Server device, information presentation method, and program

Abstract

A server device and the like capable of appropriately making reservation suggestions to users with high potential is provided. [Solution] When the price of a time slot changes, the identification unit 272 identifies a candidate user who can use the variable slot whose price has changed based on the behavior history. The notification sending unit 251 sends a notification to a user terminal in which a reservation app used by the candidate user is installed. When a current location is reported from the user terminal that received the notification along with the launch of the reservation app, the estimation unit 273 estimates whether the candidate user can reserve the variable slot or not based on the current location and the location of the facility. The generation unit 274 generates proposal information that proposes reservation of the variable slot if reservation is possible, and generates notification information if reservation is not possible. The information sending unit 252 displays the proposal information or notification information on the reservation app by transmitting the proposal information or notification information to the user terminal used by the candidate user.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a server device, an information presentation method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, the prices of products, services, etc. have been set using a method known as dynamic pricing. In this variable price system, prices are flexibly changed according to the balance between supply and demand, for example.

[0003] As an example of prior art using such a variable price system, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology for an information processing device that presents a variable price according to the characteristics of the user. This information processing device is capable of presenting a variable price that is lower than other prices to users who have made many purchases or who have accumulated a large amount of purchases. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2023-92257 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Although the information processing device described in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 can present variable prices according to the characteristics of the user, it is difficult to narrow down the proposal to target users at the time when the price changes.

[0006] In particular, in facilities that adopt a variable pricing system for the price of time slots for providing services, for example, if a reserved time slot is canceled at the last minute, the price of that time slot may be changed to a lower price than before the cancellation. In such cases, it is expected that it is more cost-effective to make an urgent request to a narrower number of users than to simply make an urgent request to a large number of users.

[0007] Given this situation, there has been a demand for technology that can appropriately make reservation suggestions to users with high potential.

[0008] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and aims to provide a server device, an information presentation method, and a program that can appropriately make reservation suggestions to users with high potential. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] A server device according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises: A server device for managing reservations for a facility that employs a variable pricing system for the price of a time slot for providing a service, comprising: an identification unit that, when the price of a time frame arriving within a predetermined time period fluctuates, identifies candidate users who can use the fluctuating time frame whose price has fluctuated based on the behavior history of each user; a notification sending unit that sends a notification to a user terminal installed with an application used by the candidate user and capable of making a reservation at the facility, the notification sending unit being capable of activating the application; an estimation unit that, when a current location is reported from the user terminal that has received the notification in association with the launch of the app, estimates whether the candidate user is able to reserve the variable time slot or not based on the current location and a location of the facility; a generation unit that generates proposal information proposing a reservation of the variable slot when the estimation unit estimates that the reservation is possible, and generates notification information different from the proposal information when the estimation unit estimates that the reservation is impossible; an information transmission unit that displays the proposed information or the notification information on the app by transmitting the proposed information or the notification information generated by the generation unit to the user terminal used by the candidate user; The present invention is characterized by comprising:

[0010] In addition, in the server device according to the above aspect, The estimation unit may unconditionally estimate that the candidate user is unable to reserve the variable slot once the variable slot has been reserved.

[0011] In addition, in the server device according to the above aspect, The identification unit may identify the candidate users by excluding users who have transmitted the notification to the user terminal more than an upper limit within a certain period of time.

[0012] In addition, in the server device according to the above aspect, The notification transmission unit may transmit the notification having content that does not give an unnatural feeling of connection to either the suggestion information or the alarm information.

[0013] In addition, in the server device according to the above aspect, When generating the proposal information, the generation unit may select a comparison time slot from the multiple time slots that can be reserved, the comparison time slot having a price different from the price of the variable time slot, and generate the proposal information that includes the price of the variable time slot, the price of the comparison time slot, and options for the variable time slot, with the options highlighted.

[0014] An information presentation method according to a second aspect of the present invention comprises: 1. An information presentation method executed by a server device that manages reservations for a facility that employs a variable pricing system for the price of a time slot for providing a service, comprising: When the price of a time frame that arrives within a predetermined time period fluctuates, a specification step is performed in which candidate users who can use the fluctuating time frame whose price has fluctuated are specified based on the behavior history of each user; a notification sending step of sending a notification to a user terminal on which an application capable of making a reservation at the facility is installed, the application being used by the candidate user, the notification being capable of activating the application; an estimation step of estimating, when a current location is reported from the user terminal that has received the notification in association with the launch of the app, whether the candidate user is able to reserve the variable time slot or not based on the current location and a location of the facility; a generating step of generating proposal information proposing a reservation of the variable slot when it is estimated in the estimation step that the reservation is possible, and generating notification information different from the proposal information when it is estimated in the estimation step that the reservation is impossible; an information transmitting step of transmitting the proposed information or the notification information generated in the generating step to the user terminal used by the candidate user, thereby displaying the proposed information or the notification information on the app; The present invention is characterized by comprising:

[0015] A program according to a third aspect of the present invention comprises: A computer that manages reservations for facilities that use a variable pricing system for the price of time slots for which services are provided, When the price of a time frame that arrives within a predetermined time period fluctuates, a step of identifying candidate users who can use the fluctuating time frame in which the price has fluctuated based on the behavior history of each user; a notification sending step of sending a notification to a user terminal on which an application capable of making a reservation at the facility is installed, the application being used by the candidate user, the notification being capable of activating the application; an estimation step of estimating whether the candidate user is able to reserve the variable time slot or not based on the current location and a location of the facility when a current location is reported from the user terminal that has received the notification in association with the launch of the app; a generating step of generating proposal information proposing a reservation of the variable slot when it is estimated in the estimation step that the reservation is possible, and generating notification information different from the proposal information when it is estimated in the estimation step that the reservation is impossible; an information transmitting step of displaying the proposed information or the notification information on the application by transmitting the proposed information or the notification information generated in the generating step to the user terminal used by the candidate user; The present invention is characterized in that the above-mentioned is executed.

