Server device, reservation proposal method, and program

Abstract

To provide a server device or the like for enabling a user to easily compare high and low prices in a reservable spare time frame.SOLUTION: A reception part 210 receives request information about a reservation from a user terminal used by a user. A specification part 241 specifies a first date having a spare time frame for enabling the user to make a reservation left as a candidate date on the basis of the request information. An addition part 243 adds, when a distribution of prices in the spare time frame of the first date does not satisfy a predetermined condition, a second date having a spare time frame for enabling the user to make a reservation left, and being the date for satisfying the distribution condition by combining the distribution of prices in the spare time frame of the first date with a distribution of prices in the spare time frame of the second date, to the candidate date. Then, a transmission part 220 transmits proposal information including the spare time frames of the candidate dates and the prices of the spare time frames to the user terminal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a server device, a reservation proposal method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, prices of products, services, etc. are sometimes set by a method called dynamic pricing. In this dynamic pricing, for example, the price is flexibly varied according to the balance between demand and supply.

[0003] As a prior art using such dynamic pricing, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique of an information processing apparatus that presents a dynamic price according to user characteristics. In this information processing apparatus, it is possible to present a dynamic price lower than others to a user with a large number of purchase times or a large cumulative purchase amount.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Although the information processing apparatus described in Patent Document 1 above can present a dynamic price according to user characteristics, it has been difficult for the presented user to grasp whether the dynamic price is lower or higher than others.

[0006] In particular, when using a facility that adopts dynamic pricing for the price of the time frame for providing a service, in order to grasp whether the price of the time frame (available time frame) to be reserved is lower or higher than others, the user needs to refer to the prices for a plurality of time frames.

[0007] Under such circumstances, there has been a demand for a technology that enables users to easily compare the prices of available time slots.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above situation, and an object thereof is to provide a server device, a reservation proposal method, and a program that enable a user to easily compare the prices of available time slots.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0009] The server device according to the first aspect of the present invention is a server device that manages reservations for facilities that adopt a variable price system for the prices of time slots for providing services, a receiving unit that receives request information about a reservation from a user terminal used by a user; a specifying unit that specifies, as a candidate date, a first date on which there are remaining available time slots that the user can reserve, based on the request information; when the price distribution in the available time slots on the first date does not satisfy a predetermined distribution condition, a second date on which there are remaining available time slots that the user can reserve, and a date that satisfies the distribution condition by combining the price distribution in the available time slots on the first date and the price distribution in the available time slots on the second date is added to the candidate date; a transmitting unit that transmits proposal information including the available time slots on the candidate date and the prices of the available time slots to the user terminal; and is characterized by comprising the above.

[0010] Further, the server device according to the above aspect may further include a condition setting unit that sets the distribution condition based on the price distribution in all the time slots within a certain period.

[0011] Further, in the server device according to the above aspect, When the date specified by the user is included in the request information, the specific unit may specify the specified date as the candidate date.

[0012] Also, in the server device according to the above aspect, When the item of the service desired by the user is included in the request information, among the plurality of dates with remaining available time slots that can be reserved for the item, the specific unit may specify the latest date as the candidate date.

[0013] Also, in the server device according to the above aspect, When the item of the service desired by the user is included in the request information, among the plurality of dates with remaining available time slots that can be reserved for the item, the specific unit may specify the candidate date based on the usage history including the date when the user used the facility in the past.

[0014] The reservation proposal method according to the second aspect of the present invention is A reservation proposal method executed by a server device that manages reservations for a facility adopting a variable price system for the price of a time slot for providing a service, A receiving step of receiving request information about a reservation from a user terminal used by a user; A specifying step of specifying, based on the request information, a first date with a remaining available time slot for which the user can make a reservation as a candidate date; When the price distribution in the available time slot of the first date does not satisfy a predetermined distribution condition, a second date with a remaining available time slot for which the user can make a reservation, and the price distribution in the available time slot of the first date and the price distribution in the available time slot of the second date are combined to satisfy the distribution condition. An adding step of adding the date to the candidate date; A transmitting step of transmitting proposal information including the available time slot of the candidate date and the price of the available time slot to the user terminal; It is characterized by comprising the above.

[0015] The program according to the third aspect of the present invention causes a computer that manages reservations for a facility that adopts a variable price system for the price of the time frame for providing services to execute a receiving step of receiving request information about a reservation from a user terminal used by a user, a specifying step of specifying, as a candidate date, a first date on which there remains an available time frame for which the user can make a reservation based on the request information, an adding step of adding, to the candidate date, a second date on which there remains an available time frame for which the user can make a reservation when the price distribution in the available time frame on the first date does not satisfy a predetermined distribution condition, and the price distribution in the available time frame on the first date and the price distribution in the available time frame on the second date satisfy the distribution condition when combined, and a transmitting step of transmitting proposal information including the available time frame on the candidate date and the price of the available time frame to the user terminal. It is characterized by causing the above to be executed.

[0016] The above program can be distributed and sold via a computer communication network independently of the computer on which the program is executed. Furthermore, the information recording medium that records the above program is a non-transitory recording medium and can be distributed and sold independently of a computer. Here, the non-transitory recording medium refers to a tangible recording medium. Examples of the non-transitory recording medium include a compact disk, a flexible disk, a hard disk, a magneto-optical disk, a digital video disk, a magnetic tape, a semiconductor memory, etc. Also, the transitory recording medium refers to the transmission medium (propagating signal) itself. Examples of the transitory recording medium include an electric signal, an optical signal, an electromagnetic wave, etc. Note that the temporary storage area is an area for temporarily storing data and programs, and is, for example, a volatile memory such as a RAM (Random Access Memory).

Advantages of the Invention

[0017] According to the present invention, a user can easily compare the high and low prices in the available time slots that can be reserved.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0018]

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0019] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. In the embodiments of the present invention, a reservation system for managing reservations at a beauty facility that adopts a variable price system for the price of the time frame for providing beauty services will be described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to such a beauty facility and is applicable to reservation systems for various facilities that provide other services to users (as an example, massage facilities, sports facilities, etc.). Note that the following embodiments are for the purpose of explanation and do not limit the scope of the present invention. Therefore, those skilled in the art can adopt embodiments in which any one or all of these elements are replaced with equivalents thereof, and these embodiments are also included in the scope of the present invention.

