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

Abstract

To support accurate fare adjustment in consideration of a time-of-day fare.SOLUTION: An information processing system includes: search result acquisition means which acquires a search result which is a result of searching for a route including a boarding section of a public transportation, the result including a date of use, a time of start of use and a time of end of use of the public transportation on the route; fare determination means which determines whether a fare of the public transportation on the route is a peak-time fare or a non-peak-time fare on the basis of at least one of the time of start of use and the time of end of use, and time-of-day fare information of the public transportation acquired in advance; and output means which outputs the determined fare as an object to be applied for fare adjustment.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing system, an information processing program, an information processing device, and an information processing method. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, techniques for settling travel expenses have been known. For example, Patent Document 1 proposes a technique for determining whether to approve a travel expense claim by comparing the travel expenses indicated in the travel expense claim with the travel expenses indicated in the route search result. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-191494 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In recent years, public transportation has been considering introducing time-of-day fares that would set higher fares for morning and evening travellers in order to alleviate congestion during these times when passengers are most likely to travel.

[0005] However, Patent Document 1 does not provide any effective proposal for accurately calculating transportation expenses taking into account fares by time period.

[0006] The present invention provides an information processing system, an information processing program, an information processing device, and an information processing method that can support accurate travel expense settlement taking into account time-of-day fares. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The information processing system according to the present invention comprises: a search result acquisition means for acquiring a search result of a travel route including a section using public transportation, the search result including a date of use of the public transportation on the travel route, a start time of use, and an end time of use; a fare determination means for determining whether the fare of the public transportation on the travel route is a peak fare or a non-peak fare based on at least one of the start time and the end time of use and pre-acquired time-of-day fare information of the public transportation; an output means for outputting the determined fare as a travel expense reimbursement application target; An information processing system comprising: [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to support accurate settlement of transportation expenses taking into account fares by time of day. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an information processing system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the information processing system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] 3 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of time-of-day fare information as an example of the operation of the information processing system according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a first example of display of the fare to be applied for as an example of the operation of the information processing system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a second example of display of the fare to be applied for as an example of the operation of the information processing system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an information processing system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the information processing system according to the second embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the display of the fare to be applied for, as an example of the operation of the information processing system according to the second embodiment. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the information processing system according to the third embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of fare information for a time-zone-specific commuter pass, as an example of the operation of the information processing system according to the third embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a first example of display of the fare to be applied for as an example of the operation of the information processing system relating to the third embodiment. [Figure 12] A figure showing a second display example of the fare to be applied for, as an example of the operation of the information processing system related to the third embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a discount condition for use of a time-scheduled commuter pass during times other than off-peak hours, as an example of the operation of the information processing system according to the third embodiment. [Figure 14] A figure showing a third display example of the fare to be applied for, as an example of the operation of the information processing system related to the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, components having equivalent functions are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description of the components having the same reference numerals will not be repeated.

[0011] (First embodiment) An information processing system 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described. The information processing system 1 according to the first embodiment is a system that supports travel expense reimbursement application procedures by users (hereinafter simply referred to as "users") of electronic devices such as mobile terminals (smartphones, mobile phones, tablet terminals, etc.) and personal computers. Note that users may include not only applicants for travel expense reimbursement but also approvers of the application.

[0012] 1, the information processing system 1 includes a terminal device 2 corresponding to the electronic device described above, and a server 3. The terminal device 2 and the server 3 are connected to each other via a network such as the Internet so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0013] The network may be either a wired line or a wireless line, and the type and form of the line are not important. At least a part of the terminal device 2 and the server 3 is realized by a computer.

[0014] The terminal device 2 is used by the user to receive information about fares for public transportation for which travel expense reimbursement is being applied, and is, for example, an information processing terminal such as a smartphone, tablet terminal, or personal computer.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 1, the terminal device 2 includes a communication unit 21, an input unit 23, an output unit 24, and a control unit 22.

[0016] The communication unit 21 is an interface for transmitting and receiving information between the control unit 22 and the server 3 via a network.

[0017] The input unit 23 is an interface for the user to input information to the terminal device 2, and may be, for example, a touch panel, microphone, touch pad, or dial buttons in a mobile terminal.

