Seat reservation device, seat reservation system, seat reservation method, and program

Abstract

The present invention provides a seat reservation device capable of presenting seat information optimal for each user. A seat reservation device (10) according to the present disclosure comprises: a personal information storage unit (11) that stores identification information on a plurality of users and personal information on the plurality of users in association with each other; an acquisition unit (12) that acquires, from the personal information storage unit (11), personal information associated with identification information on a user who has passed biometric authentication; a seat information creation unit (13) that creates seat information presentable to the user according to the details of a reservation request from the user; a presented seat information correction unit (14) that corrects the seat information created by the seat information creation unit by using the personal information acquired by the acquisition unit; and a seat information presentation unit (15) that presents the seat information corrected by the presented seat information correction unit (14) to the user.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a seat reservation device, a seat reservation system, a seat reservation method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] With the recent development of network technology, users can reserve train seats from various locations using reservation terminals. Patent Document 1 discloses technology related to a train seat reservation system that maximizes the profits of railway operators. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-172144 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] As described above, users can reserve train seats from various locations by accessing the seat reservation device using a reservation terminal. Patent Document 1 discloses technology related to a train seat reservation system that maximizes profits.

[0005] However, the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 does not take into consideration personal information specific to each user when presenting seat information to the user, so similar seat information is presented to multiple users, resulting in the problem that it is not possible to present optimal seat information for each user.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made to solve such problems, and aims to provide a seat reservation device, a seat reservation system, a seat reservation method, and a program that are capable of presenting optimal seat information for each user. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A seat reservation device according to a first aspect of the present disclosure includes a personal information storage unit that stores identification information of multiple users and personal information of the multiple users, each associated with the identification information of the multiple users; an acquisition unit that acquires personal information associated with the identification information of a user who has successfully passed biometric authentication from the personal information storage unit; a seat information creation unit that creates seat information that can be presented to the user in accordance with the content of the user's reservation request; a presented seat information correction unit that corrects the seat information created by the seat information creation unit using the personal information acquired by the acquisition unit; and a seat information presentation unit that presents the seat information corrected by the presented seat information correction unit to the user.

[0008] A seat reservation system according to a second aspect of the present disclosure comprises the above-mentioned seat reservation device and an authentication device that performs biometric authentication by comparing pre-stored biometric information of the plurality of users with the biometric information of the user attempting to reserve a seat, and when the biometric authentication of the user attempting to reserve a seat is successful, the authentication device transmits identification information of the user whose biometric authentication was successful to the seat reservation device, and the acquisition unit acquires personal information associated with the received identification information from the personal information storage unit and outputs the acquired personal information to the presented seat information correction unit.

[0009] A seat reservation method according to a third aspect of the present disclosure acquires personal information associated with the identification information of a user who has successfully passed biometric authentication, creates seat information that can be presented to the user in accordance with the content of the user's reservation request, corrects the seat information to be presented to the user using the acquired personal information, and presents the corrected seat information to the user.

[0010] A program according to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure is a program for causing a computer to execute a seat reservation process including a process of acquiring personal information associated with the identification information of a user who has successfully passed biometric authentication, a process of creating seat information that can be presented to the user in accordance with the content of the user's reservation request, a process of correcting the seat information to be presented to the user using the acquired personal information, and a process of presenting the corrected seat information to the user.

[0011] A seat reservation device according to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure includes a personal information storage unit that stores identification information of multiple users and personal information of the multiple users, each associated with the identification information of the multiple users; an acquisition unit that acquires personal information associated with the identification information of a user who has been successfully authenticated from the personal information storage unit; a seat information creation unit that creates seat information to be presented to the user based on the personal information acquired by the acquisition unit and the content of the user's reservation request; and a seat information presentation unit that presents the seat information created by the seat information creation unit to the user. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] The present disclosure makes it possible to provide a seat reservation device, a seat reservation system, a seat reservation method, and a program that are capable of presenting optimal seat information for each user. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a seat reservation device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 4 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the seat reservation device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a seat reservation system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the seat reservation system according to the second embodiment. [Figure 5A] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of seat information displayed on a reservation terminal. [Figure 5B]FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of seat information displayed on a reservation terminal. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the authentication device shown in FIG. 3. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of a face information registration process of the authentication device. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of face authentication processing by the authentication device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] <First Embodiment> Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a seat reservation device according to embodiment 1. As shown in Fig. 1, a seat reservation device 10 according to this embodiment includes a personal information storage unit 11, an acquisition unit 12, a seat information creation unit 13, a presented seat information correction unit 14, and a seat information presenting unit 15.

[0015] The seat reservation device 10 according to this embodiment is a device that a user accesses using a predetermined reservation terminal (not shown) when reserving a reserved seat on a train. The reservation terminal that the user uses when making a reservation is connected to the seat reservation device 10 via a network. The network may be wired or wireless. Furthermore, the seat reservation device 10 may function as the reservation terminal.

[0016] The personal information storage unit 11 stores identification information (user IDs) of a plurality of users and personal information of the plurality of users in association with each other. The personal information stored in the personal information storage unit 11 includes, for example, information about the user's basic information, hobbies and interests, groups to which the user belongs, behavioral history, and purchase history.

