Information processing device, information processing method, program, and information processing system

Abstract

The purpose is to reduce the burden on priests and other religious figures involved in guiding people through ceremonies to mourn the deceased. [Solution] The information processing device 2 according to this embodiment includes: a first storage unit 221 that stores information about the deceased, including deceased identification information for identifying the deceased and information about the date of death of the deceased; a second storage unit 222 that stores information about the benefactor, including benefactor identification information for identifying the benefactor associated with the deceased and contact information of the benefactor; an input unit 231 that receives a command to create an announcement for a ceremony to mourn the deceased; a creation unit 235 that, based on the creation command, creates an announcement including at least one of the deceased's posthumous Buddhist name, secular name, date of death, and anniversary of death stored in the first storage unit 221, and at least one of the benefactor's name and contact information stored in the second storage unit 222; and an output unit 236 that outputs the created announcement.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, a program, and an information processing system for executing processing for guiding ceremonies such as Buddhist memorial services.

Background Art

[0002] [[ID=E12]]Patent Document 1 discloses a Buddhist memorial service management system that enables selection of a temple where a Buddhist memorial service can be performed even if one is not a parishioner of a specific temple.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003] [[ID=E23]]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] [[ID=E35]]Since ceremonies for mourning the deceased, such as Buddhist memorial services, are directly related to the income of the temple, the abbot of the temple guides the relatives who have the temple as their parishioners to the ceremony for mourning the deceased relatives of the temple. Since the death anniversary is different for each deceased person, the date on which the ceremony should be performed is also different for each deceased person.

[0005] Conventionally, when the date of the ceremony for each deceased person approaches, the abbot refers to a paper ledger that manages the death anniversary of each deceased person and sends a notice of the ceremony to the donor, so there is a problem that the burden on the abbot regarding the notice work of the ceremony is large.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of these points, and an object thereof is to reduce the burden on the abbot and the like regarding the notice work of the ceremony for mourning the deceased.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] An information processing device according to a first aspect of the present invention includes: a first storage unit that stores information about a deceased person, including deceased identification information for identifying the deceased and information about the date of death of the deceased; a second storage unit that stores information about a benefactor, including benefactor identification information for identifying the benefactor associated with the deceased and contact information of the benefactor; an input unit that receives a command to create an announcement for a ceremony to mourn the deceased; a creation unit that, based on the creation command, creates the announcement including at least one of the deceased's posthumous Buddhist name, secular name, date of death, and anniversary of death stored in the first storage unit, and at least one of the benefactor's name and contact information stored in the second storage unit; and an output unit that outputs the created announcement.

[0008] The information processing device may further include a first extraction unit that, when the input unit receives input of a period of time for which the ceremony is a candidate to be performed, refers to the first storage unit and extracts information of the deceased person for whom the ceremony should be performed within that period.

[0009] The first storage unit may further store a record of the ceremony, including the cost of the ceremony associated with the deceased, and the information processing device may further have a cost calculation unit that, when the input unit receives input of a period of time on which the ceremony was performed, refers to the first storage unit and calculates the total cost of the ceremony performed within that period.

[0010] The system may further include a candidate date determination unit that refers to the first storage unit and determines a candidate date for the next ceremony relating to the deceased, and the output unit may output the candidate date when the period until the candidate date falls below a predetermined period.

[0011] The information processing device may further include a third storage unit that stores information on persons associated with the client, and a registration update unit that, when the input unit receives input that the client has died, refers to the third storage unit to output candidates who should become the new client, registers a person selected from among the candidates as the new client in the second storage unit, and further registers the deceased client as a deceased person in the first storage unit.

[0012] The information processing device includes a third storage unit that stores information about persons associated with the client, The system may further include a second extraction unit that refers to the third storage unit and extracts the relevant persons to whom the notification should be sent, according to the attributes of those persons.

[0013] The information of the persons concerned may include the blood relationship between the client and the persons concerned, and the second extraction unit may refer to the third storage unit and extract the persons concerned to whom the notice should be sent according to the blood relationship between the client and the persons concerned.

[0014] A second aspect of the present invention relates to an information processing method comprising: receiving a command to create an announcement for a ceremony to mourn the deceased, which is executed by a computer having: a first storage unit that stores information about a deceased person, including information about the deceased person's identification and the date of death of the deceased; and a second storage unit that stores information about a client, including information about the client's identification and contact information of the client associated with the deceased; creating the announcement based on the creation command, which includes at least one of the deceased's posthumous Buddhist name, given name, date of death, and anniversary of death stored in the first storage unit, and at least one of the client's name and contact information stored in the second storage unit; and outputting the created announcement.

