Matching method, matching system, computer program, and communication terminal

Abstract

To provide a matching method for enabling a user to easily grasp a geographical distance feeling with a matching opposite party in real time.SOLUTION: The matching method includes the steps of overlaying a marker representing a current position of the user terminal on a map image and displaying the marker on a display unit of the user terminal; overlaying a marker representing a current position of another user terminal used by another user whose degree of matching with the user satisfies a predetermined matching condition on the map image and displaying the marker on the display unit of the user terminal; and outputting a notification signal of a perceptible pattern varying according to a distance between the current position of the other user terminal and the current position of the user terminal from a notification device of the user terminal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 12

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing technique for evaluating the degree of matching between users who use communication terminals and supporting encounters between users. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, the number of users worldwide who use web services provided through wide-area networks such as the Internet or local-area networks such as LANs (Local Area Networks) via mobile communication devices such as smartphones and tablet computers has been increasing. Among the many web services available, there are many that employ matching algorithms that evaluate the degree of match between users of mobile communication devices. Many of these matching algorithms have the function of evaluating the degree of match between users based on registered information such as users' personal information (e.g., hobbies, preferences, facial images) or desired conditions, and recommending other users who are highly likely to be a match to the user to help users meet each other.

[0003] Conventional techniques relating to such web services are disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-172223 (Patent Document 1) and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2012-221330 (Patent Document 2).

[0004] Patent Document 1 discloses a matching system that allows a user to easily find colleagues or friends with the same hobbies from among people close to the user who regularly pass by the user at a preferred location. In the matching system of Patent Document 1, when a user's mobile communication device determines that it is located within a predetermined range of space based on GPS positioning information, it acquires the identification information of the other party by performing short-range communication with the other party's mobile communication device located in the same space, and transmits the user's own identification information and the other party's identification information to an information server. The information server determines the degree of matching between the user and the other party based on the user's own identification information, the other party's identification information, and registration information stored in a database, and transmits the degree of matching and access information (email address, URL, telephone number, or address) to the mobile communication device. The mobile communication device can display the access information of the other party on a display device for the user along with a numerical value or graphic representing the degree of matching.

[0005] Patent Document 2 discloses a matching system that uses a communication device with a GPS function possessed by each of a marker, who is a search target seeking a match, and a follower, who is a searcher searching for a desired partner among the markers, to support meeting any partner who shares a common range of activity. The matching system of Patent Document 2 calculates a compatibility score that quantifies the compatibility between the marker and follower who share a common range of activity, and can display the calculated compatibility score, a location mark on a map indicating the marker's location information, and the acquisition time when the location information was acquired on the screen of the communication device possessed by the follower. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-172223 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-221330 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] Conventional matching systems have the function of recommending a match partner from among other users who are estimated to have a high degree of matching with the user if there are other users using other communication terminals within a specified geographical range of the user's mobile communication terminal at the user's desired location.

[0008] However, it is not always easy for users to grasp in real time the sense of geographical distance between themselves and a matched partner recommended by a conventional matching system, which reduces the probability of meeting someone. The matching system of Patent Document 2 can display on the screen of the follower's communication terminal the current location of the follower (searcher) on a map, as well as the current location on the map of a partner (marker) who is estimated to be compatible with the follower. However, in a situation where the follower's current location changes from moment to moment relative to the partner (for example, a situation where the follower is traveling through an unfamiliar town looking for a match), the follower cannot necessarily grasp in real time the sense of geographical distance between themselves and a matched partner using only the current location on the map displayed on the screen of the communication terminal, and they may miss an opportunity to meet a matched partner.

[0009] In view of the above, the object of the present disclosure is to provide a matching method, a matching system, a computer program, and a communication terminal that enable a user to easily grasp the geographical distance between themselves and a matched partner in real time. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] A matching method according to a first aspect of the present disclosure is a matching method executed in a matching system including a plurality of communication terminals connected to a communication network, and is characterized in that it includes the steps of overlaying a marker representing the current location of a user terminal, which is one of the plurality of communication terminals, on a map image and displaying it on a display unit of the user terminal; when another user is found whose degree of matching with the user using the user terminal satisfies a predetermined compatibility condition, overlaying a marker representing the current location of another user terminal, one of the plurality of communication terminals, used by the other user on the map image and displaying it on a display unit of the user terminal; and outputting a notification signal of a perceptible pattern that changes depending on the distance between the current location of the other user terminal and the current location of the user terminal from a notification device of the user terminal.

[0011] A matching system according to a second aspect of the present disclosure is characterized in that it comprises a plurality of communication terminals and an information processing system configured to be able to communicate with each of the plurality of communication terminals, and is configured to implement the matching method according to the first aspect described above.

[0012] A computer program according to a third aspect of the present disclosure is a computer program including a series of instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform the matching method according to the first aspect above.

[0013] A communication terminal according to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure is configured to implement the matching method according to the first aspect. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the first to fourth aspects of the present disclosure, when a user finds another user terminal used by another user whose matching degree with the user satisfies a predetermined compatibility condition, the user terminal can overlay markers representing the current location of the user terminal and the current location of the other user terminal on a map image, and can output a notification signal (for example, an audible sound, a sensible solid vibration, or visible light) with a perceptible pattern that changes depending on the distance between the user terminal and the other user terminal. This allows the user to easily grasp the geographical distance between them in real time, thereby improving the probability of meeting a matching partner. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a matching system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an example of a basic hardware configuration of a computer in a communication terminal or an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a communication terminal according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a login setting screen displayed on the communication terminal. [Figure 6] 6A and 6B are diagrams illustrating examples of login screens displayed on the communication terminal. [Figure 7] 7A and 7B are diagrams illustrating examples of login screens displayed on the communication terminal. [Figure 8] FIG. 8A is a diagram illustrating an example of a profile setting screen displayed on the communication terminal, and FIG. 8B is a diagram illustrating an example of an agreement confirmation screen displayed on the communication terminal. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a matching setting screen displayed on the communication terminal. [Figure 10]10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating examples of setting screens for setting matching conditions that are displayed on the communication terminal. [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure of a matching process according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 12] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure of a matching process according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 13] FIG. 13A is a diagram illustrating an example of an activation setting screen (active area setting screen) displayed on a user terminal, and FIG. 13B is a diagram illustrating an example of a privacy mode setting screen displayed on a user terminal. [Figure 14] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure for a matching search process according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 15] 15A and 15B are diagrams illustrating operation screens displayed on a user terminal. [Figure 16] 16A and 16B are diagrams illustrating examples of chat screens displayed on user terminals. [Figure 17] FIG. 17A is a diagram illustrating a search setting screen displayed on a user terminal, and FIG. 17B is a diagram illustrating a detailed setting screen displayed on a user terminal. [Figure 18] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure for a matching search process according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 19] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure of a matching process according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] Next, an embodiment and modifications of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that components with the same reference numerals throughout the drawings have the same configurations and functions.

[0017] 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a matching system 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 1, the matching system 1 includes a plurality of communication terminals UE1, UE2, ..., UE3, each of which has a configuration capable of being connected to a communication network NW. N and communication terminals UE1 to UE2 via a communication network NW. N and an information processing system 10 configured to be able to communicate with each of the communication terminals UE1 to UE2 (where N is an arbitrary integer equal to or greater than 3). N are users P1 to P N The device has a configuration that can be operated by

[0018] The information processing system 10 includes communication terminals UE1 to UE N Users P1 to P N It has the function of providing a matching service to users P1 to P N Each of the communication terminals UE1 to UE2 may be a natural person or an artificial intelligence (AI) agent acting on behalf of a natural person. N The total number of communication terminals is three or more, but is not limited to this, and the matching system 1 only needs to include at least two communication terminals.

