System, server, method, and recording medium

Abstract

The present invention provides a service that can provide users with previously unavailable added value (for example, economic or rare value) while reducing the risk borne by businesses. [Solution] A method executed by a computer device includes, in response to receiving a request from a terminal to purchase a service access right, selecting at least one candidate from a plurality of candidates regarding a facility, location, time, option or means of transportation associated with the provision of the service by lottery, and issuing to the terminal an electronic ticket representing the access right associated with the selected candidate.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a system, a server, a method, and a recording medium, for example, a system, a server, a method, and a recording medium related to electronic trading of rights to use a specific service. [Background technology]

[0002] There is a server device that manages the issuance and distribution (e.g., change of owner) of electronic tickets, such as non-fungible token (NFT) tickets, which represent rights related to the use, utilization, or reservation of accommodation facilities such as hotels, inns, or guesthouses. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2025-074205 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2025-030345 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Conventionally, electronic tickets for accommodation services (hereinafter referred to as "accommodation tickets") are generally issued according to conditions specified (or desired) by a user. For example, accommodation tickets are associated with terms of use, such as the accommodation facility, accommodation dates, and price, that are specified (or approved) in advance by the user.

[0005] Therefore, for example, if the terms of use specified (desired) by the user do not match the sales terms desired by the accommodation service provider, excess stock of accommodation tickets (in other words, "unsold" rooms) is likely to occur.

[0006] For example, during periods of relatively low occupancy rates, such as the so-called "off-season," there is a tendency for discrepancies to arise between users' desired conditions and the sales conditions of the operator, which can lead to an increase in "unsold" rooms.

[0007] Therefore, businesses may attempt to organize or eliminate excess inventory by, for example, discounting the sales price of rooms during the "off-season" (in other words, the price per room) from prices at other times (for example, general sales prices).

[0008] However, discounts make it difficult to differentiate from other businesses, and there are concerns that this could lower the brand value of the business. For example, business operators of hotels with relatively high ratings (grades or ranks), such as first-class hotels, high-end hotels, or luxury hotels, want to avoid the decline in brand value that can be caused by easy discounts.

[0009] In addition to seasonal inventory risks, such as those during off-seasons, businesses often also bear the risk of users canceling their services just before they begin using them (mid-term termination). For this reason, businesses may be forced to add a price corresponding to the total risks they can bear to the sales price of accommodation tickets, for example.

[0010] In other words, in industries that provide accommodation services, such as the hotel industry, the risks borne by operators are often greater than those borne by users, resulting in an imbalance in risk burden between users and operators.

[0011] One of the purposes of this disclosure is to realize a service that can provide users with unprecedented added value (e.g., economic or rare value) while reducing the risk burden on the service provider. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] Therefore, a system according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes a terminal, a memory unit that stores information on multiple candidates regarding facilities, locations, times, options, or means of transportation associated with the provision of a service, a selection unit that selects at least one candidate from the multiple candidates by lottery in response to receiving a request from the terminal to purchase a right to use the service, and an issuance unit that issues to the terminal an electronic ticket representing the right to use the service to which the selected candidate is associated.

[0013] In addition, a server according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes a reception unit that receives a purchase request for a service usage right from a terminal, a selection unit that, in response to receiving the purchase request, selects at least one candidate from a plurality of candidates by lottery based on information on the plurality of candidates regarding facilities, locations, times, options, or means of transportation associated with the provision of the service, and an issuance unit that issues to the terminal an electronic ticket representing the usage right associated with the selected candidate.

[0014] Furthermore, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is a method executed by a computer device, which includes, in response to receiving a request to purchase a service access right from a terminal, selecting at least one candidate from a plurality of candidates by lottery based on information of the plurality of candidates regarding facilities, locations, times, options, or means of transportation associated with the provision of the service, and issuing to the terminal an electronic ticket representing the access right associated with the selected candidate.

[0015] Furthermore, an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure is a recording medium that stores a program executed by a computer device, and the program causes the computer device to perform processing including, in response to receiving a request to purchase a service right from a terminal, selecting at least one candidate from a plurality of candidates by lottery based on information about the plurality of candidates regarding facilities, locations, times, options, or means of transportation associated with the provision of the service, and issuing to the terminal an electronic ticket representing the usage right associated with the selected candidate. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to realize a service that can provide users with added value (for example, economic or rare value) that has not been available before, while reducing the risk borne by businesses. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary system configuration for providing a sales service for accommodation tickets according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 2 is a block diagram showing an exemplary configuration of a server 20 according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an exemplary data format of the member data shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary data format of the inventory management data shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 5] 3 is a diagram showing an exemplary data format of the accommodation right management data shown in FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary data format of the hotel detail data shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 7] 3 is a diagram showing an exemplary data format of the present management data shown in FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 8] 3 is a block diagram showing an exemplary configuration of a sales processing unit shown in FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 9]FIG. 4 is an exemplary operational sequence diagram relating to a sales process in the first embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a sales screen (room availability calendar information) displayed on the user terminal shown in FIG. [Figure 11] 10 is an exemplary flowchart of a hotel selection process performed by the sales processing unit shown in FIGS. 2 and 9. [Figure 12] 3 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen on a user terminal of an accommodation ticket issued by the server shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0023] FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 4 is an exemplary operation sequence diagram relating to reservation processing in the first embodiment. [Figure 14] 13 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example in which the accommodation ticket shown in FIG. 12 is opened on a user terminal. FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is an exemplary operation sequence diagram relating to a gift process in the first embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a present screen displayed on a user terminal of a present recipient. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a receipt request screen displayed on the user terminal of the present sender. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is an exemplary operational sequence diagram of an NFT conversion process according to the first embodiment. [Figure 19] A figure showing an example of a confirmation screen displayed on a user terminal during NFT conversion processing. [Figure 20] FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of a server according to the second embodiment. [Figure 21] FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an exemplary data format of the sales management data shown in FIG. 20. [Figure 22] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary hotel selection process according to the second embodiment. [Figure 23] 10A is a diagram showing an example of values ​​of inventory management data, and FIG. 10B is a diagram showing an example of values ​​of sales management data. [Figure 24]24(a) to 24(e) are diagrams for explaining an example of hotel selection processing according to the flowchart of FIG. 22 based on the example of numerical values ​​shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the accompanying drawings and the following description are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the subject matter described in the claims. Furthermore, more detailed descriptions than necessary may be omitted. For example, detailed descriptions of well-known matters or redundant descriptions of substantially identical configurations may be omitted.

[0019] Furthermore, in the drawings, identical or corresponding elements are appropriately designated by the same reference numerals. The drawings are schematic, and the dimensional relationships or ratios of elements may differ from reality. The drawings may also include portions in which the dimensional relationships or ratios differ. When numerical values ​​are used in the following description, they are merely examples, and other numerical values ​​may be used in addition or instead.

[0020] <Service Overview> In this disclosure, the "right to use" a service means the right for a user to use a specific service (or the right for a user to enjoy the provision of a specific service). In some embodiments described below, electronic transactions regarding "accommodation rights" will be described as an example of the "right to use."

[0021] An "accommodation right" is an example of the right to use a facility (accommodation facility) such as a hotel that provides accommodation services. An electronic ticket representing an "accommodation right" may be called a "digital accommodation voucher" or simply abbreviated as an "accommodation voucher." In the following explanation, "accommodation right" and "accommodation voucher" are used as interchangeable terms.

[0022] As mentioned above, in the current industry of providing accommodation services, there is an imbalance in the risk burden between users and businesses. Therefore, below we will explain several embodiments of a service format (platform) that can transfer some of the risk that businesses have naturally borne to users and provide users with special accommodation rights that have added value in accordance with the risk transfer.

[0023] For example, the user will be required to bear the risk that they will not be able to choose (or specify) the accommodation facility (e.g., a hotel) when purchasing the accommodation right, and will not be able to cancel (terminate mid-contract) the purchased accommodation right or request a repurchase from the seller. In compensation for bearing such risks, the user will be able to purchase the accommodation right at a special price that is discounted from the general sales price, for example.

