Schedule registration system, schedule registration method, and program

Abstract

To improve the convenience of a registrant.SOLUTION: A reservation target condition acquisition part (101) of a schedule registration system (1) acquires reservation target conditions related to a reservation target reserved in a registration target schedule. A display control unit (102) displays a confirmation screen on which the free time of the participant participating in the registration target schedule and the free time of the reservation target satisfying the reservation target condition can be confirmed. A schedule registration part (104) registers a registration object schedule after the confirmation screen is displayed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a schedule registration system, a schedule registration method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a technique for accepting reservations of reservation objects such as facilities, equipment, machinery, or fixtures for a schedule of a meeting, event, etc. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a technique for displaying a screen on which the available time of at least one participant participating in the schedule and at least one reservation object to be used in the schedule can be checked, and reserving some or all of the at least one reservation object selected on the screen. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-183423 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above-described technology, a registrant who makes a reservation for a reservation target may want to check the available times of reservation targets that meet certain reservation target conditions and reserve the reservation target. However, the technology of Patent Document 1 does not display the available times of reservation targets that meet the reservation target conditions on a screen. This point is also true for other technologies other than the technology of Patent Document 1. It is believed that convenience for registrants can be improved if registrants can check the available times of reservation targets that meet the reservation target conditions.

[0005] One of the purposes of this disclosure is to increase convenience for registrants. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A schedule registration system according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a reservation target condition acquisition unit that acquires reservation target conditions related to a reservation target to be reserved for a schedule to be registered, a display control unit that displays a confirmation screen on which the available times of participants participating in the schedule to be registered and the available times of the reservation target that satisfy the reservation target conditions can be confirmed, and a schedule registration unit that registers the schedule to be registered after the confirmation screen is displayed. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present disclosure, convenience for registrants can be improved. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a hardware configuration of a schedule registration system. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on a registrant terminal. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on a registrant terminal. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on a registrant terminal. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on a registrant terminal. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on a registrant terminal. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of functions realized by the schedule registration system. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schedule database. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of processing executed in the schedule registration system. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a confirmation screen of Modification 1. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a confirmation screen of Modification 3. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a confirmation screen of Modification 4. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] [1. Hardware configuration of the appointment registration system] An example of an embodiment of a schedule registration system, a schedule registration method, and a program according to the present disclosure will be described. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a schedule registration system. For example, the schedule registration system 1 includes a server 10 and a registrant terminal 20. Each of the server 10 and the registrant terminal 20 is connected to a network N such as the Internet or a LAN.

[0010] The server 10 is a server computer. For example, the server 10 includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, and a communication unit 13. The control unit 11 includes at least one processor. The storage unit 12 includes at least one of a volatile memory such as RAM and a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory. The communication unit 13 includes at least one of a communication interface for wired communication and a communication interface for wireless communication.

[0011] The registrant terminal 20 is a computer of a registrant that registers a schedule to be registered in the schedule registration system 1. A schedule to be registered is a schedule to be registered. A schedule is an event or activity that takes place at a specific location on a specific date and time. The schedule itself may be of various types, such as a meeting, seminar, briefing, interview, recreation, outing, or other event. A schedule is not limited to one that takes place in real space, but may also take place in virtual space or online. A registrant is a user of the schedule registration system 1.

[0012] For example, the registrant terminal 20 is a personal computer, a smartphone, a tablet, or a wearable terminal. For example, the registrant terminal 20 includes a control unit 21, a memory unit 22, a communication unit 23, an operation unit 24, and a display unit 25. The hardware configurations of the control unit 21, the memory unit 22, and the communication unit 23 may be similar to those of the control unit 11, the memory unit 12, and the communication unit 13, respectively. The operation unit 24 is an input device such as a mouse, a touch panel, or a keyboard. The display unit 25 is a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display.

[0013] The programs stored in storage units 12, 22 may be supplied via network N. The hardware configurations of server 10 and registrant terminal 20 are not limited to the example in Fig. 1. For example, at least one of server 10 and registrant terminal 20 may include a reading unit (e.g., a memory card slot) that reads a computer-readable information storage medium, or an input / output unit (e.g., a USB terminal) for direct connection to an external device. In this case, the programs stored in the information storage medium may be supplied to at least one of server 10 and registrant terminal 20 via the reading unit or the input / output unit.

[0014] Furthermore, the schedule registration system 1 only needs to include at least one computer. The computers included in the schedule registration system 1 are not limited to the example shown in FIG. 1. For example, the schedule registration system 1 may include only the server 10. In this case, the registrant terminal 20 exists outside the schedule registration system 1. The schedule registration system 1 may include the server 10 and another server computer not shown in FIG. 1. For example, the schedule registration system 1 may include only the registrant terminal 20. In this case, the server 10 exists outside the schedule registration system 1.

[0015] [2. Overview of the Appointment Registration System] In this embodiment, an example is given in which a registrant uses cloud-based groupware to register a schedule to be registered. Groupware is a service that supports the operations of an organization such as a company. Groupware is not limited to cloud-based, and may be on-premise. For example, when a registrant operates registrant terminal 20 to log in to the groupware, registrant terminal 20 displays the groupware screen on display unit 25.

[0016] 2 to 6 are diagrams showing examples of screens displayed on the registrant terminal 20. In this embodiment, a case where each screen is displayed on a browser will be described, but each screen may also be displayed on a program dedicated to groupware. For example, when a registrant performs an operation to check a registered schedule, which is a registered schedule, the registrant terminal 20 displays a schedule screen SC1 showing the registered schedule on the display unit 25, as shown in FIG. 2. The schedule screen SC1 displays the registrant's registered schedule and the registered schedules of other people.

[0017] In this embodiment, the registrant can register a new appointment to be registered from the appointment screen SC1. The registrant may register only one appointment to be registered, or may register multiple appointments to be registered at once. The following describes an example of the flow when the registrant registers multiple appointments to be registered at once. For example, when the registrant selects button B10 for registering multiple appointments to be registered at once, as shown in the upper part of Figure 3, the registrant terminal 20 displays on the display unit 25 a confirmation screen SC2 on which the registrant can check the free times of the participants attending the appointment to be registered and the free times of the reservations booked for the appointment to be registered.

[0018] A reservation object is an object that is the subject of a reservation. The reservation object itself may be of various types, for example, a facility, equipment, machinery, or fixtures. The reservation object is not limited to a tangible object, but may also be an intangible object. For example, the reservation object may be a facility, equipment, machinery, or fixtures in a virtual space. For example, the reservation object may be an account for a service such as a web conference, or a program used in that service. In this embodiment, a conference room will be described as an example of a reservation object.

[0019] In the upper example of Figure 3, the registrant has not yet selected participants and reservation targets. Therefore, the only participant for the event to be registered is the registrant, "User A." The registrant does not have to be a participant for the event to be registered. For example, the confirmation screen SC2 includes a calendar C20, which is a user interface that accepts the specification of the date and time for the event to be registered. In the upper example of Figure 3, the calendar C20 has dates arranged horizontally and times arranged vertically. For example, the calendar C20 is divided into squares every predetermined time (30 minutes in the upper example of Figure 3).

[0020] In the example at the top of FIG. 3, calendar C20 shows the dates and times for one week including a reference day (for example, the current day or a day specified by the registrant). When the squares are divided into 30-minute intervals, the squares on calendar C20 represent 30 minutes on a certain day. The time length indicated by the squares may be any length and is not limited to 30 minutes. For example, the squares on calendar C20 may be divided into 10 minutes, 15 minutes, 1 hour, or other units. In the example at the top of FIG. 3, the registered schedule of "User A," who is a participant in the schedule to be registered, is displayed on calendar C20.

[0021] For example, the confirmation screen SC2 includes a display area A21 for accepting various operations related to the schedule to be registered. When the registrant selects text T210, the registrant terminal 20 displays window W22, which is a user interface for accepting selection of participants and reservation targets, on the confirmation screen SC2, as shown in the lower part of FIG. 3. When the registrant selects a participant from the input form F220 and selects button B221, the registrant terminal 20 displays the name of the participant in the display area A222. When the registrant selects the name of a participant displayed in the display area A222 and selects button B222, the registrant terminal 20 deletes the name of the participant from the display area A222.

[0022] In this embodiment, the registrant can select not only the reservation object but also the reservation object conditions related to the reservation object from window W22. The reservation object conditions are conditions related to the reservation method (usage method) of the reservation object. For example, the reservation object conditions are conditions indicating whether the registrant will reserve only some or all of the multiple reservation objects selected by the registrant. In the example at the bottom of Figure 3, the registrant can select reservation object conditions indicating that only one of the multiple reservation objects will be reserved by selecting button B224. The registrant can select reservation object conditions indicating that all of the multiple reservation objects will be reserved by selecting button B225. The registrant can specify the required time for the event to be registered from input form F226.

[0023] For example, when a registrant selects a reservation target from input form F227 and selects button B228, the registrant terminal 20 displays the name of the reservation target in display area A229. When a registrant selects the name of a reservation target displayed in display area A229 and selects button B230, the registrant terminal 20 deletes the name of the reservation target from display area A229. When a registrant specifies participants, reservation target conditions, required time, and reservation target in window W22 and selects button B231, these contents are applied to confirmation screen SC2. When a registrant selects button B232, these contents are canceled.

