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

Abstract

To provide an information processing system, an information processing method, and an information processing program for improving convenience to a user when the user goes to a facility or the like.SOLUTION: The information processing system comprises: a server which receives sightseeing course information about a recommended sightseeing course from an information provider terminal, specifies a facility around the sightseeing course, and transmits registration request information for requesting registration of the facility as a recommended facility to a facility terminal used by a manager of the facility; the facility terminal which transmits registration information to the server when complying with the request for registration on the basis of the registration request information; and a user terminal which, when the sightseeing course for which the facility is registered on the basis of the registration information is published by the server, allows the sightseeing course to be browsed. In response to selecting the sightseeing course on the user terminal, the server makes a reservation for use based on at least one of a scheduled departure time and a scheduled arrival time to the facility terminal with respect to the facility registered for the sightseeing course.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing system, an information processing method, and an information processing program.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there is a system that can strengthen the relationship between a celebrity and a user to be two-way (see Patent Document 1). The system searches for a route from the current location to a destination, which is a facility described in posted information posted by a celebrity, and provides it to the user. In this case, from the time when the destination is set until the time when the user arrives at the destination, the system issues and assigns support points that bring benefits to the celebrity according to triggers that occur.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Not only celebrities, but more people are using SNS (Social Networking Service) etc. to transmit various information, and users who see it may go to facilities etc. described in that information. Note that SNS may be referred to as, for example, Social Media etc. However, when a facility is crowded, there are cases where users who go to that facility cannot enter. Also, there are cases where reservations are required for facilities etc., and with conventional technology, reservations for facilities etc. could not be made. That is, an improvement in user convenience has been demanded.

[0005] The present disclosure provides an information processing system, an information processing method, and an information processing program that improve user convenience when going to facilities etc.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] One embodiment of the information processing system includes a server that receives tourist course information regarding recommended tourist courses from an information provider terminal, identifies facilities located around the tourist course, and sends registration request information to a facility terminal used by the manager of the facility requesting registration as a recommended facility; a facility terminal that sends registration information to the server when it agrees to register based on the registration request information; and a user terminal that makes the tourist course viewable when the server makes the tourist course publicly available with the facilities registered based on the registration information. When a tourist course is selected by the user terminal, the server makes a reservation for the facilities registered in that tourist course to the facility terminal based on at least one of the scheduled departure time and scheduled arrival time. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one embodiment, when a tourist course information regarding recommended tourist courses is received from an information provider terminal, registration information is received from a facility terminal, and a tourist course registered by the facility based on that registration information is made public, when a tourist course is selected on the user terminal, a reservation is made to the facility terminal for the facilities registered on that tourist course, based on at least one of the scheduled departure time and scheduled arrival time, thereby improving the convenience of the user when heading to the facility. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a diagram illustrating an information processing device according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a block diagram illustrating an information processing device according to one embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a sequence diagram illustrating an information processing method according to one embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] One embodiment will be described below.

[0010] [Overview of Information Processing System 1] First, an overview of the information processing system 1 according to one embodiment will be described. Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating an information processing device 100 according to one embodiment.

[0011] Information processing system 1 may be configured, for example, as a provision system that provides users with tourist courses 500 recommended by information providers. Alternatively, information processing system 1 may be configured, for example, as a reservation linkage system that links tourist courses 500 with reservations for facilities related to those tourist courses 500. Information processing system 1 is not limited to the example system described above, but may be configured as various other systems.

[0012] The information processing system 1 includes, for example, an information processing device 100, an information provider terminal 200, a facility terminal 300, and a user terminal 400.

[0013] The information processing device 100 may be a computer such as a server, desktop, laptop, tablet, or smartphone. Here, the term "server" in this invention may be interchangeable with "information processing device," and may also be a concept that includes desktops, laptops, tablets, and smartphones. In the following, "information processing device" will be given as one concept of "server" in this invention for explanation. Furthermore, the information processing device 100 may be installed in a service center, for example, that receives submissions of tourist routes 500 from information providers (users) and provides those tourist routes 500 to users (other users).

[0014] The information provider terminal 200 is, for example, a terminal used by an information provider. The facility terminal 300 is, for example, a terminal used by the facility owner, manager, employees, and staff. The user terminal 400 is, for example, a terminal used by a user. The information provider terminal 200, facility terminal 300, and user terminal 400 may each be, for example, a desktop computer, laptop computer, tablet, and smartphone. The user terminal 400 may also be, for example, a route guidance device (navigation device).

[0015] The information provider terminal 200 transmits information (tourist course information) about a tourist course 500 that the information provider themselves deems suitable for sightseeing, based on the information provider's actions, to the information processing device 100. The tourist course 500 may be, for example, a course that the information provider has driven by vehicle (driving course, touring course, and cycling course). Alternatively, the tourist course 500 may be, for example, a course that the information provider has taken to visit various facilities using public transportation and on foot (facility tour course, mountain climbing course, hiking course, and walking course). The tourist course 500 is not limited to the examples described above, but may also be various routes (courses) taken when sightseeing.

[0016] The information processing device 100 receives tourist course information regarding the recommended tourist course 500 from the information provider terminal 200. The information processing device 100 identifies facilities located around the tourist course 500 based on the tourist course information. These facilities may include, for example, facilities recorded in the tourist course 500 (tourist course information), and various other facilities not recorded in the tourist course 500 (tourist course information). An example of a facility identified by the information processing device 100 may be a parking lot 311. Once the information processing device 100 has identified a facility, it transmits registration request information to the facility terminal 300 used by the manager of the identified facility, requesting that it be registered as a "recommended facility". The recommended facility may be, for example, a facility that is recommended to a user when the user uses the tourist course 500 posted by the information provider mentioned above, as will be described later.