[0020] (Overall Configuration) The reservation system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is a system that can appropriately make reservations for a beauty salon (for example, a beauty parlor, a nail salon, an esthetic salon, etc.) that adopts a variable price system (dynamic pricing) for the price of the time frame for providing services, and as shown in FIG. 1, includes a server device 200 and a user terminal 300. Note that the server device 200 and the user terminal 300 are communicably connected via the Internet 900. Also, in FIG. 1, only three user terminals 300 are shown for ease of understanding of the invention, but in reality, a huge number of user terminals 300 are included according to the number of users.

[0021] The server device 200 is, for example, a server computer, manages information of the beauty salon, and by transmitting and receiving necessary information to and from the user terminal 300 used by the user, enables the user to compare the price levels of the time frames (available time frames) of the beauty salon and perform a reservation for a desired time frame. More specifically, when the server device 200 receives request information about a reservation sent from the user terminal 300, it identifies candidate days on which there are remaining available time frames for the user to make a reservation. After confirming that there are multiple available time frames on the candidate days and the price distribution in each available time frame satisfies the conditions (distribution conditions described later), the server device 200 transmits proposal information including each available time frame and its price on the candidate days to the user terminal 300. In the user terminal 300 that receives this proposal information, since each available time frame with a different price is displayed, the user can easily compare the price levels of each available time frame. Then, when any available time frame is selected on the user terminal 300, the server device 200 makes a reservation by associating the selected available time frame with the user's information.

[0022] The user terminal 300 is, for example, a smartphone, a personal computer, etc., and is used by a user who intends to use (reserve) the beauty salon. The user terminal 300 has, for example, a reservation application installed for reserving beauty salons. When this reservation application is launched on the user terminal 300, a desired beauty salon can be searched for and a reservation for that beauty salon can be made. More specifically, in this reservation application, for example, a calendar screen (details will be described later) on which a reservation for a beauty salon can be made is displayed, and request information including the date selected by the user is sent to the server device 200. The server device 200 that has received this request information generates proposal information including each available time slot and its price for candidate dates including the date selected by the user, and returns it to the user terminal 300. Therefore, in the reservation application, the received proposal information is superimposed and displayed on the calendar screen, and while checking the price levels for each available time slot, a desired available time slot can be selected to make a reservation.

[0023] (Outline Configuration of Information Processing Apparatus) A typical information processing apparatus 400 in which the server device 200 and the like according to the present embodiment are realized will be described.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 2, the information processing apparatus 400 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 401, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 402, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 403, a NIC (Network Interface Card) 404, an image processing unit 405, an audio processing unit 406, an auxiliary storage unit 407, an interface 408, an operation unit 409, and a display unit 410.

[0025] The CPU 401 controls the operation of the entire information processing apparatus 400, is connected to each component, and exchanges control signals and data.

[0026] The ROM 402 stores an IPL (Initial Program Loader) that is executed immediately after power-on. When this is executed, the program stored in the auxiliary storage unit 407 is read into the RAM 403, and the execution of the program by the CPU 401 is started.

[0027] The RAM 403 is for temporarily storing data and programs, and stores programs and data read from the auxiliary storage unit 407, as well as other data necessary for communication, etc.

[0028] The NIC 404 is for connecting the information processing apparatus 400 to a computer communication network such as the Internet, and conforms to the 10BASE-T / 100BASE-T standard used when constructing a LAN (Local Area Network), or includes an analog modem for connecting to the Internet using a telephone line, an ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) modem, an ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) modem, a cable modem for connecting to the Internet using a cable television line, etc.

[0029] The image processing unit 405 processes the image data read from the auxiliary storage unit 407 etc. by an image arithmetic processor (not shown) provided in the CPU 401 or the image processing unit 405, and then records this in a frame memory (not shown) provided in the image processing unit 405. The image information recorded in the frame memory is converted into a video signal at a predetermined synchronization timing and output to the display unit 410 via the interface 408 etc. That is, the image processing unit 405 generates an image required during the progress of the processing performed by the information processing apparatus 400 under the control of the CPU 401, and causes the display unit 410 to display the image.

[0030] The audio processing unit 406 converts the audio data read from the auxiliary storage unit 407 etc. into an audio signal and outputs it to the speaker 411 via the interface 408. That is, the audio processing unit 406 generates the audio that should be generated during the progress of the processing performed by the information processing apparatus 400 under the control of the CPU 401, and causes the speaker 411 to output the audio.

[0031] The auxiliary storage unit 407 is a hard disk or the like, and stores various programs and various data necessary for the operation control of the entire information processing apparatus 400. For example, a program for realizing the server apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment is stored in the auxiliary storage unit 407. Then, under the control of the CPU 401, the auxiliary storage unit 407 appropriately reads out the stored programs and data, and temporarily stores them in the RAM 403 or the like.

[0032] An operation unit 409 and a display unit 410 are connected to the interface 408. Note that the interface 408 may transmit and receive necessary information to and from other connected external devices.

[0033] The operation unit 409 receives operation inputs from workers or the like who use the information processing apparatus 400.

[0034] The display unit 410 draws an image according to the image data output by the image processing unit 405, and presents it to workers or the like who use the information processing apparatus 400.

[0035] In addition, the information processing apparatus 400 may be provided with a drive unit such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc)-ROM instead of the auxiliary storage unit 407. In this case, the information processing apparatus 400 reads programs and data from a DVD-ROM or the like mounted on the drive unit, and operates in the same manner as described above.

[0036] (Embodiment 1) Hereinafter, the functional configuration and the like of the server apparatus 200 according to Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 12. This server apparatus 200 is realized by the above-described information processing apparatus 400. For example, when the information processing apparatus 400 is powered on, a program for functioning as the server apparatus 200 is executed, and the server apparatus 200 according to the present Embodiment 1 is realized. Note that the user terminal 300 is also realized by the information processing apparatus 400 in the same manner, but the description thereof is omitted here. The server apparatus 200, which is the most characteristic in the first embodiment, will be described below.

[0037] (Functional Configuration of Server Apparatus According to First Embodiment) FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the server apparatus 200 according to the first embodiment. As shown in the figure, the server apparatus 200 includes a receiving unit 210, a transmitting unit 220, a storage unit 230, and a control unit 240.

[0038] The receiving unit 210 receives various information sent from the user terminal 300. For example, the receiving unit 210 receives request information about a reservation sent from the user terminal 300. Note that, as will be described later, the request information includes, for example, the date when the user wishes to make a reservation.

[0039] Note that the above-described NIC 404 or the like can function as such a receiving unit 210.

[0040] The transmitting unit 220 is controlled by the control unit 240 and transmits necessary information to the user terminal 300. For example, the transmitting unit 220 transmits proposal information including each available time slot and its price for the candidate dates to the user terminal 300. Note that the candidate dates include the date when the user wishes to make a reservation.