[0024] In the example at the top of Figure 4, the registrant has specified three participants: "User A," "User B," and "User C." By selecting button B224, the registrant has selected a reservation target condition indicating that only one of multiple reservation targets will be reserved. The registrant has specified one hour as the required time. The registrant has specified two reservation targets: "Conference Room 1" and "Conference Room 2." When the registrant selects button B231 in this state, the registrant terminal 20 applies these contents to the confirmation screen SC2, as shown at the bottom of Figure 4.

[0025] For example, the registrant terminal 20 displays the participants and reservation targets specified by the registrant in the display area A21. The registrant terminal 20 may delete at least one of the participants and the reservation targets by operating the display area A21. The registrant terminal 20 may display the reservation target conditions specified by the registrant in the display area A21. The registrant terminal 20 may acquire the reservation target conditions by operating the display area A21.

[0026] In this embodiment, the existence of a registered event is indicated on the calendar C20 by a rectangle containing text such as "meeting" that indicates the content of the participant's registered event. The rectangle indicating the registered event is placed in the square that indicates the date and time of the registered event. In the example at the bottom of FIG. 4, three participants are scheduled to attend the same meeting from 11:00 to 12:00 on June 5, 2024, so rectangles indicating the registered events of each of the three participants are placed in the square for this date and time on the calendar C20. The same applies to other registered events. If there are one or two registered events at the date and time indicated by a certain square, the width of the rectangle is adjusted appropriately.

[0027] For example, the squares representing registered schedules are not placed to the full extent of the grid, so the grid has some margins. Therefore, even if a square is placed in a grid, the registrant can still see the color of the grid (background color). The color of the grid indicates the available time for reservation targets that meet the reservation target conditions. In the example of FIG. 4, the grid is either a first color (e.g., white) indicating that there are reservation targets that meet the reservation target conditions, or a second color (e.g., gray represented schematically by halftone dots) indicating that there are no reservation targets that meet the reservation target conditions.

[0028] In the example at the bottom of FIG. 4, a reservation target condition indicating that only one of multiple reservation targets is to be reserved is selected, so the squares for the dates and times when at least one of "Conference Room 1" and "Conference Room 2" is available are colored a first color. The squares for the dates and times when both "Conference Room 1" and "Conference Room 2" are occupied are colored a second color. For example, the registrant specifies the date and time of the appointment to be registered by selecting a square of the first color from among the squares on calendar C20. The registrant can specify the date and time of the appointment to be registered by any operation on calendar C20, such as a drag operation.

[0029] For example, when a registrant specifies the date and time of an event to be registered, registrant terminal 20 changes the square of the date and time specified by the registrant to a third color (for example, blue, which is schematically represented by a checkerboard pattern), as shown in the upper part of Fig. 5. An icon for canceling the designation may be displayed in the square that has turned the third color. Registrant terminal 20 displays the date and time of the event to be registered specified by the registrant in display area A21. The registrant does not need to specify multiple dates and times, and may specify only one date and time.

[0030] For example, when the registrant selects button B211, the registrant terminal 20 displays window W24, a user interface that accepts input of information about the event to be registered, on the confirmation screen SC2, as shown in the lower part of Fig. 5. The registrant inputs the title and notes of the event to be registered into input forms F240 and F241. When the registrant selects button B242, the event to be registered is registered in the event registration system 1. When the registrant selects button B243, the registrant terminal 20 cancels the content entered into window W24.

[0031] For example, even if a registrant selects the same reservation target, the available time for the reservation target that satisfies the reservation target conditions may change depending on the reservation target conditions selected by the registrant. The upper example of Figure 6, unlike the lower example of Figure 4, shows window W22 when reservation target conditions indicating that all of multiple reservation targets are to be reserved are selected. The participants, reservation targets, and required time are the same in the upper example of Figure 6 and the lower example of Figure 4. When the registrant selects button B231 in the upper state of Figure 6, the registrant terminal 20 applies the reservation target conditions, etc. specified by the registrant to the confirmation screen SC2, as shown in the lower example of Figure 6.

[0032] In the example at the bottom of Figure 6, a reservation target condition indicating that all of the multiple reservation targets are to be reserved is selected, so the squares for the dates and times when both "Conference Room 1" and "Conference Room 2" of the reservation targets are available are colored a first color. The squares for the dates and times when at least one of "Conference Room 1" and "Conference Room 2" of the reservation targets is booked are colored a second color. A reservation target being booked means that there is no available time for the reservation target. In other words, the reservation target having a registered schedule for at least some of the time corresponds to being booked. For example, the color of some of the squares (e.g., 11:00 to 13:00 on June 5, 2024) is different in the example at the bottom of Figure 6 from the example at the bottom of Figure 4.

[0033] As described above, the schedule registration system 1 displays the confirmation screen SC2 on the registrant terminal 20, which allows the registrant to check the free times of participants and the free times of reservation targets that meet the reservation eligibility conditions. Because the registrant can check the free times of participants as well as the free times of reservation targets that meet the reservation eligibility conditions that the registrant has specified on the confirmation screen SC2, the schedule registration system 1 can improve convenience for the registrant. Details of the schedule registration system 1 will be explained below.

[0034] [3. Functions realized by the appointment registration system] 7 is a diagram showing an example of functions realized by the schedule registration system 1. In this embodiment, of the functions realized by the schedule registration system 1, functions relating to the registration of schedules to be registered will be mainly described.

[0035] [3-1. Functions realized by the server] For example, the server 10 includes a data storage unit 100, a reservation target condition acquisition unit 101, a display control unit 102, a date and time acquisition unit 103, and a schedule registration unit 104. The data storage unit 100 is realized by the storage unit 12. The reservation target condition acquisition unit 101, the display control unit 102, the date and time acquisition unit 103, and the schedule registration unit 104 are each realized by the control unit 11.

[0036] [Data storage section] The data storage unit 100 stores various data for registering a schedule to be registered. For example, the data storage unit 100 stores a schedule database DB.

[0037] Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a schedule database DB. The schedule database DB is a database that stores various information related to registered schedules. For example, the schedule database DB stores the schedule ID, the date and time of the registered schedule, the title of the registered schedule, notes for the registered schedule, the user IDs of the participants, and the reservation target IDs of the reservation targets booked in the registered schedule. The information stored in the schedule database DB is not limited to the example of Fig. 8. For example, the schedule database DB may store the user ID of the registrant.

[0038] The schedule ID is information that can uniquely identify a registered schedule. Each time a registered schedule is registered, the server 10 issues a new schedule ID that does not overlap with other schedule IDs and stores the new schedule ID in the schedule database DB. When multiple registered schedules are registered at once, the server 10 issues different schedule IDs so that the individual registered schedules can be distinguished from one another. The server 10 associates various information specified for the registered schedule, such as the date and time, title, and notes, with the new schedule ID and stores them in the schedule database DB.

[0039] A participant's user ID is information that can identify the participant. The user ID may be the same as the ID used for authentication at login, or it may be an ID different from the ID used for authentication at login. A participant may also be identified by other information besides the user ID, such as the participant's name. When multiple participants are specified for a registered event, the event ID of the registered event is associated with the user ID of each of the multiple participants. The date and time of a registered event stored in the same record as the participant's user ID is the date and time of the registered event of the participant indicated by that user ID.

[0040] The reservation target ID is information that can identify the reservation target. In addition to the reservation target ID, the reservation target may also be identified by other information such as the name of the reservation target. When multiple reservation targets are specified for a registered schedule, the schedule ID of the registered schedule is associated with the reservation target ID of each of the multiple reservation targets. The reservation target conditions specified when the registered schedule was registered may be stored in the schedule database DB along with the reservation target ID. The date and time of the registered schedule stored in the same record as the reservation target ID is the date and time of the registered schedule for the reservation target indicated by the reservation target ID.

[0041] The data stored in the data storage unit 100 is not limited to the above examples. The data storage unit 100 can store any data. For example, the data storage unit 100 may store a user database in which various information about each of a plurality of users, including registrants and participants, is stored. The user database may store information such as user ID, password, name, and affiliation. The data storage unit 100 may also store a reservation target database in which various information about reservation targets is stored. The reservation target database stores the reservation target ID, the name of the reservation target, and details of the reservation target. The details of the reservation target may be information indicating what the reservation target is (for example, information indicating whether the reservation target is a conference room or equipment).

[0042] For example, the data storage unit 100 may store other data such as data for displaying each screen. The data storage unit 100 may store data (e.g., HTML data) indicating the basic layout of the confirmation screen SC2. When the display control unit 102 (described later) causes the registrant terminal 20 to display the confirmation screen SC2, the data may be processed to generate the final display data for the confirmation screen SC2. The data indicates the basic layout of the calendar C20, etc. The data storage unit 100 may store data such as image data of images displayed on each screen including the confirmation screen SC2.

