Computer system for supporting finding lost item and program executed by the same

Abstract

To provide a computer system for supporting finding a lost item.SOLUTION: The computer system of the present invention includes: means for receiving information on a lost item of a dropper, the information of the lost item of the dropper including information indicating when the dropper lost the lost item; means for specifying a moving route of the dropper on the basis of the information indicating when the dropper lost the lost item; means for specifying at least one picker candidate who has the possibility of picking up the lost item of the dropper on the basis of the moving route of the dropper; and means for notifying the specified at least one picker candidate of the information of the lost item of the dropper.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1A

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a computer system for assisting in the discovery of lost items, and a program executed on the computer system. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, websites that allow users to search for lost items have been known (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Non-patent literature]

[0003] [Non-Patent Document 1] National Police Agency, "Lost and Found Information Page of Prefectural Police," [online], [Retrieved April 18, 2022], Internet<URL:https: / / www.npa.go.jp / bureau / soumu / ishitsubutsu / ishitsubutsulink.html> Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When people lose possessions, even if they remember how long they kept them, they often don't remember where they lost them. Also, calling the facility where they think they lost their possessions to check is a huge hassle, as they may not know who to call or even the phone number. Even if they call the facility to check, the facility staff often say, "It's not there."

[0005] To provide a computer system for assisting in the discovery of lost property, which enables a lost property to be returned to the owner even if the owner does not remember where the property was lost, and a program executed in the computer system. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In one aspect of the present invention, a computer system of the present invention is a computer system for assisting in the discovery of lost items, and the computer system includes: a means for receiving information regarding a dropper's lost item, wherein the information regarding the dropper's lost item includes information indicating when the dropper's lost item was lost; a means for identifying the dropper's movement path based on the information indicating when the dropper's lost item was lost; a means for identifying at least one potential picker who may find the dropper's lost item based on the dropper's movement path; and a means for notifying the identified at least one potential picker of the information regarding the dropper's lost item.

[0007] In one embodiment of the present invention, the computer system further includes a means for identifying a travel route of at least one user other than the dropper based on information indicating the time when the dropper lost the item, and the means for identifying at least one candidate picker who may find the dropper's lost item may include a means for identifying the at least one user as the at least one candidate picker when the travel route of the at least one user overlaps with at least a portion of the travel route of the dropper.

[0008] In one embodiment of the present invention, the computer system further includes a means for monitoring location information of at least one user other than the dropper, and the means for identifying at least one candidate picker who may pick up the dropper's lost item may include a means for identifying the at least one user as the at least one candidate picker when the at least one user is located within a predetermined range of the dropper's movement path.

[0009] In one embodiment of the present invention, the computer system further comprises a means for monitoring location information of the dropper, and the means for identifying the movement path of the dropper based on information indicating the time when the item left by the dropper was lost may include a means for identifying the movement path of the dropper based on the location information of the dropper at the time when the item left by the dropper was lost.

[0010] In one embodiment of the present invention, the computer system may further include means for receiving information regarding a lost item picked up by a picker, means for determining whether the lost item picked up by the picker is likely to be the same as the lost item of the dropper based on information regarding the lost item of the dropper and information regarding the lost item picked up by the picker, and means for matching the dropper with the picker when it is determined that the lost item picked up by the picker is likely to be the same as the lost item of the dropper.

[0011] In one embodiment of the present invention, the information regarding the item lost by the dropper further includes a first image representing the item lost by the dropper, and the information regarding the item found by the picker includes a second image representing the item found by the picker, and the means for determining whether the item found by the picker is likely to be the same as the item lost by the dropper may include means for determining whether the item found by the picker is likely to be the same as the item lost by the dropper based on results obtained by image analysis of the first image and the second image.

[0012] In one embodiment of the present invention, the information regarding the item lost by the dropper further includes a first description regarding the characteristics of the item lost by the dropper, and the information regarding the item found by the picker includes a second description regarding the characteristics of the item found by the picker, and the means for determining whether the item found by the picker is likely to be the same as the item lost by the dropper may include means for determining whether the item found by the picker is likely to be the same as the item lost by the dropper based on a result obtained by natural language processing the first description and the second description.

[0013] In one aspect of the present invention, the program of the present invention is a program executed in a computer system for assisting in the discovery of lost items, the computer system having a processor unit, and when executed by the processor unit, the program causes the processor unit to perform at least the following: receive information regarding a dropper's lost item, wherein the information regarding the dropper's lost item includes information indicating when the dropper's lost item was lost; identify the dropper's movement path based on the information indicating when the dropper's lost item was lost; identify at least one potential picker who may find the dropper's lost item based on the dropper's movement path; and notify the identified at least one potential picker of the information regarding the dropper's lost item.

[0014] In one aspect of the present invention, the computer system of the present invention is a computer system for assisting in the discovery of lost items, and the computer system includes means for receiving information regarding a dropper's lost item, means for identifying at least one potential loss location of the dropper's lost item based on the information regarding the dropper's lost item, means for identifying at least one facility where the dropper's lost item may have been delivered based on the at least one potential loss location, means for inquiring about the lost item from a management system of the at least one facility based on the information regarding the dropper's lost item, and means for notifying the dropper of the results of the inquiry to the management system of the at least one facility.

[0015] In one embodiment of the present invention, the information regarding the dropper's lost property includes information indicating at least one potential lost location of the dropper's lost property input by the dropper, and the means for identifying at least one potential lost location of the dropper's lost property based on the information regarding the dropper's lost property may identify at least one potential lost location of the dropper's lost property from the information indicating at least one potential lost location of the dropper's lost property included in the information regarding the dropper's lost property.

[0016] In one embodiment of the present invention, the information regarding the dropper's lost item includes information indicating the time when the dropper's lost item was lost, and the means for identifying at least one potential loss location of the dropper's lost item based on the information regarding the dropper's lost item may identify the dropper's movement path as the at least one potential loss location based on the information indicating the time when the dropper's lost item was lost.

[0017] In one embodiment of the present invention, the information regarding the dropper's lost item includes information indicating the time when the dropper's lost item was lost, and the means for inquiring the at least one facility management system about lost items based on the information regarding the dropper's lost item may inquire the at least one facility management system about lost items that were found within a predetermined period from the time when the dropper's lost item was lost.

[0018] In one embodiment of the present invention, the computer system may further include means for receiving information regarding an item found on a road, the information regarding the item found on a road including information indicating a location where the item was found on the road; means for determining whether the location where the item was found on the road is close to any of the at least one candidate loss location; and means for notifying the dropper of the information regarding the item found on the road when it is determined that the location where the item was found on the road is close to any of the at least one candidate loss location.

[0019] In one embodiment of the present invention, the computer system further comprises means for notifying the dropper of at least one facility where the dropper's lost item may have been delivered, and means for receiving information indicating one or more facilities selected by the dropper from the at least one notified facility, and the means for inquiring about the lost item from a management system of the at least one facility may include means for inquiring about the lost item from one or more facilities selected by the dropper.