[0041] Note that the above-described NIC 404 or the like can function as such a transmitting unit 220.

[0042] The storage unit 230 stores various information about beauty salons. For example, the storage unit 230 stores available time slot information 231, variable price information 232, and usage history information 233.

[0043] First, the available time slot information 231 is information representing each available time slot during which services can be provided at the beauty salon. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the available time slot information 231 manages available time slots (time slots indicated by ○). Note that FIG. 4 shows the case where the time slot is in one-hour units, which is just an example, and other time units (for example, 30-minute units) may also be used. Also, in FIG. 4, each available time slot on the business days of a week at the beauty salon (for example, every Tuesday is a closed day) is visually shown. It is assumed that in the actual available time slot information 231, data indicating the available time slots is managed in units of time slots for each business day.

[0044] Next, the variable price information 232 is information representing the price (fee) set for each time slot at the beauty salon. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the price for each time slot is managed in the variable price information 232. For these time slots, for example, depending on the magnitude of demand for each time slot on each business day (weekdays, Saturdays, Sundays, holidays), any one of a plurality of types of prices is set. Note that after such prices are set for each time slot, the prices may be changed (reset). For example, if a time slot reserved by a certain user is canceled immediately before, in order to quickly recruit new users for whom the time slot (cancellation time slot) is available, the control unit 240 changes the price to a price lower than the price before cancellation. Also, in FIG. 5, the price for each time slot on the business days of a week at the beauty salon is visually shown. It is assumed that in the actual variable price information 232, the price values are managed in units of time slots for each business day.

[0045] Next, the usage history information 233 is information representing the usage history of users who have used the beauty salon in the past. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the usage history information 233 includes information such as user ID 233a, usage date 233b, and usage item 233c. Note that the usage item 233c is the content of the service used by the user at the beauty salon. Also, as will be described later, a beauty appreciation period (the period during which the style etc. applied can be maintained) is set according to the usage item 233c.

[0046] In addition to this, the storage unit 230 stores reservation management information (reservation date and time, user ID who made the reservation, etc.) for managing the user's reservations.

[0047] Note that the auxiliary storage unit 407 etc. described above can function as such a storage unit 230.

[0048] Returning to FIG. 3, the control unit 240 controls the entire server device 200. This control unit 240 includes a specifying unit 241, a condition setting unit 242, an adding unit 243, a generating unit 244, and a reservation unit 245.

[0049] Based on the request information received by the receiving unit 210 described above, the specifying unit 241 specifies, as candidate dates, the dates (first dates) on which there are remaining free time slots for which the user can make a reservation. For example, when the reservation application described above is executed on the user terminal 300 and a calendar screen 510 as shown in FIG. 7 is displayed, and when any date (business day) is selected by the user, the user terminal 300 transmits request information including the date selected by the user to the server device 200. Note that FIG. 7 shows a state where the "4th" (October 4th) has been selected by the user. Also, in the calendar screen 510, the dates without free time slots are grayed out and cannot be selected. Therefore, the specifying unit 241 specifies the date included in the request information as a candidate date. Note that, as will be described later, there are cases where the request information sent from the user terminal 300 does not include a date, but instead includes items of services desired by the user. In that case, the specifying unit 241 specifies, as candidate dates, the dates on which there are remaining free time slots for which the items of that service can be reserved.

[0050] Returning to FIG. 3, the condition setting unit 242 sets distribution conditions that serve as a criterion for determining that the distribution of prices in the free time slots of the candidate dates is appropriate (easy to compare prices) as the distribution to be presented to the user. For example, the condition setting unit 242 refers to the variable price information 232 in FIG. 5 described above, and sets distribution conditions based on the price distribution in all time frames within a certain period. Hereinafter, a case of setting distribution conditions based on the price distribution in all time frames (all time frames shown in FIG. 5) within a week including the candidate date "October 4th" will be specifically described as an example.

[0051] In this case, as shown on the left side of FIG. 8(a), from the price distribution in all time frames within a week, the number of price types k is four: "9,400", "9,800", "10,000", and "10,500". And as shown on the right side of FIG. 8(a), the condition setting unit 242 sets, as the distribution condition, that the number of price types is half or more of the number of types k (0.5k or more). That is, the condition setting unit 242 sets, in the price distribution in the free time frame of the candidate date, that the number of price types is two or more (two or more types) as the distribution condition.

[0052] Note that the condition setting unit 242 may set other distribution conditions. For example, as shown on the left side of FIG. 8(b), in the price distribution in all time frames within a week, the highest price H is "10,500" and the lowest price L is "9,400". And as shown on the right side of FIG. 8(b), the condition setting unit 242 sets, as the distribution condition, that it includes the highest price H or the lowest price L. That is, the condition setting unit 242 sets, in the price distribution in the free time frame of the candidate date, that it includes at least one of "10,500" and "9,400" as the distribution condition.

[0053] In addition to this, for example, as shown on the left side of FIG. 8(c), in the price distribution in all time frames within a week, the price difference d between the highest price H and the lowest price L is "1,100". And as shown on the right side of FIG. 8(c), the condition setting unit 242 sets, as the distribution condition, that the price difference between the highest price and the lowest price is α times or more of the price difference d (where 0 < α < 1). As an example, when α is "0.5", the condition setting unit 242 sets, in the price distribution in the free time frame of the candidate date, that the price difference between the highest price and the lowest price is "550" or more as the distribution condition.

[0054] Returning to FIG. 3, the adding unit 243 first determines whether the price distribution in the free time slot of the candidate date (the first date) specified by the above-mentioned specifying unit 241 satisfies the distribution condition set by the condition setting unit 242. If it is determined that the distribution condition is not satisfied, and there is another date (the second date) with a free time slot available for the user to make a reservation, and the price distribution in that free time slot, when added (combined) to the price distribution in the free time slot of the candidate date, satisfies the distribution condition, then that date (the second date) is added to the candidate dates. Note that "combining" two distributions means performing the union operation of the two distributions. Specifically, the price distribution in the free time slot when the candidate date is "October 4th" is shown in FIG. 9. When the distribution condition shown in FIG. 8(a) above (the number of price types is 2 or more) is set by the condition setting unit 242, the adding unit 243 determines that the distribution condition is satisfied because the number of price types is 3 in the price distribution in the free time slot of "October 4th". In this case, the adding unit 243 will not add other dates to the candidate date.