[0017] The facility terminal 300 receives registration request information. For example, when an administrator or the like of a facility responds to a registration request, the facility terminal 300 transmits registration information indicating that it responds to the registration request to the information processing apparatus 100 based on the operation of the administrator or the like. That is, the facility terminal 300 transmits registration information to the information processing apparatus 100 when it responds to registration based on the registration request information.

[0018] When the information processing apparatus 100 receives the registration information, it registers the facility in the sightseeing course 500. Further, the information processing apparatus 100 discloses the sightseeing course 500 (facility reservation-linked sightseeing course) in which the facility is registered based on the registration information to the user (user terminal 400).

[0019] The user terminal 400 can view the disclosed sightseeing course 500 (facility reservation-linked sightseeing course). When the user terminal 400 wishes to use the viewed sightseeing course 500, it selects that sightseeing course 500. When the user terminal 400 selects the sightseeing course 500, it sets at least one selected from the group of the scheduled departure time on the scheduled day of using the sightseeing course 500 and the scheduled arrival time at the facility (or the selected facility among the plurality of facilities recorded in the selected sightseeing course 500) recorded in the sightseeing course 500.

[0020] The information processing apparatus 100 makes a use reservation for the user when using the facility terminal 300 assigned to the facility based on at least one time from the group of the scheduled departure time on the scheduled day of using the sightseeing course 500 selected by the user terminal 400 and the scheduled arrival time at the facility corresponding to the sightseeing course 500.

[0021] [Details of Information Processing System 1] Next, the information processing system 1 according to an embodiment will be described in detail. As described above, the information processing system 1 includes an information processing apparatus 100, an information provider terminal 200, a facility terminal 300, a user terminal 400, and the like.

[0022] [Information processing device 100 (server)] First, an information processing device 100 (server) according to one embodiment will be described. Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating an information processing device 100 according to one embodiment.

[0023] The information processing device 100 includes, for example, a communication unit 121, a storage unit 122, a display unit 123, and a control unit 110. The communication unit 121, the storage unit 122, and the display unit 123 may be embodiments of the output unit. The control unit 110 includes, for example, a reception unit 111, a specification unit 112, a request unit 113, a registration unit 114, a reservation unit 115, and a charge control unit 116. The control unit 110 may be configured by, for example, the arithmetic processing unit of the information processing device 100. The control unit 110 (for example, the arithmetic processing unit) may realize the functions of each unit (for example, the reception unit 111, the specification unit 112, the request unit 113, the registration unit 114, the reservation unit 115, and the charge control unit 116) by appropriately reading and executing various programs stored in, for example, the storage unit 122.

[0024] The communication unit 121 is a communication interface that enables the transmission and reception of various types of information with, for example, devices located outside the information processing device 100 (external devices). The external devices may be, for example, an information provider terminal 200, a facility terminal 300, and a user terminal 400.

[0025] The storage unit 122 may store, for example, various information and programs. Examples of the storage unit 122 include memory, solid-state drives, and hard disk drives. The storage unit 122 may also be, for example, a storage area and server located in the cloud. The memory unit 122 may store, for example, information (map information) related to road maps in which various facilities, etc., are registered.

[0026] The display unit 123 is a display capable of displaying various characters, symbols, images, etc.

[0027] The reception unit 111 receives tourist course information regarding recommended sightseeing routes from the information provider terminal 200, which will be described later. In this case, the reception unit 111 may receive tourist course information, for example, via the communication unit 121.

[0028] The identification unit 112 identifies facilities located around a tourist course based on the tourist course information received by the reception unit 111. For example, if a facility is recorded in the tourist course information, the identification unit 112 identifies that facility. In addition, the identification unit 112 also identifies facilities that are not recorded in the tourist course information. That is, the facilities identified by the identification unit 112 are not limited to facilities visited on the tourist course posted from the information provider terminal 200, but may also be other facilities located around those facilities. Examples of facilities and other facilities include various facilities that can be visited for sightseeing, such as museums, art galleries, aquariums, zoos, restaurants, observation facilities, mountain lodges and hot spring facilities, shrines and temples, and parking lots 311. Here, an example of a parking lot 311 may be a reserved parking lot that can be used after making a reservation. That is, facilities and other facilities may be facilities that can be reserved.

[0029] The identification unit 112 may, for example, identify facilities that are within a predetermined distance from a tourist course based on tourist course information, or other facilities that are within a predetermined distance from facilities recorded in the tourist course. An example of a predetermined distance is various pre-set distances such as 100m, 200m, 300m, 500m, 1km, 3km, and 5km. In this case, the identification unit 112 may refer to a road map (map information) in which the facilities are registered and identify the facilities based on the tourist course information. The storage unit 122 may, for example, store map information.

[0030] The request unit 113 transmits registration request information to the facility terminal 300 used by the administrator of the facility identified by the identification unit 112, requesting that it be registered as a recommended facility. In other words, the request unit 113 transmits registration request information to the facility terminal 300 used by the administrator of the facility identified by the identification unit 112, requesting that it be registered as a "recommended facility". Registration is, for example, registration as part of a tourist course. A recommended facility is, for example, a facility that is recommended to a user when the user uses a tourist course posted by the information provider mentioned above, as will be described later.