[0020] In one embodiment of the present invention, the query results to the at least one facility management system include information regarding one or more lost items that have been delivered to the at least one facility management system, and the computer system further includes means for identifying one or more of the one or more lost items that may be the same as the dropper's lost item, and the means for notifying the dropper of the query results to the at least one facility management system may notify the dropper of the one or more lost items that have been identified as the same as the dropper's lost item.

[0021] In one embodiment of the present invention, the information regarding the dropper's lost item includes a first image representing the dropper's lost item, and the information regarding the one or more lost items includes one or more second images representing the one or more lost items, and the means for identifying one or more of the one or more lost items that may be identical to the dropper's lost item may include means for identifying one or more of the one or more lost items that may be identical to the dropper's lost item by performing image analysis on the first image and each of the one or more second images.

[0022] In one embodiment of the present invention, the information regarding the dropper's lost item further includes a first description regarding characteristics of the dropper's lost item, the information regarding the one or more lost items includes one or more second descriptions regarding characteristics of the one or more lost items, and the means for identifying one or more lost items that may be identical to the dropper's lost item may include means for identifying one or more lost items that may be identical to the dropper's lost item based on results obtained by natural language processing the first description and each of the one or more second descriptions.

[0023] In one aspect of the present invention, the program of the present invention is a program executed in a computer system for assisting in the discovery of lost items, the computer system having a processor unit, and when the program is executed by the processor unit, the processor unit causes the processor unit to at least perform the following: receive information regarding a dropper's lost item; identify at least one potential loss location for the dropper's lost item based on the information regarding the dropper's lost item; identify at least one facility where the dropper's lost item may have been delivered based on the at least one potential loss location; query the management system of the at least one facility about the lost item based on the information regarding the dropper's lost item; and notify the dropper of the query results from the management system of the at least one facility. [Effects of the Invention]

[0024] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a computer system for assisting in finding lost items, and a program executed on the computer system. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0025] [Figure 1A] FIG. 1 shows a screen 100 displayed on a user device operated by a dropper. [Figure 1B] FIG. 1 shows a screen 110 displayed on a user device operated by a potential picker. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a system 200 for realizing a new CtoC service in which information about lost items by a dropper is notified to potential pickers. [Figure 3A] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of information stored in a user database unit 241. [Figure 3B] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of information stored in the lost property database unit 242. [Figure 3C] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of information stored in the lost-item database unit 243. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of processing executed in a computer system 210. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating another example of processing executed in the computer system 210. [Figure 6A] FIG. 6 shows a screen 600 displayed on a user device operated by a dropper. [Figure 6B] FIG. 6 shows a screen 610 displayed on a user device operated by a dropper. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 shows an example of the configuration of a system 700 for realizing a new BtoC service that enables users to view information about lost items delivered to facilities. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of information stored in a facility database unit 754. [Figure 9] FIG. 7 illustrates an example of processing executed in a computer system 710. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] The terms used in this specification are defined below.

[0027] As used herein, a "dropper" refers to a person who loses property.

[0028] As used herein, the term "picker" refers to a person who finds an item lost by a dropper (i.e., the dropper's lost item).

[0029] In this specification, the term "potential picker" refers to a person who is a potential picker who may pick up an item lost by a dropper.

[0030] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0031] 1. A new CtoC service that notifies potential pickers of information about lost items left behind by droppers The applicant proposes a new CtoC service in which information about a dropper's lost item is notified to potential pickers. This new CtoC service aims to increase the likelihood that a dropper's lost item will be discovered by a picker and that the dropper's lost item will be returned to the dropper by spreading information about the dropper's lost item to potential pickers. In this new CtoC service, when a dropper registers information about a lost item, the information about the dropper's lost item is notified to potential pickers who may find the dropper's lost item. When a picker registers information about a found item, information about the picker's found item is notified to the dropper who lost an item that may be the same as the picker's found item. This allows pickers to more easily report a dropper's lost item when they come across it, and the dropper can increase the likelihood that the lost item will be found and returned to them.

[0032] 1A shows a screen 100 displayed on a user device operated by a dropper. The display of the screen 100 is achieved, for example, by a program stored in a memory unit of the user device being executed by a processor unit of the user device. The entire screen 100 does not have to be displayed on the user device. For example, a portion of the screen 100 may be displayed on the user device, and another portion of the screen 100 may be displayed by performing a scrolling operation.

[0033] 1A is an example of a screen for a dropper to input information about a lost item. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1A, the screen 100 includes a name input area 101 for inputting the name of the lost item, a time input area 102 for inputting the time when the lost item was lost, an upload button 103 for uploading an image of the lost item, and a register button 104 for registering the information input on the screen 100 as information about the dropper's lost item. The screen 100 may further include a free input area (not shown) in which detailed information about the dropper's lost item can be freely input.

[0034] The name input area 101 is configured to allow input of text, etc., and when selected (e.g., tapped) by the user, it becomes possible to input the name of the lost item. The name of the lost item does not need to be detailed enough to uniquely identify the lost item. The name of the lost item may be, for example, the product name of the lost item, the brand name of the lost item, or a simple description of the appearance of the lost item.

[0035] The time input area 102 is configured to allow input of text, etc., and when selected (e.g., tapped) by the user, it becomes possible to input the time when the lost item was lost. The input time when the lost item was lost can be expressed as a date and time. For example, it may be possible to input a range of the time when the item was lost, such as "April 20, 2022, 10:00 AM to April 20, 2022, 5:00 PM," or it may be possible to input a vague time when the item was lost, such as "Around 2:00 PM on April 20, 2022."

[0036] Furthermore, the upload button 103 is configured to be selectable. When the upload button 103 is selected (e.g., tapped) by the user, a screen for taking or selecting an image (e.g., a still image) to be uploaded is displayed, and when an image is taken or selected, the taken or selected image can be uploaded as an image of the lost property.

[0037] Furthermore, the register button 104 is configured to be selectable. After inputting information about the lost item on the screen 100, the dropper can register information about the lost item by selecting the register button 104.

[0038] 1B shows a screen 110 displayed on a user device operated by a picker candidate. The display of the screen 110 is achieved, for example, by a program stored in a memory unit of the user device being executed by a processor unit of the user device. The entire screen 110 does not have to be displayed on the user device. For example, a portion of the screen 110 may be displayed on the user device, and another portion of the screen 110 may be displayed by performing a scroll operation.

[0039] FIG. 1B is an example of a screen in which a potential picker is notified of information about a dropper's lost item. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1B, screen 110 displays the name of the lost item, "xxx," and the date and time the item was lost, "yyy." If the dropper has registered an image of the lost item, as shown in FIG. 1B, screen 110 further includes an image of the dropper's lost item. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1B, screen 110 further includes a find button 111 that can be selected by the picker if the picker finds an item that may be the dropper's lost item.

[0040] When the picker selects the find button 111, a screen (not shown) for inputting information about the picker's found item is displayed on the user device operated by the picker. This screen may have a configuration similar to that of screen 100 in FIG. 1A, for example. Therefore, on the screen for inputting information about the picker's found item, the picker can input characteristics of the picker's found item (e.g., the name, shape, color, pattern, size, whether or not it has accessories, etc.), when and where it was found, and the picker can also upload an image of the picker's found item. This allows information about the picker's found item to be registered.

