Server and Information Provision Method

Abstract

To provide a technique which can promote contribution to a local community.SOLUTION: A server 1 is arranged so as to communicate with a plurality of portable devices 2. The server 1 has a processor 11 which acquires positional information of the plurality of portable devices 2 and executes processing for proposing a destination to the plurality of portable devices 2. The processor 11 groups two or more portable devices closer to one another among the plurality of portable devices 2. The processor 11 estimates, based on either of registration information and activity history of users of the grouped two or more portable devices, preference of the group. The processor 11, based on the estimated preference, extracts spots in a predetermined distance from the two or more portable devices. The processor 11 transmits a message proposing move to the extracted spot to the two or more portable devices.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a server and an information providing method.

Background Art

[0002] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2022-108352 (Patent Document 1) discloses a user behavior promotion support method that can improve the user satisfaction with a stamp rally. This method causes one or more spots and / or events that are candidate targets included in a stamp sheet to be presented for each user of a user terminal based on user information and / or behavior records.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] It is conceivable to guide users to spots using a mechanism such as a stamp rally. There is a need to activate the movement of users and thereby promote the contribution to the area including the spot.

[0005] This disclosure has been made to solve the above problems, and one of the objects of this disclosure is to provide a technology capable of promoting regional contribution.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A server relating to a certain aspect of this disclosure is configured to communicate with multiple mobile devices. The server includes a processor that obtains the locations of the multiple mobile devices and performs processing to suggest destinations to the multiple mobile devices. The processor groups two or more mobile devices that are close to each other, estimates the preferences of the group based on at least one of the user registration information and behavioral history of the two or more grouped mobile devices, extracts spots within a predetermined distance from the two or more mobile devices based on the estimated preferences, and sends messages to the two or more mobile devices suggesting that they move to the extracted spots.

[0007] A method of providing information relating to another aspect of this disclosure involves using a server configured to communicate with multiple mobile devices to suggest destinations to some or all of the multiple mobile devices. The method of providing information includes the steps of: obtaining the locations of the multiple mobile devices; grouping two or more mobile devices that are close to each other; estimating the preferences of the group based on at least one of the user registration information and behavioral history of the two or more grouped mobile devices; extracting spots within a predetermined distance from the two or more mobile devices based on the estimated preferences; and suggesting to the two or more mobile devices that they move to the extracted spots.

[0008] In the above configuration or method, multiple mobile devices (and their users) are grouped together, and based on the preferences of multiple users within that group, the group's movement from multiple mobile devices to a spot within a predetermined distance is suggested. By guiding users to a spot as a group, rather than individually, human interaction and economic activity are stimulated (details will be described later). Therefore, the above configuration or method can promote contributions to the local community. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] This disclosure will enable us to promote contributions to the local community. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This diagram schematically shows an example of the overall configuration of the information provision system according to the embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 2] This figure shows an example of a server configuration. [Figure 3] This figure shows an example of the display screen for a stamp rally app on a mobile device. [Figure 4] This figure shows an example of the information stored in the spot database. [Figure 5] This is a conceptual diagram illustrating the user guidance process in this embodiment. [Figure 6] This flowchart shows an example of the processing procedure for user guidance according to this embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] This embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions will not be repeated.

[0012] [Embodiment] <System Configuration> Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of an information provision system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The information provision system 900 comprises a server 1 and a plurality of portable devices 2. The server 1 and the plurality of portable devices 2 are connected to each other via a network NW such as the Internet, enabling bidirectional communication.

[0013] Server 1 provides various information to multiple mobile devices 2. The configuration of Server 1 is explained in Figure 2.

[0014] The multiple mobile devices 2 are terminals carried by the user, and in this example, they are smartphones. The multiple mobile devices 2 may also be other types of terminals such as tablets, notebook PCs (Personal Computers), or smartwatches. Each of the multiple mobile devices 2 has a GPS (Global Positioning System) function that can acquire the user's location information. In addition, in this embodiment, each mobile device 2 has application software (hereinafter referred to as the "stamp rally app") installed for the user to enjoy the stamp rally.

[0015] <Server Configuration> Figure 2 shows an example of the configuration of Server 1. Server 1 is operated, for example, by a public transportation operator. Server 1 may also be operated by a nonprofit organization (NPO) aiming for regional revitalization. Server 1 includes, for example, a processor 11, memory 12, a communication module 13, and storage 14.

[0016] The processor 11 is a processing unit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or MPU (Micro-Processing Unit). The memory 12 is a storage device that includes ROM (Read Only Memory) and RAM (Random Access Memory). The communication module 13 includes a communication interface with the network NW (see Figure 1). The communication module 13 is configured to communicate bidirectionally with external devices (such as mobile devices 2) of the server 1.

[0017] The storage 14 stores a system program 141 including an OS (Operating System) and a control program 142 including computer-readable code necessary for control operations. The processor 11 reads out the system program 141 and the control program 142, expands them in the memory 12, and executes them to realize various processes. The main processes executed by the processor 11 include a "user guidance process" for guiding the user to a specific spot. The user guidance process will be described in detail later.