[0016] The above program may be distributed or sold via a computer communication network independently of the computer on which the program is executed. Furthermore, the information recording medium on which the above-mentioned program is recorded is a non-transitory recording medium, and can be distributed and sold independently of a computer. Here, the non-transitory recording medium refers to a tangible recording medium. Examples of non-transitory recording media include compact discs, flexible disks, hard disks, magneto-optical disks, digital video disks, magnetic tapes, and semiconductor memories. Also, the transitory recording medium refers to the transmission medium (propagation signal) itself. Examples of the transitory recording medium include electrical signals, optical signals, and electromagnetic waves. In addition, the temporary storage area refers to an area for temporarily storing data and programs, and is, for example, a volatile memory such as a RAM (Random Access Memory). Effect of the Invention

[0017] According to the present invention, a reservation proposal can be appropriately made to users who have a high possibility of making a reservation. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a reservation system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a typical information processing device in which a server device or the like according to an embodiment of the present invention is realized; [Diagram 3] 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of a server device according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4]FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for visually explaining free time information. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram for visually explaining variable price information. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining usage history information. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a calendar screen displayed on a user terminal. [Figure 8] 13(a) to 13(c) are schematic diagrams for explaining distribution conditions. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing an example for explaining the price in an available time slot on a single candidate date. [Figure 10] (a) is a schematic diagram showing an example for explaining the price in an available time slot for a single candidate date, and (b) is a schematic diagram showing an example for explaining the price in an available time slot for multiple candidate dates. [Figure 11] 13A and 13B are schematic diagrams illustrating an example of proposed information. [Figure 12] 13A and 13B are schematic diagrams illustrating an example of a calendar screen on which suggested information is superimposed. [Figure 13] 4 is a flowchart for explaining a reservation process according to the first embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a search screen displayed on a user terminal. [Figure 15] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of a server device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of user management information. [Figure 17] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a notification displayed on a user terminal. [Figure 18] FIG. 4A is a schematic diagram showing an example of proposal information, and FIG. 4B is a schematic diagram showing an example of notification information. [Figure 19] FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram showing an example of suggested information displayed on a user terminal on which an app is launched, and FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram showing an example of notification information displayed on a user terminal on which an app is launched. [Figure 20]10 is a flowchart illustrating a presentation process according to the second embodiment. [Figure 21] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a calendar screen on which suggested information is superimposed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below. In the embodiment of the present invention, a reservation system for managing reservations at a beauty facility that employs a variable pricing system for the price of a time slot for providing beauty services will be described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to such beauty facilities, and can also be applied to reservation systems for various facilities that provide other services to users (for example, chiropractic facilities, sports facilities, etc.). It should be noted that the following embodiments are for illustrative purposes only and do not limit the scope of the present invention. Therefore, a person skilled in the art may adopt embodiments in which any or all of the elements are replaced with equivalents, and these embodiments are also included in the scope of the present invention.

[0020] (Overall composition) The reservation system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is a system that allows appropriate reservations to be made with beauty facilities (such as beauty salons, nail salons, esthetic salons, etc.) that employ a variable pricing system (dynamic pricing) for the price of the time slots in which services are provided, and is configured to include a server device 200 and a user terminal 300, as shown in FIG. 1. The server device 200 and the user terminal 300 are communicatively connected via the Internet 900. Although only three user terminals 300 are shown in Fig. 1 for ease of understanding of the invention, in reality, a huge number of user terminals 300 are included depending on the number of users.

[0021] The server device 200 is, for example, a server computer that manages information about beauty facilities and transmits and receives necessary information to and from the user terminal 300 used by the user, allowing the user to compare prices for time slots (available time slots) at beauty facilities and make a reservation for the desired time slot. More specifically, when the server device 200 receives request information for a reservation sent from the user terminal 300, it identifies a candidate date on which there is a remaining free time slot available for the user to make a reservation, and after confirming that there are multiple free time slots on the candidate date and that the price distribution of each free time slot satisfies a condition (distribution condition described below), it transmits proposal information including each free time slot on the candidate date and their prices to the user terminal 300. On the user terminal 300 that receives this proposal information, each free time slot with a different price is displayed, allowing the user to easily compare the high and low prices of each free time slot. Then, when any free time slot is selected on the user terminal 300, the server device 200 makes a reservation by associating the selected free time slot with the user's information.

[0022] The user terminal 300 is, for example, a smartphone or a personal computer, and is used by a user who wishes to use (make a reservation) at a beauty facility. A reservation application for reserving a beauty facility, for example, is installed on the user terminal 300. When the reservation application is started on the user terminal 300, a desired beauty facility can be searched for and a reservation can be made at the beauty facility. In more detail, the reservation application displays, for example, a calendar screen (described in detail later) on which a reservation can be made at a beauty facility, and transmits request information including a date selected by the user to the server device 200. The server device 200 that receives the request information generates proposal information including each available time slot for candidate dates including the date selected by the user and their prices, and returns the proposal information to the user terminal 300. Therefore, the reservation application displays the received proposal information superimposed on the calendar screen, and allows the user to select a desired available time slot and make a reservation while checking the high and low prices of each available time slot.

[0023] (General configuration of information processing device) A typical information processing device 400 in which the server device 200 according to the present embodiment is realized will be described.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 2, the information processing device 400 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 401, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 402, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 403, a NIC (Network Interface Card) 404, an image processing unit 405, an audio processing unit 406, an auxiliary memory unit 407, an interface 408, an operation unit 409, and a display unit 410.

[0025] A CPU 401 controls the overall operation of the information processing device 400, and is connected to each component to exchange control signals and data.

[0026] The ROM 402 stores an IPL (Initial Program Loader) that is executed immediately after power is turned on. When this IPL is executed, a program stored in the auxiliary memory unit 407 is read into the RAM 403 and execution of the program by the CPU 401 begins.

[0027] The RAM 403 is for temporarily storing data and programs, and holds programs and data read from the auxiliary storage unit 407, as well as other data necessary for communication.

[0028] The NIC 404 is used to connect the information processing device 400 to a computer communication network such as the Internet, and may be configured as a 10BASE-T / 100BASE-T standard used in constructing a LAN (Local Area Network), an analog modem for connecting to the Internet using a telephone line, an ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) modem, an ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) modem, a cable modem for connecting to the Internet using a cable television line, or the like.

[0029] The image processing unit 405 processes image data read from the auxiliary storage unit 407 or the like using an image calculation processor (not shown) provided in the CPU 401 or the image processing unit 405, and then records the processed image data in a frame memory (not shown) provided in the image processing unit 405. The image information recorded in the frame memory is converted into a video signal at a predetermined synchronous timing, and is output to the display unit 410 via the interface 408 or the like. In other words, under the control of the CPU 401, the image processing unit 405 generates images required in the progress of processing performed by the information processing device 400, and causes the display unit 410 to display the images.

[0030] The audio processing unit 406 converts audio data read from the auxiliary storage unit 407 or the like into an audio signal, and outputs the audio signal to the speaker 411 via the interface 408. In other words, under the control of the CPU 401, the audio processing unit 406 generates audio to be generated during the progress of processing performed by the information processing device 400, and outputs the audio from the speaker 411.

[0031] The auxiliary storage unit 407 is a hard disk or the like, and stores various programs and various data necessary for controlling the operation of the entire information processing device 400. For example, the auxiliary storage unit 407 stores a program for realizing the server device 200 according to the present embodiment. Then, under the control of the CPU 401, the auxiliary storage unit 407 appropriately reads out the stored programs and data, and temporarily stores them in the RAM 403 or the like.

[0032] An operation unit 409 and a display unit 410 are connected to the interface 408. Note that the interface 408 may also transmit and receive necessary information to and from other connected external devices.