[0015] A program according to a third aspect of the present invention causes a processor in an information processing device having a first storage unit that stores information about a deceased person, including deceased person identification information for identifying the deceased and information about the date of death of the deceased, and a second storage unit that stores information about a client, including client identification information for identifying the client associated with the deceased and contact information of the client, to function as an input unit that receives a command to create an invitation for a ceremony to mourn the deceased, a creation unit that creates the invitation based on the creation command, including at least one of the deceased's posthumous Buddhist name, secular name, date of death, and anniversary of death stored in the first storage unit, and at least one of the client's name and contact information stored in the second storage unit, and an output unit that outputs the created invitation.

[0016] An information processing system according to a fourth aspect of the present invention comprises an information processing device and an information terminal capable of communicating with the information processing device, wherein the information processing device includes a first storage unit that stores information about a deceased person, including deceased person identification information for identifying the deceased and information about the date of death of the deceased; a second storage unit that stores information about a benefactor, including benefactor identification information for identifying the benefactor associated with the deceased and contact information of the benefactor; an input unit that receives a command to create an announcement for a ceremony to mourn the deceased; a creation unit that, based on the creation command, creates the announcement including at least one of the deceased's posthumous Buddhist name, secular name, date of death, and anniversary of death stored in the first storage unit, and at least one of the benefactor's name and contact information stored in the second storage unit; and an output unit that outputs the created announcement, and the information terminal has a terminal communication unit that transmits command data indicating the creation command to the information processing device and receives announcement data indicating the created announcement from the information processing device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the burden on priests and other officials involved in guiding ceremonies to mourn the deceased. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0018] [Figure 1] This is a diagram illustrating the overview of the information processing system S. [Figure 2] This is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of information terminal 1. [Figure 3] This figure shows an example of the configuration of the information processing device 2. [Figure 4] This figure shows an example of the historical record data stored in the first memory unit 221. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of the current ledger data stored in the second memory unit 222. [Figure 6] This figure shows an example of family register data stored in the third memory unit 223. [Figure 7] This figure shows an example of a postcard created to announce a memorial service. [Figure 8]It is a diagram showing an example of a search screen for searching for a deceased person for whom a religious service should be performed. [Figure 9] It is a diagram showing an example of a donor list screen showing a list of donors. [Figure 10] It is a diagram showing an example of a donor registration screen for registering a new donor. [Figure 11] It is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing executed by the information processing apparatus 2.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0019] [Outline of Information Processing System S] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the outline of the information processing system S. The information processing system S is a system for creating guidance for a ceremony for mourning the deceased. The ceremony for mourning the deceased is, for example, a religious service, but may also be an all-night vigil or a funeral. The religious service is, for example, an anniversary religious service, but may also be an anniversary of the death religious service, a monthly anniversary religious service, or a memorial religious service. In the following, the case where the ceremony for mourning the deceased is an anniversary religious service will be described as an example.

[0020] Conventionally, the priest or the like has managed the death anniversary of a relative whose temple is the parishioner in a paper ledger or the like, and when the date of the religious service for the deceased approaches, the priest has sent a notice to the donor. However, there are many types of anniversary religious services and their implementation periods are long (first anniversary, third anniversary, seventh anniversary, thirteenth anniversary... hundredth anniversary), and the dates of the anniversary religious services are different for each deceased person. Therefore, a considerable amount of effort has been required for the priest to send the notice of the religious service without forgetting. Therefore, the information processing system S is configured to reduce the burden on the priest of creating a notice of the religious service including the information of the deceased and the information of the donor corresponding to the deceased.

[0021] The information processing system S comprises an information terminal 1 and an information processing device 2. Information terminal 1 is an information terminal used by user U, who is affiliated with a temple (e.g., a chief priest, a temple office worker, etc.), and is, for example, a personal computer, tablet, or smartphone. Information terminal 1 can communicate with information processing device 2. Information processing device 2 is a computer that creates notices for memorial services, and is, for example, a server.

[0022] The basic operation of the information processing system S will be explained below with reference to Figure 1. When the information terminal 1 receives a command from user U to create an invitation for a memorial service, it transmits command data indicating the received command to the information processing device 2 (see (1) in Figure 1). The command data includes, for example, a candidate period for holding the memorial service, which is entered by user U.

[0023] The information processing device 2, upon receiving instruction data for creating a memorial service invitation, creates a memorial service invitation that includes at least one of the deceased's posthumous Buddhist name, secular name, date of death, and anniversary of death, as well as at least one of the sponsor's name and contact information. The posthumous name given to the deceased is not limited to a posthumous Buddhist name (Tendai, Shingon, Soto Zen, etc.), but may also be a Buddhist name (Jodo Shinshu) or a Buddhist title (Nichiren Buddhism), etc. The sponsor may be, for example, a temple member or follower.