[0018] The storage 14 further includes a map database (DB: database) 143, a stamp rally DB 144, a spot DB 145, and a user DB 146.

[0019] The map database 143 includes, for example, road information for the user's own movement (such as walking, cycling, or driving a private car). The map database 143 may include route information and timetable information regarding movement by public transportation (such as by bus or train).

[0020] The stamp rally DB 144 includes information for managing the stamp rally application installed in the portable device 2.

[0021] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the display screen of the stamp rally application in the portable device 2. In the stamp rally application, as shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of checkpoints (waypoints and the final destination) are assigned to the user (portable device 2) from the start to the goal. When the user arrives at a checkpoint, this is recorded and it is displayed on the display 21 that the user has arrived at the checkpoint. In this example, it is displayed that the user has arrived at the second checkpoint out of seven checkpoints.

[0022] The stamp rally DB144 is used to manage user checkpoint information (information indicating which checkpoint is assigned to which user) and user progress (which checkpoints each user has reached).

[0023] Returning to Figure 2, Spot DB145 contains information about spots that can be set as checkpoints for the stamp rally. Spots are locations that are visited by a large number of users and include, for example, shops (restaurants, etc.), groups of shops (shopping streets, shopping malls, etc.), tourist attractions, sports facilities (stadiums, etc.), and amusement facilities (parks, amusement parks, etc.).

[0024] Figure 4 shows an example of the information stored in the Spot DB145. As shown in Figure 4, the Spot DB145 includes information such as the spot's identification information (ID), the spot's name, the spot's location, the spot's classification, and the spot's capacity. The spot classification means that each spot is divided into categories (sports, outdoor / indoor, dining, arts / culture, academics / qualifications, etc.), and within each category, there are more detailed subdivisions (for example, the type of cuisine for dining).

[0025] Referring again to Figure 2, the user database 146 includes at least one of the user's registration information and activity history. The user's registration information is information that the user has entered in advance (selection of preferred activities). The user's activity history is information automatically acquired from the mobile device 2 (specifically, user search information, user location information, etc.). By referring to the user database 146, the processor 11 can estimate what kind of spots each user prefers.

[0026] <User guidance process> One approach is to use a stamp rally app to guide users to specific locations. However, simply guiding individual users may result in limited contributions to the region including the destination location. It is desirable to further stimulate user movement and contribute to the region including the location. Therefore, in this embodiment, a user guidance process is executed to guide the movement of groups including multiple users.

[0027] Figure 5 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the user guidance process in this embodiment. To avoid making the diagram complex, only four users A to D are shown in the example in Figure 5, but typically more users are targeted. Mobile devices 2A to 2D are terminals carried by users A to D, respectively.

[0028] User A moves from their current location to spot P, which is set as the next checkpoint. Similarly, User B moves to spot Q. User C moves to spot R. User D moves to spot S. Spots Q, R, and S are close to each other and, in this example, are located within the same stadium (baseball field). Spot P, on the other hand, is far from spots Q, R, and S.

[0029] In this case, Server 1 groups Users B, C, and D into the same group. Server 1 then extracts spots located within a predetermined distance from the stadium. More specifically, Server 1 selects a spot X from among several spots near the stadium that matches the group's preferences and size, and sets it as the next checkpoint. As one specific example, a restaurant (which could be a sports bar, for example) that serves a type of cuisine that all three users (B, C, and D) enjoy, and that can accommodate reservations for the number of users B, C, and D, is extracted and set as the next checkpoint. This allows the group, including Users B, C, and D, to be guided to a nearby restaurant. Since Users B, C, and D share common interests such as liking baseball and supporting the same team, they can interact with each other at the restaurant. Furthermore, the restaurant benefits from increased customer traffic and higher profits.

[0030] In this way, multiple users who arrive at any of the checkpoints are grouped together, and their preferences are estimated based on the registration information and / or activity history of the users within that group. Then, all users in that group are suggested to move to nearby spots that match their preferences. As a result, many users will visit the suggested spots as a group. This leads to benefits such as increased human interaction and economic activity in the area including those spots. In other words, it promotes contributions to the local community.

[0031] <Processing Flow> Figure 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing procedure for user guidance according to this embodiment. The processing shown in this flowchart is executed when predetermined conditions are met (for example, at predetermined intervals). In the figure, the left side shows the steps executed by the processor 11 of Server 1 (hereinafter simply referred to as "Server 1"), and the right side shows the steps executed by the portable device 2 (only one is shown for space limitations). These steps are typically implemented by software processing, but some or all of them may be implemented by hardware (electrical circuits, LSI (Large Scale Integration), etc.). Hereinafter, steps will be abbreviated as S.

[0032] Mobile device 2 periodically sends the user's location information to server 1. Server 1 collects the user's location information.

[0033] In S21, when the user arrives at a checkpoint, the mobile device 2 notifies the server 1 of its arrival at the checkpoint. Upon receiving the arrival notification from the mobile device 2 (YES in S11), the server 1 proceeds to S12. The server 1 may also determine whether the user has arrived at a checkpoint based on the progress status stored in the stamp rally app. Alternatively, the server 1 may determine the user's arrival at a checkpoint based on their location information.

