Matching system, expert matching device and program

Abstract

To provide a matching system, an expert matching device and a program allowing a user to quickly start a consultation to an expert.SOLUTION: A matching system 100 includes a control unit 12 to which a plurality of expert terminals 3 and at least one user terminal 2 are communicably connected. The matching system 100 causes the control unit 12 to select one expert terminal 3 out of the plurality of expert terminals 3 and execute matching between an expert possessing the expert terminal 3 and a user possessing the user terminal 2. When executing the matching, the control unit 12 notifies the user terminal 2 of conference room specification information making the user accessible to a web conference where the expert possessing the one expert terminal 3 enters.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a matching system, an expert matching device, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] A conventional network consulting system is described in Patent Document 1. In the network consulting system described in Patent Document 1, a client can request various types of consultation from a consultant via the Internet.

[0003] In the network consulting system, a selection menu screen displays multiple experts (consultants) who are suited to the consultation content. When a client selects an expert from the multiple experts who are suited to the consultation content, the selected expert's schedule is displayed. The client can view the schedule and apply for a consulting reservation.

[0004] The client logs in again at the scheduled date and time. After logging in, the client and consultant can hold a video conference with audio and video. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2003-316882 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, the network consulting system described in Patent Document 1 has the problem that the consultation cannot be started quickly because the client needs to check the consultant's schedule and make a consultation reservation according to the schedule.

[0007] In recent years, the number of consultations with experts using web conference systems has been increasing. In a web conference system, the host obtains a web conference URL, then sends the web conference URL to the participants by email, and the participants access the web conference URL to hold a conference over the Internet.

[0008] If a client can find a consultant who is currently available to receive a consultation, the client can use this web conferencing system to start a consultation. However, it is difficult to find a consultant who is currently available to receive a consultation, and obtaining a web conferencing URL is troublesome, so the user cannot start a consultation quickly.

[0009] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and has an object to provide a matching system, an expert matching device, and a program that allow a user to quickly start consulting with an expert. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] One embodiment of the matching system of the present invention has a control unit to which multiple expert terminals and at least one user terminal are communicatively connected, and the control unit selects one expert terminal from the multiple expert terminals and performs matching between an expert having the expert terminal and a user having the user terminal, and during the matching, the control unit notifies the user terminal of conference room identification information that can be accessed in a web conference room in which the expert having the one expert terminal will enter.

[0011] One embodiment of the present invention is an expert matching device that has a control unit to which multiple expert terminals and at least one user terminal are communicatively connected, and which selects one expert terminal from the multiple expert terminals and performs matching between an expert having the expert terminal and a user having the user terminal, and during the matching, the control unit notifies the user terminal of conference room identification information that can be accessed in a web conference room to which the expert having the one expert terminal will enter.

[0012] One aspect of the program of the present invention is a program that causes a computer to function so as to select one expert terminal from a plurality of expert terminals and perform matching between an expert having the expert terminal and a user having a user terminal, and causes the computer to execute the program so as to notify the user terminal of conference room specific information that is accessible to the web conference room that the expert having the one expert terminal will enter during the matching. Effect of the Invention

[0013] The matching system, the expert matching device, and the program according to the above aspects of the present invention have the advantage that a user can quickly start consulting with an expert. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a matching system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of the management server, the web conference server, the settlement server, the expert terminal, and the user terminal in the above matching system. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a functional configuration of the matching system. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a flowchart for registering experts in advance in the database. [Diagram 5]Figure 5 is a flowchart showing how an expert logs in to the management server and waits in advance before consulting. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the process by which a user starts a web conference. [Figure 7] Figure 7 shows the flow chart when an expert finishes a web conference. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] <Embodiment>

[0016] The matching system 100 according to this embodiment will be described in detail below. (1) System Configuration

[0017] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a system configuration of a matching system 100 according to the present embodiment. The matching system 100 is a system that selects one expert from a plurality of experts and matches the expert with a user. The matching system 100 matches a user with an expert who is waiting to start a consultation immediately, so that the user and the expert can be quickly matched. Furthermore, the matching system 100 notifies the user of conference room specification information that allows access to a web conference room associated with the expert at the time of matching. That is, the user can quickly start a consultation with the expert by accessing the web conference room.