[0055] On the other hand, when the candidate date is "October 6th" (when the user selects the "6th" day on the calendar screen 510 in FIG. 7 above and the specifying unit 241 specifies "October 6th" as the candidate date), the price distribution in the free time slot is shown in FIG. 10(a). When the same distribution condition shown in FIG. 8(a) is set by the condition setting unit 242, the adding unit 243 determines that the distribution condition is not satisfied because the number of price types is 1 in the price distribution in the free time slot of "October 6th". In this case, the adding unit 243 adds that date to the candidate dates when there is another date with a free time slot available for the user to make a reservation, and the price distribution in that free time slot, when added (combined) to the price distribution shown in FIG. 10(a), satisfies the distribution condition. For example, when the free time slots on "October 5th", which is the day before the candidate date (the previous business day), are added to the free time slots on "October 6th", the price distribution in the free time slots is shown in Fig. 10(b). In the price distribution in the free time slots of Fig. 10(b), since the number of price types is 3 and the distribution conditions are met, the addition unit 243 adds this "October 5th" (the second date) to the candidate date. In addition, if the distribution conditions are not met even when the free time slots on "October 5th" are added, the addition unit 243 may add the free time slots on "October 7th", which is the day after the candidate date (the next business day), and add other dates to the candidate date until the distribution conditions are met.

[0056] Returning to Fig. 3, the generation unit 244 generates proposal information including the free time slots of the candidate date and the price of the free time slots. For example, as shown in Fig. 9 described above, when only a single candidate date satisfies the distribution conditions for the price distribution in the free time slots of that specific date, the generation unit 244 generates proposal information 521 as shown in Fig. 11(a). In the proposal information 521 shown in Fig. 11(a), for the three types of prices that satisfy the distribution conditions, the free time slots and the reservation button BT are separately displayed. Therefore, while comparing the prices of the free time slots, when the user presses any of the reservation buttons BT, the user can reserve the free time slot corresponding to the reservation button BT.

[0057] In addition to this, as shown in Fig. 10(b) described above, when the price distribution in the free time slots of multiple candidate dates satisfies the distribution conditions, the generation unit 244 generates proposal information 522 as shown in Fig. 11(b). Even in the proposed information 522 shown in FIG. 11(b), for the three types of prices that satisfy the distribution conditions, the free time slots and the reservation button BT are displayed separately. In the proposed information 522, candidate dates different from the date selected by the user are made distinguishable by highlighting or the like. Even with such proposed information 522, the user can compare the prices of the free time slots and then, by pressing any of the reservation buttons BT, reserve the free time slot corresponding to the pressed reservation button BT.

[0058] The proposed information 521 and 522 generated by the generation unit 244 in this way are transmitted to the user terminal 300 by the above-described transmission unit 220 and are displayed superimposed on the calendar screen 510 as shown in FIGS. 12(a) and (b). That is, as shown in FIG. 12(a), when the date "4" is selected on the calendar screen 510, since the price distribution in the free time slot of only "October 4th" satisfies the distribution conditions, the proposed information 521 including the free time slot of "October 4th" and the price of that free time slot is displayed superimposed on the calendar screen 510. Also, as shown in FIG. 12(b), when the date "6" is selected on the calendar screen 510, since the price distribution in the free time slots of "October 6th" and "October 5th" satisfies the distribution conditions, the proposed information 522 including the free time slots of "October 6th" and "October 5th" and the prices of those free time slots is displayed superimposed on the calendar screen 510.

[0059] Returning to FIG. 3, when any free time slot is selected by the user from the proposed information generated by the above-described generation unit 244 and presented to the user terminal 300, the reservation unit 245 makes a reservation for the selected free time slot. For example, as shown in FIGS. 12(a) and (b) described above, when any reservation button BT is pressed by the user in a state where the proposed information 521 and 522 are displayed superimposed on the calendar screen 510, the reservation unit 245 associates the free time corresponding to the pressed reservation button BT with the user's information and registers it in reservation management information (not shown).

[0060] Note that the above-described CPU 401 or the like can function as the control unit 240 having such a configuration.

[0061] (Operation of the server device according to Embodiment 1) Hereinafter, the operation of the server device 200 according to Embodiment 1 having such a configuration will be described with reference to FIG. 13. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the flow of reservation processing executed by the server device 200. This reservation processing is started, for example, in response to an access from the user terminal 300 on which the above-described reservation application is executed.

[0062] First, the server device 200 receives request information about a reservation from the user terminal 300 (step S11). For example, when a calendar screen 510 as shown in FIG. 7 described above is displayed on the user terminal 300 on which the reservation application is executed and any date with an available time slot remaining is selected, the user terminal 300 transmits request information including the selected date to the server device 200. In this case, the receiving unit 210 receives the request information including the date selected by the user.

[0063] The server device 200 specifies, as candidate dates, the dates with available time slots remaining based on the request information (step S12). That is, the control unit 240 (specifying unit 241) specifies the date included in the request information received in step S11 above as a candidate date. Note that when the request information does not include a date and instead includes items of services desired by the user, the control unit 240 specifies, as candidate dates, the dates with available time slots remaining for which the items of those services can be reserved.

[0064] The server device 200 sets distribution conditions (step S13). That is, the control unit 240 (condition setting unit 242) sets distribution conditions that serve as a criterion for determining whether the price distribution in the available time slots of the candidate dates is appropriate as the distribution to be presented to the user. For example, the control unit 240 refers to the variable price information 232 in FIG. 5 described above, and sets distribution conditions based on the price distribution in all time frames within a certain period. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8(a), when the control unit 240 counts the number of price types k as 4 from the price distribution in all time frames within a week, it sets, as the distribution condition, that the number of price types is equal to or more than half of the number of types k (that is, 2 or more). Note that the control unit 240 may set other distribution conditions. For example, as shown in FIG. 8(b), when the highest price H and the lowest price L are obtained from the price distribution in all time frames within a week, the control unit 240 sets, as the distribution condition, that it includes the highest price H or the lowest price L. Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 8(c), when the price difference d between the highest price H and the lowest price L is obtained from the price distribution in all time frames within a week, the control unit 240 sets, as the distribution condition, that the price difference between the highest price and the lowest price is α times or more of the price difference d (where 0 < α < 1).

