Matching support system, matching support device, matching support method, and program

Abstract

To eliminate the difficulty achieving an effect in holding an event by inviting a guest, such as an author, to a bookstore.SOLUTION: A matching support apparatus 100 includes: an acquisition unit 102 which acquires guest attribute information indicating an attribute of a guest of an event to be held in a bookstore, and store attribute information indicating an attribute of the bookstore; a matching unit 104 which generates, using the acquired guest attribute information and the store attribute information, a matching result indicating a combination of at least one guest and at least one bookstore; and an output processing unit 106 which causes output means to output information indicating at least one of the guest and the bookstore belonging to the generated matching result.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a matching support system, a matching support device, a matching support method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] An example of a system for supporting the matching between performers for an event and the organizer who hosts the event is described in Patent Document 1. The system of Patent Document 1 stores a human resource profile based on the personal information and schedule of the performer and a case profile based on various information indicating the content and conditions of the event, etc., extracts a human resource profile that meets the conditions of the case profile, and is described as including a matching unit that requests the performer of the extracted human resource profile to enter the event.

[0003] Also, Patent Document 2 describes a lecture meeting system that forms a group composed of participants having specific characteristics and recruits lecturers or lecture meeting organizers for that group for a fee. In this system, using the attribute information of the lecture meeting (theme, organizer, purpose, holding time, holding method, place, etc.) and the attribute information of the lecturer and the participants, it determines whether the lecturer and the participants are eligible to participate in the lecture meeting based on the participation conditions for the lecture meeting, or matches the participants and the lecturer.

[0004] Furthermore, Patent Document 3 describes a system for preventing contractual disputes during matching between amateur artists and event venues such as shops. In this system described in Patent Document 2, the musician's terminal sends a signal to the server's matching site indicating that it wishes to find a matching partner for a music performance contract, and the server sends a matching request signal to the event venue's terminal. Upon receiving the matching request signal from the event venue's terminal, the server sends a signal to both the musician's terminal and the event venue's terminal providing the information necessary to access the conference room, which is a shared screen. All negotiation signals sent and received by both terminals on the server's conference room are stored in a database, and memorandum signals indicating the contract details are also stored in the database. Upon receiving a disclosure request signal from the musician's terminal, the server sends one or both of the negotiation signals and memorandum signals to the musician's terminal. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2015 / 159413 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2005-108053 [Patent Document 3] Patent No. 6873450 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0006] The technologies described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 above involve selecting speakers, organizers, and participants for lectures and events by matching them with the content and conditions of the lectures and events, and then requesting speakers to appear or granting them eligibility to participate. Furthermore, the technology described in Patent Document 3 is a technology that matches speakers with event venues, records negotiation and contract details, and prevents problems.

[0007] On the other hand, in recent years, the publishing industry has been pressured by the wave of digitalization, resulting in a drastic decline in demand for print media such as books and magazines, and the number of bookstores continues to decrease. As one of the customer attraction strategies for publishers and bookstores in the publishing industry to survive, they sometimes hold autograph sessions and talk events with authors at their stores. However, simply holding events without a clear plan is problematic in terms of cost-effectiveness if there is no prospect of attracting customers. Therefore, the inventors considered a system that could efficiently improve the effectiveness of events held at bookstores with authors. Although the number of bookstores is decreasing, there are still countless bookstores throughout Japan. Therefore, the inventors considered providing a matching support system that matches authors with the characteristics of each bookstore and proposes the holding of effective events.

[0008] One example of the object of the present invention is to provide a matching support system, a matching support device, a matching support method, and a program that solve the difficulty in achieving results by holding events inviting authors and other performers to bookstores, in view of the above-mentioned problems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] According to one aspect of the present invention, An acquisition means for acquiring performer attribute information indicating the attributes of performers at an event held at a bookstore, and store attribute information indicating the attributes of the bookstore, A matching means that generates matching results showing combinations of at least one performer and at least one bookstore using the acquired performer attribute information and store attribute information, A matching support device is provided, comprising: an output processing means that causes an output means to output information indicating at least one of the performers and bookstores belonging to the generated matching result.

[0010] According to one aspect of the present invention, Matching support device, The publisher's terminal and Equipped with a terminal on the bookstore side, The matching support device, An acquisition means for acquiring performer attribute information indicating the attributes of performers at an event held at a bookstore, and store attribute information indicating the attributes of the bookstore, A matching means that generates matching results showing combinations of at least one performer and at least one bookstore using the acquired performer attribute information and store attribute information, A matching support system is provided, which includes output processing means that causes information indicating at least one of the performers and bookstores belonging to the generated matching result to output to at least one of the publisher's terminal and the bookstore's terminal.

[0011] According to one aspect of the present invention, One or more computers, We obtain performer attribute information indicating the attributes of performers at an event held at a bookstore, and store attribute information indicating the attributes of the bookstore. Using the acquired performer attribute information and store attribute information, a matching result is generated that shows a combination of at least one performer and at least one bookstore. The output means outputs information indicating at least one of the performers and bookstores belonging to the generated matching result. Matching support methods will be provided.

[0012] According to one aspect of the present invention, On the computer, A procedure for obtaining performer attribute information indicating the attributes of performers at an event held at a bookstore, and store attribute information indicating the attributes of the bookstore. A procedure for generating matching results that show a combination of at least one performer and at least one bookstore, using the acquired performer attribute information and store attribute information. A program is provided for causing an output means to output information indicating at least one of the performers and bookstores belonging to the generated matching result.

[0013] As another aspect of the present invention, it may be a program that causes at least one or more computers to execute the method of the above aspect, or it may be a computer-readable recording medium recording such a program. This recording medium includes non-temporary tangible media. This computer program includes computer program code that causes a computer to implement the matching support method on a matching support device when executed by the computer.

[0014] In addition, any combination of the above components, and those obtained by converting the expression of the present invention among a method, an apparatus, a system, a recording medium, a computer program, etc., are also effective as aspects of the present invention.

[0015] Also, the various components of the present invention do not necessarily need to exist independently of each other. It is also possible that a plurality of components are formed as one member, one component is formed of a plurality of members, a certain component is a part of another component, a part of a certain component and a part of another component overlap, and so on.

[0016] Also, although a plurality of procedures are described in order in the method and computer program of the present invention, the described order does not limit the order of executing the plurality of procedures. Therefore, when implementing the method and computer program of the present invention, the order of the plurality of procedures can be changed as long as there is no problem in content.

[0017] Furthermore, the plurality of procedures of the method and computer program of the present invention are not limited to being executed at different timings individually. Therefore, it is also possible that another procedure occurs during the execution of a certain procedure, or a part or all of the execution timing of a certain procedure and the execution timing of another procedure overlap, and so on.

Advantages of the Invention

[0018] According to one aspect of the present invention, a matching support system, a matching support device, a matching support method, and a program are obtained that solve the difficulty of increasing the effect by holding an event inviting performers such as authors at a bookstore.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0019] [Figure 1] It is a diagram showing an overview of the matching support device according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] It is a flowchart showing an operation example of the matching support device of the embodiment. [Figure 3] It is a diagram conceptually showing the system configuration of the matching support system according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​This flowchart shows an example of operation 2 of the matching support device according to the embodiment. [Figure 16] This is a functional block diagram showing a logical configuration example of a matching support device. [Figure 17] This is a flowchart showing an example of operation 3 of the matching support device according to the embodiment. [Figure 18] This is a functional block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the matching support device according to the embodiment. [Figure 19] This flowchart shows an example of the operation of the matching support device according to the embodiment. [Figure 20] This is a functional block diagram showing a logical configuration example of a matching support device. [Figure 21] This figure shows an example of the data structure for event effectiveness information. [Figure 22] This flowchart shows an example of the operation of the matching support device according to the embodiment. [Figure 23] This flowchart shows an example of the operation of the matching support device according to the embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0020] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In all drawings, similar components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions are omitted as appropriate. In addition, in the following drawings, components that are not essential to the present invention are omitted and are not shown.

[0021] In the embodiments, "acquisition" includes at least one of the following: the device retrieving data or information stored in another device or storage medium (active acquisition), and the device inputting data or information output from another device into its own device (passive acquisition). Examples of active acquisition include making a request or inquiry to another device and receiving a reply, and accessing and reading data from another device or storage medium. Examples of passive acquisition include receiving information that is delivered (or transmitted, push notification, etc.). Furthermore, "acquisition" may also mean selecting and acquiring data or information from among the received data or information, or selecting and receiving data or information that has been delivered.

[0022] <Minimum Configuration Example> Figure 1 is a diagram showing an overview of the matching support device 100 according to the embodiment. The matching support device 100 comprises an acquisition unit 102, a matching unit 104, and an output processing unit 106. The acquisition unit 102 acquires performer attribute information, which indicates the attributes of the performers at an event held at a bookstore, and store attribute information, which indicates the attributes of the bookstore. The matching unit 104 uses the acquired performer attribute information and store attribute information to generate matching results that show combinations of at least one performer and at least one bookstore. The output processing unit 106 causes the output means to output information indicating at least one of the performers and bookstores belonging to the generated matching result.

[0023] <Example of operation> Figure 2 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the matching support device 100 according to the embodiment. First, the acquisition unit 102 acquires performer attribute information indicating the attributes of performers at an event held at a bookstore, and store attribute information indicating the attributes of the bookstore (step S101). The matching unit 104 uses the acquired performer attribute information and store attribute information to generate matching results indicating combinations of at least one performer and at least one bookstore (step S103). The output processing unit 106 causes the output device to output information indicating at least one of the performers and bookstores belonging to the generated matching results (step S105).

[0024] In the matching support device 100, the acquisition unit 102 acquires performer attribute information indicating the attributes of performers at an event held at a bookstore, and store attribute information indicating the attributes of the bookstore. The matching unit 104 uses the acquired performer attribute information and store attribute information to generate matching results indicating combinations of at least one performer and at least one bookstore. The output processing unit 106 then causes the output device to output information indicating at least one of the performers and bookstores belonging to the generated matching results.

[0025] This matching support device 100 makes it possible to overcome the difficulties in achieving results by holding events inviting authors and other participants to bookstores.

[0026] The following describes a detailed example of the matching support device 100.

[0027] (First Embodiment) <System Overview> Figure 3 is a conceptual diagram showing the system configuration of the matching support system 1 according to the embodiment. The matching support system 1 is a system that supports matching authors who are performers at events held in stores such as bookstores with bookstores. The matching support system 1 comprises a matching support device 100, a publisher-side terminal 200, and a bookstore-side terminal 300. The matching support device 100, the publisher-side terminal 200, and the bookstore-side terminal 300 are connected via a communication network 3.

[0028] The matching support device 100 has a storage device 120. The storage device 120 may be located inside the matching support device 100 or outside of it. In other words, the storage device 120 may be hardware integrated with the matching support device 100 or it may be hardware separate from the matching support device 100.

[0029] Publishers 20 sometimes hold book signings and talk events with the authors of their published books in order to increase sales. Similarly, bookstores 30 also hope to attract customers and boost book sales by holding book signings and talk events with authors.

[0030] Publisher 20 uses publisher-side terminal 200 to input information about the authors or books to be promoted (for example, performer attribute information 400) and transmits it to matching support device 100. Bookstore 30 uses bookstore-side terminal 300 to input information about bookstore 30 (for example, store attribute information 410) and transmits it to matching support device 100.