[0024] The information processing device 2, for example, determines a candidate date for the next memorial service based on the date of death of the deceased included in the family register data, and extracts information on the deceased whose determined candidate date falls within the candidate period indicated by the instruction data. The information processing device 2 also refers to current register data, which manages information such as the contact information of the bereaved family, and extracts information on the bereaved family corresponding to the extracted deceased. In this way, the information processing device 2 creates guidance data that includes information on the deceased and information on the bereaved family, indicating the invitation to the memorial service.

[0025] The information processing device 2 transmits the guidance data indicating the created memorial service invitation to the information terminal 1 used by user U (see (2) in Figure 1). The information terminal 1 displays the received guidance data. This allows user U to confirm that the next proposed date for the memorial service falls within the proposed period entered by user U, as well as the information of the bereaved family to whom the memorial service will be announced.

[0026] If User U confirms that the displayed information about the deceased and the bereaved family is acceptable, User U may instruct a printing company to print the contents of the invitation data onto letters or postcards, or instruct a printing machine at the temple to print the contents of the invitation data onto letters or postcards (see Figure 1 (3)). The printing company or User U will then send the letters or postcards with the contents of the invitation data printed on them to the bereaved family or their family to inform them of the memorial service (see Figure 1 (4)). User U may also send an email or text message containing the contents of the invitation data to the bereaved family or their family.

[0027] As explained above, the information processing device 2 creates a memorial service invitation, including information about the deceased and the bereaved family, based on a creation command from user U, who is the head priest. This eliminates the need for user U to manage the death dates of each deceased person using paper ledgers or similar methods, as was done in the past. As a result, the burden on user U regarding memorial service invitations can be reduced. Furthermore, since there will be fewer instances of memorial services being forgotten due to missed invitations, an improvement in the temple's revenue can be expected. In addition, bereaved families can confidently entrust the management of memorial service dates to the temple.

[0028] [Configuration of Information Terminal 1] The configuration of information terminal 1 will be described. Figure 2 shows an example of the configuration of information terminal 1. Information terminal 1 comprises a terminal communication unit 11, a display unit 12, an operation unit 13, a storage unit 14, and a control unit 15. The control unit 15 comprises a display processing unit 151 and an operation reception unit 152.

[0029] The terminal communication unit 11 is a communication interface for communicating with the information processing device 2 via a communication network such as the Internet. The terminal communication unit 11 transmits command data indicating the command to create a memorial service invitation, which has been input from the operation reception unit 152, to the information processing device 2. The terminal communication unit 11 inputs the invitation data indicating the created memorial service invitation, which has been received from the information processing device 2, into the display processing unit 151.

[0030] The display unit 12 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display. The display unit 12 displays various information in accordance with the control of the display processing unit 151. The display unit 12 displays the content of the memorial service guidance indicated by the guidance data. The operation unit 13 is a device that receives operations from user U, and is, for example, a keyboard, mouse, or touch panel.

[0031] The memory unit 14 is a storage medium including ROM (Read Only Memory) and RAM (Random Access Memory). The memory unit 14 stores the program that the control unit 15 will execute. For example, the memory unit 14 stores a program that causes the control unit 15 to function as a display processing unit 151 and an operation reception unit 152.

[0032] The control unit 15 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The control unit 15 functions as a display processing unit 151 and an operation reception unit 152 by executing a program stored in the storage unit 14.

[0033] The display processing unit 151 displays various types of information on the display unit 12. For example, the display processing unit 151 displays the content of the memorial service announcement indicated by the announcement data input from the terminal communication unit 11 on the display unit 12.

[0034] The operation reception unit 152 receives a command from user U to create an invitation for a memorial service and inputs command data indicating the received creation command to the terminal communication unit 11.

[0035] [Configuration of Information Processing Device 2] The configuration of the information processing device 2 will now be described. Figure 3 shows an example of the configuration of the information processing device 2. The information processing device 2 comprises a device communication unit 21, a storage unit 22, and a control unit 23. The storage unit 22 comprises a first storage unit 221, a second storage unit 222, and a third storage unit 223. The control unit 23 comprises an input unit 231, a candidate date determination unit 232, a first extraction unit 233, a second extraction unit 234, a creation unit 235, an output unit 236, a cost calculation unit 237, and a registration / update unit 238.

[0036] The device communication unit 21 is a communication interface for communicating with the information terminal 1 via a communication network such as the Internet. The device communication unit 21 inputs command data indicating the instruction to create a memorial service invitation, received from the information terminal 1, into the input unit 231. The device communication unit 21 transmits the invitation data indicating the memorial service invitation, which was input from the output unit 236, to the information terminal 1.