[0024] Instead of the user being able to specify the hotel where they will stay (or stay) at the time of purchase, the hotel where they will stay is selected by lottery from among several candidate hotels (e.g., a group of hotels of a certain grade or higher) that are disclosed to the user in advance.

[0025] Here, in this disclosure, the term "lottery" is not limited to meaning "random" selection, but is used as a term that includes both "random" selection and selection based on specific indicators or parameters (in other words, selection with certain constraints on randomness).

[0026] The group of candidate hotels that may be selected as accommodations (in other words, allocated to a user) is illustratively made up of a plurality of hotels that are higher than a certain grade, such as high-end hotels, first-class hotels, luxury hotels, etc. The price range of accommodation rights in the group of candidate hotels may be set to the same price range (e.g., 70,000 to 80,000 yen) where the average daily rate (ADR) is above a certain level according to the hotel grade.

[0027] Therefore, it is possible to guarantee that the user will be assigned a hotel, such as a luxury hotel, that meets a certain standard of quality and that falls within a certain price range. In other words, a sales service is provided to the user that is like a "luxury hotel accommodation voucher lucky bag" with no "duds." This provides the user with a certain level of expectation and security.

[0028] In addition, each accommodation right in the group of candidate hotels may be associated in advance with a stay date during a period when occupancy rates are relatively low, such as the off-season, and the sales price may be set at a special price lower than the sales price (general sales price) for the room that may be set for a stay date during a normal period (or non-peak season).

[0029] By setting such special prices, a special sales quota for a special accommodation right with added value, such as an experience of staying at a luxury hotel at a discount, can be prepared or secured for the user. Therefore, for example, a limited luxury hotel stay experience can be provided to the user as a surprise, giving the user an unprecedented sense of excitement or thrill.

[0030] The locations of the individual hotels that make up the candidate hotel group are not particularly limited. For example, the candidate hotel group may be made up of multiple hotels located in any country or region around the world, or multiple hotels located in a region or area within a country (e.g., Japan).

[0031] Taking Japan as an example, the candidate hotel group may be organized by region, such as Kanto, Kansai, Tohoku, Chugoku, Shikoku, Kyushu, Okinawa, or Hokkaido, or by prefecture or city, town, or village. In other words, the individual hotels that make up the candidate hotel group are located in a specific geographical area.

[0032] On the other hand, from the operator's perspective, selling accommodation rights at a discount during periods of low occupancy, such as the off-season, can reduce seasonal volatility in the sales price of rooms, which is expected to reduce the operator's inventory risk and improve profitability by leveling out.

[0033] Furthermore, for example, if the location of candidate hotels is limited to a specific region or area, it is possible to disperse the geographical concentration of guests due to seasonal tourism demand and to create tourism demand in regions during the off-season, thereby promoting economic revitalization throughout the year.

[0034] The accommodation rights purchased by the user are subject to a special provision that they cannot be canceled or repurchased, but instead can be sold (transferred for a fee) or given as a gift (transferred free of charge) to a third party. In other words, in this disclosure, the accommodation rights can be distributed secondary after purchase, and in that sense, they have "liquidity."

[0035] By using (or exercising) the accommodation right, the holder of the accommodation right (including the purchaser and transferee of the accommodation right) can stay in a specific room (guest room) associated with the accommodation right on the specific stay date associated with the accommodation right. The specific guest room type that can be associated with the accommodation right is not particularly limited, but may include various known types such as single, twin, king, deluxe, and suite. Note that the term "associated" (or "tied") may be used to mean either "related to ..." or "associated with ...", for example.

[0036] The sale of accommodation rights to a third party may be implemented, for example, by a non-fungible token representing the accommodation rights (hereinafter referred to as an "accommodation right NFT"). The accommodation right NFT may be issued upon request by a user who has purchased the accommodation right. The accommodation right NFT may be subject to secondary distribution through NFT marketplaces such as OpenSea.

[0037] An exemplary embodiment for realizing the above-mentioned "Service Overview" will now be described.

[0038] First Embodiment 1 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary system configuration for providing a sales service for accommodation tickets according to the first embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the system 1 illustratively includes user terminals 10-1 to 10-n (n is an integer equal to or greater than 1), a server 20, a hotel operator terminal 30, a blockchain system 40, and a communication network (NW) 50.

[0039] The user terminals 10-1 to 10-n, the server 20, and the hotel provider terminal 30 are each, for example, a computer device. The term "computer device" may be interpreted as, for example, an "information processing device." The user terminals 10-1 to 10-n, the server 20, the hotel provider terminal 30, and the blockchain system 40 can communicate with each other via the communication NW 50.

[0040] Each of the user terminals 10-1 to 10-n, for example, accesses the server 20 via the communication network 50 to use the accommodation ticket sales service provided on the website by the server 20. When there is no need to distinguish between the individual user terminals 10-1 to 10-n, they are simply referred to as "user terminal 10." Furthermore, "user terminal" may be replaced with other terms or names such as "client terminal," or may be simply abbreviated to "terminal."

[0041] The user terminal 10 may be, for example, any type of computer device having a communication function capable of accessing the communication NW 50. As a non-limiting example, one or more of the user terminals 10-1 to 10-n may be a laptop or desktop personal computer (PC), a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet PC, or any combination thereof.

[0042] The server 20 is, for example, an example of a computer device that provides a platform for services related to the sale of accommodation tickets. Note that the term "computer" may be replaced with other terms such as "device," "terminal," "node," or "entity."

[0043] The hotel operator terminal 30 is illustratively a computer device under the management of an operator (hereinafter also referred to as a "hotel operator") that operates one or more accommodation facilities (e.g., hotels). A hotel operator terminal 30 may be provided for each of a plurality of different operators in the system 1. The hotel operator terminal 30 may, for example, provide the server 20 with information on accommodation rights for sale.

[0044] The information on accommodation rights provided (e.g., entrusted for sale) from the hotel operator terminal 30 to the server 20 may be information on accommodation rights reserved as special slots by the hotel operator and sold at a special price, as described above. For example, accommodation rights associated with a specific room type (vacant room) on a specific accommodation date during a period when occupancy rates are relatively low, such as an off-season, may be provided to the server 20 at a discounted price.

[0045] The blockchain system 40 (hereinafter sometimes abbreviated as "blockchain 40") is a computer system (or network) including, for example, multiple nodes (computers) connected by P2P (peer-to-peer). The blockchain 40 is illustratively configured to record transactions related to NFTs in a decentralized manner between wallet addresses assigned to users of the user terminals 10.

[0046] Transactions involving NFTs may include, by way of example, issuing (or associating) an NFT to a particular wallet address, transferring an NFT between wallet addresses, and / or "burning," which means deleting or deactivating an NFT. Issuing an NFT to a wallet address is also referred to as "minting."

[0047] The communication NW 50 may be either a wired or wireless network, or may be a mixed network of wired and wireless networks. The wireless network may be a network conforming to standards established by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) (registered trademark), such as 3G, LTE (Long Term Evolution), 4G, 5G, or 6G, or may be a Wi-Fi network conforming to the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.11 series standards. A non-limiting example of the communication NW 50 may include the Internet.

[0048] <Server 20 configuration example> Next, an exemplary configuration of the above-mentioned server 20 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing an exemplary configuration of the server 20 according to the first embodiment.

[0049] 2, the server 20 illustratively includes a processor 202, a memory 204, a storage device 206, an input device 208, an output device 210, and a communication device 212. These components are interconnected by, for example, a bus 214 so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0050] 2, the term "apparatus" may be interchangeably read as other terms such as circuit, device, unit, etc. Various functions of the server 20 can be realized, for example, by the processor 202 reading a program (or application; the same applies hereinafter) 206F from the storage device 206 via the memory 204 and executing the program 206F and / or data used in the execution of the program 206F.

[0051] Processor 202 is exemplary of a computing device with computing capabilities and may be implemented using circuitry or processing circuitry including, for example, central processing units (CPUs), general-purpose processors, special-purpose processors, integrated circuits, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), pre-existing circuits, and / or combinations thereof that are programmed using one or more programs stored in one or more memories or otherwise configured to perform the disclosed "functions." Because processor 202 includes transistors or other circuitry, it may be considered processing circuitry or circuitry.

