Meeting system

Abstract

To provide a meeting system capable of smoothly establishing meetings between meeting personnel and users registered in the system, thereby enabling an increase in the number of customers in a store to be expected.SOLUTION: A control unit 49 of a server 40 of a meeting system executes: a store selection reception process for receiving, based on a request from a user terminal 10, a designation of either a certified store stored in a certified store table 46c or a non-certified store not stored in the certified store table 46c as a reservation store where a user reserves a meeting with meeting personnel; and a store reservation determination process for determining whether to permit a meeting reservation at the reservation store. In the store reservation determination process, when the reservation store is a certified store, the meeting reservation is permitted without receiving input of store investigation results indicating that the store is appropriate, and when the reservation store is a non-certified store, the meeting reservation is permitted upon receiving input of store investigation results indicating that the store is appropriate.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a meeting system in which a user meets with a meeting participant.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there has been a system that sets a store selected by a customer registered for a service as a place for customers to meet each other (for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, the conventional system had room for improvement.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] One aspect of the present invention includes a user terminal owned by a user, a meeting staff terminal owned by a meeting staff member who meets with the user at a store in response to a user's request, and a server managed by an operator. The server includes a user information storage unit that stores information about the user, a meeting staff information storage unit that stores information about the meeting staff, a certified store information storage unit that stores store information about a certified store registered by receiving an authentication operation, and a control unit that performs processing related to the meeting of the meeting staff and the user. The control unit of the server executes a store selection reception process that receives a designation of either a certified store stored in the certified store information storage unit or a non-certified store not stored in the certified store information storage unit as a reserved store for the user to make a meeting reservation with the meeting staff based on a request from the user terminal, and a store reservation determination process that determines whether to permit the meeting reservation for the reserved store. In the store reservation determination process, when the reserved store is a certified store stored in the certified store information storage unit, the meeting reservation is permitted without receiving an input of a store investigation result indicating that it is an appropriate store, and when the reserved store is a non-certified store not stored in the certified store information storage unit, the meeting reservation is permitted when an input of a store investigation result indicating that it is an appropriate store is received. This is a meeting system characterized by this.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0006]

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Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0007] (Embodiment) Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings and the like, an example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the outline of the meeting system 1 of the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the meeting system 1 of the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the user table 46a, the cast table 46b (meeting staff - certified store association storage unit), and the certified store table 46c of the embodiment. (Configuration of the Meeting System 1) The meeting system 1 of the embodiment is a system that provides a service for a user to have a meeting with a cast (meeting staff) at a store. The meeting system 1 performs, for example, management of reservations for meetings between users and casts at stores (also simply referred to as meeting reservations), management during an actual meeting, processing related to settlement for users, and the like. In the embodiment, a meeting means that a user and a cast directly meet at a store or the like.

[0008] A user is a person who uses the service. A user can use the service by consuming the points they hold. A cast is registered in the service as a staff member who conducts meetings, and meets with a user at a store and has a meal or the like in response to the user's request. It is not necessary for the cast to be an employee of the operator of the meeting system 1. That is, the cast in the embodiment is a concept of a staff member who visits the store and meets with the user only when accepting a meeting request.

[0009] A store is a restaurant or the like where a meeting is held. Stores are classified into certified stores and uncertified stores. A certified store is a store that has been reviewed by the operator and certified and registered in the system. A certified store is determined as a store where a meeting is possible without the need for an appropriateness investigation at the time of a meeting reservation. An unrecognized store is a store that has not been reviewed by the operator. For unrecognized stores, it is necessary to sequentially investigate their suitability during the face-to-face appointment. The service provider provides this system and operates the face-to-face system 1. In the embodiment, the service provider is also referred to as the operator.

[0010] The face-to-face system 1 includes a user terminal 10, a cast terminal 20, a store terminal 30, a server 40, a payment server 51, and a bank server 52. The user terminal 10, the cast terminal 20, the store terminal 30, and the server 40 can communicate as necessary using a communication network 2 such as the Internet.

[0011] In the embodiment, the computer refers to an electronic computer equipped with a storage device, a control device, an arithmetic device, etc. The user terminal 10, the cast terminal 20, the store terminal 30, and the server 40 are equipped with a storage unit, a control unit, etc. and are included in the concept of a computer. Also, each device 10, 20, 30, 40 is not limited to being configured by a single electronic computer and may be configured by a plurality of electronic computers as necessary. The storage unit is a storage device such as a hard disk or a semiconductor memory element for storing programs, information, etc. necessary for the operation of each device 10, 20, 30, 40. The control unit is a device for performing arithmetic processing necessary for the operation of each device 10, 20, 30, 40 and for comprehensively controlling each device 10, 20, 30, 40. The control unit is composed of, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), etc. The control unit realizes various functions of the embodiment by appropriately reading and executing various programs stored in the storage unit.

[0012] The user terminal 10, the cast terminal 20, and the store terminal 30 are terminals (mobile terminals (high-function mobile information terminals such as smartphones), personal computers, etc.) owned by the user, the cast, and the store. In the embodiment, an example where the user terminal 10, the cast terminal 20, and the store terminal 30 are mainly mobile terminals will be described. Note that the user terminal 10, the cast terminal 20, and the store terminal 30 may each be owned in multiple numbers. For example, a user may own multiple terminals such as a mobile terminal and a personal computer in order to use the service.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 2, the user terminal 10 includes a position information acquisition unit 11, a touch panel 12, a storage unit 15, and a control unit 19. The position information acquisition unit 11 is a detection unit for acquiring the current position of the user terminal 10. The position information acquisition unit 11 can use, for example, GPS, a position information acquisition service using a Wi-Fi access point, or the like. The touch panel 12 is a device that serves as both a display unit and an input unit. That is, the touch panel 12 is a device in which, for example, a display unit such as a liquid crystal display device and a touch screen such as a capacitance type are integrally configured. Note that the user terminal 10 may have a display unit and an input unit (such as a numeric keypad) as independent devices. The storage unit 15 stores a user program 15a. The control unit 19 operates according to the user program 15a to execute processing related to the face-to-face system 1 in the user terminal 10.

[0014] The cast terminal 20 is a terminal similar to the user terminal 10, and includes a position information acquisition unit 21, a touch panel 22, a storage unit 25, and a control unit 29. The control unit 29 operates according to the cast program 25a in the storage unit 25 to execute processing related to the face-to-face system 1 in the cast terminal 20.

[0015] The store terminal 30 is a terminal similar to the user terminal 10, and includes a touch panel 32, a storage unit 35, a control unit 39, and the like. The control unit 39 operates according to the store program 35a in the storage unit 35 to execute processing related to the face-to-face system 1 in the store terminal 30.

[0016] The server 40 includes a storage unit 45 and a control unit 49. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the storage unit 45 stores a server program 45a, a user table 46a, a cast table 46b, and an authorized store table 46c. The server program is a program for executing processes related to the meeting system 1 on the server 40. The user table 46a, the cast table 46b, and the authorized store table 46c store various types of information related to users, casts, and authorized stores. Note that FIG. 3 shows, as an example, the tables 46a, 46b, and 46c for the user "Ichiro", the cast "Futaba", and the authorized store "Izakaya Saburo_Z Town Store". However, the storage unit 45 stores the respective tables for a plurality of users, a plurality of casts, and a plurality of authorized stores.

[0017] Among the information stored in the user table 46a, the user ID, PW, phone number, age, occupation, user name, identification documents, real name, address, payment account, profile, and program DL (download) store are basically the information stored when the user registers for the service. These pieces of information may be changed as appropriate after the user registers for the service.

[0018] The user ID is identification information of the user. The payment account is information related to the account of the credit card used when the user purchases points. The held points are information on the number of points held by the user. The user purchases and holds points in advance using a credit card before using the service. That is, this system is not in the form of credit settlement for the usage fee at the time of service provision (when the user and the cast actually have a meeting), but in the form of settlement using the held points (purchased points) that the user already holds at the time of service provision. The program DL store is stored when the user program is downloaded using the two-dimensional code 101 (see FIG. 1) installed in the store.