[0031] Publishers 20 and bookstores 30 that use the event matching support service provided by Matching Support System 1 can use the service, for example, by installing and launching a designated application, or by accessing a designated website using a browser or the like.

[0032] Representatives from publishing companies 20 and bookstores 30 must register their account information (e.g., account name and password) in advance to use this service. When using the service, they log in to matching support system 1 using their account information, and upon successful authentication, they can use the services of matching support system 1.

[0033] The matching support device 100 is, for example, a server computer, and may further include a web server. The publisher-side terminal 200 and the bookstore-side terminal 300 are computers such as personal computers, tablet terminals, and smartphones.

[0034] Figure 3 shows one publisher-side terminal 200 and one bookstore-side terminal 300, but multiple publisher-side terminals 200 and multiple bookstore-side terminals 300 may be connected. However, the publisher-side terminal 200 is not limited to the terminal of publisher 20. Any entity that can provide author information to the matching support system 1 may be other entities, such as the author themselves, a business managing the author, or a business producing video works based on the author's work, and is not particularly limited.

[0035] Users of this matching support system 1 can, for example, register in advance and create a user account (username and password). Then, using the publisher's terminal 200 or the bookstore's terminal 300, the user launches the application dedicated to the matching support system 1 and logs in using their account. Alternatively, the user can use the publisher's terminal 200 or the bookstore's terminal 300 to launch a browser, access the matching support system 1 website, and log in using their user account. In this way, the user may use the services provided by the matching support system 1.

[0036] Furthermore, events matched and planned and implemented by the matching support system 1 include, for example, autograph sessions, talk shows, and lectures held at bookstores, etc., with authors invited in. In addition, participants (e.g., customers, fans, etc.) can attend the event by going to the bookstore, or they can participate using an online conferencing system. In other words, the form of participation in the event can be at least one of real (face-to-face) and virtual (online) formats.

[0037] <Example Hardware Configuration> Figure 4 is a block diagram illustrating the hardware configuration of the computer 1000 that implements the matching support device 100 shown in Figure 1, and later in Figures 11, 14, 16, 18, and 20. The publisher-side terminal 200 and bookstore-side terminal 300 in Figure 3 are also implemented by the computer 1000. Furthermore, the functions of the matching support device 100 may be partially implemented by the publisher-side terminal 200 or the bookstore-side terminal 300.

[0038] Computer 1000 has a bus 1010, a processor 1020, memory 1030, a storage device 1040, an input / output interface 1050, and a network interface 1060.

[0039] Bus 1010 is a data transmission path for the processor 1020, memory 1030, storage device 1040, input / output interface 1050, and network interface 1060 to send and receive data to and from each other. However, the method of connecting the processor 1020 and the other components to each other is not limited to bus connection.

[0040] The 1020 processor is a processor implemented in components such as the CPU (Central Processing Unit) and GPU (Graphics Processing Unit).

[0041] Memory 1030 is a main memory device implemented using RAM (Random Access Memory), etc.

[0042] The storage device 1040 is an auxiliary storage device implemented as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), SSD (Solid State Drive), memory card, or ROM (Read Only Memory). The storage device 1040 stores program modules that implement each function of the matching support device 100 (for example, the acquisition unit 102, the matching unit 104, the output processing unit 106, the performer genre estimation unit 108 (described later), the bookstore genre estimation unit 110, the attribute generation unit 112, the identification unit 114, etc.). The processor 1020 reads each of these program modules into the memory 1030 and executes them, thereby realizing each function corresponding to that program module. The storage device 1040 may also store the data of the storage device 120 of the matching support device 100.

[0043] The program module may be recorded on a recording medium. The recording medium on which the program module is recorded includes a non-temporary, tangible medium usable by a computer 1000, and program code that can be read by the computer 1000 (processor 1020) may be embedded in that medium.

[0044] The input / output interface 1050 is an interface for connecting the computer 1000 with various input / output devices. The input / output interface 1050 also functions as a communication interface for short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth® and NFC (Near Field Communication).

[0045] The network interface 1060 is an interface for connecting the computer 1000 to a communication network. This communication network may be, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network) or a WAN (Wide Area Network). The network interface 1060 may connect to the communication network via a wireless connection or a wired connection.

[0046] The computer 1000 then connects to the necessary equipment (for example, the matching support device 100, the publisher's terminal 200, or the bookstore's terminal 300's display, control panel, touch panel, camera, speaker, microphone, etc.) via the input / output interface 1050 or the network interface 1060.

[0047] Each component of the matching support device 100 in the embodiments shown in Figure 1, and later in Figures 11, 14, 16, 18, and 20, can be realized by any combination of the hardware and software of the computer 1000 shown in Figure 4. Those skilled in the art will understand that there are various modifications to the implementation method and apparatus. The functional block diagrams showing the matching support device 100 in each embodiment show blocks of logical functional units, not hardware-level configurations.

[0048] <Example of Functional Configuration> The following explanation will use Figure 1. The acquisition unit 102 acquires performer attribute information, which indicates the attributes of the performers at an event held at a bookstore, and store attribute information, which indicates the attributes of the bookstore. Figure 5 shows an example of a performer information input screen 500 that accepts input of performer attribute information 400. Figure 6 shows an example of a store information input screen 510 that accepts input of store attribute information 410.

[0049] The performer information input screen 500 in Figure 5 is displayed on the display of, for example, the publisher's terminal 200. For example, it is displayed when "Enter Performer Information" is selected from the menu screen after logging into the matching support system 1. The publisher 20 can register multiple authors as performers for the event. Therefore, as shown in Figure 9, the publisher information 420 is linked to the identification information (performer ID) of at least one performer. The publisher information 420 is stored in the storage device 120 of the matching support device 100.

[0050] The performer information input screen 500 includes a UI (User Interface) that accepts input or selection of, for example, performer name, place of origin, connection to the performer, genre of work, performer genre, target audience, preferred event type, talk skills, and other (free text). The UI is not particularly limited to, for example, text boxes, radio buttons, checkboxes, dropdown lists, combo boxes, sliders, drum rolls, etc.

[0051] The following explains each input field. The performer names include the names or pen names of the authors scheduled to appear. If the author's work is a manga, the names of at least one of the original author and the artist may also be included. The place of origin includes the prefecture of the performer's birthplace (hometown, place where they spent their childhood or student years, etc.), as well as other place names and addresses. Places associated with the performer include the setting of their works, sacred sites, places where they previously lived (during their early career), their current place of residence, the location of their alma mater, etc. If there are multiple places associated with the performer, you may add them by clicking the add icon 506 in the corresponding input field.

[0052] The genre of a work (hereinafter also referred to as "work genre") refers to the genre of copyrighted works that the performer has published or submitted to date, and includes, for example, the information shown in genre classification code 430 in Figure 7. Works may also include copyrighted works posted in books, magazines, and on the internet. In the case of works submitted to magazines, the genre of the work may include not only the genre of the submitted work but also the genre of the magazine in question.

[0053] The performer's genre (hereinafter also referred to as "performer genre") refers to a genre that is highly relevant to the performer. It is preferable to select a performer genre that is particularly high in sales among the performer's works, a genre in which the performer has written the most works, a genre in which the performer has received high praise among the performer's works (for example, award-winning works, works that have sold more than 500,000 copies or more, etc.), or a genre in which the performer's works are popular or trending (for example, works with high sales, a high number of SNS (Social Networking Service) posts or "likes", etc.).

[0054] If you wish to register multiple genres for a work or performer, you can add input fields by clicking the add icon 506, and multiple genres can be specified. Additionally, the genre code may specify at least one of the major or minor categories.

[0055] Furthermore, if the genres of works or performers' genres are diverse, it is preferable to prioritize selecting genres related to the event the performer wishes to participate in, or genres of works being promoted, as the performer's genre. This is because these genres are also used in the matching process with bookstores hosting events, and by registering genres such as works that performers are promoting, bookstores that meet the performer's needs can be efficiently extracted.

[0056] Furthermore, registered genres may be given priority levels. In the matching process, for example, genres with higher priority levels may be selected and used.

[0057] The target audience refers to the attributes of the readership of the performer's work, including, for example, occupation, marital status, whether they have children, gender, and age group. Preferred event types refer to the types of events the performer excels at, such as autograph sessions, talk shows, and lectures, as well as information about the scale of the event, such as whether they are able to handle events in large venues or prefer small groups. Speaking skills indicate the performer's level of speaking ability on a three-point scale. For example, "High" indicates that the performer is good at speaking, "Medium" indicates that they are neither good nor bad at speaking, and "Low" indicates that they are not good at speaking. The performer information input screen 500 can also include a free-text field.

[0058] The performer information input screen 500 further includes a registration button 502 for registering the information entered on the performer information input screen 500 as performer attribute information 400, and a cancel button 504 for canceling (deleting) the entered information.

[0059] When the registration button 502 is pressed, the publisher's terminal 200 transmits performer attribute information 400 to the matching support device 100. When the acquisition unit 102 of the matching support device 100 receives the performer attribute information 400 from the publisher's terminal 200, it stores it in the storage device 120.

[0060] Figure 8 shows an example of the data structure for performer attribute information 400 and store attribute information 410. As shown in Figure 8(a), performer attribute information 400 includes identification information assigned to the performer (performer ID), performer name, performer's birthplace, place associated with the performer, performer's genre of work, performer genre, and attributes of the readership of the performer's work. Furthermore, although not shown, it also includes the type of event the performer excels at, the performer's speaking skills, and free-text content. In addition, performer attribute information 400 may include the range of performance fees desired by the performer.

[0061] The store information input screen 510 in Figure 6 is displayed on the bookstore terminal 300. For example, it is displayed when you log in to the matching support system 1 and select "Enter Store Information" from the menu screen.

[0062] The store information input screen 510 includes a UI that accepts input or selection of, for example, bookstore name, location, book genre, bookstore genre, customer base, and other (free text). The UI is not particularly limited to, for example, text boxes, radio buttons, checkboxes, dropdown lists, combo boxes, sliders, drum rolls, etc.

[0063] The following explains each input field. The bookstore name is the name of the store. The location includes the prefecture where the store is located, as well as other place names, addresses, facility names, etc. The book genre (hereinafter also referred to as "book genre") refers to the genre of books sold by the store, and includes the genres of books that the store handles or that the store staff are particularly familiar with. The bookstore genre (hereinafter also referred to as "bookstore genre") refers to genres that are highly relevant to the store, and includes at least one of the following: the genre of books that sell well at the bookstore, the genre of books that the bookstore is promoting, and the genre of books that will be the subject of upcoming events.

[0064] Book genres and bookstore genres include information such as the genre classification code 430 shown in Figure 7. Multiple genres can be specified by adding input fields using the add icon 516. Furthermore, genre codes may specify at least one of the major and minor categories.

[0065] Furthermore, if the book genres and bookstore genres are diverse, it is preferable to prioritize selecting the book genres related to the event to be held at the bookstore, or the genres of books that are being promoted, as the bookstore genres. This is because these genres are also used in the matching process with bookstores that will be holding events, and by registering the genres of books that bookstores are promoting, it becomes possible to efficiently extract performers that meet the bookstore's needs.