[0043] [Reservation target condition acquisition section] The reservation target condition acquisition unit 101 acquires reservation target conditions related to the reservation target to be reserved in the registration target schedule. In this embodiment, the reservation target condition acquisition unit 101 is realized by the server 10, and therefore the reservation target condition acquisition unit 101 acquires the reservation target conditions by acquiring data indicating the reservation target conditions specified by the registrant from the registrant terminal 20. When the reservation target condition acquisition unit 101 is realized by the registrant terminal 20, it is sufficient that the reservation target condition acquisition unit 101 acquires the reservation target conditions based on an operation performed from the operation unit 24.

[0044] In this embodiment, the reservation target condition acquisition unit 101 acquires reservation target conditions related to whether to reserve some of the multiple reservation targets or to reserve all of the multiple reservation targets. In the example of window W22, when the registrant selects button B224 indicating to reserve some of the multiple reservation targets, the reservation target condition acquisition unit 101 acquires reservation target conditions indicating to reserve some of the multiple reservation targets. When the registrant selects button B225 indicating to reserve all of the multiple reservation targets, the reservation target condition acquisition unit 101 acquires reservation target conditions indicating to reserve all of the multiple reservation targets.

[0045] In the example of window W22, any one of the multiple reservation targets corresponds to a portion of the multiple reservation targets, but the portion indicated by the reservation target conditions may be two or more of the multiple reservation targets. If the number of reservation targets is n (n is an integer greater than or equal to 2), the portion indicated by the reservation target conditions may be any number of reservation targets greater than or equal to n. The registrant may also be able to specify any number greater than or equal to n. For example, the registrant may be able to specify the number of reservation targets that constitute the reservation target conditions, such as "reserve two of the multiple reservation targets listed below" from window W22.

[0046] Furthermore, the reservation target conditions may be any conditions related to the reservation target. The reservation target conditions are not limited to the examples in this embodiment. For example, the reservation target conditions may be the purpose of use of the reservation target (e.g., for a conference or a social gathering), the number of people that can be accommodated by the reservation target, the location of the reservation target, the functions that the reservation target has, or other conditions. When the reservation target conditions are these conditions, the reservation target database is assumed to store information used in determining these conditions (e.g., the purpose of use available for the reservation target, the number of people that can be accommodated by the reservation target, the location of the reservation target, the functions that the reservation target has, or other information).

[0047] [Display control section] The display control unit 102 displays various screens on the registrant terminal 20. For example, the display control unit 102 generates display data for the screen to be displayed. The display data is data that shows all or part of the screen to be displayed. The display data may be data in any format. For example, the display data may be data in a markup language such as HTML, image data, text data, or data in another format. The display control unit 102 transmits the display data for the screen to be displayed to the registrant terminal 20, thereby causing the registrant terminal 20 to display the screen. The data storage unit 100 may store the display data itself, or may store only the data necessary for generating the display data.

[0048] In this embodiment, the display control unit 102 displays a confirmation screen SC2 on which the registrant can confirm the free times of participants participating in the event to be registered and the free times of the reservation target that meet the reservation target conditions. The confirmation here is visual confirmation by the registrant. The display control unit 102 causes the registrant terminal 20 to display the confirmation screen SC2 by transmitting display data for the confirmation screen SC2 to the registrant terminal 20. The display data for the confirmation screen SC2 may include scripts necessary for displaying the window W22, etc. The display control unit 102 may identify the free times of each of the participants and the reservation target, taking into account the required time specified by the registrant. For example, the display control unit 102 may identify the free times of each of the participants and the reservation target by determining whether there is a consecutive time period without any registered events for the length of the required time specified by the registrant.

[0049] A confirmation screen SC2 on which a participant's free time can be checked is a confirmation screen SC2 on which the participant can check the dates and times on which the participant does not have any registered events. When the date and time of the participant's registered event is displayed on the confirmation screen SC2, the registrant can recognize that other dates and times are the participant's free time, so a confirmation screen SC2 showing the date and time of the participant's registered event is an example of a confirmation screen SC2 on which the participant's free time can be checked. Conversely, even if only the participant's free time is displayed on the confirmation screen SC2, the registrant can naturally check the participant's free time, so a confirmation screen SC2 on which only the participant's free time is displayed is also an example of a confirmation screen SC2 on which the participant's free time can be checked.

[0050] A confirmation screen SC2 on which the available time of a reservation target that satisfies the reservation target conditions can be confirmed is a confirmation screen SC2 on which the date and time for which there are no registered plans for the reservation target that satisfy the reservation target conditions can be confirmed. When the date and time of a registered plan for the reservation target that satisfies the reservation target conditions is displayed on the confirmation screen SC2, the registrant can recognize that other dates and times are available times for the reservation target that satisfy the reservation target conditions, so the confirmation screen SC2 showing the date and time of a registered plan for the reservation target that satisfies the reservation target conditions is an example of a confirmation screen SC2 on which the available time of a reservation target that satisfies the reservation target conditions can be confirmed. Conversely, even if only the available time of a reservation target that satisfies the reservation target conditions is displayed on the confirmation screen SC2, the registrant can naturally confirm the available time of the reservation target that satisfies the reservation target conditions, so a confirmation screen SC2 that displays only the available time of a reservation target that satisfies the reservation target conditions is also an example of a confirmation screen SC2 on which the available time of a reservation target that satisfies the reservation target conditions can be confirmed.

[0051] For example, the display control unit 102 identifies the user ID of a participant designated by the registrant by obtaining data indicating the user ID of the participant from the registrant terminal 20. In this embodiment, an example is given in which a participant is designated from window W22 of the confirmation screen SC2, but the participant may also be designated from another part of the confirmation screen SC2 other than window W22, or from another screen other than the confirmation screen SC2. The display control unit 102 obtains information such as the date and time of a registered schedule associated with the participant's user ID from the schedule database DB. The display control unit 102 can identify the participant's free time based on this information.

[0052] For example, the display control unit 102 identifies the reservation target ID of the reservation target that is to be subjected to judgment of the reservation target conditions by acquiring data indicating the reservation target ID of the reservation target specified by the registrant from the registrant terminal 20. In this embodiment, an example is given in which the reservation target is specified from window W22 of the confirmation screen SC2, but the reservation target may also be specified from another part of the confirmation screen SC2 other than window W22, or from another screen other than the confirmation screen SC2.

[0053] For example, the display control unit 102 acquires information such as the date and time of a registered schedule associated with the reservation target ID of the reservation target from the schedule database DB. Based on the acquired information and the reservation target conditions acquired by the reservation target condition acquisition unit 101, the display control unit 102 identifies available times for the reservation target that meet the reservation target conditions. The display control unit 102 generates display data for a confirmation screen SC2 on which the available times of the participants identified as above and the available times of the reservation target that meet the reservation target conditions identified as above can be confirmed. The display control unit 102 displays the confirmation screen SC2 by transmitting the display data for the confirmation screen SC2 to the registrant terminal 20.

[0054] In this embodiment, the display control unit 102 displays a confirmation screen SC2 showing a calendar C20 on which participants' free times and free times of reservation targets that satisfy the reservation target conditions can be confirmed. The calendar C20 shows dates and times within a predetermined display target period. The display target period is the period shown by the calendar C20. The display target period may be any period, for example, one day, two to six days, one week, two weeks, one month, or other periods. In this embodiment, a calendar C20 in a table format divided into grids is used as an example, but the calendar C20 does not necessarily have to be divided into grids. The calendar C20 may be in a format other than a table format (for example, a list format or a timeline format).

[0055] For example, the display control unit 102 generates a calendar C20 showing the dates and times of the display target period, which shows both the free times of participants and the free times of reservation targets that satisfy the reservation target conditions. In this embodiment, the display control unit 102 places a rectangle indicating the registered schedule of the participant at a position corresponding to the date and time of the registered schedule. The display control unit 102 does not place the rectangle at a position corresponding to a date and time where the participant does not have a registered schedule. The registrant can check the free times of participants by looking at the positions where the rectangle is not placed.

[0056] In this embodiment, the display control unit 102 displays a confirmation screen SC2 showing a calendar C20 including areas corresponding to a plurality of dates and times. In the examples of FIGS. 3 to 6, the calendar C20 is divided into squares corresponding to a plurality of dates and times. The squares are an example of areas corresponding to dates and times. Therefore, the words "squares" on the calendar C20 can be read as areas corresponding to dates and times. When information such as rectangles indicating the schedules of participants is displayed above the areas as in FIGS. 3 to 6, the areas can also be considered as backgrounds.

[0057] Note that the areas corresponding to the dates and times are not limited to squares. In particular, in the case of a calendar C20 that is not divided into squares, it is sufficient that the areas in the calendar C20 are allocated to individual dates and times. For example, in the case of a calendar C20 in which days are columns and times are rows, the columns and rows corresponding to the dates and times correspond to the areas corresponding to the dates and times. In the case of a calendar C20 in which days are rows and times are columns, the rows and columns corresponding to the dates and times correspond to the areas corresponding to the dates and times.