[0065] The server device 200 determines whether the price distribution in the free time frame of the candidate date satisfies the distribution conditions (step S14). For example, the control unit 240 (addition unit 243) determines whether the price distribution in the free time frame of the candidate date specified in step S12 described above, or the price distribution in the free time frame including the candidate date added in step S15 described later, satisfies the distribution conditions set in step S13 above. Specifically, in the case where the distribution condition shown in FIG. 8(a) is set in step S12 described above, for the price distribution in the free time frame of a specific date as shown in FIG. 9 described above, since the number of price types is 3, the control unit 240 determines that the distribution condition is satisfied. On the other hand, in the case where the distribution condition shown in FIG. 8(a) is also set, for the price distribution in the free time frame of a specific date as shown in FIG. 10(a) described above, since the number of price types is 1, the control unit 240 determines that the distribution condition is not satisfied. In addition, when a candidate date is added in step S15 described below, for the price distribution in the free time slot of a specific date as shown in FIG. 10(b) described above, since the number of price types is 3, the control unit 240 determines that the distribution condition is satisfied.

[0066] When the server device 200 determines that the price distribution in the free time slot of the candidate date does not satisfy the distribution condition (step S14; No), it adds another date with a remaining free time slot as a candidate date (step S15). For example, the control unit 240 (addition unit 243) adds the day before (the previous business day) or the day after (the next business day) of the candidate date with a remaining free time slot as a candidate date. Then, the server device 200 returns the process to step S14 described above.

[0067] On the other hand, when it is determined that the price distribution in the free time slot of the candidate date satisfies the distribution condition (step S14; Yes), the server device 200 generates proposal information including the free time slot of the candidate date and the price of that free time slot (step S16). For example, the control unit 240 (generation unit 244) generates proposal information 521 and 522 as shown in FIGS. 11(a) and (b). In the proposal information 521 and 522 shown in FIGS. 11(a) and (b), for the three types of prices that satisfy the distribution condition, the free time slot and the reservation button BT are separately displayed. Therefore, the user can compare the prices of the free time slots and reserve the free time slot corresponding to any of the reservation buttons BT by pressing the reservation button BT.

[0068] The server device 200 transmits the proposal information to the user terminal 300 for display (step S17). For example, the control unit 240 controls the transmission unit 220 to transmit the proposal information generated in step S16 above to the user terminal 300. That is, when the proposed information 521 and 522 as shown in FIGS. 11(a) and 11(b) described above are transmitted to the user terminal 300, on the user terminal 300, as shown in FIGS. 12(a) and 12(b), the proposed information 521 and 522 are displayed superimposed on the calendar screen 510.

[0069] The server device 200 determines whether there has been a reservation operation (step S14). For example, as shown in FIGS. 12(a) and 12(b), the control unit 240 (reservation unit 245) determines whether any of the reservation buttons BT has been pressed by the user in a state where the proposed information 521 and 522 are displayed superimposed on the calendar screen 510.

[0070] When the server device 200 determines that there has been no reservation operation (step S18; No), it ends the reservation process as it is without making a reservation.

[0071] On the other hand, when it is determined that there has been a reservation operation (step S18; Yes), the server device 200 registers the user's reservation in the target free time slot (step S19). For example, the control unit 240 (reservation unit 245) associates the free time corresponding to the pressed reservation button BT with the user's information and registers it in reservation management information (not shown).

[0072] Through such a reservation process, after confirming that the price distribution in the free time slots of the candidate days satisfies the distribution conditions, the proposed information including each free time slot of the candidate days and their prices is transmitted to the user terminal 300. Therefore, on the user terminal 300, since each free time slot with a different price is displayed, the user can easily compare the price levels of each free time slot and make a reservation selection.

[0073] As a result, the user can easily compare the price levels of the reservable free time slots.

[0074] In the above-described Embodiment 1, a calendar screen 510 as shown in FIG. 7 is displayed on the user terminal 300, and the case where the user selects a desired date within the calendar screen 510 and transmits request information including the date selected by the user to the server device 200 has been described. However, request information that does not include such a date may be transmitted from the user terminal 300 to the server device 200. For example, in the reservation application launched on the user terminal 300, a search screen 530 as shown in FIG. 14 can also be displayed. This search screen 530 is, as an example, a screen for searching for available time slots for the items of the service desired by the user. That is, when the user selects an item of the service desired in the item selection area 531 and presses the search button KB, request information including the item of the service desired by the user is transmitted to the server device 200. In the server device 200 that has received such request information, the specifying unit 241 specifies, as candidate dates, the dates on which there are remaining available time slots for which the items of the service included in the request information can be reserved. Note that there is no change in the operations of the condition setting unit 242, the adding unit 243, the generating unit 244, etc. after the specifying unit 241 has specified the candidate dates. Also in this case, the user can easily compare the high and low prices in the available time slots for reservation.

[0075] In the above-described Embodiment 1, the case where the condition setting unit 242 sets the distribution conditions every time after the specifying unit 241 has specified the candidate dates has been described. However, the condition setting unit 242 may set the distribution conditions at other timings and continue to use the set distribution conditions. For example, the condition setting unit 242 may set the distribution conditions every certain period (for example, every Tuesday, which is a regular holiday), and continue to use the set distribution conditions within the period.

[0076] (Embodiment 2) In the above-described Embodiment 1, the case where a user who wishes to make a reservation at a beauty salon operates the reservation application independently to make a reservation has been described. However, taking the change in the price of the time slot as an opportunity, it may be possible to propose a reservation to a user who is not operating the reservation application. Hereinafter, Embodiment 2, which is characterized by proposing a reservation to a user taking the change in the price of the time slot as an opportunity, will be described.

[0077] (Functional Configuration of Server Device According to Embodiment 2) FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the server device 200 according to Embodiment 2. As shown in the figure, the server device 200 includes a transmission unit 250, a reception unit 210, a storage unit 260, and a control unit 270. Note that the reception unit 210 has the same configuration as the reception unit 210 shown in FIG. 3 described above.

[0078] The transmission unit 250 includes a notification transmission unit 251 and an information transmission unit 252.

[0079] The notification transmission unit 251 is controlled by the control unit 270 and transmits a notification capable of activating the reservation application to the user terminal 300 in which the reservation application is installed. For example, the notification transmission unit 251 requests a push notification to the user terminal 300 by transmitting necessary information to a notification server that provides a push notification (remote notification) service.

[0080] The information transmission unit 252 is controlled by the control unit 270 and transmits proposed information or notification information, which will be described later, to the user terminal 300, thereby displaying the proposed information or notification information on the reservation application.

[0081] Note that the above-described NIC 404 or the like can function as such a transmission unit 250.

[0082] The storage unit 260 stores free time slot information 231, variable price information 232, and user management information 261. Note that the free time slot information 231 is the same information as the free time slot information 231 shown in FIG. 4 described above. Also, the variable price information 232 is the same information as the variable price information 232 shown in FIG. 5 described above.