[0041] 2. System configuration for realizing new CtoC services FIG. 2 shows an example of the configuration of a system 200 for realizing a new CtoC service in which information about a lost item left by a dropper is notified to a potential picker.

[0042] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the system 200 includes a computer system 210 for managing information about lost and found items and user devices 2201-220. N The computer system 210 is provided with the user devices 2201 to 220 via the Internet 230. N where N is an integer equal to or greater than 1.

[0043] Computer system 210 is an information processing system that executes processing for a company that assists in the discovery of lost items left behind by droppers. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, computer system 210 includes an interface unit 211, a processor unit 212 including one or more central processing units (CPUs), and a memory unit 213. The hardware configuration of computer system 210 is not particularly limited as long as it can realize its functions, and may be configured as a single machine or a combination of multiple machines.

[0044] The interface unit 211 is connected to the user devices 2201 to 220 N Controls communication with each of the

[0045] The memory unit 213 stores programs required to execute processing, data required to execute the programs, and the like. Here, it does not matter how the programs are stored in the memory unit 213. For example, the programs may be pre-installed in the memory unit 213. Alternatively, the programs may be installed in the memory unit 213 by being downloaded via a network such as the Internet 230, or may be installed in the memory unit 213 via a storage medium such as an optical disk or USB.

[0046] The processor unit 212 controls the overall operation of the computer system 210. The processor unit 212 reads and executes programs stored in the memory unit 213. This allows the computer system 210 to function as a device that executes desired steps, and the processor unit 212 of the computer system 210 to operate as a means for achieving desired functions.

[0047] 2, the computer system 210 is connected to a database section 240. The database section 240 includes a user database section 241, a lost and found database section 242, and a found and found database section 243.

[0048] User devices 2201 to 220 N Each of the user devices 2201 to 220 is configured to be able to communicate with the computer system 210 via the Internet 230. N Each of the user devices 2201 to 2202 may include an interface unit, a processor unit, a memory unit, a display unit, and an input unit. N Each of the devices may be a mobile wireless terminal such as a mobile phone, a smartphone, or a tablet terminal, or may be a personal computer such as a laptop PC or a notebook PC.

[0049] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the user devices 2201 to 220 N Although each of these is described as being capable of communicating with computer system 210 via Internet 230, the invention is not so limited. Any type of network may be used in place of Internet 230.

[0050] 2, the database unit 240 is provided outside the computer system 210, but the present invention is not limited to this. The database unit 240 can also be provided inside the computer system 210. The configuration of the database unit 240 is not limited to a specific hardware configuration. For example, the database unit 240 may be configured as a single hardware component, or may be configured as multiple hardware components. For example, the database unit 240 may be configured as a single external hard disk drive of the computer system 210, or may be configured as cloud storage connected via a network.

[0051] FIG. 3A shows an example of the configuration of information stored in user database unit 241. As shown in FIG.

[0052] The user database unit 241 stores information about users. The information about users can be identified by information for identifying the users (user ID). The information about users includes the user's name, gender, date of birth, telephone number, email address, location information, etc. The information about users may further include the user's account information.

[0053] FIG. 3B shows an example of the configuration of information stored in the lost-item database unit 242. As shown in FIG.

[0054] The lost property database unit 242 stores information about lost property lost by droppers. The information about lost property can be identified by information for identifying the lost property (lost property ID). The information about lost property is associated with information for identifying the dropper who lost the lost property (dropper ID). The dropper ID is one of the user IDs stored in the user database unit 241. The information about lost property includes the characteristics of the lost property (for example, the name, shape, color, pattern, size, whether or not the lost property has accessories, etc.), the time of loss, an image, etc.

[0055] FIG. 3C shows an example of the structure of information stored in the found-item database unit 243. As shown in FIG.

[0056] The found item database unit 243 stores information about found items picked up by pickers. The information about found items can be identified by information for identifying the found item (found item ID). The information about found items is associated with information for identifying the picker who picked up the found item (picker ID). The picker ID is one of the user IDs stored in the user database unit 241. The information about found items includes the characteristics of the found item (for example, the name, shape, color, pattern, size, whether or not the item has accessories, etc.), when it was found, where it was found, an image, and where it was kept.

[0057] 3. Processing performed in a computer system FIG. 4 shows an example of processing executed in the computer system 210. Each step shown in FIG. 4 is executed, for example, by the processor unit 211 of the computer system 210. FIG. 4 explains the flow of processing up to the point where information about the dropper's lost item is notified to the picker candidate. It is assumed that the dropper, picker candidate, and picker have previously registered information about the user to be stored in the user database unit 241 as part of the membership registration procedure. Each step shown in FIG. 4 will be explained below.

[0058] Step S401: Information about the dropper's lost item is received. The information about the dropper's lost item is, for example, input to the user device 2201 operated by the dropper, and is received from the user device 2201. This process corresponds to the user operation on the screen 100 described with reference to FIG. 1A. The information about the dropper's lost item includes, for example, information indicating when the dropper's lost item was lost. The information about the dropper's lost item may further include the name and image of the dropper's lost item. The received information about the dropper's lost item may be stored in the lost item database unit 242 in a state associated with the dropper ID.

[0059] Step S402: The movement path of the dropper is identified. This process is performed based on the time when the item was left behind by the dropper.

[0060] For example, the computer system 210 (particularly, the processor unit 211 of the computer system 210) is configured to monitor the location information of the dropper (i.e., the location information of the user device 2201 operated by the dropper). Monitoring the location information of the dropper can be achieved, for example, by acquiring the location information of the dropper at least intermittently (e.g., intermittently, continuously, or constantly) from the user device 2201 via GPS. The location information of the dropper can include time information indicating the time when the dropper was at the location indicated in the location information. In this case, the computer system 210 (particularly, the processor unit 211 of the computer system 210) can identify the movement route taken by the dropper during the time when the dropper lost the item from the location information of the dropper during the time when the dropper lost the item, based on the time when the dropper lost the item.

[0061] Alternatively, when pre-registering information about a user, the dropper may register, for example, information indicating when and where the dropper often travels as a frequently used route. At this time, the information indicating the frequently used route may be stored in the user database unit 241 in association with the dropper ID along with time information on the route. In this case, the computer system 210 (particularly, the processor unit 211 of the computer system 210) may identify, as the dropper's travel route, at least a part of the dropper's frequently used route corresponding to the time when the dropper lost the item, based on the time when the dropper lost the item.

[0062] Step S403: At least one picker candidate is identified based on the movement path of the dropper identified in step S402.

[0063] For example, the computer system 210 (particularly, the processor unit 211 of the computer system 210) is configured to identify the movement path of at least one user other than the dropper (for example, by the same method as the method described with reference to step S402). The computer system 210 (particularly, the processor unit 211 of the computer system 210) determines whether the movement path of the at least one user overlaps with at least a portion of the movement path of the dropper (for example, on a two-dimensional map or a three-dimensional map), and if the movement path of the at least one user overlaps with at least a portion of the movement path of the dropper, the computer system 210 may identify the at least one user as at least one candidate picker. This allows a user who frequently visits the vicinity of the movement path of the dropper, where lost items may be dropped, to be identified as a candidate picker.

