Information processing device, information processing method, and program

Abstract

To provide an information processing device, an information processing method, and a program that can enhance convenience for service providers and / or customers. [Solution] In System 1, the information processing device 2 includes a reservation reception unit 100b that receives reservation operations for reserving a service and operations for agreeing to the terms of use of the service from a customer terminal device 3a, a billing reception unit 100c that receives billing operations from the service terminal device 3b to bill a customer for a penalty fee if the customer violates the terms of use, a declaration of intent reception unit 100a that receives a declaration of intent operation from the service terminal device 3b to start using the functions related to billing operations, and a reception control unit 102 that permits the billing reception unit 100c to accept the billing operation if the billing time at which the billing reception unit 100c accepts the billing operation is later than the declaration of intent time at which the declaration of intent operation was received and the reservation time at which the reservation operation was received.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, technologies related to charging cancellation fees are known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology for easily creating a message for charging a cancellation fee to a customer.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 cannot sufficiently enhance the convenience for the service provider providing the service and / or the customer receiving the service. The present disclosure provides an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a program that can enhance the convenience for the service provider and / or the customer.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] An information processing device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes: a reservation receiving unit that receives reservation operations from a terminal device of a customer who wishes to receive a service provided by a service provider, wherein the reservation operations include operations relating to consent to the terms of use of the service; a claim receiving unit configured to receive claim operations from the service provider's terminal device for claiming a penalty fee from a customer if the customer violates the terms of use; a declaration of intent receiving unit that receives a declaration of intent operation from the service provider's terminal device for a declaration of intent to start using a function relating to the claim operation; and a receiving control unit that controls the acceptance of claim operations by the claim receiving unit, wherein if the time of the claim when the claim receiving unit accepts the claim operation is later than the time of the declaration of intent when the declaration of intent receiving unit accepts the declaration of intent operation, and later than the time of the reservation when the reservation receiving unit accepts the reservation operation, the receiving control unit permits the claim receiving unit to accept the claim operation regardless of the order of the declaration of intent and the reservation time.

[0006] Another aspect of the information processing method relating to this disclosure involves causing a computer to receive reservation operations from a terminal device of a customer who intends to receive a service provided by a service provider, the reservation operations including operations relating to consent to the terms of use of the service; receiving claim operations from the service provider's terminal device for claiming a penalty fee from the customer if the customer violates the terms of use; receiving declaration of intent operations from the service provider's terminal device for declaration of intent to start using the functions relating to the claim operations; and controlling the acceptance of claim operations, wherein if the time of the claim in which the claim operations are accepted is later than the time of the declaration of intent in which the declaration of intent operations were received, and the time of the reservation in which the reservation operations were accepted, the computer is permitted to accept the claim operations regardless of the chronological relationship between the time of the declaration of intent and the time of the reservation.

[0007] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a program which causes a computer to function as: a reservation receiving means for receiving reservation operations from a terminal device of a customer who wishes to receive a service provided by a service provider, wherein the reservation operation includes an operation relating to consent to the terms of use of the service; a claim receiving means configured to receive a claim operation from the service provider's terminal device for claiming a penalty fee from a customer if the customer violates the terms of use; a declaration of intent receiving means for receiving a declaration of intent operation from the service provider's terminal device; and a receiving control means for controlling the acceptance of claim operations by the claim receiving means, wherein if the time of the claim when the claim receiving means accepts the claim operation is later than the time of the declaration of intent when the declaration of intent receiving means accepted the claim operation, and later than the time of the reservation when the reservation receiving means accepted the reservation operation, the receiving control means permits the claim receiving means to accept the claim operation regardless of the order of the declaration of intent and the reservation time. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] This disclosure provides information processing devices, information processing methods, and programs that can enhance convenience for service providers and / or customers. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This figure shows an example of the functional configuration of System 1 according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] This figure shows an example of the operation of System 1 according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] This figure shows an example of the operation of System 1 according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] This figure shows an example of the operation of System 1 according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of the display screen of the service terminal device 3b in system 1 according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6]This figure shows an example of the display screen of the service terminal device 3b in system 1 according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] This figure shows an example of the operation of System 1 according to the second embodiment. [Figure 8] This figure shows an example of the operation of System 1 according to the second embodiment. [Figure 9] This figure shows an example of the operation of System 1 according to the third embodiment. [Figure 10] This figure shows an example of the operation of System 1 according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 11] This figure shows an example of the hardware configuration of each device included in System 1 according to this embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] <1. Overview> Traditional systems sometimes included a feature that allowed service providers to charge customers a penalty fee if the customer violated the terms of service. However, such a feature presented several problems, making it inconvenient for service providers. Specifically, traditional systems were configured to simultaneously finalize the cancellation policy (an example of terms of service) presented to customers and receive a declaration of intent from service providers to use the cancellation fee claim function. The cancellation fee claim function is, for example, a function that charges customers a cancellation fee (an example of a penalty fee) through the system. Furthermore, traditional systems were generally configured to present the finalized cancellation policy when customers made service reservations. Therefore, in traditional systems, processing proceeded in the following order: (1) processing of the service provider's finalization of the cancellation policy and receipt of their declaration of intent, and (2) processing of the presentation of the finalized cancellation policy and acceptance of the service reservation. Consequently, for restaurants to use the cancellation fee claim function, service providers needed to finalize the cancellation policy and make the above declaration of intent before customers made service reservations.

[0011] Even when the service provider can use the cancellation fee billing function, from the customer's perspective, there was a possibility that an excessive cancellation fee (for example, a cancellation fee that is significantly larger compared to the fee for the course the customer reserved) would be billed.

[0012] According to the system 1 according to this embodiment (hereinafter simply referred to as "system 1"), such problems can be solved. Note that the problems solved by system 1 are not limited to this, and system 1 can solve various problems for enhancing convenience for the service provider and / or the customer.

[0013] In the present disclosure, "service" may include benefits provided to a customer independently or together with the provision of goods. "Service" may be, for example, food and beverage services, beauty services, transportation services, etc.

[0014] System 1 can provide a function for a customer to reserve a service provided by a service provider. Also, system 1 can provide a function that enables a service provider to manage reservations made by customers.

[0015] <2. Functional Configuration> Referring to FIG. 1, the functional configuration of system 1 of this embodiment will be described. System 1 includes an information processing device 2, a customer terminal device 3a, a service terminal device 3b, and a communication network 4. Hereinafter, when the customer terminal device 3a and the service terminal device 3b are not particularly distinguished, or when they are collectively referred to, they are referred to as "terminal device 3". The information processing device 2 and the terminal device 3 are configured to be communicable via the communication network 4.

[0016] [Terminal Device 3] Terminal device 3 is a communication device used by a service provider and / or a customer. Specifically, the customer terminal device 3a is a communication device used by a customer, and the service terminal device 3b is a communication device used by a service provider.

[0017] Terminal device 3 is, for example, a smartphone, a personal computer, a tablet device, or a wearable device. Terminal device 3 includes an input interface, an output interface, and a communication interface.

[0018] The input interface is an interface through which terminal device 3 receives input from the service provider and / or the customer. The input interface may be a touch panel, microphone, camera, keyboard, mouse, etc.

[0019] The output interface is an interface for transmitting information to the service provider and / or customer through images, audio, etc. The output interface may include a display (which may also function as a touch panel) and speakers.

[0020] The communication interface is an interface for enabling communication with other devices via the communication network 4. The communication interface may be a wireless communication interface or a wired communication interface.

[0021] Terminal device 3 may, for example, access web services hosted by information processing device 2 via a web browser, or it may use such web services by installing dedicated software.

[0022] [Information Processing Device 2] The information processing device 2 may have functions for managing reservations and billing for violations. In one embodiment, the information processing device 2 is a server device when the terminal device 3 is a client device. In one embodiment, the information processing device 2 is a cloud server device. The information processing device 2 may be a device that includes, for example, one or more virtual or physical web server devices and one or more virtual or physical database server devices.

[0023] The information processing device 2 comprises a control unit 10, a storage unit 12, a network interface unit 14, and a bus 16. The control unit 10, the storage unit 12, and the network interface unit 14 are electrically connected via the bus 16.

[0024] (Control Unit 10) The control unit 10 can function as a reception unit 100, reception control unit 102, transmission unit 104, modification unit 106, and decision unit 108 by executing various programs stored in the storage unit 12, which will be described later. The reception unit 100 receives various information input to the terminal device 3. The reception unit 100 includes an intention declaration reception unit 100a, a reservation reception unit 100b, a request reception unit 100c, a change reception unit 100d, and a cancellation reception unit 100e. The intention declaration reception unit 100a receives an intention declaration operation. The reservation reception unit 100b receives a reservation operation. The request reception unit 100c receives a request operation. The change reception unit 100d receives a content change operation. The reception control unit 102 controls the operation of the reception unit 100. The transmission unit 104 transmits various information to other devices. The transmission unit 104 includes a notification transmission unit 104a and an upper limit transmission unit 104b. The notification transmission unit 104a transmits notifications. The upper limit transmission unit 104b transmits information regarding the upper limit of the fine. The modification unit 106 modifies various information. The determination unit 108 determines various information. The specific operation of these components will be described in the following embodiments. (Storage unit 12) The storage unit 12 stores various information necessary for the operation of the information processing device 2. In one embodiment, the storage unit 12 stores the program to be executed by the control unit 10.