[0018] The output unit 24 is an interface that outputs various types of information from the terminal device 2 to the user, and is, for example, a video display means such as a liquid crystal display. As an example, the output unit 24 displays a GUI (Graphical User Interface) for receiving operations from the user via the input unit 23. The output unit 24 may also have a speaker that outputs various types of information as audio.

[0019] The output unit 24 does not have to directly present information to the user. For example, the output unit 24 may output a video signal or an audio signal to a video display means or an audio output means connected to the outside of the terminal device 2, or may output data to an externally connected printing device, or may output data to a storage device within the terminal device 2 or an external storage device for storage.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 1 , the control unit 22 includes an information presentation unit 221. The information presentation unit 221 receives from the server 3, fare information for application, which indicates the fare for application determined based on the determination result of whether the fare for the public transportation on the travel route is a peak fare or an off-peak fare. The peak fare is an example of a congestion fare, which is a time-series fare applied based on the time periods when the public transportation is congested. The off-peak fare is an example of a non-congestion fare, which is a time-series fare applied based on the time periods when the public transportation is not congested. The determination of whether the fare is a peak fare or an off-peak fare is made based on the time-series fare information for the public transportation. The travel route is searched by the server 3 in accordance with the route search conditions transmitted from the terminal device 2 to the server 3. The information presentation unit 221 outputs the fare for application indicated in the received fare information for application via the output unit 24.

[0021] By outputting the fare to be applied for travel expense settlement after determining whether it is a peak fare or an off-peak fare, it is possible to support accurate travel expense settlement that takes into account fares by time of day.

[0022] Next, a description will be given of the server 3. As shown in Fig. 1, the server 3 has a communication unit 31, a control unit 32, and a storage unit 33. Before describing the control unit 32, the communication unit 31 and the storage unit 33 will be described.

[0023] The communication unit 31 is an interface for transmitting and receiving information between the terminal device 2 and the control unit 32 of the server 3 via the network.

[0024] The storage unit 33 is a data storage such as a hard disk, and stores various databases. Note that the storage unit 33 does not necessarily have to be provided within the server 3, and may be provided within another device communicably connected to the server 3 via a network.

[0025] The storage unit 33 includes a route network information database 331 .

[0026] The route network information database 331 is a database for route search, and includes, for example, transportation network information as route network information. The transportation network information is information that defines transportation networks such as railroads and buses, and road networks. The transportation network information includes route information, timetable information, fare information, etc. of public transportation facilities.

[0027] The public transport fare information includes fare information by time period.

[0028] Transportation network information is expressed by a combination of data on nodes, such as stations, on a route network representation, and data on links, which are sections of the tracks between the nodes. Road network information is expressed by a combination of data on nodes, such as intersections, on a road network representation, and data on links, which are sections of the roads between the nodes.

[0029] Although not shown, the storage unit 33 may also include a map information database used for displaying maps, searching for locations, etc. The map information includes map data such as national or regional road maps, and may also include map object information (note information, symbol information, etc.) associated with the map data. Furthermore, the storage unit 33 may also include a POI (Point of Interest) information database used for searching for facilities and setting destinations. POI information is information about facilities and events. The POI information includes name information and location information of the facilities and events.

[0030] Next, we will explain the control unit 32 of the server 3. As shown in Fig. 1, the control unit 32 has a route search unit 321 which is an example of a search result acquisition means, a fare determination unit 322 which is an example of a fare determination means, a fare presentation unit 323 which is an example of an output means, and a slip processing unit 324.

[0031] The route search unit 321 receives route search conditions including the use of public transportation transmitted from the terminal device 2 by user operation when the user applies for settlement of transportation expenses including fares for public transportation. The route search unit 321 searches for and acquires a travel route from the departure point to the destination including a section using public transportation using route network information in accordance with the received route search conditions. The travel route search result includes the travel route, the date of use of public transportation on the travel route, the start time of use, and the end time of use.

[0032] Instead of using the route search conditions transmitted from the terminal device 2, the route search unit 321 may estimate the start time of using public transportation based on the user's work arrival and departure times or planned departure time acquired in advance, and use the estimated boarding time for route search. In this case, the fare determination unit 322, which will be described later, may determine the fare based on the estimated start time of use. Also, instead of using the route search conditions transmitted from the terminal device 2, the route search unit 321 may search for a travel route based on travel history information read from the user's IC card or mobile terminal that has a ticket function.