[0052] Program 206F may include, for example, instructions (e.g., program code) that, when loaded into processor 202 via memory 204 and executed, cause processor 202 to function or operate as sales processing section 222, reservation processing section 224, gift processing section (transfer processing section) 226, and NFT processing section 228.

[0053] The program 206F may be stored in advance in the storage device 206, or may be received by the server 20 (e.g., the communication device 212) via a computer-readable recording medium or the communication NW 50 (in other words, an electric communication line). The program 206F may also be incorporated as part of the operating system (OS) of the server 20.

[0054] The memory 204 and the storage device 206 are both examples of computer-readable recording media. The memory 204 may be configured with at least one of recording media such as a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), and a random access memory (RAM).

[0055] The storage device 206 may be configured by at least one of recording media such as an optical disk, a hard disk drive, a solid state drive (SSD), a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk (e.g., a compact disk, a Blu-ray (registered trademark) disk), and a flash memory.

[0056] The input device 208 may correspond to an input device (e.g., a keyboard, a mouse, a microphone, a switch, a button, a sensor, a camera, etc.) that receives input from an external device. The output device 210 may correspond to an output device (e.g., a display, a printer, a speaker, etc.) that outputs to an external device. The input device 208 and the output device 210 may be integrated into one device, such as a touch panel.

[0057] The communication device 212 is an example of a hardware device for communicating with an external device (for example, a user terminal 10 as a communication partner, a hotel operator terminal 30, or a blockchain 40) via the communication NW 50. The communication device 212 may be referred to as, for example, a network device, a network controller, a network card, or a communication module.

[0058] In addition to the above-mentioned program 206F, the storage device 206 may store, for example, member (customer) data 206A, inventory (vacant room) management data 206B, accommodation right management data 206C, hotel details data 206D, and gift management data 206E. Note that the storage device 206 may be provided outside the server 20 via, for example, the communication NW 50.

[0059] 3 to 7, exemplary data formats of the member data 206A, inventory management data 206B, accommodation rights management data 206C, hotel details data 206D, and gift management data 206E will be described below.

[0060] <Member Data 206A> 3 is a diagram showing an exemplary data format of member data 206 A. As shown in Fig. 3, member data 206 A has a data format in which payment information and NFT-related information are associated with each account information (e.g., ID, etc.) for identifying a user who has previously registered as a member of the accommodation ticket sales service.

[0061] The payment information is, for example, information regarding the payment method (e.g., credit card or direct debit from a bank account) used or designated by the user when purchasing the accommodation pass. The payment information may be provided to the server 20, for example, when the user registers as a member. The payment process based on the payment information may be performed by the server 20, or may be performed by the server 20 in cooperation with an external payment system (not shown) different from the server 20.

[0062] The NFT-related information includes, for example, a wallet address held by a user in the blockchain 40. In response to a request from a user terminal 10, the server 20 may mint, for example, an NFT representing an accommodation right (accommodation right NFT) for the wallet address corresponding to the user terminal 10.

[0063] <Inventory Management Data 206B> 4 is a diagram showing an exemplary data format of the inventory management data 206B. As shown in FIG. 4, the inventory management data 206B has a data format in which, for example, for each hotel name (hotel name), the "dates of stay," "number of rooms," and "price (unit price)" of rooms available for purchase by a user are associated. Based on the inventory management data 206B, for example, room availability calendar information to be displayed on a user terminal 10 wishing to purchase an accommodation ticket can be generated in the server 20 (e.g., the sales processing unit 222).

[0064] In the inventory management data 206B, "Hotels A, B, C, D, ..." are all relatively high-grade hotels that are called first-class hotels, high-class hotels, or luxury hotels. Furthermore, the "date of stay" does not refer to the date of stay desired (or specified) by the user, but rather to the "date of stay" provided to the server 20 as a sales quota, and may be a date of stay selected in advance by the operator of each hotel.

[0065] The "Prices (unit price)" (a1, a2, b1, b2, c1, c2, d1, ...) are set in the same price range above a certain level according to the hotel grade, and as mentioned above, are discounted from the general sales price in accordance with the transfer of risk from the hotel operator to the user.

[0066] For example, the "price (unit price)" may be set to a price that corresponds to the risk transfer to the user, in that the accommodation right cannot be canceled or redeemed after purchase. Also, to reduce seasonal inventory risk, such as during off-season periods, an even lower price may be set for the "price (unit price)."

[0067] <Accommodation Rights Management Data 206C> Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an exemplary data format of the accommodation right management data 206C. As shown in Fig. 5, the accommodation right management data 206C has a data format in which, for example, for each piece of information identifying the accommodation right (accommodation right ID), the name of the hotel (hotel name), the date of stay, member information associated with the accommodation right (e.g., member ID), the price of the accommodation right, a status indicating the state of use or exercise of the accommodation right, etc. are associated.

[0068] In the accommodation right management data 206C, the "hotel name," "date of stay," and "price" correspond to the "hotel name," "date of stay," and "price (unit price)" in the inventory management data 206B described above with reference to Figure 4, respectively.

[0069] In the accommodation right management data 206C, by associating the accommodation right ID with the member ID, for example, it is possible to identify or specify which member (user) holds which accommodation right in the server 20. Examples of the "status" of an accommodation right include "waiting for reservation," "reserved," "gift," "converted to NFT," and "expired."

[0070] <Hotel Details Data 206D> Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an exemplary data format of the hotel detail data 206D. As shown in Fig. 6, the hotel detail data 206D has a data format in which, for example, for each hotel name, access information such as the address of the hotel, available room types, option information, and room rates are associated.

[0071] The option information may include, for example, information indicating whether breakfast or dinner is included in the accommodation plan. The hotel detail data 206D may be used, for example, in the reservation process by the reservation processing unit 224 when disclosing detailed information about the hotel associated with the accommodation right to the user.

[0072] <Gift Management Data 206E> 7 is a diagram showing an exemplary data format of present management data 206E. As shown in Fig. 7, present management data 206E has a data format in which, for example, for each member (account) information, information on the accommodation right held, the status of the accommodation right, and member information corresponding to the recipient of the accommodation right are associated. Examples of the "status" of the accommodation right managed in present management data 206E include "held," "requesting receipt," "received," "stayed," and "expired."

[0073] It should be noted that the data items that may be included in each of the various data 206A to 206E described above are not limited to the items exemplified in Figures 3 to 7. Some or all of the various data 206A to 206E may include other data items that are not exemplified in each of Figures 3 to 7.

[0074] Furthermore, at least a portion of the various data 206A to 206E may be integrated with any other data of the various data 206A to 206E. For example, a portion or all of the hotel detail data 206D may be integrated with the accommodation right management data 206C.

[0075] <Functional Units Implemented by Processor 202> Next, we will explain each of the sales processing unit 222, reservation processing unit 224, gift processing unit 226, and NFT processing unit 228, which are realized by the processor 202 reading and executing the program 206F as described above.

[0076] The sales processing unit 222 performs processing related to the sale of accommodation tickets to users. For example, in response to receiving a purchase request for accommodation tickets from a user terminal 10, the sales processing unit 222 selects accommodation tickets to be sold to the user terminal 10 and issues the accommodation tickets to the user terminal 10 that made the purchase request.

[0077] Fig. 8 shows an exemplary functional configuration of the sales processing unit 222. As shown in Fig. 8, the sales processing unit 222 includes, for example, a purchase request receiving unit 2202, a sales screen generating unit 2204, a candidate hotel obtaining unit 2206, a hotel selecting unit 2208, and an issuing unit 2210.

[0078] The purchase request receiving unit 2202 receives, for example, a purchase request transmitted by a user terminal 10 that wishes to purchase an accommodation ticket.

[0079] For example, in response to a purchase request being accepted by the purchase request accepting unit 2202, the sales screen generating unit 2204 generates a sales screen including vacancy calendar information to be displayed on the screen of the user terminal 10 that sent the purchase request, based on the inventory management data 206B illustrated in Figure 4.