[0025] (Network interface section 14) The network interface unit 14 enables communication with other devices via the communication network 4.

[0026] In this disclosure, the acceptance of a predetermined operation by the information processing device 2 includes the acquisition of information input by the terminal device 3 through said predetermined operation.

[0027] In this disclosure, acquiring information includes making that information processable in the control unit 10. Acquiring information may include, for example, receiving the information from another device, obtaining the information through predetermined processing, and reading the information from the storage unit 12.

[0028] In this disclosure, generating information may consist of at least one of the following: making the information obtained by a predetermined process processable in the control unit 10, and storing the information obtained by the predetermined process in the storage unit 12.

[0029] In this disclosure, determining information may involve at least one of selecting at least one piece of information from among several pieces of information, or generating new information.

[0030] In this disclosure, outputting information may mean at least one of transmitting the information to another device and outputting the information in the form of audio or video.

[0031] <3.Operation> The following describes an example of the operation of System 1 in the first to seventh embodiments. Note that each embodiment can be combined based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art.

[0032] (First Embodiment) —Basic Configuration of System 1— The reservation reception unit 100b receives reservation operations from the customer terminal device 3a to reserve a service provided by the service provider. The reservation operation includes an operation regarding agreement to the service terms of use. That is, for example, the customer can make a reservation on the condition that they agree to the terms of use. The billing reception unit 100c is configured to receive billing operations from the service terminal device 3b to bill the customer for a penalty fee if the customer violates the terms of use.

[0033] An example of terms of service is a cancellation policy. An example of a penalty fee is the cancellation fee that can be charged to a customer if the customer violates the cancellation policy. The cancellation policy may include provisions regarding the time of the violation in which the customer violates the terms of service and the amount of the penalty fee corresponding to that time of the violation. For example, the time of the violation may be determined based on the time when the service is scheduled to be provided.

[0034] An example of a cancellation policy might be a clause stating, "If you cancel three days or less before the scheduled time of use, a cancellation fee of 50% of the course fee will be charged." In this case, "scheduled time of use" is an example of "the time when the service is scheduled to be provided," "three days before the scheduled time of use" is an example of "the time of violation," and "50% of the course fee" is an example of the amount of the penalty fee corresponding to the time of the violation.

[0035] Another example of a cancellation policy might be a clause stating that "if you cancel on the day of the scheduled use or if you cancel without notice, you will be charged 100% of the course fee as a cancellation fee." In this case, "the day of the scheduled use" encompasses both "the time when the service is scheduled to be provided" and "the time of the violation," and "100% of the course fee" is an example of the amount of the penalty fee corresponding to the time of the violation.

[0036] Another example of terms of service is a clause regarding compensation for damages caused to the service provider by the customer's actions. Another example of a penalty is monetary compensation for damages. An example of such a clause might be one stating that "if a customer damages any item in the store, the customer shall compensate for the item."

[0037] The Intention Reception Unit 100a receives intention declaration operations from the service terminal device 3b. Intention declaration operations include operations related to the intention to start using the functions related to billing operations that are received by the Billing Reception Unit 100c. One example of an intention declaration operation may be an operation to agree to the service policy and / or privacy policy, etc., in order to start using the functions related to billing operations. Another example of an intention declaration operation may be an operation to transition to a screen for performing billing operations. An intention declaration operation may be an operation in which the service provider signs, etc., or it may simply be an operation to press a button to use the functions related to billing operations.

[0038] Furthermore, the declaration of intent operation may be received by the reservation reception unit 100b only when the service provider attempts to use the billing operation function for the first time (for example, only once). Alternatively, the declaration of intent operation may be received by the reservation reception unit 100b each time the service provider attempts to use the billing operation function. In this disclosure, the declaration of intent operation is to be received when the service provider attempts to use the billing operation function for the first time.

[0039] The reception control unit 102 controls the acceptance of request operations by the request reception unit 100c. Specifically, if the request time is after the time of declaration of intent and the time of reservation, the reception control unit 102 permits the request reception unit 100c to accept the request operation, regardless of the order of the declaration of intent and the time of reservation. The request time may be the time when the request reception unit 100c accepts the request operation. The time of declaration of intent may be the time when the declaration of intent reception unit 100a accepts the declaration of intent operation. The time of reservation may be the time when the reservation reception unit 100b accepts the reservation operation. In other words, in system 1, even if the customer makes a reservation operation after the service provider has made a declaration of intent operation, or even if the service provider makes a declaration of intent operation after the customer has made a reservation operation, the service provider may be permitted to make a request operation.

[0040] One example of allowing the billing reception unit 100c to accept billing operations is enabling the service terminal device 3b to display a screen for performing billing operations. One example of restricting the billing reception unit 100c to accept billing operations is preventing the service terminal device 3b from displaying a screen for performing billing operations. Another example of restricting the billing reception unit 100c to accept billing operations is limiting the content of the billing operations that can be performed on the service terminal device 3b compared to the state in which billing operations are permitted.

[0041] One example of allowing the billing reception unit 100c to accept a billing operation is that it may bill the customer for a penalty when a billing operation is performed on the service terminal device 3b. One example of restricting the billing reception unit 100c to accept a billing operation is that it may not bill the customer for a penalty even when a billing operation is performed on the service terminal device 3b.

[0042] With this configuration, the information processing device 2 is configured to accept billing operations regardless of the timeline between the declaration of intent and the reservation. In other words, the service provider can start using the billing operation function even after a reservation has been made by the customer. This makes it easier for the service provider to have the opportunity to claim a penalty fee from the customer.

[0043] —Details of the billing process— In one embodiment, the billing operation includes an operation for inputting the amount of the penalty fee to be charged to the customer. With this configuration, the service provider can charge the customer an amount determined by the service provider after considering various circumstances. For example, even if a customer cancels without notice, the service provider may expect the customer to come back for the service at a later date and charge a penalty fee less than the amount stipulated in the cancellation policy.

[0044] In one embodiment, the determination unit 108 determines the upper limit of the penalty amount that can be charged to the customer in the billing operation based on the number of people booked by the customer and at least one of the terms of service. For example, if the cancellation policy states that in the case of a no-show, a cancellation fee of the course price per person multiplied by the number of people who cancel will be charged, and 10 customers cancel without notice, then the upper limit of the penalty amount that can be charged to the customer in the billing operation will be the course price per person multiplied by 10 people. In another example, if the cancellation policy states that a flat fee of 30,000 yen will be charged for no-shows, then the upper limit of the penalty amount that can be charged to the customer in the billing operation will be 30,000 yen. This configuration makes it possible to prevent customers from being charged excessive amounts of penalty fees.

[0045] In one embodiment, the upper limit transmission unit 104b transmits information for displaying the upper limit determined by the determination unit 108 on the service terminal device 3b. With this configuration, the service provider can determine the actual fine to be charged by referring to the upper limit of the amount that can be claimed as a fine.

[0046] —Notice prompting you to complete the billing process— In one embodiment, if the notification transmission unit 104a has not received a declaration of intent operation from the declaration of intent reception unit 100a by the time the customer violates the terms of service, the notification transmission unit 104a transmits information to the service terminal device 3b to indicate that the customer is permitted to accept a claim operation through the declaration of intent operation. With this configuration, the service provider can recognize that they will be able to claim a penalty fee by performing a declaration of intent operation.

[0047] —Cancellation due to the service provider's circumstances— In one embodiment, the cancellation reception unit 100e is configured to accept a cancellation operation from the service terminal device 3b to cancel a reservation after the reservation reception unit 100b has received the reservation operation. The cancellation operation includes selecting whether the cancellation is due to the service provider's convenience or the customer's convenience. The reception control unit 102 restricts the billing reception unit 100c from accepting a billing operation if the cancellation reception unit 100e has received a cancellation operation and, in that cancellation operation, has selected that the cancellation is due to the service provider's convenience. This configuration makes it possible to prevent customers from being charged a penalty fee when they are not at fault.

[0048] An example of the operation of System 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 2-6. In the following, the cancellation policy will be described as an example of terms of service, and the cancellation fee will be described as an example of a penalty fee.