[0019] Communication terminals UE1 to UE N may be mobile communication devices such as mobile phone terminals or smartphones. The communication network NW includes a mobile communication network that complies with communication standards such as the fifth generation (5G) communication standard, and may also include a fixed communication network other than a mobile communication network, or a non-terrestrial communication network (NTN: Non-Terrestrial Network) that uses platforms such as artificial satellites as base stations. The communication network NW may also include a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN: Wide Area Network) such as the Internet. Furthermore, the communication network NW includes communication terminals UE1 to UE NAt least two of the communication terminals may include an ad hoc network that enables them to communicate with each other directly using short-range wireless communication functions without going through an access point of a wireless communication network such as a LAN.

[0020] Communication terminals UE1 to UE N Each of the communication terminals UE1 to UE2 comprises a computer having one or more processors capable of executing a computer program including a series of instructions. N Each communication terminal UE n Each communication terminal UE has installed therein application software (a set of computer programs for a specific purpose) for performing matching processing in cooperation with the information processing system 10. n The processor of the computer includes one or more processing units that execute a series of instructions of application software read from a non-volatile memory (computer-readable recording medium). For example, the processing unit may be a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), or a neural network processing unit (NPU). The NPU uses an artificial neural network (ANN), i.e., a neural network model, to calculate the speed of the communication terminal UE. n The present invention can be used as a computing device capable of efficiently executing search processing in the above.

[0021] The information processing system 10 includes a single computer or multiple computers interconnected via a communication path. Each computer in the information processing system 10 includes one or more processors capable of executing a computer program containing a series of instructions. The processor in each computer includes one or more processing units that execute a series of instructions in application software (a collection of computer programs for a specific purpose) read from a non-volatile memory (a computer-readable recording medium). For example, a CPU, a GPU, or an NPU can be used as the processing unit. An NPU can be used as a processing unit that can efficiently perform matching search processing in the information processing system 10 using an artificial neural network (ANN), i.e., a neural network model. All or part of the functions of the information processing system 10 can be implemented on-premise, where the operator manages physical hardware devices such as servers and storage, or in the cloud, where the operator does not need to manage hardware devices.

[0022] FIG. 2 shows communication terminals UE1 to UE N1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an information processing device 80, which is an example of a basic hardware configuration of a computer in the information processing system 10. The information processing device 80 includes a processor 81, a random access memory (RAM) 82, a nonvolatile memory 83, a large-capacity storage device 84 such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid-state drive (SSD), an input / output interface circuit 85, a communication circuit 86, and a signal path 87. The signal path 87 is a bus for interconnecting the processor 81, the RAM 82, the nonvolatile memory 83, the large-capacity storage device 84, the input / output interface circuit 85, and the communication circuit 86. The RAM 82 is a data storage area used by the processor 81 when performing digital signal processing. The processor 81 includes an arithmetic unit such as a CPU, a GPU, an NPU, or a combination thereof. The nonvolatile memory 83 has a data storage area for storing data of application software executed by the processor 81. The communication circuit 86 is configured to be capable of communicating with external communication devices via a communication network NW.

[0023] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an n-th communication terminal UE according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. n 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the above (where n is an arbitrary integer ranging from 1 to N).

[0024] As shown in FIG. 3, the communication terminal UE n The communication terminal UE includes an information processing unit 31 having a basic function processing unit 51 and a matching processing unit 61, and a network communication unit (NW communication unit) 32 having a configuration capable of communicating with the information processing system 10 via the communication network NW. n The device further includes an imaging sensor 33 such as a CCD imaging sensor or a CMOS imaging sensor, a positioning sensor 34, a short-range wireless communication unit 35, a display unit 36, an operation input unit 37, a biometric authentication unit 38, a speaker 39, a light-emitting unit 40, a solid-state vibration unit 41, a microphone 42, and a data storage unit 43.

[0025] The image sensor 33 detects an external object (for example, a communication terminal UE n User P who uses n ) into an electrical signal having image information, and supplies the electrical signal to the information processing unit 31. For example, the image sensor 33 can be realized by a CCD image sensor or a CMOS image sensor.

[0026] The positioning sensor 34 is a communication terminal UE n and provides positioning information indicating the current position to the information processing unit 31. The information processing unit 31 transmits the positioning information to the communication terminal UE. n The positioning sensor 34 includes a GNSS positioning sensor 34A and an indoor positioning sensor 34B. The GNSS positioning sensor 34A receives navigation signals from a plurality of GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) satellites, and calculates the position of the communication terminal UE in a geodetic coordinate system based on the received navigation signals. n The indoor positioning sensor 34B can measure the current position of the communication terminal UE. For example, the GNSS can be the Global Positioning System (GPS), the Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS), the Galileo system, or the Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS). An existing indoor positioning system can be used as the indoor positioning sensor 34B. For example, the indoor positioning sensor 34B measures the characteristics (for example, the radio wave intensity and the direction of arrival) of radio waves arriving from a plurality of sources arranged in an indoor space such as underground or inside a facility, and calculates the current position of the communication terminal UE based on the measured characteristics. n The radio waves from the transmitting source can be, for example, Wi-Fi signals, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) beacons, radio waves from RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tags, ultrasonic waves, or Ultra-Wideband (UWB) signals.

[0027] The short-distance wireless communication unit 35 communicates with other communication terminals UE using wireless communication technologies such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) technology and UWB technology. k (k is an integer other than n). As will be described later, the information processing unit 31 uses positioning information from a positioning sensor 34, but instead, it may use positioning information from a wearable device wirelessly connected to the short-range wireless communication unit 35. The wearable device is a communication terminal UE n User P who uses n When such a wearable device has a positioning function similar to that of the positioning sensor 34, the positioning information of the wearable device is transmitted to the communication terminal UE. n It can be used as location information to indicate the current location.

[0028] The display unit 36 ​​has a function of visually displaying data supplied from the information processing unit 31, and can be realized by, for example, a liquid crystal display panel or an organic EL display panel. The operation input unit 37 is an input device that accepts operation inputs by the user. For example, the operation input unit 37 may have input buttons and input keys, as well as a touch panel function integrated with the display unit 36.

[0029] The biometric authentication unit 38 has a function of performing biometric authentication using elements related to the body (for example, face authentication, fingerprint authentication, voice authentication, or iris authentication). The speaker 39 has a function of converting an electrical signal supplied from the information processing unit 31 into an acoustic signal and outputting the acoustic signal to the outside. The light emitting unit 40 has a function of emitting light in response to the electrical signal supplied from the information processing unit 31. The solid vibration unit 41 vibrates the communication terminal UE in response to the electrical signal supplied from the information processing unit 31. n User P n can tactilely sense the vibrations generated by the solid-state vibration unit 41. The microphone 42 has the function of collecting acoustic signals coming from an external sound source, converting them into electrical signals, and supplying the electrical signals to the information processing unit 31.

[0030] The data storage unit 43 is configured with a semiconductor storage device such as an HDD or SSD. n User P who uses n The contents of the setting data 71 will be described later.

[0031] 3, the information processing unit 31 is connected to each of the NW communication unit 32, the image sensor 33, the positioning sensor 34, the short-range wireless communication unit 35, the display unit 36, the operation input unit 37, the biometric authentication unit 38, the speaker 39, the light emitting unit 40, the solid vibration unit 41, the microphone 42, and the data storage unit 43. The information processing unit 31 is connected to each of the NW communication unit 32, the image sensor 33, the positioning sensor 34, the short-range wireless communication unit 35, the display unit 36, the operation input unit 37, the biometric authentication unit 38, the speaker 39, the light emitting unit 40, the solid vibration unit 41, the microphone 42, and the data storage unit 43. n and a matching processing unit 61 including a plurality of processing elements for performing matching processing in cooperation with the information processing system 10. As shown in Fig. 3, the matching processing unit 61 includes a search processing unit 64 including a score calculation unit 65. The matching processing unit 61 will be described later.