[0058] For example, the display control unit 102 displays a confirmation screen SC2 on a calendar C20 including areas corresponding to a plurality of dates and times, in which the participants' schedules are shown in areas corresponding to the dates and times, and the presence or absence of reservation targets that satisfy the reservation target conditions is indicated by the color of the areas corresponding to the plurality of dates and times. The display control unit 102 identifies, by the process described above, available times for reservation targets that satisfy the reservation target conditions. The display control unit 102 identifies dates and times (times other than available times) when reservation targets that satisfy the reservation target conditions cannot be made.

[0059] For example, the display control unit 102 sets a first color to areas of the calendar C20 corresponding to available times for reservation targets that satisfy the reservation target conditions, and sets a second color to areas corresponding to dates and times when the reservation targets that satisfy the reservation target conditions cannot be reserved. The colors of each area may be set using a known method such as HTML tags or CSS. The display control unit 102 generates display data for a confirmation screen SC2 that includes the calendar C20 with these colors set, and transmits the display data to the registrant terminal 20, thereby displaying the confirmation screen SC2 on the registrant terminal 20.

[0060] For example, when reservation target conditions indicating that some of multiple reservation targets are to be reserved are acquired, the display control unit 102 displays a confirmation screen SC2 on which available time slots for at least some of the multiple reservation targets can be confirmed. The display control unit 102 acquires information on registered plans for each of the multiple reservation targets specified by the registrant from the plan database DB. Based on this information, the display control unit 102 identifies a date and time when at least some of the multiple reservation targets are available, and displays a confirmation screen SC2 on which this date and time can be confirmed. Based on this information, the display control unit 102 may also identify a date and time when all of the multiple reservation targets are booked, and display a confirmation screen SC2 on which this date and time can be confirmed.

[0061] For example, the display control unit 102 sets the squares corresponding to at least some of the multiple reservation dates and times that are available to a first color, and sets the squares corresponding to the other dates and times to a second color. The display control unit 102 generates display data for the confirmation screen SC2 that includes the calendar C20 with these colors set, and transmits the display data to the registrant terminal 20, thereby causing the confirmation screen SC2 to be displayed on the registrant terminal 20.

[0062] For example, when reservation target conditions indicating that all of a plurality of reservation targets are to be reserved are acquired, the display control unit 102 displays a confirmation screen SC2 on which the user can check the available times for all of the plurality of reservation targets. The display control unit 102 acquires, from the schedule database DB, information on registered plans for each of the plurality of reservation targets specified by the registrant. Based on this information, the display control unit 102 identifies a date and time when all of the plurality of reservation targets are available, and displays a confirmation screen SC2 on which the user can check this date and time. Based on this information, the display control unit 102 may also identify a date and time when even some of the plurality of reservation targets are booked, and display a confirmation screen SC2 on which the user can check this date and time.

[0063] For example, the display control unit 102 sets the squares corresponding to all available reservation dates and times to a first color, and sets the squares corresponding to the other dates and times to a second color. The display control unit 102 generates display data for the confirmation screen SC2 including the calendar C20 for which these colors have been set, and transmits the display data to the registrant terminal 20, thereby causing the confirmation screen SC2 to be displayed on the registrant terminal 20.

[0064] The display control unit 102 may display a confirmation screen SC2 on which the participants' free time and the reservation targets that satisfy the reservation target conditions can be confirmed in any manner. For example, the display control unit 102 may display a confirmation screen SC2 on which the participants' free time can be confirmed using a shape other than a rectangle, an image such as an icon, text, a grid color, or another manner. The display control unit 102 may display a confirmation screen SC2 on which the participants' free time can be confirmed using a shape other than a rectangle, an image such as an icon, text, a pattern or image other than a grid color, or another manner.

[0065] The display control unit 102 may also include a script for displaying windows W22 and W24 in the display data of the confirmation screen SC2. The display control unit 102 may also include the user IDs of the participants, the reservation target IDs of the reservation targets, the reservation target conditions, the layout of the calendar C20, or other information in the display data of the confirmation screen SC2. The display control unit 102 may also include a script for dynamically changing the display of the calendar C20 depending on the participants and reservation targets selected by the registrant in the display data of the confirmation screen SC2.

[0066] [Date and time acquisition part] The date and time acquisition unit 103 acquires the selection of the date and time of the scheduled date and time to be registered based on the selection of the area corresponding to each of the multiple dates and times. The registrant may select only one area, or may select multiple areas. The registrant may select multiple areas that are consecutive in time, or may select multiple areas that are not consecutive in time. The area selection may be performed by a known operation for selecting an area on a screen. For example, the area selection may be performed by dragging, clicking, double-clicking, tapping, sliding, pressing a button on a keyboard, or other operation. The area selection may be performed by a pointing device such as a mouse or a touch panel, or other input device.

[0067] In this embodiment, an example is given in which the date and time acquisition unit 103 is implemented by the server 10. Therefore, the date and time acquisition unit 103 acquires the date and time of the schedule to be registered by receiving data indicating the date and time of the schedule to be registered corresponding to the area selected by the registrant from the registrant terminal 20. The data may indicate the selected area rather than the date and time of the schedule to be registered. In this case, data that can identify which area indicates which date and time is stored in the data storage unit 100, and the date and time acquisition unit 103 acquires the date and time of the schedule to be registered based on the data. When the date and time acquisition unit 103 is implemented by the registrant terminal 20, the date and time acquisition unit 103 acquires the date and time by accepting a selection of the date and time of the schedule to be registered through an operation performed on the operation unit 24.

[0068] [Schedule Registration Department] After the confirmation screen SC2 is displayed, the schedule registration unit 104 registers the schedule to be registered. Registering the schedule to be registered means recording information indicating the schedule to be registered in the schedule registration system 1. In this embodiment, the schedule registration unit 104 registers the schedule to be registered by storing information about the schedule to be registered in the schedule database DB. For example, the schedule registration unit 104 registers the schedule to be registered by issuing a schedule ID for the schedule to be registered and storing information about the schedule to be registered in the schedule database DB in association with the schedule ID.

[0069] The schedule registration unit 104 may register the schedule to be registered by storing information indicating the schedule to be registered in a database other than the schedule database DB. The schedule registration unit 104 may register the schedule to be registered by recording information indicating the schedule to be registered in a computer or information storage medium other than the server 10.

[0070] For example, the schedule registration unit 104 registers the schedule to be registered based on an operation performed by the registrant after the confirmation screen SC2 is displayed. After the confirmation screen SC2 is displayed, the registrant may perform any operation. For example, the registrant specifies at least one date and time as the date and time of the schedule to be registered. In this embodiment, the registrant specifies at least one date and time by operating the calendar C20. The schedule registration unit 104 registers the schedule to be registered so that the date and time specified by the registrant becomes the date and time of the schedule to be registered.

[0071] In this embodiment, the date and time of the schedule to be registered is specified by selecting a square in the calendar C20, so the schedule registration unit 104 registers the schedule to be registered based on the date and time of the schedule to be registered acquired by the date and time acquisition unit 103. For example, the schedule registration unit 104 registers the schedule to be registered by storing the date and time of the schedule to be registered in the schedule database DB.

[0072] In this embodiment, multiple dates and times may be selected, so when multiple dates and times are selected after the confirmation screen SC2 is displayed, the schedule registration unit 104 registers the registration target schedules corresponding to each of the multiple dates and times in a batch. Batch registration means that multiple registration target schedules are registered at once. In other words, batch registration means that separate operations are not required to instruct the registration of multiple registration target schedules. In the example of the window W24 at the bottom of Figure 5, selecting button B242 causes the schedule registration unit 104 to register multiple registration target schedules at once.

[0073] For example, when a reservation target condition indicating that some of a plurality of reservation targets are to be reserved is specified, the schedule registration unit 104 stores in the schedule database DB the reservation target IDs of the reservation targets that are available on the date and time specified by the registrant, among the plurality of reservation targets. When there are multiple reservation targets that are available on the date and time specified by the registrant, the schedule registration unit 104 stores in the schedule database DB the reservation target IDs of some of the plurality of reservation targets. In this case, the schedule registration unit 104 may store in the schedule database DB only the reservation target ID of the reservation target that is displayed at the top of the display area A229. When a reservation target condition indicating that all of a plurality of reservation targets are to be reserved is specified, the schedule registration unit 104 may store in the schedule database DB the reservation target ID of each of the plurality of reservation targets.

[0074] [3-2. Functions realized on the registered terminal] For example, the registrant terminal 20 includes a data storage unit 200, a display control unit 201, and an operation reception unit 202. The data storage unit 200 is realized by the storage unit 22. The display control unit 201 and the operation reception unit 202 are each realized by the control unit 21.

[0075] [Data storage section] The data storage unit 200 stores various data for registering schedules to be registered. For example, the data storage unit 200 stores a browser for displaying various screens related to the schedule registration system 1. For example, the data storage unit 200 stores an application dedicated to groupware.

[0076] [Display control section] The display control unit 201 causes the display unit 25 to display various screens in the schedule registration system 1. For example, the display control unit 201 causes the display unit 25 to display each of a schedule screen SC1 and a confirmation screen SC2 based on display data received from the server 10.

[0077] [Operation reception section] The operation receiving unit 202 receives various operations in the schedule registration system 1. For example, it receives operations on the schedule screen SC1 and the confirmation screen SC2. The operation contents received by the operation receiving unit 202 are transmitted to the server 10 as appropriate.