[0049] Figure 2 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of System 1 according to the first embodiment. First, the service terminal device 3b displays an intention declaration button (S100). The intention declaration button may be displayed, for example, on a screen for using a function related to the billing of cancellation fees of a web service hosted by the information processing device 2. Next, the service terminal device 3b receives an intention declaration operation from the service provider (S102). An example of an intention declaration operation is pressing the intention declaration button displayed on the service terminal device 3b.

[0050] The information processing device 2 receives the declaration of intent operation performed by the service terminal device 3b (S104). This point in time is an example of the time of declaration of intent. The information processing device 2 can store in the storage unit 12 that a declaration of intent operation was performed by the service provider and the time of the declaration of intent. Hereinafter, the processing in steps S100 to S104 will be referred to as the "declaration of intent step".

[0051] Next, the customer terminal device 3a displays the cancellation policy (S106). The cancellation policy may be displayed, for example, at the user registration stage of the web service hosted by the information processing device 2, or at the stage of reserving a specific service after user registration, or at both stages. Note that user registration is not required in system 1 according to this embodiment.

[0052] Next, the customer terminal device 3a accepts a reservation operation (S108). The reservation operation includes an operation regarding agreement to the cancellation policy. The reservation operation may also include input of information regarding the source of payment if the customer pays a cancellation fee (for example, information regarding a credit card).

[0053] The information processing device 2 receives the reservation operation performed on the customer terminal device 3a (S110). This point in time is an example of a reservation time. The information processing device 2 can store in the storage unit 12 that the customer has performed the reservation operation, agreed to the cancellation policy, and the reservation time, etc. Hereinafter, the processing in steps S106 to S110 will be referred to as the "reservation step".

[0054] Subsequently, suppose the cancellation policy is violated, for example, by a customer's unauthorized cancellation (S111). The information processing device 2 then authorizes the acceptance of a cancellation fee request (S112). The service terminal device 3b accepts the cancellation fee request from the service provider (S114).

[0055] The information processing device 2 receives the cancellation fee request operation performed by the service terminal device 3b (S116). This is an example of a request time. The information processing device 2 can store in the storage unit 12 that the service provider has performed a cancellation fee request operation, the content entered in the request operation, and the request time, etc.

[0056] The information processing device 2, based on having received the request for a cancellation fee, bills the customer for the cancellation fee (S118). The information processing device 2 may, for example, bill the cancellation fee based on the information about the payer entered at the time of the reservation operation (see S108).

[0057] Figure 3 is a sequence diagram showing another example of the operation of System 1 according to the first embodiment. While Figure 2 described an example in which the customer makes a reservation after the service provider makes a decision step, Figure 3 describes an example in which the service provider makes a decision after the customer makes a reservation step.

[0058] First, the customer terminal device 3a displays the cancellation policy (S200) and accepts the reservation operation (S202). The information processing device 2 accepts the reservation operation (S204). These processes may be the same as the reservation steps described with reference to Figure 2.

[0059] In this example, at the time the reservation step is performed, the information processing device 2 has not yet received a declaration of intent from the service provider. In this case, the information processing device 2 sends a notification to the service terminal device 3b that the declaration of intent will allow it to accept a billing operation (if the customer subsequently violates the cancellation policy) (S206). This allows the service provider to recognize that they should perform a declaration of intent.

[0060] The service terminal device 3b displays a button for expressing intent (S208) and receives an expression of intent operation from the service provider (S210). The information processing device 2 receives the expression of intent operation (S212). These processes may be the same as the expression of intent steps described with reference to Figure 2.

[0061] Subsequently, suppose the cancellation policy is violated, for example, by a customer's unauthorized cancellation (S213). The information processing device 2 then authorizes the acceptance of the cancellation fee request operation (S214). The information processing device 2 accepts the cancellation fee request operation (S216) and requests the customer to pay the cancellation fee (S218). These processes may be the same as steps S112 to S118 described with reference to Figure 2.

[0062] Figure 2 illustrates an example where the reservation step (S106-S110) is performed after the declaration of intent step (S100-S104), and the billing operation is permitted due to a violation of the cancellation policy. Figure 3 illustrates an example where the declaration of intent step (S208-S212) is performed after the reservation step (S200-S204), and the billing operation is permitted due to a violation of the cancellation policy. In other words, the information processing device 2 is configured to allow the acceptance of the billing operation regardless of the order in which the declaration of intent and the reservation occur.

[0063] Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the information processing device 2 described with reference to Figures 2 and 3 from a different perspective. In one embodiment, the information processing device 2 permits the service provider to perform a billing operation (see S112 in Figure 2 and S214 in Figure 3) regardless of whether the reservation step (see S106 to S110 in Figure 2) is performed after the declaration of intent step (see S100 to S104 in Figure 2) or whether the declaration of intent step (see S208 to S212 in Figure 3) is performed after the reservation step (see S200 to S204 in Figure 2). In one embodiment, the information processing device 2 is configured to permit the service provider to perform a billing operation when the reservation step is performed after the declaration of intent step, and also permit the service provider to perform a billing operation when the declaration of intent step is performed after the reservation step. In one embodiment, the information processing device 2 is not limited to permitting a billing operation based on whether the declaration of intent step is performed after the reservation step.

[0064] Figure 5 shows an example of the display screen on the service terminal device 3b when accepting a billing operation. The example display screen in Figure 5 shows the reservation summary d100, a customer-initiated cancellation button d102, a store-initiated cancellation button d104, an input field d106, a maximum amount d108, and a billing execution button d110.

[0065] The reservation summary d100 displays the information entered during the reservation process, as well as the reservation status at that time (e.g., before the scheduled time of use, cancellation policy violation, scheduled time of use has passed, and the deadline for claiming cancellation fees has expired). In this example, the reservation with reservation ID "001" is scheduled for 7 PM on September 1, 2024, the course fee per person is 5000 yen, the number of people in the reservation is 4, and it is already in violation of the cancellation policy.

[0066] The customer-initiated cancellation button d102 and the store-initiated cancellation button d104 are elements for selecting whether the reservation cancellation is due to the service provider's or the customer's reasons. In the example screen shown in Figure 5, the customer-initiated cancellation button d102 is selected. Note that "store" is an example of a service provider.

[0067] Input field d106 is an element for entering the amount of the cancellation fee that the service provider will charge the customer. The upper limit amount d108 is the maximum cancellation fee that the service provider can charge. In this example, the course fee per person is 5,000 yen, and four reservations have been canceled due to a violation of the cancellation policy, so one example of a maximum cancellation fee that can be charged is 20,000 yen.

[0068] The billing execution button d110 is a button used to execute the process of billing the customer for the amount entered in input field d106. If the amount entered in input field d106 exceeds the upper limit amount d108, a warning may be displayed to the service provider, and the billing execution button d110 may become unclickable.

[0069] Figure 6 shows an example of the display screen when the store-initiated cancellation button d104 is selected instead of the customer-initiated cancellation button d102. In the example display screen of Figure 6, the input field d106 and the billing execution button d110 shown in the example display screen of Figure 5 are not displayed, and instead the exit button d112 is displayed. The exit button d112 is a button to confirm that the reservation cancellation is due to the service provider's circumstances. In this way, the information processing device 2 restricts the billing reception unit 100c from accepting the billing operation when it is selected that the reservation cancellation is due to the service provider's circumstances.

[0070] (Second Embodiment) In the first embodiment, the case where the time of violation is after the time of declaration of intent was described (see S104 and S111 in Figure 2, and S212 and S213 in Figure 3). In the second embodiment, if the time of request is after the time of violation, the reception control unit 102 permits the acceptance of the request operation by the request reception unit 100c, regardless of the chronological relationship between the time of violation and the time of declaration of intent. In other words, the information processing device 2 permits the request operation by the service provider even if the time of declaration of intent is after the time of violation.

[0071] In one embodiment, the reception control unit 102 permits the acceptance of billing operations by the billing reception unit 100c from the time of the violation in which the customer violates the terms of service until the billing restriction time, and restricts the acceptance of billing operations by the billing reception unit 100c after the billing restriction time. In other words, the service provider according to one embodiment can only claim a penalty fee from the customer between the time of the violation and the billing restriction time.

[0072] An example of the operation of System 1 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 7 and 8. Figure 7 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of the operation of System 1 according to the second embodiment. Note that the reservation step (S300 to S304) and the declaration of intent step (S308 to S312) in Figure 7 may be the same as the reservation step and declaration of intent step described with reference to Figure 3, so their explanation will be omitted below.

[0073] Figure 3 illustrates an example where the customer violates the cancellation policy after the reservation step and the declaration of intent step. In contrast, Figure 7 shows a case where the customer violates the cancellation policy between the reservation step and the declaration of intent step (S305). That is, the declaration of intent occurs after the violation occurs. Even in such a case, the information processing device 2 may permit the service provider to perform a billing operation after the declaration of intent step (S314).