[0017] The basic information of the user includes, for example, the user's age, sex, address, and the like. Information about a user's hobbies and interests is, for example, information about the user's favorite music, sports, art, travel, etc. Information about a user's hobbies and interests may include information about the user's favorite artists, event information in which the user will participate, etc. Furthermore, information about a user's hobbies and interests may include information about the user's behavioral tendencies, such as whether the user tends to leave an event immediately after attending it, whether the user tends to do some sightseeing while at the event, or whether the user tends to stay overnight after the event.

[0018] Information about the group to which the user belongs is, for example, information about the school, company, club, hometown, etc. to which the user belongs. Information about a user's behavioral history includes, for example, whether the user is likely to cancel reservations after making them, whether the user is likely to be late and miss their ride, whether the user often carries large amounts of luggage, whether the user uses a stroller, etc. Information regarding a user's purchasing history includes, for example, the location of the reserved seat (window, aisle) that the user previously reserved, the date and time that the user previously made the reservation, the travel section that the user previously reserved, and the type of seat that the user previously reserved (standard seat, green seat).

[0019] The above-mentioned personal information is an example, and the personal information storage unit 11 may store personal information other than the above.

[0020] The acquisition unit 12 acquires personal information associated with the identification information of a user who has successfully passed biometric authentication from the personal information storage unit 11. When the seat reservation device 10 performs biometric authentication of a user, an authentication device (not shown) provided in the seat reservation device 10 performs biometric authentication by comparing pre-stored biometric information of multiple users with the biometric information of the user who is attempting to reserve a seat. The acquisition unit 12 acquires personal information associated with the identification information of a user who has successfully passed biometric authentication by the authentication device from the personal information storage unit 11. In this case, the biometric information of multiple users may be stored in the personal information storage unit 11, or may be recorded in a separately provided recording unit. The user's biometric information includes facial feature information, iris information, fingerprint information, etc.

[0021] When a device other than the seat reservation device 10 (for example, the authentication device 30 in FIG. 3) performs biometric authentication of a user, the authentication device connected to the seat reservation device 10 via a network performs biometric authentication of the user. The authentication device performs biometric authentication by comparing biometric information of multiple users stored in advance with the biometric information of the user attempting to reserve a seat. If the biometric authentication of the user attempting to reserve a seat is successful, the authentication device transmits identification information of the user whose biometric authentication was successful to the seat reservation device 10. The acquisition unit 12 acquires personal information associated with the user's identification information transmitted from the authentication device from the personal information storage unit 11. In this case, the authentication device may be provided as an independent device. Alternatively, the authentication device may be built into the reservation terminal used by the user when making a reservation. In other words, the authentication device and the reservation terminal may be configured as an integrated device.

[0022] The seat information creation unit 13 creates seat information that can be presented to the user in accordance with the user's reservation request. The user's reservation request includes the type of train the user is trying to reserve, the boarding station, the disembarking station, the date, the time slot, etc., and the seat information creation unit 13 creates seat information that can be presented to the user based on this reservation information. The seat information creation unit 13 may also create seat information that can be presented to the user by using a reserved seat demand prediction model that has been created in advance based on at least one of date and time information, event information, and information regarding past reserved seat reservation status. In this case, the seat information creation unit 13 may set the reserved seat fare based on the demand prediction model. The seat information includes, for example, train information, the number of reserved seats (which may include green seats) for each train, the location of the reserved seats, the reserved seat fare, etc.

[0023] The presented seat information correcting unit 14 corrects the seat information created by the seat information creating unit 13. Specifically, the presented seat information correcting unit 14 corrects the seat information to be presented to the user by using personal information associated with the identification information of the user who has successfully passed biometric authentication. At this time, the acquiring unit 12 supplies the personal information associated with the user's identification information acquired from the personal information storage unit 11 to the presented seat information correcting unit 14. A specific example of the presented seat information correcting unit 14 correcting the seat information will be described later.

[0024] The seat information presentation unit 15 presents the seat information corrected by the presented seat information correction unit 14 to the user. Specifically, the seat information presentation unit 15 transmits the seat information corrected by the presented seat information correction unit 14 to the reservation terminal used by the user when making the reservation. As a result, the seat information is displayed on the reservation terminal used by the user. The user carries out the reservation procedure while referring to the seat information displayed on the reservation terminal.

[0025] Next, the operation of the seat reservation device (seat reservation method) according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in Fig. 2. Note that the personal information storage unit 11 stores identification information (user IDs) of a plurality of users and personal information of a plurality of users in advance in association with each other.

[0026] When a user starts a reservation operation using a reservation terminal, the acquisition unit 12 of the seat reservation device 10 acquires personal information associated with the identification information of the user who has been successfully biometrically authenticated (step S1).

[0027] When the seat reservation device 10 performs biometric authentication of a user, the reservation terminal used by the user at the time of reservation captures an image of the user's biometric information and transmits the captured biometric information to the seat reservation device 10. An authentication device (not shown) provided in the seat reservation device 10 performs biometric authentication by comparing the biometric information of multiple users stored in advance with the biometric information of the user received from the reservation terminal. If the biometric authentication is successful, the acquisition unit 12 acquires personal information associated with the identification information of the user whose biometric authentication was successful by the authentication device from the personal information storage unit 11. Then, the acquisition unit 12 supplies the personal information associated with the identification information of the user acquired from the personal information storage unit 11 to the presented seat information correction unit 14.

