Reservation support device, reservation support method, and reservation support program

Abstract

Supports more efficient booking. [Solution] A reservation support device is provided, comprising: a treatment history management means for storing a customer's treatment history in a storage means; and a reservation time setting means for setting a reservation time based on the customer's treatment history stored in the storage means when a reservation is accepted from a customer.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a reservation schedule optimization device for optimizing a reservation schedule.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Support more efficient reservations.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The following configuration is provided as an example.

[0006] [1] A treatment history management means for storing a customer's treatment history in a store in a storage means, and A reservation support device comprising reservation time setting means for setting a reservation time based on the treatment history of the customer stored in the storage means when receiving a reservation from the customer.

[0007] [2] The reservation time setting means sets the reservation time by increasing or decreasing a time according to the treatment history of the customer with respect to a reference time, the reservation support device according to [1].

[0008] [3] The reservation time setting means sets the reservation time to be longer than the standard time if the customer's treatment history is not stored in the storage means, as described in [1] or [2].

[0009] [4] The aforementioned treatment history includes information on the treatments performed on the customer, The reservation time setting means sets the reservation time by increasing or decreasing the time corresponding to the treatment target of the customer relative to the standard time, as described in any one of [1] to [3].

[0010] [5] The aforementioned store is a hair salon, and the subject of the treatment is hair length, as described in [4], the reservation support device.

[0011] [6] The aforementioned treatment history includes information on the customer's treatment menu, The reservation time setting means sets the reservation time by increasing or decreasing the time corresponding to the customer's previous treatment menu relative to the reference time, as described in any of [1] to [5].

[0012] [7] The aforementioned treatment history includes information on the time required for the treatment. The reservation time setting means sets the reservation time by increasing or decreasing the time required for the treatment of the customer relative to the standard time, as described in any one of [1] to [6].

[0013] [8] The aforementioned reservation time setting means presents the set reservation time to the store staff, A reservation support device according to any one of [1] to [7], comprising a reservation control means that makes a reservation for a visit at a set reservation time or standard time in response to a response from a store staff member.

[0014] [9] The reservation time setting means holds a correspondence relationship between the treatment history and the reservation time to be set, and sets the reservation time based on the correspondence relationship. The reservation support device according to any one of [1] to [8].

[0015]

[10] The treatment history management means stores, in the storage means, an adjustment time to be increased or decreased with respect to the reference time as a time corresponding to the treatment history of the customer. The reservation support device according to [2].

[0016]

[11] A step in which the treatment history management means stores the treatment history of the customer in the store in the storage means, A step in which the reservation time setting means sets a reservation time based on the treatment history of the customer stored in the storage means when accepting a reservation from the customer. A reservation support method including.

[0017]

[12] A computer, A treatment history management means for storing the treatment history of the customer in the store in the storage means, A reservation time setting means for setting a reservation time based on the treatment history of the customer stored in the storage means when accepting a reservation from the customer. A reservation support program that functions as.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0018] [Figure 1] A block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a reservation support system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] A diagram showing an example of a treatment history stored in the storage means 14. [Figure 3] A flowchart showing an example of the processing operation of the reservation support device 100.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0019] In typical reservation systems used in beauty salons and similar establishments, customers reserve a predetermined time slot according to the treatment menu. However, even with the same treatment menu, some customers require a long time, while others complete the treatment quickly. If a treatment takes longer than expected, it can delay the start of the next customer's treatment. On the other hand, if a treatment takes shorter than expected, it can result in downtime. However, it is extremely time-consuming for salon staff to estimate and adjust reservation times for each customer, and accurate estimations are not always possible. In light of these circumstances, the present invention aims to enable more efficient reservation.

[0020] In this embodiment, examples of establishments include, but are not limited to, salons, particularly beauty salons, barbershops, nail salons, eyelash salons, relaxation salons, esthetic salons, and chiropractic clinics. The following explanation will primarily focus on beauty salons.

[0021] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of a reservation support system according to one embodiment. This reservation support system includes a reservation support device 100 and is connected to a user terminal 1 via a network.

[0022] User terminal 1 is used by the user (customer) and can be a smartphone, tablet, PC, etc. The user can use user terminal 1 to make a reservation to visit the store. Specifically, in response to appropriate input or selection from the user, user terminal 1 sends a reservation request to the reservation support device 100 to make a reservation to visit the store. The reservation request may include information such as a customer ID to identify the user (customer), desired date and time, desired treatment menu, and desired therapist.

[0023] The reservation support device 100 makes reservations in response to reservation requests received from customers. Specifically, the reservation support device 100 includes a treatment history management means 11, a reservation time setting means 12, a reservation control means 13, etc. Some or all of the functions of each of these means are realized, for example, by the processor of the reservation support device 100 executing a reservation support program. The reservation support device 100 also has a storage unit 154.