[0019] The cast table 46b stores almost the same information as the user table 46a, but has records of transfer destination accounts and favorite stores, and does not have records of settlement accounts and program DL stores. The cast ID is the identification information of the cast. The transfer destination account is the destination of the remuneration paid to the cast in response to the holding of a meeting. The meeting response area is the area where the cast can hold a meeting. The favorite store is the certified store registered by the cast.

[0020] The certified store table 46c stores the store ID, PW, telephone number, store name, store location, transfer destination account, and profile. The store ID, PW, and telephone number are the same information as the user ID, PW, and telephone number in the user table 46a. The transfer destination account is the destination of the remuneration paid to the store in response to the holding of a meeting. As will be described later, when the settlement of the meeting is executed, the meeting system 1 may grant remuneration to the store in addition to the cast.

[0021] The settlement server 51 is a server managed by a credit card company where the user conducts settlement when purchasing points. The bank server 52 is a server managed by the bank of the bank account where the cast and the store receive the remuneration.

[0022] [Processing of Meeting System 1] The processing of the meeting system 1 will be described. The registration process of the user, cast, and store systems to the service, the process at the time of meeting reservation, and the process at the time of meeting will be described. In the following processes, each of the terminals 10, 20, and 30 can operate the terminal by selecting a button displayed on the touch panels 12, 22, and 32, for example, or input various information to the terminal by an input operation using the function of a software keyboard or the like (not shown). In the embodiment, selecting various buttons and displays shown on the touch panels 12, 22, 32 is also referred to as an operation. Further, when the back button displayed on each screen is operated, the user terminal 10, the cast terminal 20, and the server 40 display the previous screen of each screen and perform the processing from all screens again. The processing accompanying the operation of the back button will be omitted from the description as appropriate. Programs and applications are also referred to as apps as appropriate.

[0023] (Registration of service) FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a series of processes when the server 40 receives service registration from the user terminal 10, the cast terminal 20, and the store terminal 30 in the embodiment. The user terminal 10, the cast terminal 20, and the store terminal 30 can each download a user program 15a, a cast program 25a, and a store program 35a from a download site, a content server, or the like. Access to the download site may utilize a two-dimensional code 101 or the like (see FIG. 1) installed in the store as described later. The user terminal 10, the cast terminal 20, and the store terminal 30 can start each program, connect to the registration site of the server 40, and register various information. The server 40 performs the process of registering the user, the cast, and the store for the service based on the operations of the user terminal 10, the cast terminal 20, and the store terminal 30. The description of the flowchart and the display screen of each terminal at the time of registration will be omitted. By registering for the service, the user, the cast, and the store can access their my pages (their respective management screens), and can also register, edit, etc. various information on the my pages.

[0024] (User registration process) In S1 and S2, the control unit 49 of the server 40 performs login information registration processing and user information registration processing. The login information is the same as the information required when using conventional general services. The login information is the information required when using the service (for example, when the user displays the my page). The login information includes the user ID, PW, phone number, etc. The user ID is the identification information of the user and may be, for example, an email address. The PW can be set by the user as appropriate. The phone number may be any number that the operator can use to contact the user, and it may also be a number other than that of the user terminal 10.

[0025] User information is various information about the user. User information includes the user name, address, occupation, profile, etc. The user name is the name that is publicly displayed to other users, casts, etc. within the service when using the service. Since the user may be disadvantaged if their real name is publicly displayed within the service, the user name can be used. The profile is, for example, hobbies, special skills, etc.

[0026] In S3 and S4, the control unit 49 of the server 40 performs identity verification processing and registration to the service. In the identity verification processing, the server 40 acquires, for example, imaging information of an identity certificate (such as a driver's license) uploaded by the user. The operator verifies the authenticity of the identity certificate based on the uploaded imaging information of the identity certificate, etc. And when the operator determines that the identity certificate is appropriate, the operator performs a registration operation for the user on the server 40. The server 40 executes the registration process of the user to the service according to the operation of the operator.

[0027] In S5, the control unit 49 of the server 40 executes the registration process of the credit card according to the operation of the user terminal 10. The credit card is used for settlement when the user purchases points. In S6, the control unit 49 of the server 40 reflects the user to the system in response to the normal completion of the processing up to S5. Through the system reflection, the user's profile, etc. is publicly displayed within the service.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 49 of the server 40 stores the various types of information acquired in the above processing in the user table 46a.

[0029] (Registration of Cast) In S11 to S14, the control unit 49 of the server 40 executes login information registration processing, cast information registration processing, identity verification processing, service registration, etc. in response to operations of the cast terminal 20, similar to the user registration processing. The cast name registered in the cast information registration process in S12 is, like the user name, a name publicly available within the service when using the service. In the cast information registration process, a more detailed profile than that of the user may be registered. As a result, the user can know more detailed information such as the personality, body shape, hobbies, etc. of the cast. Also, in the cast information registration process, the control unit 49 of the server 40 accepts the registration of the meeting area in addition to the profile, etc. The cast can register the area where it is possible to meet the user as the meeting area in consideration of its home, its own range of activities, etc.

[0030] The operator may register the cast in the service only when it conducts an interview with the cast and determines that it is appropriate. Since the role of the cast on the service is to meet in response to requests from users, it is necessary for the operator to more strictly determine the suitability of the cast in terms of the service.

[0031] In S15, the control unit 49 of the server 40 accepts the registration of the transfer destination bank account. The transfer destination bank account is the account to which the reward received by the cast is transferred. Note that in this system, basically no charging from the cast is assumed, so the registration of the cast's credit card is unnecessary.

[0032] In S16, in response to the normal completion of the processes up to S15, the control unit 49 of the server 40 reflects the cast in the system. Through the system reflection, the profile of the cast and the like are made public within the service, and it becomes possible to accept requests for face-to-face reservation from users.

[0033] In S17, the control unit 49 of the server 40 accepts the registration of a favorite store in response to the operation of the cast terminal 20 of the cast. The cast can register a favorite store from among the certified stores by accessing the cast terminal 20 to the my page. By registering a favorite store, in the face-to-face reservation process described later, it is more likely that the user will be requested to make a face-to-face reservation by specifying a favorite store. For this reason, it is convenient for the cast to register a favorite store in consideration of the convenience of daily life rather than a certified store in the busy street. The cast can register, for example, a certified store near the user's home or a certified store on the commuting route as a favorite.

[0034] Although a detailed description of the method of registering a favorite store is omitted, the control unit 29 of the cast terminal 20 and the control unit 49 of the server 40 may display, for example, a map screen showing the locations of a plurality of certified stores on the touch panel 22 of the cast terminal 20 by using a map application. In this case, the registration of a certified store can be accepted in response to a selection operation of a certified store on the map screen. Also, the control unit 29 of the cast terminal 20 and the control unit 49 of the server 40 may accept, for example, the input of the store name of a certified store.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 49 of the server 40 stores the various types of information acquired in the above processes in the cast table 46b. Although a detailed description of the method of registering a schedule is omitted, the cast can register a schedule in the cast table 46b by operating the cast terminal 20. In the embodiment, an example of managing a schedule on a weekly basis is described. The control unit 49 of the server 40 manages the meeting reservation information of the cast by storing the information of "not reserved" in the time slots where no meeting is reserved among the registered schedules, while storing the information of "reserved" in the time slots where a meeting is reserved.

[0036] (Registration of Certified Stores) In S31, the control unit 49 of the server 40 executes the login information registration process according to the operation of the store terminal 30, similar to the user registration process. In S32, the control unit 49 of the server 40 performs the store information registration process. In the store information registration process, the registration of the store name, profile, etc. is accepted. Normally, the store registers its actual store name as the store name. This is because the store needs to publicly disclose its actual store name within the service for users and casts to use the store. As a profile, the store can register, for example, the field of cuisine provided by the store.

[0037] In S33, the control unit 49 of the server 40 executes the process of registering the services of the certified store. When the operator determines that the store is appropriate based on the result of the prior review of the store, the operator certifies the store as a certified store. The prior review is a review executed as a prerequisite for the service registration of the store. The certified store is not judged for its suitability when it is specified at the time of meeting reservation as described later. Therefore, the operator conducts a strict prior review of the store and certifies the store as a certified store only when it is determined to be appropriate. In the review for certifying the store, the operator may use a map application to confirm whether the store actually exists, or refer to the appearance, interior, evaluation content, etc. using various evaluation sites. Also, the operator may conduct an on-site investigation of the store as needed, for example. When the operator determines that the store is appropriate in the prior review, the operator performs a registration operation for registering the store as a certified store in the server 40. In response to this, the control unit 49 of the server 40 registers the store as a certified store for service.