[0033] The operation unit 409 accepts operation inputs from an operator or the like who uses the information processing device 400 .

[0034] The display unit 410 renders an image according to the image data output by the image processing unit 405 and displays it to an operator or the like who uses the information processing device 400 .

[0035] Additionally, the information processing device 400 may include a drive unit such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc)-ROM instead of the auxiliary storage unit 407. In this case, the information processing device 400 reads out programs and data from a DVD-ROM or the like that is loaded into the drive unit, and operates in the same manner as described above.

[0036] (Embodiment 1) Hereinafter, the functional configuration of the server device 200 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 3 to Fig. 12. This server device 200 is realized by the above-mentioned information processing device 400. For example, when the information processing device 400 is powered on, a program that causes it to function as the server device 200 is executed, and the server device 200 according to the first embodiment is realized. Similarly, the user terminal 300 is realized by an information processing device 400, but a description thereof will be omitted and the server device 200, which is the most characteristic feature of the first embodiment, will be described below.

[0037] (Functional configuration of the server device according to the first embodiment) 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the server device 200 according to embodiment 1. As shown in the figure, the server device 200 includes a receiving unit 210, a transmitting unit 220, a storage unit 230, and a control unit 240.

[0038] The receiving unit 210 receives various information sent from the user terminal 300 . For example, the receiving unit 210 receives request information regarding a reservation sent from the user terminal 300. Note that the request information includes, for example, the date on which the user wishes to make the reservation, as will be described later.

[0039] The above-mentioned NIC 404 or the like can function as such a receiving unit 210.

[0040] The transmitting unit 220 is controlled by the control unit 240 and transmits necessary information to the user terminal 300 . For example, the transmitting unit 220 transmits proposal information including each available time slot on the candidate dates and their prices to the user terminal 300. Note that the candidate dates include the dates on which the user wishes to make a reservation.

[0041] The above-mentioned NIC 404 or the like can function as such a transmission unit 220.

[0042] The storage unit 230 stores various information related to the beauty facility. For example, the storage unit 230 stores available time slot information 231, variable price information 232, and usage history information 233.

[0043] First, the available time slot information 231 is information that indicates each available time slot during which a service can be provided at a beauty facility. Specifically, available time slots (time slots indicated by circles) are managed in the available time slot information 231, as shown in Fig. 4. Note that Fig. 4 shows a case in which the time slots are in one-hour units, but this is merely an example, and other time units (30-minute units, for example) may also be used. In addition, FIG. 4 visually shows each available time slot for a week's business days at a beauty facility (as an example, every Tuesday is a regular closing day), and the actual available time slot information 231 is assumed to manage data indicating available time slots for each time slot on each business day.

[0044] Next, the variable price information 232 is information that indicates the price (fee) set for each time slot at the beauty facility. Specifically, the variable price information 232 manages the price for each time slot, as shown in FIG. 5. For these time slots, one of a plurality of types of prices is set according to the level of demand for each time slot on each business day (weekdays, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays). After such a price is set for each time slot, the price may be changed (reset). For example, if a reserved time slot is canceled at the last minute, the control unit 240 changes (reduces) the price of that time slot to a lower value than before the cancellation in order to urgently recruit a new user who can reserve that time slot. In addition, Figure 5 visually shows the prices for each time slot for a week's worth of business days at a beauty facility, and the actual variable price information 232 is assumed to manage price values ​​for each time slot for each business day.

[0045] Next, the usage history information 233 is information that indicates the usage history of a user who has used a beauty facility in the past. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 6, the usage history information 233 includes information such as a user ID 233a, a usage date 233b, and a usage item 233c. The usage item 233c is the content of the service used by the user at the beauty facility. Also, as described later, a beauty expiration date (a period during which the style or the like that has been treated can be maintained) is set according to the usage item 233c.

[0046] In addition, the storage unit 230 stores reservation management information for managing user reservations (date and time of reservation, user ID of the user who made the reservation, etc.).

[0047] The above-mentioned auxiliary storage unit 407 or the like can function as such a storage unit 230.

[0048] 3, the control unit 240 controls the entire server device 200. The control unit 240 includes a specification unit 241, a condition setting unit 242, an addition unit 243, a generation unit 244, and a reservation unit 245.

[0049] Based on the request information received by the receiving unit 210 described above, the identifying unit 241 identifies a date (first date) on which an available time slot remains available for the user to make a reservation, as a candidate date. For example, when the above-mentioned reservation application is executed on the user terminal 300 and a date (business day) is selected by the user while the calendar screen 510 as shown in Fig. 7 is displayed, the user terminal 300 transmits request information including the date selected by the user to the server device 200. Note that Fig. 7 shows a state in which "4" (October 4) has been selected by the user. Also, on the calendar screen 510, dates with no available time slots are grayed out and cannot be selected. Therefore, the specifying unit 241 specifies the date included in the request information as the candidate date. Note that, as described later, there are cases where the request information sent from the user terminal 300 does not include a date, but includes an item of a service desired by the user instead. In such a case, the specifying unit 241 specifies, as the candidate date, a date on which there is an available time slot remaining during which the item of the service can be reserved.

[0050] Returning to FIG. 3, the condition setting unit 242 sets distribution conditions that serve as a criterion for determining whether the distribution of prices in available time slots on candidate dates is appropriate as a distribution to be presented to the user (ease of price comparison). For example, the condition setting unit 242 sets the distribution condition based on the price distribution in all time frames within a certain period, with reference to the variable price information 232 in Fig. 5. Below, a specific example will be described in which the distribution condition is set based on the price distribution in all time frames within a week including the candidate date "October 4" (all time frames shown in Fig. 5).

[0051] In this case, as shown on the left side of Fig. 8(a), the number of price types k is four, i.e., "9,400", "9,800", "10,000", and "10,500", based on the price distribution in all time slots within a week. Then, the condition setting unit 242 sets the number of price types to be equal to or more than half the number of types k (0.5k or more) as a distribution condition, as shown on the right side of Fig. 8(a). In other words, the condition setting unit 242 sets the number of price types to be equal to or more than two (two or more types) in the price distribution in the available time slots on the candidate date as a distribution condition.

[0052] The condition setting unit 242 may set other distribution conditions. For example, as shown on the left side of FIG. 8(b), in the price distribution in all time slots within a week, the highest price H is "10,500" and the lowest price L is "9,400". Then, the condition setting unit 242 sets the inclusion of the highest price H or the lowest price L as the distribution condition, as shown on the right side of FIG. 8(b). In other words, the condition setting unit 242 sets the inclusion of at least one of "10,500" and "9,400" as the distribution condition in the price distribution in the vacant time slot of the candidate date.

