Server apparatus, server apparatus control method, and program

Abstract

To provide a server apparatus which can provide a travel plan suited to requirements for which a user requires for a travel.SOLUTION: A server apparatus comprises acquisition means and proposal means. The proposal means acquires travel requirements as requirements for a travel from a user requesting a travel plan by a question form. Among plural travel plans prepared in advance, the proposal means selects at least one or more travel plans suited to the acquired travel requirements, and proposes the selected travel plan to the user.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a server device, a method for controlling a server device, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Technology exists for suggesting travel plans.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 describes a travel plan collection system, a travel plan collection method, a management device, and a program that enable users to propose many unique, innovative, and excellent travel plan proposals and promote the realization of the proposed travel plan proposals. The system in Patent Document 1 includes a proposer terminal device, a participant terminal device, and a management device, all interconnected via a communications network. The proposer terminal device transmits travel plan information to be proposed to the management device, and the participant terminal device transmits application information to participate in the travel plan proposal to the management device. The management device includes a database, a display unit, and a reward unit. The database stores, from among the received travel plan information, travel plan information that has received a certain level of evaluation from the administrator. The display unit displays the travel plan information stored in the database so that it can be viewed on the communications network. The reward unit awards a first reward to a proposer who proposes a travel plan that has received a certain level of evaluation from the administrator, and a second reward to a proposer who proposes a travel plan that has received an application from a participant. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-288285 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Some users are planning to go on a trip, but find it troublesome to actually create a travel plan. In such cases, the system disclosed in Patent Document 1 is utilized. However, simply listing travel plans may not present a travel plan that satisfies the user. Each user has different requirements for a trip. Therefore, a travel plan suggestion system is required to acquire the requirements of each user for a trip and propose a travel plan that takes into consideration the acquired requirements for a trip.

[0006] A primary object of the present invention is to provide a server device, a server device control method, and a program that contribute to enabling the provision of travel plans that meet the user's travel needs. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a server device is provided which comprises: an acquisition means for acquiring travel requirements, i.e., items desired for a trip, in the form of questions from a user who desires a travel plan proposal; and a proposal means for selecting at least one travel plan that matches the acquired travel requirements from a plurality of travel plans prepared in advance, and proposing the selected travel plan to the user.

[0008] According to a second aspect of the present invention, a method for controlling a server device is provided, in which a server device acquires travel requirements, i.e., items desired for a trip, in the form of a question from a user who desires a travel plan proposal, selects at least one travel plan that matches the acquired travel requirements from a plurality of travel plans prepared in advance, and proposes the selected travel plan to the user.

[0009] According to a third aspect of the present invention, a program is provided to cause a computer installed in a server device to execute the following processes: acquiring travel requirements, i.e., items desired for a trip, in the form of a question from a user who desires a travel plan proposal; selecting at least one travel plan that matches the acquired travel requirements from a plurality of travel plans prepared in advance; and proposing the selected travel plan to the user. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to each aspect of the present invention, a server device, a control method for a server device, and a program are provided that contribute to enabling the provision of travel plans that meet the user's travel needs. Note that the effects of the present invention are not limited to those described above. The present invention may achieve other effects instead of or in addition to the effects described above. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an outline of an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining an outline of the operation of one embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the information processing system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the information processing system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing configuration of a server device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a user management database according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display on a terminal according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9]FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of table information according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a travel plan management database according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the travel plan proposal control unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display on a terminal according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display on a terminal according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a server device according to the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] First, an overview of one embodiment will be described. Note that the reference numerals in the drawings are added to each element for convenience as an example to facilitate understanding, and the description of this overview is not intended to be limiting in any way. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, the blocks shown in each drawing represent functional units, not hardware units. Connection lines between blocks in each drawing include both bidirectional and unidirectional lines. Unidirectional arrows are used to schematically indicate the flow of main signals (data) and do not exclude bidirectionality. Note that in this specification and drawings, elements that can be similarly described may be assigned the same reference numerals to avoid redundant explanation.

[0013] A server device 100 according to one embodiment includes an acquisition unit 101 and a proposal unit 102 (see FIG. 1). The acquisition unit 101 acquires, in the form of a question, travel requirements, which are the items desired for a trip, from a user who desires a travel plan proposal (step S1 in FIG. 2). The proposal unit 102 selects at least one travel plan that matches the acquired travel requirements from a plurality of travel plans prepared in advance, and proposes the selected travel plan to the user (step S2).

[0014] The server device 100 acquires the user's travel requirements in the form of a question. The server device 100 selects a travel plan that meets the acquired requirements and proposes the selected travel plan to the user. As a result, a travel plan that meets the user's travel requirements is provided.

[0015] Specific embodiments will be described in more detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0016] [First embodiment] The first embodiment will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

[0017] [System Configuration] 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the information processing system includes a server device 10.

[0018] The server device 10 is a server that provides various information to users. More specifically, the server device 10 is a server that mainly provides information related to travel plans. The server device 10 may be installed in the building of a service provider, or may be installed on a network (cloud).

[0019] A user has a terminal 20 such as a smartphone. The user operates the terminal 20 to access the server device 10 or the like, and inputs and acquires various pieces of information.