[0031] In this case, if the request unit 113 has recorded a map information that associates a facility with its contact information (e.g., the recipient of the information), it may refer to that map information and send the registration request information to the facility's contact information (facility terminal 300). Furthermore, if the request unit 113 does not store the facility's contact information in the storage unit 122, etc., it may search the facility's webpage, etc., via the communication unit 121 and obtain the contact information (e.g., the recipient of the information) from that webpage, etc. The request unit 113 may, for example, send the registration request information to the obtained contact information (facility terminal 300).

[0032] When the registration unit 114 receives registration information from the facility terminal 300, it registers the facility based on the registration information into the tourist course. That is, for example, when the registration unit 114 receives registration information, which records information about a facility that accepts registration, via the communication unit 121, it registers that facility into the tourist course that forms the basis of the registration request information corresponding to the registration information. The registration unit 114 may register one facility or multiple different facilities for a single tourist course.

[0033] The control unit 110 registers facilities as part of a sightseeing course via the registration unit 114, enabling users to make reservations for the facilities once they select that sightseeing course. In other words, the registration unit 114 generates a facility reservation-linked sightseeing course that links the sightseeing course with the facility reservation. The registration unit 114 stores the information of the generated facility reservation-linked sightseeing course in the storage unit 122. The registration unit 114 may also display the generated facility reservation-linked sightseeing course on the display unit 123.

[0034] Furthermore, the registration unit 114, via the communication unit 121, makes the tourist course (facility reservation linked tourist course) with registered facilities based on the registration information available to the user (user terminal 400). In other words, the registration unit 114 may, for example, associate the tourist course and the registered facilities and publish them on a site on the communication network.

[0035] The reservation unit 115 receives selection information from the user terminal 400, which will be described later, for example via the communication unit 121. The reservation unit 115 makes a reservation for the facility recorded in the selection information (the facility that the user wishes to use). In this case, the reservation unit 115 may, for example, estimate the estimated arrival time of the facility recorded in the selection information based on the user's departure date, departure location and estimated departure time, sightseeing course, and map information, and make a reservation for the facility based on either that estimated arrival time or an earlier time after the estimated arrival time. Alternatively, the reservation unit 115 may, for example, make a reservation for the use of the facility based on either the scheduled arrival time or an earlier time after the scheduled arrival time, if the selected information includes the scheduled arrival time. In other words, when a sightseeing course is selected on the user terminal 400, the reservation unit 115 makes a reservation to the facility terminal 300 for the facilities registered on that sightseeing course, based on at least one of the scheduled departure time and scheduled arrival time. Here, the reservation may include the time the user will use the facility. The reservation unit 115 may, for example, control the communication unit 121 to send the result of the reservation to the user terminal 400 as reservation result information when a reservation is made for the facility.

[0036] As described later, the user terminal 400 departs for the sightseeing course after a reservation has been made by the reservation unit 115, as mentioned above. In this case, the reservation unit 115 may acquire location information regarding the user's location when the user using the user terminal 400 moves along the sightseeing course. That is, the reservation unit 115 may acquire location information transmitted from the user terminal 400 via the communication unit 121 at predetermined intervals. The predetermined intervals may be various intervals, such as every predetermined time.

[0037] The reservation unit 115 may change the reservation time included in the facility usage reservation based on the location information acquired by the user terminal 400. That is, the reservation unit 115 may estimate the distance from the location of the user terminal 400 to the facility for which a usage reservation has been made, as well as the remaining travel time, based on the sightseeing course and map information selected by the user terminal 400 and the location information acquired by the user terminal 400. The reservation unit 115 may determine, for example, whether the user (user terminal 400) will be late or early for the reservation time to the facility, based on the estimated remaining travel time and the time the reservation was made for the facility (reservation time). If the reservation unit 115 determines, for example, that the user (user terminal 400) will be late or early for the reservation time to the facility, it may change the reservation time for using the facility based on the estimated remaining travel time. That is, the reservation unit 115 may delay or advance the reservation time for using the facility according to the estimated remaining travel time.

[0038] The fee control unit 116 may, for example, acquire the entire usage fee for a facility when a user uses a facility for which they have made a reservation. In this case, the fee control unit 116 may acquire the facility usage fee from, for example, the user (user terminal 400). The fee control unit 116 may acquire the usage fee through various payment methods, such as credit card payment, cryptocurrency payment, and cash payment. The fee control unit 116 may also acquire information indicating the results of payment of the usage fee by various methods. The fee control unit 116 may, for example, after receiving the entire facility usage fee from the user, divide the usage fee into three parts in various proportions, send a portion of the usage fee to the facility, send the remaining portion to the information provider terminal 200, and keep the remainder as revenue for the company (service center) that manages the information processing device 100.

[0039] Alternatively, the billing control unit 116 may, for example, acquire a portion of the usage fee required when a user uses a facility for which they have made a reservation. The billing control unit 116 may acquire a portion of the usage fee when a facility is used from the facility (facility terminal 300) or the user (user terminal 400) via the communication unit 121. The billing control unit 116 may acquire usage fees through various payment methods, such as credit card payment, virtual currency payment, and cash payment. The billing control unit 116 may also acquire information indicating the results of payment of usage fees by various methods. In this case, the billing control unit 116 may provide a portion of the acquired usage fees to the information provider terminal 200. The billing control unit 116 may also provide the remaining portion of the acquired usage fees as revenue for the company (service center) managing the information processing device 100.