[0053] In addition, for example, as shown on the left side of FIG. 8(c), in the price distribution for all time slots within a week, the price difference d between the highest price H and the lowest price L is "1,100." Then, as shown on the right side of FIG. 8(c), the condition setting unit 242 sets the distribution condition that the price difference between the highest price and the lowest price is α times or more the price difference d (where 0<α<1). As an example, when α is set to "0.5," the condition setting unit 242 sets the distribution condition that the price difference between the highest price and the lowest price is "550" or more in the price distribution for the available time slots on the candidate date.

[0054] Returning to Fig. 3, the adding unit 243 first determines whether or not the price distribution in the available time slots of the candidate date (first date) identified by the identifying unit 241 described above satisfies the distribution condition set by the condition setting unit 242 described above. If it determines that the distribution condition is not satisfied, the adding unit 243 adds another date (second date) to the candidate dates if there is an available time slot remaining for users to make reservations, and if the distribution condition is satisfied by adding (combining) the price distribution in the available time slot to the price distribution in the available time slot of the candidate date. Note that "combining" one distribution with another distribution means computing the union of the two distributions. Specifically, the price distribution in the available time slot when the candidate date is "October 4" is shown in Figure 9. Then, when the distribution condition shown in Figure 8(a) described above is set by the condition setting unit 242 (the number of price types is two or more), the adding unit 243 determines that the distribution condition is satisfied in the price distribution in the available time slot of "October 4" because the number of price types is three. In this case, the adding unit 243 will not add other dates to the candidate dates.

[0055] On the other hand, when the candidate date is "October 6th" (when the user selects "6" on the calendar screen 510 in FIG. 7 described above, and the specification unit 241 specifies "October 6th" as a candidate date), the price distribution in the available time slot is as shown in FIG. 10(a). When the distribution condition as shown in FIG. 8(a) is set by the condition setting unit 242, the adding unit 243 determines that the distribution condition is not satisfied in the price distribution in the available time slot of "October 6th" because the number of price types is one. In this case, the adding unit 243 adds another date to the candidate dates if there is an available time slot remaining for users to make reservations, and if the distribution condition is satisfied by adding (matching) the price distribution for that available time slot to the price distribution shown in Figure 10(a). For example, when an available time slot on "October 5th", which is the day before the candidate date (the previous business day), is added to an available time slot on "October 6th", the price distribution in the available time slot is shown in Figure 10(b). In the price distribution in the available time slot in Figure 10(b), the number of price types is three, which satisfies the distribution condition, so the adding unit 243 adds "October 5th" (the second date) to the candidate date. In addition, if the distribution condition is not satisfied even when the free time slot for "October 5th" is added, the adding unit 243 may add another free time slot for "October 7th", which is the day after the candidate date (the next business day), and add other dates to the candidate dates until the distribution condition is satisfied.

[0056] Returning to FIG. 3, the generation unit 244 generates proposal information including available time slots on candidate dates and prices of the available time slots. For example, as shown in FIG. 9 above, when the price distribution in the available time slots for a single candidate date satisfies the distribution condition, the generation unit 244 generates proposal information 521 as shown in FIG. 11(a). In the proposal information 521 shown in Fig. 11(a), the available time slots and the reservation buttons BT are displayed separately according to the three types of prices that satisfy the distribution conditions. Therefore, the user can compare the high and low prices of the available time slots and press one of the reservation buttons BT to reserve the available time slot corresponding to that reservation button BT.

[0057] In addition, as shown in FIG. 10(b) above, when the price distribution in available time slots for multiple candidate dates satisfies the distribution condition, the generation unit 244 generates proposal information 522 as shown in FIG. 11(b). In the proposed information 522 shown in Fig. 11(b), available time slots and reservation buttons BT are also displayed separately according to the three types of prices that satisfy the distribution conditions. In the proposed information 522, candidate dates other than the date selected by the user are made identifiable by highlighting or the like. In such proposed information 522, the user can compare the high and low prices of the available time slots and press one of the reservation buttons BT to reserve the available time slot corresponding to that reservation button BT.

[0058] The proposed information 521, 522 thus generated by the generating unit 244 is transmitted to the user terminal 300 by the transmitting unit 220 described above, and is displayed superimposed on the calendar screen 510, as shown in FIGS. 12(a) and 12(b). In other words, as shown in FIG. 12(a), when the day "4" is selected on the calendar screen 510, the price distribution for the available time slots only on "October 4" satisfies the distribution condition, so that the available time slots on "October 4" and proposed information 521 including the prices for those available time slots are displayed superimposed on the calendar screen 510. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 12(b), when the “6th” is selected on the calendar screen 510, the price distribution for the available time slots on “October 6th” and “October 5th” satisfies the distribution condition, so that the available time slots on “October 6th” and “October 5th” and proposed information 522 including the prices for those available time slots are displayed superimposed on the calendar screen 510.

[0059] Returning to FIG. 3, when the user selects any one of the available time slots from the proposal information generated by the generation unit 244 and presented to the user terminal 300, the reservation unit 245 makes a reservation for the selected available time slot. For example, as shown in the above-mentioned Figures 12(a) and (b), when the suggested information 521, 522 is superimposed and displayed on the calendar screen 510, and the user presses any of the reservation buttons BT, the reservation unit 245 associates the free time corresponding to the pressed reservation button BT with the user's information and registers it in reservation management information (not shown).

[0060] The above-mentioned CPU 401 and the like can function as the control unit 240 having such a configuration.

[0061] (Operation of the Server Device According to the First Embodiment) Hereinafter, the operation of the server device 200 according to the first embodiment configured as above will be described with reference to Fig. 13. Fig. 13 is a flowchart showing the flow of reservation processing executed by the server device 200. This reservation processing is started in response to an access from the user terminal 300 on which the above-mentioned reservation application is executed, for example.

[0062] First, the server device 200 receives request information regarding a reservation from the user terminal 300 (step S11). For example, when a date on which an available time slot remains is selected on the user terminal 300 on which the reservation app is executed while the calendar screen 510 as shown in Fig. 7 is displayed, the user terminal 300 transmits request information including the selected date to the server device 200. In this case, the receiving unit 210 receives the request information including the date selected by the user.

[0063] The server device 200 identifies dates on which vacant time slots remain as candidate dates based on the request information (step S12). That is, the control unit 240 (identification unit 241) identifies the date included in the request information received in step S11 as the candidate date. When the request information does not include a date but includes an item of a service desired by the user instead, the control unit 240 identifies a date on which there is an available time slot remaining during which the service item can be reserved as the candidate date.