[0064] Alternatively, the computer system 210 (particularly, the processor unit 211 of the computer system 210) is configured to monitor location information of at least one user other than the dropper (i.e., location information of the user device 2202 operated by at least one user other than the dropper). Monitoring the location information of at least one user other than the dropper can be achieved, for example, by at least intermittently (e.g., intermittently, continuously, or constantly) acquiring location information of at least one user other than the dropper from the user device 2202 via GPS. In this case, the computer system 210 (particularly, the processor unit 211 of the computer system 210) determines whether the at least one user is located within a predetermined range from the dropper's movement path identified in step S402 based on the location information of the at least one user, and if the at least one user is located within the predetermined range from the dropper's movement path, the at least one user can be identified as at least one picker candidate. This makes it possible to identify users who are near the dropper's movement path, where a lost item may be dropped, as picker candidates (e.g., in real time). The predetermined range from the path of movement of the dropper may be, for example, within 50 m from the path of movement of the dropper, within 100 m from the path of movement of the dropper, within 300 m from the path of movement of the dropper, or within 500 m from the path of movement of the dropper, but is not limited to these.

[0065] Step S404: The information about the dropper's lost item received in step S401 is notified to at least one potential picker identified in step S403. This process is achieved, for example, by the computer system 210 (particularly, the processor unit 211 of the computer system 210) transmitting the information about the dropper's lost item to the user device 2202 operated by at least one potential picker. This process corresponds to what is displayed on the screen 110 described with reference to FIG. 1B.

[0066] In this way, by identifying potential pickers based on the movement path of the dropper, it is possible to select users who are relatively likely to find the item lost by the dropper as potential pickers. Furthermore, by notifying such potential pickers of information regarding the item lost by the dropper, when the potential picker becomes a picker (i.e., the potential picker finds the item lost by the dropper), it is possible to smoothly proceed with the process of returning the item lost by the dropper to the dropper, as will be described later.

[0067] Fig. 5 shows another example of processing executed in the computer system 210. Each step shown in Fig. 5 is executed, for example, by the processor unit 211 of the computer system 210. Fig. 5 explains the flow of processing up to matching the dropper with a picker who has found the dropper's lost item. Each step shown in Fig. 5 will be explained below.

[0068] Step S501: Information about the found item picked up by the picker is received. The information about the found item picked up by the picker is received, for example, from the user device 2202 operated by the picker. The received information about the found item of the picker is stored in the found item database unit 243 in association with the picker ID. The information about the found item picked up by the picker includes, for example, the characteristics of the found item (for example, the name, shape, color, pattern, size, whether or not the found item has accessories, etc.), when the item was found, where it was found, an image, etc. The information about the found item picked up by the picker may further include information indicating the storage location of the found item.

[0069] Step S502: It is determined whether the item picked up by the picker is the same as the item lost by the dropper. If the determination result is "Yes", the process proceeds to step S503, and if the determination result is "No", the process proceeds to step S504.

[0070] The process of determining whether the item found by the picker is the same as the item lost by the dropper may be realized by, for example, image analysis. That is, when the information on the item lost by the dropper includes a first image representing the item lost by the dropper and the information on the item found by the picker includes a second image representing the item lost, the computer system 210 (particularly, the processor unit 211 of the computer system 210) may perform image analysis on the first image representing the item lost by the dropper and the second image representing the item found by the picker, and determine whether the item found by the picker is the same as the item lost by the dropper based on the results of the image analysis. When the computer system 210 (particularly, the processor unit 211 of the computer system 210) obtains an analysis result that the first image and the second image represent the same item, it determines that the item found by the picker is the same as the item lost by the dropper. If the computer system 210 (particularly the processor unit 211 of the computer system 210) obtains an analysis result that the first image and the second image do not represent the same thing, it determines that the item found by the picker is not the same as the item lost by the dropper.

[0071] Alternatively, the process of determining whether the item found by the picker is the same as the item lost by the dropper may be realized by, for example, natural language processing. That is, the computer system 210 (particularly, the processor unit 211 of the computer system 210) may perform natural language processing on a first description of the characteristics of the item lost by the dropper and a second description of the characteristics of the item found by the picker, and determine whether the item found by the picker is the same as the item lost by the dropper based on the result of the natural language processing. When the computer system 210 (particularly, the processor unit 211 of the computer system 210) obtains a natural language processing result indicating that the first description of the characteristics of the item lost by the dropper and the second description of the characteristics of the item found by the picker represent the same thing, it determines that the item found by the picker is the same as the item lost by the dropper. If the computer system 210 (particularly the processor unit 211 of the computer system 210) obtains a natural language processing result that the first description regarding the characteristics of the item lost by the dropper and the second description regarding the characteristics of the item found by the picker do not represent the same thing, it determines that the item found by the picker is not the same as the item lost by the dropper.

[0072] Step S503: A process for matching a dropper with a picker is executed. This allows the dropper to directly communicate with the picker. The process for matching a dropper with a picker includes, but is not limited to, for example, a process for generating a chat room in which the dropper and picker can talk to each other, a process for notifying the dropper of information about the picker, and a process for notifying the picker of information about the dropper.

[0073] If it is determined as a result of direct communication between the dropper and the picker that the item found by the picker is indeed the same as the item lost by the dropper, the dropper can initiate a procedure for claiming the picker's found item with the computer system 210 and / or the picker, and claim the dropper's lost item at a storage location for the picker's found item. Furthermore, after step S503, the computer system 210 (particularly, the processor unit 211 of the computer system 210) may receive an input regarding a reward from the dropper (e.g., from the user device 2201 operated by the dropper), and in response to receiving the input regarding a reward from the dropper, may further execute processing for the dropper to provide a reward to the picker. The input regarding the reward may be, for example, but is not limited to, an input indicating the amount of a reward money, an input indicating the amount of reward points, etc. The process for providing a reward from the dropper to the picker includes, for example, a process for referencing the user database unit 241 and transferring the amount of the reward from the dropper's account to the picker's account, but is not limited to this.

[0074] Step S504: Information about the lost item picked up by the picker is stored in the lost item database unit 243. As a result, the information about the lost item picked up by the picker can be used for another dropper's lost item that will be entered at a later time. This can also deal with the case where a picker picks up a lost item and registers information about the lost item in the computer system 210 (particularly, the lost item database unit 243 of the computer system 210) before the dropper registers information about the lost item in the computer system 210 (particularly, the lost item database unit 242 of the computer system 210).

[0075] In response to receiving the information about the dropper's lost item, the computer system 210 (particularly, the processor unit 211 of the computer system 210) may refer to the lost item database unit 243 to determine whether the dropper's lost item is likely to be the same as any of the lost items indicated in the information about the lost items stored in the lost item database unit 243. The means for determining whether the dropper's lost item is likely to be the same as any of the lost items indicated in the information about the lost items stored in the lost item database unit 243 may be, for example, the same method as that described with reference to step S502 of FIG. 5. For example, if the dropper's lost item is likely to be the same as the lost item X indicated in the information about the lost items stored in the lost item database unit 243, the picker of the lost item X may be matched with the dropper. This allows the dropper to directly contact the picker of the lost item X. If the dropper's lost property is not likely to be the same as any lost property indicated in the information about lost property stored in the lost property database section 243, the information about the dropper's lost property is stored in the lost property database section 242.