[0037] The storage unit 22 is a storage medium including ROM and RAM. The storage unit 22 stores the program that the control unit 23 executes. For example, the storage unit 22 stores an information processing program that causes the control unit 23 to function as an input unit 231, a candidate date determination unit 232, a first extraction unit 233, a second extraction unit 234, a creation unit 235, an output unit 236, a cost calculation unit 237, and a registration update unit 238.

[0038] The first storage unit 221 stores deceased person record data, which manages information about the deceased, including the date of death. The second storage unit 222 stores current record data, which manages information about the client, including the client's contact information. The third storage unit 223 stores family record data, which manages information about the client's relatives (e.g., the client's family).

[0039] Figure 4 shows an example of the family register data stored in the first storage unit 221. In the family register data, the following are associated: the donor ID, the deceased ID, the posthumous Buddhist name, the secular name, the date of death, the date of the next memorial service, and the record of the memorial service. The donor ID is donor identification information for identifying the donor. The deceased ID is deceased identification information for identifying the deceased. The date of the next memorial service is a candidate date for the next memorial service, for example, a date determined by the candidate date determination unit 232 (described later) based on the date of death of the deceased. There may be one candidate date or multiple dates. The record of the memorial service includes, for example, the date the memorial service was held and the cost of the memorial service. The record of the memorial service may also include the date the memorial service was held and the amount of the outstanding payment for memorial services that have already been held but for which the temple has not yet collected the payment.

[0040] Figure 5 shows an example of current ledger data stored in the second storage unit 222. In the current ledger data, the client ID, the client's name, the client's contact information, the client's address, and a client invitation flag are associated. The client invitation flag indicates whether the client wishes to receive an invitation to the memorial service, and may be set for each invitation medium or for each anniversary of the memorial service. The invitation medium may be a postcard, letter, email, or short message.

[0041] Figure 6 shows an example of family register data stored in the third storage unit 223. In the family register data, the following are associated: the client ID, the related party ID, the related party's name, the related party's contact information, the related party's address, a related party invitation flag, and the relationship to the client. The related party invitation flag indicates whether the related party of the client wishes to receive an invitation to the memorial service or not, and may be set for each invitation medium or for each anniversary of the memorial service. The relationship to the client is information indicating, for example, the blood relationship between the client and the related party, and specifically, information indicating what degree of kinship the related party is to the client.

[0042] The control unit 23 is, for example, a CPU. The control unit 23 functions as an input unit 231, a candidate date determination unit 232, a first extraction unit 233, a second extraction unit 234, a creation unit 235, an output unit 236, a cost calculation unit 237, and a registration / update unit 238 by executing an information processing program stored in the memory unit 22.

[0043] The input unit 231 accepts input of various types of information. For example, the input unit 231 accepts a command to create an invitation for a memorial service. The input unit 231 may accept a command to create an invitation for a memorial service by receiving command data indicating the command to create an invitation for a memorial service from the information terminal 1 via the device communication unit 21. The command data may include a candidate period for holding the memorial service, which is entered by user U. The input unit 231 inputs the received command data into the first extraction unit 233.

[0044] The candidate date determination unit 232 refers to the first storage unit 221 and determines a candidate date for the next memorial service. For example, in response to an instruction to determine a candidate date being input from the input unit 231, the candidate date determination unit 232 determines a candidate date for the next memorial service based on the date of death of the deceased contained in the family register data (Figure 4) stored in the first storage unit 221, and the current date. For example, the candidate date determination unit 232 updates the candidate date for the next memorial service whenever an instruction is input periodically (for example, on the 1st of each month). The candidate date determination unit 232 stores the information indicating the determined candidate date for the next memorial service as family register data in the first storage unit 221. The candidate date determination unit 232 also inputs the information indicating the determined candidate date for the next memorial service to the output unit 236.

[0045] When the input unit 231 receives input of a candidate period for holding a memorial service, the first extraction unit 233 refers to the first storage unit 221 and extracts information about the deceased for whom a memorial service should be held within the candidate period. For example, when the input unit 231 receives input of command data, the first extraction unit 233 refers to the family register data and extracts information about the deceased whose next candidate date for holding a memorial service falls within the candidate period indicated by the command data. The first extraction unit 233 inputs the information about the deceased extracted from the family register data into the second extraction unit 234 and the creation unit 235.