[0033] The fare determination unit 322 determines whether the fare for the public transportation on the travel route that is the subject of the application is a peak fare or an off-peak fare, based on at least one of the start time and end time of use and the time-of-day fare information for the public transportation that has been previously acquired in the memory unit 33. The time-of-day fare information is information that indicates that the fare for a certain travel section is a fare that depends on the time of day. According to the time-of-day fare information, fares can vary depending on the time of day, even for the same travel section.

[0034] The fare presentation unit 323 outputs the determined fare as the fare to be applied for in the travel expense settlement application by transmitting, via the communication unit 31, application subject fare information indicating the application subject fare corresponding to the fare determined by the fare determination unit 322 to the terminal device 2. As described above, the transmitted application subject fare information is output via the output unit 24 by the information presentation unit 221 of the terminal device 2.

[0035] The slip processing unit 324 creates a slip on which the fare to be applied for is registered in response to the user's confirmation operation for the fare to be applied for output by the terminal device 2, and transmits the created slip to the terminal device 2 via the communication unit 31. The terminal device 2 outputs the transmitted slip via the output unit 24. The slip processing unit 324 accepts the user's application operation for the slip output by the terminal device 2.

[0036] As described above, according to the information processing system 1 of the first embodiment, the route search unit 321 acquires search results for a travel route that includes sections of public transportation, including the date, start time, and end time of use of the public transportation on the travel route. The fare determination unit 322 determines whether the fare for the public transportation on the travel route is a peak fare or a non-peak fare based on at least one of the start time and end time of use and pre-acquired time-zone fare information for the public transportation. The fare presentation unit 323 outputs the determined fare as the subject of a travel expense settlement application. This configuration can support accurate travel expense settlement that takes time-zone fare into account.

[0037] (Example of operation) Next, a description will be given of an example of the operation of the information processing system 1 in Fig. 1. Fig. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the information processing system 1 according to the first embodiment.

[0038] 2, first, the control unit 22 of the terminal device 2 displays a route search condition setting screen via the output unit 24, and accepts setting operations for route search conditions, including the use of public transportation that is the subject of a travel expense reimbursement application, via the route search condition setting screen. After displaying the route search condition setting screen, the control unit 22 sets route search conditions according to the user's setting operations on the route search condition setting screen, and transmits the set route search conditions to the server 3 (step S21).

[0039] After the route search conditions are transmitted, the route search unit 321 of the server 3 searches for a travel route from the departure point to the destination, including sections of public transportation, according to the transmitted route search conditions, and obtains a search result including the date of use of public transportation on the travel route, the boarding time, and the disembarking time (step S31). The boarding time is an example of a start time of use. The disembarking time is an example of an end time of use.

[0040] After the route search results are acquired, the fare determination unit 322 of the server 3 determines whether the fare of the public transportation on the route being applied for is a peak fare or an off-peak fare based on at least one of the boarding time and disembarking time and the time-of-day fare information for the public transportation previously acquired in the storage unit 33 (step S32). The time-of-day fare information may, for example, be information indicating a fare that is higher when passing through a departure station ticket gate during peak hours than when passing through a departure station ticket gate during off-peak hours, as shown in FIG. 3. When using the time-of-day fare information of FIG. 3, the fare determination unit 322 may predict the time of passing through a departure station ticket gate based on the boarding time included in the search results and determine the fare corresponding to the predicted time of passing through a departure station ticket gate. The time of passing through a departure station ticket gate may be predicted by subtracting a certain time (e.g., 5 minutes) from the boarding time. In the example shown in FIG. 3, if the predicted time of passing through a departure station ticket gate based on the boarding time is 8:00, the fare determined by the fare determination unit 322 is the peak fare applicable during peak hours. Furthermore, if the predicted time of passing through the ticket gate at the departure station based on the boarding time is 10:00, the fare determined by the fare determination unit 322 will be the off-peak fare applied to off-peak time periods. Furthermore, time-period fares may vary not only depending on the time of day, but also on the day of the week, holidays, specific periods (New Year's holidays, all days in August, etc.), etc. Furthermore, time-period fares are not limited to two levels, off-peak and peak, and at least one of the off-peak and peak periods may include multiple levels of fares.