[0076] 4. A new B2C service that allows users to view information about lost items delivered to facilities The applicant proposes a new B2C service that allows users to view information about lost items delivered to facilities. This new B2C service aims to increase the likelihood that a dropper's lost items will be returned to the dropper by allowing users to view information about lost items delivered to facilities where the dropper's lost items may have been delivered. In this new B2C service, when a dropper inputs route information, a lost item inquiry is sent to at least one facility near the input route, and the dropper is notified of the results of the inquiry to at least one facility. This allows the dropper to view the lost item information included in the inquiry results to at least one facility, and if the dropper's lost item has been delivered to one of the at least one facility to which the inquiry was sent, the dropper can go to that facility to pick up the dropper's lost item.

[0077] 6A shows a screen 600 displayed on a user device operated by a dropper. The display of the screen 600 is achieved, for example, by a program stored in a memory unit of the user device being executed by a processor unit of the user device. The entire screen 600 does not have to be displayed on the user device. For example, a portion of the screen 600 may be displayed on the user device, and another portion of the screen 600 may be displayed by performing a scrolling operation.

[0078] 6A is an example of a screen for a dropper to input information about a lost item. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6A, the screen 600 includes a path input area 601 for inputting the path of the dropper's movement, and an upload button 602 for uploading an image of the lost item. As shown in FIG. 1A, the screen 600 may further include a name input area (not shown) for inputting the name of the lost item, a time input area (not shown) for inputting the time when the lost item was lost, a registration button (not shown) for registering the information input on the screen 600 as information about the dropper's lost item, and a free input area (not shown) in which detailed information about the dropper's lost item can be freely input.

[0079] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6A, a map is displayed in the route input area 601. For convenience, points A, B, C, and D are plotted on the map in the screen 600. The route input area 601 is configured to allow the dropper's movement route to be input. For example, as shown in FIG. 6A, the dropper can input the dropper's expected movement area 603 by drawing a circle on the screen 600. In this case, for example, the area between points B and C can be identified as a candidate location where the dropper lost the item (i.e., a candidate location where the dropper's lost item was lost).

[0080] Alternatively, the dropper can input the dropper's expected movement path by drawing a line connecting point B and point C on the screen 600. In this case, for example, the area between point B and point C can be identified as a candidate location where the dropper lost the item (i.e., a candidate location where the dropper's lost item was lost).

[0081] Note that the method of identifying potential lost locations of the dropper's lost items is not limited to the above. For example, the dropper may perform a voice input for identifying potential lost locations of the dropper's lost items (for example, a voice input in which an utterance "between point B and point C" is recorded), thereby identifying potential lost locations of the dropper's lost items.

[0082] The potential loss locations of the dropper's lost item may be presented to the dropper (that is, may be displayed on the user device 2201 operated by the dropper) for the dropper to confirm.

[0083] 6B shows a screen 610 displayed on a user device operated by a dropper. The display of the screen 610 is achieved, for example, by a program stored in a memory unit of the user device being executed by a processor unit of the user device. The entire screen 610 does not have to be displayed on the user device. For example, a portion of the screen 610 may be displayed on the user device, and another portion of the screen 610 may be displayed by performing a scrolling operation.

[0084] FIG. 6B is an example of a screen for displaying facilities where a dropper's lost property may have been delivered. Screen 610 is an image transitioned from screen 600 of FIG. 6A in response to, for example, inputting dropper's travel area 603 on screen 600 of FIG. 6A or selecting the register button on screen 600 of FIG. 6A. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6B, screen 610 includes icon 611 indicating facility a and icon 612 indicating facility b, both of which are adjacent to the potential lost location between points B and C. In this way, by inputting the dropper's travel area or travel route, the dropper can visually identify at least one facility where the dropper's lost property may have been delivered, among multiple facilities near the potential lost location of the dropper's lost property. Facilities include any building capable of managing and storing delivered lost property. For example, facilities include, but are not limited to, commercial facilities, leisure facilities, police stations, lost and found centers, etc.

[0085] An icon 611 representing facility a and an icon 612 representing facility b are each configured to be selectable. For example, when the dropper selects icon 611, information about facility a is displayed on the dropper's user device. Information about the lost item delivered to facility a may be presented to the dropper as part of the information about facility a, or a button (not shown) for inquiring about the lost item to facility a may be presented to the dropper in response to the dropper selecting the button. The same applies to icon 612.

[0086] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6B , the screen 610 further includes an icon 613 indicating that a lost item has been found on the road near the potential location of the dropper's lost item. The icon 613 is configured to be selectable. When the dropper selects the icon 613, information about the found item is displayed on the dropper's user device. Along with the information about the found item, information about the picker who picked up the found item may also be displayed on the dropper's user device.

[0087] 6B, icon 611 and icon 612 are the same icon, but the present invention is not limited to this. Icon 611 and icon 612 may be different icons. Also, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6B, icon 613 is a different icon from icon 611 and icon 612, but the present invention is not limited to this. Icon 613 may be the same as icon 611 and icon 612.

[0088] 6B, the dropper inputs one travel area or travel route, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the dropper may input multiple travel areas or travel routes.

[0089] Also, all facilities near the potential locations where the dropper's lost item has been left may be presented to the dropper using icons, and of all facilities near the potential locations where the dropper's lost item has been left, at least one facility where one or more lost items have been left or at least one facility where the dropper's lost item may have been left may be presented to the dropper in a manner that enables it to be distinguished from other facilities (for example, using a different icon shape, a different icon color, and / or a different icon effect). Alternatively, only at least one facility near the potential locations where the dropper's lost item has been left or at least one facility where the dropper's lost item may have been left may be presented to the dropper using icons.

[0090] 5. System configuration for realizing new BtoC services FIG. 7 shows an example of the configuration of a system 700 for realizing a new BtoC service that allows users to browse information about lost items that have been delivered to a facility.

[0091] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the system 700 includes a computer system 710 for managing information about lost and found items, and user devices 7201-720. N and facility management systems 7301-730 M The computer system 710 communicates with user devices 7201 to 720 via the Internet 740. N and facility management systems 7301 to 730 M Here, N and M are integers equal to or greater than 1.

[0092] Computer system 710 is an information processing system that executes processing for a company that assists in the discovery of lost items left behind by droppers. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, computer system 710 includes an interface unit 711, a processor unit 712 including one or more central processing units (CPUs), and a memory unit 713. The hardware configuration of computer system 710 is not particularly limited as long as it can realize its functions, and may be configured as a single machine or a combination of multiple machines. The configuration of computer system 710 is similar to the configuration of computer system 210 in FIG. 2, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

[0093] 7, the computer system 710 is connected to a database section 750. The database section 750 includes a user database section 751, a lost and found database section 752, a found and found database section 753, and a facility database section 754.