[0018] In this specification, "conference room specific information" refers to information associated with the location of a specific web conference room on the web. Examples of conference room specific information include a character string such as a URL linked to a web conference room, a character string or image hyperlinked to a web conference room, a QR code (registered trademark) or a two-dimensional barcode in which information such as a URL is registered, and the like. The conference room specific information may be hyperlinked to a web conference room, or may be accessible by inputting a character string into a web browser. In the following, a "web conference URL" hyperlinked to a web conference room will be given as a specific example of "conference room specific information" and described.

[0019] 1, the matching system 100 includes a management server 1 (also referred to in this specification as an "expert matching device"), a database management system 6, a web conference server 4, a payment server 5, an expert terminal 3, and a user terminal 2. The payment server 5, the management server 1 (expert matching device), the database management system 6, the web conference server 4, the expert terminal 3, and the user terminal 2 are connected via a network 8 so as to be able to transmit and receive data to and from each other.

[0020] The network 8 is configured by, for example, the Internet, a dedicated communication line (for example, a CATV (Community Antenna Television) line), a mobile communication network (including base stations, etc.), a gateway, etc., or a combination of these.

[0021] The management server 1 (expert matching device) is a server device that selects one expert terminal 3 from multiple expert terminals 3 and executes matching between an expert having that expert terminal 3 and a user having a user terminal 2. The management server 1 selects an expert desired by a user having a user terminal 2 from multiple experts registered in a database, and notifies the user of the web conference URL where the expert will enter. After that, the user can immediately start consulting with the expert over the web conference.

[0022] In this specification, "matching" means selecting one expert from multiple experts based on user information and introducing the expert to the user. "User information" here means information related to a consultation when a user consults an expert. The user information may be keywords (e.g., terms such as "lawyer," "divorce," and "traffic accident") input from the user terminal 2 to search for an expert, or may be location information of the user acquired from the user terminal 2.

[0023] An "expert" refers to a person who has specialized knowledge in a specific field. Examples of "experts" include qualified individuals such as doctors, lawyers, certified public accountants, tax accountants, judicial scriveners, patent attorneys, real estate appraisers, small and medium-sized business management consultants, financial planners, social insurance and labor consultants, and architects, but the term does not apply to those with or without qualifications. In this embodiment, a lawyer will be used as an example of an expert.

[0024] Furthermore, the term "web conference" in this specification refers to a system that allows information to be shared in real time between the user terminal 2 and the expert terminal 3 via the network 8. In a web conference, in addition to video, audio, text, etc., file data executable on a PC can also be shared. However, the web conference according to the present invention is sufficient as long as it allows at least audio and video to be shared, and so-called "video conference (television conference)" is also included. A web conference is conducted by executing a web conference application installed on the web conference server 4 described below. Therefore, a "web conference URL" refers to a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) for conducting a web conference issued by the web conference server 4, and "entering" a web conference means accessing the web conference URL by the expert terminal 3 or the user terminal 2.

[0025] The database management system 6 constructs a database for information on multiple experts. The database has a table in which expert information for multiple experts is registered. The table has fields such as name, attorney registration number, name of affiliated office, address of affiliated office, telephone number of expert terminal 3, email address, field of expertise, gender, and hourly rate, and data on each expert is registered. In other words, the database associates column data (expert information) with the expert terminal 3 held by each expert.

[0026] The web conference server 4 is a server device that executes a web conference. A web conference application is installed in the web conference server 4. Examples of the web conference application include Zoom (Zoom Video Communications), Webex (Cisco Webex), Microsoft Teams (Microsoft), Skype (Microsoft), Google meet (google), GoToMeeting (Citrix), EyeVision (ENWA), Calling Meeting (NeoLab), and GlobalMeet Collaboration (Premier Conferencing). The web conference in this specification may be realized by API cooperation with a generally available web conference service, or may be realized by an individually owned web conference server 4.