[0080] For example, in response to receiving desired accommodation conditions from a user terminal 10 displaying a sales screen, the candidate hotel acquisition unit 2206 searches and lists candidate hotels (accommodation rights) that match the desired accommodation conditions in the inventory management data 206B.

[0081] The desired accommodation conditions are transmitted to the server 20 in response to, for example, a user's operation to select the desired accommodation date on a sales screen (room availability calendar information) displayed on the user terminal 10. Here, an item for specifying the desired hotel is not displayed on the sales screen. Therefore, the desired accommodation conditions transmitted from the user terminal 10 to the server 20 do not include information specifying the hotel. In the first embodiment, it is assumed, for example, that the desired accommodation conditions of the user are specified as a one-night stay date in one room.

[0082] The hotel selection unit 2208 selects, for example, one of the candidate hotels (accommodation rights) listed by the candidate hotel acquisition unit 2206 in accordance with a predetermined selection criterion. In the first embodiment, the selection criterion is, for example, a random criterion using random numbers (in other words, a lottery). Note that other examples of criteria that can be used as selection criteria will be described later in the second embodiment.

[0083] The issuing unit 2210 generates and issues, for example, an accommodation voucher representing an accommodation right at a hotel selected by the hotel selection unit 2208. The generated accommodation voucher is issued (transmitted) to the user terminal 10 that issued the purchase request. In response to the issuance of the accommodation voucher, the issuing unit 2210 may update, for example, the inventory management data 206B and the accommodation right management data 206C.

[0084] When issuing the accommodation voucher to the user terminal 10, information about the selected hotel (for example, the name and detailed information of the hotel) is not disclosed to the user terminal 10. In other words, the accommodation voucher sent to the user terminal 10 does not include information about the selected hotel (hotel information).

[0085] Hotel information is disclosed on the user terminal 10, for example, by the user terminal 10 making a request to the server 20 to start the reservation process (in other words, a request to disclose hotel information), which is equivalent to applying to use the accommodation voucher (in other words, exercising the right to stay).

[0086] 2, the reservation processing unit 224 performs the above-mentioned reservation processing for the accommodation right purchased by the user. For example, in response to receiving a reservation request corresponding to a request to exercise the accommodation right from the user terminal 10, the reservation processing unit 224 performs reservation processing for a hotel room associated with the accommodation right at the hotel operator terminal 30 of the hotel.

[0087] The gift processing unit 226 performs processing when an accommodation right purchased by a user is to be gifted (transferred) to a third party different from the user. For example, in response to receiving a gift application for the accommodation right from the user terminal 10 of the user who purchased the accommodation right, the gift processing unit 226 performs processing to gift the accommodation right to another member (user), who is a third party designated by the user who is the gift sender.

[0088] The NFT processing unit 228 performs processing to convert accommodation rights purchased by a user into NFTs in response to a request from the user. For example, the NFT processing unit 228 converts the accommodation rights into NFTs in response to receiving a request to convert the accommodation rights into NFTs from the user terminal 10. The NFT processing unit 228 also mints the accommodation rights converted into NFTs (NFT accommodation rights) to a wallet address held by the user in the blockchain 40.

[0089] The NFT conversion process (or function) by the NFT processing unit 228 may be selectable (set) to be enabled (ON) or disabled (OFF) depending on the country or region in which the service is provided. For example, in countries or regions where the distribution of NFTs is prohibited or restricted, the function of the NFT processing unit 228 may be set to disabled.

[0090] Note that some or all of the components or functions exemplified for the server 20 may be integrated into a single component or function, or may be separated into multiple components or functions. Also, any one or more of the functions of the sales processing unit 222, reservation processing unit 224, gift processing unit 226, and NFT processing unit 228 described above may be distributed among multiple servers 20 and executed in a distributed manner. The multiple servers 20 may be, for example, a group of cloud servers virtualized using virtualization technology.

[0091] Furthermore, any one or more of the sales processing unit 222, the reservation processing unit 224, the gift processing unit 226, and the NFT processing unit 228 may be implemented (for example, as a smart contract) in the blockchain 40. In other words, the server 20 may correspond to any one or more of the multiple computers (nodes) that make up the blockchain 40.

[0092] Furthermore, as an example of a hardware configuration, the user terminal 10 may include, similarly to the server 20, a processor, a memory, a storage device, an input device, an output device, and a communication device, all of which are interconnected via a bus.

[0093] <Example of operation> An example of the operation of the system 1 having the above-described configuration will be described below with reference to FIGS.

[0094] <Sales Processing> FIG. 9 is an exemplary operational sequence diagram relating to the sales process in the first embodiment.

[0095] In S902, a certain user terminal 10 makes a purchase request for an accommodation ticket to the server 20. The purchase request is transmitted to the server 20, for example, by an operation performed on the user terminal 10 to select a "Purchase" button for the accommodation ticket displayed on a website provided by the server 20. The purchase request transmitted by the user terminal 10 is received by the sales processing unit 222 (purchase request receiving unit 2202) of the server 20.

[0096] In S904, in response to the acceptance of the purchase request, the sales screen generation unit 2204 of the sales processing unit 222 generates a sales screen including vacancy calendar information to be displayed on the screen of the user terminal 10 that sent the purchase request, based on the inventory management data 206B (see Figure 4).

[0097] In S906, the sales processing unit 222 transmits the generated sales screen to the user terminal 10 that has made the purchase request.

[0098] In S908, a sales screen (vacancy calendar information) is displayed on the user terminal 10. Fig. 10 shows an example of vacancy calendar information 1000. As shown in Fig. 10, the vacancy calendar information 1000 may be displayed on the user terminal 10 in a format in which a price is associated with each available accommodation date, as a non-limiting example.

[0099] In S910, in response to an operation to select the desired accommodation date (desired time of stay) on the sales screen (vacancy calendar information 1000) displayed on the user terminal 10, information indicating the user's desired accommodation conditions (e.g., one room for one night and one stay date) is sent to the server 20.

[0100] In S912, the sales processing unit 222 performs a hotel selection process (e.g., a lottery) in response to receiving the desired accommodation conditions from the user terminal 10 displaying the sales screen. An exemplary flowchart of the hotel selection process by the sales processing unit 222 is shown in FIG.

[0101] As shown in FIG. 11, in S1102, the sales processing unit 222 acquires the accommodation date (specified date) specified in the desired accommodation conditions.

[0102] In S1104, the sales processing unit 222 causes the candidate hotel acquisition unit 2206 to search the inventory management data 206B for candidate hotels (accommodation tickets) that have available rooms in the designated area, and lists them.

[0103] In S1106, the sales processing unit 222 causes the hotel selection unit 2208 to select a hotel by lottery (randomly) from among the candidate hotels listed.

[0104] When the hotel selection process is completed, as shown in FIG. 9, in S914, the sales processing unit 222 generates a purchase confirmation screen that prompts the user terminal 10 to make a final confirmation (approval) of the purchase, and transmits the screen to the user terminal 10.

[0105] When the user performs an operation to confirm (approve) the purchase on the purchase confirmation screen displayed on the user terminal 10, a settlement process is carried out between the user terminal 10 and the server 20 in S916.

[0106] In response to the completion (success) of the payment process, the sales processing unit 222 causes the issuing unit 2210 to issue an accommodation voucher for the hotel selected by the hotel selection unit 2208 to the user terminal 10 in S918.

[0107] Here, as a non-limiting example, the accommodation voucher issued to the user terminal 10 is presented in the display format of the envelope in which the accommodation voucher is enclosed, i.e., the contents of the envelope (details of the accommodation voucher) are not visible (for example, hotel information including the hotel name and detailed information is not disclosed).

[0108] 12 shows an example of a display screen 1200 on the user terminal 10 for an accommodation voucher issued by the server 20. The display screen 1200 exemplarily displays an image representing an envelope 1201 containing the accommodation voucher, as well as information other than information that can identify the selected hotel, such as the check-in and check-out dates, the deadline for completing the reservation process (reservation deadline or expiration date), and the purchase date and time of the digital accommodation right.