[0032] The basic function processing unit 51 receives the position information from the positioning sensor 34 and the communication terminal UE n The mobile terminal 100 includes a positioning information acquisition unit 52 that acquires positioning information indicating the current position of the mobile terminal 100, a map information acquisition unit 53 that acquires map image data of a desired area from an external server (not shown) via a communication network NW, a time information acquisition unit 54 that acquires time information indicating the current time at the current position, and a display control unit 55 that controls the operation of the display unit 36.

[0033] The positioning information acquisition unit 52 may acquire positioning information of a wearable device wirelessly connected to the short-range wireless communication unit 35, instead of the positioning information of the positioning sensor 34. The map image data acquired by the map information acquisition unit 53 is used to be displayed on the display unit 36. The map information acquisition unit 53 can acquire map image data stored in advance in the data storage unit 43 from the data storage unit 43, instead of acquiring map image data of a desired area from an external server (not shown). The time information acquisition unit 54 can acquire time information from a timer (not shown), but instead, the time information acquisition unit 54 can also acquire time information based on GNSS positioning information.

[0034] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an information processing system 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0035] 4, the information processing system 10 includes an information processing unit 11, a user database (user DB) 12, a situation database (situation DB) 13, a matching condition database (matching condition DB) 14, and a network communication unit (NW communication unit) 16. The information processing unit 11 includes a user management unit 21, a login processing unit 22, and a matching search unit 23 including a score calculation unit 24. The information processing unit 11 is connected to each of the user DB 12, the situation DB 13, and the matching condition DB 14. The NW communication unit 16 communicates with the communication terminals UE1 to UE2 via a communication network NW. N The user DB 12, the situation DB 13, and the matching condition DB 14 are each configured using a semiconductor storage device such as an HDD or SSD.

[0036] The login processing unit 22 is n When a user P uses a matching service, the login processing unit 22 performs the process of verifying the user's identity, i.e., the process of logging in. n communication terminal UE used by n The matching processing unit 61 (FIG. 3) of the nUpon receiving the credentials, the authentication server or the authentication database is used to authenticate the user P based on the credentials. n The authentication process is performed to confirm the user's qualifications. n If it is confirmed that the user is qualified to use the matching service, the login processing unit 22 will permit the user to use the matching service. The qualification information may include, but is not limited to, a set of a user identifier (user ID) and a password. n The biometric authentication information of the communication terminal UE may be used. n The matching processing unit 61 uses the user P obtained by the biometric authentication unit 38 n The biometric authentication information can be transmitted to the information processing system 10.

[0037] The login processing unit 22 may have a multi-step authentication function or a multi-factor authentication function. For example, the login processing unit 22 performs authentication processing based on the credentials to authenticate the user P. n When the user's eligibility is confirmed, the login processing unit 22 generates an authentication code and sends the authentication code to a pre-registered address such as a mobile phone number, an email address, or an SNS (Social Networking Service) address. n The login processing unit 22 requests the matching processing unit 61 of the communication terminal UE to transmit an authentication code. n If the authentication code is received from the matching processing unit 61, the use of the matching service is permitted.

[0038] FIG. 5 shows the communication terminal UE. n 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a login setting screen SS1 displayed on the display unit 36 ​​of the communication terminal UE. n The matching processing unit 61 may display the login setting screen SS1 on the display unit 36 ​​based on the display data generated by the matching processing unit 61, or may display the login setting screen SS1 generated by the login processing unit 22 of the information processing system 10 on the communication terminal UE. nThe login setting screen SS1 may be displayed on the display unit 36 ​​based on the display data transmitted to the login setting screen SS1. This is not limited to the login setting screen SS1, but the same applies to display screens other than the login setting screen SS1.

[0039] 5, the login setting screen SS1 displays the name of the matching service "Destiny," a button 100, and a notification icon 101 at the top. n By tapping and selecting the button 100, the main menu screen (not shown) can be displayed on the display unit 36. The notification icon 101 will be described later. The login setting screen SS1 also displays a switch SC1 that determines whether to permit automatic login, a switch SC2 that determines whether to use two-step authentication, a switch SC3 that determines whether to permit login using biometric authentication, and a switch SC4 that determines whether to enable the automatic logout function. User P n By tapping and selecting each of the switches SC1 to SC4, the function assigned to each switch can be set to either enabled (ON) or disabled (OFF). In the example of Figure 5, the switches SC2 and SC4 are ON, and the switches SC1 and SC3 are OFF.

[0040] 6A, 6B, 7A, and 7B are diagrams illustrating a communication terminal UE. n 6A and 6B are diagrams illustrating login screens LS1, LS2, LS3, and LS4 displayed on the display unit 36 ​​of the user P. Referring to FIG. 6A, the login screen LS1 displays an input box IB1 for inputting a user ID, an input box IB2 for inputting a password, and a button BN1 for sending a login request. n When the communication terminal UE taps and selects the button BN1, the matching processing unit 61 transmits a login request to the information processing system 10 together with the pair of the user ID and password input in the input boxes IB1 and IB2. nIf authentication based on the user ID and password received from is successful, an authentication code is sent to the pre-registered phone number or email address. The login screen LS1 displays a message MG0 notifying the user that the authentication code has been sent. After that, the login screen LS1 in FIG. 6A transitions to the login screen LS2 in FIG. 6B.

[0041] Referring to FIG. 6B, the login screen LS2 is displayed when the user P n The login screen LS2 displays an input box IB3 for inputting the authentication code, a button BN2 for transmitting the authentication code to the information processing system 10, and a button BN3 for requesting the information processing system 10 to resend the authentication code. n By tapping and selecting the button BN2, the authentication code entered in the input box IB3 is transmitted to the communication terminal UE. n 7A, the login screen LS3 is a screen on which the login processing unit 22 of the information processing system 10 notifies the user that the two-step authentication based on the authentication code entered in the input box IB3 has been successfully completed. n By tapping and selecting button BN4, a main menu screen (not shown) can be displayed on the display unit 36. Referring to Fig. 7B, login screen LS4 is a screen notifying that two-step authentication based on the authentication code entered in input box IB3 has failed.

[0042] Returning to FIG. 4, the user DB 12 of the information processing system 10 is a database that manages user information. n For each user P n The user DB 12 stores profile data, which is personal information of users P1, P2, ..., P N User datasets 121, 122, …, 12 are associated with NFor example, profile data may include user name (first and last name), account name (nickname), gender, a user's facial image, birthday, telephone number, email address, social media address, language used, place of residence, place of birth, family structure, occupation, organization affiliation, annual income, educational background, work history, field of expertise, hobbies and preferences, skills, qualifications held, and information indicating whether or not the user has agreed to the terms of use of the matching service, as well as information related to these.

[0043] The user management unit 21 has a function of managing the user DB 12. n is the user P n Communication terminal UE operated by n Through the matching processing unit 61 (FIG. 3), a user can request the user management unit 21 to input, change, or delete profile data. The user management unit 21 also provides a website for profile setting that can be accessed via the Internet. n is the communication terminal UE n The user can access the website by operating a web browser installed in the communication terminal UE, and can enter, change, or delete profile data through a profile setting screen on the website. n The matching processing unit 61 of the user P n User dataset 12 n can be stored in the data storage unit 43.

[0044] FIG. 8A shows a communication terminal UE n 8A is a diagram illustrating an example of a profile setting screen SS2 displayed on the display unit 36 ​​of the user P. The profile setting screen SS2 of FIG. 8A displays a plurality of data elements such as "name" from among the profile data. nBy tapping and selecting the display area of ​​a data element in the profile data, the user can delete or change the contents of the data element in that display area. The profile setting screen SS2 also displays switches SC10 to SC19 that determine whether or not the data element is to be made public to other users. n By tapping and selecting each of the switches SC10 to SC19, the user can set the disclosure of the data element to either enable (ON) or disable (OFF). In the example of FIG. 8A, the switches SC10, SC11, SC12, SC15, SC17, and SC18 indicate ON, and the switches SC13, SC14, SC16, and SC19 indicate OFF. Furthermore, the user P n By tapping and selecting the selection area SN1, you can enable the publication of all data elements of your profile data.