[0028] When a device other than the seat reservation device 10 (for example, the authentication device 30 in FIG. 3) performs user biometric authentication, the reservation terminal used by the user when making a reservation captures the user's biometric information and transmits the captured biometric information to the authentication device via a network. The authentication device performs biometric authentication by comparing the biometric information of multiple users stored in advance with the biometric information of the user attempting to reserve a seat. If the biometric authentication is successful, the authentication device transmits the user's identification information to the seat reservation device 10 via the network. The acquisition unit 12 of the seat reservation device 10 acquires personal information associated with the user's identification information transmitted from the authentication device from the personal information storage unit 11. The acquisition unit 12 supplies the personal information associated with the user's identification information acquired from the personal information storage unit 11 to the presented seat information correction unit 14. The authentication device may be provided as an independent device or may be built into the reservation terminal used by the user when making a reservation. In other words, the authentication device and the reservation terminal may be configured as an integrated device.

[0029] Next, the seat information creation unit 13 creates seat information presentable to the user in accordance with the user's reservation request (step S2). The user's reservation request can be acquired from the user via a reservation terminal. That is, when making a reservation, the user inputs the reservation request into the reservation terminal, and the input reservation request is transmitted from the reservation terminal to the seat reservation device 10. The seat information creation unit 13 may create seat information presentable to the user if biometric authentication is successful in step S1. For example, the seat information creation unit 13 creates seat information presentable to the user based on the user's reservation request, such as the train type, boarding station, disembarking station, date, and time zone. At this time, the seat information creation unit 13 may also create seat information presentable to the user by using a reserved seat demand forecast model created in advance based on at least one of the date and time, event information, and past reserved seat reservation status. Alternatively, the seat information creation unit 13 may create and store seat information in advance and read the pre-stored seat information in accordance with the user's reservation request.

[0030] Next, the presented seating information correcting unit 14 corrects the seating information created by the seating information creating unit 13 (step S3). Specifically, the presented seating information correcting unit 14 corrects the seating information to be presented to the user by using personal information associated with the identification information of the user who has succeeded in biometric authentication. The personal information associated with the user's identification information is supplied from the acquiring unit 12 to the presented seating information correcting unit 14 as described above. A specific example of the presented seating information correcting unit 14 correcting the seating information will be described later.

[0031] Next, the seat information presenting unit 15 presents the seat information corrected by the presented seat information correcting unit 14 to the user (step S4). Specifically, the seat information presenting unit 15 transmits the seat information corrected by the presented seat information correcting unit 14 to the reservation terminal used by the user when making the reservation. As a result, the seat information is displayed on the reservation terminal used by the user. The user carries out the reservation procedure while referring to the seat information displayed on the reservation terminal.

[0032] Next, a specific example will be described in which the seat information correcting unit 14 corrects the seat information. The seat information correcting unit 14 may correct the number of reserved seats to be presented to the user based on the user's personal information.

[0033] For example, the presented seating information correcting unit 14 may correct the seating information presented to the user based on at least one of the user's age, sex, and address. Specifically, the presented seat information corrector 14 may correct the number of reserved seats presented to the user so that the older the user is, the greater the number of reserved seats presented to the user. That is, the number of reserved seats may be corrected to be greater for elderly people and to be less for young people. Also, the number of reserved seats may be corrected to be greater for preschool children and elementary school children. The presented seat information correcting unit 14 may correct the seat information so that the number of reserved seats near the entrances and exits is increased when the user is older. Also, the presented seat information correcting unit 14 may correct the seat information so that the number of reserved seats near the center of the vehicle is increased when the user is younger. By making such corrections, it is possible to give priority to elderly people sitting in seats near the entrances and exits of the vehicle. Therefore, when elderly people board a train and sit in a seat, the walking distance to their seat can be shortened.

[0034] Furthermore, the presented seat information correcting unit 14 may correct the number of reserved seats presented to the user so that the number of reserved seats presented to the user is greater for female users than for male users.

[0035] The presented seat information correcting unit 14 may correct the seat information presented to the user according to the distance between the user's address and the boarding station. For example, when the user is returning home by train, the presented seat information correcting unit 14 may correct the number of reserved seats presented to the user to be increased if the user's address is far from the boarding station, and may correct the number of reserved seats presented to the user to be decreased if the user's address is close to the boarding station (i.e., if the route home is short).

[0036] The presented seat information correcting unit 14 may correct the seat information presented to the user according to statistical data based on the user's address. For example, when the statistical data indicates that the user's address is an address with a high proportion of wealthy people, the presented seat information correcting unit 14 may correct the number of reserved seats presented to the user to be increased.

[0037] The presented seat information correcting unit 14 may correct the seat information presented to the user based on at least one of information relating to the user's hobbies and tastes, the group to which the user belongs, the behavior history, and the purchase history. For example, when there is an event featuring an artist that the user likes, the proposed seating information correction unit 14 may correct the number of reserved seats so that the more attendees there are at the event, the greater the number of reserved seats.Furthermore, the proposed seating information correction unit 14 may correct the number of reserved seats so that the more fatigue-inducing the event that the user is attending is.