[0074] Figure 8 is a diagram illustrating the operation of System 1 according to the second embodiment from a different perspective. In the example in Figure 8, the service provider accepts three reservations. These reservations may be made by different customers.

[0075] For a reservation with reservation ID "001", the planned time of use is time t1, the time of violation is time t1-α, and the time of billing restriction is time t1+β. For example, if a customer makes a reservation to receive a service to be provided on September 10, 2024, and the cancellation policy includes a clause stating that "cancellations made three days or less before the planned time of use will incur a cancellation fee of 50% of the course fee per person multiplied by the number of people in the reservation," and the billing restriction time is one week after the planned time of use, then "September 10, 2024" corresponds to time t1, three days prior, "September 7, 2024," corresponds to time t1-α, and "September 17, 2024" corresponds to time t1+β. In other words, the service provider can charge a cancellation fee within the period from time t1-α (September 7, 2024) to time t1+β (September 17, 2024).

[0076] For a reservation with reservation ID "002", the planned usage time is time t2, the violation time is time t2-α, and the billing restriction time is time t2+β. In other words, the service provider can charge a cancellation fee within the period from time t2-α to time t2+β.

[0077] Similarly, for a reservation with reservation ID "003", the planned usage time is time t3, the violation time is time t3-α, and the billing restriction time is time t3+β. In other words, the service provider can charge a cancellation fee within the period from time t3-α to time t3+β.

[0078] In the example in Figure 8, as illustrated, the service provider performs the declaration of intent operation between time t1+β and time t3-α, within the period from time t2-α to time t2+β. At this point, the reservation with reservation ID "001" has already passed the billing limit time (time t1+β), so the service provider cannot charge a cancellation fee, as indicated by the "Billing Status" being "Not Billable". Also at this point, the reservation with reservation ID "003" has not yet violated the cancellation policy (time t3-α), so the service provider cannot charge a cancellation fee, as indicated by the "Billing Status" being "Not Billable". In contrast, the reservation with reservation ID "002" has violated the cancellation policy, and the billing limit time has not yet passed, so the service provider can charge a cancellation fee, as indicated by the "Billing Status" being "Billable".

[0079] Thus, in cases where the time of declaration of intent may be after the time of violation, the service provider can perform a billing operation for reservations that have passed the time of violation and have not passed the billing restriction time (for example, the reservation with reservation ID "002" in Figure 8) at the time of declaration of intent.

[0080] (Third embodiment) In the second embodiment, an example was described in which the service provider is permitted to perform billing operations from the time of the violation until the billing restriction time. In the third embodiment, an example is described in which billing operations are restricted before the billing restriction time, which is determined based on the planned usage time, etc.

[0081] In one embodiment, the reservation acceptance unit 100b is configured to accept further reservation operations from the customer terminal device 3a between the time of the violation and the time of billing restriction for services to be provided by the service provider after the time of the violation, and the acceptance control unit 102 restricts the billing acceptance unit 100c from accepting a billing operation if the reservation acceptance unit 100b accepts another reservation operation. In one embodiment, the other reservation operation may be for the purpose of reserving services to be provided between the time of the violation and the time of billing restriction, or it may be for the purpose of reserving services to be provided after the time of billing restriction.

[0082] Figure 9 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of the operation of System 1 according to the third embodiment. In Figure 9, the information processing device 2 receives an expression of intent operation (S600) and, based on the subsequent events at the time of the violation (S601), authorizes the service provider to perform a billing operation (S602). Next, the customer terminal device 3a displays a cancellation policy in response to the customer's operation (S604) and accepts other reservation operations from the customer to reserve services to be provided after the time of the violation (S606). The information processing device 2 accepts other reservation operations entered in the customer terminal device 3a (S608). Based on the acceptance of other reservation operations, the information processing device 2 restricts the billing operation by the service provider (S610). In this way, if there are other reservation operations, the information processing device 2 can restrict the billing operation by the service provider even before the billing restriction time (S611).

[0083] Even if a customer violates the terms of service, it may not be appropriate to charge them a penalty fee if, for example, the customer makes another reservation immediately afterward. This configuration restricts the service provider's ability to charge a penalty fee if the customer makes another reservation after the violation. This allows the service provider to charge penalty fees more appropriately.

[0084] (Fourth Embodiment) In one embodiment, the information processing device 2 further includes a modification unit 106 that modifies at least a portion of the information entered in a request operation if the request acceptance unit 100c has accepted a request operation at the same time that the request acceptance unit 100b has accepted another request operation.

[0085] Figure 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating another example of the operation of System 1 according to the fourth embodiment. In Figure 10, the information processing device 2 receives an expression of intent operation (S700) and, based on the subsequent time elapsed since the violation (S701), authorizes the service provider to perform a billing operation (S702). Next, the service terminal device 3b receives a billing operation from the service provider (S704), and the information processing device 2 receives the billing operation (S706). As a result, the information processing device 2 can execute the bill to the customer (S708).

[0086] Next, the customer terminal device 3a displays the cancellation policy in response to customer operations (S710) and accepts other reservation operations from the customer to reserve services to be provided after the time of the violation (S712). The information processing device 2 accepts other reservation operations entered in the customer terminal device 3a (S714).

[0087] Based on the acceptance of the reservation operation, the information processing device 2 modifies at least some of the information entered in the billing operation in step S704. In one example, the information processing device 2 assumes that the billing operation was not performed. As a result, the billing performed in step S708 can be canceled, for example. In another example, the information processing device 2 reduces the amount of the cancellation fee entered in the billing operation.

[0088] This configuration allows service providers to retroactively modify (e.g., cancel) penalty charges they have already made based on other booking actions by the customer. This could enable service providers to charge penalty fees more appropriately.

[0089] (Fifth embodiment) In one embodiment, the terms of service include provisions for when a customer changes the content of a reserved service, and the system further includes a change reception unit 100d that receives a content change operation from the customer terminal device 3a after the reservation reception unit 100b has received the reservation operation, and a billing reception unit 100c is configured to accept a billing operation even if the customer violates the terms of service as a result of the content change operation. In other words, even if a customer changes a reservation (not limited to cancellation), the service provider can bill the customer for a penalty fee related to the change if the change violates the terms of service.

[0090] (Sixth Embodiment) In one embodiment, the information processing device 2 includes a change reception unit 100d that receives a change operation from the customer terminal device 3a to change the number of people reserved from a first number to a second number after the reservation reception unit 100b has received the reservation operation, and a determination unit 108 that determines the upper limit of the amount of the penalty fee that can be charged to the customer in the billing operation, based on at least the larger of the first number and the second number. In one example, if the initial number of people reserved was 4, and the customer changes it to 6, and then the customer violates the cancellation policy, the "first number" is 4 and the "second number" is 6, so the information processing device 2 determines the upper limit of the cancellation fee by assuming that the reservation for the larger number, 6 people, has been canceled. In another example, if the initial number of people reserved was 4, and the customer changes it to 8, and then the customer further changes it to 6, and then the customer violates the cancellation policy, the information processing device 2 may determine the upper limit of the cancellation fee based on (1) to (3) below. (1) If the "first number of people" is 4 and the "second number of people" is 8, then the larger number is 8. (2) If the "first number of people" is 8 and the "second number of people" is 6, then the larger number is 8. (3) Based on (1) and (2) above, the information processing device 2 determines the maximum cancellation fee by assuming that the reservation of 8 people, which is the largest number among 4 people, 8 people, and 6 people, has been canceled.

[0091] (Seventh Embodiment) In one embodiment, the reception control unit 102 permits the claim reception unit 100c to accept a claim operation without requiring that the service provider's review, including a review regarding the claim for a penalty fee, be completed. Normally, in order for a service provider to claim a penalty fee from a customer, it is assumed that a payment processing company will mediate the claim. In this case, the service provider will typically need to undergo a review by the payment processing company. That is, normally, a service provider cannot simply make a declaration of intent; they can only make a claim operation after undergoing a review by the payment processing company. In contrast, the information processing device 2 according to one embodiment accepts a claim operation without requiring that the service provider's review be completed. This configuration can improve convenience for the service provider. The administrator of the information processing device 2 may undergo a review by the payment processing company on behalf of the service provider (or on behalf of multiple service providers). The review by the payment processing company may be a review for the service provider to become a credit card merchant, or it may be a different type of review.

[0092] <4. Hardware Configuration> Referring to Figure 11, an example of a hardware configuration when the devices included in System 1 described above are implemented by computer 70 will be explained. Note that the functions of each device can also be implemented by dividing them among multiple devices.

[0093] As shown in Figure 11, the computer 70 includes a processor 700, a storage device 702, an input interface 704, a data interface 706, a communication interface 708, and a display device 710.