[0020] The user uses a social networking service (SNS). More specifically, the user has an SNS account for message sharing, photo posting, diary posting, or the like.

[0021] The devices (server device 10, terminal 20, etc.) shown in FIG. 3 are connected by wired or wireless communication means and are configured to be able to communicate with each other.

[0022] 3 is an example and is not intended to limit the configuration. For example, the system may include multiple server devices 10. Load balancing and redundancy may be achieved by using multiple server devices 10.

[0023] [General operation] Next, the general operation of the information processing system according to the first embodiment will be described.

[0024] <User registration> First, the user operates the terminal 20 to access the server device 10 and create an account. The user registers as a user on the travel plan proposal site. By registering as a user, an account is created on the travel plan proposal site.

[0025] Specifically, the user inputs into the server device 10 the name, sex, date of birth, address, login information (ID, password), SNS information, and the like.

[0026] An example of the SNS information is an SNS ID (hereinafter referred to as SNS ID). A user registers the ID of an SNS that the user uses on a daily basis as SNS information in the server device 10. Furthermore, if there are other users that the user follows (other users who keep track of messages posted by the user), the SNS ID of the other users is registered in the server device 10.

[0027] In the following explanation, other users that a user follows (other users who are followed by the user) will be referred to as "followees." As mentioned above, a user registers their own SNS ID as well as the SNS ID of the followee as SNS information on the travel plan proposal site.

[0028] When the server device 10 acquires information about a user, it generates a user ID for identifying the user. The server device 10 manages the user's user ID, name, SNS information, etc. for each account. The server device 10 stores the user ID, etc. in a user management database. The user management database will be described in detail later.

[0029] <Registering a travel plan> Travel enthusiasts and residents of tourist destinations can register their travel plans on the travel plan proposal site (see FIG. 4). Specifically, the user operates the terminal 20 to access the server device 10 and log in to the travel plan proposal site.

[0030] Travel enthusiasts and the like create travel plans that they can recommend to others based on their own experiences and register the created travel plans on the travel plan suggestion site. For example, travel enthusiasts and the like create travel plans that include a departure point, a destination, a means of transportation from the departure point to the destination, recommended tourist spots, restaurants, hotels to stay at, a recommended travel period, a rough budget (approximate budget), etc., and register the created travel plan on the server device 10.

[0031] The server device 10 acquires travel plans from many users and stores the acquired travel plans in a travel plan management database, the details of which will be described later.

[0032] In the following explanation, a user who registers a travel plan on a travel plan proposal site will be referred to as a "travel plan registrant" or simply as a "registrant."

[0033] <Travel plan suggestions> A user planning to go on a trip can receive travel plan proposals suitable for that user from the travel plan proposal site. The server device 10 extracts a travel plan that suits the needs of the user (a user who wishes to receive travel plan proposals; hereinafter referred to as the proposal requester) from multiple travel plans obtained from travel plan registrants, and proposes the extracted travel plan to the proposal requester.

[0034] At this time, the server device 10 acquires the items desired by the proposal seeker for the trip through an interactive format with the proposal seeker (see FIG. 5). For example, the server device 10 acquires the travel period and approximate budget that the proposal seeker is planning. Furthermore, the server device 10 acquires the items that the proposal seeker considers important for the trip.

[0035] For example, the server device 10 asks the user various questions and obtains the answers to acquire the items that the proposal requester desires for the trip (travel plan). In the following explanation, the items that the proposal requester desires for the trip will be referred to as "travel requirements."

[0036] For example, the server device 10 acquires travel requirements such as "travel period: late March, approximate budget: 100,000 yen, priority items: meals."

[0037] The server device 10 extracts travel plans that are close to the needs (travel requirements) of the proposal requester from among the many accumulated travel plans, and proposes the extracted travel plans to the proposal requester.

[0038] In this case, the server device 10 first extracts the proposed travel plan from among the travel plans created by users (followers) followed by the proposal requester. This is because the users followed by the proposal requester often have similar hobbies, tastes, and ways of thinking to the proposal requester, and therefore the travel plan created by such users is likely to be accepted by the proposal requester.

[0039] When a proposal requester requests the proposal of another travel plan, the server device 10 extracts a travel plan to be proposed to the proposal requester from among travel plans created by users not followed by the proposal requester (users other than the followed users).

[0040] When the proposal requester selects a plan to actually travel from among the proposed travel plans, the server device 10 transmits the selected travel plan to the proposal requester's terminal 20. The user sets off on a trip using the received travel plan as a reference.

[0041] The server device 10 also awards a predetermined number of points to the travel plan registrant who created and registered the travel plan selected by the proposal requester (the travel plan adopted by the proposal requester). The user who has been awarded points can use the awarded points at EC (Electronic Commerce) sites, hotels at the travel destination, etc.

[0042] In this way, in the information processing system, travel enthusiasts and local residents familiar with tourist spots (local areas) create attractive travel plans that include lesser-known tourist spots and register them on the travel plan proposal site. As a result, even users who are not familiar with tourist spots (users who do not have much local information) can enjoy their trip.

[0043] Next, details of each device included in the information processing system according to the first embodiment will be described.