[0078] [4. Processing performed by the appointment registration system] Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the processing executed by the schedule registration system 1. Fig. 9 mainly explains the processing for registering a schedule to be registered, among the processing executed by the schedule registration system 1. The processing in Fig. 9 is executed by the control units 11 and 21 executing programs stored in the storage units 12 and 22, respectively. Fig. 9 shows the processing after the registrant selects button B10 on the schedule screen SC1.

[0079] As shown in FIG. 9, the registrant terminal 20 executes processing with the server 10 to display a confirmation screen SC2 in which only the registrant is designated as a participant (S1). In S1, the server 10 generates display data for the confirmation screen SC2 in which the registrant is displayed in the display area A21, and transmits the display data to the registrant terminal 20. The registrant terminal 20 receives the display data and displays the confirmation screen SC2 shown in the upper part of FIG. 3 on the display unit 25. The registrant terminal 20 identifies an operation performed by the registrant on the operation unit 24 (S2). In S2, it is assumed that the registrant selects text T210, a square on the calendar C20, or a button B211.

[0080] In S2, when text T210 is selected (S2: T210), the registrant terminal 20 executes processing with the server 10 to display the window W22 (S3). In S3, the registrant terminal 20 transmits a display request for the window W22 to the server 10 by an HTTP request or the like. Upon receiving the display request, the server 10 obtains from the storage unit 12 user IDs and reservation target IDs that the registrant can select, generates display data for the window W22, and transmits the generated display data to the registrant terminal 20. Upon receiving the display data, the registrant terminal 20 displays the window W22 on the display unit 25.

[0081] When the registrant specifies the participants, reservation target conditions, required time, and reservation target in window W22 and selects button B231, the registrant terminal 20 transmits data indicating the participants, reservation target conditions, required time, and reservation target specified by the registrant to the server 10 (S4). The server 10 receives the data on the participants, reservation target conditions, required time, and reservation target specified by the registrant from the registrant terminal 20 (S5). The server 10 determines the content of display area A21 based on the participants and reservation target conditions specified by the registrant (S6).

[0082] The server 10 acquires information on registered schedules of participants specified by the registrant from the schedule database DB (S7). The server 10 acquires information on registered schedules of the reservation targets specified by the registrant from the schedule database DB (S8). The server 10 determines the color of the squares on the calendar C20 based on the reservation target conditions and required time specified by the registrant and the information on the registered schedule of the reservation target specified by the registrant (S9). In S9, free times of the reservation targets that satisfy the reservation target conditions are identified from each time period during the display target period.

[0083] The server 10 determines the content of the calendar C20 based on the information of the registered schedule of the participant specified by the registrant and the color of each square determined in S9 (S10). In S10, the server 10 sets the color of each square determined in S9 to the calendar C20, and places a rectangle indicating the registered schedule in the square corresponding to the date and time of the participant's registered schedule. The server 10 generates display data for the confirmation screen SC2 based on the content of the display area A21 determined in S6 and the content of the calendar C20 determined in S9 (S11). The server 10 transmits the display data of the confirmation screen SC2 to the registrant terminal 20 (S12).

[0084] The registrant terminal 20 receives display data for the confirmation screen SC2 from the server 10 (S13). The registrant terminal 20 displays the confirmation screen SC2 on the display unit 25 (S14). The confirmation screen SC2 displayed in S14 has the content specified in the window W22 applied, as shown in the lower part of Fig. 4 or the lower part of Fig. 6. Thereafter, the process returns to S2, and the registrant's operation on the confirmation screen SC2 is accepted.

[0085] In S2, when a square on the calendar C20 is selected (S2:C20), the registrant terminal 20 executes processing to acquire the date and time of the appointment to be registered with the server 10 (S15). In S15, the registrant terminal 20 transmits data indicating the date and time corresponding to the square selected by the registrant to the server 10. The server 10 acquires the date and time of the appointment to be registered specified by the registrant based on the data. The server 10 generates display data that updates the display of the display area A21 and the calendar C20 based on the acquired date and time, and transmits the display data to the registrant terminal 20. The registrant terminal 20 receives the display data and updates the display on the confirmation screen SC2. Thereafter, the processing returns to S2, and the registrant's operation on the confirmation screen SC2 is accepted.

[0086] If button B211 is selected in S2 (S2:B211), the registrant terminal 20 executes processing with the server 10 to register the event to be registered (S16), and this processing ends. In S16, the registrant terminal 20 executes processing with the server 10 to display window W24. The registrant terminal 20 accepts input into input forms F240 and F241. When the registrant selects button B242, the registrant terminal 20 transmits the content entered by the registrant to the server 10, and the server 10 registers the event to be registered.

[0087] [5. Summary of embodiments] The event registration system 1 of this embodiment acquires the reservation eligibility conditions. The event registration system 1 displays a confirmation screen SC2 on which participants' free times and free times of reservation targets that meet the reservation eligibility conditions can be confirmed. After the confirmation screen SC2 is displayed, the event registration system 1 registers the event to be registered. This allows the registrant to confirm the free times of participants as well as the free times of reservation targets that meet the reservation eligibility conditions, so the event registration system 1 can increase convenience for the registrant. For example, if the registrant checks the free times of participants on one screen and the free times of reservation targets that meet the reservation eligibility conditions on another screen, the registrant must switch between these screens, which is time-consuming. However, the event registration system 1 eliminates this hassle.

[0088] The schedule registration system 1 also displays a confirmation screen SC2 showing a calendar C20 on which the free times of participants and free times of reservation targets that satisfy the reservation eligibility conditions can be confirmed. This allows the registrant to check these free times on the calendar C20, which makes it easy for the registrant to intuitively check these free times, so the schedule registration system 1 can effectively improve convenience for the registrant.

[0089] Furthermore, the schedule registration system 1 displays a confirmation screen SC2 on a calendar C20 including areas corresponding to multiple dates and times. The confirmation screen SC2 shows the participant's scheduled schedule in an area corresponding to the date and time, and indicates whether or not there are any reservation targets that meet the reservation target conditions by the color of the area corresponding to each of the multiple dates and times. This allows the registrant to more intuitively check available time by the color of each area in the calendar C20, thereby effectively improving the convenience of the registrant. For example, the schedule registration system 1 may display the registered schedule of the reservation target in the same rectangle as the registered schedule of the participant, but once the number of participants and reservation targets reaches a certain level, the visibility of the calendar C20 may decrease. In this regard, the schedule registration system 1 can express the available time of the reservation target by the color of the area, thereby improving the visibility of the calendar C20. Furthermore, when multiple reservation targets are specified, the schedule registration system 1 can improve the visibility of the calendar C20 by combining the available time of each of the multiple reservation targets into a single indicator, the color of the area.

[0090] Furthermore, the schedule registration system 1 accepts the selection of the date and time of the schedule to be registered based on the selection of an area corresponding to each of a plurality of dates and times. The schedule registration system 1 registers the schedule to be registered based on the accepted date and time of the schedule to be registered. This allows the registrant to select the date and time of the schedule to be registered with a simpler operation, thereby effectively improving the convenience of the registrant.

[0091] The schedule registration system 1 also acquires reservation target conditions related to whether to reserve some of the multiple reservation targets or all of the multiple reservation targets. When reservation target conditions indicating that some of the multiple reservation targets are to be reserved are acquired, the schedule registration system 1 displays a confirmation screen SC2 on which the registrant can check available time slots for at least some of the multiple reservation targets. When reservation target conditions indicating that all of the multiple reservation targets are to be reserved are acquired, the schedule registration system 1 displays a confirmation screen SC2 on which the registrant can check available time slots for all of the multiple reservation targets. This allows the registrant to register the schedule to be registered using more flexible reservation target conditions, thereby effectively increasing the convenience for the registrant.

[0092] Furthermore, if multiple dates and times are selected after the confirmation screen SC2 is displayed, the schedule registration system 1 will register the schedules to be registered corresponding to each of the multiple dates and times all at once. This allows the registrant to register the schedules to be registered corresponding to each of the multiple dates and times with a simple operation, so the schedule registration system 1 can reduce the operational burden on the registrant and effectively increase convenience for the registrant.

[0093] [6. Modifications] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure.

[0094] [6-1. Variation 1] For example, reservation targets may be divided into groups. Hereinafter, a group to which a reservation target belongs is referred to as a reservation target group. A reservation target group includes multiple reservation targets. The reservation targets may be grouped based on location, purpose of use, attributes, or other factors. The reservation targets are grouped by the registrant or another user. The reservation targets belonging to a reservation target group are defined in a reservation target database stored in the data storage unit 100. In Variation 1, a conference room will be described as an example of a reservation target. Furthermore, a location where a conference room is located will be described as an example of a reservation target group.

[0095] For example, suppose the company that the registrant works for has an office in Tokyo and an office in Osaka. In this case, multiple conference rooms in the Tokyo office belong to the reservation target group "Tokyo Office." Multiple conference rooms in the Osaka office belong to the reservation target group "Osaka Office." There may be three or more reservation target groups. When registering an appointment to be registered, the registrant can select at least one of the multiple reservation target groups.