[0094] The processor 700 controls various processes in the computer 70 by executing programs stored in the storage device 702. For example, each functional unit of the control unit 10 of the information processing device 2 can be realized by the processor 700 executing programs stored in the storage device 702.

[0095] The storage device 702 is a storage medium such as RAM (Random Access Memory). RAM temporarily stores the program code of the program executed by the processor 700, as well as data required during program execution.

[0096] The storage device 702 can also be a non-volatile storage medium such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or flash memory. The storage device 702 stores the operating system and various programs for realizing the above configurations. The storage medium storing these various programs may be a non-transitory computer-readable medium. In addition, the storage device 702 can also store tables for registering various information and a database for managing those tables. Such programs and data are loaded into the storage device 702 as needed and accessed by the processor 700.

[0097] The input interface 704 is a device for receiving input from the user. Specific examples of the input interface 704 include cameras, buttons, microphones, keyboards, mice, touch panels, various sensors, and wearable devices. The input interface 704 may be connected to the computer 70 via an interface such as USB (Universal Serial Bus).

[0098] The data interface 706 is a device for inputting data from outside the computer 70. Specific examples of the data interface 706 include drive devices for reading data stored on various storage media. The data interface 706 may also be located outside the computer 70. In that case, the data interface 706 would be connected to the computer 70 via an interface such as USB.

[0099] The communication interface 708 is a device for communicating data with external devices of the computer 70 via the communication network 4, either wired or wirelessly. The communication interface 708 may also be located outside the computer 70. In that case, the communication interface 708 would be connected to the computer 70 via an interface such as USB.

[0100] The display device 710 is a device for displaying various types of information. Specific examples of the display device 710 include liquid crystal displays, organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) displays, and displays for wearable devices. The display device 710 may be located outside the computer 70. In that case, the display device 710 is connected to the computer 70 via, for example, a display cable. Furthermore, if a touch panel is used as the input I / F 704, the display device 710 can be configured as an integrated unit with the input I / F 704.

[0101] Furthermore, the components of the device included in the System 1 described above are such that a program stored in the storage device 702 is executed by the processor 700, thereby realizing a defined process in cooperation with other hardware. In other words, these components are conceived as both software or firmware, and as corresponding hardware, and in both concepts, they are also described and interpreted as "function," "means," "part," "processing circuit," "unit," or "module," etc.

[0102] <5. Variation> The embodiments described above are provided to facilitate understanding of this disclosure and are not intended to limit it. The configurations that the embodiments may have are not limited to those exemplified and can be modified as appropriate. Furthermore, configurations shown in different embodiments can be partially substituted or combined.

[0103] In the above embodiment, the terms of service may be set by the service provider or by System 1. For example, the service provider may set the point in time for a breach of the cancellation policy and the maximum penalty fee corresponding to that point in time.

[0104] The terms of service for services provided by the first service provider may differ from those for services provided by the second service provider. For example, the cancellation policy for services provided by the first service provider may state that "cancellations made three days or less before the scheduled use date will incur a maximum cancellation fee of 50% of the course fee, and cancellations made on the day of the scheduled use date (regardless of whether it is a no-show or not) will incur a maximum cancellation fee of 100% of the course fee," while the cancellation policy for services provided by the second service provider may state that "cancellations made seven days or less before the scheduled use date will incur a maximum cancellation fee of 25% of the course fee, cancellations made on the day of the scheduled use date will incur a maximum cancellation fee of 50% of the course fee, and no-shows will incur a maximum cancellation fee of 100% of the course fee."

[0105] In the above embodiment, if the terms of service include multiple terms, a customer's violation of the terms of service includes a violation of at least one of those multiple terms.

[0106] The configuration of the information processing device 2 described in the above embodiment may be deleted or modified as appropriate, to the extent that no technical inconsistencies arise. For example, in the above embodiment, the reception control unit 102 was described as being configured to allow the request reception unit 100c to accept the request operation regardless of the chronological relationship between the time of declaration of intent and the time of reservation, if the time of request is after the time of declaration of intent and the time of reservation, but it is not limited to this. In one embodiment, the reception control unit 102 is configured to allow the request reception unit 100c to accept the request operation if the time of request is after the time of declaration of intent and the time of reservation, and the other configurations (for example, the reception unit 100, the transmission unit 104, the modification unit 106, and the decision unit 108, etc.) may be those described in the above embodiment. In other words, the information processing device 2 described in the above embodiment may be configured to exclude the part that says "regardless of the chronological relationship between the time of declaration of intent and the time of reservation". In one example, the reception control unit 102 may permit the request reception unit 100c to accept the request operation when the request time is after the time of declaration of intent and the time of reservation, and the time of declaration of intent is after the time of reservation (i.e., the order is reservation time, declaration of intent, request time). In another example, the reception control unit 102 may permit the request reception unit 100c to accept the request operation when the request time is after the time of declaration of intent and the time of reservation, and the time of reservation is after the time of declaration of intent (i.e., the order is declaration of intent, reservation time, request time).

[0107] <6. Example Configuration> This disclosure includes the following technologies:

[0108] [Note 1] A reservation reception unit 100b that receives reservation operations from a customer's terminal device (customer terminal device 3a) to reserve a service provided by a service provider, wherein the reservation operation includes an operation regarding agreement to the terms of service of the service; a billing reception unit 100c configured to receive billing operations from the service provider's terminal device (service terminal device 3b) to bill the customer for a penalty fee if the customer violates the terms of service; and a declaration of intent regarding the intention to start using the billing operation function. Information processing device 2 comprises: an intention declaration reception unit 100a that receives indication operations from a service provider's terminal device (service terminal device 3b); and a reception control unit 102 that controls the reception of request operations by a request reception unit 100c, wherein if the request time at which the request reception unit 100c receives the request operation is later than the time of intention declaration at which the intention declaration reception unit 100a received the intention declaration operation, and the time of reservation at which the reservation reception unit 100b received the reservation operation, the reception control unit 102 permits the request reception unit 100c to accept the request operation regardless of the order of the time of intention declaration and the time of reservation.

[0109] [Note 2] The information processing device 2 as described in Appendix 1, wherein the reception control unit 102 permits the reception of a request by the request reception unit 100c if the time of the request is after the time of the violation in which the customer violated the terms of service, regardless of the chronological relationship between the time of the violation and the time of the declaration of intent.

[0110] [Note 3] The information processing device 2 as described in Appendix 1 or 2, further comprising: a notification transmission unit 104a that transmits information to the service provider's terminal device (service terminal device 3b) indicating that, in the event that the customer has violated the terms of service, the notification transmission unit 104a has not received the notification operation by the time of the violation, the customer is permitted to accept the request operation through the notification operation.

[0111] [Note 4] The information processing device 2 as described in any one of the appendices 1 to 3, wherein the reception control unit 102 permits the acceptance of billing operations by the billing reception unit 100c from the time of the violation in which the customer violates the terms of service until the billing restriction time, and restricts the acceptance of billing operations by the billing reception unit 100c after the billing restriction time.

[0112] [Note 5] The information processing device 2 as described in Appendix 4, wherein the reservation acceptance unit 100b is configured to accept further reservation operations from the customer's terminal device (customer terminal device 3a) for services to be provided by the service provider after the time of the violation, between the time of the violation and the time of the billing restriction, and the acceptance control unit 102 restricts the billing acceptance unit 100c from accepting a billing operation if the reservation acceptance unit 100b accepts another reservation operation.

[0113] [Note 6] The information processing device 2 according to Appendix 4 or 5, further comprising: a reservation acceptance unit 100b configured to accept further reservation operations from a customer's terminal device (customer terminal device 3a) for services to be provided by the service provider after the time of the violation, between the time of the violation and the time of the billing restriction; and a modification unit 106 which modifies at least a portion of the information entered in a billing operation if the billing acceptance unit 100c has accepted a billing operation at the time the reservation acceptance unit 100b accepts another reservation operation.

[0114] [Note 7] The billing operation includes an operation relating to inputting the amount of the penalty fee to be billed to the customer, as described in any one of the appendices 1 to 6, for the information processing device 2.

[0115] [Note 8] The information processing device 2 according to any one of the appendices 1 to 7, further comprising a determination unit 108 that determines the maximum amount of penalty fees that can be charged to a customer in a billing operation, based on the number of people booked by the customer and at least one of the terms of service.

[0116] [Note 9] The information processing device 2 as described in Appendix 8 further comprises an upper limit transmission unit 104b that transmits information for displaying the upper limit on the service provider's terminal device (service terminal device 3b).

[0117] [Note 10] The information processing device 2 according to any one of the appendices 1 to 9, further comprising: a change acceptance unit 100d that accepts a change operation from the customer's terminal device (customer terminal device 3a) to change the number of people reserved from a first person to a second person after the reservation acceptance unit 100b has accepted the reservation operation; and a determination unit 108 that determines the upper limit of the amount of penalty that can be charged to the customer in the billing operation, based at least on the larger of the first person and the second person.