[0045] FIG. 8B shows the communication terminal UE n 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a consent confirmation screen CS1 displayed on the display unit 36 ​​of the user P. n If the user agrees to the terms of use, the user taps the check boxes CBa and CBb to select them, and then taps the start button BN0 to select it. n The matching processing unit 61 of the user P n The user management unit 21 of the information processing system 10 transmits consent information indicating that the communication terminal UE has agreed to the terms of use to the information processing system 10. n The consent information received from the user is used as a data element in the profile data of the user dataset 12. n Include in.

[0046] Returning to FIG. 4, the matching condition DB 14 includes users P1, P2, . . . , P N The matching conditions are set for each of the condition datasets 141, 142, …, 14 N User P n Condition Dataset 14 n is set in advance by user P nSuch data elements include one or more data elements entered by user P. n Keywords or key phrases related to user P's hobbies and preferences (e.g., "chess," "watching baseball," or "reading"); n keywords or key phrases related to the interests of user P (e.g., "cooking," "travel," or "horse racing"); n Keywords or key phrases related to the type of person User P wants to meet (e.g., "fluent in English" or "earning $10 million a year"), and n The information may include history information indicating the activity history of the user (for example, information indicating changes in educational history, work history, sports experience, or interests).

[0047] The user management unit 21 has a function of managing the matching condition DB 14. n is the user P n Communication terminal UE operated by n Through the matching processing unit 61 (FIG. 3), the user P can request the user management unit 21 to input, change, or delete matching conditions. The user management unit 21 also provides a website for setting matching conditions that can be accessed via the Internet. n is the communication terminal UE n Users can also access the website through a web browser installed on their device to enter, change, or delete matching conditions.

[0048] In addition, the user management unit 21 n The matching data is converted into matching data in a format that can be used for matching search processing, and the matching data is stored in a condition data set 14. n The user management unit 21 can include the condition data set 14 n Each time the condition data set 14 is updated, n User P in nThe user management unit 21 can convert a set of data elements input by the user P into matching data. Preferably, the user management unit 21 may generate the matching data using an existing embedding technique that uses a neural network model. According to the embedding technique, the user management unit 21 uses a neural network model including an embedding layer to generate the matching data. n The set of data elements input by the user P can be converted into a vector in a multidimensional space, and the vector can be used as matching data. Such a vector is called an embedding vector, and n It is information that characterizes the set of data elements entered by

[0049] The matching search unit 23 searches the matching condition DB 14 for the user P n First condition data set 14 n and another user P k (k is an integer other than n) k and the first and second condition data sets 14 n ,14 k Based on user P n and another user P k Based on the result of the evaluation, the matching search unit 23 can determine whether the matching degree satisfies a predetermined compatibility condition.

[0050] Specifically, the score calculation unit 24 of the matching search unit 23 calculates the first condition data set 14 n Matching data in and second condition data set 14 k The similarity between the matching data in the user P can be calculated. n and another user P k When the embedding technique is used, the score calculation unit 24 can use the embedding technique as a score that quantitatively indicates the degree of matching with the user P. n The embedding vector for another user P kThe cosine similarity between the embedding vector and the vector , and the cosine similarity can be used as the score.

[0051] FIG. 9 shows the communication terminal UE. n 9 is a diagram illustrating a matching setting screen SS3 displayed on the display unit 36 ​​of the user P. Referring to FIG. 9, the matching setting screen SS3 includes a switch SC21 for determining whether to enable (turn on) the matching function, a switch SC22 for determining whether to disclose details of the matching conditions to other users, and a switch SC23 for determining whether to disclose details of the matching conditions to other users. n The user P displays a button BN7 for displaying the setting contents of the matching conditions for confirmation, and a button BN8 for setting the matching conditions. n By tapping and selecting each of switches SC21 and SC22, the function assigned to each switch can be set to either enabled (ON) or disabled (OFF). In the example of FIG. 9, switch SC21 indicates ON, and switch SC22 indicates OFF. Here, when switch SC21 is OFF (when the matching function is disabled), switch SC22 may be automatically set to OFF (details of the matching conditions are not made public).

[0052] When the matching function is enabled, the matching search unit 23 of the information processing system 10 executes a matching search process to find a user P n Another user P whose matching degree with k At the top of the matching setting screen SS3 in FIG. 9, the found other user P k A notification icon 101a indicating that the number of users is two is displayed.

[0053] User P nHowever, when the user taps and selects the button BN8 on the matching setting screen SS3, a matching setting screen that allows the user to input, change, or delete matching conditions is displayed on the display unit 36. FIGS. 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating setting screens SS4 and SS5 for setting matching conditions, respectively. The setting screen SS4 in FIG. 10A displays buttons BN11 to BN44 to which option items (i.e., subjects of interest) such as "cooking," "travel," "movies," and "horse racing" are respectively assigned. User P n By tapping and selecting one of these buttons BN11 to BN44, the user can specify the desired option item as the data element of the matching condition.

[0054] On the other hand, the setting screen SS5 in FIG. 10B is n The keyword boxes KB1 to KB4 are displayed, each showing a keyword or a key phrase related to the type of person the user P wants to meet. The keyword or key phrase is a data element of the matching condition. n When user P taps and selects button BN50 at the bottom of setting screen SS5, a list of keyword or key phrase candidates (not shown) appears. n By specifying a desired keyword or key phrase from the candidate list, a keyword box showing the specified keyword or key phrase can be added. n When a user inputs any keyword or key phrase, a keyword box showing the input keyword or key phrase may be added.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 3, the communication terminal UE n The matching processing unit 61 of the user P n Condition Dataset 14 n The condition data set 14 in the data storage unit 43 can be stored in advance. nmay be supplied from the information processing system 10 or may be generated by the matching processing unit 61. The matching processing unit 61 includes a search processing unit 64. As will be described later, the search processing unit 64 searches the condition data set 14 read from the data storage unit 43. n and another user P transmitted from the information processing system 10 k Condition Dataset 14 k and based on user P n and another user P k The matching search unit 23 can determine whether the matching degree satisfies a predetermined compatibility condition based on the result of the evaluation. Specifically, the score calculation unit 65 of the search processing unit 64 has the same function as the score calculation unit 24 of the information processing system 10, and therefore, like the score calculation unit 24, the score calculation unit 65 of the search processing unit 64 can calculate the degree of matching between the user P n and another user P k A score that quantitatively indicates the degree of matching with the target can be calculated.

[0056] Referring to FIG. 4, the situation DB 13 stores the user P n For each user P n communication terminal UE used by n In the situation DB 13, information indicating the situations of users P1, P2, ..., P N The situation datasets 131, 132, …, 13 are associated with N As will be described later, a data storage area is secured for storing the communication terminal UE. n The matching processing unit 61 of the communication terminal UE n The matching search unit 23 of the information processing system 10 can transmit the location information of the communication terminal UE, i.e., the location information indicating the location coordinates, and the time information corresponding to the location information, to the information processing system 10. n The set of location information and time information received from the n The matching search unit 23 also includes the communication terminal UE n Based on a set of a series of location information and time information transmitted from the communication terminal UE nThe direction of movement of the object is estimated, and the information on the direction of movement is stored in the situation dataset 13. n In this way, the matching search unit 23 can search for the communication terminals UE1, UE2, ..., UE N The matching search unit 23 can grasp the position coordinates of the communication terminal UE. n It is also possible to estimate the range of the current location from past position coordinates and time information.