[0027] In response to a request from the management server 1, the web conference server 4 issues a web conference URL and returns the web conference URL to the management server 1. The management server 1 assigns a web conference URL to an expert who is logged in to the matching system 100 and waiting, and registers the web conference URL in the database.

[0028] The payment server 5 is a server device that executes payment processing. The payment server 5 executes payment in response to a payment request from the management server 1. The payment server 5 checks whether the card information entered by the user terminal 2 is correct and executes payment processing. Card information refers to information such as the contractor's name, card number, expiration date, and security code assigned to a card (payment card) that requires payment, such as a credit card or debit card. When the payment server 5 completes the payment processing, it returns the result to the management server 1.

[0029] The expert terminal 3 is a communication terminal device owned by each expert. The expert can hold a web conference and communicate with users using the expert terminal 3. Examples of the expert terminal 3 include smartphones, tablet terminals, PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants), mobile phones, notebook PCs (Personal Computers), desktop PCs, and wearable terminals such as smart watches and smart glasses. The expert terminal 3 includes a camera that captures an image of the expert and a microphone that inputs the voice of the expert.

[0030] The user terminal 2 is a communication terminal device owned by a user. The user can hold a web conference and communicate with an expert using the user terminal 2. Examples of the user terminal 2 include a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a PDA, a mobile phone, a notebook PC, a desktop PC, a smart watch, a wearable terminal such as smart glasses, and the like. Like the expert terminal 3, the user terminal 2 includes a camera for capturing an image of the expert and a microphone for inputting the voice of the expert.

[0031] The user terminal 2 and the expert terminal 3 store application programs (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as apps) for using the services provided by the management server 1. In the services, the apps execute, for example, displaying a management screen, requesting payment processing, linking with the web conference server 4, displaying a web conference screen, etc. By executing the apps, the user terminal 2 and the expert terminal 3 can access the payment server 5 and the web conference server 4 and send and receive information used to execute the apps.

[0032] The management server 1, the web conference server 4, and the payment server 5 are preferably server devices for so-called cloud computing, using, for example, PCs such as PC / AT compatible machines or MAC standard machines, dedicated machines, blade servers, or the like. (2) Hardware Configuration

[0033] Each of the management server 1 (expert matching device), the web conference server 4, the payment server 5, the plurality of expert terminals 3, and the user terminal 2 is realized by a computer 7 as shown in FIG.

[0034] The computer 7 includes a processor 71, a memory 72, a storage 73, an input / output interface (input / output I / F 74), and a communication interface (communication I / F 75). The processor 71, the memory 72, the storage 73, the input / output I / F 74, and the communication I / F 75 are connected to one another via a bus 76. The management server 1, the web conference server 4, the settlement server 5, the expert terminal 3, and the user terminal 2 all have substantially the same hardware configuration.

[0035] The processor 71 executes various functions according to programs stored in the storage 73. Examples of the processor 71 include a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), and a microprocessor.

[0036] The memory 72 temporarily stores a program read from the storage 73, and provides a working area for the processor 71. Examples of the memory 72 include a random access memory (RAM) and a read only memory (ROM).

[0037] The storage 73 stores programs. Examples of the storage 73 include a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), and a flash memory.

[0038] The input / output I / F 74 includes an input device that inputs various operations to the computer 7 and an output device that outputs processing results processed by the computer 7. The input / output I / F 74 may have the input device and the output device housed in a single housing, or each may be housed in a separate housing.

[0039] The input device is a device for inputting information to the processor 71. Examples of the input device include a touch panel, a touch display, hardware keys such as a keyboard, a pointing device such as a mouse, a camera, a microphone, and the like.