[0109] Also, as shown in FIG. 12, along with an image of an envelope 1201, selection buttons 1203, 1205, and 1207, which are respectively labeled "Open and book a stay," "Give as a gift," and "Convert to NFT," are displayed on the user terminal 10.

[0110] When a selection operation is performed on the selection button 1203 labeled "Open and make a reservation" on the user terminal 10, a visual display (for example, an animation display) that shows the envelope 1201 being opened is displayed on the user terminal 10.

[0111] After such an opening display effect, the contents of the envelope 1201, for example, an image of an accommodation voucher on which hotel information including the name and detailed information of the selected hotel is written, is displayed on the user terminal 10, and the hotel information is thereby disclosed to the user. Note that the display effect when disclosing the hotel information to the user is not limited to the effect using the image of the envelope 1201 as described above, and any other display effect may be used in addition or instead.

[0112] Furthermore, in response to a selection operation on a selection button (reservation button) 1203 labeled "Open and reserve accommodation" on the display screen 1200, the above-mentioned envelope 1201 is opened and a request to exercise the purchased accommodation right is made to the server 20. In response to this request, a reservation process, which will be described later with reference to Fig. 13, is started.

[0113] Furthermore, when a selection button (gift button) 1205 labeled "Give as a gift" is selected on the display screen 1200, a gift process is initiated to give the purchased accommodation ticket as a gift (transfer free of charge) to a third party. An example of the operation of the gift process will be described later with reference to FIG. 15.

[0114] Furthermore, when a selection operation is performed on the selection button (NFT conversion button) 1207 labeled "Convert to NFT" on the display screen 1200, the NFT conversion process for converting the purchased accommodation right into an NFT begins. An example of the operation of the NFT conversion process will be described later with reference to FIG. 18.

[0115] Returning to FIG. 9, in response to the issuance of the accommodation voucher (S918), the sales processing unit 222 updates, for example, the inventory management data 206B (see FIG. 4) and the accommodation right management data 206C (see FIG. 5) in S920.

[0116] <Reservation processing> 13 is an exemplary operation sequence diagram relating to reservation processing in the first embodiment. A user who has purchased a lodging right can make a hotel reservation process at any time from after the purchase (including the purchase date) until the reservation deadline (including the deadline date).

[0117] For example, in S1302, the user performs a selection operation (opening an envelope) on the reservation button 1203 while the screen 1200 shown in FIG. 12 is displayed on the user terminal 10.

[0118] 14, a visual display of an image of an envelope 1201 being opened is displayed on the user terminal 10, and a request to start the reservation process is sent to the server 20. This request to start may be understood to correspond to a request to disclose hotel information.

[0119] In S1304, the server 20 receives the reservation process start request transmitted from the user terminal 10 in the reservation processing unit 224.

[0120] In S1306, the reservation processing unit 224 generates a reservation screen based on, for example, the accommodation right management data 206C and the hotel detail data 206D, and transmits it to the user terminal 10.

[0121] The reservation screen may include, for example, hotel information including the name and detailed information of the hotel associated with the accommodation right related to the reservation process, and a reservation form that prompts the user to enter information (reservation information) required to complete a reservation for the hotel (room). As a non-limiting example, the reservation form may have input fields for the guest's personal information, such as the guest's name, address, telephone number, and email address.

[0122] In S1308, the user of the user terminal 10 inputs reservation information on the reservation screen. In S1310, the user terminal 10 transmits the reservation information input on the reservation screen to the server 20.

[0123] In S1312, the server 20 (reservation processing unit 224) executes reservation processing with the hotel operator terminal 30 of the hotel related to the reservation processing, based on the reservation information received from the user terminal 10. As a non-limiting example, this reservation processing can be executed by the reservation processing unit 224 sending an email including the reservation information to the hotel operator terminal 30.

[0124] The hotel operator terminal 30 may be an accommodation reservation system of a hotel operator that operates or manages the hotel related to the reservation process, or may be an accommodation reservation system common to some or all of multiple hotel operators that have entrusted the sale of digital accommodation rights. Also, some or all of the functions of the accommodation reservation system may be integrated into the server 20.

[0125] In S1314 and S1316, when the reservation process is completed, the server 20 (reservation processing unit 224) generates, for example, a reservation completion screen for notifying the user terminal 10 of the completion (or success) of the reservation process, and transmits it to the user terminal 10.

[0126] In S1318, the server 20 (reservation processing unit 224) updates, for example, the status of the accommodation right management data 206C (for example, to "opened (reserved)").

[0127] <Gift Processing> Fig. 15 is an exemplary operational sequence diagram relating to the gift processing in the first embodiment. In Fig. 15, user terminal 10A represents a first terminal operated by user A among the plurality of user terminals 10-1 to 10-n, and user terminal 10B represents a second terminal operated by user B, who is different from user A, among the plurality of user terminals 10-1 to 10-n.

[0128] If user A, who has purchased a lodging ticket through the sales process described above, wishes to give the lodging ticket as a gift to another user B, in S1502, the screen 1200 illustrated in FIG. 12 is displayed on the user terminal 10A and the gift button 1205 is selected.

[0129] In response to this selection operation, in S1504, a gift request is sent from the user terminal 10A to the server 20. The gift request sent to the server 20 may include, for example, information identifying the source of the gift (gift) (e.g., user A's membership information), information identifying the gift recipient (e.g., user B's membership information), and information identifying the accommodation right related to the gift (accommodation right ID).

[0130] In S1506, the server 20 (for example, the gift processing unit 226 illustrated in FIG. 2) that has received the gift request from the user terminal 10A generates a gift screen based on the information included in the gift request and transmits it to the user terminal 10B. The gift screen is, for example, a screen that shows that a gift of accommodation tickets has been sent to user B from user A and includes information that prompts user B to accept the gift.

[0131] Fig. 16 shows an example of a present screen 1600 displayed on the user terminal 10B. As shown in Fig. 16, the present screen 1600, like the display screen 1200 shown in Fig. 12, may display an unopened envelope 1601 containing an accommodation ticket, as well as, for example, a receipt request button 1603 for "requesting receipt" of the present (accommodation ticket) and a receipt refusal button 1605 for "refusing receipt" of the present.

[0132] When user B, who has displayed the present screen 1600 on user terminal 10B, receives a present, for example, he or she selects the receipt request button 1603 on the present screen 1600. In response to this selection operation, in S1510 and S1512, a message indicating a "receipt request" for the present is transmitted from user terminal 10B to server 20.

[0133] When the reception refusal button 1605 is selected in the user terminal 10B, a message indicating that the gift has been "rejected" is transmitted from the user terminal 10B to the server 20.

[0134] When the server 20 (present processing unit 226) receives a message indicating a "receive request" from the user terminal 10B, in S1514 of FIG. 15, it updates the status in the present management data 206E (see FIG. 7) (for example, to "receive request pending").

[0135] In S1516, the server 20 (present processing unit 226) generates a receipt request screen indicating that a message indicating a "receipt request" has been received from the user terminal 10B, and in S1518, transmits the generated receipt request screen to the user terminal 10A.

[0136] Fig. 17 shows an example of a receipt request screen 1700 displayed on the user terminal 10A. As shown in Fig. 17, the receipt request screen 1700 may display, similar to the screens 1200 and 1600 shown in Fig. 12 and 16, an unopened envelope 1701 containing the accommodation ticket, as well as an approval button 1703 for approving the "receipt request" from user B, for example.

[0137] When user A, who has displayed the receipt request screen 1700 on the user terminal 10A, approves the "receipt request," for example, he or she selects the approve button 1703 on the receipt request screen 1700 (S1520 in FIG. 15). In response to this selection operation, a message indicating "approval of the receipt request" is transmitted from the user terminal 10A to the server 20 in S1522 in FIG. 15.

[0138] Upon receiving the message indicating "approval of receipt request" from user terminal 10A, server 20 (present processing unit 226) updates the status in present management data 206E (see FIG. 7) (for example, to "receive approved") in S1524.