[0064] The server device 200 sets the distribution conditions (step S13). That is, the control unit 240 (condition setting unit 242) sets distribution conditions that serve as a criterion for determining whether the distribution of prices in the available time slots on the candidate dates is appropriate as a distribution to be presented to the user. For example, the control unit 240 refers to the variable price information 232 in FIG. 5 described above, and sets the distribution condition based on the distribution of prices in all time frames within a certain period. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8(a), when the number of types of prices k is counted as 4 from the price distribution in all time frames within a week, the control unit 240 sets the distribution condition such that the number of types of prices is equal to or more than half of the number of types k (i.e., 2 or more). The control unit 240 may set other distribution conditions. For example, as shown in FIG. 8(b), when the highest price H and the lowest price L are obtained from the price distribution in all time frames within a week, the control unit 240 sets the distribution condition to include the highest price H or the lowest price L. Furthermore, for example, as shown in FIG. 8(c), when the price difference d between the highest price H and the lowest price L is obtained from the price distribution in all time frames within a week, the control unit 240 sets the distribution condition such that the price difference between the highest price and the lowest price is equal to or more than α times the price difference d (0<α<1).

[0065] The server device 200 determines whether or not the distribution of prices in the available time slots on the candidate date satisfies a distribution condition (step S14). For example, the control unit 240 (addition unit 243) determines whether the price distribution in available time slots for the candidate dates identified in step S12 described above, or the price distribution in available time slots including the candidate dates added in step S15 described below, satisfies the distribution conditions set in step S13 described above. Specifically, in the case where the distribution condition shown in FIG. 8(a) is set in step S12 described above, if the price distribution for the available time slots on a particular day is as shown in FIG. 9 described above, the control unit 240 determines that the distribution condition is satisfied because the number of price types is three. On the other hand, when the distribution condition shown in FIG. 8(a) is set, if the price distribution for the available time slots on a specific day is as shown in FIG. 10(a) described above, the control unit 240 determines that the distribution condition is not satisfied because the number of price types is one. In addition, since candidate dates are added in step S15 described below, if the price distribution for available time slots on a specific date is as shown in Figure 10(b) above, the number of price types is three, so the control unit 240 determines that the distribution condition is met.

[0066] When the server device 200 determines that the price distribution in the available time slots of the candidate dates does not satisfy the distribution condition (step S14; No), it adds other dates with remaining available time slots to the candidate dates (step S15). For example, the control unit 240 (adding unit 243) adds the day before (the previous business day) or the day after (the next business day) of the candidate date on which an available time slot remains to the candidate dates. Then, the server device 200 returns the process to step S14 described above.

[0067] On the other hand, if it is determined that the price distribution in the available time slots on the candidate dates satisfies the distribution condition (step S14; Yes), the server device 200 generates proposal information including the available time slots on the candidate dates and the prices of the available time slots (step S16). For example, the control unit 240 (the generation unit 244) generates proposal information 521 and 522 as shown in FIGS. In the proposal information 521 and 522 shown in Fig. 11(a) and (b), the available time slots and the reservation buttons BT are displayed according to the three types of prices that satisfy the distribution conditions. Therefore, the user can compare the high and low prices of the available time slots and press one of the reservation buttons BT to reserve the available time slot corresponding to that reservation button BT.

[0068] The server device 200 transmits the proposal information to the user terminal 300 to be displayed (step S17). For example, the control unit 240 controls the transmission unit 220 to transmit the proposal information generated in step S16 above to the user terminal 300. In other words, when the proposed information 521, 522 as shown in Figures 11(a) and (b) described above is transmitted to the user terminal 300, the proposed information 521, 522 is displayed on the user terminal 300 superimposed on the calendar screen 510 as shown in Figures 12(a) and (b).

[0069] The server device 200 determines whether or not a reservation operation has been performed (step S14). For example, the control unit 240 (reservation unit 245) determines whether or not any of the reservation buttons BT has been pressed by the user when the suggested information 521, 522 is displayed superimposed on the calendar screen 510, as shown in Figures 12 (a) and (b).

[0070] If the server device 200 determines that no reservation operation has been performed (step S18; No), it ends the reservation process without making a reservation.

[0071] On the other hand, when it is determined that a reservation operation has been performed (step S18; Yes), the server device 200 registers the user's reservation in the applicable available time slot (step S19). For example, the control unit 240 (reservation unit 245) associates the free time corresponding to the pressed reservation button BT with user information and registers it in reservation management information (not shown).

[0072] After such a reservation process has confirmed that the price distribution in the available time slots on the candidate dates satisfies the distribution condition, proposal information including each available time slot on the candidate dates and their prices is transmitted to the user terminal 300. Therefore, the user terminal 300 displays each available time slot with a different price, allowing the user to easily compare the high and low prices of each available time slot and select a reservation.

[0073] As a result, the user can easily compare the prices of available time slots that can be reserved.

[0074] In the above embodiment 1, a calendar screen 510 as shown in FIG. 7 is displayed on the user terminal 300, and the user selects a desired date on the calendar screen 510, thereby transmitting request information including the date selected by the user to the server device 200. However, such request information not including a date may also be transmitted from the user terminal 300 to the server device 200. For example, a search screen 530 as shown in Fig. 14 may be displayed in the reservation application launched on the user terminal 300. This search screen 530 is, for example, a screen for searching for available time slots for service items desired by the user. In other words, when the user selects a desired service item in the item selection area 531 and then presses the search button KB, the request information including the service item desired by the user is transmitted to the server device 200. In the server device 200 that has received such request information, the specifying unit 241 specifies, as candidate dates, dates on which there is an available time frame remaining during which the service item included in the request information can be reserved. After the specification unit 241 specifies the candidate dates, the operations of the condition setting unit 242, the adding unit 243, the generating unit 244, and the like are not changed. In this case too, the user can easily compare the high and low prices of available reservation time slots.

[0075] In addition, in the above embodiment 1, the case has been described in which the condition setting unit 242 sets the distribution conditions each time after the identification unit 241 identifies a candidate date, but the condition setting unit 242 may set the distribution conditions at other times and continue to use the set distribution conditions. For example, the condition setting unit 242 may set a distribution condition for each fixed period (for example, every Tuesday which is a fixed holiday) and continue to use the distribution condition that has already been set within the period.

[0076] (Embodiment 2) In the above-mentioned embodiment 1, a case has been described in which a user who wishes to make a reservation at a beauty facility independently operates a reservation app to make the reservation, but a change in the price of a time slot may be triggered to suggest a reservation to a user who is not operating the reservation app. Hereinafter, a second embodiment will be described, which is characterized in that a reservation is proposed to a user when a price change for a time slot occurs.

[0077] (Functional configuration of the server device according to the second embodiment) 15 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the server device 200 according to embodiment 2. As shown in the figure, the server device 200 includes a transmitting unit 250, a receiving unit 210, a storage unit 260, and a control unit 270. The receiving unit 210 has the same configuration as the receiving unit 210 shown in FIG.

[0078] The transmission unit 250 includes a notification transmission unit 251 and an information transmission unit 252 .