[0046] The second extraction unit 234 refers to the third storage unit 223 and extracts the persons to whom an invitation to the memorial service should be sent, according to the attributes of the persons concerned. The second extraction unit 234 may, for example, refer to the third storage unit 223 and extract the persons to whom an invitation to the memorial service should be sent, according to the blood relationship between the bereaved family and the persons concerned. The second extraction unit 234 may also refer to the family register data (Figure 6) stored in the third storage unit 223 and identify persons associated with the bereaved family ID corresponding to the information of the deceased entered from the first extraction unit 233. Then, the second extraction unit 234 may extract from the identified persons those whose blood relationship with the bereaved family satisfies a predetermined blood relationship (for example, within the second degree of kinship).

[0047] The second extraction unit 234 may change the predetermined blood relationship that serves as the extraction condition for related persons according to the number of memorial service anniversaries. For example, the degree of kinship of the predetermined blood relationship may be reduced as the number of memorial services increases. Specifically, the second extraction unit 234 may extract related persons within the third degree of kinship for the seventh anniversary, related persons within the second degree of kinship for the thirteenth anniversary, and related persons within the first degree of kinship for the seventeenth anniversary. The second extraction unit 234 inputs the information of related persons extracted from the family register data into the creation unit 235.

[0048] Based on the instruction to create a memorial service invitation received by the input unit 231, the creation unit 235 creates a memorial service invitation that includes at least one of the deceased's posthumous Buddhist name, given name, date of death, and anniversary of death stored in the first storage unit 221, and at least one of the sponsor's name and contact information stored in the second storage unit 222. The creation unit 235 creates memorial service invitation data that includes, for example, the deceased's information input from the first extraction unit 233 and the sponsor's information in the current ledger data associated with the sponsor ID corresponding to the deceased. The creation unit 235 inputs the created invitation data into the output unit 236.

[0049] By having the creation unit 235 create the memorial service invitations in this way, user U no longer needs to refer to a paper ledger that manages the death anniversaries of each deceased person to create the invitations. As a result, the burden on user U regarding the task of creating memorial service invitations can be reduced.

[0050] The creation unit 235 may create memorial service invitation data that includes information on the parties involved entered from the second extraction unit 234. This makes it possible to send memorial service invitations to the parties involved (for example, the family of the bereaved family). The creation unit 235 may also create invitation data that shows the invitation text for the invitation medium for which the invitation flag is set to "desired" in the current ledger data or family ledger data. This makes it possible to send memorial service invitations through the invitation medium preferred by the bereaved family or other parties involved, thereby reducing the probability of the invitations being overlooked.

[0051] The output unit 236 outputs the created memorial service invitation. For example, the output unit 236 outputs the invitation data by transmitting the memorial service invitation data input from the creation unit 235 to the information terminal 1 used by user U via the device communication unit 21. As a result, if user U confirms that the contents of the invitation data are acceptable, they can send a letter or postcard with the contents of the invitation data printed on it to the bereaved family, or send an email or short message to the bereaved family indicating the contents of the invitation data.

[0052] Figure 7 shows an example of a postcard created to invite people to a memorial service. On the invitation postcard, the name of the person making the arrangements or the name of someone related to the person making the arrangements is written in the section indicated by P1, the invitation text for the memorial service is written in the section indicated by P2, the information of the deceased (posthumous name, given name, date of death, date of the annual memorial service, number of memorial services) is written in the section indicated by P3, and the temple information (temple name, telephone number) is written in the section indicated by P4. The information in the sections indicated by P1 and P3 will differ for each deceased person. On the other hand, the information in the sections indicated by P2 and P4 will be the same for all deceased people.

[0053] User U, who is a Buddhist priest, may want to check all the deceased who should have memorial services but have not yet had them. Therefore, the output unit 236 may display a list of deceased who should have memorial services by searching from the search screen, as explained below.

[0054] Figure 8 shows an example of a search screen for finding deceased persons for whom memorial services should be held. When the "Anniversary Tab" is selected, the search screen appears, and user U, who is the chief priest, enters at least one of the anniversary date (candidate period for holding the service) and the number of anniversaries as search conditions, and then selects "Execute Search". When "Execute Search" is selected, the first extraction unit 233 refers to the family register data (Figure 4) and extracts the secular name, posthumous name, date of death, and next memorial service date of deceased persons for whom memorial services have not yet been held who match the entered search conditions. The first extraction unit 233 also refers to the implementation status data (not shown), which associates the deceased, the memorial service date, the recipients of the memorial service invitation (the sponsor or their related parties), and the status of memorial service invitations by invitation medium, and extracts the recipients of the memorial service invitation and the memorial service invitation status associated with the extracted deceased persons and next memorial service date.

[0055] The output unit 236 displays the extracted information as search results on the display unit of the information terminal 1 used by user U, as shown in Figure 8. By displaying a list of deceased persons for whom memorial services should be held, the output unit 236 ensures that user U does not forget to send out invitations for the memorial services to the bereaved family.