[0044] [Server device] 6 is a diagram showing an example of a processing configuration (processing module) of the server device 10 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 6, the server device 10 includes a communication control unit 201, a user registration control unit 202, a travel plan registration control unit 203, a travel plan proposal control unit 204, a point control unit 205, and a storage unit 206.

[0045] The communication control unit 201 is a means for controlling communication with other devices. For example, the communication control unit 201 receives data (packets) from the terminal 20. The communication control unit 201 also transmits data to the terminal 20. The communication control unit 201 passes data received from other devices to other processing modules. The communication control unit 201 transmits data acquired from other processing modules to other devices. In this way, other processing modules transmit and receive data to and from other devices via the communication control unit 201. The communication control unit 201 has a function as a receiving unit that receives data from other devices and a function as a transmitting unit that transmits data to other devices.

[0046] The user registration control unit 202 is a means for controlling user registration. When a user operates the terminal 20 to perform a predetermined action on the travel plan proposal site (for example, pressing the account creation button), the user registration control unit 202 acquires information about the user.

[0047] For example, the user registration control unit 202 displays a GUI (Graphical User Interface) on the terminal 20 to acquire the user's name, sex, date of birth, address, login information (ID, password), SNS information, and the like.

[0048] Furthermore, when the user registration control unit 202 acquires the user's name, etc., it generates a user ID for identifying the user. The user ID may be any information that can uniquely identify the user. For example, the user registration control unit 202 may assign a unique value each time information about a user is acquired and use this as the user ID.

[0049] When the user registration control unit 202 generates a user ID, it stores the user ID, name, login information, SNS information, etc. in a user management database (see FIG. 7). The user management database shown in FIG. 7 is an example and is not intended to limit the items to be stored. For example, the user's biometric information (e.g., a facial image) may be registered in the user management database.

[0050] 7, the user's own SNS ID is written in the own SNS ID field, and the SNS IDs of other users (followed users) that the user follows are written in the followed users' SNS ID field.

[0051] Travel plan registration control unit 203 is a means for controlling the registration of travel plans. When a user who has logged in to the travel plan proposal site performs a predetermined action on the travel plan proposal site (for example, pressing the travel plan registration button), travel plan registration control unit 203 acquires a travel plan from the user using a GUI or the like.

[0052] For example, the travel plan registration control unit 203 acquires a travel plan using a GUI such as that shown in Fig. 8. For example, the travel plan registration control unit 203 acquires a recommended travel period and a rough budget for the trip. Furthermore, the travel plan registration control unit 203 acquires the departure point, the means of transportation from the departure point to the destination, the means of transportation from the destination to tourist spots, tourist spots and the means of transportation thereto, restaurants, hotels to stay at, and the means of transportation to the hotels to stay at, etc., to acquire a specific travel itinerary.

[0053] When the travel plan is acquired, the travel plan registration control unit 203 generates a travel plan ID for identifying the acquired travel plan.

[0054] Furthermore, the travel plan registration control unit 203 assigns at least one tag to the acquired travel plan that characterizes the travel plan. For example, the travel plan registration control unit 203 assigns tags to the travel plan from various perspectives. For example, the travel plan registration control unit 203 assigns tags from the perspective of the means of transportation used, such as "train travel" or "bus travel," from the perspective of tourist spots, such as "shrines" or "amusement parks," and from the perspective of food, such as "Japanese cuisine" or "French cuisine."

[0055] For example, travel plan registration control unit 203 tags the travel plan using a so-called large-scale language model (LLM). In this case, travel plan registration control unit 203 may tag the travel plan using tag candidates prepared in advance by a system administrator or the like. For example, travel plan registration control unit 203 may tag the travel plan using a tag candidate list as shown in FIG. 9.

[0056] The travel plan registration control unit 203 generates a prompt for inputting the tag candidate list and the travel plan to be tagged into the large-scale language model. For example, the travel plan registration control unit 203 generates a prompt consisting of an "instruction area," a "tag candidate list area," and a "travel plan area."

[0057] For example, the "instruction area" may contain instructions such as "Use the tag candidate list in the tag candidate list area to assign at least one tag to the travel plan listed in the travel plan area." Alternatively, the "instruction area" may contain instructions such as "Use the tag candidate list in the tag candidate list area to extract at least one feature from the travel plan listed in the travel plan area."

[0058] The "tag candidate list area" contains a tag candidate list as shown in Figure 9. The "travel plan area" contains the travel period, approximate budget, specific travel itinerary, etc. obtained from the travel plan registrant.

[0059] It should be noted that the wording written in the instruction area is merely an example and is not intended to limit the prompts for inputting data into the large-scale language model. A system administrator or the like can adjust the wording written in the instruction area so that appropriate tags are output from the large-scale language model.

[0060] The travel plan registration control unit 203 inputs the prompt having the above three areas into a large-scale language model, thereby assigning tags to the travel plan acquired from the registrant (characterizing the travel plan).

[0061] For example, a travel plan that involves traveling to a tourist spot by Shinkansen might be tagged with "Train Trip." Alternatively, a travel plan that includes dinner at a restaurant might be tagged with "Japanese Cuisine" or "Chinese Cuisine" based on the restaurant's name. Alternatively, a travel plan with a rough budget of "130,000 yen" might be tagged with the closest tag from a list of candidate tags, such as "100,000 yen" or "150,000 yen."