[0083] The user management information 261 is information for managing users who use the beauty salon. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 16, the user management information 261 includes information such as a user ID 261a, a use date 261b, a use item 261c, a location 261d, and a location acquisition date and time 261e. Note that the location 261d is information indicating the location of the user terminal 300. Also, the location acquisition date and time 261e indicates the date and time when the location indicated by the location 261d was acquired. Note that the reservation application installed in the user terminal 300 is configured to transmit, for example, the location information (current location) of the user terminal 300 measured by the OS (Operating System) to the server device 200 when starting up (including when migrating from the background to the foreground). Therefore, the location 261d and the location acquisition date and time 261e are set to the location and date and time when the reservation application was last started on the user terminal 300.

[0084] In addition to this, the storage unit 260 stores reservation management information (reservation date and time, user ID that made the reservation, etc.) for managing the user's reservations, location information of the beauty salon, and the like.

[0085] Note that the auxiliary storage unit 407 described above can function as such a storage unit 260.

[0086] Returning to FIG. 15, the control unit 270 includes a price setting unit 271, a specifying unit 272, an estimating unit 273, a generating unit 274, and a reservation unit 245. Note that the reservation unit 245 has the same configuration as the reservation unit 245 in the control unit 240 shown in FIG. 3 described above.

[0087] The price setting unit 271 sets prices for each time frame of the variable price information 232 shown in FIG. 5 described above, and also varies the price of the time frame after setting as necessary. For example, the price setting unit 271 sets one of a plurality of types of prices according to the magnitude of demand in each time frame of each business day (weekdays, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays). Also, when a predetermined event occurs after the price setting unit 271 sets a price for a time frame, the price of the time frame is varied. Specifically, when a reserved time frame is canceled immediately before, the price setting unit 271 varies (lowers) the price of that time frame to a value lower than before the cancellation in order to quickly recruit new users who can reserve that time frame. Note that the price setting unit 271 may determine the price to be lowered according to the remaining time until the start time of the canceled time frame arrives. In addition, the price setting unit 271 not only varies the price of the time frame to a lower value in this way, but may also vary the price of an unreserved time frame to a higher value, for example, in accompaniment with a sharp increase in utility bills or material costs.

[0088] When the price of a time frame that arrives within a predetermined time varies, the specifying unit 272 specifies candidate users who can use the variable frame whose price has varied, based on the action history of each user. For example, the specific unit 272 refers to the user management information 261 shown in FIG. 16 described above, and uses the position of the user indicated by position 261d to identify whether the user can be a candidate user. Specifically, when the position of the user indicated by position 261d is within a certain distance range centered on the position (location) of the beauty salon, the specific unit 272 identifies that user as a candidate user. At that time, the specific unit 272 may make a determination while excluding the case where the position acquisition date and time 261e of the user management information 261 is older than a certain past period. That is, if the position of the user indicated by position 261d has not been acquired recently, it may not be very useful as a reference, so it may be excluded from the candidate users. Also, in the user management information 261, the address of the user is managed, and when the position acquisition date and time 261e is older than a certain past period, the specific unit 272 uses the address of the user instead of position 261d to identify whether the user can be a candidate user.

[0089] In addition to this, in the user management information 261, SNS (Social Network Service) accounts are managed, and when the specific unit 272 can infer the position of the user from the content posted by the user, the specific unit 272 may use the inferred position of the user to identify whether the user can be a candidate user. Specifically, based on the SNS account, the specific unit 272 acquires the most recent content posted by the user, and searches the acquired content for an image (photo) with location information (such as shooting location) embedded therein or a comment containing a string that can identify a location. When the target image or comment can be searched, the specific unit 272 infers the position of the user based on them, and when the inferred position of the user is within a certain distance range centered on the position of the beauty salon, the specific unit 272 identifies that user as a candidate user.

[0090] When the candidate users are identified in this way, the specific unit 272 controls the notification transmission unit 251 described above to send a notification that can cause the reservation application to be launched to the user terminal 300 used by the candidate users. For example, the specific unit 272 controls the above-described notification transmission unit 251 to transmit a push notification NT as shown in FIG. 17 to the user terminal 300 of the candidate user. This push notification NT includes, for example, a message such as "Great news!". This message is designed to not feel unnatural regardless of whether the proposed information described later or the notification information described later is displayed in the reservation application activated by the user's operation of the push notification NT. Also, when the push notification NT is operated by the user and the reservation application is activated, as described above, the location information (current location) is sent from the user terminal 300 to the server device 200.

[0091] Returning to FIG. 15, when the estimated unit 273 receives the current location reported along with the activation of the reservation application from the user terminal 300 that has received the notification, it estimates whether the candidate user can reserve the variable frame (the time frame in which the price has changed) or cannot reserve it based on the current location and the location of the facility. For example, when the current location of the candidate user based on the location information sent from the user terminal 300 of the candidate user is within a certain distance range centered on the location of the beauty facility, the estimated unit 273 estimates that the candidate user can reserve the variable frame. On the other hand, when the current location of the candidate user based on the location information is not within a certain distance range centered on the location of the beauty facility, the estimated unit 273 estimates that the candidate user cannot reserve the variable frame. Note that the estimated unit 273 may estimate reservation impossible / reservation impossible by considering not only the current location of the candidate user and the location of the facility but also the remaining time until the start time of the variable frame arrives. That is, the estimated unit 273 expands or contracts the distance range centered on the location of the beauty facility according to the remaining time (expands the distance range if the remaining time is long, and conversely, contracts the distance range if the remaining time is short). When the current location of the candidate user is within that distance range, the estimated unit 273 estimates that the candidate user can reserve the variable frame, and when it is not within the distance range, the estimated unit 273 estimates that the candidate user cannot reserve the variable frame.

[0092] In addition, the estimation unit 273 calculates the travel time from the current position of the candidate user to the facility, and if this travel time is longer than the remaining time until the start time of the variable frame arrives, it estimates that the candidate user can reserve the variable frame. On the other hand, if the calculated travel time is less than or equal to the remaining time, it is estimated that the candidate user cannot reserve the variable frame. Note that the travel time may be calculated, for example, by accessing a map server (not shown) that provides a map API (Application Programming Interface).

[0093] Note that even when the push notification as shown in FIG. 17 described above is sent to the user terminals 300 of a plurality of candidate users all at once, there are some candidate users who immediately notice and start the reservation application, and there are also some candidate users who do not notice for a while and start the reservation application after a certain amount of time has passed. And it is also possible that a candidate user who has received the proposed information described later has already completed the reservation of the variable frame. Therefore, if the variable frame has been reserved, the estimation unit 273 unconditionally estimates that the candidate user cannot reserve the variable frame.