[0038] The proposed seating information correction unit 14 may predict the time period when the user will return home based on the user's behavioral tendencies, and correct the number of reserved seats for the predicted time period to increase. For example, if the user tends to return home immediately after participating in an event, the proposed seating information correction unit 14 may correct the number of reserved seats for the time period when the user will return home immediately to increase. If the user tends to do sightseeing after an event, the proposed seating information correction unit 14 may predict the time period when the user will return home based on the size of the town, and correct the number of reserved seats for this time period to increase. If the user tends to stay overnight after an event, the proposed seating information correction unit 14 may correct the number of reserved seats for the day to decrease, and correct the number of reserved seats for the next day to increase.

[0039] When the user's destination is the user's hometown and the reservation period is a period when the user is going back home, the presented seat information correcting unit 14 may correct the number of reserved seats presented to the user so that it is increased.

[0040] The presented seat information correction unit 14 may correct the seat information presented to the user depending on whether the user is likely to cancel reservations after making them, whether they are likely to be late and miss their trains, whether they often carry large baggage, whether they use a stroller, etc. For example, the presented seat information correction unit 14 may correct the number of reserved seats presented to the user to be fewer the more times the user has canceled reserved seats in the past. For example, if the user is likely to be late and miss their trains, missing their trains will result in empty seats. Therefore, the presented seat information correction unit 14 may correct the number of reserved seats presented to the user to be fewer if the user is likely to be late and miss their trains. If the user often carries large baggage, the presented seat information correction unit 14 may correct the number of reserved seats presented to the user to be more. If the user uses a stroller, the presented seat information correction unit 14 may correct the number of reserved seats presented to the user to be more.

[0041] The presented seat information correcting unit 14 may correct the seat information presented to the user according to the location of the reserved seat (window seat, aisle seat) previously reserved by the user. The presented seat information correcting unit 14 may also correct the seat information presented to the user according to the date and time when the user previously made a reservation, the travel section previously reserved by the user, the type of seat previously reserved by the user (standard seat, green seat), etc.

[0042] For example, the presented seat information correction unit 14 may correct the seat information so that there are more reserved seats corresponding to the positions (window seats, aisle seats) of reserved seats previously reserved by the user. The presented seat information correction unit 14 may correct the seat information so that there are more reserved seats for the dates and times previously reserved by the user. The presented seat information correction unit 14 may correct the seat information so that there are more reserved seats for the travel section previously reserved by the user. The presented seat information correction unit 14 may correct the seat information so that there are more reserved seats corresponding to the types of seats previously reserved by the user (standard seats, green seats).

[0043] The above-described example of correcting the seat information is merely an example, and in this embodiment, the seat information may be corrected using a method other than the above-described example of correction.

[0044] As described above, in the present disclosure, the seat information presented to the user is corrected using personal information associated with the identification information of the user who has successfully passed biometric authentication, so that optimal seat information can be presented for each user.

[0045] <Embodiment 2> Next, a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. In the second embodiment, a seat reservation system including the seat reservation device 10 described in the first embodiment will be described.

[0046] Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a seat reservation system according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 3, the seat reservation system 1 according to this embodiment includes a seat reservation device 10, a reservation terminal 20, and an authentication device 30. The seat reservation device 10 is a device that a user accesses when reserving a reserved seat on a train. The reservation terminal 20 is a terminal that a user uses when making a reservation. The authentication device 30 is a device that performs biometric authentication of the user. The seat reservation device 10, the reservation terminal 20, and the authentication device 30 are connected to each other via a network. The network may be wired or wireless.

[0047] 3 includes a personal information storage unit 11, an acquisition unit 12, a seat information creation unit 13, a proposed seat information correction unit 14, a seat information presentation unit 15, a various information storage unit 16, a demand forecast model creation unit 17, and an inventory information storage unit 18. The seat reservation device 10 according to the second embodiment corresponds to the seat reservation device 10 (see FIG. 1) described in the first embodiment. In the seat reservation device 10 according to the second embodiment, the personal information storage unit 11, the acquisition unit 12, the seat information creation unit 13, the proposed seat information correction unit 14, and the seat information presentation unit 15 are the same as those described in the first embodiment, and therefore, redundant description will be omitted where appropriate.

[0048] The various information storage unit 16 stores various information used to create a demand forecasting model. For example, the various information includes date and time information, event information, and information related to past seat reservation status. Note that these pieces of information are examples, and the various information storage unit 16 may store other information as long as it is information used to create a demand forecasting model.

[0049] The demand prediction model creation unit 17 creates a demand prediction model for reserved seats based on at least one of date and time information, event information, and information related to past reserved seat reservation status stored in the various information storage unit 16. Note that the demand prediction model creation unit 17 may create the demand prediction model using machine learning.

[0050] The inventory information storage unit 18 stores information about seat inventory.

[0051] The seat information creation unit 13 creates seat information that can be presented to the user using the user's reservation request details, as well as the demand forecast model created by the demand forecast model creation unit 17 and the inventory information stored in the inventory information storage unit 18. At this time, the seat information creation unit 13 may set the price of the reserved seat based on the demand forecast model and the inventory information. For example, if there is a high demand for reserved seats or if there is a low inventory of reserved seats, the price may be set higher.