[0066] Furthermore, registered genres may be given priority levels. In the matching process, for example, genres with higher priority levels may be selected and used.

[0067] The customer base refers to the attributes of the store's main customers, including, for example, occupation, marital status (married / unmarried), presence of children, gender, and age group. The performer information input screen 500 may also include a free-text field.

[0068] The store information input screen 510 further includes a registration button 512 for registering the information entered on the store information input screen 510 as store attribute information 410, and a cancel button 514 for canceling (deleting) the entered information.

[0069] When the registration button 512 is pressed, the store attribute information 410 is transmitted from the bookstore terminal 300 to the matching support device 100. When the acquisition unit 102 of the matching support device 100 receives the store attribute information 410 from the bookstore terminal 300, it stores it in the storage device 120.

[0070] As shown in Figure 8(b), the store attribute information 410 includes identification information assigned to the store (store ID), store name, location, book genre, and customer demographics, and also includes free-text content, although this is not shown. Furthermore, the store attribute information 410 may also include the budget range desired by the bookstore 30 (for example, the range of appearance fees that can be paid to performers).

[0071] The matching unit 104 uses the acquired performer attribute information 400 and store attribute information 410 to generate matching results that show combinations of at least one performer and at least one bookstore.

[0072] Figure 10 shows an example of the data structure of the matching result information 440 and an example of the output of the matching result output information 442. As shown in Figure 10(a), the matching result information 440 shows the matching result generated by the matching unit 104. The matching result information 440 is linked to the performer ID of the paired performer and the store ID of the bookstore paired with the performer. The matching result information 440 is stored in the storage device 120.

[0073] In this embodiment, the matching unit 104 can generate matching results using (Method Example 1) at least one of the work genre and performer genre from the performer attribute information 400 and at least one of the book genre and bookstore genre from the store attribute information 410, and (Method Example 2) regional information including at least one of the performer's birthplace and place of association from the performer attribute information 400 and the location of the bookstore from the store attribute information 410. These will be explained in order below. Note that (Method Example 1) and (Method Example 2) may be combined to generate matching results.

[0074] <Example of matching method 1> The matching unit 104 generates matching results using at least one of the work genre and performer genre from the performer attribute information 400 and at least one of the book genre and bookstore genre from the store attribute information 410. In other words, the matching unit 104 extracts performers and bookstores whose work genre and performer genre from the performer attribute information 400 match and whose book genre and bookstore genre from the store attribute information 410 match. The matching unit 104 then combines the extracted performers and bookstores to generate matching result information 440 that includes at least one pair of performers and bookstores.

[0075] Here, "match" does not have to be an exact match. For example, if a subcategory of genre is registered, the matching unit 104 may extract performers and bookstores whose major category matches the subcategory to which the subcategory belongs. Alternatively, the matching unit 104 may use multiple classification codes (for example, S0102 (mystery novels) and S0105 (science fiction / horror novels)) as subcategories and extract performers and bookstores whose major categories match.

[0076] Furthermore, as mentioned above, if each genre is assigned a priority, the matching process may be performed using combinations of genres with higher priority. Alternatively, matching results for genres with higher priority and matching results for genres with lower priority may be generated in a way that allows them to be distinguished.

[0077] As mentioned above, bookstore 30 may have a specialty genre of books. Because of this specialty, it is likely that the customer base that visits the store tends to consist mostly of people who purchase books of that genre. Therefore, by holding an event featuring authors whose books are in the genre registered in the store attribute information 410, there is a high probability that the event will attract many participants. And, with many participants visiting the bookstore where the event is held, the bookstore's sales are likely to increase. In other words, as in this example, holding an event with bookstore 30 and performers whose book genre or bookstore genre matches the genre of the work or performer increases the likelihood of the event being successful.

[0078] <Example of matching method 2> The matching unit 104 generates matching results using regional information from performer attribute information 400, which includes at least one of the performer's birthplace and place of association, and the bookstore's location from store attribute information 410. In other words, the matching unit 104 extracts performers and bookstores whose regional information from performer attribute information 400 and the bookstore's location match. The matching unit 104 then combines the extracted performers and bookstores to generate matching result information 440 that includes at least one pair of performers and bookstores. Note that matching method example 2 may also be combined with matching method example 1 by genre as described above. In that case, the matching results of matching method example 2 may be further refined by matching method example 1, or the matching results of matching method example 1 may be further refined by matching method example 2.

[0079] Here, "match" does not necessarily mean an exact match. The matching unit 104 may, for example, extract performers and bookstores whose prefectures match those indicated by the regional information. Alternatively, the matching unit 104 may extract performers and bookstores whose prefectures match those within a specific regional division, such as "Kanto," "Kansai," "Tohoku," "San'in," or "Eastern Japan."

[0080] Furthermore, the matching unit 104 may extract performers and bookstores whose locations, as indicated by the regional information of the performers and bookstores, are within a predetermined range of each other (for example, within a 10-kilometer radius) based on the map information.

[0081] Works by authors tend to sell well in the region where they are from or have a connection to the author. Therefore, holding an event at bookstore 30, where the regional information of the performers registered in performer attribute information 400 is located, is likely to increase the number of attendees. And, with more attendees visiting the bookstore that is the event venue, the bookstore's sales are likely to increase as well. In other words, as in this example, holding an event with performers whose regional information matches the location of bookstore 30 increases the likelihood of the event being successful.

[0082] The output processing unit 106 causes the output device to output information (matching result output information 442) indicating at least one of the performers and bookstores belonging to the generated matching result. The output device is, for example, the display of at least one of the publisher-side terminal 200 and the bookstore-side terminal 300. As shown in Figure 10(b), the matching result output information 442 includes at least the performer's name (e.g., author's name) and the bookstore's name. Furthermore, in this example, the matching result output information 442 includes the name of the region where the bookstore was located, which was a condition for the matching process in the matching unit 104.

[0083] The output processing unit 106 retrieves and outputs performer attribute information 400 and store attribute information 410, which are linked to the performer ID and store ID, respectively, included in the matching result information 440.

[0084] <Example of operation> Below, an example of the operation of the matching support device 100 will be explained using Figure 2. First, the acquisition unit 102 acquires performer attribute information 400, which indicates the attributes of performers in an event held at a bookstore, from the publisher's terminal 200, and store attribute information 410, which indicates the attributes of the bookstore, from the bookstore's terminal 300 (step S101). As described above, the publisher's terminal 200 accepts input of information about authors who wish to hold an event on the performer information input screen 500 and transmits it to the matching support device 100. The bookstore's terminal 300 accepts input of bookstore information on the store information input screen 510 and transmits it to the matching support device 100. The acquisition unit 102 acquires the performer attribute information 400 and the store attribute information 410 from the publisher's terminal 200 and the bookstore's terminal 300, respectively, and stores them in the storage device 120.

[0085] The matching unit 104 uses the acquired performer attribute information 400 and store attribute information 410 to generate a matching result (matching result information 440 in Figure 10(a)) that shows a combination of at least one performer and at least one bookstore (step S103).

[0086] The output processing unit 106 causes the output device to output information indicating at least one of the performers and bookstores belonging to the generated matching result (step S105). For example, this information is displayed on the display of at least one of the publisher-side terminal 200 and the bookstore-side terminal 300. For example, at least one of the publisher-side terminal 200 and the bookstore-side terminal 300 can display the matching result output information 442 display screen by selecting "Display Matching Results" on the menu screen after logging into the matching support system 1.

[0087] Furthermore, in order to notify the publisher 20 and bookstore 30 that the matching result information 440 has been generated by the matching unit 104, the output processing unit 106 may also notify the publisher terminal 200 and bookstore terminal 300 that the matching result has been generated. For example, a notification may be displayed on the application, or a message may be sent to a pre-registered recipient (e.g., an email address, SMS (Short Message Service)).

[0088] There are various possible timings for executing the flow shown in Figure 2, as exemplified below, but not limited to these. Furthermore, several of the following combinations may be used. (1) After new performer attribute information 400 or store attribute information 410 is registered from the publisher's terminal 200 or the bookstore's terminal 300 (2) At predetermined intervals (daily, weekly, monthly, etc.) (3) After new performer attribute information 400 or store attribute information 410 is registered from a predetermined number of publisher-side terminals 200 or bookstore-side terminals 300 (4) After the performer attribute information 400 or store attribute information 410 is changed from the publisher's terminal 200 or the bookstore's terminal 300 (5) After the performer attribute information 400 or store attribute information 410 has been changed from a specified number of publisher-side terminals 200 or bookstore-side terminals 300 (6) When a request is made from the publisher's terminal 200 or the bookstore's terminal 300

[0089] As described above, this embodiment comprises an acquisition unit 102, a matching unit 104, and an output processing unit 106. The acquisition unit 102 acquires performer attribute information indicating the attributes of performers at an event held at a bookstore, and store attribute information indicating the attributes of the bookstore. The matching unit 104 uses the acquired performer attribute information and store attribute information to generate a matching result indicating a combination of at least one performer and at least one bookstore. The output processing unit 106 then causes an output device to output information indicating at least one of the performers and bookstores belonging to the generated matching result.

[0090] This matching support device 100 makes it possible to overcome the difficulties in achieving results by holding events inviting authors and other participants to bookstores.

[0091] (Second Embodiment) This embodiment is the same as the above embodiment, except that it includes a configuration for estimating at least one of the performer genre and bookstore genre used in the matching process. The configuration of this embodiment may be combined with at least one of the configurations of the other embodiments described later, to the extent that it does not cause any inconsistencies.

[0092] In this embodiment, the matching support device 100 includes, in addition to the configuration of the matching support device 100 shown in Figure 1, at least one of the performer genre estimation unit 108 and the bookstore genre estimation unit 110. In other words, three configuration examples are possible depending on the combination of the performer genre estimation unit 108 and the bookstore genre estimation unit 110, and these will be described below as Configuration Example 1 to Configuration Example 3. An example of operation will be described for each configuration example.

[0093] <Example of Functional Configuration 1> Figure 11 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the logical configuration of the matching support device 100. The matching support device 100 includes the same acquisition unit 102, matching unit 104, and output processing unit 106 as the matching support device 100 in Figure 1, and also includes a performer genre estimation unit 108.

[0094] The performer genre estimation unit 108 estimates the performer's genre using the genre of the performer's copyrighted works and the genre of events the performer has previously appeared in. The matching unit 104 generates matching results using at least the estimated performer genres. However, the matching unit 104 may further use at least one of the performer's work genre and performer genre registered in the performer attribute information 400 for the matching process.

[0095] Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the performer genre can be estimated, the performer attribute information 400 may or may not include the performer genre. If the performer attribute information 400 includes the performer genre, at least one of the logical AND and logical OR of the performer genre estimated by the performer genre estimation unit 108 and the performer genre included in the performer attribute information 400 may be taken and used as the performer genre in the matching process. The operator may choose whether to identify the genre using logical OR or logical AND, and the genre may be identified using the selected method. The operator is at least one of the operators operating the publisher-side terminal 200 and the bookstore-side terminal 300.

[0096] Figure 12 shows an example of the data structure of event history information 450. As shown in Figure 12(a), the event history information 450 includes, for example, event identification information (event ID), the store ID of the bookstore 30 that hosted the event, the performer IDs of the performers who appeared at the event, the date and time of the event, the location, and the genre of the event.