[0040] Here, the provision of fees by the fee control unit 116 to the information provider is not limited to the provision of money according to various payment methods such as credit card payment, virtual currency payment, and cash payment, as described above, but may also be provided in the form of coupons and tokens. Coupons and tokens may be those that can be used at at least one of various facilities to purchase goods or receive services at a discounted or free price. Examples of various facilities where coupons and tokens can be used are not limited to the facilities registered in the above-mentioned tourist courses, but may also include retail stores that sell various goods such as souvenir shops, department stores, convenience stores, supermarkets, electronics retailers, and bookstores, as well as service stores (service organizations) that provide various services such as public transportation, acupressure massage parlors, and hair salons.

[0041] [Information provider terminal 200] The information provider terminal 200 is, for example, a terminal used by the information provider.

[0042] Information providers submit to the information processing device 100 any sightseeing routes (tourist routes) that they found to be good. As mentioned above, a tourist route may be, for example, a route driven by the information provider in a vehicle (e.g., a driving route, touring route, and cycling route that includes various facilities). Alternatively, as mentioned above, a tourist route may be, for example, a route taken by the information provider using public transportation and walking to visit various facilities (facility tour route). Furthermore, a tourist route may be, for example, various routes that can be visited on foot (e.g., mountain climbing routes, hiking routes, and walking routes that include various facilities). The facilities here may include, for example, museums, art galleries, aquariums, zoos, restaurants, observation facilities, mountain lodges, hot spring facilities and other amusement facilities, as well as various facilities that can be visited for sightseeing, such as shrines and temples. A tourist route is not limited to the examples mentioned above, but may also include various routes (courses) taken when sightseeing.

[0043] In other words, the information provider terminal 200 accepts input of a sightseeing course based on various operations performed by the information provider. The information processing device 100 transmits the input sightseeing course information (sightseeing course information) to the information processing device 100.

[0044] [Facility Terminal 300] The facility terminal 300 is a terminal used by, for example, the facility owner, manager, employees, and staff.

[0045] The facility terminal 300 receives registration request information from the information processing device 100. For example, if a facility manager or the like agrees to register the facility as a "recommended facility," the facility terminal 300 transmits registration information to the information processing device 100, based on the manager's actions, indicating that the registration request has been accepted. In other words, the facility terminal 300 transmits registration information to the information processing device 100 when it agrees to register based on the registration request information. The facility terminal 300 may include information such as facility usage hours (e.g., business hours), usage fees, and other various details, which are entered based on operations by an administrator or the like, in its registered information.

[0046] [User terminal 400] The user terminal 400 is, for example, a terminal used by a user. The user may be someone who uses a sightseeing course (facility reservation linked sightseeing course) provided by an information provider. The user terminal 400 may acquire location information using, for example, GNSS.

[0047] The user terminal 400 can view the sightseeing courses (facility reservation linked sightseeing courses) published by the information processing device 100. In other words, when a sightseeing course with registered facilities based on the registration information is published by the information processing device 100, the user terminal 400 can view the sightseeing course. In this case, the viewable sightseeing course may include the registered facilities, etc. When multiple tourist routes are made public by the information processing device 100, the user terminal 400 can view each of the multiple tourist routes.

[0048] Users can check the sightseeing courses displayed on the user terminal 400's display unit (user terminal display unit 401 (see Figure 1)) and, if they wish to go on that sightseeing course (use the sightseeing course), they can operate the user terminal 400 to select that sightseeing course. Furthermore, if there are one or more facilities registered in association with the selected sightseeing course, the user may also select additional facilities they wish to use. In other words, the user terminal 400 accepts the selection of sightseeing courses and facilities based on the user's actions.

[0049] In this case, the user terminal 400 accepts input, for example, the user's operation, of at least one time selected from a group of scheduled departure times for the day on which the selected sightseeing course is to be used, and scheduled arrival times at facilities (or selected facilities, etc.) recorded in the sightseeing course. The user terminal 400 transmits information such as the selected sightseeing course, selected facilities, and at least one of the two groups of scheduled times that were received as input to the information processing device 100 as selected information. The user terminal 400 may also include information about the user's departure location as selected information.

[0050] [Examples] Next, we will describe one embodiment.

[0051] For example, when an information provider terminal 200 provides a driving course as an example of a sightseeing course, the information processing device 100 transmits registration request information to a facility terminal 300 located at a facility along that driving course. In this case, an example of a facility may be a reservable parking lot 311, etc. The facility terminal 300 may also be a terminal used by the owner of the parking lot 311 or the business operator managing the parking lot 311, etc. By transmitting registration request information to the facility terminal 300, the information processing device 100 can encourage the facility (e.g., parking lot 311, etc.) to be linked to the driving course for reservations. Here, the reservation linkage may be a linkage between the driving course and the facility reservation, such as when a user selects a driving course and a facility as described later, and makes a reservation for use at that facility.

[0052] When the information processing device 100 receives registration information from the facility terminal 300 indicating that it will register and link to a drive course, it registers the facility corresponding to that facility terminal 300 in the drive course and links that facility with the drive course. In other words, the information processing device 100 generates and registers a parking reservation linked drive course that links a facility (for example, parking lot 311, etc.) with a drive course. The information processing device 100 publishes a driving route linked to parking reservations. The information processing device 100 may publish multiple driving routes linked to parking reservations.