[0040] The output device is a device capable of outputting the processing result processed by the processor 71. When the processing result is output as an image or a video, the output device is a device capable of displaying the display data according to the display data written in the frame buffer. Examples of the output device include a touch panel, a touch display, a liquid crystal display, a head-mounted display, a projector, a hologram, a projection mapping, a speaker, a printer, and the like.

[0041] The communication I / F 75 transmits and receives various data via the network 8. The communication by the communication I / F 75 is performed either wired or wirelessly. For example, the communication I / F 75 of the user terminal 2 and the expert terminal 3 executes communication with the management server 1 and the web conference server 4 via the network 8, and the communication I / F 75 of the management server 1 executes communication with the user terminal 2, the expert terminal 3, the settlement server 5, and the web conference server 4 via the network 8. The information received by the communication I / F 75 is transmitted to the processor 71. (3) Functional Configuration

[0042] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the matching system 100 according to the present embodiment.

[0043] The user terminal 2 includes a voice input unit 21, an imaging unit 22, a display unit 23, a character input unit 24, and a communication unit 25. The voice input unit 21 converts the voice uttered by the user into data. The voice input unit 21 is composed of a microphone built in the user terminal 2 or an external microphone. The imaging unit 22 images the user. The imaging unit 22 is composed of a camera built in the user terminal 2 or an external camera. The voice input unit 21 and the imaging unit 22 are used when having a web conference. The character input unit 24 receives text information input by the user. The character input unit 24 is composed of, for example, a keyboard, a software keyboard on a touch display, a microphone, etc. The display unit 23 displays characters or / and images on the user terminal 2. The display unit 23 is composed of, for example, a monitor, a display, a touch display, a projector, etc. The communication unit 25 transmits the information input from the voice input unit 21, the imaging unit 22, and the character input unit 24 to the management server 1 or / and the web conference server 4. The communication unit 25 is composed of, for example, the communication I / F 75 and the processor 71.

[0044] The expert terminal 3 includes a voice input unit 31, an imaging unit 32, a display unit 33, a character input unit 34, and a communication unit 35, similar to the user terminal 2. The voice input unit 31 converts the voice uttered by the expert into data. The voice input unit 31 is composed of a microphone built into the expert terminal 3 or an external microphone. The imaging unit 32 captures an image of the expert. The imaging unit 32 is composed of a camera built into the expert terminal 3 or an external camera. The voice input unit 31 and the imaging unit 32 are used when holding a web conference. The expert inputs text information into the character input unit 34. The character input unit 34 is composed of, for example, a keyboard, a software keyboard using a touch display, a microphone, etc. The display unit 33 displays characters and / or images on the expert terminal 3. The display unit 33 is composed of, for example, a monitor, a display, a touch display, a projector, etc. The communication unit 35 communicates with the management server 1 and the web conference server 4. The communication unit 35 transmits the information input from the voice input unit 31, the image capture unit 32, and the character input unit 34 to the management server 1 and / or the web conference server 4.

[0045] The web conference server 4 includes a room generation unit 41, a room processing unit 42, and a communication unit 43. The communication unit 43 communicates with the management server 1, the user terminal 2, and the expert terminal 3. The room generation unit 41 generates a web conference URL in response to a request from the management server 1, and returns it to the management server 1. The room processing unit 42 executes a web conference between the expert terminal 3 and the user terminal 2 that have accessed the web conference URL. The room processing unit 42 transmits image and audio data transmitted from either the expert terminal 3 or the user terminal 2 to the other of the expert terminal 3 and the user terminal 2 that are participating in the same conference. Here, a one-to-one web conference between the expert terminal 3 and the user terminal 2 is assumed, but a three-way web conference between, for example, two expert terminals 3 and one user terminal 2 may also be performed.

