic device that transmitted use start information based on the identification information after receiving the first guide message, the information processing device changes the management content of the management unit related to the seat to one that can be used. Information processing system.

10. granting a right of use to a user who has come to a predetermined location where a plurality of seats are installed, to use the seat by utilizing an electronic device possessed by the user; outputting guidance information from the electronic device for guiding the user, to whom the right of use has been granted, to available seats based on the management contents of a management unit that manages whether the plurality of seats are in use or not; A program for causing a computer to execute the above, Identification information is provided on the seat or around the seat for transmitting start-of-use information using the electronic device when the user starts using the seat; When use termination information is transmitted from the electronic device that transmitted use start information based on the identification information after receiving the guidance information, indicating that the use of the seat related to the use start information is to be terminated, the management content of the management unit related to the seat is changed to enable use. A program for causing a computer to execute the following.

Images