[0094] User devices 7201 to 720 N The configuration of each of these is the same as that of the user device 2201 in FIG. 2, so detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

[0095] The facility management system 7301 is configured to be able to communicate with the computer system 710. The facility management system 7301 includes a server device that executes processing for the facility and a database unit that stores information about lost items delivered to the facility. The server device may include, for example, an interface unit, a processor unit, and a memory unit. The database unit that stores information about lost items delivered to the facility may be configured to be external to the server device and connected to the server device, or may be configured to be internal to the server device. The database unit that stores information about lost items delivered to the facility may be configured as a single hardware component, or may be configured as multiple hardware components. For example, the database unit that stores information about lost items delivered to the facility may be configured as a single external hard disk drive of the server device, or may be configured as cloud storage connected via a network. Facility management systems 7302-730 M The same is true for .

[0096] The configuration of user database unit 751 is similar to the configuration of user database unit 241 in Fig. 3A, so a detailed description thereof will be omitted here. The configuration of lost-item database unit 752 is similar to the configuration of lost-item database unit 242 in Fig. 3B, so a detailed description thereof will be omitted here. The configuration of found-item database unit 753 is similar to the configuration of found-item database unit 243 in Fig. 3C, so a detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

[0097] FIG. 8 shows an example of the structure of information stored in the facility database unit 754.

[0098] The facility database section 754 stores information about facilities. The information about the facilities can be identified by information for identifying the facility (facility ID). The information about the facilities includes the name, address, type of business, and an image of the exterior of the facility.

[0099] 6. Processing performed in a computer system Fig. 9 shows an example of processing executed in computer system 710. Each step shown in Fig. 9 is executed, for example, by processor unit 711 of computer system 710. Each step shown in Fig. 9 will be described below.

[0100] Step S901: Information about the dropper's lost item is received. The information about the dropper's lost item is based on, for example, an input to the user device 7201 operated by the dropper, and is received from the user device 7201. This process may correspond to a user operation on the screen 600 described with reference to FIG. 6A. The information about the dropper's lost item may include, for example, information indicating potential locations where the dropper lost the item (i.e., at least one potential location where the dropper's lost item was lost). Alternatively, the information about the dropper's lost item may include, for example, information indicating when the dropper's lost item was lost. The information about the dropper's lost item may further include a name and an image of the dropper's lost item. The received information about the dropper's lost item may be stored in the lost item database unit 752 in a state associated with the dropper ID.

[0101] Step S902: At least one potential lost location of the dropper's lost item is identified, based on the information about the dropper's lost item received in step S901.

[0102] If the information regarding the dropper's lost property received in step S901 includes information indicating at least one potential lost location of the dropper's lost property, the computer system 710 (particularly, the processor unit 711 of the computer system 710) can identify at least one potential lost location of the dropper's lost property from the information regarding the dropper's lost property indicating at least one potential lost location of the dropper's lost property.

[0103] Furthermore, if the information regarding the dropper's lost item received in step S901 includes information indicating the time when the dropper's lost item was lost, and the computer system 710 (particularly, the processor unit 711 of the computer system 710) is configured to monitor the dropper's location information (i.e., the location information of the user device 7201 operated by the dropper), the computer system 710 (particularly, the processor unit 711 of the computer system 710) can identify, based on the time when the dropper's lost item was lost, the movement path taken by the dropper during the time when the dropper's lost item was lost as at least one possible lost location of the dropper's lost item from the dropper's location information during the time when the dropper's lost item was lost. Monitoring the dropper's location information can be achieved, for example, by at least intermittently (e.g., intermittently, continuously, or constantly) acquiring the dropper's location information from the user device 7201 via GPS. The dropper's location information may include time information indicating the time when the dropper was at the location indicated in the location information.

[0104] Step S903: At least one facility where the dropper's lost item may have been left is identified. This process is performed based on at least one possible lost location of the dropper's lost item.

[0105] The computer system 710 (particularly, the processor unit 711 of the computer system 710) can, for example, refer to the facility database unit 754 and identify at least one facility located within a predetermined range from the at least one candidate location of the dropper's lost item as at least one facility where the dropper's lost item may have been delivered, based on at least one candidate location of the dropper's lost item and the locations of the facilities stored in the facility database unit 754. The predetermined range from the at least one candidate location of the dropper's lost item may be, for example, but is not limited to, within 50 meters from the at least one candidate location of the dropper's lost item, within 100 meters from the at least one candidate location of the dropper's lost item, within 300 meters from the at least one candidate location of the dropper's lost item, or within 500 meters from the at least one candidate location of the dropper's lost item.

[0106] Step S904: An inquiry about the lost item is sent to at least one facility where the lost item of the dropper may have been delivered. This may involve, for example, instructing at least one facility management system (i.e., facility management systems 7301-7302) to send information about the lost item delivered to the at least one facility to the computer system 710. M (at least one of the following):

[0107] In the above embodiment, an example is described in which an inquiry is sent in step S904 to all of the at least one facility identified in step S903 where the lost property of the dropper may have been delivered, but the present invention is not limited to this. An inquiry may be sent to at least some of the at least one facility identified in step S903.

[0108] For example, the computer system 710 (particularly, the processor unit 711 of the computer system 710) identifies at least one facility where the dropper's lost item may have been delivered, and then notifies the dropper of the identified at least one facility. The dropper then selects one or more of the notified at least one facility on the user device 7201. This allows the computer system 710 (particularly, the processor unit 711 of the computer system 710) to receive information from the dropper's user device 7201 indicating one or more facilities selected by the dropper from the notified at least one facility. In this case, the computer system 710 (particularly, the processor unit 711 of the computer system 710) may inquire about the lost item at the one or more facilities selected by the dropper.

[0109] The notification of the at least one facility may be made in any manner, for example, by using an icon on a map as shown in Fig. 6B, or by displaying a list of information about the at least one facility.

[0110] Furthermore, if the information regarding the dropper's lost property received in step S901 includes information indicating the time when the dropper's lost property was lost, the computer system 710 (particularly, the processor unit 711 of the computer system 710) may inquire at least one identified facility about lost property that was found within a predetermined period from the time when the dropper's lost property was lost. The predetermined period from the time when the dropper's lost property was lost may be, for example, a period within one hour from the time when the dropper's lost property was lost (i.e., if the time when the dropper's lost property was lost was "10:00 AM on April 20, 2022 to 5:00 PM on April 20, 2022," it may be "9:00 AM on April 20, 2022 to 6:00 PM on April 20, 2022"), or may be a period within three hours from the time when the dropper's lost property was lost, or may be a period within six hours from the time when the dropper's lost property was lost, but is not limited to these.

[0111] Step S905: At least one facility management system (i.e., facility management systems 7301 to 730 M A query result to the at least one facility is received from at least one of the facilities. The query result to the at least one facility includes information about one or more lost items delivered to the at least one facility. The information about the one or more lost items delivered to the at least one facility includes, for example, characteristics of the one or more lost items delivered to the at least one facility (e.g., name, shape, color, pattern, size, presence or absence of accessories, etc. of the lost items), when the items were found, where they were found, images, etc. The information about the one or more lost items delivered to the at least one facility may further include information indicating a storage location of the lost items.

[0112] Step S906: The result of the inquiry to the at least one facility received in step S905 is notified to the dropper. This allows the dropper to view information about lost items delivered to the at least one facility. If the dropper finds information about the dropper's lost item among the information about lost items delivered to the at least one facility, the dropper can contact the at least one facility or go to the at least one facility to try to pick up the dropper's lost item.