[0139] Also, in S1526, the server 20 (present processing unit 226) updates, for example, the holder information (membership information) associated with the accommodation ticket (ID) to be presented from User A to User B in the accommodation ticket management data 206C.

[0140] Furthermore, in S1528, the server 20 (present processing unit 226) generates, for example, a present completion screen indicating that the present processing has been successfully completed. Then, in S1530 and S1532, the server 20 (present processing unit 226) transmits the present completion screen to each of the user terminals 10A and 10B.

[0141] In addition, in the user terminal 10B, when a selection operation is performed on the rejection button 1605, a screen or message indicating "rejection of receipt" may be transmitted from the server 20 to the user terminal 10A. In this case, the user terminal 10A may perform a present process for another user different from user B, or may perform an NFT conversion process by a selection operation of the NFT conversion button 1207 illustrated in FIG. 12 in order to sell the accommodation right.

[0142] Also, user B can further present the accommodation right presented by user A to another user different from users A and B according to the reservation process described above.

[0143] <NFT conversion process> FIG. 18 is an exemplary operation sequence diagram related to the NFT conversion process in the first embodiment. When a user who holds an accommodation right wants to sell the accommodation right without performing a reservation process, in S1802, the screen 1200 illustrated in FIG. 12 is displayed, and a selection operation on the NFT conversion button 1207 is performed. Note that the "user who holds an accommodation right" includes both a user who purchased the accommodation right by the above-described sales process and a user who received the accommodation right by the above-described present process.

[0144] In response to the selection operation on the NFT conversion button 1207, in S1804, an NFT conversion request is transmitted from the user terminal 10 to the server 20. The NFT conversion request transmitted to the server 20 may include, for example, information (e.g., membership information) for identifying the user who is the source of the NFT conversion request, and information (accommodation right ID) for identifying the accommodation right to be converted into an NFT.

[0145] The server 20 that has received the NFT conversion request generates, in S1806, a confirmation screen for confirming whether to actually convert the accommodation right into an NFT, for example, by the NFT processing unit 228 (see FIG. 2). In S, the generated confirmation screen is transmitted from the server 20 to the user terminal 10.

[0146] 19 shows an example of a confirmation screen 1900 displayed on the user terminal 10. The confirmation screen 1900 may be, for example, a pop-up screen that prompts the user with a message such as, "Do you want to convert your accommodation rights into NFTs?"

[0147] As a non-limiting example, the confirmation screen 1900 may display a warning message such as, "If converted to NFT, the gift function will no longer be available and trading will be possible on external services such as OpenSea.", along with an NFT conversion approval button 1901 to approve the NFT conversion and a cancel button 1903 to cancel the NFT conversion.

[0148] Displaying such a confirmation screen 1900 on the user terminal 10 reduces the probability that the user will mistakenly convert the accommodation right into an NFT, thereby contributing to user convenience.

[0149] After checking the warning message on the confirmation screen 1900, if the user of the user terminal 10 wishes to carry out the NFT conversion process, the user selects the NFT conversion approval button 1901 in S1810 of FIG.

[0150] In response to a selection operation on the NFT conversion approval button 1901, in S1812, a message indicating that the implementation of the NFT conversion process has been confirmed (approved) by the user is sent from the user terminal 10 to the server 20.

[0151] The server 20 (NFT processing unit 228) that received the message converts the accommodation right to be converted into an NFT, identified by the accommodation right ID, into an NFT in S1814. Then, in S1816, the NFT processing unit 228 mints the accommodation right NFT obtained by the conversion into, for example, a wallet address held by the user who requested the conversion in the blockchain 40.

[0152] In S1820, the NFT processing unit 228 updates the "status" of the accommodation right in the accommodation right management data 206C (see FIG. 5), for example, to "NFT converted."

[0153] Then, in S1822, the NFT processing unit 228 generates a conversion success screen notifying the user that the accommodation right has been successfully converted into an NFT, and in S1824, sends the conversion success screen to the user terminal 10 that requested the NFT conversion.

[0154] The user of the user terminal 10 who has received the conversion success screen can then sell the accommodation right NFT at any time on an NFT marketplace such as OpenSea. Therefore, for example, if a user who holds an accommodation right is unable to exercise (use) the accommodation right due to circumstances, the user can reduce the financial burden by converting the accommodation right into an NFT and selling it.

[0155] A user who purchases an accommodation right NFT on the NFT marketplace can use the user terminal 10 operated by the user to, for example, make a reservation on a hotel operator terminal 30 (accommodation reservation system) as the legitimate owner of the accommodation right. Verification of whether the user who purchased the accommodation right NFT is a legitimate user can be performed, for example, based on NFT transaction information recorded in an unalterable state on the blockchain 40.

[0156] As described above, according to the first embodiment, the user cannot specify the hotel where they will stay when purchasing the accommodation ticket, but the hotel is selected by random lottery from among multiple hotels of a certain standard or above, which can give the user a surprise experience.

[0157] Furthermore, the hotel information of the accommodation rights purchased by the user is not disclosed to the user at the time of purchase, and is only disclosed to the user when making a reservation for accommodation based on the accommodation rights, which gives the user a sense of excitement or anticipation that they have never experienced before.

[0158] Furthermore, since the accommodation right is a right that comes with a special clause that prohibits cancellation and redemption requests after purchase, it can reduce business risks such as last-minute reservation cancellations due to user convenience or hotel inventory risk.

[0159] Furthermore, by transferring some of the risk to users through such special agreements, hotel operators can strategically set special prices for accommodation rights that are significantly discounted from the general sales price. This allows users to experience a first-class hotel at a discounted price, thereby enjoying economic benefits.

[0160] For example, by setting the price of accommodation rights during periods of low occupancy, such as the off-season, lower than at other times, seasonal volatility in the sales prices of rooms can be reduced, which is expected to lead to improvements in the profitability of hotel operators by leveling out the profits.

[0161] Furthermore, for example, by narrowing down the locations of the individual hotels that make up the group of candidate hotels to specific regions or areas, it is possible to disperse the concentration of guests due to seasonal or geographical tourism demand (mitigating overtourism) and to create tourism demand in regions during the off-season.

[0162] That is, the service disclosed herein can contribute to "regional revitalization" and "mitigation of overtourism." For example, by providing users with economically rational first-class hotel accommodation opportunities during periods when inventory risk is relatively high in specific areas such as rural or regional areas, it is possible to provide users with an opportunity to discover the seasonal attractions of areas that have been overlooked until now.

[0163] This will create stable revenue in specific areas and will also help to realize or maximize the value of previously overlooked areas, which is expected to promote year-round economic revitalization in Japan, for example.

[0164] Furthermore, in recent years, the average price of accommodation at hotels has risen significantly due to factors such as inflation, the weak yen, and an increase in inbound tourists, which has led to a trend of a decrease in the use of accommodation facilities by domestic users (domestic customer churn).The service disclosed herein allows users to experience, for example, a first-class hotel at a discounted price, which is expected to improve or mitigate domestic customer churn.

[0165] Furthermore, while users cannot cancel or request redemption of their purchased accommodation rights, they can gift the accommodation rights to a third party or sell them to a third party as NFT accommodation rights. Therefore, for example, a purchaser can surprise their family, relatives, friends, etc. with the accommodation rights, or reduce the purchaser's financial burden by selling the accommodation rights NFT.

[0166] In many existing accommodation right sales services, the transfer of purchased accommodation rights to others, including resale, is not permitted. In contrast, in the present disclosure, the transfer of purchased accommodation rights to others, including resale, is permitted, allowing a certain degree of freedom in disposing of the accommodation rights and increasing user convenience.

[0167] In the first embodiment described above, it is assumed that a one-night stay date is specified as the user's desired accommodation conditions, but if the desired accommodation conditions specify two or more consecutive nights of stay dates, the hotel for each stay date may be selected by random lottery.

[0168] For example, in S1104 of the hotel selection process shown in Figure 11, combinations of candidate hotels with available rooms for each of the specified consecutive stay dates of two or more nights are listed, and a combination of hotels to stay at is selected from the listed combinations by random lottery.