[0079] The notification sending unit 251 is controlled by the control unit 270 and sends a notification to the user terminal 300 in which the reservation application is installed, which can activate the reservation application. For example, the notification sending unit 251 requests a push notification to the user terminal 300 by sending necessary information to a notification server that provides a push notification (remote notification) service.

[0080] The information transmission unit 252 is controlled by the control unit 270 and transmits proposed information (described later) or notification information (described later) to the user terminal 300, thereby causing the proposed information or the notification information to be displayed on the reservation application.

[0081] The above-mentioned NIC 404 or the like can function as such a transmission unit 250.

[0082] The storage unit 260 stores available time slot information 231 , variable price information 232 , and user management information 261 . The free time slot information 231 is the same as the free time slot information 231 shown in Fig. 4. The variable price information 232 is the same as the variable price information 232 shown in Fig. 5.

[0083] The user management information 261 is information for managing users who use the beauty facility. Specifically, the user management information 261 includes information such as a user ID 261a, a usage date 261b, a usage item 261c, a location 261d, and a location acquisition date and time 261e, as shown in Fig. 16. The location 261d is information indicating the location of the user terminal 300. The location acquisition date and time 261e indicates the date and time when the location indicated in the location 261d was acquired. Note that the reservation application installed in the user terminal 300 is configured to transmit, for example, upon startup (including transition from background to foreground), location information (current location) of the user terminal 300 measured by an OS (Operating System) to the server device 200. Therefore, the location 261d and location acquisition date and time 261e are set to the location and date and time when the reservation application was most recently started on the user terminal 300.

[0084] In addition, the storage unit 260 stores reservation management information for managing user reservations (reservation date and time, user ID who made the reservation, etc.), location information of the beauty facility, and the like.

[0085] The above-mentioned auxiliary storage unit 407 or the like can function as such a storage unit 260.

[0086] Returning to FIG. 15, the control unit 270 includes a price setting unit 271, a specification unit 272, an estimation unit 273, a generation unit 274, and a reservation unit 245. The reservation unit 245 has the same configuration as the reservation unit 245 in the control unit 240 shown in FIG.

[0087] The price setting unit 271 sets a price for each time frame in the variable price information 232 shown in FIG. 5 described above, and also varies the price for the time frame after the price is set, as necessary. For example, the price setting unit 271 sets one of a plurality of prices depending on the level of demand in each time slot on each business day (weekdays, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays). In addition, if a predetermined event occurs after the price setting unit 271 sets a price for a time slot, the price of the time slot is changed. Specifically, if a reserved time slot is canceled at the last minute, the price setting unit 271 changes (lowers) the price of the time slot to a lower value than before the cancellation in order to urgently recruit a new user who can reserve that time slot. The price setting unit 271 may determine the price to be reduced depending on the time remaining until the start time of the canceled time frame arrives. In addition to changing the price of the time slots to a lower value in this manner, the price setting unit 271 may also change the price of unreserved time slots to a higher value, for example, in response to a sudden increase in utility bills or material costs.

[0088] When the price of a time frame arriving within a predetermined time period fluctuates, the specifying unit 272 specifies candidate users who can use the fluctuating time frame whose price has fluctuated, based on the behavior history of each user. For example, the identification unit 272 refers to the user management information 261 shown in FIG. 16 described above, and identifies whether the user can be a candidate user by using the user's location indicated by the location 261d. Specifically, when the user's location indicated by the location 261d is included within a certain distance range centered on the location (location) of the beauty facility, the identification unit 272 identifies the user as a candidate user. At that time, the identification unit 272 may make a judgment by excluding cases where the location acquisition date and time 261e of the user management information 261 is older than a certain period in the past. In other words, if the user's location indicated by the location 261d is not recently acquired, it is not very useful, so it may be excluded from the candidate users. In addition, the user's address is managed in the user management information 261, and when the location acquisition date and time 261e is older than a certain period in the past, the identification unit 272 identifies whether the user can be a candidate user by using the user's address instead of the location 261d.

[0089] In addition, the user management information 261 may manage SNS (Social Network Service) accounts, and the identification unit 272 may use the estimated user location to identify whether the user can be a candidate user when the user's location can be estimated from the content posted by the user. Specifically, the identification unit 272 acquires recent content posted by the user based on the SNS account, and searches the acquired content for an image (photo) with embedded location information (such as a shooting location) or a comment containing a character string that can identify a location. When the target image or comment is found, the identification unit 272 estimates the user's location based on the image or comment, and when the estimated user location is within a certain distance range centered on the beauty facility, identifies the user as a candidate user.

[0090] When the candidate user is identified in this manner, the identification unit 272 controls the above-mentioned notification sending unit 251 to send a notification that can activate a reservation application to the user terminal 300 used by the candidate user. For example, the specification unit 272 controls the above-mentioned notification transmission unit 251 to transmit a push notification NT as shown in FIG. 17 to the user terminal 300 of the candidate user. This push notification NT includes, for example, a message such as "Great news!" This message is designed so that it does not feel unnatural even if either suggested information (to be described later) or notification information (to be described later) is displayed in the reservation app launched by the user's operation of the push notification NT. Furthermore, when the push notification NT is operated by the user to start up the reservation application, location information (current location) is sent from the user terminal 300 to the server device 200, as described above.

[0091] Returning to FIG. 15, when the current location is reported from the user terminal 300 that received the notification in conjunction with the launch of the reservation app, the estimation unit 273 estimates whether or not the candidate user can reserve the variable time slot (the time slot in which the price has changed) based on the current location and the location of the facility. For example, when the current location of the candidate user based on the location information sent from the user terminal 300 of the candidate user is within a certain distance range centered on the location of the beauty facility, the estimation unit 273 estimates that the candidate user can reserve a variable slot. On the other hand, when the current location of the candidate user based on the location information is not within a certain distance range centered on the location of the beauty facility, the estimation unit 273 estimates that the candidate user cannot reserve a variable slot. The estimation unit 273 may estimate whether or not the reservation is unavailable, taking into consideration not only the current location of the candidate user and the location of the facility, but also the remaining time until the start time of the variable slot. That is, the estimation unit 273 expands or contracts a distance range centered on the location of the beauty facility according to the remaining time (if the remaining time is long, the distance range is expanded, and conversely, if the remaining time is short, the distance range is contracted), and if the current location of the candidate user is included within that distance range, it estimates that the candidate user can reserve the variable slot, and if not included within the distance range, it estimates that the candidate user cannot reserve the variable slot.

[0092] In addition, the estimation unit 273 calculates the travel time from the candidate user's current location to the location of the facility, and if this travel time is longer than the remaining time until the start time of the variable slot arrives, estimates that the candidate user can reserve the variable slot. On the other hand, if the calculated travel time is equal to or shorter than the remaining time, estimates that the candidate user cannot reserve the variable slot. The travel time may be calculated, for example, by accessing a map server (not shown) that provides a map API (Application Programming Interface).