[0062] The travel plan registration control unit 203 stores, for example, the generated travel plan ID, information about the travel plan registrant (user ID, SNS ID), tags assigned to the travel plan, and the travel plan itself in a travel plan management database (see FIG. 10). Note that the travel plan field of the travel plan management database shown in FIG. 10 describes the travel period, approximate budget, and specific travel itinerary (place of departure, means of transportation, tourist spots, restaurants, hotel accommodation, etc.).

[0063] The travel plan proposal control unit 204 is a means for controlling the proposal of travel plans.

[0064] The travel plan proposal control unit 204 functions as an acquisition unit and a proposal unit. As an acquisition unit, the travel plan proposal control unit 204 acquires travel requirements, which are the items desired for the trip, from a user who requests a travel plan proposal in the form of a question. As a proposal unit, the travel plan proposal control unit 204 selects at least one travel plan that matches the acquired travel requirements from multiple travel plans prepared in advance (multiple travel plans stored in the travel plan management database). The travel plan proposal control unit 204 proposes the selected travel plan to the user.

[0065] 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the travel plan proposal control unit 204 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The operation of the travel plan proposal control unit 204 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0066] When a user who has logged in to the travel plan proposal site performs a predetermined action on the travel plan proposal site (for example, pressing the travel plan proposal button), the travel plan proposal control unit 204 acquires travel requirements from the user (step S101).

[0067] For example, the travel plan proposal control unit 204 acquires the travel requirements (travel needs) of the proposal seeker in a dialogue format (question format). For example, the travel plan proposal control unit 204 acquires the travel requirements from the proposal seeker through an exchange (questions and answers) as shown in FIG.

[0068] The travel plan proposal control unit 204 refers to table information that contains questions to be asked to the proposal requester in advance, and asks questions to the proposal requester. For example, it asks questions such as "Please tell me the time you would like to travel," "Please tell me a rough budget," and "Please tell me what you would like to focus on in the trip," in that order.

[0069] The travel plan proposal control unit 204 stores questions and answers in association with each other. For example, the travel plan proposal control unit 204 stores associations such as "travel period: around the end of March," "approximate budget: 130,000 yen," and "priority item: meals." The travel plan proposal control unit 204 stores travel requirements consisting of combinations of questions and answers.

[0070] When the question and answer are acquired, the travel plan proposal control unit 204 tags the travel requirements based on the acquired combination of question and answer (step S102).

[0071] For example, the travel plan proposal control unit 204 generates a prompt for input to a large-scale language model using the acquired question and answer combination and tag candidate list. For example, the travel plan proposal control unit 204 generates a prompt consisting of an "instruction area," a "tag candidate list area," and a "travel requirements area."

[0072] For example, the "instruction area" may contain instructions such as "Please use the tag candidate list in the tag candidate list area to assign at least one tag to each item listed in the travel requirements area." The "tag candidate list area" contains a tag candidate list such as that shown in Figure 9. The "travel requirements area" contains the travel requirements acquired above.

[0073] It should be noted that the wording written in the instruction area is merely an example and is not intended to limit the prompts for inputting data into the large-scale language model. A system administrator or the like can adjust the wording written in the instruction area so that appropriate tags are output from the large-scale language model.

[0074] The travel plan registration control unit 203 tags travel requirements by inputting the prompt having the above three areas into a large-scale language model.

[0075] For example, if the travel requirement question and answer is "Travel period: Around the end of March," the large-scale language model will tag the item as "Late March." Alternatively, if the travel requirement question and answer is "Important item: Food," the large-scale language model will tag the item as "Japanese food," "Chinese food," or "French food."

[0076] Once tagging of the travel requirements is complete, the travel plan proposal control unit 204 proposes a travel plan to the proposal requester (step S103).

[0077] Specifically, the travel plan proposal control unit 204 selects a travel plan to propose to the proposal requester from among travel plans registered by the followers of the proposal requester. More specifically, the travel plan proposal control unit 204 extracts travel plans created by people followed by the proposal requester.

[0078] Specifically, the travel plan proposal control unit 204 reads the SNS ID of the follower from the account of the proposal requester. The travel plan proposal control unit 204 searches the travel plan management database using the read SNS ID as a key, and extracts the corresponding entry (travel plan).

[0079] After extracting travel plans registered by followers, the travel plan proposal control unit 204 calculates an index (degree of suitability) that indicates the degree of suitability between the travel requirements of the proposal seeker and each travel plan. For example, the travel plan proposal control unit 204 calculates the degree of suitability for each travel plan as the number of tags that match the tags of the travel requirements.

[0080] For example, if the tags assigned to Travel Plan 1 are "late March," "100,000 yen," and "railway trip," and the tags assigned to the travel requirements are "late March," "200,000 yen," and "railway trip," the suitability of Travel Plan 1 is calculated as "2."

[0081] The travel plan proposal control unit 204 selects travel plans to propose to the proposal requester based on the calculated suitability of each travel plan. Specifically, the travel plan proposal control unit 204 selects a predetermined number of travel plans in descending order of suitability. For example, the travel plan proposal control unit 204 selects 10 travel plans with high suitability.