[0113] The dropper may be notified of the results of inquiries from all facilities to which a lost item inquiry was sent, or may be notified of the results of inquiries from at least some of at least one facility to which a lost item inquiry was sent.

[0114] For example, the computer system 710 (particularly the processor unit 711 of the computer system 710) may, based on information regarding one or more lost items delivered to at least one facility, identify one or more lost items among the one or more lost items delivered to at least one facility that may be identical to the dropper's lost items, and notify the dropper of the one or more lost items identified as possibly being identical to the dropper's lost items.

[0115] One or more lost items that may be identical to the dropper's lost items can be identified, for example, by determining whether at least some of the one or more lost items delivered to at least one facility are identical to the dropper's lost items. The process of determining whether at least some of the one or more lost items delivered to at least one facility are identical to the dropper's lost items may be realized, for example, by image analysis. That is, when information about the dropper's lost items includes a first image representing the dropper's lost items and information about the one or more lost items delivered to at least one facility includes one or more second images representing the one or more lost items, the computer system 710 (particularly, the processor unit 711 of the computer system 710) may perform image analysis on the first image representing the dropper's lost items and each of the one or more second images representing the one or more lost items delivered to the at least one facility, and determine whether at least some of the one or more lost items delivered to the at least one facility are identical to the dropper's lost items based on the results of the image analysis. When the computer system 710 (particularly, the processor unit 711 of the computer system 710) obtains an analysis result that the first image and at least a portion of the one or more second images represent the same item, it determines that at least a portion of the one or more lost items delivered to the at least one facility are the same as the dropper's lost items, and is able to identify at least a portion of the one or more lost items delivered to the at least one facility as one or more lost items that may be the same as the dropper's lost items. When the computer system 710 (particularly, the processor unit 711 of the computer system 710) obtains an analysis result that none of the first image and at least a portion of the one or more second images represent the same item, it determines that none of the one or more lost items delivered to the at least one facility are the same as the dropper's lost items.

[0116] Alternatively, the process of determining whether at least some of the one or more lost items delivered to the at least one facility are the same as the dropper's lost items may be realized by, for example, natural language processing. That is, the computer system 710 (particularly, the processor unit 711 of the computer system 710) may perform natural language processing on a first description of the characteristics of the dropper's lost items and one or more second descriptions of the characteristics of the one or more lost items delivered to the at least one facility, and may determine whether at least some of the one or more lost items delivered to the at least one facility are the same as the dropper's lost items based on the results of the natural language processing. When the computer system 710 (particularly, the processor unit 711 of the computer system 710) obtains a natural language processing result indicating that the first description regarding the characteristics of the dropper's lost item and the one or more second descriptions regarding the characteristics of the one or more found items delivered to the at least one facility represent the same thing, the computer system 710 (particularly, the processor unit 711 of the computer system 710) determines that at least some of the one or more found items delivered to the at least one facility are the same as the dropper's lost item, and is able to identify at least some of the one or more found items delivered to the at least one facility as one or more found items that may be the same as the dropper's lost item when the computer system 710 (particularly, the processor unit 711 of the computer system 710) obtains a natural language processing result indicating that the first description regarding the characteristics of the dropper's lost item and the one or more second descriptions regarding the characteristics of the one or more found items delivered to the at least one facility do not represent the same thing, the computer system 710 determines that none of the one or more found items delivered to the at least one facility are the same as the dropper's lost item.

[0117] The computer system 710 (particularly, the processor unit 711 of the computer system 710) is configured to receive information about items found by a picker on the road from a user device 7202 operated by the picker. The received information about items found on the road is stored in the lost item database unit 753. The information about items found on the road includes, for example, characteristics of the items found on the road (for example, the name, shape, color, pattern, size, whether or not the items have accessories, etc.), when and where they were found, and images. The information about items found on the road may further include information indicating a storage location of the items. Examples of roads include, but are not limited to, roads between facilities, roads extending along facilities, roads extending from facilities, etc.

[0118] After identifying at least one candidate loss location of the dropper's lost item in step S902, the computer system 710 (particularly, the processor unit 711 of the computer system 710) can refer to the lost item database unit 753 to determine whether or not the location of the item found on the road is close to any of the at least one candidate loss location of the dropper's lost item. If the location of the item found on the road is located within a predetermined range from any of the at least one candidate loss location of the dropper's lost item, it can be determined that the location of the item found on the road is close to any of the at least one candidate loss location of the dropper's lost item. The specified range from any one of the at least one candidate lost location of the dropper's lost item may be, for example, within 50 m of the specified range from any one of the at least one candidate lost location of the dropper's lost item, within 100 m of any one of the at least one candidate lost location of the dropper's lost item, within 300 m of any one of the at least one candidate lost location of the dropper's lost item, or within 500 m of any one of the at least one candidate lost location of the dropper's lost item, but is not limited to these.

[0119] The computer system 710 (particularly, the processor unit 711 of the computer system 710) can notify the dropper of information about the item found on the road when it is determined that the location where the item found on the road is near at least one of the candidate locations of the dropper's lost item. This allows the dropper to view not only information about items that have been delivered to facilities, but also information about items found on the road. Therefore, the dropper can view information about all items found on the ground that are stored in the lost item database unit 753. The dropper may also be able to view information about the picker who picked up the item on the road. This allows the dropper to directly contact the picker.

[0120] If the item found on the road is the dropper's lost item, the dropper can initiate the procedure for receiving the item found on the road to the computer system 710 by selecting the information indicating the item found on the road, and can receive the dropper's lost item at the storage location for lost items included in the information regarding the item found on the road.

[0121] The notification of information about an item found on the road may be made together with the notification of at least one facility (for example, on a map) as shown in Fig. 6B, or may be made separately from the notification of at least one facility. The manner of notification of information about an item found on the road is arbitrary. For example, the information about an item found on the road may be notified to the dropper using a selectable icon on a map as shown in Fig. 6B, or may be notified to the dropper by displaying a list of information about items found on the road.

[0122] 4, 5, and 9, examples have been described in which the processing of each step shown in Fig. 4, 5, and 9 is realized by the processor executing a program stored in the memory, but the present invention is not limited to this. At least some of the processing of each step shown in Fig. 4, 5, and 9 may be realized by a hardware configuration such as a control circuit.