[0024] The treatment history management means 11 stores the customer's treatment history at the store in the storage means 14. Figure 2 shows an example of a treatment history stored in the storage means 14. The storage means 14 stores the customer ID and the treatment history in association. The treatment history may include information about the treatment target, such as hair length. The treatment history may also include the treatment date, treatment menu, and / or treatment time. The treatment time may include, for example, the pre-treatment consultation time and the actual time required for the treatment, and these may be stored separately.

[0025] Returning to Figure 1, the reservation time setting means 12 sets the reservation time based on the customer's treatment history stored in the storage means 14 when it receives a reservation from a customer. Specifically, the reservation time setting means 12 sets the reservation time by increasing or decreasing the time according to the customer's treatment history relative to a predetermined standard time for each treatment menu. Several more specific examples are shown below.

[0026] The reservation time setting means 12 may set the reservation time longer than the standard time for new customers. This is because, for new customers, the treatment time is expected to be longer due to the initial consultation. Specifically, if the treatment history of the customer ID included in the reservation request is not stored (including cases where the same customer ID is not stored in the storage means 14), the reservation time setting means 12 will extend the reservation time. The store staff may decide in advance how much to extend the reservation time for each treatment menu and set it in the reservation time setting means 12.

[0027] The reservation time setting means 12 may set the reservation time according to the customer's treatment. For example, the time required for coloring depends on the length of the hair. Therefore, the reservation time setting means 12 may refer to the length of the hair associated with the customer ID included in the reservation request (inferred from the previous treatment date and / or treatment menu, if necessary), and set the time to be longer than the standard time for long hair. Conversely, it may set the time to be shorter than the standard time for short hair.

[0028] The reservation time setting means 12 may set the reservation time according to the previous treatment menu. For example, if the store is a nail salon and the previous treatment was nailing, the next treatment will require nail removal. Therefore, the reservation time setting means 12 may refer to the previous treatment menu associated with the customer ID included in the reservation request and set the reservation time to be longer or shorter than the standard time accordingly.

[0029] The reservation time setting means 12 may set the reservation time according to past treatment times (time required for treatment). For example, the reservation time setting means 12 may refer to the treatment time associated with the customer ID included in the reservation request, and if that treatment time is longer (shorter) than the standard treatment time inferred from the treatment menu by a predetermined amount of time, it may set the reservation time to be longer (shorter) than the standard time.

[0030] In any case, the reservation time setting means 12 maintains a correspondence between the treatment history and how the reservation time should be set. By setting the reservation time based on this correspondence, the reservation support device 100 can automatically set the reservation time, reducing the effort required for staff to manually adjust the reservation time.

[0031] Furthermore, the treatment history management means 11 may directly associate the adjustment time that should be made longer or shorter relative to the standard time, based on the actual time required for the treatment, with the customer ID and store it in the storage means 14 as treatment history. In this case, the reservation time setting time 12 can be set based on the adjustment time associated with the customer.

[0032] Based on the reservation time set by the reservation time setting means 12, the reservation control means 13 makes a reservation for a visit to the store. The reservation support device 100 itself may have a built-in reservation system. Alternatively, a separate reservation system may be provided, and the reservation control means 13 may make a reservation by notifying the reservation system of necessary information such as customer ID, treatment menu, and set reservation time.

[0033] Furthermore, the reservation control means 13 may either make a reservation for the customer to visit the store at the set reservation time, or it may confirm with the store staff whether they want to make a reservation at the set reservation time or the standard time, and then make the reservation at either time.

[0034] Figure 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing operation of the reservation support device 100. This figure is just one example, and some processes may be omitted or the order of processes may be changed.

[0035] First, the reservation control means 13 receives a reservation request from the customer (step S1). The reservation request is typically received from the user terminal 1, but may also be received through other channels such as a web service, social media, or telephone. In any case, the reservation request includes information necessary for the reservation, such as the customer ID, the desired date and time, and the desired treatment menu.

[0036] Next, the reservation time setting means 12 retrieves treatment information from the storage means 14 using the customer ID as the key (step S2). Then, the reservation time setting means 12 sets the reservation time based on the treatment history (step S3). A specific example is as described above.

[0037] The reservation time setting means 12 then presents the set reservation time to the store staff (step S4). The method of presentation is arbitrary; for example, it may be displayed on a display (not shown) of the reservation support device 100, or the reservation time may be transmitted to the store staff's terminal for display.

[0038] The reservation time setting means 12 then receives a response from the store staff indicating whether they will make a reservation to visit at the set reservation time or at a standard time corresponding to the treatment menu (step S5). The method of receiving the response is arbitrary; for example, it may be received through an input interface (not shown) of the reservation support device 100, or it may be received via the store staff's terminal.

[0039] If the reservation control means 13 receives a response from the store staff indicating that they will make a reservation for the set reservation time, the reservation control means 13 makes a reservation for the set reservation time (step S6a). If the reservation control means 13 receives a response from the store staff indicating that they will make a reservation for the standard time, the reservation control means 13 makes a reservation for the standard time (step S6b).