[0041] After the fare is determined, the fare presentation unit 323 of the server 3 generates application subject fare information indicating the application subject fare according to the fare determination result, as shown in Fig. 2. The fare determination unit 322 transmits the generated application subject fare information to the terminal device 2 via the communication unit 31 (step S33).

[0042] After the application subject fare information is transmitted, the information presentation unit 221 of the terminal device 2 displays the application subject fare information received from the server 3 via the output unit 24 (step S22).

[0043] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a first display example of the requested fare as an example of the operation of the information processing system 1 according to the first embodiment. The display screen for the requested fare described below can be displayed not only on the applicant's terminal device 2 but also on the approver's terminal device 2. For example, the fare presentation unit 323 may display the display screen SC1 for the requested fare shown in FIG. 4 via the terminal device 2. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the requested fare is displayed in association with each travel section of a different public transportation mode on the travel route. Specifically, the requested fare for route a is 170 yen, and the requested fare for route b is 260 yen. The requested fare is determined to be either a peak fare or an off-peak fare based on the time-of-day fare information, and is therefore an accurate fare. Furthermore, the display screen SC1 includes a button B that accepts a user's confirmation operation for the displayed requested fare. By presenting such fares, the user can request accurate reimbursement of transportation expenses.

[0044] Also, in the example shown in FIG. 4, the fare presentation unit 323 displays an icon I1 indicating whether the applied-for fare is a peak fare or an off-peak fare, in association with the applied-for fare on the display screen SC1 of the applied-for fare. This allows users (i.e., both the applicant and the approver) to determine at a glance whether the applied-for fare is a peak fare or an off-peak fare, thereby improving convenience. Note that the fare presentation unit 323 may indicate whether the applied-for fare is a peak fare or an off-peak fare using text or color (for example, red text for peak fares and blue text for off-peak fares) instead of icon I1.

[0045] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a second display example of the fare to be applied for as an example of the operation of the information processing system according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, when a preset condition is satisfied, the fare presentation unit 323 may selectably display the fare determined by the fare determination unit 322 and a fare other than the determined fare on the display screen SC2 of the fare to be applied for. The preset condition may be that the boarding time is near the fare change time based on the time-of-day fare information (for example, 10 minutes before or after). As shown in FIG. 5, the fare presentation unit 323 may display the fare determined by the fare determination unit 322 (170 yen) by default, and may also allow a fare not determined by the fare information determination unit 322 (200 yen) to be selected later on the selection screen S. In this case, since the applicant may select a fare not determined by the fare information determination unit 322 as the fare to be applied for, the display mode of the fare to be applied for may be different so that the approver can know which fare the applicant selected (whether the fare not determined was selected). Presenting fares in this manner can support accurate travel expense reimbursement applications.

[0046] In the example shown in FIG. 5, the fare presentation unit 323 displays the application conditions C of the determined fare on the display screen SC2 of the fare to be applied for, along with the fare determined by the fare determination unit 322. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the display screen SC2 displays the application conditions C of the determined off-peak fare (170 yen) as the time of passage through the ticket gate at the departure station between 9:30 and 16:30. Furthermore, in the example shown in FIG. 5, the display screen SC2 displays the application conditions C of the undetermined peak fare (200 yen) as the time of passage through the ticket gate at the departure station between 9:30 and 16:30. By presenting fares in this manner, it is possible to support more accurate applications for travel expense settlement.

[0047] (Second embodiment) Next, a second embodiment in which a fare is determined taking operation information into consideration will be described. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an information processing system 1 according to the second embodiment. As shown in Fig. 6, the information processing system 1 according to the second embodiment further includes an operation information management database 332 stored in the storage unit 33 of the server 3, in addition to the configuration of the first embodiment. The operation information management database 332 stores operation information of public transportation on the travel route on the date of use of the public transportation (i.e., in the past).

[0048] Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the information processing system 1 according to the second embodiment. As shown in Fig. 7, in the second embodiment, the fare determination unit 322 of the server 3 determines whether the fare of the public transportation on the travel route is a peak fare or an off-peak fare, taking into account the operation information stored in the operation information management database 332 (step S312).

[0049] Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the display of the applied-for fare as an example of the operation of the information processing system 1 according to the second embodiment. As shown in Fig. 8, the fare presentation unit 323 may display a message M indicating operation information taken into consideration in determining the applied-for fare, together with the applied-for fare, on the display screen SC3 of the applied-for fare.