[0082] The travel plan proposal control unit 204 proposes the selected travel plan to the proposal requester. For example, the travel plan proposal control unit 204 displays a GUI such as that shown in Fig. 13 on the terminal 20 and acquires the proposal requester's selection.

[0083] When the proposal seeker selects a travel plan to adopt from among the proposed travel plans (step S104, Yes branch), the travel plan proposal control unit 204 executes the processes from step S108 onwards.

[0084] If the proposal requester does not select a travel plan to adopt from the proposed travel plans (step S104, No branch), the travel plan proposal control unit 204 proposes a travel plan different from the previous proposal (re-propose travel plan; step S105).

[0085] Specifically, the travel plan proposal control unit 204 calculates the degree of suitability of accumulated travel plans created by registered users other than the proposal requester's followers to the proposal requester's travel requirements.

[0086] The travel plan proposal control unit 204 selects travel plans to propose to the proposal requester based on the calculated suitability. For example, the travel plan proposal control unit 204 selects a predetermined number of travel plans with high suitability. The travel plan proposal control unit 204 displays a GUI similar to that shown in FIG. 13 on the terminal 20 using the selected travel plans, and obtains the proposal requester's selection (whether to adopt or not adopt the travel plan).

[0087] If the proposal requester does not select a travel plan to adopt from the proposed travel plans (step S106, No branch), the travel plan proposal control unit 204 notifies the proposal requester that there are no travel plans that can be proposed to the proposal requester (step S107). That is, the travel plan proposal control unit 204 notifies the proposal requester that there are no proposed plans.

[0088] When the proposal requester selects a travel plan to adopt from the proposed travel plans (step S106, Yes branch), the travel plan proposal control unit 204 transmits the travel plan selected by the proposal requester to the terminal 20 (step S108).

[0089] In addition, the travel plan proposal control unit 204 grants a predetermined benefit to the registrant of the travel plan selected by the proposal requester (step S109). For example, the travel plan proposal control unit 204 grants a predetermined number of points to the registrant of the travel plan. In other words, the travel plan proposal control unit 204 grants predetermined points to the creator of the travel plan adopted by the user.

[0090] Specifically, the travel plan proposal control unit 204 refers to the travel plan management database and identifies the registrant of the travel plan adopted by the proposal requester. The travel plan proposal control unit 204 accesses the user management database and sets (adds) a predetermined number of points to the account of the identified registrant (user).

[0091] In this way, the travel plan proposal control unit 204 selects at least one travel plan that meets the travel requirements acquired from the user from among the travel plans created by people the user follows on SNS. Furthermore, if the user requests a travel plan proposal other than the proposed travel plan, the travel plan proposal control unit 204 re-proposes the travel plan. Specifically, the travel plan proposal control unit 204 selects at least one travel plan that meets the travel requirements acquired from among the travel plans created by people the user does not follow on SNS, and re-proposes the selected at least one travel plan to the user.

[0092] Furthermore, the travel plan proposal control unit 204 assigns at least one tag that characterizes the travel requirements to the travel requirements. Furthermore, the travel plan proposal control unit 204 selects at least one travel plan that matches the travel requirements based on the at least one tag assigned to the multiple travel plans and the at least one tag assigned to the travel requirements. More specifically, the travel plan proposal control unit 204 calculates the degree of suitability for each of the multiple travel plans by calculating the number of tags that match the tag assigned to the travel requirements out of the at least one tag assigned. The travel plan proposal control unit 204 selects at least one travel plan that matches the acquired travel requirements based on the calculated degree of suitability.

[0093] The point control unit 205 is a means for controlling points granted to users. When a user who has logged in to the travel plan proposal site performs a predetermined action on the site (for example, pressing the point link button), the point control unit 205 controls the points held by the user so that they can be used at e-commerce sites, hotels, etc.

[0094] For example, the point control unit 205 acquires the number of points that can be used on an EC site, etc., the point linking destination (an EC site, etc. that uses points), the user's ID on the EC site, etc. The point control unit 205 realizes point linking by transmitting the acquired information to the EC site (the server that realizes the EC site), etc.

[0095] The point linkage by the point control unit 205 is clear to those skilled in the art, and is different from the gist of the disclosure of this application, so detailed explanation will be omitted.

[0096] In this way, the creator of the travel plan adopted by the user is awarded a certain number of points (benefits). The points can be used at the hotel where the user stays, on an e-commerce site, etc. In this way, an incentive may be given to the creator of the travel plan. Note that the business operator adopted in the travel plan may provide the funds for the points. For example, the hotel included in the travel plan may bear the funds for the points.

[0097] The storage unit 206 is a means for storing information necessary for the operation of the server device 10. The storage unit 206 stores a plurality of travel plans. Furthermore, the storage unit 206 stores SNS (Social Networking Service) information (e.g., SNS ID) related to the SNS of the creator who created each of the plurality of travel plans. Furthermore, the storage unit 206 uses a travel plan management database to store at least one tag that characterizes each of the plurality of travel plans.

[0098] [Device] Examples of the terminal 20 include a smartphone, a mobile phone, a game console, a mobile terminal device such as a tablet, and a computer (personal computer, laptop computer). The terminal 20 can be any equipment or device that can accept user operations and communicate with the server device 10, etc. Furthermore, the configuration of the terminal 20 is clear to those skilled in the art, so a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0099] Next, a modified example of the first embodiment will be described.