[0053] The user terminal 400 searches for parking reservation-linked driving routes, selects the route the user wishes to take, and downloads it. At this time, the information processing device 100 makes a reservation for the facility (for example, parking lot 311, etc.) (or facility terminal 300, etc.) registered in that route (parking reservation-linked driving route) according to the selection or download.

[0054] When the user gets into their vehicle and actually drives along the downloaded course (parking reservation linked drive course), the user terminal 400 synchronizes the location information acquired using GNSS, etc., with the information processing device 100. By synchronizing the location information with the user terminal 400, the information processing device 100 verifies the consistency between the estimated time the user will arrive at the facility (estimated arrival time estimated based on location information, etc.) and the facility's reservation time. In other words, by synchronizing the location information with the user terminal 400, if the user's arrival at the facility is later or earlier than the reservation time, the information processing device 100 changes the facility's reservation time according to the estimated arrival time of the user estimated based on the location information, etc. The information processing device 100 delays the reservation time if the estimated arrival time of the user is later than the reservation time of the facility. Conversely, if the estimated arrival time of the user is earlier than the reservation time of the facility, the information processing device 100 advances the reservation time accordingly.

[0055] When a user uses the facility (for example, a facility terminal 300), that is, when the facility confirms that a user has entered the parking lot 311, it distributes the usage fee (parking fee) for the parking lot 311 to the information processing device 100. The information processing device 100 provides a portion of the parking fees distributed with the facility (e.g., parking lot 311, etc.) as compensation to the information provider (e.g., information provider terminal 200, etc.) who posted the drive course that forms the basis of the parking reservation linked drive course used by the user. In this case, the information processing device 100 may provide the compensation to the information provider in the form of at least one selected from the group of points and tokens.

[0056] In the embodiment described above, the information processing device 100 was described using a parking lot 311 as an example of reservation linkage, but it is not limited to this example. It may also link with driving routes by allowing reservations for restaurants and other establishments (various facilities).

[0057] [Information Processing Methods] Next, an information processing method according to one embodiment will be described. Figure 3 is a sequence diagram illustrating an information processing method according to one embodiment.

[0058] In step ST101, the information provider terminal 200 receives input from the information provider regarding a sightseeing route (tourist course) that they deem suitable. A specific example of a tourist course may be a driving route, etc.

[0059] In step ST102, the information provider terminal 200 transmits the tourist course information (tourist course information) received in step ST101 to the information processing device 100.

[0060] In step ST103, the information processing device 100 receives the tourist course information transmitted in step ST102 and identifies facilities located around the tourist course based on that tourist course information. These facilities may be, for example, facilities that become available by making a reservation, and a specific example of this may be a parking lot 311.

[0061] In step ST104, the information processing device 100 requests the facility terminal 300, used by the facility manager identified in step ST103, to register for the tourist course.

[0062] In step ST105, the information processing device 100 transmits registration request information related to the request in step ST104 to the facility terminal 300.

[0063] In step ST106, the facility terminal 300 determines whether to respond to the registration request based on the registration request information from step ST105, based on the operation of the facility administrator or other person.

[0064] In step ST107, if the facility terminal 300 decides to comply with the registration request in step ST106, it transmits registration information to the information processing device 100 indicating that it will comply with the registration request.

[0065] In step ST108, when the information processing device 100 receives the registration information from step ST107, it registers the facilities based on the registration information into the tourist course and publishes the tourist course with the registered facilities (facility reservation linked tourist course).

[0066] In step ST109, the user terminal 400 becomes able to view the sightseeing courses that were made public in step ST108.

[0067] In step ST110, if the user terminal 400 wishes to tour based on a tour course (facility reservation linked tour course), it accesses the information processing device 100 to view the tour course published in step ST108.

[0068] In step ST111, the user terminal 400 selects a sightseeing course that the user wishes to take, based on the sightseeing courses viewed in step ST110. In this case, the user terminal 400 accepts input, for example, the scheduled departure time on the day the user plans to take the selected sightseeing course, and at least one time selected from a group of scheduled arrival times at facilities (or selected facilities, etc.) recorded in the sightseeing course, based on the user's actions.

[0069] In step ST112, the user terminal 400 includes the information of the sightseeing course selected in step ST111 and the time information of the input received as selection information and transmits it to the information processing device 100.

[0070] In step ST113, the information processing device 100 makes a reservation for a facility registered in the sightseeing course selected by the user terminal 400 (or a selected facility) based on the selection information from step ST112. In this case, the information processing device 100 makes a reservation for the date and time (reservation time) of use of the facility based on the time information included in the selection information.

[0071] In step ST114, the information processing device 100 transmits the reservation information based on the reservation made in step ST113 to the facility terminal 300. The facility terminal 300 makes reservations for users based on the reservation information. The information processing device 100 may also transmit the result of the reservation made in step ST113 (reservation result information) to the user terminal 400.

[0072] In step ST115, the user terminal 400 may acquire location information using GNSS or the like when moving along the sightseeing course on the day of the tour.

[0073] In step ST116, the user terminal 400 may transmit the location information acquired in step ST115 to the information processing device 100.

[0074] In step ST117, the information processing device 100 may acquire the location information from step ST116 and change the reservation time included in the facility usage reservation based on that location information.