[0046] The payment server 5 includes a payment unit 51 and a communication unit 52. The payment unit 51 executes payment in response to a request from the management server 1. The payment unit 51 receives card information input from the user terminal 2 via the communication unit 52, and as described above, inquires whether the card information is correct and whether payment is possible, and executes payment processing. The payment unit 51 then returns the result information to the management server 1. The communication unit 52 communicates with the management server 1.

[0047] When executing settlement, settlement unit 51 settles the fee for the use of the web conference and the fee for the consultation with the expert separately. This makes it possible to clearly separate the details of the fees for the expert (a qualified person such as a lawyer) from the system usage fee, and makes it clear that no unauthorized practice of law is being performed.

[0048] "Making separate payments" means that two payments, one for the fee for using the web conference and one for the fee for the expert consultation, can be made by pressing a payment button displayed on the display unit 23 of the user terminal 2 once, or the two payments can be made in order with a time lag, or payment for the fee for using the web conference can be made before consulting with an expert, and payment for the fee for the expert consultation can be made after the expert consultation.

[0049] In this specification, "pressing a button" includes single-clicking or double-clicking a button image or text information with an embedded URL, tapping a button on a touch panel, or moving the cursor over a button image and pressing the Enter key on a keyboard.

[0050] The management server 1 includes a communication unit 11 and a control unit 12. The communication unit 11 communicates with the user terminal 2, the expert terminal 3, the web conference server 4, the payment server 5, and a database management device (database). The control unit 12 executes a program recorded in the management server 1 and causes each unit to function. The control unit 12 includes a registration unit 13, a search unit 14, an expert waiting information storage unit 15, a list generation unit 16, a payment request unit 17, and a conference URL notification unit 18.

[0051] The registration unit 13 registers experts in advance in the database. When the expert inputs his / her name, attorney registration number, name of the office, address of the office, telephone number of the expert terminal 3, field of expertise, gender, and hourly rate through the expert terminal 3, the registration unit 13 registers the data in the database.

[0052] The search unit 14 refers to the conditions input by the user from the user terminal 2, and selects an expert that meets the conditions from a table recorded in the table storage unit 61 (storage unit) of the database management system 6. The search unit 14 may select one or more experts. When multiple experts are selected, they are displayed in a list by the list generation unit 16 described below. In the user terminal 2, for example, by inputting one or more conditions from among the field of expertise, type of problem (content of consultation), gender, region, and amount (budget), the search unit 14 can refer to the conditions and select an expert that meets the conditions.

[0053] The search unit 14 is not limited to the conditions input by the user using the user terminal 2, and may, for example, refer to location information (e.g., GPS location information) acquired from the user terminal 2 to select an expert whose address is close to the user terminal 2, or may refer to gender information acquired from the user terminal 2 to select an expert with the same gender.

[0054] The expert waiting information storage unit 15 stores experts currently on standby among the experts registered in the database. When an expert registered in the database is available to provide consultation, the expert logs in to the matching system 100 using the expert terminal 3 and waits in an available state. At this time, the expert waiting information storage unit 15 stores information on experts who have logged in and are on standby.

[0055] The list creation unit 16 checks whether one or more experts selected by the search unit 14 are experts on standby stored in the expert standby information storage unit 15, and lists experts on standby that have been selected by the search unit 14. The experts displayed in the list by the list creation unit 16 may be displayed higher in the order of the number of conditions that they meet, or experts that meet one condition (e.g., amount) may be preferentially displayed higher, or the list may be displayed randomly.

[0056] When the user selects one expert from the selected expert or experts and the expert to consult is confirmed, the payment request unit 17 displays a screen for payment on the user terminal 2. When the user uses the user terminal 2 to input information required for payment, the payment request unit 17 requests payment from the payment unit 51 and completes the payment.

[0057] The conference URL notifying unit 18 acquires the web conference URL from the web conference server 4, notifies the expert terminal 3 of the web conference URL, and notifies the user terminal 2 of the web conference URL after the payment is completed from the payment requesting unit 17. That is, at the time of matching, the conference URL notifying unit 18 notifies the user terminal 2 of the web conference URL in which the selected expert will enter.