[0038] In S34, the control unit 49 of the server 40 accepts registration of the transfer destination bank account. The transfer destination bank account is the account to which the reward received by the store is transferred. Note that in this system, since basically no charging from the store is assumed, registration of the store's credit card is unnecessary.

[0039] In S34, the control unit 49 of the server 40 accepts registration of the transfer destination bank account. The transfer destination bank account is the account to which the reward received by the store is transferred. Note that in this system, since basically no charging from the store is assumed, registration of the store's credit card is unnecessary.

[0040] In S35, in response to the processing up to S34 being normally completed, the control unit 49 of the server 40 reflects the store as an approved store in the system. By reflecting in the system, the profile etc. of the approved store is made public within the service, and it becomes possible to be designated as a reserved store without the need for investigation during the reservation process.

[0041] [Meeting reservation processing] The meeting reservation processing will be described. The meeting reservation processing is a process that accepts selection of a store, designation of a cast, etc. in response to a request from the user, and makes a meeting request etc. to the cast. That is, the meeting reservation processing is a process regarding the reservation of a meeting (a process for making an appointment for a meeting).

[0042] (Selection of cast - priority reservation and store - priority reservation) FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the reservation method selection screen D1 of the user terminal 10 of the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 19 of the user terminal 10 displays the reservation method selection screen D1 on the touch panel 12 in response to the user's operation. The reservation method selection screen D1 displays a cast - priority reservation button D1a and a store - priority reservation button D1b. The cast - priority reservation button D1a and the store - priority reservation button D1b are buttons for selecting whether to make the meeting reservation a cast - priority reservation or a store - priority reservation.

[0043] Cast priority reservation is basically a reservation method in which a store is specified after a cast is selected. Store priority reservation is basically a reservation method in which a cast is specified after a store is selected based on the user's current location. The user may select a desired reservation method using the cast priority reservation button D1a or the store priority reservation button D1b. The control unit 19 of the user terminal 10 and the control unit 49 of the server 40 start processing of the selected reservation method in response to operations of the cast priority reservation button D1a and the store priority reservation button D1b.

[0044] (Cast Priority Reservation Processing) FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the processing flow of the user terminal 10 and the server 40 during the cast priority reservation processing of the embodiment. FIGS. 6 to 9 are diagrams for explaining the screen transition of the touch panel 12 of the user terminal 10 during the cast priority reservation processing of the embodiment. In S40 and S41, the control unit 19 of the user terminal 10 and the control unit 49 of the server 40 display the cast selection screen D41 on the touch panel 12 of the user terminal 10 in response to the operation of the cast priority reservation button D1a (see FIG. 4). As shown in FIG. 7(A), the cast selection screen D41 displays a plurality of cast information D41a. Each cast information D41a has a photo of the cast and information on the cast name. The cast selection screen D41 arranges and displays a plurality of cast information D41a in a matrix of two columns horizontally and a plurality of rows vertically. The plurality of cast information D41a are displayed in descending order of the cast rank. That is, the cast selection screen D41 displays the cast information D41a of the highest-ranked cast at the upper left of the screen, and displays the cast information D41a of the second-highest cast to its right. Then, the cast information D41a of the third-ranked cast is arranged on the left side of the second row, and the cast information D41a of the fourth-ranked cast is arranged to its right. In this way, the plurality of cast information D41a are sequentially arranged in a zigzag pattern in descending order of rank. Note that the cast selection screen D41 receives a scroll operation on the screen and displays the cast information D41a of the lower-ranked casts.

[0045] As a result, the cast selection screen D41 displays the cast information D41a so that it is more noticeable to the user for higher-ranked casts. The user can select a cast to request a meeting by selecting one of the multiple cast information D41a on the cast selection screen D41. In response to receiving a cast priority reservation operation, the control unit 19 of the user terminal 10 transmits information regarding the selected cast information D41a to the server 40.

[0046] Hereinafter, mainly, an example in which the cast information D41a of the cast Futaba is selected will be described. In S42, in response to the cast information D41a of the cast Futaba being selected, the control unit 49 of the server 40 receives a nomination of that cast from the user (meeting staff nomination process). The control unit 49 reads the detailed information of the cast Futaba from the cast table 46b and transmits it to the user terminal 10. In S43, in response to obtaining the detailed information of the cast Futaba from the server 40, the control unit 19 of the user terminal 10 displays the cast detail screen D43 on the touch panel 12.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 7(B), the cast detail screen D43 displays a schedule D43a, a meeting corresponding area D43b, a favorite certified store D43c, a meeting reservation request button D43d, and a location selection button 43e. The meeting corresponding area D43b is the area registered as the area where the cast Futaba can have a meeting as described above. If the user abandons the meeting reservation with the cast Futaba due to reasons such as the meeting corresponding area D43b of the cast Futaba being far away, the user may operate the back button.

[0048] The control unit 19 of the user terminal 10 displays a reservation detail setting screen in response to an operation of the reservation detail setting button. Schedule D43a displays the schedule information registered by the cast. In the example of Fig. 7(A), the dates and times when the cast is available for a meeting are displayed between January 1st and January 7th. Note that Schedule D43a displays the cast's schedule information after deleting the time slots for which reservations have already been confirmed. Therefore, multiple meeting reservations do not overlap in the same time slot. Favorite certified store D43c displays the information of the certified stores registered as favorites by the cast.

[0049] The user can select the date and time for the meeting from the schedule information of Schedule D43a, and can also select the store for the meeting from the certified stores of Favorite Certified Store D43c. Although detailed description is omitted, the user terminal 10 can accept an operation to adjust the meeting time within the time slot displayed in the date and time selection display section by displaying a pull-down list or the like. When the user applies for a meeting reservation with this selection content, the user may operate the meeting reservation request button D43d.

[0050] In S44a, the control unit 19 of the user terminal 10 displays a meeting request confirmation screen D44a in response to the operation of the meeting reservation request button D43d. As shown in Fig. 7(C), the meeting request confirmation screen D44a displays information regarding the name of the cast for the meeting reservation, the meeting date and time, the meeting store, the points required for the meeting, etc. The user can request a meeting reservation with the display content of the meeting request confirmation screen D44a by operating the confirmation button D44b. In S44b, the control unit 19 of the user terminal 10 transmits the information regarding the meeting reservation displayed on the meeting request confirmation screen D44a to the server 40 in response to the operation of the confirmation button D44b.

[0051] On the other hand, in a state where the cast details screen D43 in FIG. 7(B) is displayed, the user may sometimes want to select a store based on their current location or daily movement range instead of the favorite certified store for the cast. In such a case, after selecting the time zone of the schedule D43a, the location selection button D43e may be operated. When the location selection button D43e is operated, the control unit 19 of the user terminal 10 transmits the operation information and the location information of the user terminal 10 acquired by the location information acquisition unit 11 to the server 40.

[0052] In S45, when the control unit 49 of the server 40 acquires the location information of the user terminal 10, it creates certified store map information by performing the following processes. (1) Create map information around the user terminal 10 (also referred to as surrounding map information). The creation of this surrounding map information may use various services such as a map application or a map mapping system. (2) Refer to the certified store table 46c based on the surrounding map information to extract the certified stores around the user terminal 10. (3) Create certified store map information by synthesizing the location information of the certified stores extracted in (2) above and the certified store map information created in (1). The control unit 49 of the server 40 transmits the certified store map information and the information regarding the extracted certified stores to the user terminal 10.

[0053] In S46, when the control unit 19 of the user terminal 10 acquires the certified store map information from the server 40, it displays the surrounding map screen D46 based on the certified store map information. As shown in FIG. 8(A), the surrounding map screen D46 displays a map display section D46a, a store name display section D46b, and a non-certified store selection button D46c. The map display section D46a displays the certified store map information. The map display section D46a in FIG. 8(A) is an example where three certified stores exist around the user terminal 10.