[0097] Here, the event genre is at least one of the following: the genre related to the content of the lectures or talks at the event; the genre of works and genre of performers who appeared at the event; and the genre of books and genre of bookstores of the bookstore 30 that hosted the event. The event history information 450 may be input using, for example, the publisher's terminal 200, transmitted to the matching support device 100, acquired by the acquisition unit 102, and stored in the storage device 120.

[0098] The performer genre estimation unit 108 reads and uses event history information 450 when estimating the performer's genre. Furthermore, the performer genre estimation unit 108 can access a database (not shown) of the performer's copyrighted works and obtain information about the content of the performer's copyrighted works. The database of the performer's copyrighted works can be obtained, for example, from a publisher 20. Alternatively, the performer genre estimation unit 108 may obtain information about the content of the performer's copyrighted works from information about publications that the publisher 20 has made publicly available on the internet. In addition, the performer genre estimation unit 108 can refer to the event history information 450 and obtain the genres of events in which the performer has previously appeared.

[0099] Information regarding the content of a performer's copyrighted work may or may not include the genre of the work. If the information regarding the content of a performer's copyrighted work includes the genre of the work, the performer genre estimation unit 108 may obtain the genre of the work from the information regarding the content of the performer's copyrighted work and use it for estimation. On the other hand, if the information regarding the content of a performer's copyrighted work does not include the genre of the work, the performer genre estimation unit 108 may analyze the information indicating the content of the performer's copyrighted work using machine learning or deep learning to identify the genre of the work and use it for estimation.

[0100] The following describes the details of the estimation process. First, I will explain the estimation process using the genre of the content of the performers' copyrighted works. The performer genre estimation unit 108 estimates the performer's genre to be the genre with the largest number of works among the genres of the performer's past works. Alternatively, the performer genre estimation unit 108 may determine the performer's genre to be the genre with the largest number of works published within the most recent specified period. Furthermore, the performer genre estimation unit 108 may obtain the number of copies published for the performer's past works from the database of the performer's works held by the publisher 20, and determine the performer's genre to be the genre of the work with the largest number of copies published, or it may determine the performer's genre to be the work with the largest number of copies published within the most recent specified period.

[0101] Next, we will explain the estimation process that uses the genres of events in which the performers have previously appeared. The performer genre estimation unit 108 estimates the performer's genre to be the genre in which the performer has appeared most frequently among the genres of events in which the performer has appeared in the past. Alternatively, the performer genre estimation unit 108 may use as the performer's genre the genre in which the performer has appeared most frequently among the events in which the performer has appeared within the most recent specified period.

[0102] If multiple performer genres are estimated, the performer genre may be determined by taking the logical OR or logical AND of the multiple genres. The operator may choose whether to identify the genre using logical OR or logical AND, and the genre may be identified using the selected method. Here, the operator is at least one of the operators operating the publisher's terminal 200 and the bookstore's terminal 300.

[0103] The matching unit 104 extracts bookstores 30 from the store attribute information 410 that have registered genres (at least one of book genres and bookstore genres) that match the estimated performer genre. The matching unit 104 then combines the extracted performers and bookstores to generate matching result information 440 that includes at least one pair of performers and bookstores. As mentioned above, "match" does not have to be an exact match.

[0104] However, the matching unit 104 may also extract from the store attribute information 410 bookstores 30 in which book genres or bookstore genres are registered that match at least one of the work genres and performer genres registered in the performer attribute information 400, in addition to the estimated performer genres.

[0105] <Example of operation 1> Figure 13 is a flowchart of an example of operation of the matching support device 100 according to the embodiment. The flowchart in Figure 13 has the same steps S101 and S105 as the flowchart in Figure 2, and also has steps S201 and S203.

[0106] First, the acquisition unit 102 acquires performer attribute information 400, which indicates the attributes of performers in an event held at a bookstore, from the publisher's terminal 200, and store attribute information 410, which indicates the attributes of the bookstore, from the bookstore's terminal 300 (step S101). As described above, the publisher's terminal 200 accepts input of information about authors who wish to hold an event on the performer information input screen 500 and transmits it to the matching support device 100. The bookstore's terminal 300 accepts input of bookstore information on the store information input screen 510 and transmits it to the matching support device 100. The acquisition unit 102 acquires the performer attribute information 400 and the store attribute information 410 from the publisher's terminal 200 and the bookstore's terminal 300, respectively, and stores them in the storage device 120.

[0107] Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the performer genre can be estimated, the performer attribute information 400 acquired by the acquisition unit 102 in step S101 does not necessarily have to include the performer genre. However, if the performer attribute information 400 acquired by the acquisition unit 102 in step S101 includes the performer genre, at least one of the logical AND and logical OR of the acquired performer genre and the performer genre estimated in step S201 (described later) may be taken and used as the performer genre in the matching process of the subsequent step S203. The operator may choose whether to identify the genre using logical OR or logical AND, and the genre may be identified using the selected method. The operator is at least one of the operators operating the publisher-side terminal 200 and the bookstore-side terminal 300.

[0108] The performer genre estimation unit 108 estimates the performer's genre using the content of the performer's copyrighted works and the genres of events in which the performer has previously appeared (Step S201).

[0109] Then, the matching unit 104 generates matching results using the performer genre estimated in step S201 (step S203). The matching unit 104 extracts bookstores 30 from the store attribute information 410 that have registered book genres that match the estimated performer genre. As described above, the matching unit 104 may also extract bookstores 30 from the store attribute information 410 that have registered book genres or bookstore genres that match at least one of the work genres and performer genres registered in the performer attribute information 400, in addition to the estimated performer genre.

[0110] <Example of Functional Configuration 2> Figure 14 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the logical configuration of the matching support device 100. The matching support device 100 includes the same acquisition unit 102, matching unit 104, and output processing unit 106 as the matching support device 100 in Figure 1, and also includes a bookstore genre estimation unit 110.

[0111] The bookstore genre estimation unit 110 estimates bookstore genres using at least one of the bookstore's ordering and sales performance information and historical information of past events. The matching unit 104 generates matching results using at least the estimated bookstore genres. However, the matching unit 104 may also use at least one of the book genres and bookstore genres of the stores registered in the store attribute information 410 for further matching processing.

[0112] Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the bookstore genre can be estimated, the store attribute information 410 may or may not include the book genre. If the store attribute information 410 includes the book genre, at least one of the logical AND and logical OR of the book genre included in the store attribute information 410 and the bookstore genre estimated by the estimation unit 108 may be taken and used as the bookstore genre in the matching process. The operator may choose whether to identify the genre using logical OR or logical AND, and the genre may be identified by the selected method. The operator is at least one of the operators operating the publisher-side terminal 200 and the bookstore-side terminal 300.

[0113] The bookstore genre estimation unit 110 estimates the book genre of bookstore 30 using order and sales performance information provided by bookstore 30. The bookstore terminal 300 accepts input of bookstore 30's information on the order and sales performance information input screen and transmits it to the matching support device 100. The acquisition unit 102 acquires the order and sales performance information from the bookstore terminal 300 and stores it in the storage device 120. The bookstore genre estimation unit 110 acquires the order and sales performance information of bookstore 30 from the storage device 120 and uses it for estimation processing.

[0114] A concrete example of the estimation process is described below. First, we will explain the estimation process using order and sales performance information from 30 bookstores. The bookstore genre estimation unit 110 aggregates at least one of the order numbers and sales figures of bookstore 30 for each book genre, based on at least one of the order and sales performance information of bookstore 30. Based on the aggregated results, the bookstore genre estimation unit 110 estimates the bookstore genre as the genre with the highest order number and sales performance among the genres of books with at least one of the past order numbers and sales performance figures. Alternatively, the bookstore genre estimation unit 110 may determine the bookstore genre as the genre with the highest order number and sales performance figure for at least one of the order numbers and sales performance figures within the most recent predetermined period.

[0115] Next, we will explain the estimation process using historical information from past events. The bookstore genre estimation unit 110 estimates the bookstore genre to be the genre with the most frequent events held by bookstore 30 in the past. Alternatively, the bookstore genre estimation unit 110 may determine the bookstore genre to be the genre with the most frequent events held by bookstore 30 within the most recent specified period.

[0116] If multiple bookstore genres are estimated, the genre may be determined by taking the logical OR or logical AND of the multiple genres. The operator may choose whether to identify the genre using logical OR or logical AND, and the genre may be identified using the selected method. An operator is at least one of the operators operating the publisher-side terminal 200 and the bookstore-side terminal 300.

[0117] The matching unit 104 extracts performers from the performer attribute information 400 whose registered genres (at least one of the performer genre and the work genre) match the estimated bookstore genre. The matching unit 104 then combines the extracted performers and bookstores to generate matching result information 440 that includes at least one pair of performers and bookstores. As mentioned above, "match" does not have to be an exact match.

[0118] However, the matching unit 104 may extract performers from the performer attribute information 400 whose work genre or performer genre matches at least one of the book genre and bookstore genre registered in the store attribute information 410, in addition to the estimated bookstore genre.

[0119] <Example of operation 2> Figure 15 is a flowchart of an example of operation 2 of the matching support device 100 according to the embodiment. The flowchart in Figure 15 has the same steps S101 and S105 as the flowchart in Figure 2, and also has steps S211 and S213.

[0120] First, the acquisition unit 102 acquires performer attribute information 400, which indicates the attributes of performers at an event held at a bookstore, from the publisher's terminal 200, and store attribute information 410, which indicates the attributes of the bookstore, from the bookstore's terminal 300 (step S101).

[0121] Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the bookstore genre can be estimated, the store attribute information 410 acquired by the acquisition unit 102 in step S101 does not need to include information about the bookstore's book genre. However, if the store attribute information 410 acquired by the acquisition unit 102 in step S101 includes the bookstore's book genre, at least one of the logical AND and logical OR of the acquired book genre and the bookstore genre estimated in step S211 (described later) may be taken and used as the bookstore genre in the matching process of the subsequent step S213. The operator may choose whether to identify the genre using logical OR or logical AND, and the genre may be identified using the selected method. The operator is at least one of the operators operating the publisher-side terminal 200 and the bookstore-side terminal 300.

[0122] Then, the bookstore genre estimation unit 110 estimates the bookstore genre using at least one of the bookstore's ordering and sales performance information and the history information of past events (step S211).

[0123] Then, the matching unit 104 generates matching results using the bookstore genre estimated in step S211 (step S213). The matching unit 104 extracts performers from the performer attribute information 400 whose registered work genres match the estimated bookstore genre. As described above, in addition to the estimated bookstore genre, the matching unit 104 may also extract performers from the performer attribute information 400 whose registered work genres or performer genres match at least one of the book genres and bookstore genres registered in the store attribute information 410.

[0124] <Example of Functional Configuration 3> Figure 16 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the logical configuration of the matching support device 100. The matching support device 100 includes the same acquisition unit 102, matching unit 104, and output processing unit 106 as the matching support device 100 in Figure 1, and further includes a performer genre estimation unit 108 and a bookstore genre estimation unit 110.