[0050] According to the second embodiment, by taking into consideration past operation information of public transportation means, it is possible to support more accurate travel expense settlement.

[0051] (Third embodiment) Next, a third embodiment will be described in which a fare for a time-slot-specific commuter pass is applied for within the applicable section but outside the applicable time period. The information processing system 1 according to the third embodiment has the same components as those shown in FIG. 1 or 6. However, the information processing system 1 according to the third embodiment differs from the first and second embodiments in the specific functions of the components. The following description will focus on the differences from the first and second embodiments.

[0052] In the third embodiment, the fare determination unit 322 determines whether the fare for the public transportation on the travel route is within the applicable section and outside the applicable time period of the time-period specific commuter pass, based on at least one of the start time and end time of use indicated in the search result of the route search unit 321 and the section information and time period information of the time-period specific commuter pass for the public transportation, which has been acquired in advance in the storage unit 33. A time-period specific commuter pass is a commuter pass in which the fare varies even for the same section depending on the time period when the public transportation is available.

[0053] If the fare for the public transportation on the travel route is within the target section of the time-specific commuter pass but outside the target time period, the fare presentation unit 323 outputs at least a portion of the fare for the public transportation on the travel route as a subject for application for transportation expense settlement via the terminal device 2.

[0054] If the fare for the public transportation on the travel route is within the target area of ​​the time-specific commuter pass but outside the target time, the fare presentation unit 323 may display on an image showing the search results of the route search unit 321 that the fare for the public transportation on the travel route is within the target area of ​​the time-specific commuter pass but outside the target time.

[0055] An example of the operation of the information processing system 1 according to the third embodiment will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0056] 9, first, the control unit 22 of the terminal device 2 displays a route search condition setting screen via the output unit 24, and accepts setting operations for route search conditions, including the use of public transportation that is the subject of a travel expense reimbursement application, via the route search condition setting screen. After displaying the route search condition setting screen, the control unit 22 sets route search conditions according to the user's setting operations on the route search condition setting screen, and transmits the set route search conditions to the server 3 (step S201).

[0057] After the route search conditions are transmitted, the route search unit 321 of the server 3 searches for a travel route from the departure point to the destination, including the section of public transportation to be used, in accordance with the transmitted route search conditions, and obtains the search results, including the date of use of public transportation on the travel route, the boarding time, and the disembarking time (step S301).

[0058] After the route search results are acquired, the fare determination unit 322 of the server 3 determines whether the fare for the public transportation on the route is within the target section and outside the target time of the time-scheduled commuter pass, based on at least one of the boarding time and disembarking time, and the section information and time period information of the time-scheduled commuter pass for the public transportation, previously acquired in the storage unit 33 (step S302). This determination may also be made based on the validity period information of the time-scheduled commuter pass. The section information and time period information may be, for example, information in the form shown in FIG. 10. In the example shown in FIG. 10, commuter pass fare information is associated with each combination of section information (Station A to Station D), time period information (all time periods, 10:00 to 17:00), and validity period information (1 month, 3 months, 6 months). In the example shown in Figure 10, for example, if the time-specific commuter pass is a one-month pass (10,480 yen) that requires passing through the ticket gate at Station A (departure station) between 10:00 and 17:00, and the searched travel route is a route that passes through the ticket gate at Station A between 10:00 and 17:00 and travels to Station D, the fare for public transportation on the travel route is determined to be applicable to the time-specific commuter pass (off-peak commuter pass).On the other hand, for example, if the time-specific commuter pass is a one-month pass (10,480 yen) that requires passing through the ticket gate at Station A between 10:00 and 17:00, and the searched travel route is a route that passes through the ticket gate at Station A before 10:00 and travels to Station D, the fare for public transportation on the travel route is determined to be a fare that falls within the applicable section but outside the applicable time for the time-specific commuter pass.

[0059] After determining whether the fare is within the target section and outside the target time, the fare presentation unit 323 calculates the fare to be applied for in accordance with the determination result, as shown in Fig. 9 (step S303). Specifically, if the fare presentation unit 323 determines that the fare of the public transportation on the travel route is applicable to a time-scheduled commuter pass, it calculates 0 yen as the fare to be applied for. On the other hand, if the fare presentation unit 323 determines that the fare of the public transportation on the travel route is within the target section and outside the target time of a time-scheduled commuter pass, it calculates, for example, the regular fare for the travel route as the fare to be applied for.