[0075] The information processing device 100 may, for example, estimate the distance from the user terminal 400's location to the facility for which a reservation has been made, as well as the remaining travel time, based on the sightseeing course (and map information, etc.) selected by the user terminal 400 and the location information acquired in step ST115. The information processing device 100 may, for example, determine whether the user (user terminal 400) will be late or early for their reservation time at the facility, based on the estimated remaining travel time and the time the reservation was made for the facility (reservation time). If the information processing device 100 determines, for example, that the user (user terminal 400) will be late or early for their reservation time at the facility, it may change the reservation time for using the facility based on the estimated remaining travel time. In other words, the information processing device 100 may delay or advance the reservation time for using the facility according to the estimated remaining travel time.

[0076] For example, if the information processing device 100 estimates that the user will arrive at the facility later than the reservation time, based on the remaining travel time and the reservation time, it may delay the reservation time according to the remaining travel time. Alternatively, if the information processing device 100 estimates, for example, that the user will arrive at the facility earlier than the reservation time based on the remaining travel time and the reservation time, it may advance the reservation time according to the remaining travel time.

[0077] In step ST118, if the reservation time is changed in step ST117, the information processing device 100 transmits reservation change information regarding the change of reservation time, etc., to the facility terminal 300. The facility terminal 300 modifies the user's reservation based on the reservation change information. The information processing device 100 may also transmit the result of the reservation change in step ST117 (reservation change result information) to the user terminal 400.

[0078] In step ST119, as an example, when a user uses the facility (when the facility usage of the user is confirmed), the facility terminal 300 provides the information processing device 100 with a portion of the usage fee required for that use. As an example in this case, the facility manager or other person in charge of managing the facility may transfer a portion of the usage fee from the bank account of the company or owner that owns the facility to the bank account of the service center or other person that owns the information processing device 100. Alternatively, the facility terminal 300 may transfer a portion of the usage fee to the information processing device 100 using various payment methods such as credit card payment, cryptocurrency payment, and cash payment.

[0079] In step ST120, as an example, when the information processing device 100 receives the usage fee transmitted (transmitted) in step ST119, it provides a portion of that usage fee to the information provider terminal 200. Here, the information processing device 100 may provide the information provider terminal 200 with a portion of the usage fee through various means, such as coupons and tokens.

[0080] Steps ST119 and ST120 described above are merely examples, and if a portion of the usage fee charged by users when using the facility can be provided as compensation for information providers posting tourist routes, this can be done through various means such as cash, virtual currency, coupons, and tokens, and through various distribution methods. Furthermore, a service center that owns the information processing device 100 may, for example, obtain a further portion of the usage fee charged by users when using the facility.

[0081] Each part of the information processing device 100 described above may be implemented as a function of a computer's arithmetic processing unit or the like. That is, the receiving unit 111, the identification unit 112, the request unit 113, the registration unit 114, the reservation unit 115, and the charge control unit 116 (control unit 110) of the information processing device 100 may be implemented as a receiving function, identification function, request function, registration function, reservation function, and charge control function (control function), respectively, by a computer's arithmetic processing unit or the like. Information processing programs can enable computers to implement the functions described above. Information processing programs may be recorded on computer-readable, non-temporary recording media such as memory, solid-state drives, hard disk drives, or optical discs. The recording media may also be referred to as non-temporary computer-readable media. Furthermore, as described above, each part of the information processing device 100 may be implemented as a computer's arithmetic processing unit or the like. This arithmetic processing unit or the like is composed of, for example, an integrated circuit. For this reason, each part of the information processing device 100 may be implemented as a circuit that constitutes an arithmetic processing unit or the like. That is, the receiving unit 111, the identification unit 112, the request unit 113, the registration unit 114, the reservation unit 115, and the charge control unit 116 (control unit 110) of the information processing device 100 may be implemented as a receiving circuit, identification circuit, request circuit, registration circuit, reservation circuit, and charge control circuit (control circuit) that constitute a computer's arithmetic processing unit or the like. Furthermore, the communication unit 121, storage unit 122, and display unit 123 (output unit) of the information processing device 100 may be implemented as a communication function, storage function, and display function (output function) that includes the functions of an arithmetic processing unit, for example. Also, the communication unit 121, storage unit 122, and display unit 123 (output unit) of the information processing device 100 may be implemented as a communication circuit, storage circuit, and display circuit (output circuit) by being composed of an integrated circuit, for example. Furthermore, the communication unit 121, storage unit 122, and display unit 123 (output unit) of the information processing device 100 may be configured as a communication device, storage device, and display device (output device) by being composed of a plurality of devices, for example.

[0082] The information processing system 1 and the information processing device 100 can be configured by combining one or any multiple of the above-described parts. In this disclosure, the term "information" is used, but the term "information" can be replaced with "data," and the term "data" can be replaced with "information."

[0083] [Differentiation] The information processing system 1 described above can be modified in various ways. The specific unit 112 of the information processing device 100 may be modified in ways illustrated below, for example.

[0084] (Variation 1) The identification unit 112 described above identifies a facility. In this case, the identification unit 112 may refer to various usage guidelines published by the facility and confirm whether or not the facility accepts reservations. That is, the identification unit 112 may, for example, access a site (e.g., a website) where facility usage guidelines are published via the communication unit 121 and determine by various means whether the facility operates on a reservation-only basis. Based on the determination of whether or not the facility operates on a reservation basis, the identification unit 112 may, for example, identify the facility if a reservation is required for its use.