[0125] The performer genre estimation unit 108 estimates the performer's genre using the performer's genre of work and the genre of events the performer has previously appeared in. The bookstore genre estimation unit 110 estimates bookstore genres using at least one of the bookstore's ordering and sales performance information and historical information of past events. The genre estimation process in the performer genre estimation unit 108 and the bookstore genre estimation unit 110 is the same as in the functional configuration example 1 and functional configuration example 2 described above. The matching unit 104 generates matching results using the estimated performer genre and estimated bookstore genre. However, the matching unit 104 may further use at least one of the performer's work genre and performer genre registered in the performer attribute information 400 for the matching process. Furthermore, the matching unit 104 may further use at least one of the store's book genre and bookstore genre registered in the store attribute information 410 for the matching process.

[0126] In Functional Configuration Example 3, the matching process of the matching unit 104 differs from that of Functional Configuration Examples 1 and 2 described above. The matching unit 104 can combine the performer information and bookstore 30 information used in the matching process, either by using estimated genres or by using genres obtained from registered attribute information. Examples of combinations are shown below. (1) Estimated performer genre and attribute information book genre (2) Estimated performer genres and estimated bookstore genres (3) Work genre in attribute information and book genre in attribute information (configuration of the first embodiment) (4) Work genre from attribute information and estimated bookstore genre (5) The genre obtained by the logical OR of the estimated performer genre and the work genre of the attribute information, and the book genre of the attribute information. (6) The genre obtained by the logical OR of the estimated performer genre and attribute information of the work genre, and the estimated book genre (7) The genre obtained by the logical OR of the estimated performer genre and the work genre of the attribute information, and the genre obtained by the logical OR of the estimated bookstore genre and the book genre of the attribute information. (8) Genres obtained by the logical OR of the estimated performer genre and attribute information of the work genre, and genres obtained by the logical AND of the estimated bookstore genre and attribute information of the book genre (9) The genre obtained by the logical AND of the estimated performer genre and the work genre of the attribute information, and the book genre of the attribute information. (10) The genre obtained by the logical AND of the estimated performer genre and attribute information of the work genre, and the estimated bookstore genre (11) Genres obtained by the logical AND of the estimated performer genre and attribute information of the work genre, and genres obtained by the logical OR of the estimated bookstore genre and attribute information of the book genre (12) Genres obtained by the logical AND of the estimated performer genre and attribute information of the work genre, and genres obtained by the logical AND of the estimated bookstore genre and attribute information of the book genre However, the performer genre and bookstore genre registered in the attribute information are not included in the above example, but these may also be used in the matching process. In that case, the genre obtained by logical AND or logical OR may also be used in the matching process.

[0127] The matching unit 104 performs a matching process using any combination of the performer information and the bookstore information 30, and extracts combinations of performers and bookstores 30 that include matching genres. However, "match" does not have to be an exact match. The matching unit 104 then generates a matching result that includes at least one of the extracted performer and bookstore combinations.

[0128] The system may accept the operator's selection as to which information combinations to use for matching, and may perform the matching process using the selected combination of information. The operator is at least one of the operators operating the publisher's terminal 200 and the bookstore's terminal 300.

[0129] Furthermore, if the performer genre is not registered in the performer attribute information 400 or the bookstore genre is not registered in the store attribute information 410, the matching unit 104 may perform the matching process using an automatically estimated genre, regardless of the selection. Alternatively, the matching unit 104 may notify the output processing unit 106 that it performed the matching process using an estimated genre because the performer genre is not registered in the performer attribute information 400 or the bookstore genre is not registered in the store attribute information 410, and include this notification in the matching result output information 442.

[0130] Alternatively, the final matching result may be generated by combining the two matching results obtained by performing the matching processes described in Functional Configuration Example 1 and Functional Configuration Example 3 above. Specifically, the matching unit 104 extracts performers from the performer attribute information 400 whose registered genres (at least one of the work genre and performer genre) match the estimated bookstore genre. Then, the matching unit 104 combines the extracted performers and bookstores to generate a first matching result that includes at least one pair of performers and bookstores. "Match" does not have to be an exact match.

[0131] Furthermore, bookstores 30 registered in the store attribute information 410 that match the genre of the estimated performer (at least one of the book genre and bookstore genre) are extracted. The matching unit 104 then combines the extracted performers and bookstores to generate a second matching result that includes at least one pair of performers and bookstores. "Match" does not have to be an exact match.

[0132] The matching unit 104 may use the logical OR of the first matching result and the second matching result as the matching result, or the logical AND of the first matching result and the second matching result as the matching result. The matching result to be generated may be changed to the selected result, after accepting the operator's selection. The operator is at least one of the operators operating the publisher-side terminal 200 and the bookstore-side terminal 300.

[0133] <Example of operation 3> Figure 17 is a flowchart of operation example 3 of the matching support device 100 of the embodiment. The flowchart in Figure 17 has the same steps S101 and S105 as the flowchart in Figure 2, the same steps S201 and S203 as the flowchart in Figure 13, the same steps S211 and S213 as the flowchart in Figure 15, and further has step S221.

[0134] The flowchart in Figure 17 shows an example of the operation of the matching support device 100 in the latter configuration example described above, that is, a configuration in which the matching results obtained by executing the matching processes of functional configuration example 1 and functional configuration example 2 are combined to generate the final matching result.

[0135] Except for step S221, the process is the same as in operation example 1 and operation example 2 described above, so the explanation will be omitted. In this example, the matching unit 104 takes the logical AND of the matching results generated in steps S203 and S213 to generate a matching result (step S221). Then, the output processing unit 106 causes the output device to output information indicating the performers and bookstores 30 belonging to the matching result generated in step S221 (step S105).

[0136] Alternatively, in another example, the matching unit 104 may skip steps S203 and S213 and instead extract combinations of performers and bookstores 30 whose performer genres estimated in step S201 and bookstore genres estimated in step S211 match, and this may be the matching result.

[0137] In other examples, the system may accept the selection of at least one estimation unit from among the performer genre estimation unit 108 and the bookstore genre estimation unit 110 to perform the estimation process, and the estimation process may be performed using the selected estimation unit.

[0138] As described above, in the matching support device 100 of this embodiment, the performer genre estimation unit 108 estimates the performer genre using the genre of the performer's copyrighted work and the genre of events in which the performer has previously appeared. The bookstore genre estimation unit 110 estimates the bookstore genre using at least one of the bookstore's order and sales performance information and the history information of past events. The matching unit 104 then generates a matching result using at least the estimated performer genre and the estimated bookstore genre.

[0139] Thus, the matching support device 100 of this embodiment provides the same effects as the above embodiment, and furthermore, it can perform matching processing using at least the performer genre or bookstore genre estimated to match the actual circumstances of the performers and bookstores 30, thereby improving the matching accuracy.

[0140] (Third embodiment) This embodiment is the same as any of the embodiments described above, except that it has a configuration that generates matching results using event attributes. However, the configuration of this embodiment may be combined with at least one of the configurations of the other embodiments described later, to the extent that it does not cause any inconsistencies.

[0141] The performer attributes indicated in performer attribute information 400 include the attributes of the event in which the performer will appear. The store attribute information 410 indicated for bookstore 30 includes the attributes of the event held at bookstore 30. The matching unit 104 generates a matching result using the attributes of the event.

[0142] As described above, the performer genre in performer attribute information 400 can include the genre of events in which the performer is scheduled to perform. Events in which a performer will perform include events in which the performer wishes to perform, events in which they have performed in the past, and events in which they are scheduled to perform (in conception, planning, or recommended). Furthermore, the book genre in store attribute information 410 can include the genre of events held at bookstore 30. Events held at bookstore 30 include events in which bookstore 30 wishes to hold, events in which it has held in the past, and events in which it is scheduled to hold (in conception, planning, or recommended).

[0143] Furthermore, one method for registering the attributes of events in which performers appear and the attributes of events held at bookstore 30 in performer attribute information 400 and store attribute information 410, respectively, is to have users input the information on the event information input screen (not shown), which is displayed when "Enter Event Information" is selected from the menu screen. The event information input screen is displayed on at least one of the publisher's terminal 200 and the bookstore's terminal 300 to accept input of event attribute information. When input is received from the publisher's terminal 200, the store attribute information 410 can be updated, and when input is received from the bookstore's terminal 300, the performer attribute information 400 can be updated.

[0144] In this way, the attributes of events in which performers appear can be registered as performer attribute information 400, and the attributes of events held by bookstores 30 can be registered as store attribute information 410. Therefore, publishers 20 and bookstores 30 can perform matching based on attributes such as events they have held in the past or wish to hold. In other words, it is possible to generate combinations of bookstores 30 with performers that are suitable for holding events that publishers 20 and bookstores 30 have held in the past or wish to hold. To put it another way, it is possible to propose events that meet the needs of publishers 20 and bookstores 30.

[0145] Furthermore, the event attributes include the number of event participants and at least one of the participant attributes.

[0146] The number of participants may be categorized by the size of the event (small-scale (targeting core audience) or large-scale). The event attributes may also include the type of event (autograph signing, talk show, lecture, etc.). For example, the event size in performer attribute information 400 may include the size of the event in which the performer will appear. Furthermore, the event size in store attribute information 410 may include the size of the event held at bookstore 30. Participant attributes may include occupation, marital status, presence of children, gender, and age group. For example, the reader demographic attributes in performer attribute information 400 may include the attributes of the target participants in the event in which the performer is scheduled to appear. Furthermore, the customer demographic attributes in store attribute information 410 may include the attributes of the target participants in the event held at bookstore 30.

[0147] Furthermore, the number of event participants and their attributes can be included as event attributes in the performer attribute information 400 or store attribute information 410, allowing publishers 20 or bookstores 30 to obtain combinations that match the number and attributes of participants they have previously experienced or wish to hold events with. Thus, it becomes possible to hold events with combinations that match the number and attributes of participants desired by publishers 20 or bookstores 30.

[0148] Figure 18 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the matching support device 100 according to the embodiment. In addition to the configuration of the matching support device 100 in Figure 1, the matching support device 100 further includes an attribute generation unit 112.

[0149] The attribute generation unit 112 uses information about the results of events previously held by the bookstore 30 to generate event attributes to be included in the attributes of the bookstore 30. The matching unit 104 generates matching results using the attributes of the generated events.

[0150] Information regarding the results of past events is exemplified in the event history information 450 in Figure 12(b). In addition to the event history information 450 in Figure 12(a), the event history information 450 also includes the expected number of event participants, the actual number of participants, and participant attribute information. Participant attribute information includes, for example, gender and age group.

[0151] Information regarding the results of the event may be obtained, for example, from information entered on at least one of the publisher's terminal 200 of publisher 20 and the bookstore's terminal 300 of bookstore 30. Specifically, after logging into the matching support system 1 from at least one of the publisher's terminal 200 and the bookstore's terminal 300, the event reporting input screen can be displayed by selecting "Event Report" on the menu screen. The event reporting input screen may accept input of information similar to the data items of the event history information 450 in Figure 12(b). The information entered on the event reporting input screen is transmitted to the matching support device 100, and the information acquired by the acquisition unit 102 is stored in the storage device 120 as event history information 450.

[0152] Alternatively, the matching support device 100 may display a screen for creating or updating event history information 450 on its display (not shown), accept input related to event history information 450, create or update event history information 450, and store it in the storage device 120.