[0096] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the confirmation screen SC2 of Modification 1. For example, window W22 of confirmation screen SC2 of Modification 1 allows the registrant to select a reservation target group. When the registrant selects a reservation target group, the registrant terminal 20 displays the name of the reservation target group in display area A229, as shown in FIG. 10. When the registrant selects a reservation target group, all reservation targets belonging to the reservation target group are selected. In the example of FIG. 10, the registrant selects all conference rooms in the Tokyo office by selecting the reservation target group "Tokyo office."

[0097] The reservation target condition acquisition unit 101 of Modification 1 acquires reservation target conditions for a reservation target group to which multiple reservation targets belong. It is assumed that a registrant can select reservation target conditions for the reservation target group as well, similar to those in the embodiment. In the example of FIG. 10, the reservation target condition acquisition unit 101 acquires reservation target conditions indicating that some of the multiple reservation targets belonging to the reservation target group are to be reserved, or reservation target conditions indicating that all of the multiple reservation targets belonging to the reservation target group are to be reserved. The contents of the reservation target conditions may be the same as those in the embodiment, and are not limited to these examples.

[0098] The display control unit 102 of the first modification displays a confirmation screen SC2 on which the user can check the available time of at least one reservation target that satisfies the reservation target conditions among the multiple reservation targets belonging to the reservation target group. For example, assume that the reservation target conditions indicating that some of the multiple reservation targets belonging to the reservation target group are to be reserved are acquired. In this case, the display control unit 102 displays, in a first color, the areas corresponding to the dates and times when at least some of the multiple reservation targets belonging to the reservation target group selected by the registrant are available. The display control unit 102 displays, in a second color, the areas corresponding to the dates and times when all of the multiple reservation targets belonging to the reservation target group selected by the registrant are booked.

[0099] For example, suppose a reservation target condition indicating that all of the reservation targets belonging to a reservation target group are to be reserved is acquired. In this case, the display control unit 102 displays, in a first color, areas corresponding to dates and times when all of the reservation targets belonging to the reservation target group selected by the registrant are available. The display control unit 102 displays, in a second color, areas corresponding to dates and times when at least some of the reservation targets belonging to the reservation target group selected by the registrant are available.

[0100] The schedule registration system 1 of Variation 1 acquires the reservation target conditions of a reservation target group to which multiple reservation targets belong. The schedule registration system 1 displays a confirmation screen SC2 on which the registrant can check the available time of at least one reservation target that satisfies the reservation target conditions among the multiple reservation targets belonging to the reservation target group. This allows the registrant to select the reservation target group instead of selecting each individual reservation target belonging to the reservation target group, so the schedule registration system 1 reduces the operational burden on the registrant and increases convenience for the registrant.

[0101] [6-2. Variation 2] For example, in Modification 1, a registrant may select multiple reservation target groups. In this case, the reservation target condition acquisition unit 101 may acquire the reservation target conditions of the multiple reservation target groups. For example, the reservation target condition acquisition unit 101 may acquire a reservation target condition such as reserving some of the multiple reservation targets belonging to each reservation target group. The reservation target condition acquisition unit 101 may also acquire a reservation target condition such as reserving all of the multiple reservation target groups.

[0102] In the case of the Tokyo office and the Osaka office exemplified in Modification Example 1, the registrant may select two reservation target groups: "Tokyo office" and "Osaka office." Furthermore, the reservation target condition acquisition unit 101 may acquire reservation target conditions such as reserving both a portion of the multiple reservation targets belonging to the reservation target group "Tokyo office" and a portion of the multiple reservation targets belonging to the reservation target group "Osaka office." The reservation target condition acquisition unit 101 may acquire a first reservation target condition specified for the reservation target group "Tokyo office" and a second reservation target condition specified for the reservation target group "Osaka office." In other words, the registrant may specify different reservation target conditions for each reservation target group. The registrant may be able to specify as reservation target conditions whether the reservation target conditions for each reservation target group are connected with AND or OR.

[0103] For example, the display control unit 102 displays the confirmation screen SC2 based on the reservation target conditions of multiple reservation target groups. Assume that reservation target conditions are acquired, such as reserving some of the multiple reservation targets belonging to each reservation target group. The display control unit 102 displays, for all reservation target groups, dates and times when some of the multiple reservation targets belonging to that group are available in a first color. The display control unit 102 displays, in a second color, dates and times when there is at least one reservation target group where all of the multiple reservation targets belonging to that group are booked.

[0104] For example, in the example of the reservation target group "Tokyo Office" and the reservation target group "Osaka Office" mentioned above, the display control unit 102 displays in a first color the dates and times when at least some of the reservation targets belonging to the reservation target group "Tokyo Office" are available and at least some of the reservation targets belonging to the reservation target group "Osaka Office" are available. The display control unit 102 displays in a second color the dates and times when all of the reservation targets belonging to the reservation target group "Tokyo Office" are booked, or when all of the reservation targets belonging to the reservation target group "Osaka Office" are booked.

[0105] The schedule registration system 1 of Variation 2 acquires reservation target conditions for multiple reservation target groups. The schedule registration system 1 displays a confirmation screen SC2 based on the reservation target conditions for the multiple reservation target groups. This allows the registrant to select multiple reservation target groups and specify reservation target conditions, so the schedule registration system 1 can increase flexibility when reserving the schedule to be registered. For example, if a conference room in the Tokyo office is to be held remotely connected to a conference room in the Osaka office, the registrant can specify the reservation target conditions for the reservation target group "Tokyo office" and the reservation target group "Osaka office" to display the confirmation screen SC2, so the schedule registration system 1 can effectively increase convenience for the registrant.

[0106] [6-3. Variation 3] For example, a registrant may want to check not only the available time of a reservation target but also the details of the availability. If the reservation target conditions indicate reserving a portion of multiple reservation targets, the registrant may want to know which reservation targets are available at a certain available time. If the reservation target conditions indicate reserving all of multiple reservation targets, the registrant may want to know which reservation targets are not available on a date and time when there is no available time.

[0107] Therefore, in Modification 3, when an area corresponding to a reservation target is selected on the confirmation screen SC2, the display control unit 102 displays details about the availability of the reservation target on the confirmation screen SC2. The availability details are at least one of reservation targets that are available on a certain date and time and reservation targets that are not available on that date and time. The registrant operates the operation unit 24 to select a square, which is an example of an area. The registrant can select a square by any selection method. In Modification 3, an example is taken of a case where the registrant selects a square by hovering the mouse cursor over the square. The selection of a square may also be performed by other operations such as clicking or tapping.

[0108] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the confirmation screen SC2 of Variation 3. In the example of FIG. 11, it is assumed that reservation target conditions are specified indicating that some of the multiple reservation targets are to be reserved. For example, when the registrant selects a square of a first color indicating that some of the multiple reservation targets are available, the display control unit 102 displays information I200 showing details of availability at the date and time corresponding to the selected square on the confirmation screen SC2. The registrant can easily understand which reservation targets can be reserved at the currently selected date and time. The display control unit 102 displays information I200 as shown in FIG. 11 on the confirmation screen SC2 by including, in the display data of the confirmation screen SC2, information showing details of availability at the date and time corresponding to each square and a script for displaying information I200 when the square is selected.

[0109] In addition, even when a reservation target condition indicating reserving only a portion of multiple reservation targets is specified, the display control unit 102 may display a confirmation screen SC2 on which the registrant can check details of availability for the date and time corresponding to the selected square. For example, when the registrant selects a square of a second color, the display control unit 102 displays information I200 on the confirmation screen SC2 indicating details of availability for the date and time corresponding to the selected square. The registrant can easily understand which reservation target should be deselected at the currently selected date and time to register the reservation target schedule. The information I200 indicating details of availability is not limited to the format shown in FIG. 11. The information I200 may indicate which reservation targets are available at the date and time selected by the registrant. For example, the information I200 may indicate which reservation targets are available at the date and time selected by the registrant using symbols, text, or icons other than the symbols shown in FIG. 11.

[0110] The schedule registration system 1 of Variation 3 displays details about the availability of the reservation target on the confirmation screen SC2 based on the selection of an area on the confirmation screen SC2 that corresponds to the reservation target. This allows the registrant to check the details of the availability of the reservation target for the date and time corresponding to the square with a simple operation, thereby improving the convenience of the schedule registration system 1 for the registrant.

[0111] [6-4. Variation 4] For example, as described in the embodiment, the display control unit 102 displays a confirmation screen SC2 on which the free time of participants during a predetermined display period and the free time of the reservation target during the display period can be confirmed. In the examples of FIGS. 3 to 6, the display period is one week. The registrant can specify any display period. The display control unit 102 updates the display on the confirmation screen SC2 based on the display period specified by the registrant.

[0112] For example, if there are no or few available times within the display target period that satisfy the reservation target conditions for a reservation target, the registrant must change the display target period, update the display on the confirmation screen SC2, and search for the desired available time, which is time-consuming for the registrant. Therefore, if there is available time within a period other than the display target period that satisfies the reservation target conditions for a reservation target, the display control unit 102 of Modification 4 displays the confirmation screen SC2 that proposes the available time within that other period.