[0052] The rest of the configuration of the seat reservation device 10 is the same as that of the seat reservation device 10 described in the first embodiment, so duplicated explanations will be omitted where appropriate.

[0053] The reservation terminal 20 is a terminal used by a user when making a reservation. The reservation terminal 20 is, for example, a terminal installed at a station, a user's smartphone, a personal computer, etc. A user can reserve a reserved seat by accessing the seat reservation device 10 using the reservation terminal 20. The reservation terminal 20 includes an imaging unit 21, a display unit 22, and an input unit 23.

[0054] The imaging unit 21 captures an image of the user's biometric information. For example, the imaging unit 21 captures an image of the user's face as the user's biometric information. The biometric information captured by the imaging unit 21 is transmitted to the authentication device 30 via a network.

[0055] The display unit 22 displays information necessary for a user who is reserving a seat. For example, the display unit 22 displays seat information supplied from the seat information presentation unit 15 of the seat reservation device 10. The display unit 22 can be configured using a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (electro-luminescence) display.

[0056] The input unit 23 is a means for inputting information operated by a user who is reserving a seat. Specifically, the user refers to the seat information displayed on the display unit 22 and inputs predetermined information using the input unit 23 to carry out the reservation procedure. The information input using the input unit 23 is transmitted to the seat reservation device 10. For example, the input unit 23 can be configured using a touch panel, a keyboard, or the like.

[0057] The authentication device 30 is a device that performs biometric authentication of a user. When the authentication device 30 receives biometric information of a user captured by the imaging unit 21 of the reservation terminal 20, the authentication device 30 performs biometric authentication by comparing the received biometric information of the user with biometric information of multiple users stored in advance. If the biometric authentication is successful, the authentication device 30 transmits the user's identification information to the seat reservation device 10.

[0058] The authentication device 30 will be described in detail below. In the following description, biometric authentication is assumed to be face authentication and biometric information is assumed to be facial feature information, but other technologies that use captured images can be applied to biometric authentication and biometric information. For example, the biometric information may be data (feature amounts) calculated from physical features unique to an individual, such as fingerprints, voiceprints, veins, retina, or iris patterns.

[0059] 6 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an authentication device. The authentication device 30 includes a face information database (DB) 110, a face detection unit 120, a feature point extraction unit 130, a registration unit 140, and an authentication unit 150. The face information DB 110 stores a user ID 111 and facial feature information 112 for the user ID in association with each other. The facial feature information 112 is a collection of feature points extracted from a face image.

[0060] The face detection unit 120 detects a facial area included in a registration image for registering facial information, and outputs the detected area to the feature point extraction unit 130. The registration image is the user's facial information supplied from the appointment terminal 20. The feature point extraction unit 130 extracts feature points from the facial area detected by the face detection unit 120, and outputs facial feature information to the registration unit 140. The feature point extraction unit 130 also extracts feature points included in the facial image received from the appointment terminal 20, and outputs the facial feature information to the authentication unit 150.

[0061] When registering facial feature information, the registration unit 140 issues a new user ID 111. The registration unit 140 associates the issued user ID 111 with facial feature information 112 extracted from the registered image and registers them in the facial information DB 110. The authentication unit 150 performs face authentication using the facial feature information 112. Specifically, the authentication unit 150 compares the facial feature information extracted from the facial image with the facial feature information 112 in the facial information DB 110.

[0062] Next, the case of registering facial information in the authentication device 30 will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of facial information registration processing in the authentication device. First, the authentication device 30 acquires a registration image included in a facial information registration request (step S31). For example, the authentication device 30 receives a facial information registration request and a registration image (user's facial information) from the appointment terminal 20 via a network. Next, the face detection unit 120 detects a facial area included in the registration image (step S32). Next, the feature point extraction unit 130 extracts feature points from the facial area detected in step S32 and outputs facial feature information to the registration unit 140 (step S33). Finally, the registration unit 140 issues a user ID 111 and associates the user ID 111 with facial feature information 112, and registers the user ID 111 in the facial information DB 110 (step S34).

[0063] Next, the facial authentication process of the authentication device 30 will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of the facial authentication process by the authentication device. First, the feature point extraction unit 130 acquires a facial image for authentication included in a facial authentication request (step S41). For example, the authentication device 30 receives the facial authentication request and the user's facial information from the reservation terminal 20 via a network. Then, similar to the above-described steps S31 to S33, it extracts facial feature information from the user's facial information. Next, the authentication unit 150 compares the acquired facial feature information with the facial feature information 112 in the facial information DB 110 (step S42). If the facial feature information matches, that is, if the degree of match of the facial feature information is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (step S43: Yes), the authentication unit 150 identifies the user ID 111 of the user whose facial feature information matches (step S44), and transmits a message to the seat reservation device 10 indicating that facial authentication was successful and the identified user ID 111 (step S45). If there is no matching facial feature information (step S43: No), the authentication unit 150 transmits a message to the appointment terminal 20 indicating that the facial authentication has failed (step S46).