[0123] As described above, the present invention has been illustrated using the preferred embodiment of the present invention, but the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited to this embodiment. It is understood that the scope of the present invention should be interpreted only by the claims. It is understood that a person skilled in the art can implement an equivalent scope based on the description of the present invention and common technical knowledge from the description of the specific preferred embodiment of the present invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0124] The present invention is useful for providing a computer system for assisting in the discovery of lost items, and a program executed on the computer system. [Explanation of symbols]

[0125] 200 systems 210 Computer Systems 2201~220 N User Device 230 Internet 240 Database Department 700 System 710 Computer Systems 7201~720 N User Device 7301~730 M Facility Management System 740 Internet 750 Database Department

Claims

1. A computer system for assisting in the discovery of lost property, the computer system comprising: means for receiving information regarding the owner's lost property; a means for identifying at least one facility where the lost item of the owner may have been delivered based on information about the lost item of the owner; means for transmitting a lost item inquiry to the at least one facility based on information about the owner's lost item; means for receiving results of said query from said at least one facility; means for determining whether at least one of the one or more lost items delivered to the at least one facility is the same as the lost item of the owner based on the result of the inquiry; a means for executing a process for notifying the owner of the result of the inquiry, the content of the notification of the result of the inquiry being based on a result of determining whether or not at least one of the one or more found items delivered to the at least one facility is the same as the lost item of the owner; A computer system comprising:

2. The computer system described in claim 1, wherein determining whether at least one of the one or more lost items delivered to the at least one facility is the same as the owner's lost item is performed using natural language processing based on information regarding the owner's lost item and the results of the query.

3. The information regarding the owner's lost property further includes a first description regarding characteristics of the owner's lost property; the results of the query include information regarding one or more found items that have been delivered to the at least one facility, the information regarding the one or more found items including one or more second descriptions regarding characteristics of the one or more found items; 3. The computer system of claim 2, wherein determining whether at least one of the one or more lost items delivered to the at least one facility is the same as the owner's lost item is performed based on results obtained by natural language processing the first description and each of the one or more second descriptions.

4. A computer system as described in claim 1, wherein the means for receiving information regarding the owner's lost property receives at least a portion of the information regarding the owner's lost property via voice input.

5. The means for identifying at least one facility where the owner's lost property may have been delivered based on the information regarding the owner's lost property includes means for identifying multiple facilities where the owner's lost property may have been delivered based on the information regarding the owner's lost property; The computer system includes: a means for notifying the owner of the identified facilities; a means for receiving information indicating one or more facilities selected by the owner of the lost item from among the identified plurality of facilities; Furthermore, 2. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the means for sending an inquiry about the lost item to the at least one facility based on information about the owner's lost item sends an inquiry about the lost item to the selected one or more facilities based on information about the owner's lost item.

6. The means for identifying at least one facility to which the owner's lost property may have been delivered based on information regarding the owner's lost property comprises: means for identifying at least one possible location where the lost item of the owner is lost based on information about the lost item of the owner; a means for identifying at least one facility where the lost item of the owner may have been delivered based on the identified at least one potential lost location; 10. The computer system of claim 1, comprising:

7. The means for identifying at least one potential location where the lost property of the owner is lost based on information about the lost property of the owner comprises: means for acquiring location information of the owner of the lost item; means for identifying at least one possible location where the owner's lost item was left based on information indicating the time when the owner's lost item was lost, which is included in the information about the owner's lost item, and location information about the owner; 7. The computer system of claim 6, comprising:

8. A method executed in a computer system for assisting in the discovery of lost items, the computer system comprising: a processor unit; The method comprises: the processor unit receiving information about the owner's lost property; The processor unit identifies at least one facility where the owner's lost item may have been delivered based on information about the owner's lost item; the processor unit transmitting a lost item inquiry to the at least one facility based on information regarding the owner's lost item; receiving, by the processor unit, results of the query from the at least one facility; and the processor unit determines, based on a result of the inquiry, whether at least one of the one or more lost items delivered to the at least one facility is the same as the lost item of the owner; the processor unit executes a process for notifying the owner of the result of the inquiry, and the content of the notification of the result of the inquiry is based on a determination result of whether or not at least one of the one or more found items delivered to the at least one facility is the same as the lost item of the owner; A method comprising:

9. A program executed in a computer system for assisting in the discovery of lost items, the computer system comprising a processor unit, When the program is executed by the processor unit, receiving information about the owner's lost property; Identifying at least one facility where the owner's lost item may have been left based on information about the owner's lost item; transmitting a lost item inquiry to the at least one facility based on information about the owner's lost item; receiving results of the query from the at least one facility; determining whether at least one of the one or more lost items delivered to the at least one facility is the same as the lost item of the owner based on a result of the inquiry; executing a process for notifying the owner of the result of the inquiry based on a determination result of whether or not at least one of the one or more found items delivered to the at least one facility is the same as the lost item of the owner, wherein the content of the notification of the result of the inquiry is based on a determination result of whether or not at least one of the one or more found items delivered to the at least one facility is the same as the lost item of the owner; A program causing the processor unit to perform the above.

10. A user device for assisting in the discovery of lost items, comprising: the user device is configured to transmit information about the owner's lost property to a computer system configured to be in communication with the user device; The computer system identifies at least one facility where the owner's lost item may have been delivered based on information about the owner's lost item; a lost item inquiry is sent by the computer system to the at least one facility based on information about the owner's lost item; results of the query are received by the computer system from the at least one facility; determining, by the computer system based on the results of the inquiry, whether at least one of the one or more found items delivered to the at least one facility is the same as the lost item of the owner; The user device is further configured to receive a result of the query from the computer system, and the received notification of the result of the query is based on a determination result of whether at least one of the one or more lost items delivered to the at least one facility is the same as the lost item left by the owner.

11. A plurality of facilities to which the owner's lost property may have been delivered are identified by the computer system based on information regarding the owner's lost property; The user device receiving information about the identified plurality of facilities; displaying information about the identified plurality of facilities in a selectable manner; receiving a user input selecting one or more facilities from the identified plurality of facilities; transmitting information indicative of the selected one or more facilities to the computer system; further configured to:

11. The user device of claim 10, wherein a lost item inquiry is sent by the computer system to the selected one or more facilities based on information about the owner's lost item.

12. A method for assisting in the discovery of lost property, said method comprising: A processor unit of a user device operated by the owner of the lost item transmits information about the owner's lost item to a computer system configured to be able to communicate with the user device. Including, The computer system identifies at least one facility where the owner's lost item may have been delivered based on information about the owner's lost item; a lost item inquiry is sent by the computer system to the at least one facility based on information about the owner's lost item; results of the query are received by the computer system from the at least one facility; determining, by the computer system based on the results of the inquiry, whether at least one of the one or more found items delivered to the at least one facility is the same as the lost item of the owner; The method comprises: the processor unit receiving a result of the inquiry from the computer system, the received notification of the result of the inquiry being based on a determination of whether at least one of the one or more lost items delivered to the at least one facility is the same as the lost item of the owner; The method further comprises:

13. A program for assisting in the discovery of lost items, the program, when executed by a processor unit of a user device operated by an owner of the lost item, transmitting information regarding the owner's lost property to a computer system configured to communicate with the user device; causing the processor unit to perform the above; The computer system identifies at least one facility where the owner's lost item may have been delivered based on information about the owner's lost item; a lost item inquiry is sent by the computer system to the at least one facility based on information about the owner's lost item; results of the query are received by the computer system from the at least one facility; determining, by the computer system based on the results of the inquiry, whether at least one of the one or more found items delivered to the at least one facility is the same as the lost item of the owner; When the program is executed by the processor unit, receiving a result of the inquiry from the computer system, wherein the received notification of the result of the inquiry is based on a determination of whether at least one of the one or more lost items delivered to the at least one facility is the same as the lost item of the owner; The program further causes the processor unit to perform the above.

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