[0054] Although detailed description is omitted, the control unit 19 of the user terminal 10 and the control unit 49 of the server 40 change the display range of the map on the map display unit D46a by accepting a scroll operation, a pinch-in operation, etc. In this case, the certified stores within the changed map are extracted, and their location information is reflected on the changed map.

[0055] The store name display unit D46b displays the store names of the certified stores displayed on the map. The store name display unit D46b in Fig. 8(A) shows, for example, that the store name of the certified store 1 displayed on the map is D Izakaya. The uncertified store selection button D46c is a button that accepts an operation to start a process for making an appointment to meet by designating another store. The other store is an uncertified store different from the certified stores displayed on the store name display unit D46b.

[0056] In a state where the surrounding map screen is displayed, if the user wants to know the detailed information of the certified store displayed on the store name display unit D46b, the user may select the certified store displayed on the store name display unit D46b. On the other hand, the user may operate the uncertified store selection button for which the user wants to make an appointment to meet by designating another store.

[0057] In S47a, the control unit 19 of the user terminal 10 displays the confirmation screen D47a in response to accepting a selection operation of the certified store displayed on the store name display unit D46b. As shown in Fig. 8(B), the confirmation screen D47a is a screen for confirming the same reservation content as the confirmation screen D44a in Fig. 7(A). The confirmation screen D47a in Fig. 8(B) is different from the confirmation screen D44a in Fig. 7(C) only in the information regarding the meeting store, that is, an explanation D47c that it is a certified store selected from the surrounding map is displayed. Note that the control unit 19 of the user terminal 10 may obtain detailed information (menu, average price, etc.) of the store from the server 40 and display it on the touch panel 12 in response to the display area of the certified store on the confirmation screen D47a being selected.

[0058] In S47b, when the confirmation button 47b on the confirmation screen D47a is operated, the control unit 19 of the user terminal 10 transmits reservation confirmation information to the server 40. The reservation confirmation information includes information such as the cast name, reservation date and time, and the reserved certified store.

[0059] (Unauthorized Store Selection Process) In S46, when the unauthorized store selection button D46c is operated in the scene where the surrounding map screen D46 in FIG. 8(A) is displayed, the control unit 19 of the user terminal 10 transmits the operation information to the server 40. In S47, when the control unit 49 of the server 40 receives the operation information of the unauthorized store selection button D46c from the user terminal 10, it transmits information regarding the unauthorized store selection map screen to the user terminal 10.

[0060] In S48, when the control unit 19 of the user terminal 10 acquires information regarding the unauthorized store selection map screen, it displays the surrounding map screen D48 (unauthorized store) on the touch panel 12. As shown in FIG. 9(A), similar to the surrounding map screen D46 in FIG. 8(A), the surrounding map screen D48 displays a map display section D48a and a store name display section D48b. Similar to S46, the map display section D48a displays a map synthesized from the map information acquired from the server 40 and the information on the current position of the user terminal 10. The surrounding map screen D48 displays the store names of the unauthorized stores searched using the search bar D48c.

[0061] In the state where the surrounding map screen D48 is displayed, the user can search for stores that match the search conditions by inputting the desired search conditions into the search bar D48c. FIG. 9(A) is an example in which "izakaya" is input into the search bar D48c, and as a result of the search, information on unauthorized stores 1 to 3 is synthesized and displayed on the surrounding map. In this case, upon acquiring the input information to the search bar D48c from the user terminal 10, the control unit 49 of the server 40 may search for stores that match the search conditions within the surrounding map and transmit the search results to the user terminal 10. Similar to the surrounding map screen D46 in FIG. 8(A), the surrounding map screen D48 can change the display range of the surrounding map and accept store searches within the changed display range. Note that FIG. 9(A) shows an example where all of the search results are uncertified stores, but it may include one or more certified stores.

[0062] The method for searching for uncertified stores may be any method that can identify the store and its location information, and is not limited to the method using a map. For example, the user terminal 10 may accept input of a store name (such as "G Izakaya"), the store's phone number, address, etc. In this case, the server 40 can identify the store and its location information based on these input information by using various search services, etc.

[0063] In S49a, upon receiving a selection operation of an uncertified store displayed on the surrounding map screen D48, the control unit 19 of the user terminal 10 displays the meeting reservation confirmation screen D49a, similar to S44a and S47a.

[0064] As shown in FIG. 9(B), the meeting reservation confirmation screen D49a differs from the meeting reservation confirmation screen D47a in FIG. 8(B) described above only in the information regarding the meeting store, that is, an explanation D49c indicating that it is an uncertified store selected from the surrounding map is displayed.

[0065] In S49b, upon the confirmation button 49b on the confirmation screen D49a being operated, the control unit 19 of the user terminal 10 transmits reservation confirmation information to the server 40, similar to S47b.

[0066] (Store Priority Reservation Processing) FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the processing flow of the user terminal 10 and the server 40 during the store priority reservation processing of the embodiment. FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 are diagrams for explaining the screen transition of the touch panel 12 of the user terminal 10 during the store priority reservation process of the embodiment. In S60, in response to the operation of the store priority reservation button D1b on the reservation method selection screen D1 in FIG. 5, the server 40 transmits the surrounding map screen information to the user terminal 10. In S61, the control unit 19 of the user terminal 10 displays the surrounding map screen D61. As shown in FIG. 11(A), the surrounding map screen D61 is the same screen as the surrounding map screen D46 in FIG. 8(A). That is, the surrounding map screen D61 displays the map information around the user terminal 10, the store name display section D61b (information about certified stores), the uncertified store selection button D61c, etc. The map information and the information about the certified stores are displayed by the same processes as in S45 and S46. When the user wants to check the detailed information of a certified store for which a face-to-face reservation is desired, the user may select the certified store displayed in the store name display section D61b. When the user wants to specify an uncertified store, the user may operate the uncertified store selection button D61c. The control unit 19 of the user terminal 10 transmits the operation information of the certified store selected in the store name display section D61b or the operation information of the uncertified store selection button D61c to the server 40.

[0067] In S62, in response to the selection of a certified store on the surrounding map screen D61 in FIG. 11(A), the control unit 49 of the server 40 reads out the detailed information of the certified store from the certified store table 46c and transmits it to the user terminal 10. The detailed information of the certified store includes the certified store selected in S61 and the information of the casts that have registered it as a favorite. The control unit 49 can extract the casts that have registered this certified store as a favorite by referring to the cast table 46b.

[0068] In S63, the control unit 19 of the user terminal 10 displays the store detail screen D63 based on the detailed information of the certified store acquired from the server 40. As shown in FIG. 11(B), the store details screen D63 displays information of the casts that have registered the certified store selected in FIG. 11(A) as favorites, the cast non-selection reservation button D63c, etc. In the scene of FIG. 11(B), information such as Futaba who has registered Izakaya A in Machi M as a favorite is displayed in the display area of the information of the casts that have registered this store as a favorite. When the user wants to check the detailed information of the cast displayed in the display area of the information of the casts that have registered this store as a favorite, the user may select the display area of that cast.

[0069] In S64 and S65, the control unit 19 of the user terminal 10 and the control unit 49 of the server 40 accept the nomination of that cast from the user in response to the selection of the cast displayed in the display area (meeting staff nomination process). The control units 19 and 40 display the cast details screen D65 on the touch panel 12 in the same manner as in S42, S43, and FIG. 7(B). As shown in FIG. 11(C), the cast details screen D65, different from the cast details screen D43 in FIG. 7(B), does not display the favorite stores of the cast, the meeting response areas, etc. This is because the cast details screen D65 is a screen that preferentially selects and displays certified stores, and there is no need to display this information.

[0070] The processes of S65, S66a, and S66b are the same as the processes of S43, S44a, and S44b. That is, when the cast details screen D65 is displayed, if the user wants to make a meeting reservation with the selected certified store and the selected cast, the user may select the date and time and then operate the confirmation button D65b.

[0071] Although detailed description is omitted, when the non-cast selection reservation button D63c is operated on the store details screen D63 in Fig. 11(B), only the date and time selection may be accepted, and then the operation of the confirmation button may be accepted. In this case, the control unit 49 of the server 40 may refer to the cast table 46b, register the selected certified store as a cast for the face-to-face reservation as a favorite, and arbitrarily select a cast having an available schedule.