[0058] After logging in, the expert terminal 3 is notified of the web conference URL. At that time, the conference URL notifying unit 18 assigns the web conference URL notified to the expert to the expert and registers it in the database. The expert who has been notified of the web conference URL accesses the web conference URL using the expert terminal 3, enters the web conference, and waits. In other words, the multiple expert terminals 3 are kept connected to the web conference room of the web conference URL assigned to each expert terminal 3.

[0059] When a user selects one expert from multiple experts and completes payment, a web conference URL assigned to the expert is notified to the user terminal 2. The user accesses the notified web conference URL and enters the web conference, whereupon the user can hold a web conference with the waiting expert. (4) Operation

[0060] Next, the operation of the matching system 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

[0061] 4 shows a flowchart for registering a lawyer as an expert in advance in the database. The lawyer uses the expert terminal 3 to access a registration site provided by the matching system 100 (S1). The management server 1 then causes the expert terminal 3 to display the screen of the registration site (S2).

[0062] The lawyer inputs expert information about the lawyer using the expert terminal 3 from the registration site (S3). The management server 1 then checks the input of the expert information about the lawyer, and if there are no problems, registers it in the database (S4). The management server 1 then sends an email to the expert terminal 3 notifying the completion of registration and including a registration confirmation URL for authentication (S5).

[0063] The expert terminal 3 receives the email (S6), and the expert clicks on the registration confirmation URL to perform authentication (S7), thereby completing advance registration in the lawyer database.

[0064] FIG. 5 shows a flow chart in which a lawyer logs in to the management server 1 and waits in advance before a consultation. The lawyer uses the expert terminal 3 to access the management server 1 (S10). The management server 1 then displays a login screen on the expert terminal 3 (S11). The lawyer uses the expert terminal 3 to input login information (ID and password) and logs in to the management server 1 (S12, S13). The expert terminal 3 then displays the top screen after login (S14). When the expert presses the "Create web conference URL" button displayed on the top screen of the expert terminal 3 (S15), the management server 1 requests the web conference URL to be obtained from the web conference server 4, the web conference server 4 issues a web conference URL and sends it to the management server 1, and the management server 1 notifies the expert terminal 3 of the web conference URL (S16).

[0065] The lawyer enters the web conference room using the web conference URL sent to the expert terminal 3 (S17), and the reception is completed. The management server 1 holds information that the expert is waiting (S18). The expert waits while accessing the web conference room.

[0066] 6 shows a flowchart of the process up to when a user starts a web conference. The user accesses the management server 1 using the user terminal 2 (S20). The management server 1 then displays a top screen on the user terminal 2 (S21). The user uses the user terminal 2 to input lawyer search criteria and searches for lawyers who match the consultation content (S22). The management server 1 references the keywords entered into the user terminal 2, and notifies one or more lawyers in the database who match the keywords and are on standby (S23).

[0067] If the lawyer who has the notified expert terminal 3 is available for consultation, he / she clicks on the notification URL displayed at the time of notification (S24). At this time, the management server 1 sends a notification to one or more lawyers, and the lawyer who clicks on the notification URL first is determined to be the lawyer who will be matched with the user (S25). Any lawyer who clicks on the notification URL second or later is notified of an error. Notifications to waiting lawyers may be sent to the lawyers listed by the management server 1 in order from the top, or may be sent to all lawyers simultaneously.

[0068] When a lawyer is confirmed, the management server 1 notifies the user terminal 2 of information such as the name of the confirmed lawyer, and subsequently causes the user terminal 2 to display a payment screen. The user inputs card information using the user terminal 2 and executes payment (S26, S27). Thereafter, the management server 1 notifies the user terminal 2 of the result of the payment, and also notifies the user terminal 2 of the web conference URL where the lawyer has entered and is waiting (S28).

[0069] The user can start a web conference with the lawyer waiting in the web conference room by accessing the web conference URL displayed on the user terminal 2 (S29, S30).