[0057] Next, the processing contents of the matching system 1 will be described in detail with reference to a flowchart.

[0058] 11 and 12 are flowcharts schematically illustrating an example of a procedure of a matching process according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The flowchart in FIG. 11 and the flowchart in FIG. 12 are connected to each other via connectors C1 and C2. This matching process is executed by the communication terminal UE when the matching function is enabled. n (hereinafter referred to as "user equipment (UE)") n This is executed by the matching processing unit 61 of the

[0059] Referring to FIG. 11, first, the matching processing unit 61 reads initial setting data for the matching process (step S11), and then the user equipment UE n The matching processing unit 61 can obtain the positioning information acquired by the positioning information acquisition unit 52 and the time information acquired by the time information acquisition unit 54 from the basic function processing unit 51.

[0060] Next, the matching processing unit 61 determines whether the activation setting is valid (step S12). n The current location of the user equipment UE is within a predetermined geographical area (hereinafter also referred to as an "active area") that has been set in advance, or nThis refers to a setting in which matching processing is performed in cooperation with the information processing system 10 when the current location is included in the active area and the current time at the current location is included in a predetermined time period (hereinafter also referred to as "active time").

[0061] FIG. 13A shows a user equipment UE n 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an activation setting screen (active area setting screen) SS10 displayed on the display unit 36 ​​of the device. The activation setting screen SS10 displays a switch SC51 for determining whether to enable the activation setting (setting the activation of the active area), a button BN81 for adding or deleting an active area, a check box CB31 for determining whether to enable the first active area, a check box CB32 for determining whether to enable the second active area, a switch SC52 for determining whether to enable the active time set for the first active area, and a switch SC53 for determining whether to enable the active time set for the second active area. The first active area is a geographical range within a 1.0 km radius centered on location coordinates set in Nakano Ward, Tokyo, and the second active area is a geographical range within a 1.5 km radius centered on location coordinates set in Fuchu City, Tokyo. If the active time is invalid, it is determined that the active time is not set. User P n By tapping and selecting each of the switches SC51 and SC52, the function assigned to each switch can be set to either enabled (ON) or disabled (OFF). In the example of Fig. 13A, the activation setting is enabled, the first active area is enabled, the active time set for the first active area is enabled, the second active area is enabled, and the active time set for the second active area is disabled.

[0062] Referring to FIG. 11, when the activation setting is valid (YES in step S13), the matching processing unit 61 nThe matching processing unit 61 determines whether the current position of the user is included in the active area (step S14), and if the current position is not included in the active area (NO in step S14), returns to step S12. If the current position is included in the active area (YES in step S14), and if a predetermined time period set for the active area, i.e., an active time, has not been set (NO in step S15), the matching processing unit 61 proceeds to step S20, and if an active time has been set (YES in step S15), determines whether the current time is included in the active time (step S16). If the current time is not included in the active time (NO in step S16), the matching processing unit 61 returns to step S12.

[0063] On the other hand, if the current time is included in the active time (YES in step S16), the matching processing unit 61 determines in step S20 that the user equipment UE n The matching processing unit 61 overlays a marker representing the current position of the user terminal UE on the map image and displays it on the display unit 36. n A marker indicating the direction of travel may be overlaid on the map image and displayed on the display unit 36.

[0064] Next, the matching processing unit 61 determines whether the privacy mode setting is valid (step S21). The privacy mode setting is a setting in which the user equipment UE n The current location of the user equipment UE is within a predetermined geographical area (hereinafter also referred to as a "privacy area") that has been set in advance, or n If the current location of the user equipment UE is included in the privacy area and the current time at the current location is included in a predetermined time period (hereinafter also referred to as "privacy time") that has been set in advance, n The location information of the user equipment UE is not shared with other communication terminals (in other words, the location information of the user equipment UE is not shared with other communication terminals). n This refers to a setting that masks the location information of the device.

[0065] FIG. 13B shows the user equipment UE n 10 is a diagram illustrating a privacy mode setting screen SS11 displayed on the display unit 36 ​​of the user P. The privacy mode setting screen SS11 displays a switch SC54 for determining whether to enable a privacy area (i.e., whether to enable privacy mode), a switch SC55 for determining whether to permit chatting during privacy mode, a button BN82 for setting whether to add or delete a privacy area, a check box CB33 for determining whether to enable a first privacy area, a check box CB34 for determining whether to enable a second privacy area, a button BN83 for setting whether to add or delete a privacy time, a check box CB35 for determining whether to enable a first privacy time, a check box CB36 for determining whether to enable a second privacy time, and a check box CB37 for determining whether to enable a third privacy time. n By tapping and selecting each of switches SC54 and SC55, the function assigned to each switch can be set to either enabled (ON) or disabled (OFF). In the example of FIG. 13B, the privacy mode setting is enabled, chatting during privacy mode is permitted (enabled), the first privacy area is enabled, the second privacy area is disabled, the first privacy time is enabled, the second privacy time is enabled, and the third privacy time is disabled. Chatting will be described later.

[0066] Returning to FIG. 11, when the privacy mode setting is enabled (YES in step S21), the matching processing unit 61 nThe matching processing unit 61 determines whether the current location of the user is included in a privacy area (step S22), and if the current location is not included in the privacy area (NO in step S22), the processing proceeds to step S25. If the current location is included in the privacy area (YES in step S22), the matching processing unit 61 proceeds to step S26 if a predetermined time period, i.e., privacy time, has not been set (NO in step S23), and if a privacy time has been set (YES in step S23), the matching processing unit 61 determines whether the current time is included in the privacy time (step S24). If the current time is not included in the privacy time (NO in step S24), the matching processing unit 61 proceeds to step S25. On the other hand, if the current time is included in the privacy time (YES in step S24), the matching processing unit 61 proceeds to step S26.

[0067] In step S25, the search processing unit 64 of the matching processing unit 61 n the location information, the time information corresponding to the location information, and the user equipment UE n an enable flag, which is shared setting data that enables the sharing of location information of the user equipment UE n or User P n The query information includes an identifier (terminal identifier or user identifier) ​​of the user and search range information that defines a predetermined geographical search range (search range) to the information processing system 10.

[0068] On the other hand, in step S26, the search processing unit 64 n the location information, the time information corresponding to the location information, and the user equipment UE n a disable flag, which is shared setting data for disabling the sharing of location information of the user equipment UE n or User P nThe search processing unit 64 then transmits query information including the identifier (terminal identifier or user identifier) ​​of the search target device 10 and search range information that defines a predetermined geographical search range to the information processing system 10. Thereafter, the search processing unit 64 waits until it receives response information corresponding to the query information from the information processing system 10 (NO in step S27).

[0069] Next, a description will be given of a matching search process that is executed when the information processing system 10 receives query information. Fig. 14 is a flowchart that schematically illustrates an example of the procedure of the matching search process by the matching search unit 23 of the information processing system 10.

[0070] Referring to FIG. 14, the matching search unit 23 searches communication terminals UE1 to UE N Any of the user terminals UE n The user equipment UE waits until it receives query information from the n When query information is received from (YES in step S41), it is determined whether the query information includes an enable flag (step S42).

[0071] When the query information includes an activation flag (YES in step S42), the matching search unit 23 extracts the activation flag from the query information, the user terminal UE n The matching search unit 23 records the location information and time information of the user in the situation DB 13 (step S43). More specifically, the matching search unit 23 searches the situation data set 13 associated with the terminal identifier or the user identifier included in the query information. n On the other hand, if the query information includes an invalidation flag (NO in step S42), the matching search unit 23 records the invalidation flag extracted from the query information, the user terminal UE n The matching search unit 23 records the location information and time information of the user in the situation DB 13 (step S43). More specifically, the matching search unit 23 searches the situation data set 13 associated with the terminal identifier or the user identifier included in the query information. nThe invalidation flag, the position information, and the time information are recorded in the file (step S44).