[0118] [Note 11] The information processing device 2 described in any one of the appendices 1 to 10, further comprising a reservation acceptance unit 100d that accepts a content change operation from the customer's terminal device (customer terminal device 3a) after the reservation acceptance unit 100b has accepted the reservation operation, and a billing acceptance unit 100c is configured to accept a billing operation even if the customer violates the terms of service as a result of the content change operation.

[0119] [Note 12] The information processing device 2 according to any one of the appendices 1 to 11, further comprising a cancellation reception unit 100e configured to accept a cancellation operation from the service provider's terminal device (service terminal device 3b) after the reservation reception unit 100b has accepted a reservation operation, wherein the cancellation operation includes an operation to select whether the cancellation of the reservation is due to the service provider's convenience or the customer's convenience, and the reception control unit 102 restricts the billing reception unit 100c from accepting a billing operation if the cancellation reception unit 100e has accepted a cancellation operation and in the cancellation operation it has selected that the cancellation of the reservation is due to the service provider's convenience.

[0120] [Note 13] The information processing device 2 according to any one of the appendices 1 to 12, wherein the reception control unit 102 permits the billing reception unit 100c to accept a billing operation without requiring that the service provider's review, including a review regarding the billing of a fine, be completed.

[0121] [Note 14] A reservation reception unit 100b that receives reservation operations from the terminal device of a customer who wishes to receive a service provided by a service provider, wherein the reservation operation includes an operation regarding agreement to the terms of service of the service; a billing reception unit 100c configured to receive billing operations from the terminal device of the service provider for the purpose of claiming a penalty fee from the customer if the customer violates the terms of service; a declaration of intent reception unit 100a that receives a declaration of intent from the terminal device of the service provider for a declaration of intent to start using the functions related to billing operations; and a billing reception unit 100c Information Processing Device 2 comprises: an acceptance control unit 102 that controls the acceptance of billing operations, wherein the acceptance control unit 102 permits the billing unit 100c to accept the billing operation if the billing time at which the billing operation is accepted by the billing acceptance unit 100c is later than the time of declaration of intent when the declaration of intent acceptance unit 100a accepts the declaration of intent operation, and the reservation acceptance unit 100b accepts the reservation operation, wherein the acceptance control unit 102 permits the billing acceptance unit 100c to accept the billing operation until the billing restriction time after the time of violation in which the customer violates the terms of service, and restricts the acceptance of billing operations by the billing acceptance unit 100c thereafter.

[0122] [Note 15] The information processing device 2 as described in Appendix 14, wherein the reservation acceptance unit 100b is configured to accept further reservation operations from the customer's terminal device between the time of the violation and the time of billing restriction for services to be provided by the service provider after the time of the violation, and the acceptance control unit 102 restricts the billing acceptance unit 100c from accepting a billing operation if the reservation acceptance unit 100b accepts another reservation operation.

[0123] [Note 16] The information processing device 2 described in Appendix 14 or 15 further comprises a reservation acceptance unit 100b configured to accept other reservation operations from the customer's terminal device between the time of the violation and the time of billing restriction, and a modification unit 106 which modifies at least a portion of the information entered in the billing operation if the billing acceptance unit 100c has accepted a billing operation at the time the reservation acceptance unit 100b accepts another reservation operation.

[0124] [Note 17] Information Processing Device 2 comprising: a reservation receiving unit 100b that receives a reservation operation from a customer's terminal device for reserving a service provided by a service provider, the reservation operation including an operation relating to consent to the terms of use of the service; a claim receiving unit 100c configured to receive a claim operation from the service provider's terminal device for claiming a penalty fee from the customer if the customer violates the terms of use; a declaration of intent receiving unit 100a that receives a declaration of intent operation from the service provider's terminal device for initiating the use of a function relating to the claim operation; and a reception control unit 102 that controls the acceptance of the claim operation by the claim receiving unit 100c, the reception control unit 102 permitting the claim receiving unit 100c to accept the claim operation if the time of the claim when the claim receiving unit 100c accepts the claim operation is later than the time of the declaration of intent when the declaration of intent receiving unit 100a accepts the declaration of intent operation, and later than the time of the reservation when the reservation receiving unit 100b accepts the reservation operation, the claim operation including an operation relating to inputting the amount of the penalty fee to be claimed from the customer.

[0125] [Note 18] A reservation reception unit 100b that receives reservation operations from a customer's terminal device to reserve a service provided by a service provider, the reservation operation includes operations relating to consent to the terms of service of the service; a billing reception unit 100c configured to receive billing operations from the service provider's terminal device to charge a penalty fee to the customer if the customer violates the terms of service; and a declaration of intent reception unit 1 that receives declaration of intent operations from the service provider's terminal device to initiate the use of the billing operation function. Information processing device 2 comprising: 00a; an acceptance control unit 102 that controls the acceptance of a request operation by the request acceptance unit 100c, which permits the request acceptance unit 100c to accept the request operation if the request time at which the request acceptance unit 100c accepts the request operation is later than the time at which the declaration of intent acceptance unit 100a accepts the declaration of intent operation, and the time at which the reservation acceptance unit 100b accepts the reservation operation; and a determination unit 108 that determines the upper limit of the amount of penalty fee that can be claimed from the customer in the request operation, based on the number of people reserved by the customer and at least one of the terms of use.

[0126] [Note 19] The information processing device 2 according to Appendix 18 further comprises an upper limit transmission unit 104b that transmits information for displaying the upper limit on the service provider's terminal device.

[0127] [Note 20] A reservation reception unit 100b that receives reservation operations from a customer's terminal device to reserve a service provided by a service provider, the reservation operation including an operation regarding agreement to the service terms of use; a billing reception unit 100c configured to receive billing operations from the service provider's terminal device to charge a penalty fee to a customer if the customer violates the terms of use; a declaration of intent reception unit 100a that receives a declaration of intent from the service provider's terminal device to initiate the use of a billing operation function; and a reception control unit that controls the reception of billing operations by the billing reception unit 100c. Information processing device 2 comprising: a reception control unit 102 which permits the requesting unit 100c to accept a request operation if the requesting time at which the requesting unit 100c accepts a request operation is later than the time at which the declaration of intent reception unit 100a accepts a declaration of intent operation, and the time at which the reservation reception unit 100b accepts a reservation operation; a change reception unit 100d which, after the reservation reception unit 100b accepts a reservation operation, receives a change operation from the customer's terminal device to change the number of people reserved from a first person to a second person; and a determination unit 108 which determines the upper limit of the amount of penalty that can be claimed from the customer in the requesting operation, based at least on the larger of the first person and the second person.

[0128] [Note 21] A reservation reception unit 100b that receives reservation operations from a customer's terminal device to reserve a service provided by a service provider, the reservation operation includes operations relating to agreement to the terms of service of the service; a billing reception unit 100c configured to receive billing operations from the service provider's terminal device to charge a penalty fee to the customer if the customer violates the terms of service; a declaration of intent reception unit 100a that receives a declaration of intent from the service provider's terminal device to initiate the use of a function relating to billing operations; and a reception control unit 102 that controls the reception of billing operations by the billing reception unit 100c, wherein the billing reception unit 1 Information processing device 2 comprises: an acceptance control unit 102 which permits the billing acceptance unit 100c to accept a billing operation if the billing time at which 00c accepts a billing operation is later than the time at which the declaration of intent acceptance unit 100a accepts a declaration of intent operation, and the time at which the reservation acceptance unit 100b accepts a reservation operation; the terms of use include terms for when a customer changes the content of the service related to the reservation; and the change acceptance unit 100d which accepts a content change operation from the customer's terminal device after the reservation acceptance unit 100b has accepted a reservation operation; and the billing acceptance unit 100c is configured to accept a billing operation even if the customer violates the terms of use as a result of the content change operation.

[0129] [Note 22] A reservation reception unit 100b that receives reservation operations from a customer's terminal device to reserve a service provided by a service provider, the reservation operation includes an operation regarding agreement to the terms of service of the service; a billing reception unit 100c configured to receive billing operations from the service provider's terminal device to charge a penalty fee to a customer if the customer violates the terms of service; a declaration of intent reception unit 100a that receives a declaration of intent operation from the service provider's terminal device to initiate the use of a function related to billing operations; and a reception control unit 102 that controls the acceptance of billing operations by the billing reception unit 100c, wherein the billing time at which the billing reception unit 100c accepts the billing operation is the time at which the declaration of intent reception unit 100a accepts the declaration of intent operation. Information processing device 2 comprises: an acceptance control unit 102 which permits the billing acceptance unit 100c to accept a billing operation if it is after the time of the declaration of intent, and after the time the reservation acceptance unit 100b accepts the reservation operation; and a cancellation acceptance unit 100e which is configured to accept a cancellation operation from the service provider's terminal device to cancel the reservation after the reservation acceptance unit 100b has accepted the reservation operation, wherein the cancellation operation includes an operation to select whether the cancellation of the reservation is due to the service provider's convenience or the customer's convenience, and the acceptance control unit 102 restricts the billing acceptance unit 100c from accepting a billing operation if the cancellation acceptance unit 100e has accepted the cancellation operation and in the cancellation operation it has selected that the cancellation of the reservation is due to the service provider's convenience.