[0153] Furthermore, the attribute generation unit 112 generates event attributes using the event participant questionnaire. The event attributes included in the event history information 450 in Figure 12(b) above are generated using participant questionnaires. Participant attributes may also include books by performers that the participant has read in the past. The acquisition unit 102 obtains the questionnaire results by inputting the aggregated results from either the bookstore 30 or the publisher 20 using an input screen from the publisher's terminal 200 or the bookstore's terminal 300. The attribute generation unit 112 then generates event attributes using the acquired questionnaire results. The method for generating event attributes based on the questionnaire is not particularly limited, but for example, attributes that are answered as applicable by a predetermined percentage or more of the data items in the questionnaire may be designated as event attributes. In other words, attributes that a predetermined percentage or more of participants answered as applicable in the questionnaire are designated as event attributes.

[0154] Specifically, the matching unit 104 extracts performers from the performer attribute information 400 whose registered attributes match the attributes of the event of the generated bookstore 30. Then, the matching unit 104 combines the extracted performers and bookstores to generate a first matching result that includes at least one pair of performers and bookstores. "Match" does not have to be an exact match.

[0155] For example, as an attribute of an event at bookstore 30, performers who have the same attribute as the reader demographic (gender or age group) as the attribute of the participants in past events held at bookstore 30, are extracted from performer attribute information 400. For example, if the gender of the participants is predominantly female, and the age group of 20-39 is more numerous than other age groups, then performers who are registered as female and in the 20-39 age group as the reader demographic will be extracted. <Example of operation> Figure 19 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the matching support device 100 according to the embodiment. The flowchart in Figure 19 includes the same steps S101 and S105 as the flowchart in Figure 2, and also includes steps S401 and S403.

[0156] After the acquisition unit 102 acquires performer attribute information 400 and store attribute information 410 in step S101, the attribute generation unit 112 generates event attributes to be included in the attributes of bookstore 30 using information about the results of events previously held by bookstore 30 (step S401). The timing of the event attribute generation process by the attribute generation unit 112 is exemplified below, but is not limited to this. In addition, multiple timings described below may be combined and executed. (1) After receiving an event report from the publisher's terminal 200 of publisher 20 and storing it in the storage device 120 as event history information 450 (2) After receiving an event report from the bookstore terminal 300 of the bookstore 30 and storing it in the storage device 120 as event history information 450 (3) After the event history information 450 is updated based on the event survey results (4) After the event history information 450 is created or updated in the matching support device 100

[0157] In other words, step S401 may be executed at a predetermined time, and may be executed at a time different from the flow of steps S101, S403, and S105.

[0158] Then, the matching unit 104 generates a matching result using the attributes of the generated event (step S403). Specifically, the matching unit 104 extracts performers from the performer attribute information 400 whose registered attributes match the attributes of the event of bookstore 30 generated in step S401. Then, the matching unit 104 combines the extracted performers and bookstores to generate a first matching result that includes at least one pair of performers and bookstores.

[0159] Then, the output processing unit 106 causes the output device to output information indicating the performers and bookstores 30 belonging to the matching result generated in step S403 (step S105).

[0160] As described above, in the matching support device 100 of this embodiment, the attribute generation unit 112 generates event attributes using the event participant questionnaire. In other words, when an event is held at bookstore 30, the attribute generation unit 112 identifies the attributes of participants who are likely to attend more often based on past performance, and the matching unit 104 extracts authors of books corresponding to the attributes of the reader group with those attributes as performers at the event.

[0161] Thus, the matching support device 100 of this embodiment provides the same effects as the above embodiment, and furthermore, since each bookstore 30 has unique customer demographics, holding an event featuring authors whose readership matches the attributes of the bookstore 30's customer demographics increases the likelihood of attracting more participants. With more participants taking part in the event, the likelihood of increasing sales at the bookstore 30 also increases.

[0162] (Fourth Embodiment) Figure 20 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the logical configuration of the matching support device 100. This embodiment is the same as any of the embodiments described above, except that it has a configuration that uses changes in sales of the works of the participating authors to determine the effectiveness of the event. However, the configuration of this embodiment may be combined with at least one of the configurations of the other embodiments described later, to the extent that it does not contradict them.

[0163] The matching support device 100 has the configuration shown in Figure 1, plus an additional identification unit 114. The identification unit 114 uses changes in the sales of the performers' copyrighted works since the event to identify the effectiveness level associated with each performer. The matching unit 104 uses the effectiveness level to select performers to combine.

[0164] Information regarding the sales of the authors' works at bookstore 30 may be provided by bookstore 30. Alternatively, book information ordered by bookstore 30 from publisher 20 may be obtained from publisher 20 as information regarding the sales of the authors' works at bookstore 30. The publisher's terminal 200 or the bookstore's terminal 300 accepts input of information regarding the sales of the authors' works, and the acquisition unit 102 acquires the information transmitted to the matching support device 100 and stores it in the storage device 120. The identification unit 114 reads and acquires the information regarding the sales of the authors' works stored in the storage device 120 and uses it for the effectiveness determination process.

[0165] As an example, the specific unit 114 calculates the total sales amount or the average daily sales amount for the copyrighted works of the event performers at the bookstore 30 where the event was held, for each predetermined period (e.g., one week, one month, etc.) before and after the event. The specific unit 114 calculates the ratio of the change in sales after the event to the calculated sales before the event, and defines this as the degree of effectiveness. In other words, the degree of effectiveness is determined by dividing the calculated sales after the event by the calculated sales before the event. However, the method of calculating the degree of effectiveness is not limited to this.

[0166] The effectiveness level calculated by the specific unit 114 is stored in the storage device 120 as event effectiveness level information 470. Figure 21 shows an example of the data structure of the event effectiveness level information 470. The event effectiveness level information 470 includes, for each performer, the performer ID, the event ID, and the calculated effectiveness level.

[0167] The matching unit 104 can select a combination of performer and bookstore 30 from the matching results, which include combinations of at least one performer and at least one bookstore, generated by the method of any of the embodiments described above, using one of the following methods. (1) Select a combination of performer and bookstore 30 whose effectiveness is equal to or greater than the first predetermined value. (2) Select a predetermined number of performers and 30 bookstores in order of effectiveness. (3) Select a combination of performer and bookstore 30 whose effectiveness is less than the second predetermined value. Here, the second predetermined value is set to a value lower than the first predetermined value, indicating that the event has no effect on the sales of the performers' books. For example, the second predetermined value may be 1.0.

[0168] Furthermore, the matching unit 104 may select combinations (i.e., the effectiveness of each performer in the bookstore 30) for a specific bookstore 30 using the selection methods (1) to (3) described above.

[0169] <Example of operation> Figure 22 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the matching support device 100 according to the embodiment. The flowchart in Figure 22 has the same steps S101 to S105 as the flowchart in Figure 2, and also includes steps S501 and S503.

[0170] After the acquisition unit 102 acquires performer attribute information 400 and store attribute information 410 in step S101, the identification unit 114 uses the change in sales of the performers' copyrighted works since the event to identify the degree of effectiveness to associate with the performers (step S501). Then, the matching unit 104 uses the acquired performer attribute information and store attribute information to generate a matching result that shows a combination of at least one performer and at least one bookstore (step S103). However, this matching process may be performed using the matching process of other embodiments.

[0171] Then, the matching unit 104 selects performers to be paired using the effectiveness score (step S503). As described above, using the effectiveness score identified in step S501, for example, performers whose effectiveness score at bookstore 30 is equal to or greater than a first predetermined value are paired with bookstore 30 to generate a matching result.

[0172] The output processing unit 106 then outputs the generated matching results to the output device (step S105). The output processing unit 106 may also output the matching result output information 442 along with the degree of effectiveness. Preferably, the output processing unit 106 outputs the matching results to the bookstore-side terminal 300 of the bookstore 30 that has identified the degree of effectiveness.

[0173] As described above, in the matching support device 100 of this embodiment, the identification unit 114 identifies the effectiveness level to be linked to the performer using the change in sales of the performer's copyrighted works after the event, and the matching unit 104 selects the performers to be paired using the effectiveness level.

[0174] Thus, the matching support device 100 of this embodiment provides the same effects as the above embodiment, and furthermore, by using the effectiveness level identified using the change in sales of the performer's copyrighted works before and after the event at the bookstore 30, it is possible to select performers to be paired with the bookstore 30 in the matching results. This makes it possible to propose performers who have a proven track record of being effective in events at the bookstore 30. By holding events with performers suited to the characteristics of the bookstore 30, the effectiveness of the event can be further improved.

[0175] (Variation of the fourth embodiment) <Example of Functional Configuration> The following describes a modified version of the fourth embodiment using Figure 20. In the modified matching support device 100 of the fourth embodiment, the output processing unit 106 outputs the matching results generated by the matching unit 104 to the output device in a manner that allows the sorting order to be set using the effectiveness level identified by the identification unit 114.

[0176] The output device is the bookstore-side terminal 300 of the bookstore 30. Alternatively, the output device may be the publisher-side terminal 200 of the publisher 20. The output method is the same as in the above embodiment.

[0177] Specifically, the output processing unit 106 provides a UI on the screen that displays the matching result output information 442 for sorting the matching results in descending or ascending order of effectiveness. When the UI is operated, the matching results can be sorted in descending or ascending order of effectiveness and displayed on the screen.

[0178] <Example of operation> Figure 23 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the matching support device 100 according to the embodiment. The flowchart in Figure 23 has the same steps S101 and S103 as the flowchart in Figure 2, the same step S501 as the flowchart in Figure 22, and further has step S511.

[0179] Steps up to S103 are the same as in the fourth embodiment. When a matching result is generated in step S103, the output processing unit 106 outputs the matching result generated in step S103 to the output device in a way that allows the sorting order to be set using the effectiveness level identified in step S501.

[0180] As described above, in the matching support device 100 of this embodiment, the identification unit 114 identifies the effectiveness level to be associated with the performer using the change in sales of the performer's copyrighted works since the event was held, and the output processing unit 106 outputs the matching results generated by the matching unit 104 to the output device in a way that allows the sorting order to be set using the effectiveness level identified by the identification unit 114.

[0181] Thus, the matching support device 100 of this embodiment provides the same effects as the above embodiment, and furthermore, since the output device outputs the results in a configurable order using the effectiveness level identified by the identification unit 114, it is possible to not only confirm effective combinations but also ineffective combinations. Therefore, it becomes possible to plan events with highly effective combinations, exclude events with ineffective combinations from the plan, or plan events with measures to improve their effectiveness.

[0182] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings, but these are merely examples of the present invention, and various other configurations can also be adopted.

[0183] Furthermore, while the flowcharts used in the above description show multiple steps (processes) in sequence, the execution order of the steps performed in each embodiment is not limited to the order in which they are described. In each embodiment, the order of the illustrated steps can be changed to the extent that it does not impede the content. Also, at least one step may be performed by another operating entity, such as another device or person. Moreover, the embodiments described above can be combined to the extent that their content is not contradictory.

[0184] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Various modifications to the structure and details of the present invention can be made, as can be understood by those skilled in the art within the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, in this invention, any acquisition or use of information concerning users (performers, participants, etc.) shall be conducted in a lawful manner.