[0100] <Variation 1> The server device 10 may allow a user to customize a travel plan that the user has selected (adopted). For example, the server device 10 may allow the user to add tourist spots that the user strongly desires to visit to the travel plan that the user has adopted, or delete tourist spots that the user does not wish to visit. The server device 10 may transmit the travel plan after the user has customized it to the terminal 20. Alternatively, the terminal 20 may accept the user's customization of the travel plan.

[0101] <Variation 2> The server device 10 may provide a service related to the calculation of travel expenses required for a travel plan adopted by a user. For example, the server device 10 may calculate travel expenses for each travel plan and present the calculated travel expenses to the user. For example, the server device 10 may inquire about expenses from the servers of railway companies and hotels included in the travel plan, and calculate the total expenses obtained from the servers to calculate the required travel expenses. As a result, even users who find it troublesome to research, compare, and calculate travel expenses can easily decide whether or not to go on a trip.

[0102] <Variation 3> The server device 10 may grant a predetermined title to a registered user who has created a travel plan adopted by many users. For example, the server device 10 may grant a title such as "Best Concierge of the Year" to a user who has created a travel plan adopted by the most users. The user who has been granted this title can use this title on the SNS.

[0103] <Variation 4> The server device 10 may calculate the degree of compatibility between the travel plan and the travel requirements by vectorizing the travel plan and the travel requirements. The travel plan proposal control unit 204 of the server device 10 calculates the vector from the text-converted travel plan and the travel requirements.

[0104] Note that existing technologies can be applied to vectorize text data, so a detailed explanation is omitted. For example, existing embedding models such as Word2Vec, FastText, and GloVe, or transformer-type models such as BERT, RoBERTa, and GPT can be used to vectorize the text data of users and learning models.

[0105] The travel plan proposal control unit 204 calculates the similarity between the vector generated from the travel requirements and at least one vector generated from each travel plan. The travel plan proposal control unit 204 calculates metrics such as cosine similarity or Euclidean distance as the similarity. By calculating the similarity, the travel plan proposal control unit 204 calculates the similarity between each travel plan and the user's travel requirements.

[0106] The travel plan proposal control unit 204 uses the calculated similarity as the compatibility described above to select a travel plan to propose to the user.

[0107] As described above, the server device 10 according to the first embodiment acquires the user's travel requirements for a trip or travel plan in the form of a question. The server device 10 selects a travel plan that matches the acquired travel requirements from among a plurality of stored travel plans and proposes the selected travel plan to the user. As a result, a travel plan that matches the user's travel requirements and is likely to satisfy the user is provided.

[0108] In the information processing system according to the first embodiment, the server device 10 acquires travel plans from travel enthusiasts, residents of tourist destinations, and the like, and stores the acquired travel plans. Travel enthusiasts enjoy planning trips, so they create attractive travel plans for their holidays and register them on the travel plan proposal site. Residents of tourist destinations also create travel plans that also promote lesser-known tourist spots, and register them on the travel plan proposal site. In this way, anyone can become a "travel concierge" in the information processing system according to the first embodiment.

[0109] In addition, travel plan registrants (creators) whose travel plans are adopted will be given a specific benefit, which will increase the motivation of travel plan registrants to register more attractive travel plans.

[0110] Furthermore, the server device 10 carefully selects travel plans that match the user's requests (travel requirements) from among the many accumulated travel plans and proposes them to the user. As a result, travel plans that are likely to be adopted by the user are proposed. As a result, user satisfaction with the travel plan proposal service increases. Also, some users find it burdensome to search for tourist spots other than well-known tourist spots when planning a trip. The server device 10 can provide a system that allows such users to travel easily.

[0111] Furthermore, when proposing a travel plan to a user, the server device 10 preferentially selects travel plans created by people the user follows. People followed by a user often have similar ideas to the user, and the server device 10 can propose travel plans that are likely to satisfy the user. In other words, travel plans created by people the user trusts are proposed preferentially over travel plans created by people the user does not trust (people the user does not follow on SNS).

[0112] Next, the hardware of each device constituting the information processing system will be described. Fig. 14 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the server device 10.

[0113] The server device 10 can be configured by an information processing device (so-called computer), and has the configuration exemplified in Fig. 14. For example, the server device 10 includes a processor 311, a memory 312, an input / output interface 313, and a communication interface 314. The components such as the processor 311 are connected by an internal bus or the like, and are configured to be able to communicate with each other.

[0114] 14 is not intended to limit the hardware configuration of the server device 10. The server device 10 may include hardware not shown, and may not include the input / output interface 313 as necessary. Furthermore, the number of processors 311 and the like included in the server device 10 is not intended to be limited to the example shown in FIG. 14, and for example, the server device 10 may include multiple processors 311.

[0115] The processor 311 is a programmable device such as a central processing unit (CPU), a micro processing unit (MPU), or a digital signal processor (DSP). Alternatively, the processor 311 may be a device such as a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The processor 311 executes various programs including an operating system (OS).

[0116] The memory 312 is a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), etc. The memory 312 stores an OS program, application programs, and various data.