[0130] [Note 23] A reservation reception unit 100b that receives reservation operations from a customer's terminal device to reserve a service provided by a service provider, wherein the reservation operation includes an operation regarding agreement to the terms of service of the service; a billing reception unit 100c configured to receive billing operations from the service provider's terminal device to charge a penalty fee to the customer if the customer violates the terms of service; and a declaration of intent reception unit 100a that receives a declaration of intent from the service provider's terminal device to initiate the use of the billing operation function. Information processing device 2 comprising: an information processing device 2, an information processing device 2, the information processing device 2 comprising: an information processing device 102 that controls the acceptance of a request operation by the request acceptance unit 100c, and permits the request acceptance unit 100c to accept the request operation if the request time at which the request acceptance unit 100c accepts the request operation is later than the time at which the declaration of intent acceptance unit 100a accepts the declaration of intent operation, and the time at which the reservation acceptance unit 100b accepts the reservation operation, wherein the information processing device 2 comprises: an information processing device 102 that permits the request acceptance unit 100c to accept the request operation without requiring that the service provider's review, including a review regarding the claim for a penalty fee, has been completed.

[0131] [Note 24] An information processing method that causes a computer 70 to receive a reservation operation from a customer terminal device (customer terminal device 3a) of a customer who wishes to receive a service provided by a service provider, wherein the reservation operation includes an operation relating to consent to the terms of use of the service, the computer to receive a claim operation from the service provider's terminal device (service terminal device 3b) to claim a penalty fee from the customer if the customer violates the terms of use, the computer to receive a declaration of intent operation from the service provider's terminal device (service terminal device 3b) of intent to start using the functions relating to the claim operation, and the computer to control the acceptance of the claim operation, wherein if the time of acceptance of the claim operation is later than the time of declaration of intent operation received and the time of reservation operation received, the computer to control the acceptance of the claim operation, permitting the acceptance of the claim operation regardless of the chronological relationship between the time of declaration of intent and the time of reservation.

[0132] [Note 25] A program that causes a computer 70 to function as a reservation receiving means for receiving reservation operations from a customer terminal device (customer terminal device 3a) of a customer who wishes to receive a service provided by a service provider, wherein the reservation operation includes an operation relating to consent to the terms of use of the service; a claim receiving means configured to receive a claim operation from a service provider's terminal device (service terminal device 3b) for claiming a penalty fee from a customer if the customer violates the terms of use; a declaration of intent receiving means for receiving a declaration of intent operation from a service provider's terminal device (service terminal device 3b) for initiating the use of a function relating to the claim operation; and a receiving control means for controlling the acceptance of the claim operation by the claim receiving means, wherein if the time of the claim when the claim receiving means accepts the claim operation is later than the time of the declaration of intent when the declaration of intent receiving means accepted the declaration of intent operation, and later than the time of the reservation when the reservation receiving means accepted the reservation operation, the receiving control means permits the claim receiving means to accept the claim operation regardless of the chronological relationship between the time of the declaration of intent and the time of the reservation. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0133] 1...System, 2...Information Processing Device, 3...Terminal Device, 3a...Customer Terminal Device, 3b...Service Terminal Device, 10...Control Unit, 12...Storage Unit, 70...Computer, 100...Reception Unit, 100a...Declaration of Intent Reception Unit, 100b...Reservation Reception Unit, 100c...Billing Reception Unit, 100d...Change Reception Unit, 100e...Cancellation Reception Unit, 102...Reception Control Unit, 104...Transmission Unit, 104a...Notification Transmission Unit, 104b...Upper Limit Transmission Unit, 106...Change Unit, 108...Decision Unit, 700...Processor

Claims

1. A reservation reception unit that receives reservation operations from a customer's terminal device to reserve a service provided by a service provider, wherein the reservation operation includes an operation relating to consent to the terms of use of the service, A billing reception unit configured to receive billing operations from the service provider's terminal device to charge a penalty fee to the customer if the customer violates the terms of service, A declaration of intent receiving unit that receives a declaration of intent from the service provider's terminal device to initiate the use of the function related to the aforementioned billing operation, A reception control unit that controls the acceptance of the request operation by the request reception unit, If the time at which the request receiving unit accepts the request operation is later than the time at which the declaration of intent receiving unit accepts the declaration of intent operation, and the time at which the reservation receiving unit accepts the reservation operation, the receiving control unit permits the request receiving unit to accept the request operation, regardless of the chronological relationship between the time at which the declaration of intent and the time at which the reservation was made. An information processing device equipped with the following features.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reception control unit permits the reception unit to accept the request operation if the time of the request is after the time of the violation in which the customer violated the terms of use, regardless of the chronological relationship between the time of the violation and the time of the declaration of intent.

3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a notification transmission unit that transmits information to the service provider's terminal device indicating that, in the event that the customer violates the terms of service, the notification reception unit has not received the notification operation by the time of the violation, the customer is permitted to accept the request operation by the notification operation.

4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reception control unit permits the acceptance of the request operation by the request reception unit from the time of the violation in which the customer violates the terms of use until the time of the request restriction, and restricts the acceptance of the request operation by the request reception unit after the time of the request restriction.

5. The reservation acceptance unit is configured to accept further reservation operations from the customer's terminal device between the time of the violation and the time of the billing restriction, for services to be provided by the service provider after the time of the violation. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the reception control unit restricts the billing reception unit from accepting the billing operation if the reservation reception unit accepts the other reservation operation.

6. The reservation acceptance unit is configured to accept further reservation operations from the customer's terminal device between the time of the violation and the time of the billing restriction, for services to be provided by the service provider after the time of the violation. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising: a modification unit that modifies at least a portion of the information entered in a request operation if the request acceptance unit has accepted the request operation at the time the request acceptance unit accepts the other request operation.

7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the billing operation includes an operation relating to inputting the amount of the penalty fee to be billed to the customer.

8. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a determination unit that determines the upper limit of the amount of penalty fee that can be claimed from the customer in the claim operation, based on the number of people reserved by the customer and at least one of the terms of use.

9. The information processing apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising: an upper limit transmission unit that transmits information for displaying the upper limit on the terminal device of the service provider.

10. After the reservation acceptance unit receives the reservation operation, a change acceptance unit receives a change operation from the customer's terminal device to change the number of people reserved from the first number to the second number. A determination unit that determines the upper limit of the amount of penalty fees that can be claimed from the customer in the aforementioned claim operation, based at least on the larger of the first and second persons, The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

11. The aforementioned terms of use include the terms and conditions for when the customer changes the content of the service related to the reservation, The reservation acceptance unit, after receiving the reservation operation, further comprises a change acceptance unit that accepts a content change operation from the customer's terminal device to change the content of the service related to the reservation, The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the billing acceptance unit is configured to accept the billing operation even if the customer violates the terms of service as a result of the content change operation.

12. The reservation receiving unit further comprises a cancellation receiving unit configured to accept a cancellation operation from the service provider's terminal device after the reservation receiving unit has received the reservation operation, The cancellation operation includes selecting whether the cancellation is due to the service provider's or the customer's convenience. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reception control unit restricts the billing reception unit from accepting the billing operation if the cancellation reception unit accepts the cancellation operation and, in the said cancellation operation, it is selected that the cancellation of the reservation is due to the service provider's circumstances.

13. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reception control unit permits the claim reception unit to accept the claim operation without requiring that the service provider's review, including a review regarding the claim for a fine, be completed.

14. A reservation reception unit that receives reservation operations from a customer's terminal device to reserve a service provided by a service provider, wherein the reservation operation includes an operation relating to consent to the terms of use of the service, A billing reception unit configured to receive billing operations from the service provider's terminal device to charge a penalty fee to the customer if the customer violates the terms of service, A declaration of intent receiving unit that receives a declaration of intent from the service provider's terminal device to initiate the use of the function related to the aforementioned billing operation, A reception control unit that controls the acceptance of the request operation by the request reception unit, A reception control unit permits the request reception unit to accept the request operation if the time at which the request reception unit accepts the request operation is later than the time at which the declaration of intent reception unit accepts the declaration of intent operation, and later than the time at which the reservation reception unit accepts the reservation operation. Equipped with, The reception control unit permits the acceptance of the billing operation by the billing reception unit from the time of the violation in which the customer violated the terms of service until the billing restriction time, and restricts the acceptance of the billing operation by the billing reception unit after the billing restriction time. Information processing device.