[0113] 12 is a diagram showing an example of a confirmation screen SC2 of Modification 4. For example, the display control unit 102 determines another period for searching for available time based on the current display target period. The display control unit 102 determines at least one of the period from the current date and time to the beginning of the display target period and a predetermined period after the end of the display target period (for example, the week following the display target period) as the other period. The display control unit 102 obtains registered schedules to be reserved in the other period from the schedule database DB, and determines whether there is available time in the other period that satisfies the reservation target conditions.

[0114] For example, if it is determined that there is available free time in another period that satisfies the reservation eligibility conditions, the display control unit 102 proposes the available time by displaying information I25 including check boxes for selecting the available time along with the available time in the other period on the confirmation screen SC2, as shown in Fig. 12. The display control unit 102 may propose all available time in the other period, or may propose only some available time in the other period.

[0115] The free time suggestion may be performed by displaying information indicating the free time on the confirmation screen SC2. The information displayed in the free time suggestion is not limited to check boxes or the like. For example, the display control unit 102 may suggest the free time using other information such as buttons or text (for example, parts of a user interface). The display control unit 102 may suggest free time in other periods by displaying information such as text that does not accept any operation by the registrant.

[0116] The display control unit 102 may make a proposal on the confirmation screen SC2 when there is free time for not only the reservation target that meets the reservation target conditions but also the participant during the other period. For example, the display control unit 102 obtains registered plans for the participant during the other period from the schedule database DB, and determines whether there is free time for the reservation target that meets the participants during the other period. When there is free time for both the participant and the reservation target that meets the reservation target conditions during the other period, the display control unit 102 may display the confirmation screen SC2 proposing the free time.

[0117] Furthermore, if there are sufficient available times for participants during the display target period and available times for reservation targets that satisfy the reservation target conditions during the display target period, there may be little need to suggest available times during other periods. For this reason, the display control unit 102 may suggest available times during other periods when the number of available times for participants during the display target period and available times for reservation targets that satisfy the reservation target conditions during the display target period is less than a threshold.

[0118] If there is available reservation time that meets the reservation conditions during a period other than the display target period, the schedule registration system 1 of Variation 4 displays a confirmation screen SC2 that proposes the available time during that other period. This allows the registrant to check available time during that other period without having to change the display target period, thereby improving the convenience of the schedule registration system 1 for the registrant.

[0119] [6-5. Variation 5] For example, when a registrant specifies multiple reservation targets, not all of the multiple reservation targets are necessarily required reservation targets that the registrant wants to use in the registration target schedule. The registrant may specify any reservation target that can be reserved but that does not interfere with the registration target schedule if it is not present. Taking the example of a conference as in the embodiment, where the registration target schedule corresponds to a conference room, which is an example of a reservation target, as a required item, but equipment (e.g., a whiteboard or projector), which is also an example of a reservation target, may not be required but may be optional.

[0120] Therefore, in Modification 5, an example is given of a case where the registrant can specify whether each of multiple reservation objects is required or optional as a reservation object condition. The reservation object condition acquisition unit 101 of Modification 5 acquires the reservation object conditions for multiple reservation objects for which whether they are required or not has been specified in the registration target schedule. That is, the reservation object condition acquisition unit 101 acquires whether each of the multiple reservation objects is required or not as a reservation object condition. For example, the registrant specifies whether each of the multiple reservation objects is required or not in window W22 of the confirmation screen SC2. Taking the conference room and equipment mentioned above as an example, the registrant specifies that the conference room is required and the equipment is not required (i.e., the equipment is optional).

[0121] Whether a reservation target is required or not may be specified by any part of the user interface. For example, the display control unit 102 may display check boxes or buttons on the confirmation screen SC2 indicating whether each of multiple reservation targets is required or not. The registrant specifies whether a reservation target is required or not by selecting a check box or button. The registrant may also specify whether a reservation target is required or not by another operation.

[0122] For example, the reservation target condition acquisition unit 101 acquires reservation target conditions by acquiring data indicating whether each of multiple reservation targets is mandatory from the registrant terminal 20. The data indicates which reservation targets are mandatory and which reservation targets are not mandatory. The reservation target conditions may include not only whether a reservation target is mandatory or not, but also the conditions described in the embodiment (for example, a condition such as reserving some of multiple mandatory reservation targets, or reserving all of multiple mandatory reservation targets).

[0123] The display control unit 102 of Modification 5 displays a confirmation screen SC2 based on whether each of the multiple reservation targets is required for the schedule to be registered. For example, the display control unit 102 identifies required reservation targets from the multiple reservation targets based on the reservation target conditions. The display control unit 102 acquires registered schedules for the required reservation targets from the schedule database DB. The display control unit 102 identifies free time for the required reservation targets based on the registered schedules for the required reservation targets, and displays a confirmation screen SC2 on which the free time can be confirmed. The display control unit 102 does not have to acquire registered schedules for any reservation targets, and does not have to identify free time for any reservation targets.

[0124] For example, the display control unit 102 displays in the calendar C20, in a first color, squares corresponding to dates and times when required reservation targets are available. Even if any reservation targets are booked, the display control unit 102 displays in the first color squares corresponding to dates and times when required reservation targets are available. If the reservation target condition specifies that some of the required reservation targets are reserved, the display control unit 102 displays in the first color squares corresponding to dates and times when some of the required reservation targets are available. If the reservation target condition specifies that all of the required reservation targets are reserved, the display control unit 102 displays in the first color squares corresponding to dates and times when all of the required reservation targets are available.

[0125] For example, the display control unit 102 displays in the second color the squares corresponding to the dates and times when the required reservation targets are booked. Even if any reservation targets are available, the display control unit 102 displays in the second color the squares corresponding to the dates and times when the required reservation targets are booked. If the reservation target conditions specify that some of the required reservation targets are booked, the display control unit 102 displays in the second color the squares corresponding to the dates and times when all of the required reservation targets are booked. If the reservation target conditions specify that all of the required reservation targets are booked, the display control unit 102 displays in the second color the squares corresponding to the dates and times when even some of the required reservation targets are booked.

[0126] The schedule registration system 1 of Variation 5 acquires reservation target conditions for multiple reservation targets, each of which is specified as being essential for the schedule to be registered. The schedule registration system 1 displays a confirmation screen SC2 based on whether each of the multiple reservation targets is essential for the schedule to be registered. This allows the schedule registration system 1 to provide flexibility in registering schedules to be registered, further improving convenience for registrants.

[0127] [6-6. Variation 6] For example, when a registrant specifies multiple reservation targets, there may be some reservation targets that the registrant would like to reserve if possible, and some reservation targets that the registrant is reluctant to reserve if other reservation targets are not available. In the example of window W22 at the top of Figure 4, the registrant may want to reserve conference room 1 if possible, but may also consider conference room 2 to be acceptable if conference room 1 is not available. Therefore, priorities may be assigned to each of the multiple reservation targets.

[0128] The reservation target condition acquisition unit 101 of the sixth modification acquires reservation target conditions for multiple reservation targets for which priorities have been specified. That is, the reservation target condition acquisition unit 101 acquires the priority specified for each of the multiple reservation targets as the reservation target conditions. For example, the registrant specifies the priority of each of the multiple reservation targets in window W22 of the confirmation screen SC2. Taking the aforementioned conference rooms 1 and 2 as an example, the registrant specifies conference room 1 as first and conference room 2 as second.

[0129] The priority of reservation targets may be specified by any user interface part. For example, the display control unit 102 may display an input form for inputting the priority of each of multiple reservation targets on the confirmation screen SC2. The registrant specifies whether the reservation target is mandatory or not by selecting an option on the input form. The registrant may also specify the priority of the reservation targets by sorting the reservation targets in the display area A229.

[0130] For example, the reservation target condition acquisition unit 101 acquires reservation target conditions by acquiring data indicating the priority of each of multiple reservation targets from the registrant terminal 20. The data indicates which reservation target has which priority. The reservation target conditions may include not only the priority of the reservation targets but also the conditions described in the embodiments (for example, a condition such as reserving some of multiple required reservation targets, or reserving all of multiple required reservation targets).

[0131] The display control unit 102 of the sixth modification displays the confirmation screen SC2 based on the priority of each of the multiple reservation targets. For example, the display control unit 102 identifies the available time for each of the multiple reservation targets in the same manner as in the embodiment. The display control unit 102 changes the display of the available time on the confirmation screen SC2 based on the priority of each of the multiple reservation targets. In the sixth modification, a reservation target condition indicating that some of the multiple reservation targets are to be reserved is also specified.

[0132] For example, the display control unit 102 displays a first square corresponding to a date and time when a reservation target with a relatively high priority is available differently from a second square corresponding to a date and time when the first reservation target is booked but a reservation target with a relatively high priority is available. The display control unit 102 may display the first square in a different color from the second square. For example, the display control unit 102 displays the first square in white and the second square in light gray. The display control unit 102 may display a third square corresponding to a date and time when all of the reservation targets are unavailable in gray. The display control unit 102 may apply a gradation to the squares according to priority, such as increasing the brightness for a higher priority and decreasing the brightness for a lower priority.