[0070] 7 shows a flowchart when a lawyer ends a web conference. When the lawyer ends the web conference, he / she notifies the lawyer of the end using the expert terminal 3 (S40). The management server 1 then accepts the end, cancels the waiting status of the expert recorded in the database, and registers this fact (S41). <Modification>

[0071] The above embodiment is merely one of various embodiments of the present invention. The embodiment can be modified in various ways depending on the design, etc., as long as the object of the present invention can be achieved. Modifications of the embodiment are listed below. The modifications described below can be applied in appropriate combination.

[0072] In the above embodiment, when the lawyer logs in to the matching system 100, a web conference URL is issued and the lawyer is made to wait in the web conference room, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a plurality of experts may be made to wait near the expert terminal 3, and when the user registers, a web conference URL may be issued and assigned to the user terminal, and the web conference URL may be notified to the expert selected by search. The web conference URL is notified to the user terminal after the payment is completed. At this time, the user and the expert may enter the room at the same time, or the user may enter the room before the expert. Even in this case, the expert is waiting near the expert terminal 3, so the user can quickly start a web conference with the expert.

[0073] Also, a person other than the users or experts (here, the "administrator") may issue a web conference URL for the selected experts to enter, and the administrator may wait in the web conference room. After the users and experts enter the room, the administrator may change the host to the expert and leave the room, or may remain as the host.

[0074] In the above embodiment, a lawyer was used as an example of an expert and a database was constructed, but a table may be provided for each expert, such as a lawyer table and a tax accountant table, or a "professional occupation" may be provided as a field in the table and a professional occupation (e.g., lawyer, patent attorney, tax accountant, etc.) may be registered in each table.

[0075] The payment server 5 according to the above embodiment executes payment using card information, but in the present invention, payment is not limited to card payment and may be executed using, for example, barcode payment, two-dimensional code (e.g., QR code (registered trademark)) payment, etc.

[0076] In the above embodiment, the user selects an expert through a search, but in the present invention, the management server 1 may randomly select an expert, and a search by the user terminal 2 is not necessarily required. Also, the payment server 5 may not be required, and the fee may be paid in cash after the consultation.

[0077] The web conference may be set so that the connection is cut off after a period of time according to the fee, or the fee according to the duration of the web conference may be settled after the web conference ends.

[0078] In addition, experts may not only receive consultations during web conferences, but also accept requests. <Summary>

[0079] As described above, the matching system 100 according to the first embodiment has the control unit 12 to which multiple expert terminals 3 and at least one user terminal 2 are communicatively connected. The control unit 12 selects one expert terminal 3 from the multiple expert terminals 3 and executes matching between an expert having the expert terminal 3 and a user having a user terminal 2. During matching, the control unit 12 notifies the user terminal 2 of conference room identification information that allows access to the web conference room to which the expert having the one expert terminal 3 will enter.

[0080] According to this aspect, when matching is performed, conference room identification information that allows access to the web conference room into which the expert waiting in advance will enter is notified, so that by accessing the web conference room using the conference room identification information, the web conference can be started at the same time as the expert is matched, and the user can quickly begin consulting with the expert.

[0081] The matching system 100 according to the second aspect, in the first aspect, further includes a storage unit in which expert information assigned to each of the multiple expert terminals 3 is registered. The control unit 12 selects an expert that meets the conditions inputted by the user terminal 2 from the expert information registered in the storage unit, and selects the expert terminal 3 corresponding to the selected expert as one expert terminal 3.

[0082] According to this embodiment, the user can use the user terminal 2 to search for an expert that matches the consultation content, and can therefore consult with an appropriate expert.

[0083] In the matching system 100 according to the third aspect, in the first or second aspect, individual conference room identification information is assigned to each of the multiple expert terminals 3. Before matching is performed, the multiple expert terminals 3 are connected to the web conference room of the assigned conference room identification information.