[0169] Therefore, different hotels may be selected as accommodations for all of two or more consecutive nights, or the same hotel may be selected as accommodations for some or all of two or more consecutive nights.

[0170] For stays of two or more consecutive nights, in S1106 of FIG. 11, preference may be given to selecting the same hotel combinations as much as possible from the listed combinations, in other words, combinations that result in relatively few changes in the hotel accommodation.

[0171] By preferentially selecting the same hotel for two or more consecutive nights of stay, the user does not have to change the hotel for each night of stay, which improves convenience for the user. Therefore, for example, in S910 of the sales process shown in Fig. 9, the user may be able to specify (input) information indicating whether or not the user wishes to stay at the same hotel for two or more nights of stay as the user's desired accommodation conditions on the user terminal 10.

[0172] <Second embodiment> In the first embodiment, a case where one room (number of rooms=1) is specified as an example of the user's desired accommodation conditions has been described in the user terminal 10. In the second embodiment, an example will be described in which the desired accommodation conditions include a case where two or more rooms are specified, not limited to one room.

[0173] Fig. 20 is a block diagram showing an exemplary configuration of a server 20A according to the second embodiment. The server 20A shown in Fig. 20 differs from the server 20 shown in Fig. 2 in that sales management data 206G is additionally stored in the storage device 2016. The sales management data 206G may be used in the hotel selection process performed by the hotel selection unit 2208 of the sales processing unit 222.

[0174] Fig. 21 is a diagram showing an exemplary data format of the sales management data 206G. As shown in Fig. 21, the sales management data 206G has a data format in which, for example, for each hotel, membership information (e.g., member ID) of the user to whom the accommodation rights are sold, the sale date, the stay date, the number of rooms sold, the sales price (unit price), etc. are associated.

[0175] Note that the "date of stay" corresponds to the "date of stay" in the inventory management data 206B (Figure 4) and the accommodation right management data 206C (Figure 5) described in the first embodiment, and means, for example, the "date of stay" provided to the server 20 as a sales quota.

[0176] An exemplary hotel selection process according to the second embodiment will be described below with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 22. In the second embodiment, when a user wishes to purchase accommodation tickets for two or more consecutive nights, the user can select on the sales screen displayed on the user terminal 10 whether to stay consecutive nights at the same hotel or at different hotels.

[0177] 9, the user can specify (input) desired accommodation conditions, such as the length of stay (number of nights), the number of rooms, and whether or not the user wishes to stay at the same hotel during the stay, on the sales screen displayed on the user terminal 10. The number of nights can be specified as one or more, and the number of rooms can be specified as one or more.

[0178] The hotel selection unit 2208 acquires the desired accommodation conditions transmitted from the user terminal 10 in S2202.

[0179] In S2204, the hotel selection unit 2208 checks whether the desired accommodation conditions specify that the user wishes to stay at the same hotel throughout the accommodation period.

[0180] If the confirmation result indicates that the guest wishes to stay at the same hotel (YES in S2204), the hotel selection unit 2208 lists candidate hotels that have the number of rooms available for consecutive nights during the specified period (number of nights) based on, for example, the inventory management data 206B (see FIG. 4). Note that if the number of nights = 1, it is treated as indicating that the guest wishes to stay at the same hotel.

[0181] On the other hand, if the desired accommodation conditions do not specify that the guest wishes to stay at the same hotel for the entire stay period (NO in S2204), the hotel selection unit 2208 will, in S2208, list a combination of candidate hotels that have a number of rooms available for consecutive nights during the specified period (number of nights), for example.

[0182] Then, in S2210, the hotel selection unit 2208 selects from the listed combinations the combination with the minimum number of changes to the hotel (including 0). Note that the number of changes to the hotel is "0" does not necessarily mean staying two or more nights consecutively at one hotel, but also includes staying one night at one hotel. Also, when the desired accommodation conditions specify the number of rooms ≧2, it would be inconvenient for the user if different rooms were assigned to consecutive nights even though the number of changes to the hotel was "0", so the same room is assigned to combinations that allow consecutive nights at the same hotel.

[0183] After processing S2206 or S2210, in S2212 the hotel selection unit 2208 derives the sales rate of each of the listed candidate hotels based on, for example, the inventory management data 206B and the sales management data 206G, and selects the combination with the lowest sales rate.

[0184] The sales rate can be calculated, for example, by dividing the number of accommodation rights sold for a candidate hotel by the total number of accommodation rights sold for each candidate hotel. The lower the sales rate of a candidate hotel, the less well the hotel's accommodation rights are selling.

[0185] In S2214, if the sales rates and total sales rates are the same, the hotel selection unit 2208 compares the remaining inventory of each candidate hotel by referring to the inventory management data 206B (see Figure 4), and selects the combination with the largest total remaining inventory.

[0186] If the sales rate, the total sales rate, and the total remaining stock are all the same, in S2216 the hotel selection unit 2208 randomly selects a combination from the combinations of candidate hotels that have been listed.

[0187] The above hotel selection process will be further explained with reference to illustrative numerical examples in Figures 23 and 24. Figure 23(a) is a diagram showing an example of numerical values ​​of inventory management data 206B, and Figure 23(b) is a diagram showing an example of numerical values ​​of sales management data 206G.

[0188] For example, if the desired accommodation conditions are specified as follows: accommodation date = 2025 / 09 / 01, number of nights = 2, number of rooms = 2, and same hotel desired = YES (Example 1), in S2206, Hotel A, Hotel B, and Hotel C will be listed as candidate hotels, as shown in Figure 24(a).

[0189] On the other hand, if the desired accommodation conditions are specified as, for example, accommodation date = September 1, 2025, number of nights = 2, number of rooms = 2, and same hotel desired = NO (Example 2), in S2208, nine combinations of candidate hotels will be listed, as shown in Figure 24(b).

[0190] In FIG. 24(b), Hotel A, Hotel B, and Hotel C, listed first to third, respectively, are all candidate hotels where two consecutive nights are possible. In contrast, in FIG. 24(b), the combinations of candidate hotels listed fourth to ninth are combinations of candidate hotels where the destination changes by one night each time (number of changes = 1). For example, the fourth listed "Hotel A, Hotel B" means that the first night will be at Hotel A and the second night will be at Hotel B. The same applies to the fifth to ninth combinations.

[0191] In S2210, the combination with the minimum number of changes to the hotel to stay (including 0) is selected, so the combinations of candidate hotels listed 4th to 9th in Figure 24(b) (number of changes = 1) are excluded from the selection candidates, and Hotel A, Hotel B, and Hotel C, with number of changes = 0, are listed (Example 3), as shown in Figure 24(c).

[0192] Then, in S2212, the sales rate for each candidate hotel is taken into consideration. The sales rate for each candidate hotel is derived from the inventory management data 206B in FIG. 23(a) and the sales management data 206G in FIG. 23(b) as shown in FIG. 24(d) as follows (Example 4): Hotel A sales rate = 4 / 16 = 0.25, Hotel B sales rate = 2 / 8 = 0.25, and Hotel C sales rate = 4 / 8 = 0.25. Therefore, in S2212, Hotel A and Hotel B with the smallest sales rate (0.25) are selected.

[0193] Here, there are two pairs of hotels, Hotel A and Hotel B, with a sales rate of 0.25, so in S2214, the remaining inventory quantities of each candidate hotel A and B are compared. For example, as shown in FIG. 24(e), the remaining inventory quantities of Hotel A on September 1st and September 2nd, 2025 are "6", and the remaining inventory quantities of Hotel A on September 1st and September 2nd, 2025 are "3" (Example 5).

[0194] In S2214, the combination with the largest total remaining stock quantity is selected, so hotel A is selected.

[0195] In addition, the accommodation right reservation process, gift process, and NFT conversion process in the second embodiment may be understood to be equivalent or similar to the respective processes described in the first embodiment.

[0196] As described above, in the hotel selection process of the second embodiment, restrictions based on sales rate and inventory are imposed on the random lottery, which reduces bias in the chances of each hotel being selected in the group of candidate hotels. This ensures fairness in the selection chances for each hotel, which can contribute to, for example, fair profitability among the individual hotels that make up the group of candidate hotels.