[0072] Thereafter, the matching search unit 23 n Based on the query information received from the other communication terminals UE1 to UE2, the status DB 13 is referenced and the other communication terminals UE1 to UE2 are identified as having the validation flags. N From among these, the user equipment UE n Another communication terminal UE located within a predetermined search range of the current location of k (hereinafter referred to as "other user equipment UE") k Specifically, the matching search unit 23 searches the situation data sets 131 to 133 in the situation DB 13 for the matching result (step S46). N and searches for another user equipment UE having location information included in the geographical search range (search range) indicated by the search range information extracted from the query information. k At this time, the matching search unit 23 searches only for communication terminals that are permitted to share location information by the validation flag, and does not search for communication terminals that are flagged as invalid, i.e., communication terminals for which the privacy mode setting is enabled.

[0073] As a result of this search, another user equipment UE k If another user is not found (NO in step S47), the matching search unit 23 generates response information indicating the search result that another user was not found (step S48), and transmits the response information to the user terminal UE n (step S53).

[0074] On the other hand, the search results in another user equipment UE k When the user P is found (YES in step S47), the matching search unit 23 refers to the matching condition DB 14 and n First condition data set 14 n and another user equipment UE k Another user P who uses k Second condition data set 14 k (Step S49).

[0075] Next, the matching search unit 23 searches the first and second condition data sets 14 n ,14 k Based on the user P n and another user P k (Step S50), and based on the evaluation result, it is determined whether the matching degree satisfies a predetermined compatibility condition (Step S51). Specifically, as described above, the score calculation unit 24 of the matching search unit 23 calculates the matching degree between the condition data set 14 and the n Matching data in and second condition data set 14 k The similarity between the matching data in the database and the target object can be calculated, and the similarity can be used as a score that quantitatively indicates the degree of matching. When the calculated score satisfies a predetermined threshold condition (for example, the score falls within a predetermined numerical range), the matching search unit 23 can determine that the degree of matching satisfies a predetermined compatibility condition. For example, the score may be calculated to take a scalar value within a range from a lower limit (for example, -1) to an upper limit (for example, +1).

[0076] If it is determined in step S51 that the matching degree does not satisfy the predetermined compatibility condition (NO in step S51), the matching search unit 23 generates response information indicating the search result that another user was not found (step S48), and transmits the response information to the user terminal UE n (step S53).

[0077] On the other hand, when it is determined in step S51 that the matching degree satisfies the predetermined compatibility condition (YES in step S51), the matching search unit 23 searches for another user equipment UE k and generates response information including location information indicating the current location (including the estimated current location) of the user terminal UE (step S52). n (step S53). Here, the response information is transmitted to another user equipment UE kThe matching search unit 23 then searches the communication terminals UE1 to UE2 for the score value together with the current location of the communication terminals UE1 to UE2. N The communication terminal waits until it receives query information from any one of the communication terminals (NO in step S41).

[0078] Returning to FIG. 11, the user equipment UE that sent the query information n In this case, when the search processing unit 64 receives response information from the information processing system 10 (YES in step S27), it executes steps S34 to S40 shown in FIG.

[0079] In step S34, the search processing unit 64 determines whether the communication terminal UE n User P who uses n Another user P whose matching degree with k It is determined whether another user P has been found (step S34). k If not found (NO in step S34), the process proceeds to step S12 in FIG.

[0080] Another user P k is found (YES in step S34), the search processing unit 64 k The notification icon representing the number of n At the same time, the search processing unit 64 displays the response information of the other user equipment UE that has been found based on the response information on the display unit 36 ​​(step S35). k The marker representing the current location of the user terminal UE is overlaid on the map image. n At this time, the other user equipment UE k Not only the marker indicating the current location of the user equipment UE k A marker indicating the moving direction of the user equipment UE may be displayed on the display unit 36. In this embodiment, in step S20 of FIG. n A marker indicating the current location of the user terminal UE is displayed on the display unit 36. na marker indicating the current location of another user equipment UE k The marker indicating the current position may be displayed on the display unit 36 ​​at the same time.

[0081] The search processing unit 64 also n and another user equipment UE k The distance between the user P and the notification device is calculated (step S37), and a notification signal (for example, an audible sound, a sensible solid vibration, or visible light) with a perceptible pattern that changes depending on the distance is output from the notification device in accordance with the set notification method (step S38). n is another user P who is a matched partner. k You can easily grasp the geographical distance between the two in real time.

[0082] The notification device may be any one or a combination of a display unit 36, a speaker 39, a light emitting unit 40, a solid vibration unit 41, and a microphone 42. The perceptible pattern of the notification signal may be, for example, any one or a combination of a pattern in which the signal strength changes over time, a pattern in which the signal frequency (e.g., the light emitting frequency or the spatial frequency) changes over time, and a pattern in which the light emitting color changes over time. k In case another user P k A different notification method may be set for each user.

[0083] Furthermore, the search processing unit 64 searches for another user equipment UE k The communication terminals UE1 to UE3 determine whether there is an unread message notified from the communication terminal UE1 (step S39). The unread message may be a text or voice message. The unread message may be included in the response information and transmitted / received, or may be transmitted to the communication terminals UE1 to UE3 via the information processing system 10 separately from the response information. NIf there are no unread messages (NO in step S39), the search processing unit 64 returns the process to step S12 in Fig. 11. If there are unread messages (NO in step S39), the search processing unit 64 displays a chat icon indicating the number of unread messages on the user terminal UE. n The result is displayed on the display unit 36 ​​(step S40). After that, the process returns to step S12 in FIG.

[0084] FIG. 15A shows a user equipment UE n 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation screen AS1 displayed on the display unit 36 ​​of another user equipment UE found by a search. k1 ,UE k2 The map window MW1 displays a map image, a notification icon 101a indicating the number of unread messages (=2), a chat icon 102a indicating the presence of three unread messages, a map window MW1 showing a map image, a button BN66 for enlarging the image displayed in the map window MW1, and a button BN67 for reducing the image displayed in the map window MW1. The map window MW1 displays a map image and a button BN67 for reducing the image displayed in the map window MW1. n marker MK0 indicating the current position (position coordinates) of the user terminal UE n A circular search range SA1 is centered on the current position of user P. n Another user equipment UE used by another user whose matching degree with the k1 ,UE k2 Markers MK1 and MK2 represent the current position of the user P n and a flag-shaped marker MK3 that indicates the event spot set by the event spot setting unit 11. Information about the event spot can be shared with other communication terminals by, for example, including it in query information and transmitting it to the information processing system 10.

[0085] 15A also displays a button BN61 for determining whether to enable the search mode, a button BN62 for determining whether to enable the area chat function, and a button BN63 for determining whether to enable the privacy mode. nBy tapping and selecting the button BN63, the user can select whether to enable (ON) or disable (OFF) the privacy mode. In the example of FIG. 15A, the privacy mode is disabled. The search mode is an operation mode that is selected when a search process is executed. When the search mode is disabled, the search processing unit 64 does not execute a process for searching for another user. User P n By tapping and selecting the button BN61, it is possible to select whether to enable (ON) or disable (OFF) the search mode. In the example of Fig. 15A, the search mode is enabled.