[0117] The input / output interface 313 is an interface for a display device and an input device (not shown). The display device is, for example, a liquid crystal display. The input device is, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, or the like that accepts user operations.

[0118] The communication interface 314 is a circuit, module, etc. that communicates with other devices. For example, the communication interface 314 includes a network interface card (NIC).

[0119] The functions of the server device 10 are realized by various processing modules. The processing modules are realized, for example, by the processor 311 executing a program stored in the memory 312. The program can be recorded on a computer-readable storage medium. The storage medium can be a non-transitory medium such as a semiconductor memory, a hard disk, a magnetic recording medium, or an optical recording medium. That is, the present invention can also be embodied as a computer program product. The program can be downloaded via a network or updated using a storage medium storing the program. The processing modules can also be realized by semiconductor chips.

[0120] The terminal 20 and the like can also be configured by an information processing device in the same way as the server device 10, and the basic hardware configuration is no different from that of the server device 10, so a description thereof will be omitted.

[0121] The server device 10 is equipped with a computer, and the computer executes a program to realize the functions of the server device 10. The server device 10 also executes a control method for the server device 10 by the program.

[0122] [Variations] The configuration, operation, etc. of the information processing system described in the above embodiment are merely examples, and are not intended to limit the configuration, etc. of the system.

[0123] The server device 10 may acquire the travel plan registered by the user in the form of a question, similar to acquiring the travel requirements.

[0124] The server device 10 may use a large-scale language model when acquiring travel requirements. For example, the server device 10 may generate a prompt to be input into the large-scale language model using an answer acquired from the user and a tag candidate list. For example, the server device 10 generates a prompt such as, "The user places importance on food. Please generate a question that will yield an answer using any of the tags listed in the tag candidate list." The server device 10 then uses the results obtained by inputting the generated prompt into the large-scale language model to ask the user a further question.

[0125] When calculating the compatibility between the travel plan and the travel requirements, the server device 10 may assign a weight to each item included in the travel requirements. For example, the server device 10 may assign a weight of 1 point to the travel period, 3 points to the approximate budget, and 10 points to the important items to calculate the compatibility of each travel plan.

[0126] In the above embodiment, a case has been described in which a travel plan to be proposed to a user (proposal requester) who wishes to receive a travel plan proposal is preferentially selected from travel plans created by users (followers) that the user follows on an SNS. However, instead of or in addition to followers, travel plans to be preferentially proposed to the proposal requester may be selected based on the proposal requester's history of using travel plans. For example, travel plans created by a creator who has created travel plans that have been used many times by the proposal requester may be preferentially proposed to the proposal requester. In other words, in an application that proposes travel plans to a user, travel plans created by a creator of travel plans that have been used many times as travel plans that the user has actually used on trips may be preferentially proposed.

[0127] In the above embodiment, the case where the user management database and travel plan management database are configured inside the server device 10 has been described, but these databases may also be configured on an external database server or the like. That is, some of the functions of the server device 10 may be implemented in another device. More specifically, the above-described "travel plan registration control unit (travel plan registration control means)," "travel plan proposal control unit (travel plan proposal control means)," etc. may be implemented in any of the devices included in the system.

[0128] The form of data transmission and reception between the devices (server device 10, terminal 20) is not particularly limited, but the data transmitted and received between these devices may be encrypted. Personal information of users and the like is transmitted and received between these devices, and in order to appropriately protect this information, it is desirable to transmit and receive encrypted data.

[0129] In the flow charts (flowcharts, sequence diagrams) used in the above explanation, multiple steps (processes) are described in order, but the execution order of the steps executed in the embodiments is not limited to the order described. In the embodiments, the order of the illustrated steps can be changed to the extent that the content is not affected, such as by executing each process in parallel.

[0130] The above-described embodiments have been described in detail to facilitate understanding of the present disclosure, and it is not intended that all of the above-described configurations are required. Furthermore, when multiple embodiments are described, each embodiment may be used alone or in combination. For example, it is possible to replace part of the configuration of one embodiment with the configuration of another embodiment, or to add the configuration of another embodiment to the configuration of one embodiment. Furthermore, it is possible to add, delete, or replace part of the configuration of one embodiment with another configuration.

[0131] From the above explanation, it is clear that the present invention has industrial applicability, and the present invention can be suitably applied to an information processing system for proposing travel plans, etc.

[0132] Some or all of the above embodiments can be described as, but are not limited to, the following supplementary notes.