[0133] The schedule registration system 1 of Variation 6 acquires reservation target conditions for multiple reservation targets with designated priorities. The schedule registration system 1 displays a confirmation screen SC2 based on the priority of each of the multiple reservation targets. This allows the registrant to view the confirmation screen SC2 according to the priority of the reservation targets, thereby improving convenience for the registrant.

[0134] [6-7. Other variations] For example, variations 1 to 6 may be combined.

[0135] For example, the schedule registration system 1 may not require specific reservation target conditions. The schedule registration system 1 may display a confirmation screen SC2 on which participants' free time and the reservation target's free time can be confirmed, regardless of whether the reservation target satisfies the reservation target conditions. The schedule registration system 1 may display participants' free time on the calendar C20 using information such as rectangles, as in the embodiment, and display the reservation target's free time on the calendar C20 using the color of the grid on the calendar C20. As such, an aspect of the schedule registration system 1 that does not include the reservation target condition acquisition unit 101 and in which the display control unit 102 does not perform processing related to the reservation target conditions is also within the scope of the present disclosure. According to this aspect, the registrant can easily grasp the free time of the reservation target based on the color of the grid or other areas, thereby solving an example of the problem of improving convenience for the registrant.

[0136] For example, if the schedule registration system 1 does not include the reservation target condition acquisition unit 101 and the display control unit 102 does not execute processing related to the reservation target conditions, the schedule registration system 1 may acquire the date and time of the schedule to be registered based on the selection of an area on the calendar C20. Such an embodiment is also within the scope of the present disclosure. According to such an embodiment, the registrant can select the date and time of the schedule to be registered by the simple operation of selecting an area on the calendar C20, thereby solving one example of the problem of improving convenience for the registrant.

[0137] For example, if the schedule registration system 1 does not include the reservation target condition acquisition unit 101 and the display control unit 102 does not execute processing related to the reservation target conditions, the schedule registration system 1 may display a confirmation screen SC2 on which the user can check the available time of each of multiple reservation targets belonging to a reservation target group, as in Modification 1 or 2. The schedule registration system 1 may identify the available time of each of multiple reservation targets belonging to a reservation target group, regardless of the reservation target conditions, as in Modification 1, and execute processing such as determining the color of the calendar C20, and then display the confirmation screen SC2. The schedule registration system 1 may identify the available time of each of multiple reservation targets belonging to each of multiple reservation target groups, regardless of the reservation target conditions, as in Modification 1, and execute processing such as determining the color of the calendar C20, and then display the confirmation screen SC2. These aspects enable the registrant to check the available time of each of multiple reservation targets belonging to a reservation target group, thereby solving one example of the problem of improving convenience for the registrant.

[0138] For example, when the schedule registration system 1 does not include the reservation target condition acquisition unit 101 and the display control unit 102 does not execute processing related to the reservation target conditions, the schedule registration system 1 may display a confirmation screen SC2 on which details of availability can be confirmed by selecting an area, as in Variation 3. When the schedule registration system 1 does not include the reservation target condition acquisition unit 101 and the display control unit 102 does not execute processing related to the reservation target conditions, the schedule registration system 1 may suggest available times in periods other than the display target period, as in Variation 4. These aspects solve one example of the problem of improving convenience for registrants by using these confirmation screens SC2. For example, the schedule registration system 1 may accept registration of the schedule to be registered from a service other than groupware. The other service may be a service that manages schedules for purposes other than supporting business operations.

[0139] For example, the functions described as being realized by the server 10 may be realized by the registrant terminal 20. In this case, functions similar to the reservation target condition acquisition unit 101, the display control unit 102, and the schedule registration unit 104 may be realized by being executed by a browser script or by an application installed on the registrant terminal 20. For example, each function may be shared by multiple computers or may be realized by a single computer. [Explanation of symbols]

[0140] 1 schedule registration system, 10 server, 11, 21 control unit, 12, 22 storage unit, 13, 23 communication unit, 20 registrant terminal, 24 operation unit, 25 display unit, N network, 100 data storage unit, 101 reservation target condition acquisition unit, 102 display control unit, 103 date and time acquisition unit, 104 schedule registration unit, 200 data storage unit, 201 display control unit, 202 operation reception unit, A21 display area, C20 calendar, DB schedule database, SC1 schedule screen, SC2 confirmation screen, W22, W24 window, A222, A229 display area, B10, B211, B221, B222, B224, B225, B228, B230, B231, B232, B242, B243 Buttons, F220,F226,F227,F240 input forms, I25,I200 information, T210 text.

Claims

1. a reservation target condition acquisition unit that acquires reservation target conditions related to the reservation target to be reserved in the registration target schedule; a display control unit that displays a confirmation screen on which the available times of participants participating in the registration target schedule and the available times of the reservation target that satisfy the reservation target conditions can be confirmed; a schedule registration unit that registers the schedule to be registered after the confirmation screen is displayed; Appointment registration system including.

2. the display control unit displays the confirmation screen showing a calendar on which available times of the participants and available times of the reservation target that satisfy the reservation target conditions can be confirmed; The appointment registration system of claim 1 .

3. the display control unit displays the confirmation screen in which the calendar includes areas corresponding to a plurality of dates and times, and the calendar shows the schedule of the participant in the area corresponding to the date and time when the schedule is scheduled, and indicates whether or not there is a reservation target that satisfies the reservation target condition by using a color of the area corresponding to each of the plurality of dates and times. The appointment registration system of claim 2 .

4. the display control unit displays the confirmation screen showing the calendar including areas corresponding to each of a plurality of dates and times; the schedule registration system further includes a date and time acquisition unit that acquires a date and time of the schedule to be registered based on the selection of the area corresponding to each of the plurality of dates and times; the schedule registration unit registers the schedule to be registered based on the date and time of the schedule to be registered acquired by the date and time acquisition unit; 4. The schedule registration system according to claim 2 or 3.

5. the reservation target condition acquisition unit acquires the reservation target condition regarding whether to reserve a part of the plurality of reservation targets or to reserve all of the plurality of reservation targets; The display control unit When the reservation target conditions indicating that a part of the plurality of reservation targets is to be reserved are acquired, the confirmation screen is displayed on which the user can confirm available time slots for at least a part of the plurality of reservation targets; When the reservation target condition indicating that all of the plurality of reservation targets are to be reserved is acquired, the confirmation screen on which available times for all of the plurality of reservation targets can be confirmed is displayed.

4. The schedule registration system according to claim 1.

6. When a plurality of dates and times are selected after the confirmation screen is displayed, the schedule registration unit collectively registers the schedules to be registered corresponding to the plurality of dates and times.

4. The schedule registration system according to claim 1.

7. the reservation target condition acquisition unit acquires the reservation target conditions of a reservation target group to which the plurality of reservation targets belong; the display control unit displays the confirmation screen on which available time of at least one reservation target that satisfies the reservation target condition among the plurality of reservation targets belonging to the reservation target group can be confirmed.

4. The schedule registration system according to claim 1.

8. the reservation target condition acquisition unit acquires the reservation target conditions of the plurality of reservation target groups; the display control unit displays the confirmation screen based on the reservation target conditions of the plurality of reservation target groups. The appointment registration system of claim 7.

9. When an area corresponding to the reservation target is selected on the confirmation screen, the display control unit causes details regarding availability of the reservation target to be displayed on the confirmation screen.

4. The schedule registration system according to claim 1.

10. The display control unit displaying the confirmation screen on which the available times of the participants in a predetermined display target period and the available times of the reservation target in the display target period can be confirmed; If there is available time for the reservation that satisfies the reservation target conditions in another period other than the display target period, the confirmation screen proposing the available time in the other period is displayed.

4. The schedule registration system according to claim 1.

11. the reservation target condition acquisition unit acquires the reservation target conditions for the plurality of reservation targets, each of which is designated as being essential or not for the registration target schedule; the display control unit displays the confirmation screen based on whether each of the plurality of reservation targets is essential for the registration target schedule.

4. The schedule registration system according to claim 1.

12. the reservation target condition acquisition unit acquires the reservation target conditions for the plurality of reservation targets with designated priorities; the display control unit displays the confirmation screen based on the priority order of each of the plurality of reservation targets.

4. The schedule registration system according to claim 1.

13. a reservation target condition acquisition step for acquiring reservation target conditions related to the reservation target to be reserved in the registration target schedule; a display control step of displaying a confirmation screen on which the available times of participants participating in the registration target schedule and the available times of the reservation target that satisfy the reservation target conditions can be confirmed; a schedule registration step of registering the schedule to be registered after the confirmation screen is displayed; Appointment registration methods including.

14. a reservation target condition acquisition unit for acquiring reservation target conditions related to the reservation target to be reserved in the registration target schedule; a display control unit that displays a confirmation screen on which the available times of participants participating in the registration target schedule and the available times of the reservation target that satisfy the reservation target conditions can be confirmed; a schedule registration unit that registers the schedule to be registered after the confirmation screen is displayed; A program that allows a computer to function as a

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