[0185] Some or all of the above embodiments may also be described as follows, but are not limited to the following: 1. An acquisition means for acquiring performer attribute information indicating the attributes of performers at an event held at a bookstore, and store attribute information indicating the attributes of the bookstore. A matching means that generates matching results showing combinations of at least one performer and at least one bookstore using the acquired performer attribute information and store attribute information, A matching support device comprising: an output processing means that causes an output means to output information indicating at least one of the performers and bookstores belonging to the generated matching result. 2. In the matching support device described in 1., The attributes of the performers indicated by the aforementioned performer attribute information include the genre of the work, The attributes of the bookstore indicated by the aforementioned store attribute information include the genre of books, The matching means is a matching support device that generates the matching result using the genre. 3. In the matching support device described in 2. The system further comprises a performer genre estimation means that estimates the performer's genre using the content of the performer's copyrighted works and the genres of events in which the performer has previously appeared. The matching means is a matching support device that generates the matching result using at least the estimated genre of the performer. 4. In the matching support device described in 2. or 3., The system further comprises a bookstore genre estimation means that estimates the genre of the bookstore using at least one of the bookstore's order and sales performance information and past event history information. The matching means is a matching support device that generates the matching result using at least the estimated genre of the bookstore. 5. In a matching support device described in any one of items 1 to 4, The performer attributes indicated by the aforementioned performer attribute information include regional information, The attributes of the bookstore indicated by the aforementioned store attribute information include the location of the bookstore, The matching means is a matching support device that generates the matching result using the performer attribute information and the store attribute information. 6. In a matching support device described in any one of items 1 to 5, The attributes of the performer indicated by the aforementioned performer attribute information include the attributes of the event in which the performer is performing. The attributes of the bookstore indicated by the aforementioned store attribute information include the attributes of events held at the bookstore. The matching means is a matching support device that generates the matching result using the attributes of the event. 7. In the matching support device described in 6., A matching support device in which the attributes of the event include at least one of the number of participants in the event and the attributes of the participants. 8. In the matching support device described in 6. or 7., The system further comprises attribute generation means that generates attributes of the events included in the attributes of the bookstore, using information regarding the results of events previously held by the bookstore. The matching means is a matching support device that generates the matching result using the attributes of the generated event. 9. In the matching support device described in 8., The attribute generation means is a matching support device that generates attributes of the event using participant questionnaires for the event. 10. In a matching support device described in any one of items 1 to 9, The system further includes a means for identifying the degree of effectiveness associated with the performers, using changes in sales of the performers' copyrighted works since the event was held. The matching means is a matching support device that selects the performers to be paired using the effectiveness level. 11. In a matching support device described in any one of items 1 to 10, The system further includes a means for identifying the degree of effectiveness associated with the performers, using changes in sales of the performers' copyrighted works since the event was held. The output processing means is a matching support device that causes the matching results generated by the matching means to be output to the output means in a manner that allows the sorting order to be set using the effectiveness level.

[0186] 12. Matching support device and The publisher's terminal and Equipped with a terminal on the bookstore side, The matching support device, An acquisition means for acquiring performer attribute information indicating the attributes of performers at an event held at a bookstore, and store attribute information indicating the attributes of the bookstore, A matching means that generates matching results showing combinations of at least one performer and at least one bookstore using the acquired performer attribute information and store attribute information, A matching support system comprising output processing means for outputting information indicating at least one of the performers and bookstores belonging to the generated matching result to at least one of the publisher's terminal and the bookstore's terminal. 13. In the matching support system described in 12., The attributes of the performers indicated by the aforementioned performer attribute information include the genre of the work, The attributes of the bookstore indicated by the aforementioned store attribute information include the genre of books, The matching means of the matching support device is a matching support system that generates the matching result using the genre. 14. In the matching support system described in 13., The matching support device, The system further comprises a performer genre estimation means that estimates the performer's genre using the content of the performer's copyrighted works and the genres of events in which the performer has previously appeared. The matching means of the matching support device is a matching support system that generates the matching result using at least the estimated genre of the performer. 15. In the matching support system described in 13. or 14., The matching support device, The system further comprises a bookstore genre estimation means that estimates the genre of the bookstore using at least one of the bookstore's order and sales performance information and past event history information. The matching means of the matching support device is a matching support system that generates the matching result using at least the estimated genre of the bookstore. 16. In any of the matching support systems described in 12. to 15., The performer attributes indicated by the aforementioned performer attribute information include regional information, The attributes of the bookstore indicated by the aforementioned store attribute information include the location of the bookstore, The matching means of the matching support device is a matching support system that generates the matching result using the performer attribute information and the store attribute information. 17. In any of the matching support systems described in 12. to 16., The attributes of the performer indicated by the aforementioned performer attribute information include the attributes of the event in which the performer is performing. The attributes of the bookstore indicated by the aforementioned store attribute information include the attributes of events held at the bookstore. The matching means of the matching support device is a matching support system that generates the matching result using the attributes of the event. 18. In the matching support system described in 17., A matching support system in which the attributes of the event include at least one of the number of participants in the event and the attributes of the participants. 19. In the matching support system described in 17. or 18., The matching support device, The system further comprises attribute generation means that generates attributes of the events included in the attributes of the bookstore, using information regarding the results of events previously held by the bookstore. The matching means of the matching support device is a matching support system that generates the matching result using the attributes of the generated event. 20. In the matching support system described in 19., The attribute generation means of the matching support device is a matching support system that generates attributes of an event using a participant questionnaire for the event. 21. In any of the matching support systems described in 12. to 20., The matching support device, The system further includes a means for identifying the degree of effectiveness associated with the performers, using changes in sales of the performers' copyrighted works since the event was held. The matching means of the matching support device is a matching support system that selects the performers to be paired using the effectiveness level. 22. In any of the matching support systems described in 12. to 21., The matching support device, The system further includes a means for identifying the degree of effectiveness associated with the performers, using changes in sales of the performers' copyrighted works since the event was held. The matching support system comprises an output processing means of the matching support device which outputs the matching results generated by the matching means to at least one of the publisher's terminal and the bookstore's terminal in a manner that allows the sorting order to be set using the effectiveness score.

[0187] 23. One or more computers, We obtain performer attribute information indicating the attributes of performers at an event held at a bookstore, and store attribute information indicating the attributes of the bookstore. Using the acquired performer attribute information and store attribute information, a matching result is generated that shows a combination of at least one performer and at least one bookstore. The output means outputs information indicating at least one of the performers and bookstores belonging to the generated matching result. Matching support methods. 24. In the matching support method described in 23., The attributes of the performers indicated by the aforementioned performer attribute information include the genre of the work, The attributes of the bookstore indicated by the aforementioned store attribute information include the genre of books, The aforementioned one or more computers A matching support method that generates the matching result using the aforementioned genre. 25. In the matching support method described in 24., The aforementioned one or more computers further Using the content of the performer's copyrighted works and the genres of events in which the performer has previously appeared, the performer's genre is estimated. A matching support method that generates the matching results using at least the estimated genre of the performer. 26. In the matching support methods described in 24. or 25., The aforementioned one or more computers further Using at least one of the bookstore's ordering and sales performance information and past event history information, the genre of the bookstore is estimated. A matching support method that generates the matching results using at least the estimated genre of the bookstore. 27. In any of the matching support methods described in 23. to 26., The performer attributes indicated by the aforementioned performer attribute information include regional information, The attributes of the bookstore indicated by the aforementioned store attribute information include the location of the bookstore, The aforementioned one or more computers A matching support method that generates the matching results using the performer attribute information and the store attribute information. 28. In any of the matching support methods described in 23. to 27., The attributes of the performer indicated by the aforementioned performer attribute information include the attributes of the event in which the performer is performing. The attributes of the bookstore indicated by the aforementioned store attribute information include the attributes of events held at the bookstore. The aforementioned one or more computers A matching support method that generates the matching result using the attributes of the event. 29. In the matching support method described in 28., A matching support method wherein the attributes of the event include at least one of the number of participants in the event and the attributes of the participants. 30. In the matching support methods described in 28. or 29., The aforementioned one or more computers further Using information regarding the results of events previously held by the bookstore, the attributes of the event to be included in the attributes of the bookstore are generated. A matching support method that generates the matching result using the attributes of the generated event. 31. In the matching support method described in 30., The aforementioned one or more computers A matching support method that generates the attributes of the aforementioned event using a participant survey of the aforementioned event. 32. In any of the matching support methods described in 23. to 31., The aforementioned one or more computers further Using the changes in sales of the performers' copyrighted works since the event, the degree of effectiveness associated with the performers will be identified. A matching support method that, when generating the matching results, selects the performers to be paired using the effectiveness score. 33. In any of the matching support methods described in 23. to 32., The aforementioned one or more computers further Using the changes in sales of the performers' copyrighted works since the event, the degree of effectiveness associated with the performers will be identified. A matching support method that causes the generated matching results to be output to the output means in a manner that allows the sorting order to be set using the effectiveness score.

[0188] 34. To the computer, A procedure for obtaining performer attribute information indicating the attributes of performers at an event held at a bookstore, and store attribute information indicating the attributes of the bookstore. A procedure for generating matching results that show a combination of at least one performer and at least one bookstore, using the acquired performer attribute information and store attribute information. A program for causing an output means to output information indicating at least one of the performers and bookstores belonging to the generated matching result. 35. In the program described in 34., The attributes of the performers indicated by the aforementioned performer attribute information include the genre of the work, The attributes of the bookstore indicated by the aforementioned store attribute information include the genre of books, A program that causes a computer to perform the procedure for generating the matching result using the genre, in the procedure for generating the matching result. 36. In the program described in 35., The computer is then made to perform a procedure to estimate the genre of the performer, using the content of the performer's copyrighted works and the genres of events in which the performer has previously appeared. A program that causes a computer to perform a procedure for generating the matching results, wherein the procedure for generating the matching results uses at least the estimated genre of the performer. 37. In the programs described in 35. or 36., The computer is further made to perform a procedure to estimate the genre of the bookstore using at least one of the bookstore's ordering and sales performance information and historical information of past events. A program that causes a computer to perform a procedure for generating the matching results, wherein the procedure for generating the matching results uses at least the estimated genre of the bookstore. 38. In any of the programs described in 34. through 37., The performer attributes indicated by the aforementioned performer attribute information include regional information, The attributes of the bookstore indicated by the aforementioned store attribute information include the location of the bookstore, A program that causes a computer to perform the procedure for generating the matching results, using the performer attribute information and the store attribute information. 39. In any of the programs described in 34. through 38., The attributes of the performer indicated by the aforementioned performer attribute information include the attributes of the event in which the performer is performing. The attributes of the bookstore indicated by the aforementioned store attribute information include the attributes of events held at the bookstore. A program that causes a computer to perform the procedure for generating the matching result, using the attributes of the event in the procedure for generating the matching result. In the program described in 40.39., A program in which the attributes of the event include at least one of the number of participants in the event and the attributes of the participants. 41. In the program according to 39. or 40., A procedure for generating the attributes of the event included in the attributes of the bookstore by using information on the results of the events held by the bookstore in the past, and further causing the computer to execute the procedure. A program for causing a computer to execute a procedure for generating the matching result by using the generated attributes of the event in the procedure for generating the matching result. 42. In the program according to 41., A program for causing a computer to execute a procedure for generating the attributes of the event by using the event participant questionnaire in the procedure for generating the attributes of the event. 43. In the program according to any one of 34. to 42., A procedure for specifying the degree of effect associated with the performer by using the change in the sales of the performer's works after the event is held, and further causing the computer to execute the procedure. A program for causing a computer to execute a procedure for selecting the performer to be combined by using the degree of effect in the procedure for generating the matching result. 44. In the program according to any one of 34. to 43., A procedure for specifying the degree of effect associated with the performer by using the change in the sales of the performer's works after the event is held, and further causing the computer to execute the procedure. A program for causing a computer to execute a procedure for outputting the matching result generated by the procedure for generating the matching result to the output means in such a manner that the order can be set by using the degree of effect in the procedure for outputting.