[0056] While user U can efficiently grasp a list of deceased individuals for whom memorial services should be held by referring to the search results, the subsequent tasks, namely sending postcards or letters or emails inviting people to the memorial services, may be burdensome for user U. Therefore, as explained below, the output unit 236 may instruct the sending of postcards or letters or send emails in response to user U's instructions from the search screen.

[0057] Specifically, if the status of postcard invitations for memorial services is "Not yet sent," and user U selects "Sent" in the rightmost column of the search results in Figure 8, the output unit 236 may send instruction data to the printing company's information terminal to instruct the printing company to send postcards printed with invitations for the memorial services of the deceased for whom "Sent" was selected to the bereaved family or related parties. Alternatively, if the status of email invitations for memorial services is "Not yet sent," and user U selects "Sent" in the rightmost column of the search results in Figure 8, the output unit 236 may send an email indicating the invitation for the memorial services of the deceased for whom "Sent" was selected to the bereaved family or related parties' information terminals.

[0058] In this way, user U can send memorial service invitations to bereaved families or related parties to whom invitations have not yet been sent by selecting "Send" or "Transmit" on the search screen in Figure 8. As a result, user U no longer needs to print memorial service invitations on postcards, send out printed postcards, or create emails informing them of the memorial service, thus reducing the burden on user U regarding memorial service invitation work.

[0059] Up to this point, we have described an example in which the creation unit 235 creates a memorial service invitation based on a creation command from user U, who is the head priest. However, user U may neglect or forget to issue a creation command. In this case, the memorial service invitation may be forgotten. Therefore, the output unit 236 may output a candidate date for the next memorial service when the period until the next candidate date falls below a predetermined period. The predetermined period is, for example, a period set in advance by user U and stored in the storage unit 22 in association with user U. For example, when the remaining period until the next candidate date for the next memorial service, as input from the candidate date determination unit 232, falls below two months, the output unit 236 sends a list to user U's information terminal 1 showing the deceased's secular name, posthumous name, and date of death, as well as the candidate date for the next memorial service for that deceased.

[0060] With the output unit 236 operating in this manner, user U can identify deceased individuals for whom there is little time remaining until the next proposed date of the memorial service, even if they fail to issue a command to create a memorial service invitation. As a result, forgetting to send out memorial service invitations can be reduced.

[0061] By the way, user U needs to recover the costs of the memorial services that were performed from the bereaved family. Therefore, when the input unit 231 receives input for the completed period, which is the period in which the memorial services were performed, the cost calculation unit 237 refers to the first storage unit 221 and calculates the total cost of the memorial services performed within the completed period. For example, the cost calculation unit 237 refers to the records of memorial services included in the family register data stored in the first storage unit 221 and extracts memorial services for which the temple has not yet recovered the costs, and whose dates fall within the completed period received by the input unit 231. Then, the cost calculation unit 237 calculates, for example, the total amount of unrecovered amounts corresponding to the extracted memorial services for each of the multiple deceased. The cost calculation unit 237 inputs information indicating the calculated amount into the output unit 236.

[0062] By having the cost calculation unit 237 calculate the cost of the memorial service in this way, user U can efficiently determine the cost of the memorial service that should be billed to the client. As a result, it is possible to prevent situations where costs remain uncollected because the temple failed to bill the client despite having performed the memorial service, thus improving the temple's profitability.

[0063] As mentioned above, there are many types of memorial services, and their implementation period is long (for example, 50 to 100 years), so the person who is supposed to be the host may die during that period. In this case, the host will be absent, making it impossible to send out invitations for the deceased's memorial service, and also impossible to send out invitations for a memorial service to mourn the deceased host. Therefore, when the input unit 231 receives input that the host has died, the registration update unit 238 may refer to the third storage unit 223 and output candidates who should become the new host, and register a person selected from among these candidates as the new host in the second storage unit 222. For example, the registration update unit 238 may refer to the family ledger data stored in the third storage unit 223 and output the people related to the deceased host as candidates who should become the new host, and register a person selected from among these candidates as the new host in the current ledger data stored in the second storage unit 222.

[0064] Figure 9 shows an example of a client list screen displaying a list of clients. When the "Current Ledger" tab is selected, the client list screen is displayed, and when "Register in Past Ledger" is selected, the input unit 231 accepts the input that the client has died. Note that the "Register in Past Ledger" button may be located at a lower level than the client list screen (for example, on the client details screen).

[0065] Figure 10 shows an example of a client registration screen for registering a new client. The registration update unit 238 displays the client ID of the client for whom "Register in Past Ledger" is selected on the client list screen, and the related party information in the current ledger data, as shown in Figure 10. The registration update unit 238 then registers the related party for whom "Register in Current Ledger" is selected on the client registration screen as a new client in the current ledger data.