[0060] After calculating the application subject fare, the fare presentation unit 323 transmits application subject fare information indicating the calculated application subject fare to the terminal device 2 (step S304).

[0061] After the application subject fare information is transmitted, the information presentation unit 221 of the terminal device 2 displays the application subject fare indicated in the application subject fare information received from the server 3 via the output unit 24 (step S202).

[0062] Fig. 11 is a diagram showing a first display example of the requested fare as an example of the operation of the information processing system 1 according to the third embodiment. As shown in Fig. 11, when it is determined that the fare of the public transportation on the travel route is eligible for a time-specific commuter pass, the fare presentation unit 323 displays a display screen SC4 of the requested fare showing 0 yen as the requested fare. In addition, in the example shown in Fig. 11, the fare presentation unit 323 displays an icon I2 indicating that the time-specific commuter pass is valid in association with the image of the travel route.

[0063] Fig. 12 is a diagram showing a second display example of the requested fare as an example of the operation of the information processing system 1 according to the third embodiment. As shown in Fig. 12, when the fare presentation unit 323 determines that the fare of the public transportation on the travel route is within the target section and outside the target time of the time-scheduled commuter pass, it displays a display screen SC5 of the requested fare showing the regular fare for the travel route as the requested fare. In addition, in the example shown in Fig. 12, the fare presentation unit 323 displays an icon I3 indicating that the fare is within the target section and outside the target time of the time-scheduled commuter pass in association with the image of the travel route.

[0064] Fig. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the discount conditions for use of a time-scheduled commuter pass during non-peak hours, as an example of the operation of the information processing system 1 according to the third embodiment. Fig. 14 is a diagram showing a third example of display of the fare subject to the discount conditions shown in Fig. 13, as an example of the operation of the information processing system 1 according to the third embodiment.

[0065] FIG. 12 illustrates an example in which the full regular fare for a public transportation system along a travel route is displayed as the fare to be applied for when it is determined that the fare for the public transportation system along the travel route is within the target section of a time-specific commuter pass but outside the target time period. In contrast, as shown in FIG. 13, if the travel route is a time-specific commuter pass within the target section, a discount fare may be applied instead of the regular fare, even if the traveler passes through the ticket gate at the departure station outside the target time period. In the example shown in FIG. 13, if the traveler passes through the ticket gate at the departure station within the target section outside the target time period, a discount fare of 50% off the regular fare is applied as a fare reduction condition. In this case, as shown in FIG. 14, the fare presentation unit 323 displays a display screen SC6 in which the discount fare is the fare to be applied for. Note that the fare reduction conditions are not limited to uniform conditions and may vary depending on, for example, the distance of the target section. Furthermore, the fare reduction conditions may be individually set for each section of the travel route.

[0066] According to the third embodiment, it is possible to support accurate settlement of transportation expenses taking into account the time-of-day fares of commuter passes.

[0067] At least a part of the information processing system described in the above-described embodiment may be configured with hardware or software. In the case of a software configuration, a program that realizes at least a part of the functions of the information processing system may be stored on a recording medium such as a flexible disk or CD-ROM, and may be read and executed by a computer. The recording medium is not limited to removable media such as magnetic disks and optical disks, but may also be fixed recording media such as hard disk drives and memories.

[0068] In addition, a program that realizes at least part of the functions of the information processing system may be distributed via a communication line (including wireless communication) such as the Internet. Furthermore, the program may be encrypted, modulated, or compressed and distributed via a wired or wireless line such as the Internet, or stored on a recording medium.

[0069] Furthermore, the information processing system may be operated by one or more information processing devices. When using multiple information processing devices, one of the information processing devices may be a computer, and the computer may execute a predetermined program to realize the function as at least one means of the information processing system.

[0070] In the method invention, all steps may be automatically controlled by a computer. Alternatively, each step may be performed by a computer, with progress control between steps being performed manually. Furthermore, at least some of the steps may be performed manually.