[0072] In S63, in a scene where the peripheral map screen D61 in Fig. 11(A) is displayed, the control unit 19 of the user terminal 10 transmits the operation information to the server 40 in response to the operation of the uncertified store selection button D61c. In S67 and S68, as shown in Fig. 12(A), the control unit 19 of the user terminal 10 and the control unit 49 of the server 40 display the peripheral map screen D68. The peripheral map screen D68 displays a peripheral map D68a, a store name display section D68b, and a search bar D68c. The peripheral map 68a displays map information around the user terminal 10 by the same display process as the peripheral map screen D61 in Fig. 11(A).

[0073] The user can search for stores that match the search conditions by inputting desired search conditions into the search bar D68c in a state where the peripheral map screen D68 is displayed. These processes are the same as the processes in Fig. 9(A), S47, and S48. Fig. 12(A) is an example in which "izakaya" is input into the search bar D68c, and information on uncertified stores 1 and 2 is synthesized and displayed on the peripheral map 68a as the search result.

[0074] The user can select a store for the face-to-face reservation by selecting the display area of each store name in the store name display section D68b. In S69 and S70, the control unit 19 of the user terminal 10 and the control unit 49 of the server 40 display the store details screen D70. As shown in FIG. 12(B), the store details screen D70 is a screen showing the store details of the uncertified store selected on the surrounding map screen D68 of FIG. 12(A). The store details screen D70 displays a cast list D70a. The control unit 49 of the server 40 refers to the cast table 46b, extracts the casts in which the store location of the uncertified store selected on the surrounding map screen D68 is registered in the meeting area, and displays them in the cast list D70a. The cast list D70a in FIG. 12(B) is an example in which casts registered in the meeting area are extracted for Tokyo, which is the location of the uncertified store M Izakaya.

[0075] S71, S72a, and S72b are the same as the processes of S65, S66a, and S66b. The control unit 19 of the user terminal 10 and the control unit 49 of the server 40 display the cast details screen (see FIG. 11(C)) based on the user's operation and then accept the selection of the date and time. Then, as shown in FIG. 12(C), the control unit 19 of the user terminal 10 and the control unit 49 of the server 40 display the meeting request confirmation screen 72a. When the cast non-selection reservation button D63c is operated on the store details screen D63 in FIG. 11(B), the meeting request confirmation screen 72a is displayed without specifying a cast.

[0076] Through the above processing, the meeting system 1 can prompt the user to select a certified store when making a meeting reservation.

[0077] (Meeting invitation to the cast) FIGS. 13 and 14 are flowcharts of the server 40 during the meeting invitation process to the cast in the embodiment. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the meeting non-establishment screen D83a of the user terminal 10 in the embodiment. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing the meeting invitation reception screens D91, D92, and D93 of the cast terminal 20 in the embodiment. FIG. 17 is a diagram showing the meeting reservation establishment screen D85a, the store change request screen D86a, and the meeting reservation non-establishment screen D87a of the user terminal 10 in the embodiment. (Investigation processing of store, meeting invitation processing to cast) In S80, when the control unit 49 of the server 40 receives meeting invitation information from the user terminal 10, it starts the investigation of the store and the meeting invitation processing to the cast. By the above processing, the meeting invitation information is classified into two attributes. That is, the store included in the meeting invitation information has cases of being an approved store (S44b, S47b, 66b) and a non-approved store (S49b, S72b).

[0078] In S81, when the store included in the meeting invitation information is an approved store (S81: YES), the control unit 49 of the server 40 proceeds to S84. On the other hand, when it is not an approved store (S81: NO), that is, when it is a non-approved store, it proceeds to S82.

[0079] In S82, the control unit 49 of the server 40 notifies the administrator that a meeting reservation request has been made for a non-approved store. The notification method may be any method by which the administrator can recognize that a meeting reservation request has been made for a non-approved store. For example, it may be a method of displaying on the display unit of the server 40, a method of notifying an information terminal (not shown) owned by the administrator, etc.

[0080] The administrator performs an operation of investigating whether the non-approved store for which the meeting has been reserved is appropriate in response to the notification from the server 40. As this investigation, the administrator uses a communication information network such as the Internet to confirm the existence of the non-approved store for which the meeting has been reserved, confirm the evaluation of the non-approved store in the information providing service of the restaurant (such as information on the restaurant evaluation site), and confirm the appearance of the building of the non-approved store using a map application. Then, the administrator inputs information regarding the appropriateness of the investigation result of the non-approved store into the server 40 from an information terminal, an input device of the server 40, etc.

[0081] In S83, the control unit 49 of the server 40 determines whether or not the investigation result of the uncertified store input by the administrator is "appropriate". If the investigation result is appropriate (S83: YES), the process proceeds to S84. On the other hand, if it is not appropriate (in the case of inappropriate), (S83: NO), the process proceeds to S83a.

[0082] In S84, the control unit 49 of the server 40 transmits the meeting request information to the cast terminal 20 owned by the cast included in the meeting request information. The meeting request information includes the certified store, date and time information, etc. included in the meeting request information. In response to receiving the meeting request information from the server 40, the cast terminal 20 displays a meeting request reception screen (see FIG. 16). Details of the meeting request reception screen will be described later.

[0083] As described above, in the case of a meeting request for which a certified store is selected, a meeting request is made to the cast without going through a store investigation (S81: YES → S84). On the other hand, in the case of a meeting request for which an uncertified store is specified, a store investigation is required, and further, when the result of the store investigation is "appropriate", a meeting request is made to the cast (S81: NO → S82 → S83: YES → S84).

[0084] In S83a, in response to the reserved store being inappropriate (S83: NO), the control unit 49 of the server 40 determines that the user's meeting request is not established. Then, the control unit 49 transmits meeting non-establishment information indicating that the meeting was not established to the user terminal 10. The meeting non-establishment information includes information that the investigation result of the uncertified store for which the meeting was reserved is inappropriate.

[0085] As shown in FIG. 15, when the control unit 19 of the user terminal 10 receives the meeting non-establishment information from the server 40, it displays a meeting non-establishment screen D83a on the touch panel 12 (the flowchart is omitted). The meeting cancellation screen D83a is a screen that notifies the user that the meeting reservation requested by the user has been cancelled. The meeting cancellation screen D83a displays an explanation D83b that the uncertified store reserved for the meeting by the user was found to be inappropriate as a result of an investigation by the operator. This enables the user to know the reason why the meeting reservation was cancelled. In this case, when the return button D82c is operated, the control unit 19 of the user terminal 10 and the control unit 49 of the server 40 redisplay the cast details screen D43 in Fig. 7(B) (in the case of cast priority reservation processing) or the surrounding map screen D61 in Fig. 11(A) (in the case of store priority reservation processing). Thereby, the control unit 19 of the user terminal 10 and the control unit 49 of the server 40 can re-execute the processing from the time when the cast details screen D43 or the surrounding map screen D61 was displayed, and can accept a re-reservation.

[0086] At this point, the user can understand that the reason for the meeting cancellation is due to the uncertified store being determined to be inappropriate. In addition, since the meeting reservation request for the uncertified store requires sequential investigation, there is a long waiting time (for example, more than 1 hour) after the meeting reservation request until the meeting cancellation screen D83a is displayed. Therefore, the user has the intention to specify a certified store in order to establish the meeting. Thus, the meeting system 1 can prompt the user to specify a certified store during re-reservation.

[0087] As shown in Fig. 16, when the cast terminal 20 receives the meeting invitation information from the server 40 (see S84), it displays one of the meeting invitation reception screens D91 to D93 (a diagram for explaining the processing flow of the cast terminal 20 is omitted).