[0040] Furthermore, the reservation time setting means 12 may store in the treatment history, associated with the customer ID, the response of the store staff regarding whether they make a reservation for the set reservation time or for a standard time according to the treatment menu (the store staff's decision on whether or not time adjustment is necessary). This allows the reservation time setting means 12 to set the reservation time when the same customer makes a reservation request or a reservation request for the same treatment menu, taking into account whether or not time adjustments were necessary in the past.

[0041] After the customer actually visits the store and receives treatment, it is desirable that the treatment history management means 11 writes information about the treatment as treatment history to the storage means 14. The written information is used to set the reservation time for the next reservation request.

[0042] As described above, in this embodiment, the appointment time is set based on the customer's past treatment history. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently set an appropriate appointment time according to the customer.

[0043] Any part or all of the functional components described herein may be implemented by program. Programs referred to herein may be recorded non-temporarily on a computer-readable recording medium.

[0044] Such programs may be installed on a computer (so-called native apps). In that case, the program may be downloaded to the computer via a communication line such as the internet (including wireless communication), or it may be distributed already installed on the computer.

[0045] Alternatively, the program may run on a web browser (a so-called web application). In that case, the computer may receive the program, written in a markup language file (e.g., an HTML file), from a server and execute it through the web browser.

[0046] Based on the above description, those skilled in the art may be able to conceive of additional effects and various modifications of the present invention, but the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the individual embodiments described above. For example, inventions that take only a part of each embodiment, or inventions that combine multiple embodiments, are naturally conceivable. Various additions, modifications, and partial deletions are possible as long as they do not depart from the conceptual idea and spirit of the present invention derived from the contents of the claims and their equivalents.

[0047] For example, what is described as a single device in this specification (including what is depicted as a single device in the drawings) may be implemented by multiple devices. Conversely, what is described as multiple devices in this specification (including what is depicted as multiple devices in the drawings) may be implemented by a single device. Alternatively, some or all of the means or functions that are included in one device may be included in another device. Furthermore, a “system” may consist of one device or of two or more devices.

[0048] Furthermore, not all matters described herein are mandatory requirements. In particular, matters described herein but not included in the claims can be considered optional additional matters.

[0049] Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, the term “means” in this specification and the claims means hardware (or functions realized by hardware) and does not include human beings (or human mental activity).

[0050] It should also be noted that the applicant is only aware of the prior art inventions described in the "Prior Art Documents" section of this specification, and the present invention is not necessarily intended to solve the problems described in those prior art inventions. The problems that the present invention aims to solve should be determined by considering this specification as a whole. For example, if this specification describes that a certain effect is achieved by a particular configuration, it can also be said that the problem that is the inverse of that predetermined effect is solved. However, this does not necessarily mean that such a particular configuration is an essential requirement. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0051] 1 User terminal 100 Reservation support device 11. Treatment History Management Methods 12. Reservation time setting method 13 Reservation control means 14 Memory means

Claims

1. A treatment history management means that stores the treatment history of customers at a store in a memory means, A reservation support device comprising: a reservation time setting means that, when receiving a reservation from a customer, sets the reservation time by increasing or decreasing a time corresponding to the customer's treatment history stored in the storage means relative to a predetermined standard time, based on the correspondence between the items included in the treatment history and how the reservation time should be set.

2. A treatment history management means for storing the treatment history of a customer at a store in a storage means, A reservation support device comprising: a reservation time setting means that, when accepting a reservation from a customer, sets the reservation time to be longer than a predetermined standard time if the customer's treatment history is not stored in the storage means.

3. The reservation support device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the treatment history management means stores in the storage means an adjustment time to be added to or subtracted from the standard time as time corresponding to the customer's treatment history.

4. The treatment history management means includes the step of storing the customer's treatment history at the store in a storage means, A reservation support method that includes the step of setting a reservation time means when receiving a reservation from a customer, by increasing or decreasing a time corresponding to the customer's treatment history stored in the storage means relative to a predetermined standard time, based on the correspondence between the items included in the treatment history and how the reservation time should be set.

5. Computers, A treatment history management means that stores the treatment history of customers at a store in a memory means, A reservation support program that functions as a reservation time setting means, which, when receiving a reservation from a customer, sets the reservation time by increasing or decreasing the time corresponding to the customer's treatment history stored in the storage means relative to a predetermined standard time, based on the correspondence between the items included in the treatment history and how the reservation time should be set.

6. The treatment history management means includes the step of storing the customer's treatment history at the store in a storage means, A reservation support method that includes the step of setting a reservation time longer than a predetermined standard time when the reservation time setting means accepts a reservation from a customer and the customer's treatment history is not stored in the storage means.

7. Computers, A treatment history management means that stores the treatment history of customers at a store in a memory means, A reservation support program that functions as a reservation time setting means, which, when receiving a reservation from a customer, sets the reservation time to be longer than a predetermined standard time if the customer's treatment history is not stored in the storage means.

Images