[0093] 17 are sent simultaneously to the user terminals 300 of multiple candidate users, some of the candidate users may notice it immediately and start the reservation app, while other candidate users may not notice it for a while and start the reservation app after a certain amount of time has passed. In addition, a candidate user who receives the later-described proposal information first may complete a reservation for a variable slot. Therefore, after the variable slot is reserved, the estimation unit 273 unconditionally estimates that the candidate user cannot reserve the variable slot.

[0094] When the estimation unit 273 estimates that reservation is possible, the generation unit 274 generates proposal information proposing reservation of a variable slot, and when the estimation unit 273 estimates that reservation is not possible, the generation unit 274 generates notification information different from the proposal information. For example, when the estimation unit 273 estimates that a reservation is possible, the generation unit 274 generates the proposed information TJ as shown in Fig. 18(a). This proposed information TJ includes, as an example, a message encouraging a reservation together with the reduced price of the variable slot, and a reservation button BT. Therefore, a candidate user who wishes to make a reservation can reserve the reduced variable slot by pressing the reservation button BT. On the other hand, when the estimation unit 273 estimates that the reservation is impossible, for example, the generation unit 274 generates notification information HJ as shown in Fig. 18(b). This notification information HJ includes, as an example, information on coupons that the candidate user can acquire. Note that the notification information HJ may be an advertisement for a beauty salon, etc.

[0095] The proposed information TJ or the notification information HJ thus generated by the generation unit 274 is transmitted to the user terminal 300 by the above-mentioned information transmission unit 252, and is displayed in the appointment application as shown in FIGS. 19(a) and 19(b). That is, in the user terminal 300 of a candidate user who is presumed to be able to make a reservation, suggested information TJ is displayed in the reservation app as shown in Fig. 19(a). On the other hand, in the user terminal 300 of a candidate user who is presumed to be unable to make a reservation, notification information HJ is displayed in the reservation app as shown in Fig. 19(b). This allows only candidate users who are highly likely to actually be able to use the service to receive a reservation proposal related to the variable slot.

[0096] The above-mentioned CPU 401 and the like can function as the control unit 270 having such a configuration.

[0097] (Operation of the Server Device According to the Second Embodiment) Hereinafter, the operation of the server device 200 according to the second embodiment having such a configuration will be described with reference to Fig. 20. Fig. 20 is a flowchart showing the flow of the presentation process executed by the server device 200. This presentation process is started, for example, when a reserved time slot is canceled at the last minute.

[0098] First, the server device 200 changes the price of the time slot for which the reservation has been canceled (step S21). That is, the control unit 270 (price setting unit 271) changes (reduces) the price of the canceled time slot to a lower value than before the cancellation in order to urgently recruit new users who can reserve the canceled time slot.

[0099] The server device 200 identifies candidate users who can use the variable time frame (the time frame in which the price fluctuates) (step S22). That is, the control unit 270 (identification unit 272) identifies candidate users who can use the floating quota based on the behavior history of each user. For example, the control unit 270 refers to the user management information 261 shown in FIG. 16 described above, and if the user's position indicated by position 261d is within a certain distance range centered on the position (location) of the beauty facility, identifies the user as a candidate user. In addition, when the control unit 270 can estimate the user's location from the content posted by the user on the SNS, the control unit 270 may use the estimated user's location to determine whether the user can be a candidate user.

[0100] The server device 200 transmits a notification to the user terminal 300 of the candidate user (step S23). That is, the control unit 270 (identification unit 272) controls the notification sending unit 251 to send the push notification NT as shown in FIG. This push notification NT includes, for example, a message such as "Great news!", and the content is such that it does not feel unnatural no matter whether the suggested information or the notification information is sent to the user terminal 300 in step S28 described below.

[0101] The server device 200 determines whether or not the location information has been received from the user terminal 300 that sent the notification (step S24). In step S23 described above, a push notification NT as shown in FIG. 17 is sent to the user terminal 300. When the user operates this push notification NT to launch the reservation app, location information (current location) is sent from the user terminal 300 to the server device 200. When the server device 200 determines that the location information has not been received from the user terminal 300 that sent the notification (step S24; No), the server device 200 waits for reception of the location information.

[0102] On the other hand, when it is determined that the location information has been received from the user terminal 300 that sent the notification (step S24; Yes), the server device 200 determines whether or not the reservation of the variable slot is possible (step S25). That is, the control unit 270 (estimation unit 273) estimates that the candidate user can reserve a variable slot when the current location of the candidate user based on the location information received in the above step S24 is within a certain distance range centered on the location of the beauty facility. Also, the estimation unit 273 estimates that the candidate user cannot reserve a variable slot when the current location of the candidate user based on the location information is not within a certain distance range centered on the location of the beauty facility. The control unit 270 may further estimate whether the reservation is unavailable or unavailable by taking into consideration the remaining time until the start time of the variable slot. In other words, the control unit 270 expands or contracts a distance range centered on the location of the beauty facility according to the remaining time, and estimates that the candidate user can reserve the variable slot if the candidate user's current location is included within that distance range, and estimates that the candidate user cannot reserve the variable slot if the candidate user's current location is not included within the distance range. In addition, the control unit 270 may calculate the travel time from the candidate user's current location to the location of the facility, and if the calculated travel time is longer than the remaining time until the start time of the variable slot arrives, it may infer that the candidate user is able to reserve the variable slot, and if the calculated travel time is equal to or shorter than the remaining time, it may infer that the candidate user is unable to reserve the variable slot.

[0103] When the server device 200 determines that the reservation of the variable slot is possible (step S25; Yes), it generates proposal information proposing the reservation of the variable slot (step S26). For example, the control unit 270 (the generation unit 274) generates the proposed information TJ as shown in Fig. 18(a) described above. This proposed information TJ includes, as an example, a message encouraging a reservation along with the reduced price of the variable quota, and a reservation button BT. Therefore, a candidate user who wishes to make a reservation can reserve the reduced variable quota by pressing the reservation button BT.

[0104] On the other hand, when it is determined that the reservation of the variable slot is not possible (step S25; No), the server device 200 generates notification information different from the proposal information (step S27). For example, the control unit 270 (the generation unit 274) generates the notification information HJ as shown in FIG. 18(b) described above. This notification information HJ includes, as an example, information about coupons that the candidate user can acquire. Note that the notification information HJ may be an advertisement for a beauty salon, or the like.