[0064] Next, the operation of the seat reservation system according to this embodiment shown in Fig. 3 will be described. Fig. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the seat reservation system according to this embodiment. First, the reservation terminal 20 captures an image of the face of a user who is reserving a seat (step S11), and transmits the captured facial information to the authentication device 30 (step S12). When the authentication device 30 receives the user's facial information from the reservation terminal 20, it performs the above-mentioned biometric authentication (see Fig. 8) (step S13). If the biometric authentication fails (step S14: No), the authentication device 30 transmits information about the authentication failure to the reservation terminal 20 (step S15). The reservation terminal 20 displays information about the authentication failure on the display unit 22 to notify the user that the biometric authentication has failed (step S16).

[0065] On the other hand, if the biometric authentication is successful (step S14: Yes), the authentication device 30 transmits the fact that the biometric authentication was successful and the identification information (user ID) of the identified user to the seat reservation device 10 (step S17). Next, the acquisition unit 12 of the seat reservation device 10 acquires personal information associated with the identification information (user ID) of the user whose biometric authentication was successful from the personal information storage unit 11 (step S18). That is, the personal information storage unit 11 supplies the personal information associated with the user's identification information (user ID) received from the authentication device 30 to the acquisition unit 12.

[0066] Next, the seating information creation unit 13 creates seating information that can be presented to the user in accordance with the user's reservation request content (step S19). The user inputs the reservation request content by operating the reservation terminal 20. At this time, the seating information creation unit 13 creates seating information that can be presented to the user by using the demand forecasting model created by the demand forecasting model creation unit 17 and the inventory information stored in the inventory information storage unit 18 in addition to the user's reservation request content.

[0067] Next, the presented seat information correcting unit 14 corrects the seat information created by the seat information creating unit 13 (step S20). Specifically, the presented seat information correcting unit 14 corrects the seat information to be presented to the user by using personal information associated with the identification information of the user who has successfully passed biometric authentication. The personal information associated with the user's identification information is supplied to the presented seat information correcting unit 14 from the personal information storage unit 11 as described above. Note that the case where the presented seat information correcting unit 14 corrects the seat information is the same as that described in the first embodiment, and therefore a duplicated description will be omitted.

[0068] Next, the seat information presenting unit 15 presents the seat information corrected by the presented seat information correcting unit 14 to the user. Specifically, the seat information presenting unit 15 transmits the seat information corrected by the presented seat information correcting unit 14 to the reservation terminal 20 (step S21). The reservation terminal 20 displays the corrected seat information received from the seat reservation device 10 on the display unit 22 (step S22). The user performs the reservation procedure by operating the operation unit 23 while referring to the seat information displayed on the display unit 22 of the reservation terminal 20.

[0069] 5A and 5B are diagrams showing an example of seat information displayed on the display unit 22 of the reservation terminal 20. As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, a seat selection screen is displayed on the display unit 22. The screens shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B are screens after the seat information has been corrected by the presented seat information correction unit 14 using the user's personal information. FIG. 5A corresponds to the screen when an elderly user (e.g., 80 years old) makes a reservation, and FIG. 5B corresponds to the screen when a young user (e.g., 20 years old) makes a reservation. It is assumed that the reservation request content entered by the users is the same in the examples shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B.

[0070] In the example shown in Figure 5A, the number of remaining reserved seats displayed is "180 seats," while in the example shown in Figure 5B, the number of remaining reserved seats displayed is "120 seats." In other words, the screen shown in Figure 5A is a screen displayed to elderly people, so it displays a larger number of remaining reserved seats than the screen shown in Figure 5B for young people. This allows elderly people to reserve reserved seats with priority.

[0071] In addition, in the example shown in FIG. 5A, more reserved seats (indicated by "○") are displayed near the entrances and exits 25 and 26 of the train than near the center 27 of the train. In contrast to this, in the example shown in FIG. 5B, more reserved seats (indicated by "○") are displayed near the center 27 of the train than near the entrances and exits 25 and 26 of the train. This allows elderly people to be given priority in sitting in seats near the entrances and exits of the train. This therefore shortens the walking distance to a seat when elderly people board a train and sit down.

[0072] It should be noted that the screens shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B are merely examples, and the screens displayed on the display unit 22 of the appointment terminal 20 in this embodiment are not limited to these screens.

[0073] As described above, in the present disclosure, the seat information presented to the user is corrected using personal information associated with the identification information of the user who has successfully passed biometric authentication, so that optimal seat information can be presented for each user.

[0074] 3 shows a configuration example in which the authentication device 30 is provided separately from the seat reservation device 10 and the reservation terminal 20. For example, the authentication device 30 stores biometric information of the user, and the personal information storage unit 11 of the seat reservation device 10 stores personal information of the user. Therefore, from the viewpoint of preventing the leakage of personal information, it is preferable to provide the authentication device 30 and the seat reservation device 10 separately. In other words, by managing face information and personal information on separate devices, even if information is leaked, it is possible to prevent both information from being leaked at the same time.

[0075] It should be noted that the seat reservation system 1 according to this embodiment is not limited to the configuration example shown in Fig. 3. For example, the authentication device 30 and the seat reservation device 10 may be configured as the same device, or the authentication device 30 and the reservation terminal 20 may be configured as the same device. In other words, the authentication device 30 may be built into the seat reservation device 10, or the authentication device 30 may be built into the reservation terminal 20.