[0071] Based on the above description, a person skilled in the art may conceive additional effects and various modifications of the present invention, but the aspects of the present invention are not limited to the individual embodiments described above. Various additions, modifications, and partial deletions are possible within the scope of the conceptual idea and spirit of the present invention, which is derived from the content defined in the claims and their equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0072] 1. Information Processing Systems 2. Terminal Device 3 Server 321 Route Search Unit 322 Fare Determination Department 323 Fare Display Section

Claims

1. a search result acquisition means for acquiring a search result of a travel route including a section using public transportation, the search result including a date of use of the public transportation on the travel route, a start time of use, and an end time of use; a fare determination means for determining whether the fare of the public transportation on the travel route corresponds to a congestion fare or a non-congestion fare based on at least one of the use start time and the use end time and pre-acquired fare information for the public transportation; an output means for outputting an application object for travel expense reimbursement, the output means outputting the fare determined to be applicable as the application object; An information processing system comprising:

2. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the fare determination means determines whether the fare applies to the rush hour fare or the non-running hour fare based on operation information of public transportation on the travel route on the date of use.

3. The information processing system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the output means selectively displays the fare determined to be applicable and the fare determined to be inapplicable when predetermined conditions are satisfied.

4. The information processing system according to claim 3 , wherein the condition includes that the use start time is near a time when fares change based on the time-of-day fare information.

5. 5. The information processing system according to claim 3, wherein the output means displays the fare determined to be applicable as a default.

6. the search result acquisition means acquires, as the use start time, an estimated use start time based on the work arrival / departure times or the planned time of leaving work that have been acquired in advance; An information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the fare determination means determines whether the fare applies to the peak fare or the off-peak fare based on the estimated start time of use.

7. The information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the output means displays the applicable conditions of the fare determined to be applicable together with the fare determined to be applicable.

8. An information processing system as described in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the output means displays the fare determined to be applicable in a manner that makes it clear whether it is the rush hour fare or the non-running hour fare.

9. a search result acquisition means for acquiring a search result of a travel route including a section using public transportation, the search result including a date of use of the public transportation on the travel route, a start time of use, and an end time of use; a fare determination means for determining whether the fare of the public transportation on the travel route is within the applicable section and outside the applicable time period of the time-period-specific commuter pass, based on at least one of the start time of use and the end time of use, and the section information and time period information of the time-period-specific commuter pass of the public transportation that has been acquired in advance; an output means for outputting a travel expense reimbursement application target, which outputs at least a portion of the fare of the public transportation on the travel route as the application target if the fare is within the target section and outside the target time; An information processing system comprising:

10. The information processing system of claim 9, wherein the output means displays on an image showing the search results that the fare for the public transportation on the travel route is within the target section and outside the target time of the time-specific commuter pass if the fare is within the target section and outside the target time.

11. The information processing system described in claim 9 or 10, wherein the output means outputs, as the application subject, a reduced fare for the public transportation on the travel route in accordance with preset reduction conditions when the fare for the public transportation on the travel route is within the target section but outside the target time period.

12. The information processing system according to claim 11 , wherein the discount conditions are set for each section of public transportation on the travel route.

13. The information processing system described in any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the fare determination means further determines whether the fare is within the target section and outside the target time period based on the validity period information of the time-specific commuter pass that has been obtained in advance.

14. Computer, a search result acquisition means for acquiring a search result of a travel route including a section using public transportation, the search result including a date of use of the public transportation on the travel route, a start time of use, and an end time of use; a fare determination means for determining whether the fare of the public transportation on the travel route corresponds to a congestion fare or a non-congestion fare based on at least one of the use start time and the use end time and pre-acquired time-of-day fare information of the public transportation; and an output means for outputting an application subject for travel expense reimbursement, the output means outputting the fare determined to be applicable as the application subject; An information processing program that functions as a

15. An information processing system configured by a plurality of computers connected to each other in a communicable manner, a search result acquisition means for acquiring a search result of a travel route including a section using public transportation, the search result including a date of use of the public transportation on the travel route, a start time of use, and an end time of use; a fare determination means for determining whether the fare of the public transportation on the travel route corresponds to a congestion fare or a non-congestion fare based on at least one of the use start time and the use end time and pre-acquired fare information for the public transportation; an output means for outputting an application object for travel expense reimbursement, the output means outputting the fare determined to be applicable as the application object; In order to make the information processing system function, An information processing program for causing at least one of the computers to function as at least one of the means.

16. In order to make the information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 8 function by a plurality of computers connected in a communicable manner, 9. An information processing program for causing one of said computers to function as at least one of the means in the information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

17. 9. An information processing program for causing a computer to function as at least one of the means in the information processing system according to claim 1.