[0105] The server device 200 transmits the generated information to the user terminal 300 for display (step S28). That is, the control unit 270 controls the information transmitting unit 252 to transmit the proposed information generated in the above-mentioned step S26 or the notification information generated in the above-mentioned step S27 to the user terminal 300 and display it on the reservation app. For example, when proposed information TJ as shown in FIG. 18(a) is generated in step S26, the control unit 270 controls the information sending unit 252 to send the proposed information TJ to the user terminal 300 of the candidate user, thereby displaying the proposed information TJ on the reservation app as shown in FIG. 19(a) described above. Furthermore, in step S27, when notification information HJ as shown in FIG. 18(b) is generated, the control unit 270 controls the information sending unit 252 to send the notification information HJ to the user terminal 300 of the candidate user, thereby displaying the notification information HJ on the reservation app as shown in FIG. 19(b) described above.

[0106] This type of presentation process makes it possible to propose reservations related to the variable slot to candidate users who are likely to actually be able to use the service.

[0107] As a result, reservation proposals can be appropriately made to users with high potential.

[0108] In the above embodiment 2, a case has been described in which the identification unit 272 identifies candidate users based only on behavioral history, but in order to prevent notifications (push notifications) from being sent frequently to the user terminal 300, an upper limit may be set on the number of times notifications are sent. For example, the specification unit 272 specifies candidate users by excluding users who have exceeded an upper limit on the number of notifications transmitted to the user terminal 300 within a certain period of time.

[0109] In the above second embodiment, the generating unit 274 generates the proposed information TJ as shown in FIG. 18(a) but may generate other proposed information. For example, when a reservation application is launched on the user terminal 300 and a calendar screen 510 as shown in FIG. 7 described in the first embodiment is displayed, the generation unit 274 may generate suggested information 523 as shown in FIG. 21. Specifically, when generating proposed information (when the estimation unit 273 estimates that a reservation is possible), the generation unit 274 refers to the vacant time slot information 231 in Fig. 4 described above, and selects a comparison time slot with a different price from the price of the variable time slot (as an example, a higher price than the price of the variable time slot) from among a plurality of vacant time slots that can be reserved. Then, the generation unit 274 generates proposed information 523 that includes the price of the variable time slot, the price of the comparison time slot, and a reservation button BT. In addition, the generation unit 274 may highlight the reservation button BT of the variable slot in the proposal information 523.

[0110] In this case, you can suggest reserving a floating quota while emphasizing that the floating quota is priced cheaply.

[0111] (Other embodiments) In the above embodiments 1 and 2, the reservation system 100 for making reservations for beauty facilities that adopt a variable price system for time slots has been described as an example, but the system can also be applied to reservation systems for making reservations for other facilities that provide other services to users (for example, chiropractic facilities, sports facilities, etc.).

[0112] As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a server device, an information presentation method, and a program that can appropriately make reservation suggestions to users with high potential. [Explanation of symbols]

[0113] 100 Reservation System 200 Server device 210 Receiving unit 220,250 Transmitter 230,260 storage section 231 Available time slot information 232 Variable Price Information 233 Usage history information 261 User Management Information 240,270 Control section 241,272 Specific part 242 Condition setting section 243 Additional Part 244, 274 generation part 245 Reservations 251 Notification sending unit 252 Information Transmission Department 271 Pricing Department 273 Estimation Department 300 User terminals 400 Information processing device 401 CPU 402 ROM 403 RAM 404 NIC 405 Image Processing Unit 406 Audio Processing Unit 407 Auxiliary storage 408 Interface 409 Operation Unit 410 Display unit 900 Internet

Claims

1. A server device for managing reservations for a facility that employs a variable pricing system for the price of a time slot for providing a service, comprising: an identification unit that, when the price of a time slot arriving within a predetermined time period changes to a lower value due to a reservation cancellation, identifies candidate users who can use the time slot whose price has changed based on the behavior history of each user; a notification sending unit that sends a notification to a user terminal installed with an application used by the candidate user and capable of making a reservation at the facility, the notification sending unit being capable of activating the application; an estimation unit that, when a current location is reported from the user terminal that has received the notification in association with the launch of the app, estimates whether the candidate user is able to reserve the variable time slot or not based on the current location and a location of the facility; a generation unit that generates proposal information proposing a reservation of the variable slot when the estimation unit estimates that the reservation is possible, and generates notification information different from the proposal information when the estimation unit estimates that the reservation is impossible; an information transmission unit that displays the proposed information or the notification information on the app by transmitting the proposed information or the notification information generated by the generation unit to the user terminal used by the candidate user; A server device comprising:

2. the estimation unit unconditionally estimates that the candidate user cannot reserve the variable slot after the variable slot has been reserved, The server device according to claim 1 .

3. the identification unit identifies the candidate users by excluding users who have transmitted the notification to the user terminal more than an upper limit within a certain period of time.

3. The server device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. When generating the proposed information, the generating unit selects a comparison time frame having a price different from the price of the variable time frame from among the plurality of time frames available for reservation, and generates the proposed information including the price of the variable time frame, the price of the comparison time frame, and options for the variable time frame, with the options being highlighted.

3. The server device according to claim 1 or 2.

5. 1. An information presentation method executed by a server device that manages reservations for a facility that employs a variable pricing system for the price of a time slot for providing a service, comprising: a step of identifying, when the price of a time slot arriving within a predetermined time period changes to a lower value due to a cancellation of a reservation, a candidate user who can use the time slot whose price has changed based on the behavior history of each user; a notification sending step of sending a notification to a user terminal on which an application capable of making a reservation at the facility is installed, the application being used by the candidate user, the notification being capable of activating the application; an estimation step of estimating, when a current location is reported from the user terminal that has received the notification in association with the launch of the app, whether the candidate user is able to reserve the variable time slot or not based on the current location and a location of the facility; a generating step of generating proposal information proposing a reservation of the variable slot when it is estimated in the estimation step that the reservation is possible, and generating notification information different from the proposal information when it is estimated in the estimation step that the reservation is impossible; an information transmitting step of transmitting the proposed information or the notification information generated in the generating step to the user terminal used by the candidate user, thereby displaying the proposed information or the notification information on the app; An information presentation method comprising:

6. A computer that manages reservations for facilities that use a variable pricing system for the price of time slots for which services are provided, When the price of a time slot arriving within a predetermined time period changes to a lower value due to a reservation cancellation, a step of identifying candidate users who can use the time slot whose price has changed based on the behavior history of each user; a notification sending step of sending a notification to a user terminal on which an application capable of making a reservation at the facility is installed, the application being used by the candidate user, the notification being capable of activating the application; an estimation step of estimating whether the candidate user is able to reserve the variable time slot or not based on the current location and a location of the facility when a current location is reported from the user terminal that has received the notification in association with the launch of the app; a generating step of generating proposal information proposing a reservation of the variable slot when it is estimated in the estimation step that the reservation is possible, and generating notification information different from the proposal information when it is estimated in the estimation step that the reservation is impossible; an information transmitting step of displaying the proposed information or the notification information on the application by transmitting the proposed information or the notification information generated in the generating step to the user terminal used by the candidate user; A program characterized by executing the above.

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