[0076] In the above embodiment, the seat information creation unit 13 creates seat information that can be presented to the user, and the presented seat information correction unit 14 corrects the seat information created by the seat information creation unit 13 using personal information associated with the user's identification information. However, in the present disclosure, when the seat information creation unit 13 creates seat information, the seat information to be presented to the user may be created based on the user's reservation request content and personal information acquired by the acquisition unit 12. In this case, since the seat information creation unit 13 creates seat information to be presented to the user using personal information associated with the user's identification information, the presented seat information correction unit 14 can be omitted.

[0077] In the above-described embodiment, personal authentication is performed using biometric authentication, but the method of personal authentication in the present disclosure is not limited to biometric authentication. For example, personal authentication may be performed by the user entering a user ID and password, or by using the user's membership number. Personal authentication may also be performed using an authentication method that uses My Number card information, health insurance card information, passport information, a two-dimensional code that can identify the individual, an electronic certificate, or the like.

[0078] Although the above-described embodiment has been described as a hardware configuration, the present disclosure is not limited to this. The present disclosure can also realize the above-described seat reservation process by causing a CPU to execute a computer program.

[0079] In the above example, the program can be stored and supplied to a computer using various types of non-transitory computer-readable media. Non-transitory computer-readable media include various types of tangible storage media. Examples of non-transitory computer-readable media include magnetic storage media (e.g., flexible disks, magnetic tapes, hard disk drives), magneto-optical storage media (e.g., magneto-optical disks), CD-ROMs (Read Only Memory), CD-Rs, CD-R / Ws, DVDs (Digital Versatile Discs), and semiconductor memories (e.g., mask ROMs, PROMs (Programmable ROMs), EPROMs (Erasable PROMs), flash ROMs, and RAMs (Random Access Memory)). The program may also be supplied to a computer by various types of transitory computer-readable media. Examples of transitory computer-readable media include electrical signals, optical signals, and electromagnetic waves. The transitory computer-readable media can be supplied to a computer via wired communication paths such as electrical wires and optical fibers, or via wireless communication paths.

[0080] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above. Various modifications that can be understood by those skilled in the art can be made to the configuration and details of the present invention within the scope of the invention.

[0081] A part or all of the above-described embodiments can be described as, but not limited to, the following supplementary notes.

[0082] (Appendix 1) a personal information storage unit that stores identification information of a plurality of users and personal information of the plurality of users in association with each other; an acquisition unit that acquires personal information associated with identification information of a user who has successfully passed biometric authentication from the personal information storage unit; a seat information creation unit that creates seat information that can be presented to the user in accordance with the reservation request content of the user; a presented seat information correcting unit that corrects the seat information created by the seat information creating unit using the personal information acquired by the acquiring unit; a seat information presentation unit that presents the seat information corrected by the presented seat information correction unit to the user, Seat reservation device.

[0083] (Appendix 2) The seat reservation device according to claim 1, wherein the presented seat information correction unit corrects the number of reserved seats presented to the user based on personal information of the user.

[0084] (Appendix 3) The seat reservation device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the presented seat information correction unit corrects the seat information presented to the user based on at least one of the user's age, gender, and address.

[0085] (Appendix 4) A seat reservation device described in any one of Appendices 1 to 3, wherein the presented seat information correction unit corrects the seat information presented to the user based on at least one of information regarding the user's hobbies and preferences, groups to which the user belongs, behavioral history, and purchasing history.

[0086] (Appendix 5) 3. The seat reservation device according to claim 1, wherein the presented seat information correction unit corrects the number of reserved seats presented to the user so that the number increases as the user's age increases.

[0087] (Appendix 6) The seat reservation device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the presented seat information correction unit corrects the number of reserved seats presented to the user so that the number of reserved seats presented to the user decreases as the number of times the user has canceled reserved seats in the past increases.

[0088] (Appendix 7) 3. The seat reservation device according to claim 1, wherein the presented seat information correction unit corrects the seat information presented to the user according to the position of a reserved seat previously reserved by the user.

[0089] (Appendix 8) The system further comprises a demand prediction model creation unit that creates a demand prediction model for reserved seats based on at least one of date and time information, event information, and information regarding past reserved seat reservation status, the seat information creation unit further uses the demand forecast model created by the demand forecast model creation unit to create seat information that can be presented to the user. A seat reservation device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 7.

[0090] (Appendix 9) A seat reservation device as described in any one of Appendices 1 to 8, further comprising an authentication device that performs biometric authentication by comparing pre-stored biometric information of the multiple users with the biometric information of the user attempting to reserve a seat.

[0091] (Appendix 10) A seat reservation device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 8; an authentication device that performs biometric authentication by comparing pre-stored biometric information of the plurality of users with biometric information of a user attempting to reserve a seat; When the biometric authentication of the user attempting to reserve the seat is successful, the authentication device transmits identification information of the user who has succeeded in the biometric authentication to the seat reservation device; the acquiring unit acquires personal information associated with the received identification information from the personal information storage unit, and outputs the acquired personal information to the presented seat information correcting unit. Seat reservation system.