[0094] When the estimation unit 273 estimates that reservation is possible, the generation unit 274 generates proposed information for proposing reservation of the variable frame, and when the estimation unit 273 estimates that reservation is impossible, it generates notification information different from the proposed information. For example, when the estimation unit 273 estimates that reservation is possible, the generation unit 274 generates proposed information TJ as shown in FIG. 18(a). This proposed information TJ includes, as an example, a message prompting reservation together with the price of the variable frame with a price reduction, and a reservation button BT. Therefore, a candidate user who intends to make a reservation can reserve the variable frame with a price reduction by pressing the reservation button BT. On the other hand, when the estimation unit 273 estimates that reservation is impossible, for example, the generation unit 274 generates notification information HJ as shown in FIG. 18(b). This notification information HJ includes, as an example, information about coupons that can be obtained by candidate users. Note that the notification information HJ may be an advertisement for a beauty salon or the like.

[0095] The proposal information TJ or the notification information HJ generated by the generation unit 274 in this way is transmitted to the user terminal 300 by the above-described information transmission unit 252 and is displayed in the reservation application as shown in FIGS. 19(a) and 19(b). That is, as shown in FIG. 19(a), the proposal information TJ is displayed in the reservation application on the user terminal 300 of the candidate user estimated to be able to make a reservation. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 19(b), the notification information HJ is displayed in the reservation application on the user terminal 300 of the candidate user estimated to be unable to make a reservation. As a result, only candidate users who are highly likely to be actually used can receive a proposal for a reservation related to the variable frame.

[0096] Note that the above-described CPU 401 or the like can function as the control unit 270 having such a configuration.

[0097] (Operation of Server Device According to Embodiment 2) Hereinafter, the operation of the server device 200 according to Embodiment 2 having such a configuration will be described with reference to FIG. 20. FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing the flow of the presentation process executed by the server device 200. This presentation process is started, for example, when a reserved time frame is canceled immediately before.

[0098] First, the server device 200 varies the price of the time frame for which the reservation has been canceled (step S21). That is, the control unit 270 (price setting unit 271) varies (lowers) the price of the canceled time frame to a value lower than that before cancellation in order to quickly recruit new users who can reserve the canceled time frame.

[0099] The server device 200 identifies candidate users who can utilize a variable frame (a time frame in which the price fluctuates) (step S22). That is, the control unit 270 (identification unit 272) identifies candidate users who can utilize the variable frame based on the behavior history of each user. For example, the control unit 270 refers to the user management information 261 shown in FIG. 16 described above, and when the position of the user indicated by position 261d is included within a certain distance range centered on the position (location) of the beauty salon, that user is identified as a candidate user. In addition to this, when the control unit 270 can estimate the position of the user from the content posted by the user on the SNS, it may use the estimated position of the user to identify whether the user can be a candidate user.

[0100] The server device 200 transmits a notification to the user terminal 300 of the candidate user (step S23). That is, the control unit 270 (identification unit 272) controls the notification transmission unit 251 to transmit a push notification NT as shown in FIG. 17 described above to the user terminal 300 of the candidate user. This push notification NT includes, for example, a message such as "Great news!" and has content that does not feel unnatural even when either proposed information or informed information is sent to the user terminal 300 in step S28 described later.

[0101] The server device 200 determines whether it has received position information from the user terminal 300 that sent the notification (step S24). In step S23 described above, when a push notification NT as shown in FIG. 17 is sent to the user terminal 300 and this push notification NT is operated by the user to start the reservation application, position information (current position) is sent from the user terminal 300 to the server device 200. When the server device 200 determines that it has not received position information from the user terminal 300 that sent the notification (step S24; No), it waits for the reception of position information as it is.

[0102] When the server device 200 determines that it has received location information from the user terminal 300 that sent the notification (step S24; Yes), the server device 200 determines whether a variable frame can be reserved (step S25). That is, when the current location of the candidate user based on the location information received in step S24 above is included within a certain distance range centered on the location of the beauty facility, the control unit 270 (estimation unit 273) estimates that the candidate user can reserve a variable frame. Further, when the current location of the candidate user based on the location information is not included within a certain distance range centered on the location of the beauty facility, the estimation unit 273 estimates that the candidate user cannot reserve a variable frame. Note that the control unit 270 may further estimate reservation impossible / reservation impossible in consideration of the remaining time until the start time of the variable frame arrives. That is, the control unit 270 expands and contracts the distance range centered on the location of the beauty facility according to the remaining time, and when the current location of the candidate user is included within that distance range, estimates that the candidate user can reserve a variable frame, and when it is not included within the distance range, estimates that the candidate user cannot reserve a variable frame. In addition to this, the control unit 270 calculates the travel time from the current location of the candidate user to the location of the facility, and if the calculated travel time is longer than the remaining time until the start time of the variable frame arrives, estimates that the candidate user can reserve a variable frame, and if the calculated travel time is less than or equal to the remaining time, may estimate that the candidate user cannot reserve a variable frame.

[0103] When the server device 200 determines that a variable frame can be reserved (step S25; Yes), it generates proposal information for proposing a reservation of the variable frame (step S26). For example, the control unit 270 (generation unit 274) generates proposal information TJ as shown in FIG. 18(a) described above. This proposal information TJ includes, as an example, a message prompting a reservation together with the price of the variable frame with a price reduction, and a reservation button BT. Therefore, a candidate user who wishes to make a reservation can reserve the variable frame with the price reduction by pressing the reservation button BT.

[0104] On the other hand, when the server device 200 determines that reservation of a flexible slot is not possible (step S25; No), it generates notification information different from the proposal information (step S27). For example, the control unit 270 (generation unit 274) generates notification information HJ as shown in FIG. 18(b) described above. This notification information HJ includes, as an example, information about coupons that candidate users can obtain. Note that the notification information HJ may be an advertisement of a beauty salon or the like.

[0105] The server device 200 transmits the generated information to the user terminal 300 for display (step S28). That is, the control unit 270 controls the information transmission unit 252 to transmit the proposal information generated in step S26 described above or the notification information generated in step S27 described above to the user terminal 300 and display it on the reservation application. For example, when proposal information TJ as shown in FIG. 18(a) is generated in step S26, the control unit 270 controls the information transmission unit 252 to transmit the proposal information TJ to the user terminal 300 of the candidate user, so that the proposal information TJ is displayed on the reservation application as shown in FIG. 19(a) described above. Also, when notification information HJ as shown in FIG. 18(b) is generated in step S27, the control unit 270 controls the information transmission unit 252 to transmit the notification information HJ to the user terminal 300 of the candidate user, so that the notification information HJ is displayed on the reservation application as shown in FIG. 19(b) described above.