[0189] 45. For a computer, A procedure for obtaining performer attribute information indicating the attributes of the performers of the events held in the bookstore and store attribute information indicating the attributes of the bookstore. A procedure for generating a matching result indicating a combination of at least one of the performers and at least one of the bookstores using the obtained performer attribute information and the bookstore attribute information. A computer-readable recording medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute a procedure of outputting, to an output means, information indicating at least one of the performer and the bookstore belonging to the generated matching result. 46. In the recording medium according to 45., The attributes of the performer indicated by the performer attribute information include the genre of the work. The attributes of the bookstore indicated by the bookstore attribute information include the genre of the books. A computer-readable recording medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute a procedure of generating the matching result using the genre in the procedure of generating the matching result. 47. In the recording medium according to 46., A procedure for further causing a computer to execute a procedure of estimating the genre of the performer using the content of the works of the performer and the genre of the events in which the performer has participated in the past. A computer-readable recording medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute a procedure of generating the matching result using at least the estimated genre of the performer in the procedure of generating the matching result. 48. In the recording medium according to 46. or 47., A procedure for further causing a computer to execute a procedure of estimating the genre of the bookstore using at least one of the order and sales performance information of the bookstore and the history information of past events. A computer-readable recording medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute a procedure of generating the matching result using at least the estimated genre of the bookstore in the procedure of generating the matching result. 49. In the recording medium according to any one of 45. to 48., The attributes of the performer indicated by the performer attribute information include regional information. The attributes of the bookstore indicated by the aforementioned store attribute information include the location of the bookstore, A computer-readable recording medium storing a program that causes a computer to execute the procedure for generating the matching results using the performer attribute information and the store attribute information. 50. In any one of the recording media described in 45. to 49., The attributes of the performer indicated by the aforementioned performer attribute information include the attributes of the event in which the performer is performing. The attributes of the bookstore indicated by the aforementioned store attribute information include the attributes of events held at the bookstore. A computer-readable recording medium that stores a program for causing a computer to execute the procedure for generating the matching result using the attributes of the event, in the procedure for generating the matching result. 51. In the recording medium described in 50., The attributes of the event include at least one of the number of participants in the event and the attributes of the participants, and the recording medium is readable by a computer that stores a program. 52. In the recording medium described in 50. or 51., The procedure of generating the attributes of the event to be included in the attributes of the bookstore, using information regarding the results of the event held by the bookstore in the past, is further performed on the computer. A computer-readable recording medium that stores a program for causing a computer to execute the procedure for generating the matching results using the attributes of the generated events. 53. In the recording medium described in 52., A computer-readable recording medium storing a program that causes a computer to execute a procedure for generating the attributes of the event using a participant questionnaire of the event. 54. In any one of the recording media described in 45. to 53., The computer is then made to perform a procedure to identify the degree of effectiveness associated with the performers, using the changes in sales of the performers' copyrighted works since the event was held. A computer-readable recording medium storing a program that causes a computer to execute a procedure for selecting performers to be paired using the effectiveness score in the procedure for generating the matching results. 55. In any one of the recording media described in 45. to 54., The computer is then made to perform a procedure to identify the degree of effectiveness associated with the performers, using the changes in sales of the performers' copyrighted works since the event was held. A computer-readable recording medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute a procedure for outputting, in which the matching results generated by the procedure for generating the matching results are output to the output means in a manner that allows the sorting order to be set using the effectiveness level. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0190] 1. Matching Support System 3. Communication Network 20 Publishers 30 Bookstore 100 Matching support device 102 Acquisition Department 104 Matching Department 106 Output Processing Unit 108 Performer Genre Estimation Section 110 Bookstore Genre Estimation Department 112 Attribute generator 114 Specific section 120 Storage device 200 Publisher-side terminals 300 Bookstore terminals 400 Performer attribute information 410 Store Attribute Information 420 Publisher Information 440 Matching Result Information 442 Matching Result Output Information 450 Event History Information 470 Event effectiveness information 500 Performer information input screen 502 Registration button 504 Cancel button 506 Add icon 510 Store information input screen 512 Registration button 514 Cancel button 516 Add icon 1000 Computer 1010 Bus 1020 Processor 1030 Memory 1040 Storage device 1050 Input / output interface 1060 Network interface

Claims

1. An acquisition means for acquiring performer attribute information indicating the attributes of performers at an event held at a bookstore, and store attribute information indicating the attributes of the bookstore, A matching means that generates matching results showing combinations of at least one performer and at least one bookstore using the acquired performer attribute information and store attribute information, The system includes an output processing means that causes the output means to output information indicating at least one of the performers and bookstores belonging to the generated matching result, The attributes of the performers indicated by the aforementioned performer attribute information include the genre of the work, The attributes of the bookstore indicated by the aforementioned store attribute information include the genre of books, The matching means generates the matching result using the genre, The system further comprises a performer genre estimation means that estimates the performer's genre using the content of the performer's copyrighted works and the genres of events in which the performer has previously appeared. The performer genre estimation means estimates the performer and genre to be at least one of the following: the genre with the most works among the performer's past works, the genre of the work with the most copies sold, and the genre of the event in which the performer has appeared the most times in the past. The matching means is a matching support device that generates the matching result using at least the estimated genre of the performer.

2. In the matching support device according to claim 1, The system further comprises a bookstore genre estimation means that estimates the genre of the bookstore using at least one of the bookstore's order and sales performance information and past event history information. The bookstore genre estimation means estimates the bookstore's genre to be at least one of the genres in which at least one of the bookstore's past order volume and sales volume is highest, and the genre of events held by the bookstore in the past that has been held most frequently. The matching means is a matching support device that generates the matching result using at least the estimated genre of the bookstore.

3. In the matching support device according to claim 1 or 2, The performer attributes indicated by the aforementioned performer attribute information include regional information, The attributes of the bookstore indicated by the aforementioned store attribute information include the location of the bookstore, The matching means is a matching support device that generates the matching result using the performer attribute information and the store attribute information.

4. In the matching support device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The attributes of the performer indicated by the aforementioned performer attribute information include the attributes of the event in which the performer is performing. The attributes of the bookstore indicated by the aforementioned store attribute information include the attributes of events held at the bookstore. The matching means is a matching support device that generates the matching result using the attributes of the event.

5. In the matching support device according to claim 4, A matching support device in which the attributes of the event include at least one of the number of participants in the event and the attributes of the participants.

6. In the matching support device according to claim 4 or 5, The system further comprises attribute generation means that generates attributes of the events included in the attributes of the bookstore, using information regarding the results of events previously held by the bookstore. The matching means is a matching support device that generates the matching result using the attributes of the generated event.

7. In the matching support device according to claim 6, The attribute generation means is a matching support device that generates attributes of an event using survey results obtained from participants of the event previously held by the bookstore.

8. In the matching support device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, The system further includes a means for identifying the degree of effectiveness associated with the performers, using changes in sales of the performers' copyrighted works since the event was held. The matching means is a matching support device that selects the performers to be paired using the effectiveness level.

9. In the matching support device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, The system further includes a means for identifying the degree of effectiveness associated with the performers, using changes in sales of the performers' copyrighted works since the event was held. The output processing means is a matching support device that causes the matching results generated by the matching means to be output to the output means in a manner that allows the sorting order to be set using the effectiveness level.

10. Matching support device, The publisher's terminal and Equipped with a terminal on the bookstore side, The matching support device, An acquisition means for acquiring performer attribute information indicating the attributes of performers at an event held at a bookstore, and store attribute information indicating the attributes of the bookstore, A matching means that generates matching results showing combinations of at least one performer and at least one bookstore using the acquired performer attribute information and store attribute information, The system includes an output processing means that causes information indicating at least one of the performers and bookstores belonging to the generated matching result to be output to at least one of the publisher's terminal and the bookstore's terminal, The attributes of the performers indicated by the aforementioned performer attribute information include the genre of the work, The attributes of the bookstore indicated by the aforementioned store attribute information include the genre of books, The matching means of the matching support device generates the matching result using the genre, The matching support device, The system further comprises a performer genre estimation means that estimates the performer's genre using the content of the performer's copyrighted works and the genres of events in which the performer has previously appeared. In the matching support device, The performer genre estimation means estimates the performer and genre to be at least one of the following: the genre with the most works among the performer's past works, the genre of the work with the most copies sold, and the genre of the event in which the performer has appeared the most times in the past. The matching means is a matching support system that generates the matching result using at least the estimated genre of the performer.

11. One or more computers, We obtain performer attribute information indicating the attributes of performers at an event held at a bookstore, and store attribute information indicating the attributes of the bookstore. Using the acquired performer attribute information and store attribute information, a matching result is generated that shows a combination of at least one performer and at least one bookstore. The output means outputs information indicating at least one of the performers and bookstores belonging to the generated matching result. The attributes of the performers indicated by the aforementioned performer attribute information include the genre of the work, The attributes of the bookstore indicated by the aforementioned store attribute information include the genre of books, The one or more computers mentioned above The matching results are generated using the aforementioned genres. Using the content of the performer's copyrighted works and the genres of events in which the performer has previously appeared, the performer's genre is estimated. When estimating the genre of the aforementioned performers, Of the aforementioned performer's past works, at least one of the following is estimated to be the performer and genre: the genre with the most works, the genre with the most copies sold, and the genre of events in which the performer has appeared the most times. The matching results are generated using at least the estimated genre of the performer. Matching support methods.

12. On the computer, A procedure for obtaining performer attribute information indicating the attributes of performers at an event held at a bookstore, and store attribute information indicating the attributes of the bookstore. A procedure for generating matching results that show a combination of at least one performer and at least one bookstore, using the acquired performer attribute information and store attribute information. The procedure involves causing the output means to output information indicating at least one of the performers and bookstores belonging to the generated matching result, The attributes of the performers indicated by the aforementioned performer attribute information include the genre of the work, The attributes of the bookstore indicated by the aforementioned store attribute information include the genre of books, In the procedure for generating the matching result, the matching result is generated using the genre, The computer is then instructed to perform a procedure to estimate the genre of the performer, using the content of the performer's copyrighted works and the genres of events in which the performer has previously appeared. In the procedure for estimating the genre of the performer, at least one of the following is estimated as the performer and genre: the genre with the most works among the performer's past publications, the genre of the publication with the most copies sold, and the genre of the event in which the performer has appeared the most times. A program that generates the matching results using at least the estimated genre of the performer in the procedure for generating the matching results.

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