[0092] (Appendix 11) an operation unit operated by a user who is reserving a seat; a display unit that displays the seat information; The reservation terminal further includes an imaging unit that captures biometric information of the user. 10. A seat reservation system as described in Appendix 10.

[0093] (Appendix 12) A seat reservation system as described in Appendix 11, wherein the authentication device and the reservation terminal are configured as an integrated device.

[0094] (Appendix 13) Acquire personal information associated with the identification information of the user who has successfully passed biometric authentication; creating seat information that can be presented to the user in accordance with the reservation request of the user; correcting seat information to be presented to the user using the acquired personal information; presenting the corrected seating information to the user; How to reserve a seat.

[0095] (Appendix 14) A process of acquiring personal information associated with the identification information of a user who has successfully passed biometric authentication; A process of creating seat information that can be presented to the user in accordance with the reservation request content of the user; a process of correcting seat information to be presented to the user using the acquired personal information; and a process of presenting the corrected seat information to the user.

[0096] (Appendix 15) a personal information storage unit that stores identification information of a plurality of users and personal information of the plurality of users in association with each other; an acquisition unit that acquires personal information associated with the identification information of a user who has been successfully authenticated from the personal information storage unit; a seat information creation unit that creates seat information to be presented to the user based on the personal information acquired by the acquisition unit and the reservation request content of the user; a seat information presentation unit that presents the seat information created by the seat information creation unit to the user, Seat reservation device.

[0097] This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-051411, filed on March 25, 2021, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety. [Explanation of symbols]

[0098] 1. Seat reservation system 10 Seat reservation device 11 Personal information storage section 12 Acquisition Department 13 Seat Information Creation Department 14. Presented seat information correction unit 15 Seat information display unit 16 Various information storage section 17 Demand Forecasting Model Creation Department 18 Inventory information storage section 20 Reservation terminal 21 Imaging unit 22 Display section 23 Input section 30 Authentication Device 110 Face Information DB 111 User ID (identification information) 112 Facial Feature Information 120 Face detection unit 130 Feature point extraction unit 140 Registration Department 150 Authentication Department

Claims

1. a personal information storage unit that stores identification information of a plurality of users and personal information of the plurality of users in association with each other; an acquisition unit that acquires personal information associated with identification information of a user who has successfully passed biometric authentication from the personal information storage unit; a seat information creation unit that creates seat information that can be presented to the user in accordance with the reservation request content of the user; a presented seat information correcting unit that corrects the seat information created by the seat information creating unit using the personal information acquired by the acquiring unit; a seat information presentation unit that presents the seat information corrected by the presented seat information correction unit to the user; a demand prediction model creation unit that creates a demand prediction model for reserved seats based on at least one of date and time information, event information, and information regarding past reserved seat reservation status; the seat information creation unit further uses the demand forecast model created by the demand forecast model creation unit to create seat information that can be presented to the user. Seat reservation device.

2. The seat reservation device according to claim 1 , wherein the presented seat information correcting unit corrects the number of reserved seats presented to the user based on personal information of the user.

3. The seat reservation device according to claim 1 , wherein the presented seat information correcting unit corrects the seat information presented to the user based on at least one of the user's age, sex, and address.

4. A seat reservation device as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the presented seat information correction unit corrects the seat information presented to the user based on at least one of information regarding the user's hobbies and preferences, groups to which the user belongs, behavioral history, and purchasing history.

5. The seat reservation device according to claim 1 , wherein the presented seat information correcting unit corrects the number of reserved seats presented to the user so that the number of reserved seats presented to the user increases as the user's age increases.

6. The seat reservation device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising an authentication device that performs biometric authentication by comparing pre-stored biometric information of the plurality of users with biometric information of the user attempting to reserve a seat.

7. The seat reservation device according to any one of claims 1 to 5; an authentication device that performs biometric authentication by comparing pre-stored biometric information of the plurality of users with biometric information of a user attempting to reserve a seat; When the biometric authentication of the user attempting to reserve the seat is successful, the authentication device transmits identification information of the user who has succeeded in the biometric authentication to the seat reservation device; the acquiring unit acquires personal information associated with the received identification information from the personal information storage unit, and outputs the acquired personal information to the presented seat information correcting unit. Seat reservation system.

8. A computer comprising: Acquire personal information associated with the identification information of the user who has successfully passed biometric authentication; creating seat information that can be presented to the user in accordance with the reservation request of the user; correcting seat information to be presented to the user using the acquired personal information; presenting the corrected seating information to the user; When creating seat information that can be presented to the user, the seat information that can be presented to the user is created by further using a reserved seat demand forecast model that is created based on at least one of date and time information, event information, and information on past reserved seat reservation status. How to reserve a seat.

9. A process of acquiring personal information associated with the identification information of a user who has successfully passed biometric authentication; A process of creating seat information that can be presented to the user in accordance with the reservation request content of the user; a process of correcting seat information to be presented to the user using the acquired personal information; and presenting the corrected seat information to the user. In the process of creating seat information that can be presented to the user, the seat information that can be presented to the user is created by further using a demand forecast model for reserved seats that is created based on at least one of date and time information, event information, and information on past reserved seat reservation status. A program for causing a computer to execute seat reservation processing.

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