[0085] (Modification 2) Generally, facilities may only accept reservations during peak seasons, or depending on the infectious disease situation, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Information on whether or not a reservation is required to use a facility may be published on the facility's website or other publicly accessible site. Therefore, the specific unit 112 may, for example, access a site (e.g., a website) (or outside the information processing device 100, etc.) where facility usage information is published via the communication unit 121 at predetermined intervals, and determine by various methods whether the facility is a reservation-based facility that requires reservations before use. The predetermined intervals may be, for example, every 7 days, every 10 days, every 20 days, every month, every 3 months, or at various other intervals (predetermined intervals). In other words, the identification unit 112 may, for example, access a site (e.g., a website) (or an external location such as the information processing device 100) where facility usage information is published via the communication unit 121 at predetermined intervals to identify the period during which facility usage reservations are required. In this case, the registration unit 114 may register the period during which reservations are required for the facility identified by the identification unit 112 as part of the sightseeing course. Furthermore, the registration unit 114 may rewrite the status of the facilities registered in the already generated sightseeing course (facility-linked reservation sightseeing course) (facility usage patterns, such as whether reservations are required) according to the above-mentioned specific circumstances of the identification unit 112 (whether or not reservations are required for the facility).

[0086] For example, if a reservation is required for a facility registered in an already generated sightseeing course (facility-linked reservation sightseeing course), the registration unit 114 may rewrite the status of the facility to indicate that a reservation is no longer required for the facility, based on the subsequent circumstances determined by the identification unit 112 (when the system switches from requiring a reservation to not requiring one). In this case, the registration unit 114 may also rewrite the flag associated with the facility from "1" (reservation required) to "0" (no reservation required). The reservation unit 115 may, based on the rewriting of the facility status by the registration unit 114, choose not to make a reservation for use of that facility.

[0087] Alternatively, as an example, if a reservation is not required for a facility registered in an already generated sightseeing course (facility-linked reservation sightseeing course), the registration unit 114 may rewrite the status of the facility to indicate that a reservation is required for that facility based on the subsequent circumstances determined by the identification unit 112 (when the status changes from no reservation required to reservation required). In this case, the registration unit 114 may rewrite the flag associated with the facility from "0" (no reservation required) to "1" (reservation required). The reservation unit 115 may, for example, make a reservation for use of a facility based on the rewriting of the facility's status by the registration unit 114.

[0088] [Aspects and Effects of This Embodiment] Next, an embodiment of this model and the effects of each embodiment will be described. Note that the embodiments described below are examples as of the time of filing, and this embodiment is not limited to the embodiments described below. In other words, this embodiment is not limited to the embodiments described below, and may be realized by appropriately combining the parts described above. Furthermore, lower-level embodiments may be referenced in any of the higher-level embodiments. Furthermore, the effects described below are examples only, and the effects produced by each embodiment are not limited to those described below. Also, each embodiment may produce, for example, at least one of the effects described below.

[0089] (Aspect 1) One embodiment of the information processing system includes a server that receives tourist course information regarding recommended tourist courses from an information provider terminal, identifies facilities located around the tourist course, and sends registration request information to a facility terminal used by the manager of the facility requesting registration as a recommended facility; a facility terminal that sends registration information to the server when it agrees to register based on the registration request information; and a user terminal that makes the tourist course viewable when the server makes the tourist course publicly available with the facilities registered based on the registration information. When a tourist course is selected by the user terminal, the server makes a reservation for the facilities registered in that tourist course to the facility terminal based on at least one of the scheduled departure time and scheduled arrival time. Generally, popular tourist routes and facilities are often located in crowded areas such as tourist destinations, and their parking lots tend to be crowded as well. In such cases, users traveling by car may have difficulty finding available parking, spend a considerable amount of time waiting for a parking space, and may even end up passing by facilities they wish to visit. This disclosed information processing system allows users to make reservations for facilities they wish to use, thereby improving user convenience and enabling users to enjoy sightseeing. Furthermore, the information processing system, for example, when a user makes a reservation for a parking lot at a facility, can eliminate the need for the user to search for an available parking space and wait for a parking space, allowing the user to use the facility they wish to visit.

[0090] (Aspect 2) In one embodiment of the information processing system, the server may acquire location information regarding the user's location when the user using the user terminal moves along a sightseeing course, and change the reservation time included in the facility reservation based on that location information. This allows information processing systems to improve user convenience and enable users to enjoy sightseeing more.

[0091] (Aspect 3) In one embodiment of an information processing system, the server may obtain a portion of the usage fee required when a user uses a facility for which they have made a reservation. This allows the information processing system to receive payment when it registers a facility as part of a tourist route, and also to receive fees for providing information to information providers.

[0092] (Aspect 4) In one embodiment of an information processing system, the server may provide a portion of the acquired usage fees to the information provider terminal. In other words, the information processing system can provide information providers with compensation for providing (posting) recommended sightseeing routes. This allows the information processing system to promote the provision of sightseeing routes by information providers, i.e., sharing with other users (e.g., visitors), and is expected to improve the quality of the sightseeing routes provided.