[0133] [Appendix 1] An acquisition means for acquiring travel requirements, which are matters desired for a trip, in the form of questions from a user who wishes to receive a travel plan proposal; a proposal means for selecting at least one travel plan that matches the acquired travel requirements from a plurality of travel plans prepared in advance, and proposing the selected travel plan to the user; A server device comprising: [Appendix 2] The travel plan information storing device further includes a storage means for storing SNS (Social Networking Service) information of a creator of each of the plurality of travel plans; The server device described in Appendix 1, wherein the suggestion means selects at least one travel plan that meets the acquired travel requirements from among travel plans created by people the user follows on the SNS. [Appendix 3] The server device described in Appendix 2, wherein when the user requests a proposal for a travel plan other than the proposed travel plan, the proposal means selects at least one travel plan that meets the acquired travel requirements from travel plans created by people the user does not follow on the SNS, and re-proposes the selected at least one travel plan to the user. [Appendix 4] the storage means stores at least one tag characterizing each of the plurality of travel plans; The server device described in Appendix 3, wherein the suggestion means assigns at least one tag that characterizes the travel requirements to the travel requirements, and selects at least one travel plan that matches the travel requirements based on at least one tag assigned to the multiple travel plans and at least one tag assigned to the travel requirements. [Appendix 5] The suggestion means For each of the plurality of travel plans, the number of tags that match the tag assigned to the travel requirements among the at least one tag assigned is calculated as a degree of suitability; The server device according to claim 4, which selects at least one travel plan that matches the acquired travel requirements based on the calculated degree of match. [Appendix 6] The server device according to claim 5, wherein the suggestion means assigns the at least one tag to the acquired travel requirements using a large-scale language model. [Appendix 7] 7. The server device according to claim 1, wherein the suggestion unit awards predetermined points to a creator of the travel plan adopted by the user. [Appendix 8] In the server device, The travel requirements, which are the items desired for the trip, are acquired in the form of questions from the user who wishes to receive a travel plan proposal, A server device control method for selecting at least one travel plan that matches the acquired travel requirements from a plurality of travel plans prepared in advance, and proposing the selected travel plan to the user. [Appendix 9] The computer installed in the server device A process of acquiring travel requirements, which are matters desired for the trip, in the form of questions from a user who wishes to receive a travel plan proposal; A process of selecting at least one travel plan that matches the acquired travel requirements from a plurality of travel plans prepared in advance and proposing the selected travel plan to the user; A program to execute.

[0134] Furthermore, some or all of the configurations described in Supplementary Notes 2 to 7 that are dependent on Supplementary Note 1 above may also be dependent on Supplementary Notes 8 and 9 in the same dependent relationship as Supplementary Notes 2 to 7. Furthermore, not limited to Supplementary Notes 1, 8, and 9, some or all of the configurations described as Supplements may be made dependent on various hardware, software, various recording means for recording software, or systems, within the scope of each of the above-mentioned embodiments.

[0135] The disclosures of the above-cited prior art documents are incorporated herein by reference. Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. Those skilled in the art will understand that these embodiments are merely illustrative and that various modifications are possible without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. In other words, the present invention naturally includes various modifications and alterations that may be made by those skilled in the art in accordance with the entire disclosure, including the claims, and the technical concepts thereof. [Explanation of symbols]

[0136] 10 Server device 20 terminals 100 Server device 101 Acquisition method 102 Proposal means 201 Communication control unit 202 User registration control unit 203 Travel plan registration control unit 204 Travel plan proposal control unit 205 Point control section 206 Memory section 311 processor 312 memory 313 Input / Output Interface 314 Communication Interface

Claims

1. An acquisition means for acquiring travel requirements, which are matters desired for a trip, in the form of questions from a user who wishes to receive a travel plan proposal; a proposal means for selecting at least one travel plan that matches the acquired travel requirements from among a plurality of travel plans prepared in advance, and proposing the selected travel plan to the user; A server device comprising:

2. The travel plan creation system further includes a storage means for storing SNS (Social Networking Service) information of a creator of each of the plurality of travel plans, The server device according to claim 1 , wherein the suggestion means selects at least one travel plan that matches the acquired travel requirements from travel plans created by people that the user follows on the SNS.

3. The server device according to claim 2, wherein when the user requests a proposal for a travel plan other than the proposed travel plan, the proposal means selects at least one travel plan that meets the acquired travel requirements from among travel plans created by people the user does not follow on the SNS, and re-proposes the selected at least one travel plan to the user.

4. the storage means stores at least one tag characterizing each of the plurality of travel plans; The server device described in claim 3, wherein the suggestion means assigns at least one tag that characterizes the travel requirements to the travel requirements, and selects at least one travel plan that matches the travel requirements based on at least one tag assigned to the plurality of travel plans and at least one tag assigned to the travel requirements.

5. The suggestion means For each of the plurality of travel plans, the number of tags that match the tag assigned to the travel requirements among the at least one tag assigned is calculated as a degree of suitability; The server device according to claim 4 , further comprising: a server for selecting at least one travel plan that matches the acquired travel requirements based on the calculated degree of match.

6. The server device according to claim 5 , wherein the suggestion means assigns the at least one tag to the acquired travel requirements using a large-scale language model.

7. 7. The server device according to claim 1, wherein the suggesting means awards predetermined points to a creator of a travel plan adopted by the user.

8. In the server device, The travel requirements, which are the items desired for the trip, are acquired in the form of questions from the user who wishes to receive a travel plan proposal, A server device control method for selecting at least one travel plan that matches the acquired travel requirements from a plurality of travel plans prepared in advance, and proposing the selected travel plan to the user.

9. The computer installed in the server device A process of acquiring travel requirements, which are matters desired for the trip, in the form of questions from a user who wishes to receive a travel plan proposal; A process of selecting at least one travel plan that matches the acquired travel requirements from a plurality of travel plans prepared in advance and proposing the selected travel plan to the user; A program to execute.

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