[0066] If the input unit 231 receives input indicating that the client has died, the registration update unit 238 may further register the deceased client as a deceased person in the first storage unit 221. For example, the registration update unit 238 registers clients for whom "Register in Past Records" is selected on the client list screen in Figure 9 as deceased persons in the past record data stored in the first storage unit 221.

[0067] In this way, when a client dies, the registration update unit 238 registers the selected person as the new client in the second storage unit 222, and registers the deceased client as a deceased person in the first storage unit 221. This prevents the client from being absent, allowing for the smooth sending of memorial service invitations, and also allows for the sending of memorial service invitations to the person's relatives to mourn the deceased client.

[0068] Furthermore, the registration update unit 238 may, after "Register in current ledger" is selected on the client registration screen (Figure 10) and a new client is registered in the current ledger data, register deceased former clients who have been selected "Register in past ledger" on the client list screen (Figure 9) into the past ledger data. By operating in this manner, the registration update unit 238 can reliably register new clients in the current ledger data and prevent the erroneous registration of living clients in the past ledger data.

[0069] [Processing flow executed by information processing device 2] Figure 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow executed by the information processing device 2. The input unit 231 receives a command to create an invitation for a memorial service, which includes a candidate period indicating a period during which the memorial service may be held (S1). The candidate date determination unit 232, in response to the instruction to determine a candidate date from the input unit 231, determines a candidate date for the next memorial service based on the date of death of the deceased contained in the family register data (Figure 4) stored in the first storage unit 221, and the current date (S2). The candidate dates for each memorial service (e.g., the ●th anniversary of death) may be determined in advance before receiving the creation command (S1).

[0070] The first extraction unit 233 extracts information on deceased persons whose proposed date for the next memorial service, determined in S2, falls within the proposed period included in the creation command received in S1 (S3). The first extraction unit 233 refers to the current ledger data (Figure 5) stored in the first storage unit 221 and extracts information on the benefactor (name, contact information, etc.) corresponding to the deceased person extracted in S3 (S4). The second extraction unit 234 refers to the family ledger data (Figure 6) stored in the third storage unit 223 and extracts kinship information (information indicating the degree of kinship from the benefactor) of related persons corresponding to the benefactor extracted in S4 (S5).

[0071] The second extraction unit 234 determines, based on the kinship information of the persons extracted in S5, whether the benefactor and the persons belong to a predetermined kinship relationship (for example, within two degrees of kinship from the benefactor) (S6). If the second extraction unit 234 determines that the benefactor and the persons belong to a predetermined kinship relationship (S6: YES), the second extraction unit 234 extracts the persons' information (name, contact information, etc.) (S7). The creation unit 235 creates a memorial service invitation for the benefactor and the persons by creating an invitation that includes the information of the deceased extracted in S3, the information of the benefactor extracted in S4, and the information of the persons extracted in S7 (S8).

[0072] On the other hand, if the second extraction unit 234 determines that the client and the related parties do not meet the specified blood relationship (S6: NO), the second extraction unit 234 does not extract information about the related parties (name, contact information, etc.). The creation unit 235 creates a memorial service invitation for the client by creating an invitation that includes the information of the deceased extracted in S3 and the information of the client extracted in S4 (S9).

[0073] The second extraction unit 234 may, instead of performing S5 as described above, refer to the family register data (Figure 6) stored in the third storage unit 223 and extract information indicating the relationship between the client and related parties extracted in S4. In this case, the second extraction unit 234 may, instead of performing S6 as described above, determine whether the related party is a specific person (for example, an important person such as a guardian or a close distant relative). The subsequent processing in S7, S8, and S9 can be performed in the same manner as described above.

[0074] [Effects of Information Processing Device 2] As explained above, the creation unit 235 in the information processing device 2 creates a memorial service invitation based on the instruction to create a memorial service invitation received by the input unit 231. This invitation includes at least one of the deceased's posthumous Buddhist name, given name, date of death, and anniversary of death stored in the first storage unit 221, and at least one of the sponsor's name and contact information stored in the second storage unit 222. This eliminates the need for user U to manage each deceased person's date of death using a paper ledger or the like, as was done in the past. As a result, the burden on user U regarding memorial service invitations can be reduced.