[0084] According to this embodiment, the expert is already waiting in the web conference room, so the user can quickly start consultation.

[0085] In the matching system 100 according to the fourth aspect, in any one of the first to third aspects, the control unit 12 executes the matching and then executes the payment to the user before notifying the user terminal 2 of the meeting room specification information.

[0086] According to this embodiment, not only is it convenient to be able to make payment on the system, but it is also less likely that problems will arise regarding fees, since payment can be made before the consultation.

[0087] In the matching system 100 according to the fifth embodiment, in the fourth embodiment, the control unit 12 performs payment by separately settling the fee for the use of the web conference and the fee for the consultation with the expert.

[0088] According to this embodiment, the remuneration of the professional can be clarified, and it can be made clear that this is not unauthorized practice of law.

[0089] The expert matching device according to a sixth aspect is in any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the conference room specifying information is a web conference URL.

[0090] According to this embodiment, it is also possible to construct the matching system 100 using an existing web conference server.

[0091] The expert matching device according to the seventh aspect has a control unit 12 to which multiple expert terminals 3 and at least one user terminal 2 are communicatively connected, and the control unit 12 selects one expert terminal 3 from the multiple expert terminals 3 and performs matching between an expert having the expert terminal 3 and a user having a user terminal 2. During matching, the control unit 12 notifies the user terminal 2 of conference room identification information that allows access to a web conference room to which the expert having the one expert terminal 3 will enter.

[0092] According to this aspect, when matching is performed, the expert who is waiting in advance is notified of the web conference URL to enter, so that the web conference can be started at the same time as matching with the expert, and the user can quickly begin consulting with the expert.

[0093] The program according to the seventh aspect is a program that causes the computer 7 to function so as to select one expert terminal 3 from the multiple expert terminals 3 and execute matching between an expert having the expert terminal 3 and a user having a user terminal 2. The program causes the computer 7 to notify the user terminal 2 of conference room identification information that allows access to a web conference room that the expert having the one expert terminal 3 enters, at the time of matching. [Explanation of symbols]

[0094] 1 Management server (expert matching device) 12 Control section 2. User terminal 3 Expert terminal 100 Matching System

Claims

1. A control unit is provided to which a plurality of expert terminals and at least one user terminal are communicatively connected, A matching system in which the control unit selects one expert terminal from the plurality of expert terminals and performs matching between an expert having the expert terminal and a user having the user terminal, The control unit notifies the user terminal of conference room identification information that allows access to a web conference room in which the expert having the one expert terminal enters, at the time of the matching. Matching system.

2. A storage unit in which expert information assigned to each of the plurality of expert terminals is registered, The control unit selects an expert that meets the conditions inputted by the user terminal from the expert information registered in the storage unit, and selects the expert terminal corresponding to the expert as the one expert terminal. The matching system according to claim 1.

3. Each of the plurality of expert terminals is assigned individual conference room identification information; Before performing the matching, the plurality of expert terminals are connected to the web conference room of the assigned conference room specific information. The matching system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. the control unit executes a payment to the user after executing the matching and before notifying the user terminal of the conference room identification information. The matching system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. When executing the settlement, the control unit settles a fee for using the web conference and a fee for consulting with an expert separately. The matching system according to claim 4.

6. The conference room specific information is a web conference URL. The matching system according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. An expert matching device having a control unit communicably connected to a plurality of expert terminals and at least one user terminal, the control unit selecting one expert terminal from the plurality of expert terminals and executing matching between an expert having the expert terminal and a user having the user terminal, The control unit notifies the user terminal of conference room identification information that allows access to a web conference room in which the expert having the one expert terminal enters, at the time of the matching. Expert matching device.

8. A program for causing a computer to function so as to select one expert terminal from a plurality of expert terminals and execute matching between an expert having the expert terminal and a user having a user terminal, execute the computer to notify the user terminal of conference room identification information accessible to the web conference room to which the expert having the one expert terminal enters, at the time of the matching; program.

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