[0088] The meeting invitation reception screens D91 to D93 display information such as the reserved store, date and time information, the user who made the meeting request, etc. included in the meeting invitation information, an acceptance button D90a, a store change request button D90b, and a rejection button D90c. After the cast has confirmed the information of the reserved store, date and time, and the requester (user) displayed on the meeting invitation reception screens D91 to D93, if the cast accepts the meeting request, the acceptance button D90a may be operated. Also, if the cast has concerns or anxieties about the store where the meeting will be held and intends to accept the request on the condition that it be changed to another store, the store change request button D90b may be operated. Furthermore, for example, if the cast is certain to reject the meeting request for reasons such as inconvenient time, the rejection button D90c may be operated. When rejecting a meeting reservation due to inconvenient time, input such as a comment stating that "the meeting reservation can be accepted if the time is changed" may be accepted. In response to the operation of the acceptance button D90a, the store change request button D90b, or the rejection button D90c, the control unit 29 of the cast terminal 20 transmits the operation information (acceptance information, store change request information, rejection information) to the server 40.

[0089] Here, the meeting invitation reception screens D91 to D93 generally correspond to the following patterns 1 to 3.

[0090] (Pattern 1: Reservation at an authorized store) In Pattern 1, the meeting invitation reception screen D91 in FIG. 16(A) is displayed. It is displayed in the format of Pattern 1 when any of the following two methods is used. ● S44b: Cast priority processing ● S66b: Store priority processing In Pattern 1, in the store display section 91b of the meeting invitation reception screen D91, it is displayed that the reserved store is an authorized store and a store that the cast has registered as a favorite. In the store display section 91a in FIG. 16(A), for the A Izakaya_M Town store, it is displayed as "Favorite of Cast Futaba-san". In Pattern 1, since the store is originally a store that the cast has registered as a favorite (authorized store), the cast has no concerns about the store and has no particular reason to reject the meeting invitation. Therefore, if the time and other conditions are suitable, the cast may operate the acceptance button D90a.

[0091] (Pattern 2: Reservation at an Authorized Store) In Pattern 2, the meeting invitation reception screen D92 in Fig. 16(B) is displayed. It is displayed in the form of Pattern 2 when the following conditions are met, etc. ●S47b: Cast Priority Processing In Pattern 2, in the store display section D92a of the meeting invitation reception screen D92, it is displayed that the reserved store is not the store that the cast has registered as a favorite but is an authorized store. In Fig. 16(B), it is displayed that "D Izakaya" is an authorized store. In Pattern 2, although the store is not the one that the cast has registered as a favorite, it is a store recognized by the operator, so it does not cause uneasiness to the cast. Therefore, if the cast's schedule permits, the cast can simply operate the acceptance button D90a.

[0092] (Pattern 3: Reservation at a Non-Authorized Store) In Pattern 3, the meeting invitation reception screen D93 in Fig. 16(C) is displayed. It is displayed in the form of Pattern 3 when any of the following two conditions are met, etc. ●S49b: Cast Priority Reservation Processing ●S72b: Store Pre-Reservation Processing In Pattern 3, in the store display section D93a of the meeting invitation reception screen D93, it is displayed that the reserved store is a non-authorized store. In Fig. 16(C), it is displayed that "G Pub" is a non-authorized store. In Pattern 3, for the store where the meeting is reserved, if the cast has no uneasiness, for example, because it is a well-known store, etc., the cast can simply operate the acceptance button D90a.

[0093] However, although the store where the meeting is reserved is a store that the operator has properly determined (a non-authorized store) (S83: YES), there may be a store that the cast knows nothing about. Therefore, the cast may feel uneasy about the store where the meeting is reserved. In such a case, the cast can simply operate the rejection button D90c. Furthermore, although the cast is available at the reserved meeting date and time, there may be cases where the cast can approve the meeting reservation if the reserved store can be changed to another store. In such a case, the cast may operate the store change request button D90b.

[0094] (Acceptance of Meeting Reservation) In S85, when the control unit 49 of the server 40 receives the acceptance information of the meeting reservation from the cast terminal 20 (S85: YES), it proceeds to S85a, and when it has not received this (S85: NO), it proceeds to S86. In S85a, the control unit 49 of the server 40 transmits the meeting reservation establishment information (information indicating that the meeting reservation requested by the user has been established) to the user terminal 10. This is because the control unit 49 has determined that the meeting reservation requested by the user has been accepted by the cast (S85: YES) and the meeting reservation has been established. As shown in FIG. 17(A), in response to receiving the meeting reservation establishment information from the server 40, the user terminal 10 displays a meeting establishment screen D85a on the touch panel 12 (the flowchart is omitted). In the store display name section 85b of FIG. 17(A), the store name (certified store or uncertified store) approved by the cast is displayed.

[0095] (Request for Store Change) In S86, when the control unit 49 of the server 40 receives the store change request information for the meeting reservation from the cast terminal 20 (S86: YES), it proceeds to S86a, and when it has not received this (S86: NO), it proceeds to S87. In S86a, the control unit 49 of the server 40 transmits the store change request information to the user terminal 10. As shown in FIG. 17(B), in response to receiving the store change request information from the server 40, the user terminal 10 displays a store change request screen 86a on the touch panel 12 (the flowchart is omitted). The store change request screen 86a is a screen that suggests the possibility of a face-to-face reservation being established by changing the reserved store. In the example of the store change request screen 86a, the comment entered by the cast at the time of the store change request is displayed. The store display name D86b displays the store name for which the cast has requested a change. FIG. 17(B) is an example in which the store information of a non-accredited store is displayed, but when a face-to-face reservation at an accredited store is requested, the store information of the accredited store is displayed.

[0096] When the store re-selection button D86c is operated, the control unit 19 of the user terminal 10 and the control unit 49 of the server 40 re-display the cast details screen D43 in FIG. 7(B) and then repeat the processing from this scene. As a result, it is convenient for the user because it is not necessary to perform an operation for reservation from the beginning, and the user can return to the intermediate reservation screen and operate. In addition, the face-to-face system 1 can prompt the user to re-select the reserved store from among the favorite accredited stores of the cast displayed on the cast details screen D43. Note that the screen to return in response to the operation of the store re-selection button D86c may be the surrounding map screen D46 in FIG. 8(A) or the like. Even in this case, the face-to-face system 1 can prompt the user to re-select the reserved store from among the accredited stores displayed on the map screen D46a.

[0097] The frequency with which the cast makes a store change request tends to be higher when reserved at a non-accredited store than when reserved at an accredited store. For this reason, also for the user, the frequency of receiving a store change request is higher when reserving at a non-accredited store than when reserving at an accredited store. As a result, at the time of re-reservation in the repeated process, the user has the intention to reserve an accredited store in order to avoid receiving a store change request and establish a face-to-face reservation.

[0098] (Face-to-face reservation rejected) In S87, when the control unit 49 of the server 40 receives rejection information from the cast terminal 20 (S87: YES), it proceeds to S87a, and when it has not received this (S87: NO), it proceeds to S88. In S87a, the control unit 49 of the server 40 transmits meeting non - establishment information (information indicating that the meeting reservation requested by the user is not established) to the user terminal 10. This is because the cast has rejected the request for a meeting reservation (S87: YES) and it has been determined that the meeting reservation is not established. As shown in FIG. 17(C), in response to receiving meeting reservation non - establishment information from the server 40, the user terminal 10 displays a meeting reservation non - establishment screen 87a on the touch panel 12 (the flowchart is omitted). The store display name D87b is the same as the store display name D86b in FIG. 17(B), and the store information of the non - certified store or certified store whose cast has rejected the meeting reservation is displayed. Note that the meeting reservation non - establishment screen 87a in FIG. 17(C) describes the cast's comment. Thereby, the user can understand that they have not been shunned and rejected by this cast, so they can change the date and time to make a meeting reservation with the same cast, and when making a meeting reservation after the next time, it is easy to re - select the cast that was rejected this time.

[0099] In S88, when the control unit 49 of the server 40 has transmitted the result of the meeting request from the user to the user terminal 10, that is, when any of the meeting establishment information (see S85a), store change request information (see S86a), or meeting non - establishment information (see S87a) has been transmitted (S88: YES), the process ends. On the other hand, when the result has not been transmitted (S88: NO), the process from S85 is repeated.

[0100] Through the above - mentioned processing, the probability of a meeting reservation being established is higher for a meeting reservation at a certified store than for a meeting reservation at a non - certified store. Therefore, the meeting system 1 can encourage the user to make a meeting reservation at a certified store. As a result, even a store in the suburbs can expect to attract new customers by becoming a certified store. In addition, among the certified stores, the probability of a meeting reservation being made is even higher at the stores that the cast has registered as their favorites because it is more convenient for the cast. Therefore, even for stores in the suburbs such as near the cast's place of residence, it is possible to expect to attract users as new customers.