[0075] Although the present invention has been described above using embodiments, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of its gist. For example, all or part of the apparatus can be configured by functionally or physically distributing and integrating in any unit. Furthermore, new embodiments resulting from any combination of multiple embodiments are also included in the embodiments of the present invention. The effects of the new embodiments resulting from the combinations are combined with the effects of the original embodiments. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0076] 1. Information terminal 11 Terminal Communication Unit 12 Display section 13 Control section 14 Storage section 15 Control Unit 151 Display Processing Unit 152 Operation Reception Section 2. Information Processing Device 21. Device Communication Unit 22 Memory section 23 Control Unit 221 1st memory section 222 2nd memory section 223 Third memory section 231 Input section 232 Candidate Date Selection Department 233 1st extraction part 234 Second extraction part 235 Creation Section 236 Output section 237 Cost Calculation Department 238 Registration Renewal Section S Information Processing System

Claims

1. A first storage unit stores information about the deceased, including deceased identification information for identifying the deceased and information about the date of death of the deceased. A second storage unit stores client identification information for identifying the client associated with the deceased, and client information including the client's contact information. An input unit that receives instructions for creating a guide for a ceremony to mourn the aforementioned deceased, A creation unit that creates the aforementioned notice based on the creation command, including at least one of the deceased's posthumous Buddhist name, given name, date of death, and memorial anniversary stored in the first storage unit, and at least one of the sponsor's name and contact information stored in the second storage unit, An output unit that outputs the created guidance, Having, Information processing device.

2. The system further includes a first extraction unit that, when the input unit receives input for a period of time during which the ceremony is a candidate, refers to the first storage unit and extracts information about the deceased person for whom the ceremony should be performed within that period. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The first memory unit further stores the record of the ceremony, including the cost of the ceremony associated with the deceased, The system further includes a cost calculation unit that, when the input unit receives input of a period in which the ceremony was performed, refers to the first storage unit and calculates the total cost of the ceremony performed within that period. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

4. The system further includes a candidate date determination unit that, by referring to the first memory unit, determines a candidate date for the next ceremony concerning the deceased, The output unit outputs the proposed implementation date when the period until the proposed implementation date falls below a predetermined period. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

5. A third storage unit that stores information on persons associated with the aforementioned client, When the input unit receives input indicating that the client has died, the registration update unit refers to the third storage unit and outputs candidates who should become the new client, registers a person selected from among the candidates as the new client in the second storage unit, and further registers the deceased client as a deceased person in the first storage unit. It further possesses, The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

6. A third storage unit that stores information on persons associated with the aforementioned client, A second extraction unit refers to the third storage unit and extracts the persons to whom the notification should be sent according to the attributes of the persons concerned, It further possesses, The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

7. The information of the aforementioned parties includes the blood relationship between the client and the aforementioned parties. The second extraction unit refers to the third storage unit and extracts the relevant persons to whom the notice should be sent, according to the blood relationship between the client and the relevant persons. The information processing apparatus according to claim 6.

8. A first storage unit stores information about the deceased, including deceased identification information for identifying the deceased and information about the date of death of the deceased. A second storage unit stores client identification information for identifying the client associated with the deceased, and client information including the client's contact information. A computer having the following will run: The steps include receiving instructions to create an invitation for a ceremony to mourn the aforementioned deceased, Based on the creation command, the step of creating the notice which includes at least one of the deceased's posthumous Buddhist name, given name, date of death, and memorial service anniversary stored in the first memory unit, and at least one of the sponsor's name and contact information stored in the second memory unit, The steps include outputting the created guide, Having, Information processing methods.

9. A first storage unit stores information about the deceased, including deceased identification information for identifying the deceased and information about the date of death of the deceased. A second storage unit stores client identification information for identifying the client associated with the deceased, and client information including the client's contact information. The processor of an information processing device having An input unit that receives instructions for creating a guide for a ceremony to mourn the aforementioned deceased, A creation unit that creates the aforementioned notice based on the creation command, including at least one of the deceased's posthumous Buddhist name, given name, date of death, and memorial anniversary stored in the first storage unit, and at least one of the sponsor's name and contact information stored in the second storage unit, An output unit that outputs the created guidance, A program designed to function as such.

10. The system comprises an information processing device and an information terminal capable of communicating with the information processing device, The aforementioned information processing device is A first storage unit stores information about the deceased, including deceased identification information for identifying the deceased and information about the date of death of the deceased. A second storage unit stores client identification information for identifying the client associated with the deceased, and client information including the client's contact information. An input unit that receives instructions for creating a guide for a ceremony to mourn the aforementioned deceased, A creation unit that creates the aforementioned notice based on the creation command, including at least one of the deceased's posthumous Buddhist name, given name, date of death, and memorial anniversary stored in the first storage unit, and at least one of the sponsor's name and contact information stored in the second storage unit, An output unit that outputs the created guidance, It has, The information terminal has a terminal communication unit that transmits command data indicating the creation command to the information processing device and receives guidance data indicating the created guidance from the information processing device. Information processing system.

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