[0093] (Appendix 5) One embodiment of the information processing method is a method executed by an information processing system in which an information provider terminal used by an information provider, a facility terminal used by a facility manager, a user terminal used by a user, and a server are connected by a communication network, and the method is executed by: a first step in which the server receives tourist course information regarding recommended tourist courses from the information provider terminal; a second step in which the server identifies facilities located around the tourist course and sends registration request information to the facility terminal requesting that the facilities be registered as recommended facilities; a third step in which the facility terminal sends registration information to the server if it agrees to register based on the registration request information; a fourth step in which the server publishes the tourist course in which the facilities have been registered based on the registration information; and a fifth step in which the server accepts registration for use of the tourist course when the user terminal selects a tourist course that has been published, and makes a reservation for use of the facilities registered in that tourist course to the facility terminal based on at least one of the scheduled departure time and scheduled arrival time. As a result, the information processing method can achieve the same effects as the information processing apparatus of the above-described embodiment.

[0094] (Aspect 6) One embodiment of an information processing program enables communication between an information provider terminal used by an information provider, a facility terminal used by a facility manager, and a user terminal used by a user, and includes a server that can communicate with the information provider terminal, a server that can receive tourist course information regarding recommended tourist courses from the information provider terminal, a communication function that identifies facilities around the tourist course and sends registration request information to the facility terminal requesting them to register as recommended facilities, a publishing function that publishes the registered tourist course based on the registration information when the facility terminal responds to the registration request information and sends the registration information to the server, and a reservation function that accepts registration for use of the tourist course when the user terminal selects a tourist course and makes a reservation for use of the facilities registered in that tourist course to the facility terminal based on at least one of the scheduled departure time and scheduled arrival time. As a result, the information processing program can achieve the same effects as the information processing apparatus of the above-described embodiment. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0095] 1. Information Processing System 100 Information Processing Devices 110 Control Unit 111 Reception Department 112 Specific part 113 Request Department 114 Registration Department 115 Reservation Department 116. Fare Control Unit 121 Communications Department 122 Storage section 123 Display section 200 Information Provider Terminals 300 facility terminals 311 Parking 400 user terminals 401 User terminal display unit 500 sightseeing courses

Claims

1. A server receives tourist route information from an information provider terminal that records recommended tourist routes and facilities, refers to map information to identify facilities recorded in the tourist route information, facilities located within a predetermined distance from the tourist route recorded in the tourist route information, and other facilities located within a predetermined distance from the facilities recorded in the tourist route information, and uses the correspondence between the facilities recorded in the map information and the contact information of those facilities to send registration request information to facility terminals used by the managers of the three identified facilities, requesting them to register as recommended facilities. The facility terminal transmits registration information to the server indicating that it will comply with the registration request, When tourist routes registered with facilities based on registration information are made public on the aforementioned server, the system includes a user terminal that allows users to view the tourist routes, When a sightseeing course is selected on the user terminal, the server makes a reservation for the facilities registered in that sightseeing course, based on at least one of the scheduled departure time and scheduled arrival time, to the facility terminal. Information processing system.

2. The server synchronizes the location information acquired by the user terminal with the sightseeing course acquired by the user terminal, and when the user terminal moves along the sightseeing course, it changes the reservation time included in the facility reservation based on the location information of the user terminal. The information processing system according to claim 1.

3. The server makes a reservation for a facility recorded in the sightseeing course acquired by the user terminal, and when the facility terminal installed at the facility confirms that the user using the user terminal is using the facility's parking lot, it acquires a portion of the parking fee required for using the facility. The information processing system according to claim 2.

4. The server provides the information provider terminal with a portion of the acquired parking fees. The information processing system according to claim 3.

5. This is an information processing method executed by an information processing system in which an information provider terminal used by an information provider, a facility terminal used by a facility administrator, a user terminal used by a user, and a server are connected via a communication network. The first step is for the server to receive tourist course information from the information provider terminal, which records recommended tourist courses and facilities. The second step involves the server referring to map information to identify facilities recorded in the tourist course information, facilities located within a predetermined distance from the tourist course recorded in the tourist course information, and other facilities located within a predetermined distance from the facilities recorded in the tourist course information, and using the correspondence between the facilities recorded in the map information and the contact information of those facilities, transmitting registration request information to the facility terminals used by the managers of the three identified facilities to request registration as recommended facilities. The third step involves the facility terminal transmitting registration information to the server indicating that it will comply with the registration request information. The server then performs a fourth step in which it publishes tourist routes for which facilities have been registered based on the registration information. Step 5: The server accepts registration for the sightseeing course when the user terminal selects a sightseeing course to be made public, and makes a reservation for the facility terminal based on at least one of the scheduled departure time and scheduled arrival time for the facilities registered in the sightseeing course. An information processing method that performs the following.

6. A server that enables communication between the information provider's terminal used by the information provider, the facility administrator's terminal, and the user's terminal used by the user, The aforementioned information provider terminal has a reception function that receives tourist course information, which records recommended tourist courses and facilities. A communication function that, by referring to map information, identifies facilities recorded in the tourist course information, facilities located within a predetermined distance from the tourist course recorded in the tourist course information, and other facilities located within a predetermined distance from the facilities recorded in the tourist course information, and uses the correspondence between the facilities recorded in the map information and the contact information of those facilities to transmit registration request information to the facility terminals used by the managers of the three identified facilities, requesting them to register as recommended facilities. When the aforementioned facility terminal transmits registration information to the server indicating that it will comply with the registration request, the facility has a publishing function that publishes the registered tourist course based on the registration information. The aforementioned user terminal accepts registration for the sightseeing course when the user terminal selects a sightseeing course, and has a reservation function that makes a reservation for the facility registered in the sightseeing course to the facility terminal based on at least one of the scheduled departure time and scheduled arrival time. An information processing program that makes this possible.

Images