[0086] The area chat function is a function for exchanging text and voice messages (chat) with other users who have been found. n By tapping and selecting the button BN62, the user can select whether to enable (ON) or disable (OFF) the area chat function. In the example of FIG. 15A, the area chat function is enabled. When the area chat function is enabled, as shown in FIG. 15A, another user P k1 ,P k2 Chat icons PC1 and PC2 appear near markers MK1 and MK2 that represent the current locations of user P, and chat icon PC3 appears near marker MK3 that represents the event spot. n By tapping and selecting one of the chat icons PC1, PC2, and PC3, the user P can display the chat screen (message display screen) assigned to the selected chat icon on the display unit 36. n When the user taps and selects the chat icon 102a, a chat screen (message display screen) displaying unread messages can be displayed on the display unit 36. FIG. 16A is a diagram illustrating such a chat screen AS3. FIG. 16B shows a chat screen AS3 of the user P. n10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a chat screen AS4 that appears when a chat icon PC3 related to an event spot is tapped and selected. Note that an automatic translation function may be used to automatically translate messages in the chat screen into a preset language.

[0087] Referring to Fig. 15A, the operation screen AS1 further displays a button BN65 for setting search conditions. n When the user taps and selects the button BN65, the search setting screen SS6 of FIG. 17A is displayed on the user terminal UE. n The information can be displayed on the display unit 36.

[0088] The search setting screen SS6 in FIG. 17A is displayed on the user terminal UE n The screen displays an input box IB6 for inputting the radius distance of the search range centered on the current position of the user P, a switch SC23 for determining whether or not to enable the notification function, an input box IB7 for inputting the radius distance for enabling notification, and a button BN51 for displaying a setting screen for detailed setting of search conditions. The search setting screen SS6 also displays check boxes CB1 to CB5 for selecting matching conditions related to a matching partner. n By tapping and selecting the switch SC23, the notification function can be set to either enabled (ON) or disabled (OFF). In the example of FIG. 17A, the notification function is enabled, the check boxes CB1, CB3 to CB5 are enabled, and the check box CB2 is disabled. In the example of FIG. 17A, the set notification method is to use the solid vibration unit 41 to notify another user terminal UE k When the distance (search distance) between the target and the sensor is 150 m or less, the vibration frequency is changed in stages according to the distance (for example, 150 m, 100 m, 50 m, 20 m, 10 m, 2 m).

[0089] User P n When the user taps and selects the button BN51 on the search setting screen SS6, the detailed setting screen SS6 of FIG. 17B is displayed on the user terminal UE. nThe detailed setting screen SS7 in FIG. 17B displays switches SC31 to SC38 for determining whether or not various conditions are enabled, and a slider SD1 for adjusting the volume of the notification sound. n The user can adjust the volume by moving the slider SD1 while touching it. n By tapping and selecting each of the switches SC31 to SC38, the function assigned to each switch can be set to either enabled (ON) or disabled (OFF).

[0090] Returning to FIG. 15A, the operation screen AS1 further displays a button BN64 for selecting the extended display mode. n When the user terminal UE touches and selects the button BN64, the operation screen AS1 in Fig. 15A is switched to the operation screen AS2 in Fig. 15B. The operation screen AS2 displays a map window MW2 showing an expanded map image, and buttons BN61a, BN62a, BN63a, and BN65a which have the same functions as the buttons BN61, BN62, BN63, and BN65 in Fig. 15A, respectively. The map window MW2 displays the n from another user equipment UE k1 ,UE k2 The distance to is displayed as a number ("108m", "225m").

[0091] According to the above-described matching system 1, user P n Another user P whose matching degree with k Another user equipment (UE) used by k is found (step S34 in FIG. 12), the user equipment UE n is the user equipment UE n current location and another user equipment UE k and the current location of the user terminal UE. n from another user equipment UE kThe device can output a perceptible notification signal (for example, an audible sound, a sensible solid vibration, or visible light) with a pattern that changes depending on the distance to the matched partner. This allows the user to easily grasp the geographical distance to the matched partner in real time, improving the probability of meeting the matched partner. For example, while moving around town on foot or in a moving object (for example, a vehicle), the user can n In this embodiment, it may be difficult for a user P to grasp the sense of geographical distance to a matched person only from the information on the map displayed on the screen. n is its own user equipment UE n The current location of the user is matched with another user's terminal UE. k Instead of relying solely on map information showing the current location of the person in question and the person in question, users can easily grasp the geographical distance between themselves and their matched partner by perceiving a notification signal whose pattern changes depending on the distance to the matched partner.

[0092] In the matching system 1 described above, the information processing system 10 evaluates the matching degree and determines whether the matching degree satisfies a predetermined compatibility condition based on the evaluation result (for example, steps S49 to S51 in FIG. 14). n However, it is also possible to perform an evaluation of the degree of matching and determine whether the degree of matching satisfies a predetermined compatibility condition based on the evaluation result. This reduces the processing load on the information processing system 10. Figure 18 is a flowchart that outlines an example of the procedure for such a matching search process.

[0093] 18, the matching search unit 23 of the information processing system 10 executes the processes of steps S41 to S48 in the same manner as in the flowchart of Fig. 14. After the response information is generated in step S48, the matching search unit 23 sends the response information to the user terminal UE n (step S57).

[0094] By the search in step S46, another user equipment UEk is found (YES in step S47), the matching search unit 23 searches for another user terminal UE found in step S46. k Another user P who uses k Condition Dataset 14 k from the matching condition DB 14 (step S55 in FIG. 18). Then, the matching search unit 23 searches for the other user equipment UE k The position information indicating the current position (including the estimated current position) and the condition data set 14 read in step S55 k (step S56), and sends the response information to the user terminal UE n (Step S57). After that, the matching search unit 23 transmits the N The communication terminal waits until it receives query information from any one of the communication terminals (NO in step S41).

[0095] On the other hand, the user equipment (UE) n In this example, when the search processing unit 64 receives response information from the information processing system 10 (YES in step S27 in FIG. 11), it executes steps S31 to S40 shown in FIG. 19. Figure 19 is a flowchart schematically showing an example of the procedure of a matching process according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0096] Referring to FIG. 19, the search processing unit 64 determines the user terminal UE based on the received response information. n Another user equipment UE located within a predetermined search range of the current location of k If it is determined that another user equipment UE has not been found (NO in step S31), the process proceeds to step S12 in Fig. 11. On the other hand, if another user equipment UE k When it is determined that the user terminal UE n The condition data set 14 from the data storage unit 43 n is read (step S32).

[0097] Then, the search processing unit 64 searches the condition data set 14 included in the response information received from the information processing system 10. k and the condition data set 14 read from the data storage unit 43 n and based on user P n and another user P k (Step S33), and determines whether the matching degree satisfies a predetermined compatibility condition based on the evaluation result (Step S34). n Matching data and condition data set 14 k The search processing unit 64 can calculate the similarity between the matching data in the search result and the matching data in the search result, and use the similarity as a score that quantitatively indicates the degree of matching. When the calculated score satisfies a predetermined threshold condition (for example, the score is included in a predetermined numerical range), the search processing unit 64 can determine that the degree of matching satisfies a predetermined compatibility condition.

[0098] As a result, user P n Another user P whose matching degree with k If the search processing unit 64 is unable to find the target object (NO in step S34), the search processing unit 64 moves the process to step S12 in FIG.

[0099] On the other hand, User P n Another user P whose matching degree with k If the search processing unit 64 is able to find another user P (YES in step S34), the search processing unit 64 k Another user equipment (UE) used by k The notification icon representing the number of n At the same time, the search processing unit 64 displays the information of another user equipment UE k The marker representing the current location of the user terminal UE is overlaid on the map image. n The search processing unit 64 also displays the result on the display unit 36 ​​of the user equipment UE (step S36A).n and another user equipment UE k The distance between the user P and the notification device is calculated (step S37), and a notification signal (for example, an audible sound, a sensible solid vibration, or visible light) with a perceptible pattern that changes depending on the distance is output from the notification device in accordance with the set notification method (step S38). n is another user P who is a matched partner. k You can easily grasp the geographical distance between the two in real time.

[0100] Thereafter, the search processing unit 64 executes the processes of steps S39 to S40 in the same manner as in the flowchart of FIG. 12, and then proceeds to the process of step S12 in FIG.