[0101] [Processing at the start of the meeting] FIG. 18 is a flowchart of the processing at the start of the meeting according to the embodiment. FIG. 19 is a diagram showing the display screens of the user terminal 10 and the cast terminal 20 during the meeting according to the embodiment. (Processing when the meeting is held) The user and the cast for whom the meeting reservation has been made visit the meeting reservation store at the meeting date and time to hold the meeting. As shown in FIGS. 18(A) and 18(B), when the user and the cast actually meet at the store and start the meeting, they operate the user terminal 10 and the cast terminal 20 respectively to display the meeting start screens 90a and 90b on the touch panels 12 and 22. Then, the user and the cast operate the meeting start buttons D90c and D90d on the meeting start screens 90a and 90b. The control unit 19 of the user terminal 10 and the control unit 29 of the cast terminal 20 transmit the operation information to the server 40 when the meeting start buttons D90c and D90d are operated.

[0102] In S90, when the control unit 49 of the server 40 receives the operation information of the meeting start buttons D90c and D90d from the user terminal 10 and the cast terminal 20 by the meeting start time (S90: YES), it proceeds to S91. On the other hand, when it does not receive (S90: NO), it proceeds to S93. In S91, the control unit 49 of the server 40 performs settlement processing in response to receiving the operation information of the meeting start buttons D90c and D90d from both terminals 10 and 20 (S90: YES). Receiving the operation information of the meeting start buttons D90c and D90d means that the meeting service has been properly provided, and thus the settlement conditions are satisfied. In this case, the control unit 49 subtracts the points that have been temporarily settled from the user's held points.

[0103] At the start of the face-to-face meeting, the control unit 29 of the cast terminal 20 transmits the position information of the cast terminal 20 to the server 40 based on the output of the position information acquisition unit 21. In S92, the control unit 49 of the server 40 tracks the position of the cast terminal 20 from the position information acquisition unit of the cast terminal 20. The reason for tracking the cast terminal 20 is to improve the security of the cast by monitoring whether there has been any abnormal movement after the face-to-face meeting starts at the store. Note that the control unit 29 of the cast terminal 20 may limit the tracking of the cast terminal 20 only within a predetermined time (for example, within 1 hour) after the operation of the face-to-face meeting start button. This is because there may be cases where the cast dislikes having its position information acquired throughout the face-to-face meeting.

[0104] On the other hand, there may be cases where the server 40 cannot receive the operation information of the face-to-face meeting start button even when the face-to-face meeting start time arrives (S90: NO). This case occurs when the cast is late, when the cast refuses the face-to-face meeting without permission, etc. In S93, the control unit 49 of the server 40 determines whether the cast terminal 20 is located near the face-to-face meeting reservation store based on the position information of the cast terminal 20 and the position information of the face-to-face meeting reservation store. In this case, the control unit 29 of the cast terminal 20 may transmit the position information of the cast terminal 20 acquired by the position information acquisition unit 21 to the server 40 in response to a request from the server 40. The vicinity of the face-to-face meeting reservation store means that the cast carrying the cast terminal 20 is located within a range where it can reach the face-to-face meeting reservation store within a short time (for example, within about 10 minutes) by normal means of transportation. The server 40 may obtain this travel time using a map application or the like. Also, the operator may determine whether the cast terminal 20 is present near the face-to-face meeting reservation store based on the position information of both, and input the determination result to the server 40.

[0105] When the control unit 49 of the server 40 determines that the cast terminal 20 is located near the reserved meeting store (S93: YES), it proceeds to S94. On the other hand, when it determines that it is not located nearby (S93: NO), it proceeds to S95.

[0106] (Processing 1 when the operation information of the meeting start button cannot be obtained: The cast is late, etc.) In S94, the control unit 49 of the server 40 performs standby processing. The standby processing is for instructing the user to wait inside the store for a short time until the cast arrives at the store. Although not shown in the figure, in the standby process, the control unit 19 of the user terminal 10 and the control unit 49 of the server 40 execute processing for displaying information such as "The cast will arrive within a few minutes" on the touch panel 12. Then, the control unit 49 of the server 40 repeats the processing from S90.

[0107] (Processing 2 when the operation information of the meeting start button cannot be obtained: Canceling the meeting by the cast, etc.) In S95, the control unit 49 of the server 40 executes the meeting cancellation process. The meeting cancellation process is based on the fact that it is unlikely for the cast to arrive at the reserved meeting store in a short time. That is, the control unit 49 executes the meeting cancellation process when the cast has not moved to the reserved meeting store and the meeting reservation has been canceled. Although not shown in the figure, in the meeting reservation process, the control unit 19 of the user terminal 10 and the control unit 49 of the server 40 execute processing for displaying information such as "The meeting is canceled due to the cast's convenience" on the touch panel 12.

[0108] In S96, the control unit 49 of the server 40 performs the cancellation process of the provisional settlement. In the cancellation process of the provisional settlement, the points secured for this meeting reservation are returned to the user. Then, the control unit 49 of the server 40 ends the process.

[0109] Although the explanation is omitted, if the user cancels the meeting reservation based on their own convenience or the like (that is, only the cast comes to the meeting reservation store and the user does not come to the meeting reservation store), the temporarily settled points are settled. In this case, since the meeting reservation is cancelled based on the user's convenience, the operator does not need to accept any complaints from the user. In this case, the cast terminal 20 may receive an operation for transmitting to the server 40 that the user does not come to the store even when the meeting reservation time arrives, and the server 40 may acquire the operation information.

[0110] (Processing at the end of the meeting) When the meeting end time arrives, the user and the cast operate the user terminal 10 and the cast terminal 20 respectively to display an end-of-meeting screen (not shown) on the touch panels 12 and 22. Unlike the meeting start screens 90a and 90b, the end-of-meeting screen displays an end-of-meeting button. Then, the user and the cast operate the end-of-meeting button. The control unit 19 of the user terminal 10 and the control unit 29 of the cast terminal 20 transmit the operation information when the end-of-meeting button is operated. Thereby, a series of processes related to the meeting are completed. Note that the control unit 49 of the server 40 may execute an extension process when the user has enough points to extend the meeting at the end of the meeting.

[0111] Through the above processes from the start to the end of the meeting, the server 40 settles points according to whether the meeting is actually held or extended. Therefore, for the user, there is an advantage that the accounting is clear. In addition, by the server 40 (that is, the operator) tracking the location information at the start of the meeting etc., there is an advantage of a sense of security for the cast.

[0112] Although detailed description is omitted, after the meeting ends, the server 40 performs processing for transferring a ratio (for example, 70%) determined by a contract or the like out of the points settled to the bank account of the cast. In addition, the control units 49 of the user terminal 10 and the server 40 receive an evaluation of the cast met this time from the user. In this case, the user terminal 10 may display, on the touch panel 12, a screen for receiving an input such as a score on a scale of 0 to 10 and impressions as an evaluation of the cast, for example. Then, the server 40 may reflect these evaluations in the ranking of the casts.

[0113] FIG. 20 is a diagram for explaining the common site 100 of the embodiment. (Download of Program) A general method is used for the user, the cast, and the store to register for the service. That is, the user, the cast, and the store access their respective terminals 10, 20, 30 to the respective WEB sites (also referred to as download sites) managed by the operator for the user program 15a, the cast program 25a, and the store program 35a, and download them to the respective terminals 10, 20, 30. Note that the download sites for the user program 15a, the cast program 25a, and the store program 35a are different from each other, but the WEB sites accessed before these download sites are common.

[0114] That is, when each terminal 10, 20, 30 downloads each program, it accesses a common site 100 (WEB site for selecting a program) for selecting a program as shown in FIG. 20. Then, each terminal 10, 20, 30 accesses an individual download site for downloading the user program 15a, the cast program 25a, and the store program 35a by receiving an operation of a program selection button displayed on the common site 100.

[0115] There are various ways for the user terminal 10, the casting terminal 20, and the store terminal 30 to access the common site 100. For example, there are methods of using a search tool and selecting links to various homepages.