18. By a plurality of information processing devices connected to each other so as to be able to communicate, a search result acquisition means for acquiring a search result of a travel route including a section using public transportation, the search result including a date of use of the public transportation on the travel route, a start time of use, and an end time of use; a fare determination means for determining whether the fare of the public transportation on the travel route corresponds to a congestion fare or a non-congestion fare based on at least one of the use start time and the use end time and pre-acquired fare information for the public transportation; an output means for outputting an application object for travel expense reimbursement, the output means outputting the fare determined to be applicable as the application object; In order to make the information processing system function, An information processing device comprising at least one of the above means.

19. a step of acquiring, by a search result acquisition means, a search result of a travel route including a section using public transportation, the search result including a date of use of the public transportation on the travel route, a start time of use, and an end time of use; a step in which a fare determination means determines whether the fare of the public transportation on the travel route corresponds to a congestion fare or a non-congestion fare based on at least one of the use start time and the use end time and pre-acquired fare information for public transportation; an output means for outputting an application object for travel expense reimbursement outputs the fare determined to be applicable as the application object; An information processing method comprising:

20. Computer, a search result acquisition means for acquiring a search result of a travel route including a section using public transportation, the search result including a date of use of the public transportation on the travel route, a start time of use, and an end time of use; a fare determination means for determining whether the fare of the public transportation facility on the travel route is within the applicable section and outside the applicable time period of the time-period-specific commuter pass, based on at least one of the use start time and the use end time and the section information and time period information of the time-period-specific commuter pass of the public transportation facility that has been acquired in advance; and an output means for outputting an application target for travel expense reimbursement, which outputs at least a portion of the fare of the public transportation on the travel route as the application target when the fare is within the target section and outside the target time; An information processing program that functions as a

21. An information processing system configured by a plurality of computers connected to each other in a communicable manner, a search result acquisition means for acquiring a search result of a travel route including a section using public transportation, the search result including a date of use of the public transportation on the travel route, a start time of use, and an end time of use; a fare determination means for determining whether the fare of the public transportation on the travel route is within the applicable section and outside the applicable time period of the time-period-specific commuter pass, based on at least one of the start time of use and the end time of use, and the section information and time period information of the time-period-specific commuter pass of the public transportation that has been acquired in advance; an output means for outputting a travel expense reimbursement application target, which outputs at least a portion of the fare of the public transportation on the travel route as the application target if the fare is within the target section and outside the target time; In order to make the information processing system function, An information processing program for causing at least one of the computers to function as at least one of the means.

22. In order to make the information processing system according to any one of claims 9 to 13 function using a plurality of computers connected in a communicable manner, 14. An information processing program for causing one of the computers to function as at least one of the means in the information processing system according to any one of claims 9 to 13.

23. 14. An information processing program for causing a computer to function as at least one of the means in the information processing system according to any one of claims 9 to 13.

24. By a plurality of information processing devices connected to each other so as to be able to communicate, a search result acquisition means for acquiring a search result of a travel route including a section using public transportation, the search result including a date of use of the public transportation on the travel route, a start time of use, and an end time of use; a fare determination means for determining whether the fare of the public transportation on the travel route is within the applicable section and outside the applicable time period of the time-period-specific commuter pass, based on at least one of the start time of use and the end time of use, and the section information and time period information of the time-period-specific commuter pass of the public transportation that has been acquired in advance; an output means for outputting a travel expense reimbursement application target, which outputs at least a portion of the fare of the public transportation on the travel route as the application target if the fare is within the target section and outside the target time; In order to make the information processing system function, An information processing device comprising at least one of the above means.

25. a step of acquiring, by a search result acquisition means, a search result of a travel route including a section using public transportation, the search result including a date of use of the public transportation on the travel route, a start time of use, and an end time of use; a step in which a fare determination means determines whether the fare of the public transportation on the travel route is within the target section and outside the target time of the time-scheduled commuter pass, based on at least one of the start time of use and the end time of use, and the section information and time-scheduled information of the time-scheduled commuter pass of the public transportation, which has been acquired in advance; an output means for outputting a travel expense reimbursement application target, when the fare is within the target section and outside the target time, outputting at least a portion of the fare of the public transportation on the travel route as the application target; An information processing method comprising:

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