[0034] In S12, Server 1 groups multiple mobile devices 2 near the checkpoint. In this example, Server 1 groups the target mobile device 2 (for example, mobile device 2B in the example in Figure 5) with other mobile devices within a predetermined range from the checkpoint (for example, mobile devices 2C, 2D). The number of people in a group is not particularly limited and can be two or more, but is determined appropriately depending on the capacity of nearby spots, etc.

[0035] In S13, Server 1 estimates the preferences of the users (groups) grouped in S12. Server 1 may estimate the group's preferences by obtaining registration information and / or behavioral history from User DB 146 (see Figure 2) for each of the multiple users within the group and extracting common hobbies, preferences, etc. among the users. In addition, Server 1 may estimate the group's preferences based on the classification of the checkpoint (e.g., baseball field).

[0036] In S14, Server 1 refers to Spot DB 145 (see Figure 4) to extract the next spot that matches the group's preferences estimated in S13 from among several spots near the checkpoint. Server 1 then sends a message to Mobile Device 2 suggesting the extracted next spot, and also sends it to other Mobile Devices within the same group (S15).

[0037] In S22, the mobile device 2 displays a message containing the suggested spots from server 1 on the display 21 (see Figure 3). Then, it accepts user input regarding whether to accept the suggestions from server 1 (S23).

[0038] If the user operation is to accept the proposal from server 1 (YES in S23), mobile device 2 notifies server 1 of the acceptance of the proposal (S24). Although not shown in the figures, if the user operation is to reject the proposal from server 1, a rejection notification may be sent from mobile device 2 to server 1.

[0039] If acceptance notification is received from mobile device 2 (YES in S16), server 1 executes a process to an external party (not shown) to reserve the suggested spot (S17). For example, server 1 executes a process to request reservations for the number of people who have given acceptance notifications to the management server of the suggested spot (such as a restaurant reservation site). This completes the series of processes. If acceptance notification is not received within the specified time, or if rejection notification is received (NO in S16), server 1 terminates the process without reserving the suggested spot.

[0040] As described above, in this embodiment, Server 1 groups multiple users who have arrived at a certain checkpoint and, based on the preferences of the grouped users, suggests moving to a spot near the checkpoint. In this way, by guiding users to a spot as a group rather than individually, opportunities for interaction with other users are created. On the other hand, for the destination spot, receiving group visits increases the number of visitors compared to receiving visits from individual users. For example, if the destination is a store, the rate of customers will increase. Even if the destination is a place other than a store, users will hold celebrations or other events in the vicinity, which will increase the rate of customers for surrounding stores. As a result, economic effects will be generated. Therefore, according to this embodiment, contributions to the local community can be promoted.

[0041] In this embodiment, it was explained that a stamp rally app on mobile device 2 is used. However, the stamp rally is merely an example of a method suitable for grouping multiple users. Grouping may be performed simply based on the location information of mobile device 2 without using a stamp rally app.

[0042] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of this disclosure is indicated by the claims rather than by the description of the embodiments above, and all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims are intended to be included. [Explanation of symbols]

[0043] 1 Server, 11 Processor, 12 Memory, 13 Communication Module, 14 Storage, 141 System Program, 142 Control Program, 143 Map DB, 144 Stamp Rally DB, 145 Spot DB, 146 User DB, 2 (2A~2D) Mobile Devices, 21 Display, NW Network, 900 Information Provision System.

Claims

1. A server configured to communicate with a plurality of portable devices, including a first and a second portable device, The system includes a processor that acquires location information from the multiple mobile devices and performs a process to suggest destinations to the multiple mobile devices. The aforementioned processor, If the checkpoint of the first portable device is within a predetermined range from the checkpoint of the second portable device, the first and second portable devices are grouped together. Based on at least one of the registration information and behavioral history of the grouped users of the first and second mobile devices, the preferences of the group are estimated. Based on the estimated preferences, spots within a predetermined distance from the first and second portable devices are extracted. A server that sends messages to the first and second mobile devices suggesting movement to the extracted spots.

2. The server according to claim 1, wherein the processor estimates the group's preferences based on the type of spot indicated by the location information of the first and second portable devices.

3. The server according to claim 1, wherein the processor extracts a spot capable of accommodating the number of people in the group.

4. A method for providing information to suggest destinations to some or all of the multiple portable devices, using a server configured to communicate with a plurality of portable devices, including a first and a second portable device, The server acquires the locations of the multiple mobile devices, The server includes the step of grouping two or more portable devices that are close to each other from among the plurality of portable devices, The grouping step includes the step of the server grouping the first and second portable devices if the checkpoint of the first portable device is within a predetermined range from the checkpoint of the second portable device. The aforementioned method of providing information is: The server estimates the preferences of a group based on at least one of the registration information and behavioral history of the grouped users of the first and second mobile devices. The server extracts spots within a predetermined distance from the first and second portable devices based on estimated preferences, An information provision method further comprising the step of the server suggesting to the first and second mobile devices that they move to the extracted spots.

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