[0197] In the above-described hotel selection process, an example has been described in which constraints based on both sales rate and inventory quantity are applied to the random lottery, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, a design in which constraints based on either sales rate or inventory quantity are applied to the random lottery may be adopted.

[0198] Alternatively or additionally, one or more indicators or parameters other than sell-through rate and inventory may be used as criteria for selecting hotels, and such indicators or parameters may be used in the selection process to ensure that the chances or probabilities of being ultimately selected among the pool of candidate hotels are fair among the candidate hotels.

[0199] Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the hotel selection (lottery) process based on the sales rate and inventory may be replaced with a random lottery. For example, the processes of S2212 and S2214 in FIG. 22 may be omitted or skipped, in which case a random lottery may be conducted in S2216 for the candidate hotels listed in S2206 or S2210. In other words, a random hotel lottery may be applied to a user's specification of one or more nights and one or more rooms.

[0200] <Modification> In the first and second embodiments described above, the server 20 (for example, the sales processing unit 222 shown in FIG. 2) may be configured to record the number of times the same user has purchased an accommodation ticket (or purchase history) in the storage device 206 (for example, the member data 206A), and to grant the user points or coupons that can be used to discount the purchase price of subsequent accommodation tickets according to the number of purchases. Also, the sales processing unit 222 may be configured so that the discount rate increases as the number of purchases increases. With such a configuration or setting, it is possible to provide users with an incentive to purchase accommodation tickets.

[0201] In the first and second embodiments described above, the object of the lottery is a facility (accommodation facility) associated with the accommodation service, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the accommodation date (time) during a specific period when the accommodation service can be provided may be selected by lottery, or the "options" available in the accommodation service may be selected by lottery.

[0202] Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments described above, services relating to hotel accommodation rights were described as a non-limiting example of accommodation facilities, but the present disclosure may also be applied to "rights to use" various other services (or "vouchers" which are electronic tickets representing vouchers).

[0203] Rights to use other various services may include, for example, rights to use a specific location such as an event venue (e.g., an admission ticket), rights to use a means of transportation (e.g., a vehicle or means of transportation such as a car, train, airplane, helicopter, or ship) associated with the provision of the service (e.g., a ticket or boarding pass).

[0204] By way of non-limiting example, "service vouchers" may include vouchers for luxury resorts, membership plans, vacation rentals, luxury villas, or spa and wellness facilities, airline tickets, private jets, charter flights, helicopter transfer services, airport lounge vouchers, first or business class vouchers, VIP transfer vouchers, restaurant vouchers, Michelin-starred restaurant dining vouchers, exclusive dining experience vouchers, catering, chef's table, wine pairing events, or private dining vouchers, luxury cruise or special activity experience vouchers, fitness, spa, or medical tourism vouchers, luxury car rental vouchers, and fashion or luxury event tickets.

[0205] <Supplementary information> As used in this disclosure, any reference to an element followed by a designation such as "first...," "second...," etc. does not limit the quantity or order of those elements. These designations are merely used as a convenient method to distinguish between two or more elements. For example, a reference to a first and a second element does not imply that only two elements may be employed, nor does it imply that the first element must precede the second element in any physical quantity.

[0206] (Processing procedures, etc.) The order of the procedures, sequences, flowcharts, etc. of each aspect / embodiment described in this disclosure may be changed unless it is inconsistent. For example, the methods described in this disclosure present elements of various steps using an example order, and are not limited to the particular order presented.

[0207] Although the present disclosure has been described in detail above, it is clear to those skilled in the art that the spirit and scope of the present disclosure are not limited to the contents described throughout the present disclosure. The present disclosure can be implemented in modified and altered forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the claims. Therefore, the description of the present disclosure is intended for illustrative purposes only and does not have any limiting meaning on the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. [Industrial Applicability]

[0208] The present disclosure is useful, for example, in a technology for electronically trading service usage rights. [Explanation of symbols]

[0209] 1 System 10-1 to 10-n User terminals 20 servers 30 Hotel operator terminal 40 Blockchain System 50 Communication Network (NW) 202 processors 204 memory 206 Storage device 206A Member (Customer) Data 206B Inventory Management Data 206C Accommodation Rights Management Data 206D Hotel detailed data 206E Gift Management Data 206F Program 206G Sales management data 208 Input Device 210 Output Device 212 Communication equipment 214 Bus 222 Sales Department 224 Reservation Processing Unit 226 Gift Processing Department 228 NFT processing unit 2202 Purchase Request Reception Department 2204 Sales screen generation unit 2206 Candidate Hotel Acquisition Department 2208 Hotel Selection Department 2210 Publishing Department

Claims

1. A terminal and a storage unit storing information on a plurality of candidate facilities, locations, times, options, or means of transportation associated with the provision of a service; a selection unit that selects at least one candidate from the plurality of candidates by lottery in response to receiving a request to purchase the right to use the service from the terminal; an issuing unit that issues to the terminal an electronic ticket representing the usage right associated with the selected candidate; A system equipped with

2. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the service is an accommodation service, the facility is an accommodation facility that provides the accommodation service, and the right to use is a right to stay at the accommodation facility.

3. The system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the right of use is an accommodation right with a special clause that does not allow cancellation or repurchase requests to the issuer.

4. The system according to claim 2 , wherein the plurality of candidates for the accommodation are all of a certain grade or above and in the same price range.

5. The system of claim 2 , wherein each of the plurality of candidates for the accommodation is located within a particular geographic area.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the drawing is a random drawing.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the lottery is based on information indicating at least one of a sales rate and an inventory amount of the usage rights for the plurality of candidates.

8. The system of claim 7 , wherein the lottery for a plurality of accommodations having the same sales rate and inventory is a random lottery.

9. the system further includes a reservation processing unit that processes reservations for the accommodation facility in response to a reservation request for the accommodation facility based on the ticket from the terminal; the issuing unit does not disclose information identifying the selected accommodation facility as a candidate to the terminal when issuing the ticket, The system according to claim 2 , wherein the reservation processing unit discloses information identifying the accommodation facility to the terminal in response to receiving the reservation request from the terminal.

10. Not disclosing the information identifying the accommodation facility to the terminal when issuing the ticket means displaying an image representing an envelope containing the ticket on the terminal, making the reservation request means performing an operation associated with opening the envelope on the terminal; The system described in claim 9, wherein disclosing information identifying the accommodation facility to the terminal comprises opening the envelope and displaying on the terminal an image of the ticket containing information including the name of the selected accommodation facility.

11. The system described in claim 2 further includes a transfer processing unit that, in response to receiving from the terminal an application to transfer the ticket to a third party other than the user of the terminal to which the ticket was issued, changes the information indicating the holder of the ticket to the third party.

12. the system further includes a non-fungible token processing unit that converts the ticket into the non-fungible token in response to receiving a request to convert the ticket into the non-fungible token from the terminal that has been issued the ticket; 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the non-fungible token processing unit mints the non-fungible token into a wallet address held in a blockchain system by a user of the terminal.

13. a reception unit that receives a request to purchase a service right from a terminal; a selection unit that, in response to receiving the purchase request, selects at least one candidate from among a plurality of candidates by lottery based on information on a plurality of candidates related to facilities, locations, times, options, or means of transportation associated with the provision of the service; and an issuing unit that issues to the terminal an electronic ticket representing the usage right associated with the selected candidate; A server equipped with

14. 1. A method performed by a computing device, comprising: In response to receiving a request to purchase a service right from a terminal, selecting at least one candidate from among a plurality of candidates by lottery based on information of the plurality of candidates regarding facilities, locations, times, options, or means of transportation associated with the provision of the service; issuing to the terminal an electronic ticket representing the usage right associated with the selected candidate; A method comprising:

15. A recording medium on which a program executed by a computer device is recorded, The program In response to receiving a request to purchase a service right from a terminal, selecting at least one candidate from among a plurality of candidates by lottery based on information of the plurality of candidates regarding facilities, locations, times, options, or means of transportation associated with the provision of the service; and issuing to the terminal an electronic ticket representing the usage right with which the selected candidate is associated.

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