[0101] Various embodiments and modifications thereof according to the present disclosure have been described above, but the above embodiments and modifications thereof are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the present invention. It should be understood that modifications, additions, and improvements to the above embodiments can be made as appropriate without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The scope of the present invention should be interpreted based on the description of the claims, and should be understood to include equivalents thereof. [Explanation of symbols]

[0102] UE1~UE N : Communication terminal, P1~P N : User, NW: Communication network, 1: Matching system, 10: Information processing system, 11: Information processing unit, 12: User database (user DB), 121-12 N :User Data Set, 13:Situation Database (Situation DB), 131-13 N : Situation dataset, 14: Matching condition database (matching condition DB), 141-14 N: Condition data set, 16: Network communication unit (NW communication unit), 21: User management unit, 22: Login processing unit, 23: Matching search unit, 24: Score calculation unit, 31: Information processing unit, 32: Network communication unit (NW communication unit), 33: Imaging sensor, 34: Positioning sensor, 34A: GNSS positioning sensor, 34B: Indoor positioning sensor, 35: Short-range wireless communication unit, 36: Display unit, 37: Operation input unit, 38: Biometric authentication unit, 39: Speaker, 40: Light-emitting unit, 41: Solid-state vibration unit, 42: Microphone, 43: Data Memory unit, 44: setting data, 51: basic function processing unit, 52: positioning information acquisition unit, 53: map information acquisition unit, 54: time information acquisition unit, 55: display control unit, 61: matching processing unit, 64: search processing unit, 65: score calculation unit, 75: matching condition data, 80: information processing device, 81: processor, 82: RAM, 83: non-volatile memory, 84: large-capacity storage, 85: input / output interface circuit, 86: communication circuit, 100: home button, 101, 101a: notification icon, 102, 102a: chat icon.

Claims

1. A matching method executed in a matching system including a plurality of communication terminals connected to a communication network, a step of overlaying a marker indicating a current location of a user terminal that is one of the plurality of communication terminals on a map image and displaying the marker on a display unit of the user terminal; when another user whose matching degree with the user using the user terminal satisfies a predetermined compatibility condition is found, overlaying a marker representing the current location of the other user terminal among the plurality of communication terminals used by the other user on the map image and displaying the marker on a display unit of the user terminal; outputting, from a notification device of the user terminal, a notification signal having a perceptible pattern that varies depending on the distance between the current location of the other user terminal and the current location of the user terminal; A matching method comprising:

2. 2. The matching method according to claim 1, wherein the step of outputting the perceptible pattern notification signal from a notification device of the user terminal comprises: A matching method comprising the step of causing the notification device to output the notification signal when the current location of the other user terminal is within a predetermined geographical search range relative to the current location of the user terminal.

3. 3. The matching method according to claim 2, transmitting query information including location information indicating a current location of the user terminal from the user terminal to an information processing system; the information processing system, based on the query information, referring to a situation database in which location information of each of the plurality of communication terminals is stored, and searching for another user terminal located within the predetermined geographical search range from among the plurality of communication terminals; a step in which the information processing system generates response information including location information indicating a current location of another user terminal found by the search, and transmits the response information to the user terminal; the user terminal determining, based on the response information, that the current location of the other user terminal is included in the predetermined geographical search range; The matching method further comprises:

4. 3. The matching method according to claim 2, transmitting query information including location information indicating a current location of the user terminal from the user terminal to an information processing system; the information processing system, based on the query information, referring to a situation database in which location information and sharing setting data of each of the plurality of communication terminals are stored, and searching for another user terminal from among the plurality of communication terminals that is permitted to share location information in the sharing setting data and is located within the predetermined geographical search range; a step in which the information processing system generates response information including location information indicating a current location of another user terminal found by the search, and transmits the response information to the user terminal; the user terminal determining, based on the response information, that the current location of the other user terminal is included in the predetermined geographical search range; The matching method further comprises:

5. 2. The matching method according to claim 1, The user terminal determines whether the current location of the user terminal is within a predetermined geographical range based on the positioning information of the user terminal; when it is determined that the current location of the user terminal is included in the predetermined geographical range, the user terminal transmits sharing setting data that disables sharing of the location information of the user terminal to the information processing system; The matching method further comprises:

6. 2. The matching method according to claim 1, The user terminal determines whether the current location of the user terminal is within a predetermined geographical range based on the positioning information of the user terminal; The user terminal determines whether the current time at the current location of the user terminal is within a predetermined time period; When it is determined that the current location of the user terminal is within the predetermined geographical range and the current time is within a predetermined time period, the user terminal transmits sharing setting data to the information processing system to disable sharing of the location information of the user terminal. The matching method further comprises:

7. 2. The matching method according to claim 1, the information processing system, in response to the query information received from the user terminal, refers to a matching condition database in which condition data sets defining matching conditions set for each of users of the plurality of communication terminals are stored, and evaluates the degree of matching based on a condition data set for another user using the other user terminal and a condition data set for the user; a step in which the information processing system determines whether the matching degree satisfies the predetermined compatibility condition based on the result of the evaluation; a step in which the information processing system generates the response information according to a result of the determination and transmits the response information to the user terminal; the user terminal determining whether the other user has been found based on the response information; The matching method further comprises:

8. 8. The matching method according to claim 7, the step of evaluating the degree of matching includes a step of calculating a score quantitatively indicating the degree of matching based on a condition data set related to the other user and a condition data set related to the user; When the calculated score satisfies a predetermined threshold condition, the matching degree is determined to satisfy the predetermined compatibility condition.

9. 2. The matching method according to claim 1, receiving, by the user terminal, from the information processing system, a condition data set that defines matching conditions set for the other user; a step in which the user terminal evaluates the degree of matching based on the received condition data set and a condition data set that defines matching conditions set for the user; a step in which the user terminal determines whether the matching degree satisfies the predetermined compatibility condition based on the result of the evaluation; The matching method further includes:

10. 10. The matching method according to claim 9, the step of evaluating the degree of matching includes a step of calculating a score quantitatively indicating the degree of matching based on the received condition data set and a condition data set defining matching conditions set for the user; A matching method in which, when the calculated score satisfies a predetermined threshold condition, it is determined that the matching degree satisfies the predetermined compatibility condition.

11. 2. The matching method according to claim 1, The method further includes a step of determining, by the user terminal, whether a current location of the user terminal is included in a predetermined geographical range based on positioning information of the user terminal; A matching method in which, only when it is determined that the current location of the user terminal is within the specified geographical range, the user terminal executes the steps of overlaying a marker representing the current location of the other user terminal on the map image and displaying it on the display unit of the user terminal, and outputting a notification signal of the perceptible pattern from a notification device of the user terminal.

12. 2. The matching method according to claim 1, The user terminal determines whether the current location of the user terminal is within a predetermined geographical range based on the positioning information of the user terminal; determining whether the current time at the current location of the user terminal is within a predetermined time period; Furthermore, A matching method in which, only when it is determined that the current location of the user terminal is within the specified geographical range and the current time is within the specified time zone, the user terminal executes the steps of overlaying a marker representing the current location of the other user terminal on the map image and displaying it on the display unit of the user terminal, and outputting a notification signal of the perceptible pattern from a notification device of the user terminal.

13. 2. The matching method according to claim 1, wherein the notification signal is an audible sound, a tangible solid vibration, or a visible light.

14. A matching system comprising a plurality of communication terminals and an information processing system configured to be able to communicate with each of the plurality of communication terminals, the matching system being configured to implement the matching method described in any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. 14. A computer program comprising a series of instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to implement a matching method according to any one of claims 1, 2, 5, 6, and 9 to 13.

16. A communications terminal including a processor configured to implement the matching method of any one of claims 1, 2, 5, 6, and 9 to 13.

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