[0116] Also, the user terminal 10, the casting terminal 20, and the store terminal 30 can access the common site 100 by imaging the two-dimensional code 101 of the POP shown in FIG. 1. The POP is, for example, a posted item posted at an authorized store or the like, a sticker provided on a desk, or the like. The server 40 encodes information including the store ID and the URL (connection destination information) of the common site 100 into a two-dimensional code in response to a request from the store terminal 30, and transmits the information of the POP including this two-dimensional code 101 to the store terminal 30. After the store obtains the information of the POP from the server 40, it can install the POP printed by a printer or the like in the store.

[0117] When a user, a caster, or a store (a person related to a store different from the authorized store where the POP is provided) who visits an authorized store registers for the service in response to, for example, an invitation from the authorized store, they may image it with the cameras of the user terminal 10, the casting terminal 20, and the store terminal 30 (a terminal owned by a store different from the authorized store where the POP is provided). In response to this, the control units 19, 29, and 39 of the respective terminals 10, 20, and 30 decode the imaged two-dimensional code 101 to obtain the URL information of the common site 100 and the store ID. Each of the terminals 10, 20, and 30 accesses the common site 100 based on the decoded URL information, and at this time, transmits the decoded store ID to the server 40. Thereby, the control unit 49 of the server 40 can determine whether the terminals 10, 20, and 30 accessed the common site 100 based on the POP of which authorized store by referring to the store ID in the authorized store table 46c. Also, when the user registers for the service, the control unit 49 associates the user with the store ID included in the two-dimensional code 101 used when accessing the common site 100 and stores it in the user table 46a.

[0118] When the user uses the service, that is, when the user meets with the caster and makes a payment, the server 40 may give a privilege to the store where the POP used when the user registered the service was installed. In this case, the control unit 49 can identify the store associated with the user who used the service by referring to the user table 46a. As a privilege, for example, a part of the payment amount may be transferred to the bank account of the store. This makes it possible to give a privilege to the store that contributed to the spread of the service.

[0119] Note that the meeting system 1 may be configured such that the caster and the user can encourage acquaintances or the like to register for the service. In this case, the server 40 may issue a two-dimensional code 101 including the caster ID, the user ID, and the URL of the common site 100 to the caster and the user as well. The caster and the user may display the two-dimensional code 101 on the touch panel 12 of the caster terminal 20 and the user terminal 10, and acquaintances or the like may image this two-dimensional code 101 with their owned terminals. Thereby, the server 40 can accept the registration of the caster, the user's acquaintances, etc. for the service in the same manner as the above processing, and can also give a privilege to the caster and the user.

[0120] As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible, such as the modified forms described later, and those are also within the technical scope of the present invention. In addition, the effects described in the embodiments are merely an enumeration of the most preferable effects resulting from the present invention, and the effects according to the present invention are not limited to those described in the embodiments. Note that the configurations of the above-described embodiments and the modified forms described later can be used only in part thereof or can be used in appropriate combinations, but detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

[0121] (Modified Form) (1) In the embodiment, an example where the caster is female and the user is male is shown, but it is not limited to this. For example, the caster may be male and the user may be female. Also, the cast may be a provider of various services. The service provider may be, for example, an entertainer (such as a magician or a comedian), etc. In this case, as the cast requested for a meeting by the user, it may be possible to select from among women, men, and providers of various services.

[0122] (2) In the embodiment, an example of one-on-one meeting reservation and the reserved meeting has been shown, but it is not limited thereto. The user may be able to make a meeting reservation for a plurality of casts.

[0123] (3) In the embodiment, an example where the cast table 46b (meeting staff - certified store association storage unit) stores information regarding the association between the cast (cast ID) and the certified store (store ID) has been shown, but it is not limited thereto. When the control unit of the server receives the favorite registration of a certified store from the cast, the control unit may store information regarding the association between the cast (cast ID) and the certified store (store ID) in the certified store table 46c (meeting staff - certified store association storage unit). In this case, in the processes of S62 and S63, the server may extract the cast that has registered the certified store selected by the user as a favorite from the certified store table 46c and display the store details screen D63.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0124] 1: Meeting system 10: User terminal 20: Cast terminal 40: Server

Claims

1. a user terminal owned by a user, a meeting staff terminal owned by a meeting staff who meets with the user at a store in response to the user's request, and a server managed by an operator, comprising: the server includes a user information storage unit that stores information about the user, a meeting staff information storage unit that stores information about the meeting staff, a certified store information storage unit that stores store information about certified stores registered by receiving a certification operation, and a control unit that performs processing related to the meeting of the meeting staff and the user, the control unit of the server based on a request from the user terminal, receives a designation of either a certified store stored in the certified store information storage unit or an uncertified store not stored in the certified store information storage unit as a reservation store where the user reserves a meeting with the meeting staff, which is a store selection reception process; executes a store reservation determination process for determining whether to permit a meeting reservation at the reservation store, in the store reservation determination process, when the reservation store is a certified store stored in the certified store information storage unit, permits the meeting reservation without receiving an input of a store investigation result indicating that it is an appropriate store; when the reservation store is an uncertified store not stored in the certified store information storage unit, permits the meeting reservation when receiving an input of a store investigation result indicating that it is an appropriate store A meeting system characterized by the above.

2. the server includes a meeting staff-certified store association storage unit that stores the association between the meeting staff and the certified store, the control unit of the server by receiving an operation of the meeting staff terminal, stores the association between the meeting staff and the certified store in the meeting staff-certified store association storage unit, by receiving an operation of the user terminal, a meeting staff designation process for receiving a designation of the meeting staff, and by referring to the meeting staff-certified store association storage unit, extracts the certified store associated with the meeting staff designated in the meeting staff designation process, and executes a certified store information transmission process for transmitting the information of the extracted certified store to the user terminal, in the store selection reception process, receives a selection from among stores including the certified store transmitted in the certified store information transmission process The meeting system according to claim 1, characterized by the above.

3. the server includes a meeting staff-certified store association storage unit that stores the association between the meeting staff and the certified store, the control unit of the server By receiving the operation of the meeting staff terminal, the meeting staff and the certified store are associated and stored in the meeting staff-certified store association storage unit. The server In response to receiving the selection of a certified store in the store selection reception process, by referring to the meeting staff-certified store association storage unit, extracts the meeting staff associated with the selected certified store, and executes a meeting staff information transmission process of transmitting the information of the extracted meeting staff to the user terminal. Execute a meeting staff designation process of receiving the designation of a meeting staff for meeting reservation in response to the operation of the user terminal from among the meeting staff transmitted in the meeting staff information transmission process. The meeting system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that.

4. The certified store information storage unit As certified store information, has certified store location information which is the location information of the certified store. In the store selection reception process Based on the position information of the user terminal and the certified store position information of the certified store information storage unit, extracts a certified store from the certified store information storage unit, and transmits the information of the extracted certified store to the user terminal. The meeting system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that.

5. The control unit of the server By receiving the operation of the user terminal, executes a meeting staff designation process of receiving the designation of a meeting staff. After the uncertified store designated in the store reservation determination process is permitted as a reservation store, when receiving an operation of approving the uncertified store as a reservation store from the meeting staff terminal of the designated meeting staff, executes a process for the establishment of the meeting reservation. After the uncertified store designated in the store reservation determination process is permitted as a reservation store, when receiving an operation of rejecting the uncertified store as a reservation store from the meeting staff terminal of the designated meeting staff, executes a store change process of receiving an operation of changing the reservation store from the uncertified store to a certified store from the user terminal. The meeting system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that.

6. The meeting staff terminal includes a position information detection unit that transmits the position information of the meeting staff terminal to the server. The control unit of the server Tracks the meeting staff terminal based on the output of the position information detection unit of the meeting staff terminal during the meeting reservation time zone. The meeting system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that.

7. The control unit of the server Based on the user terminal reading a store code including store identification information and connection information to the server, by accessing the server, the user owning the user terminal can be registered for the service. The user identification information of the user registered for the service based on the store code is associated with and stored with the store identification information. Based on the use of the service from the user terminal, a privilege is granted to the store. The meeting system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the above.

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