15. The reservation acceptance unit is configured to accept further reservation operations from the customer's terminal device between the time of the violation and the time of the billing restriction, for services to be provided by the service provider after the time of the violation. The information processing apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the reception control unit restricts the billing reception unit from accepting the billing operation if the reservation reception unit accepts the other reservation operation.

16. The reservation acceptance unit is configured to accept further reservation operations from the customer's terminal device between the time of the violation and the time of the billing restriction, for services to be provided by the service provider after the time of the violation. The information processing apparatus according to claim 14, further comprising: a modification unit that modifies at least a portion of the information entered in a request operation if the request acceptance unit has accepted the request operation at the time the request acceptance unit accepts the other request operation.

17. A reservation reception unit that receives reservation operations from a customer's terminal device to reserve a service provided by a service provider, wherein the reservation operation includes an operation relating to consent to the terms of use of the service, A billing reception unit configured to receive billing operations from the service provider's terminal device to charge a penalty fee to the customer if the customer violates the terms of service, A declaration of intent receiving unit that receives a declaration of intent from the service provider's terminal device to initiate the use of the function related to the aforementioned billing operation, A reception control unit that controls the acceptance of the request operation by the request reception unit, A reception control unit permits the request reception unit to accept the request operation if the time at which the request reception unit accepts the request operation is later than the time at which the declaration of intent reception unit accepts the declaration of intent operation, and later than the time at which the reservation reception unit accepts the reservation operation. Equipped with, The aforementioned billing operation includes an operation relating to inputting the amount of the penalty fee to be billed to the customer, Information processing device.

18. A reservation reception unit that receives reservation operations from a customer's terminal device to reserve a service provided by a service provider, wherein the reservation operation includes an operation relating to consent to the terms of use of the service, A billing reception unit configured to receive billing operations from the service provider's terminal device to charge a penalty fee to the customer if the customer violates the terms of service, A declaration of intent receiving unit that receives a declaration of intent from the service provider's terminal device to initiate the use of the function related to the aforementioned billing operation, A reception control unit that controls the acceptance of the request operation by the request reception unit, A reception control unit permits the request reception unit to accept the request operation if the time at which the request reception unit accepts the request operation is later than the time at which the declaration of intent reception unit accepts the declaration of intent operation, and later than the time at which the reservation reception unit accepts the reservation operation. A determination unit that determines the maximum amount of penalty fees that can be claimed from the customer in the aforementioned billing operation, based on the number of people booked by the customer and at least one of the terms of use, An information processing device equipped with the following features.

19. The information processing apparatus according to claim 18, further comprising: an upper limit transmission unit that transmits information for displaying the upper limit on the terminal device of the service provider.

20. A reservation reception unit that receives reservation operations from a customer's terminal device to reserve a service provided by a service provider, wherein the reservation operation includes an operation relating to consent to the terms of use of the service, A billing reception unit configured to receive billing operations from the service provider's terminal device to charge a penalty fee to the customer if the customer violates the terms of service, A declaration of intent receiving unit that receives a declaration of intent from the service provider's terminal device to initiate the use of the function related to the aforementioned billing operation, A reception control unit that controls the acceptance of the request operation by the request reception unit, A reception control unit permits the request reception unit to accept the request operation if the time at which the request reception unit accepts the request operation is later than the time at which the declaration of intent reception unit accepts the declaration of intent operation, and later than the time at which the reservation reception unit accepts the reservation operation. After the reservation acceptance unit receives the reservation operation, a change acceptance unit receives a change operation from the customer's terminal device to change the number of people reserved from the first number to the second number. A determination unit that determines the upper limit of the amount of penalty fees that can be claimed from the customer in the aforementioned claim operation, based at least on the larger of the first and second persons, An information processing device equipped with the following features.

21. A reservation reception unit that receives reservation operations from a customer's terminal device to reserve a service provided by a service provider, wherein the reservation operation includes an operation relating to consent to the terms of use of the service, A billing reception unit configured to receive billing operations from the service provider's terminal device to charge a penalty fee to the customer if the customer violates the terms of service, A declaration of intent receiving unit that receives a declaration of intent from the service provider's terminal device to initiate the use of the function related to the aforementioned billing operation, A reception control unit that controls the acceptance of the request operation by the request reception unit, A reception control unit permits the request reception unit to accept the request operation if the time at which the request reception unit accepts the request operation is later than the time at which the declaration of intent reception unit accepts the declaration of intent operation, and later than the time at which the reservation reception unit accepts the reservation operation. Equipped with, The aforementioned terms of use include the terms and conditions for when the customer changes the content of the service related to the reservation, The reservation acceptance unit, after receiving the reservation operation, further comprises a change acceptance unit that accepts a content change operation from the customer's terminal device to change the content of the service related to the reservation, The billing acceptance unit is configured to accept the billing operation even if the customer violates the terms of service as a result of the content change operation. Information processing device.

22. A reservation reception unit that receives reservation operations from a customer's terminal device to reserve a service provided by a service provider, wherein the reservation operation includes an operation relating to consent to the terms of use of the service, A billing reception unit configured to receive billing operations from the service provider's terminal device to charge a penalty fee to the customer if the customer violates the terms of service, A declaration of intent receiving unit that receives a declaration of intent from the service provider's terminal device to initiate the use of the function related to the aforementioned billing operation, A reception control unit that controls the acceptance of the request operation by the request reception unit, A reception control unit permits the request reception unit to accept the request operation if the time at which the request reception unit accepts the request operation is later than the time at which the declaration of intent reception unit accepts the declaration of intent operation, and later than the time at which the reservation reception unit accepts the reservation operation. After the reservation acceptance unit accepts the reservation operation, a cancellation acceptance unit is configured to accept a cancellation operation from the service provider's terminal device to cancel the reservation related to the reservation operation. Equipped with, The cancellation operation includes selecting whether the cancellation is due to the service provider's or the customer's convenience. The reception control unit restricts the billing reception unit from accepting the billing operation if the cancellation reception unit accepts the cancellation operation and, in the cancellation operation, it is selected that the cancellation of the reservation is due to the service provider's circumstances. Information processing device.

23. A reservation reception unit that receives reservation operations from a customer's terminal device to reserve a service provided by a service provider, wherein the reservation operation includes an operation relating to consent to the terms of use of the service, A billing reception unit configured to receive billing operations from the service provider's terminal device to charge a penalty fee to the customer if the customer violates the terms of service, A declaration of intent receiving unit that receives a declaration of intent from the service provider's terminal device to initiate the use of the function related to the aforementioned billing operation, A reception control unit that controls the acceptance of the request operation by the request reception unit, A reception control unit permits the request reception unit to accept the request operation if the time at which the request reception unit accepts the request operation is later than the time at which the declaration of intent reception unit accepts the declaration of intent operation, and later than the time at which the reservation reception unit accepts the reservation operation. Equipped with, The reception control unit permits the claim reception unit to accept the claim operation without requiring that the service provider's review, including the review regarding the claim for a fine, be completed.

24. On the computer, The service provider accepts reservation operations from the customer's terminal device for reserving a service provided by the service provider, and the reservation operations include operations related to consenting to the service's terms of use. The service provider's terminal device accepts requests for payment of a penalty fee from the customer if the customer violates the terms of service. The service provider's terminal device receives an expression of intent to initiate the use of the function related to the aforementioned billing operation, Controlling the acceptance of the aforementioned request operation, If the time at which the request operation is accepted is later than the time at which the declaration of intent operation was accepted, and the time at which the reservation operation was accepted, the acceptance of the request operation will be permitted regardless of the chronological relationship between the time at which the declaration of intent was accepted and the time at which the reservation was accepted, and the acceptance of the request operation will be controlled accordingly. An information processing method that enables the execution of [something].

25. Computers, A reservation receiving means that receives reservation operations from a customer's terminal device for reserving a service provided by a service provider, wherein the reservation operation includes an operation relating to consent to the terms of use of the service, and the reservation receiving means A billing receiving means configured to accept billing operations from the service provider's terminal device to bill the customer for a penalty fee if the customer violates the terms of service, A means for receiving declarations of intent from the service provider's terminal device to receive a declaration of intent to initiate the use of the function related to the aforementioned billing operation, A reception control means for controlling the acceptance of the request operation by the request acceptance means, If the time at which the request receiving means accepts the request operation is later than the time at which the declaration of intent receiving means accepts the declaration of intent operation, and later than the time at which the reservation receiving means accepts the reservation operation, the receiving control means permits the request receiving means to accept the request operation regardless of the order of the declaration of intent and the reservation time, A program that makes something function as such.

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