[0106] By such a presentation process, it becomes possible to propose a reservation related to a flexible slot to candidate users who are highly likely to actually use it.

[0107] As a result, it is possible to appropriately propose a reservation to users with high probability.

[0108] In the above-described Embodiment 2, the case where the specifying unit 272 specifies candidate users based only on the action history has been described. However, in order to prevent frequent notifications (push notifications) from being sent to the user terminal 300, an upper limit may be set on the number of times of sending notifications. For example, the specifying unit 272 excludes users whose number of notifications sent to the user terminal 300 exceeds the upper limit within a certain period, and specifies candidate users.

[0109] Also, in the above-described Embodiment 2, the case where the generation unit 274 generates proposal information TJ as shown in FIG. 18(a) has been described. However, other proposal information may be generated. For example, when the reservation application is launched on the user terminal 300 and the calendar screen 510 as shown in FIG. 7 described in Embodiment 1 is displayed, the generation unit 274 may generate proposal information 523 as shown in FIG. 21. Specifically, when generating proposal information (when the estimation unit 273 estimates that reservation is possible), the generation unit 274 refers to the free time slot information 231 in FIG. 4 described above, and among a plurality of free time slots for which reservation is possible, selects a comparison time slot having a price different from that of the variable slot (as an example, a higher price than the price of the variable slot). Then, the generation unit 274 generates proposal information 523 including the price of the variable slot, the price of the comparison time slot, and the reservation button BT. Note that the generation unit 274 may highlight the reservation button BT for the variable slot in the proposal information 523.

[0110] In this case, while emphasizing that the price of the variable slot is low, it is possible to propose reservation of the variable slot.

[0111] (Other Embodiments) In the above-described Embodiments 1 and 2, the reservation system 100 for making a reservation for a beauty salon that adopts a variable price system for time slots has been described as an example. However, it is also applicable to a reservation system for making a reservation for other facilities (as an example, a massage parlor, a sports facility, etc.) that provide other services to users.

[0112] As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a server device, a reservation proposal method, and a program that enable a user to easily compare the prices of available time slots that can be reserved.

Explanation of Signs

[0113] 100 Reservation system 200 Server device 210 Receiver 220, 250 Transmitter 230, 260 Storage unit 231 Available time slot information 232 Variable price information 233 Usage history information 261 User management information 240, 270 Control unit 241, 272 Specifying unit 242 Condition setting unit 243 Adding unit 244, 274 Generating unit 245 Reservation unit 251 Notification transmitter 252 Information transmitter 271 Price setting unit 273 Estimating unit 300 User terminal 400 Information processing device 401 CPU 402 ROM 403 RAM 404 NIC 405 Image processing unit 406 Audio processing unit 407 Auxiliary storage unit 408 Interface 409 Operation unit 410 Display unit 900 Internet

Claims

1. A server device that manages reservations for a facility with a variable price system applied to the price of the time frame for providing a service, comprising: a receiving unit that receives request information about a reservation from a user terminal used by a user; a specifying unit that specifies, as a candidate date, a first date on which there remains an available time frame for which the user can make a reservation, based on the request information; an adding unit that, when the price distribution in the available time frame of the first date does not satisfy a predetermined distribution condition, adds, as the candidate date, a second date on which there remains an available time frame for which the user can make a reservation, and that satisfies the distribution condition by combining the price distribution in the available time frame of the first date and the price distribution in the available time frame of the second date; a transmitting unit that transmits proposal information including the available time frame of the candidate date and the price of the available time frame to the user terminal; A server device characterized by comprising the above.

2. The server device according to claim 1, further comprising a condition setting unit that sets the distribution condition based on the price distribution in all the time frames within a certain period.

3. The server device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein when the date specified by the user is included in the request information, the specifying unit specifies the specified date as the candidate date.

4. The server device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein when the item of the service desired by the user is included in the request information, the specifying unit specifies, as the candidate date, the most recent date among a plurality of dates on which there remains an available time frame for which a reservation can be made for the item.

5. The server device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein when the item of the service desired by the user is included in the request information, the specifying unit specifies the candidate date based on a usage history including the date on which the user has used the facility in the past, among a plurality of dates on which there remains an available time frame for which a reservation can be made for the item.

6. A reservation proposal method executed by a server device that manages reservations for a facility with a variable price system applied to the price of the time frame for providing a service, comprising: a receiving step of receiving request information about a reservation from a user terminal used by a user; a specifying step of specifying, as a candidate date, a first date on which there remains an available time frame for which the user can make a reservation, based on the request information; an adding step of, when the price distribution in the available time frame of the first date does not satisfy a predetermined distribution condition, adding, as the candidate date, a second date on which there remains an available time frame for which the user can make a reservation, and that satisfies the distribution condition by combining the price distribution in the available time frame of the first date and the price distribution in the available time frame of the second date; a transmitting step of transmitting proposal information including the available time frame of the candidate date and the price of the available time frame to the user terminal. a receiving step of receiving request information about a reservation from a user terminal used by a user; A specifying step of specifying, as a candidate date, a first date on which there remains a free time slot that can be reserved by the user based on the requirement information; An adding step of adding, to the candidate date, a second date on which there remains a free time slot that can be reserved by the user, when the price distribution in the free time slot of the first date does not satisfy a predetermined distribution condition, and the distribution condition is satisfied by combining the price distribution in the free time slot of the first date and the price distribution in the free time slot of the second date; A transmitting step of transmitting proposal information including the free time slot of the candidate date and the price of the free time slot to the user terminal; A reservation proposal method, characterized by comprising the above.

7. In a computer that manages reservations for a facility adopting a variable price system for the price of a time slot for providing a service, A receiving step of receiving requirement information about a reservation from a user terminal used by a user; A specifying step of specifying, as a candidate date, a first date on which there remains a free time slot that can be reserved by the user based on the requirement information; An adding step of adding, to the candidate date, a second date on which there remains a free time slot that can be reserved by the user, when the price distribution in the free time slot of the first date does not satisfy a predetermined distribution condition, and the distribution condition is satisfied by combining the price distribution in the free time slot of the first date and the price distribution in the free time slot of the second date; A transmitting step of transmitting proposal information including the free time slot of the candidate date and the price of the free time slot to the user terminal; A program, characterized by causing the above to be executed.

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